Our wedding bands!

Really satisfied with the product and workmanship! Most of all, our jeweler gave us a relatively good price. :)

Okay, this picture is taken unpolished and diamonds not framed yet.

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Groomsmen & Bridesmaids Outfit Ideas!

Hi ladies! I must really apologize for the lack of updates. I've been busy with work, the guest list, invitations and outfits for our bridesmaids and groomsmen!

After much much and more changes, we have FINALLY settled down on a theme. East meets west. That's to satisfy both our cravings. For my HTB, he dreams about being an emperor (I know WTF right? HAHA) and mine, to have purple maxi dresses on my bridesmaids.

At long last, he has settled on being a dressed down emperor (Qing Dynasty one) and the brothers dress as his erm. Imperial bodyguards? I'll have photos to illustrate better later. As for my bridesmaids, I gave a couple of maxi designs for Grecian Goddess theme. Although not exactly the purple I wanted, it still beats than having other colours.

Since the whole theme evolved around my HTB's desire to be emperor for a day, we thought the brothers could be imperial maids and the bridesmaids could be eunuchs. You didn't read wrongly neither did I type wrongly. HAHA. However, I was unable to find a size for our king kong groomsmen. So, mission aborted.

On to the next, was HTB still being emperor, I be empress, groomsmen be imperial guards, bridesmaids be imperial maids. Another problem, I didn't wanna miss my "cover veil" ceremony with parents. :( And it'll prolly look weird if I dressed as a Qing Dynasty bride. -.- Yet again, mission was aborted.

Then FINALLY. My clever bridesmaids thought of a theme where we can do an East meets West, where I can stay in my beautiful white gown, still have my "cover veil" ceremony and I wouldn't be out of place! *LOVE THEM*

We had a problem however, HTB's groomsmen consists of 2 kingkongs, 1 skinny dude, 1 average sized but a tad short dude and A GIRL.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

Here's a photo of the Qing Dynasty costume I have found to be custom made for the brothers!! *Pats own back*


HAHAHAHAHHA. I KNOW ITS DAMN AWESOME RIGHT. :D

As for my ladies, beautiful and elegant Grecian Goddesses!


And lastly, my darling emperor.


We have arranged for a dress down Qing Dynasty theme rather than a formal one as the costumes are tardy and uncomfortable. The dress down ones are a lot closer to our budget and easier to get out of!

So the plan goes like this, the boys arrive in their Qing Dynasty get up, emperor looking for a bride with his bodyguards in disguise. He meets me, a westernized girl. A tad cheezy, I know. Hahahahahahahahaha.

We will do the gate crash and all in each respective costumes, and head downstairs after the gate crash is over for the East meets West theme shoot, then head over to HTB's place and after all the traditional things, the boys will change into their suits and white shirts. We'll do a western, elegant shoot nearby. :)

After so much planning has been done, I really pray the photos will turn out well!!

Till next time. :)

How to pick your banquet fish dish

We were offered pomfret fish as part of our menu and decided to upgrade to black garoupa or black grouper (I don't really know why menu states garoupa instead of how its actually spelled "grouper") at $20 nett per table. But during the food tasting, the fish turned out overcooked and parts of the flesh was stuck onto the bones (my in-law called it Lou2 Gou3). It wasn't that the chef's skills aren't good but more like, black grouper just has high chances of that happening.

Since elders and most people I know judge the value of your banquet based on whether there's roast pork and the fish grade of your menu, we thought we ought to feedback to the chef. Since the problem lies mostly with the fish itself, the chef kindly offered an upgrade at the same price offered to us for black grouper and we took it without any research on the kind of fish lol.

We went home and thought we should research on the grades of fish as there are really little information as to what fishes are regarded as superior to the elders. Here's what I managed to pull from the internet starting from the cheapest fish. Please correct me if I'm wrong though. :)


7. Tilapia
How it looks like alive

How it looks steamed



6. Sea bass
How it looks like alive

How it looks steamed



5. White pomfret
How it looks like alive

How it looks steamed



4. Black grouper
How it looks like alive

How it looks like steamed



3. Soon hock - I don't know what's the english name :(
How it looks like alive

How it looks like steamed



2. Cod fish
How it looks like alive

How it looks like steamed



1. Red grouper - They say fresh water ones are usually red like the next picture suggests. Whereas the good sea water ones are often pale red.
How it looks like alive

How it looks like steamed


Something to note about banquet served fishes - they are mostly bred, which means bred in fresh water. The poorer quality ones have this muddy taste which can be easily musked over by deep frying and serving in sweet and sour sauce etc. Therefore, to ensure the quality of your fish dish, opt for steamed fish as you'll be able to judge better if the fish is good.

