Anyone planning their weddings from overseas?

[suzxie]

Hi everyone

Finally managed to get my ass into gear and have uploaded our actual day photos from the Pond photography. You can see them here -let me know what you think!: http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/su_barrett/album?.dir=bcd9&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/su_barrett/my_photos

Katgrrl: thanks so much for your invite! I am very touched. Finland sounds magical.. I certainly hope to make it there again one day and drop in on you and Mark! I would highly recommend Uluwatu if you're going to Bali. It is pretty out of the way, has perfect surf breaks and you do not get bothered by beach vendors. Laurence and I love watching Top Gear as well.. the technical bits go straight over my head but I agree - Jeremy Clarkson (the presentor) is a riot! Guess what? My first car was a 20 yr old red Fiat Uno called chilli padi

Dewberry: I would second Katgrrl's comment about being careful about adverse reactions. I had a facial no more and no less than 4-5 days before the wedding. Also had a back massage the day before... mmmm bliss! Wish I had 3.8k to spend on spa treatments.. heavenly!

Ashlee/Dewberry: I had a really good jazz singer called Alemay Fernandez (+65 91070870) and she charged $1500 for herself (vocals), a bassist(guitar) and a person on the keyboard +$200 for an amplifier (cos Raffles did not provide). She sang for 3 sets of 30-45mins each. Alemay is Singaporean but her band is from New York. The rate excludes piano rental which I got from Doc Piano (Jonathan: tel +6590066373) for $400. I went with Alemay becos of all the good reviews I had heard about her singing previously and was not disappointed. Had very good comments from our guests. Just be aware, if you are having a band, you have to co-ordinate between the musicians and the hotel about what equipment the musicians need and what the hotel provides. Also, you will have to schedule a time with the hotel & musicians as the musicians will have to come early to set up and to do the appropriate sound tests, and discuss with the hotel's banqueting "captain" the cues for your walk-ins, first dance etc songs (if you are not having a CD recording).

As an alternative, my friend gave me this contact which he used for his wedding banquet (45 tables) in June last year. He was very happy with them but we did not go with them as we were in advanced talks with Alemay and felt bad to pull out... "The company in charge of the band is called "Compass Entertainment". Their email is [email protected]. Their phone number is
64581878/64515910. We dealt with Mr Stefan Ye, their business executive. We paid s$1300 for the Piano quartet comprising the Pianist, Percussionist cum Vocalist, Double Bassist and Saxaphonist. The Vocalist sang in about 1 for every 4 songs. If you need someone to sing in every song, you have to check with Stefan on the rate and see if it is cheaper than the rate you are getting. The rate excludes piano rental. Our series of songs were Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstong songs." Hope that helps.

Ashlee/Maddcow: I used Raffles' own florist for the table centrepieces...I think it was Sir Charles (??!) They were excellent and managed to do beautiful flowers which complimented our colour theme of burgundy without extra cost (see pics 38 and 44 from my photo album). We did have to pay extra to have roses to be folded in the napkins. It was the day before Valentines day and Raffles would have charged us $10+++ per rose (*peng san*). Instead, we saved lots of $$ cos my mum bought the roses from Far East Flora for $1.80 per rose, and had them delivered to Raffles hotel on the day where the banqueting staff tucked them into the napkins for free. My mum says that the normal (ie non- Valentines day) price per rose is about $1. We deliberately over-ordered slightly and used the petals from the surplus roses to scatter on the tables. It was really nice to see our guests clutching on to their roses as they left...

Dewberry: you've got mail! I hope you enjoy the poems.. (all: anyone else wants them?) I embossed flowers on the paper in burgundy and got help to tie the 200+ poems up with satin ribbons. The banqueting staff also arranged them on the placesettings for free. My dad even included the poem he got into his speech at a last minute addition. It was this one – and it got the whole Ballroom laughing!

A Word to Husbands - by Ogden Nash
To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up.

Other ideas.. We also named all tables after places that were special to us, e.g. we had Singapore, Bristol (where we met!) but named our table Bali after our honeymoon location! On each table, we had a small sign with the table number, the table name and a picture of the location. On the reverse, we printed a small message from us, explaining why the place was special and thanking our guests for coming. I can let you have a sample if you (or anyone else) likes! I also made wedding guides with pull-out pages of maps of locations, timelines and telephone numbers for our helpers and friends.

Ribbit: thanks for the link! Their linen looks beautiful. Best of luck for the move to Italy.. you lucky gal! It's one of my favourite places in Europe! Any pics of your wedding in Beaufort? I hear it is beautiful there..

Snippy: we booked our Bali accomodation over the internet/email. We stayed there for 5 days/4nights. There are pretty good offers from time to time in the Straits Times for Bali trips.. maybe you can ask your family back at home to keep a lookout? I know a few friends who paid US$45 for their double room w breakfast on a hotel along Jimbaran beach. It is a busier location with more stalls around but with a nice sandy beach. They got the rate off the internet as well and managed to avoid paying the walk-in rates.

All- just cleaning up my hard-drive and noticed I have some documents - list of best man's/bridemaids duties + emergency kit, timeline, mass booklet, poems, table names. Let me know if you want any of these.

Sorry, managed to write another essay. Will shut up now! Have a good week ahead!

 

[madcow]

Suzxie
I love your pictures. You've chosen well - Ngiap Heng is very good. Could you send me the poems and the sample for the table names? Email me at [email protected]
P.s. You two are an adorable couple!

Snippy
Yeah, if it doesn't fit your budget - forgo the polaroids then, you have photographer for the day anyway. I'm forgoing tonnes of stuff e.g. pre-wedding shots (we don't like posed shots), my mom/sis are still lamenting over my decision...sigh! I'm losing steam about the wedding prep ---

By the way, any advice on when I should start looking for a dress (feeling apprehensive at the prospect of shopping for it)?

 

[madcow]

Katgrrl
I recalled using silk flowers for an accordian book I made for a friend. I found a good selection at Spotlight (Orchard) but I think they've closed it - so you might have to try the one in Tampines (depending on where you lived, that was kind of far for me)

 

[kkyko]

Hi gals, long time no talk...

Hi Suzxie,
Your pictures looks really good!!! Not sure how mine is going to turn out. I took a package that covers my wedding dinner in SG for $350. Does price goes with quality?!?!?! X)
I love your idea of naming each table with the places the two of you been to.

Hey gals,
Guess what? I was always talking about renting an OTR gown from SG bridal shop and bring it back for the ceremony? I actually bought a wedding gown on Sat in Sydney!!! And that was just my 2nd shop that I tried on gowns!!! And on that day, I wasn't even planning to visit any bridal shop. Just that I was driving along near my friend's place and we saw this huge 'SALE' sign at this bridal shop. So my friend suggested us to go in and have a look. Everything is on SALE!!! Majority of them are half price. Then I got excited and keep trying the gowns. And this designer is really really really helpful. She's a Vietnamese Chinese and having a petite figure. She FULLY UNDERSTAND what I need for my gown. She managed to pinpoint what's good and what's not for me which makes me feel very comfortable and less clueless. Then I tried on this empire cut gown with a small train. And I just love it. Why? I look slim (NO TUMMY SHOWING!!!) and tall (need the height to stand next to my 6 feet FH). And the PRICE is unbeliverable!!! Only AUD$700+. Then I still wasn't quite sure. 'coz I was thinking not to buy a gown!!!!! But anyway, after much consideration (like 5 mins?), I made my purchase. The designer was so sure that I won't be able to find another gown like that, she offered me a 'cooling down period'. I can exchange for something in the shop with my deposit if I decided not wanting the gown. Then on Sunday, I quickly go to other bridal shops to try out their gowns. All doesn't look right on me (making me too clumsy look) as they are properly designed for western who is a few sizes bigger than me. =P Now I put myself into another delimma, should I still take those pre-wedding shoots in SG? I want to take pictures at those traditional Chinese architecture site but then since I've bought the gown already, so less budget for pre-wedding shoots. Hhhhmmm.... please help...

Me and another friend went back to the same shop to view my gown on Sunday. And u know what happened? She bought her gown as well!! Hers is a little bit mermaid cut with a short train. And the whole gown is beaded. Not one cm that is NOT. It's absolutely stunning!!! But then at that time, the only thought that I have is "now I can ask for more discount"... HAHAAHAHAHAH

I'm going to SG end of the month. Have to decide with the reception then. Anyone of you had been to or know anything about having wedding reception at Marriott Hotel Atrium? Since we are having more tables (around 10 now), we are not able to have it in the function room (max is only 8 tables). But I do concern about Atrium where people can walk pass, noise coming up from the lobby (mind you, it's a SAT night!!!!). And there aren't many hotels that can cater for 10 tables only. Again... no clue... arrrrggghhhhh...

