1st wedding anniversary

Today marks our first wedding anniversary. It was as if we just got married yesterday.

So how is marriage life? It has been good so far. My life has changed with the 'BIG' move to London and I have traded my calculator for a frying pan.

Sometimes I do wonder if I would achieve more if I stay back in KL in terms of the career ladder. But again, if I do get where I want to be, will I be happy?

With God's grace and blessings, we will be expecting little Darren soon. It will be another chapter of life for the both of us. I guess this is the BIGGEST achievement for me this year.

HAPPY 1st WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!

Close to..

I've got close to 3000 photos taken from the 2 wedding dinners and tea ceremonies (KL and Malacca) and the church wedding. OMG! Just to run through the photos took more than 2 hours and I am not even done with it.

Hopefully by next week, I would be able to filter out the nicer photos for printing and probably make a photobook.

Wish me luck!!

The Holy Matrimony @ SFX (6 December 2008)

Finally!! One more to go..the Holy Matrimony went smoothly yesterday. It has been a long day from 8am to 5pm.

Joshua Teoh, my photographer for the day arrived punctually at 8am. I am glad I had make the right decision to hire Joshua as he is really professional and always putting up a smiling face whenever asked to take photos.

Soon, family and Ji Muis (Jo Anne, Yen and Audrey) started to arrive. While everyone were busy, my make up artist, Ann Ong arrived at 8.30am with an assistant. Make up done at 10am and the groom with the Heng Tais (Han San and Shan Hin) arrived.

Darren and the Heng Tais had been "spared" with easy tasks during the Heng Tai's session. The guys were made to complete Sudoku, ate 'Paus', a couple of lines in Hakka by Darren and sang "Nothings gonna change my love for you". Shouldn't be that hard for Darren given he can sings quite well =).

After the tea ceremony, we proceed to Darren's house. No tea ceremony in KL for his side of family as it will be done in Malacca the coming Saturday. We just popped by at his house as a formality of the Chinese timing to enter the groom's house. Took some photos, chilled out a bit before proceeding to SFX.

We reached the church at 1pm. Whilst Darren was at the church ensuring all things are running smoothly, I had to wait at the basement with my bridesmaid and driver. We were told to make the 'Grand entrance' when it's time for the mass to start.

At 1.55pm, Lilian Khoo (my mass co-ordinator) rang us to be ready at the entrance of the church for the bridal march in. Had a little problem with the paige boy (Ethan, Darren's nephew) who wasn't really ready to walk down the aisle. Walking down the aisle with Pachebel Canon in D being played, the flower girl, Megan (Darren's cousin) ran away half way through the aisle. Watching from behind, I can't do much but to continue walking.

The whole mass went by smoothly. Surprisingly, I wasn't really as nervous as I thought. Many praises went to the choir led by Patrick Lee. Although there were only 4 people in the choir, the hymms were sang beautifully. 'Thank you Lord' touches me that I teared a bit. The weather was definitely on our side as it wasn't too hot.

After the mass, guests were treated to a tea break reception at the front porch of the church while I took a rest. Soon, I was on my feet back again having fun taking photos with my colleagues and friends. Joshua had fun too with my Han San choreographing a few poses.

Some photos to share with taken from Choon Tey's camera. Joshua's photos will only be available in 2 weeks time. Enjoy the photos..

A quick turn for a shot

Rite of marriage

Presenting to you, Mr & Mrs.Darren Koh

ONE down TWO to go

ONE down TWO to go. The pre-nuptial wedding dinner went smoothly last Saturday. What a sigh of relief. After months of hard work preparing for it, I am happy that it is over.

The day started with me waking up and as I walked out my room, my dad told me that there were changes to the guests list. My first reaction was like "HAR!! Changes??!! Aiyoh! Why so last minute the guest only inform." Well, can't do much about it, can I?

Right after I printed out the "final" version, another colleague called up and informed that she can't make it. All I could say was "Oh. It's all right." I didn't bother to ask why and just accepted the fact. A pre-warned advice from my manager was to be prepared to change/amend the guests list up until the actual dinner day itself. She was SO RIGHT!! Well, there was only one case where one of the guest brought his wife when he confirmed only one seat. Pretty much lucky because my dad manage to squeeze his friend and wife at the table.

Then it was mad rush to my hubby's house for the bed installation. One of the Chinese custom which is deemed rather important. Well, the bed was long time there. Among main tasks were to get the bedlinen on the bed, the big frame photo (chong tau siong) on the wall, did a little decoration with the double happiness (Hei) word. I didn't have time to put my clothings into the wardrobe. Only did it the next day.

