My Solitaire Wedding

9-10-11. How cute is date. Brings back memories on how i choose my date.

List of caterers for actual day buffet. Lavish Dine http://www.lavish.com.sg/ Neo Garden http://www.neogarden.com.sg/ Pin Si http://www.pinsi.com.sg/ Stamford http://www.stamfordcs.com.sg/ Purple Sage http://www.lavish.com.sg/ Rasel Catering http://www.rasel.com.sg/ Angeli http://www.angeli.com.sg/ Smiling Orchid http://www.smilingorchid.com/index.php Glory http://www.glorycatering.com.sg/ My choice: Rasel Catering I choose Rasel Catering because its Halal and pricing is something i find reasonable. No deposit was required for this and payment upon delivery. Response from the sales coordinator is fast and prompt. Everything was clarified and on actual day everything is smooth. Food is quite nice too.

Some things are learnt the hard way. Through experience. Things that jewellers don't tell you is that rings particularly gold (be it rose gold or yellow gold) and silver, they are can be scratched and this becomes evident and visible to the eye in one year after constant wear and tear. So i did a little research. Here's what i found: Best Bets for Scratch-Resistance Tungsten: For sheer durability and scratch resistance, there is no better metal available on the commercial ring market than tungsten. Generally only slightly to moderately more expensive than titanium, tungsten rings maintain their shine and polish for far longer than gold, silver, or even titanium rings. There is very little damage that will be incurred by tungsten rings in daily use; if you don't like taking your ring off when you're working, that's ok-you probably don't have to. However, tungsten is also very unlikely to bend from impact-related damages, and instead can shatter or break. S...

I came across this writing that nicely sums up what marriage should be: by Wilferd Arlan Peterson "A good marriage must be created. In marriage the "little" things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, ”I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is having a mutual sense of values, and common objectives. It is standing together and facing the world. It is forming a circle that gathers in the whole family. It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner."

Switzerland: Day 1: Singapore - Geneva Day 2: Geneva Day 3: Geneva-Interlaken Day 4: Interlaken ~ Jungfraujoch / Lauterbrunnen Day 5: Interlake ~ Lauterbrunnen/Murren Day 6:  Lucerne ~ Alpnachstad/Pilatus Kulm Day 7: Lucerne ~ Lowendenkmal Day 8: L ucerne-Geneva - France France : Day 9: Paris ~ Musee d Orsay/ Notre Dame Cathedral/River Seine Cruise Day 10: Paris ~   Notre Dame Cathedral/Musee du Lourve Day 11: Paris ~ Galeries Lafayette/La Vallee Village Day 12: Chateau de Versailles/Effiel Tower/Arc de Triomphe Day 13: Paris ~ Musee Rodin/Les Invalides Day 14: Paris ~ Sacré Cœur/Moulin Rouge Day 15: Paris ~ La Sainte Chapelle- Singapore     A quick summary of Europe free and easy itinerary to Switzerland and France. If there are specific places/ experiences that you like to share , please feel free.   Its good to know some other places that i can visit if i do go these countries again. 

Europe has always been my dream honeymoon venue. So when it comes to my honeymoon the destination is obvious but deciding on which part of Europe becomes the question. Eventually, our country of choice is Switzerland and France (specifically Paris). My hubby is kind of a vegabond - he loves to travel at his own pace and so our trip is no doubt a Free and Easy one. If you think that its a pretty gutsy choice, then you are wrong. He has been to Paris while i've travelled Switzerland so we kinda know that we can travel quite well on our own. Switzerland particularly is very safe. Paris is not too bad, just keep a look out for pickpockets and watch the news daily (France was having strikes very frequently that time). Things have quieten down much since. It was a long and nice break from work and i look forward to a next long trip. From Travel - Romantic Paris From Travel - Picturesque Switzerland

