How to continue your wedding planning during COVID.

We will make it through this together. 

It has been more than a week since the circuit breaker measures here in Singapore have come into play and we are all hunkered down at home waiting and watching for the virus to pass.  It has been a time of uncertainty for us all especially for those of us who have been planning for our weddings. Even though having to postpone your wedding date is a logistical and financial nightmare I always believed to make the best of whatever situation we are in and make the best of it. 

Here are something which we can do during this season for our wedding plans. 

1. Work on those handmade wedding favours. 

One of the most memorable things which I remember a couple doing for their invitees is to write personal letters to each and every one of their 300+ guests. They gave out the letters personally to their guests during the banquet! If you are good with your hands why not try your hand at giving your guests hand made wedding favours to add a personal touch to your wedding celebration. Lets put all the extra time on our hands to good use. 

2. Taking the time to re-plan your wedding. 

Often times there is a lack of time to plan for our wedding and we follow tried and tested "templates" for our wedding day resulting in itineraries which all look similar. With more time on our hands perhaps we can reinvent the way we want to celebrate our big day! Think about what you really want to do for your wedding day instead of following a template which your friend passed to you. Perhaps due to the outbreak, you had to change your wedding venue or reduce the number of guests.  You can consider having an outdoor wedding, a smaller more intimate wedding instead of a large and lavish wedding banquet. Having multiple small parties instead of 1 large one to keep the number of people smaller per session. Time to get creative. 

3. Doing your pre-wedding photoshoot closer to home

With overseas travels being difficult in the short term, doing your shoot locally in Singapore would be a better choice. Often times places which hold significance to us are in Singapore, for example, where you both spent time together, courted and got engaged. Including them as part of your pre-wedding photoshoot would be very meaningful. This is, of course, to be done only after the circuit breaker, for now, please stay home.

4. Including live streaming of your wedding.

This might sound crazy but with the possible limitation on the size of large gatherings in the near future live streaming your wedding can be an option. Some of our guests may also be a little concerned about large gatherings post-COVID, live streaming may be a way in which they can still witness your wedding. 

5. Believe that things will get better.

We are inundated daily with the number of new cases of COVID, the new and stricter measures by the government, financial impact and more. This can cause the best of us to feel depressed under the barrage of bad news. However, I strongly believe that better days are ahead and we need to keep reminding ourselves that lockdown will not be the new norm for us all. We are in this together and we will overcome this together as well. 

To celebrate the better days to come, both our companies Chris Chang Photography & The Wedding Express are giving away 1-hour couple shoots (total of 2) once the circuit breaker measures are eased up. To stand a chance to win this session, simply fill in the below form. Winners will be selected once the circuit breaker is lifted. 

Chris Chang Photography: www.chrischangphotography.com/ccpcoupleshoot
The Wedding Express: https://twesg.com/launchcelebration

Looking forward to seeing you soon. 

Greetings From Home

It's been awhile since we have spoken with you all. With the current situation and staying home being the best thing to do, I decided to give everyone an update on Chris Chang Photography. Also, I was on 5 day MC due to a sore throat which I had a couple of days ago. Little did I know that the 5 day MC also meant that I was not allowed to leave my house. (Punishable by $10,000 fine and/or 6 months jail) They really mean business. I had to forgo wedding coverage over the weekend due to this but the safety of our couples and the public have to come first.

There have been quite a few changes since the start of 2020. First of all, we moved into our new office at Paya Lebar quarters. For many years we have worked from home and met with couples at Hoshino coffee at Plaza Singapura. Usually, that worked very well for a time but from time to time we would not be able to find a seat or the place got really crowded and noisy. I decided that with the growing team and number of couples we meet each week it would be important for CCP to have a more permanent base of operations. After a brief search, we landed at Spaces@ PLQ. It's been a while since I had to go to an office to work. Last time I went into an office to work was when I was still in the advertising industry. It's nice to look forward to going into the office rather than dreading to do so. As much as I enjoy working for the office, during this season we are all hunkered down and working from home. Good that I ordered myself a new Secretlab Omega Chair for the long hours which I will be spent working from home during this season. 

We have also had some awesome new teammates. Xu Hearn, Dong Sheng, Eskay & Delwin. They are part of our new sister company, The Wedding Express. With this new company, we hope to be able to serve a wider range of couples with different requirements for photography & Videography. The energy they share is infectious (No pun intended) and I am also driven to work even harder! 

