Email:

“Hi JR, I am also considering to have my wedding banquet at Holiday Inn Park View. What are your comments abt the food, svc etc?”

My reply:

“When I come to think about it, I have not really blogged a proper post on the feedback on the hotel.

My first contact with HIPV was Pauline. She was quite friendly to me. However, my cousin who accompanied me when we were going to sign the contract found her to be arrogant and snobbish. My cousin was very helpful as she tried very hard to get more free perks for me.

A few months later, Shue, the new coordinator took over, telling us Pauline had quitted. We met Shue thrice to discuss the wedding details such as how we wanted the table layout, the stage layout, wedding favors to choose from etc.

from singaporebrides.com

The last contact with Shue was when she handed us the wedding cards.

Not long later, when we emailed Shue, another lady Vanitha replied saying thta Shue had taken “unpaid leave” to study. But I found out on the forum that another coordinator told other brides that she had left. The Director had left too.

We were shocked as it was a few weeks just before our wedding.

The new cooridinator was more coorperative and responsive. She was more accomodating and threw in whatever perks she could offer…Free bottle of wine in the bridal suite, free corkages for 10 more bottles of wine from the previous 5, 2 guest books instead one for sourvenir…

Both me and my wife, though was glad that Vanitha was more accomodating that the previous two, but before that we were really unhappy that she only contacted us afer we emailed Shue.

We brought this matter to the Director but only to realise she had quitted. Then, there was an acting Director who took over and he was initally quite rude that we give them this feedback about that poor service in taking care of their customers. But he wanted to close the matter and he gave us 2 helpers’ room instead of one and free corkages for 40 bottles of wine.

The food-tasting was coordinated by Shue and the food was above average. It was edible. But according to Hong Kong custom, the dishes were not colorful enough and so we changed quite a number of dishes.

Frankly speaking on the wedding dinner, I was not sure about the taste of the food as we were being dragged along with the flow of wedding dinner. We only managed to eat about 3 dishes.
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I saw this interesting web site Love Letter Box

and I found this list…

Top 10 Places for Kissing

from susancyrus.typepad.com

Which one do you prefer?

I was surfing the net and I found this web site by Lesley-Ann Graham. This author is amazing and owns quite a number of wedding websites and blog.

This is what the author wrote about choosing photographers and I find it to be clear and simple to read.

“Every wedding deserves to be captured for posterity in print. Your pictures aren’t just any images. They are souvenirs, heirlooms for your descendants to look at and exclaim over. So it makes sense to get a photographer who will really bring out the best images of your special event.

Here are some things you should check when looking for the photographer for your wedding:

– His previous work must appeal to you. Put yourself in the place of the people in the images in his sample albums. Are these how you’d like your pictures to look?

– Confirm if he will be the photographer at your wedding himself or if he will assign someone else. Some shops have many photographers in their stable. You need to see the work of the person who will actually be handling your event.

– Promptness is a very important trait in wedding photographers. Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event. His being late will make a difference in your album.

– His attitude and appearance will also be important. You are looking for someone who can make the transition shots very smoothly, has good crowd control and who looks presentable and acceptable at your event. The last thing you need are offended friends and relatives on your wedding day.

– You can’t argue that some people have a great eye and timing. You need someone who can capture the soul of your nuptials, not someone who will make you all look like you’re posing for high school class picture.

– Cost is the last item on your list. Once you’ve found the photographer you like it’s best to find out if your budget can accommodate his fee. Keep in mind that the higher his skills, the higher his fees will be too.

This article is from Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com

Before you hear your own wedding bells ring, have you heard of pre-marital counselling or course?

from www.groundstrike.com

There are plenty of such courses out there, be it in churches, family service centres or places of religions.

Couples pay quite alot to join these courses and at the end of the day, some find such courses a waste of time.

My friend took part in the course with her husband-to-be at that point in time. Her conclusion…? was that she could have better spent the time at the beach.

In fact, many aspects of maintaining a good relationship can be learnt from planning your wedding.

For instance, when it comes to budgeting, many couples find it really hard to discuss ad come to a common understanding. They have difficulty agreeing what to spend and how much to spend.

Other instances such as understanding the value and belief of your spouse-to-be. For example, the bride may feel that she needs to get the best gown and the most expensive bridal package.

The groom on the other hand may feel that they should get what they can afford.

More challenges await them when they meet the parents.

Family beliefs and power struggle are other aspects to take note.

Family beliefs such as traditional beliefs and practices at home have to be discussed.

For example, the bride’s family may have complicated wedding custom that has to be followed. However, the groom’s family is not particular over such traditions. Complications may arise from such situation of whose practices to follow.

Power struggle may arise when other family members or even relatives want to play a part in giving feedback or “helping” out at the wedding.
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A reader of mine wrote me this email this afternoon:

“Dear Jhong Ren,

It was a pity that you would not be helping other brides in singaporebrides.com forum. Was a real pity.

But I guess we shouldn’t be the main priority. Your family should be.

To give yourself more time for your family, I suggest you can do a “Chicken Soup” campaign

something like we submit our interesting wedding experience to you and you can post them.

from www.slovak.com

it could be our happiness, frustrations, joy, anxiety, ups and downs…memories that we will always remember

We hope that our stories can be of some use of other brides who may learn from our experience.

I wish you success…and remember…I will come back to your blog again…to read the stories…

P.S…will be sending you mine soon… 🙂 ”

My reply:
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