Wedding Preparations
Where do I begin?
I used to think, “Ah, I’ve planned so many events in my University days. Wedding planning will be a breeze!”
Obviously I was too naive.
The past 6 months of being an engaged woman has been a blend of excitement and anxiety. (It’s funny how both can cause you to experience sleepless nights………………..)
- Spiritual preparation and journeying with Father Terence
- Choosing the right vendors (e.g. Photography, Videography, Bridal gown!!!?! etc.)
- Venue
- Timing and Itinerary
- Chinese wedding customary practices
The list is non-exhaustive. There really is just far too many things to account for while planning this ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ affair. And although I may sound like a whiny brat, don’t get the wrong idea………………
I am actually enjoying the process!!!!
Despite the whirlwind of intense sourcing, and liaising, and following-up with multiple vendors. I am actually assured that whatever decision I’ve made (or collectively as a couple with FF), it was well thought through, and we both decided on the option that will best fit our requirements and budget.
And I present to you, two important variables of all time - Requirement & Budget.
1. Budget
If we had all the money in the world, of course sourcing for vendors wouldn’t be that painful a journey. Now, imagine yourself wanting to eat that slab of Kobe beef. But you only have $5 in your pocket. - exactly how we feel.
Budget is so important in determining which vendors will automatically take the cut, and which may proceed to the next level of discussion. I cannot emphasize how lost FF and I both were when we first started sourcing for vendors without any idea what’s our threshold. Of course, I had to do lots of groundwork study to identify an approximate market rate for each service (e.g. Actual Day Photography / Actual Day Videography).
And in case you’re wondering, our budget for the entire wedding is currently sitting around $50K. :‘( Very very painful to stomach……….. But I remind myself that in all things, we give praise and honour to God and God alone. He will ensure we have enough manna to tide us through.
So as of today, the only thing we have secured is the bridal studio for 1x wedding gown together with the Actual Day makeup and hairdo. (This thing costed us a good $1.2K already #wtf).
And this leads me to my next point - my failed attempt at purchasing a Taobao wedding gown.
The fabric of the gown felt expensive and adequate. The photos submitted by online buyers and the comments were all very positive. And the seller’s photos of the gown caught my eye. I thought it encompassed elegance as well as gracefulness.
Let me just put it out here to say, NEVER TRUST THE CHINESE!!!!
I felt so depressed after I jumped into the gown. I looked like a frumpy old lady, swimming in weird illusion necklines that make me itch. The lace or flowers don’t even look anything like the photos above. And although most people have said to me, “Aiya, so cheap only…. nevermind la”, I still feel a tinge of regret knowing that this dress will sit in my cupboard as a white elephant (LOL quite apt).
P.S. This dress is almost S$100 hor. I can easily buy a nice ASOS dress that can be re-worn again and again…………………….
Sometimes in life, you make decisions. And sometimes, decisions make your life.
— Cam
Anyway, it is now 11:05pm on a Wednesday night.
It is impossible for me to complete blogging down all my thoughts about Wedding planning thus far. So stay tuned for Part II!
Cheerios,
Cam xx.