TOGETHER at last, in sickness and in health.

That seemed to be the sentiment at the wedding dinner of local actor-hosts Melody Chen and Randall Tan.

It was held at Shangri-La Hotel's Tower Ballroom on Saturday night and attended by 350 guests.

Photo of the topless newly-weds displayed outside the ballroom.

The solemnisation - during which the comely couple cried while exchanging vows they had written themselves - and tea ceremony were conducted at the hotel earlier in the day.

A beaming Melody, 30, told The New Paper as the celebrations wrapped up: 'It's been a long journey for us. We started out as best friends, and now we're looking forward to beginning a new journey together.'

Randall, 34, added: 'She's all I could ask for. And seeing her looking beautiful in these dresses, I'm a happy man.'

But before reaching the finishing line, the sports enthusiasts - who got engaged last November and are living in Melody's apartment in the western part of Singapore - faced many hurdles.

They were pals and colleagues for more than a decade.

Melody confessed on stage that she was best friends with his elder sister back in 1994 even before knowing him, and 'wouldn't have imagined being related to her now'.

The lovebirds' home-made video montage featured footage from shows in which they co-starred, starting with the subtitles 'We go way back... it's a long story'.

They met on the set of TV skit series The Donny Lee Show (1996) playing siblings, and later acted as lovers in The Teenage Textbook Movie (1998), where they shared their first on-screen kiss.

But romantic sparks didn't fly - Melody went on to date other people, while Randall got married (his divorce was finalised late last year).

But they realised their feelings for each other only when Randall was struck by the debilitating nerve disorder Guillian-Barre Syndrome last June and was fighting for his life in the intensive care unit.

At that time, it was Melody who nursed him back to a full recovery.

There was no specific mention of his illness at the wedding.

But it was alluded to when Randall's cousin announced that Melody's 'love and dedication will endure throughout the marriage, until (Randall is) all grey, wobbly and in need of assistance'.

Meldoy Chen and Randall Tan partying with their guests on the dancefloor at the end of the night.

Famous faces spotted were Vernetta Lopez, Ericia Lee, Adam Chen and showbiz couples like Allan Wu and Li-Lin, Mark Richmond and Beatrice Chia and Neo Swee Lin and Lim Kay Siu.

The newly-weds looked stunning in three types of 1950s-inspired wedding attire from Bridal Veil and The Men's Club.

A fan of Audrey Hepburn's iconic classic style, Melody chose a simple yet majestic white Duchess satin gown (a belt buckle added a vintage touch), while Randall donned a matching white wedding suit.

She later changed into a gorgeous tulle ballgown adorned with glittering Swarovski crystals and a short black party dress that boasted an oversized white bow at the back.

Soo Kee Jewellery sponsored their wedding bands and Melody's bling.

Highlights of the night included the tossing of the bridal bouquet, as emcees Chua Enlai and Angela May encouraged a gaggle of single women to play along.

Melody goaded the women on by announcing on stage: 'I used to think it's all bulls***, but I caught it last year at a friend's wedding, and now I'm standing here with a ring on my finger and a husband by my side, so I think it works!'

The Kleenex-alert portion came when Randall's cousin read out their wheelchair-bound grandmother's congratulations as she was 'recuperating at home'.

The couple will head for their honeymoon in the US in October when 'the weather's cooler'.

Randall is finishing up shooting his part in the local movie Kallang Roar, which is expected to be released in August, while Melody continues to present the Kids Central series Groom My Room.

This article was first published in The New Paper on Apr 28, 2008.