3 Aug
Helping out at weddings
I had always loved to help out at weddings. In the past, even when I had thought I was called to singleness, I would always be very happy to be asked to help out at a wedding. In fact, I enjoy helping out more than simply be an audience in one. For some reason, I share joy with the couple in participating actively in a wedding even if it’s not mine.
But there’s one role I would never take in helping out at a wedding – and that’s being the overall i/c. You can give me the most menial of tasks – ushering, reception, being the ingredients jie mei to help add more pepper to the chilli or a touch of vinegar to bittergourd, but somehow the one role I will definitely refuse to take is that. Possibly because I don’t want the responsibility and guilt should a wedding fail?
So it is with some trepidation in thinking through who should be our overall i/c and in approaching the friend for that role – particularly since both myself and my SO do not have a deep friendship with her. I was extremely touched when she did not just accept that role, but accept it with so much enthusiasm and joy that I don’t quite know how to respond except to thank her and to thank God.
It is also because of this warmth from her, that I start reflecting on how I can give my wedding helpers as enjoyable and as bonding an experience through helping out at our wedding. I wish they may have much joy in helping out and sharing our joy!
31 Jul
Photoshoot Venue Confirmed :)
It is remarkable how this matter in which we had been purposefully following up on for 2 months with no clear conclusion was resolved quickly with THREE (not TWO, not ONE) CHANCE meetings in ONE evening. You kinda have to understand just how anti-social I am in this social circle to understand how BIG a miracle it is to be concluded in the way that it was.
There’s really not another more appropriate response, except for “Thank God”.
30 Jul
Overall i/c found!
Nothing makes us feel more blessed than to have friends (or people whom we pray will become our good friends soon!) joyfully agreeing to be in our team, to help us with our wedding planning. Karen’s enthusiasm, fresh ideas inject new excitement into our programme at a time when the burdens and stresses of managing competing expectations and expectancies are upon us.
God bless you, Karen!
25 Jul
Blissful Marriage Seminar
Attended this seminar today. It consists of 3 segments:
- Use of CPF with an emphasis on being mindful about retirement planning
- Communication and needs between a husband and wife
- HDB procedures and policies on buying a HDB home
Although the concepts touched on are foundational and tending towards government rhetoric, it reminds us about practical issues to keep in mind even when we’re in the heat and excitement of wedding planning. The personal reflection points for me were:
- The foundation of marriage is the husband-wife relationship. Even in the midst of wedding planning, to continue to learn to communicate and to enjoy each other.
- While doing financial planning in buying a place, do not forget the long term retirement planning goals!
- Aside from the size, aesthetic and conveniences available of the place, is the installments required and period of the loan. It will have a bearing on the lifestyle we lead after getting the home!
Definitely a foundationally important seminar to attend for couples planning to get a HDB home for their marriage. Details of the seminar can be found here: Blissful Marriage Seminar
18 Jul
Juan Ruiz’s bachata videos
He’s coming to Singapore to teach bachata moderna through the en-motion dance school. A few videos of his past performances.
http://piesfelices.blogspot.com/2009/07/bachata-videos-by-juan-ruiz.html
10 Jul
First discussion with French Bridal
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!
