tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62031011909910330672024-03-19T15:15:07.481+11:00Yong and Mel's Wedding BlogPreparations, plans and memoirs of our wedding on 21 Oct 2011.Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-35798613539869700852011-08-21T21:55:00.002+10:002012-05-30T14:44:33.196+10:00Finalised Invitations and Wishing WellWe were really happy to get the invitations in the mail a few days ago. Nicole from <a href="http://www.delightfuloccasions.com.au/">Delightful Occasions</a> is really great! I only just gave the approval for the words and wishing well text a couple of weeks ago and she got on with the job to get them done really quickly!<br />
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Thankfully there were lots of invitation card examples that we could get ideas from online and we just picked and merged a few here and there. Not to forget, the future mother-in-law contributed her fair share of the text where is says '<i>to grace and witness the exchange of marriage vows of their children...</i>' :D <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cZOeaX-o814/T72Ltyvf1CI/AAAAAAAACrM/GCUtwks41Ko/s1600/invite-bunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cZOeaX-o814/T72Ltyvf1CI/AAAAAAAACrM/GCUtwks41Ko/s320/invite-bunch.JPG" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The invitation cards came nicely bundled up in plastic and a red ribbon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Invitation card on the left and the wishing well card on the right</td></tr>
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Since the FH and I have been already staying together for a few years,we've already got all the household stuff and kitchen items needed and so we decided to go with the western way of asking for monetary donations by creating a wishing well from <a href="http://ourwishingwell.com/">ourwishingwell.com,</a> an online gift registry.<br />
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The website is really good, it allows your yo create a wishlist of items that people can contribute to; for example your honeymoon, car, house or anything else that you want. You can also upload personalise photos and the amount of the item. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v6NkzIvXttk/T72MmvKbKyI/AAAAAAAACrc/EQ96PF2_cM8/s1600/wishing-well.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v6NkzIvXttk/T72MmvKbKyI/AAAAAAAACrc/EQ96PF2_cM8/s320/wishing-well.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ourwishingwell.com/registry/view/251192110/Wedding-of-Yong-Soong-Yeo-and-Melissa-C-Lim">http://www.ourwishingwell.com/registry/view/251192110/Wedding-of-Yong-Soong-Yeo-and-Melissa-C-Lim</a></td></tr>
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We're hoping that guests who are not comfortable giving money on the day will use this website. They can also leave us messages and well-wishes which we will be able to keep always. In the Chinese culture, a wedding gift almost always consist of money given in a red packet and so we decided to add a red packet in each invitation pack too, so that guests can use them should they prefer that option.Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-54672022196384919802011-07-29T14:18:00.001+10:002012-05-24T11:08:33.633+10:00Actual day wedding gown and evening gown shoe dilemmasMum has informed me that my tailor made wedding gown is finally ready. I'm actually a little impatient to wait for her to bring it when she comes in early October and so decided that she will post it to me first. The box will probably be really big as she will send it together with the 3-hoop petticoat, which even when folded is pretty bulky and not to mention how much space and weight the actual gown itself with the, embellishment, beads and long train will be!<br />
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Here's a sneak peak of my wedding gown. Now I had previously put a $200 deposit for a wedding gown at Nifi Bridal in Oakleigh, but I made sure to tell them NOT to order the gown first in case I changed my mind. And true enough I did! So luckily I managed to go back and exchange the deposit, added on extra $85 for 2 sets of bridal veil. One will be a 2-tier short one with a tear-drop crystal at the end and the other will be a long one to match the length of my train.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0EXPLkpwJlM/ToFLztTScXI/AAAAAAAACn4/3d3wVZcbBTg/s1600/my_gown_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0EXPLkpwJlM/ToFLztTScXI/AAAAAAAACn4/3d3wVZcbBTg/s320/my_gown_cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now that the gown was sorted, I couldn't help but somehow have second thoughts about my shoes. Initially I was adamant that my wedding gown was definitely going to be white in colour but after trying on countless gowns, I realised ivory was the way to go.<br />
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Since my gown and veils were all ivory, I started to wonder if I needed ivory shoes as well because the impulse buy I did last year in Nov was a white one. I found this online shoe shoe in New York with reasonable prices and they ship free to Australia - <a href="http://www.shopnewyork.com.au/">ShopNewYork</a>. Here are some of my picks:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBh8DIyAzyQ/ToFL15kGZgI/AAAAAAAACn8/XqghUHFTDPw/s1600/alfani_romance_cream_heels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBh8DIyAzyQ/ToFL15kGZgI/AAAAAAAACn8/XqghUHFTDPw/s320/alfani_romance_cream_heels.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romance Alfani High Heels</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hg_If6UZk-8/ToFL33JJEkI/AAAAAAAACoI/2VouS_037es/s1600/rampage_milan_beige_heels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hg_If6UZk-8/ToFL33JJEkI/AAAAAAAACoI/2VouS_037es/s320/rampage_milan_beige_heels.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milan Rampage High Heels</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9DvJdVKeSg/ToFL3GTsJPI/AAAAAAAACoE/PqXxnkg-KCo/s1600/nina_ginnie_silver_heels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9DvJdVKeSg/ToFL3GTsJPI/AAAAAAAACoE/PqXxnkg-KCo/s320/nina_ginnie_silver_heels.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginnie Nina High Heel Sandals</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZBT-yj3pzs/ToFL2jtU_vI/AAAAAAAACoA/pHudjVTQSIE/s1600/nina_amora_silver_heels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZBT-yj3pzs/ToFL2jtU_vI/AAAAAAAACoA/pHudjVTQSIE/s320/nina_amora_silver_heels.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nina Annora High Heel Sandals</td></tr>
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I browsed for silver heels as well because I needed a pair to match my dark blue evening gown with silver embroidery. I emailed these shoes to mum to have a look to get her opinion. She mentioned that my shoes were gonna be hidden under the gown most of the time and it didn't really matter if they were white, they would still match anyway.<br />
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Mum made a fair and logical point and suggested that maybe I should just wear the white one I bought last year and not waste it. Well I guess I'll have to ponder about that and stick with the one I have if I just can't find another suitable one. Though I really do need to get a pair of silver heel sandals. ;)Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-40558168621413899642011-07-11T13:51:00.000+10:002011-09-27T13:51:12.633+10:00Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Album and checking out Wedding Favours / BonbonairesThere was a recent deal from <a href="http://spreets.com.au/home/Melbourne">SPREETS</a> that was offering a discount on hard cover photo books from <a href="http://eastmon.com.au/">Eastmon Digital</a> and so I jumped on it to get the photos for our pre-wedding photo-shoot in Melbourne printed. For $29.95, you get a 40-page, 12 x 12 inches hard cover photo book and you can even personalise the layouts and choose from a variety of album designs from their online software.<br />
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And here's the finished work. It wasn't actually a very thick book as expected and for some reason, the colours weren't really vibrant. I was quite sure that I sent them all the high resolution photos but somehow some of the photos were a little blurry too. But anyway for that price, we can't complain too much. This will be displayed at the reception on our wedding day.<br />
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<tr> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3FKlkvUrZE8/ToE8jDrKUMI/AAAAAAAACnY/9a2GUAfIWAI/s1600/melb_preshoot_cover_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3FKlkvUrZE8/ToE8jDrKUMI/AAAAAAAACnY/9a2GUAfIWAI/s320/melb_preshoot_cover_front.jpg" width="239" /></a></div></td> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u5AnXwsCZsw/ToE8iAbEzwI/AAAAAAAACnU/7AE23M7SM5g/s1600/melb_preshoot_cover_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u5AnXwsCZsw/ToE8iAbEzwI/AAAAAAAACnU/7AE23M7SM5g/s320/melb_preshoot_cover_back.jpg" width="239" /></a></div></td> </tr>
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I was also checking out on possible choices for wedding favours and I found those below from:<br />
<ol><li>Wedding Favors Shop: <a href="http://weddingfavoursshop.com.au/">http://weddingfavoursshop.com.au/</a></li>
<li>Favors Plus: <a href="http://favorsplus.com.au/">http://favorsplus.com.au/</a> </li>
</ol>I just went on Google and type in "cheap wedding favours" and a whole list of websites came up. Okay it isn't that we are cheapskate or anything but there's a whole lot to buy and so of course we wanted something that was useful yet affordable. :p<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3tcPf6NCJlw/ToE_v0hrXnI/AAAAAAAACnw/aPg8YaP7U74/s1600/phpThumb_generated_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3tcPf6NCJlw/ToE_v0hrXnI/AAAAAAAACnw/aPg8YaP7U74/s320/phpThumb_generated_thumbnail.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Min magnet aluminum heart-shape frames</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_v2Vht23Mc/ToE_ugahsCI/AAAAAAAACno/R5yug8OWSsQ/s1600/disposable_cam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_v2Vht23Mc/ToE_ugahsCI/AAAAAAAACno/R5yug8OWSsQ/s320/disposable_cam.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disposable wedding camera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pTD4DK0Aq0/ToE_vXaJ-UI/AAAAAAAACns/UiDa87f2v4w/s1600/hugs_n_kisses_soaps_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pTD4DK0Aq0/ToE_vXaJ-UI/AAAAAAAACns/UiDa87f2v4w/s320/hugs_n_kisses_soaps_l.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugs & Kisses scented soap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm45nKg5iJ8/ToE_tRRiH0I/AAAAAAAACng/Jr5tHYseeFE/s1600/apple_of_my_eye1_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm45nKg5iJ8/ToE_tRRiH0I/AAAAAAAACng/Jr5tHYseeFE/s320/apple_of_my_eye1_l.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple salt and pepper shakers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h9kCttLasls/ToE_uE1uobI/AAAAAAAACnk/TCdXbrQDQAg/s1600/Chair_box2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h9kCttLasls/ToE_uE1uobI/AAAAAAAACnk/TCdXbrQDQAg/s320/Chair_box2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White chair bonbonaire boxes / place card holders</td></tr>
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</tbody></table>Darling like the idea of the disposable cameras; we were thinking maybe we can have one per table and people can snap random shots. I also particularly like the apple salt and pepper shakers because they go well with our theme of "red & white". The chair boxes / place card holders were also a good idea as they serve a 2-in-1 purpose and we can fill them with chocolates or lollies.<br />
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Luckily we still have a fair bit of time to think about it and so I might spend some time looking at other websites as well. <a href="http://www.pinkfrosting.com.au/">Pink Frosting</a> and <a href="http://weddingshop.theknot.com/weddingwarehouse/homepage.aspx">The Knot Shop</a> also have some really pretty and unique wedding favours, but they are little more expensive.Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-7769738881190748212011-06-13T16:31:00.097+10:002011-09-19T12:15:48.035+10:00Meeting up with our Celebrant / Church MinisterWe finally met our Celebrant for the first time last Thursday. He is Reverend Graham Bradbeer from Scotch College. As we are holding our wedding there and he's the school's Chaplain, it's one of the terms that he will need to be leading the ceremony in accords with the Christian wedding service. We are really happy about that anyway as he's got quite a lot of experience and he's also warm and friendly.<br />
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Being a catholic, I would also like some sort of involvement from the catholic church and so Fr. Paul Gurry from St. Peter's Bentleigh will be our supporting celebrant. Our wedding might not actually be considered valid under the catholic church, but I'm not too sure about that so have to check with Father. But we have plans to renew our marriage vows in a catholic church anyway sometimes next year and so it should all work out alright.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8fACi3qHnzk/TlciKq4KuJI/AAAAAAAACnE/BvyzhQKIVa8/s1600/rev_bradbeer_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8fACi3qHnzk/TlciKq4KuJI/AAAAAAAACnE/BvyzhQKIVa8/s320/rev_bradbeer_1.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rev. Bradbeer explaining to us the readings and hymns that we can choose from.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUfk7Q8a9UM/TlciJ9uSNiI/AAAAAAAACnA/RMqCh6NDMv8/s1600/rev_bradbeer_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUfk7Q8a9UM/TlciJ9uSNiI/AAAAAAAACnA/RMqCh6NDMv8/s320/rev_bradbeer_2.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After talking to us and reinforcing to us the purpose of a marriage, he said a prayer for us at the end.</td></tr>
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</tbody></table>Rev Bradbeer is a knowledgeable and wise person and he's been with the school for over 20 years. He has this huge board on the right of his office, and when you walk in you can see lots of photos, notes and other stuff on it. Of course I couldn't help but noticed the different wedding photos and thank-you notes from couples he had married before.<br />
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He actually had a copy of Darling's year book and took it out to show me Darling's photo. Tubbs looked so geeky in high school, but it was a warm fuzzy feeling to see the photo though; to know that little boy has all grown up now and is my hubby-to-be.<br />
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The session was a little stressful but fruitful. Rev Bradbeer told us all about the marriage sacrament and wanted to make sure that we were not wanting to get married for the wrong reasons. He also asked us questions that were never dawned on us before like:<br />
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1) How did we get to know each other and why did we choose each other<br />
2) Why did we decide to get married and if we shared the same thoughts and values<br />
3) How many kids we want in future and so on...<br />
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It was much like what a pre-marriage counsellor would ask a couple. But there were certainly some questions that got us(or me at least) dumbfounded for awhile. I wasn't someone who could answer something spontaneously and under pressure and so I think I beat around the bush for a couple of questions and didn't really get to the point. (^.^)<br />
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It was all good as it made us ponder about things that we have never thought about and we got some help with past samples of the order of ceremony. He also gave us a list of suggested hymns, readings and wedding vows that we can choose from. He encouraged us to do a pre-marriage DVD course with booklets to fill-in so we didn't actually have to go out and attend a session.<br />
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We'll be seeing him again in August and so hope we've at least got some things sorted out then.Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-45570986081331987092011-06-03T12:58:00.000+10:002011-08-08T14:01:29.079+10:00Ceremony decos, Flowers and InvitationsWe finally made an appointment to drop by the events company last week. As mentioned before, we have engaged the services of <a href="http://yourknight.com.au/">Your Knight Events</a> / <a href="http://www.delightfuloccasions.com.au/">Delightful Occasions</a>. They are two different companies but owned by the same owner, Nicole who has more than 10 years experience in the events planning and organisation industry<br />
