The first 2 weddings of people I love!

I’ve attended quite a number of weddings in my life.

But I think, you know you’ve gotten old, when people who really matter to you start getting married!

This year has been a crazy year for marriages like this! In the month of July alone, I’ve got 4 dates. In August, 1 in washington In june, 1, that I missed! In Iran nonetheless.

A note about this, sorry Makan, I really wanted to come, but a very important work commitment came up (Namely, the Singapore River Festival campaign), and with a young team at the helm, I needed to stay. I wish I had been in Iran. Despite the post election turmoil, a wedding only comes once; but I will see you in Iran or Singapore soon I hope!

PIERRE & LAY SEE’S WEDDING

Moving on, the 2 weddings I have attended so far in July are those of Pierre/Laysee & Daniel/Lera.

Lets talk about Pierre/Laysee first. Truth is, I have not known Pierre for very long. In fact, we only met end of last year! But, already we feel like we are like the best of friends. It’s like that song  “closer than most”. Take out all the mushy bits that are about a guy who has hots for this girl (I’m not gay), and you get that one line that says:

“Well, it may take many years to forge a friendship, It may take a lifetime to get close, but we took all the shortcuts, used our hearts as a map, and we still got closer than most!”

 

I think the reason why me and pierre get along so well, is because our “wavelengths” just match. Our values and what we stand for in life agree with one another.

For one, Pierre is a deeply loyal person. Just looking at him and how he treats his friends, you know, in an instant, that if you become his friend, and you lose that friendship for whatever reason, you have just lost something of great impact. And you probably deserve it. As a friend, he puts everything in. Trusts you implicitly, and demands little back.

As a person, he is very enthusiastic about life, very singular in his focus to achieving more. For somebody who has everything in life, this is no mean feat. Pierre could probably sit back, and still afford a great life, but he does not. He is a go getter, he wants to succeed. His mind does not sit still for one moment, when he is excited about his newest idea. He can’t help but talk about only that.

These are the same qualities in a number of my friends, and in fact also my business partner Tim (We met in similar circumstances), but it is for these reasons, and a number more, that I feel as though I’ve been friends with pierre for years and not months.

Anyway, Pierre told me about his wedding on th 18th of July a while back. And I was all ready to go for that. In fact, I was rather excited, but being the dodo I was, it clashed with another one of my friend’s wedding. In Moscow! Lucky for me then that Pierre’s affair was not a one weekend affair, but two! 100 tables, 1000 guests, and 2 saturdays!

So thank god that Lay See had a spot for me at her dinner, on the 11th of July. I counted the days down, reminded Estee several times, and my entire staff (From KL and SG), planned a side trip to coincide with the date.

So it was on a friday night, that we were la la he he-ing together at my house, when all of a sudden it hit me!!! I got up and sweared, numerous times, when I realised. MY PASSPORT AND ESTEE’s was at the RUSSIAN EMBASSY, since we had submitted it for Visa application.

A wave of despair hit me. These are the kinds of mistakes I chide other people for making, and I had just made it myself. I tried to reconcile myself with it, and called Pierre up, with the news, all hope had vanished.

Then, came Kaizhi to the rescue. I was treating the Nuffies to a realllyyy expensive sukiyaki meal as a farewell party for Eugene, Elaine and Meiyan, and Kaizhi, decided to be a lightbulb and join us! He came in to the living room, sensed the sombre mood, and when I told everyone the reason, he looked at me with his nonchalant, and trademark blank stare, and said, “Oh no problem, go down to the ICA, and apply for a temporary passport!” 

THANK GODDDDD KAIZHI CAME! THANK GOODDDDD for the ICA, THANK GOD FOR OUR GAHMENNN, I LOVE YOU MUACKSSS!!!!

Saturday, morning. 3 hours, 2 passport photos, 1 interview, and 1 tao huey drink later, we both had a piece of paper that assured us safe passage to Malaysia. To all detractors, I mean, try getting a temporary passport ANYWHERE ELSE in the world. I doubt it would be so straightforward. I love our gahmen!

The stunning view from our hotel.

Meleka truly has a place in my heart. My best friend’s family, the Chee’s live here. And I make it a point to come down at least twice a year to visit and say hi. I never fail to get bombarded by curry powder, pineapple tarts and fruits from their plantation when I do.

I love the TLC.

Rooms had been arranged for us at the Holiday Inn (Thanks lay see), where the wedding was to be held. The 2 best hotels in Meleka are the Holiday Inn and Renassaince, but I really liked the holiday inn, and you should stay there, if you are in the area.

Its very modern, and the rooms are well appointed. After having lunch with the Nuffies, we retired to the hotel, had a short nap, and were up at 5pm to doll up and get ready.

