Just made a deposit for the photography for my wedding day. One thing more ticked from the check list. Whew!
My journey of looking for a suitable photographer wasn't easy. Those that you googled from would usually be expensive. A close friend of mine, Lloyd who is the un-disputed videographer of a private institute told me never to trust someone who can do both the vid and photo at the same time. So that is off my grid. Kind Chris as my wedding planner did find me a person who can offer both services (although not done by him alone) and his price is pretty okay, just that of cause, there are those usual plus this, plus that to make the original package no attractive anymore.
So Lloyd introduced a pretty good photographer to me and after looking at his works, I must say that he is totally not my style. Firstly, he uses far too many shots with fish-eye lens and he likes to capture shots that are too candid and anyhow. I proceeded to tell him about the style that I want and he promised he can skip all of the above to give me what I want. And since he is recommended, I did not prob too much into what he can or what he can't do.
Everything was okay and I was about to transfer the deposit only to find out from a text from him that he couldn't' commit to my wedding date. I then asked him for a recommendation and he gave me Dennis Ong's link, with strong reference that Dennis is definitely able to give me what I want. After a good look into Dennis's works, I must say how true it is.
Here are the list of things that are a definite no-no.
- no jump shots
- no silly shots of the groom doing an 'adoken' Ryu move and his grooms men are all blown away
- no pulling of faces to make silly expressions
- no shooting of teary moments (I might cry that day)
- no shouting of "huat ah!" and pumping fists into the air shots
- not too many black and white shots
- not too many fish-lens shots
Here is Dennis Ong's website if you guys are interested. By the way, he won some young photographer of the year award in 2012.
http://dennisongphotography.com/weddingsphotographysingapore/
Tuesday 26 August 2014
Sunday 24 August 2014
Getting married in Singapore is really expensive
As the date of the wedding draws nearer and our bank account getting emptier, I can't help but feel that, damnit, getting married in Singapore is really ridiculously expensive.
My distant cousin who got married in Phoenix, America got married in such a shabby fashion that even I had to say how sorry I was. Her dress was too plain and she bought it over the shelf. Her in-laws did not even bother to plan for any reception and my aunt had to fork out tons of money for that (probably because most of the people who attended the wedding came from her side anyway). My aunt also had to pay for a limousine to pick up the newly weds because she could not take it that the couple had to drive themselves to and fro. And of cause, there wasn't any Chinese customary to follow, any videographer or express videos to show what happened during the day because everything took place in the church and in the ballroom of a hotel with cheapo chicken breasts as the mains.
I wished I could have gotten married in the States where everything else is cheaper than in Singapore. But then again, it would not be the wedding of my dreams already. I could have gotten a wedding gown from the shelf but it would not be as grand as any of what the brides in Singapore wore.
So right now, as I input more and more lines and figures into my wedding planner excel sheet and seeing the figures jump up like crazy, there is always this tendency to see if there are other things I can do without. Like for instance, I could do without the band, but what is a garden wedding with a band eh?
I could also save on some few hundreds by not renting a bridal car and use my own. After all, the car is just a means of transport but the huge scratch at my left fender would demand a more serious cover for repair and my orange ninja might not necessarily look suitable as a wedding car.
What is worst is that my salary is a fixed amount and there is only a certain amount I can save every month minus the fixed expenses. So the life-saver would be Ah Lau whose commission from his sales can really help a lot. And that would also mean that he has the blunt of the stress sword which I don't want him to have.
After all, getting married should be a happy and enjoyable process, not a stressful one.
My distant cousin who got married in Phoenix, America got married in such a shabby fashion that even I had to say how sorry I was. Her dress was too plain and she bought it over the shelf. Her in-laws did not even bother to plan for any reception and my aunt had to fork out tons of money for that (probably because most of the people who attended the wedding came from her side anyway). My aunt also had to pay for a limousine to pick up the newly weds because she could not take it that the couple had to drive themselves to and fro. And of cause, there wasn't any Chinese customary to follow, any videographer or express videos to show what happened during the day because everything took place in the church and in the ballroom of a hotel with cheapo chicken breasts as the mains.
I wished I could have gotten married in the States where everything else is cheaper than in Singapore. But then again, it would not be the wedding of my dreams already. I could have gotten a wedding gown from the shelf but it would not be as grand as any of what the brides in Singapore wore.
So right now, as I input more and more lines and figures into my wedding planner excel sheet and seeing the figures jump up like crazy, there is always this tendency to see if there are other things I can do without. Like for instance, I could do without the band, but what is a garden wedding with a band eh?