I will be going for CoolSculpt by Zeltiq this coming Friday. I'm so excited! Will blog after the treatment on Friday. :) Stay tuned!

Update:
Well, we clearly remembered that the sales consultant from Feline promised to give us free additional pages when we purchase photos. But that's not the case when we went back to review our layouts today. We needed 4 pages to fill up 1 fold that would cost us $160 x 4 = $740. That's mad. No way in hell we were gonna agree to that. And since the digital artist didn't mention to us during our first layout review and change, she had to redo the layouts to fit the contracted 20 pages for free.

Plus, Rachel, the owner of Feline, gave a stack of tiny, wallet sized printouts we saw from our 1st review free of charge. It contains photos that we didn't pick. But not all the prints are there. Still better than nothing I guess.

Here's some of our favorite fun snaps! :)

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Gonna go visit Feline this Sunday to view our edited photograph layouts, can't wait to share!

Till then. :)

Wedding songs

I've compiled a list of songs used for our big day. Hope you'll find this of use to you :)

Wedding montage song
Javier Colon & Natasha Beddingfield - As Long As We Got Love

First march-in
K-Ci & Jojo - All My Life

Second march-in
Jamie Cullum - Everlasting Love / Mariah Carey - I'll Be There / Jeffrey Osbourne - On The Wings of Love (It's a tie!)

Banquet songs
Jamie Cullum - Everlasting Love
Mariah Carey - I'll Be There
Babyface - Every Time I Close My Eyes
K-Ci & Jojo - All My Life
Firehouse - I Live My Life For You
Damage - Forever
Jars of Clay - Love Song For A Savior
Extreme - More Than Words
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
Jars of Clay - Nobody Loves Me Like You
Taio Cruz - Telling The World
Mariah Carey - Thank God I Found You
Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up
Howie Day - Collide
Firehouse - Love of A Lifetime
Firehouse - When I Look Into Your Eyes
Carrie Underwood - Inside Your Heaven
Kelly Clarkson - A Moment Like This

Customized wedding bands!

First of all, happy new year everyone! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year, as well as I had. :)

As we're closing in on our wedding date, there are tons of things still unsettled. But fortunately, with my die hard persistence and powerful nagging skills, we finally got our wedding bands customized!

I can't wait to share. Hohohohoho. We haven't gotten the actual product back from the jeweller yet but trust me it's gonna be really pretty!

We zoned in on the Tiffany's signature milgrain design. Pictures below.


Guy's 6mm thick version


Female's 4mm thick version


We also really liked this design from Tiffany but HATED the yellow gold. Plus, my engagement ring had rose gold on it too so I wanted our wedding bands to match it. We took the design to the jeweller and requested for the center piece to be fully made in platinum and ONLY the milgrain part to be in rose gold. *Nose bleed*

Next, I requested a half eternity band on my milgrain wedding band! MUAHAHHAHA. Specifically, the claw design and not the pave one. My inspiration below!


Price wise, it really wasn't cheap. My ring size is just 1 size smaller than my husband-to-be's. LOL. I know it's pretty unbelievable. But it's painfully true. If we had gotten the exact same design, nobody would know which is the guy's/female's. FML.

But hubby-to-be chose the 6mm design, saving me from embarrassing questions. Hahaha.

Anyway, we'll be expecting the product in about a month. Really excited!

List of wedding personnel, helpers involved. Logistics!

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!

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5 months, 12 days to go!

Update:
I just got back from the viewing of bridal shoot layout. I can't say anything good about it AT ALL. I'm not too sure if the layout artist is new or just plain lazy. Simple things like smoothing out blemishes ought to be one of the most basic things a layout artist should look out for. Yet, NONE of the photos seem to have been processed.

