"Makan". That was the word uttered by Fr. Terry as he concluded his prayers for our evening meal. As Peranakans, feasting is afterall, what we do best. The theme of the evening was Colonial – Peranakan and our guests duly obliged by turning out in their best Sarong Kebayas, Batik Shirts and clever outfits which added spice to our evening celebrations.

The Raffles hotel turned out to be the most appropriate venue for our themed wedding as their classical, colonial charm resonated through the hallways and permeated the four walls that was our ballroom. The musicians we hired played a pleasant mix of Bengawan Solo and Pachelbel to liven the atmosphere and encourage the merriment.

The evening began promptly at 6.00pm with a traditional tea-pouring ceremony at the gazebo which sat grandly on the hotel lawn. While we had unintentionally left our traditional tea set at home, the Raffles hotel was up to the challenge as they served up a top-notch brew of red-date tea for our guests. As tourists strolled by, many whipped out their cameras and began snapping away as before them was a unique display of newlyweds on their knees, serving tea to their elders in exchange for packets of cash and jewellery.

The dinner began at eight, and as the children were ushered into the hotel's Casuarina Suite for a party of their own, we marched into the ballroom to the tune of Sinatra's "Fly me to the Moon". To our surprise, guests showered us with rose petals and cheered us on as we made our way to the stage to start the evening's proceedings.

Into the second course of the evenings' nine, we left to change into our Peranakan garb. Only one of us returned in a Kebaya of course; but as we've been told, the groom is only dressed to blend in. This time, the band played a jazzy rendition of Begawan Solo; but not loud enough to mute the wolf-whistles which echoed through the ballroom. Our flower girls did their best little dance in the style of a Malay Jogek and brought smiles to the faces of everyone.

The speeches were then made by Dad, Jerry and Kiran. Between them, more tears and laughter were drawn from the audience than any Frank Capra movie could ever aspire to.

The feasting ended with a dessert buffet, party favours and champagne to usher in the new year. And as we danced to "The way you look tonight", we hoped the evening would never end. The party (it was a party!) drew to a close with relatives and friends reluctant to leave at  1am on a wet New Year's Day. These, are the memories we hope to keep…… FOREVER.