Wedding | Vivien & Michael

Tell us a little about yourselves! 

We’re Vivien and Michael — two 30-ish year olds building a life together under the sunny skies of Singapore. Our story began over good food and easy laughter. We’re happiest when travelling, sharing a great pizza, or cooking something new together at home. I’m the creative, go-with-the-flow type, while Michael’s an engineer with a logical, ever-positive outlook—a balance that works perfectly for us. 

Our first official date was at Caffe Fernet, a modern Italian restaurant overlooking Marina Bay Sands. Three years later, for our anniversary, Michael brought me back to that exact same place—and yes, we even wore the same outfits as that first date. With the Singapore sky line sparkling behind us, he asked me to marry him. It was intimate, humble, and perfect. I said yes. A year later, on our fourth anniversary, we exchanged vows and became husband and wife.

Why did you decide to get married where you did? 

Tuscany has always held a special place in our hearts. It was one of the first destinations we explored together as a couple, and we found ourselves returning again and again. When we envisioned our wedding, we wanted a place that felt effortless and natural, somewhere that would instantly put our guests at ease. Italy offered not just a breathtaking setting but the perfect excuse to bring everyone we love together for incredible food, endless dancing, and shared adventure. 

We fell in love with Villa Pianoia , a 19th-century villa with enchanting gardens and a rich history, and knew instantly it was the one. We wanted an intimate celebration with only our closest family, so a venue where everyone could stay together over several days was essential. The villa gave us that and more: a backdrop so beautiful it needed almost nothing else.

How many guests did you have? 

We celebrated with 9 immediate family members and one sweet little infant. This allowed us to create an incredibly intimate experience where we could focus fully on our loved ones.

What was your budget?  

While we won’t share exact numbers, but early honest conversations helped us manage expectations. Weddings are costly, and yes, we did exceed our budget. But we focused spending on what mattered most—the location, the chef, and the photographers. Every moment of our four-day celebration was worth it, and our guests left with memories we’ll  all treasure forever.

Tell us about your outfits. 

The day began with our traditional Chinese tea ceremony, where I wore a classic Chinese top paired with a flowing mermaid skirt, vintage Chanel pearl earrings, and Magda Butrym pearl heels, blending tradition with a touch of modern romance. 

For the ceremony, I stepped into a custom Labay Viktoria Butter Collection gown—a  dreamy creation with a wave-silhouette corset and soft, romantic lines. Gucci crystal  pumps sparkled beneath the hem, and Dior diamond-pearl earrings added a delicate  shimmer. I had not one, but two custom veils: a dramatic four-metre vintage lace veil, and  a lighter two-tier version for my walk down the aisle, embroidered with the words, “With all my heart, Yes I do and I love you.” As my “something old,” I carried a vintage Chanel bag, adding a timeless touch to the day. 

For our first dance, I changed into a custom off-the-shoulder layered tulle dress, its soft overlay flowing from the neckline, paired with personalised embroidered tulle gloves that  read “Mr. & Mrs. Jenko.” Later, for the reception, I kept my Labay Viktoria corset and  paired it with a playful rose-puff Milla mini skirt, polka-dot vintage Chanel earrings, and glittering Mach & Mach heels. My silk white rose handbag with a shell handle was a last minute custom order from Jolie Object, complete with the sweetest surprise: “and they lived happily ever after” hand-embroidered inside. 

Michael looked effortlessly sharp in two tailor-made tuxedos from Picadilly Tailors: a timeless black for the ceremony and an elegant off-white for the evening. Both were paired with polished new shoes and a crisp bow tie. He completed his look with Hugo Boss cufflinks I had engraved with our wedding date—a small but meaningful detail. 

Our rings were handcrafted in Germany and engraved with our handwritten names. Mine held a tiny blue diamond as my “something blue.”

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding? 

We wanted our wedding to feel intimate, elegant, and deeply personal — a reflection of who we are rather than a strict adherence to tradition or formality. The goal was a warm, love-filled atmosphere, good food, good wine where our families could relax, laugh, and enjoy themselves without being overwhelmed by schedules. Enjoying the process was important to us too. Though yes, there were stressful moments, but we reminded ourselves the day was about connection, not perfection.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate? 

