365 days to go...

Seem like it was just yesterday we met, moments ago you propose. And now we are counting down to our wedding.

365 days later, we will be starting our new life as husband and wife. <3

Honeymoon!

Yipppeee! We had decided that we will go Taiwan for honeymoon! Gavin agree to an all-in budget of $2.5K!

Foods! Here we come!

Is a family car a necessity or a luxury?

It had been a debate since I 1st mention that we NEED a car after marriage.

Ok, points to clarify:

1. I dun need a car if I am still single. Living beside the MRT station is my best transport.
2. I dun need a car when I am paktoring. We can go anywhere with public transport, I dun need a guy to send me home in flashy car anyway.
3. I dun need a car in our current state, where Kandro is old enough to walk around without a stroller, and her school is juz behind our block.

Ok, fast forward to 2013. Here is the location of our future home:

Saw where is the nearest LRT (Note, not even MRT) is? And the nearest shopping mall? My initial idea was to get a small 0.8L OPC to juz drive from my future home to mummy's place and park there den go tk MRT. Kandro's school is there oso. Then in the evening, after we had dinner, we could drive home.

And we could use it for weekend outing oso. Our outing is usually confine within town or northeast region for obvious reason. We dun get to places that is out of the way. Eg, Kranji farm.

My estimate cost for owning a personal transport is less then $500 a month. It is a small price to pay for.

To prevent the future husband to niam any further. here is the breakdown cost:

A 2nd hand OPC 1.oA car registered in 2008: 24K (price assume in year 2012/2013), monthly installmen $264.
Monthly Parking: $90 + $32.50
Road Tax: $70 (as of 20111)
Insurance: $1.4K per yr
Fuel: est $80 (seriously, how much u can burn in 4km a day?)

Avg Cost Per month: $466.50

Dear hubby to be, $500 per mth is a small price to pay to save ur sanity for a family for 4 (and a dog).

Holiday season blogskin!

Yipppeee! my fav season of the year is here! Not only Christmas is the birthday of Jesus, Dec is also a season of giving and making merry!

Hence, I change our blogskin to red & green to match the holiday season! Hope I am able to book the church asap, I need to send out my save the date card before colleagues & friends make plan for their year end holiday. Problems of a Dec wedding.

But, nothing can match the romance & fuzziness feeling of the month of December!

2012 seem to be a year of wedding! I had already received 2 invitations, and 3 save the date. :)

Back from exam, back to planning

So exam is over for Jess! Back to planning for marriage. :D

Currently, we are now in concept of our pre-wedding video. I am thinking of combining the Matrimony into the video. But that will means extra $$$$ to rent the grown etc!!!

Eh, try to be as cheapo as possible ma... Hopefully I cld have an idea out by Jan!

And seriously, is there any deco company in sg that not all flowery?

Fake can be chic too.

Should I? Should I??? They look sooooo pwettttyyyY~~~ =D

Source: Tipnut

Grass eating for the next few months

Sign... With the wedding bill coming up, we can't help but find this year is a stressful year.

And today, Gavin had a root canal treatment that may amount to $800+
Not to mention the huge medical bill from Mushi's broken legs a few back. (~$2K)
And we went HK the wrong time. (~2K oso)
Sign, and uni school fee paying time. ($1.7K)
Double signz, Kandro's Pri 1 enrollment.

That practically going to leave me with negative figure for the next few months.

But somehow, I know that we will be ok. Cuz I have him. =)

One more item down!

We booked our photographer & videographer on actual day! It come with pre-wedding video & photo too. At a really good "friendship" deal (So can't say price). =p

Actual 10hrs photography

Actual 10hrs videography

Pre-wedding photography + make up (6hrs)

Pre-wedding videography + make up (8 hrs)

by the love attic

Engagement photobook project

Concept for Engagement Photoshoot. I love how my imagination run wild in colourful rainbow. It bring back sweet memories and smiles.

Shortlisting....

Went through portfolio and reviews and shortlisting some photographer. Going to Gav's frez next friday & see again.

• Coffee and Tea Dreamworks ($3,200 for 10hrs photography, 5hrs videography, express highlight)
  
• Gideon Koh Photography ($1,900 for 10hrs photography)
  
• JasStudio photography ($850 for full day)
  
• expressively jOhO - Dun hav budget for them! =(
  
• Love Attic

Photography is good business.

