*Updated on 28 April 2024 with images from the new wing*

Eugene here! I know I haven’t been blogging for a while. This year, I really wanted more time to spend with the family, after a chaotic year which was 2022.

But I wanted to specifically talk about Min Jiang at Dempsey.

One of our favourite places to photograph at

After photographing weddings at various venues across the years, be it grand hotel ballrooms, small intimate bars, cosy dimly lit restaurants, and even shophouses – I always find myself wanting to photograph more at Min Jiang at Dempsey. It still remains one of my favourites for short ROMs (marriage solemnisations) or actual day weddings, whether it is a lunch or dinner reception.

Let me break it down for you why I feel, that the 200sqm venue is one of the best:

1) It has a beautiful, Zen-like garden / front yard in which couples and their bridal parties can take photographs at.

The lush greenery and unique arching trees allow for plenty of experimentation from various angles. You can sit, stand, walk, and run to your heart’s content – so as long as you do not tire the couple before their reception lol.

Check out some outdoor photographs during a recep here, and ROM photos here.

As the ground is even, without pot holes and stuff like that, there’s no issues walking on it even on rainy days.

If you’d like to see the full album set for the photos above, check it out here.

Besides the lush greens, there is also the main building that you can make use of for photos, especially when the weather is scorching.

2) The big glass windows, which allow natural light to spill in, engulf your couples and guests in perfect lighting

Natural light is always preferred to flash / artificial lighting during wedding days. The natural lighting provides the images with a touch of realism and also gives the photographs an additional layer of dimension. This works for both lunch reception as well as before the dusk sets in for the dinner reception.

You can also check out how the windows work for you in this album here.

“Aiya, then what if I’m planning for a dinner reception - will the venue be too dark during the night?”

You have nothing to worry about if you’re planning a wedding dinner at Min Jiang. The venue is well-lit by the surrounding ambient lighting and is balanced throughout. Don’t believe me - check out the photos here.

You can also view the full album for a Min Jiang wedding dinner here.

3) The orange / wood theme complements the retro floor tiles perfectly. Giving it a Japanese / Asian vibe that feels comfortable. Also – warm tones go well on photos!

If you’re looking for an Asian aesthetic without going too over the top, I feel that Min Jiang balances that well too. The tiles are a good touch, as you hardly see them anymore, anywhere! Talk about uniqueness.

4) Several spots around the venue that look good on photos – yes even the area near the toilet!

Upon entering Min Jiang, you can easily spot some areas that I feel can enhance your album. The ambient lighting near the toilet provides a moody vibe for the mood / Wong Kar Wai style mood board if you’re into that.

4) There is a new extended area that can house your attendees

Update to the paragraph above - the toilet has since been shifted to near the entrance, while the middle portion of Min Jiang Dempsey has been re-renovated and converted into a bar, with a new extension of the restaurant on the right side of the restaurant. The additional extension is now an option for couples to reserve and invite more attendees, or left alone so that the team at Min Jiang will still be able to house external restaurant guests. Below, you will see images of the new extended area which I have photographed some couple photos, as well as a solemnisation.

There are also two large mirrors facing each other that you can photograph some trippy looking images.

Near the entrance are also some glossed windows which I would usually photograph couples before their march in. Perfect I say.

5) Easy to spruce up with the right vendors

Even when bare, the space is already aesthetic. Can you imagine how visually stunning if you are engaging the right people to style up the space? Here are some photographs of some floral stylists that I have had the honour of photographing for.

You can check out wedding stylists The Flowering Year and Khoocoon, featured above.

6) Lastly, it is ideal for any kind of setting – be it a short solemnisation, a day time lunch wedding reception or a dinner wedding reception.

The space is ideal to host smaller weddings if you are not into large scaled, grand affairs. The venue can host up to 110 people. I have also photographed ROMs at the space, and the team there will provide you private rooms to host the solemnisation if needed.

Some images from solemnisations:

If you’d like to view the full ROM set, you can view it here.

More Min Jiang photos if you haven’t had your fill hehe

Summary

“Wow, coming from a photographer - this is rather high praise for a venue.” - you might think. Would there be flaws about this place?

Yes - I do have to point out that there are no private rooms for make-up and sometimes the bride would have to do their second round make-up in the public eye. However, most couples I have photographed here over the years hardly ever have a second change of outfit/hairdo, and prioritising the time to mingle with their loved ones instead. Most would have been done with their make-up prior to arrival at Min Jiang so I personally do not think that not having a private room is a deal breaker.

Also, the projection screens are limited to two within the space, and not really decently calibrated. The screens are also rather small. Some guests seated at certain areas might have issues viewing the entirety of the screen, so do note this.

Lastly, with the newly extended area, if the couple is not booking out the area, you will have to share the toilet and its external area with external restaurant guests.

Outside of these two issues, I highly recommend Min Jiang at Dempsey if you’re looking for a smaller wedding reception and I hope the photographs does the place justice. Thank you for reading, and see ya guys next time (or if you’re engaging me for a Min Jiang wedding that is!)