Photoshoot - Phebe's version

20th July 2008 - Our PS is finally over. It was fun but very tiring. Sandy did my make-up and I took the chance to book her for my AD. Luckily I did, cos she said another couple was going to confirm her services for the same day! Since its on a first come first serve basis (no MUA can be at 2 hotel venues at any one time), kiasu me quickly confirmed on the spot, wahahahhaa! Sandy is so much better than the MUA who did my make-up last year (Focus photoshoot). I like the way she did my hair and her choice of hair accessories!

Told Xiaoyan to come at 2pm but he arrived much earlier and had to wait for more than 2 hours before we were ready to leave for outdoor shooting. While waiting for us, both Sandy and Xiaoyan played their PSP games... something I can never understand what is so fun about. Quite funny to see 2 people bending over their PSPs in deep concentration, lol.

We got back on relatively good terms with David. I personally think he is better than Steward (our PG for the Focus photoshoot). He has more ideas of posing, though some poses were more or less quite standard. If there is one pose I hate, its the one where he made Kitty and I pose with our noses touching and eyes closed. I find it kinda unnatural... and its tough trying not to burst out laughing!

The outdoor shooting was fun and we went to all the places we planned. Feel pretty satisfied. Got to thank Xiaoyan who not only drove fast such that we didn't get caught in the peak hour jam, but also suggested nice photo spots when we got to each of the locations.

I have always liked the idea of couples drawing hearts on sand and scribbling their names inside. However, I never thought of doing something like that cos 1) its so common and 2) I don't like to get my feet and gown wet and dirty. Anyway, we were at Changi Boardwalk and I had changed into my Rom gown. Took a look at the water and was surprised to see clean and clear sea water! Since I was in a short gown and slippers, I didn't mind stepping in, haha, so I psycho-ed Kitty to remove his socks and shoes, roll up his pants and step into the water, all the while repeating that we shouldn't waste the wet tissues we have bought, wahahahhaa! It started drizzling... slight drizzle, but since David heck care, we also heck care, lol. Thankfully the rain stopped after 10 mins!

It was 10pm by the time we got back to Jazz Bridal... super tired. Quickly changed back into our casual wear and Xiaoyan helped me to remove the many hairpins from my head. Sweetie old pie even helped me with my gown during the outdoor shooting, saving me from tripping and falling flat on my face lol. Bu kui shi wo de hao "jie mei"!

My 2 fave hair accessories:





Can't see the side view for the first pic as Sandy haven't pin them on, haha!


- Phebe

Jazz Bridal Photo Shoot

18 Jul 08 - We had our wedding photo shoot by Jazz Bridal today.

Looking back, it's been more than 2 years since that fateful day at Suntec City, when we chanced about French Bridal's wedding roadshow and signed up for their package after some fierce haggling by Her Royal Majesty's good friend, Liyan, and her boyfriend, Joshua.

Subsequently, we switched over to Jazz Bridal, which is under the same management as French Bridal. Our coordinator had been posted to Jazz, and we felt that the staff at French didn't really give 2 hoots about us since we were not signed up by any of them. In addition, the gowns at Jazz were also more impressive than those at French.

For our photo shoot, we had shortlisted a total of 10 outdoor locations, which was much more than the usual norm of 2 - 3. As expected, our coordinator and photographer kicked up a big fuss and stated plainly that it was impossible to go to all 10 locations. We eventually cut the list down to 6 locations, and even roped in another of Her Royal Majesty's friends, Xiaoyan, who generously agreed to be our chauffeur for the day.

The indoor portion of the photoshoot ended at about 2.45pm, and we managed to go through 4 outfits --- kwa, wedding gown and 2 evening gowns. After lunch, at about 3.20pm, we left the studio for the outdoor shoot. We had originally targeted to leave the studio at 2pm, and were now rather worried that we may not have time to go to all 6 locations.

Our first destination was the Regent Hotel, where we would also be holding our wedding dinner in November. While the hotel's exterior was unexceptional, the interior was resplendent with chandeliers, plush armchairs, framed oil paintings, glass bubble lifts and even a grand piano.

The next stop was Dempsey Road, at the Ben & Jerry's outlet right at the top of Dempsey Hill. We purchased a waffle bowl with 3 scoops of ice-cream, and proceeded to eat it while the photographer snapped away. I'm not sure how the pictures would turn out, since I was too busy tucking in to bother about looking refined or even elegant. We also took some pictures in the quirkily painted van parked outside the outlet, which was a refreshing change from the usual grand restaurant interiors of most wedding photos.

From Ben & Jerry's, we went on to the Botanic Gardens, one of the must-go locations for wedding photo shoots. However, we only took pictures at the waterfall as we didn't want to spend too much time at any one location. There were also a few other couples doing their photo shoot too, and I'm sure we must have provided much amusement for the many tourists there.

Next, we headed for the east, to Changi boardwalk. Along the way, Her Royal Majesty made a quick change into her short gown, which was also the same gown that she wore for our wedding solemnisation ceremony. Changi boardwalk was one of the most interesting locations that we went to, and not just because of the beautiful seaview. At one point, I actually took off my socks and shoes, rolled up my pants and waded into the water together with Her Royal Majesty. The things we do for vanity! The mosquitoes were also out in full force, and Her Royal Majesty ended providing dinner for at least 4 of them, who left her with angry red welts on her arms and legs.

