Bride wears cheongsam, groom in kilt

July 30, 2007 The Straits Times

(A mix of cultural traditions at wedding nuptials of MP Irene Ng and Graham Berry)

THE groom read a poem of love and spoke of a union that crossed continents. The bride quipped of a union that fulfilled four government policies. She is from Singapore and he is from Scotland.

The four policies their marriage covered: it is pro-family and it promotes active ageing, foreign talent and racial harmony.

Policy or poetry, the wedding of MP Irene Ng to Scot Graham Berry was a sweet, elegant affair that mixed elements of the couple's different cultural traditions.

They were married in Scotland on July 7, after a whirlwind romance. They met last August and he proposed two months later.

Yesterday, Ms Ng, 43, and Mr Berry, 62, held their marriage blessing ceremony at the Church of Singapore in Marine Parade.

The church hall was decorated with white orchids, tartan ribbons, teddy bears and organza. Music by the T'ang Quartet - the couple's favourite string ensemble in Singapore - filled the air before the service began and photos of their wedding set against the scenic Scottish highlands were screened.

Ms Ng glided in, on the arms of her father, looking radiant in a white cheongsam with a sheer kebaya-like sheath over it.

Her father, Mr Ng Soo Chye, 75, told The Sunday Times later: 'I had been hoping for this day to come. I have attended many church weddings and I would always think when it would be my turn to walk my daughter down the aisle.

'I thought I had no chance but thank God that I could walk my daughter down the aisle today.'
Beaming with pride, Mr Ng handed his daughter to Mr Berry, who was dressed in a Scottish kilt. The tartan design was from his late father's regiment when he fought in World War II.

Before guests, that included the President, Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, MPs, family and friends, the couple also shared their love story.

They met at a reception in Edinburgh on Aug 17 hosted by Mr Berry as chief executive of the Scottish Arts Council. Ms Ng was on a three-month fellowship at the University of Edinburgh.

A day later, he asked her out for lunch purportedly to talk about 'collaborations' between their two countries, but he was really just keen to meet her, he confessed.

Love blossomed. Dates, of hikes, walks and concerts, followed. He proposed just before Ms Ng, an MP for Tampines GRC, left for home.

But she couldn't give him an answer until he visited Singapore and her Tampines GRC constituency. He did so in November, and fell in love with the country and her constituency.

Home now for him will also be Singapore. His two children, Louise, 38, and Mark, 36, from an earlier marriage, who were at the ceremony, both expressed their happiness for the couple.

Friends and family were also visibly happy for the couple, touched by their declarations of love and affection. Said labour chief Lim Swee Say: 'I'm very sure they will have a lot of happiness together.'
As the day came to a close, Mr Berry told reporters: 'The weather was good, the company was fantastic, the church was wonderful...and of course, who can ask for a more wonderful bride.'

'Dear Graham and Irene, Wishing you both many years of joy and fulfilment together!' PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG AND WIFE, MS HO CHING, writing in the couple's guest book before the ceremony.
'I'm very happy for Irene. I want to welcome Graham to Tampines GRC. Hopefully, we've got a new grassroots leader. They look wonderful together and we wish them a long and happy marriage.' NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER MAH BOW TAN, who is also the anchor minister for Tampines GRC where Ms Ng is one of the MPs.
'Irene and Graham look very happy together, very much in love and we are very happy for them.' MISS PENNY LOW, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC
'The hope is always there.' MISS LOW on whether Ms Ng's marriage gives hope to single women.
'I hope it will be contagious.' MP AHMAD MOHAMAD MAGAD, interjecting Miss Low.

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Kermit: How sweet :) And it seems the parents are amongst the happiest around as they see their children settle down.