Expozures

Niven and Daniel's Wedding Dinner

2009-05-20T10:15:00.013+08:00

16th May 2009 - I was given the opportunity by Daniel Chean, an ex-colleague of mine, asking me to cover his wedding day. Of course, I was honoured and more than willing accepted it. '

Here are the photos from their wedding dinner.

Jimmy & Phoebe's Wedding Dinner in PJ

2008-10-09T08:27:00.000+08:00

The journey back from Seremban was almost very smooth with holiday-goers still in their holiday mood. It was 4 hours before I have to be at Overseas Restaurant in Armada Hotel for the finale of Jimmy & Phoebe's Wedding shoot. Running low on space, I had to copy all photos which I took earlier and get ready for the next shoot.

At 6:30pm, I was at Overseas Restaurant and as usual, Jimmy's relatives are displaying their punctuality at their very best. Again, shame on us KL people!! There were 3 weddings there in the restaurant that night.

Upon entering the hall, I was welcomed by this big red banner which wrote the name of Jimmy and Phoebe's parents as well as their own in Mandarin.

I immediately went in, did a few random shots to get the adequate white balance and the correct flash settings on my 580EXII. Being a new addition to my growing arsenal, the 580EXII can be a little tricky to use, but nevertheless, it helped a lot in my shoots especially in low lighting situations on my Canon EOS 450D. Its even able to let me auto focus in total darkness with its AF assist beam.

Went around a bit and found Jimmy and Phoebe welcoming guests at the entrance, so I took a quick opportunity to take photo of them.

The host's table was well decorated, but my only negative comment was the chairs were placed too far apart. Probably the table was big enough for 12 guests.

Among some of the more disciplined early birds were spotted which turns out to be our boss, Mr Frank Teh and missus, Ting, Sures, and Kaviitha.

As the guests slowly filled up the banquet hall, Jimmy and Phoebe prepared for their entrance. Upon entering, they were welcomed by loud applauses from the guests and they slowly made their way to the host. As soon as everyone is seated, the food was served.

At the 4th dish, the couple was welcomed back on stage for a champagne pouring session. I've always wanted to catch the cork when it pops, but after a few previous shoots of being showered with champagne, I learnt that cleaning champagne off my camera can be quite a tidious chore, not to mention the risk Once the glasses were filled, the couple's parents were invited on stage for a Yam Seng session. Jimmy was asked to lead the cheer 3 times but due to some technical glitches, he was seen doing lipsing instead.
Next was the cake cutting session. Jimmy held Phoebe's hand firmly and the loving couple had their moment cutting the cake. Hmm.. I don't remember having any cake for dessert..

The couple then proceeded with table hopping for the Yam Seng session. Some occasional group photos were requested and of course, I would gladly do the 1-2-no 3 snap.
Jimmy's colleagues in SiS Distribution (M) Sdn Bhd was eagerly waiting for their turn to Yam Seng with the couple as they had been saving their breath in prepartion for the longest, loudest cheer of the night. As expected, they were the loudest!!

After dessert, Jimmy & Phoebe got ready at the exit to thank all the guests who had turned up for their wedding dinner. More group photos were taken by my request.

At 11pm, the dinner was over and we all said our goodbyes and left. Phew.. what an experience for me..

Jimmy & Phoebe's Big day!!

2008-10-08T15:48:00.000+08:00

3rd Oct 2008, Seremban - After much preparations from the band of brothers aka "KC and the Sunshine Band" whom had made the journey to Seremban the previous night just to hangout at Jimmy's house in Mambau and to continue our loitering in Seremban town looking for food.

We were to forced to end our night lives early and went to bed at 1am as we're to get up at 4am just to be prepared to reach Jimmy's house at 6am or earlier. Being the punctual handful, we reached as planned, looking like pillow-hungry zombies. Nevertheless, we're at the peak of our youth so 3 hours of sleep is only "wet wet water" for us (I'm actually only speaking for myself ;P).

Upon arrival at Jimmy's house, we're greeted by the "just-woke-up-but-trying-to-look-awake" Jimmy offering us some light breakfast. After breakfast, we were prepared face the obstacles set by the Phoebe's band of sisters at Paya Mengkuang, as usual expecting the worst, hoping for the best.

