Wedding Banquet / Solemnisation

as per many advised, choosing the wedding venue is one of the toughest on the list. much as i wanted to go according to plan, my wedding date is not available yet. we have only one year to the last quarter of 2013 and hence, i decided to start sourcing for locations. sent out a couple of emails this morning, keeping my fingers crossed to receive positive replies from them.

Gardens by the Bay - Jubilee Hall
housed within a uniquely sculpted dome that overlooks the marina bay waterfront, the jubilee hall sets the scene with an extraordinary backdrop for any event. nestled within a mediterranean garden setting, it is the perfect premiere event venue that can host up to 1,000 guests.

located in the flower dome with an exclusive entrance, stairs and lifts, as well as a private cocktail area (waterview room), the jubilee hall is the perfect venue for weddings.

definitely be a great and unique location (though not gonna be that fresh an idea next year) given my love for flowers. just unsure of the catering services available and it is pretty inaccessible for those who do not drive. 

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
i have personally attended 2 wedding events there and their food is one of the best i remember. ballroom is of decent size and setting, most importantly, location is great for people who stays in the east.

Marina Bay Sands
the outdoor solemnisation and cage setting for the ballroom caught my attention. we have yet to decide on the theme for our wedding and are pretty open to ideas.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Singapore
my mum will love the oriental setting though i am more interested at the outdoor location which is classified as a meeting facility.

Pan Pacific Singapore
the hotel has recently undergone renovations and i am hoping to go for a site recee.

The Coastal Settlement

was there a few months ago with the mambo group (lack of a better way to relate to them since we are very much wine bar group after mambo shifted to phuture *bleah*). i kind of like the place as it is pretty quiet and the food is sort of my taste. after a recommendation on a mediacorp channel 8 program, dear suggested we should go back there for brunch one day. it is rare that my dear would request to re-visit a place. though he was a little disappointed at the brunch menu as the dinner menu was much more comprehensive, we agreed that food is yummy.

Calamari

The Coastal Salad

The Coastal Salad - Self-Tossed

Weekend Roast

Cheese Burger

Grandmother's Brownie

Sea Salt Caramel Cheese Cake

200 Netheravon Road
Singapore 508529
Tel: 64750200
Fax: 64720200
www.thecoastalsettlement.com

Wedding Planning To-Do-List

12+ months before

1. Determine solemnisation date
2. Determine wedding date, if different from solemnisation date
3. File an application for marriage at ROM three months before
4. Decide on the size, formality and setting of wedding
5. Start a wedding binder with ideas for wedding decor and flowers
6. Create a wedding budget
7. Reserve the locations for wedding and ROM reception
8. Meet with and book wedding officiant and clergy
9. Choose wedding party and confirm the participants
10. Shop around for wedding ring design ideas
11. Draw up an initial guest list together with families
12. Throw engagement or solemnisation party
13. Order wedding gown, shoes and bridesmaids' attire
14. Book pre-wedding and wedding day photographer - DONE
15. Book videographer
16. Book make-up artist and arrange for a trial session - DONE

i do have reasons to be panicking, don't i? 87.5% away from completion and the most important item has yet to be checked - wedding/solemnisation date! for the longest time, we were anticipating the launch of 2013 通书 aka almanac. when it was finally released about a month ago, my future in-laws decided that it is not auspicious to pick a date during the lunar 7th month. can't wait for sunday to arrive to pick a date and start sourcing for venues.

had a bit of spare time yesterday to read up more on 过大礼 aka betrothal. realised that a separate checklist is needed as there are just too many miscellaneous items to take care of. betrothal definition is simple - a mutual promise to marry. how did it transform to such complexity?

for the Groom:

• 24 cans of pig trotters - to be replaced with a red packet
• 聘金 - amount has yet to be fixed
• red packet for matchmaker
• 2 bottles of martell 
• 1 pair of 龙凤镯 - groom takes phoenix and bride takes dragon 
• 四点金 - dear has been "tempting" me with a huge pig design necklace
• oranges - bride to return
• rock sugar / melon sugar 
• big basket

for the Bride:

• pants for groom
• red packets for groom’s parents and unmarried siblings
• 2 bottles of honey or 1.5L soft drinks in exchange for the martell
• towels wrapped up as presents for groom’s parents, grandparents and aunties
• 2 lamps
• suitcase to contain brides' clothes, new set of pajamas etc
• 2 tea set 
• 1 sewing box with even number of threads / needles / scissor / ruler / measuring tap
• fan 
• bedroom slippers
• handkerchief
• baby bathtub / face basin / spittoon
• mirror / comb / mouth rinse container / toothbrush
• 1 pair red string
• 嫁妆 aka dowry - variety of gold jewellery in a box for the bride to show to the in-laws, for bride to keep after the wedding day
• pig trotter, red packet, biscuits for matchmaker 
• red banner for bride
• red packet for bride 

for 安床

• comforter set, blanket, pillow, bed sheet, bolster for bride - tied together using ribbon 
• longans / red dates / bai he / rock sugar / yuan bing for groom