Now, I'm generally an easy to please person. Also easily stepped over, sometimes. Yet she really got on my nerves. She had 2 photos we took from IKEA slotted in the middle of a bunch of photos from Ann Siang Hill. IKEA outfit was peach in colour, all bridal-ish and Ann Siang Hill outfit was oriental red qi pao. HOW CAN THE 2 MIX WELL TOGETHER.

I may not be the expert on designing layouts but the photos really clashed. We circled everything we possibly could, in my opinion. That's way below the service standards I expect. You pay for what you get, I agree. But THIS. Is unacceptable. I've heard of couples going behind the bridal studio's back to buy back photos. We didn't. We paid $80ish per photo. We expect AT LEAST the blemishes be smoothed out, the BCG marks on my arm be removed, guts tucked in when they're looking like 3 months big.

That aside, our wedding album chosen was an 18" long one. Which is REALLY wide. Despite that, they squeezed 36 photos into 5 x 18" wide pages. That is mad cramped up!

With the amount of editing we have circled, we doubt we'll be getting a call anytime soon.

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With the launch of our joint venture, My Dear, Amber, we barely have time to breathe and think about our wedding preparations at all.

We've just moved in with my future mother-in-law who stays alone and she was kind enough to let us have the master bedroom. :)

Chores are very different once you've moved in together - officially. You find hair everywhere in the house and no one to pick them up for you. (Boy, I'm spoiled at my home) No one to do your laundry and iron them for you. No one to vacuum and mop your floors. And because you're late from work, EVERYONE waits for you to have dinner. Geez. I am discouraging am I not. :\

Pray for more time to breathe and have time to take a stroll down the neighborhood alone, enjoy the breeze and serenity of it all.

I'm a pretty pessimistic person in general. I become glum when things go wrong or even before they've gone wrong. That's bad for a marriage.

I haven't thought of ways to conquer the need to have some 'ME' time alone, to think, to enjoy the fruits of labor, to enjoy your new environment. It's been visits and visits and more visits so far. It's not really helping with the festive seasons coming up. I hope my mood will improve once my period is over.

Well, laters! Off to the bridal studio.

My Dear, Amber Collection 2 PREVIEW!

Updated:

Collection 2 launched! We are so excited about it. Hope you like it as much as we do :)

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I had quite a few inquiries about when's collection 2 coming up.

It's gonna be launched on 9th December, Sunday 2PM!

We're so excited that we're bringing in our first mother-daughter chic outfit. Also, we have brought in a highly raved striped ballerina dress back in ORANGE! Damn cute I tell ya. :)


Do join our newsletter at My Dear, Amber and like us on Facebook here for exciting promotions!

My Dear, Amber Collection 1 Launched!

We are so excited to announce the launch of our collection 1!

Aside from matching clothing for families, couples may also find these trendy matching for this festive season.

Promotions and details up on My Dear, Amber.

Thank you all for your support. :)

Dear all, please take time to read :)

Firstly, I'd like to thank all readers who've been supporting my blog. I hope you find the information and tips I have shared useful to you.

---

My partner and I have a dream, a dream to create an apparel brand that signifies kinship and family bonding, something we adore and very much believe, and thus the creation of My Dear, Amber. With months of planning and execution, we finally think we're ready to launch.

We have a long route ahead of us to achieve our dream and it will be delightful if you can be part of our journey. We will greatly appreciate if you can support our cause by Liking us on My Dear, Amber’s facebook page: and subscribe to our newsletter either through our facebook page or livejournal shop. :)

Do share our facebook page around too if you may, otherwise we are glad you spared some of your precious time on us and we would like to express our sincere thanks.

Thank you all for taking time to read this and hope you may find something you fancy!

Love,
Eric and Carol
My Dear, Amber

Things to note

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!

Wedding Day Itinerary Draft

I know there's BOUND to be changes. But here's a rough guide to my wedding day's itinerary. We will be having our ROM on the same day. The solemnizer I have picked would be Mr Chan Kai Yau, the solemnizer who wedded my brother.

