I can't be more apologetic for the lack of updates lately.
I wanna blog about the list of personnel and helpers I've entrusted my big day with, hopefully some of you will find this helpful in planning your logistics :)
Here's a brief responsibility of each party involved. I'll elaborate more on best man and maid of honor on a later entry.
1) Driver for your bridal car (Unless you're driving a 2 seater, then your wedding photographer will have nowhere to sit. Lol) - It's usually one of the groomsmen, or if your car rental package comes with a driver, even better!
2) Door opener for groom - Pardon me. I can't find a better term for the person doing it. Lol. Traditionally, you're supposed to get a younger brother/guy cousin of the bride's to do it but if you are the youngest or simply don't have any guys younger than you in the family, get a good guy pal of bride's (younger of course) to do it :)
3) Door opener for bride - Again, pardon the term. A young girl is to do this. Find someone younger than the groom. It's tradition!
4) Time keeper on groom's entourage - This person knows your schedule to the T. He makes sure you don't miss the auspicious time. He knows when and what the groom is supposed to do at what time of the day. He also notifies one of the bridesmaids when the groomsmen and groom are arriving to bring the young boy down to open the door for groom.
5) Time keeper on bride's entourage - This person similarly, knows when and what the bride should be doing at any time of the day. She also makes sure the makeup artist arrives on time to do makeup etc for bride plus make sure the door opener is ready for groom when he arrives.
6) Best man - Takes care of groom's needs, knows which outfit to change for which house or venue, takes care of groom's attires, wedding rings, extra set of empty red packets and angbaos the groom and bride has received (I'd like a strong man to take care of valuables). He also takes care of groom's belongings. Need a very meticulous and trustworthy person for this.
7) Maid of honor - Takes care of the bride. Helps her change in and out of her outfits. Typically brings an umbrella to shelter the bride if she has to walk under the sun or rain, a bottle of water with straw (wouldn't wanna ruin the lipstick), mints, safety pins, panadols, GOOD tissue (I sweat buckets and will prolly cry too on my wedding day), extra hair pins, bride's jewelry, bride's gowns/attires, a set of bride's touch up kit. She also takes care of bride's belongings. You'll also need a very meticulous and trustworthy person for this.
8) Deejay - You need someone to take of when your montage comes up, which song to play for your first march in, etc. He also makes sure original copies and licenses of songs played that day is accounted for.
9) Drivers - You need a few with cars to ferry the parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, attires around.
10) Witnesses - I put the best man and maid of honor responsible for making sure their ties are straight, hair in place, punctual, and that they have their ICs.
11) Helpers/receptionists - Usually the groomsmen and bridesmaids help to sit down and take attendance of guests.
12) Angbao box keeper - They'll bring the angbao boxes up to your hotel room safe after banquet has started. I'm putting best man and maid of honor in charge for this.
13) Makeup artist - You'd probably need to make sure both your moms get their makeup and hair done. I'm not providing makeup and hair for my bridesmaids.
14) Emcees - Typically come in a pair, 1 speaks English, the other in mandarin. I don't have anyone on my side who can do it though. LOL.
15) Photographer(s)
16) Videographer(s)
17) The roast pig men - My mom has a request to have a roast pig delivered when the groom arrives. So I'll have 2 to hold onto the roast pig. Haha.
I think everyone is accounted for here. I'll update if I have left anyone out. Lol.
Hope this helps!
We have finally decided on a montage and first march in song!
Montage: Javier Colon feat. Natasha Beddingfield - As Long As We Got Love
First March In: K-CI & Jojo - All My Life
Songs that have yet to be decided on are the solemnisation song (to be played before I enter with my dad in hand) and the banquet playlist. I'll update again when I have a more complete list.
Usually COMPASS license of the song played in your wedding montage is covered by the videographer you have hired. But not for the other songs played publicly. Do check to see if your videographer has it covered in your agreement. You wouldn't want to be caught and charged $600 on your wedding day. :(
As for the other songs (banquet, solemnisation playlist), the venues you have booked (hotels or restaurants) have an album of songs which they already possess licenses for playing publicly. Do check with your banquet or solemnisation venue on the songs they have. Should they not have the songs you want, you may burn the songs into a CD but do bring along the originals. I wouldn't risk it on my big day.