I could also save on some few hundreds by not renting a bridal car and use my own. After all, the car is just a means of transport but the huge scratch at my left fender would demand a more serious cover for repair and my orange ninja might not necessarily look suitable as a wedding car.
What is worst is that my salary is a fixed amount and there is only a certain amount I can save every month minus the fixed expenses. So the life-saver would be Ah Lau whose commission from his sales can really help a lot. And that would also mean that he has the blunt of the stress sword which I don't want him to have.
After all, getting married should be a happy and enjoyable process, not a stressful one.
Sunday 17 August 2014
Air brushing artist selected
Ah Lau and I popped by United Square for an appointment to see the air brush artist from Glamorosa. Well technically, we parked at the nearby and walked from Velocity (couldn't find the shop), then walked to Novena Square and still couldn't find the shop. After a call with the artist, did we then find out we are constantly at the wrong building. Haha!
So the shop space is very small but very beautifully furnished and lit. They even served us chinese tea through out the consultation. After asking a few questions, we found the artist really honest and did not paint a dreamy picture for us. If the air brushing doesn't last for the entire day, she honestly told us so; very much unlike the first artist from another place we asked via sms.
So here is my analysis.
First Place I asked for consultation:
- $600 per session
- Able to last 2 days and is water proof (not even bathing can remove the paint)
- Asked for discount since I do not need to cover such a big area, but the artist insisted I have to in case "the dress moves around" she says
- Did not mention anything about touching up for the evening reception
- Needs at least 3 hours to do the job
Glamorosa:
- $300 per session
- Able to last up to 12 hours and is not entirely water proof, as long as didn't sweat like you jumped into a swimming pool
- Will definitely need touch up in the evening for the reception, costs $150
- $50 for transportation fee for dropping by my place in the morning to do the air brushing
- Needs 1 hour to do the job
Yap, am taking the Glamorosa offer of $800 in total.
So the shop space is very small but very beautifully furnished and lit. They even served us chinese tea through out the consultation. After asking a few questions, we found the artist really honest and did not paint a dreamy picture for us. If the air brushing doesn't last for the entire day, she honestly told us so; very much unlike the first artist from another place we asked via sms.
So here is my analysis.
First Place I asked for consultation:
- $600 per session
- Able to last 2 days and is water proof (not even bathing can remove the paint)
- Asked for discount since I do not need to cover such a big area, but the artist insisted I have to in case "the dress moves around" she says
- Did not mention anything about touching up for the evening reception
- Needs at least 3 hours to do the job
Glamorosa:
- $300 per session
- Able to last up to 12 hours and is not entirely water proof, as long as didn't sweat like you jumped into a swimming pool
- Will definitely need touch up in the evening for the reception, costs $150
- $50 for transportation fee for dropping by my place in the morning to do the air brushing
- Needs 1 hour to do the job
Yap, am taking the Glamorosa offer of $800 in total.
Friday 15 August 2014
Bridal nails
I don't exactly have the nicest of nails, in fact because I play the guitar and I often bowl, I don't keep long nails. I also find manicure a waste of money and the times that I do go for manicures, I either ruin my nails in less than 10 minutes of walking out the parlour or am too lazy to maintain it. But I do enjoy the process of it and the aftermath of having my nails nicely trimmed with a coat of colourless oil over it.
Here is a picture of how plain and bear my nails are:
Heehee...
Ok so I would definitely love to have bridal nails. I spoke to Ah Lau and together we look through an array of pictures of bridal nails and he promptly fell asleep in the midst of it.
But before he did, he told me exactly the things that I have mentioned just now about not being able to maintain my nails the way they are even if I did it nicely. I was kind of crestfallen because I do want to have beautiful bridal nails on my big day. And he also added that I do not suit those fanciful ones and that plain and simple ones suit me better. I guess he does make a good point and I think I will just go with that.
So I goggled and look what I've found! Beautiful bridal nails that I cannot decide which one I want!
I will probably go with the first or third one but all also depends if my manicurist knows how to do it and if she already has stock for such a designs too. Point it, I must make it as simple, without any huge stick-ons in case I would need to break it because I will probably vigorously scratch my hair or my bottom to ease off some itch.
Anyways, just for the sack of it, I would like to put in a super duper nice picture of a set of bridal nails at the bottom... you know, just to dream about it.
Here is a picture of how plain and bear my nails are:
Heehee...
Ok so I would definitely love to have bridal nails. I spoke to Ah Lau and together we look through an array of pictures of bridal nails and he promptly fell asleep in the midst of it.
