The Wedding : Lovescapade

Missing the boyfriend a little more than usual though we met a couple of hours ago. After he started his shift work, I have grown more independent and love the self time I get for myself too. We learnt to appreciate the times we can spend together but also time spent apart. After being together for 7 years, we've gone through various important milestones and learnt to cope well each time. I think that's what make our relationship really precious and special. But there are still times like this when I missed all the weekends spent together.

Anyway, I ought to be working hard on some school work after this update.

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A couple of days back (on our 7th anniversary), we had our lovescapade (or typically known as prewedding) shoot taken with Multifolds. Lots of things didn't managed to go as planned but we still had a great time. Things went well with the bridal shop. The make up by Milly was really good and I love the braids that she gave me :)) And I'm so excited thinking about what I can do for actual day. Hee. The gown was gorgeous and the seamstress aunty was really helpful to alter boyfriend's suit cos he realised it was too loose for him. Funny thing was, we were so focused on my gown on fitting day and forgot to take a good look at his suit. 

Boyfriend also made this giant crepe paper flower for me and I really have to give it to him. His craft work has improved again. I think I should provide him with more challenges. HAHAHA!!! 

Melvin is also working with IM.Perfection to provide interesting props for photoshoot and he got us this HUGE 'LOVE' sign. Was planning to have them at Tuas but due to the rain and all, we did our afternoon shoot all at Marina Barrage. The LOVE sign was such a hit with the people there and many thought it was a new feature. 

photo credits to IM.Perfection

Melvin really made the whole experience very interesting and fun for us. When we saw how crowded Bukit Timah's NTUC was and how difficult it was to shoot there, he quickly suggest to head to Giant at Turf City and that we could include Pasarbella in our shoot too. Can't wait to see how the photos turn out but right now he is in Melbourne for another photoshoot and I shall not stress him. Do like Multifolds FB page and follow us here: Lovescapade of Qiao Yi and Wee Cheong

One thing down and next is... Parents meetup. OMG!

The Wedding Planning. Part 2

I do have alot of backlogs of cafe updates but can't seems to find the energy to do them. I guess a big part of me is really stuck in this whole wedding thingy. After the previous post, we have discussed about our prewedding (our in Multifold's term lovescapade) shoot with Melvin and decided on the venues. Luckily boyfriend and I did put some thoughts into it beforehand. We also went to Rico to select my gown and his suit for photoshoot. With only one set to choose, we managed to nail them within an hour (which I thought was really fast. Haven't even enjoy the moment). HAHA!

We also settle on one more thing: Color theme! I did and I convinced boyfriend that it is beautiful. I love DIYs and have done quite abit for both my siblings' wedding but now it is my turn, I am really chill and lazy. But friends have been asking if I needed any help and that really got me thinking of the theme and things I might want to DIY.

Theme

Mint & Coral! So pretty!!! Can't wait to do some serious brainstorming of possible DIYs.

Here are some things I have in mind:
Wedding cake 
 - Seriously feel like baking my own wedding cake but I feel so amateurish, I am worried I would ruin my own wedding cake
Flowers for photoshoot
 - Been bugging boyfriend to do this. HAHAHA!
Photo-table
 - Confirm will do but no idea what to include
Angbao box???
Aisle heart decoration stick
Fingerprint guestbook
 - has been on my list cos I want to put it up as part of home deco. Been looking on Taobao to find a suitable one if not have to ask someone to draw on canvas...
Candy/Cookie table
 - probably work on a small one due to lack of space. Boyfriend was so cute when we met with the coordinator at Amara. I haven't even mention a thing about candy table and he was like 'is there any space for candy table???'

Anyway, our Bangkok trip has been pushed forward to March due to unforeseen circumstances. I am quite surprised by my boyfriend every time. He didn't say a single thing about having to buy another tickets to go. Long story. So mad looking forward!

Time to sleep early cos I woke up duper early this morning and had a tough night battling with mosquitoes. Hope for a good night sleep today. More updates for the wedding after BKK trip! Meanwhile, I will finish up on clearing the backlogs...

