Celebrity Nancy Wu Ding Yan shared intimate details of her unexpected matrimonial journey and recent nuptials in New Zealand, offering a glimpse into her sweet, low-key engagement to physician Dr. Chan Kin Wah. Speaking at a public event on a recent Tuesday, the newlywed detailed the picturesque but challenging circumstances of her proposal and outlined her forthcoming plans to celebrate the Lunar New Year as ‘Mrs. Chan.’
The actress recounted how Dr. Chan proposed while the couple was navigating a difficult, sparsely populated ski slope amid freezing conditions. What Wu believed was a casual stop for a selfie quickly turned into the surprise moment. “We were halfway down the mountain, and I thought we were just taking a break,” Wu explained, noting the striking solitude of their location. “Then he suddenly produced the ring. My husband said the beautiful weather blessed the moment, and he managed to film the whole thing.”
A Surprise Engagement on the Slopes
Wu confessed that the surprise brought her to tears, emphasizing that marriage had not been part of their immediate plans but transpired “naturally.” She lauded her husband for his thoughtfulness, revealing the proposal had been well-timed after navigating her initial frustration with the sport.
“I had been having a terrible few days getting the hang of skiing,” Wu laughed. “My husband had noticed my poor mood and held off. He waited until he felt my spirits had lifted before going through with the proposal.” Following the surprise on the snow, Wu shared her initial nervousness—a familiar feeling for many newly engaged individuals—but quickly contacted her family to share the good news. She praised Dr. Chan’s romantic sensibility and attention to detail.
The couple married quietly in New Zealand last October, a private ceremony aligning with their measured approach to their relationship milestones.
Embracing New Traditions as ‘Mrs. Chan’
With the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday rapidly approaching, Wu is preparing to embrace new household traditions. She confirmed plans to remain in Hong Kong for the festivities and, significantly, will distribute red packets, or lai see, for the first time as a married woman—customarily doubling the amounts distributed by singles.
This transition involves a symbolic change in materials. “I used to use envelopes printed with the character ‘Wu,'” she explained. “Recently, I searched online for ‘Chan’ envelopes in my preferred colors. I’ll pass my stock of old envelopes on to my mother.”
Wu has not yet finalized a budget for the traditional gift-giving but noted that preparations for the holiday are relatively stress-free. She mentioned that her in-laws are not highly stringent regarding elaborate traditional rituals, meaning she only needs to focus on minimal home decorations. This practical approach allows the couple to focus on the joy of celebrating their first major holiday together as a married pair, setting a relaxed and joyful tone for their new life. Their story underscores the balance many modern couples strike between preserving beloved traditions and embracing personalized simplicity.
