Cover Wedding planners Michele Li, Lelian Chew and Nicole Froelich take us behind the scenes (Photo: Getty Images)
Wedding planners Michele Li, Lelian Chew and Nicole Froelich take us behind the scenes (Photo: Getty Images)
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Weddings are no longer mere events but expressions of personal identity—and some couples’ identities require a lot of expression. We sit down with wedding planners Lelian Chew, Michele Li and Nicole Froelich to get the scoop
Tatler spoke to three wedding planners—Michele Li, founder of Hong Kong-based The Wedding Company; Singapore-based Lelian Chew, founder of The Wedding Atelier; and Nicole Froelich of Nicole Please Weddings, based in Hong Kong and Zurich—who reveal the sometimes extraordinary demands of their clients. All three see their mission as being to craft weddings that are not only memorable but also deeply personal, celebrating individuality without judgement. These weddings are a marathon affair, as is the preparation, with Froelich admitting to investing more than 600 hours into planning each wedding she does. They spare no detail.
How long have you been in the business and how many weddings have you planned to date?
Michele Li: I started in 2003 and have lost track of how many weddings—maybe 500? I have planned weddings and events across China, Bali, Phuket, Japan, the Maldives, London and on the shores of Lake Lucerne.
Lelian Chew: The Wedding Atelier has been in business for over 12 years, first opening in Hong Kong, followed by Singapore and Shanghai. Our work [has taken us] across Asia, Hawaii, Europe, the Maldives, Dubai and down south in Australia.
Nicole Froelich: I started planning weddings in 2015, with my first wedding in Switzerland. Since then, I’ve organised more than 100 weddings worldwide, including in Indonesia, India, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Turkey and Morocco.
Above Michele Li, founder of Hong Kong-based The Wedding Company
Michele Li, founder of Hong Kong-based The Wedding Company
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What new wedding trends have emerged in the last year?
Li: Smaller destination weddings, champagne towers, sustainable weddings, brighter and happier colours, and more immersive experiences.
Chew: We have seen a significant rise in the use of technology, particularly with the incorporation of AI, video mapping and drones into wedding celebrations. This state- of-the-art approach allows us to create breathtaking visuals and experiences that were previously unimaginable.
What is the most extravagant wedding request you’ve received from a client?
Li: I’ve had all sorts of extravagant requests, some of which are just not feasible, while others we do our best to accommodate. Years ago, a groom wanted live jellyfish as the centrepiece for his 50-table wedding at the Grand Hyatt. I advised him to consult with his mother, and the idea was ultimately turned down. On another occasion, we re-panelled an entire ballroom in just eight hours to meet a client’s vision. My team and I pride ourselves on our ability to handle unique and challenging requests.
Chew: One of my most memorable moments was helping a client who wanted to serve the perfect wine at his wedding reception—not by selecting what was already available but by purchasing a vineyard and producing the wine himself. We assisted with sourcing vineyards, conducting site visits and securing the vineyard just for this to happen. Another standout request involved the construction of a hotel specifically for the wedding guests. For this client, who already owned several hotels, the idea was to create a purpose-built venue that would represent the start of the couple’s journey together. This wasn’t just about luxury—it was about crafting an experience that reflected the lengths the client was willing to take to make the wedding truly one of a kind. Nothing is impossible. With enough time and resources, we can make anything happen. Is it going to be difficult? Yes. Impossible? No.
Froelich: We’ve built a wedding set in the middle of the Game of Thrones forest in New Zealand and choreographed the lighting up of a desert near Marrakech with thousands of candles and 30,000 rose petals. The goal is to make the wedding unforgettable. When celebrities Celina Jade and Han Geng said their I dos on New Year’s Eve in New Zealand in 2020, we flew drones across the forest to scout for their perfect secluded location. There was no electricity for the thousand fairy lights, no water, no gas for the catering and no power for music—not to mention the wild sheep living there. The challenge isn’t about reaching the moon; it’s about making you feel like you’re on the moon without leaving Earth. And that’s a challenge we happily take on.
Above Singapore-based Lelian Chew, founder of The Wedding Atelier
Singapore-based Lelian Chew, founder of The Wedding Atelier
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What are the most lavish design elements you’ve brought to life for a client?
Li: Sometimes, more is not better. We focus on creating elegant, low-key weddings that truly reflect the couple’s vision. That said, we’ve had some extraordinary moments, like when Cirque du Soleil created an entire 90-minute show based on the couple’s story.
Froelich: Just two and a half months before their wedding, a couple from Dubai approached me with an urgent request. They wanted to get married in Zurich and, despite it being winter at the time, they wanted to feel like they were surrounded by nature. We transformed the iconic ballroom of the Dolder Grand Hotel into a mystical forest. To achieve this, we brought in 400 real trees from 22 different species, carefully arranged by our florists alongside lush greenery, flowers, fountains and 300 square metres of fresh ground moss. The most striking feature was a 70-metre-long, eight-metre-high forest wall print that wrapped around the oval-shaped ballroom, creating a deep, immersive atmosphere.
Above Nicole Froelich of Nicole Please Weddings, based in Hong Kong and Zurich
Nicole Froelich of Nicole Please Weddings, based in Hong Kong and Zurich
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“A client wanted to serve the perfect wine at his wedding reception—not by selecting what was already available but by purchasing a vineyard and producing the wine himself ”
How do you ensure an exceptional culinary experience?
Li: We’ve had some truly extravagant food and beverage offerings at our weddings, from multicourse gourmet dinners prepared by noted chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants to custom-designed tasting menus that reflect the couple’s favourite cuisines. We’ve also curated elaborate stations with caviar and Ibérico ham, and brought in world-renowned mixologists to create signature cocktails. We collaborate closely with top-tier chefs and caterers, focusing on sourcing the finest ingredients and perfecting the presentation.
Chew: We often invite top chefs to temporarily close their restaurants and make special private appearances for our couples. In one instance, the chef crafted a bespoke menu using off-season ingredients and summer delicacies served in the middle of winter. We conduct multiple tastings—my record is 14 separate tastings to perfect one menu—to ensure every dish is perfect for both the couple and their guests.
Froelich: We give the food and beverage experience just as much focus as every other aspect of the wedding, ensuring that each of the couple’s guests receives the attention they deserve. At one wedding with 350 guests, we provided 68 different menu variations to accommodate each guest’s dietary restrictions and preferences. It was a priority for the couple to cater to everyone’s needs.
Finally, what unique entertainment elements have you arranged to make the wedding celebrations memorable for the couple?
Li: We’ve organised portrait sessions for guests by world- renowned photographers, flown in different performers and arranged for Italian bands to perform on small islands. We have also included custom firework displays, fashion illustrators and once even presented a three-day weekend highlight video on a custom card as guests boarded their private jets home. Each detail is tailored to the couple’s interests and budget, ensuring every event is both distinctive and unforgettable.
Chew: Arranging world-class artists to perform at exclusive, private events has become a hallmark of our service. We also facilitate unique collaborations between the couple and renowned artists, crafting personalised surprises that delight both the bride and groom. I always tell my team and my clients that as a wedding planner, I am akin to the conductor of an orchestra, meticulously coordinating every element to create a harmonious event.
Credits
Images: Ugur Karakoc/Getty Images (Event); Melanie Kuenzli (Froelich); Maritha Mae (Chew)
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print. She also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts — curates star-studded events, and builds the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
