First discussion with French Bridal July 10, 2009
Posted by Ms Carpe Diem in Bridal Packages, French Bridal, Wedding.add a comment
After a number of phone calls and seemingly not quite able to get the information we want, we decided to just go down so that we can clarify some of the questions that we have as well as to lock in the important dates of photoshoot and gown selection.
When we were browsing the photo album outside their studio, a consultant came over to find out if she can be of assistance. She looked a little crestfallen when she realised we already have a package with them, which is natural and so we did not take offense to that.
We wanted to use that chance to clarify some of the usual practices that they have (availability of MUA during our photoshoot, her recommendations of photographers, her opinion of styles of wedding accessories now) but it was a little off-putting when all the response we get to our suggestions were “No, cannot!”; “This cannot be done!”
It was less about the content “No” (which we understand could be the limitations of what the bridal studio can provide) but more about how it was put across to us as well as including constructive suggestions after in order to help add to our joy. I could feel my enthusiasm seeping as the discussion dragged on until MY MAN looked at her straight in the eyes after her latest “rejection” (”what you’re asking for is outdated already!”) and said, “Ok.” in his firm voice. (Woo hoo!!!!)
Think this was the moment that made her take stock of herself and she started to smile then engage with us in discussion on the different styles of their photographers. We did not take her recommendations of photographers because MY MAN knows what he wants from the photographs and it just isn’t the latest trends in photography that the other 2 are good at.
I am so proud of MY MAN for knowing what he wants and for putting it across in his usual firm but courteous way.
The positive points about the sales consultant though was that she followed instructions given and gave us what we wanted and which was written in the package. We wish though she could have been more forthcoming with her suggestions.
Some of the recommendations which we did take from her was to take leave in order to do our gown selection as well as for the day of our photoshoot. We understand her motivation which is to help spread the workload for their staff so that work could be shunted to “off-peak” periods and we hope what we can achieve through that for ourselves is unhurried service and a joyful time just focusing on each other as we embark on the activities of selecting gowns and taking our photos.
This had been a neutral experience. We hope that the barometer could be moved more towards the positive area though!
Protected: Songs to be used for banquet July 1, 2009
Posted by Ms Carpe Diem in Banquet, Programme, Wedding.Enter your password to view comments
Protected: Possible bible passage for solemnisation July 1, 2009
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Venue found :) June 29, 2009
Posted by Ms Carpe Diem in Venue, Wedding.2 comments
After about a month of search, of discussion and negotiations, I’m so glad that I’ve finally found a venue for our wedding.
It is neither choice #1 nor #2 in the “Your say of venue” post. Choice #2’s restrictions of number of tables made it a no-go just in case our numbers exploded closer to the date.
For choice #1, I was frankly very surprised by their lack of flexibility over factors they have control over. Given that they are a 4-star hotel and the things we’ve requested on top of their packages are fares offered by similar hotels and represents no more than an estimated 2% of the potential revenue we could have brought them, it was a disappointment after we had chosen to disregard the mixed reviews on forums on wedding experiences at their locations.
So it’s bye bye beautiful view and its significance in our courtship.
And hello to fun, accessibility and good food!
It started as a distant choice #3, something we’re hardly considering, thinking that we would most probably stop between #1 and #2. #3 though slowly turned out to be a winner. We were initially put off because on viewing their provided outdoor location, the view shows ugly construction work going on. Not quite the scenic solemnisation venue we’re looking for.
Truth be told, out of the 2 construction now ongoing in its view, 1 of it is planned to complete by end of this year which would be yay! for us. The other is expected to end by end of 2010 which will still be a blight on the view.
However, if we choose to overlook that (and I took a loooooong time to overlook that), everything else is a plus. So far, in their presales service, they’re flexible in giving us what we want. Things that we had requested to be changed and which does not incur additional costs to them were agreed to promptly. We were informed of the items that require additional costs and as best as I could see, they were striving to be as comprehensive in their service as possible so that on all venue needs (decorations, food, alcohol, programme events and activities, set up etc) they could be our one-stop provider. We also asked for some extra logistics support in terms of programme events and activities in order to make it a fun and memorable event for our guests which they appeared to be happy to supply.
Good food, inclusion of outdoor venue and additional setup for our solemnisation, fun activities, interesting location, accessibility and huge flexibility in min-max capacity to (hopefully) delight our guests, our elders and ourselves, what more could we ask for?
It’s not perfect, but thank God. 