Katgrrl,
If you are looking for silk flowers, maybe you can try Arab Street? I haven't been there before but that's why my friend suggested. =P

 

[dewberry]

hi suzxie - thanks for ALL that info! will definitely put it to good use... great poetry, your dad's was hilarious! loved your photos, everything was just wonderful wonderful wonderful, made me wish i was there too, hee hee! you and laurence looked great together, could really see the happiness radiating from your smiles

now just relax and enjoy the wedded bliss while us girls slog away... oof!

hi karen - congrats on getting THE dress! it's a both a big thrill and a great relief that the decision making is over... hmm, as for pre-wedding shoots, i think you can get pretty well-priced ones since you own your gown and have options to look around for someone who isn't tied to a bridal studio, or even go for a freelance photographer willing to charge less to build their portfolio?

as for 10 tables, there's definitely choice apart from Marriott (my wedding is also 10 tables), and I had interviewed 4 Seasons, Raffles and Ritz before deciding on the Ritz for best value (altho their function room size max 12 tbls is not a big ballroom like the Raffles Casuarina Suites are....) 4 Seasons was very flexible and seemed eager for our business even tho we were small compared to the usual 20 table deal... Raffles is pricey but very lovely ballroom so you save on need for spending on decor. all these options offer the privacy you were concerned about, if the Marriott Atrium is too open for you... but you can always cordon the area off, in fact i think some people see it as a good chance to "show off" their wedding in style and in public, while others see it as an invasion of privacy to have people walking past... i think both ways are acceptable, it's all up to how you view it! good luck with everything!

 

[katgrrl]

Hi Sya, regarding GST rebates, yup, only foreigners are allowed to claim them as you need to present your passport. So if u go shopping, drag Ben along & remember to bring his passport!

However, I dun believe there's a minimum spending of $500 as someone mentioned as I recall claiming for a $100+ overcoat from Zara. Just make sure that u put all your receipts from the same shop (doesn't have to be on the same day) together to make a single claim. The reason is because the higher the amount, the greater the percentage you get back because there are fixed admin charges per claim.

Suzxie, you're a gem and a walking cyclopaedia of resources! Pls send me your collection of poems et al. to [email protected] I'd enjoy your pix when I return home today

Ribbit, pls share your pix/website with me too! Thanks!

Karen, congrats on finding The Dress!

I can feel your excitement & exhilaration from your account. Dewberry's right -u have a few options other than Marriott. The ones mentioned by Dewberry are good starting ground I think. Perhaps u'd want to email them now to get their quotations so that u've something to work with?

Maddcow & Karen, thanks for pointing me the way to silk flowers in SG. Besides Tampines, Spotlight now occupies half a floor of Plaza Singapura.

Oh, here's another humourous (but true?) quotation I found on the net,
The Japanese have a word for it.
It's Judo -- the art of conquering by yielding.
The Western equivalent of judo is, 'Yes, dear.'
~ J. P. McEvoy

Sigh...still haven't had time to tweak with the greek photos yet. I assure u I haven't forgotten!

 

[snipsnap]

hi suzxie..thanks for the pix! they're lovely! you looked a gorgeous bride and laurence was dashing in his morning suit. haha I couldn't help giggling though when I saw him in the chinese outfit. very sporting of him! my fiance would not wear that ..and he's chinese hehe. though now I'm a little dissapointed NH isn't available for my date. hopefully my photographer will be able to do as good a job!

would you also send me your placecard samples, wedding guides, duties etc? think they will come in handy. TIA [email protected]

katgrrl..no need to tweak lah. i'm sure you look great anyway!

and that quote by McEvoy is very smart heheh!!!!

dewberry..if u don't mind me asking..how much did woodsville charge for flowers and what does it include? my package includes centerpieces for each table and those standing ones by the aisle. I'm not sure what else I'd need to fill up the ballroom ..and if I'll need flowers for hte solemnization part. don't really fancy those huge constructions of flowers for the stage hehe saw some pix of how they'd done it previously and it looked like the jungle!!

ewww

karen congrats on the gown. sounds like its perfect for you!!! share pix if you can! If you're planning on living in australia after your wedding, i'd say go with taking your pre wedding shots in singapore. its more unique! I love those quaint shop houses and stuff.

maddcow ... kinda agree about the pre wedding shots

but mine came with our package and I couldn't resist lol. You know u could actually get something similar done on the day of the wedding if you have time, especially if it is outdoors. will be very pretty.

btw some more wedding ideas hehe. I just saw the thank you cards of a friend of mine. it was really cute! *gasp* I might have to steal the idea. she got the photographer to take a picture of them outdoors holding huge cards that read 'thank' and 'you' on the day of the wedding.

 

[suzxie]

Hi gals

Maddcow, Katgrrl, Snipsnap - mail headed your way!

Katgrrl - nice quote! It made me smile

Karen: Congratulations on the gown! It sounds absolutely perfect! I'm really happy for you.

 

[madcow]

Karen
My experience with Marriott (weddings) have not been good...but I like its atrium on Saturdays - so I was one of those 'trespassers'. If there's a wedding going on - you can definitely hear it from the Atrium and it can be annoying (sorry, my truthful two cents). I have a small crowd too and Raffles came to be the best deal for me (checked with 4 seasons- either 60 pax or min 100 non-negotiable,Ritz and Shangri-La - either 60 pax or min 100) Good luck on your search. Before deciding on Raffles, I actually thought Dome (still around?) at Wheelock would be nice given its view - like having a wedding in a NY loft - but I did not get around to calling them.

Snippy - great idea on the thank you cards! So cute!

Suzxie
Thanks for your email. I've received it

 

[frogprincess]

Hallo Girls!

I have been at home with the flu. The weather in singapore has been generally awful - really blazing one minute and chucking it down the next. I have been running around in circles like a dog chasing its tail, so over the weekend, when I started sneezing and running a temperature I knew it was time to move to a lower gear and not try to cram so many things into each day, and went promptly into "hibernating bear" mode.

Today is the first day I am up and about at home, and one of the first things I did was to check this thread! My husband wonders if I have become hooked on it! I invoke the right to silence on this one...

Dewberry, Snippy and Katgrrl - You've got incoming mail! (I have sent you the link to our website on your respective accounts).

My wedding folder is in the office, so I will post again on the rates and contacts I recieved for the jazz band when I get back to the office. Music is really important, and if

Karen - congratulations on the gown! it sounds gorgeous, and I look forward to seeing the eventual photos if you would like to share em on this thread!

Speaking of gowns -- Madcow - where are you based? I saw you wondering if you could look for your gown wherever you are. I bought mine off the rack from Chicago at David's Bridal.
www.davidsbridal.com

Congrats Suzxie -- I looked at a slide show of your photos on that link and they are absolutely lovely! you both looked radiant and ever so joyful. I loved the idea of naming the tables so that you don't get the boring table numbers. I think I will try that for our France wedding! BTW Alemay is really good so you made a fantastic choice for the music!

Okaylah, for a sick person I sure am yammering away, so I will shut up and sleep now. Good night y'all!

 

[ashlee]

Suzxie
Your whole wedding is just beautiful!!! You obviously have put in so much planning and wonderful ideas... Aww, wish I had half your creativity...

Thanks for the contacts for the bands. Asked fiance, and he said no jazz bands as we are going to the Bar & Billiard Room after the dinner and it's jazz music there. Hmm... have u got any contacts for bands that does Coldplay, Starsailor, Travis kind of songs? hehe...

Ribbit
Rest well eh? Lotsa fluids and Vit C gal!

 

[cello]

hello beautiful brides to be!

good god! i'm getting cold sweats reading this thread. all these ideas are making me panic because they just prove that I have done na-da with mine. *panic button on full gear*

Ribbit: woweee! a wedding in France. how romantic especially during the summer. whereabouts in France will you be having the lunch reception? i can pretty much imagine walking down a quaint and pretty french village with a wedding dress during the summer. what will you be doing differently for this particular reception?

