Wedding at Jewel showcases Peranakan culture

The couple, software programmer Huang Wen, 26, and engineer Laurie Huang, 27, wore traditional Peranakan wedding outfits for the ceremony, and were covered in the family's jewellery. Mr Huang was born in the United States, but both his parents are of
The couple, software programmer Huang Wen, 26, and engineer Laurie Huang, 27, wore traditional Peranakan wedding outfits for the ceremony, and were covered in the family's jewellery. Mr Huang was born in the United States, but both his parents are of Peranakan descent. The maternal side of his family are the founders of Asian Artistry Fine Jewellery shop in Jewel Changi Airport. PHOTO: HANZ LAI

Some couples may go to Jewel Changi Airport for a date, but one couple took it further.

Software programmer Huang Wen, 26, and engineer Laurie Huang, 27, got married there.

The couple, who are based in the United States, have known each other for eight years.

They met while studying at the California Polytechnic State University, in San Luis Obispo, and got engaged in March 2017.

Mr Huang was born in the United States.

Both his parents are of Peranakan descent, and the maternal side of his family are the founders of Asian Artistry Fine Jewellery shop in Jewel, one of the Peranakan jewellers in Singapore.

Mr Huang said: "We had the wedding for my grandmother, who doesn't travel any more.

"So with my uncle's Peranakan jewellery shop in Jewel, it seemed like a good opportunity to showcase the culture for those who weren't sure what it looks like."

The wedding, which took about a year to plan, was on Nov 9.

It took the couple almost a month to get Jewel to approve the event.

The total cost of the wedding, including travel expenses, was about US$5,100 (S$7,000).

Mr Huang said: "We wanted to grow closer to the culture, and it seemed like a fun event to break (away) from the more traditional Western wedding we had in the US."

The couple wore traditional Peranakan wedding outfits, and were covered in the family's jewellery.

The wedding party entered Jewel via the second storey, made a quick photo stop in front of the viewing deck and then made its way down to the first storey, where the group was greeted by family and friends at the Asian Artistry store.

Asian Artistry founder Francis Ngau said: "To celebrate the third generation of our family's established line of goldsmiths and jewellers with a wedding for our very own family member makes this a priceless memory."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 03, 2019, with the headline Wedding at Jewel showcases Peranakan culture. Subscribe