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A Fashionable Wedding In Vancouver, British Columbia

Updated Jul 16, 2014

| By Rachel Cravit

A Fashionable Wedding In Vancouver, British Columbia

When Anita Chan and Robert Chin celebrated their fashionable wedding in Vancouver, over 50 international guests flew across the world to attend. The couple selected Knox United Church to host their cheery ceremony, where they exchanged personalized vows. "We wanted a simple yet sophisticated atmosphere that felt inviting," explains Anita, who Robert promised to love in "times of happiness, sadness and Grey's Anatomy." "We laughed so much even during our ceremony, which truly was a reflection of who we are," she says. Afterwards, two friends performed "By Your Side" by Sade, one of the bride's favourite artists. Walking back up the aisle, Anita spotted her grandmother -- who had traveled all the way from Taiwan for the occasion -- clapping with joy from her wheelchair. "Since this was a rare occasion to have all of our families in town at the same time, it felt like a reunion," says Anita.

The fashionable wedding festivities continued at Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club, a mountain-top golf course with special meaning to the couple. "Rob loves playing golf and has been teaching me so we loved the idea of a golf course atmosphere," Anita explains. Changing into a traditional red Mandarin dress -- custom made during a trip to China -- Anita joined Rob in a Chinese tea ceremony with their immediate families. She then swapped back into her bridal gown before the couple proceeded to the reception, where Anita and Robert made their dance floor debut with a hip-hop routine to "Yeah" by Usher. For a fun twist on the traditional glass clinking kiss request, Anita and Robert drew names of other couples in attendance and asked them to showcase a smooch for them to copy. This proved challenging when a groomsman bicep-curled his wife ten times in a row (with a kiss between each rep).

In lieu of a traditional receiving line, Anita and Robert opted to visit each table, where guests were feasting on sirloin roast, shellfish and a mountain of desserts. The bride then donned her third outfit for the evening: a party dress by Sue Wong (the professional buyer also had four pairs of the shoes for the occasion!) After enjoying their first slow dance to "Stay With You" by John Legend, the couple was joined on the dance floor by their international celebrants, including a 2Pac impersonator from Los Angeles who entertained the crowd with his rendition of "California Love." Anita and Robert surprised their female guests with complimentary ballet flats to enjoy the festivities further. With a focus on family, food and fun, the stylish soiree left guests grinning from ear to ear. After a joyous event, guests departed with chocolate-covered marshmallow lollipop favours, homemade by Robert's aunt, as a touching momento and final touch to the fashionable wedding celebration.

Anita Chan and Robert Chin, October 2, 2010, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Photography courtesy Steve Weiss Photography, (steveweiss.ca).

Vendors
Ceremony location: Knox United Church
Reception location: Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club
Dress: Mika Inatome New York
Hair and makeup: Margaret Lai
Favours: Chocolate covered marshmallow lollipops made by the groom's aunt Groom's tux: Lisa's Bridal
Bridal party attire: Custom dresses Cake: Aeyra Cakes
Flowers: Proline
Music: DJ Eugene Javier