Site visit - Intercontinental Hotel

Back in May, I signed us up for a wedding show at Intercontinental Singapore. That was when we were still looking at hotels and before my parents started to make noise. I attended a wedding there after they refurbished their ballroom last year and was quite taken by their pretty pillarless ballroom with high ceilings and hanging chandeliers. J could not make it for wedding show but when I brought him back later to view the ballroom, he feel in love with it too. But the coordinator was a quite anal. She was not willing to throw in much on top of the package.

I love the Timeless Classic theme with the Tiffany Blue and Ivory colour scheme. They also had a similar Sweet Pink and Ivory theme, Magical Dream but the pink blended into the ivory so it looked more plain than magical IMHO.

Ballroom setup for the wedding show

Timeless Classic: VIP table setup

Timeless Classic: Guest table setup

Mystique Allure: VIP table setup

Mystique Allure: Guest table setup.

For those whose elders are not superstitious

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Site Visits - Pioneer Springs @ Safra Mount Faber

During our search for a venue for our ROM, one of the recommendations that came up was Pioneer Springs @ Mount Faber. We requested for a quotation from them, found that it fit into our budget and made an appointment with them for a site visit one fine Saturday morning.

The rain just stopped when we arrived so we were able to make our way to the outdoor area just outside the restaurant. The area was just above the swimming pool overlooking the greenary. The pictures turned out quite well but I did not quite like the "feel" at the actual site.

This is where the solemnisation table will be. The guest will have the view of the greenery and the swimming pool. Photos with the front view of the JP and back view of the couple will be very nice with the greenery in the backdrop.

Chairs for the guests will be placed here. We did not quite like the idea of this as the backdrop for the front view pictures of the guests and the couple.

If it happens to be raining that day, the setup would be moved indoors to the restaurant. The indoor area would be along the glass windows at the far end of the restaurant. They will partition of this area so that the wedding party can have some privacy.

The solemnisation table will replace this table for the indoor solemnisation. Same as the outdoor setup, the couple will be facing the greenery. As it is indoor, it would be a more comfortable arrangement for the couple and their guests. However, we were concerned about the non-removable hanging television which spoils the whole setup.

Another view of the indoor solemnisation area. The area can be partioned into 4 individual private rooms.

My parents were suggesting that we hold our AD here. The setup that day was in preparation for a corporate function that night and the restaurant has a high ceiling and its squarish with just a couple of pillars at the side. But J did not quite like the location so it was off our list.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

AD Venue - Peach Garden @ OCC

*Edited with pictures*

Before I start blogging on the other sites, let me first do a post on our chosen venue for our AD. Blogger has some problem with uploading of photos so I'll post up photos of the venue later.  

We were initially planning on holding our AD in one of the hotels and have ald shortlisted a couple. However, my parents wants it to be done in a restaurant so we had to source all over again for a suitable restaurant. It was a big headache for the both of us and it was also one of the reason that led to a number of our recent heated quarrels. I'm so glad that all that is all over now. There's a saying that goes something to the effect of  "Quarrels makes a couple closer." I agree with that saying, but I really hate quarreling with J. In fact, I hate having confrontations with anyone.

One of the reasons that we chose PG was the friendly and affable coordinator, Rose. We both feel very comfortable liasing with her. She even gave us templates for the Programme and Emcee Speech.

We have also heard raving reviews of the food at PG from friends and from forums so we decided to give it a try. Although there are 2 pillars in the middle of the restaurant, we are prepared to overlook that for the fact that the food is good. Moreover, the decor is not those very chinese type of decor where you will feel like you are walking into a restaurant 20 years ago. I know that there are some restaurants that still have that type of decor.

The cocktail area is quite small but guest can move into the restaurant area to chit chat and take their seats first unlike ballrooms where the doors will be closed and guests can only be seated when the doors are open. Taking into account my Grandma will be inviting quite a number of her elderly relatives, I think it will be a good idea for them to be able to take their seats in the restaurants first rather than stand around the reception area. I forgot to take pictures of the restaurant area as the coordinator came then and we were busy ironing out the contract terms.

Reception area

Reception and coctail area

View from inside of restaurant

Where the photo albums will be placed

Anyway, we have confirmed our booking so we have one less thing to worry. We can now concentrate on our ROM preparations wholeheartedly..

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Site visits - Furama Riverfront

This post on our visits to the various hotel ballrooms and restaurants have been long overdued.

First up is Furama Riverfront,

Furama Riverfront Ballroom

They have a pillarless ballroom with relatively high ceiling. They were preparing for a company function which explains the not so impressive setting. They have another venue near the swimming pool but the ceiling is very much lower. We were actually looking for a ROM venue then and were considering the waterfall lounge so we took the opportunity to also have a look at their ballroom while we were there. This venue did not make the cut for us as the planner was quite rigid and we did not feel like they could offer us much extras.

Next up, we have Pioneer Spring @ Mount Faber.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

14 May 2011 is The Day

We got our date for the AD on Saturday after a long delay. Blame it on me and my carelessness. I gave them this year's date instead of next year's one. Blur me did not realise it until the date have been chosen and I wanted to note it down and then realised the error. J took the blame for me and got a scolding from his mum. Feel so guilty.

We initially wanted to hold our AD end of next year but seeing that my contract will be up in Sept 2011 and I might be starting a new job then, we decided to do it mid 2011 although his mum keep suggesting that we do it in Dec 2011. Feel happy that he stood up against his mum and told her to let us make the decisions. At least I know that he will stand by me if ever we have 婆媳关系in future.

