Cover Tatler friends Nickson Auyong and So Jing Theng tied the knot in true theatrical fashion at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in September (Photo: Sanren)
Tatler friends Nickson Auyong and So Jing Theng tied the knot in true theatrical fashion at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in September (Photo: Sanren)
1 / 1
The theatre-loving couple dedicated a portion of their wedding reception to a grand theatrical production inspired by their real-life love story
Two unforgettable nights celebrating fashion, music and Malaysian performing arts, Nickson Auyong and So Jing Theng’s wedding had more surprise twists and musical numbers than a Broadway play—and the happy couple wouldn’t have had it any other way.
The day started with a heartfelt tea ceremony and lively gate-crashing games, followed by a ROM ceremony and the exchanging of vows at The Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, where the glittering wedding reception kicked off in true theatrical flair.
“Our theme was Vogue, Red Carpet, Theatre. We love music, fashion and performing arts—hence, we incorporated these creative elements to our wedding reception, envisioning to have a wedding like no other and reimagining what a traditional wedding dinner can actually be,” muses So, who is product director for IT distribution company Techdata Systems.
Malik Taufiq was the 'ring-master' of the evening
1 / 7
“We crafted a reception programme that is different from a standard wedding night, from getting their involvement to dress up for the night to rocking a red carpet moment in the fashionable Vogue way. It was a night filled with surprises that kept all of our guests truly entertained. We started off the night the theatre way. There was no emcee, but a ringmaster instead. We opened the night with our Love Rendezvous film to transport our guests to New York to catch a musical called #SoInLoveWithNick,” she adds.
Given the couple’s shared love of musicals, it’s no surprise that their wedding reception’s grand theatrical theme hints at a treasured memory back in New York City, where they first saw Moulin Rouge together at Times Square. “We thought our very own homegrown love story could be quite interesting to share in a musical way, incorporating our favourite songs. That’s the power of music; it can transcend our memory to a specific moment,” says Auyong, the second-generation owner and general manager of the Tiong Tat Printing company.
Read more: Valerie Ong and Travis Loh Tie the Knot in a Beautiful Garden Ceremony
After a surprise proposal in the lush garden setting of Ciao Ristorante’s glasshouse in Kuala Lumpur, plans were set for the big day. Auyong and So even travelled to their favourite place, New York City, to film their pre-wedding cinematic film, which took inspiration from the iconic movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. One scene in particular took place at Tiffany & Co at the Landmark, Fifth Avenue, where the couple enjoyed spontaneous reactions from passersby while filming.
“I was extremely proud and touched by JT (Jing Theng) in her Audrey Hepburn-inspired outfit. One unexpected thing that happened was when we arrived at the Landmark, Tiffany & Co just happened to play Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s scene by their window display. It was a perfect scene! Everyone on the street was cheering for us and congratulating us,” Auyong says. “One passerby approached us asking if we were both getting married for real or if we were models. We took a photo together. That was very cute.”
The reception did not disappoint—an extravaganza of dance, music and romance as a highly talented cast portrayed the couple’s love story from start to finish, with actors Ben Lin and Amanda Ang playing Auyong and So, respectively. Designed in seven acts in collaboration with award-winning local production house Sifu Productions, the show incorporated Auyong and So’s favourite songs with delightful tweaks to the lyrics to fit the couples’s own journey. Guests were truly enthralled by the performances, more so when the bride and bridegroom sang a number of their own and when the Auyong sibling trio sang a loving tribute to their late grandmother, accompanied by a live band.
Nickson and Jing Thing against a stunning backdrop decor by Within the Occasions
1 / 6
Every detail of the wedding was a labour of love and creativity, from wedding invitations-turned Dynasty-era carrier boxes printed specially by the Auyongs’ family business, to wedding boxes that could convert into a Chinese double happiness lantern with the couple’s wedding monogram.
The couple also dazzled the crowd with an array of exquisite bridal outfits for the evening, including a Farah Khan Couture gown worn by So along with her stunning red dress by GABHAUS Couture (a fashion brand founded by the Auyong siblings). Auyong himself donned a sleek Alexander McQueen suit paired with a Burberry shirt, followed by a theme-appropriate black velvet long-tail tuxedo by homegrown label Bespoke—Ian Chang.
Nickson and Jing Theng with their customised leather jackets at the after-party
1 / 6
The night ended with a 90s-themed afterparty, where the couple donned matching biker leather jackets by GABHAUS. Couture, embroidered with their wedding hashtags #SOinlovewithNICK and #NICKloveherSO.
“Of course, planning a wedding with a musical theme was not as simple as it seems, especially at a non–theatre venue. But we are very proud that we did it. Other than the fact that we had our very own love story told through a musical production, we felt so touched when the production team and talents thanked us for giving them the honour of being part of the show,” Auyong says, leaving this advice for other couples planning the wedding of their dreams:
“Take a moment down to understand yourself and what truly reflects you as an individual and a couple to create a wedding memory which is special and unique. We strongly recommend to engage a wedding coordinator to get everything sorted out and not to worry too much on the actual day. Everything will slip through your fingers really fast if you don’t embrace the moment. No matter how much effort you have put into planning the big day, things are not meant to turn out exactly as planned. But that is all part of the fun, so learn to enjoy every moment of it.”
Credits
Photography: Sanren
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
