https://www.scmp.com/rss/323613/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Once it is slipped onto that all-important finger by your loved one, an engagement ring becomes an extension of you, a constant presence that soon becomes a defining part of your identity. “The engagement ring is an important piece of jewellery for a young woman, as it carries substantial emotion and feelings,” says Arnaud Bastien, the president and chief executive of Graff Diamonds for Asia. “It might not be the largest or most valuable item, but it remains probably the most meaningful piece of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3161961/how-pick-engagement-ring-guide-buying-best-wedding-jewellery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3161961/how-pick-engagement-ring-guide-buying-best-wedding-jewellery?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Jan 2022 00:00:23 +0000 The coronavirus pandemic may have put countless weddings on hold, but with relaxed restrictions now, the wedding industry is starting to return to full force. While early 2021 saw smaller, more intimate gatherings, larger celebrations are now increasingly becoming a reality. But aside from impacting the size of weddings, the pandemic has also changed the course of wedding dress trends – after all, brides have not stopped looking for the perfect dress in which to walk down the aisle. Given the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3160953/wedding-dress-trends-2022-not-traditional-gowns-re-wearable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3160953/wedding-dress-trends-2022-not-traditional-gowns-re-wearable?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Dec 2021 22:00:12 +0000 Designers are dreaming up new looks for brides getting married next year, with the latest bridal shows expressing emerging ideas and previewing a glimpse of styles to come. Brides-to-be who are wary of the risqué wedding gowns that were almost entirely transparent bar a few strategically placed embroidered or lace embellishments can heave a sigh of relief. A major bridal trend for next year is notably more demure, with a shift towards a timeless look that covers modesty. One of its key aspects... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion-beauty/article/2121430/modesty-makes-comeback-bridal-fashion-wedding-gowns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion-beauty/article/2121430/modesty-makes-comeback-bridal-fashion-wedding-gowns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Nov 2017 07:00:56 +0000 Grooms, losing weight for the big day is possible. The important thing? Keeping your new lifestyle as flourishing as your marriage. When I got married and turned 30 in the same year, I decided that my wedding day was the ideal deadline. It was time to lose some weight. I was a gym newbie – I’d barely set foot in one – but over four intensive months I lost 15kg, going from a flubby 99kg to a slightly-less-flubby 84kg. Sound easy? It wasn’t. I may not be anywhere near a sculpted Adonis, but I do... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2121692/shaping-marriage-adam-whites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2121692/shaping-marriage-adam-whites?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Nov 2017 04:50:06 +0000 Like a lot of things Chinese, the dishes served at a banquet are steeped in tradition. An example common to all celebratory dinners is of poultry and fish being served with heads and tails intact, signifying that all things are wholesome and complete. Vegetarian dishes are taboo, as a herbivore diet is associated with austerity and falling on hard times. And when it comes to once-in-a-lifetime events such as wedding banquets, superstition and the search for auspiciousness intensify to make sure... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/special-reports/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2121691/do-all-dishes-have?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/special-reports/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2121691/do-all-dishes-have?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Nov 2017 04:43:49 +0000 The phrase “wedding singer” may conjure up images of a gel-haired crooners belting out hits to an uninterested audience, but, these days, couples are looking for a little more class from their wedding entertainers. “Entertainment-wise, people tend to be fairly traditional,” says David Andrews, director of event managers Chunky Onion Productions. “Your typical Hong Kong person is just not going crazy with entertaining at their wedding. It’s not the kind of event where a lot of avant-garde... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/special-reports/topics/weddings/article/2098310/why-wedding?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/special-reports/topics/weddings/article/2098310/why-wedding?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jun 2017 03:00:15 +0000 Once the bride has found her dream gown, comes the search for dresses for the bridesmaids. For the bride, it’s a quest to find the perfect set to complement the overall style of her wedding; for her ladies in waiting, it can be a fine line between supporting the bride’s wishes and a desire to look and feel great. Stepping into the bridal party can mean navigating all kinds of unchartered wedding prep territory and the colour, style and fabric of a frock can potentially raise some touchy... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion-beauty/special-reports/topics/weddings/article/2098309/how-choose-bridesmaid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion-beauty/special-reports/topics/weddings/article/2098309/how-choose-bridesmaid?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jun 2017 03:00:15 +0000 From dream-worthy gowns to two-for-one options that allow the bride to switch looks from ceremony to reception, wedding dress collections flow with variety that guarantees every bride will find “the one”, whatever her taste or budget. Brides-to-be are leading one of the biggest trends in bridal wear, with many reconsidering their wedding dress budget in order to spend more on other parts of their big day. As a result, wedding dress designers are finding new ways to give brides more value for... