A boutonnière, a floral decoration for a guy. Usually, it's worn during special occasion. Wedding is definitely one special occasion.
In the past few weddings which I helped/attended, the most hated thing about the boutonnière is that it doesn't seem to stay pinned-on to the jacket/shirt. In fact, I get most irritated ensuring that it stays on the whole ceremony.
Therefore, I gave it a bit of thought for the boutonnière for Geo's brothers. Of course, I wanted something unique, again. I also wanted it light. Initially, Geo and I thought that maybe no need boutonnière, just an orange tie for all. Then again, (the stingy me) ties are not cheap. We also do not wish to give just a cheap orange tie. Practically speaking, I do wonder, really wonder, who will wear the orange tie again.
Anyway, long story cut short, I decided on this - Peacock boutonnière. Hee! I think the color orange suits the feather! Now, I am wondering - would the brothers wear?????????????
Yay! Cards written, envelops done, labels typewritten, labels pasted. One card given out to a close friend who's leaving Singapore, almost for good, then realized "OH! No map!"
Went back home, conjure up a map and ta-da!
**Mummy's the angel who did 180 envelops for me!**
I have heard from many people this wonderful question - Does Geo help out in the wedding preparations?
Yes he does. Of course, we split our roles very clearly. I take care of matters that deals with any craft work. He take care of the music. Nonetheless, I can't be doing 200+ craft work alone and Geo's always a darling in helping me out. (Well, it beats seeing my black face! Hahaha!)
Eh... I was SOOOoooooOOoo satisfied with the invite that I just stared at it for awhile and asked "How come I have never received a DIY wedding invite before?" Hmmm.... But I have to thank God for my friend who supplied me a printer else I wouldn't have the capacity to DIY!
Steps: 1. Photoshop to design 2. Print it to black (cheaper) on a white 120gms paper 3. Add a strong color backing (in our case - Orange) 200gms.
Ta-da!
Total cost: $69.00 for 200 pieces (envelopes inclusive), $0.345 per piece. Hmm.. Quite ok!
I am serious when I say that sometimes, I forget I have an upcoming wedding. Ok, I think it's a blessing for me cause I have helped prepare weddings before so 6 months to prepare a not-major wedding seemed quite long to me. Ok, I shall not get 'proud' about it.. My point is not that I am an expert. My point is that I have come to realize that I have short-attention span!
We were the 'lucky' one as compared to the other couple. They had to arrive at 8am for their make up. Ours were slotted at 10am, the time we start work! We had sufficient rest and even had time for cake and coffee.... :) My dogs were SO excited. They seemed to know that they were scheduled to be our 'props' too! Like I mentioned in my previous entry, I absolutely love my make up artist, although towards the end, I am lack of energy to heeheeheehahaha with her. My eyelids also felt so heavy that I feel like sleeping!
That's my 2 doggies! Spanner the blackie and Sparkle the whitie... :P Geo and I were more than impressed by the make up kit of Vivi! That's just ONE box. There's luggages underneath the table!
Personally, I really love this look. Short veils are so sharp and simple. I can't imagine something long and girly. That's the other thing I am bowled by the skills of Vivi. She did 5 different hairstyles on my short hair! Man! Alone, I can only have one type - Messy! :P
I went to the storeroom to search for barang barang and then I took out a plank of wood and asked mummy if I can use it. She asked and I replied her that I want to use it as a signage for our wedding. Mummy gave me a 'Tsk!' look and said 'Aiyo... Don't make yourself tired la.'
That's the thing - I find things to do! I love doing things! I enjoy DIY. I think it gives any wedding a different feel. I think it gives ME a different feel. I feel that I have something to look forward to. It gives me a 'project' feel. (Somewhere in my main blog, I had an entry on my love for projects)
Well, with the upcoming photoshoot, I thought it would be lovely to have some props. Props, to me, is so necessary because I don't think I can think of so many poses without anything on hand.
For our first destination at Dover Road, we brought marbles. I remember when I was very young, I will always play marbles with the boys at the playground. I love it when I win the marbles. Hee!