By this time, it was already evening. We then headed for the Singapore Flyer to take some pictures of the ferris wheel with its pretty lights. As we walked around, we attracted quite a fair bit of attention in our outfits, although it didn't go beyond just staring and whispers.

The final destination was the Henderson waves, and to reach the bridge, we had to hike up a slope. Luckily, Her Royal Majesty had brought along a pair of slippers, or she would have been forced to climb uphill in her 4-inch heels. The Henderson Waves were beautifully lighted in the night, and hopefully our pictures will be able to capture this beauty accurately.

After returning the gown at the photo studio, we went for dinner with Xiaoyan, and reached home at about 11+ at night. It had been a long and tiring day, and hopefully, the pictures will justify all the hard work put in.

- Melvin

Photoshoot Prep

17 July 2008 - With our photoshoot tmr, it has been a rather hectic week.

On Monday, Hb and I went to Jazz Bridal for my final fitting. My MTM evening gown is finally completed and I love it! I'm so glad I didn't choose something off the rack during gown selection! Both of us were in a pretty good mood until we spoke to our photographer about the outdoor locations. He made me soooooooooooo freaking pissed! According to him, we could only choose to go to 2 outdoor locations. However, no one told us about this before and we had spent so much time and effort just searching for PS locations, not to mention actually going down to the shortlisted places to check out the surroundings! Anyway, David (our PG) said that if we wanted to go to so many places, we have to use our own transport, which we don't have. The discussion went on for at least 20 mins, at the end of which I was so pissed I stood up and walked out of the shop, determined that in no way am I going to let him spoil our plans.

We were very lucky. Xiaoyan (aka Yanwei) happened to be on leave and he agreed to help us out!! Wheeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Tuesday, I went to pluck my eyebrows at inouvi. I am so glad Jurong Point has a inouvi counter, its so convenient to get home! Had a good time chatting with Zilah (the inouvi staff who did my brows) as usual despite the pain I had to endure. Plucking eyebrows is one of those activities I term as "waste money to torture yourself", lol. Went to shop for nail art stuff after that.

Collected my ROM gown at Bridal Zone on Wednesday. Xiaoyan came over to our place after that to discuss the route we were going to take during our photoshoot. Very nice of him to help us do the planning!

Thursday. The day before our photoshoot. Went over to The Low Clan's for dinner, afterwhich Mdm Yik did mani and pedi for me. Back at home, we went about packing the stuff we need to bring the next day.

Oh, and I dyed my hair last week. Booked an appt at SandStorm and spent most of my 2.15hrs there sleeping while the stylist fiddled around with my hair. Haha, end of story~

- Phebe

Our Wedding Website is Ready!

13 July 08 - It is finally ready. After months of struggling with HTML codes, free-but-notoriously-unreliable web hosts, and scrounging around forums for bits and pieces of tips and advice, our website is finally ready.

Our wedding website is titled "Embracing Eternity" --- a reference to the commitment that we have made to each other. In its pages, we have recorded, for posterity, the history of our relationship, right from how we met to setting up home together.

Some highlights include the story of how we met and got together (hint: it involves a visit to a polyclinic), the inside scoop on my marriage proposal to Her Royal Majesty (and how things almost went awry), and how we set up our home in the western part of this island (featuring errant contractors and other deviants).

If you would like to find out more, simply visit www.embraceeternity.com today!

- Melvin

~ End of blatant plug ~

Wedding Prep Updates - 5th July

5th July 2008 - Some quick updates on our wedding prep...

Went to Bridal Zone for my fitting in the afternoon. Haiz, I really don't understand why it is located so far, all the way at Boon Keng! Somehow the dress was not altered to the correct size, so it was rather tight at the front, haha. Will be going down for the final fitting and collection next Wednesday (16th July).

Our wedding website is near completion! Meowvin is now working on the last webpage and hopefully, if all things go well, it will be completed by this weekend! Will work on refining it, then it should be up and running by middle of July, 2 weeks earlier than what we expected, yay! Hope to settle this ASAP, then we can start working on 2 more other "projects", haha! *Winkz*

Our wedding memory book is only left with 6 empty pockets ever since we added in the section on our Japan honeymoon. Been popping in and out of 'Made with Love' every now and then since last Sep to check for the availability of the pocket slots but each time we were told the usual "sorry, we are not sure when the stock will come in". Liew. Anyway, somehow, I just had this impulse to go to Plaza Sing and when we got there, I immediately pulled him towards the shop. Guess what?? The stock has come in!!!!!!!!!!! Our 9 months of waiting has paid off! So happy, now we won't have to worry about not having enough pockets to put our artworks!


- Phebe

Coffee & Tea?

3 July 2008 - Recently, DreamzCoffee sent us the first draft of our video. Naturally, I had lots of comments and demanded to see the designer/producer. Kitty (Meowvin) and I spent a couple of nights typing a whole list of changes that we want them to make. Who would have thought that mere editing of a video can be so tedious, right down to the little details like dialogue, the feel, the expression etc.

We finally got to meet the designer yesterday and went through with him point by point of the changes that we want him to make. It was then I realised that it really takes a lot of skill to be able to be a designer... not only do you have to be good at IT, you also have to be good at drawing, good at exercising your brain to churn out creative storylines, and really good knowledge of the software you are working with.

Seriously, I really hope the 2nd draft turns out well... we have no desire to incur additional charges for subsequent changes! *keeping our fingers crossed*

- Phebe