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion-beauty/special-reports/topics/weddings/article/2098308/why-brides-are?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion-beauty/special-reports/topics/weddings/article/2098308/why-brides-are?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jun 2017 02:30:15 +0000 Wedding dress designers are reshaping the way women think about their biggest splurge on a frock, combining traditional accoutrements into gowns charged with sensuality. Necklines that bare skin, fabrics that play on illusion, and billowing skirts, veils and capes all add a sense of drama and romance, as designers play with silhouettes and a bride’s modesty. “This year is one of the most glamorous we see with all the brands,” says Erica Ling, director at Audella Bridal House. “We see a lot of... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048177/wedding-dress-designers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048177/wedding-dress-designers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2016 04:30:00 +0000 So, you’re ready to pop the question … but you don’t know what, where or even how to do it. As a fresh fiancé, these are my dos and don’ts of any self-respecting proposal. Don’t: Ask unless you’re sure It’s not the 1800s. You don’t need to shower eligible young singletons with proposals, with no idea if they’ll leap into your arms or out of the window. In these enlightened, modern times, you should be certain that your intended is going to say yes before you even think about popping the... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048174/8-step-guide-ensure-your?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048174/8-step-guide-ensure-your?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2016 04:15:45 +0000 From bridal boutiques and chain stores to sample sales and rental services, brides are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding the perfect wedding gown. But for many women, nothing compares to a gown that is made specifically for them and that reflects their personality. “I thought it would be easier to buy a dress in Singapore,” says Claudia Yong, who moved from Hong Kong to Singapore before her wedding last year. “I went to two or three stores. But there’s always some element about a dress... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048173/wedding-gowns-should-be-made?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048173/wedding-gowns-should-be-made?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2016 04:00:00 +0000 Décor can set the tone for any celebration, and in this era of themed weddings and microplanning, it takes more than colour coordinating floral arrangements with table linens to pull off a spectacular aesthetic display. Table décor has become a key part of a wedding’s overall aesthetic, where colour, props and flowers all play a bit part in binding a theme together. Michele Li, founder of The Wedding Company, says weddings are becoming more detailed with lots of little touches and... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048171/make-wedding-table-feast?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048171/make-wedding-table-feast?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2016 03:45:45 +0000 Today’s grooms are just as willing to rise to the occasion and dress up for their big day, and with a willingness to let trends inspire and a confidence to experiment, men are side-stepping the hard and fast rules of wedding dress attire. The menswear movement has changed over the past five years with men much more educated on trends, grooming and accessories, says James England, who runs his own menswear label in Hong Kong. Men no longer rely on trends and are more willing to play around with... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048175/grooms-are-willing-play?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048175/grooms-are-willing-play?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2016 03:45:45 +0000 Whether you’re looking for a small token to mark the occasion or a significant addition to the newlywed home, homeware outlets offer a range of luxurious items that make an ideal gift. Double Happiness was the first to offer an online wedding gift registry service in Hong Kong, spotting a niche that goes against the grain of giving monetary gifts to the bride and groom. The online service puts more than 70 retailers at the fingertips of the happy couple and their guests, making it one of the... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048170/hong-kong-brides-are-spoilt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048170/hong-kong-brides-are-spoilt?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2016 03:30:45 +0000 So you want to get married overseas? I’ve just organised my own destination wedding, and here’s a checklist of what you need to know. Pick your venue Whether it’s the place you first met, the best holiday you ever took, or just a somewhere you’ve always dreamed of going – do your research and find somewhere perfect. Top tip: A place with meaning is always better. We’re getting married in Eltham Palace in Southeast London (see sidebar), just a few minutes from where my fiancée grew up. Who to... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048168/plan-ahead-8-ways-make?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048168/plan-ahead-8-ways-make?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2016 03:15:30 +0000 Macau offers wedding planners a huge advantage. Videos are a big part of weddings in Hong Kong, and Macau offers endless opportunities to photographers and videographers. Photo shoots can be done on the steps of the Ruins of St Paul’s or in the shadows of the Guia Lighthouse, the Statue of Kun Iam along the waterfront of the Outer Harbour or the Statue of A-Ma on a hilltop in Coloane Park. The ancient Portuguese district of Sao Lazaro, Lilau Square and the Taipa Houses Museum provide endless... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048167/macau-offers-endless?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/moment-wedding-special/article/2048167/macau-offers-endless?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2016 03:00:45 +0000