Geo is a musician so a musical instrument is a must. I had literally suggested bringing a keyboard but I must have been crazy! So of course, the easiest method is to bring a guitar. Hahaha!! The photographer told Geo to 对牛谈情. I fumed and asked him if I am a COW!! :P We decided to use the guitar at the railway track.
Anyway, our last stop was at Upper Seletar Reservoir. I have had wanted ONE huge ROUND ROUND (as round as a circle) balloon. However, getting that one balloon is a headache. Should I get it the day before? But if it's a day before, then would the helium last till the next evening? And if I want to get it on the day itself, would I have the time? I also do not wish to over-tire my friend who drove me around that day.
So, heehee..., I decided to get some ideas from nature around me and searched the internet on how to make pinwheels! As I was doing, I decide to photograph the process.
1. Have 2 square pieces of paper and glue them together (alternatively, can get double-sided paper). Better the paper be thick about 160gms.
2. Get a rod (I got mine from Spotlight), some wire about 20 cm and a round bead. Wind the wire around one end of the rod. At the end of it, add the round bead.
3. Draw diagonal lines across the paper. From the center, measure 3cm on all 4 sides. Punch (with a needle) a hole in the center.
4. Punch a hole at the corner on the side of the right corner of each 'triangle'. (Don't punch so many like mine. It was a mistake!)
5. Start with one corner and bend the paper over so that the wire can be inserted into the punched hole. Do it for all 4 corners. Add a round bead and use a pliers to bend the remaining wire to secure it.
I have come to terms with the fact that in Singapore, things are cheaper by the package. I have had initially wanted to MTM (Made to Measure) one 闯天下 gown that will serve me the entire day. Get a freelance photographer to do some pre-wedding shots, get freelance make up artist. I really had thought it might be cheaper. However, I was wrong. It was cheaper when things come in a package. Hahahaha!!!
Anyway, I signed on with Labelle Couture about 3 months ago. Chose 4 gowns + 1 裙褂 (Chinese Kua) + 1 outdoor gown. After choosing, it was just whiling time away with other wedding preparation stuffs until about a week before the photoshoot, I had my final gown fitting and a trial make up. Right from the start, boss of Labelle had told us that we can go for 4 places for the outdoor shoot but Geo and I were also concern whether we had sufficient time. The usual complaint from friends is the lack of time. As we hear, we also got concerned over the sufficiency of time. With that, we thought 'aiya... just keep it nearby and settle for Sentosa.' Geo did also mentioned that we had spend quite quality time at Sentosa during our courtship.
We sort of settled for just 1 place and during the gown fitting & trial make up, we were 'reprimanded' by boss over and over again that Sentosa's a boring place and told us DEFINITELY, we can go to 4 places.
Hahaha!! That was enough for us to feel confident to really throw ideas. We didn't exactly come up with a particular theme but we love old school stuffs. I remember then that right from the beginning, we had wanted to have railway track as one site. So we kept to this thought and look out for other old school rustic feel places. That day, after the trial make up, we decided to go site surveying.
We also decided on the old-school playground at Blk 35 Dover Rd.
Final destination is Upper Seletar Reservoir. I brought 2 of my kids here to before & I was quite captured by what I saw. At the same time, boss also showed me pics of another couple who went there to capture sunset. It was very very nice.
By the time I am blogging this, our photoshoot was over (yesterday). My advice: (1) Do a good site survey. Keep places as close together as possible so that you won't get too tired out. (Driver also won't get too tired) (2) Pray! Good weather, good photographer, good make up artist, etc. It's all VERY important because it's what keeps you sane the entire day!
Another day, I will blog on the props we brought along. :P
I had a conversation with a friend while I was driving and we started talking about our lives. I, am one who is about to get married. She, on the other hand had her marriage nearly on the brink of divorce but it's working out very well now - thank God, thank friends around, thanks to their willingness to work things out also.
We both came to a common topic - Why should one get married? We can always live alone. God has made us whole and complete. So why should we get married? She shared that sometimes, she wonders why she had to go through the 'pain' of marriage'. In a marriage, there are so so so many things to work on - differences in perspectives & principles, adjustment, getting bored of each other, arguments and the list can really go on and on and on. After all the sighing, she shared that as much as she doesn't need a husband, her children need a father. Many have said that the best gift for a man to give his children is to love their mother. Likewise, it is also vice versa - the best gift for a woman to give her children is to love their father.
