Like many unsuspecting others, a lockdown romance transpired naturally for former model and Ebb & Flow‘s partnerships manager May Wan and her husband Jon when the two met online back in 2020. What turned out to be the surprise was Wan finding herself ready to get married for the second time. “I think because when you’re divorced, you kind of know what you don’t want and want in a partner and with him, he came with all the ticks. Of course, the best part is that he accepts my daughters. That was a massive green flag for me,” she says.
The decision to wed in Northern Ireland to her Irish sweetheart was naturally on the cards for Wan. But it was one she single handedly made after having experienced a so-called “awakening” during a holiday shortly after the engagement. “We were driving through the Glens of Antrim on a cloudy day, and at some point the clouds parted and it was a stunning moment. I was like: ‘That was it. We’re getting married here.’”
That particular decision soon became a divine one when she easily found a photographer based in Northern Ireland, who wasn’t just Singaporean but also had the talents she was looking for when it came to documenting her big day. The stars aligned further with Drenagh Estate, her wedding venue. One look at the property was all it took for Wan to be instantly enamoured. Having grown up in Malaysia and living in cities like Australia and Singapore, the rich history of a state home was deeply exciting for the bride-to-be and her two daughters who likened it to Bridgerton. While the couple wedded outdoors in a humanist ceremony shrouded in the crisp chilly air, they entertained and hung out mostly inside the house. She notes a gorgeous pink dining room, a library with dark velvet walls stacked with old books and a white room with a fireplace where guests could hang out over copious amounts of Guinness and champagne.
But beyond the estate’s stunning grounds, it was the service and care from the on-ground staff that made the big day as breezy as possible. “They take care of everything here from the accommodation to planning. Contrary to most mornings of the wedding, I had the most relaxing day. I had a full breakfast as they had planned for the ceremony to start at 2pm. I did my own make-up. I had a special moment with Jon who wrote handwritten cards for my daughters and I. That’s how the morning of my wedding started and it just set the tone for the rest of the day,” muses Wan.
She remembers taking moments in. Especially when her eldest placed a tiara on her right before the ceremony. “The best part was my mother walking me down the first half before my daughters took over and gave me away to Jon. It’s very special, getting married a second time around and having your children present.”
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My beautiful wedding gown from Melinda Looi in our wedding suite at Drenagh.
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My mother performing the hair combing ceremony. It was very emotional and I was overcome with tears.
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The estate says it all: classic and timeless.
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The grounds of Drenagh Estate.
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Soaking in the moment. I felt so beautiful and ethereal.
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My shoes were also made in Malaysia, by designer Christy Ng.
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No words can describe sharing this day with my twin, Choy.
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Taking in the moment before I walked down the aisle.
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The beautiful moon garden where we held the ceremony.
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It was an honour to be given away by my daughters. I don’t think I will ever know how to describe this moment.
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We loved having this moment to soak in as husband and wife as it was just after the ceremony. To be honest I was freezing, but it was worth the picture!
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I was proud of myself that I kept my composure for most of my speech as I am known to be very emotional.
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Sometimes we forget in these moments of time, how emotional it is to show respect to our parents. I lost my composure when my mum sat down.
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The Ladies of Drenagh, paying homage to my Peranakan heritage. This is probably one of my favourite photos from the wedding, I was thrilled that my mother-in-law wanted to join in and wear kebayas with us.
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Nearing the end of the evening and I was tired and still jet-lagged!
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