Chong Seow Wei asks Serene and Lars Sorensen about their wedding day style and why it gave them fond memories.
The couple then (left) and today, with their four sons (right)
Before the rise of instagram and photo editing apps, just two photo effects dominated the world of photography: sepia; and black and white. The two were especially prominent in the early 2000s, when the vintage effect gained popularity. For Serene, founder and master blender at tea company TeaSpa then, they were the primary effects of her wedding photos. “Black and white photography was the big thing back then as well as sepia tones, so Lars and I took quite a few of our photos with those effects.”
The appreciation for the rustic ambience was also translated into the location the couple and their photographer chose to use for one of the two photo shoots that were done. It was at their photographer’s studio, which was housed in a charming shophouse at Tessensohn Road. “The setting was beautiful, and added a touch of nostalgia and old-world charm,” says Serene.
The other photo shoot was done after their ceremony at CHIJMES, a beloved location for weddings even until today, with the historical building’s aesthetically diverse architecture as their backdrop and its spiritual serenity providing a fitting atmosphere.
Serene shares that the strive to emulate nostalgia in pictures was all that took inspiration from the past. “For make-up, the minimalist look was the way to go, with mainly neutral colours such as brown, beige, grey and black being used,” she shares. The influence? “Clean-faced models a la the Calvin Klein ads of the late 1990s and early 2000s.”
The heaviest her make-up artist Graneil Loh gave her was a more dramatic smoky eye to complement her evening gown. To complement, she wore her hair in a sleek, modern bun.
Serene had three wedding and evening gowns made in total—one of which was in fuschia pink, a hot favourite then—with local designers Tan Yoong and Francis Cheong, both of whom have been top choices of local brides-to-be for the past two decades. “I chose Tan Yoong because I like that his styles exude simplicity with a flair of elegance and femininity, and Francis Cheong because he is one of the most talented fashion designers these days and is highly sought after by socialites and celebrities.”
Last July, the couple celebrated their Copper anniversary (12 and a half years) at the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, with their four lovable sons.
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