As we conversed further, we felt strongly that love as a feeling will fade and when challenges come along the way, the marriage will be tested. Thus, very often, people end up feeling that marriage is a huge commitment.
So, back to the question - Since God has already made us whole and complete, why do we need a lifetime partner? Our answer during the conversation - No right or wrong - is that when we are single, we are not committed to someone per se. We live according to our own schedule, our own needs, wants. Basically, comfort zone. When a lifetime partner comes along the way, we feel loved, we want to stay in the relationship but by doing that, our comfort zone can get shaken cause we no longer live according to our own schedule. Yupz, scary and tiring as it may sound, when comfort zone is shaken, there is opportunity for growth. So, ultimately, as a couple, we are covenanted in commitment to each other to help one another grow in the Lord and grow as a person.
I am not married yet. But I am learning already. Kudos to all married couples!
I would have DIY it if I could but I couldn't find the materials in Singapore. The saddest thing thus far in doing these craft work for our wedding is the lack of good and extensive range of materials.
However, I cannot help it but search Etsy for bird's nest ring pillow. I found this at the most reasonable price. It's really a splurge, a luxury. A ring pillow is something that we do not need to purchase (cause a free ring pillow comes with our wedding bands). I thought about it a few days before I place order. My only consolation is that shipping is free! Haa! I got the creator to send it to my friend who was working in US. I recently just collected back from him.
After the many weddings I have attended, I realized I have gotten a huge box of wedding favors, unused. Some were already inside my stomach, chocolate.
Honestly, I have had wanted so much to do personalized wedding favors but the guests list seemed to be increasing every other week (headache is in how to decrease it!). I cannot imagine myself working on the gift till the last week into the wedding. Haa! By then, I wanna rest and relax.
Nonetheless! My itchy fingers wants to do something for the favors. Geo & I narrowed down to getting Chuppa Chups! (Everyone has a child in us right???) Then, I searched Martha Steward DIY Weddings and found this wonderful Lollipop Stand. However, I felt a little lazy searching around for a flat washer so I decided to hot-glue a wooden base.
I was very satisfied when I completed it. Hee! I think the little children will love it... Perhaps after the wedding, some kid can bring it home (& bug their daddies and mummies for lollipops!!!) Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!)
Oh yes!! We've collected our rings! When Amanda called me to inform me that our rings were ready for collection, my heart nearly skipped a beat! It was such an exciting trip down to Clarity to see how our customized rings looked like.
Without question, Geo & I wanted two identical rings in full Rose Gold (this is my personal love! Rose Gold!) and no diamonds (don't quite enjoy seeing a diamond on Geo). When we went through tens of rings, we love this simple fun rings where it has the mechanism to open up the ring.
After that, Geo was a tad concern if the rings weighed too heavily on his fourth finger because it may affect his playing. After his practice, he has a fan who "worships" him! A white fan. :P
Anyway, conclusion - The ring REALLY does add weight to his playing. It kinda seemed like an obstruction to certain methods of playing too.
What I said in response? "Just too bad! You better don't let me see you take that ring off your finger!"
Last night’s MSN conversation with Geo was hilarious! Come to think about it, the whole laughing matter started while he was choosing his suit.
This guy!!!! This guy asked if he can do without a tie or a bow tie or this cloth thing around neck called the ‘clovet’ (I only managed to get to hear the word from Almond). Almond told him that when he come and get me, must be more serious so a tie ought to be a necessity.
So this guy tried all means to go a little more casual. He aimed the evening suit. He chose one that is denim-like, looked a little casual (but very nice lines actually). He was SO ecstatic that he could tuck out, no neck stuffs, no buttoning of the jacket! I nearly slapped him for wanting to tuck out his shirt. Hahahaha!!!! But I was gentle… (like real) and told him “Can… if you want to wear berms, T-shirt, flip flops also can! If you don’t want to wear anything, also can la… Can one can one.. No problem…”. So we settled for the denim-like suit, unbuttoned jacket & no neck stuff. He was SO happy…
That was the afternoon at the bridal studio. This is our conversation at night!
