Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Wedding photos

Caught a glimpse of Joo & Jay's wedding shoots..

JAW-DROPPING BEAUTIFUL! The money they spent was well worth it!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Leapin' with joy!

Brought Henry to the Leapin Lizard at International Plaza at 12noon sharp.

We have decided to get the shoes with a 2-inch heel! Paid for it in full amount and have fixed the first fitting on 14 Apr (Wed) and collection on 28 Apr (Wed) so that we can bring the shoes for the second fitting of my dress.

I must say that Wendy, the shop owner was really professional and nice! She gave good suggestions, took shoes of different heights for me to try on and even put on the shoes for me!

I was leapin' with joy after that purchase!

After which, we went hunting for the swarovski crystals at Fu Lu Shou in Bugis, as suggested by Rui Lian cos as per what she said, Buddhists are into all sorts of crystals hence we should go to the right place for them. AND WE FOUND THEM!! They have exactly the same swarovski crystals that I have been hunting high and low for. Alas, I thought the size of the crystals are going to be too heavy for my ears to bear, and the shop owner echoed the same view.

In the end, I bought 2 smaller leaf-shaped swarovski crystals at $8 each only!!!

Being alarmingly surprised by my luck these 2 days, I hold on to the enthusiasm and went straight back to the shop at Marina Square on the very evening. After hearing the advice from the expert in the shop, it might not be feasible to have the desired design on the leaf-shaped crsytal as it is too small to be held by 3 nice dangling strings of small diamond-shaped crystal. The effect will not be fantastic.

I told her that I need to re-think about the design again. It's either that I change to another design to suit the crystal I have bought or I will head back to Fu Lu Shou to get the initial shape and size of the crystal, at the expense of my ears' comfort on that day....

Friday, March 26, 2010

Shoes and earrings!!

I was with Rui Lian at International Plaza and decided to check out Leapin Lizard, a MTM shoe shop which I saw from magazines for their bridal shoes.

To my ultimate surprise, I took an immediate liking to a pair which I thought would suit my dress to a perfect T. It's an ankle-strapped heel that comes with a strap of fluffy feathers across the toes!

I tried it on and love it to bits! Even Rui Lian said it suits me and it looks princessy. The pair of shoes comes in 2 different material - satin-like and PVC. Of course, the satin-like material comes at a steeper cost of $169 whereas PVC costs $110. Both exceeded my budget of $50...

Come to think of it, I know it's not possible to get a decent pair of shoes at a mere $50; even Rui Lian thought my budget was ridiculously low so I have decided to invest in a pair which I like and I can even wear it for Actual Day!

I have the intention of getting the PVC cos I thought nobody is going to notice the material I'm wearing on my feet and most importantly, it's $59 cheaper! HAHA. Got the name card from them and will be bringing Henry down to take a look as well as to tailor a suitable height for the heels.

I'm really elated to get that pair of bridal shoes!!! I have always find bridal shoes the biggest problem throughout the entire ROM preparation as I know it's not easy to hunt for an affordable pair that I like and what's more, within a pressing dateline.

During the later part of the day, my other problem got partly solved - earrings! I wanted to emulate that pair of crystal earrings which I had them drawn in the caricature but failed to find them in departmental stores and all those accessories shops that I have combed through.

Rui Lian and I came across this shop situated by the escalator at Marina Square and she told me to try my luck and I did! Apparently, they are able to customise earrings within a cost of $80 to $100. After looking at the range of stones available in the shop, they do not haven a nice, bling bling crystal which I wanted. Rui Lian actually suggested that I get my own crystals and have the workmanship services from that shop. We enquired about it and it will cost about $40 to $50!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Invite cards & guest book

We bought some stuff from Bras Basah Popular for our ROM:

1. Samples of A6 cards for invites
2. Ice cream sticks
3. 3 canvas boards as guest books + 1 small canvas board for testing
4. 1 paint marker
5. 1 die-cut paper cutter with the word "xi" (double happiness)

I was really impressed by this particular auntie's service at the bookstore who helped us with finding the type of writing material suitable for usage on canvas. She did not just patronise us for the sake of getting us out of her way just so she could continue with her work. She went all the way to call the supplier to enquire if the paint marker is suitable for canvas and she did not give up until the supplier picked up the call.

Back home, I sent Joanne the completed caricature in A3 size so that she could start working on the 3 welcome signages.

