AND they lived happily ever after?

Not quite, or at least not yet, it seems, for Cantopop sweetheart Vivian Chow and author Joe Ngai, who exchanged wedding vows on Monday afternoon.

It may have been the first major Asian celebrity wedding of the year, but good wishes are hardly pouring in for the couple.

Headlines such as 'the cheapest wedding of the year', 'bride pays for everything' and 'stingy groom gets 'lucky' break' have hogged the Hong Kong tabloids in the past week.

Even Vivian's fans have shown little support, with some openly declaring their disappointment at her decision.

Some netizens described the wedding as the biggest joke of the year.

To print and broadcast observer Paul Tsui, a veteran in Hong Kong showbiz, it was a case of bad timing.

Mr Tsui, 56, told The New Paper: 'It has been a roller-coaster ride for Vivian, what with the exposure of an affair, a public split, a quick reconciliation.'

He was referring to the tabloid scandal in early December, where Joe, 44, was photographed kissing a pretty undergraduate.

Four days later, Vivian, 41, announced that she was calling it quits in the 19-year relationship. Joe followed, in a separate statement, saying that they could not continue as a couple under such close media scrutiny and that they would remain as friends.

Foolish move?

Then came the dramatic U-turn a week later - where they announced their wedding plan.

Hong Kong senior entertainment reporter Winnie Leung, 39, told The New Paper: 'Fans reacted for various reasons. Some felt sorry for Vivian, while others thought she was being foolish because this is not the first time that Joe had cheated on her.'

But until Monday, many remained hopeful that the wedding would not take place, said Miss Leung.

She added: 'Then, after all these years, it irked some of us that he chose to honour his vows so simply.'

The bride was dressed in a simple but elegant Dorian Ho gown while the groom wore a black dinner suit and bow-tie.

The solemnisation ceremony, which took place at Vivian's San Francisco Towers apartment, was witnessed by about 20 guests.

Among them were her manager Ambrose Chan and the only two celebrities invited, Leo Ku and Jo Koo.

Hong Kong singer Leo, who was appointed the event's photographer, told reporters later that the couple's parents were not present.

He said: 'They had performed the customary tea ceremony earlier and so this 'English' one was attended only by some close friends, the lawyer and the priest.'

Leo described the atmosphere as 'warm' and said some, like Jo, were teary after the ceremony.

Despite the simplicity, he added: 'I felt very touched and I really wish both Vivian and Joe a happy life together.'

Vivian's close friend, singer Linda Wong, did not attend the ceremony, but she told reporters: 'I know they're most suited for each other.

'I told Vivian that they're very brave and I definitely support their decision. It's their life together and they should ignore what others say.'

But some fans did not share her opinion.

VC Fans Club chairman Lois Pei, 35, who has followed Vivian's career since day one, was upset to learn that even the wedding banquet was called off at the last minute.

It was supposed to be held at the luxurious and tranquil Hong Kong Parkview where Joe is a member of the clubhouse.

Ms Pei told The New Paper: 'We'd planned to go down there with a bouquet of flowers and some gifts. But we were so disappointed when we found out it was cancelled.'

Another fan, who only wanted to be known as Giselle, said it did not help to read fresh reports that Joe had not contributed to the wedding expenses.

It was reported that Vivian picked up the tab of HK$74,000 ($15,000), which were namely for the wedding ring, reception and a honeymoon to Thailand.

Joe, reportedly, did not offer any dowry.

Devoted

An unnamed close friend told Express Weekly: 'Ah V loves Joe so much, and so she's already over the top since he proposed.

'She said she didn't mind paying for everything because they've already been together for so long.'

While Joe has promised to treat Vivian well for his entire life, netizen SS from Singapore wrote in a forum: 'This man is not truthful, appreciative and faithful to the woman of his life at all.

'Nobody can guarantee that he will not do it again after marriage, right?'

But another netizen, SW from Canada, spoke up for the couple.

'We're all human and it's difficult when we are subjected to temptations... All in, it is up to Vivian and it's between the two of them,' the netizen wrote.

'He owes nothing to the public. Whether he can be trusted or not, it's Vivian's decision.

'I think we should respect whatever decision the two of them have come to, whether we think it's right or wrong.'