Introduction & Disclaimer


Dear Brides-to-be & Grooms-to-be,

I am very pleased to present my wedding preparation kit for all couples who are going to get married soon or in the mid of preparation.

A small introduction of me, I first started to prepare my wedding on August 2007 as my big day was on March 2009. As and when I had gone through my preparation, I started to compile and share my experience to guide all couples.

This blog will assist you on the information on how you can start your wedding and some resources. So-called a useful blog that compile from my research and experience to provide all informations for all brides-to-be or grooms-to-be.

As I say, all informations compile from my research and experience, you will expect some copyrights from other articles & websites.

For advertising, you are always welcome to share with everyone. Give me your email and I will contact you directly. Advertising in this blog is FREE.

Hope this kit will be useful to you! Have fun!

Copyright 2008-2009 © wedding-prep-kit.blogspot.com & Other Websites


Past Updates


◕ October 2008
◕ November 2008
◕ December 2008
◕ January 2009
◕ February 2009
◕ March 2009
◕ April 2009
◕ May 2009
◕ June 2009
◕ July 2009
◕ August 2009



Labels

◕ Checklist
◕ Copyright
◕ Emergency Kit
◕ Guide
◕ Preparation
◕ Tradition
◕ Wedding Mistakes
◕ Wedding Website


Bridal Studio

◕ Bridal Package
◕ Bridal Studio
◕ Wedding Gown


For Brides

◕ Brides
◕ Bridal Bouquets
◕ Bridal Shoes


Hotels

◕ Hotel
◕ Wedding Venue


Solemnisation

◕ Outdoor Wedding
◕ Ring Pillow
◕ ROM
◕ Solemnisation
◕ Wedding Vow


Photography & Videography

◕ Photography
◕ Pre-Wedding Photoshoot
◕ Videography


Venues

◕ Restaurant
◕ Wedding Banquet


Locations

◕ Beach Road
◕ Bugis
◕ Changi
◕ CityHall
◕ Clarke Quay
◕ East Coast Road
◕ Havelock Area
◕ Newton
◕ Orchard
◕ Raffles Place
◕ Sentosa
◕ Tanjong Pagar


Transportation

◕ Transport


Stationery

◕ Invitation
◕ Wrist Corsages


Songs

◕ Chinese Song
◕ English Song


Updates

◕ Advertising
◕ Promotion
◕ Wedding Show


Share your view








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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Before Confirming Your Bridal Studio

Sales person is not the same as those coordinators who will eventually serve you.
In the local context, competition has been very stiff especially over the years when more and more bridal studios come into the wedding market. More studios are fighting over the same pie.

Do your homework
Ask around from your friends who got married and ask them what to look out for. Discuss with your spouse-to-be what your budget is and what kind of package both of you want. Discuss whatever is to be discussed before entering the wedding show. Remember the sales staff are trained professionals just to close sales. There won’t be time to discuss when the selling takes place. Agree to walk off as long as one feels uncomfortable with the sales pitch and walk off together.

Ask for customers’ feedback
Don’t ever sign at the wedding exhibition unless you have visited their studios and talked to their customers. You may only sign on the contract only if you have done your homework.

Know what you want for your package.
Do you know what you want for your bridal package?
Do you need the bridal car? Do you need two 15R albums instead of one?
Do you need Made-to-measure gowns or just off the rack?
If you don’t require some items, how could you use them to bargain for other items such as more 15R photos?

Control your buying impulse
Humans are impulsive shoppers. We all shop and buy things based on emotions. Even if men are considered logical thinkers, we still buy some items because it makes us feel good.

Make a second visit even if it takes more of your time.
Remember some studios allow you to bring the photocopied sample list home and they will get in touch with you a few days later. The competition is so stiff that they will never miss out any chance of getting new customers.

Treat the sales person like a good old friend
Treat them like a human and be friendly towards them. Ask for their help to give you more freebies. This is only doable when they find that they can clique well with you. Ask to be introduced to the senior staff so that you can know them too.

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11:55 PM

The Tradition of Having Wedding Dinner

The banquet is an important part of Chinese culture. More than just a meal, it represents an opportunity to build relationships.

Dishes carry symbolic significance at a banquet including :

1) A cold platter of jellyfish and various meats arranged in dragon and phoenix shapes. In Chinese culture, dragon symbolizes the yang or male aspect, while the phoenix is a representation of the ying or female aspect. The dish, therefore, is a symbolic marriage of the ying and yang, which is a fundamental principle in Taoist belief.

