Monitoring the hdb website like watching the stock market everyday for updates on which units are taken and which will be our future home. Looking forward to April and the next long weekend to come..

365 days more

So it's been finally decided, after visiting 7 hotels over the past 2 weeks, after much contemplation, negotiation, and many days of serious thinking, the date and venue has finally been set.

So here's a summary of all the hotels we've visited:
1. Novo: reasonable price, pillar-less ballroom, but hotel name wasn't impressive, neither was the hotel itself, and forum says parking is a problem since it's shared with Liang Court. It certainly was, when we were queuing to get into the carpark, some woman actually crashed into the gantry causing a power failure and alas, all the cars behind had to find another place to park, and it seems impossible to get there without kenna-ing ERP. Conclusion: out

2. Hilt: price ok, many dates available, venue accessible. Not taking into consideration what had happened there 2 years ago, the ballroom reception area was small and there's 3 gigantic pillars in the middle of the ballroom. Conclusion: out

3. Panpac: beautiful hotel, good location, didn't get to see the ballroom cos it was in use the day we went. But price is out of budget so conclusion: out

4. SMC: reasonable price, excellent perks, venue accessible and love the idea of only 1 ballroom in the hotel with exclusive reception area so guests won't get lost. Down sides: only 1 screen and rather short march-in, and that the hotel is not exactly the most grand-looking.

5. GCW: reasonable price, big and beautiful ballroom, quite good perks based on their bridal show promotion, but venue not really convenient and the very minimum is 38 tables without free food tasting. and reviews say their service sucks.

6. MM: beautiful hotel, location accessible and the grand ballroom was love a first sight with it's chandeliers and tiffany blue sash around the chairs. Not the cheapest, but reasonable price for their menu. But, they refuse to reduce the minimum number of tables after 3 days of negotiation.

7. MO: reviews say their food is good and ballroom is spectacular. Maybe I was on high expectations, but I was unimpressed. Probably the only thing i like is the long march-in through the fan-shaped ballroom, but the deco is so-so only, and even their projectors and screens are the portable kind. For the price they are asking, it's totally not worth it. Conclusion: out

And so I guess the choice is clear:
Swissotel Merchant Court. 17th March 2013. See you there!

2 more months

before I officially change my status. :)
Now I'm getting so not used to being alone in my room at night. Although cheeky boy does snore like a pig sometimes when he sleeps, I can't feel more loved when he turns and cuddles me before the sun rises and tells me he wants to give me such a big fat hug every day...

Decisions decisions

For the banquet venue...
So many choices and so many things to take into considerations, for example the dates available, accessibility of the venue, the name of the hotel (sounds bimbotic but that's going to determine how much ppl bao their angbao), the layout and design of the ballroom, the minimum tables, the privileges they offer, like beer, wine, night stay, the menu (for me personally, I need some form of abalone or lobster, and no sharks fin!) and of course, most importantly, the cost!!!

I have always pictured my ideal ballroom setting to be walking down a flight of spiral stairs and make a grand entrance (rather than marching in from the back of the ballroom like 99% of all weddings).


Look, isn't that simply gorgeous?

But then again, why spend so much for just 1 night, and end up having to pay $20k out of our own pocket? I'd rather spend this money to stay more days in Europe for our honeymoon, visit more countries and buy a few bags back! :x

preview

chose something more unique rather than the typical tube dress and black suit.
It shall be revealed on 512 (with shoes)

Sidenote: while trying on and selecting his suit on Sunday, there were 2 aunties (another couples' parents) sitting in the room chatting and commenting which outfit looks nice. Then cheeky turns to one of the aunties and says "do you have a son called Sxxxxx?" turns out it was his primary school's friend's mom. A while later, the auntie turned to him and said "Ya, now I remember you, you were very mischievous one last time."

Ha, the leopard can't change it's spots!

when hair decides to leave the head

So that's how my cheeky boy will look like 30 years later? LOL

The date

We randomly chose this date to tie the knot because my dad wanted a weekend in may and 512 sounds good. Little did we know it was such an auspicious day! No wonder most of the popular JPs are booked and so are the venues.

Going to start on major hotel recce starting later today. Banquet prices are rising at the rate of 50-80 bucks every year, it's almost impossible to find a decent hotel with good food at less than 1k per table for weekend. (less all the hidden ++s which easily adds 200 bucks per table)