Recently, a fellow colleague was asking if i can provide some ideas for a friend's wedding. And they preferred something handmade and personalised. I thought for a while and here's the list i came up. All of the below provided an opportunity for hands on experience. Caricature A unique and personalized gift idea. Just provide a photo and describe any scene and your ideas can be brought to life. Imagination is the only limit. Where to get it: fotohub or online. Cross stitch Every girl would have done it at least once. This pretty thing needs plenty of patience, good eyesight for threading and sewing the stitches. But the effect and effort is great! Look at these pretty thing from my sis to me. :) where to get it: any craft shop for materials. There is one shop at Ang Mo Kio called Elsie shop Crotched dolls: Created to look like a mininature version of you on your wedding day and it has plenty of function. In front of the car, reception t...

Blogging is about sharing your ideals and experience. And of course, while i may have encounter many detours along the way, i hope others will learn from my lessons and mishaps along the way. Well, to share with you something exciting that happen. We got the letter from HDB informing us that our house will soon be READY! Yippee! and i've been busy researching on home decor and bloggers who share their journey of creating a place call "HOME". The information that the bloggers shared has helped me alot! Really. So i was glad that i did my little journey of blogging and the great satisfaction i got from the process. Though currently, i may have lesser to share on weddings. My other experience like my home decor which some will consider part and parcel of weddings will hopefully be helpful in your preparation. I will also share on my F&E Switzerland and Paris honeymoon for people who are interested in doing it. It wasn't too bad and i like having the leisure of ...

Ever wonder why you have been gaining kilos? The HPB diet tracker will tell you. If your diet is 100% based on your activity level, its only maintenance. Beyond that, its why you're gaining kilos. The diet tracker app is what i'm using now.

Yups! Solitaire Wedding has undergone a new look. Post wedding. The transition from singlehood to marriage isn't that bad. Not that my other partner is easy to live with. I'm attempting to change some of his habits. Fortunately he didn't try to change mine. :) I'm not having it easy either. I missed home cooked food the most. The outside food is giving me weight gain. I've accumulated kilos since the wedding. Something i'm attempting to shed. One new colleague thought that i haven go through my customary. Ok i'm a vainpot. I like to be slim and slender. Which girl doesn't by the way? Housework is always hounding me nowadays. I try to make him do it as much as i can. Its a fair world. Guys you shouldn't make the girls do all the work and shake leg. We are both working and we need to put our feet up sometimes and indulge in ourselves sometimes. So help out! That said let me go pester my other half to do his bit now.

Its been months after the wedding and i've completed most of what i wanted to write and share. One of the last few things i love to share is my wedding photographer and also special highlights on the various things prepared for the wedding. The special highlights are important so that every little effort was remembered. Its a must because i've put my heart and soul to it. The photos from Hwee Studios are so pretty that i printed a mind boggling number of 500 pictures. Anyway i've already excercised restraint during my selection. I think i've never looked so pretty in my life. Makes me want to take MORE pictures. Ewwwww.... a wedding photographer is a definite must for a wedding and make sure he/she is GOOD. The pictures are going to last forever. I'm very pleased with my photos. Mucks to apple for making me so beautiful. Super Thumbs Up! I'll let the photos do the talking Vendor: Hwee Studios Photographer: Apple

Peony Jade is one of the popular restaurants that couples usually choose for wedding dinner. Hence, a review on the venue. There are two Peony Jade restaurants, Clarke Quay and Keppel Club. With the Clarke Quay location being a more accessible location. The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor and there is a lift leading up to the restaurant but during weddings taking the stairs is usually the better option. Themes The theme of the ballroom has already been pre-determined. Though couples have a choice of chair sash colour. The wedding cake The glass tower Peony flowers attached to the VIP chairs the menu on the table the pepper container - a nice touch with the wedding couple the VIP table the guest table the red carpet Dinner Menu Or part thereof. the Cold dish sharks' fin the fish I love this dish as i've no seen it for weddings for a while. Nowadays only fillets are served in Hotels now. broccoli and abalone Solitairebrid...