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They recently moved to their new warehouse in Carrum Downs and welcomed us to pop by and have a look. Also it was much easier to discuss wedding decorations and other plans face to face rather than through email or on the phone. It took us about 40 minutes to get there and they had quite a few different wedding set-ups for couples to view. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Esj122Ba4g4/TjIt08r79AI/AAAAAAAACjM/MSTHIzwbwgc/s1600/bridal_flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Esj122Ba4g4/TjIt08r79AI/AAAAAAAACjM/MSTHIzwbwgc/s320/bridal_flowers.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers and floral arrangements</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2-lJqsFvxs/TjIt1eLawRI/AAAAAAAACjQ/S0rK9hgIQI8/s1600/wedding_cake_displays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2-lJqsFvxs/TjIt1eLawRI/AAAAAAAACjQ/S0rK9hgIQI8/s320/wedding_cake_displays.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They also do wedding cakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo65QeKDPc8/TjIt19MizVI/AAAAAAAACjU/STbr0k8qqMQ/s1600/wedding_beach_setup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo65QeKDPc8/TjIt19MizVI/AAAAAAAACjU/STbr0k8qqMQ/s320/wedding_beach_setup.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach theme set-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95Sn6x2BGpU/TjIt2PRudGI/AAAAAAAACjY/FGqiTqwW2VM/s1600/wedding_formal_setup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95Sn6x2BGpU/TjIt2PRudGI/AAAAAAAACjY/FGqiTqwW2VM/s320/wedding_formal_setup.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Formal red/black theme set-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UU-5_DCfr58/TjIt24m8i4I/AAAAAAAACjc/gCd8ZDTynDI/s1600/wedding_formal_pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UU-5_DCfr58/TjIt24m8i4I/AAAAAAAACjc/gCd8ZDTynDI/s320/wedding_formal_pink.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple pink / black theme set-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNUOPpZimOY/TjIt30oI4lI/AAAAAAAACjg/PAPtTNY22-Q/s1600/wedding_tree_topiarys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNUOPpZimOY/TjIt30oI4lI/AAAAAAAACjg/PAPtTNY22-Q/s320/wedding_tree_topiarys.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree topiaries which are used as decos</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epCwxFLuDN8/TjIt4kX2gzI/AAAAAAAACjk/E1Rlu4cVAH8/s1600/invite_card_design_red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epCwxFLuDN8/TjIt4kX2gzI/AAAAAAAACjk/E1Rlu4cVAH8/s320/invite_card_design_red.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our wedding invite design - red paper</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tBwnCQfWmlY/TjIt0XANcoI/AAAAAAAACjI/Z0fSYmLnlwU/s1600/invite_card_design_red_flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tBwnCQfWmlY/TjIt0XANcoI/AAAAAAAACjI/Z0fSYmLnlwU/s320/invite_card_design_red_flower.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a flower-like pattern page overlay</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>Darling and I were really happy in what we managed to sort out in the short one hour plus we were there. We decided on the following items:<br />
<ol><li>Decorations for the ceremony</li>
<li>Flower bouquet for myself and the bridesmaids, corsages for the mums, button holes for the groomsmen and flower head garlands for the two flower girls</li>
<li>Invitation Card designs</li>
<li> Wishing Well Rental</li>
</ol>All of the above for just over $1000. For us, that was real good value and certainly a tick on our budget. I realised a couple of days later that I forgot to add on the flowers for car deco as well and that just added an extra $50+ on. We opted not to go with them for the cake as we've already made a decision on Three Sweeties and we figured it was better to some things spread out between different suppliers.<br />
<br />
Nicole was really helpful and friendly though, she offered quite a bit of help and advice. And so that was a few more items ticked off the list. For now, the next hardest part will be to get the guest list sorted out and compiled. She said she'll bug us in a few weeks time as invitations should be sent out only about 2 months to the wedding anyway. So yeah, that's it for the decisions for now! :pJuz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-66382049488772927432011-05-29T22:33:00.069+10:002011-07-14T15:19:03.032+10:00Cake deposit and Wedding Wish Factory Outlet Sale.We confirmed our wedding cake supplier as <a href="http://www.threesweeties.com.au/index.html">Three Sweeties</a> and gave the a deposit a few of weeks ago. If you recall from the previous post on <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/2011/04/checking-out-couple-of-wedding-cake.html">visiting cake suppliers</a>, we only visited two of them and just decided to pick one from there. I had contacted a few other suppliers through email, but their prices were just more expensive. So Three Sweeties it was; reasonable prices, pretty tasty cupcakes and over 20 years of experience, I think that should set our minds as ease. :)<br />
<br />
Anyway I found the <a href="http://www.weddingwish.com.au/">Wedding Wish Factory Outlet</a> through facebook one day. They sell wedding accessories, gifts, jewellery etc. and they are situated in Mentone. I found out about them having a warehouse sale on Fri 20 May and so Dar and I decided to check out what they might have since we're still looking for wedding favours for guests and gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Here are some pics from their warehouse:<br />
<br />
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-duaW_r_RH6g/ThqHoCeBW5I/AAAAAAAACiY/Z-dtsjqxlXM/s1600/wedding-wish_sale1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-duaW_r_RH6g/ThqHoCeBW5I/AAAAAAAACiY/Z-dtsjqxlXM/s320/wedding-wish_sale1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div></td> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zG0l5LMOmXc/ThqHo76rN3I/AAAAAAAACic/HKerlTziz7Q/s1600/wedding-wish_sale2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zG0l5LMOmXc/ThqHo76rN3I/AAAAAAAACic/HKerlTziz7Q/s320/wedding-wish_sale2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXfbp3jSmsQ/ThqHppxluNI/AAAAAAAACig/RUxJbMaNTfA/s1600/wedding-wish_sale3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXfbp3jSmsQ/ThqHppxluNI/AAAAAAAACig/RUxJbMaNTfA/s320/wedding-wish_sale3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div></td> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sohEaB7my94/ThqHnSYgeoI/AAAAAAAACiU/3hIhBclJrho/s1600/wedding-wish_sale4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sohEaB7my94/ThqHnSYgeoI/AAAAAAAACiU/3hIhBclJrho/s320/wedding-wish_sale4.jpg" width="239" /></a></div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
They had quite a lot of things: toasting glasses, cupcake stands, ring pillows, guest books, bonbonaire boxes etc, you name it, they have it. They also had some practical gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen and stuff for Hen's and Buck's Night. Most items were for display only and they didn't have much stock on hand. So the items I bought that night had to be delivered the next week. I got a silver crystal bling key-rings for my girls and mum, a handbag holder for the future MIL and a wedding certificate holder for us. <br />
<br />
The prices were quite reasonable and they also hire out wishing wells should you need them for collecting monetary gifts on your wedding day. You can choose items from different themes on their website and they even have some Asian style stuff. But as we still haven't decided on the wedding favours, I might just need to look more varieties online before we make a decision. But salt and pepper shakers are definitely on the list. ;)Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-75612384197995751982011-05-25T22:47:00.004+10:002011-06-21T14:51:36.129+10:00Actual day wedding gown dilemmas and my evening gown.I have finally decided on my actual day wedding gown but it wasn't an easy path to get there. When we first got engaged in March last year, I went for quite a few gown try-outs at different bridal stores with darling and girlfriends Ammie and Daisy. But I just didn't find one that felt right and now I'm glad I didn't buy on impulse because I'm really happy with the final decision that I made.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faLO_qSXdpo/TfI4ugu0aXI/AAAAAAAAChw/GbqUDOn30z4/s1600/chosen_gown1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="right" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faLO_qSXdpo/TfI4ugu0aXI/AAAAAAAAChw/GbqUDOn30z4/s320/chosen_gown1.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>My initial dream gown was a princess-like, ball gown type of style, which is similar to the one I tried on the right. But I couldn't find many of those styles in Melbourne, either that or it was too expensive and way over budget. There was definitely more choices when I went back to Malaysia. So we came to a conclusion that maybe it's an Asian thing for liking "pong-pong" (a.k.a poofy) gowns! Ha-ha...<br />
<br />
The gown I tried on the right is from <a href="http://www.venusbridal.com.my/index.php">Venus Bridal</a>, the shop in Malaysia which I did my pre-wedding photoshoot. It was a rental (pre-loved) gown and the shop assistant quoted me RM2500 which is about AUD$840, to buy it.<br />
<br />
That was within my budget and I was really close to getting it, but the put-off was that I couldn't take it back with me to Melbourne until after June because they already have two other brides who are renting it for their wedding.<br />
<br />
And so after the dress measurements at Aunty Margaret's (Mum's friend) place that day, we went to check out the other bridal shops across the road from Venus Bridal. We chanced upon <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/26948448">Miosa Couture</a> and the girls were really friendly and nice. They don't have a website but the link shows you a photo of the shop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7hk3Sjlxm0/TfI4vV1_rXI/AAAAAAAACh0/pBp3wv7aPRs/s1600/chosen_gown2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="right" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7hk3Sjlxm0/TfI4vV1_rXI/AAAAAAAACh0/pBp3wv7aPRs/s320/chosen_gown2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>After trying out countless gowns, I settled for this ivory/white poofy gown with organza fluffs on the right. It was also a rental gown but as the shop wasn't as high end as Venus Bridal, the price quoted was quite a difference; RM1200 for it.<br />
<br />
Among the gowns, the shop assistant picked out a newly made, ivory coloured gown with very beautiful embroidery at the train and it was really suitable to walk down the aisle with it. Mum, Aunty Margaret, Len and the shop assistants all swooned over it, but I didn't take a fancy then because it wasn't "poofy" and was too simple for me.<br />
<br />
After settling on the wedding gown, I decided I want an evening gown too since the prices were within budget. I tried a few in different colours but didn't take any fancy. Then I was shown another of their new designs; this blue and loose flowing evening gown with silver embroidery. Darling's favourite colour is blue and it was really gorgeous when I tried it on; so I went with it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqvkupaXGm8/TfI4v4KexWI/AAAAAAAACh4/H1pflh_nt64/s1600/evening_gown_blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="right" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqvkupaXGm8/TfI4v4KexWI/AAAAAAAACh4/H1pflh_nt64/s320/evening_gown_blue.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>I happily paid for the ivory "poofy" gown (centre right) and the blue evening gown on the right - for a total of RM2700. That's equivalent to about AUD$900; for two gowns I'd say that was quite a steal! The price included dry clean and alterations. I collected them the day before I flew back to Melbourne.<br />
<br />
Thinking back now, I was annoyed that I didn't check the wedding gown properly while packing it for the flight. It wasn't only until I got back to Melbourne did I realise that a crystal bead on the wedding gown was missing! It was quite a prominent one, positioned on the right hand side near the waist. That kinda devastated me because the wedding gown is one of the highlights for the day and it was truly one thing that I wanted to be perfect. And though the gown was dry-cleaned, it somehow still looked a little old and faded.<br />
<br />
The shop assistant apologized for it and were really helpful in trying to resolve the matter. But that wasn't the only reason why I don't want the wedding gown any more. I showed it to friends and even the future mother-in-law and all they did was manage a small smile and say "ah okay..."; trying not to sound offensive. I knew deep down that they didn't like it. My colleagues were more honest in telling me up-front that the elegant ivory a-line gown (with the embroidery at the train) was definitely more gorgeous and I should go for it.<br />
<br />
So I had two choices:<br />
1) The shop assistant would find the missing crystal / get me a new one and post it over to me or<br />
2) I can post the "poofy" gown with the missing crystal back and for an additional RM1000, they will tailor make a brand new one of the ivory a-line gown for me.<br />
<br />
I think you know which choice I went for because I wouldn't have posted the "poofy" ivory gown in the first place if that was really my wedding gown. ;) Having a tailor made gown meant I could add in a special request; like asking the dressmaker to make the chest area a little more heart-shape styled. The gown will take about a month to be ready and mum will bring it over for me when she comes.Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-8344780187612167372011-05-04T13:15:00.006+10:002011-07-14T15:10:40.270+10:00Bridesmaids meet-up, sorting their dresses and our wedding bandsMeeting up with my bridesmaids on the Easter trip back to Malaysia and Singapore was one of my main priorities and I was so glad I managed to catch up with all of them - even though not all of them at once. ;) Luckily there is emails and sms to communicate with one another when I'm back here and then there's the private facebook group which we use to discuss stuff as well. Here are the special ladies for my big day:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" separator="" style="padding: 0pt;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMUKVgwcpjo/TfIg5e6cDlI/AAAAAAAACgk/0LaQsdK6uUA/s1600/IMG_2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMUKVgwcpjo/TfIg5e6cDlI/AAAAAAAACgk/0LaQsdK6uUA/s320/IMG_2008.jpg" width="115" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qrDJ8pswgNs/TfIg6THL_tI/AAAAAAAACgo/ZCv6wxRgc8A/s1600/IMG_2207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qrDJ8pswgNs/TfIg6THL_tI/AAAAAAAACgo/ZCv6wxRgc8A/s320/IMG_2207.jpg" width="115" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZJjTPvgxGA/TfIg8w0Q-KI/AAAAAAAACgs/ledy0OUnEUI/s1600/IMG_2202+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZJjTPvgxGA/TfIg8w0Q-KI/AAAAAAAACgs/ledy0OUnEUI/s320/IMG_2202+copy.jpg" width="115" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsfqYiLcMv0/TfIiZuzT-pI/AAAAAAAAChI/1caCQiWZ-L0/s1600/IMG_2290+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsfqYiLcMv0/TfIiZuzT-pI/AAAAAAAAChI/1caCQiWZ-L0/s320/IMG_2290+copy.jpg" width="115" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The arrangement was that I will provide their dress; just a small token for their effort of flying all the way over to Melbourne for me. We all came to an agreement on the dresses before I went back; that we will settle with 1 colour choice and 4 different dress designs. The colour chosen was sort of orange/red colour, quite similar to the colours of the first two dresses. And here are dress designs that they have chosen:<br />
<br />