0530 - Bridesmaids arrive at Bride's place to get ready for gate crash
0600 - Makeup artist arrives at Bride's place
0700 - Groom arrives at Bride's place with grooms men
0800 - Go to 1st destination for photoshoot
0900 - Arrive at Groom's place for tea ceremony
1000 - Go to our place to eat eggs, change into tea dress, etc
1100 - Arrive back at Bride's place for tea ceremony
1200 - Buffet lunch at Bride's place (I'm not intending to let anyone starve that day!)
1330 - Arrive at hotel for early check in
1730 - Solemnizer arrive
1800 - Start solemnization
1830 - Change to evening makeup
1900 - Guests start arriving
1930 - Groom joins crowd
2000 - Guests get seated
2015 - First march in
2030 - Play montage
2100 - Change outfit
2130 - Second march in
2200 - Champagne toast (Not sure if there's gonna be a thank you speech)
2230 - Photo taking
2300 - End the night :)

- To be updated!

Slim Spa

Hello ladies, I'm back to update you guys on my weight loss project I've blogged about awhile back.

Slim Spa has got to be the most expensive, most useless slimming product I have ever used in my life.

Why the sudden change of tone? The slimming effects stopped after 2 weeks, at 3kg weight loss. And then it just came crashing back from then. I even put back on 2kg ON TOP of what I started with. That's terrible.

I also suffered very severe gastric pains from the poor instructions of when to take the pills given on the slimming product box. Even though I wasn't sure I was seeing better results after the initial weight loss, I pressed on. I really needed to lose that few kilos before the wedding shoot.

I fell very ill after finishing the products. Severe headaches/migraines and gastric pains haunted me for 2 weeks. I lost 5kg because of that.

Blessing or not, I did manage to fit very nicely into my gowns. I didn't even need to go in from bottom-up. But it all came at a price.

Well, ladies who are just as desperate as I was, who are putting on weight despite trying every means to lose them, I feel your pain. I really do.

While I understand fully that results differ from each individual, I wanted a proper explanation as to why I piled on extra weight even on a slimming product that failed to achieve weight loss for me. And the burning sensation I get in my stomach that makes me burp and barf all the time. So I tried calling SlimSpa to complain about their products. Their reply was that I should try their detox products for a month before attempting to use the rest of the slimming product line.

Was the experience worth $360+? It was worth it. Now I know never to introduce ANYONE to SlimSpa unless they want disappointments.

Our pre-wedding shoot!

Update!
We just picked our photos from the studio last weekend (unedited ones), it took a month. We were over the moon with the photos. Lost but stern with our decision to stick with the photos already included with the package. With that in mind, we only exceeded with 4 photos which we paid $85 EACH. It was expensive but that beats ending with a $10,000 wedding package in total yes? :) I CAN'T WAIT to share the photos with you all. They are really gorgeous. :))) I'm still smiling as I'm typing this.

---

Sorry for the lack of updates, we've been awfully busy!

We weren't able to take much photos since it took a lot of energy just trying to focus on posing. Lol. We didn't use ANY props either.

Although our package included 4 outdoor locations, we only managed to cover 3. It was enough, truthfully. Any longer and we'd have to take leave to recuperate the next day. It was tiring, very hot but fun. I would say I was very pleased with the services.

Location and outfit 1: IKEA @ Alexandra

Location and outfit 2: Studio

Location and outfit 3: Studio

Location and outfit 4: Ann siang hill

Location and outfit 5: Gardens by the bay

While everything was good, we'd still have to take a look at the final edits before a final evaluation. :)

Keep you guys updated!

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Get slim.

Okay ladies. We know how hard it is to get into shape for THE day. Especially with a job like mine, I have more time for tea breaks than the amount of time I really spend on tasks at work.

I used to be hooked onto a slimming drug that helped heaps with curbing my humongous appetite prescribed by doctor. I think its the same one a famous blogger is still currently taking to maintain her new found slim figure. I find slimming drugs harmful.

Let me tell you why. That drug I used to take gave me abundance energy and makes my heart work really hard. At times of the day, I get jitters and heart burns. I'd feel like I was gonna get a heart attack. Years later, my body got so used to the drug that my energy level dropped tremendously when I tried to stop. It made me look older. I also felt older. I couldn't concentrate nor was it easy for me to remember things.

It was a miserable period struggling to stay off it and still accept how much weight I have doubled back on. I felt terrible about myself.

For friends who have known me for years would know that I have battled bulimia and anorexia during my younger days. It had severe effects on my wellbeing. Thus finding comfort in slimming drugs that I didn't have to sacrifice for. Or so I thought.