After lunch, we had to rush to my house to pick up the evening gown and other stuff to the hotel to check in. We checked in about 3+pm and were brought to our suite. WOW!! The suite was huge with two toilets, it's own dining and living hall and a walk in "wardrobe".

I went to check out the ballroom up to see how thing was going on there while my hubby had his rest. He only landed from Singapore on the morning itself.

The sound system team and my emcee, Jeffrey arrived about 4+pm. Had a short discussion with him for the night agenda. Joshua Teoh, my photographer arrived at 5pm sharp. He busied himself taking photographs.

From 5+pm, my good friends started to trickle in to my suite. Started the make up session at almost 6pm. My kawan kawan were making themselves comfortable and chit chatting around. Jo gave my hubby to try his puzzle game which was supposedly meant for the 'Heng tais' session on the actual day itself.

Make up was done at 7pm. Changed into my pink evening gown. Joshua took more photos..and then the next question was "Are we suppose to wait in the suite till it's time to go out or should we go out to greet the guests?". After consultation with Ames and Shew who were married, we decided "OK. Let's go to greet the guests."

Can you imagine how forgetful I was that I forgot to wear the can-can that will make my evening gown looks more puffy. No wonder I had difficulty walking as I kept on stepping the bottom of my gown for every step taken. Hahaha! Thanks to Jeffrey, the emcee who noted about it.

Many guests were already at the hall at 7.30pm. Oh mine! Guests congratulated us as we walked around. Ok..SMILE SMILE! Darren and I were like film stars. Being grabbed by people here and there to take photos.

At 8pm, Jeffrey told us to get ready for the march in. Our parents marched in first and followed by us. As we were waiting for our turn to march in, the sudden nervous feeling crept in to the both of us. It was that feel that "Oh mine! Everyone will be looking at us.". And soon, we were announced to march in. The marching in was so surreal. All we could do were smile smile and smile. Walk slowly. Make sure I don't fall on my heels..hahaha!

I am very glad that the night went on well with many compliments on the band performance. Great job to Jacky and team from Rhumba Music Enterprise.

One thing though during the toasting session, Darren and I were made to kiss each other on stage. Oh mine! Pai seh..! This came very unexpectedly from the emcee. He should have given a headsup.

It was already 1.30 am when I retired for the night. What a long day it has been.

Well, one down two to go. The Holy Matrimony is tomorrow. Hope it will all go smoothly.

Will share lovely photos soon.

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Long deep breath and relax

If only it is that easy to take that long deep breath and relax, I would be doing it a thousand times.

As the wedding day draws nearer, I am getting more anxious. I wonder if it is normal to feel such way.

Why am I feeling anxious? Probably it's because:
1) I will be leaving my job very soon and the insecurity of not having a new one in hand.
2) I am leaving the country soon and that means leaving my family and friends.
3) If I've prepared the wedding well. I am just hoping everything will be ok.

A lot of people had been telling me to enjoy the preparation and not to worry too much. Well, if only I could.

Ok girl..LONG DEEP breath and relax..
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Where are you going for your honeymoon?

I've been receiving this question from many friends and colleagues.

Well, the answer is "No. I am not going for any honeymoon".

No as of now because there isn't much time left after the 2 weekends wedding from the KL wedding reception to the church wedding and the Malacca's wedding reception one week after the other.

Probably will go for one once I settle in London. "Cuti cuti Europe" har.. =p

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Don't BLINK! =)

DIY church wedding invitation

The Holy Matrimony will be extended mainly to immediate relatives and closer friends. As such, I did not get 'The WeddingCard Shop' to do any church invitation printing as the volume would approximate 50-60 only, probably lesser.

With that, I did a trial DIY church invitation based on a sample from Jeremy's (Darren's elder brother) church invitation.

Materials below were sourced from Jaya Jusco and a stationery shop near my home.

And here's the final result..TADA!!

Sorry folks..blocked out some informations for confidentiality purpose.

I did the printing on the transparent vellum paper. Once printed, I placed it on the colour paper to act as a background. The colour paper comes with soft flower print on it and the colour is just so lovely and sweet. I then tied the two together at the top with a white transparent ribbon.

Sweet and simple huh? The only thing that is time consuming would be cutting the paper.

I plan to embossed the 'Hei' word on the pink envelope as well..just like the one for the wedding dinner invitation.