But before he did, he told me exactly the things that I have mentioned just now about not being able to maintain my nails the way they are even if I did it nicely. I was kind of crestfallen because I do want to have beautiful bridal nails on my big day. And he also added that I do not suit those fanciful ones and that plain and simple ones suit me better. I guess he does make a good point and I think I will just go with that.
So I goggled and look what I've found! Beautiful bridal nails that I cannot decide which one I want!
 |
| http://www.pinkous.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/perfect-wedding-nails.jpg |
 |
| http://s4.weddbook.com/t4/2/0/6/2060796/wedding-nails-sparkly-rhinestone-bridal-nail-pinterest.jpg |
 |
| http://blog.cbazaar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/nails1.jpg |
 |
| http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QKuB6jUfYMY/0.jpg |
 |
| http://s6.weddbook.com/t4/8/0/4/804881/nails.jpg |
I will probably go with the first or third one but all also depends if my manicurist knows how to do it and if she already has stock for such a designs too. Point it, I must make it as simple, without any huge stick-ons in case I would need to break it because I will probably vigorously scratch my hair or my bottom to ease off some itch.
Anyways, just for the sack of it, I would like to put in a super duper nice picture of a set of bridal nails at the bottom... you know, just to dream about it.
 |
| https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXvy7cAqDB_rBNY_oQJp5EqyuiYI6MnAlrYYCi3H5TngPT9-oSlN40qOPcjf7gR-BB5KBMeE2VF_G8atTiDCPEuOX-LnDYplk6SO_H75JV3hLj7RU3wrFBRa8YL-6uSCZyRLZ5GHETgNH/s1600/99373_gel+french+lace+bridal+185.jpg |
Thursday 14 August 2014
Ridiculous price for air brushing cover up tattoos
I am pretty torn between spending a bomb on air brushing my tattoos for my wedding day versus using just normal albeit heavy weight make up to do the cover up because it is cheaper.
I tried to read up some information on using concealer and then liquid foundation to do the job but I always forgot that the big piece on my back is too huge for a small tube of concealer; not to mention there is another black-blue piece on my upper arm.
So in order to get a feel of how much I would be needing to fork out for air brushing, I wrote to ask for a quote from one of the top websites on the first page when you goggle "tattoo cover up make up singapore" and the quote was ridiculously high. I told the make-up artist on my difficulty on paying that amount just for 1 day's event. I must say that her sales pitch via whatapps was pretty mundane and I only took to her because I was lazy to find other vendors to do it for me.
She said the usual her stuff is from USA, needs more than 3 hours to do the job right etc. And when I told her I do not need a full cover up since my dress is not backless, she replied to say that it is better to do the whole thing because the dress will move around as I walk.
Thank goodness I made an effort to text another make-up artist who offered me half of the price. She was not good in English but at least she bothered to ask me if there is a need to do full cover up to which I said no. She then asked to see my dress and I happily sent a picture of a dress that is similar to what I have in mind and she then promptly agreed that there really is no need to do full cover up.
So I gladly arranged to see her on Saturday and get a better idea on how exactly she is going to the air brush my back and make me acceptable and fit to be a bride.
For anyone who is interested to get to know her services, this is her website http://glamorosamakeup.com/the-studio/
I tried to read up some information on using concealer and then liquid foundation to do the job but I always forgot that the big piece on my back is too huge for a small tube of concealer; not to mention there is another black-blue piece on my upper arm.
So in order to get a feel of how much I would be needing to fork out for air brushing, I wrote to ask for a quote from one of the top websites on the first page when you goggle "tattoo cover up make up singapore" and the quote was ridiculously high. I told the make-up artist on my difficulty on paying that amount just for 1 day's event. I must say that her sales pitch via whatapps was pretty mundane and I only took to her because I was lazy to find other vendors to do it for me.
She said the usual her stuff is from USA, needs more than 3 hours to do the job right etc. And when I told her I do not need a full cover up since my dress is not backless, she replied to say that it is better to do the whole thing because the dress will move around as I walk.
Thank goodness I made an effort to text another make-up artist who offered me half of the price. She was not good in English but at least she bothered to ask me if there is a need to do full cover up to which I said no. She then asked to see my dress and I happily sent a picture of a dress that is similar to what I have in mind and she then promptly agreed that there really is no need to do full cover up.
So I gladly arranged to see her on Saturday and get a better idea on how exactly she is going to the air brush my back and make me acceptable and fit to be a bride.
