Nowadays, extravagance seems to be the keyword when it comes to weddings. Or, as my half-naked neighbour Ah Seng likes to say (albeit in a different context):
“The bigger, the better.”
Yet, notwithstanding the sheer scale that some weddings could go up to, one can’t help but appraise the wedding concepts of old: a time when extravagance didn’t matter so much as a warm, friendly atmosphere filled with joy and laughter. Alas, that has undoubtedly come to pass.
Or at least, until I saw the following piece:
Couple Held Wedding in Bukit Merah Coffee Shop
Yes, a couple has just wedded in a Bukit Merah coffee shop. And no, it’s not an alias for some luxury resort in Shangri-la.
In a TikTok video that was posted a few days ago, the bride and groom can be seen walking down the “stone carpet” as they donned outfits that can best be described as “dressed to the nines”.
A handsome tuxedo. An elegant wedding gown. And…
Lots of coffee shop chairs.
The atmosphere itself appeared to be jovial, with guests of all ages kicking back amid simple but bright decorations. Twinkling fairy lights that dangled from trees added sweet and chill romanticism.
The groom and bride also looked busy as they attended to guests of all ages.
And, of course, there were lots of beer bottles. And loads of Kopitiam dishes.
In an era whereby elegant weddings take precedence, such laidback weddings are rare and far between. Yet, the latter seems so much more sincere and cheerful.
Perhaps, the time is nigh for a change in style.
Netizens Praised the Couple
The video, which was posted by TikTok user @helenjayden (who appears to either be the owner of the coffee shop or a stall tenant), has since gained traction, garnering over 540 likes & 276 shares.
Netizens have also praised the couple, with several remarking that it’s full of kampung spirit, and that it’s just like the olden days.
You can view the full TikTok post down below:
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a wedding was held in a Bukit Merah coffee shop. In fact, just earlier this year, another wedding was held in a coffee shop at Block 119, Jalan Red Hill Avenue.
In an interview with Zaobao, the 54-year-old groom explained that he chose that coffee shop because it was cheaper (only S$3,000). Plus, it was also convenient for his friends who worked nearby.
He himself devised the wedding banquet menu, and there were six tables in total, with more than 60 invitees.
And in other news, back in 2022, a couple decided to host a wedding ceremony at Nirvana Memorial Garden:
A columbarium.
Not so sure about the festive cheer here, but as long as they’re happy, that’s all that matters.
