Kudos for The Bridal Wardrobe

The appointment with Ronn from The Bridal Wardrobe went very well, and we've signed up with them. She let me try on a few gowns and I've found the absolute perfect one. It's somewhat unusual, so it's very unlikely someone else would worn or even seen another like it. Ronn is knowledgeable about fabric and up-to-date with the latest wedding fashion trends; she speaks with authority when answering our queries, and she's patient. Highly recommended!! Four out of five stars, only because nobody's perfect.

We took the OTR package, but I think we'll change to the MTM package (additional $400.00) because TBW brides are so infuriatingly thin and letting out the gown to make it two sizes larger would probably destroy the exquisite tailoring.

It's so bloody annoying that the whole of Singapore caters to all these thin and skinny women with no hips and because I'm pear-shaped, I get penalised for it. Don't big girls get married? *indignant*

I like big butts and I cannot lie. So there.

Switch over...

May and I decided that we're going to drop Santiago Wedding Studio for something else. Most likely The Bridal Wardrobe.

We discovered that since we had a handful of stuff that we wanted to do for ourselves, for example, the limo, we want this pink London cab to ferry us around, we need a bridal studio that is a little more customisable than Santiago, and it's a waste to make all the changes coz these are all already included in the package price.

Though we're not going to get a refund for the deposit, we can still sell the package, so to speak. So, any takers? It would be perfect for couples who want a fuss-free all-in-one package. Drop us an email or leave a message.

Actual day helpers

My email to Rebecca and Delia:

'allo girls,

Know you might have plans to live in Melbourne and London respectively... I thought to drop a note to ask if you'd be back for my wedding on 20 May 2006. I would like to invite you to be my helpers on the big day coz you're important to me and I'd like to share my joy with you.

Hope to hear positive news from you when you can confirm your plans. Thank you. God bless.

And their replies were... whatever their plans, they're coming back for my wedding. I'm touched. Thank you.

The bridesmaids

My email to my bridesmaids:

Dear girlfriends,

I invite you to be bridesmaids at my wedding on 20 May 2006. I will ring each of you quite soon to ask you personally, so this is just a quick heads-up before I do that.
As bridesmaids, I may have to ask you to help me run errands or complete some tasks before the actual day. I do not have the full details of what these are yet, but if you should think that you cannot commit the time, please let me know now. No obligations, of course.

Now for a very quick introduction of how I met each of you:

• Janette
  My ex-classmate from secondary school. She will be getting married in January 2006.
• Priscilla
  My ex-roommate when I was studying in Perth. She works in Singapore.
• Stephanie
  My childhood playmate as our parents have known each other before they were married.

Brief, because in all likelihood you'll get to meet each other in person.

As for the CC: list...

• Sophia
  I met her through Kevin. She also attends New Creation Church. She's my wedding co-ordinator and a dear sister-in-Christ. She will be assisting me on my actual day and is already helping me in the planning process.
• Kevin
  My fiance. Needs no introduction (I hope!). All of you have met him before.

So that's everyone. Have a blessed day ahead. I'll ring you soonish.

All of them said they'll be honoured to grace my big day with their presence, praise God. They're my good friends and close to my heart, I'm glad they'll be there.

Brothers 5

My band of 5: Ellery (Bestman), Jason (Emcee), Jijay (Designated Driver), Edison (Resident Joker) and last by not least, Kelvin (Auxillary Lensman).

Each, very different persons, all dear to me...

:)

Wedding bands

Bought our wedding bands today. We'd shopped around a lot before deciding on these. Contrary to what I thought, it wasn't at all easy to find one both of us liked. Kevin disliked some of the men's wedding bands because he thought the design looked like... washers, ha ha ha.

Once in a lifetime, so the jewellery shops were all out to make a killing. The nicer designs were just too expensive, and these days couples don't wear one wedding band for life, but get new ones for subsequent wedding anniversaries (often 5th anniversary when it's somewhat worn).

We were so happy with the excellent service of Rupert from Lee Hwa Jewellery that we went back to their Bugis Junction shop several times during our wedding band search specifically to look for him to serve us. He inspired confidence and trust, he's personable and very shrewd in customer service: he immediately switched to Cantonese when he heard us conversing in it! What was doubly impressive is that he's a trainee, on probation, and doesn't even have his own name card yet. But then I've consistently experienced superior customer service at Lee Hwa (special mention: Yvonne and Kai Li from Orchard Emerald).

This Jorn Rainer design caught my eye when I was at Orchard Emerald shop, and I thought the women's wedding band looked lovely on its own and also matched my engagement ring when worn together. Kevin was happy with his too, it's exactly the same, only no diamonds.

Paid in full for the wedding bands to be custom made in Switzerland. Collection date: 6 January 2006.

Home Decor Ideas : The Beginning

I'm quite exciting at the prospect of owning a home of my own. Finally, a space I can truly call my own and what more someone very close to my heart to share it with.

So naturally, I'm looking into home decor ideas right now. Thank God we bought a place that doesn't really require new flooring save for the tiles in the bathroom which is in an ugly grey right now. So I presume most of the cost of the reno will go into the kitchen.

An expensive component of the new house will definitely be the airconditioning units. I think it might be a good idea to get all the rooms plus the living room done in one go rather than change systems midway.

Found this while scouring the web for the costs of these units.

http://singapore-aircon.blogspot.com/

Anyway, from what it looks like, the energy savings you get from an inverter vs a non-inverter system is 10 bucks a month? That's like 120 bucks a year in savings. Which is little compared to the 1 grand extra you typically have to pay on top when getting the inverter systems.

Will continue to do my homework.

Things will need in general, will be updated to the stuff list found on the right.

Apartment 101 (Part 2)

As of this evening, we are on our way to being proud homeowners.

It went smoother than I could imagine. Well, I'm thankful no less, thanks be to Jesus.

What a day it has been; one of the longest for me, my phone battery sits drained and totally depleted on May's table as I type this.

Anyway, thanks to Uncle Peter for the excellent work, and Soph and Dave for their loving support.

By the way, tonight's appointment with Santiago was fortunately/unfortunately postponed to a later date, yet to be confirmed because of this evening's turn of events. Well, we wouldn't have it any other way, eh? :)

Apartment 101

This evening, we will looking at the apartment of our hearts for the 3rd time, this time round with her mom. May's falling in love with it. I felt at home the moment I stepped right in. And hopefully, by the time the evening's over, we will be one step closer to owning it.

4-room. It's really possible! Thank you Jesus.

According to Uncle Pete... if we decide now, our house will definitely be ready by the time we tie the knot.

Speaking of which, I need to ascertain one thing with HDB: whether they will give us grace in time for the ROM cert. Why? Our intention is get do the legally binding vows with the spiritually binding vows all on the same day; just to make the day extra special.

Wedding limousine service

Kevin texted me that he has booked the pink SMRT London cab for our wedding :)

Appointment date change

Appointment changed on request from my mom as she has just got back from Perth this morning and went straight to work, so she's tired.

Confirmed for 7.00pm, Monday 17 October with Candy from Santiago.

More time for research (which I haven't done).

Did you say?

Bridal Studio appointment 17 Oct? Is that correct?

Continuation of the House Hunt

This weekend, without further delay (I hope), we'll get to view the first bunch of apartments that are up for sale.

Other than housing issues, we're pretty much set.

So what else is there?