The Night We Had to Rewrite the Programme in Two Minutes
- May 10
- 3 min read
Sharon & Dennis — Shangri-La Singapore, November 2021
Sharon and Dennis’ wedding took place during the COVID period, which now feels like a lifetime ago.
It was the era of masks unless eating, strict zoning rules, and no crossing between sections unless you were the couple — and even then, only with masks on. Looking back, COVID weddings were truly a different ballgame. It was never just about the couple’s wishes and priorities. We also had to constantly work around safe distancing regulations, venue restrictions, and the watchful eyes of safe distancing ambassadors. I do not know if I would call it fun, but it was definitely unforgettable.
What has stayed with me all these years was what happened during the banquet.
Right before the second march-in, the same-day edit video was playing on screen. Everything seemed normal — until I noticed unusual commotion at the VIP table from the corner of my eye. I rushed over and found out that the groom’s brother had collapsed, and his parents were understandably panicking.
At that moment, there was no question about it: the second march-in could not happen as planned.
Someone had to make the call immediately. We could not have the couple walking in while something so serious was unfolding at the family table, especially when the groom’s parents were no longer able to be present in that moment with him.
With less than two minutes before the video ended, I had to quickly speak to the emcee and restructure the programme entirely on the spot. Nothing was written down. Everything was verbal, immediate, and based on instinct. Thankfully, we had a deeply experienced emcee — James Yang, truly one of the best — who switched gears so seamlessly that the guests barely sensed anything was wrong, while buying us the time we desperately needed.
At the same time, we had to think about the rest of the room. There were 16 other guest tables, and most of the guests had no idea what was happening. Our job was to make sure they remained taken care of without creating panic or drawing attention to the situation. So we worked with the banquet manager to bring the next course forward by 20 minutes, which helped keep the evening moving while giving the family space to handle the matter privately. It was only possible because of a strong banquet team that knew how to move with us under pressure.
And then there was the couple themselves — waiting outside the ballroom doors in their second outfits, meant to be a surprise for the guests. We had to make sure they were updated, reassured, and not left standing there in confusion. More than anything, they needed to know that we were handling things for them, and that this incident, as serious as it was, would be managed with care.
Once the situation settled, all of us — vendors, banquet team, and coordinators — came together under pressure to rebuild the programme. And when the time was right, Sharon and Dennis made their second march-in, and the evening found its rhythm again.
Even now, the whole day feels almost fictional when I replay it in my mind, especially because it started off so uneventfully. But it remains one of the clearest examples of Murphy’s Law I share with couples today: no matter how well a wedding is planned, unexpected things can still happen. The point is not to eliminate every risk, because that is impossible. The point is to have the right people there to manage it when it does.
This wedding became one of the moments that shaped what we believe so strongly now: Having a Wedding Coordinator is a need, not a luxury.
Because when something unexpected happens on one of the most important days of your life, having a calm, professional team making decisions behind the scenes can make all the difference. And truly, no couple should only realise that after the wedding is over.
