S'porean couple in their 40s take wedding photos at Somerset MRT, had 1st date there

Where would you choose to go on a first date in Singapore?

For Yvette Tow and Adrian Neo, a Singaporean couple in their 40s, their decision to meet at the Somerset MRT station platform was inspired by a friend's off-hand suggestion, as they were too shy to sit down for a dinner date.

It led to a memorable "MRT date" at the platform, and after one thing led to another, they will be celebrating their big day soon on Oct. 25.

Speaking with Mothership, the couple shared about why they've chosen to take their pre-wedding photos at Somerset MRT, and how love can blossom in everyday places.

How it started

Tow and Neo said they first connected on the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel in September 2019.

The two subsequently continued their conversation on WhatsApp, but there was some inertia to meet up, with Tow admitting that she had grown tired of the usual dinner-date setup.

Tow credited her friend, Cherine, for nudging her to meet Neo, and suggesting a more casual and low-pressure date location: Somerset MRT.

Tow recalled Cherine saying: "Why not meet him at the MRT platform? If it’s awkward, you can always hop on the train!”

Coincidentally, Neo's dating profile picture was taken at an MRT station as well.

And as Tow worked at *Scape and Neo at the former Singtel Comcentre along Exeter Road, both would have to pass through Somerset MRT to and from work anyway.

So Tow proposed the idea to Neo, and he was game.

They arranged to "bump into each other" at the Somerset MRT platform on Jan. 17, 2019 before starting work.

As Neo reached first that morning, Tow texted him on the way about how packed the trains were, and updated him on which stop she was at.

"You will see a sleepyhead who slept at 3am, wearing her spectacles [as] her eyes [are] too tired to squeeze into contact lenses," she wrote over text.

As things would turn out, the two hit it off on their first "MRT date".

"We stood at the platform just chatting, and it turned out to be one of the easiest, most genuine conversations we'd ever had," Tow said of the date.

"What began as a practical suggestion became a core memory for both of us," the couple said.

They agreed to do it again the very next morning.

'It became our spot'

After that, the two started seeing each other regularly around Somerset.

It became a routine to text each other on the commute to work, to see if they could carve out some time to meet at Somerset MRT.

And after work, they would often take the train home together as both lived in Tampines.

Once, after Tow finished a pole fitness class, Neo met her at a convenience store at Somerset MRT with two apples, an orange juice bottle and a Milo packet.

It was a small and thoughtful gesture that warmed her heart, Tow said.

On Jan. 1, 2020, the couple officially got together after watching the New Year’s fireworks at Marina Bay Sands.

And throughout their dating journey, Somerset continued to be their spot where they formed many memories together.

After work, they would hang around the area to unwind, grab a bite, catch a movie, or squeeze in a quick workout.

Tow also fondly recalled their "simple commutes" that involved walking to the neighbouring Orchard or Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations, sharing an ice cream and chatting about their day.

In September 2024, Neo proposed to Tow.

In turn, Tow proposed to hold their solemnisation at Somerset MRT due to its significance in their relationship.

Neo agreed without hesitation.

"It feels poetic to begin our next chapter where it all started," they said.

Initially, when the couple told their family and friends about the venue, this led to surprised reactions.

"But once we explained the story, everyone found it meaningful and very 'us'," Tow said.

As MRT stations are not designated wedding venues, the couple's solemnisation has in fact been arranged to take place at *Scape, beside Somerset MRT, on Oct. 25.

Nevertheless, the couple said they are "excited, thankful, and a little emotional" to symbolically bring their story full circle.

'Love doesn't need a fancy setting'

Tow's sister and her friend helped the couple with the pre-wedding shoot, which was, unsurprisingly, held at Somerset MRT.

When asked how they were able to pull it off, the couple explained that they snapped photos for personal use while commuting from Somerset MRT to another location.

This was during off-peak hours and in compliance with SMRT regulations, they added.

On their big day, Tow and Neo also plan to take their official wedding photos along the Somerset Belt and at Somerset MRT station.

They are currently waiting for SMRT's approval to do so.

When asked if they would recommend MRT dates, the couple said, "Absolutely":

"Love doesn’t need a fancy setting. Sometimes, a genuine connection can happen in the most everyday places."

Top image courtesy of Tow and Neo.