IT WAS raining heavily when Shaun Chen and Michelle Chia had their customary Chinese wedding ceremony yesterday.

They were tired, having slept only two hours before waking up at 3am.

Then there was the controversy about Michelle's wedding dress, after bridal gown studio Renee L alleged earlier this month that its design had been copied for it.

But nothing could dampen the MediaCorp celebrity couple's spirits as they got hitched after a five-year courtship.

And yes, the 32-year-old bride wore the controversial dress.

Celebrity hairstylist Addy Lee, 38, brought in 10 staff members to doll up the bride's female helpers and family members.

Michelle's semi-detached house at Thomson Garden Estate was already bustling with preparations at 3.30am.

$888 hongbao & they're in

Addy saved his hands for the bride's crown of glory.

He said: 'Remember how the Chicago ladies of the '40s had their hair raised up? That's the look I'm giving Michelle this morning.'

Michelle - whom he met at a Lux shampoo ad filming in 2003 - is Addy's business partner for Twister Hair Salon, which belongs to the Monsoon Group owned by him.

When the bride was finally dolled up at 5.30am, she looked ravishing - but the controversial long lacy dress, with a plunge cut at the back, was nowhere in sight.

Instead, Michelle wore a short one with fluffy trimmings, showing off her long, slender legs.

The 13 'sisters' (or helpers) for the bride added eye candy for the day. They included local actress Dawn Yeoh, 23, and Taiwanese actress Candice Liu, 25.

They had worked with Michelle in local drama Taste Of Love.

Even Michelle's six-month-old white mini maltese called Tasha had gone for grooming a day earlier.

When the groom and his band of 'brothers' - including Malaysia-born actors Zhang Yao Dong and Zhang Zhen Xiang - arrived at the bride's home at 6am in six vintage cars, the drizzle became a downpour.

But no, the 'sisters' would not relent. The gate was to be shut, rain or shine. They had spent two weeks planning all the hurdles that the 'brothers' must clear before the groom could meet the bride.

As a result, Shaun had to scale the locked gate to prove his determination to win his bride's hand.

At the main door, the 'brothers' had to don pink shower caps, nappies and baby pacifiers. Shaun was also adorned with a white tutu and a wedding veil.

Yao Dong also had to lick his way through a ball of ice to get the key frozen inside.

Then it was all about the money.

A total of $888, contained in numerous red packets given to the 'sisters', finally granted Shaun his entry into the house at 6.45am.

Though there were only 18 steps that led to Michelle's room on the second level, the journey took longer than expected.

First, the groom's hair had to be blown dry and cosmetic foundation had to be applied. He had to look good for the filming of local variety show Go Live! hosted by Pornsak, which is to show parts of the wedding on Channel 8 at 8pm tonight.

Once outside Michelle's room, Shaun had to create music - or noises - with toy instruments, and had to say 'I love you' in 10 different languages before the door could be opened.

At 7am, Shaun finally went in and kissed his bride.

Was the morning ordeal worth it?

It was - for the bride, who said: 'I was very happy as I listened from within my room how much 'fun' Shaun was having outside.'

To which, the visibly tired groom nodded in agreement.

How does he feel about the marriage after a five-year courtship?

Happy groom

'Actually, there isn't a huge difference. (During courtship) I've already known her very well, as if we were married,' he said.

At one point, an exhausted Shaun sprawled on a sofa and closed his eyes. Yet he couldn't stop grinning for most part of the morning.

After Shaun passed his 'tests' and got his bride, the newlyweds headed for their condominium unit in Bishan, their marital home, to offer tea to his elders.

When they reappeared at her parents' home after that, she was decked out in the controversial long gown - one of the five wedding dresses tailored for her.

The couple denied accusations that they had copied the design.

They and the bridal gown studio have engaged legal counsel.

An unflappable Michelle said: 'I'm not worried at all. Why should I?'

Shaun also said earlier that morning: 'I'm so happy now, and I'm not affected by the incident. We have already sought our lawyer for advice, and we will hand over the matter to him.'

Just before the customary celebration ended at noon - by then the rain had stopped - Shaun told the media: 'I want to have four children, and we will work hard at making babies.'

To which, Michelle said demurely: 'I want to be a good wife, cook well and support my man to succeed in life.' Then she added: 'What's his will now be mine, but what's mine will remain mine,' getting laughter all round.

The wedding banquet will take place tonight at the Ritz Carlton hotel.

Twenty-five of Shaun's family members were bused down from Negri Sembilan in Malaysia to attend the two-day ceremonies.

This article was first published in The New Paper