A sumptuous affair that brought the romance of Paris to the heart of Singapore.
If there’s one city that’s played a starring role in the love story of Amanda Kian of family-owned Dejewel Galleria Fine Jeweler, and corporate banker Kian Liau, it’s Paris. It was while on holiday in the City of Love in 2013 that the only son of a prominent timber merchant proposed to Amanda on her 28th birthday. With the Eiffel Tower twinkling magically against the night sky, Kian popped the question.
Three years later and they were back in Paris for their pre-wedding photo shoot, with famous emblems of love such as the Eiffel Tower and the Lourve forming the backdrop of their emotion-fuelled photos and wedding video.
The Eiffel Tower also appeared in just about every aspect of their wedding celebration at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore on February 18, 2017: on the stage design, on reception tables, the photo wall, a mega story board chronicling the jetsetters’ travel conquests, the dessert table and the wedding cake. “The Eiffel Tower symbolises our love and commitment to each other,” says Amanda.
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The celebration was broken into three parts: the solemnisation ceremony, Chinese tea ceremony and a grand dinner reception at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore attended by many noted members of the jewellery, finance and wood and building industries.
Entering the Island Ballroom, guests, were greeted by scenes right out of Paris’ streets, from distinct black street lamps lining the aisle, to the light, romantic tunes that filled the air and the blooms of Holland pink rose, lilac matthiola, yam roses, purple eustomas, purple hydrangea and phalaenopsis that decorated the room.
WHEN AMANDA MET KIAN
Co-workers at a large bank, the pair only got to know each other when they attended the same training class back in 2009. Sparks flew when Amanda delivered a presentation, prompting Kian to email her out to lunch and eventually dates. After a short but intense courtship, they became an item.
THE PROPOSAL
Knowing that Amanda has always loved Paris, Kian chose the city as the stage for his surprise proposal. “I have always loved it for its rich history and the magnificent buildings and architecture. We have beautiful memories of time spent together in Central Europe and Eastern Europe,” she says.
THE RINGS
Since Amanda comes from a family of jewellers, it was natural for Kian to secretly approach her father for diamonds for a ring. However, he left the design to Amanda, as being in the business of jewellery design meant that she had a strong idea of her personal style. “I designed my own ring in a timeless, elegant style. It was a trio of 18-karat yellow-white-rose gold and the ring profile was designed with our initials K and A surrounded with pink diamonds.”
The wedding bands were also designed in rose and white gold with the couple’s initials in pink diamonds.
THE VENUE
Shortlisting three top hotels, the couple eventually settled for Shangri-La Hotel Singapore. “I love the Rococo, Renaissance style, and the ballroom displayed that grandeur along with the space for more than 70 tables. We are also won over by the magnificent chandeliers,” says the bride. The wedding solemnisation ceremony was held at The Dutch Pavilion, which was decked out in delicate pastel hues.
THE BRIDE WORE
The bride donned the princess-like treads of Hayley Paige for her first march-in. With a glittering bustier top, voluminous layered skirt, it had a chapel train she had always dreamt of wearing. For the second march-in, she wore a pink Cinobi gown from Truly Enamoured. Her sending off dress was an Anna Campbell creation. Earlier in the day, she marched down the aisle in a customised gown from Lacebridge Weddings while her tea ceremony dress was from The Red Wedding. Outfits were matched with footwear from Charlotte Olympia, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Louboutin andSalvatore Ferragamo while accessories from Gioielli completed the look. All jewellery was from Dejewel Galleria Fine Jeweler, except a 999 traditional dragon phoenix jewellery set from Luk Fook jewellery in Hong Kong, which was a gift from her parents-in-law. She also wore some heirloom pieces from her mum, which she received from her mother at her own wedding.
THE GROOM WORE
Kian donned outfits by High Fashion Custom Tailors & Gents Wear Specialist, accessorised with pieces from Louis Vuitton and Salvatore Ferragamo, as well as shoes from Jimmy Choo and Andre Valentino. A Rolex timepiece lent just the right dose of class and debonair.
LIGHT-FILLED MOMENTS
The ballroom was awash in pink, blue and purple mood lights while the couple’s monogram was flashed across the ballroom. Fairy lights, entwined with pink and purple orchids and greenery set the tone for a Parisian romance tale.
FOOD & WINE
Dinner was a seven-course individually plated dinner served with red and white wines that were specially brought in from Spain, along with Louis XIII. ShiLi and Adi crooned while Tay Kexin of Sparkle Live Music provided lively commentary throughout the evening.
SWEET THINGS
The French themed dessert table by The Delights Heaven was a visual feast with cupcakes, gold-dusted candy pops, croquembouche tower, panna cotta shot glass, marshmallow on sticks, Hershey’s Kisses and caramel popcorn in jars.
FIRST DANCE
The newlyweds danced to Ed Sheeran’ s Thinking Out Loud, to steps choreographed by Josephine Tan from John and Josephine Dance Creative. Amanda wore a figure-skimming metallic dress cinched at the waist from 1728 Wedding House.
LET’S EAT CAKE
The five-tiered, 1.3-metre tall wedding cake from The Delights Heaven was a glittering confection with gold diamantes and a 3D Eiffel Tower.
HEARTFELT MESSAGE
Amanda thought hard to find a meaningful gift to present to her parents at her wedding: “It had to be symbolic, and I had a feeling that my mum would cry at the wedding ceremony, so I personalised a wedding handkerchief for my parents’ happy tears. It was delicately embroidered with a message to them.”
PLACECARDS
Adorable love carriage frames served to display guests’ names—and made a unique souvenir of the Parisian affair. Personalised gold foil stamped napkins were also presented as tokens to guests.
Bride’s Outfits 1728 Wedding House; Anna Campbell; Hayley Paige; Cinobi/Truly Enamoured; Lacebridge Wedding; The Red Wedding
Groom’s Outfits High Fashion Custom Tailors & Gents Wear Specialist
Photographer David Ng/Live Studios
Videographer Han/AllureWeddings
Photo booth Live Studios
Make-up and Hair MUA TG Goh
Hair Ken Hong
Florist Dolly/JM Florist (florist and concept planning); Floral Magic (bouquet)
Planner Michelle Poh/Hitched Weddings