EXCLUSIVE: Read About The Opulent Chinoiserie-Themed Ting Hun Of Celebrity Stylist Kim Yap And Fiancé Jarvis Sy
When it comes to holding awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, and statement-making events, siblings Kim and Boop Yap are unparalleled. As stylists to A-list celebrities like Kathryn Bernardo, Kris Aquino, and Erich Gonzales, their taste for anything classy and luxurious is evident in the outfits they put together; this aesthetic carries over to their lifestyle and the way they choose to celebrate personal milestones.
In October 2015, Boop tied the knot with Kevin Tañedo in a lavish, heavily embellished wedding gown by Michael Cinco. Blessed with a baby early on in their marriage, the two welcomed their son Kenzo in January 2017. And early this year, they celebrated his first birthday with a grand safari-themed party that was styled by Gideon Hermosa.
Now, Kim’s own journey to wedded bliss is shaping up to be dreamy and #goals just the same. Kim, who got engaged to Jarvis Sy in April 2017 during a vacation to Amanpulo after being a couple for almost nine years, is a few months away from saying “I do.” The bride-to-be has been busy with preparations not only for the wedding itself but also for the pre-wedding events that have filled her calendar.
In July 2017, she had the “first leg” of her bachelorette party in Tokyo, Japan. In December last year, she shared that their wedding preparations have officially begun, first with a visit to Tom Ford’s shop in Hong Kong for the groom-to-be’s custom suit. Then early this year, Kim posted a photo with Michael Cinco, whom she revealed will also create her custom wedding gown. Putting together their wedding ensembles one by one, she shared last February that she finally found the perfect heels to wear on her big day: a beribboned pair from Roger Vivier’s bridal collection. And just last month, she had her #KIMlokarette bachelorette party in the beautiful city of Paris.
But their pre-wedding events won’t be complete without holding a traditional Chinese engagement ceremony called the Ting Hun, where the bride and groom and their families exchange gifts. Traditionally, the Ting Hun is held in the bride’s house (just like it was in Boop’s case), but modern times have made it acceptable to hold it in hotels or restaurants (which Kim and Jarvis opted for).
To say that Kim and Jarvis’ Ting Hun was extravagant is an understatement. There’s so much thought and attention to detail that went into putting together the elements that altogether made this a truly remarkable affair. Check out photos from the event below:
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In an exclusive interview with Metro.Style, Kim shares more details about their Ting Hun:
What is the concept of your Ting Hun?
We wanted to embrace and show the beauty of Chinese tradition with our family and closest friends. That is why we decided on a classic Chinoiserie theme which became the overarching element of our Ting Hun.
Please share some of the design elements of the venue. What were your design requirements?
The entrance of the Ting Hun is decorated with various elements that give guests a glimpse of what to expect inside, like red floral arrangements, gold décor and China vases.
The décor of the venue is a juxtaposition of luxe and ethereal, with bursts of eclectic colors such as crimson, dusty blues and hints of gold in a sea of red. This creates a whimsical illusion that serves as the perfect backdrop for the other elements in the Ting Hun, such as the gold arches that framed the entire venue, the carpet in plain champagne to add elegance, blue and white Chinoiserie vases that were added as centerpieces for that vintage charm, chairs were decorated with red tassels for that authentic Shanghai feel, and finally the 12-feet floral backdrop was made up of fresh hydrangeas, Ecuadorian roses, vanda orchids, hypericum berries and celosia that elegantly surrounded the double happiness symbol.
Why hold it in Makati Diamond Residences?
Makati Diamond Residences has wide and beautiful halls that are perfect for events. However, what made us decide is the exceptional service of the staff and, of course, the delicious 6-course meal with a modern twist that they customized for our event.
Let's talk about the dress. Why pick this gown by Marchesa?
I wanted to veer away from the red gown that is usually worn by the bride during a Ting Hun ceremony. When I saw this light blue tulle runway piece from Marchesa, I knew it was the one. It was simply love at first sight, and it also blends seamlessly with the different decorative elements of our Ting Hun.
The bride-to-be looked radiant and absolutely stunning in this pastel blue, romantic gown by Marchesa.
What are the highlights of the program?
We have several favorite moments during the Ting Hun, but what stood out for me was the age-old Chinese traditions and ceremonies that were done during our event, specifically when I was walking backwards towards Jarvis at the end of the aisle, with my sister by my side. That was quite a special moment.
Who are your suppliers?
Photographers: Myio Okamoto and Joseph Gatz
Videographer: Notion and Motion
Suit: Paulo Lazaro
Gown: Marchesa
Makeup: Anthea Bueno
Hairstyling: Chris Rodil
Event planner: Tris with Love
Event stylist: Gideon Hermosa
Lights and staging: Lx Events Pro
Cake: Cakes by Mannix
Photographs courtesy of Kim Yap
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