One of the nightmare

It is a total nightmare trying to look for photographer and videographer (really??? Is that needed???)

When art is concern. I get pretty OCD over it! Argh!

another milestone of couplehood!

We had did what every couple do (at last)! Opening a joint-account. :)

Time to save up for our new life.

Senbazuru

Source: http://nhuthanh.deviantart.com/art/Thousand-Paper-Cranes-201591361

"Thousand origami cranes (千羽鶴 Senbazuru^?) is a group of one thousand origami paper cranes (鶴 tsuru) held together by strings. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury."

"A thousand paper cranes are traditionally given as a wedding gift by the father, who is wishing a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. "

--Wikipedia

I think this is a great idea for guestbook! Not only it is cheap, the meaning is beautiful, and we can put in our new home (Japanese style)!

And how do I come out of this idea? Blame it on the stonning time while on train. ;)

Save the date

Art is in my blood. I love to draw in the younger days, and now I love to photography and photo manipulation.

Since I decide to have a year end party theme, 1st thing I thought is...

The disco ball. =p

UPDATE (24th Sep):

Improve suggestion from friend!

"Celebrating a new year, toward a new beginning...

With Us...

Save the date!"

Wedding theme

"a countdown to the rest of our lives"
"a new year, a new beginning."

Sound good? Might make a good theme. =D

Wise words

"Often there are spiritual and emotional issues that we need to address. If you've encountered pain in your life that hasn't been faced, please take the time to work through it now before marriage. I'm not saying a person who's struggled in life can't be a good spouse, but it often takes more work to get there. Wishing away the hurt isn't going to resolve it. God can help you face the circumstances that were not the way you would have written life's script. God's power, your openness, and often the support of a counselor and community, are key in your move toward wholeness. Jesus said in Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Burying our pain only delays the inevitable."

-- Focus on Family "How content are you as a single?

Face the pains (Bad breakup) in your life before you commit unto someone. Wishing it go away wouldn't make you feel better. It's just make 2 people feel worse.

Progress of love nest

(from Rivervale Arc page)

Our block are building fast! From my colleagues that recently got her key, she said her ballot in Sep 08 and got her key in Jun 11. Same to the other frez. Est is 3yrs from balloting. So by the same estimation, we should be getting our keys in Mar - June 2013!

How exciting!

Back!

We just came back from HK. It was a great trip. :)

Why we love?

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

-1 Peter 4:8

"We love because he first loved us."

-1 John 4:19

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

-1 John 4:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

-1 John 3:18

Photobook Promo!

PhotoBook is having a promo of "Enjoy Large Landscape Imagewrap books at 60% off. For 3 days only."

Perfect for my album we took for our 1st year anniversary. Hopefully they have a promo for XL Book! It's would come in time for our Engagement Photos. :D

I did a photobook early this year as Vday gift to him.

Square (8" x 8") Imagewrap hardcover


Good paper quality also. :)

Booked!

So the banquet venue had been booked. And so do the big day. Time to do up save the date e-card. :)

He proposed!

Finally after waiting for 2 months since the making of my ring, he finally pop the question!

We had our dinner at Hog's Breath Cafe yesterday at CHIJMES. Though it is juz an excuse to pig out for 1 yr 1 mth 1 day anniversary.

After the yummy dinner, he insist we find a romantic spot. But missy jess dun wanna walk too much and keep complaining abt the stairs.

And so, he decide on a quiet spot and we sat and chat. Den suddenly, while hugging me from behind, he bring a box to me and ask,


"Nah, you want?"


(-________- |||||||||||||||)


NO! OF COZ NO! IDOIT! NO FLOWERS! NO KNEELING! NO HAVE THE BIG QUESTION! OF COZ NOOO!!!!!

So I made him kneel down, say the classic "will you marry me" and snap some photo before saying yes! :p

Eh. I think I will just look past the flowers... Since he is as cheapo. But I still love him the way he is. :)

kana force!


Ring sitting happily on my finger now. :)

*side note: he mistakenly asked if he can be my fiancées (girl) instead of fiancés! hahaa!