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cR4GiCYKYO8/TfInNGlV5AI/AAAAAAAAChU/Y8Jy4LBadBg/s1600/len_dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cR4GiCYKYO8/TfInNGlV5AI/AAAAAAAAChU/Y8Jy4LBadBg/s320/len_dress.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></td> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvyjS_9mhL8/TfInOW-FXjI/AAAAAAAAChY/lzQoepibwyQ/s1600/sheali_dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvyjS_9mhL8/TfInOW-FXjI/AAAAAAAAChY/lzQoepibwyQ/s320/sheali_dress.jpg" width="235" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BI_DChAzXYk/TfInO0VZrwI/AAAAAAAAChc/L_F3SIshgp4/s1600/stacey_dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BI_DChAzXYk/TfInO0VZrwI/AAAAAAAAChc/L_F3SIshgp4/s320/stacey_dress.jpg" width="221" /></a></div></td> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5aUo3TQwTg4/TfInM-ALUZI/AAAAAAAAChQ/DQzegyzIsI4/s1600/denise_dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5aUo3TQwTg4/TfInM-ALUZI/AAAAAAAAChQ/DQzegyzIsI4/s320/denise_dress.jpg" width="223" /></a></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Aunty Margaret, a friend of mum's had a very good tailor who made really nice dresses and so she recommended her to me. The tailor's prices were also quite reasonable and she will organise everything including getting the material for me. There will be 3 satin dresses and 1 chiffon one. On the last photo with the 2 models, Denise chose the one on the right with the flower at the neck and that's the chiffon one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYcIgezJQIs/TfIrUQeOuMI/AAAAAAAACho/8LhpakgoD-w/s1600/wedding_bands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYcIgezJQIs/TfIrUQeOuMI/AAAAAAAACho/8LhpakgoD-w/s320/wedding_bands.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>Darling and I also managed to tick off a few more items off the list by getting our wedding bands, ring pillow and guest book all in one go.<br />
<br />
Darling got a Lee Hwa Jewellery Member card when he bought the engagement ring about a year ago. And the member card entitles the user a 10% off any jewellery purchased from the store. What was better, was that they had a sale going on that time and there was a further 20% on top of that. And so we got 30% our wedding bands!<br />
<br />
Darling chose something simple, just a plain band with a border on each side, while I went for a single row of diamonds on the top half of the ring (also with a border on each side) to compliment my engagement ring, which was a solitaire.<br />
<br />
We also knew we wanted white gold as we are both not a fan of yellow gold and so agreeing on that was easy. The shop also gave us a complimentary ring pillow and guest book. They were white and looked elegant which we can and will use anyway, and so that was two less items we had to get ourselves.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqnDcHMN4o0/TfIrT9iaWoI/AAAAAAAAChk/aqTkcXDRwzQ/s1600/ringpillow_guestbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqnDcHMN4o0/TfIrT9iaWoI/AAAAAAAAChk/aqTkcXDRwzQ/s1600/ringpillow_guestbook.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I think white colour goes with almost every theme and so I think a combination of our orange/red colour should go okay with either white or black. Well we are honestly not too fussed about it anyway, simple and elegant is the key thing we want for our wedding. ;)Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-29522678259096820632011-04-28T23:41:00.004+10:002011-07-05T14:22:04.860+10:00Malaysia Pre-Wedding Photoshoot: Thu 21 Apr 2011We booked our Malaysia pre-wedding photoshoot since last year. I think that was one of the first things that I did when we first got engaged. I always admired all the beautiful albums of friends and relatives in the past. And so a studio photoshoot was a "must-have" for me; plus this was a norm in the Asian culture because you have the album ready for viewing at the reception place on the wedding day.<br />
<br />
We chose <a href="http://www.venusbridal.com.my/index.php">Venus Bridal</a> because it was recommended on forums and also one of the top two bridal photography studios in town. Thanks to my dear "Maid-of-Honour" Len who came down from Ipoh to spend 2 days with me and do some girly and wedding stuff together. She and mum came with me to choose my gowns a couple of days before the photoshoot. Below are some of the more boombastic gowns that I didn't pick. They were just way too much for me. The last one really looked like some sort of coral.<br />
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<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-saQ4dSFfwv8/TehqADnZ7CI/AAAAAAAACeI/FytZg1xipPs/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-saQ4dSFfwv8/TehqADnZ7CI/AAAAAAAACeI/FytZg1xipPs/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_1.jpg" t8="true" width="238" /></a></div></td><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eh1A7MOcoIM/TehqCb25LJI/AAAAAAAACeM/a8YGcURLSO8/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eh1A7MOcoIM/TehqCb25LJI/AAAAAAAACeM/a8YGcURLSO8/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_2.jpg" t8="true" width="239" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwpSPJoQ6N4/TehqFJ11iNI/AAAAAAAACeQ/kWcXFCl8iUc/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwpSPJoQ6N4/TehqFJ11iNI/AAAAAAAACeQ/kWcXFCl8iUc/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_3.jpg" t8="true" width="239" /></a></div></td><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxcaA1jVo1s/TehqGgzbTOI/AAAAAAAACeU/cstfAiaM4ls/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxcaA1jVo1s/TehqGgzbTOI/AAAAAAAACeU/cstfAiaM4ls/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_4.jpg" t8="true" width="239" /></a></div></td></tr>
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The photoshoot took us the whole day from 10.30am to around 7pm in the evening (with an hour's break in the arvo for lunch)! Thanks to darling who had quite a bit of patience though he was quite grumpy already towards the end. But we made it through make-up, 7 gowns, 7 hair styles and countless poses; not to forget the numb cheeks after all the smiling to get some really great shots!<br />
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Some shots below that darling took for me on our own camera. I wanted some of my own photos so I had more photos to keep and also to look back on in the future. Two girls from make-up schools who were there to learn that day also took some snaps for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3NusqQ2JQZE/TehqIObkkbI/AAAAAAAACeY/HLFwET6KHC4/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3NusqQ2JQZE/TehqIObkkbI/AAAAAAAACeY/HLFwET6KHC4/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_5.jpg" t8="true" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st gown: A white and really long one with black beads and embroidery on the chest area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udpohf-Hl30/TehqJsyBgGI/AAAAAAAACec/EdSQyc6YWdM/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udpohf-Hl30/TehqJsyBgGI/AAAAAAAACec/EdSQyc6YWdM/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_6.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd gown: A red satin-like number with black embroidery. Tradional with modern touch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDee2D4xSyw/TehqLXm1TDI/AAAAAAAACeg/pKdv1UAUgls/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDee2D4xSyw/TehqLXm1TDI/AAAAAAAACeg/pKdv1UAUgls/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_7.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Su Lee, the fantastic make-up and hair stylist for the day doing my hair for the 3rd gown.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbPUgF06FTk/TehqM8fsjEI/AAAAAAAACek/0PiQtvhYhJg/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbPUgF06FTk/TehqM8fsjEI/AAAAAAAACek/0PiQtvhYhJg/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_8.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd gown: Another white one with silver embroidery but this was a two piece corset type.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-6r0aKDiVI/TehqOmctoFI/AAAAAAAACeo/NQ63Dh5ZDyY/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-6r0aKDiVI/TehqOmctoFI/AAAAAAAACeo/NQ63Dh5ZDyY/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_9.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th gown: Old Victoria English green gown with black corset top and gold embroidery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vil6iM-Zhw/TehqRChmVaI/AAAAAAAACes/mtF6Ywp5DLQ/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vil6iM-Zhw/TehqRChmVaI/AAAAAAAACes/mtF6Ywp5DLQ/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_10.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5th gown: Mum suggested a Cheong Sam and so I picked this which was quite revealing on the right side!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNCvvyf6yS4/TehqSWrj1UI/AAAAAAAACew/8Gyd2v9Iblc/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNCvvyf6yS4/TehqSWrj1UI/AAAAAAAACew/8Gyd2v9Iblc/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_11.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Su Lee at the back again changing my hairstyle for the 6th gown. This was not my fav one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lzfE4yAmPV4/TehqUFv2MEI/AAAAAAAACe0/eQXSolzADjY/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lzfE4yAmPV4/TehqUFv2MEI/AAAAAAAACe0/eQXSolzADjY/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_12.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6th gown: A fully black number, quite popular nowdaysas people are no longer so superstitious</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W2QkpddRezY/TehqWRK3fVI/AAAAAAAACe4/L_oxZ_UZoFk/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W2QkpddRezY/TehqWRK3fVI/AAAAAAAACe4/L_oxZ_UZoFk/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_13.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Su Lee again doing the hairstyle for my last gown. This has got to be my fav gown and hairstyle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5JTXKGsZL8/TehqXsQXGiI/AAAAAAAACe8/iN93PvkwpjI/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5JTXKGsZL8/TehqXsQXGiI/AAAAAAAACe8/iN93PvkwpjI/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_14.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7th gown: White silky gown which I only got to pick on that day for outdoor shoot. </td></tr>
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</tbody></table>The photos were ready for selection the next day. We had to select 30 poses (photos) out of the few hundred odd photos that we took the day before! Some were easy to pass on but mostly it was no easy feat. His royal tubbyness had to leave and go back to Singapore that arvo and so Mum and I landed up going back to the shop again after church to continue choosing.<br />
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Here are some of the shots that day. Apart from the last one, these were all poses that we didn't choose. Because the ones we chose were cut off and given to the designers who will be doing some photoshop editing and album design. Mum and I figured it was such a waste as they will probably throw away the rest of the wallet size preview photos anyway and so we cut them out and took them instead.<br />
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<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70wkSuWmjko/TehqdyPVXwI/AAAAAAAACfI/1-1f8BNHOH8/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70wkSuWmjko/TehqdyPVXwI/AAAAAAAACfI/1-1f8BNHOH8/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_17.jpg" t8="true" width="214" /></a></div></td><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qK-6_gsNzrE/TehqfR3dH-I/AAAAAAAACfM/O3eONykFYFM/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qK-6_gsNzrE/TehqfR3dH-I/AAAAAAAACfM/O3eONykFYFM/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_18.jpg" t8="true" width="214" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nR5aBI8LNNw/TehqhMWx07I/AAAAAAAACfQ/gU4BIO0_6NE/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nR5aBI8LNNw/TehqhMWx07I/AAAAAAAACfQ/gU4BIO0_6NE/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_19.jpg" t8="true" width="214" /></a></div></td><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sxP_Fnbq7v8/TehqjPc1fcI/AAAAAAAACfU/DGLbPQfcEz8/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sxP_Fnbq7v8/TehqjPc1fcI/AAAAAAAACfU/DGLbPQfcEz8/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_20.jpg" t8="true" width="214" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kEFckit_YFo/TehqlJL9J6I/AAAAAAAACfY/b2COVSVV0BA/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kEFckit_YFo/TehqlJL9J6I/AAAAAAAACfY/b2COVSVV0BA/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_21.jpg" t8="true" width="221" /></a></div></td><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FR6UdZqaP2w/TehqnRL0jSI/AAAAAAAACfc/J4Rk14NAIqA/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FR6UdZqaP2w/TehqnRL0jSI/AAAAAAAACfc/J4Rk14NAIqA/s320/venus_preshoot_blog_22.jpg" t8="true" width="214" /></a></div></td></tr>
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Vertical poses above with the horizontal poses below. Darling's gonna "killed me" for posting up this cheesy, playful one below. But I don't care, it was all for the fun of it! :p Majority of the photoshoot was done indoor. The studio had quite a few different backdrops and decorations. We were a little skeptical about the outdoor shoot because of the heat and humidity and so we only went out for a bit in the evening.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7R7lLVnPD9M/TehqpZNUIDI/AAAAAAAACfg/BQhSAKGe498/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7R7lLVnPD9M/TehqpZNUIDI/AAAAAAAACfg/BQhSAKGe498/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_23.jpg" t8="true" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4oI0Q4K_W8/TehqrmX7NfI/AAAAAAAACfk/dmWYtUk-w6w/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4oI0Q4K_W8/TehqrmX7NfI/AAAAAAAACfk/dmWYtUk-w6w/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_24.jpg" t8="true" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brV3iZulcuQ/TehquMEH6eI/AAAAAAAACfo/T30RykSbs48/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brV3iZulcuQ/TehquMEH6eI/AAAAAAAACfo/T30RykSbs48/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_25.jpg" t8="true" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbPJWvdn-8A/TehqzkH3ndI/AAAAAAAACfw/MoodUbbIP-Y/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbPJWvdn-8A/TehqzkH3ndI/AAAAAAAACfw/MoodUbbIP-Y/s1600/venus_preshoot_blog_26.jpg" t8="true" width="500" /></a></div><div></div><div><br />
Even though I was bitten like hell from so many mosquitos at the garden, I've gotta say some of the favourite shots were from the outdoor shoot. Plus like I've said, the outdoor gown was the favourite for the day. It had just finished raining around 5pm-ish in the evening and that's why the garden / park was swarming with mozzis! We had to force out a smile even though I was itching and scratching all over.</div><div></div><div><br />
But the long and tiring day ended with a yummy dinner treat from dad, together with mum. And we were quite happy with the photos; that are going to be special keepsafe with us forever, so all the "pain" and effort was worth it, not to forget the experience.</div>Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-67940318520854162592011-04-07T12:51:00.001+10:002011-07-04T15:35:40.253+10:00Checking out a couple of Wedding Cake SuppliersWe had two appointments last Saturday with cake suppliers for some tasting and discussion on our wedding cupcake / cake. We are of course, considering prices, flavours, taste, delivery and set-up charges and anything else they provide. The first appointment was in Oakleigh, just in the surrounding suburbs. Their building was a little hard to find, but lucky they said that they will be moving to a proper shop in Glenhuntly in a few weeks time.<br />
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<b>Cake Supplier:</b> Three Sweeties<br />
<b>Website:</b> <a href="http://www.threesweeties.com.au/">http://www.threesweeties.com.au/</a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Prices: </span>Cupcakes start from $3.50 each and top tier cakes start from $75. Cake toppers of a Couple with simple designs start from $100.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJpnGGa_ivw/TaPa-qXqt9I/AAAAAAAACT4/Pf8iiBCyEq8/s1600/wedding-cupcake-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594555932184590290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJpnGGa_ivw/TaPa-qXqt9I/AAAAAAAACT4/Pf8iiBCyEq8/s320/wedding-cupcake-1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a> </td><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qNZrNva77v4/TaPa-6jfPnI/AAAAAAAACUA/7knJatI5O5M/s1600/wedding-cupcake-2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594555936529137266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qNZrNva77v4/TaPa-6jfPnI/AAAAAAAACUA/7knJatI5O5M/s320/wedding-cupcake-2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
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They hire out cupcake stands at a $30 rental fee and set-up and delivery fee was $75 to our reception place. The lady suggested that we could get some cupcake boxes so that if guests couldn't eat them on that night, they could bring them home.<br />
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The next appoinment was in Knox. They were recommended by Ammie, whose colleague had her very pretty and tasty birthday cake made by them. I don't deny their cakes tasted good as Darling went on trying one after another, though I don't think we would go with them.<br />
