Tuesday, September 25, 2007

In Step In Tune...

Finally got a better pic of the shoes that will be worn on our wedding day...Marching in Tune, Taking each and every step together in our future together..

We will be going to Raffles Hotel for the bridal package this weekend and also to get the draft confirmation letter...Will post up more pics of the event...

*Crossing our fingers that we'll win some prizes in the lucky draw at the event*..
Till then,
Mike & Peggy

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

What next?

After the initial rush of adrenaline.. its time to really slow things down and enjoy the fact that.. my status is slowing changing. It's true that I tend to take things alil too serious. I got all scared and "kan cheong" over the fact that something didn't go MY WAY. A definite big NO NO in my dictionary definition. But what is it that freaks me out so much?? You know what.. I don't know that myself.

Looking at the list of "things to do".. we are way beyond the timeline.. what people tend to do only in the last few months are already ticked in our list. (yikes!) nothing wrong mar... it's good to work ahead of time... this gives you more time to regret later. HAHAHA.. just kidding.

As the 1st few major issue off our heavily burden chest.. the next is slowly creeping up. There always seems to be so many choices that you can never seem to choose just ONE. Seriously, how can you choose between just one dress when every piece you tried on is like the next best thing? It's tearing me apart man.. how how how?? Not forgetting the price goes up with every piece I try on.. hahaha.. someone is beginning to feel the heat..

As much as I wanted to DIY most of the things myself.. I also want to be the princess of the day. No wonder those wedding planners earn big bucks. Simply, brides/grooms-to-be are THE most easily influenced people in the world now. Just tell them that "its only once in a lifetime leh"... and everything else is not important anymore. However, once reality kicks back in, it's back to juggling between reality and fantasy. And with this you will think whether the "once in a lifetime" thing is really that important that you have to live with the shadow later? To celebrate the once in a lifetime day is no doubt second to none.. there is no substitute.. but there is always other things which concerns me more than just one day. Everyday is the "once in a lifetime" experience for me whenever I'm with my hubby. Because it is with him that I am writing a new chapter together. So... how can this not be leh?

Love and Hugs,
Peggy

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Hotels, Hotels and More Hotels....Pt II

Hi all, it's the weekend once again and off to carry on our photo-taking of the various hotels as mentioned in our earlier post..

We visited a few hotels within the City Hall / Marina Boulevard area and managed to sneak in more than a couple of pics for everyone's viewing pleasure...so sit back and enjoy the visual fest...
First up...Swissotel Stamford...
There was a couple that would be celebrating their 50yrs of marriage (ok everyone go AWWWWWWW!!!)...the ballroom was huge but only had 25 tables...the thing i liked about this ballroom was the 'tent' in the middle of the stage...pretty cool idea to do that for our KL banquet...a 'tent' lit with many LEDs, making us the centre of attention... =P


Loved their cocktail/reception area as well...

Next...to the newly refurbished Marina Mandarin...
The 'ballroom' at the Pool Garden..
Both of us agreed that the new look works great for the hotel...nice, cosy ambience greeted us when we stepped into the 4th floor lounge...On the 5th floor is the entrance to the Pool Garden..and a Chinese Restaurant by the name of "Peach Blossom"..the best thing about this restaurant is that there are live birds (kept in cages) singing and hung along the whole stretch of the corridor...sorry didn't manage to capture a picture of that..will do that another time...
Here's the other Ballroom...The Vanda Ballroom...nice with lit stairs leading up to it...a nice touch i must say...most of the settings i would say is common amongst the hotels / magazines we've seen so far..


On another note, I used to work in that hotel when i was much younger..when i was still in my poly years (about 18-20yrs old)...worked there as a banquet waiter pretty much both years as a classmate's father was the F&B manager then...was pretty fun esp when you get to find out the nooks and crannies of the hotel...the places that the general public are unable to see... =P well that was so long ago but going back into the hotel sure brings back memories...
Taking a break in between viewing these ballrooms, we finally arrived once again at The Raffles Hotel...

Here are some clearer pics of the East India Rooms, the adjacent Palm Gardens and luckily (or unluckily) depending on how you view it, a solemnization ceremony ended earlier...we got a pic of the decorated chairs but the ballroom was locked...(ARGH!!!!)...




