Joining me today are Miki and Jacob, who celebrated their July 2020 wedding amidst unprecedented circumstances. Their resilience and positivity in the face of adversity truly shine through. Despite having to adapt their plans significantly, they persevered and exchanged vows in a meaningful ceremony that was truly special. The couple opted for a COVID-safe wedding at Hertford College Chapel in Oxford, which was attended by 300 guests via Zoom. This innovative approach allowed loved ones to participate remotely, making the occasion even more memorable. Following the ceremony, Miki and Jacob strolled through Oxford’s charming streets, capturing beautiful portraits together before enjoying an intimate outdoor picnic. What’s truly delightful is that they envisioned their day as a celebration reminiscent of Bilbo Baggins’ 111th birthday in The Hobbit – a nod to their shared love of the film. To cap off the festivities, they even took a leisurely paddle. I’m also thrilled to see that Shropshire Petals, a member of our wedding supplier directory, contributed to the joyous confetti moment with their stunning petals. Many thanks to Nathan Walker Photography for sharing these heartwarming and love-filled images with us.
July 2020 Wedding
The Proposal
We embarked on an unforgettable adventure in Calais, France with Refugee Community Kitchen in March 2019. As we prepared for our week-long volunteering stint, Jacob revealed his desire to explore the picturesque countryside surrounding Calais. He planned to rent bicycles and lead me on a scenic ride to Cap Blanc Nez, which I initially thought was one of his whimsical ideas. Little did I know that this impromptu excursion would take an unexpected turn. The sweltering heat and longer-than-expected distance turned what was meant to be a leisurely cycle into a challenging trek. As we pushed our bicycles along the coast, Jacob’s poetic musings about our relationship left me feeling nervous and uncertain. It wasn’t until he dropped to one knee that I realized what was truly unfolding – a proposal! The moment of truth finally arrived when Jacob asked me to marry him.
The Vision
In crafting the aesthetic for our special day, we drew inspiration from the whimsical 111th birthday celebration of Bilbo Baggins in The Fellowship of the Ring film – a vibrant and sun-kissed color palette, lush wildflowers, and an abundance of delicious food. This theme allowed us to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that reflected our joyous occasion. Additionally, we had always envisioned our wedding as a day where loved ones could come together, share in the celebration, and create lasting memories with one another.
The Planning Process
As the COVID-19 pandemic escalated in both Singapore and the UK, our original wedding plans were put on hold. With lockdowns imposed and travel restrictions tightened, we found ourselves in a state of uncertainty about whether we could proceed with the celebration or what shape it would take. The key question was whether Jacob’s family would be allowed to enter Singapore. Amidst this chaos, our planning process became largely centered around expediency. We ultimately decided to move forward with the wedding in the UK, as Jacob and his family wouldn’t be able to join us in Singapore. We initially explored options but didn’t fully commit until the UK government lifted its restrictions, about six weeks before the planned date. With the green light given, we shifted into high gear. Having only a month and a half to plan, our decisions were undoubtedly influenced by this time constraint. We focused on our top priorities and went from there. For us, that meant getting married as soon as possible while also ensuring my family felt included in the celebration, despite their inability to travel to the UK.
The Venue
Our original plan was to tie the knot in Singapore, my hometown. However, circumstances led us to celebrate at Hertford College Chapel in Oxford, where Jacob previously attended. The chaplain, Mia, went above and beyond to guide us through the uncertainty surrounding our unique situation, and even the college’s IT department lent a helping hand by installing WiFi in the chapel for remote attendees. To accommodate our non-traditional affair, we set up a borrowed gazebo near the river in Port Meadow and organized a posh picnic with catering. We encouraged guests to bring their own camping chairs and picnic blankets if possible, which added to the informal ambiance. The ‘bring-your-own’ aspect did require some effort from our friends as they had to transport the food from the delivery point to the picnic site, but everyone was surprisingly game for the challenge. Fortunately, the weather held up, making it a memorable day overall.
Your Outfits & Accessories
I didn’t have the luxury of wearing the original dress I had chosen from Singapore, as it was still en route. Thankfully, renting a dress is a common practice there, so I wasn’t too disheartened. Instead, I opted for a stunning piece from Monsoon’s bridal range, which I discovered online when shops were still closed due to the pandemic. The dress exuded a vintage and bohemian charm without being clichéd, making it perfect for both the ceremony and the post-service picnic. Its universally flattering design was also a major selling point, as I knew I wouldn’t have time to get any significant alterations done. And, of course, the fact that it was on sale didn’t hurt!My earrings were a pair of timeless pearls from John Lewis, which complemented my sentimental pearl necklace beautifully. My heels came from New Look, and at the picnic, I wore my trusty Sperry sneakers, which I had picked up at White Rose, my go-to charity shop in Nottingham. A silver comb from Boots adorned my hair, matching my accessories perfectly.As for Jacob’s outfit, he donned a suit that his brother had worn to his own wedding the previous year. With shops still closed due to the pandemic, it was the perfect solution. He did, however, opt for a new white shirt, tie, and cufflinks from Debenhams just the day before our big day. His choice of cufflinks – which read ‘If found, return to wife’ – brought a much-needed smile to his face.I’d also like to give a special mention to Temprell jewelers in Nottingham, where we acquired my engagement ring and wedding bands. Although we approached them relatively late in the game, they were incredibly professional and helpful in getting us sorted for our big day.
