When Maya Kale met Jaison Kimura a decade ago at a pre-concert college party in California, she took notice of his taste in music as one of his curated playlists played in the background. “I was like, can someone change the music to something that has words in it?” she laughs. They’d crossed paths a few times before and shared a handful of mutual friends, but it wasn’t until later that they connected. “I remember telling one of our friends, ‘Who is this guy? He just seems so interesting. He’s quiet, dresses well, loves music, and plays sports.’ We ended up meeting a couple of days later and just kept seeing each other after that,” she shares with a smile.
Their first date in Claremont, where they bonded over bowls of ramen and their shared love of different cuisines, marked the start of something special. “I called my mother and sister, Mili, absolutely freaking out with excitement, because, coming from Singapore, I was really hoping to meet people who shared my passion for food and experiences.” That sense of adventure has become a cornerstone of their relationship and was the very essence present throughout their three-day wedding celebration in Singapore, where over 300 guests flew in from all over the world to join them.
The festivities unfolded in a beautiful blend of ceremonies and gatherings, each one honouring the rich tapestries of Kale’s Indian heritage and Kimura’s Japanese and Chinese roots. At the heart of it all? Community. “My grandmother will never be in the same room as my college roommate. Someone from Los Angeles or Minnesota will never be in the same room as my cousin twice removed from India. These people all want to be here and have a connection to us, and I think that’s so special.”
Each celebration was a labour of love, envisioned by Kale’s mother, who, as she fondly describes, has an inimitable eye for decor and design. Every event was imbued with personal meaning and a special touch. The festivities began with a traditional tea ceremony at Min Jiang in Dempsey. It was here that they honoured Kimura’s family from Hong Kong and the occasion was made even more poignant when Kale wore his late mother’s cheongsam—a delicate pastel pink piece she had worn at her own wedding, complete with an elegant, structured cape.
The next day, the haldi ceremony— a traditional Indian marital cleansing ritual—took place at Kale’s childhood home. It was a relaxed, untraditional affair, with the groom participating as well. “We got bubble tea for everyone, and it was really casual. All the dogs were there, and it was so much fun with our little cousins running around,” Kale recalls. The laid-back vibe continued with an equally casual mehendi, a twist Kale intentionally embraced to ensure it was a day filled with laughter among friends.
True to their spirit, the night before the wedding became a celebration of equal cheer. Guests were greeted with classic Bollywood films screened on the walls—an idea suggested by Kale’s mother, adding a sentimental touch. Held at the scenic Cargo39, the evening was a blend of heartfelt speeches from friends and family, with both sides of the couple sharing warm words. The pièce de résistance? Matteo’s now TikTok-famous pavlova, Kale’s favourite, brought out on a tray for everyone to share. “The night ended in a sweaty mess,” she laughs.
But the energy didn’t wane for the wedding day itself. In fact, it set the stage for the following morning, when the bride got ready with 30 of her closest friends, each wearing a custom-made saree from New Delhi. The highlight of the day was a stunning beige Sabyasachi saree, paired with an intricately encrusted veil. This ensemble took Kale through the traditional Hindu ceremony, which included garlands from Singaporean florist Humid House. “I wanted the flowers and fruits to be weird and interesting. My mother worked with John to create a forest-like atmosphere, so it felt like we were sitting under canopies. It resembled a Mandarin tree, but with marigolds, merging our two cultures,” she explains.
The evening reception at the Shangri-La was equally glamorous, featuring unique touches that reflected the couple’s shared tastes. One standout element was a chicken rice stall to honour their favourite foods, while dramatic spike-like lighting hung from the ceilings, adding a modern flair. So how did the three-day celebration end? In true form, with endless laughter and dancing, as Kale and Kimura closed the festivities surrounded by the love and joy they had cultivated throughout the weekend.
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The Tea Ceremony at Min Jiang Dempsey
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The floral colours were inspired by Jaison's late mother’s wedding cheongsam
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Me and my ma walking in!
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Jaison’s aunt, who led the ceremony, flew in all the way from Pennsylvania
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I’m super close to my grandmother, so sharing this moment with her was so special
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Jaison and I were so excited to see everyone from all over the world
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The haldi was held in my childhood home, led by my family’s pundit from India, who has watched me and my sister grow up
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The haldi ceremony is a traditional ceremony where your loved ones bless you with turmeric
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Kaleeras, which represent happiness and protection for the bride as she enters married life, are tied on me and shaken from my hands during the haldi ceremony
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The bride is not meant to get fancy, wear make-up, or dress up during this ceremony
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I wanted my dogs at every ceremony (that can’t happen here) but it was so special to have them at home with all of us
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My mehendi was also done at home with a few of my closest girl friends
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A fun day filled with mehendi and Koi
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Our sangeet at Cargo39
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Complete with an amazing array of food
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We projected classic Bollywood films on a blank wall that you saw right as you entered the venue
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Jaison wore an Issey Miyake suit and I wore a Proenza Schouler set that I absolutely fell in love with
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My mom and my aunts watching our best friends give the best speeches ever
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Our wedding “cake" which was a tray full of pavlova with sharing spoons
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Our invitations, inspired by all of our favourite things, designed by @jeremythesnork
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We made sarees for all my girlfriends. My sister, mom, and I picked out fabric in India and got them dyed to reflect the colours of our wedding
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It was so special getting ready with so many girls. It kept things really light and fun, and I loved seeing everyone wearing sarees
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My mom, greeting Jaison and his side of the family as they walked in from the Baraat
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Our mandap which was a marigold tree garden
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We brought this bench in from my family home
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I wanted to look super natural, and wore my mom’s wedding jewellery
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Me, my sister, and my cousin walking in
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Jaison and I had so much fun during the ceremony
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Our epic disco-vibe reception at the Shangri-La
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Jaison got a bandgala made when we were in Delhi, and I wore an outfit from Anamika Khanna, and went all out with my mom’s wedding jewellery and sparkly shoes
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No wedding is complete without chicken rice
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My best friends, family, and loved ones did a crazy flash mob and mass yam-seng
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