The Wedding (Part 4)

After lunch, we quickly packed up and headed straight to the PJ Hilton hotel where the wedding dinner is to be held. Once there, we checked into our bridal suite and it was pretty nice. A bottle of champagne was iced and a box of pralines to compliment the bubbly beverage. Rose petals were scattered all over the bathroom and some were gracefully floating in the tub. On the bed's cream coloured sheets, lay a sweet li'll bouquet of white and baby pink roses. Very nice touch this one because it matches the colour theme of our floral arrangements in the ballroom. In addition, our room being located on the 21st floor meant we had a magnificent panaromic view of the city. *woot*

Time was of the essence, hence we had little time to truly appreciate the suite and got down to business. We met up with the hotel's banquet planner, Elisha and ironed out the last minute detailings. We saw the Krystal Ballroom being set up and instructed for the sound checks to be carried out. Simultaneously, we called our decorator to ensure she'll be able to execute everything according to plan. YJ was at hand to help and he did a great job as our floor manager to coordinate with the hotel's staff. Shaun arrived soon after to do a dry run of the AV materials to be screened.

So many things were happenning at the same time and there were moments where it felt a tad bit overwhelming. Together, SY and I managed to calm ourselves down and as the minutes ticked by, we can see most of the things coming into place. The dinner tables being set up, the cutleries and folded napkins arranged accordingly, the wedding favours placed for each of our guests, pink rose petals sitting contrastingly on the lazy susan, the cream linened chairs with its striking gold tiebacks ... it's amazing really to witness everything being put together for the show. Up on the ceiling, champagne drapes were hung and it looked simply gorgeous with its fairy lights switched on. That helped enchanted the entire ballroom really.

Outside at the reception area, the registration and cocktail tables were being put together. At one end, stood our wedding portrait and on the other, a tall structure of a wishing tree where our guests wrote notes and well wishes on a printed card which was then hung on the tree itself.

The make up artist, May soon arrived and we told her to work her magic on Ivy first before my mom and lastly, on the bride herself. Jon and CT, our emcees came almost at the same time and they went straight into rehearsal. At the same time, our music band from Jason Geh's Entertainment were busy setting up their audio equipment.

Our cocktail reception was to start at 6:30pm sharp and at 5:oopm, our decorator was no where to be found. I called the coordinator, Jasmine and she assured me that everything will be up in time. At that same moment, I saw her zooming past in front of me, one hand holding her mobile to her ear and the other clutching a bag full of pink rose petals. At that point in time, we had no choice but to place our trust in her to do the job and to do it well.

Our names on the backdrop were supposed to be in gold but it turned out to be dark brown instead. We questioned Elisha and she explained that gold wordings against our chosen backdrop would not be outstanding enough. The fairy lights behind the backdrop were lighted up and with the various flower balls dripping from the ceiling, it gave a very unique garden feel to the setting. So the 'screw up' became a blessing in disguise instead. :)

We practiced our march-in with the music and all while everyone else did their part to make sure the show goes on. At approximately 6:00pm, we went up to the suite to prepare ourselves and left the rest in God's hands. *fingers crossed*

At 6:45pm, I came down to the ballroom and was rather suprised to see so many of our guests had already arrived. Looks like we've got ourselves a punctual crowd. I fluttered around greeting people while the stollers comprising of two saxaphonists and a guitarist enveloped the area with soothing tunes and charming melodies. The registration table was tastefully decorated with fresh flowers and lighted candles. Tucked in between were green apples to punctuate the our dinner's theme ... APPLE OF MY EYE.

Sitting majestically at the center of the cocktail area were a pair of ice carvings with the spotlight literally on 'em. Our cocktail tables had a simple but elegant centerpiece of twigs, candles and yes ... apples. Oh yea, musn't forget the eye catching floral arches with its flower balls towering majestically to welcome our guests into the ballroom.

Both Brian and Paul, our photographers busied themselves capturing special kodak moments on their huge dslrs as more guests flooded in. I took a peek inside the ballroom and the scene that greeted me was absolutely jaw dropping! It was breathtaking. From top to bottom, side to side, it was so beautifully different from how I last viewed it. The long flow drapes, the striking backdrop, the dimmed chandeliers, the floral stands along the walkway with its 'floating' apples and tealight candles, the sparkling champagne tower and the lovely wedding cake on stage ... all these complimented each other perfectly like a jigsaw puzzle that resulted in a magical picturisque set up.

The main table was decorated with an extravagant formation of long wavy twigs, lots and lots of fresh flowers, candles of various sizes and an abundance of green apples. It looked magnificent and certainly stole the limelight from the other 41 tables. Haha.

The bride soon graced us with her presence and every pair of admiring eyes were on her. Looking stunningly beautiful in her long tailed mermaid ivory gown, she rightfully commanded everyone's attention. :) Not long after, many of our guests began taking their seats inside and we informed the hotel staff that we'll march-in at 8:15pm. With this, other lingering guests were pleasantly ushered in.

At precisely quarter past eight, we cued our emcees and got ready for arguably, the biggest night of our lives. Positions people!!! It's time for LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!!! :D

To be continued ...