Monthly Archives: July 2019

The Wedding Review Part 2

Its been a month.. woH. how time flies..

Not really thinking about blogging the whole experience. Just thought to drop some good word for the good people that helped to make the event happen. 

I think it was a good thing that when Peter and I started out planning for the wedding, we knew that its a hassle-free, simple event. We didnt want to be heavily in debt and neither do we think “since this is a once in a life-time event, we had to make it out of this world”.

Having to have his parents and perhaps some relatives fly in would already be a bomb. My own relatives in SG would be 80 over. We havent even talked about relatives in Malaysia, our friends or our colleagues. (His colleagues were invited though).

Heres sharing the review of the people we worked with

Bridal Studio: Luna Bianca

For the first time ever, I attended a Wedding Fair. I was so not prepared…. 
I sincerely thought it would just be a gathering of information stop, or maybe just gather some brochure and maybe collect some ideas. 
I was so wrong. 
It was a slaughter field. 

Mr Right, Mrs Always-right


Okay, just kidding, 
As the more informed ones will tell you, its a time that vendors would hardsell. From giving you a brochure and straight away quote you a price, to sizing you up and telling you they could do make-to-measure for you. 
I got there and immediately the hard-selling begins. The vendors flashed their booklets and photos and price list. On and on and on. 
We finished one section and there was an exit. I took the easy way out and insist on standing at the exit. My groom wanted to carry on looking at the vendors ahead. I’m like, nope. I’m done. Its so overwhelming, I dont know how the brides and groom handle it. 

Me (then)

I negotiate with him for a while, he said to view the last few solely photography booth and then we go. I obliged. 
We look, we left. On the way to the train station, we spoke about the pitches and offers, I told him I dont need the packages as I’ve had arrangement and there are so many freelance contact arrangement. Hes the one, on the other hand, who doesnt wanna simply tailor his suit. :/ He wants to have it rented. 

wuuu…. ahh…… waaaa…..


One of the things that he was really looking for was the photography. He wanted someone that could do what he couldnt. (Basically have exceptional eyes for details and capabilities)

We got on the train. 3 stops later. He said, We’ve not see the french boutique, which him and his ex-gf had committed a deposit that he didnt manage to get back and would like to go back to the fair and perhaps bargain for a deal. He didnt wanna walk out from the fair with no arrangements at all. 

Signed, Sealed, Delivered! Satisfied we are!


I’m like…………. okay, fine, we’ll go back to look for that french boutique. 
We went back and again, people thrust brochures, asking you to come sit at their booth.. I dont, I dont care, I’m the one who will be coordinating most of the stuff (at least the non-church side) in the end, who cares about the fair. I cannot take it. and then………………………………. 
Luna Bianca’s portfolio caught his eyes. 

I’m like, nope. nope. we came back for that french boutique, not this, not anything else. I dont want, leave me alone. 
I strayed away while he was spoken to by one of the boss. I was just floating, looking for the whatever french boutique. 
Then he called out, “a, bride, bride, come back here, they are ready to talk to us.” 
so how? Like that lor. Go back sit down and rock myself at the seat to self-sooth lor… 🙁 

That’s us! (immortalised in a photo, printed on a throw-cushion)

He listened and spoke about his requirements. I just said there and be present. The groom was particularly impressed by the works of their in-house photography Desmond’s. I thought their coordinator-LiWen would be able to do just fine. Looking through his instagram posting, I knew why. 🙂 Go check out all his themed and overseas pre-wed photos. :)~ @desmondseanteo  on insta

Fast forward to the wedding day, I had a good time. Coordination with Luna Bianca was relatively easy. We came down for the fitting, The groom got what he wanted, There were so many droool-worthy dresses and they have so many upcoming showsssss @lunabiancabridal

2 hours in, 3/4 through the day. We are extraordinary!

I was introduced to the fabulous makeup artist, Benji, @benjioo
This is the photo that Desmond and I took improntu. It was 2hours into the wedding dinner. My makeup is still nicely done. 

Yeah, you probably didnt notice, I have makeup on my gown already, my hair is still fabulous! 😀


Benji didnt do “breath-taking” makeup for me, neither was the makeup not my-style. His choices for my looks were very naturally me. 
The groom got the flowers and the car through Luna Bianca, most of the necessary coordination were through Luna Bianca as well. What can I say, I was so thankful that Luna Bianca had a hand in handling things that the groom has to handle.  

