:: Tots on Our BIG Day! ::

Just some tots and sentiments to share...

Sept 7, 2008 aka the 8th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar.

What a special day for the both of us!

Just for this one day event, we have spent more than 6mths preparing it. It wasnt easy as we have to juggle between our normal daily life, in between with renovation and planning our wedding within a short time frame.

We wanted a simple ROM reception. Afterall, we felt that wedding is just about us but we know our parents wanted more. Somehow, from then on, we knew wedding isnt just about us.

Getting started was a headache. We were lost right from the begining even from the simpliest thing like selecting the "correct" date. We wanted our wedding on 23Aug08 as it was a meaningful date for us but our parents disgreed as it falls on the lunar 7th month. Arghhhhh....

After we've selected the dates, we didnt know where to proceed from. There was no one to guide us. We have to rely solely on ourselves. Checking up on forums, buying magazines and bridal fairs were probably our main source of knowledge. Slowly, things started to pick up.

Chosing our photographer and videographer was not an easy task. We wanted someone whom we can relate well to, not only considering their skills. We spend some time meeting up with different photographers and videographers. The whole process took us about 2mths.

Being the typical Kiasu Singaporeans, we confirmed our bridal package, photographer and videographer way in advance, thinking that most of the things were settled.

Nxt, is the venue. Selecting the right venue for the event was quite easy thou. We wanted to keep it a private affair and only to invite pple who are close to us and are part of our lives. We didnt want a situation where we greeted a guest but have no idea who the person was.

Gallery Hotel was the ideal place. It fits perfectly the kind of wedding we wanted. The place is small but cosy and nice. There were no traditional kind of dinner weddings with round shape table, 10 course meals with roasted chicken etc.. Instead, we have long tables with candles and flower petals. A selection of buffet style with western food like spaghetties, cold prawns etc. We are actually quite worried that our guests might not like the arrangements initially. Thankfully, the feedbacks were good so far. Our guests like the food, the ambience and the live performance (a guitarist playing during the dinner).

However, as the BIG day approaches, we realise that there were still alot to be done.

The confirmation of the guests were the most difficult part. One parent wants this, the other wants another way. Relatives were extremely difficult. Some relatives even "demand" us to invite certain pple whom we duno or never even heard or met before. Somehow, all the long lost distant relatives all appear from no where. They just added their own pple without informing us and we had a hard time coordinating. Wah kaoz.. really dun understand why cant they respect us and leave things in our hands? We were quite upset and disturbed by all these problems initially. We have had so much issues with our relatives that we even felt like calling the whole thing off. We always wonder if this is our wedding or otherwise. We mean, if they are sincere to attend our wedding, just attend lahr and be happy for us. We dun need additional troubles and woes lohrr.. Well, again, we conculded wedding is not all about us.

And....worst still... We slap our own backside by adding more challenges to our already so busy and tight schedules.

We wanted a cartoon animation and photomontage. Our load could have been lighten by engaging a professional to do the job but we felt that doing it ourselves will be more meaningful. *ah bish*

We sacrifice our beauty sleeps for several nights just to finish up the stuffs on time.

On the actual day, we were so glad that the weather was fine. The event turn out the be a smooth and successful one. Morning was fun with the gate crash and the photoshoots at SP. There was a slight delay at the tea ceremony but we were still ahead of time. The tea ceremony was light hearted as there were some "NG" here and there. The solemnisation took place on time. Prof Yu is jovious and nice. We have receive lots of good compliments about the service from the hotel, the ambience, the food and program. Everyone seems to enjoy the animation done up by us and the live performance. We have these pple to thank for this sucessful event.

Special thanks to :
Our Bestman - Elvin.

He has really helped us alot despite his busy schedules. We know that he has always been very happy and excited for us. All our relatives and friends commented that he really did a fantastic job as a bestman. We really appreciate him.

Our Bridesmaid - Su Ann.

She has been helping Fio with the dresses and run up and down the whole day. Su has been there since the wedding plan starts. Really thank her so much.

Our Emcee - Junwei and Abby.

Junwei is really a natural speaker and we thank him greatly for bringing smiles on our guests' faces. We hope we have not stressed Abby too much. She has not only been helping with the emcee job but also in taking care of the whole event. She has been entrusted to run the whole show for us. Really thank her so much for the great job! If not for her, Fio will probably not be able to relax and enjoy her role as a happy bride.

Our big brother - Xiaoqiang.

He have helped us in many ways way way way way before our big day. We cant express our thanks to him for his kindness towards us.

Gallery Hotel - Juliana.

She has been very helpful and totful. Despite all our last minute changes, she is patient and tried to attend to all our needs, from the tinest details, in anyway she could. We could relate to her very well, like a big sister to us. We couldnt have thank her more for her kind assistance rendered to us thru'out the whole event.

Photographer -

Mabel who really did a good job. She is not only a photographer but also almost like a wedding planner. She guided us and take good care of us thru'out. We are grateful and are really impressed by her professionalism. We hope to move on as a friend.

Our Makeup Artist - Karen.

She volunteerily (did not charge extra, just stayed out of goodwill) stayed on till late on that evening to help us with the changing of clothes and touch up of makeups/hairdos. She is really a gem!

There are many others who have helped us to make the event a special one. ie. The brothers - Eloyd, CheeSiang, Horry, Soon Kiat, Alex. The sisters - Cindy,Crystal,Chuping,Lichoo,Jenny, Karen (who fly all the way from HK).

We are finally married, officially known as husband and wife. The road is definately not easy. We have learnt alot thru' this experience. We really hope our guests have enjoyed themselves and like the arrangements. Although its xingku lahr, but its worth it lohr.