The Palm Gardens does look pretty spacious...and with the stairs at the start of the march-in to the solemnization, the ceremony is set to be a very romantic and intimate one.. =) now we need to trash it out with the hotel to give us freebies and MORE FREEBIES!!! (Where's Sun when you need her???) lol..
Ok that's pretty much the end of today's little report...our feet exhausted and sore but we treated ourselves to a nice reward for our hard work...here's a lil sneak preview...

Marching in tune...till our next post..


Love,

Mike & Peggy

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

A quick peek into Raffles Hotel...

Just rushed back from a slightly longer lunch 'hour' to give you this report..Met up with Michelle (Catering Sales Mgr) for a quick 15min view (of the ballrooms la..what are you thinking? =) tsk tsk tsk)..anyway back to the report..there are currently 2 ballrooms that are available for our usage in Raffles Hotel, namely the Casuarina Suites (A & B) and East India Rooms..
Casuarina Suites A & B have a capacity of a maximum of 6 and 12 tables respectively. This suite is situated on the 3rd floor of the hotel, facing Seah Street..There is a separate bar counter for this suite and looks pretty standard for any ballroom..There was no setting/arrangement done for the room when i was there so it is pretty bare..Peggy and I will return to the hotel when there's an actual wedding there to see the different layouts...
Enough said, here are the pics for Casuarina Suite B:

Signage indicating the room


Bar counter for the Suite


View of Ballroom upon opening the main door


View of back of Ballroom on the right of the main door


View of back of Ballroom on the left of the main door


Moving on the East India Rooms, it is situated on the other wing of the hotel, so if we pick this room, you guys will have to alight at the hotel lobby, to save yourself some walking...haha..



As I turned the corner to head to the corridor outside the room, this is what greeted me...pretty garden don't you think...would be great for an intimate solemnization especially with the fountain in the background...according to Michelle, the whole garden will be cordoned off for only the invited guests of the wedding couple (US!) for the event with a red carpet going through the centre of the garden...i think a white carpet would be nicer... =P


As for the ballroom itself, i didn't manage to take pictures of the interior as there was a function held when i was there..I did, however, take a pic of the lighting of the room when someone stepped out...looks very cosy to me...cant wait to have a proper look at this place..

Well that's as much as I could get within such a short time span..will definitely post clearer pics of the ballrooms as well as that of the other hotels shortlisted...
Till then,
Mike...

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Hotels, Hotels and More Hotels....

Naturally the next step after deciding the date of the ROM would be to find and select a location to hold the ceremony.

Prior to the decision of the date, Peggy and I had already gone through a few rounds of discussion on how the ceremony should be and would be held. After emailing and getting the packages from the different hotels, we have narrowed down to the following four hotels...



Try to squint and see the hotels we have shortlisted so far..We're definitely going to make this as memorable and grand an occasion not only for us but only you people, the invited guests of this special occasion..Hint hint.. =P


Well planning for our wedding has kind of taken over a majority of our time..Be it conversing over the phone or on msn, even whilst chilling over coffee, we are definitely giving our all in making sure we are one step ahead..



Will be going over the shortlisted packages with my parents over this weekend and hopefully we will be able to visit the hotels as well to get a feel of the individual ballrooms and their seating arrangements..Will definitely post up more pics once it's available...in the meantime, it's back to more discussion over hotels, hotels and more hotels..


Till the next post,


Mike & Peggy

Monday, September 10, 2007

Soleminzer Chosen...Hotel Next???

Just called and managed to secure the solmenizer (Brother Emmanuel) for our Big Day. He is such a funny fellow, asking me why I had to 'book' him so early when the wedding is still about a year away. Well regardless of our leadtime, I think it is in the Singaporean culture to 'chope' or book everything early, to avoid any disappointment.

Anyway Peggy and I will meet him in person sometime later in Dec 2007 or in early Jan 2008 for an official confirmation and signing of the consent form. This consent form will need to be either faxed or mailed to the Registry of Marriage (ROM) for their processing and acknowledgement.

Well another item off the "To-Do" list. I'm glad that Peggy and I started this off as early as we could..

Next on the List would be choosing of the venue and more importantly the packages available for us...Will be visiting some of the hotels for a better understanding of what they can offer us and hopefully book one by latest early Oct..As Peggy mentioned, I'll definitely want to keep this as intimate as possible but also pleasing the elders in fulfilling their traditions...