Estee took forever to curl her hair, and I was having a go at her, as the invitation said 630PM cocktails, 7PM SHARP, dinner. It was 7. I hate being late.

 

It seems Melekans dun mind though, and when we rushed down, they were still chilling out at the lounge.

The dress code too was decidedly casual, and we felt overdressed. I saw one guy in jeans and polo t shirt for gods sake!

Get yourself a suit! Be a man! Do the right thing!

The ballroom was a grand one, with no pillars, and filled to the brim with 50 t ables.

The decorations were elegant, not overdone, classy, modern oriental.

The nicest table was of course the VIP table, which was decked up

You see the “xi” character behind? Think it looks traditional? It does. But it spells “Happi” twice when you look at it sideways.

The menu, which included, Lobster, Sharks Fin, with a nice photo inside.

And finally! The main event! The arrival of the BEAUUTIFULLLL bride, and the HUMMSUPPPPP groom!

As soon as they cut the cake, boom! Fireworks! 

And of course, the humsuppppp kiss!!!! Ok no lah, it was actually very nice and elegant lah. Estee took this photo. She very humsupp.

In betweeen of course, we were entertained by stories of the couple, photo slideshows, and a really nice animation from the bride’s best friend and matchmaker, Kelly.

In between my afternoon nap, I got a phone call from my best friend’s mother. She was like, “Ming, you in meleka ah? Going for the fairytale wedding huh!?” It seems everybody has been referring to this match as a fairytale match. The whole meleka (its a small place) was buzzing. And i mean the WHOLE meleka.

And the story of the couple showed me why.  Pierre and Lay See met when they were 11 apparently. At Lay See’s birthday party, when Pierre took notice of her, after she had glamorously spilled spagetthi over herself. Pierre called up his cousin, Kelly, Lay See’s best friend, and after bribing her with the promise of her own prince charming hookup, he was in business!

15 years later, and boom! There you have it. Awwwww so sweet lorrrr. I honestly was teary, when I heard their speeches. It was beautiful, and I felt so touched, as I felt a part of their lives now!

Our first shot with the wedding couple!

 And the beautiful people on our table!

The party is not over until the father in law sings! And boy did he sing, with pierre as the iphone flame swinging fan behind.

I was honestly so happy to have made it for the wedding. I felt a kind of satisfaction I’d never felt at previous weddings. And subconciously, I found myself, willing for this partnership to succeeed beyond their lifetime. Its one thing to say it, its another thing to really really mean it.

DANIEL & LERA’S WEDDING

The second wedding happened the weekend after, and in the romantic capital of Russia, Moscow.

We touched down, and were met by the hotel driver which was arranged by Daniel.

 

Daniel had very kindly put us up in the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Moscow. An extremely luxurious, and pricey hotel, overlooking the red square and kremlin.

Moscow is the MOST expensive city in the world. Forget Tokyo, forget London, forget New York, these cities are all WAY cheaper.

Our room was beautifully appointed, with a hugggeee bed, and luxurious sheets and covers, oh my god, it was soooo good sleeping on this!

Our bathroom.

We were also on the executive club floor, and had access to the Club. Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner, and supper are on offer here 24 hours a day, so you’ll never go hungry. There is also a personal butler and concierge so all your needs are taken care off.

We arrived with a couple of spare days, so I could bring Estee around and do some sightseeing.

The kremlin walls.

St Basils Cathedral.

Arbat, the touristy shopping stretch. Where I bought all the souvenirs for the nuffies!

The metro station, all of which are highlights unto themselves, being ornately designed by the soviets with revolutionary themes.

Like this dude!

My favourittteee shopping experience in all of moscow! Verniszach market! It was rather far out, near Izmailovsky park, and we ran into a rather scary incident with the Russian police, but this place is the BEST place to shop for Russian souvenirs, like Matryoshka Dolls, which I love, becasue its all still hand painted, and really is a craft.

Finally on to the wedding and the wedding couple.

I first met Daniel, at a Halloween party in my first year in London. I remember it vividly.

I saw this dude standing around, looking a little bored. So I went up to him, introduced myself, and said, “Hi my name is ming, and I’m from Singapore.”

He replied, saying, “Hi, I’m daniel, and I stay in Singapore too, but I’m russian!”

I was intrigued, and we got to talking, before we found that besides having singapore in common, Daniel also played squash.

The rest is history. Many hours of lectures were skipped, with squash games, and long long discussions. I think all my friends have similar passions as me. Me and daniel could talk for hours and hours about our view on economics, politics, russia, singapore, and business! We would sit in Cafe Republic eating our paninis, after squash, literally for 3-4 hours, without knowing where the time was going.