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<b>Cake Supplier:</b> Special Treats By Carolyn<br />
<b>Website:</b> <a href="http://www.specialtreatsbycarolyn.com/">http://www.specialtreatsbycarolyn.com/</a> <a href="http://www.threesweeties.com.au/"></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Prices: </span> Cupcakes start from $4.00 each and top tier cakes start from $110. Cake toppers of a Couple with some extra small flowers start from $190.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKEFlFEV6lM/TaPlnXsmETI/AAAAAAAACUM/mc9MjVYDEhY/s1600/carolyn-entrance.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594567626663006514" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKEFlFEV6lM/TaPlnXsmETI/AAAAAAAACUM/mc9MjVYDEhY/s320/carolyn-entrance.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FbyZo8KTUU/TaPlnwTrfDI/AAAAAAAACUU/lV-PfmVld3o/s1600/carolyn-shop1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594567633269390386" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FbyZo8KTUU/TaPlnwTrfDI/AAAAAAAACUU/lV-PfmVld3o/s320/carolyn-shop1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjRcW1sGzhM/TaPloM6mzII/AAAAAAAACUc/25r5pMimnLU/s1600/carolyn-shop2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594567640948853890" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjRcW1sGzhM/TaPloM6mzII/AAAAAAAACUc/25r5pMimnLU/s320/carolyn-shop2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYPV6zRzk5Q/TaPloZJnaAI/AAAAAAAACUk/j8lNX9G1DN8/s1600/carolyn-shop4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594567644233033730" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYPV6zRzk5Q/TaPloZJnaAI/AAAAAAAACUk/j8lNX9G1DN8/s320/carolyn-shop4.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
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The cupcake stand hire was $50 here and they require a $200 refundable bond. Set up and delivery was slightly cheaper here, $50 to our reception place. But somehow the prices of everything else was certainly more pricey as compared to the first shop. The cake toppers at that, were almost doubled the price here! And no I wasn't too happy about the $200 bond for the stand hire too.<br />
<br />
Plue we didn't really feel too comfortable with the lady that chatted to us. She was nice but rather pushy and sort of wanted us to put a deposit there and then. We don't want to make a decision yet as there's still time for us to look around a little bit more. But I'm glad we had these two appointments as we learnt some things; that the cupcake/cake can actually be packaged and given away and was better served as a dessert after the main meals.<br />
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We plan to make an appointment with a couple more cake shops when we return from our Singapore/Malaysia trip after Easter. But at least we have decided on having a cupcake/cake, and the theme is still rather debatable. :pJuz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-31546644778343316202011-03-27T20:31:00.045+11:002011-05-25T10:06:57.769+10:00Australia Pre-Wedding Photoshoot: Sat 19 Feb 2011Silly blogger did a maintenance and all my writing was lost, I'll have to find the time to re-write the post again. Hopefully they restore my previous post soon. Otherwise enjoy the photos first. :p<br />
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<tr> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iDBdmDQ4mJA/TciRjjUqx9I/AAAAAAAACcg/hhTsGeRpsTI/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604889776225961938" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iDBdmDQ4mJA/TciRjjUqx9I/AAAAAAAACcg/hhTsGeRpsTI/s320/Melb_Preshoot_5.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3jK7NFaTU64/TceEyOFl2iI/AAAAAAAACZQ/2HqDn-X0zNI/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3jK7NFaTU64/TceEyOFl2iI/AAAAAAAACZQ/2HqDn-X0zNI/s320/Melb_Preshoot_6.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VneyKVCpPBU/TceEyWeA_yI/AAAAAAAACZY/65ahRwnVY68/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VneyKVCpPBU/TceEyWeA_yI/AAAAAAAACZY/65ahRwnVY68/s320/Melb_Preshoot_7.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9QdKWwxJpb0/TceEzL6s0gI/AAAAAAAACZw/Rw2CwO1YUUc/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_12.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9QdKWwxJpb0/TceEzL6s0gI/AAAAAAAACZw/Rw2CwO1YUUc/s320/Melb_Preshoot_12.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FF1sDt3gCp0/TceFP-Ku-tI/AAAAAAAACZ4/6TZgAlvEBXA/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_14.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604594770718423762" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FF1sDt3gCp0/TceFP-Ku-tI/AAAAAAAACZ4/6TZgAlvEBXA/s320/Melb_Preshoot_14.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TohSnI-X1r0/TceFQNPvucI/AAAAAAAACaA/ZqzPLGA_ur0/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_18.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604594774765976002" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TohSnI-X1r0/TceFQNPvucI/AAAAAAAACaA/ZqzPLGA_ur0/s320/Melb_Preshoot_18.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XY2Ueb3Ptxc/TceEylfk7aI/AAAAAAAACZg/vzMvPHQflPc/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XY2Ueb3Ptxc/TceEylfk7aI/AAAAAAAACZg/vzMvPHQflPc/s320/Melb_Preshoot_8.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 166px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lf97tmgTpjg/TceEy_BobQI/AAAAAAAACZo/4-SV7lURUiM/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lf97tmgTpjg/TceEy_BobQI/AAAAAAAACZo/4-SV7lURUiM/s320/Melb_Preshoot_13.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a></td> </tr>
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<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CUs8N2NUpmk/TceFQK1CBjI/AAAAAAAACaI/orUJtUlWguM/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_19.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604594774117058098" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CUs8N2NUpmk/TceFQK1CBjI/AAAAAAAACaI/orUJtUlWguM/s320/Melb_Preshoot_19.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kdqv2GlBatI/TceFQRWj6AI/AAAAAAAACaQ/Hur-HCb0jw0/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_21.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604594775868303362" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kdqv2GlBatI/TceFQRWj6AI/AAAAAAAACaQ/Hur-HCb0jw0/s320/Melb_Preshoot_21.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv-QCxJw85Q/TceXosvDtXI/AAAAAAAACak/VRR7lOWx7AQ/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_27.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604614986744968562" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv-QCxJw85Q/TceXosvDtXI/AAAAAAAACak/VRR7lOWx7AQ/s320/Melb_Preshoot_27.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMvasmFv5CI/TceXpHELYUI/AAAAAAAACa8/_gc_pwnBXDg/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_34.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604614993812873538" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMvasmFv5CI/TceXpHELYUI/AAAAAAAACa8/_gc_pwnBXDg/s320/Melb_Preshoot_34.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jBW95Cpg_6Q/TceZCZ_3aBI/AAAAAAAACbQ/_5Y19lpC_lE/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_38.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604616527903418386" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jBW95Cpg_6Q/TceZCZ_3aBI/AAAAAAAACbQ/_5Y19lpC_lE/s320/Melb_Preshoot_38.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tahOFZvpbQw/TciRj5BBhPI/AAAAAAAACco/UDIpLLizMJE/s1600/preshoot-295.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604889782049146098" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tahOFZvpbQw/TciRj5BBhPI/AAAAAAAACco/UDIpLLizMJE/s320/preshoot-295.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A6-MYOGQ9WY/TceFQQqraBI/AAAAAAAACaY/5G57G2qUPlI/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_24.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604594775684245522" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A6-MYOGQ9WY/TceFQQqraBI/AAAAAAAACaY/5G57G2qUPlI/s320/Melb_Preshoot_24.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 166px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcXPLfZYkoo/TceXomklcBI/AAAAAAAACas/J13tCFCHP8w/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_29.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604614985090428946" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcXPLfZYkoo/TceXomklcBI/AAAAAAAACas/J13tCFCHP8w/s320/Melb_Preshoot_29.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 166px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0yP8jVjEroc/TceXpf2BwdI/AAAAAAAACbE/MMoSv7DoKao/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_36.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604615000464409042" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0yP8jVjEroc/TceXpf2BwdI/AAAAAAAACbE/MMoSv7DoKao/s320/Melb_Preshoot_36.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HaipI-fZoQg/TceXo1J8nxI/AAAAAAAACa0/GOLqjqSqoZk/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_32.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604614989005233938" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HaipI-fZoQg/TceXo1J8nxI/AAAAAAAACa0/GOLqjqSqoZk/s320/Melb_Preshoot_32.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 166px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqsLmQYD7UM/TceZCgWWDUI/AAAAAAAACbY/WwiGqxSu1zY/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_42.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604616529608314178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqsLmQYD7UM/TceZCgWWDUI/AAAAAAAACbY/WwiGqxSu1zY/s320/Melb_Preshoot_42.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seJcrBsMP14/TceZC9oTr1I/AAAAAAAACbg/98NizO4l7G0/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_47.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604616537468284754" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seJcrBsMP14/TceZC9oTr1I/AAAAAAAACbg/98NizO4l7G0/s320/Melb_Preshoot_47.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 166px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-llAIDyBy2S0/TceZDEmy0uI/AAAAAAAACbw/J_0lIDB1DvM/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_57.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604616539340985058" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-llAIDyBy2S0/TceZDEmy0uI/AAAAAAAACbw/J_0lIDB1DvM/s320/Melb_Preshoot_57.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-w3DZ90QUw/TceZC0n6YUI/AAAAAAAACbo/P0-hXWOIisU/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_55.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604616535050707266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-w3DZ90QUw/TceZC0n6YUI/AAAAAAAACbo/P0-hXWOIisU/s320/Melb_Preshoot_55.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQgKBNgSQAA/TceZf7N6aRI/AAAAAAAACb4/h34eraa66vs/s1600/preshoot-416.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604617035036911890" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQgKBNgSQAA/TceZf7N6aRI/AAAAAAAACb4/h34eraa66vs/s320/preshoot-416.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xYgmV3zorw/TceZgI0VQMI/AAAAAAAACcA/q1dTNhWQkZQ/s1600/Melb_Preshoot_60.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604617038687715522" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xYgmV3zorw/TceZgI0VQMI/AAAAAAAACcA/q1dTNhWQkZQ/s320/Melb_Preshoot_60.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-49078732349060998262011-03-16T12:28:00.010+11:002011-07-04T15:36:03.841+10:00Wedding Cake thoughts and Limousine TransportWith the months going by quickly, I started browsing around for cake suppliers and emailed a few of them for quotes. Darling was actually quite pleased with the idea of a cake and cupcake combination. We figured it was something different from the usual and also much easier for guests to just pick up a cupcake and eat instead needing to cut and serve them.<br />
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Here are a couple of designs below which I found on google. Basically the top most tier will be a single layered cake and you can have up about 4-7 tiers below of cupcakes decorated in circles around the stand. We haven't finalised the theme and colours and I really hope to come to a decision soon as my bridesmaids have also been asking me about our wedding theme.<br />
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<div align="center"><table align="center"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ar9nvKV887w/TYKsh5dcelI/AAAAAAAACOY/qMGVSGMzRN8/s1600/cupcake_tree_1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585216186252819026" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ar9nvKV887w/TYKsh5dcelI/AAAAAAAACOY/qMGVSGMzRN8/s320/cupcake_tree_1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 233px;" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CDL8XFc-u6M/TYKsiIN0xqI/AAAAAAAACOg/0WoA2gZZSGU/s1600/Wedding%2BCupcakes.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585216190213834402" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CDL8XFc-u6M/TYKsiIN0xqI/AAAAAAAACOg/0WoA2gZZSGU/s320/Wedding%2BCupcakes.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 322px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 218px;" /></a></td></tr>
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And so based on pricing and email communications, I have shortlisted about 4 cake suppliers:<br />
1) Special Treats by Carolyn, Knoxfield<br />
2) Three Sweeties, Oakleigh<br />
3) Sweet by Nature, Heidelberg<br />
4) Wild Holly Cakes, Brighton<br />
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Special Treats by Carolyn was recommended by Ammie whose colleague had a very lovely and delicious Tiffany styled birthday cake made by them. The first of our appointments is in early April and so I'll update about the cake later on.<br />
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Getting on to transport, initially we thought of using my uncle's Merc. But then I just realised that the bride and groom are not supposed to travel to the ceremony venue together. The groom needs to be standing at the alter waiting for the bride already when she arrives. And so we would now need to go in seperate cars.<br />
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Thus I thought we could get a limo so my bridesmaids and I and possibly even my parents can get to the church in style. ;) I only emailed one company so far as transport one thats later down the list. But I'm really loving the Chrysler 300C limo and 1300Limo gave us a quote of $1155 for around 5 hours.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RHFQtOzhUjU/TYKsiJZrKqI/AAAAAAAACOo/dJLJ13LwhA4/s1600/chrysler300c.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585216190531971746" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RHFQtOzhUjU/TYKsiJZrKqI/AAAAAAAACOo/dJLJ13LwhA4/s1600/chrysler300c.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 249px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 480px;" /> </a><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RHFQtOzhUjU/TYKsiJZrKqI/AAAAAAAACOo/dJLJ13LwhA4/s1600/chrysler300c.jpg"></a>Looking at a black coloured Chrysler 300c which can sit up to 10 passengers.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSJJoOFWlyk/TYKsiT8uihI/AAAAAAAACOw/W5u86Ur6L-Y/s1600/chrysler300c_limo_interior.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585216193363347986" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSJJoOFWlyk/TYKsiT8uihI/AAAAAAAACOw/W5u86Ur6L-Y/s1600/chrysler300c_limo_interior.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 321px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 480px;" /></a>The interior of the Chrysler 300c, all pimped up with lights and leather seats.</div>Now that I found out the limo doesn't have to do a pick-up for darling at our place, that means we might not need the vehicle for the 5 hours at all and could possibly save some money. So we're keeping this company in mind and will contact others later on.<br />
