The February nuptials of Jessica Jann and Kenneth King were filled with family fun and fabulous flowers

Jessica Jann and Kenneth King were in it together from the start. As soon as wedding planning started following the couple’s engagement in Bali in April 2018, Jessica was delighted to find her groom on top of everything.

“I was really lucky because Kenneth is such a great organiser and helped out so much throughout the entire process,” she says. “He pays such attention to detail. We really worked on the whole wedding together—him even more than me. I know most brides-to-be struggle with planning, but I had Kenneth here helping me every step of the way.”

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Above Photography: Joe Wong at KC Chan Photography

the planning

The couple’s teamwork proved important, as they had just 10 months to plan their big day, though they also had additional help from wedding planner Karen Wang of Tiara Wedding and Event Planning. She had come highly recommended by Jessica’s cousin, Irene Wang, who had used her to plan her wedding several years earlier.

Kenneth and Jessica had considered having a destination wedding but as the top priority was to have all the people they loved present, they decided that Hong Kong was most convenient, with much of their family living here. “This is our home and we are so glad we did it in Hong Kong,” says Jessica. That said, a number of family members flew in from North America for the big day, lending it the feel of a family reunion, with the run-up to the wedding featuring a host of other events, from happy hours and drinks to dinners.

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Above Photography: Joe Wong at KC Chan Photography

When the night before the wedding finally arrived Jessica settled into the Grand Hyatt, where the couple were due to hold their reception the following day, and set about trying to follow her own advice. “The night before your wedding day, do try to get some sleep,” she says. “The next day will be long so make sure you are energised and well rested.”

the big day

Yet at 4.30am on the big day, Jessica was up, not from pre-wedding nerves but to start on hair and make-up. An hour later, she was joined by her bridesmaids, mother, grandma and aunties, who were also getting ready for the day’s events.

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Above Photography: Joe Wong at KC Chan Photography

“Everyone wanted enough time to take pictures before the groom and groomsmen arrived,” says Jessica. With the photographs taken care of, the boys arrived for the traditional door games to “win over” the bride, which involved all manner of entertainment, from leg waxing (for the groomsmen) to wasabi shots and singalongs to classic tunes by the Backstreet Boys and NSync.

This proved the perfect light-hearted prelude to the day’s events. “The games in the morning were hilarious and really took the edge off,” says Jessica, whose pre-wedding nerves were beginning to take hold.

See also: 5 Ways To Add Artistic Flair To Your Wedding

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Above Photography: Joe Wong at KC Chan Photography

the ceremony 

The morning’s church ceremony took place at St John’s Cathedral in Central. Emotions were high. Jessica’s flower girls and boys led the way, followed by her six bridesmaids. “The moment I saw them walking down the aisle, I started to calm down a bit,” says Jessica. “My dad held me close and kept hold of my hand. Looking out and seeing all my family, friends and loved ones made me super emotional and I teared up a bit.” 

The ceremony proceeded without a hitch and was followed by a family lunch at the Hong Kong Club and a traditional tea ceremony for the whole family. “It’s a wonderful Chinese tradition to pay respect to all our elders,” says Jessica, who wore a stunning golden kua borrowed from her cousin Irene for the occasion.

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Above Photography: Joe Wong at KC Chan Photography

the ensembles

“The kua is something that should be passed down from your mother or an elder,” says Jessica. “Irene was so gracious to let me borrow hers. She’s like an older sister to me and it was so meaningful.”

The kua was specially designed for Irene by Hong Kong-based designer Cecilia Yau. “It’s one of the most stunning things I’ve ever seen let alone been able to wear,” says Jessica of the outfit.

Aside from the kua, the bride had already wowed everyone at the church ceremony in a stunning Vera Wang wedding dress complete with intricate embroidery and multiple layers. “I figured if I’m going to be married, I might as well go all-out,” says Jessica.

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Above Photography: Joe Wong at KC Chan Photography

Two more outfits would follow for the reception: a red tulle gown by Pius Cheung of Moirae, which Jessica wore to deliver her speech, and an elegant teal French lace evening gown by the same designer.

the details

The Grand Hyatt had been transformed into a flower-filled winter wonderland to complement the bride’s stunning outfits. Floral designers decked out the hallway leading to the pre-function area and ballroom with roses, orchids, baby’s breath and other flowers in a palette of white, dusty pink and green.

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Above Photography: Joe Wong at KC Chan Photography

The ballroom itself featured a magnificent central hanging flower structure under which the couple performed their first dance to Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, sung by Jessica’s 15-year-old niece, Jasmine Yen. Guests then hit the dancefloor fuelled by cocktails named after the bride and groom’s initials, The JJ and The KK.

The reception, Jessica says, “was just so magical, every part of it. I just wished I had more of a chance to talk to everyone who came. But towards the end, I really started to relax and to enjoy every minute of it.”

See also: 5 Must-Follow Fashion Rules For Wedding Guests

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