A picture-perfect moment

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f E aT u R E

A d A y A f t e r t h e i r w e d d i n g c e l e b r A t i o n i n S i n g A p o r e , b r i A n w e y A n d d i A n A l i e w e r e

i n l i g h t h e A r t e d S p i r i t S A S t h e y t o o k S u h A n A A b . t h r o u g h A v i v i d j o u r n e y o f

t h e i r l o v e A n d t h e j o y f u l o c c A S i o n

t he story of Brian Wey and Diana Lie is a serendipitous tale of friendship, then love. They first met in a business fraternity at University of California, Berkeley where he was in his third year and she was in her first. An

The Lie family

introductory conversation uncovered several similarities — unlike their peers who mostly grew up in America, the couple were raised in Asia and found themselves sharing the same culture and values. This gave them common ground to hit it off and later become good friends.

“We didn’t really have an official first date. We did things together as friends usually as a group and then gradually it was just the two of us. It grew from there. One Christmas, I came home and so did Brian who

was in Taiwan. He rang me and my mum answered the call and later she said: ‘He must like you!’” Diana, a risk advisory services manager at Ernst & Young reminisces with a smile. Three months later, Cupid struck and the pair started dating. “I thought to myself, ‘Oh my, Mum was right!’ She has such a great knack for sensing things,” the 28-year-old says lovingly of her mother, Mieke Lie.

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Planning for the weddings proved to be an experience of sorts for the

couple. They wanted something intimate for their 100 guests and decided on the James Leary Flood Mansion — a picturesque building perched on a hill in San Francisco that overlooked the city. “We planned everything. We designed the programmes, the menu and picked photographs of people who were coming and placed it all around the venue. We wanted them to feel like they were coming to our house,” the newlyweds share. Guests were treated to a gourmet spread of beef tenderloin with porcini mushrooms and truffle oil, seared scallops, pork tenderloin and a spectacular giant cupcake with strawberries and cream. The evening also saw the couple dance to Stay with Me by John Legend.

How He proposed: Six years into the relationship, Brian — an internet product manager at Bleacher Report and Diana were in a different phase of their lives. They pair had embarked on their respective careers, moved to San Francisco and bought a new home. To celebrate, Brian and Diana treated themselves to a romantic dinner at one of their favourite restaurants — Gary Danko. They went back home in good spirits and Brian presented a Louis Vuitton box. “I was excited about getting a gift but when he opened it, I realised it was a ring in disguise!” the affable Diana said.

It turns out that Brian had secretly kept the ring by his bedside for five months. During which he had been in contact with his soon-to-be mother-in-law, to narrow down an auspicious date for the grand gesture. “Brian is a romantic person but in an understated kind of way and it was very him to deliver the proposal in an intimate setting. He got down on one knee, said what he wanted to say and proposed,” shares Diana, giving Brian a playful nudge.

THe planning Begins: The couple knew that multiple celebrations were in order. Having spent a significant part of their lives in America, the couple was excited about having a wedding reception in San Francisco. “We’ve made so many friends since college and wanted to share our union with them,” Brian reveals. It was decided. The couple would have three wedding celebrations — the first in San Francisco followed by one in Singapore for Diana’s family and friends, and then in Taiwan for Brian’s.

A toast to the newlyweds

The Wey family

A quirky moment with the bride The groom with his mates

Getting ready for the big moment

Brother Andrew Lie checking

on his big sister

The wedding cupcake

Tables named after their favourite restaurants were donned with personalised table d�cor

Jimmy Lie walks his daughter down the aisle

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The wedding celebration in Singapore was equally classy. Because of the distance, the couple was assisted by Diana’s parents to organise a wedding celebration that reflected them as a couple. The detailing was impeccable and the Lies even flew in an Italian pianist — Aldo Ferrini who they had met in Tuscany to play at the event. “My favourite part was seeing so many people from my childhood. It was amazing seeing them all in one room. It made me so happy,” Diana gushed. The couple danced to one of Diana’s dad, Jimmy Lie’s favourite tunes, Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart, witnessed by some 300 guests.

Regardless of location, the couple was elated that they were able to share an important moment of their lives with people dear to their hearts. Hours of meticulous planning, dozens of emails and long distance conversations were all worth the effort. Come December, they do it all again in Taiwan. And judging by the thought and effort the couple have put in, the third installment would be just as fabulous.

Pooja Khetan, Danielle Tjia, Michelle Tjia, Irene Gomaidi and Evi Gomaidi

Diana Tjahya, Mieke Lie, the newlyweds, Daisy Farolan and Mr & Mrs Anton Gomaidi

In the St. Regis lift

The Lie and Wey families with the newlyweds

The bride dances with dad Jimmy Lie

singapore

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ThE RInGS• Diana’s engagement ring is a custom-made round-cut Lazare stone with a double micro-pave band and her wedding ring is a platinum eternity band with eight small diamond stones from Derco.

• Brian’s wedding ring is a brushed platinum ring with two indented lines from Derco.

ThE BRIdE WoRE• Vera Wang Luxe custom-made ivory wedding gown, with a sweetheart neckline, made of three types of lace, covered and crossed buttons, and embellished with Swarovski crystals.

• A custom Monique Lhullier red, silver, and white gown with pleated bodice and rusched skirt.

• Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, Chanel Camellia sandals and Christian Louboutin black satin and feather shoes.

• Diamond necklace and earrings by Lazare, and pearl and diamond earrings and necklace borrowed from mum.

ThE GRoom WoRE• A Ralph Lauren tuxedo, Hugo Boss shirt, Calvin Klein tie and Salvatore Ferragamo shoes.

ThE dooR GIfTS• Vintage postcards of San Francisco for their guests to remember the trip they made to the city.

• Note cards with Mum Mieke Lie’s Chinese brush paintings.

STAnDInG: Keith and Rachel Harrison, Woon Liew, Kim Chang, the newlyweds, Ben Chang, Liew Choon Wai and Robert Hart. SEATED: Ruth and Richard Tan, and Anna Hart

Tan Hooi Hwa and Eveline Tan

Simon and Michelle Cheong

The makeup and hair team fussing over the gorgeous bride

Walking down the aisle at St Ignatius Church

Mr & Mrs Hanspeter Brunner

Aldo Ferrini, the pianist flown in from Italy

Lana and Gerard Saliot, the newlyweds, and Jean and Yune Wasser

Betty and Larry Lee, Lina and James Cheng, and natalie and James Loh

The John Jacob ballroom in St. Regis dressed in glamour

saying “i DO”in style

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