Inside Joanne Lee and Russell Ng’s Dream Wedding at Capella Singapore

From the idyllic backdrop of Capella Singapore to a walk down the aisle straight out of a fairytale, here is how one couple managed to have it all

Organising a wedding is never an easy feat, but the emergence of Covid-19 and the constantly changing nature of safe distancing guidelines mean that venues like Capella Singapore have to constantly adapt their practices in order to ensure the safety of their guests. Of course, this also affects couples planning to tie the knot, making it even more difficult for them to plan for their weddings without having to sacrifice their vision or their loved ones’ safety.

Having initially set their big day for September 2020, Joanne Lee and Russell Ng, like many other soon-to-be newlyweds, found themselves in a situation beyond their control as a result of Covid-19. Because of limits on the number of attendees, the couple had to compromise on their plan, as well as revise their guest list. Undeterred, they quickly adapted to curate a new vision for their dream wedding, one that would be as unique as it was beautiful; an intimate affair for their nearest and dearest.

"Fortunately, we had the help of our amazing wedding planner, Ashlee Yong from Ayco Studio, and the outstanding Capella team of Priscilla Chua and Dora Wong guiding us through the whole process to ensure that despite the short timeline, we were still going to have this wedding!" said Lee, 27, who works in business development. The wedding ceremony took place in March this year.

Choosing the Perfect Venue

From the beginning, the discerning couple knew exactly what they wanted in a wedding venue. For them, the location had to have an outdoor setting as well as an indoor dining setting and needed to be an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The self-professed animal lovers also wanted to tie the knot somewhere that was pet-friendly so that they could include both their dogs in the ceremony.

After considering a multitude of venues, they decided that Capella, with its serene Garden of Dreams and stately Grand Ballroom, best fit their needs. Most importantly, the couple felt a connection to the space. A marketer by profession, Ng said: "We wanted to make our big day something more intimate and memorable for our family and our friends. Capella met all our needs and the whole place just had this peaceful, tranquil and special energy. A big plus was definitely when it won our mothers’ hearts as they stepped into the bridal preparation room!"

The Planning Experience

Despite the challenge of having to drastically change their initial plans for their wedding, the happy couple had nothing but praise for their wedding planning team.

“There were so many new dos and don’ts. However, despite the new regulations and restrictions, the Capella team was not just very professional but very accommodating,” Lee recounted, adding that their banquet managers were “proactive and incredibly attentive”.

"Capella Singapore has honestly exceeded both our expectations," she said. "It was a surreal moment made even more special with the stellar service and experience we received during our big occasion."

For the newlyweds, the cherry on top of their five-tiered wedding cake was how the Capella team really went out of its way to accommodate their unique requests. Lee, who had been an equestrian in her childhood, had hoped to include her horses as part of the wedding ceremony but was unsure how it could be done, especially during a pandemic. But when they were given the go-ahead, the couple was thrilled, with Ng describing: "This was Joanne's dream scenario, one that she wished for as a young girl!"

An Unforgettable Moment

When asked about the most memorable part of their big day, the couple didn’t hesitate.

“For the both of us, hands down, the solemnisation was truly that snapshot of a magical moment that we will definitely reminisce about down the road. We could not have asked for a more magical moment,” said Ng.

Recounting how he felt as he watched his better half make her way down the aisle, he continued, “To be at the Garden of Dreams, waiting for Jo to ride down the pathway. Feeling the Sentosa breeze, seeing the glow of our loved ones in the sun and then that moment when Jo emerges in her gown and on her horse!”

Click through the gallery below for more snapshots of Joanne Lee and Russell Ng's beautiful wedding held at Capella Singapore