To address this difficult period for all of us. As the authorities have limited most public gatherings and celebrations to 10 Pax. From 7 April - 4 May this won’t be possible at all. It makes it very difficult for our couples to plan for their weddings and not to mention the couples who have to postpone their upcoming weddings. This creates a lot of uncertainty and most couples have placed their wedding planning on hold waiting to see how the COVID 19 situation here in Singapore unfolds. For us, there has been a sharp drop in the number of enquiries we field each day since the new regulation came into effect. Though this is worrying, we are keeping positive and working on things which we have placed on the back burner for the longest time. (Like writing this blog post.) However, I truly believe that we all hate the current situation, we are looking forward to when this virus period passes and we can begin to serve our brides and grooms as normal again.

Currently, we are offering the following COVID 19 postponement policies

COVID-19 Policies

1. We will offer postponement of the event up to 1 year from the scheduled event date.

2. In the event your selected photographer/videographer is not available, we will offer a suitable replacement at the same price. 

3. Deposit is non-refundable.

4. Inform us at least 1 month in advance of an alternative wedding date.

This is truly an unprecedented time for us. I hope that we do not be driven by negativity and fear but stay positive. Though it's best we stay home, there is much that can be accomplished with a strong internet connection, a computer and a willing heart. 

The Great Destinations for a Romantic Beach Wedding

Have you always been mesmerized by the breathtaking and serene beauty of the sea? If so, then nothing would be better than having your wedding at a beach. 

As you're walking down the aisle and exchanging your everlasting vows, the refreshing sea breeze and the calming sound of waves will make every moment magical. The sea is a natural backdrop for emotional moments -- that’s what makes it so perfect for weddings. 

That's why we've picked the top destinations in Singapore where you can have an enchanting view of the seaside. With these, you can hold your wedding in a place that's blessed with the wonders of nature. 

Shangri-la’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa

Image Source: Singapore Brides

Shangri-la’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa can give you a spectacular sunset wedding by the sea. They provide you with different seaside locations and each event space will be managed and decorated by their own professional wedding planners.

So, no matter what your desired concept is, they can make it happen for you! 

Their wedding packages come with an indoor wedding banquet so you can have your reception while looking at the sea and the tropical greenery. Buffet packages and honeymoon offers are also part of their services. 

Mana Mana Beach Club 

Image Source: Singapore Brides

Mana Mana Beach Club is located at Bintan island, a place where the sea is just a few inches away from function areas. That’s what makes it one of the best destinations for a romantic beach wedding.

You can choose between a large Bermuda lawn on the seaside to set up the tables and tents for the guests or a function room for a formal setting.

Moreover, this is the perfect venue for the couples who love water activities. If you want to enjoy some sailing, windsurfing, or snorkelling ventures after the wedding, they offer all the facilities and equipment that you need.

Palawan Beach at Sentosa

Image Source: KiasuBride 

For an intimate, cosy, and casual wedding that you can celebrate with your family and close friends only, Palawan Beach at Sentosa is the place to be! The place features a simple and laid-back ambience, giving you time to just relax and enjoy the moment. 

The best thing about this location is that they have a suspension bridge that'll bring you to a man-made island. It's the ideal place for a private wedding event and reception with an exceptional gourmet dining experience! 

Siloso Beach Resort

Image Source: Siloso Beach Resort 

If you're a nature-lover who wants an eco-friendly environment to be one of your wedding's main highlights, then you must visit Siloso Beach Resort and take a look at their place -- it embraces all forms of nature. 

They have sea-facing event rooms, roof garden suites, and a majestic waterfall by the pool. Whether you want an indoor or outdoor space, you can still become one with nature as you take on the next chapter of your life.  

Mandarin Oriental Hotel 

Image Source: Mandarin Oriental Hotel 

For an urban beach full of glamour, Mandarin Oriental Hotel gives you an unforgettable wedding experience with their striking view of the Marina Bay and Singapore skyline. If you want to have a beach wedding without going too far from the city so you can accommodate all the guests, this is the right place for you! 

With their wedding experts, they can help you in planning your theme and this includes set designs, catering, and more! They'll make it easier for you to prepare every single detail of your wedding day.

That’s something you can probably use right now, given how much you have on your hands with the wedding. With their help, you can free up a little time for yourself again -- for example, you can even fit a quick face-prep visit to your Singapore dermatology clinic into your busy schedule! 

Anyway, that’s our list of the best destinations for a romantic beach wedding. Have you already decided which one suits you? If you have, it's now time to book a reservation.

And remember, if you want the perfect photographer to capture your Singapore beachside wedding in all its raw beauty, give us a call. We at Chris Chang Photography have covered countless beach weddings and can give you the beach wedding photos you’ve been dreaming of.