Geo says (11:41 PM): so the dinner shirt can have some pattern, strips... u got a 'ah bengz' "husband" mah....
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:41 PM): hahaha!
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:42 PM): and my dress is like an Ah Lian...
Geo says (11:42 PM): i like the 'suave' type... my sei....
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:42 PM): yes yes... I am going to BLOG this bit!
Geo says (11:42 PM): best is can tuck out.... haha... like古惑仔....
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:42 PM): I am GOING TO BLOG THIS BIT!!!! HAHAHA!
Geo says (11:43 PM): Lagi best... un-button one button..... WOOH HOO!!!!.....
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:43 PM): I AM GOING TO BLOG THiS BIT tOO!!
Geo says (11:43 PM): HAHAHAHA..... u are laughing away aren't u??... dun fall off the chair ah....
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:43 PM): I am seated on the floor.. just did some arm exercises...
Geo says (11:43 PM): HAHAHAaaaaa..... COOL!!!!....
Geo says (11:44 PM): Nice!!!.... continue to train.... jia you jia you....now i also motivated to go gym....
....
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:44 PM): heehee…
Geo says (11:45 PM): Jia lat... my eye bag quite bad....
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:45 PM): try potato slices! hmm...
Geo says (11:46 PM): need a lot of 'courage' to do that...
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:46 PM): this actor, ouyang zhenghua wear the strip jacket with the white shrit and purplish tie very nice
Geo says (11:47 PM): oh... i know who.... in what show??
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:47 PM): forensic science
Geo says (11:47 PM): Oh...
Geo says (11:48 PM): wat do u suggest??
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:48 PM):
hey... during the photo taking session on actual day, you can take out your jacket if you want.. .. show off your shirt and cuff links!!
Geo says (11:49 PM): OH yaa..... i will i will....
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:50 PM): then you can be your古惑仔
Geo says (11:50 PM): 古惑仔dun wear cuff link one mah... too high crass...
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:50 PM): haha...
San - Life is art without eraser". says (11:50 PM): 古惑仔also need to attend formal events...
Geo says (11:51 PM): ..... oh dear.... u made me laugh....!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we are actually 'arguing' on this....
Many years ago, I was doing this for Pearly. Today, it is finally her turn... (: :) It is nice having a female, especially my bestie around. Women, somehow, are better critics than men - somehow. Heehee... Yes, I am teasing Geo again! Hee! However, I have to say this - A child's answer is the most honest one! A few times, he told me 'Godmummy, not nice.' and when he thinks it's nice, he'll softly announce 'Nice...'
Today was such an exciting day for me. I woke up wondering when is 1pm going to arrive! [I thank God I still managed to complete my report...] It is gown-choosing day! Geo & I took half day leave so that we can have the entire afternoon without rushing and we could have undivided time of our bridal coordinator, Almond.
The Wedding Gown
Gown for photoshoot! I love love love love this gown! I love the tie back, I love the lace, I love it HUGE, I love it airy fairy dreamy!
Choosing evening gowns was a tad tougher in my opinion. Should I get a sleek looking one or a 'pong pong' one? I tried a few sleek looking ones but I felt that I was too skinny, not tall enough so I gave up on them. Geo & I then thought that the 'pong pong' ones also quite interesting. I mean, how often do I get to wear real huge gowns??? Haa! I set my eyes on this lovely bright RED gown (which was really heavy) and more or less decided already. Then, Almond passed me a red & white polka-dotted gown. It was interesting but.... there's still something about it that I don't quite fancy still.
Then, Almond got me to try this purple dress. I went 'erh.. purple ah?' Yet, when I set my eyes on the netting/feather/crystal details on the toga strap and the black crystalled belt, I cannot help it but to try - I love it! Hee!
Towards the end of the day, I was so sleepy! Trying gowns was not easy but in a way, it wasn't that difficult also as I had a little child telling me what is nice and what is not. I also had Pearly giving me good suggestions. Geo was patient too.. (He just told me 'walk up and down... waiting for you to finish trying...)
