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[title]Beach wedding
When we say Repulse Bay, we don’t mean the monolithic complex next to the sand bar – we’re referring to the actual beach. There’s a seaside pavilion with a small garden specifically built for wedding ceremonies, and couples can rent 50 chairs and two parking spaces for the occasion. To make your vows here, apply to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department 12 months before your dream day; access is granted via a ballot system. Repulse Bay Beach Rd, Repulse Bay, 2555 9021.
Price: $2,500 for four hours; $150 every hour thereafter
Seating: 100
Touch of nostalgia
Situated in historic Western Market, the Grand Stage resides on the top floor of the former wet market, which was built in 1844. Embodying the nostalgic glamour of yesteryear with its wooden dance floor and colonial décor, the venue is reminiscent of an old train station like Kings Cross in London. There’s a stage for a live band and entertainment, and the floor space can accommodate a total of 41 tables, making it ideal for a medium to large Chinese wedding. 2/F, Western Market, Sheung Wan, 2815 2311.
Price: Minimum charge $110,000, Mon-Thu and $150,000, Fri-Sun
Seating: 41 tables of 12
Watery romance
Wong Chuk Hang landmark Jumbo Kingdom has opened up its top floor for couples in search of a private outdoor venue. As its name suggests, Top Deck consists of the entire top deck of the docked floating boat and features several traditional Chinese pagodas for guests who are not fond of the sun. Located within the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, the views from this Western restaurant and bar are amazing: you have Ocean Park’s rollercoasters and cable cars in the background and you can see sampans ferrying sightseers in and out of the typhoon shelter. Top Deck is famous for its fresh fusion seafood dishes – perfect for a relaxed and fun summer wedding. Shum Wan Pier Dr, Aberdeen, 2552 3331; jumbokingdom.com.
Price: Minimum charge $170,000 for 140 people
Seating: 380
Modern-day Eden
The Glass Chapel in Kowloon Tong hints at a contemporary Eden. The all-glass, greenhouse-style venue is blessed with abundant natural light and is ideal for a romantic daytime wedding. Plus, it’s fully ventilated and air-conditioned to prevent your guests from wilting. 3 Lincoln Rd, Kowloon Tong, 2333 0668.
Price: From $5,488 for a table of 12
Seating: Ceremony, 36 (inside the chapel); banquet, 216
Kinderträume
Did you grow up wanting to be Snow White or Cinderella? Have you ever wanted Lok Lok and Ying Ying to witness your betrothal? Theme parks like Disneyland Hong Kong and Ocean Park both offer outdoor ceremony and banqueting packages to make your childhood fantasies come true. Disneyland will even play theme tunes throughout the day and Ocean Park can throw in clowns and dancers for an additional cost. Disneyland Hong Kong: 3510 6868; www.hongkongdisneyland.com; Ocean Park: 3923 2323; www.oceanpark.com.hk.
Price: Disneyland Hong Kong: ceremony, $55,000 for 50 people; banquet, from $11,000 for a table of 12; Ocean Park: ceremony, $24,888; Western banquet from $80,888; Chinese banquet from $108,888
Seating: Ocean Park: 120; Disneyland Hong Kong: The hotel can accommodate wedding banquets for about 600 guests, while the outdoor venues here can each host wedding ceremonies for about 300 guests.
All-out luxury
No entrance is more dramatic and decadent than strolling through the oversized doors into the Grand Ballroom at the Four Seasons, which features a 180-degree panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. The five-star hotel is known for its superlative service and world-class cuisine and, depending on your point of view, the high price is worth every cent for its extravagant spiral staircase (ideal for photo taking) and spacious reception (for pre-banquet cocktails). 8 Finance St, Central, 3196 8888; www.fourseasons.com/hongkong.
Price: Minimum charge $580,000
Seating: 456
Go tribal
Located on the Cheung Sha seafront on Lantau Island, Palm Beach Teepee Village is perfect for an outdoor wedding with a difference. The hand-painted teepee can accommodate up to 40 people and you can celebrate your nuptials by dancing round a bonfire on the 10,000 sq ft lawn. Cheung Sha, Lantau Island, 2980 4822; palmbeach.com.hk.
Price: Entire lodging area costs $11,000 for four hours; catering service, from $120 per person
Seating: 500
Historic decadence
The Dragon Garden is a private villa, which was built in the late ‘40s and featured in the 1974 Bond film The Man With The Golden Gun. With the Ma Wan Channel and the Tsing Ma Bridge as a backdrop along with its various themed gardens, charismatic pagodas and living quarters, this heritage gem is easily one of the best outdoor venues in Hong Kong. It is privately held by a family trust that values the site’s preservation, and you have to negotiate directly with them for more details. The only downside is that you need to drum up your own entourage of outdoor movers, caterers and transportation but the picturesque venue will make all these efforts worth your very while. Email heritage@dragongarden.hk.
Urban cool
Fancy an outdoor wedding but don’t want to go all the way to the suburbs? Smack in the middle of Causeway Bay’s skyscrapers is Hooray bar, which has one of the best rooftop drinking areas in Hong Kong. Its Italian-Japanese cuisine and the house special sake cocktails are just as good as the view and the environment. P502, WTC, 280 Gloucester Rd, Causeway Bay, 2895 0885, www.jcgroup.hk.
Price: From $60,000
Seating: 200
A fusion wedding
Saigon at Stanley lives in Murray House, one of the oldest colonial buildings in Hong Kong. Built in 1844, the classical architecture was dismantled in 1982 from its site in Central. It was taken to Stanley where it was restored and reopened to the public in 2002. From the marble pillars to the chequered floor, the colonial restaurant has the promenade and the pier as a backdrop. The spacious verandah with wooden ceiling fans is relaxing enough for a pre-banquet cocktail party and guests can then enjoy a traditional Vietnamese meal. 101 Murray House, Stanley, 2899 0999.
Price: $55,000 on weekdays; $65,000 at weekends
Seating: 160