At my "happiest" state, I was 62.8kg on the weighing scale. I'm 1.64m. Slimmest at 53kg when I first joined my company. I tried going to the gym to lose weight healthily. I felt slightly better going to the gym twice a week but it did not help my weight loss attempt at all. Lol.

Putting on nearly 10kg in a year is A LOT.

My parents told me that I needed help that day I went back home to stay. They swept 3 boxes of SlimSpa Slimming Essence and 2 boxes of SlimSpa BodyWorx off the counters of Guardian and told me to try it. Lol. I said why not. I'm already unhappy anyway. Maybe this would give the extra boost I very much need.

I think its been roughly 2 weeks now. The dose for $360+ is only for 26 days. I have religiously followed the regime and I must say, I feel a difference. I feel better. I don't feel like eating every minute of the day. As much. But what I like about it is that it doesn't give me jitters like most slimming products would. It doesn't keep me awake at night either.

My colleagues did mention about me looking "less bloated". I FEEL less bloated too. But I don't think the effects are as prominent and consistent as the first few days'.

I haven't had the guts to weigh myself on the digital scale. Hope to be pleasantly surprised when I do.

Wish me luck!

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Photoshoot Ideas

So we've planned for our shoot to be on October 3rd 2012, a Wednesday.

To be very honest, I am pretty psyched about it especially after the bridal fitting. I think it'll be really awesome with all the ideas we have.

1. One of our must go locations is IKEA. Reason being, we actually developed liking for each other during a trip to IKEA. It holds special memories plus I think it'll be pretty cool!

2. Garden by the Bay. We saw how amazing a couple's photos turned out with the effects at night. Groom loves nature, and I can be his insect repellent. :)

3. We both enjoy a good beer so I thought we should try to have a shoot in a bar. And besides, we got together in a bar too! It was 1-TwentySix. But it's kinda out of the way if you have to plan all the shoot in a day. So that's out of the question. We'd have to find another bar like Timbre (especially with a live band behind) if we decide on a bar shoot.

Another idea is that we can shoot in the middle of a traffic light. With the cars as a backdrop. OR. Crazy idea, outside a MRT station. I hope to back up these ideas with concept photos I find on the Internet. Will update!

Bridal fitting

Hubby to be and I went for our first bridal fitting at Feline Bridal. To be very honest, I never had a good impression of the bridal studio mainly because of the poor reviews I have read on various wedding forums and the poor surprise visit to the studio.

I was lucky that day. My MUA who helped me with my fitting was extremely patient despite my arse being too wide for nearly half the gowns she brought me. I am severely pear shaped. Lol.

We took less than 3 hours to settle on 5 gowns and 2 suits.

We met a photographer who happened to be in the studio that day and readily decided on him.

Here are photos of 4 of 5 outfits from the bridal fitting that my sneaky groom took. ;)

The first one I tried was a winner for both of us. Loved the mermaid ends.

Decided on this one cause it was something totally not my style but somehow grew on me. ;)

Well, the photo doesn't do any justice to the gown at all.

Last but not least, I traded kwa for this. Picked from my pretty conservative groom. (He always jokes about me wearing a tudong for our wedding =______=)

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Bridal shoes

OH GOD I LOVE THIS. :(

10 Months and 16 Days to Go!

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!

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Updates

Well, haven't been blogging much since Feb. I've been so busy with work that I barely had time to look at magazines even. :(

Things done for now:
✓ Bridal package: Feline Bridal
✓ Banquet venue: Parkroyal on Kitchener
✓ Photographer: Leslie Photography
✓ Videographer: The Montage Guy

Things yet done:
o Sign contract with videographer
o Settle number of helpers

o Wedding bands

o Buy 2 x manicure and pedicure vouchers (Bridal shoot and actual day)

o Book bridal photography date
o Try bridal gowns
o Settle parents and in-laws outfits
o Buy bridesmaid attires
o Buy groomsmen attires
o Buy wedding shoes (Wedding gown and Kwa)

o Engagement party buffet and venue
o Order betrothal cakes
o Buy betrothal customary items

o Settle guest list
o Decide banquet theme and flowers
o Decide on wedding invite design
o Decide on wedding favors
o Order guest seating
o Order actual wedding day cocktail bites


Oh boy. What a handful. :S

Betrothal Cakes

1. Kyo Cake House
   Price: $8.30
   
   * There may be 20% discount. Sent enquiry. If valid, discount voucher comes on 15th of every month.
   ** Confirmed 5% discount for orders above $200. Free printing of couple's name on box.


