It was not love at first sight, but four years after meeting as colleagues in Universal Studios Singapore, Neo Qiang Horng (aka Neo) and Maricar Abellon (aka Kai) began their new journey by tying the knot in Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa.
Their tropical island wedding was a perfect trinity of pristine beach, turquoise-coloured seawater and clear blue skies stretching out into the Boracay horizon. With towering palm trees in the hotel's vast Alon Garden overlooking a private beach, the couple carved out a sunny, blue-themed paradise for their ceremony.
Impressive DIY decorations and props were prepared by the couple and brought in with the help of their friends. Charming jarfuls of flowers hooked on golden rods paved the walkway to the white altar, while colourful paper pennant banners in stripes and dots circled around tables and tree trunks. While the ceremony was simple, the personal touch lingered in every detail of this blissful occasion.
Kai wore a flowy organza gown with illusion neckline and floral applique from The Wedding Present — with its edges dip-dyed in a sea blue colour — perfectly representing who she was. "I didn't want a traditional gown. I really wanted something different. Something which would make me feel like me and not some other bride from a magazine," says the Filipino bride who was heavily pregnant at the time.
For their lunch reception at the hotel's Sirena Restaurant, a little surprise was prepared for the attending guests. Each guest was designated with a seat spotting their individual photos, a personalized gift from the newlyweds. Accompanying the photos taken from their wedding photobooth were varying tea selections and handwritten thank-you notes in mason jars.
