Yeah! Victory!

Wow hoo! VICTORY!!! PRAISE GOD!!!

We finally came into good term with the ceremony venue! They finally allowed us to have our own catering for the refreshment and save us the hassle of escalating! Indeed praise God as that’s what both of us has prayed for! Indeed God is at work among us and He blesses even the small immaterial area of our wedding! God is good!

Gosh…now I wonder whether what she said about the licence is true or not!! Anyway….can’t be bothered…thank God~!!!~~

ADVICE - though the ceremony/reception vendor may be too busy or forgetful for that, to reinforce what you have verbally agreed upon and to avoid any disappointment, it’d be more secure to come into a written agreement for both parties.

Below is what we have so far discussed and agreed upon for our wedding day on the 10/10/09 (Saturday) and a list of things required from their function centre on the day as inclusive in our wedding ceremony only package, which I sought for their email approval or written confirmation for our agreement as below:

♥ Exclusive Use of Garden from 12pm (for decoration) to 2pm (departure)
♥ Choice of seating arrangements - Facing towards the tree (to be confirmed one month prior to wedding)
♥ 20 Covered Chair Covers (with brown/orange sashes)
♥ Red Carpet
♥ Signing Table with White skirting
♥ Wet Weather Alternative in one of our Function Rooms or Terraces
♥ PowerPoint outlet required (for our own PA system)
♥ Photo opportunities in garden and outdoor area
♥ 1 long reception table and 3 chairs (for guest-book signing and wishing well locating)
♥ 2 long tables for guests refreshment/catering serving at the side of the garden
♥ Your Staff to direct guests into the ceremony garden and set up the table for refreshment
♥ Functions coordinator on site to ensure the smooth running of the day
♥ Rehearsal at the garden available the day(s) before the wedding

Ouch....

Today I received a not-very-pleasant news from the functions coordinator of my ceremony venue. How annoying and disappointing it is when you only find out about the discrepancy of the agreement previously made with the reality hit only 5 months away from your wedding! The most frustrating part is when you have always been insisting for a contract to be written up but the vendor refused or has been delaying in doing so. You can find my frustration as mentioned below. The most unhappy part would be the refreshment arrangement. It’s indeed not a matter of money but the fact that they are only now changing their approach with an unpersuasive reason and never ever mentioned about the possibility at all before the contract binding. Now I wonder whether they are eligible to do so or not….

1) Are we allowed to spread any rose petals on the red carpet for decoration?

Her response: You can do this but cleaning charges of $75 apply.

My response: I was told that even thou the petals may only be on the carpet for 20mins, due to its nature which may stain on the carpet, they need to charge that amount! Gosh…surely I believe they’ll use the same carpet for the next couple too…is tat meant they’re going to charge them too..yee)

2) Are our guests allowed to throw any rose petals to the married couple on the day? Any cleaning fees involved?

Her response: Included above.

3) Can you please specify the time that our decoration team can arrive there by and the time that we must leave the venue?

Her response: They can arrive at 12pm.

My response: so our permitted time is from 12pm to 2pm the latest..wow!...gosh given the very limited time allowed we may have to discuss what’s the best time for the start of the ceremony (which means my arrival as well)…bcoz we don want our guests to see our ppl decorating there right…we may need to confirm with Pastor regarding the exact ceremony duration too…30 mins? Have to take into consideration of the photo time and refreshment time too…

4) If we are having our own refreshment (catering from our close friend who likes to contribute), will we be provided any waitstaff and tables? Will we be given a hand to set up the table for refreshment? Any charges apply?

Her response: With the new council laws enforced this year we can’t allow this

My response: This is terrible! I told her this wasn’t what we were agreed of b4 I paid them deposit. I said if this is the case I am going to look for other venue bcoz it’s not abt the $$ but bcoz our close fren likes to contribute to our wedding. Her ground is not firm, then she said she needs to speak to her boss and shoot me an email tmr morning coz there are a few couples requesting for the same thing too…prayerfully they will allow…her reason sounds like a lie….anyway if can’t we can find another venue of coz!

5) When is the best time we can talk about the timeline on the day? Is there any sample from your other customers that you can send to me?

Her response: We don’t need to do this till 1 month before the wedding.