2. Sweetest Moments
   Price: $8.90
   
   * Customized wedding photo card and printed name on boxes for all orders.


3. Yiling Cakes
   Price: $8.50 per box, $42.50 for 5 boxes
   


4. Gin Thye
   Price: Unknown
   


5. Pine Garden Cakes
   Price: $8.20
   

Choices available

After much considerations, we're left with:

OCC: $863.XX nett

Riverview Hotel: $988 nett

Grand Mecure Roxy: $888 nett

Orchard Parade Hotel: $778.80 nett

M Hotel: $957.06 nett

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God, I love this man.

I hope we're finally done going round and round.

From a outdoor wedding to country club to banquet and lastly a solemnization. I hope we're finally done.

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Bridesmaids Attire

I'm thinking along the lines of:

A typical short purple dress


A long purple maxi/gown


Or everyone wears purple heels! :D

Things to buy before photoshoot

1. Groomsmen outfits/accessories

2. Bridesmaid dresses

3. Photoshoot accessories/props

4. Wedding bands

5. Outfits for ring bearer and flower girls

Showcases

Hilton Hotel
Date: Saturday, 25 February 2012
Time: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Venue: Vista Room, Level 3
Admission: $28 per couple



Grand Copthorne Waterfront
Date: Saturday, 25 February 2012
Time: 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Venue: Grand Ballroom Level 4
Admission: $18 only if no show



Amara Hotels & Resorts
Date: 24,25,26 February 2012
Time: Fri 11:00am - 9:30pm
Sat & Sun 10:00am - 9:00pm
Venue: Vivocity Central Court



Copthorne King's Hotel
Date: 24,25,26 February 2012
Time: Fri 11:00am - 9:30pm
Sat & Sun 10:00am - 9:00pm
Venue: Vivocity Central Court



Grand Park City Hall
Date: 24,25,26 February 2012
Time: Fri 11:00am - 9:30pm
Sat & Sun 10:00am - 9:00pm
Venue: Vivocity Central Court



Marina Mandarin
Date: 24,25,26 February 2012
Time: Fri 11:00am - 9:30pm
Sat & Sun 10:00am - 9:00pm
Venue: Vivocity Central Court



ParkRoyal Hotel & Resorts
Date: 24,25,26 February 2012
Time: Fri 11:00am - 9:30pm
Sat & Sun 10:00am - 9:00pm
Venue: Vivocity Central Court



Orchard Hotel Singapore
Date: 24,25,26 February 2012
Time: Fri 11:00am - 9:30pm
Sat & Sun 10:00am - 9:00pm
Venue: Vivocity Central Court

Wedding Banquet Calculations

Ok. Here are quite a few of my shortlisted venues for banquets sorted in alphabetical order.

Since we'll be having a weekend dinner, I'll list down only prices per table of 10. Stated prices are for 2012 (If we're lucky, we may be able to retain the prices provided we book early) otherwise stated.

All prices are NETT after calculation of pertaining charges. (GST and service charges)

Expected angbao return rates are for year 2012 weekend dinners only.

Gains/losses are calculated with the LATEST banquet rates against median angbao rates from 2012 (some might give more, some less). We shouldn't be complacent and expect angbaos to increase since crisis in on its way.

As another precaution, I've decided to add in another calculation for those hotels with stipulated angbaos over $120 too. Let's not assume everyone's willing to give over a certain sum. And we've decided that $120 is a comfortable amount.




Amara Hotel Singapore 4*
Price: $1,085.76 (For Jan 2013 to Dec 2013)
Accessibility: 5 minutes walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT
Minimum tables: 25
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $105-130

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,085.76 * 30 tables = $32,572.80
Returns: $117.50 * 300 pax = $35,250
Gain: $35,250 - $32,572.80 = $2,677.20




Carlton Hotel 4*
Price: $1,068 (For 2011/2012) *May be additional $20 NETT charge per table for using their largest halls. Should be able to waive that charge. So it's not added in the table costs.
Accessibility: 4 minutes walk from Bras Basah Station
Minimum tables: 28
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $130-160