Cold is not good. Hope you are on the mend and recovering quickly. Lots of rest, pampering and oranges might just do the trick. I'm getting down with the flu too. the undecisive weather is not good for this body of mine. hehe

Suzxie and Ribbit: May I please have the contacts for the jazz bands and the link to your photos? What kind of jazz music do they play? Do you know if they have a singer or is it just mainly a bassist, percussionist and a pianist? hrmmm.... i am just thinking of tweaking something since my possible venue will not have a piano in place, i wonder if they would have their own electronic piano?

Speaking of venue, well after a long chat with my parents we came up with two plans. Plan A: Have it on sunday night anyway. We've scraped off that idea because I just think that everyone will be exhausted from the day activities to want to come and enjoy the evening as well. Not good.

Plan B is to have the wedding ceremony ie the Nikah on Friday after the Friday Prayers and the small evening reception to be held in the restaurant. My parents have suggested using my uncle's restaurant (I've only just found out that he is one of the three partners) which means we will be able to rent it at a discounted rate. I've told my parents not to rule out the other places I've suggested so kinda begged my sisters to check out the venues asap. I would just have to trust them and go with their instincts as I'm not there to see it myself. I hate this part of the planning! Not knowing what the venue is like.... it makes it harder to envision how the reception is going to look. :-(

Suzxie: I've just looked at your photos and they all looked really amazing!! The pair of you looks so adorable and happy. I love the burgundy colour scheme and the place setting ideas. Ben actually came up with the idea to name our tables with 'Butterflies' in a different language. When we had the black and white theme, he suggested using the names of the different composers. You could also use the name of your favourite actor/actresses, football teams (if anyone of you are into football), colours, flowers, etc.

Katgrrl: Thanks for that info on GST rebates. hehehe you can be sure that I will have his passport with me everywhere we go. not that we are intending to shop mindlessly but you'd never know. something always catches my fancy when i'm back home. even if it means Giordano. I love their white cotton V neck Tshirts.

Karen: Congrats on getting your dress. that should be a big load off your mind. The whole experience must have been very exciting for you and your friends. Take a picture of you and your dress and give it a twirl! :-D

Ashlee: I've been meaning to ask you, dd you go for the wedding exhibition in London? If yes, how did it go? We could not make it that far as Ben had to work which was a real shame.

I've got the day off from work today so that I can go for two job interviews. Hope it won't be nerve wrecking! Fingers crossed hope it all goes well. Will pop in later..... have a good day ladies (or whatever that is left of it)!

xoxo

 

[ashlee]

Sya
Nah, din go. Hehe... no point going as my gowns are already made, wedding venue and everything else is to be done in Sg. Really want to go to Crufts 2005 though, but can't cos gotta stay home and study.

Good luck for your job interview gal! Tell us how it goes!

 

[dewberry]

ribbit - thanks for the pics, you've got a reply in your inbox too... lovely! i too plead the Fifth on the addiction conviction, hahaha, but it's obvious from all my posts here.... FH says the same about me.

hey, you said you got your dress from Chicago - have you lived here in the US before? i've lived in chicago too, a few years back... ooh, i wish i was planning my wedding from there, the selections for wedding stuff are marvelous! so, are you moving from SG together with fabien, or is he already overseas?

maddcow - i too, went to David's Bridal, but ended up buying my gown at a different discount place in Nashville called USA Bridal. what i liked about them was that they had wider selection than DB, and more "branded" stuff like mori lee and demetrios. DB is mostly their own line, but both stores are good, especially to try on loads of different styles in one place! how is the search going?

snippy - i didn't get a typical package from woodsville, (hence we are still in negotiations)... so i'm not the best to ask, but i've heard that their normal packages can start from the very simple (ard $500 as posted on their website) to exorbitant ($000s and more). usually includes what i mentioned, centerpieces, aisle topiaries, reception table large arrangement, and some stage decor. might be able to work in some chair seat covers if you want (but Ritz does those better & free, i think). i personally didn't want the same old staid looking decor, so we're upping the amp on a lot of the table decor (we wanted it to look lush and full), and also adding LOTS of fabric swags. I figured if you can't beat'em, join'em... so since the room is small, we'll build on the "cosiness" and make it almost like a sheer fabric tent. with ceiling draperies that hang down to cover the boring plain walls too.

as for cost, they had quoted me around $150-200 for centerpieces, depending on the style. a little ex, but it's really negotiable depending on what you want it to look like. large aisle thingys are $300 each, but will be cheaper if you work it into a package. i know what you mean about jungle-flowers on stage, but it's supposed to invoke a romantic look to some people (think victorian)... hee hee, we're not doing it that way, i'm thinking more like tall stands of large pillar candles and maybe a trellis draped with roses or something? dunno, haven't decided on that yet. if you want to take this discussion offline so we don't bore everyone, feel free to email me!

 

[snipsnap]

sya> *sends good vibes* you'll ace the interviews! r u switching jobs? anyway don't worry about being behind. I don't even have my save the dates yet SOB ...misery loves company? hey I know what you mean abt giordano haha..they have good basics. got a white linen shirt there the last time i went back ...love it.

ribbit > awww you poor thing. we'll keep you company online hehe! btw I didn't get your pics! did u send it to the right address? [email protected] ... when are you leaving for france btw? stressful stuff!

ashlee ..i wanna go to crufts rufff!!!!!!!!!!!! take me take me! btw instead of a band doing covers..how about just playing the music from your ipod or computer ..cheaper also lah

... was traumatized at a friend's wedding. she had the worst band I tell you. the music was soo loud and blasting in my ears ..couldn't enjoy my dinner or talk comfortably. and the singer was singing songs like 'top of the world' ..*slaps forehead* ok lah ...moral of the story is to pick the band wisely hehe

btw I have news. I completed my DIY flower girl basket hehe. I don't know if I like it or not ..but leave me your e-mail..I'll send pix

dewberry ..just saw your post when I was about to send my mesage arhgk

... yep will email u about it. hahah u know what ..some of the stage decors I've seen remind me of my primary school during national day ..when they bring out all the plants and stuff *griN*. i was pretty satisfied with the way the linens, place settings and chair covers so I think i'll be ok with sticking with em.

 

[cello]

Ashlee, SnipSnap: Thank you for the good luck wishes. The interviews went bizarrely well. I don't know if this is a good thing but the interviewers were hyperactive, gave alot of compliments, seemed very interested with my experiences but the one thing I find rather negative was that, they did most of the talking! *shrugs* It's not like a typical question and answer interview... very informal. Fabulous office and it'd be great if I get it.

I am on the look out for another job coz pretty soon my department is going to be laid off. Pretty shocking news and may I add, untimely. There are not many advertising companies here in Poole/Bournemouth which is the downside. I am keeping my options open and see what is suitable for me.

Ben's mum spoke to me today and she actually said to me, "why don't you just enjoy life and be a wife of leisure?". I don't know if she was joking about it but I had to laugh. Until her precious son becomes a billionaire, I cannot see myself being a housewife. Worth considering if we do have children but at the moment, I need a life and independence.

Snipsnap: Well done on your flower girl basket! Did it take you long to do? I must say that is a great achievement. Show us the pictures ok? /clipart {happy}

Oh! I've seen the idea for the Thank You cards in a magazine. It looks really good...very refreshing!

One of the magazines I read had pictures of little bridemaids/flower girls. They are all so adorable. Most of them I just want to go and 'cubit' their rosy cheeks! heheh

One cute placecard idea: put a tiny heart foamed sticker on the end of a toothpick. Pierced the middle of the placecard with the toothpick and then stick the other pointed end onto a piece of wrapped chocolate. Simple but very pretty.

Oh yes! More tempting cakes to look at:
1. http://www.slattery.co.uk/popup.cfm?p_n=124426&p_i=124426

2. http://www.slattery.co.uk/popup.cfm?p_n=148947&p_i=148947 - this one sounds delicious!

3. http://www.slattery.co.uk/popup.cfm?p_n=124229&p_i=124229 - chocolate heaven!

Crufts 2005: I am not a major doggie fan mainly because of religion reasons but Ben is a dog lover. He's been asking me to go with him but I am feeling half hearted about it. Helen's grandmother (his sister in law), is one of the judges and Helen has been trying to get free tickets from her grandmother for us. Thing is, I'd rather watch it on TV and go 'awwww' and 'sooo cute' on tv. It is hard for me coz I can't touch them because I am afraid of them jumping at me and licking me. I had a huge phobia fron cats and dogs and had to get over it VERY quickly because his parents has got three dogs and five cats!!!