Love my own DIY result.. =)

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Embossed 'Hei'

I finally went to collect my printed wedding card yesterday morning. This is how it looks like in actual..

Had both our names printed in gold on the cover of the card as mentioned in my previous blog. Nice?

As the red envelopes provided are rather plain, I dropped by The Papier shop at The Curve after work yesterday to check out stuffs that I could get to add a little touch to the envelopes. After seeking some advice from the sales assistant, I decided to embossed the bottom right hand corner of the envelope with the 'Hei' (Happiness) word.

Here's some samples done..in silver and gold colour. 'Hei 1 & 3' were embossed while 'Hei 2 & 4' were stamped with silver and gold ink respectively. Quite a difference between the embossed and ink-stamp one.

Decided to do the gold embossed to match back my card..close up as below.

It's quite some work to do. First, need to stamp the 'Hei' with clear embossing pigment. Then, to pour the gold embossing powder over the stamped 'Hei' and lastly, need to heat with an embossing heater. Since I didn't buy the embossing heater, I have to use the heat from the iron or the pop up bread toaster. I'll just take my time to do it since I don't plan to give the invitation so early.

Hope it will turn out nice as demonstrated.

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Love them!

Just wanted to share some of the beautiful photos I love from Joshua’s weddings gallery.

Lovely huh?? Looking forward for a good job from him for my wedding day.

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Wedding band

Shared by love, shared for eternity..

We've got our wedding band from Diamond & Platinum. I suppose it's Pure Love collection. Didn't really find out what collection it is ;).

I really love our wedding band design. Mine is slightly diamond studded and half matte. Darren's one is plain in design with 95% matte and both rings are 95% platinum (PT950). We've got the inner of the ring engraved with each others initial.

Sorry for not able to share a photo of it here. Will share the photo when the wedding day photographer snap a picture of it.


Marriage is the union of two people declaring their love, commitment and passion. And this declaration of love is a promise of greater things to come in life.

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Wedding invitation card

I finally decided the design of the wedding invitation card and also the amount required to print last Saturday. I've chosen the design below. Nice??

It was my second visit to The WeddingCard Shop last Saturday. During the first visit, I couldn't decide on the design as there were too many to choose from.

I wanted something simple and wouldn't cost a lot at the same time. Initially, I prefer a design that is more Western but ended up choosing this as I find the picture cute.

Cost of the card is RM2.30 per piece excluding the printing and stamping of names on the cover of the card. I've chosen the inlay to be cream in colour with gold ink printing. The envelope will be in red. Hehe..a bit traditional huh??

Will get to proof read the card details later this week afterwhich, if I am happy, I will give the green light to print. It's never too early to print..I rather get things done now than to panic last minute.

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Make up artist

Hopefully this will be among the last item on the check list that I need to search for. I finally booked two make up artists, one is for the KL wedding and the other is for the the Malacca wedding reception. It was quite an effort as I had to do much reading again from the Malaysia Brides forum.

For the KL wedding (dinner reception and actual day), I've booked Ann Ong. I did a trial make up with her and quite like her make up style which is simple and natural. Her make up charges is reasonable and within my expected budget. An additional plus point is that I get RM100 off for being a "Malaysia Brides forum" member. Great huh?

As for the Malacca reception, I've hired Eric Chong from Ambridge Cottage. I've got his contact from a make up artist I failed to hire as she was already booked. I'll do a trial make up with him when I am in Malacca some time in September. No time for a trial make up and then only decide if to hire him. Once again, his charges is reasonable too and within my budget =).

With fuel hike..BUDGET is important!!

Hopefully both of them will do a GOOD job so that I'll look GREAT on the wedding day/dinner reception!!! =)

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Gifts of love

Darren and I received this box full of gifts from Yen (our close ex-colleague) and CK (Yen's bf) for our ROM. Very thoughtful of them and thank you for the gifts. Love it!

Inside the box were:

1) One bottle of red wine

2) Couple T-shirts

3) Photo album for baby photos
4) 2 deco hearts
5) Gift from Bodyshop

6) Wedding congratulation card

Couple T-shirts with the print "The key to..." (Guy shirt) "...unlock my heart" (Girl shirt)

Errr..the photos have to wait lar. Not so soon yet..

A lovely hand bouquet from mum for the ROM..pink roses (15 stalks) adorned with berries (if I got it right).

And also, angpows received from my parents..Darren also received two. "Lai lai si si"..the Chinese saying..

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