*Fun fact: He chose to proposed on that day & time coz.... 8/8, 8pm. Coz.... Huat, huat, huat! =.=


And so now, he had proposed, it's time to work our budget out for the event of our life. less den 17 months to go, we better watch our weight.

Polaroid corner? Guestbook?

I had been toying the idea of having a polaroid guestbook when attending Chris & Carina's wedding in Dec last yr. They had live! Studios to go around taking pictures for the couples.

This!

It is really fun! But I wanna do something more (w/0 shelling out another $3K!). Like a photobooth! And Ronald & Welly beat me in creative in April 2011. They did a FB's theme at their wedding, coz that how they met (maybe I should have a football theme). Their wedding is one of the best I had attended, I had so much fun watching their wedding montage and their setup is so nice!

Ah, that is what I wanna to do, coz it is soooo fun! But I wanna do something more then that! Esp for my church wedding when all the people are young & fun people. So I though I will have a back drop too! :D

Initially I wanna to have a black/white board for guest to write message on and take a pic of it. Den I can put them all together in a books. On 2nd though, I might not be doing so coz there is something magical about signatures.

One occasion, I was hit with the idea of a photoframe guestbook! It's look like it is pretty comment for the western, but I haven't seen it in Sg for now.

Source: http://www.xoxofavors.com/guest-book-pens/guest-book-frame/

I guess I would prefer the photoframe guestbook idea. We could hang it at home to remind us the day which so many ppl come forward with their well wishes. :) But we will have to think it though again whether there is euff space for them to write! =D

For poloroid corner, I am still going for it! To spread the joy of camwhore!

Feeling good!

It's had been a fullfilling week!

Went to sign the lease of agreement at HDB on wed, so happy that I'm finally at step 2 to our home. Now just need to wait until mid 2013 or early 2014 for the keys.

Bought 4D on tis no. but boh tio. :(

And yesterday, we went to see our banquet setting, just nice there are a wedding dinner hence we go and see the layout. Overall, it is very simple as compared to Novotel. Somemore only 1 portable screen on stage. There will table that will be blocked, but we reckon there will be people more interested in the foods then the actual wedding. Seriously, I went to wedding b4 with my grandma, and I stare at my foods thru the whole banquet.

The only thing we like is the foods, I swear all the guests will wow by it. We spend all our banquet budget on foods & alcohols. And hope everyone will enjoy it. :)

Layout of 25 tables.


VIP table setting.


Another view of the layout


Centrepiece of the common table (quite cute actually)


Box of chocolate as wedding favor.


Deco Along the aisle.


Roses at reception


Reception Table.


Front view.


Cocktail Recept Area.

Wedding Favor

"Wedding favors are small gifts given as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude to guests from the bride and groom during a wedding ceremony or a wedding reception."

-- Wikipedia

Confession: I get bored of wedding favors actually... It is always the same old things like coasters, shot glass, key chain etc...

I do appreciate the cute thank you gift, but sometime I tot are all these necessary? Too much of the same thing can be useless at times. Been the same old cheapo mama, I though... why not I give something practical and different? Something that people could really use?

In case u are wondering if the hotel provide. yes, they do. 2 pieces of chocolates. (=.=)

So thoughts come to my mind as I browse through the net, and I though of the possible gifts:

• Post it notes. (wad?? useful wad!)
• Pens
  
• Bottle of Honey/ Jam
• Sticky!

In case of excess balance... I still can take home and use...

OPH?

We went orchard parade hotel yesterday and totally love that place. Only down side there is minimal decor, and the ballroom have 2 pillars.

Shall see how with Novotel this afternoon and decide. :)

*UPDATE

We decide to go with our tummy! Erm.... I mean heart! to choose Orchard Parade Hotel!

Love is...

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.
But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Cor 13

Always love 1 Cor 13 verse. This is how love should be.

Ephesians 4

I have start a habit to read the bible, I guess you guys will be seeing alot of it now. =p I decide to let god lead me in this new chapter. It's doesn't matter the bf dun believe in god. I believe. And he is the reason why I am alive today.

"Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit, and so be at peace with one another."

Ephesians 4:2-3, TLB

Breakdown of Bridal Package

A few of my close friends had asked me on the details of the bridal package. I guess I will just write it down here for easy copying (and for future bride's reference) =D.