While we're on this, some venues are more "stingy" with lending their audio and video equipments. These lead to hidden costs if you're not aware of it. I have seen cases of when a banquet hall actually has 2 projectors but have only stated 1 projector to be used for FREE in your agreement. Be very sure and specific when going through the agreement with your banquet coordinator.
Things I asked for my banquet:
1) Usage of ALL projectors/screens
2) Usage of audio equipments
3) Reserved tables (You'll never know how many people are not gonna turn up at the very last minute)
4) Choice of flowers and decorations (They usually have themes you can pick from)
5) Children to be allowed to squeeze in with their parents without being charged as an additional head count
6) 2 Mixes of a dish to be allowed, half spicy, the other non-spicy for the crowd. Especially when my father and brother can't take any spicyness.
7) Helpers room
8) Discounted rates for additional rooms
9) Corkage waiver (This is another hidden cost if you're not careful)
10) Complimentary parking coupons
11) Use of their angbao boxes
12) Food tasting, any choice of day and time (Some only allow weekdays/lunch time)
13) 2 Nights of stay for the bride and groom
14) Food be served to our room after everything's over
15) 2 VIP lots
16) Free usage of function room for solemnisation
17) Printing of wedding poster
18) Red carpet (Some venues actually charge you for this!)
19) Rehearsal
20) Early check-in
21) Late check-out
22) Breakfast in bed the following day
23) Credit card promotions (I'll cover more on this later)
24) Canapes and drinks to be served during reception (Some charge a whooping $42 per platter of 10 canapes. That's daylight robbery!) Do check if they allow external caterers for that.
Some credit card promotions are valid for payment of the down payment while others, require you to pay the entire banquet cost with a certain credit card. I was lucky enough to get a good deal. I only paid my downpayment with UOB card and am paying the remainder with Standard Chartered Manhattan World.
(I can't believe I'm advertising this even though they've pissed me off with a big mix up in my credit card application. Still pissed but hey, at least they've corrected it.)
Let me do the math for you. You may receive maximum $200 rebate per quarter for a minimum sum of $3000 charged to your card a month. (That's capped at 5%, $200 per quarter when you meet $3000 in expenditure in a month)
Lets say each banquet table costs $1000 after all prevailing taxes and service charges, 30 tables in total.
Total cost: $1,000 x 30 tables = $30,000
And you've already paid $5000 for down payment upon booking your banquet.
After downpayment: $30,000 - $5,000 = $25,000
Your HTB and you both sign up for Manhattan World. That makes you eligible for $400 in total rebates per quarter. If you start paying 1 year in advance (some venues allow accumulated payments before your big day), that makes it $200 x 4 quarters per year x 2 credit cards = $1,600.
After rebates: $30,000 - $1,600 = $28,400
Average cost per table: $28,400 / 30 tables = $946.67
While these calculations apply to mine, it may not necessarily apply to all venues. Please check with Standard Chartered and your banquet coordinator for best payment method. :)
Hope these information helps!
Been so darn busy with my new work assignments that all our wedding preparations have been on hold.
Anyway. I've booked my first appointment with Feline Bridal for fitting mid August. I can't say I'm too pleased with their service so far. But well, you can't expect anyone else to be more excited than you are about your own wedding can you. Hopefully they'll turn my experience with them into a good one!
Anyhow, we have a ton of things pending for our wedding still. Here's my latest to-do list:
1) Bridesmaid dresses (I want maxi convertible dresses in royal purple) *ASAP
2) Tailored shirts for groomsmen. Hunt for coupons NOW! *ASAP
3) We bought a couple of coupons for couple shoot and with the bridesmaids and groomsmen DUE ON 3RD AUGUST. Oh boy!
4) Bridal shoes
5) Ideas for photoshoot locations
6) GUEST LIST! OMG.
7) Engagement party. No idea what my family wants.
8) Tea ceremony items + Chinese customary items
9) Parents and family outfits
10) My brain is dead. Can't remember anything else!