Well, we have less than 1 year to prepare for our wedding but I'm sure we can manage. Will not be doing much DIY for the AD though. Good thing is that we have already taken our photos in taiwan and the editing is almost done. So 1 less thing to worry about. The venue have been confirmed more or less. Have to give the restaurant a call to check if the date is availability and pay the deposit. I also have to come up with a checklist for the AD and things to buy for the 过大礼soon. I am not going to wait until the last minute than start to panic.

I am on track for my list of things to do for the ROM. Invitations are almost done and can be sent out soon. Wendy and Ian are gonna be my PG. Going to borrow a DSLR from my uncle. So things are more or less settled on that end. Have to start googling for the a list of things to photograph so we dun leave even the smallest details out. As for the shoes, I have already bought a pair of diamante studded heels for the PS which I did not get to wear at all so I thought I could use it for the ROM but now J has refused to get a pair of shoes with built in heels for the ROM. So I can't wear heels for the ROM :( Super sad. But I can't force him to do things that he don't want to do. And although he says that he does not mind me wearing heels, I do not want to tower over him during the ceremony and add on to that I am already bigger sized than him. If I wear heels and he don't, I will be like a giant. Oh well, I just have to look for a pair of nice white flats that I can wear for the ceremony.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Guess what??

The moment i posted the previous entry, I got a reply to my email from Dr Phua to officiate at our ceremony. Yay!!

AND J just found a hotel which is cheap so that we can marry all our expectations. Double YAY!!

Keeping my fingers crossed that the information that he dug out is up to date and not eons ago. Now i can go to sleep with 2 things off my mind. Whew!!

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

I feel like ..

.. I am planning a wedding for 5 ppl rather than for just the 2 of us. I have got to manage the expectation of my parents (mainly my dad's), J's mum, J's and mine. Recently I have been feeling like I am doing all these for other ppl and not for myself and J. It is just so hard to manage everyones expectations. Take for example, J's side is inviting 10 tables of his relatives and friends, my parents are asking for 20 tables so I'm being asked to reduce my guestlist from 10 tables to about 5. WTH??!!?? I want to hold my wedding in a hotel ballroom and my dad wants us to do it in a restaurant!!?! Being the stubborn daughter that I am (I also have a quick temper), I started arguing with my dad. Now J is caught between us. He have to make sure that he fulfil his future father in law's wishes and appease his fiancee. I almost wanted to call off the whole wedding.

To add on to our problems, we are having problems getting a JP to officiate at our ceremony. I think its because our ROM falls on a weekday and it so happens that there is a long weekend that week and many ppl are on leave. Haiz. I guess i just have to keep on calling and emailing JPs tomorrow.

I feel so lousy now that i totally have no mood to update on the photoshoot yest. Maybe tomorrow evening ..

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Grand Mecure Roxy Hotel

We have finally decided on our solemnisation venue after looking at soo many places. It will be Grand Mecure Roxy Hotel on 8 Sept 2010. We will be holding it in the boardroom rather than at the poolside for reasons non other than the difference in the price and that both J and I perspire very easily. We are going down to the hotel tomorrow evening to pay the deposit and sign the contract. Hopefully they are able to extend the perks for the wedding showcase for us tomorrow.

Yay!! One item off my To-Do list.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Site Visiting Saturday

Last Saturday J and I went site visiting at Grand Mecure, Furama Riverfront, Pioneer Spring at Safra Mount Faber and Peony Jade at Keppel Bay ..

After much discusions, we have finally shortlisted Grand Mecure and Furama Riverfront for our ROM. I liked the idea of solemnizing by the sea at Peony Jade Keppel Bay. But we were concerned that our grandparents will not be able to handle the walking to and fro from the gazzabo to the restaurant. Not forgetting that both J and I perspire very easily .. SO no seaside solemnisation for us. 

I quite like Grand Mecure for its seaview .. Cannot solemnise in front of the sea got sea view also not bad .. I also like that they have an Oriental Theme which i can use for my solemnisation. The photos taken from my iPhone are not as clear .. Heres some pictures taken by Grand Mecure staffs.

Photos courtesy of Grand Mecure

We are also considering Furama Riverfront for the waterfall scenery .. 

Photos courtesy of Furama Riverfront

We'll have to make a decision on our venue soon and so that we can efile on the 8th of June .. But the chances of us choosing Grand Mecure over Furama is quite high as the boardroom provides a much more private setting compared to Furama which is in the public area.. Moreover, Grand Mecure is throwing in one night stay and they are able to provide me a room for changing unlike Furama..

On a side note, Mummy has recommended a JP whom she and Daddy knows and who alos shares the same surname as us. Like us he is also a Hainanese. Most probably we will be inviting him to be our JP since my parents knows him. He can also converse with my granny in hainanese and i know that this will make her very happy. :)

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

1st Post

After such a long hiatus from blogging, I'm finally back to the blogosphere. This time to chronical my journey in preparing for my ROM and AD.

Just got of the phone with Mr Tan. We are now in the process of choosing our solemnization venue for our ROM in Sept. We have currently shortlisted a few places and have visited a couple of places last Sat. Will be visiting more sites this Saturday.

We visited The Tavern at Seletar Country Club last Saturday and found that the place although quite out of the way (not recommended if most of your guests don't drive) had quite a nice background for phototaking during the solemnization as it overlooked the golf course. However, they were doing some renovations on the golf course and part of the view was blocked by the zinc fences that they erected on the grass. The coordinator told us that if our ROM was to fall on Oct he would be confident that the fences would be gone. But too bad he could not confirm that it would be gone so we had to forgo this venue. Future BTBs might like to consider SCC as a possible venue if you are planning to ROM after Oct 2010.