2) Whole chicken dish serves to represent hopes for a good marriage and the union of two families. When served whole, the chicken emphasizes the ideal of family unity.

3) Duck represents fidelity.

4) Fish is usually served whole, and is a very important menu in a Chinese banquet. It is usually served last and the dish is pointed towards the guests of honour. The whole fish is a symbol of togetherness. The Chinese word for fish is yu and it is similar in sound to the words meaning 'abudance' and 'surplus'. So serving whole fish at the wedding banquet is believed to ensure that the couple will not lack for anything in the coming year.

5) Chinese dates, peanut, longan and sunflower seeds. The names of these four items spell out the phrase 'zao sheng gui zi', which means to have a precious or noble son very soon.

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11:51 PM
Monday, October 27, 2008

Wedding Venue - Furama Riverfront


Purpose
- Attended my secondary school classmate's wedding in June 2007.

Location
- Located at Havelock Road.
- The convenient MRT station is either at Tiong Bahru or Outram.
- Has to travel by bus when coming out of the MRT.
- A distance away from the bus stop.
- Not easy to catch a cab at that location.

Reception at Venus Ballroom
- Big and spacious foyer.
- However, it will not be able to accommodate more than 250 guests.

Ballroom
- Venus Ballroom accommodates up to 550 guests.
- It has big and spacious pillar-less ballroom with high ceiling.
- There are 2 or 3 LCD projectors.
- Guests sitting at the back of the ballroom cannot see the couple on the stage, quite a long distance away.
- Advantage is the long L-shaped march-in.
- Minimum tables in Mercury Ballroom is 25 tables.
- Minimum tables in Jupiter Ballroom is 20 tables.

Stage Decoration at Venus Ballroom
- It is big and spacious.
- High enough for all the guests to see. A pity that the guests sitting right behind will not be able to see the couple clearly.

Ambiance
- The ballroom is very big so I find it very difficult to hear the emcees talking.
- Does not feel cosy.

Service
- Disappointing service of the waiter and waitress (These aunties were really uneducated. They served dishes without saying "excuse me". I was shocked when she just put the dishes without any warning.)
- No waiter serving me drinks at the foyer.
- Feedback saying that the coordinator did not keep their CD properly after viewing the montage.

Food
- The food are quite normal, nothing appealing.

Bridal Suite
- Seen the photos from the other brides, the room look spacious.
- From the window, over-see the HDB flats as scenery.

Address
- 405 Havelock Road Singapore 169633

Website: Furama Riverfront

For more information: http://www.singaporebrides.com/hotels/furama_riverfront/index.htm

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6:17 PM

Wedding Venue - Goodwood Park Hotel


Location
- Located at the end of Scotts Road which is next to Far East Plaza.
- About 15 minutes walk from the exit of Orchard MRT station.
- No walking path from the entrance to the lobby except for the upwards sloping road to carpark.

Reception
- The reception/holding area is not spacious.
- No sheltered carpark.

Ballroom
- Hexagonal-shaped with no pillars.
- Expect no blockage of view throughout the whole session.
- Spacious with low ceiling which made it cosy.
- The mirrored wall (near entrance) make the ballroom look bigger and brighter.
- Equipped with four projector screens; two on each opposite sides of the room.

Bridal Suite
- As Goodwood is not a tall building, the suite will be at level one.
- A second door that opens to the swimming pool.

Address
- 22 Scotts Road Singapore 228221

Website: Goodwood Park Hotel

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5:55 PM

Wedding Venue - Conrad Centennial Singapore


Purpose
- Attended my hubby-to-be's sister's brother-in-law's wedding dinner in December 2006.

Location
- Opposite Suntec City.
- Quite far from CityHall MRT station.
- In near future, there will be Milennia MRT station nearby.

Reception
- Area is big enough to mingle around.

Ballroom
- Very classic and grand due to the mirrors around the ballroom.
- Can accommodate up to 40 tables.
- It is Pillarless.
- There is 2 LCD projector screens.
- There is 2 doors in the ballroom so you will expect a L-shaped march-in. No worries, the march-in is long.

Stage Decoration
- Stage is wide.
- Decor is nice.
- Can do solemnisation on the stage.

Food
- Serve individually.
- Food is fantastic especially big bowl of shark fin soup.

Address
- Two Temasek Boulevard Singapore 038982

Website: Conrad Centennial Singapore

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5:53 PM

Wedding Venue - Ritz Carlton Millenia


Purpose
- Attended my god-sister's wedding in January 2008.

