Our Pick of Wedding Vendors.

A few friends have been asking me for recommendations; where do I get my dresses from, who to do the hair and make up, wedding venues, shoes, invitation cards etc. I'll try to cramp all these details into one post.

First off, I'm still reeling from the engagement cum pre wedding shoot we had last year. Although some people who have seen the pictures still ask me, ' so when are you going to do your pre-wedding shoot?' and I told them 'Errrr, we did it already. It's the ones in Shepherd Pictures's facebook.'

I guess, since we didn't do the whole fancy schmancy 'gown and suit' photoshoot, it doesn't look like your normal prewedding shoot. But that was what Oliver and I wanted. 'Sides, Oliver and I agreed that the only time he'll see me in a white gown donning a white veil would be the day I walk down the aisle to say, 'I do'. Having said that, yes, Shepherd Pictures is our official photographer and cinematographer for both prewedding and actual wedding in August. I can tell you, when we first engaged them as our photographers, we were a bit unsure because we haven't seen a lot of their work since they are quite new in the business. But just check out their work in their Facebook. Their pictures are getting better and better. As their client and friend, I am so proud of them.Then, as I mentioned in my previous post, a bride has to look her best on her big day. So, get a good hair and make up artist. I got Jeffie Jeff who is kinda like the hair and make up artist/celebrity in town. We did a wedding trial makeover sometime back and at first, I thought the make up was a tad too heavy, but when he took a picture of it, it looks amazing in photo. Maybe I am not used to the whole heavier foundation, thick and fake eye lashes  etc. But I think, I still want to tone it down for my big day. I like it more au natural.



This was at Jeffie Jeff's studio in Karamunsing Capital. I like his studio. So classy in black & white.

What else? Right. The dress! I got my wedding dress from Lasposa, SS2 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Of course, I cannot reveal the gown I chose here. Nevertheless, their customer service was good. I ordered two dresses from them because initially, we planned for two receptions. But then, the second reception was cancelled. So, I called them up to ask whether I can cancel a dress knowing that it was specified in their purchase terms and conditions that order is non refundable. But they agreed to cancel my order. Thank God! I also got a dinner dress from D'glitters Boutique in Desa Hartamas, Selangor recommended by a friend. In turn, I would recommend bride to be to check out this boutique. They have a variety of evening dresses which in my opinion are quite gorgeous and affordable. They also sell white wedding gowns with laces and tulles. I saw this really nice mermaid lace white dress and tried it on. It didn't fit me. :( Still, it's worth checking them out. Other details; let's see, shoes from Lewre, wedding invitation cards from Alice Wedding Gallery (Lintas Branch, they also have a branch in 1Borneo besides Tune Store) complimentary from our official wedding reception venue, Pacific Sutera, Sutera Harbour.

And......I think that's all we got for now. A few other things will be sorted out in due time. I'm going to Singapore this weekend to meet up with Penny and Hwan Li, two of my three bridesmaid to look for their dresses. I need to source vendors for flowers, cakes/cupcakes, after ceremony catering etc. After the wedding ceremony, we're going to have a light brunch reception and I'm planning to do a bit of DIY decor. Nothing to fancy though. I guess, everything is under control for now. No need to panic. Breathe in, breathe out. (for self reassurance). Planning a wedding is quite a task. And it's normal to feel a bit stressful because of course, you want your wedding day to be amazing and memorable.  But always bear in mind, that at the end of the day, it's all about the joy of tying the knot with your future husband. So enjoy planning you brides and grooms to be.

P.S. All the vendors specified above are linked to their websites or Facebook. :)

Tis' all part of the grand plan

Every bride has or wants to look their best on their wedding day. Well, I'm working on that. I'm monitoring my food intake more closely. Although, I still fall into temptations every now and then. But hey, I'm trying. So far, I'm trying to stick to oats or cereals as my main diet food. Recently, I had these cravings for smoked ham and egg sandwiches and I figured, though it looked light, it's not actually diet-friendly. Plus, I had it with melted cheese. Guilty. I know. This whole diet thing is pretty tough. But, I'm getting the hang of it.

However, I'm not sure if it's due to my diet or my zumba class or both, I'm happy to report that I'm feeling lighter and healthier which is a good thing. Just last night, I played tennis for the first time. I'm quite lousy at it lah. I can't even return an easy ball. It's like I saw the ball coming, and when I tried to swing and hit it, I missed! Very frustrating I tell you. But hey, it's all in the name of workout and boy, did I really work out. I spent more time chasing and picking up the ball.

Hey, that's me climbing and reaching to the top.

Oh, I also tried rock climbing for the first time two weekends ago. It was so much fun! At first, I was not sure of myself on whether I'll be able to climb the man made vertical rock. At first glance, it looked pretty daunting and high up. But then I started climbing and I just went up further and further until lo and behold, I succeeded to reach the top. In fact, I tried four different levels of difficulty and I reach the top in every climb and the feeling that I got when I reach the top was amazing. It felt like, all things are possible. Anyways, prior to rock climbing, I asked Oliver for some advice because he did rock climbing before, the real deal, rock climbing in nature. He said, it's not so much about the physical strength, but mental strength. Because there will be times, when your body tells you, 'okay, that's it, I'm tired. My leg hurts.' But if you keep a strong mind and will yourself to not give up, you'll climb higher. And it's true what he said. There were times during the climb when I thought, I can't go further up. I'm going to fall if I reach for that handle. But then, I thought, I'm just going to go for it. Reach a little further. And I did. So yes, I think everyone should try rock climbing. If not for the fun of it, maybe for the experience, the challenge and some self taught lessons like it did for me.

So yeah. As my post title goes, this is all part of the grand master plan. To be healthier. (p.s. slimmer, toner, leaner for the wedding, hehehehe) Ta.

This is to prove...

...that while Oliver was so much cuter than I was when we were toddlers, I was way, way cooler. I mean, how can you beat the sunglass and mini harley. :D

This is us now. I love this picture of us. It was a serendipitious shot. Had the old man who was riding the almost dysfunctional bike together with probably his granddaughter rejected our request to borrow his bicycle, we wouldn't have this cute-sy shot of us. Again, I happened to be cooler and Oli, cuter.

Geez.

On a side note, one year ago, I got to plan a brilliant surprise party for Oliver with the help of a couple of his friends. But not this year. Boo hoo. For a while, I had this idea of flying over, get his friend to fetch me from the airport and surprise him on his birthday. But then, there is the time and money and a bit of logistic constraints. My only comfort is to know that I'll be seeing him soon. Next month in fact. Yes! I'll get to see my baby graduate! Hopefully though because the date for his 'defence' is not confirmed yet. By the way, a defence is basically where the student i.e. Oli, faces a panel of professors to discuss about his research paper and he has to defend his paper. Should he pass, which I'm pretty sure he will, he will then graduate there and then and earn his PhD and then, we'll celebrate. His parents and my mum are going to be there. So, I'm really looking forward to this trip. Another reason why I'm excited for this trip is we'll be moving in to our new apartment! A place we will call home in the near future. I've seen pictures of it and it look oh so quiant. 

So many things happening ahead. The graduation, the wedding, and of course the whole new chapter of being married. With all these happening, I just want to thank God for His abundance of blessings. I believe He loves us and provide us the best and for this, we're truly humble and grateful. So Thank You Lord.

Right, I'm going to catch some beauty sleep. Ta.