We also tried working on the design of our invite card but failed miserably and in the end, both of us got quite vexed working on it. Shall continue the next time when our creativity instinct is working properly.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Caricature

A sneak preview of our caricature...



This photo was chosen from those taken during Joo and Jayven's ROM.

Actually, I just received the completed caricature from the artist and have paid the remaining $90 to her. This caricature will be used on our invitation card and the 3 welcome signages.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Photography

We went down to our photographer, Terry’s house located in Serangoon to look at his portfolio in the evening. Before this trip, I printed a few of Joo & Jayven’s ROM photos as reference cos I want the same effects – fairytale-like, magical, romantic – on my ROM photos.

He showed us those photos that he has taken for a couple’s Actual Day around a week ago. These are just normal point-and-shoot photos of the gatecrashing, tea ceremony and wedding banquet. Editing has been done, according to Terry, but the photos were nothing fanciful. I brought out the samples for him and conveyed our requirements for the ROM photos, taking candid shots like, mommy crying (I can foresee she will be..), friends talking, our expressions during the saying of the vows & exchanging of rings, the little romantic effects during the march-in and champagne toasting, etc.

Henry also kept emphasizing that we do not want all photos to be point-and-shoot, and that we want candid, natural photos without the subjects posing for the camera. But of course, we will not have all candid photos for the whole ROM.

Most importantly, it’s the post editing that matters most to me cos all magical effects are done at this stage.

Joanne suggested that it would be good for the photographer to come with us to OR during the rehearsal so that he can familiarize himself with that place and know where to take pictures. But Terry will not be free on 8 May, he agreed to be at OR an hour earlier on 24 May to take a look around.

At last, we confirmed Terry’s services for our ROM, paying him $300 for 3-4hours with the development of 120 edited photos. We told him we are able to wait for a while to get our photos after that cos we wanted him to have ample time for the good quality. For his editing benefits, I have the sample photos with him.

Frankly speaking, I’m not sure if we have made the appropriate choice for photography. Somehow, I feel that his photography style is not really what I’m looking for but due to budgetary constraints and strong recommendations from Chris, I guess we will just give it a shot.

I read from several bridal magazines that photography should not be compromised at the expense of money and the couple must feel absolutely comfortable with the photographer cos you can’t possibly smile well and naturally if you feel uneasy with him/ her. For Terry’s personality, we have absolutely no problem. So right now, we will just leave his photography and editing skills till that very day…

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Food tasting

It should be dessert tasting to be exact...

We headed to OneRochester (OR) after work today. It was only meant to taste the 3 different desserts in our hi-tea menu but Joanne gave us a pleasant surprise by treating us to dinner at OR as well :)

Excited as we were to try the slightly pricey food that has earned quite a bit of praises from a few others, we found the food so-so, to be honest.

So, the first hour was spent on the dinner and of course, the desserts from 1Caramel. Here a picture taken:



From left to right: Mixed nut tarts, Coffee & Toffee crumble and Chocolate brownie


Out of the 3, only the mixed nut tarts made the mark. The coffee & toffee crumble tasted like the usual butter cake and the chocolate brownie were way too high on its sugar content that even a sweet tooth eater like me could not take it.

In the end, Joanne allowed us to choose 2 other alternatives from the wide array of choices. Thus, after much consideration, besides keeping the mixed nut tarts, we will be taking the cookies & cream cheesecake and an assortment of jellies in glass shots.

Anyway, we went on to discuss in further details on the ROM theme, decor, checklist and whatsnot. The theme has been changed to a Bali theme, we are bringing Bali into the garden. Joanne showed us the Bali-themed decor and I was very happy as I thought both of us like Bali very much!

I brought up that I quite like the strings of crystal beads which she showed to me in other decors earlier so she will incorporate that at one side of the trellis where the JP will be back-facing it. Even the couch and chairs at the solemnisation table is going to ooze that Balinese style.

Here's a list of items that we went through:

Ang Pow Box - Ivory, decorated in accordance to blue and green theme
Ring holder - Bird cage, ring pillow to be provided on own
Flower decoration at the trellis - To be decided again but will be complemented by ivy leaves
Champagne fountain - 4-layer fountain
Buffet - Island layout with ivory linen
Flower centre piece - flowers will be displayed in a fish bowl filled with water

ROM rehearsal is scheduled on 8 May, Sat and we will be going down together with our beloved emcee!

The whole discussion lasted till 10pm before we called it a day.