Anyway, I was SO hungry at the end of the day that we went to eat immediately. :P After filling our stomachs, we were in the mood for shopping, Geo & I decided that we will go shopping for a shirt. (It is rare moments when we got mood for that) Yup! He got a shirt and a pair of orange cuff links.
Tomorrow, I will blog a little on the 古惑仔 bit of Geo. *sniggers*
I have not been blogging much these days for various reasons - One, Geo & I have been thinking a bit about work. Two, silence = doing. Hee...
I am very glad GLAD (in fact, more than glad) to say that Geo & I both have found THE shoes. For the longest time, I have looked everywhere for orange heels. In my mind, I have specifically prayed and asked for a pair of shoes that's covered in satin silk. I went to Ngee Ann City to pop by Art Friend (to buy paper to make envelopes) so I thought I'd try my 'luck' at Takashimaya. I walked around and within a few minutes, this pair of shoes caught my eye! It isn't extremely cheap but I knew I'd get it the minute I set my eyes on it. However, heehee, I did a video call with my bestie (just to confirm my purchase). Thank God for 20% discount! :P
As for Geo, we were celebrating my birthday a few days ago and thought we take the opportunity, whilst we were at Vivo City, to look for his shoes. We remembered this wonderful shoes shop for men - Pedro. Praise God, there was 10% discount!!! :P
Because I am a DIY person, because I am a KPO person, because I like to get my hands onto anything and everything, because I am picky about the things I hold on to, I have also did some 'buttoned'-flowers. I decided to 'work' together with the florist in coming out with a bouquet of FULL white flowers and add these sticks of buttons to give it some color.
I am sure by now, it's easy to see that whatever we do, we work around orange color. I love poppy flowers. I decided to do the corsages for my sisters and helpers. I wanted to make roses but decided that's too common so I decided to work around a flower that I love. Unfortunately, my color theme's orange (but poppy's red!) so my dear poppy corsage has to be orange. Hee!
My Wedding Program in the progress. Just to show half of what I have completed. :P
One night, I kept thinking what else could I get my hands on for the wedding. Thought and thought and thought that I might need something for my hairdo. Took out my scraps of cloths, cut circles out of it, burnt its edges and came up with the bottom two flowers. Hmmm.. However, on the day I did it, Carol & Oliver present me with my birthday gift - a lovely pair of Swarovski dangling earrings. I guess dangling earrings and flower hairdo is just a little overdone. So... What can I do with these flowers? :P
All in all, I truly love DIYs. Next to my passion for craft work, I think DIYs make the whole event unique. I also feel that by doing things physically, one will get emotionally and mentally involved. [It is no wonder that the more I get hands-on with my kids at work, the more I love them. Haa!] The one thing I cannot display is the photo slide show. :P But that's on the way too... :D
Guest Book. Our guest book thus far is the cheapest!
With Orange as our theme, I searched for a birthday gift which I received many years ago - A stick-it-on Orange & Black photo album. It was lovely but I never could bear to use it cause I simply can't decide which lovely photos to put in it.
Wedding. Once in a lifetime. Celebration of love.What better occasion to use this album than a wedding!
Armed with the album, I started to think how to turn it into a guest book? Do I just provide paint pens for them to write over the album page? Or do I just give paper to every guests and get them to paste on the album page? Buying paint pens is costly ($3.00 each). Getting the guests to paste themselves seems time consuming and messy.
Therefore, I decided to make Origami envelopes instead. Every envelope can hold 3-4 pieces of blessing. I don't like the album to be too thick so I pasted the envelopes only on the right side. On the left side, Geo & I decided to 'decorate' with our photos.
So where does the guest write their blessings for us then? Cheapest & easiest way is to get my hands on small Origami papers! Hee!! At Daiso, it costs only $2. I love it. Things are colorful and it is of the right size! Best of all, I don't have to do any cutting!
Wedding is also the best time to improve familial relationships and I used this as an opportunity to get my mummy involved. Within a day, woah! Mummy completed 72 envelopes!!
Settling the venue at The Bark Cafe was probably the happiest thing (for me). I have often wished for an outdoor wedding as it gives a more carefree, natural & joyful feeling. Geo & I decided to have Orange as our color theme.