 

[dewberry]

hello beautiful brides!

didn't have time to write a longer post earlier, but now i'm slacking off the job as usual so, back to wedding stuff... hehehehe!

anyways, for those of you looking for inspiration on flowers and decor, this site has some good pics and ideas to show to your vendors in SG: (dunno if the URL will show properly, if not just go to the site and click on "wedding planning" section) http://www.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning/wedding-flowers-and-decorations/index.html?p:11:t:20:s:10:l:1002

sya - mmm, yummy cakes! i love the last one, chocolate heaven indeed. you know, i've been tempted to go to these american wedding fairs just to try the cakes and compare, all these fancy flavors and they pull no stops to show them off during the show. went to one in jan, and the taste still lingers, yummm! glad to hear your interviews went well - i've had an experience like yours before, the dude just kept yakking and yakking, and was more like a friendly conversation than anything.... but i did end up getting the job. turns out they already decided before i walked in, so he was more trying to "sell" me the position... rather funny in retrospect. good luck on the outcome!

but take your time to find something you like; can always be a *temporary* wife of leisure while you find that dream job! it's awful to sit in an office and do things you hate.... (happening to me now, about to throw in the towel very soon, but hanging on by my fingernails coz of the wedding costs, sigh!) sorry to hear about the layoffs, bad timing huh... hang in there, and try not to get too stressed out... think positive thoughts so you'll be a pretty bride on your Big Day!

 

[ashlee]

snipsnap
Ya, you are right, think might just do the ipod thingie, think we really have no space and money for band anyways. hehe...
Not going crufts liao. Sigh, really really want to go but u know lah, I kept procrastinating studying and now I am super stressed out liao. Gonna just seal the door and stay indoors all weekends!
Pix of your flowergal basket please!

Sya
Great to hear it went well! Must keep us updated on the outcome!
Ya, me and fiance dreaming every week of winning the lottery. Might happen one day... hehe...

I'll be missing crufts too. Sigh, will be a good girl and just skip it this time, will go next year. Though that was wat I said last year!

 

[frogprincess]

Hallo busy brides!

I haven't forgotten my promise to post the rates I got for jazz bands, but I STILL haven't gone back to the office yet. This is seriously freaking me out, and I have started getting people in the office to email stuff to my personal account so that I can work from home. But onto more interesting stuff...

Sya - the French wedding is different because it will be faithful to my froggy husband's roots = catholic church and chateau. After all, he did the whole cheena wedding dinner and tea ceremony in Singapore. BTW GOOD LUCK on your job interviews! I hope you hear from them real soon. Although you know "tai-tai" is not a bad word! Gimme your email addy and I'll send you the link to our wedding site.

Snipsnap - thanks for keeping me company online (*blows nose into soggy tissue*) I don't think anyone would want to talk to me in real life (*hacking cough* ) Actually I realised I was so sick on my previous posting that I stopped typing halfway through a sentence (I blame it on antibiotics) but you took the words out of my keypad when you said that band and music can make a difference to the wedding night for the guests.

I want to share with you all a major loophole in flower budgeting. One big cost saving I did, was to get only the Crucial items from a reputable florist - I was not in Singapore, I had to order blind, so reputable is important, even if they charge a premium... BTW Woodsville is pretty good so you are all set there Dewberry and Snippy. Crucial Items means things like Bridal Bouquet, groom and attendant's corsages (i used wrist corsage for the bridesmaids), and parents corsages. Also hair accessories came from a proper florist. Then I took the hotel's basic package for floral stands and basic table decorations (i.e. do NOT pay anything extra) THE REST of the floral decorations were bought from the wholesale centre/ supermarket/ wet market, and we got dedicated friends and family to help us to "beef up" the floral decorations on the venue a few hours before it started. inserting flowers into napkins and tying with ribbons on chairbacks -- you are only limited by your own imagination!

Whatever flowers not used were then shredded into confetti to throw at us when we exited the solemnisation venue!

To put actual figures on what we saved - I had 60 "orange flowerpots" home-made. From Wishing Tree (my Crucial Item florist) I got a quote of $25 per orange! Oh yeah, just in case I am mumbling gibberish, orange flowerpot is like a sunkist orange hollowed out and carved on the side, and then "planted" with gerberas or some other bright flower, so that it looks like the flowers are growing out of the orange. you can take a look at it on their website www.wishingtree.com.sg under "decor tips"

Anyways what I wanted to tell you is that you don't necessarily need to pay premium prices all the time for simple things which you can do yourself or persuade your friends to help you to do. My husband's family were very happy to be given this important task to do (made them feel involved) so don't be shy in asking your friends and family to take part in your special day...

 

[madcow]

Sya
Good to hear that your reception plan is taking shape. You can still get a lot done - deadline can boost productivity sometimes, otherwise delegate to your faithful loved ones who would only want to make sure things go smoothly for you. Keep us posted okay, I'm rooting for you!

Ribbit and Dewberry
Thanks for the dress advice. I'm in Madison so I'm only 2.5 hours away from Chicago. Did you have alterations done on your dresses here? I haven't gone dress-shopping yet (procrastinating) FH warned me against Filene's basement sale - I'm definitely going to get trampled. Wedding's december - do you think shopping for it in Jun-Aug would be okay?
Ribbit - I hope you are feeling better already. Peppermint candle and tea with honey can sometimes help. Thanks for the info on flowers - which part of France are you having your wedding?

Snippy
Woohoo on your project! You are hilarious - 'top of the world' while eating dinner? Save me! I think Suzxie right, for those thinking of a band, you need a 'DON'T PLAY' list!

I'm thinking of a classical guitarist - anyone know of any contact?

Ashlee - good idea on the Bar and Billiard room. FH and I would probably hang out in Long Bar counting down - I'm forcing him to wear a "Groom" t-shirt while I'll wear a "Bride" tank, my sisters "Bridemaids" and my mom "HOT MAMA" - just for goofiness!

 

[snipsnap]

sya ashlee sent u the pix ... don't get your hopes up though haha it ain't that fancy.

sya> the cakes look divine!! £525.00?? i have half a mind to construct the ones with the chocolate balls myself

erh... can't I just use those lindt chocolate truffles??? easy lah j/k haha of course I underestimate the complexity. honestly I wouldn't mind being a taitai

on condition that a) I have tons of money b) have fellow taitais to hang out with c)find a career i actually enjoy LOL. oh wait ..taitais can't have jobs? how about a job I enjoy and am not doing just for $$ hehe.

ribbit > thx for sending the pix. prolly said this already but I love love love your bridesmaids dresses!!! I am actually not with woodsville..I don't have a florist yet bleh. good tip regarding the top ups though. hey which wet market did u get the extra flowers from? I am adding to my excel spreadsheet for later (arghk obsessive compulsive behavior exposed). hey wow 60 orange pots ...your friends are quite crafty eh

..btw how many guests did u have?

dewberry> speaking of flowers ..do u have pics of the centerpieces you are planning on using? I saw this gorgeous white/yellow cattleya orchid bouquet on the wedding channel link u sent. I want!!! wonder if they are available back home.

maddcow...i spied a Vera Wang sample sale in chicago last year. u should keep a look out

I toyed with the idea of hitting the FB wedding event too ... but nah cant handle the thought of waking up at 5am for this. I would get alterations done back home for sure!! I had a bridesmaids dress altered back home for like $15 ...peanuts compared to the US$40 I paid here for another dress and not to mention my regular pant alterations at $US15.

I hate my tailor...all nice to my face but ripping me off big time. the workmanship in sg should be comparable to here or better. so no worries. btw what styles are you looking at? any dream gown in mind? hee

OMG I'm such a thief!!! arhgk. maddcow I need to steal your idea of the 'bride' and 'groom' it's toooo cute !!! Suzxie..thanks for all the files!! I suspect I'll be copying..*cough cough* I mean 'referring' to them lots hehe.

RE Crufts..anyone watched the Westminster one? Did you see the border collie who won the herding group?

 

[madcow]

Ribbit
Send me pix too - [email protected] !

Snippy
I'm thinking of strapless, fluted skirt - but I've not checked with the church requirements. Something like Alvina Valenta's http://alvinavalenta.com/bridal/3059.html . I was so caught up with work and Raffles that I did not keep up with the photographer. Gmendes emailed me that his prices have gone up ! *shocked* since I'd spoken to him about over a week ago - could have forewarned me ? I've not signed a contract - but what can I do, having brought up under the mantra 'caveat emptor' and needed my time to seek out more info before commiting. Totally disappointed.

