Stella and Choon-Wi put on one of the funnest and fullest wedding days I have ever been to - it was a huge day, packed with so many different, meaningful, hilarious, awesome traditions! They win the "Kim and Liam got a bit snap happy" prize for this season... I have to try to be brief with my words, or this blog will end up 10x longer than it should! So let me take you back to an incredibly amazing wedding, at a lovely venue in Wanaka called, well... "The Venue".
Stella and Choon-Wi (otherwise known as Chewy) have been together for over 4 years. Chewy proposed at the top of Signal Hill, on a pitch black night. All Stella could do was say "yes!!!!!!" and then run back to car to see what her new ring actually looked like under the car lights! Their wedding day was a celebration of all that has been in their relationship, and all that is yet to come. It was a beautiful mix of their Maylasian and New Zealand upbringings. They are a gorgeous couple who like to have a lot of fun. A LOT. More on that later!
We met Stella and her girls getting hair and make-up done. Stella was calm and already looking stunning when we arrived!
Stella and Choon-Wi (otherwise known as Chewy) have been together for over 4 years. Chewy proposed at the top of Signal Hill, on a pitch black night. All Stella could do was say "yes!!!!!!" and then run back to car to see what her new ring actually looked like under the car lights! Their wedding day was a celebration of all that has been in their relationship, and all that is yet to come. It was a beautiful mix of their Maylasian and New Zealand upbringings. They are a gorgeous couple who like to have a lot of fun. A LOT. More on that later!
We met Stella and her girls getting hair and make-up done. Stella was calm and already looking stunning when we arrived!
Literally 10m away, in the house next door, Chewy and his boys were getting suited up. Looking very smart and sophisticated indeed.
I'll be honest though - what followed was a minor lapse in that sophistication. We all sprung into the next big part of the day - the "traditional" Chinese 'Ceremony Games'. A part of the day where we had no idea what we were in for! I have never laughed so hard at a wedding in my life...
If you didn't know any better, you would have been forgiven for thinking you had walked into a stag do, rather than a wedding day. Don't say I didn't warn you! But never fret, we will be back with the prettiness very soon!
The bridesmaids (and probably around 15 of Stella's good friends) challenge the groom (and his entourage of boys!) to complete a series of tasks in order to earn his bride, who is hidden away in a secret room in the house! The first challenge involved a lot of dancing, girls underwear, nappies, and kids juice boxes... need I say more?!
The guys also have to pay money to all the girls as an extra incentive to let them pass the challenges. And I tell you what, the girls ran a hard bargain! Inside each of these envelopes was a $5 note... and they had to be passed out continuously before Chewy could even take a step inside the house!
Singing a Chinese love song loud enough that his hidden bride might hear him... third time lucky and he passed that challenge!
A bit of balloon popping man-love...
And some physical challenges to prove he is manly enough for his bride.
A contract to sign, declaring his undying willingess to "do all the housework, carry Stella's bags while she shops 'till she drops, always put the toilet seat down and to always admit he is in the wrong"...!
And while his gorgeous oriental princess nervously waits (for about an hour!), Chewy has one more Cinderella story challenge to complete. He must find her missing shoe around the house, and present it to his bride to ensure it fits.
Oh, and also get past Aiwei, the final road-block to his bride!!
Chewy has proved his manliness, his love, and his ability to do anything without embrassment... and he earns his bride in full!
And the shoe fits!! (Phew!)
Back to the sophistication and classiness - the next item on the agenda was the traditional 'tea ceremony' where family members serve each other tea as a formal introduction and gesture of respect.
After a lunch with the family and friends, Stella had some more girl time, preparing for the ceremony.
The ceremony took place on the lawn at 'The Venue', and it was stunning!
His second glimpse at his bride, and Chewy's smile is a mile wide...
Gorgeous kids taking control of the videography...
And just like that, they are man and wife!! Wahoooo! A very good reason to dance down the aisle...
Don't leave yet! So much happened in this day that I had to split the blog in 2! I urge you to check out Part Two of Stella and Chewy's wedding... this is where is gets particularly beautiful... so check it out!! Here is one sneak peek of what you will find...
Take me to Part II of Stella and Chewy's Blog!!