Guess the sky was happy for Jimmy and Phoebe too, as she shed tears of joy, lots of it. We started our journey to Paya Mengkuang in 3 cars. Jimmy was chaffeured by Alvin, followed by me in Aaron cars and KC driving alone. The 1 and a half hour journey was not too bad despite the wet weather and with lots of oversteering at steep corners going thru oil palm plantations.

Upon reaching Phoebe's home, we're greeted with open gates and it was still raining. I told myself, I will need to properly wipe my camera dry when this is done.

The "flower boy" opened the car door for Jimmy and was given an angpow for his "hardwork" and Jimmy got off with a long smile. The band of brothers, dressed smartly were like commandos reaching the rendezvous point and were prepared to face any embarassment set up by the band of sisters. Luckily time was short and they were only requested to sing a song, loud enough to wake the neighbourhood.

There were casualties of many red packets before the gates were opened only to find an even tougher obstacle, and this time, it was up to Jimmy alone; to pursuade his wife to open up the door to get a good look at her after not seeing her for more than 24 hours.
Another round of sacrificing red packets were done and as soon as the price is right, also pursuasion from the mother-in-law who seems to be siding Jimmy, the doors of happily ever after was finally open revealing the anxious Phoebe in her wedding gown. Jimmy went in and proceeded to give her a kiss on bended knees and Phoebe was ready for the prayers, followed by the tea ceremony.
Just before the tea ceremony, the newly-weds were required to drive around the neighbourhood before re-entering the house to continue with the tea ceremony. Hmm.. I've never heard of this traditional rule.
Tea was served to the elders followed by Jimmy and Phoebe's turn to be served by the younger generations. After some photo sessions, we were about to leave as we had a tight schedule of reaching Jimmy's home before 10am and off we go again, and again in the wet weather.

Upon reaching Jimmy's home, the sun was out and everyone showed their gladness. Since the convoy was early, they were not allowed to enter the home until 10:15am. So photo opportunity for me!!
The newly wed entered the home with a bang, and proceeded to offer their prayers to the upper power and also their ancestors. Another round of tea ceremony was carried out to Jimmy's elders followed by his younger relatives. Everyone hanged out and chatting while it was my turn to smile; Photo Opportunity!!

Here are some of the remaining shots for the day. Enjoy

And we made our way back to KL after having our lunch at Wing Heong Restaurant in Taman Blossom, Seremban. Stay tune for the grand finale!!

Jimmy & Phoebe's Wedding Dinner in Melaka

2008-10-06T17:41:00.000+08:00

As a newcomer in the world of photography, I was given the honour to shoot my colleague Jimmy Haw's wedding. It all started on 1st October, which co-incidently was the 1st day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. 2 other colleagues, KC, Aaron and I started our journey to Seremban to meet up with Alvin before we check into Mahkota Hotel in Melaka. Since It was still too early to check in, we went around town went to Mahkota Parade to "loiter" and ended up playing 2 games of bowling to which I lost badly.

We were kinda hungry so we left and went to search for food. Alvin recommended the Tangkak Beef Noodles. It was superb, probably the best Beef Noodles I've ever had, but as we all know, good things don't come cheap. A big bowl costs RM8 and it doesn't even come with beef meetballs, it had to be ordered separately. So since we felt like tourists, we ordered 4 big bowls of beef noodles, 12 pieces of beef balls and 4 drinks. We then proceed to the hotel to check in took a rest and I prepared my gear for the Jimmy's wedding dinner later in the evening.

We reached the XXXX Restaurant and boy did we have a culture shocked. According to Jimmy and Phoebe's invitation card, it was supposed to start at 6:30pm and friends of relatives of theirs were already at the restaurant and seated. I've never seen wedding dinner guests practising punctuality. Way to go people of Melaka!! I waited for Jimmy and Phoebe to arrive before I went to shoot as I do not know who my contact person was besides Jimmy. At 7pm sharp, Jimmy's eldest sister gave Alvin a call and that was the cue to start shooting.

Here are some of the shots taken during the wedding dinner.

(Nah, this is not theirs, its only their cute flower boy to be in 3 days ;P)