Time to get down to studying

One of the good things about being married is Berry and I no longer have to spend time on courtship, trying to impress each other and wondering where to go next to have fun.

We recently embarked on our first serious studies after being married for almost a year. (If you have suggestions on where to go for the first year anniversary, do email me.) We recently started attending Japanese language classes.

To create the right mood for studying, we finally got down to sprucing up our empty study area. Here are the first fruits.

Look, Listen

Almost forgot about this website I chanced upon ages ago. If you're bringing in various service providers yourself for your wedding prep and need some audio visual support, I believe you can consider this. Not too bad to have another option even if you already know one. Again, wish I had more time to prepare for my wedding then. I might have settled on a cheaper location and got in the necessary equipment from this company - Active Visual. Nope. No commission from them. I don't know what their charges are like. Just letting you know there's an option out there. No harm comparing.

Henderson Waves

Part of the Southern Ridges. Wonderful location for bridal shoot. Photographers' haven.

Drive onto the Telok Blangah Green road/ Telok Blangah Hill Park and you will come to carpark 1. You will need to tread a steep 200m-slope up to the bridge which is about 300m. But worth the while.

The Power of Many

Made more roses and stuffed them into a vase. Take a look. Oo... Perhaps purple and ivory ones will make good decor for the wedding venue.

Rose, Rose, I Love You

Ha. Something unique you can use to propose to your girlfriend/ boyfriend. I learnt how to make paper roses (from crepe paper) from a colleague for a company event. Maybe I'll make these to sell to the valentines out there next Feb.

The one in the picture is made out of orange crepe paper. Goes well with black roses. I shall add the stalk and some other sweet, lovey dovey embellishments. Paper roses, anyone?

Party Place

Found this wonderful, cool omni-theatre (at Jacob Ballas Children's Garden) which my friend invited me to for her son's 1-year-old birthday. Thought it's a great place to hold a wedding solemnisation. Guests' children can be kept occupied at the playground if they are not keen on witnessing the solemnisation. A pity the Singapore Botanic Garden authorities designated this place for holding kid's function only. Maybe when you have a child?

Light Up Your LIFE

I found lavender votive candles for the votive tealight holder I showed you yesterday! =)

Product of Candle 4 Less

Shine

Tealight holders with different styles. Available at Colonial Candles. Suitable for wedding receptions in the evening. Both go well with violet candles to create a soothing, romantic feel. I like the one on the left. Colonial enough. Let me go look for candles to go with these.

Wedding in a Garden

I love the feel of this photo. The photographer did a great job playing with perspectives. It's a must-have to do your bridal shoot outdoors. Needn't be many locations. One location can do the magic, coupled with great photography skills and creativity.

This was taken at the Upper Seletar Reservoir.

Save That Day!

Guess what I found? Wedding Paper Divas - a website full of wedding stationery. I've picked this out for today - save the date cards. You want to notify your guests early. You want to get your guests to reserve this date in their organiser for your wedding, especially if your friends/ relatives are busy people like yourselves.

Wedding in a Garden

Atrium & Garden. Feels colonial. When this is done up for a wedding, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Not for couples expecting a whole load of guests. Capacity is about 150-180. Had I invited fewer guests, this would have been my choice venue for a wedding reception. It gives a refreshing feel. Comfortable and easy.

Funding Wedding Reception

A word about planning your finances. Even though you may be looking to cover some of the wedding reception cost with monetary gifts you'd receive, set aside part of your budget to cover such costs. Consider the location carefully. From a guest's point of view, it seems weird to give ang pows (red packets with money) at some wedding receptions, e.g., receptions held outdoors. In this case, a gift may be more appropriate. In a nutshell, budget this part of your wedding plan carefully. After all, it's potentially the biggest ticket item of your wedding.

Colonial Theme Wedding: Blown Away

In my previous post "Your Perfect Wedding," I mentioned I'll be posting on the colonial wedding theme with purple/ ivory colour. The location is largely determined by the size and type of crowd you are looking to invite. It also plays a part in setting the mood.

If you plan to have a cozy wedding reception for closer friends and family, here's 1 suggestion:

This is a restaurant rich in colonial setting.

Wise Money Plan

Before we start spending, we have to be saving. Prudence works well for couples planning to get married and reduces some stress. If you don't already know, visit MoneySense for more advice.
Even though my blog is on wedding, I adhere to the doctrine "Marriage is for life". Hence, my advice would be don't get too hung up on what you do for your wedding. It marks the beginning of your marriage but it's not what your marriage is all about. Also, don't forget to save for your new abode. Some of us need to buy our own property before we get married and this can add to the strain on your finances. Prioritise where your money would go.
Before we plan our wedding, we need to budget budget budget. If at the end of the day, we are constrained by our earnings, then settle for something cheaper but it doesn't necessarily mean you need to compromise on what you'd like to have for your wedding.
One of the wise things to do when we budget is to ensure we pay ourselves first. Each month, set aside an amount as savings before we start spending. This will be seed money for funding your wedding. Look for cheaper alternatives where possible. Don't be lazy when it comes to spending a bit more time looking for things that are within your budget.

Rings Pillow Exquisitee

I totally agree with people who look into details of their wedding, right down to the rings pillow that your perfect rings bearer presents your rings on. Take a look at the rings pillow I've chanced upon. It's called Lily of the Valley and aptly so. Click on the link to read more about this pillow on the original Canadian website. There are other products of the same theme available.

Surely it is worth your money investing in the perfectly memorable day of your life.

Smile with the sun!

I'd wanted to get this flower for my hand bouquet on my wedding day but I was told sunflowers are too masculine for a bride on her big day. However, I chanced upon this while I was surfing the net today. If you are game to try something unique, this is the website you can go to get this: Prince

Be a Well-Heeled Bride!

Wish I had found one of these before my wedding. The wedding shoes designs on this website - Wedding Strategies - are elegant, immaculate, graceful... Nice.

Men's Wedding

Found this website that has a good selection of wedding bands -- for men -- from Jewelery Vortex.