Now, whenever I share with anyone that our venue will be held at Bark Cafe, they would go "Woah woah" ah!! Well, Bark is not the Bark of a dog. Bark represents the tree Bark. With such natural setting, we decided that our deco pieces also be as natural as possible.
Heee.. me being me, I always like things to be unique. After much deep thoughts and surfing the net, I fell in love with the idea of having a bird cage as an Ang Bao (red packets) box. Thought even deeper and remembered that I have a colleague whose husband has lots of bird cages which is of no use. I opened my mouth and decided to ask if her husband can give me 2 (the other would be used as the centrepiece at the solemnization table). Hee... My colleague was SO glad that she could finally get rid of the 'white elephants' that she decided to give me 3 instead!!! (But I only took 2, nothing less, nothing more).
Armed with my lovely bird cage, I set out to spray it white. After it is dried, I decorated it with bright orange & fuschia ribbons. I thought it still look quite plain so I went to Martha Steward's wedding site and learnt how to make a fabric flower & decorated it further by painting a few flowers on the cage itself.
Wa-laH!!! Here is my Ang Bao Box.
Cost: $5.50 (White spray, with more than 3/4 bottle left), scrap cloth, scrap ribbons.
I have been teasing Geo, for the longest time, that we are preparing our wedding and he has YET to propose!!!
Last Monday, 13 July 2009, he proposed. :)
I was cheated.
I was cheated by Geo to his place thinking that his mum wanted to have a family dinner. [Let me talk a little about the loopholes. 1) His brother & sister-in-law couldn't make it; 2) His dad worked overtime. How then, can it be a family dinner? Geo was also dumbfounded by my 'Why' questions. Hee...]
After dinner, Geo quickly shoo-ed me into his room, informing his mum that the weather's hot and he will be switching on the air-conditioner. Out of nothing, he opened his wardrobe's door and told me to "See!" As I was 'seeing' to where he pointed, Geo suddenly blindfolded me & did his set-up. [Hee! He was SO gentle that the blindfold fell off. In the end, I had to blindfold myself.] As I was seated there, I thought to myself - Gosh! This is it... I am going to be married to someone for the rest of my life. It's scary, yet, it's exciting.
Turned off the light, turned on the iPod & I was ready for my surprise. Unfolded, I was asked to see what's under the comforter. I then thought 'This is it.. The Ring. Does it fit? What pattern? My taste?' I was very very very surprised to see that it's not a ring but a Scrapbook!
Scrapbook was titled 'Our First', so there was our first photo taken together, our first wedding attended together, our first overseas trip, ending with THE question if I would want to marry him. Geo then knelt down & spoke in Cantonese '嫁给我啦'....
How I felt? I am sure Geo already knows my answer. I am sure as he was preparing for the proposal, he already know that I will say Yes. I felt very touched, very sweet. I have had bugged Geo to compose a song for me, thinking that probably the proposal will be done in a song he composed. However, Geo shared with me that composing a song is an easy feat to him. Even if he had changed the piece during the proposal, I also wouldn't have known that it's a last minute change. Geo felt that he really wanted to do something out of his comfort zone - Scrapbooking! Heee... Not knowing how to do it, he signed up for a one-day course. [He even lied to me that day that he was meeting a friend]
The Proposal. It's funny how important this process is. Although we are already preparing for our wedding, although I will definitely say Yes, although the wedding date is set, the proposal still somehow is a necessity. The proposal somehow changed our status. I suddenly officially become someone's fiancee. Hee...
San and I first 'shopped around' for our wedding rings ('un-officially') at Bugis Junction on the 13th Jul 2009. There was no agenda in mind, and we were literally just looking around, and comparing the prices too. We went from Lee Hwa, to Goldheart, to Soo Kee before heading to my place for dinner with my mum. Coincidentally, it was also the exact day that I popped her the 'magic' question: 'Will you marry me?'... :p
Today, one week after the proposal, we officially shopped for our wedding bands. We booked an appointment with eClarity, went there with an open mind, mainly to check out the designs and the prices too. We were served by a very nice and gentle lady. She first took out a series of rings for us to choose from, and told us to short-list some nicer one and set them aside. She kind of advised us not to look at the price 1st as it may 'affect' the way we choose our rings. And I must say, this is indeed a wise advice... :)
Eventually, we left only 2 designs to choose from. Both are very nice rings, just that one is around $200 more expensive than the other. San and I kept silent for a while. I looked at her, she looked back... Seems like we were waiting for one another to speak up... :) Few secs later, I blurted out, 'It's only once in a lifetime ya?'... She agreed... So SET!!!... We went for the more expensive one, which in fact, is a nicer rings than the other... :) The designs are simply unique... :p Check it out...
