Chapter 4 - The Search

Today we went to New Farm Park in Brisbane to do a site-visit for our possible wedding ceremony venue. Though it is a nice place, we eventually gave up the idea because - one, there is not much shade; two, we will need to arrange for tables and chairs to be transported to there since it is only a park instead of a function centre; three, it will be too distracting with possible strangers walking around. So too bad, we have to give it a miss.





Nevertheless, it was a fruitful trip as we were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and have some brilliant photos taken by my talented fiance with his beautiful 'mistress' Canon camera. Love the pictures very much as they remind me of the joy of searching for a suitable wedding venue. It can be very sweet if you know that it could become an avenue for both persons to contribute for the wonderful memory in the future; having the same agenda in mind and to be honest in sharing your own ideas with full acceptance from the other person; working on the same project so that your friends and yourselves can be blessed by it tremendously. Even though at times it could be tiring, but if you change your perspectives, it is actually an opportunity for both of you to enjoy the nature and the accompany of one another in the 'cheapest' way.




Love the verse and his creativity, especially his creativity and his artistic taste (no wonder his chose me! kaka...). There's a saying goes, 'a picture means a thousand words'. I believe as I look back after 10 years, I shall still admire the time we spent and what a wonderful partneI have been blessed with.....

A Dreamland for Wedding

Wedding Ceremony - The Avalon Wedding Gardens - Mt. Tamborine

Pretty hey?

http://www.avalonweddinggardens.com.au/photos.asp

Thanks Be To Mum!~

My Mum has been my greatest support and help throughout my decision-making process. She doesn’t only be my consultant when I was figuring out the best way to organise for the receptions in KL and KK, but she also does all the research and inspections in both places for me. With her help and discussions between him and I, we finally decided to have a reception in KK first followed by one in KL after the wedding in Brisbane. Mum has also been keeping an eye on the airfares for us. Reminding us the best time to get our tickers. Visiting the bridal galleries in KL asking for packages and price info. Including the photography package in KL. She has also keep on reminding me to take my time in organising everything and do take care of myself to prevent weight loss during this so-called stressful period.

Most surprisingly and warm-heartedly, Mum insisted to have a wedding reception in KK due to the first marriage of her children and has voluntered to cope with all the cost whether profit of loss herself. It’s so good to have a mum in this world and on my most important and special occasion. Thanks be to Mum for her generosity in planning and spending for our KK wedding – sure it’s our pleasure and joy to celebrate with her, our relatives, her friends and my friends there!

Take good care of your health, Mum, and may God’s covering, blessing and journey mercy be with you. Loving you and praying for you...

Events @ Cutting Edge ~ Hurray!

Today we finally found a very beautiful reception place! It was the Events @ Cutting Edge in Westend!

I think I found my favourite reception venue!!! I love the specially designed rooms that they have...

Love how the night view is so spectacular with the river view and the building and lighting.



Wot wot.....

Isn't the plastic chairs lovely!!! My heart cries out for them! But sadly they cost $60 EACH! Yes it's EACH!! Aiks.....

Pity that they currently don’t have any photos of weddings however above are some photos of their launch night which shows how lovely it looks at night.

Minimum spending at Events @ Cutting Edge is $6000. On top of that, they have a Theatre which can fit 60 people that I thought would be a good idea to show your guests a movie clip of your love story. Isn't it cool? According to their quote, it is $250 extra for that service. You then need to figure out whether you like to have it played at the beginning of the night or as a conclusion of the night.

Feel free to contact:
Fleur Pianina Events @ Cutting Edge
t: O7 3013 6242 m: 0433 258 884
www.eventsatcuttingedge.com.au

Visit to The Decks Seafood

About 8pm, upon the arrival of my dear sister from Malaysia to Brisbane on her way to Melbourne for her hairdressing course, combining with a desire to check out a potential wedding reception venue, we headed to the Decks Seafood in Southbank. We were seated by a waitress whom we requested her to meet us with the Manager of the restaurant. We were greeted personally by the Manager who then shared with us a lot of information and ideas about organising a wedding reception at their place. He also shared about his own wedding which was at their backyard with the intimate friends and family. We love his honesty in prompting us to organise one that is within our own budget but not being pushed to invite more or less. He is very good in his business negotiating skills and never gave us an exact amount for the total costs we will be paying but an approximate amount according to the number and the kind of food we order. In one sense is good that he is willing to work with our budget but in another hand it even increased our blurriness and turned us away because we are not given a definite answer.

