Planning The Perfect Wedding: Our ROM Venue

12 May 2006 – After spending so many months searching for the perfect ROM venue, Meowvin and I decided to settle on Carlton Hotel. We were planning to hold our ROM in the evening by the poolside, followed by a buffet dinner for our guests. We had viewed more than 15 venues for our ROM and were glad that Carlton had what we were looking for. But somehow, just somehow, I still didn’t have that “This is THE ONE!!!” feeling, which made me go online again to search for more venues. I suggested to Meowvin holding our ROM at the zoo and keyed in http://www.mandai.com.sg/ into the address bar on the IE screen. I was merely trying my luck as I thought that was the zoo’s website. Surprisingly, the website displayed pictures of a beautiful garden filled with colourful orchids! Lovely! It didn’t occur to me that there weren’t any images of animals on the website, haha!

Later in the day, I wanted to show Meowvin the place that I have found and typed into the search bar “singapore zoo”. To my surprise, the website looked totally different! I then realised that the zoo’s website was http://www.zoo.com.sg/ and not http://www.mandai.com.sg/! The website that I got into initially was Mandai Orchid Garden!

We made an appointment with Mandai Orchid Garden and went down to view the place. It was perfect!!!! We will be holding our ROM there!!!! Finally found THE VENUE!!! But...got to wait till Yanna email us the final pricing since we said we didn't want the alcohol and 3-tiered wedding cake that were included in the package. 90% we will be holding our ROM there! Yes... the balance 10% is dependent on the final price. Wahahahaha so happy!!! So lucky too, to think that we actually stumbled upon this place by chance!! The last is still the best, haha!

18 May 2006 - So happy!! Meowvin and I have decided on The Venue and we will be going down to Mandai Orchid Garden this coming Saturday to sign the contract!!!! So happy cos they managed to customize the package to suit our needs and I managed to convince them to remove all taxes (16%), haha!

20 May 2006 – Meowvin and I have booked our Rom Solemnization venue!! Ok, its a lil early to book, but still, it is a very hot pick date and being typical Singaporeans, we have no choice but to be very kiasu, wahahahahhaa! Went down to Mandai Orchid Garden today early in the morning at 10am to sign the contract. Here are a few pics...

The Gazebo, where the reception table is and pre-cocktail.

Mokara Hall, where the Solemnization takes place and Hi-tea reception. Those black sticks are actually garden torches which will be decorated with streamers to create an aisle.