thomas, thank you for your kind words. Though i have back traced the thread, i cant seem to find out abt your encounter w NCQ. Hope you get the answer u want too.
I do agree that NCQ is value for $. Even though there are 'lower cost' packages like park royal & Holiday Inn, to me they are somehow less appealing even though they have a proper lobby. I also do not understand why I dont like them. It's too bad I don't like Hilton cos the grand ballroom looks kinda old. (Yah, I am very fussy)
I was contemplating Marriott (not open for bkg at time of enquiry), Mandarin Oriental (too small), Intercon and Grand Copthorne (which was booked a couple of days before I requested for rate). I was prepared to suffer a few hundred loss for each table by going for a grander hotel, but my married friend jolted me from my thinking as the amount can snowball to a huge sum for 45-50 tables. I must admit I was initially pissed off with my HTB, if not for his parents insisting on inviting so many guests, I could do with a 20 tables wedding at a hotel of my choice.
Also, I was kinda rushed into booking cos HDB is chasing me for my hotel confirmation so that I can get my flat keys. My HTB knows I'm not in love with NCQ, and subsequently offered to forfeit the deposit to change to another hotel. After that lovely gesture from my HTB, I realise I can accept NCQ cos wedding is not just about the hotel venue nor is the wedding day = a life time of marriage. I just make sure that I get beautiful gowns, a nice overseas photoshoot etc etc to make us happy. And we promised each other to do a very nice 10th wedding anniversary celebration by renewing our vows with the people tat matters to us instead of catering to our parents' friends. So that is someting we have to work and look forward to.
No point getting stress over whether we can afford to cover the wedding cost at a grander place and if unable to, it's even more pointless to get into debt at the start of the marriage. If my friends are unhappy with my choice of venue, they can jolly well not turn up. haha. If they look down on me because of my wedding venue, I don think they are really nice friends too.
To all NCQ couples, sorry for my 'complaints', it's not my intention to pour cold water, but this is kinda therapeutic for me to finally let the unhappiness off my chest.
Let's all enjoy our wedding preparations and have a great wedding party!