Simply Unforgettable

It was all laughter and joy for both the Tan and Helfman families when Gabrielle Tan and Michael Helfman tied the knot

Gabrielle Tan and Michael Helfman have a memorable wedding ceremony at the St George’s Church in Penang

What happens when two creative and happygo-lucky souls come together as one? Mischief, of course, and definitely not boring. Longtime lovebirds Gabrielle Tan and Michael Helfman are known in town for their quirky sense of humour and fun-loving spirit, so it should come as no surprise that their wedding celebration should reflect their personalities. The intimate and exclusive affair, which is spread out in a time frame of a month, consisted of four celebrations that were carefully and meticulously planned and executed from the heart.

Their love story began when they met each other at an event at The Gardens Mall. Their mutual friends tried to set them up together one night and Michael, aware of what his friends were up to, casually asked her on a date. Their first date was spent at a bowling alley and eventually more dinners ensued after that. As they got to know each other, over time Mike and Gabby—as they are fondly known as—started to let their guard down and fall in love. Their relationship culminated in Mike popping the question to her at KLCC Park, with the glittering lights of the Twin Towers as a witness. After

months of deliberating and planning for the big day, everything came together quite nicely. This was evident from their touching church ceremony which took place at the St George’s Church in Penang, the church Gabby attended while growing up. The couple was surrounded by beloved friends and both sides of the families.

Gabby walked down the aisle arm-inarm with her father Datuk Seri Robert Tan, accompanied by the song To Make You Feel My Love, sung by her sisters Liz and Nikki with her brother Timmy on the piano. Around 80 guests witnessed this beautiful moment.

The wedding reception in Penang was held at the Parkroyal Hotel. Aligned with

the theme ‘Starry Night’, the colour scheme for the entire event was midnight blue and gold, even the wedding cake! Gabby’s maid of honour who was her sister Abigail played the guitar as the bride and groom strolled into the ballroom, to thunderous applause. After enthusiastic rounds of yam seng, Gabby had her first dance with her husband to the tune of Unforgettable and later with her dad to Dance with My Father.

Back in Kuala Lumpur, the couple organised a casual reception dinner at The Gardens Hotel. Travel was the wedding theme as this is something they love doing together. Once that was done, a private dinner party was held at the penthouse of The Tuscany in New York City, the hometown of Mike.