I was glad that although I was all reluctant in the beginning, we turned back and engaged Luna Bianca in the end (Maybe some anniversary photo-taking I can go to them too).

Thanks for coming by,


Be Blessed
Love,
Amanda

The Wedding Review Part 1

Its been a month.. woH. how time flies..

Not really thinking about blogging the whole experience. Just thought to drop some good word for the good people that helped to make the event happen.

I think it was a good thing that when Peter and I started out planning for the wedding, we knew that its a hassle-free, simple event. We didnt want to be heavily in debt and neither do we think “since this is a once in a life-time event, we had to make it out of this world”.

Having to have his parents and perhaps some relatives fly in would already be a bomb. My own relatives in SG would be 80 over. We havent even talked about relatives in Malaysia, our friends or our colleagues. (His colleagues were invited though).

Heres sharing the review of the people we worked with

Dinner: Canopy Garden Dinning.

It all started with the Groom’s desire to have a wedding party at a dedicated location, something that’s more laid back, casual yet not forsaking the idea that it’s a private party with a purpose. 

So I aka the Bride, set out to find venues that are within a good price, has a vibe where working colleagues can let their hair down, relatives may be honoured, dine at the table and move around to mingle. 

On the list that were within our budget were venues at the mall, which the Groom rejected, because it wasn’t exclusive enough; bars at Esplanade, which both Bride and Groom rejected because it’s probably wouldn’t work for the older folks; repurposed warehouse which sadly couldn’t house live band; super-pretty looking venues which obviously were way overpriced and too formal; dedicated space within food-court that doesn’t seem to care about what we wanted.

Then there was Canopy Garden Dining at Bishan Park 2. I’ve been to Grub, but not exactly Canopy. Since it’s checks most of the items within our list, we decided to go take a look. 

We booked a table for 2 on one of the date nights. It had an indoor venue, alfresco setup and attached to it was the MiddleRock Bar. It was a family-friendly place. Not the most exciting venue for date nights of course. Romance is literally missing (at least for this Bride) when there are toddlers on babychair tinkling with cutleries and whatever they could lay their hands on. 

Canopy Garden Dinning, Indoor setup

The Groom on the other hand is absolutely sold. He felt it was nice to be in the middle of all the greenery. Our folks could sit in the indoor proper dinning area, his colleagues can be at the bar where both high tables and comfortable lounge seats were available, our friends and perhaps the younger relatives could take the alfresco space, where the live band could perform from too. 

Thats my neighbour-nanny who I used to lay below her sofa to drink from my milk bottle. Alfresco area for the live band and casual crowd too.
Bar setup for his colleagues and the un-formalities.


So we arranged to meet the coordinator, Jasmin and discuss our plans. We had a total of 120 guest, it was suggested to take on the whole place. I’m fine, having more space is better than not enough. We chat about the decoration, the solemnization arc and even sample menus. 
I’m an educator, I am detail-oriented. I know what I want and I’m pretty assertive about it. I would ask for information and yet I have a certain budget to work around. 

Thank you Jasmin! My peeps had a good time. Nice location, nice food and excellent help from you, girl!


Working with my set of guest and my requirements definitely wasn’t easy. I had 3 revision of seating plans; I had revisions of menu, main dinner menu and halal menus with strictly halal requires. I went thru almost 4 decor samples but in the end due to change of plans only got the fairy lights. All these, the coordinator handled with much resources and much grace. 

I love my money box. 😀


I felt that without the coordinator’s and Canopy’s servers capabilities, things wouldn’t have been so smooth. Especially because of the unexpected change of weather. I didn’t have wet-weather plans, about 10% of my guest got drizzled on some. Besides some of my guest being kind enough to move around, it was nice that the kitchen helps and servers were quick to respond to the situation and ensure that my guest were well taken care of. 
All in all, both my husband and I were absolutely delighted to have held our wedding dinner at Canopy Garden Dinning. Instead of 4 walls or doors at a hotel, we were surrounded by lush greenery, helpful servers, capable coordinator and definitely a wonderful ambiance at the restaurant.
I look forward to hold more celebrations at the restaurant.

Airtime for the Bride and Groom. Come come, squeeze around before you guys mingle.
Shoutout to my pretty girls Varina (my right) and Linette (my left) for helping out at my reception!

Thanks for coming by!

Be Blessed
Love,
Amanda