“Once you choose hope, anything is possible.” – Christopher Reeve
We love to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and this real wedding is a perfect example of the better days that are going to come. It was the first wedding planned by Spectrum Agency after COVID-19 and Cyrielle Mohara, Founder of Spectrum Agency, tells us that the moment was filled with immense gratitude to be able to celebrate again with loved ones and the connection was felt stronger and deeper than before. Well, there’s a beautiful irony here. Despite the logo of #socialdistance, this pandemic brought us all closer in terms of humanity and connection.
The planning started at the end of 2019, and when the news of Coronavirus spread out, they made a contingency plan in case there’s a need for postponement. They monitored the situation closely. As the circumstances got better within China and all guests were mostly coming from around Shanghai, they decided to go ahead with the initial plan.
The planning team at Spectrum made sure that all the safety measures are duly implemented during the event to ensure everyone’s health and safety. Staff was wearing masks and sanitizers were available for guests to use. They worked closely with the hotel and the local government to meet regulations and requirements such as guests’ temperature check. The team and the vendors kept in touch, shared files, designs, etc via WeChat without having to meet face to face. They felt good and positive to be back in action doing what they love the most – creating magnificent experiences for their clients.
The story of Mao Mingzhu and Jiao Yingdu is full of positivity, simplicity, and unconventionally. The bride’s smile and positive energy spellbound the groom and they decided to tie the knot on 10th May 2020 in Amanyangyun, a luxury resort located about 30 minutes out of Shanghai. They are one such couple who truly likes to submerge in the present moment and enjoy life with simple, yet intrinsic details. They did not want a traditional wedding just for the sake of it, their vision was to have a natural-themed wedding without any extravagant decor.
The décor was a perfect blend of natural elements with the Chinese heritage of Aman. The overall design had a mix of Western & Eastern elements. The architecture of Aman uses a lot of grey stones, wooden details, and neutral color palette so they brightened it up with spring colors – yellow, dusty blue, and coral. The florals were kept natural and organic with branches and cherry blossoms seemingly growing out of the décor and integrated as part of the surrounding nature. While the morning was dedicated to the Chinese ceremony with the door games and tea ceremony, the afternoon was for the Western ceremony where the couple exchanged emotional vows in front of their 160 guests. The ceremony held in front of a 1000 years camphor tree was definitely the highlight where the couple watered the tree meaning a life filled with health and peace.
The couple wanted their day to be a fun and engaging moment for them and their guests. A lot of activities along with games were planned. Guests enjoyed playing Jenga and Touhu, a Chinese garden game. A live fashion sketch artist was present for guests to take some memories back home while they sip on a glass of Champagne with heritage building as their background.
The reception night was straight out of a fairytale. An outdoor reception was planned under the twinkling stars. The dinner was set under a clear tent, highlighted with flowing fabric and fairy lights with a stunning view fn the lake. The dinner reception was full of surprises with magician show, old Shanghai Jazz tunes, and some guest’s surprise performances for the lovely couple. The night ended with their first dance while the fire show on the lake lit up the sky.
A lot of wedding elements were personalized. Coincidently, it was also Mother’s Day, so the couple surprised their moms with a heartfelt speech and bouquets. They gave a beautiful single rose to all the ladies that night. A small gesture that goes a long way.
“Everyone was fully enjoying the moment and celebrating love, and it was nice for an instant to put all worries aside. We’ve heard a lot about online or zoom weddings, but I believe weddings are social milestones where guests need to feel connected, to share the love with the couple, dance together, share a great dinner, embrace their emotions and just be immersed in the same experience. It might be one of the rare occasions as a couple to have all friends and families from both sides under ‘one roof’ together. I want to show signs of positivity to our industry, that after this is over, we will celebrate again, we will appreciate even more of these beautiful moments, and create memories together.” – Cyrielle Mohara, Founder, Spectrum Agency, China
Wedding Trends Covered- Outdoor, personalization, intimate, health & safety, green/eco-friendly, local weddings.
Vendors:
Wedding Design & Planning: Spectrum Agency
Venue: Amanyangyun, China
Photography: Eleven Studio & MD Studio
