You're Fired!

Yes just as the title says, I have officially 'fired' my wedding planner (Butterflies and Cakes)

Firstly I am not satisfied with their work and plus, a lot of politics going on inside. This kind of company, I can't trust my wedding to them. Wedding happens once in a lifetime so nah, can't risk it.

Anyway, I AM A WEDDING PLANNER by profession, so why not I plan my own! I am more hands on with my wedding anyways!

The contacts are all mine. I research myself, I engage vendors myself. It should be a breeze and exciting to plan mine!

If I can plan others smoothly and beautifully, I am sure mine will be beautiful. Besides I am a perfectionist and I have my mother's standards to fulfil!

Anyway, tomorrow marks the '1 year to go to the big day!'

Gotta go full on!

Till next update!

Florist

Yes I am looking for a florist! Since mine is an outdoor wedding, I would like to have those tall flowers along the aisle

 

Something like the photos below

At the same time, I want to tie a flowers at the chairs at the end of each row. Apparently they are called posies. Which is something like the photos below.

I have asked 2-3 florists and for the tall flowers minimum is $150 per flower (I would probably need 4) so that is like $600. For the posies minimum is $20-$80 depending on flowers. Lets say its at $30 and i have 20 chairs, that'll be another $600. Which is another $1200!!

However, my fiance says, if were gonna put the the tall flowers, dont put the posies cos the arch and the flowers would just block it. If we want the posies then dont put the tall flowers. Cos it'll be too congested if we include everything.

Our conversation went something like this:
Me: So you don't want both tall flowers and posies? Is it the price?

Him: The price is ok, were talking real flowers. But I'm worried its too much. Too over decorated. Got heart shape arch, got tall flower, got posies, got petals on floor, tiffany chair the pink so bright. Think about it.

Me: *thinking deeply* Ya you make sense. So if I want the posies don't get the tall flowers, if I get the tall flowers don't want the posies? 

Him: Their same price anyways

Me: So which one you don't want?

Him: You decide, your call

Me: Its your wedding too ok! Plus your paying not me so decide

Him: You decide. Cos I decide then if you don't like you'll sure change it also. 

Me: Ok I take the tall flowers

Him: Huh? U sure?

Me: Ok I take the posies

Him: OK!

Gahhh guys! He wanted the posies just say it! 

So I guess goodbye tall flowers, stick to posies. Besides he does make sense too. Oh wells.

Keep hunting for florists!!! 

Anyone out there got good recommendation? I have been spending a bomb, gotta tighten already. 

Alright! Till next post

Wedding Invitation

Yes I have found my the person doing my invitation cards!

Before I go on, the theme of the wedding is "Pink and white with lots of flowers". So the invitation card has to show the theme of the wedding. 

I saw one of my client's invitation card and really loved it especially the material! So I asked for the contact and after contacting her, within a week she gave me a first draft! So quick!

Besides I have lots of 'demands'. I want the card to open in the middle like a window and has a ribbon. It has to be pink and full of flowers. I want to put our photo inside and have maps and directions at the back.

She took down the details and even quoted me her price. Very reasonable! And a week later, ta-dah! Here's my first draft of my invitation card!! 

PS: The photo used is not the actual photo that will be used for the wedding invitation. This is just to show how it would look like. My photo shoot photo would only be done end of May in Bali and then I'll pass the photo to her and then she can do the final design. 

Here goes!

The Cyan Line indicates the folding

(above) This is the front of the card. It opens in the middle. There's a ribbon that's tied.

(above) This is the back of the card with the map and directions on how to get to the place

And INSIDE!! Pretty!

Her website is The Paperteria. She'll be doing my personalised fan too so the design of the fan and the invitation card is exactly the same!

Looking forward when the whole design is done! 

Wedding DJ

Yes I have found my wedding DJ! 

My requirements:

Firstly, able to carry the mood and atmosphere. He/She is able to bring out the romantic/sentimental feeling especially when I walk down the aisle. I always watch the bride in tears or the groom in tears or both as they see each other. 

The bride nervous yet excited to reach the end of the altar where the man that she would spend the rest of her life with is waiting for her. And looking dashing, the feeling of overwhelming happiness hits her and tears comes out.