Hee... Taken it 'discreetly'... :p
This is not the 'final version' of the rings though. We got it customize to rose gold, and have the diamond taken out... :)
As of now... It is 196 days to our wedding date... :p Time really flies!!!...
I was kind of tasked by san, hmm... or is it out of my own initiative, that I am to prepare a list of songs for our wedding ceremony and dinner. Thus, I looked through the list of songs which I have in my harddisk and ipod. As much as I thought it is easy to just come out with a list of songs, only to realise it later that it was actually quite tough. I started to 'arrange' the music in my head, making sure that the song flows well from one to another... It is kind of an 'occupational hazard' here... I grouped the songs together according to its style & genre, but most importantly, it must flow well when the guests are listening to it, and there must also be varieties to the music selected... :) I spent so much time 'analyzing' & the process was not as fast as I thought.. :)
Well, I am kind of done, as in the 'draft' playlist are out, for both the ceremony & dinner. I will continue to 'refine' them over time, and as time pass, the playlist will be firm up eventually... Not much time also though, is only 196 days away. Hee... :)
The Wedding excitement is really filling the air... can smell it, and sense it... Wooh!!!...
Till date, I have helped in more than 20 weddings (I think), whether it's in coordination work & decoration or just being a sister. Either way, I get to work with the couples. I was also very privileged to see how different couples work together. Sometimes, I leave the cafe feeling either frustrated or feeling very good.
It is with no question that I often ask myself "What will my own wedding be like?". Many have also asked me "Sandra, you have helped in so many weddings, do you get confused with your own? Do you know what you want?"
The crux of the whole "Wedding help" is this. I try my best to be as professional as I can. So I work according to the likes of the couple, like what type of feel they would like in their wedding, what is their color theme, what is their main theme. So in a way, I bring in my own creativity based on the couple's liking & theme.
So, to the question if I get confused, no. I just know what I want. Personally, I have always liked a wedding to be simple, small (well, currently the guest list is not exactly VERY small also) & joyful.
After MPC course, Geo & I sat through and thought about it and we thought it would be a good idea to have a wedding date to be in January. For one, Geo's dad has asked if we could have it before CNY. For another, in short, we feel that we are ready.
We sought the availability of our officiating minister, Michael. Yup! And so, the wedding date's set on 30 January 2010. After getting the date, we took a few hours on our weekly meet up to decide on the theme of the wedding, the color theme, the songs, the committee, the guest list. Unanimously, we decided that we would want to keep the wedding dinner mainly for family. We always felt that for wedding dinners where there's family and friends, friends would always take away most of the couple's attention, neglecting the family.
We both love the east & it was SUCH a breeze deciding on The Bark Cafe for the 'church wedding' and Changi Village Hotel for the dinner. I thank God for good prices quoted to us too!!!!
With a wedding date, a solemnizing venue & a dinner venue, next, we went to a friend's bridal studio and signed up our bridal package, of course, at a VERY good rate with incredible good service!
Whilst all these were happening, between Geo & myself, we delegate the preparation jobs. I will take charge of all the decorations/invitation cards/favours/wedding program, etc. Geo will take charge of the sound system, music arrangement, walk in songs, etc.
Actually, we are already about 80% done, just lack of printing only. On hindsight, I believe things were done so fast because we are both excited at this planning process. We both enjoy doing what we do. I love trying out new handy work, try my hand at designing the invitation cards. Geo totally enjoy listening to his playlist over and over again, arranging the music according to the feel & genre, thinking through the meaning behind each song, going through all the lyrics to ensure that it leaves behind a positive connotation.