Location
- Located next to Marina Sqaure.
- A long distance from CityHall MRT station.
- In near future, there will be Millenia MRT station.

Reception
- The reception is at 2 small function rooms.
- The area is quite narrow.
- There is a television which can screen your wedding montage.

Ballroom
- The combination of the small function rooms are spacious. A pity is that there are 2 pillars blocking the view. A short straight march-in. There are 2 projector screens in the room.
- There is a Grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 60 tables.

Stage Decoration
- The stage is quite cramped.

Food
- Fish is not fresh.
- Overall food is so-so only.

Bridal Suite
- Panoramic views of the Marina Bay.
- Marble bathroom with panoramic views of the city skyline.
- The whole room is very spacious.

Address
- 7 Raffles Avenue Singapore 039799

Website: Ritz Carlton Millenia

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5:53 PM

Wedding Venue - Swissotel Merchant Court


Purpose
- Viewing of ballroom when I was there for work.

Location
- Near Clarke Quay MRT Station.
- Next to Central Mall and Clarke Quay Area.
- Very centralised location with many bus-stops and easy to hail cabs.

Reception
- Private reception area as they have only one ballroom in the hotel.
- Reception area is huge.
- It is located at level one.
- The problem is the aircon is not strong at the reception area.

Ballroom
- Not exactly grand but its simple and looks good.
- Feel comfortable at the spacious ballroom.
- The exterior of the building is not exactly appealing but who cares about the exterior anyway.
- There's no pillar!
- High Ceiling.
- March in distance is not exactly long.
- Only one projector is essential because of the shape of the ballroom.

Stage Decoration
- Decor is nice.
- Stage is spacious.

Solemnisation
- Solemnisation near the swimming pool.

Service
- Good event planners.

Food
- Serve individual portions.
- Quite value for money.

Bridal Suite
- Good view overseeing the Singapore River.
- Spacious room.
- Bath-tub overseeing the scenery outside.

Address
- 20 Merchant Road, Singapore 058281

Website: Swissotel Merchant Court

For more information: http://www.singaporebrides.com/hotels/swissotel_merchant_court/index.htm

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5:47 PM

Wedding Venue - Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel


Purpose
- Attended my close colleague's wedding on September 2007.

Location
- Nearest MRT station is Outram Park or Tiong Bahru.
- Hotel is located at the corner of Havelock Road and Kim Seng Road.
- A distance away from the bus stop.
- Not easy to hail a cab.

Reception
- As the Grand Ballroom is the only ballroom at level 4, it is entitled to a very big and private reception area.
- The 2 ballrooms on level 4 have a big foyer with a piano and more sofa seats.

Ballroom
1) Grand Ballroom at Level 4
- The ambience is very nice and romantic.
- The ballroom can hold up to 40 tables with comfortable walking area.
- It has high ceiling, L-shaped aisle and two projector screens.
2) Bigger Ballroom at Level 2
- The ballroom can hold up to 25 tables with a straight march-in.
- There are 2 pillars in the ballroom.
- Two projectors screens.

Stage Decoration at Grand Ballroom
- The stage area is quite special.
- A real garden set-up on the stage.
- The backdrop of the stage is a transparent glass panel separating the decorations using trees, plants, flowers and a nice gazebo.

Solemnisation
- A unique alfresco wedding venue offers a setting where you will be exchanging vows in a romantically dressed gazebo amidst quintessential fairytale setting.

Food and Service
- Food is served individually.
- Overall taste is acceptable.
- Service is so-so only.

Address
- 392 Havelock Road Singapore 169663

Wesbite: Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

For more information: http://www.singaporebrides.com/hotels/grand_copthorne_waterfront/index.htm

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5:46 PM

Wedding Venue - Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa


Purpose
- Attended Style: Weddings, Glamour Bash 2007 on October 2007.

Location
- Nearest MRT station is Harbourfront.
- Located inside Sentosa.
- 10 minutes walk from the Merlion Tower.
- Not easy to spot the hotel.
- Make sure you ask the sentosa staff for direction if take by Sentosa tram.
- Not easily to catch a cab.
- Have to provide the map in the invitation card so that your guests will know where to find the hotel.
- Limited lots at their carpark.
- Need to get your own chartered bus to ferry your guests in case hotel do not provide shuttle bus.

Reception
- Spacious foyer.
- Privately for your wedding event.
- The lighting is not very strong if you have wedding lunch.
- Private cocktail bar is at the corner just outside the ballroom.

