Featuring the engagement of Benson Tan and Eliana Lee
Some love stories begin instantly. Others take their time. Benson and Eliana first met in 2013 through Eliana’s brother, who happened to be Benson’s college friend. Back then, they simply moved within the same circle, occasionally crossing paths when Eliana’s brother would fetch her from high school.
Nearly a decade later, in 2022, Benson came back into her life, this time with clear intention. What had once been a distant familiarity slowly became something meaningful.
“It felt as though time had gently prepared us for the right moment,” Eliana shares. “Some love stories are meant to wait before they begin.”
Their relationship grew through a shared love for food, travel, and discovering new experiences together. One of their biggest milestones came in Switzerland, where Benson surprised Eliana with a breathtaking helicopter proposa, a fitting beginning to their next chapter.
Hong Kong also became an important part of their journey. During their engagement preparations, they returned several times for inspiration and selected their engagement jewelry from Chow Tai Fook. Those trips would later inspire many details of their Ting Hun.
For the celebration, Benson and Eliana envisioned modern luxury rooted in Chinese tradition. Gideon Hermosa transformed the venue in auspicious red, romantic blush, gold, and touches of teal, colors representing prosperity, abundance, love, and harmony.
Eliana first wore a modern Mak Tumang creation before changing into a cheongsam by Alethea Sposa, paired with Benson’s traditional changshan. Her gold-plated hairpiece and fan by Le Ciel Design completed the look.
Personal touches were everywhere: dragon-and-phoenix teacups from Hong Kong’s Yuet Tung China Works, curated gift hampers, custom blind boxes, fortune cookies by Seriously, Cookies? By Migs, and a Tiger Sugar milk tea cart inspired by their Hong Kong trips. A spirited lion dance brought even more joy and wishes of good fortune.
Ting Hun Genie guided the couple through the traditions, while host Louie Ngo kept the celebration warm and lively. Tsinoy Calligrapher added another beautiful expression of heritage through handcrafted Chinese calligraphy.
For Benson and Eliana, however, the most unforgettable details were the simplest ones: their families together, spontaneous laughter, quiet glances, and shared smiles.
“We wanted every detail to mean something,” the couple shares. “It wasn’t simply about creating something beautiful, it was about creating something that felt like us.”
WE Tip: Before choosing décor, favors, or even a color palette, learn the meaning behind your Ting Hun traditions and talk to both families about which customs are important to them. Then add details that tell your own story. The best Ting Hun celebrations do more than preserve tradition, they allow a new generation to make it beautifully their own.
Benson and Eliana’s Dream Team
Ceremony and Reception: Shangri-La the Fort
Coordinator & Table Styling: Tinghun Genie
Invites: Neonovelties
Event Stylist: Gideon Hermosa
Photographer: Erron Ocampo of Metrophoto
Videographer: Albert Nicolas at Bob Nicolas Wedding Films
Ceremonial Gown Designer: Mak Tumang
Suit Designer: Mak Tumang
Chongsam & Changsan: Alethea Sposa
Fine Jewellery: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery
Bespoke Gold-Plated Hairpiece & Fan: Leciel Design
Host: Louie Ngo
Hair Stylist: Arvee Yadao
Souvenirs: Yuet Tung China Works (Teacups), Tiger Sugar Milk Tea Cart
Fortune Cookies: Seriously, Cookies? By Migs
Calligraphy: Tsinoy Calligrapher