For the groom, seeing his bride for the first time (That is why we have no gate crashing and he is not allowed to see me on my actual wedding gown until I walk down the aisle. Other gowns can but THE gown that I would wear for that day he can't see!) So He sees her beautiful walking down to him. This is the woman he loves, the woman he would build a family with. She will be his best friend and his partner for life. And again overwhelming happiness hits him and he tears.

What stimulates such feelings? Of course the music plays more than half the reason! So the DJ has to be good!

Secondly, reciting of vows. My fiance and I aren't doing the standard traditional vows but we decided to write our own. Words that comes from the heart and not just reciting. This words are thought of carefully. This are the promises that will hold both the husband and wife. Their whole marriage is based on the promises they wrote for each other. Here they are, in front of their friends, baring their heart and soul, declaring their love to stay together for the rest of their lives, the DJ has to be able to flow with the emotions and of course bring out the tears again. 

Thirdly, the reception. I don't like boring receptions. Music and some entertainment should keep the people moving about.

Fourthly, THE AFTER PARTY! Yes! its gonna go mad on the dance floor!

So after much searching and calling and negotiating, I have found HIM!

His name is Dave, a New Zealander. Ang moh of course wild at dance floor plus my wedding is western style so he knows the sequence and all that.

Their company name is Wedding DJ For You. 

He has been DJ-ing for more than 30 years now and he has so much projects. He also has the licence for his music so hotels, or outdoor venues need not worry about pirating the music or something.

He has 3 packages. 

The Prestige Wedding Package. Basically its a lunch wedding reception so very ittle lighting and effects required. Around 3-4 hours

The Elite Wedding Package. Its for evening reception. Its after the wedding ceremony/solemnization. Its full sound system with lighting and effects. Roughly 5-6 hours. Good for hotel or evening outdoor reception.

and finally the Ultimate Wedding Package (MY PACKAGE!! Of course I go for the best).
8 hours from the time I walk down the aisle to the after party! Full sound system, fantastic lighting and effects and they can bring in entertainers too like dancers etc!

So I am ready to cry laugh and dance the night away and have the wedding of the lifetime!

Ok here is a real couple's video of his DJ-ing http://vimeo.com/23907681


Next update is the design of my personalized fans! Now gotta get my program moving :)

Alright till next update! 

Slow Planning

Wedding Planning has slowed down for the moment because of a major career shift.

YES MAJOR CAREER SHIFT! I find that planning my wedding is so enjoyable and the stress that comes with it is my drive. I like to do extensive research for the best yet cheap stuff cos I don't believe in over spending.

So now, officially, I am a WEDDING PLANNER. Not just my wedding I plan, but others too! So far it has been great, meeting new people, finding new wedding theme, very unique couple, creative and couples of different personality.

The journey has been stressful yet fun at the same time! That is why my own wedding planning has slowed down for now. Still adjusting at my new job. Will have to get back to it soon!

For now, I have chosen my DJ and I recommend him highly for all couples! Really reasonable in pricing, very efficient and comes in complete package!

I shall promote him next post.

Ok Happy Deepavali everyone! :)

Raffles Town Club

Went to Raffles Town Club today for the Perfect Weddings Wedding Event. Basically their promoting Raffles Town Club alongside with other companies.

Companies involved were Renatus Photography and Livesnapps Photography. Followed by La Belle Couture and Corazon Events Management. Their wedding planners.

We also won a lucky draw! We officially have a professional emcee for our wedding! So blessed that our number was called out! 

Review:

Alright, it was quite difficult finding the place if the guest is taking bus/mrt. Yes it is located in town, near Stevens Road. Carpark is very spacious. They B1/B2 (for members only) and B3 is for guests.

Outdoor gives the 'castle vintage' feel. Its quite big as well. Below is how it looks like outside.

The entrance is nice too. Gives the 'hotel' feel as well. The structure is quite vintage with the colour and the design.

Now for the ballroom, yes it is pillarless. Its at DUNEARN BALLROOM Level 1. Its big and very spacious too. They have 3 theme or 3 different kind of designs.