Ballroom
- Pillar-less with 5m high ceiling.
- The lighting is too dim.
- Can accommodate up to 55 tables.
- The interior of the ballroom is dull.
- 2 doors in the ballroom so don't expect for straight march-in.

Solemnisation
- Look like fairy tale in Glass Pavilion with small waterfall nearby.
- Quite creative to have the bell on top of the Glass Pavilion, meaning once the couple signed the marriage deed, there will be someone, maybe a small kid to ring the bell.
- Nice garden decoration on the transparent table and chairs.
- The environment was tranquil and relaxed.
- Great place for photo-taking.
- Good choice for ROM.

Service
- Some staff are friendly but some staff have bad attitude. Depend on whom you liaise with.
- Their emails are not pro-active. Very difficult to keep in touch with the person in charge.

Food
- Loved the white chocolate fondue.
- Food are yummy.
- More to western style food.

Bridal Suite
- Different types of bridal suite rooms to choose at.
- Fantastic stay at the Villa with personal swimming pool at the middle of the bedroom and living room. Great choice to have tea ceremony in that small villa. FYI, the bath tub and the shower stand is located in the open space outside the room. No privacy.
- Another type of room called Courtyard Suite attached with personal jacuzzi. No privacy since the guest who stay upstairs can see you.
- Going to main lobby from your suite, you need to call for buggy ride in case it rain or if it is sunny, you got to bring umbrella out.
- No extra complimentary room for helpers.

Address
- 1 Larkhill Road, Sentosa Singapore 099394

Website: Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa

For more information: http://www.singaporebrides.com/hotels/amara_sanctuary/index.htm

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5:45 PM

Wedding Venue - Traders Hotel


Purpose
- Attended my primary school classmate's wedding on March 2007.
- Also attended the wedding show on October 2007.

Location
- Located at the end of Orchard Road which is located next to Tanglin Mall.
- Quite a long distance to Orchard MRT station.
- Not easy to catch a cab.
- Need a distance to the bus-stop.

Reception
1) Grand Ballroom
- The foyer is very cramped.
2) Temasek Ballroom
- Just renovated the foyer so it is now very spacious.
- A pity is when you are about to go to the foyer, you will see the reception table located at one corner of the area which is quite small.

Ballroom
1) Grand Ballroom
- Can accommodate up to 30 tables.
- 2 terrible big and fat pillars, which may affect big blockage for a few tables.
- The ballroom is very dark on one side of the area.
- The interior does not look classic.
2) Temasek Ballroom
- Can accommodate up to 20 tables.
- Long and straight ballroom.
- Very nice ambiance lighting.

Stage Decoration
1) Grand Ballroom
- The stage area is very small.
2) Temasek Ballroom
- The stage area is also very small.
- The champagne pouring area is placed below the stage.

Service
- The event planner is very detailed.

Food
- Food is normal.
- Serving portion is just nice.

Bridal Suite
- The room is extremely very narrow.

Address
- 1A Cuscaden Road Singapore 249716

Website: Traders Hotel

For more information: http://www.singaporebrides.com/hotels/traders/index.htm

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5:45 PM

Wedding Venue - Singapore Marriott Hotel

Purpose
- Went for wedding show on October 2007.

Location
- 10 minutes walk from Orchard MRT station.
- Just above the Tangs shopping centre.
- Accessible to bus-stops and easy to hail for cabs.

Reception
- Spacious foyer privately for wedding event.

Ballroom
- Pillar-less ballroom with high ceiling.
- Huge and plain ballroom.
- It can accommodate up to 55 tables.
- Agreed that it is suitable for long and straight march-in.
- The exterior looks very dull.

Stage Decoration
- Stage is high enough for guests to see.

Solemnisation
- Popular place to ROM at their poolside.

Service
- Hotel staffs are rude and unhelpful.

Food
- I tasted their food during buffet. Only desserts were tempting.

Address
- 320 Orchard Road Singapore 238865

Website: Singapore Marriott Hotel

For more information: http://www.singaporebrides.com/hotels/marriott

Wedding Theme at Singapore Marriott Hotel:


Pure Bliss – White- the colour of purity and cosy elegance. Paint a perfect picture of love as you bask in an array of white roses with illuminating glow of tealights in glass baubles


Golden Glow – Immerse in a glittering glamour of gold candles and lighted streaming organza. A union that spells sheer luxury and opulence.


Sweet Surrender – Fulfill your fairytale fantasy with a stunning adornment of sweet fuchsia roses, coloured beads and flowing crystals. A true romantic fanfare that will leave any princess smiling sweetly from within.