My response: I think I should start listing my items required and proposed timeline…and wait for the time to pass….

6) Do you know if the couple who has booked the venue on 10/10/09 (Sat) at 3pm is hiring any arch for their ceremony? If yes can we obtain their contact details to discuss the possibility of sharing the cost?

Her response: They have decided not to go with the arch

My response: This is one of the tips my HTB learnt from some articles on the website. Since you are going to need an arch (let’s imagine that you are not a fussy bride) and the next couple is going to too, why don’t you save yourself some money and just share the cost with the couple? In this case, we may have to get something either from the supplier of our friend who has recently married or from our reception’s recommended supplier, if we like.

Anyway I thank God for such a reminder as this for us to pray against it! Indeed any situation arises out of the permission of God and if this is part of His plan, for whatever reason, i shall endeavour to obey, not to deny, but to quickly find out the reason behind His move and pray for His discernment in this. God has truly been gracious and generous to us throughout our journey. Nothing can ever separate His love and mercy from us and I doubt can this matter…..

Locked It In...

Received an official quote from my make-up, hair stylist & floral artist Cherry for the services provided below 2 weeks ago. Only able to look at them carefully and finalised the booking by paying off a deposit of $324 for the required services today. I am absolutely happy about the pricing and the gentle and friendly nature of her so far. Have noted on my calendar to have a trial done probably in August due to the short length of my hair at the moment.

Praise God indeed for His blessings in even the small areas of my wedding….now I just have to set aside some time to search for a delicious hairstyle, accessories required, etc….i’m just so indecisive that sometimes I wished I could be less picky & have lesser expectations of myself. But I’m not stressed though. Just a worry to not be able to come up with quick decision that’s all. Afterall, you can only be a bride once in a lifetime…….am I right? Hehe…..

Bride's Bouquet (as photo provided) x 1 $150.00 each
Bridesmaid Bouquet x 2 $80.00 each
Buttonhole (as photo provided) x 3 $15.00 each
Buttonhole for family x 4 $15.00 each
Buttonhole (single stem) x 4 $10.00 each
Arch (ribbon, lights & silk flower) x 1 $250.00 each
Tant (ribbon, lights & silk flower) x 1 $300.00 each
Hair & makeup package x 1 $600.00 each
Hair flower x 1 $25.00 each

The $600.00 hair & makeup package is covering the services of:
- Bride's hair & makeup services for trial & actual day
- Hair & makeup for 2 bridesmaids and groom on actual day

To finalise the booking, pay 30% of the total amount as deposit to the nominated account.

You Can Do It...Invitations!

My darling…

To bring you some inspirations and encouragement that you are not doing this alone…I’ve found some nice cards that matched to our theme colours for your reference... have fun brainstorming and bring out the best in you ^_^

http://www.1st-class-wedding-invitations.com/brown-wedding-invitations.aspx

http://www.1st-class-wedding-invitations.com/green-wedding-invitations.aspx

http://www.1st-class-wedding-invitations.com/orange-wedding-invitations.aspx

Can You Please Do Me a Favour?

Favour...Favour....it is the hardest thing of the world.....

To pick a RIGHT favour for the wedding guests for me is one of the hardest decisions I've ever have to make. Favour, for me, is not just a chocolate or sweets to brighten the table as a decoration; nor something to give-away just to satisfy their bring-something-home's needs. Through the favours, I love to show them our appreciation for their participation not only on our wedding day but also in our lives. I love them to feel special about themselves. Love them to be able to use it or at least put it in their sights. And one that can truly brings out the memories of our wedding day when they look at the favour.

Initially I thought to buy each female guest a pair of earrings because they are my favourites; while getting the male guests a cufflink because it is an accessory which symbolises my personality very much and also because both of them sounds like 'ring' which brings the meaning of 'whole' - he/she makes me whole (complete).

Isn't it a perfect idea?....but.....my beloved HTB rejected my idea and said that it'll be hard to find those earrings that will suit each female's taste and cufflink is pretty expensive nowadays..blar blar blar....which I also understand....so at the end we agreed to use his brilliant idea of having something that symbolises our wedding monograph....which I shall show you once I get one..hehe.