(Below) This is the first one. Its like a garden themed

 (Below) This is their VIP table

(Below) This is the second theme. I actually don't know what are they trying to portray here. Classy traditional?

 (Below) This is the VIP table

(Below) This is the pink and princessy theme. Didn't get to snap their VIP table cos there were people sitting

(Below) This is how it looks like when you enter

(Below) A live band performing.

Overall, Raffles Town Club is very nice. However, the deco is a bit plain, though I'm sure can work out with their in house wedding planner. 
The ballroom is big and can fit 40 tables for those with many guests.

The thing is, my fiance and I are looking for non ballroom and non traditional wedding, so of course we had no connection with the place but it was an experience. 
The prices are nett prices so what you see on the package is what you pay. Their package can be found on their website which is Raffles Town Club Wedding Package. 

Prices start from $758nett per table with a minimum of 30 tables. Have many perks too.

The highlight:

WE WON A LUCKY DRAW! The guy was announcing on the many prizes and my fiance and I were busy chatting away cos everytime we attend fairs, we fill up lucky draw and never (like never!) was our number called out. But today! It was! The guy was like "Can we have number 0....6.......3!" and my fiance and I were still talking and he called again "0....6.....3!" And he was like "That's our number!" 

So yeah we went to the stage and got our prize. soooo embarrassing! 

What we won? A complimentary emcee for Package B or $600 off Wedding Package D

Package B: One professional emcee
Package D: Two professional emcee (which is $800) so we pay $200 only!

So our emcee is settled on that day!!!! woohooo! 

(Below) Our prize

(Below) A random photo of us at 9am going to church! 

(Below) He is lost so he has to use google map plus street directory

Alright! That's it for now!

Now its decisions decisions decisions! Just spoke to our wedding planner, if we really want RSYC, we have to put our deposit now! So gotta make decisions fast!

Will update once we have decided! And we found rockin' DJ! That's for next post! :)

Customized Wedding Gift

As my fiance and I would really like to make our wedding as personal as possible, we decided to come up with some customized wedding gifts. 

The idea is when people see it, they would always be reminded of our wedding instead of just 'some wedding' they attended, or one of the many weddings they attended. 

We would really like it to be special and memorable and reflect us.

So the idea we had is a Customized wedding fan program. It suits the outdoor wedding theme, so they can fan themselves especially with the hot weather here in singapore. At the same time, the program is a guide of what is the sequence of the whole wedding ceremony so the guest are aware of what is going to happen next. Isn't it creative?! haha

Anyway, a sample program for a christian wedding  (I have put the meaning of each title of some unfamiliar terms but of course it won't appear on the fan!) :

Prelude

Generally some sort of music is played in the church or other gathering place beginning anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes before the wedding ceremony begins.  This may be live or prerecorded music.

Processional

(This is where the Maid of Honor and the Bridesmaids walk the aisle to the front of the church where the Groom’s men and the Groom wait.)

Pastor Greeting and Introductions

(Welcome and Explanation. Minister tells the audience the purpose of the gathering).

Presentation of the Groom

Presentation of the Bride

Praise and Worship

Message from God’s Word

Pastor preaches the message about the importance of marriage and commitment.

Exchange of Vows

Exchange of Rings 

Pronouncement of Marriage

Unity Candle

Holy Communion

Closing Prayer

(Pastor prays a blessing on the marriage, the Bride and Groom and all who are gathered)

Introduction of the new Husband and Wife

Reception

The Wedding Entourage:

Officiating Pastor.................... Pst....

Parents of of Bride............ Name Surname

                                         Name Surname

Parents of Groom........... Name Surname

                                       Name Surname

Maid of Honor......... Name Surname

Bridesmaids.............Name Surname

                                Name Surname

                                Name Surname

Bestman................. Name Surname

Groomsmen............Name Surname

                               Name Surname

                               Name Surname

DJ.............. Name Surname

Wedding Planner............ Company

So here it is! A sample program..

Below are some of the sample fans so we all have an idea how it would turn out

 

Anyway I have found some people who can make this fan possible! So looking forward to it! 

An update, the material that might be used is PVC (the ATM/Credit card material)

Will update again!