Looking to Being Together For Every Sunrise & Sunset


Mike

Auspicious VS Superstitious

Since the ancient chinese times, consulting the "Sifu" is a must when it comes to choosing a relatively good dates for marriage. Sad to say, in the olden times, the couple have no say what so ever in their own marriage as it is arranged by the family. But over the years, time have change and that old folk stories no longer applies. However, in the modern society today, its is very much disguised in another way.

As me and Mike break the news of the "auspicious" date to his parents, I am begining to see the real stress about arranging for a wedding. Does choosing an auspicious timing for everything really matters? Being a free thinker now and previous Buddhism background, I have no objections on such matters. To be it is more like a tradition of ceremonial rights rather than a religious believes. No doubt, consulting a "sifu" for the right time is already crossing over to the world of superstition. However to some other religions, its a big no no and what more to say, a waste of time and money as they believe in the name of God, marriage is about love not time. So in this case.. should I be following the "auspicious" timing that I was told by the Sifu or should I just follow my heart into doing what is deem right. Without trying to offend anyone in this case, I am juggling on fire. So it seems. I may be over exagerating.

To me, wedding is an intimate event. A ceremonial bliss of 2 loving people tying the knot with close friends and relatives celebrating their joy for them. However, with the ever competitive society now, wedding is like another transaction. Hotels and restaurants have inevitably stereotype this event into something so commercial its no longer personal.

As both me and Mike has our own set of ideas to what seems like a heavenly occasion, I am now stressing myself over something very minor. I know I shouldn't but I can't help it. Being a Virgo its just part of my traits.. a perfectionist!

I can't help but to believe that this ain't gonna be a smooth ride. Yet, wedding is never a simple occasion either.

Love & Hugs,
Peggy

Saturday, September 8, 2007

It's Official

When reality strikes, its a far fetch from an angelic experience. It's not to say that it is a dread having to plan my own wedding, however the goodie parts where we always see on television or read on the novels are always the end results from the hard work and effort put into making it one.

A month ago, I'm still happy just being attached as Mike's girlfriend. Even when my dad announce my "Engagement" to the whole world over the microphone at my brother's wedding day doesn't bother me as much as being really "Engaged". I have to say, IT'S OFFICIAL now. A month ago today was my 2nd yr together with Mike. Never have anything prepare me for today at all. Although me and Mike always talk about marriage and how we want it to be and bla bla bla.. when the actual day comes.. I am in total lost. Especially when everything is not in my hands of control. Initially it was the date of the ROM. Now that I have just gotten the dates fresh from the "Sifu", I can officially announce to all of you, my ROM day will be on the 7th Sept 2008. Please make yourself free on that day please. No excuses accepted!!

Now that I have the dates in hand, I have less than exactly a year ahead to plan everything else. Wow, so "chun" ar.. hehehe.. It can never be anymore "chun". Besides being officially engaged, I hereby also announce I am officially gonna have a headache! hahaha.. the music have just started dude!

Over the phone speaking to my mom, I can't helped to realise that it felt like they are more "into" getting it done than me and Mike. Sorry mom, but it seems like you were the one getting married.. hahaha.. no offense. Perhaps the idea of getting married has changed. Its no longer just about the big day event, but more of a lifetime commitment and bills! it seems. We are living in such an advance society and world now that everything seems fastforward. I do believe before every marriage, the journey ahead have to be clearly laid out. This scares me alittle though. As I can hardly imagine what life will be ahead of me. But none the less, I am glad I have Mike to go through it all with me.

Besides the big day event, me and Mike have to; literally speaking, look for a place to call home NOW. The whole HDB flat balloting is a long winded process, with loads of time and effort going into hands of the one choosing the eligable candidates whom they think are worth getting the units they apply for. How fair can it be I wonder.

Its sad that I wasn't back home when my bro gets married. But then again, I would say that, it will be different still as my bro can still stay with my parents and Mike can't. If you happen to see the size of his room.. Its not couple friendly at all.. :p I have missed the whole process of bitter sweet facts. Oh well, I guess this just make our ceremony even more meaningful then. Knowing that, every single bits and pieces are efforts of our love and time. Couldn't agree more with myself!

Looking forward to the day when it all becomes real.

With love and hugs;
Peggy