Below is a list of helpful websites/blogs that offer very creative and easy-to-make favours - love to share with you:

http://lotushaus.typepad.com/lotushaus/favors_invitations/

http://www.stylemepretty.com/category/wedding-style/wedding-favors-and-gifts/

http://www.bellenza.com/wedding-ideas/packaging-ideas

http://weddingsinabox.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-12-25T05%3A00%3A00-08%3A00

http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/weddings/dresses/

Stumble Upon....

Wow.....I am impressed with what other wedding bloggers are doing!! I am so inspired by their creativity and consistency in blogging and bringing the best and prettiest things in the world to the world....

http://lotushaus.typepad.com/lotushaus/wedding/

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/the-finer-things/aa50bbfe1dfde3418acd4f1330090ae6

Love the listed songs on this blog...but dislike its font...so I'm not putting it up on my favourite blog list...sorry...hehe:

http://perfectbound.blogspot.com/

Hehe...saw the wedding of our beloved friends on a blog...so cool:

http://www.polkadotbride.com/wp/index.php/2009/02/20/jojo-and-peter/#comments

Randomly stumble upon the Top 20 games for the bridal shower, it's pretty fun having games to get to know your closemies and how would you cope with your marriage in the future....It brought me memories of the past 3 bridal showers that I had been to....one had quiz about the bride; the other had a quiz time for advices to the bride when some incidents happen in her married life; and the last had a quiz time for the bride about how well she knows her mate. They all brought joy and intimacy to us as we shared the milestone with the bride-to-be at that time. Truly memorable moments.......

http://www.beau-coup.com/blog/bridal-showers/top-20-unique-bridal-shower-games

I Am Back!~!~!~

Wow! Welcome back, Miss bride-to-be! Finally…..after a long and draining study period for my CPA exam which I joyfully kissed goodbye to on last Friday. I’ve been studying this unit diligently since February. So it was a good long 3 month time. It was obviously a dry and self-control-challenging period, however, through this period, I received heaps of care, encouragement, love and acts of service both from my dearest Husband-to-be, Maid of Honour and friends.

I sincerely thank my Maid of Honour for constantly reminding me to take time to relax and have fun while studying hard so that I wouldn’t become a boring old lady. Thanks for all the initiatives for lunches/dinners, stay-overs (thank God it’s not hang-over..haha!) and the regular encouraging text messages that helps me in believing myself even more despite my previous failure. Life is great with you around, my precious sista & encourager!

I appreciatively thank my Hubby-to-be for his yummy cooking for the weeks that I was striving in my study. Thanks for being so considerate and caring to me throughout my study period. Though I dumped you at home being idle in order to catch up with my studies for a couple of weekends, your faithfulness and thoughtfulness remains. Every home cooked meal that you made and every sincere prayer that you said has not only increased my desire to study well but also my love for you. The back-and-forth lifts to my exam centre that takes nearly an hour which caused you to arrive work and back to work from lunch late. Your constant check-up on my study progress. Your never-complaining attitude. They are all my admires to you. Together with you, I am confident in going through the ups and downs that the future holds. Thank God for you the every minute of my day!

Finishing exam means it’s time to get back to the serious business – W-E-D-D-I-N-G! I have been quite slack lately..setting my wedding plan aside and filling my free time with dramas and going-out. Naughty girl! But please let me indulge in this kind of relaxing life for few more days. I shall get on to them very soon! Haha. Big thanks to my life group leader, Jojo, for buying me a wedding magazine from Hong Kong during their 2nd honeymoon. Nevertheless, I did manage to ring up my hair-make-up artist and florist artist for the final price and to arrange for a deposit payment. At the moment, photographers, venues, hair-and-make-up are all done and dusted. Leaving 5 months behind to take care of the little details like program, final guest list, stationery, favours, groomsmen’s outfit, bridesmaid’s gowns, etc. Yes..still a lot of business…..but I am sure they will be enjoyable tasks!

Stylish Photography

Not sure where this place is but definitely looks nice and stylish....

http://web.me.com/muldoonrichard/Vivid_Photography/Kirsty_%26_Nick.html#74

do check out the rest of the wedding albums too..not sure how much they charged but obviously they are award-winning photographers...

http://www.vividphotography.com.au/recent_weddings.html