Our day began in the morning with a simplified but meaningful traditional Chinese tea ceremony, honoring tradition without overwhelming our guests. Later, at noon, the main ceremony was held right in front of the villa, surrounded by gardens and nature, with a large bow hanging on the villa as a simple yet elegant backdrop. 

We purposely chose a venue with historic charm so that the architecture and gardens themselves would provide a timeless, authentic setting. We wanted to avoid overly elaborate decorations and instead let the natural beauty of the villa tell our story. 

To make the day uniquely ours, I designed and hand-calligraphed all the stationery, incorporating sketches of the villa into the place cards and menus. I also engraved our cake server with a special message, “Sweetest partner in crime for life,” which felt like a personal keepsake beyond the day itself.

Any tips for couples getting married? 

Relax and enjoy it all. Truly. From planning to the last song of the night, it flies by faster than you think. Be creative, be bold, and remember — you’re surrounded by the people who love you most. That’s more than enough. Oh, and bring a pair of comfortable shoes. Your feet will thank you when you’re still dancing at 2am.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

We were blessed with a dream team of vendors who went above and beyond. Without a wedding planner, we planned everything in just six months, relying on virtual discussions with each vendor. Their input and experience shaped the day in ways we couldn’t have imagined.  

My sister stepped in as our unofficial wedding planner, managing the tea ceremony, lunch and dinner setups, and handling any issues with care. She perfectly recreated the table  settings as I had envisioned, down to the smallest detail.  

Our digital photographer, Charlotte Kinsella, and our Super 8 and film photographer, Teresa Hirschel, arrived at the villa early to scout the grounds. Because of the sunny weather, they  suggested shifting the ceremony to a shaded spot—an idea that worked beautifully and gave us the most magical light for our photos. Charlotte captured every moment with artistry and heart, while Teresa’s film and Super 8 brought a timeless, nostalgic quality to the day.  

Our videographer, Jam from Unknown Films, is a true artist. He brought the coolest ideas for filming—drone shots, creative angles, even a falling GoPro moment that ended up looking like something straight out of a movie. 

The music was just as special. The Old Florence Dixie Band filled the villa gardens with joy during lunch, creating an atmosphere that felt alive and celebratory. My younger brother, Lai, sang as I walked down the aisle and managed the background music all day, despite having no rehearsal. His performance was heartfelt and unforgettable. 

Laura Pistolesi, our private chef, spoiled us with the most delicious pistachio gelato and Millefoglie wedding cake made on the spot, fulfilling my request perfectly. 

Every single one of them poured their passion into our day, and it showed. They truly made the day unforgettable. Thank you.

Film Photographer & Super 8 Film: Teresa Hirschel @teresahirschel.de | Digital Photographer: Charlotte Kinsella @charlotte_kinsella | Videographer: Unknown Films @unknown__films | Planning: by Vivien | Ceremony & Reception Location: Villa Pianoia @villapianoia | Celebrant: Francesca @w.celebrants

| Rental: Slowhills Vintage Fiat @slowhills & Ronchi Fireworks @ronchi_fireworks | Flora: Studio Flor31 @studioflor31 | HMUA:  Sue @mmmm_sue | Catering, Cake & Beverages: Private Chef Laura Pistolesi @mezzopane_privatechef | Stationery &  Engraving Design: by Vivien| Entertainment: The Old Florence Dixie Band @florencedixieband | Ceremony Dress: Labay Viktoria @labayviktoria_atelier | Reception Outfit: Labay Viktoria @labayviktoria_atelier Corset, & Milla @milla Skirt | Suit: Picadilly Tailors @picadillytailors | Veil & First Dance Dress: Bridetobe.vn  @bridetobe.vn | Engagement Ring: Tiffany & Co@tiffanyandco | Wedding Rings: Sentner's Schmuck Galerie @sentnerjewelry | Shoes: Gucci @gucci Mach & Mach @machandmach Magda Butrym @magdabutrym | Earrings: Dior @dior | Bag & Sunglasses: Vintage Chanel @chanel | Cufflinks:  Hugo Boss @boss