An Honest Review of my solemniser Joanna Portilla
I will be frank—I initially wanted Ms Shirley Low to be my solemniser. She officiated my close friend’s ROM and was magical. From her very elevated ’80s hairstyle and retro glasses to her fabulous hosting style, she left a deep impression on me! I was a little disappointed that she couldn’t make it for my ROM.
I knew I preferred a female and “full of personality” solemniser. While searching online, I chanced upon Ms Joanna Portilla. I was immediately drawn to her vibrant outfits and warm smile! Without much hesitation, I reached out to her—and thankfully, she was available for our ROM date.
• She was very responsive. A few weeks before my ROM, she even sent tips on writing vows and information on marriage preparation courses. I was genuinely impressed by her professionalism.
• She was punctual—arriving 10 minutes early. Very responsible!
• I loved her colourful outfit and appreciated the effort she put into looking so marvellous on my wedding day.
• She was very fluent—both her Mandarin and English were excellent. She conducted our ROM beautifully, and you can tell she is truly passionate about what she does.
💭 Overall Thoughts
We really loved her. You can feel that she is genuinely happy to be there, and the way she spoke, guided us, and held the space—it made our ROM feel intimate yet special. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else as my solemniser.
We prepared a customised LEGO set for her as a token of appreciation. My photographer managed to capture the moment & her expression was priceless!
By the way, we didn’t have tables and chairs for our ROM due to space constraints. Instead, we opted for a high table and stood throughout the ceremony. This was communicated to our solemniser beforehand to avoid any surprises.
Note: some solemniser might have a preferred red packet rate and you can be mindful to check and clarify before engaging their service.
Just out of curiosity—How much did you give your solemniser for angbao?
💙 Lego Taobao Link available in my bio
Lemon8 dosen't allow external link in post
❤️ Ms Joanna Portilla’s Details
Language: English, Mandarin
Phone: 8692 9732 (M)
Email: joanna.portilla.jp@gmail.com
Licence Expiry: 31 December 2027
From my experience, choosing the right solemniser is key to a meaningful ROM ceremony. Joanna's dedication goes beyond just officiating; she offered useful tips on writing vows and marriage preparation, which added a personal touch to our journey. If you’re wondering about customary practices, I found it helpful to clarify the expected angbao (red packet) rates upfront; each solemniser might have different preferences, so clear communication avoids surprises. Also, consider the venue and setup when planning your ROM. For example, we opted for a standing ceremony using a high table due to space limits, and communicated this with Joanna beforehand—she was very adaptable and professional. I also loved that Joanna is bilingual (English and Mandarin), which can enrich the ceremony, especially if your guests come from diverse backgrounds. Lastly, as a special thank-you, we gave Joanna a customized LEGO set, which captured her joyful spirit perfectly. Small personalized gestures like this can really show appreciation and make the experience memorable for everyone involved.
How long was your ceremony?