We are just 3 weeks into our preparation & the ONLY word that I can use to describe the whole process is FUN...! :)
We have known each other for a good 5 years!!!... Looking back, I just want to attribute this relationship to God's perfect timing and grace.
The relationship started off with us being casual friends in 2004. I first got to know San because of an interest in the Social Work field, and at that time, she was taking her Graduate Diploma in Social Work. Over time, friendship grew, and meet up became more regular. During that time, we hanged out in groups quite frequently after Sunday Service. There were also times when I met up with her over coffee before/after my piano lessons at Simei. Having said that, our friendship did went through an 'awkward' period when I got 'rejected' in 2007, with the reason that she wasn't ready to enter into a relationship then.
I was 'confused'... I wondered to myself, 'Should I continue to stay hopeful that one day, she may change her mind?'... What does she implied when she said that she wasn't ready?? In my mind, it was either she really wasn't ready, OR it was just a nicer way of saying 'I am not interested in you', in order not to hurt me too directly. Anyway, I chose to stay hopeful, coupled with prayer and fasting... :p I told myself that I would only give up, unless and until she told me straight in the face that she doesn't like me at all, or the fact that we can only remains as friends. So, is this stubborness, OR persistence???... Hmm...
Well, as time passed, our friendship did 'pick up' in 2008... It took on another level. We were more transparent and open with each other. Our sharing was much deeper too. Somehow, I sensed a different vibes from her than before. With that, I mastered ALL my courage and wrote her a 'fateful' letter, expressing my likings for her. I remembered that in the letter, I told her that the last thing I wish that could happened is to lose her as a friend, and as a result, it may go into an 'awkward' period again. I was really fearful of that because I do treasure this friendship very much. But this time round, she accepted me. The letter has changed our 'destiny' since then... :)
As we prepare ourselves towards the wedding, I hope that this 'story' will serve as a reminder for me to remain grateful to God for bringing us together. It wasn't an easy path for the both of us, BUT His timing is just so right. Indeed, God is never early, never late, BUT always ON TIME!!!
Right.. After much thought, I decided that I will branch out another blog from my main blog.
Last week, we completed our Marriage Preparation Course and finalized the day of holy matrimony. We had hmm.. 8 weeks of the MPC hosted by several couples from the family group. Throughout, I thought we were indeed blessed with a church who believes in building a good marriage before the start of marriage. I took home what Daniel said "Marriage is a miracle! Marriage is where 2 sinners get together. So how can that not be a miracle?"
Thinking back of our journey and friendship in life, I thought, even being good friends before the start of our romantic relationship is already a miracle. There were moments where I feel like screaming down Geo's neck cause of our differences. Yet, on the other hand, it was these moments that made our lives quite interesting.
.... and so, MPC is over and we have set our wedding date to be on January 30, 2010. Although the wedding is just one day, marriage is a lifetime, we are still very excited over the preparations of it. I thought of blogging down the process, the little successes, the little blessings that we had as we prepare for our wedding to come.
To date, I want to give thanks for 3 major things!
We found a venue to officiate and solemnize our wedding at no booking fee with food provided! (Of course, we gotta pay for the food la...)
We are blessed with a very good bridal package and along with it, came very good service! Anyone reading this, go Labelle Couture. :)
Geo got $1000 payback from his insurance! At this time, I think any extra money is HUGE blessing!
One thing Geo and I really hope not to do is to overspend so we try to DIY as much as possible. (1) I have completed the design of our invitation card; (2) A friend has told me that he will print it for me for free; (3) I have also found an old (new) album that I would be recycling it as our guest book; (4) My colleague is giving me 2 bird cages for the venue deco. Friends who knows that I do decorate weddings with flowers, no, I won't be using flowers to decorate the venue. I get too sad seeing the flowers die. More so, I don't wish to pay someone to do something (cause I know the cost price). HAA!
Below are 2 puppets from my car, gifts from a friend. Monkey, my nickname, Giraffe, Geo's. Rather, it's Toys'R'Us!! Hee! Using these puppets, I used photoshop to recreate our 'icon' that'll be used in the invite.
Hee... Taken it 'discreetly'... :p 