Daniel was also very kind, and fused me in with his circle of close friends. I attended several of his birthday parties, and these were marvelous affairs. There would be tribute after tribute, toast after toast, that went something like this. “I’ve known danny for XXX years, and he’s been a XXX hell of a friend, I thank his mum and dad for XXX-ing giving birth to him. And I’d like to say, I XXX love him!” Several times, I felt like getting up and doing the same, but thought I’d end up looking like a dodo. His friends whom I came to know as the Russian mob, were ever so kind and made me feel right at home. They would translate everyting that was going on, so the clueless and only Asian, would not feel so out of place.

I can’t believe 6 years has passed. I am so happy that Daniel has found a lifetime companion in Lera. They went through several difficulties together, and I was there when it happened. They were dire difficulties, when I think both Daniel and Lera were put through the sternest of tests. I was not sure they would come out of it together, but they did. And stronger too. When you listen to a couple who are in sync with one another speak, you know they’ve got every fighting chance of being happy for the rest of their lives together. Both of them, separately told me, they feel so lucky to have found one another. It is that feeling that will keep them together, and strong.

I know I’m jumping the gun a little, but when Daniel entered the dinner hall that night, and gave his speech. A massive lump in his throat, and raw emotion coming out, I felt so happy for my friend. I did not understand a single word, but I felt all of it. His cousin, would later do the honour, and translate for me. He said, “Daniel said this. It was 5 years ago that I met Lera and decided I wanted to marry her. And it has been a long five years to finally get here.” Could he have said it any better?

So anyway, enough of the contemplative mush. What actually transpired?

Daniels wedding ceremony was held on the roof top terrace of the ritz carlton moscow. With a stunning backdrop of the Kremlin and red square. With perfect blue skys to pair, it was a setting to die for, the type you see in movies. It was an intimate affair, with just 70 guests in total, a fair number of which was his parents friends. Caviar and Dom Perignon was on free flow, as we waited for the arrival of the couple.

Beautiful chamber music filled  the air, with the this 6 piece strings group. Look at THAT VIEW!

The signing of a piece of paper essentially, since they had already been officially registered.

Receiving congratulations from friends and well wishers.

The next destination? The six star French restaurant headed by Michelin Starred chef, Heinz Winkler, Jeroboam, at the Ritz. I’d come here before with daniel, but today, it was totally booked out  with 7 tables for the wedding. Look at the beautiful setting. Very elegant.

The beautiful chandelier.

Instead of a photo slideshow, they had a sand artist come in to actually draw their story in sand.

With a camera above, several images were woven in sand, wiped away, and woven again, intricately to reveal the story.

The lovely meal, started with Crayfish.

Scallops.

Veal cheek

I had beef.

Estee had pigeon.

1/4 way through the dinner, I went over and spoke to a nervous looking daniel. He looked up and said, I’m super nervous, as I got this thing I need to do. I was like whats going on? He told me to wait and see!

10 minutes later, he was on the dancefloow waltzing. I thought, thats easy mah, sway left, sway right lor!

Then he broke out into a mad dance, and it was sooo much fun.

Estee later told me this idea came from youtube.

Daniel and Lera had also hired several top top russian bands to come perform.

One of which was a Russian beatles equivalent called Bravo, which had really cool music.

The other was the ultra cool rapper Timathy. Who has perfomed with the likes of snoop dog, and is a massive star in Russia apparently. He had really nice music.

I particularly liked this one. Entitled moscow never sleeps.

Since moscow never sleeps, it was off to the O2 rooftop bar, where I got the most drunk in years to celebrate my good friend’s marriage. Game over friend!  

The next morning, Daniel showed us around his room, the presidentail suite of the Ritz Carlton, where just days before, President Obama has stayed.

It costs a whopping $15,000 USD per night! Dig that!

Piano Room

Hallway

Kitchen

Where all the action happened.

Study room, and Obama’s chair! DIg it! I sat on it! My ass touched it!

Dining room, with personal CCTV of the floor, so my secret service agents can take out any threats quick.

Room with a view.

PHEW!!!! Thats it then! This post took me an entire day to do up, but it had to be done, as my friends were all asking, when is it going to be up!????

There is a new benchmark that has been set, when it comes to marriage for me. And 2 of my closest friends have helped to set it. I’m extremely happy that they have taken the plunge, and I don’t even think thats the right word for it. They’ve gone to the next level. Taken it one notch higher. I am really look forward to that next step when they have kids, and I can be a godfather!

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you Pierre/Laysee, and Daniel/Lera the happiest of lives together. May we also share many more happy times together! I love you both in a very ungay way.