written by Sonder Studio

There’s something meaningful about returning to a place you know well and experiencing it through a new perspective. While I’ve been to Singapore many times before, documenting Jessie and Charissa’s celebration was the first time I had the opportunity to photograph a Chinese wedding reception there. And it’s a memory that has stayed with me ever since. Their day was filled with beauty, thoughtful details, and a deep sense of love woven gently through every moment. Keep reading for a journey through their day and for a sense of the serendipity I felt documenting their celebration.

Why Jessie and Charissa Chose Singapore For Their Chinese Wedding Reception

Even though Jessie and Charissa live in Australia—and held their Western-style wedding there—it was important for them to also honor their Asian heritage in a more intentional way.

Charissa is Singaporean and Jessie traces his roots back to China, so a Chinese wedding reception in Singapore felt like the perfect pairing. They chose Min Jiang Dempsey as the restaurant venue to host their Chinese tea ceremony and wedding reception and a small group of loved ones came from all corners of the world came to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Inside Their Chinese Wedding Reception Celebration

A Soft Morning at the Airbnb

The morning of Jessie and Charissa’s Chinese wedding reception, I met the couple early at their Airbnb to document their getting-ready moments. As an interior designer, it was important to Charissa that the space felt considered and visually beautiful—and it truly was.

The Airbnb had clean, minimal lines, soft greenery throughout, and a stunning pool area that caught the morning light beautifully. Everything felt lifted by that early softness, and it was such a joy to photograph them in a space that already felt so thoughtfully designed.

Another meaningful detail during this time was Charissa’s family touch. She wore her grandmother’s jade bracelet, a piece her grandmother had passed down before she passed away just a few months earlier. It became a quiet way of carrying her grandmother into the day, close to her in a way that felt deeply personal.

Wandering Through Dempsey Hill Before the Chinese Wedding Reception

After leaving the Airbnb, we spent some time exploring the beautiful Singapore neighborhood of Dempsey Hill before the restaurant opened. This part of Singapore felt especially special to photograph, as it’s one of the few areas that feels deeply connected to nature. The whole atmosphere is lush and green, almost as though you’ve momentarily stepped outside the city, with birdsong softly carrying through the background.

By this point in the day, the light had become a little harsher. Rather than working against it, we decided to lean into it and embrace a more dramatic feel. I loved the contrast it created from the softness of the morning—it felt like a different chapter of the day, and such a beautiful way to create something artful together.

The Tea Ceremony at Min Jiang Dempsey

Once Min Jiang Dempsey was ready for us, Jessie and Charissa stepped inside with their closest family members for an intimate tea ceremony. It was such a moving part of the day, especially for the elders, and carried a depth that felt deeply rooted in family, respect, and tradition.

Another special layer to their celebration was the timing, as it took place during Chinese New Year. Beautiful touches of symbolism were woven throughout the space, including Chinese guardian lions, which I thoughtfully incorporated into the story of their wedding reception.

A Joyful Chinese Wedding Reception Celebration

After the tea ceremony, the rest of the family and friends arrived, and the space naturally shifted into something that felt like both a celebration and a reunion for many who hadn’t seen each other in a while. Jessie and Charissa also included playful, interactive details for their guests to enjoy. One of my favorites was an old-school telephone where guests could speak into it and record a message for them.

They also incorporated the high-energy “Yam Seng” toasting tradition into their day, where the person giving the toast draws out “yam” for as long as possible before everyone cheers with “seng.” The tradition filled the room with so much joy and energy, capturing the spirit of their Chinese wedding reception beautifully.

Meaningful Details from Their Chinese Wedding Reception

Thoughtful Blind Box Wedding Favors

One of my favorite details from Jessie and Charissa’s Chinese wedding celebration was the blind boxes they prepared for their guests. Each one contained a small toy or charm, but the specific item inside was a surprise until it was opened. As an interior designer, Charissa thoughtfully designed them in different colors, each holding a different meaning.

Personal Branding Details for Their Wedding Celebration

Not only were each of their wedding details thoughtfully chosen, but Charissa had also created all of her own branding for their Chinese wedding reception. It was so special to see her thoughtful, intentional touch woven through the small details of the day. Combined with the Chinese New Year décor and the natural beauty of the restaurant, it created a reception space that felt both of the moment and timeless.

A Lighthearted Family Moment

As part of the Chinese wedding tea ceremony, the family hung a red banner behind the ceremony space. While Jessie’s dad was putting it up, the rest of the elders stood nearby directing him this way and that, adjusting by just a little each time. It turned into a lighthearted moment, and we all had a small laugh about how many elders it takes to hang a banner.

Bridging Asian and Western Cultures

Jessie and Charissa exist at a unique intersection of Western and Asian cultures, and that perspective was a significant part of how they approached their celebration. It was one of the reasons they chose to work with me for their Chinese wedding reception in Singapore.

As someone who grew up in South Africa and now calls South Korea home, I was able to connect with them through that shared sense of living between cultures, and the way it shapes how you see tradition, family, and celebration.

What Made This Chinese Wedding Reception So Memorable

While this Chinese wedding reception in Singapore is filled with heartfelt and touching moments, what stayed with me most is the sense of connection I feel with Jessie and Charissa. Like me, they are deeply spiritual and share a close relationship with God, and there was something grounding about that shared understanding.

There were also small, serendipitous details that made the experience feel even more aligned—like the fact that Charissa and I both studied interior design, along with other moments that made it feel like our paths were meant to cross.

I also loved witnessing their prayers and deeply heartfelt vows, which moved me to tears in the moment. It felt like a reflection of the overall gentleness and ease with which they carried themselves. They are a beautiful couple, and I’m so grateful I got to play a small part in their story.

Traveling to Singapore to document Jessie and Charissa’s Chinese wedding reception was such a highlight. Their effortless love, relaxed energy, and easy presence filled the entire day, making it such a special occasion to witness and document.

For even more Singapore inspiration, you can read about Agnes & Russel’s pre-wedding shoot in Singapore. And if you’re dreaming of your own deeply thoughtful celebration, I would love to connect and help bring your vision to life in a way that feels true to you.

Standout Chinese Wedding Reception Vendors:

Photographer: Lorryn Smit

Restaurant: Min Jiang Dempsey

Florist: Anelia Fleur

Dress: HUONG Boutique

Make-up: @erhfei_makeup

Stationery: Ask Cheryl