These are just some ideas and definitely songs i like. Too bad i have to only choose 2 for my wedding. To get a feel, you can try listening to them on you tube. Aslyn - That's when i love you Bruno Mars - Just the way you are Bruno Mars - Marry you Colbie Caillat - I do Celine Dion - Because you loved me Christina Perri - A thousand years Glee - Endless love Glee - Need you now Israel Kamakawiwoʻole - Somewhere over the rainbow (pssst though not the original singer but i love his version alot) Jason Mraz - I'm Yours Jason Mraz/Colbie Caillat - Lucky Jim Brickman - Destiny Jim Brickman - Valentine Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes - Up where we belong Matt White - Best days Matt White - Love Shania Twain - From this moment Taylor Swift - Love story edited 8 dec 2012

Overall, the Di gio experience has been satisfactory. There are definitely some hiccups here and there and some promises left unfulfilled. At the end of the day, i'm overall pleased with my over the rack wedding gown. I got compliments for my fuschia pink evening gown. Both of my make up artist are great. But after trying both i personally prefer keith who easily create the perfect colours for my skin. While Milly is very gentle and detailed. I absolutely love the photographs taken by Big Ben. The photographic skills is definitely there and we thoroughly enjoyed session with him. He did try to crack jokes to make me fill more at ease. But i still got worried. Lucky the photos turn out really fine. Kudos to him! My coordinatore Casey is ok but i personally feel that he is not attentive enough to my needs but he's one in Digio who can make the decisions. Follow up service is definitely lacking and at the end of the day i feel just like an ordinary customer with is not pam...

Have you heard the song? Its a highly addictive song. Joyful and carefree. Makes me wanna feel irrational and madly in love all over again.

I came across this pair of shoes and find it highly suitable for weddings. The design is classic and vintage. And its in lace. Simple, elegant and nice. I love to get a pair of these. shoes from badgley mischka

There are many rave reviews online on china made gowns. I finally took the plunge in early April and got the gown in 3 weeks. Amazing! You got the thumbs up for speed so what about the quality. Well, i dare say there are local bridal shops that uses china made gowns. And the one i got from is a pretty good quality and it sparkles and blings. The fit is all right and where it doesn't give the omph. I can always use my own perfect solution. The gown has a 80 cm train and it came with a pretty decent price in spite of all the embroidery and lace. I did a little photo shoot with my pretty wedding gown and i'm really glad i did it. Credits to the steven from memories photography for taking the photos. Location: Labrador Park

Overview This is actually a documentary of how i felt during the MTM session. As this reflects the chronology of the bridal process from the very beginning of trying on the perfect gown to the actual. Thus, this is an extremely long post. Everything documented here is what truly transpired between me and the bridal shop. 25th January 2010 - Design wedding gown Wedding Gown making and measurement: Tried on a couple of gowns. Selected the one that suits me most. The designer casey say he will design something along that line and embroidered. But i'm pretty unhappy as he told me he require me to top up if its an embroidered gown ~ price range he quoted was S$1,800 - S$ 2,000. Obviously, i'm not going to top up especially when i specifically pointed out an dress before i sign up and say i wanted something similar and was told "No problem". So eventually, he relented and say he will design one "especially for me" So walk off happy and dreamy about...

i've applied for ad sense but its forever in the state of "awaiting approval". So much for passive income. Nevermind i've got nuffnang! So if you like what you've been reading. Pls pls pls...click on the advertisements. Cos more moolahs ($$$) equals more wedding shows. All brides benefits including myself.

Happy New Year! How time flies, its now 2011. Its been a busy and hectic time since wedding till now. Scouring through my photos to get them developed. Its important for me to keep the wedding memories and make them meaningful. For me, scrapbooking is the way to go. And i've been trying to improve on my skills. Here's one that've made, photo by my wedding photographer, apple from Hwee Studios.