Blending faith and tradition

The engagement of Jonathan Zachary Wong & Rachel Tan

“Every aspect of our Ting Hun felt like an answered prayer,” Rachel shared. “From the venue to the attire, everything carried meaning for us.”

For Jonathan and Rachel, their Ting Hun was more than just a ceremony, it was a heartfelt blend of tradition, faith, and personal touches that reflected who they are as a couple.

Since their guests were coming from Singapore, Cebu, and Manila, the couple chose a private venue surrounded by nature. “We love the outdoors,” Jonathan said, “so it was important for us to celebrate somewhere that felt both serene and beautiful.”

Their attire carried a special story too. Together with their parents and Rachel’s younger brother, they traveled to Indonesia to have custom cheongsams fitted. The intricate details weren’t just for the couple, but also for their immediate family.

“We felt like Chinese royalty that day,” Rachel laughed. “We even incorporated peacocks into our outfits—because both when Jonathan asked me to be his girlfriend and when he proposed, peacocks were right there with us.”

The couple also added thoughtful, modern touches. Guests received gift bags that reflected both their backgrounds—Singaporean treats for local guests, and Filipino goodies for foreign visitors. Their souvenirs were signature his-and-hers fragrances they designed themselves.

But beyond the décor, food, and attire, what made their Ting Hun truly unique was how they intertwined faith with tradition.

Instead of following superstitions, they rededicated each practice to God. “We wanted to pay homage to our Chinese heritage,” Jonathan explained, “but more importantly, we wanted to honor our Christian faith.”

Their morning ceremony opened with prayer, worship songs, and a message from their pastor. In the afternoon, another pastor from Singapore shared a blessing. Instead of the customary backward walk for the bride, Rachel walked down the aisle facing forward while a Chinese Christian worship song played.

The celebration was joyful and interactive too. Guests enjoyed a love story game (which ended in a fun tiebreaker!), surprise performances from colleagues, and even the couple’s beloved corgi, Cassandra, who walked the aisle with Rachel’s brother.

Looking back, the couple is grateful. “We didn’t hear a single comment about not following traditions exactly,” Rachel said. “Instead, we had younger couples asking how we designed our program. That makes us glad—because it means others are also inspired to celebrate culture while staying true to their faith.”

For Jonathan and Rachel, their Ting Hun was a reflection of their prayerful journey: rooted in family, framed by tradition, and above all, guided by God.