five.months.before

Certainly, it has been a while.
Of course there's updates.


Gown - CHECKED.

Damage: $600


The first and only shop I've been to and it's set.

Maybe I'm missing the bride genes, I actually don't feel as excited while trying the dresses exceot that it was pretty warm from all the moving around. But thanks to all the help from my "childhood friend" - Stephenie and The Gown Warehouse owner - Anabelle, I finally found The Dress, after trying like a dozen of them. And on the first look, it looked so fluffy I was afraid I'ld look like a cupcake.

Wanted to rent, but final decision is to made-to-measure.

We are so glad that another item on the list can be strike off.

shine.bright.like.a.diamond

I bought this set of stones some time ago, been searching for a goldsmith to set them.
Then my mum told me about this old friend of hers, who owns a decent little shop in Lucky Plaza. This uncle Hung, used to "alter" some of my mama's jewelries. He did the extension of a diamond/gold bracelet that the future MIL will be giving me on the wedding. So now, my stones are with him to set into a pair of earrings. Happy much.

He's been in this trade for more than 30 years and is very reliable. I'm so lucky he charges me super cheap rates.

If anyone is reading this and would like to have his shop location and contact number, do post your email on the comments, and I'll get back to you with the details.


P.S. I'll update the "after" one month later when I pick them up.





Updated:

Actual Day Photography

Damage: $1000


This is the most worthy of money I felt we have spent in the whole wedding second to the rings.

After much contemplation, we have confirmed our actual day photographer from 9frames. 
We met up with Gilbert, the main photographer/ boss of 9frames, also listed in the Wedding Photographers Network (WPN). Had a discussion, signed the contract for AD photography  and now I'm tempted in getting Gilbert to shoot for my pre-wed album in Taiwan. Yes, I don't deny I'm kinda regretting this package I got from the Taiwan studio. I keep thinking about all the what ifs, but we would be bursting our budget if we hire Gilbert.

There are many things to consider in hiring individual photographers to shoot overseas. Because you have to be prepared to pay for his/her airfare, accommodation and food if these are not included in the package. Plus, you, bride and groom, also have to arrange for transports and your own make up artist. On top of these, it's all bring-your-own suits, gowns, props, accessories for the shoot.

Anyway, the fiance says we may not have enough budget for overseas shoot with Gilbert, Nay!  but we can always do a lifestyle shoot after the wedding. Yay !

Alrighty, back to topic, my advice to all bride and groom -to-be, get a professional,otherwise be prepared for either works that are not up to expectations or hypocrites with attitude.


P.S. I had friends, plenty of them, who shared with me their story of horrible experiences with non-professional photographers.

Cartier.Adventures - la deuxième partie

After much dawdling, I've finally made space and time to write this post. I even had to wash my hair for this.

Now, I begin by - I really believe this is all happening. *walking on air*

Exactly nine months before the wedding, 11 July 2013, we spent 3340 dollars.
It may not be the most unique ring, but this little red box carries the ring that bonds 2 individual.

We both got a ring one size bigger, just in case we get any fatter.

Here's this pixelated photo which the single ring box.

P.S. Time to fix this spacebar on my old macbook.

Cartier.Adventures - la première partie

Wedding band – CHECKED.


And so we made a trip to Cartier earlier, splurge couple of thousands. all we brought home was some boxes, papers, 2 catalogs, cleaning kit and a pretty red paper bag. Not to forget we drank 2 glasses of water.

Anyway the engraving takes about 10 days or so. Right now, we shall wait patiently for the phone call.

Venue: Jewel.Box

Venue Confirmation.

Damage: $3841.73

30% of 10 tables x $1088++

 

Money matters

So, the fiancée kept bugging me to write on this blog. 

Here's my contribution. 

I believe this is the concern for any couple about to walk down the aisle, be it at a church, or throwing a lavish dinner for family and friends. But that is just the one big sum that could possibly be covered by red packets. 

What about other things that require money? Note, I didn't say miscellaneous stuff. I meant there's a whole lot more than the wedding reception. 

First of all, the engagement ring aka proposal ring, which the fiancée have been harping on. Thankfully, it's been omitted to lessen the budget. Estimated two to three grand, depending on the rock.

Besides the abovementioned ring, of course, there's the wedding bands. Rock optional. Works out to another two to three grand for a pair. We've decided on rose gold Cartier bands. Costs about 3.5k for the pair.

Then, comes the bridal shots. There are many choices for this. Whether to have it done locally (the in thing lately is the Marina Bay and Marina Barrage area. The old school ones are Botanical Gardens, *insert name here* Gardens, Sentosa etc.) or overseas (Asian countries like Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan. Europe is romantic too, if you have the budget.) Well, thanks to the package we signed, that's 2k for the shoot in Taiwan (air tickets, accommodation etc. excluded).

To finish up phase one of the planning/spending, is finding a venue for the actual day reception. Tables should range from $800 plus (restaurants) to well over $1,000 (hotels' ballroom). The number of tables is dependent on the number of guest invited. We've managed to keep the number of invited guest low, mainly family members and at most 3 tables of close friends cum colleagues. Still, the number came up to 12 tables. At $1,088++ per table, that works out to a little more than $15k, less alcohol and corkage charges.

Phase one costs: $20.5k

More to come.