Gifts for the Bride
by Deborah Soosay, 1 December 2003

Think classy shop-house along London's fashionable Carnaby Street. That's the impression you get as you walk into this alluring bridal boutique tucked along a row of refurbished shophouses in a quiet lane. And with a name like The Wedding Present, you may be forgiven should you expect something magical and surprising.

The waiting area exudes pure romance - warm lighting, scented incense, soft music and a glorious white sofa creates an atmosphere of tranquillity, something couples will truly appreciate in this, their happy but highly stressful time. Boutique co-owner Jordan Ong says, "We wanted a welcome area free of gowns so that our customers will feel like guests in a home and not be tense."

Wide options
Jordan asserts, "In order to create any gown, materials are important but so too is the feedback from our customers. And with our suggestions, we often come up with a design that they are usually excited about."

The Wedding Present's resident designer Patrick Chan, clearly passionate about his designs, is a fan of creating gowns that are unique and leave people talking about. He emphasises, "A wedding gown should be nothing else but a fashion statement."

The bridal collection at The Wedding Present may not lie heavily on the conventional but if it is conventional a customer wants, a customer gets. Patrick explains, "We do the timeless classics like bustier gowns but women these days are getting more daring - going for other whimsical-type gowns such as a Victorian piece, a miniskirt and even a pantsuit!"

Creative elegance
Elegant fluidity, layer upon layer of soft fabric and romanticism describe Patrick's creations. However, he also has a soft spot for other styles. He reveals, "I also tend to go for elegant silhouettes and like to use varied styles and inventive embellishments such as crystals, hand-sewn appliqués and laces."

Patrick by admission has an affinity to working with Duchess Satin and Chiffon, a material, which many other bridal boutiques do not like to work with, as it tends to drape at the wrong places. But because it is very 'drapey', Patrick believes "It can make u feel like a Greek-goddess."

It is these such sparks of creativity from Patrick that stands him out from other bridal designers. His attention to detail involves painstaking precision but for him, rewards come when he transforms his customers' requirements and taste, into a fairytale gown that they can't wait to put on.

One-stop shop
The Wedding Present strives to be a perfectly indispensable resource to couples planning for their wedding day. Choosing from their bridal packages, customers can opt for an evening gown, a tea dress, a distinguished woollen man's suit and outfits for the immediate family or entourage of the wedding couple as well. And just in case you are into shoes, Patrick even customises matching shoes and accessories.

Other services include bridal hair and make-up, arrangement of floral bouquets and car décor as well as recommendations to top photographers with diverse styles - from candid, casual poses to high modern shots and romantic portraits to funky pictures.

If you are looking for convenience, professionalism and sheer sophistication mixed with creative elegance, The Wedding Present is the place to get it all.

The Wedding Present is located at 25 Bukit Pasoh Road (off Club Street), Singapore 089839. Tel: 6327 4423. You can also visit them online at www.weddingpresentbride.com.