chris & charmaine's wedding | documentary | evanhwong photographs

C H R I S &
C H A R M A I N E ' S
W E D D I N G

J A N U A R Y 4 2 0 1 5
P A R T 1

My girl's cousin Charmaine was blissfully married to her hubs Christopher on January 4th 2015. I was given an 'all-access-pass' as an unofficial behind-the-scenes photographer for the family. The ceremony was meticulously detailed as any Asian weddings would go. The first half of the day was spent at each side's homes; the groom must pick up the bride to go to his home after a "Gate Crash" and "Tea Ceremony"... while the second half was a hotel restaurant banquet feast.

Disclaimer: I don't do wedding photography for certain personal reasons (my last shoot was for "Love Me Do" in 2009) so pardon me if my style is a little 'off' and my framing choice a tad unfamiliar. Photos taken using Sony NEX-F3. Click on the images below to expand with more details.

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Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

First thing in the morning: Make Up! © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

...While the bridesmaids prepared the ceremonial grooms' challenges, a tradition that requires the men to eat stuffs from sweet to sour, spicy to down right disgusting just to prove his love to his new wife. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Like, bitter gourd! © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Marshmellow and candies with chocolate syrup... © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Dog food... Not really. It's tuna, but how'd one know when it's repackaged? © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

...and of course, something to burn the lips if you're a spicy food lightweight. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Don't forget to brush your teeth with wasabi too. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

The dress. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

The bride with the dress. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Relatives arriving and some offering a prayer or two to their ancestors. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

The groom arrived followed by his groomsmen © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Exchanging of pleasantries with a "mediator"; offerings of oranges in exchange of red packets to be presented to the family of the bride. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Meanwhile, the bride must stay in her room behind closed doors until her groom finishes and passes all the challenges. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

With ample time for her bridesmaids to get a group photo © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

...along with her parents. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Negotiating with the bridesmaid whether they can skip the challenges. Fat chance, buddy. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Tough girls there. Undeterred too. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

All bets are off. Gotta do what they came here to do! © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Still all smiles even after the horrid first challenge and they haven't even passed the front door. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Seeing a list of further challenges before they step in. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Yes. No exception. All must do. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Eating all those stuffs is such an Asian thing, but you gotta have to see this push-up while eating red-hot spicy noodles. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

All challenges passed, and finally Chris is allowed to enter the room... © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

...to officially ask Charmaine for her hands again. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Out into the living room they both go. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Everybody's happy! Hugs all over! © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Ceremonial noodle and egg. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Ceremonial tea and red packets... To be honest I have very little clue to the unfolding occasion but it's still pretty in colors. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

From the bride's side, it's now off to the groom's place. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Riding in the car the groom came with. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

After traveling from east to west Singapore, we were greeted by another entourage of family members from the groom's side. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

© Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

© Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Some of the poses here were guided by the official photographer. I was merely tagging along. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Another tea and red packet ceremony. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

And more group photos. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

© Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

© Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

© Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Going outside for the flower toss. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Here we go! © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

And my girl Sher caught it! YAY! © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

While the guys tossed their coats at the instruction of the official photographer. Not sure the significance. © Evan Hwong Photographs

Chris & Charmaine's Wedding

Of course. FOOOOD. © Evan Hwong Photographs

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