Crazy Rich Asian wedding planner on million dollar dresses, weather control and ‘bridezillas’

Lelian Chew pulls out all the stops to create perfect weddings for her wealthy Asian clientele, for whom little is beyond the realms of possibility

From purpose-built structures in remote places to clients buying vineyards to make wedding wine, these events go far beyond regular indulgence

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Lelian Chew, founder of luxury wedding planners The Wedding Atelier, at her newly opened headquarters in Singapore.

Published: 8:15am, 6 Sep 2019Updated: 7:40pm, 7 Sep 2019

Say the word “bridezilla” and most wedding planners will run in the opposite direction, screaming in horror. But not Lelian Chew, who welcomes such brides-to-be with open arms.

“If they are not bridezillas, they won’t come to us,” says Chew, founder of luxury wedding planning company The Wedding Atelier.

“I set the expectation that every client will be demanding, or they would not hire us. On a daily basis, these brides get everything that they want, so you can’t tell them that on the biggest day of their life, they can’t have something. They will flip out.”

Chew’s company, which she launched in 2013, is regarded by many as an industry leader in luxury weddings, with many of Asia’s richest families engaging her services. Although she is not at liberty to reveal any names, Chew says impossible is nothing for these clients, who typically hail from Hong Kong, China, Indonesia and Thailand.

A wedding planned by Chew and her team in the Maldives.

“Everything is indulgent – we’ve had clients who bought vineyards just to grow grapes for [wedding] wine or purchased hotels to make sure they can create a space to their specifications. Clients often choose to pay for accommodation for their guests, and I’ve had a bride who was willing to spend US$1 million on an Elie Saab gown,” Chew says.