 

[suzxie]

thanks to all for your kind comments. glad you enjoyed the pix.

Ribbit: hope you're feeling better soon! Do send me your pix too. My address is [email protected] i had a look at the orange flowerpot and it is gorgeous!

ashlee: sorry no Travis/Coldplay band contacts. CDs/MP3s instead?

sya: naming your tables with 'Butterflies' in a different language is a creative and excellent idea. the link to my photos and jazz band contacts was in my earlier post somewhere up this page. Good luck on your job situation and get well soon!

snipsnap: congrats on ur DIY flower basket! it's really fulfilling and nice to get things done. refer away to the files (dewberry and all too!).. hope it helps!

I've managed to find another poem in my spring cleaning of my hard drive. This is from Sex in the City (erm slightly corny but sweet)... enjoy!

Carrie's Poem
His hello was the end of her endings
Her laugh was their first step down the aisle
His hand would be hers to hold forever
His forever was as simple as her smile
He said she was what was missing
She said instantly she knew
She was a question to be answered
And his answer was "I do"

 

[madcow]

Suzxie
I had just watched that episode this morning - FH's mom lent me the tapes! Strangely, I did think of you when she read the poem .... (twilight zone tune...)

 

[frogprincess]

Hallo me lurverlies!

(*drumroll*) I am back at work - on a Friday no less, and this is what I know about this guy - Wang that plays with a group called the Thompson Jazz band.

Basically a 5 piece band (consist of pianist, bassist, drummer, guitarist & saxophonist) with full sound system and equipment set up for jazz quartet will cost up to $1600. (This set up will work for both indoor and outdoor).

Alternatively, if you need us to play indoor (ballroom) the set up will be different and will be less expensive, I will recommend you to use a 4 piece band (consist of guitarist, bassist, percussionist & saxophonist) with full equipment and smaller sound system set up and the fee will be only $1000.

This package is usually the favourite among all my wedding gigs because it has good sound and will not be too noisy. Lemme check with Wang to see if he is okay to post his email address here? if not just get in touch with me and I'll introduce him by email.

 

[frogprincess]

Hellos Suzxie and Madcow - sending you the wedding website link now!

 

[frogprincess]

Yep! Wang said no problem with putting his contact here -- [email protected] and phone number 96896836

BTW...
Suzxie - I loved Carrie's poem! could you please email me any other gems?

SnipSnap - I bought the thai silk from Arab street (about 2m each is all you need for a short dress for a petite girl, and ALL my bridesmaids are skinnier than me) This then was logistics nightmare because my 5 bridesmaids were respectively based in London/Hong Kong/Malaysia/Singapore!! Muahhhahah so I had to DHL cloth to each girl, and they discussed online and each girl came up with her own design for their dressss, so the honest answer is that they each had their own tailor.

 

[dewberry]

wah! so much activity here... hmm, must be friday sometime somewhere, hee... i'm looking forward to friday as well, <groan> does the work week NEVER end?

ribbit - glad to see you up and about after that nasty bout of sniffles... you've got mail!

thanks for the florist $$$ advice and band contacts, will definitely KIV.

snippy - sorry no pics yet, i haven't really decided... but here's some links of the kind of things i've been considering...
http://www.woodsville-florist.com/Events021F.html
http://www.woodsville-florist.com/Events041F.html
(i think the "fruit as centerpiece" idea is so whimsical!)
i'm sure cecilia can work with you on the suggestions you want and quote a reasonable price! or she will tell you what they can substitute with if they can't do... i'm doing all that back and forth right now, and i haven't signed my life away yet on any contracts with them.

maddcow - no filenes!!! heard horror stories, would not want you to go thru all that for some measly gown... DB and other discount chains are good enough, price diff is not a lot. agree with snippy the alterations are cheaper in SG. BUT, consider how much time you have to go back and do the fittings, etc?

for anyone who's interested - i opted to do it all here coz i didn't have a lot of time to go home, plus i asked around and found a good local seamstress, she's attached to an expensive (out of my budget) bridal shop and really knows her schtuff... figured that if she can work on a $10k gown, she can work on mine! my gown has a long train so i wanted to add the elaborate bustles that they do so well here (not very common in singapore, i notice most brides either don't have long train, or don't bother to bustle it up so most dressmakers will say, hah bustle see-meee?)... Edith was very knowledgeable and mocked up many different styles for me to pick from. i settled on a double french bustle, basically where they loop the train under (twice) for a really nice and poofy look in the back. i'll be letting the train out during the short walk down our ceremony aisle, and then bustling it up for my first march-in to create a different look for the gown. hee hee, kiasu bride must squeeze every inch of utility from once-in-a-lifetime dress, mah!!! more on bustles here... the pics aren't very nice, but you get the idea, and the commentary is somewhat intelligent. http://www.leanna.com/Bridal/Bustles.htm

fyi, for your comparison, my total alteration bill done in the US will be approx USD$120 (shorten hem, take in bodice, bustle, and sew in extra underskirt lining).. yes a bit more ex than sg but takes the pressure off the timing of the fittings. i worked in the price of alterations to my gown and it's still cheaper than buying or renting a similar gown in SG, primarily due to the beadwork and embroidery i have on mine.

oh and maddcow, if you decide to shop and get your gown here, suggest not to do it too late... try to start earlier so you won't feel like it's an impulse buy and even if you go to the discount stores, allow at least 3-4 months for them to order the dress and enough time for mishaps, god forbid... sometimes you can buy off the floor if you happen to find the perfect size, but mine was ordered and made from the factory - took about 3 months.

 

[katgrrl]

Hi girls!! wow, the number of posts I've to catch up on! I'd been really busy trying to juggle 'work' and wedding prep (altho the latter has been winning the battle quite frequently). Got the website done 90%, and making some trial printouts of the invites/church prog over the weekend.. A little stressed now because I just realized that I've a little over 2 mths before I go back to SG. Argh!!!

Suzxie, saw your pix! U looked absolutely radiant!

Maddcow &amp; Suzxie, do u remember which episode of SATC that poem came from?

Snippy, pls do send me a pix of your flower basket. Will love to see it too, thanks

Ribbit (hand you another tissue), I know what u mean by going back to hubby's roots. Sometimes I forget that he's not just an accessory to the wedding

. The celebration in Finland will be just that.

Oh, did u girls watch the Oscars? I'd no idea how popular the mermaid cut has become! Pity I dun look good in that cut..unless I keep standing on that stool I tried the dress on

 

[madcow]

Katgrrl
I think it's second season - Chicken Dance episode where Miranda's interior decorator fell in love with her friend from London. I love the part where the bride tossed the bouquet and it went *splat* on the floor infront of the 4 gals. Didn't watch the Oscars - working madly, TV has become a white elephant in my living room: except for SATC 30-mins treats.

Ribbit - thanks for the pictures. I love your flowers and like Snippy - your bridesmaids' dresses.

Dewberry and Snippy - thanks for the advice on alterations. um... now i'm really having the jitters about gown-shopping.

 

[snipsnap]

ribbit> thought it was kinda cool that the dresses were all the same yet different!

dewberry> $120 isn't bad at all

the bustle on your gown sounds very very pretty hehe. any pics of the gown? would love to ogle! mine is a rivini knockoff I am getting my BS in singapore to make hahah.

maddcow> *gasps* the gown is soo lovely!!! great choice!!! yeah second dewberry's suggestion to start the hunt early! sorry not much help with purchasing gowns here. re the photographer...I had a similar experience though not with prices. was emailing back and forth with a photographer (he told me he was free for my date). but one day when I told him I was ready to sign the contract, he tells me he's already booked?? I was like WTF??? It would have been common courtesy to let me know if someone was enquiring about the date. Seriously what is wrong with these people?? BTW did GM raise his prices significantly?

katgrrl> been wondering where you've been! hehe yup the mermaid cut is really glam but like you I suspect am a little too short and pear shaped haha. btw sent u the basket pics. wait ... you mean FH is not an accessory???? *grin* .. u know weddings are all about the bride lol

*hollers* Ashleee where art thou?