Songs to be used for solemnisation June 22, 2009
Posted by Ms Carpe Diem in Programme, Wedding, solemnisation.add a comment
(Draft, may be subject to changes)
Processional – March in
How Beautiful:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd7WrJlS6OA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJfSp_rceFs&feature=PlayList&p=95709609FE60F5A4&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=19
Opening Songs
永恒的道
V: 太初有道, 道与上帝同在,
这道就是上帝
诸天万物借这道被创造,
生命从道涌流出来
B: 这道成肉身名字叫耶稣,
来到世上成为奴仆,
经历了人生一切的痛苦,
唯要叫世人得救赎
C: 永恒的道为我们而来,
祂原是宇宙万物主宰
永恒的道为我们而来,
你叫我怎能不悔改
Every promise
V1: Every promise of our God
Finds its ‘yes’ in His own Son
Blessing to His people come
In abundance through the One
C: In Christ, God’s glory is revealed
Hi grace, His faithfulness is shown
And so we live in certain hope
The God of Truth our fortress strong
V2: As foretold the Servant came
sacrificed to rid our shame.
Promised Saviour, Lamb of God
full atonement by His blood
(goto C)
V3: By God’s Word the Christ did come
great King David’s greatest son.
Lion of Judah, King of Kings;
He whose rule will never end.
(goto C)
Signing of register music
I will be Here – Steven Curtis Chapman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK9V4YNQ1Ms
Responsive Singing
Amazing Grace
Recessional
Great expectations (chorus + bridge only *after 1:52*) – Steven Curtis Chapman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLKrxg1QDng
Venues: On to 2nd round! June 17, 2009
Posted by Ms Carpe Diem in Venue, Wedding.add a comment
2-3 weeks later and 20 venues down, we’re so glad to finally get to our 3 finalist candidates. Although both of us generally agree that these 3 are both our top choices, both of our top picks are different, haha.
These 2 weeks, we would be visiting these 3 venues to negotiate for all the perks that we want and to see what they are willing to offer us. After that we’ll be presenting the proposals for these 3 venues to both sets of our parents for their discussion and choice.
If you have any negotiation tips and ideas for perks to ask for, let me know!
Shopping for the wedding June 11, 2009
Posted by Ms Carpe Diem in Wedding.3 comments
My HTB is really alert. He reminded blur me that the current GSS would be a good opportunity to get discounted items. In fact, he had already gotten his shoes which he currently intends to wear for the wedding. In view of my laggardness, I made out a checklist of things to get during this current sale:
- Ladies shoes (2) *1 for actual wedding, 1 for pre-wedding shoot? -> To check if any of some currently unused pairs hanging in my shoe cabinet now could be used for the pre-wedding shoot.
- Men’s shoes *for pre-wedding shoot*
- Socks (men)
- Bedsheets *have to find out the size of bed that the dimensions of room can fit*
- Appropriate underwear for wedding wear
- Lingerie *wink*
- Bed
- Mattress (no place to store these 2 items in the meantime)
- Bolsters
- Pillows
- Jewellery?? (Staff of my bridal studio had mentioned that my package includes accessories like veil, headpieces, may need to go for fitting of gown first before deciding on type of jewellery needed?)
- Gifts for both sets of parents
Ladies and recently married couples, what may be other stuff I should get now?
Details of GSS:
Date – 29th May – 26th Jul
Website: http://www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg/2009/eng-tourist/home.html
Your say of Venue? June 11, 2009
Posted by Ms Carpe Diem in Venue, Wedding.14 comments
Let me know your choice via comments, e-mail or sms!
2 options of venue, which should be our choice?
| Choice #1 | Choice #2 |
|
Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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(anyone knows any cheap live video service?)How? How? Which is a better choice? What are the chances of rain in March? Any other considerations we should be thinking about?
受宠若惊 June 11, 2009
Posted by Ms Carpe Diem in Mindset, Values.add a comment
工作非常时期也正是分辨出我周围为我好的真正朋友, 或所谓的fair-weather friends.
结果令我大跌眼镜, 让我受宠若惊! 原来在我这个独行侠的旁边, 有这么多关心我, 鼓励我的人! 这包括我的直接上司, 通常只是擦肩而过的同事, 还有一位(也只有那么一位) 我从前鼓励过的朋友兼同事.
我感动, 但是更重要的是它刺激我反省- 我太self-centred了, 如果是另一位同事经历我所经历的事物, 我会同样的给以支持吗?
我需要努力, 更努力的关怀我身边的人, 学习认识其他人的需要, 然后积极帮助他们.
对我来说, 这是非常困难的事…
Interesting article on the early years of marriage June 11, 2009
Posted by Ms Carpe Diem in Boy-girl relationships, Marriage, Mindset, Values.add a comment
Newlywed Ambush: http://www.christianitytoday.com/mp/1999/spring/9m1018.html