The Readings & Music
As we prepared for our special day, we carefully selected three biblical passages that resonated deeply with our love story. Song of Solomon 2:7-17, Mark 14:3-9, and Romans 12:9-21 became the foundation of our ceremony. With loved ones scattered across the globe, we wanted to include them in the celebration, so my parents beautifully read these passages aloud over Zoom from Singapore. To add a personal touch, we asked our talented sisters to record themselves singing three meaningful hymns that held special significance for us. These musical renditions became an integral part of our ceremony, filling the chapel with joy and warmth. Despite not being able to sing ourselves, it was wonderful to see our friends at the remote location enthusiastically joining in, making the experience even more unforgettable. For those seeking inspiration for their own ceremonies, be sure to check out our wedding readings and music pages for a wealth of ideas.
Beauty
As the wedding date approached, I found myself without the time or energy to seek out a professional hairstylist or makeup artist. Moreover, social distancing restrictions added an extra layer of uncertainty. Nevertheless, fate smiled upon me by having one of my bridesmaids, Jacob’s sister, who is skilled in styling hair. We spent hours browsing Pinterest together, and she even visited me once before the wedding to rehearse doing my hair.As for makeup, I knew I would be taking matters into my own hands. Although my bridesmaid was hesitant to take on the task, I was grateful for her willingness to help. The gift of a new Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow palette served as the perfect catalyst, and I supplemented my existing collection with purchases from brands like Fenty, Rimmel, Maybelline, and EcoTools. With a few tutorials under my belt and some practice runs on myself, I was confident in my ability to create a flawless look for the big day.
Groomsmen
Despite having a close-knit circle of friends, Jacob’s wedding party was surprisingly small, with only one notable exception – his brother, who had the honor of serving as the best man. What’s more, Jacob opted to go solo with his attire, choosing an outfit that perfectly reflected his personal style.
Bridesmaids
The Flowers
We were fortunate to have the skilled florist Kerry Seaton from Art of Florality in Nottingham bring our floral vision to life. Her exceptional work resulted in breathtaking arrangements that exceeded our expectations, with my own bouquet being a stunning masterpiece that left me in awe.
The Cake
A sweet surprise was in store for us when a family friend whipped up a batch of scrumptious salted caramel cupcakes. Despite the lack of traditional birthday fare – that is to say, no cake in sight – these bite-sized treats stole the show, earning rave reviews from everyone involved.
Your Photographer
We’re thrilled to share that our special day was captured by the talented Nathan Walker Photography. What drew us to him initially was his signature bright and natural photography style, which we simply adored. We were particularly impressed by the level of care and attention he brought to planning the shoot, ensuring every moment was thoughtfully composed. While he remained discreet during the ceremony, he also had a wonderful sense of humor, making the experience enjoyable for both of us. To be honest, I’d been dreading being in front of the camera on our wedding day – it’s not always my favorite thing to do. However, Nathan put me at ease right away, and before long, we were having a blast with some spontaneous couple shots after the ceremony! His enthusiasm for capturing life’s special moments was infectious, making us feel like royalty for the day.
Your Filmmaker
When planning our wedding, we took a unique approach by hiring Harry Weston-Cottrell, a photographer who typically captures music gigs. His connection to Jacob’s sister made it possible for us to commission him to shoot raw footage that would later be edited into a longer video featuring clips from future celebrations. We appreciated Harry’s laid-back demeanor and professionalism, making the experience seamless.
The Details & Décor
When we were planning the wedding, we were so focused on making sure everything came together that we didn’t put a lot of thought into the finer details. In fact, our decorations were surprisingly simple. We worked with Kerry, our florist, to create some beautiful garlands and a centerpiece that we could easily take with us to the picnic. And, we repurposed some lovely bunting from another family wedding to add some charm to the gazebo. It was actually quite nice to see it all come together.As for the confetti tunnel, I have to admit that I completely forgot about planning it until our photographer, Nathan, suggested it. For me, it was important that any confetti we used was not only fun but also natural and biodegradable. So, I went with dried floral petals from Shropshire Petals, which not only looked great but smelled amazing too!
The Honeymoon
Our initial plans had us heading to Istanbul after our Singaporean wedding and UK reception. However, life had other ideas. We ended up having an incredible week exploring the breathtaking scenery of Glen Coe and the North Pennines instead.
Memorable Moments
As we exchanged vows, a unique blend of intimacy and connection was palpable. The projector and screen setup in the chapel allowed us to feel like our Zoom guests from around the world were almost physically present. The emotional impact was amplified as I walked down the aisle, greeted by over 300 virtual attendees. During the service, when we invited our online friends to participate through the chat function, a cascade of responses poured in, filling the digital space with love and support. It was a truly special feeling, knowing that even though they couldn’t be physically present, their presence was still deeply felt. It also meant a great deal to have my parents involved in the readings and my sister leading hymns – it added an extra layer of meaning to our celebration. And as we wrapped up the day, many of us shed our shoes and took a leisurely paddle down the river, savoring the joy and contentment that comes from sharing such a special moment with loved ones.