We're personally not a fan of the old vintage vehicles for some reason and so are not interested in looking into those at all. Till then fingers crossed that we can make a final decision on the wedding theme!Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-83876190989933624902011-02-25T13:15:00.013+11:002011-03-03T14:41:34.274+11:00Decorations for the Ceremony Venue and possibly the Reception Venue and TransportationWe just ticked off another item off the list by placing a deposit to book our wedding decorator. Getting my contact when I signed up at Australian Bridal Service (ABS) website, Nicole the Director herself emailed me and informed us that she was <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/2010/04/scotch-college-chapel-sample-wedding.html">decorating the Scotch College Chapel</a> for a wedding in April last year and invited us to drop by to have a look. That was when we took photos of the church and looked at the church interior for the first time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Name: </span>Your Knight Events and Delightful Occasions<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.yourknight.com.au/">http://www.yourknight.com.au/</a> and <a href="http://www.delightfuloccasions.com.au/">http://www.delightfuloccasions.com.au/</a><br /><br />Nicole actually owns both companies and they sort of both deal with the same stuff so I'm not really sure why she chose to have two websites. But I think Your Knight Events deals in corporate stuff and travel whereas Delightful Occasions is more on wedding.<br /><br />Anyway we chose them because we thought her prices for decorations were quite reasonable based on the decos she had done for the church that day and the testimonials on the websites. And I was also impressed with her professionalism; the fact that the Director herself, was dealing and communicating with us.<br /><br />Here are some of my favourite picks from the website:<table align="center" width="98%"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Dfl05vIKS8/TW8HDoAOuuI/AAAAAAAACM0/t6YLlnjAo5U/s1600/crystal_table_decos.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 198px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Dfl05vIKS8/TW8HDoAOuuI/AAAAAAAACM0/t6YLlnjAo5U/s320/crystal_table_decos.gif" alt="wedding decorations" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579686222194719458" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mzEvZcGk2XQ/TW8HDzCtp6I/AAAAAAAACM8/HhHAKshSvxc/s1600/0003%255B2%255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 184px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mzEvZcGk2XQ/TW8HDzCtp6I/AAAAAAAACM8/HhHAKshSvxc/s320/0003%255B2%255D.jpg" alt="wedding decorations" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579686225157924770" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqsc_YQMPyk/TW8HD7NSFCI/AAAAAAAACNE/dDEl9KWMQro/s1600/Swans%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 166px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqsc_YQMPyk/TW8HD7NSFCI/AAAAAAAACNE/dDEl9KWMQro/s320/Swans%255B1%255D.jpg" alt="wedding decorations" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579686227349738530" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bKYD0fLmBrw/TW8HEWI4rpI/AAAAAAAACNM/RqA_FJAJDos/s1600/flowers_on_chairs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 167px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bKYD0fLmBrw/TW8HEWI4rpI/AAAAAAAACNM/RqA_FJAJDos/s320/flowers_on_chairs.jpg" alt="wedding decorations" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579686234579054226" border="0" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was also really happy to know that Nicole is actually a florist by trade and does the flower arrangements herself and they do make flower bouquet decos for putting on top the car bonnets as well. Being something that was only common in the Asian cultures, I was really glad to hear that as I didn't want having only a plain boring white ribbon. I can't wait to make an appointment to drop by their Carrum Downs show room to look at their decorative displays as well as to discuss further the decoration needs for the ceremony.<br /><br />We haven't really decided if the reception places needed other decorations as well because chair sash and table centre pieces are already provided. And so that might be something we'll consider later. These event companies also actually does flowers and cakes and so I'll get a quote from Nicole when I have more information on what type of flowers/colours/cake types I'd like to match our theme. And so the next thing on the list will be the cake!Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-78322195797978315452011-02-11T13:25:00.012+11:002011-05-05T12:48:32.795+10:00The finally complete Melbourne Pre-Wedding photoshoot gown with accessories and shoes to match. :)I collected my gown for our pre-wedding(engagement) photoshoot a couple of weeks ago. If you had <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/2010/10/pre-shoot-gown-alterations.html">previously read</a>, this gown had gone through two different seamstress before it was finally perfected. It wasn't that the I was asking too much, the first seamstress (a wedding shop at that), just did a bad job.<br /><br />Anyway I was glad to get it back after so long. I tried it on last Monday and showed it to mum on Skpye. She was happy to see her "work"(the maroon coloured sash with sequins and beads sewn) on it. Initially we thought we couldn't use it, but the seamstress (the 2nd one) had this brilliant idea of using buttons to secure parts of the sash onto the gown because it was covering a portion of the zip on the back.<table align="center" width="98%"><tbody><tr><td rowspan="4" style="text-align: center;"><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TVSRtpLn4mI/AAAAAAAACIk/zloxXLaGnDc/s1600/pre-shoot-gown-final.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 373px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TVSRtpLn4mI/AAAAAAAACIk/zloxXLaGnDc/s400/pre-shoot-gown-final.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572238852298891874" border="0" /></a>The gown - finally with all alterations and designs completed.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TVC5Dt7__2I/AAAAAAAACH8/wkflFw3J8Ak/s1600/nine-west-shoes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 269px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TVC5Dt7__2I/AAAAAAAACH8/wkflFw3J8Ak/s320/nine-west-shoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571156212579303266" border="0" /></a>Nine West Nuncio Heels Pumps - in Strawberry colour </p></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TVC5DSIJfRI/AAAAAAAACH0/4xteEhwOXBs/s1600/flower_beige.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 128px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TVC5DSIJfRI/AAAAAAAACH0/4xteEhwOXBs/s320/flower_beige.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571156205114064146" border="0" /></a>Flower fascinator to clip on the right side of gown where the ribbon hangs down.<br /></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PmHa8wjuAw/TVSHixwbwKI/AAAAAAAACII/9tFW7XycFBM/s1600/hair-clip.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 128px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PmHa8wjuAw/TVSHixwbwKI/AAAAAAAACII/9tFW7XycFBM/s320/hair-clip.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572227670505930914" border="0" /></a>Crystal and pearl hair comb possibly for the side of the hair<br /></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TVSHjCCWiNI/AAAAAAAACIQ/1pKKmEKHkpU/s1600/hair-pins.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 129px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TVSHjCCWiNI/AAAAAAAACIQ/1pKKmEKHkpU/s320/hair-pins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572227674876053714" border="0" /></a>Crystal and rhinestone hair pins for other parts of the hair.<br /></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TVSHjPJtHVI/AAAAAAAACIY/2mpDuy542Q0/s1600/stretch-ring.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 128px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TVSHjPJtHVI/AAAAAAAACIY/2mpDuy542Q0/s320/stretch-ring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572227678396554578" border="0" /></a>Stretchable rhinestone fashion ring for the other hand. ;)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I got on to buying my shoes and accessories to match thereafter. All of those were bought online at much cheaper prices, yet not off setting the quality. The accessories were all from eBay while the shoes were from this fabulous shoe shop in New York - <a href="http://www.shopnewyork.com.au/">http://www.shopnewyork.com.au/</a> that sells and ships to Australia at great prices!<br /><br />And so we have finally scheduled our Melbourne photo shoot for next Saturday! There will be sort of "an entourage" of 4 others including the photographers coming along. We're looking at places like the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Park, Docklands, Tennis Courts(of course) and anywhere else if more recommendations come along then. Really looking forward to it! :)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">P.S: Friends out there who know about "Tubby's shoe incident", can you imagine his face when he saw my shoes!? LOL.</span>Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-27624200061667974902011-01-27T11:09:00.006+11:002011-03-01T13:42:34.771+11:00Music & Entertainment for the ReceptionWe just placed a deposit to book a DJ and music equipment for the reception! Tubbs(Darling) and I found them when we attended the <a href="http://www.ultimatebridalevent.com.au/exhibitions">Ultimate Bridal Event</a> in May last year. Their sales reps are nice and friendly and they have good testimonials on their website too. We could have just gone with an iPod package - which is just music playing the whole ceremony, but of course we opted to have a DJ instead to liven up the atmosphere.<br /><br />Tubbs and I weren't a fan of having a live band playing. If there were to be any live singing, it would most definitely have to come from me (the singing wannabe), my bridesmaids/groomsmen and guests. Afterall it's our special day and we don't really need some outsiders performing for us! Tubbs is a bit shy singing in front of an audience and would only do it in the lounge room with me on our gaming consoles. :p<br /><br />Anyway, we went with their standed 5-hour wedding package. Details below:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Name:</span> Pro Mobile DJs<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.promobiledjs.com.au/">http://www.promobiledjs.com.au/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Standard Wedding Package</span> = $445 for up to 5 hours<br />* Professional, fun and experienced DJ for up to 5 hours<br />* Suitable for up to 150 people<br />* MASSIVE music collection covering all genres from 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and today<br />* 2x Powered 15 inch speakers on stands<br />* Dual CD player with mixer<br />* 2x Intelligent LED lights<br />* Microphone for speeches (on wire)<br />* Complete customer service 24/7<br /><br />Oh and they also provide setup and rental of data projectors. I think it's about $100 for the whole event. We definitely need one because we plan to do a slide-show of our pre-wedding photos that night so guests can see while awaiting our arrival. I'll also be picking up my pre-shoot gown tomorrow from the seamstress! Can't wait! :DJuz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-9893650612228736292010-12-27T21:59:00.008+11:002011-10-06T13:40:02.778+11:00Booking our Reception Venue: Brighton Savoy, what's left on the list and receptions back home in SG/MY.I'm so happy that the blog posts are all finally up to date. But most importantly the other happier thing is that we finally placed a deposit on the reception venue a couple of weeks ago on Tues 14 Dec. That's another tick off the list and one less thing to worry about. Since hearing that 2011 was a favourite year for couples to get married (I mean, come on Prince William and Kate at that!), having the most important things on top of the list sorted out certainly placed our hearts a little more at ease.<br /><br />As you might recall, we went to <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/2010/07/reception-viewing-brighton-savoy.html">inspect the Brighton Savoy</a> a few months ago in July. They have been really good in holding the date for us for 5 months and only requesting a deposit to be made after another couple expressed interest as well. Throughout that period, they have constantly kept in touch with us to find out if we were still interested in holding our reception there. And so that's a good indication of customer service. :) The other venues that we visited made no contact at all, except for a couple who checked back a day or two after the visit and simply forgotten us after that.<br /><br /><table width="80%" align="center"><tbody><tr><th>Ticks on lists so far:</th><th>Next on the list:</th></tr><tr><td><img align="absMiddle" src="http://www.softicons.com/download/application-icons/basic-icons-by-pixelmixer/png/16/tick.png" /> Ceremony Venue<br /><img align="absMiddle" src="http://www.softicons.com/download/application-icons/basic-icons-by-pixelmixer/png/16/tick.png" /> Reception Venue<br /><img align="absMiddle" src="http://www.softicons.com/download/application-icons/basic-icons-by-pixelmixer/png/16/tick.png" /> Celebrants<br /><img align="absMiddle" src="http://www.softicons.com/download/application-icons/basic-icons-by-pixelmixer/png/16/tick.png" /> Photographer & Videographer<br /></td><td><img align="absMiddle" src="http://www.mricons.com/store/png/123385_42360_32_shape_square_icon.png" width="16" height="16" /> Flowers and Cake<br /><img align="absMiddle" src="http://www.mricons.com/store/png/123385_42360_32_shape_square_icon.png" width="16" height="16" /> Bridemaid's Dresses<br /><img align="absMiddle" src="http://www.mricons.com/store/png/123385_42360_32_shape_square_icon.png" width="16" height="16" /> Actual day gown<br /><img align="absMiddle" src="http://www.mricons.com/store/png/123385_42360_32_shape_square_icon.png" width="16" height="16" /> Hair and makeup Artist</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Not forgetting to mention that I have asked my uncle and auntie if I can leave from their very beautiful bungalow on our wedding day and they have happily said yes. And as you can guess coussy Kayla (their daughter) is extremely elated too. We'll most probably borrow my uncle's Merc for the bridal car and save on the hire car. I would really like to decorate it as well, hoping we can find a shop here that does it.<br /><br />For the moment, we're still in holiday mood for the rest of the plans. We're having discussion about the reception lunch/dinners back in Singapore and Malaysia for year end with our parents though. Apparently as in the chinese lunar calendar, this year (the year of the Rabbit) is a popular for weddings back home as well because couples want to conceive and have a "Dragon" baby in the following year. LOL. So we have to be pretty fast in booking the venues for Dec 2011 and Jan 2012 too.<br /><br />Till then Happy New Years 2011 everyone and may this year be a good one for everyone too!Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-370245723668384882010-11-19T13:56:00.012+11:002011-05-09T11:43:03.231+10:00Melbourne Pre-Wedding Photoshoot gown alterations and possibly finding my actual day Wedding gown.I bought my pre-shoot(engagement) gown from the <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/2010/07/bridal-couture-sample-sale-bay-view.html">Bridal & Couture Sample</a> held at the Bayview Eden Hotel in July. As in most Asian cultures, couples actually dress up in wedding gowns and suits to take photos before the actual wedding. This is so that the photos will be ready and printed in time for an album to be displayed at the reception place for guests to view.<br /><br />Though Photography Studios here are slowly starting to introduce Engagement Shoots, it is still not something that is commonly done and Melbourne. But we still chose to go ahead with the culture with pre-shoots in Melbourne, Malaysia and possibly Singapore. ;) To save money, our pre-shoot in Melbourne will be done by friends James and Weichao.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSUpATmopRI/AAAAAAAACBQ/mwvR1ZR8csk/s1600/samplesale_bayview_eden8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558894400297805074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSUpATmopRI/AAAAAAAACBQ/mwvR1ZR8csk/s320/samplesale_bayview_eden8.jpg" /> </a><br /><p align="center"></p>The super long gown when I first tried it on at the sale - got it for $400. It was literally sweeping the floor and I wasn't a fan of the body-hugging design down to the hips.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSUpAvHihFI/AAAAAAAACBY/gYhHdDiXv_g/s1600/preshoot_gown_alter.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558894407683572818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSUpAvHihFI/AAAAAAAACBY/gYhHdDiXv_g/s320/preshoot_gown_alter.jpg" /></a> First alteration was done at Be A Star Bridal. The shop didn't do a good job. My gown turned out to be too short in the front and the seams at the back weren't even/symmetrical with the front.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSUpA8FMyEI/AAAAAAAACBg/-52owkGj8UE/s1600/pre-shootgown_sampleribbon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558894411163420738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSUpA8FMyEI/AAAAAAAACBg/-52owkGj8UE/s320/pre-shootgown_sampleribbon.jpg" /></a>I intend to put a coloured ribbon around from the back to the front and so I tied a thin ribbon round, took a photo, and made it thicker in Photoshop to see how it looked.