1x OTR Wedding Gown } Option to have MTM in event no OTR fit.
1x OTR Evening Gown }
1x tea dress/ kua
2x Bridegroom Coats
1x bridal bouquet on AD
4x make up (trial, studio, AD & night)
2x Mother's dress
2x Father's Coats
Car Decor + accompany cars ribbons
5x corsages for parents & groom
4x corsages for bride maid

45 + 10 poses (studio, outdoor, night)
12"x 18" - 30pgs album
20" x 24" Portrait with Frame, or 15" x 15" 2 pcs with frame
1x 8R table top with frame
1x Causal photo album with 10 poses
1x 5R 20pcs mini album repeated photos.
1x CD with all selected photos.

Bridal package!

We went to W&T wedding couture & banquet fair wanting to check out M hotel. But we were drag in by a bridal shop (what's new? ) called Signoria Nuziale.

So as usual we hear them talk talk. den he show us this album which I totally love the photography style! So felt it is not bad. Went thru a few more album of his portfolio and I would say his photography style is the kind I am looking for.

After getting these and that, I made a 911 call to Kelly to ask for her opion. and I'm gald I made that call! She mention alot of things that an inexperience bride like me will not though of! So we get pretty good bargain at $2,688.

We are happy with the price we paid for. Reasonable and VFM (value-for-money)! Some more the uncle oso very cute. lol.

I'm actually more excited about the photography den choosing the gown! Camwhore indeed!

Why man & woman are one

"And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

-- Genesis 2: 23-24

From the moment God create woman, Adam had already vow that he & eve will be together
as one. And she is the "bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh", and the man will never be whole without her.

This is the wisdom of God. =)

One Year Lo!

It’s our 1st year anniversary today! Time do really fly.

And it doesn’t feel like any special today, just like any other day. It’s just a feeling of comfort that we have for each other that make today a simple day.

You just know you want to spend your life with this person where you are so comfortable with him that you could fart & burp in front of him, and know that he still love you. And having common life goal make marriage a visible goal.

I don’t need 3 to 7 years to know I want to spend my life with this man, all it take is 1 yr to know he love my flaws, he will walk with me toward our goal, and I love everything about him (including that beer belly).

Happy 1st Year Anniversary Darling. It had been a wonderful year, let do it again for the next year.

Anniversary Dinner @ Friends Cafe


Happy Gavin


And a happy Jess

Choices & Decisions

We set out our banquet looking for those that are friendly on the pocket. We dun wan our guests to feel the pressure of coming to a 5 stars hotel. Imagine sweating to accept an invitation of a frez to attend a wedding at MBS. How much shld u shell out??? $150? $170?? Might not even cover the cost of the table! Last I check the cheapest 2011 package at MBS is $1,388++. Siao eh.

And it had been rumors that the more atas the hotel, the more yucky the foods taste. rumors nia har!

I wish for everyone that come will be happy. So pocket friendliness and good foods are the top consideration.

Shortlisted hotels along Havelock and some 3 to 4 stars hotels for their good value. So far, we shortlisted the below hotels and will be going down these few days to view:

• Copthorne King's Hotel
• Grand Mercure Roxy
• Riverview Hotel
• Holiday Inn Atrium
• York Hotel
• Peach Garden Sichuan @ Miramar
• Orchard Parade Hotel

Rings Choosen!

Ya know, I can't control myself though the bf want me to shut up 1st. (hey... at least I kept this blog private for now...)

WE CHOOSE OUR RINGS!!!!

*roll on floor*

Thanks to my oh-so-beautiful-beloved-sweet-darling-cutie Tai Tai Lew (aka Huixian), we bought our rings at a very good price from Meyson.

Reason been I wanna choose my own proposal ring (apart from not trusting him to pick a nice one) is coz we wanna to double it up as a wedding band, den we realize "wa, wedding band so cheap nia ah???" so decide to get both lor.

Eh, very unromantic sia. But it is just us! We are a pair of pratical couple. No point he pick one which I dun like and I go back to change right? Coz I cnt stand bad quality gems!

Huixian, the diamond expert recommend me another diamond on a pendent which is nicer den those on the ring. It is really beautiful! So she is going to make it into a ring for me! WEEE~~

Until the day he propose, I will not get the chance to look at the ring again. So for now, it's sweet anticipation!

Extactly 1.5 year to our BIG day! :)