Frankly the atmosphere was good with nice in-house soft music, nature breeze from the deck through to the inside, a big TV at the corner (maybe can display a short love story clip), big dance floor in the middle, enough seats for more than 100 people. It does not suit us because we are only going to have 80 people and that to be offered a sole use of the restaurant for a Saturday night they are charging a Hire Fee of $2000, on the proviso that the wedding party is between 80 - 100 on the night.

Invite you to feel free in finding all of the details including floor plans, terms and conditions on the link below:
http://www.deckssb.com.au/

My other half has also blogged about this night on his own lil’ world:
http://worldinperspectives.blogspot.com/2008/11/free-meal.html

Port Office Hotel Wedding

Monday morning, I visited The Port Office Hotel, along Margaret St opposite to Stamford Plaza Hotel, to inspect the venue for a wedding reception. I met Cassandra whom was very gentle and generous in touring me around and elaborating the floor plans and background decorations available for the venue.

She showed me a big album with a lot of pictures of the previously held wedding receptions. It was a great place with berry romantic atmosphere and they provide a pretty generous package with reasonable price per person ($75-$80+ excluding beverage p/p or $110 inclusive) with bonbonnieres provided. It has pretty settings and spacious space with exlcusive use for only $5000 min. spending on Sunday ($8000 on Saturday).

All decorations are included in the package too. They do have stylish table deco and nice chair bands. My only concerns would be car park space given that it is in the city and the tight arrangement for 80-100 sit-down guests.

I personally do not like the many columns in the restaurant that blocks the sight of one another and may make it hard to pick a central attention point where everybody can see clearly.

Like this classic picture!

Do speak to Cassandra Visser, the Functions, Sales & Marketing Business Development Manager & Wedding Coordinator (such a long title...@_@) if you are interested!

Port Office Hotel
P: 07 3221 0072 ext 214
M: 0400 948 340
F: 07 3221 9925
E: marketingpo@portofficehotel.com.au
W: www.portofficehotel.com.au

Our Second Wedding Venue Visits

WEDDING VENUE INSPECTION APPOINTMENTS
8/11/08 (Saturday)

12.00-12.30PM
Eagle Farm Racecourse - Queensland Turf Club (meeting Selina)
230 Lancaster Road Ascot Qld 4007 Call Us: 0439 722 329
10/10 tentative (confirm by 10/11/08) – or 14/11
http://www.qtc.org/events/introduction.cfm

2.00PM
Riverglenn (meeting a lady)
70 Kate St Indooroopilly Brisbane QLD 4101 Call Us: (07) 3878 9333
10/10 tentative (confirm by 10/11/08) – or 14/11
http://www.riverglenn.com.au/

2.30PM
Queen Ann Conferencing Room (meeting Kathrina)
570 Queen St Brisbane QLD 4101 Call Us: 0409 582 189
http://www.queenannboutiqueconferencing.com.au/

3.00PM
The Courthouse Restaurant - low tide
1 Paxton St Cleveland Pt Heritage Precint QLD Call Us: (07) 3878 9333
3/10 or 17/10 tentative (confirm by 14/11/08) or 24/10
Attachment in usb

4.00PM
16th On The Park (meeting Lucy) – not sure
16 Park Road, Milton, Brisbane, Qld Australia 4066 07 3367 0144
http://www.16onpark.com.au/weddings.aspx

4.30PM
Events at Cutting Edge (meeting Fleur Pianina)
Cnr Riverside Drive and Jane Street West End Brisbane QLD 4101 Call Us: (07) 3013 6242/0433 258 884
http://www.eventsatcuttingedge.com.au/weddings.htm

Unfortunately, workplace has become a place where I can do as much Internet research on venues as I like without the constraint and limitation of the Internet capacity and speed. Hence planning on a whole-day venue visitation became my focus for the moment. Unexpctedly, I never felt tired of researching for venues, as long as I have a target in mind, i.e. a desired price per head, a location, etc. I can do it endlessly. As it drives and excites me when I manage to find a cheaper package, or a prettier place, in my next search. As soon as I sent him the above timetable for this coming Saturday, his reply was........guess what!

-_-

hahaha......pray that I wouldn't turn into a bridezilla....kakaka!