Stella & Neon: A Vintage Fairytale in Vancouver 溫哥華壯麗城堡中的古典童話

Photography: Vivian Ng Photography
Venue: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver • Wedding Planner: Dream Group Weddings and Events • Videographer: Lumina Weddings • Hair and Makeup Artist: Tiffany's Pro Makeup • Officiant: Verna Magee Shepherd • Florals: Bloom Assembly • Decor: Divine Decor • Dress Designer: OUMA • Wedding Shoes: Mach & Mach
Groom Suit: Surmesur Vancouver • Cake Artist: Momo Chen Cakes • DJ: We Know Music DJ Services • Bubble Tea: Xing Fu Tang Canada
As Featured in The Art of Celebration Annual Edition No.1

“We’ve been together for 11 years and married for two, and he still makes me laugh every day.”

— Stella & Leon

Drawing inspiration from the vintage style of Old Shanghai, where the meeting of West and East echoes through time and space, this elegant wedding, meticulously planned and coordinated by Dreamgroup, showcased a captivating fusion of style and culture. The architecture of Fairmont Hotel Vancouver's grand ballroom, staying true to its era, required minimal adornment to exude magnificence, striking a balance between opulence and understated charm.

The bride envisioned a wedding reminiscent of classic romanticism. She loved the venue's timeless ambiance, stating, 'The renovations and architectural style honour the past, retaining an enduring appeal in our modern age.' With an exquisite two-piece convertible gown by OUMA, ethereal blooms by Bloom Assembly, and a contemporary wedding cake by Momo Chen, complemented by the inclusion of cultural delights like bubble tea from Xing Fu Tang, the celebration was romantic and luxurious, while incorporating tradition.

“The tea ceremony was one of the most emotional events of the day as it acted as a culturally symbolic rite of passage into the next significant phase of adulthood.”

Stella and Leon's love story evolved from Leon's persistent pursuit, grounded in mutual respect for Stella's family. With Stella's Mandarin upbringing and Leon's Hong Kong roots in a modern metropolis, their wedding seamlessly blended Eastern and Western traditions. They honoured their heritage with an engagement shoot at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. At Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, red décor symbolizing luck adorned their honeymoon suite, while a heartfelt tea ceremony paid homage to their elders. Despite the inability to serve very traditional Chinese dishes, they incorporated heritage-inspired canapés and bubble tea. Stella's custom wedding dress, merging western elegance with qipao elements, embodied her cultural identity. Navigating wedding planning, they prioritized traditions while respecting their parents' wishes. Their serene pre-reception moment captured the intimate bond they shared, reflecting the essence of their culturally rich celebration.

“Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is known as the castle in the city. The ballroom was so beautiful it barely needed much decor. It was already stunning.”—Stella & Leon

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