Our fairytale starts on a cold December night 6 years ago in Boston. Christina, a lawyer and former Miss Malaysia, flew to Boston to see her brother Steven’s culminating work at the Berklee College of Music, which Chris was a part of. They met for the first time at the dress rehearsal and ironically her first words to Chris were ‘Do you know who I am?’
The rest is history, as they say. Christina obtained her Green Card in Malaysia to come to the United States in August 2013 and on October 11th, 2014 when her parents visited from Malaysia, Chris then secretly flew his parents in from Chicago and surprised Christina in Central Park with a ring.
Over the next year and a half Chris and Christina went all out in planning their destination DIY wedding in New York City. With guests coming in from 10 countries and multiple states the emphasis was in providing the ultimate NYC experience while paying homage to their prospective cultures - Irish American and Indian Malaysian. With help from a graphic designer, the Bride and Groom created a logo for their union, which was displayed throughout the wedding starting with the custom wedding invitations from William Arthur Crane. The Bride, Groom and Guests stayed at the Paper Factory Hotel in Long Island City where Christian from Doorbell Barbers helped the Groom and Groomsmen prep for the big day with fresh straight razor shaves, Bulleit Bourbon and Rat Pack Music while Melissa Polito and Maria Vlantis of Metamorphosis New York perfected the Bride’s Hair (Maria) and Make-up (Melissa). The Groom and Groomsmen donned tuxedos from Robbie’s Suits in NYC, the Bride looked stunning in her Eddy K Bridal gown and the Bridesmaids each wore custom-made dresses, designed by one of the bridesmaids, representing 5 different cultures. After the Bride arrived at the church in a Horse Carriage (courtesy of Ponies Will Travel) guests where treated to a production which included personalized hand fans, music from a String Quartet arranged and conducted by the Bride’s brother, an Englishman ‘town crier’ announcing the arrival of the Bride, a special family song (composed by the Bride’s grandfather in 1979 for her parents wedding) performed by the Bride’s family and a series of hymns accompanied by the pipe organist at the timeless Trinity Lutheran Church in Astoria, Queens. After a moving tribute to the surviving grandparents, the ceremony ended with the Bride and Groom’s first kiss as man and wife to the sound of bagpipes compliments of The Irish Piper hiding in the balcony as yet another surprise to the guests.
After the ceremony, guests were treated to a Double Decker bus ride courtesy of CitySightseeing New York to the Douglaston Manor in Queens. Amidst the bountiful supply of exquisite food and drinks, guests were entertained by a DIY ’Selfie-Service Photobooth’ stocked with a custom wedding logo backdrop, props and selfie-sticks, live Irish Music and dancing, a special song written and performed by the Groom for his Bride, a choreographed dance by the Bride and Groom mashing up American, Bollywood, Latin and traditional Malaysian steps/music, slideshows, multiple colorful outfit changes by the Bride and Groom including traditional Indian outfits, Cuban Cigars and a cordial bar with edible chocolate shot glasses.
At the end of the reception the groom donned his late grandfather’s suit and the bride showcased an Irish-themed custom-made dress as they joined the guests atop the Double Decker Buses for a private after party at Raven’s Head Public House in Long Island City.