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,068 * 30 tables = $32,040
Returns: $145 * 300 pax = $43,500
Gain: $43,500 - $32,040 = $11,460 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $32,040 = $3,960 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Concorde Hotel 4*
Price: $1,038.96 (For 2012)
Accessibility: 5 minutes walk from Somerset MRT
Minimum tables: 35 *Should be able to negotiate
No. of courses: 9
Expected angbao per pax: $120-160

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,038.96 * 30 tables = $31,168.8
Returns: $140 * 300 pax = $42,000
Gain: $42,000 - $31,168.8 = $10,831.2 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $31,168.8 = $4,831.20 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Copthorne King's Hotel 3.5*
Price: $928 (8 course) (For 2013)
Accessibility: 3 minutes TAXI ride from Chinatown MRT
Minimum tables: 30
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $90-120

Total costs (Banquet only): $928 * 30 tables = $27,840
Returns: $105 * 300 pax = $31,500
Gain: $31,500 - $27,840 = $3,660




Fort Canning Hotel 4*
Price: $1,085.76 (For 1st Apr 2012 to 31st Mar 2013) *Should be able to retain prices for May banquet
Accessibility: 5 minutes TAXI ride from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
Minimum tables: 25
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $120-160

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,085.76 * 30 tables = $32,572.80
Returns: $140 * 300 pax = $42,000
Gain: $42,000 - $32,572.80 = $9,427.20 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $32,572.80 = $3,427.20 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Furama City Centre 3.5-4*
Price: $1,015.56 (For 2012)
Accessibility: 4 minutes walk from Chinatown MRT
Minimum tables: 30
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $110-140

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,015.56 * 30 tables = $30,466.80
Returns: $125 * 300 pax = $37,500
Gain: $37,500 - $30,466.80 = $7,033.20




Furama Riverfront 4* - Favorite at the moment, provided they're willing to retain the price and promotions. And it's ballroom is surrounded by lush greens. :)
Price: $1,092.26 (For 2012) *Promotion now: $1,188 off total bill
Accessibility: 5 minutes TAXI ride from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
Minimum tables: 25
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $110-140

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,092.26 * 30 tables = $32,767.80
Returns: $125 * 300 pax = $37,500
Gain: $37,500 - $32,767.80 = $4,732.20 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $32,767.80 = $3,232.20 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Grand Copthorne Waterfront 4*
Price: $1,128 (For Jan 2012 to Apr 2013) *Should be able to retain its price
Accessibility: 6 minutes TAXI ride from Orchard Station
Minimum tables: 30 for weekdays, 40 for weekends. Should be able to negotiate since our tables exceed what their lower tier's space.
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $120-150

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,128 * 30 tables = $33,840
Returns: $135 * 300 pax = $40,500
Gain: $40,500 - $33,840 = $6,660 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $33,840 = $2,160 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Grand Park City Hall 5*
Price: $1,132.56 (For 2012)
Accessibility: 4 minutes walk from City Hall Station
Minimum tables: 25
No. of courses: 9
Expected angbao per pax: $120-150

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,132.56 * 30 tables = $33,976.80
Returns: $135 * 300 pax = $40,500
Gain: $40,500 - $33,976.80 = $6,523.20 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $33,976.80 = $2,023.20 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Hilton Hotel 4-5*
Price: $1,118 (For 2013)
Accessibility: 6 minutes walk from Orchard MRT
Minimum tables: 30
No. of courses: 9
Expected angbao per pax: $130-170

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,118 * 30 tables = $33,540
Returns: $150 * 300 pax = $45,000
Gain: $45,000 - $33,540 = $11,460 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $33,540 = $2,460 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Holiday Inn Atrium 3.5*
Price: $898 (For 2012)
Accessibility: 3 minutes TAXI ride from Chinatown MRT
Minimum tables: 30
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $100-130

Total costs (Banquet only): $898 * 30 tables = $26,940
Returns: $115 * 300 pax = $34,500
Gain: $34,500 - $26,940 = $7,560




Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre 4*
Price: $1,167.66 (For 2012)
Accessibility: 5 minutes walk from Somerset MRT
Minimum tables: 25
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $120-160

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,167.66 * 30 tables = $35,029.80
Returns: $140 * 300 pax = $42,000
Gain: $42,000 - $35,029.80 = $6,970.20 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $35,029.80 = $970.20 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