For anyone who is interested to get to know her services, this is her website http://glamorosamakeup.com/the-studio/
Saturday 9 August 2014
Tattoo covering up. Which method?
I found out that the recommended trick of first applying concealer, then liquid foundation followed by powder and hairspray won't work for my tattoo cause it's too big a piece to cover up. I figured it's right. Imagine how much concealer I would have to buy and I haven't even tried it once to see if it really does work.
So I asked a fellow colleague for advice (am so glad I did) and she said I have to air brush it.
I was amazed because I thought air brushing is only for food or industrial works. Then I proceeded to watch a video on it and I must say i love it! I am so sure I can cover my tattoos and wear those lacy dresses and my nonya traditional outfit for the day now, not to mention wearing a bustier type for my wedding shoot.
Gotta go find quotes for it for my wedding day. Hang on for updates!
By the way, this is a picture my back tattoo minus the arm part, just for you to get an idea why the recommended concealer method won't work for me.
Thursday 7 August 2014
Package plus plus
My bride's maid who is also my buddy, ex-colleague and wedding planner has recommended a vid and photographer for the actual day.
The rate is pretty good. It is an extended offer of the great singapore sale at $2688. I decided to grab it.
But after a call with him, I found out that I have to pay another $500 for the "express" vid which is what happened in the day to be aired during the evening dinner.
My thoughts then were like "what the hell..."
It is after I began on my wedding planning that I realised that there are soooooo many merchants out there who like to give a 'vague' price and when you jump into it, that you'll realise there is more to it. And this sort of selling and pricing methods irks me to the core.
It's like this costs only $5!
Wow! So cheap! But it doesn't work by itself, I still need this this this and that that that.
Ok! So it'll be $5 x 1000!
So I went back to my original vid guy who had worked for a couple of projects for us and asked him for a good price. I told him what I want and asked him to match if not, lower it for me.
Hopefully this busy guy gets back asap. Still on the budget planning stage.
Sunday 3 August 2014
March-in songs chosen!
The first march-in song is finally chosen! A little common as well, I know but it beats Shania Twain's From This Moment and most importantly, Ah Lau likes it too. We will probably start cutting it from 1.50 into the song.
The march-in song for solemnization has also been chosen. Since it is a garden theme and Ah Lau seems to like this song too, I was thinking if it might be okay. Anyways, here was my initial choice.
Anyways, here is the song. Only setback is, the lyrics are not really up to the occasion. Then we came across So in Love by All 4 One.
I super love this song! And I really want to have this song for my wedding. It would be good for the march-in with the airy feel to it since it is some sort of a capella, it suits the garden theme. And then when we decided this would be it, I think it would be too much for the band to make this song happen, moreover, it would be crazy to find a band that can sing a capella. To top it all, I won't know how to march in with my Dad to this song too. *Laughs*.
So I got my next favourite song for a march in effort.
Tadah! My Valentine by Martina Mcbride! It is PERFECT I tell ya! Because the walk to where Ah Lau is supposed to stand to wait for me (some sort like the alter) would be a huge distance from where I will be walking out from. And it would mean at least a 30 sec walk until my face can be seen and then there's the walk across Spuds N Aprons all the way to the across the garden.
Now to get Ah Lau to agree and we can next move on to the tedious task of downloading all the other songs for the dinner and to get the band to sing at the reception.
The march-in song for solemnization has also been chosen. Since it is a garden theme and Ah Lau seems to like this song too, I was thinking if it might be okay. Anyways, here was my initial choice.
Anyways, here is the song. Only setback is, the lyrics are not really up to the occasion. Then we came across So in Love by All 4 One.
I super love this song! And I really want to have this song for my wedding. It would be good for the march-in with the airy feel to it since it is some sort of a capella, it suits the garden theme. And then when we decided this would be it, I think it would be too much for the band to make this song happen, moreover, it would be crazy to find a band that can sing a capella. To top it all, I won't know how to march in with my Dad to this song too. *Laughs*.
So I got my next favourite song for a march in effort.
Tadah! My Valentine by Martina Mcbride! It is PERFECT I tell ya! Because the walk to where Ah Lau is supposed to stand to wait for me (some sort like the alter) would be a huge distance from where I will be walking out from. And it would mean at least a 30 sec walk until my face can be seen and then there's the walk across Spuds N Aprons all the way to the across the garden.
Now to get Ah Lau to agree and we can next move on to the tedious task of downloading all the other songs for the dinner and to get the band to sing at the reception.
Friday 1 August 2014
Links to suggestions for march-in songs
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