Was quite surprised when I received a call from Heiko a week ago asking if I was available to shoot his wedding.

I was recommended to him and his fiancée (Jessica) by someone I had worked with previously – thank you (you know who you are) – and after checking out byNoelYeo.com, he got in touch.

Even though it was short notice, I managed to shuffle my schedule around and accepted the assignment.

Jessica and Heiko decided to not to do a full pre-wedding shoot, opting rather for a short shoot just before their solemnisation and dinner. The following images were captured in less than 1 hour in and around the National Museum of Singapore.

Despite the oppressive heat and the fact that they had less than an hour before guests started arriving, both Jessica and Heiko were incredibly calm and co-operative. I guess that’s what happens when you’re deliriously in love with each other.

We even managed to get a few shots of Jessica alone in and around the Museum – while Heiko was busy getting all the guests settled in.

Here are some pictures of the Novus restaurant and bar that the dinner took place in.

Next up on byNoelYeo.com, Jessica & Heiko’s solemnisation, reception and dinner.

Noel

In Noel’s bag:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS USM
• EF 24-70mm F/2.8L USM
• EF 50mm F/1.2L
• SpeedLite 580 EX II
• SpeedLite 480EX II
• SpectraLite Bounce Card

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A fellow photographer friend of mine, Jérôme Meyer ( aka thinklad on Flickr) was invited to shoot the wedding of Laurence & Arjen – a beautiful couple who have been in love for about a decade. From the photos you can see that they’re still very much in love.

As it was one of Jérôme’s first official photography gigs – and because I always wanted to shoot with him – I offered to be his backup on the day. I think it worked out really well, the night before we had dinner at Rocks: Urban Grill + Bar and prepped for the full day of photography. Jérôme’s lens of choice is the 50mm F/1.4 (yes he’s a Nikon user but we won’t that against him – joke) so I opted for the divine Canon EF 70-200 F/2.8L IS USM so that I wouldn’t get in his way too much.

note: The EF 70-200 F/2.8L IS USM is fast becoming my most used lens – despite me having dropped it down a flight of jagged, muddy stairs in Cameron Highlands, it still takes extraordinary photos… but back to the couple.

So Laurence & Arjen had just half a day to get their pre-wedding photos, followed immediately by their solemnisation, reception and dinner. So with fingers crossed for good weather, we set off at 10am for the following locations: the Botannical Gardens, Raffles Hotel, the Old Supreme Court, Cavenagh Bridge and The Fullerton Hotel)

Here are the highlights of their pre-wedding photos with a series of Lightroom 2 presets and optimisations.

I have a great deal of respect for Arjen, traipsing around the humid Botannical Gardens at 11am in a 3 piece suit. If I were in his shoes, I don’t think I would be nearly as chirpy.

We then happened to drive past the Raffles Hotel… it was there that Arjen proposed to Laurence, so after some last minute swerves by the maxi-cab driver, we pulled up for an impromptu shoot at where this journey began.

Off to the Old Supreme Court Building…

Then off to the final leg – along the Singapore River, Cavenagh Bridge.

By this point we’d been shooting in the full afternoon sun for about 3 hours and I all four of us were totally wiped out. But a we wrapped up the shoot… Laurence runs into The Fullerton (followed closely by Arjen), down the flight of stairs, up to the Koi pond in the basement, and sticks her fingers into the water. Both of them are in hysterics, giggling like school kids, and that was it – the perfect way to wrap up an exhausting but amazing shoot.

While the couple retreated to their homes to freshen up, I ducked home, emptied my CF cards, got my kit ready for the solemnisation, had a shower, then promptly fell asleep on the couch for a 45min nap (if you do the same don’t forget to set the alarm!)

Next up on byNoelYeo.com, Laurence & Arjen’s solemnisation, reception and dinner.

Noel

In Noel’s bag:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• EF 70-200 F/2.8L IS USM
• EF 24-70 F/2.8L USM
• 4x Water Bottles
• 1x big stack of napkins

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Retrospective: 13th Dec 2008

I was invited to shoot backup with Samantha Tay, the person that first got me hooked on Bridal work and a photographer that I have a great deal of respect for. The lovely couple in question are Tris and Keith, both young, enthusiastic and totally in love.

Whenever I shoot a wedding, the excitement that I feel is usually accompanied by a little bit of nervousness. In this instance I actually turned up at the groom’s house for the wedding on time – but 1 week before the actual day! So there I was at 6am, outside an apartment that was completely dark. Suffice to say I felt silly waking the groom up only to have him inform me the wedding was the following week! Better safe than sorry was my only consolation really! At least I managed to do a site recce and wouldn’t get lost when it really mattered!

Here are some of the highlights of their wedding preparations, bride-bargaining, and the reception:

Despite waking up at 5am, the Bride and Groom were all smiles and ready to go.

One last spritz for the road

This is where emotions ran high… but Keith was quite the gentleman and tried his best to play along with the whole bargaining process. After the bounty was paid, he was finally allowed to see his bride.