M Hotel 4*
Price: $921.96 (For 2012)
Accessibility: 5 minutes walk from Tanjong Pagar Station
Minimum tables: 25
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $120-150

Total costs (Banquet only): $921.96 * 30 tables = $27,658.80
Returns: $135 * 300 pax = $40,500
Gain: $40,500 - $27,658.80 = $12,841.20 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $27,658.80 = $8,341.20 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Mandarin Orchard 5*
Price: $1,167.66 (For 2012)
Accessibility: 5 minutes walk from Somerset Station
Minimum tables: 35 *Should be able to negotiate
No. of courses: Not sure lol
Expected angbao per pax: $120-160

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,167.66 * 30 tables = $35,029.80
Returns: $140 * 300 pax = $42,000
Gain: $42,000 - $35,029.80 = $6,970.20 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $35,029.80 = $970.20 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Marina Mandarin 5*
Price: $1,168 (For 16 Sept 2012 to 31 Dec 2012)
Accessibility: 6 minutes walk from Esplanade Station
Minimum tables: 40 *Lol. Should be able to negotiate
No. of courses: 9
Expected angbao per pax: $140-190

Total costs (Banquet only): $1168 * 30 tables = $35,040
Returns: $165 * 300 pax = $49,500
Gain: $49,500 - $35,040 = $14,460 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $35,040 = $960 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Orchard Hotel 4*
Price: $1,099 (For 2013)
Accessibility: 10 minutes walk from Orchard MRT
Minimum tables: 40 *Should be able to negotiate
No. of courses: 8
Expected angbao per pax: $110-140

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,099 * 30 tables = $32,970
Returns: $125 * 300 pax = $37,500
Gain: $37,500 - $32,970 = $4,530 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $32,970 = $3,030 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Park Royal Beach Road 3.5*
Price: $888 (For )
Accessibility: 6 minutes TAXI ride from Clarke Quay Station
Minimum tables: 30
No. of courses: 9
Expected angbao per pax: $110-140

Total costs (Banquet only): $888 * 30 tables = $26,640
Returns: $125 * 300 pax = $37,500
Gain: $37,500 - $26,640 = $10,860 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $26,640 = $9,360 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120




Swissotel Merchant Court 4* - *Has a poolside gazebo for solemnisations against the backdrop of Singapore River.
Price: $1,078 (For Apr 2010 to Mar 2012)
Accessibility: 2 minutes walk from Clarke Quay Station
Minimum tables: 35
No. of courses: 9
Expected angbao per pax: $130-170

Total costs (Banquet only): $1,078 * 30 tables = $32,340
Returns: $150 * 300 pax = $45,000
Gain: $45,000 - $32,340 = $12,660 *Assuming everyone gives over $120
Gain: $36,000 - $32,340 = $3,660 *Assuming everyone doesn't give over $120

Montage song.

I've been playing and going through lists and lists of love songs to pick for my wedding montage.

MAN IT'S HARD. LOL.

Anyway, here are my choices so far:

Matt Nathanson - Run
K-Ci & JoJo - All My Life
Plain White T's - 1234 (This song's really common though.)
Michael Bublé - Everything
Natasha Beddingfield ft. Sean Kingston - Love Like This




To be updated...

I'm growing into a miser.

Ok so we've scrapped all the outdoor wedding stuff.

Bringing everyone up to date, we've decided on a traditional wedding banquet to please all the elders. (Hopefully we'll be pleased too.)

I can't help but realize how much a bad person I've become. I'm constantly trying to pick up good deals from couples who've fallen out or who're unable to proceed with the wedding.

I am so bad.

But can it be helped? Prices increase $30-$50 every few months. We can only leech onto others' misfortunes for us (commoners) to have a decent wedding that my mother would be proud of and father would hold his silence for life.

Well, crunching numbers everyday has turned me into an unpleasant person. Looking forward to gaining from others' downfalls everyday. Lol.

Please let us grab a super super good deal. *Prays hard*

I pray damn hard that we'll be able to enjoy every micro bit of it. Amen Amen.

That's all for now. Terrible headache. Planning a wedding isn't an easy feat I tell you.


Much love,
Carol


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Lego Wedding Favor

Hehe. This is cute.