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSUpAxOZQ9I/AAAAAAAACBo/bi0RQ0dCvpA/s1600/preshoot-gown-mumsribbon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558894408249197522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSUpAxOZQ9I/AAAAAAAACBo/bi0RQ0dCvpA/s320/preshoot-gown-mumsribbon.jpg" /></a> After being happy at how thick the ribbon should be, Mum and I went to Spotlight to get a thicker piece of cloth and Mum sewed on sequins and beads to personalise it.<br /><br />The problem started when we found out the front and back seams of the gown weren't even/symmetrical. We realised then the bridal shop had done a bad job in the alterations. A plastic strip was also poking out from the right side near the hips. The gown thus needed more alterations done as well as getting the ribbon sewn on it properly.<br /><br />On one of the off days I took to spend time with mum before she went back Malaysia, we visited <a href="http://home.alphalink.com.au/~abdec/nifi/home.html">Nifi Bridal</a> in Oakleigh. I just intended to browse around when I tried on this really gorgeous strapless gown with laces and embroidery. It didn't really seemed my type until I tried it on and it fitted perfectly. All it needed was alterations for the length a little.<br /><br />At that moment, it felt like the gown was "the one" for my actual day and I hastily put a $200 deposit on it. About a week later, I was having second thoughts because our wedding was still about a year away and I probably have time to look at other places. But I guess I have been pretty good in not being impulsive and putting deposit on the first shop I visited in April! The $200 is still sitting there awaiting my decision as they need at least 50% deposit in order to make an order for the gown.<br /><br />In any case, the lady at the shop also recommended a seamstress they use who was in Clarinda, pretty near our place. This seamstress operated from home and her work certainly looked much better. She was also very helpful and knowledgeable in recommending what needs to be done to alter the gown properly and to fit the ribbon. I felt more comforable this time leaving the gown to her.<br /><br />Edit 08/12 - I have gone back for a first fitting since then and am very much looking forward to collect my gown after the 25th of Jan when she returns from holidays. :)Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-1987869380476364512010-10-21T15:15:00.008+11:002011-01-06T14:17:05.465+11:00The one year countdown to our Wedding!Today is exactly 1 year (or 12 months or 365 days) to our wedding! And the countdown begins!<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.weddingcountdown.com/ticker/2h6l7kg.png"><img style="WIDTH: 340px; HEIGHT: 80px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TL-vNC4HQXI/AAAAAAAABw8/_3tGTgR8g2o/1year_to_wedding.png" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Our wedding blog launch today is to commemorate this special countdown. This blog took months of preparation and up till now, <del>I still have not finished all the posts! There are still a few posts in draft mode which I need to get my hands round to finishing them up soon!</del> Posts all updated now! Very happy! :)<br /><br />But meantime, please enjoy having a read of all the completed posts so far. Start from the very first post at the bottom - the unofficial day start day of our plans on Sat, 3 Apr: <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/2010/03/little-john-memorial-chapel-sneak-peak.html">Little John Memorial Chapel: A Sneak Peak</a>. Keep going up by clicking on the post titles from the Blog Archive on the right.<br /><br />Also check out the pages: <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/p/about.html">About this blog</a>, <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/p/proposal.html">The Proposal</a> and <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/p/wedding-info.html">Wedding Details</a>. I'll add photo albums as well soon on the wedding gown try-outs, reception venues, cakes, cars, expos etc. just for the visual people who can't be bother reading! :p Thank you for visiting our blog! </div></div>Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-21317086616618549342010-08-14T21:13:00.004+10:002011-10-06T13:40:02.779+11:00Brighton Savoy Bridal ExpoWhen we visited Brighton Savoy about a week ago, the sales rep. reminded us that they were having a Bridal Expo the following week. The expo, held on Sunday 17 July was at the hotel itself and was of a smaller scale. Of course it wasn't as big as the ones at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.<br /><br />Though it was small, it also meant that we got to see other smaller scale wedding suppliers apart from the usual ones at the large expos. The expo was held at the Seaview room itself and spanned out to the open area leading to the Gala Room and Wellington Room.<table align="center" width="98%"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_sVip7iJI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/YUd6_-7IjFw/s1600/brightonsavoy_expo1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_sVip7iJI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/YUd6_-7IjFw/s320/brightonsavoy_expo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552916720395192466" border="0" /></a>Kat's Cakes and Formal Hire - the first few booths we saw<br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_sV-GJ55I/AAAAAAAAB7Y/cuOlpuvx7yQ/s1600/brightonsavoy_expo2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_sV-GJ55I/AAAAAAAAB7Y/cuOlpuvx7yQ/s320/brightonsavoy_expo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552916727761332114" border="0" /></a>Tables were elegantly set up in a nice wedding theme<br /></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_sV0rtjBI/AAAAAAAAB7g/SNuKIKpJkGA/s1600/brightonsavoy_expo3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_sV0rtjBI/AAAAAAAAB7g/SNuKIKpJkGA/s320/brightonsavoy_expo3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552916725234502674" border="0" /></a>Beautiful table centre pieces were on display<br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_sWC1BUMI/AAAAAAAAB7o/tsk8_XmoaNs/s1600/brightonsavoy_expo4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_sWC1BUMI/AAAAAAAAB7o/tsk8_XmoaNs/s512/brightonsavoy_expo4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552917279925377970" border="0" /></a>A large diamond ring table centre piece</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_s1r89urI/AAAAAAAAB7w/tVSdKfZEVxg/s1600/brightonsavoy_expo5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_s1r89urI/AAAAAAAAB7w/tVSdKfZEVxg/s320/brightonsavoy_expo5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552917272646761138" border="0" /></a>Bridal Diva - wedding gowns in plus size for the slightly more rounded figure<br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_s2HEUm7I/AAAAAAAAB8A/geT47gAv9YM/s1600/brightonsavoy_expo7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_s2HEUm7I/AAAAAAAAB8A/geT47gAv9YM/s320/brightonsavoy_expo7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552917279925377970" border="0" /></a>One of my favourites - Fancy a Macaroon Tower for a wedding cake?<br /></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_tQTS6XFI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/ro23n6LZ0CE/s1600/brightonsavoy_expo9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_tQTS6XFI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/ro23n6LZ0CE/s320/brightonsavoy_expo9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552917729884396626" border="0" /></a>Another beautiful table centre piece in a lovely decorated Wellington Room<br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_tQMgMt3I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/b6v9C5igHh4/s1600/brightonsavoy_expo10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_tQMgMt3I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/b6v9C5igHh4/s320/brightonsavoy_expo10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552917728061077362" border="0" /></a>Vintage bridal rental cars if you're into the old stuff for your wedding<br /></td></tr><tr align="center"><td colspan="2"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_s2at_plI/AAAAAAAAB8I/bvMabJsmAto/s1600/brightonsavoy_expo8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_s2at_plI/AAAAAAAAB8I/bvMabJsmAto/s320/brightonsavoy_expo8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552917285200438866" border="0" /></a>View of the Wellington Room set up for a wedding - more for smaller number of guests like less than 80 or something<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I also received a goodie bag with heaps of free brochures and two thick bridal magazines inside. A couple of them were more for brides in the Mornington Peninsula and so weren't too useful. But there was no harm in getting ideas from other regions.<br /><br />We chatted to the guy about the Macaroon Tower and found out it was about $700 for that. Bought some home to try and they were really tasty - but not sure about spending that much for a "wedding cake". Brighton Savoy sales execs. were also around to give advice and help. I think the expo made it an inch closer to us making a decision on our reception venue.Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-85609654947750776152010-07-11T21:09:00.016+10:002011-10-06T13:40:02.780+11:00Reception Viewing: Brighton Savoy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSKIqHQq-aI/AAAAAAAAB9E/MWfglQmCB_g/s1600/BrightonBeach.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSKIqHQq-aI/AAAAAAAAB9E/MWfglQmCB_g/s320/BrightonBeach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558155147213470114" align="right" border="0" /></a>We started the beautiful Sunday with lunch at the <a href="http://www.middlebrightonbaths.com.au/Cafe_and_Bar.aspx">Brighton Baths Cafe / Bar</a>. James, our tennis mate/friend and pre-shoot wedding photographer first introduced us to the restaurant around March.<br /><br />There was a set meal offer going on at that time with a 3-course meal for around $30 or $40, I can't quite remember. The restaurant was upstairs while the cafe / bar was downstairs with stunning views overlooking Brighton Beach.<br /><br />The plan that day was just a relaxing lunch and to look at a reception venue - The Brighton Savoy, along the Esplanade, facing Brighton Beach. Prior to that I had already view photos of the venue online and was really blown away by the photos along the beach as well as the function room that was facing the beach.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue Name: </span>The Brighton Savoy<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website:</span> <a href="http://www.brightonsavoy.com.au/weddings/index.htm">http://www.brightonsavoy.com.au/weddings/index.htm</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prices (2011): </span>Sit-down dinner 5 hours from $106 pp<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Package includes:</span> Canapés, 3-course meal, table centre pieces and chair covers, cake-cutting and serving, 1-night accommodation and personal M.C or Hostess included. <table border="0" width="98%"><tbody><tr><td scope="col"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TNi79lkA7vI/AAAAAAAAByo/2Mk9P0uXOoI/s1600/BrightonSavoy_1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537382408581607154" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TNi79lkA7vI/AAAAAAAAByo/2Mk9P0uXOoI/s400/BrightonSavoy_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />View from the bar and coffee/tea room waiting area for guests.</div></td><td scope="col"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_nYhDXYaI/AAAAAAAAB6s/aeOh5bRe44M/s1600/BrightonSavoy_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_nYhDXYaI/AAAAAAAAB6s/aeOh5bRe44M/s400/BrightonSavoy_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552911273946472866" border="0" /></a><br />Along the corridor from the reception area to the other function rooms.</div></td></tr><tr><td scope="col"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_nYnPB7CI/AAAAAAAAB60/vj79eqglEpE/s1600/BrightonSavoy_3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 188px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_nYnPB7CI/AAAAAAAAB60/vj79eqglEpE/s400/BrightonSavoy_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552911275606010914" border="0" /></a>The Seaview room - the function room that they recommended to us.</div></td><td scope="col"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TNi78ikdK1I/AAAAAAAAByQ/NwVbbc-o_tE/s1600/BrightonSavoy_4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 188px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537382390598282066" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TNi78ikdK1I/AAAAAAAAByQ/NwVbbc-o_tE/s400/BrightonSavoy_4.jpg" border="0" /></a>Darling was discussing something with the sales exec. I can't quite remember what it was.</div></td></tr><tr><br /><td scope="col"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TNi79NffrFI/AAAAAAAAByY/tcpSvHBTULU/s1600/BrightonSavoy_6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 188px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537382402120199250" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TNi79NffrFI/AAAAAAAAByY/tcpSvHBTULU/s400/BrightonSavoy_6.jpg" border="0" /></a>Facing the beach - not so obvious now because of the sunlight.</div></td><td scope="col"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_nZEaVsuI/AAAAAAAAB7E/DbPaMB8vL18/s1600/BrightonSavoy_8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 188px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_nZEaVsuI/AAAAAAAAB7E/DbPaMB8vL18/s400/BrightonSavoy_8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552911283438072546" border="0" /></a>From the Seaview room looking into the recption / lobby area.</div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" scope="col"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TNi79aMyGmI/AAAAAAAAByg/VvZ-fep24ug/s1600/BrightonSavoy_5.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537382405531376226" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TNi79aMyGmI/AAAAAAAAByg/VvZ-fep24ug/s400/BrightonSavoy_5.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Seaview room opens up to a back garden and apparently they told us that it will hopefully be renovated in time for a more modern look and added gazebo.</div></td><br /></tr></tbody></table><br />After viewing Brighton Savoy, we pretty much had our minds set on it although we didn't quite like the min. requirement of 80 guests for that function room. Then again after some calculations, we realised we could probably make up that 80 guests if not more. :p But since we still have time, we just asked them to hold on the date for us for the time being.Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-12783302980448690832010-07-06T21:07:00.046+10:002011-10-06T13:40:02.781+11:00Reception Viewing: The Westin, Hotel Windsor, Stamford Plaza, Elizabethan Lodge and Gown Try-outs: The Red CarpetWe started our second off day with another list of hotels to visit. These hotels were mostly in the city, except one that was in the suburbs of Blackburn. In total, we visited 4 reception venues and 1 bridal shop! Talk about jam packing a day's itinerary! But it was a fruitful one afterall since it helped us with the decision-making and I've got a pair of wedding shoes. :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue Name: </span>The Westin Melbourne<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website:</span> <a href="http://www.westin.com.au/melbourne/wedding-venues-receptions.html">http://www.westin.com.au/melbourne/wedding-venues-receptions.html</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prices (2011): </span>Sit-down dinner - 1 hour canapés from $30 pp + 5 hours main course from $80 pp + 4 hours drinks from $38 pp or a packaged deal of $185 pp.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Package includes:</span> Canapés, 3-course meal, table centre pieces and chair covers and 1-night accommodation.<table align="center" width="98%"><tbody><tr><td><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TLP8EyXrfyI/AAAAAAAABwY/-bHz9xRdY2A/s1600/TheWestin_1.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527038326884499234" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TLP8EyXrfyI/AAAAAAAABwY/-bHz9xRdY2A/s400/TheWestin_1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The entrance / car porch area to the Westin</div></td><td><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TLP8EuBmt0I/AAAAAAAABwQ/RQuYi_5YUb8/s1600/TheWestin_2.