With the first phase of the official business over, Tris retreated to the bridal suite at the Mandarin Oriental to freshen up before the reception.

Perfect opportunity to get some shots of the couple without hordes of people milling about.

All Keith needed was a little more hairspray and he was ready – Tris took slightly longer than that.

While the Tris and Keith, we were entertained by their niece… and room service! (:

One year later and Tris and Keith are still going strong – and constantly think back to their wonderful wedding day.

Congratulations on your first anniversary Tris&Keith – am so glad that you found your Happily Ever After.

In Noel’s bag:

• Canon EOS 400D
• EF-S 17-85mm F/4-5.6 IS USM
• EF 50mm F/1.8
• Canon SpeedLite 550EX
• Self-constructed bounce card with ink-jet paper and an elastic strap

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A magnificent wedding by all standards, the garden ceremony was held at The Lawn at The Raffles Hotel in the presence of relatives and close friends.

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to work with Bridgit & Alan, and share part of their happiness.

It was also an opportunity for me to really stretch the legs on my new Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM lens.

I have to say though, that Bridgit must be one of the most effervescent brides I’ve ever come across.  The moment she rounded the corner of The Lawn, she was smiling from ear to ear and pretty much didn’t stop giggling the entire way through.

You can see that it even started affecting the groom and the maid of honour too (her sister).

The tea ceremony was interesting…

On the one hand you had Alan’s parents who took the whole affair very seriously, whereas Bridgit’s parents just laughed and had a ball – I’m surprised I managed to get this solemn shot in between the smiles.

Mr and Mrs O’Soonovan were then official!

With the official business over, first fix the hair, then the bride received some much needed champagne.

While the children seemed to understand that there was an ‘adults’ thing’ going on, nothing was going to stop them having fun – I think we found ourselves a new Singapore Idol (see kid with mic), a real showman.

Photos with family and friends – you can tell from their expressions that everyone was having a brilliant time.

The bride and groom with all the girlfriends (and one extra person – how’d he get in there?). What a gorgeous group of individuals.

And that wraps up Bridgit & Alan’s wedding.

I spoke to the bride today and she commented “You know, it was hectic leading up to the day, but it all went by so fast… and I wish I could do it all again”.

Now when a bride says that she wants to do it all again, you know it was a great wedding!

Noel

In Noel’s bag:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• EF 50mm F/1.2L USM
• EF 70-200 F/2.8L IS USM
• Canon SpeedLite 580EX II
• Self-constructed bounce card with ink-jet paper and an elastic strap

Next up, Blankanvas‘ first anniversary party extravaganza – photographed byNoelYeo.

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Held in the beautiful Armenian Church along Coleman Street, Tina and Andy tie the knot in front of a small gathering of family and friends from all over the world.

Here are some highlights of the day:

L: The bride is prepared by maid of honour, Furry, and her mom.     R: Bride assists mother of the groom.

Beauty in the mad rush of bridal preparations.

L: Guests await the arrival of the bride cooled by…     R: traditional Batik fans provided during registration

L: Mom of the bride welcomes guests with pure Indonesian glamour     R: Maid of honour’s hubby and son

Pre-wedding nerves + comfort from dad = a radiant bride

L: The look on the groom’s face was priceless – happiness and relief in equal parts

Getting down to the business-side of things

L: The kiss (first of many)     R: Tears (first of many)

Tina and Andy practically glowed – they were that happy

Someone commented that Tina’s gown resembled ‘something Queen Amidala would wear’. If I were him I would have said ‘the dress looks awfully regal… like something a princess would wear’. It’s all in the phrasing.

L: Makin’ out in the gardens of the Armenian Church     R: Something that looks like it came out of Style Weddings

L: One benefit of the dress, awesome posture     R (Andy): “Got the girl!”

1 couple, 12 nationalities, 3 generations, 1 extended family portrait.

There’s always one that’s gotta be different isn’t there

Official business over, these tykes (literally) tore up the church’s grounds

In their white chariot, I think they were just glad to be in air conditioning again

L: During Andy’s speech over dinner, Tina’s parents look on approvingly.    R: Squealing with delight as guests tease Andy

Tina and Andy are one exceptionally lovely couple and I hope they see many many happy years together!

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~ for the second time~

The first wedding was held in Singapore, with a second reception for Pat’s family in Malaysia.

Pat, a bubbly and kooky bride, was a pleasure to photograph while Ian (the strong silent type) did break into occasional bouts of comedy.

I think he was testing to see if I was fast enough to capture it.

Here’s is a behind-the-scenes look at their preparations:

~The gown~

~The lovely maid of honour Michelle arrives~

~The transformation of Pat begins~

~First look: Shanghainese Chic~

~With best mates M&M (Michelle&Mann)~

~The groom getting ready~

~Groom ready, he gives the green light his mom to get done up~

~And that’s just 10% of the clips already in her head!~

~The mother of the groom nearly stole the show~

~All set for the tea ceremony: Pat flanked by friends (on left) and family (on right)~

Next post: The Tea Ceremony and Reception…

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