The Wedding Planning. Part 1

10 years back, if anyone asked about my ideal age to get married, I would say 26. As I get older, I realise how unrealistic it is because of all the monetary responsibility that comes from a wedding (banquet, house, honeymoon... ) I pushed back ideal marrying age to 28 so as to save more money.

BUT... because of our flat that is being built in SUPER fast speed, we decided to get married this year! We started planning late last year and many tried to persuade me to do small ROM first, get the flat then have Chinese customary wedding a year later. I know I will not want to go through the whole Chinese customary wedding (BANQUET) so I decided to work hard and put everything together by having gatecrash, tea ceremony, solemnisation and buffet lunch all in one day. Sounds a little crazy and lets hope all goes well.

Here are some things that we have selected:

Venue

pic from weddingdiaryblog.com

 I have always visualise a garden wedding and love all the photographs taken at Burkhill (Botanic Garden) and Fort Canning Park. However, most of these venues do not come with any vendor and that means alot more work to liaise with all vendor. Locations weren't ideal too and some were far away from washroom... ... We visited Fort Canning Park, got kissed by mosquitoes so many times, we decided not to put our guests through that.

In the end, we decided to own our solemnisation at the Glass Pavilion at Amara Sanctuary Sentosa and have a buffet lunch at Shutters Restaurant. Some may feel that Sentosa is inaccessible but we will be catering a bus for our guests, we think it is still alright. Heard very good reviews about their food and really love the place (boyfriend included, not just me). Most importantly, the Glass Pavilion comes with air-con so that my guests and I don't have to suffer from heat (or rain). The only thing about the Glass Pavilion is... it exudes this elegant feel thus making it impossible for a rustic garden theme which I love. Am working towards a coral+pink/mint theme now.

Bridal Shop
After confirming date and venue, it is time to choose a bridal shop. I had wanted to do all ala carte but got really lazy about it. Another concern I had was the fathers' jackets for both our dads. I knew it is included in most of the mainstream bridal shops and didn't want them to go through the trouble and money of tailoring one.

Here are the list of bridal shops I visited (both mainstream and slightly atas ones):
Olive Suites Wedding - MTM to rent/sell. I get to design my own gown but it is alittle too expensive
Blessed Brides - rental of gown and also MTM. Felt I could get similar gown at mainstream bridal shop
Yvonne Creative - out of curiosity, we ventured into their shop and were so disappointed with their service, space and gown
La Belle - they have this really gorgeous gown that I love (but only one) but wasn't able to haggle much for the price
 Di Gio - beautiful gowns but I do not like the coordinators there
Rico-A-Mona - love their gowns, service and place

pic from Rico-A-Mona Bridal

It is not difficult to see which I choose in the end. I managed to get further discount because I met my sister's coordinator (Yep! she is a Rico's bride) during a walk-in visit and she recognised me. We took up their AD package and will be renting a gown and suit from them for our photoshoot in April

Photographers

pics from Multifolds Photography

We actually book our pre-wedding photographer way back in July during the Wedding Village show at Suntec. I have been following Multifolds since they started and really love some of their photographs and decided to drop by their booth to talk to Melvin. He was super busy on both days but we managed to talk to him about his vision for prewedding photography. We gave their package a thorough thought for a day before heading down again to sign their package as they offer 20% discount for the wedding show

 When it comes to deciding AD photographer, we have a smaller budget to work with and decided not to engage Multifolds (too expensive). Happen to see someone selling her package with Lightedpixels Pixies at a discount, which was a steal! Decided to go for it though I did find some budding photographers with slightly more affordable price.


We will be meeting Melvin to discuss about our pre-wedding shoot soon and also going down to Rico to select gown for photoshoot. Meanwhile, I need to put together other outfits for the shoot since we are only getting one set from Rico. We will be heading to Bangkok in April hopefully to get some things for wedding/home :))

Exciting 2014! One month down and more to go!

Kota Kinabalu trip - Day 1 (18.05.13)

 

The trip which we have booked since last July (super kiasu!) finally arrived! We didn't do any sightseeing, just alot of eating and relaxing. Fun wouldn't be a word I use to describe this trip, HAPPY will be the best word :) Slow paced life and yummy food, what is not to be happy about? 

