NATIONAL paddler Li Jiawei and her husband Li Chao spent most of yesterday trying out various outfits for their impending wedding banquets at a bridal studio in Eunos.
While details of the celebrations in Beijing and Singapore have yet to be fixed, the couple are wasting no time in starting preparations for the events.
LI CHAO IN HIS OWN WORDS
'She will definitely play in the next Olympics and I will support her table tennis aspirations. After all, she's been playing the sport her whole life.'
The duo, who got married last September, were all smiles during their photo shoot at White Link boutique, though there was the occasional moment of frustration for Jiawei.
'I can barely breathe,' she said, as she came out of the changing room in a two-piece bustier gown with five layers of pleated silk organza and a sheer French lace waistline.
Li Chao, who is in his mid-30s, told her: 'Persevere. To look beautiful you have to pay a price.'
Indeed. The couple even skipped lunch to ensure that they were at their best.
White Link wedding planner Kerano Heng said that four designers have been tasked to custom-make Jiawei's dresses.
A total of 13 dresses will be tailored - one main dress, four bridal gowns and eight evening gowns - for her to choose from.
Jiawei, 27, said that she has given minimal input on the outfits, as she has worked with White Link before.
Although preparations at the boutique started in October last year, the world No.7 admitted that a lot more work has to be done for the wedding.
'We've been too busy to prepare. We're probably only 10 per cent there,' she said.
The dates of the banquets and which hotels they will hold their celebrations in are among a host of decisions the lovebirds have yet to make.
Yesterday, Jiawei tried a number of dresses, including a two-piece off-the-shoulder evening gown with hand-sewn Swarovski crystals and a hot pink number.
Some gowns had taken as long as 30 days to make.
Li Chao sported a matching suit for each of his bride's outfits.
During the photo shoot, he looked rather lost and needed instruction from the photographer on how to strike a pose.
The owner of a pharmaceutical business said: 'This is the first time I'm doing anything like this so I'm not quite sure what to do.'
But his wife seemed comfortable.
She joked: 'I look like an experienced model, don't I?'