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527038325718169410" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TLP8EuBmt0I/AAAAAAAABwQ/RQuYi_5YUb8/s400/TheWestin_2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside of the Westin - Lobby / lounge area</div></td></tr><br /><tr><td><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TLP8EudBjCI/AAAAAAAABwI/fspv-TtetFs/s1600/TheWestin_3.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527038325833174050" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TLP8EudBjCI/AAAAAAAABwI/fspv-TtetFs/s400/TheWestin_3.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">View of the Westin Room III facing Melbourne's Swanston Street</div></td><td><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TLP8EXIIa6I/AAAAAAAABwA/5MFx6rO5oeE/s1600/TheWestin_4.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527038319571528610" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TLP8EXIIa6I/AAAAAAAABwA/5MFx6rO5oeE/s400/TheWestin_4.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">View of the Westin Room III looking from the side of Swanston Street</div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue Name: </span>Hotel Windsor<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.thehotelwindsor.com.au/index.php?&GMPM_PAGES_PAGE_ID=wedding_planning">http://www.thehotelwindsor.com.au/index.php?&GMPM_PAGES_PAGE_ID=wedding_planning</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prices (2011): </span>Sit-down dinner 5 hours from $135 pp. Min. spend $10k in Grand Ballroom.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Package includes:</span> Canapés, 3-course meal, personalised menu cards, chair covers and sash, red carpet entry, tea, coffee and chocolates and 1-night accommodation.<table align="center" width="98%"><tbody><tr><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_gX2CCm8I/AAAAAAAAB3s/gvaCrDA_UzA/s1600/HotelWindsor_1.jpg"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552903565816798146" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_gX2CCm8I/AAAAAAAAB3s/gvaCrDA_UzA/s320/HotelWindsor_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Entrance to Hotel Windsor<br /></div></td><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_gYFRK95I/AAAAAAAAB30/yEehudZS0SM/s1600/HotelWindsor_2.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552903569906792338" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_gYFRK95I/AAAAAAAAB30/yEehudZS0SM/s320/HotelWindsor_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hotel Windsor - lobby / lounge area<br /></div></td></tr><tr><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_gYd7DjAI/AAAAAAAAB38/1GY0CspFrnc/s1600/HotelWindsor_3.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552903576524917762" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_gYd7DjAI/AAAAAAAAB38/1GY0CspFrnc/s320/HotelWindsor_3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Entrance to the Grand Ballroom</div></td><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_gYZIEtUI/AAAAAAAAB4E/dGTuU-ssaNo/s1600/HotelWindsor_4.jpg"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552903575237342530" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_gYZIEtUI/AAAAAAAAB4E/dGTuU-ssaNo/s320/HotelWindsor_4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Inside of the Grand Ballroom<br /></div></td></tr><tr><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_f9DiZucI/AAAAAAAAB3I/6L6yFCJYtGU/s1600/HotelWindsor_6.jpg"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552903105585723842" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_f9DiZucI/AAAAAAAAB3I/6L6yFCJYtGU/s320/HotelWindsor_6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Beautiful dom glass with chandeliers<br /></div></td><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_f9PV8HEI/AAAAAAAAB3A/Gdi9aELBprs/s1600/HotelWindsor_5.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552903108754676802" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_f9PV8HEI/AAAAAAAAB3A/Gdi9aELBprs/s320/HotelWindsor_5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Another view of the Grand Ballroom<br /></div></td></tr><tr><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_f9nf0-pI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/HtssuqD09Qo/s1600/HotelWindsor_7.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552903115238603410" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_f9nf0-pI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/HtssuqD09Qo/s320/HotelWindsor_7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Bourke Room (before the Sep renovations)<br /></div></td><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_f97ulVXI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/E9s1R_vME5I/s1600/HotelWindsor_8.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552903120669201778" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_f97ulVXI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/E9s1R_vME5I/s320/HotelWindsor_8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Another view of The Bourke Room (Before renovations)</div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue Name:</span> Stamford Plaza Hotel<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website:</span> <a href="http://www.stamford.com.au/spm/page.asp?e_page=406895">http://www.stamford.com.au/spm/page.asp?e_page=406895</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prices (2011): </span>Sit-down dinner 5 hours from $128 pp<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Package includes:</span> Canapés, 3-course meal, table centre pieces, chair covers and sash and 1-night accommodation.<br /><table align="center" width="98%"><tbody><tr><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_g-CUihQI/AAAAAAAAB4M/ZLr25KhCNhU/s1600/StamfordPlaza_1.jpg"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552904221950641410" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_g-CUihQI/AAAAAAAAB4M/ZLr25KhCNhU/s320/StamfordPlaza_1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stanford Plaza Hotel from across the street</div></td><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_g-UEBH2I/AAAAAAAAB4U/ytdv5ft8xGA/s1600/StamfordPlaza_2.jpg"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552904226713182050" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_g-UEBH2I/AAAAAAAAB4U/ytdv5ft8xGA/s320/StamfordPlaza_2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lobby area and view of the very high elevator<br /></div></td></tr><tr><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_g-leZ4bI/AAAAAAAAB4c/D21nrdjwMlE/s1600/StamfordPlaza_3.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552904231387259314" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_g-leZ4bI/AAAAAAAAB4c/D21nrdjwMlE/s320/StamfordPlaza_3.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The function room (view 1)<br /></div></td><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_g_BTJMOI/AAAAAAAAB4k/YEM2eAmvhm8/s1600/StamfordPlaza_4.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552904238856220898" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_g_BTJMOI/AAAAAAAAB4k/YEM2eAmvhm8/s320/StamfordPlaza_4.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The function room (view 2)</div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue Name:</span> Elizabethan Lodge<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website:</span> <a href="http://www.elizabethanlodge.com.au/weddings.htm">http://www.elizabethanlodge.com.au/weddings.htm</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prices (2011): </span>Sit down dinner 5 hours from $121 pp<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Package includes:</span> Canapés, 3-course meal, table centre pieces, table place cards, chair covers and sash, 1-night accommodation and use if the Chapel if needed.<br /><table align="center" width="98%"><tbody><tr><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_iFWeAa7I/AAAAAAAAB4w/cxxhm4jG25E/s1600/ElizabethanLodge_1.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552905447129770930" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_iFWeAa7I/AAAAAAAAB4w/cxxhm4jG25E/s320/ElizabethanLodge_1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Grand Heritage Room. Min 100 or more guests<br /></div></td><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_iFq90kJI/AAAAAAAAB44/ZaF-le9NJFc/s1600/ElizabethanLodge_2.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552905452631920786" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_iFq90kJI/AAAAAAAAB44/ZaF-le9NJFc/s320/ElizabethanLodge_2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside of the Grand Heritage Room all nicely decorated for a wedding<br /></div></td></tr><tr><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_iF2cmEEI/AAAAAAAAB5A/hntjgDbteio/s1600/ElizabethanLodge_3.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552905455713783874" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_iF2cmEEI/AAAAAAAAB5A/hntjgDbteio/s320/ElizabethanLodge_3.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grand Heritage Room (View 2)<br /></div></td><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_iGeJ9MlI/AAAAAAAAB5I/0nsqjamDSko/s1600/ElizabethanLodge_4.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552905466373026386" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_iGeJ9MlI/AAAAAAAAB5I/0nsqjamDSko/s320/ElizabethanLodge_4.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Windsor Room (Smaller guest size)<br /></div></td></tr><tr><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_jqylHp3I/AAAAAAAAB5U/mgxP10FC27M/s1600/ElizabethanLodge_5.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552907189842585458" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_jqylHp3I/AAAAAAAAB5U/mgxP10FC27M/s320/ElizabethanLodge_5.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful garden at the back of the Windsor room<br /></div></td><td><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_jrPphAnI/AAAAAAAAB5c/N8hb-Avdc7U/s1600/ElizabethanLodge_6.jpg"><img style="width: 250px; height: 188px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552907197645652594" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_jrPphAnI/AAAAAAAAB5c/N8hb-Avdc7U/s320/ElizabethanLodge_6.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There's also a bridge and waterfall in the back garden<br /></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_jrcOHkGI/AAAAAAAAB5k/Sz9OgaMQ2wc/s1600/ElizabethanLodge_7.jpg"><img style="width: 480px; height: 360px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552907201020399714" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_jrcOHkGI/AAAAAAAAB5k/Sz9OgaMQ2wc/s1600/ElizabethanLodge_7.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Windsor room - another view. Usually used for conference and meetings as well.<br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Red Carpet bridal also coincidentally had a sale going on that day. We didn't plan to visit the shop unless we had time after viewing all the reception venues. But lucky for us the reception viewing at Elizabethan Lodge wasn't until later in the afternoon and so we had time to head to Ashburton for awhile to check out the sale.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bridal shop name:</span> The Red Carpet<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Branch: </span>Ashburon<br />Website: <a href="http://www.theredcarpet.com.au/g/7040/home.html">http://www.theredcarpet.com.au/g/7040/home.html</a><table align="center" width="98%"><tbody><tr><td><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_mXKeq3SI/AAAAAAAAB5w/FsxmG08DjpE/s1600/redcarpet_gown.jpg"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552910151195483426" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TQ_mXKeq3SI/AAAAAAAAB5w/FsxmG08DjpE/s400/redcarpet_gown.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2-piece peacock like gown. It was pretty obvious why I didn't take a liking to it :p<br /></div></td><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSKDt9-K9QI/AAAAAAAAB84/hTkM6EmXuo0/s1600/bridal_shoes.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TSKDt9-K9QI/AAAAAAAAB84/hTkM6EmXuo0/s320/bridal_shoes.jpg" alt="bridal shoes from Red carpet" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558149715881293058" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I did however score a bargain on wedding shoes. $85 down from around $139 I think<br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br />And that was it, the end to another long day of wedding preps. ;) Sucks having to go back to work again tomorrow but ah well, at least the week will be shorter.Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-28520556813769875442010-07-05T22:45:00.036+10:002011-10-06T13:40:02.782+11:00Reception Viewings: Rydges @ Swanston, Vibe Savoy and Photography: Suede ImageryDarling and I took 2 days off again this time to go around viewing reception venues. We had decided that we wanted it to be in a hotel, or at least a place that provides accommodation since we'll both probably be drinking that night and so will all our bridemaids and groomsmen. And we certainly don't want to get caught for drink driving that night. :p And so I made a few enquiries and after selecting some of the hotels and we visited two of them today.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Venue name: </span>Rydges on Swanston<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Website: </span><a href="http://www.rydges.com/hotel/RVCARL/Rydges-On-Swanston-Melbourne/location.htm">http://www.rydges.com/hotel/RVCARL/Rydges-On-Swanston-Melbourne/location.htm</a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Prices (2011): </span>Sit down dinner - 4 hours $79 p/h or 5 hours $99 p/h. <div><b>Package includes:</b> Canapés, 3-course meal, coffee and tea, chair and table covers and a 1-night accommodation in a spa suite for the couple.<br /><table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="90%" align="center"><tbody><tr><td width="50%"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TGo1dv_Kg9I/AAAAAAAABmI/6HMbwC96FsM/s1600/Rydges_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506272279627727826" border="0" alt="Rydges Hotel on Swanston" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TGo1dv_Kg9I/AAAAAAAABmI/6HMbwC96FsM/s400/Rydges_1.jpg" /></a>View from the outside.</td><td width="50%"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TGo1cxPYNbI/AAAAAAAABmA/yZANCKC--XA/s1600/Rydges_2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506272262784300466" border="0" alt="Rydges Hotel on Swanston" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TGo1cxPYNbI/AAAAAAAABmA/yZANCKC--XA/s400/Rydges_2.jpg" /></a>The restaurant area.</td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TGo1cVW2WjI/AAAAAAAABl4/uC4PjVyC4ck/s1600/Rydges_3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506272255299443250" border="0" alt="Rydges Hotel on Swanston" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TGo1cVW2WjI/AAAAAAAABl4/uC4PjVyC4ck/s400/Rydges_3.jpg" /></a>Lamb & rosemary sauce.</td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TGo1bxfP6RI/AAAAAAAABlw/1WOOcaHpAjQ/s1600/Rydges_4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506272245670996242" border="0" alt="Rydges Hotel on Swanston" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TGo1bxfP6RI/AAAAAAAABlw/1WOOcaHpAjQ/s400/Rydges_4.jpg" /></a>Seafood Paella.</td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx_mCqFu3I/AAAAAAAAB1o/vMgVP2D9eKQ/s1600/Rydges_6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542945532911401842" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx_mCqFu3I/AAAAAAAAB1o/vMgVP2D9eKQ/s320/Rydges_6.jpg" /></a>The function room they recommended which can spread out for morre space.<br /></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx_l8tB03I/AAAAAAAAB1g/ZUqpzH63oiw/s1600/Rydges_7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542945531313116018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx_l8tB03I/AAAAAAAAB1g/ZUqpzH63oiw/s320/Rydges_7.jpg" /></a>Other side of the function room which is L-shaped.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx_mTvR0yI/AAAAAAAAB1w/PamQZtR3yxk/s1600/Rydges_5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 480px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542945537496568610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx_mTvR0yI/AAAAAAAAB1w/PamQZtR3yxk/s1600/Rydges_5.jpg" /></a>The upper deck where the swimming pool is and where canapés will be served to guests on arrival. Couples can also hold their ceremony at the far top right where the waterfall is if they want to.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br />Venue name: </span>Vibe Savoy Melbourne<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Website: </span><a href="http://www.vibehotels.com.au/default.asp?page=/weddings-events/weddings-at-vibe/vibe-savoy-hotel-melbourne">http://www.vibehotels.com.au/default.asp?page=/weddings-events/weddings-at-vibe/vibe-savoy-hotel-melbourne</a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Prices (2011): </span>Cocktail - from $42 p/h, Sit down dinner - from $65 p/h, 3-hour drinks from $38 p/h. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><b>Package includes: </b>Complimentary menu tasting, Canapés, 3-Course meal, floral arrangement for bridal table, scatter petals, table centre pieces and candles and 1-night accommodation.</div><div><table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" align="center"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx7MU5QbHI/AAAAAAAAB00/Q1CXvYynTbw/s1600/VibeSavoy_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542940693083745394" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx7MU5QbHI/AAAAAAAAB00/Q1CXvYynTbw/s320/VibeSavoy_1.jpg" /></a>Vibe Savoy Hotel from across the road.</td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx7NtGxq-I/AAAAAAAAB1U/PdU5gljJac0/s1600/VibeSavoy_5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542940716762770402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx7NtGxq-I/AAAAAAAAB1U/PdU5gljJac0/s320/VibeSavoy_5.jpg" /></a>Smaller banquet room more for cocktails.</td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx7NDUOPHI/AAAAAAAAB1E/eeTkXkojt4w/s1600/VibeSavoy_3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542940705544879218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx7NDUOPHI/AAAAAAAAB1E/eeTkXkojt4w/s320/VibeSavoy_3.jpg" /></a>The upper landing area leading to the ballroom and function room - also where guests will be served Canapés. </td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx7MqUtwCI/AAAAAAAAB08/1kZgjVoD1s0/s1600/VibeSavoy_2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542940698836058146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx7MqUtwCI/AAAAAAAAB08/1kZgjVoD1s0/s320/VibeSavoy_2.jpg" /></a>Bright lobby area with a touch of modern and futuristic feel. Also had a big banner advertising wedding packages.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx7NQir79I/AAAAAAAAB1M/38MqiclibgQ/s1600/VibeSavoy_4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 480px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542940709095206866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TOx7NQir79I/AAAAAAAAB1M/38MqiclibgQ/s1600/VibeSavoy_4.jpg" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">The ballroom the Sales Rep. showed to us with beautiful Chandeliers hanging from above and large mirror doors from ceiling down. She was explaining that the doors at the far end can be opened for a slightly larger space.</div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">We also had an appointment with another photography studio called <a href="http://www.suedeimagery.com/">Suede Imagery</a>. Though we sort of already made a decision on LePortrait Studio, we thought there was no harm in just paying a visit to another studio just to gather more ideas and pricing. The photographer Tim Marcus had just returned from overseas and showed us his latest portfolio from Bali.<br /><br />For some reason, darling and I both didn't feel comfortable with him and though his photos were somewhat artistic and beautiful, they didn't really capture our eyes. Then there was the pricing as well. Whatever quote he had was almost double the price(as compared to LePortrait) if we wanted to have an album made as well. And thus it was pretty much a strike-off from our list.<br /><br />All in all, it was a pretty fruitful day and we were kinda edging towards Vibe Savoy as compared to Rydges @ Swanston for the reception. But those were only the first few reception places we had visited and so we weren't gonna make a choice so quickly yet. More still to come tomorrow.</div>Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-2588285419891385642010-07-04T21:46:00.013+10:002010-11-23T14:00:17.910+11:00Bridal & Couture Sample Sale - Bay View EdenI received an invitation to the <a href="http://www.bridalcouturesamplesale.com/">Bridal Couture and Sample Sale</a> this year at the Bayview Eden Hotel. I can't remember how they got my contact details but anyway Ammie and Daisy were nice enough to accompany me there. I pre-registered for us since it was $5 for those who did and $10 who paid at the door.<br /><br />The event ran from 11am - 4pm. And there even had something called the "Hour of Power" where if you were willing to pay $50 extra, you can bring a friend in an hour earlier to view all the dresses, shoes and accessories before anyone else. I didn't bother about that and we just went at the normal time. :p Here are some snaps:<br /><br /><table cellspacing="3" cellpadding="2" align="center"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_VBL5xKzI/AAAAAAAABbQ/oO_Y-aacmFM/s1600/samplesale_bayview_eden1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494344286766967602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_VBL5xKzI/AAAAAAAABbQ/oO_Y-aacmFM/s400/samplesale_bayview_eden1.jpg" /></a>Entrance - promoting the i-do.com website with stacks of free bridal mags as door gifts.</td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_VA_9UhFI/AAAAAAAABbI/YiRWTng-cRo/s1600/samplesale_bayview_eden4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494344283560641618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_VA_9UhFI/AAAAAAAABbI/YiRWTng-cRo/s400/samplesale_bayview_eden4.jpg" /></a>Ammie and Daisy browsing at dresses and checking out if there were any nice ones. :p</td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_VAXBLd_I/AAAAAAAABbA/sTlreNBAV6g/s1600/samplesale_bayview_eden5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494344272570972146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_VAXBLd_I/AAAAAAAABbA/sTlreNBAV6g/s400/samplesale_bayview_eden5.jpg" /></a>Assistant from Brides of Melbourne booth helping my put on a "tutu" like gown. I was laughing because I thought it looked funny.</td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_U_6cRYNI/AAAAAAAABa4/inQ4ZeYJoY0/s1600/samplesale_bayview_eden11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494344264899977426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_U_6cRYNI/AAAAAAAABa4/inQ4ZeYJoY0/s400/samplesale_bayview_eden11.jpg" /></a>Mannequins line up around the booths. Ammie especially like the one on the right with this small pocket-like puffs on the gown.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The event probably occupied only a couple of function rooms and wasn't that big and so we sort of finish browsing in an hour or so. But some of the retailers did have some pretty items at reasonable prices. I almost bought a pair of shoes - but they didn't look too good after putting them on.<br /><br />We were almost at the end when I chanced upon this gown at the Bride's of Melbourne booth - same one I tried the "Tutu" like gown. I tried it on and even though it was way too long - it just felt wonderful as this was the first gown that fitted quite well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_UFGj9uvI/AAAAAAAABas/-M3dOjsdXyU/s1600/samplesale_bayview_eden8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494343254541187826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_UFGj9uvI/AAAAAAAABas/-M3dOjsdXyU/s400/samplesale_bayview_eden8.jpg" /></a>I was hesitating and pondering about whether to get it or not at $500, but Daisy and Ammie were both saying that it looks gorgeous. I wasn't sure about the prices for alteration as well. But the gown was indeed unique with sort of a slant at the skirt area where the top joins to the bottom.<div><br /></div><div>In the end, I wasn't sure if it was because the lady offered it to me for $400 or it was because I had tried and browse too many gowns already and was itching to make a quick decision and get one, I bought it anyway. After that I started having ideas on how mum can sew more beads and sequins or somehow personalize it and make it more unique. That is, after I get the damn length altered first!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are more pics from the event that day:<div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/melchenyi/BridalCoutureSampleSaleJul2010#">http://picasaweb.google.com/melchenyi/BridalCoutureSampleSaleJul2010#</a></div></div>Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-23497786854966830622010-07-01T22:46:00.006+10:002010-10-26T15:53:00.086+11:00Photographer / Videographer.: LePortrait StudioWe had an appointment with LePortrait Studio today. We found them or should I say, they found us when we signed up at the Australian Bridal Service website. A couple of weeks ago, they sent an email to all members with a really attractive photography and videography package.<br /><br /><b>Name: </b>LePortrait Studio<div><b>Address: </b>7/34 Macfarlan St. South Yarra</div><div><b>Website: </b><a href="http://www.leportraitstudio.com/">http://www.leportraitstudio.com</a><br /><br />After checking out their website, we decided to make an appointment with them. The studio is family owned and from Spain origins . They have been in the business for more than 20 years. Hernan and his wife Marie were the warmest people and made us feel really comforable. We also fell in love with their amazing photos.<br /><br />Here's some of those that caught our eyes:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TMZb2NWXonI/AAAAAAAABx0/nDogiLHvMaU/s1600/leportrait_pics1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TMZb2NWXonI/AAAAAAAABx0/nDogiLHvMaU/s400/leportrait_pics1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532210179125781106" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TMZb2Gu-qBI/AAAAAAAABx8/WCVoNqN0QYg/s1600/leportrait_pics2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TMZb2Gu-qBI/AAAAAAAABx8/WCVoNqN0QYg/s400/leportrait_pics2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532210177349953554" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TMZb2rJvFzI/AAAAAAAAByE/YnovqfnbSHc/s1600/leportrait_pics3.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TMZb2rJvFzI/AAAAAAAAByE/YnovqfnbSHc/s400/leportrait_pics3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532210187125856050" /></a>Though they were the first studio we've been to, it just felt really right and we signed the contract with them there and then. After all, the price was right, their photos captured our hearts and most importantly we felt comfortable with them and they shared a vision to communicate with us to find out what we want. </div><div><br /></div><div><aug>(Updated Sep 2010) - I later read on the forums about other Brides singing their praises and referring them to other family and friends as well - and that certainly set our hearts and mind at ease. :)</aug></div>Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6203101190991033067.post-77294912762714682682010-06-27T20:04:00.014+10:002010-10-26T13:27:29.135+11:00Melbourne Bride Wedding Expo Jun 2010 and Brides of Melbourne Bridal Gown SaleBride Magazine organises the <a href="http://www.bride.com.au/expo">Melbourne Bride Wedding Expo</a> once a year around the 3rd week of June. The event runs for two days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Having won a pair of tickets from a facebook competition, it was such a bonus to go in free last week on Sat the 19th of Jun. Cousin Kayla and Ammie joined us as well - just to see what a wedding expo was all about.<br /><br />We actually attend their expo back in 2007 as well when I was still working for Victorian American Imports - a car conversion company which imports amercian vehicles and converts them to right-hand drive. It was just early browsing that time and more research of the hummers used as wedding transport. But this time we had a better reason for going! ;)<br /><br />Here are some snaps from that day:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="3"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;" align="center""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_O5Xhy8aI/AAAAAAAABZQ/hNWoWtlcSIY/s1600/P1000761.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_O5Xhy8aI/AAAAAAAABZQ/hNWoWtlcSIY/s400/P1000761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494337555378925986" border="0" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_O5NCnvRI/AAAAAAAABZI/mNZ_8Ci5a2I/s1600/P1000765.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_O5NCnvRI/AAAAAAAABZI/mNZ_8Ci5a2I/s400/P1000765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494337552563813650" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_O4pkjizI/AAAAAAAABZA/3ePJAr3bqys/s1600/P1000767.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_O4pkjizI/AAAAAAAABZA/3ePJAr3bqys/s200/P1000767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494337543042468658" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_O4erOgdI/AAAAAAAABY4/j-R52WA4GvE/s1600/P1000771.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_O4erOgdI/AAAAAAAABY4/j-R52WA4GvE/s200/P1000771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494337540117660114" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_O4C0ngmI/AAAAAAAABYw/l539WMK3IUg/s1600/P1000780.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_O4C0ngmI/AAAAAAAABYw/l539WMK3IUg/s200/P1000780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494337532640854626" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_QDG3fWTI/AAAAAAAABZY/AKsLqjJwO7Q/s1600/P1000783.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_QDG3fWTI/AAAAAAAABZY/AKsLqjJwO7Q/s200/P1000783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494338822216833330" border="0" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The rest of the photos can be found at<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/melchenyi/MelbourneBrideWeddingExpoJun2010#">http://picasaweb.google.com/melchenyi/MelbourneBrideWeddingExpoJun2010# </a><br /><br />We found that there were less retailers as compared to the <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/2010/05/australian-bridal-service-ultimate.html">Ultimate Bridal Event</a> expo which we attended last month and some of them were those that we had already visited at the other event. They also had Fashion parades from Bridal Retailers in Melbourne, showcasing bridal gowns and men's suits.<br /><br />There were however, have a few more retailers that were more specific to Melbourne and those that weren't too high end. One exquisite worth mentioning was the Sisko decorative chocolate displays. And I also liked it that the Photo Booth company were there for people to take some crazy shots! But if you're really looking for an expo with lots more retailers and cheaper by $5, Australia Bridal Service's <a href="http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com/2010/05/australian-bridal-service-ultimate.html">Ultimate Bridal Event</a> seems the better one.<br /><br />Yesterday, Darling and I also popped by Melbourne's GPO in the morning for the <a href="http://www.bridesofmelbourne.com.au/" target="_blank">Brides of Melbourne</a> Bridal Gown Sale. I knew right before hand that this shop's pricing were more on the higher end, but I just wanted to check it out anyway.<br /><br />Some snaps from the shop exterior:<br /><table align="center"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_Rl7vyVkI/AAAAAAAABZo/Il9lUImW3yw/s1600/bom_sale1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_Rl7vyVkI/AAAAAAAABZo/Il9lUImW3yw/s400/bom_sale1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494340520038782530" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_Rlnvg_YI/AAAAAAAABZg/f6hIRQBlgAg/s1600/bom_sale2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gDgR8vfNns/TD_Rlnvg_YI/AAAAAAAABZg/f6hIRQBlgAg/s400/bom_sale2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494340514668936578" border="0" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I didn't really have a good impression of this bridal shop. Firstly, you were made to line up and take a ticket before they let you in. And then you were assigned an assistant which gave you only like 15 minutes to pick a few gowns to try on. Can you tell me how can someone made such an important decision in such a short time frame?! It was like they expected huge crowds to flock in and grab all their gowns on sale and so only gave you about half and hour there including trying and picking out your gown. <div><br /></div><div>I would never make such an important decision and spend a few thousand dollars in an impulse. Even on sale, their gowns were at least $1000 and above. And so as you can guess, in normal periods, gown prices are about $2000 and above. And photo-taking wasn't allowed too. So how can you go home and ponder about whether the gown suits you? As much as I didn't really like this shop, I hate that I actually found a gown design that I like on their website. Let's hoping I have some luck with a similar design somewhere else. :p</div>Juz MeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034602009610434589noreply@blogger.com1