 

[madcow]

Snippy
Thanks - you asked for a dream dress right, so it may just remain a dream given my budget. Hey, Rivini's really nice too - I like their more 'structural' gowns: those with simple,clean lines.
As for GM, I "wasted" my emotions (disappointment) last night...I sent an email to clarify because on all accounts, he seem really nice. He wrote back today and said that I'd enjoy the same price. I still don't know why I'm informed of the price hike but I wanna throw caution into the wind for other brides to be who may happen to peruse this thread - 'ask whether there will be forseeable price changes within your consideration window period'. FYI, GM raised slightly over $100. I'm hoping to finally find a photographer that's for the long haul - you know, a family photographer. Let's hope GM is the man.

Katgrrl and Snippy - re FH being an accessory...in the beginning, FH was the finger-twiddling bloke that sat idly watching the Jets(NY football team) lose until I confronted him on his lack of interest, he basically said, "Babe, weddings are for girls that's why you only see BRIDAL magazines and not Groom's magazine." Touche (*wry smile*)

For the t-shirts, I'm still looking around but you can try http://www.jeanmessentials.com/ look for t-shirts under gifts for women.

Yeah, calling for ashlee and tootsieroll ???

 

[cello]

Allo girls!

My week at work has been so emotional. Worrying about work + wedding plans = me bashing me head up with a hammer + endless period about feeling sorry for people + mood swings aka me being and feeling like shit. Hope you girls had a better week.

However, good news! I've been offered a job. It will be for the same company but with a different department. They are even giving me more money which is fantastic! Call me ungrateful but I'm actually not that upbeat about it. Extremely thrilled but not overly excited. Maybe it is coz' I'm waiting to see whether I'd get the other job (you know the one with the weird interview session). They are both in advertising but one is more on publications and online; the other is commercial ads, press ads and websites. I've been thinking about it non stop the last few days and still do not know which one I'd rather have. Guess, we'll have to wait and see........

Ribbit: sorry! forgot to give you my email address. I would love to see your pictures, email me [email protected]
Thank you and Suzxie for the jazz contacts. I am leaving the music side of things for Ben to decide coz he is pissing me off with his questions! hahhahaha How am I suppose to know how good they are?!? I mean, that's why they are recommended, darling! Jeebers!

SnipSnap: Woman, your flower basket is WOW! Simple but very glamourous. I think the brooch? makes alot of difference.

I was reading the poem during my lunch break and did a loud outburst of AWWWWWW. I don't even remember the bit when she said it. Hrmmm... time to dig out the episode and watch it again. I love the wedding episodes on SATC. The flower arrangments are always a great inspiration. I'd love that romantic and cosy atmosphere for my wedding.

Maddcow:Aiks! Sorry to hear about the news with GM. Prices is a big sensitive issue with brides and he should have thought about who is going to be affected by the prices before e(mass)-mailing it out. Good to know that yours will not be affected.

Katgrrl: My three bridemaids are going to meet Blossom from TWP so hopefully, it will be a good response from them. I will let you know how it goes. I think their appointment is on Tuesday. \clipart {kao_happy}

dewberry: I luurvvve the second one, 'Pommes'. Gorgeous! I wonder how much something like that will cost.

i notice most brides either don't have long train, or don't bother to bustle it up so most dressmakers will say, hah bustle see-meee?)hehehhehheh true. I can't wait to see your dress when it is ready. What material will your dress be made of?

 

[cello]

Allo girls!

My week at work has been so emotional. Worrying about work + wedding plans = me bashing me head up with a hammer + endless period about feeling sorry for people + mood swings aka me being and feeling like shit. Hope you girls had a better week.

However, good news! I've been offered a job. It will be for the same company but with a different department. They are even giving me more money which is fantastic! Call me ungrateful but I'm actually not that upbeat about it. Extremely thrilled but not overly excited. Ah! the irony. I think I might just be losing my mind!! Maybe it is coz' I'm waiting to see whether I'd get the other job (you know the one with the weird interview session). They are both in advertising but one is more on publications and online; the other is commercial ads, press ads and websites. I've been thinking about it non stop the last few days and still do not know which one I'd rather have. Guess, we'll have to wait and see........

Ribbit: sorry! forgot to give you my email address. I would love to see your pictures, email me [email protected]
Thank you and Suzxie for the jazz contacts. I am leaving the music side of things for Ben to decide coz he is pissing me off with his questions! hahhahaha How am I suppose to know how good they are?!? I mean, that's why they are recommended, darling! Jeebers!

SnipSnap: Woman, your flower basket is WOW! Simple but very glamourous. I think the brooch? makes alot of difference.

I was reading the poem during my lunch break and did a loud outburst of AWWWWWW. I don't even remember the bit when she said it. Hrmmm... time to dig out the episode and watch it again. I love the wedding episodes on SATC. The flower arrangments are always a great inspiration. I'd love that romantic and cosy atmosphere for my wedding.

Maddcow:Aiks! Sorry to hear about the news with GM. Prices is a big sensitive issue with brides and he should have thought about who is going to be affected by the prices before e(mass)-mailing it out. Good to know that yours will not be affected.

Katgrrl: My three bridemaids are going to meet Blossom from TWP so hopefully, it will be a good response from them. I will let you know how it goes. I think their appointment is on Tuesday.

dewberry: I luurvvve the second one, 'Pommes'. Gorgeous! I wonder how much something like that will cost.

i notice most brides either don't have long train, or don't bother to bustle it up so most dressmakers will say, hah bustle see-meee?)hehehhehheh true. I can't wait to see your dress when it is ready. What material will your dress be made of?

 

[katgrrl]

Sya, congrats on your job offer!! A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush right?

Hmmm...regarding the videography. FH nearly fainted when I told him it was >$1k. He swore that he'd try to do it himself...so this weekend, he's shooting a short DV clip and practice editing it on our Mac /clipart(lol) Now, all I need to find is someone with very stead hands to film the event in SG

Snippy, your basket's an inspiration! I agree with Sya, the brooch makes a huge difference.

Maddcow, are u thinking of the crystal encrusted tanktops for your bridal party? Heheh...I was just thinking of making one that says "Bridezilla" for myself a couple of days ago. Btw, do u know that it's really quite easy to make one like that? Get a nice basic shirt/top from Giordano, some iron-on crystals from Arab Street, a sheet of sticky paper and printouts from your word processor that will act as your stencils. check out http://www.originalsbybecki.com/Instructions.ivnu

The first Formula 1 race of the season is startin in 15min! I know it's crazy to be watching it at 4am but it's a tradition

(prob fall asleep before the qualifying is over tho)

 

[madcow]

Sya
Congrats! Job search is really a matching process...it's hard. But look at what you've achieved despite all the wedding planning craze. At the end of the day, you'll have a job and will be married! Thanks for your empathy too re GM- I'm touched.

Katgrrl
Thanks for the tip. I didn't know you can get iron-on crystals from Arab Street - which store can I go to?

 

[katgrrl]

Hi Maddcow, I can't remember the name of the shop at Arab St. However, there aren't that many shops there, so it should be possible to find them quite easily...just enquire at any shop that doesn't have reams of fabric. I believe there are at least 2 shops that stock the crystals. When are u thinking of getting them? I'm going back in May so I could give u more detailed info then

 

[madcow]

Katgrrl
I won't start planning the wedding party stuff till summer so May is a good time - Thanks

. My plans are fluid, I don't know when I'll go back to Singapore. Ooo, scary, it's already March, and May is only (*gulp*) two months away, are you tingling with excitement already?
The other thing that I want to do is to monogram FH's initials in all my dresses for the wedding - it'll be so exciting, like carrying a secret every minute! But I'm clueless as to how it can be done, perhaps thru a tailor or I'd have to pick up embroidery (huh?), I'll probably have to ask future MIL...

Dewberry - isn't your wedding in April? When are you going back?