Our flight to Kota Kinabalu is scheduled at 5pm on a Saturday so I actually went for my drama class in the morning, had breakfast with the teacher before coming home to rest and finish up my packing. And we took the train to Khatib before taking 858 to Terminal 1. Despite only going out at 2pm, we still had plenty of time to spare so it calls for a late lunch at Aston and some window shopping after check in.  

After clearing immigration at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, we went to look for the taxi counter. It is a flat rate of RM30 to the city. Just tell them the name of your hotel, pay and they will give you the receipt to get the taxi. There isn't any prominent signage for the taxi area but the people there are very helpful in pointing out to us, the lost birds. Haha!

We stayed at Hotel Eden54 at Jalan Gaya and absolutely loved the location. But because we booked rather near our travel date, we only managed to get the Compact Room (which is smaller and cheaper). For the sum we paid, there is nothing to complain about except the reception has this weird fishy smell. The staff is really helpful and that was the main reason I decided to stay there. I was initially quite worried that our hotel is actually part of a row of shophouses (SECURITY???) but were more at ease when we came back at about 11pm to find that there is a guard at the first level and the main door is locked.

 

After putting down our things and a really really short break, we head out because we were famished! Bak Ku Teh, here we come!!! Yu Kee Bak Ku Teh is just a few minutes down the street and the reception informed us that there is some festival going on at Gaya Street as well. Yippie!

Lots of locals visit the store and we were quite lucky to get a table immediately and managed to order quickly. For the whole trip, people keep talking to us in Malay or Cantonese which will followed with blur stares and a "Can speak Chinese?" from me. Boyfriend understands a little more than me, so I tried as much as possible to push all ordering to him. HAHAHA! We had pork ribs (RM6), meatballs (RM6.5), pork liver (RM6.5) and veggies. I love the meatballs and boyfriend enjoyed the pork ribs and veggie very much. I think he wished we could have dinner here every night, but sorry... too much food to try in KK!!!

I read that Yu Kee is opened from 4.30pm to 11pm but when we walk past at 10.45pm, it is already closed. So do not go too late to avoid disappointment.

We strolled along Gaya Street after our meal. There were some stalls selling things and people playing traditional musical instrument and at the very end, there was this beauty pagent or something going on (not that we could really understand)

Along the way, I spotted Party Play Cafe and that's how we ended our night - with lots of sweet stuffs and beautiful songs.There were many young locals at the cafe sipping on alcohol but we decided against it. I have read about their Chocolate Fondant Cake (RM15) so it is a MUST order and indeed, the chocolate lava is so flowy! We also had Waffles with Berries (RM15) which is really lovely when eaten together. The cafe only closes at 1.00am on Friday and Saturday night but we had planned for a early start the next morning..

beautiful voices duo

the order that came wrong

Day 2 soon, I promise!

Him.

His smile.

His eyes.

His voice.

His laughters.

His warmth.

His extistence.

<3 

This is a scheduled post and we probably have just arrived at Kota Kinabalu!!

Love is...

Here are some photographers taken at Marina Barrage two weeks back. Both of us had a day of work but still decided to make the effort to capture some moments with the help of our tripod. Many thanks to boyfriend for always being so accomodating :) i know you are reading this.

Here are some favourites (it wasn't easy doing night shot with such a big crowd at Barrage)

boyfriend's favourite

Ending this post with a funny photo of us

爱; 在一起 v.6

becoming partially back at the workforce has really make my blogging slow. Shall share some photographs taken using our dear tripod:

We went to East Coast Park on a sunny afternoon after our satisfying meal at Tomi Sushi and cycled our usual path with a pitstop at the new MacDonald. I love how I get the joy of cruising on the bicycle with the wind blowing. How at times I can stop pedaling and still enjoy the ride. All these because of him :) We got really sun-burnt at the end but still had so much fun together.

More self shot coming up! We did a night one at Marina Barrage after visiting Cafe Melba.