 

[dewberry]

hellooooo my beauties! been MIA for a while so sorry if i miss answering everyone's question in this post... been busy with other distractions all weekend plus a little stressed out coz maddcow is right, my wedding's in April and i'm about to wail my eyes out coz i feel like NOTHING is settled yet! *hyperventilating*

okay, well, deep breath but i think i got a lot done this weekend so the worst is over, except for the blasted flower decor... still haven't decided on the centerpieces coz obviously we want the moon even though we have a tight budget....doesn't help that i got sticker shock about how much things cost now in singapore, guess i'm still stuck in the 90's when i last left SG for greener pastures... but my friends tell me not to panic coz 1.5 months is still plenty of time to nail down the details. oh well, apparently everyone likes to work on such last minute basis in SG, c'est la vie, i've decided to reverse-psychology myself about everything. *sheepish grin*

maddcow, i'll be back April 14, and the wedding's the following weekend (Apr 23).... hey, if <u><blink>anyone here</blink></u> needs anything in SG, please let me know...! i'll be more than glad to help looksee, ship, shop, whatever.... anyone else going to be back Apr 14 - May 11?!

hahah, how did the F1 race go, katgrrl? it was not aired live in the US i think, but my friends still had a party at their house to watch the race on Sat nite... well, i went but didn't watch it, hahaha was holed up with the girls talking wedding stuff and drinking way too much wine (one of the girls just got married and so was oohing over people's wedding pictures).

on the dress... maddcow and snippy, i luuurve your valenta and rivini gown styles - they look gorgeous! and thanks for the bustle compliments. my dress will be duchess satin, strapless and A-line full skirt with silver and gold floral embroidery on the bodice, and a "V" slit in the skirt in front... the train has the same embroidery down the length of it... sorry i don't have good pics, and the dress is at the seamstress... will try to take some photos of it when i go for my next fitting! mine wasn't a style seen the internet... it seems to be maybe last season's style, that's why no catalog pics... and prolly why i got it for like $400! (chuckle - thought it was SUCH a steal!)

maddcow, the t-shirt idea is cute, go for it! i did that for my ROM 2 yrs ago... we hung around all day in "bride" and "groon" tees from TheKnot.com... got lots of squeals and attention from my friends, they were all very tickled!

sya - ditto everyone's congrats on the job offer! glad it all worked out... now you've got CHOICES! hey, do let me know what your gf's thought about Blossom @ TWP... would love to hear comments. i loved the "pommes" as well, but don't get your hopes up, the prices are probably RIDICULOUS. i've asked for price range under $150 so far, and these didn't come back in her proposal, so i dunno what the real price is for this item.. suspect maybe ard $300 for the large one... nonsense! i'd rather take the money and go for a honeymoon, sheesh... yeah, so looks like it's going to be regular old centerpieces for me due to budget concerns. sigh. and to think i had my hopes up for an interesting conversation piece for my guests....

bridezilla wants everything!

 

[snipsnap]

thanks ladies for the compliments on the flower basket! I am touched. hehe. my next project is my wedding favors. I finally made it to AC Moore this weekend and picked up some tulle circles ..as well as those organza sachets to wrap my kisses in. haven't been motivated yet to try them out or take pix but will share when i do. Katgrrl ..weren't u planning on using those too for your dragees? let me know if you need to check anything out

... I also saw much nicer silk flowers there. very very pretty ..though i had no idea what to do with them! will arm myself with pics to 'copy' the next time I go hehe.

sya > congrats on the job offer !!! u go girl!

but I understand your dilemma ... sometimes it sucks to not have choices, but at the same time its a rotten dilemma when there are too many! now which would one prefer haha. anyway keep us up to date on the progress. RE TWP they are great! Katgrrl ..my FH had the same reaction to the TWP price haha. claiming he could do a better job yadda yadda. but I countered it with a yeah right..like u are actually going to spend the time to do it. then with you know u are so busy (play up the ego a bit)... in any case I won

bleh not like I'm not paying for it too

dewberry> WOW great deal on your gown..and it sounds lovely (perhaps because mine is duchess satin and strapless too harhar)!! anyway do share pix when u have them

..and I can't believe your wedding is round the corner!! so exciting! ..hey maybe u can make your own centerpieces. haven't seen many in singapore that I like. perhaps because the nice ones are so expensive! doesn't help that the exchange rate is crap now grrr. anyway I saw these mint julep vases in lucky magazine
http://www.beau-coup.com/mintjulepcup-silver.htm. perhaps you could buy a couple and fill them to the brim with carnations (cheap). I was thinking of doing some myself. simple yet elegant. Can use them to decorate various sections of the room or even at home.

maddcow ... I like the idea of the embroidery. maybe u have it done in baby blue stitching so it can be your something 'blue'. haha <- did I steal that from martha stewart again? arhgk. alright enough goofing off hehe will check in later.

 

[dewberry]

hi snippy - hahahaah, we are SO on the same page with everything, i was reading your post and going, yep! yep! YEP! i had the EXACT same idea DIY and about mint julep cups... but oh well, i was hoping to "outsource" all the work so my friends can enjoy playing with me instead of working on the decor. so totally bummer about the exchange rate, i know what you mean, double grrr! we started our budget plans like last year and the total diff is going to be thousands of dollars, not a small figure, man! makes me SO mad! anyways, will share pix of gown, etc when i have them...

as for making your own favors, hey if you're doing tulle circles and wrapping stuff up, i have seen this wonderfully nifty contraption that is like a plastic/acrylic stand with a circle in the middle.... it's for you to shape your favor wrappers so you make perfect same sizes each time... am i making sense? anyways, check it out (scroll all the way to the end):
http://www.alfawedding.com/favorssupplies.htm

oh and @ TWP, paying for video philosophy, etc.... the main reason why we decided to go ahead and pay for it, is that i've heard most couples who resolve to DIY the video almost never get it done in a timely manner... we all procrastinate and in the hubbub of honeymoon, newly married life, etc... it never gets done on time. if you don't want to be left hanging and waiting to do it, it's well worth the money to pay for a pro. in fact, one of my friends ended up putting it off for like 2.5 years! can you imagine... okay maybe they're like bad examples for all of us... but i really don't trust that we won't end up procrastinating! hee hee....

 

[madcow]

Dewberry
Thanks for the offer and putting yourself out there - that's really generous of you...given that you'll probably have some last minute errands etc. You so sweet! I won't trouble you. Speaking of which, Katgrrl, if it's too much trouble, it's okay too if you can't get around to finding the shop in Arab Street. I really hope you gals will have a really fun time counting down to your wedding in Sgp!

Dewberry and Snippy - both your gowns sound so pretty...do share pictures with us when they are ready!

Snippy - baby blue is such a cool idea for the embroidery. That's what I'll do. Thanks!

Dewberry - don't worry about the centerpieces, the best weddings I've been to are couples who are so into each other that "you can feel the lurve" and that they take time to appreciate their guests coming to their wedding - guests leave with a belief that true love exists! (ahh - my corny-ness oozing)

 

[dewberry]

hahaha maddcow, i'm feeling the lurrrve from your description... you're right, i guess i shouldn't stress about the centerpieces that much. (maybe i'll leave the $400 centerpieces to our 30th anniversary party, hehehe!) you made me realize it's only 1 element in a wonderful day... so i'm going to spend more time obsessing how to actually have more FUN! hee hee....

yes i'm counting down, and trying to remain calm! anyways, i'll be back for 3 weeks, and the wedding's over after the first week... so i'm going to keep my offer out there. anyone who needs anything, send me an email! i'll have time to relax after the big day

 

[snipsnap]

hello me ladies

dooey> i award you the title of snippy's wedding twin!!!! LOL. anyway thanks for the favor wrapper tip. will definitely be a life saver! Learnt this yesterday when I attempted to wrap my favors. It was challenging getting those kisses into that small tulle circle urhg. note also that I bought the wrong size! too small could only pack like 3 kisses urhg. anyway I am toyin with a different favor idea..to make donations to a charity. had thought of this earlier but couldn't think of a suitable charity. now I'm figuring dogs

wonder if people will like that??? and how much per person would be sufficient??

maddcow dewberry will e-mail u a pic of the rivini gown mine is a knock off of

I've also finally completed my save the date cards! *check* was thinking to buy some initially so FH and I went shopping over the weekend. actually we only went to one store papyrus at the mall haha. saw a design we liked and 'stole' the idea to print on our own at kinkos. can u believe they were charging $5 per card at papyrus?? *cough ripoff cough* I'll send the jpeg to anyone who wants to see

... its not over yet though..have to get it printed and the task of gathering people's addresses arhk!

maddcow ..know what you mean by the 'lurve' hee. the best weddings I've been too are those where the families are invovled. like touching speeches from the parents always bring a tear to my eye (ah drama lah but I cry easily)...personal touches! ..so dewy don't worry about the $400 center pieces! remember simple is elegant

urhgk this guy keeps barging in on me so I gotta scram ..see ya !

 

[dewberry]

hi hi hi! _{[wedding twin dewy takes a bow amidst canned applause]}

snippy, kekeke, i LOL as well. hey, i was thinking about your charity thing... it's a great idea, i'm sure people will like it... you don't have to mention how much per person, maybe just display cards to thank them and let them know the total figure... that might have more oomph and not make people feel like you ripped'em off ("dammit, don't i get yet another useless thingamajig to take home?") ;-p no seriously, i think it's a very thoughtful gesture to tell them you thought of others on your special day. maybe consider a universally accepted cause without religious context, like the Red Cross, or even the tsunami fund, etc....?

ooh, i love papyrus! that store is evil, sucks me in every time i walk past. but you're right, they're a ripoff on prices. email me your jpg, i wanna "beo" your STD cards too!

 

[madcow]

Snippy
I think it's a great idea to donate to a charity for favors. SPCA would probably let you do that and you can ask them for a logo/picture to print it on your placecards/etc...any lumpsum amount is good i think. How do you get stuff printed at kinkos? Do you give them a pdf file? ooo - do email me your save the date cards [email protected] thanks!

dewberry - where are you going for honeymoon (me very kpo today)

 

[snipsnap]

ARGGGGG I get so peeved when people come into my office and don't shutup!!!! can't they see I'm busy ... surfing the web *ahem* sorry needed to vent. just feeling really pissy at work today.

yah about the favors hehe I am imagining all these uncles and aunties going ..simi spca ..where is my free gift..kena cheated!!! seriously that $600 or whatever could go to a better cause. confession ... I am guilty of tossing out wedding favors too and I don't want that happening at MY wedding!! hah but reminds me of the wedding of an aquaintance I attended recently. her favors were these ugly 'made in china' type keychains in this red obiang bag with PUKKEY yellow trimming!!! obviously I didn't want it and left it behind. Next day meet up with some friends for lunch..this nice friend says..hey u forgot to take your keychains... here. ARHGK so these hideous things reappeared in my life. I was too paiseh to leave it behind this time so FH kept it. no way I'm holding on to it. using it now as a bell for our toilet door. we're training our dog to ring the bell when she needs to go

btw I sent u the gown pix and std ... not to be confused with herpes STD

 

[cello]

hello girls,

well, i've finally caught the lergy and have been staying at home literally stuck in bed with a whole roll of tissue paper. I feel better now but am dreading tomorrow. It's the department's official last day and I know it is just going to be a day with tears. I think everyone finishes half day tomorrow which leaves me time to go for a much needed hair cut.

I've actually made my decision about work and decided to stay with the company. Hey, any company that offers me more than 20 days holidays is good enough for me. I really hope I made the right decision.

Decision making... you know what? Today, I threw a right stroppy mood at my mom. I spoke to her on the phone and you know what irates me? Is when a typical boyanese family thinking that they should make decisions for you JUST because I am their favourite niece! They seem to think that I am still their nine years old niece running aorund with her two pony tails. Well, guess what people?? She's actually grown up! Grrrrr.

I admit they have got good intentions but really, this is our wedding. So now, there will be no 'wasting' money on a videographer because Pakcik 'Ali' is able to do it for free and if I reject his kind offer, he will be offended. There will be no couture cake because 'Makcik Siti' is going to bake one for us. The mindless list goes on. I am seriously not going to let this get me down but I'm begining to think my ideal wedding is going to be someone else's ideal wedding.

On the good news, we have a venue confirmed. Wahey!! It will be in SRC but it will be brought forward to Friday the 22nd of July. The reception will be in the restaurant and the guests list will go down to about 60-80 people. That is excellent news coz I like the idea of small and intimate wedding reception. I am hoping to receive pictures of the restaurnt from the manager. will post it up when I have them.

Oh! We had the jewellery man round ours today and he showed us lots of beautiful wedding rings for us to look and try. I've had a few ideas of what I'd like but will shop around for prices before calling them again. I think it is harder for a guy...not that many designs. I think Ben found it harder to pick a design he likes. humph!

Have you girls shopped around for wedding bands yet?

Dewberry: When are you leaving for sunny singapore? How exciting!! Another one leaving the nest! :-D It won't be long now so you must be nervous. Are you doing anything to stay calm? Thank you for that kind offer. ::hugs:: That is really sweet of you. I think Katgrrl will be home in May. Might be the end of May..otherwise you two might be able to meet up. Saying that, hey snipsnap! Woman, let's meet up when you come down! I think we might be able to catch up with Ashlee too.

SnipSnap: You are hilarious! hehehhehe your aunties and uncles saying simi spca is like my dad saying that noone is going to bother mingling and getting to know other guests during a buffet dinner because the singaporeans will be too busy eating all the delicious food. *smacks head* yah, that is what my dad will most likely do! heheheh you know what, I agree with the girls. that is definately an excellent idea and i'm sure it'll be a hit. maybe you can do like a small list and give them three choices of different charities. OOohhhh! I'd love to see your save the date cards too. how exciting!! you are so moving forward on your list!

hrmmm yea honeymoons! where is everyone going for their honeymoon? Ben hasn't been to Asia before so we are leaning towards thailand and bali. Bali is definately a favourite choice as well as Koh Samui. We might be doing it as a family holiday though. If money and time is no object, where would you girls go for your honeymoon? I'd pick Bora-Bora island or tour the whole of Italy/France for a month.
*dreams away*

www.istanawedding.com - tell me what you girls think. I like the 'chandeliers' hanging above on the marquee. never knew malay weddings can look this good. :-D

Ribbit: your wedding is so beautiful! everyone looked so radiant, you looked gorgeous and everything about the wedding felt creatively awesome. Can't wait to see your next batch of wedding pictures happening in France. Hey, we are both using weddingwindow.com. :-D I'm still working on mine. Been delaying posting things up but am working on it. If you girls wanna have a sneak peak (it is ridiculously empty) email me and i'll send you the link.

 

[cello]

oops! just read the other posts and realised that dewberry is leaving for singapore on april 14th. oh good god! i've also made a double post! *smacks forehead!*

girls! i should go to bed!! goodnight sleep tight don't let the bed bugs bite!

xoxo

 

[dewberry]

harlows harlows my fellow brides...

well, snippy's pissy mood is contagious coz work was a bitch for me today too... pardon the flench. hehehe, coming here is always the highlight of my day. and i'm also guilty of the icky-favor-attitude so succinctly described by snippy, hahaha! that's why now that our budget's tight, i'd rather not do anything and just use the hotel pralines (gasp!), than do something silly and cheapo looking.

maddcow, me and hubby no honeymoon this year...

partly coz we'll be broke after the wedding, and partly coz of lack of vacation time. we want to do it RIGHT and go for a big splash honeymoon for a whole month, probably all over europe... but somewhere on an idyllic beach in the south pacific sounds great too! *hands clasped over heart* so... we're saving up our time and doing the "real" honeymoon next year... besides, we're sneaking in a little tour of asia after our wedding, visit old friends, etc in hk/thailand/japan... but we're staunchly correcting all the people who keep referring to it as THE honeymoon, bah!

*sympathize* sya, i hear you girl! but stay firm! it's your wedding, and you can do what you want! actually, edward and i curtailed the thorny issue by simply announcing that we're doing it all OUR way, coz we're footing the Bill.... sheesh, and you wonder why i have so many white hairs? it's the fear of going bankrupt and becoming a streetperson

yeah, we have ornery relatives just like you and if we got into the whole discussion, i think a catfight might break out! hahaha... so we decided to just take the easy way out, and not let ANYONE else make any decisions.

the date - hehehe, not really thought about it looming up yet... but all you girls bringing it up makes me start wondering if i should be nervous?! best way to stay calm is not to think about it, hahaha, i've been drowned in work so that's one way to handle it. i will be getting into it more very soon - have to start my preps and decide what i'm bringing back to SG, etc for the wedding... guess i'll delay the histrionics for a few more weeks... more to come on that!

sya, the hanging chandeliers look very good, never seen that before in a marquee! makes it all look more elegant, especially if it's a night event with candlelight. i'm a sucker for candles. i'm thinking of shipping back copious quantities of candles from Pier 1 Imports for my table decor... snippy, maddcow, Pier 1 has GREAT stuff for cheap centerpiece ideas!

??? - anyone know how much "nice" candles cost in SG? like the square pillar kind, multiple heights, for clustering on tables... you know what i mean? i'm thinking they are cheaper here... but haven't heard back from my friends who promised to check for me...