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5:44 PM

Wedding Venue - Marina Mandarin


Purpose
- Attended the wedding show in October 2007.

Location
- Not near to City Hall MRT station, at least 20 minutes walk to hotel.
- In near future, there will be Esplanade MRT station within 5 minutes walk to the hotel.

Reception
1) Marina Mandarin Ballroom
- It has its own private foyer which is very spacious, directly located near the main entrance.
2) Vanda Ballroom
- Located at 4th floor.
- The foyer has a good view of overseeing the hotel rooms on the top view and restaurants/cafes at the bottom view.
- Sad to say that it is not really private as many hotel guests or visitors will loiter around there so it is difficult to recognise who your relatives or friends are.

Ballroom
1) Marina Mandarin Ballroom
- Spacious and pillar-less.
- It can accommodate up to 70 tables.
- Big ballroom does not mean all guests can see the stage. For my opinion, it is difficult to see the couple march-in from the middle of the ballroom.
- The ceiling look very low.
- Short march-in.
2) Vanda Ballroom
- It has its own stage.
- Spacious and pillar-less.
- It can accommodate up to 30 tables.
- Short march-in.

Stage Decoration
- The very own and spacious stage at Vanda Ballroom.
- The stage is very cramped at Marina Mandarin Ballroom.

Ambiance
1) Marina Mandarin Ballroom
- It is very dark so won't be able to see the couple march-in.
- The laser presentation make it very grand in the big ballroom.
2) Vanda Ballroom
- Can feel the closeness and cosiness.
- The room decoration got the feeling of being traditional.

Solemnisation
- Nice garden theme near the poolside.
- I think choice of cupcakes rather than wedding cakes is good.
- Nicely decorated with apple green colour sash on the chairs.
- ROM under the sun may not be recommended if you are planning in the day.

Service
- The event planners are friendly and helpful.

Food
- I can say the food are very disappointing.
- Even the mango sago is not sweet.
- Waste of money.

Bridal Suite
- It has a great view on Singapore flyer.
- The room look normal with no decoration.

Address
- 6 Raffles Boulevard Marina Square Singapore 039594

Website: Marina Mandarin

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5:44 PM

Wedding Venue - Holiday Inn Atrium Singapore


Purpose
- Attended the wedding show on September 2007.

Location
- Located near Tiong Bahru and Havelock Road.
- The convenient MRT station is either at Tiong Bahru or Outram.
- Got to travel by bus when coming out of the MRT.
- Not easy to catch a cab.

Reception
- Reception is quite cramped.
- If happen to have other events, it will be very difficult to find the reception.
- Not easily to see waiter/waitress walking around to serve drinks.

Ballroom
- Grand Atrium Ballroom can accommodate up to 46 tables.
- Not a glamorous ballroom.
- The ceiling is quite low so don't expect for high stage.
- Some part of the ballroom may not be able to see the stage.

Stage Decoration
- Very simple and non-spacious stage.
- Popular Theme is Lavender Dream.

Solemnisation
- Best view on the top floor.
- Private function room for ROM.
- Accessible to private swimming pool which is one more floor from the function room.

Service
- The staff are patient to explain the details.

Food
- Food are quite normal.

Bridal Suite
- If you are lucky, you can get the best view from your suite.
- Priority on highest floor.
- 2 types of bridal suites: one suite is very cramped but the other suite has a huge area at the living room.
- Nice bedsheet cover with not much decoration.
- Free complimentary of champagne in the room.

Address
- 317 Outram Road Singapore 169075

Website: Holiday Inn Atrium Singapore

For more information: http://www.singaporebrides.com/hotels/hiatrium/index.htm

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5:43 PM

Wedding Venue - Novotel Clarke Quay


Purpose
- Attended wedding show in September 2007.

Location
- Located at the heart of Clarke Quay.
- At least 15 minutes from Clarke Quay MRT station.
- Accessible to bus stop.
- Hotel above the Liang Court shopping centre.

Reception
1) Phoenix Grand Ballroom
- Not enough to accommodate many guests at one time in the foyer.
- I wonder where the cocktail bar is placed at.
2) Cinnamon Room
- Spacious at the foyer.
- Nice decor on the reception tables.

Ballroom
1) Phoenix Grand Ballroom
- Can accommodate up to 50 tables.
- 2 doors on the left and right side.
- Pillar-less with 5 metres high ceiling.
- 2 LCD projector screens.
- Quite a distance away from the stage if sitting at the entrance of the ballroom.
2) Cinnamon Room
- Can accommodate up to 24 tables.
- Straight march-in.
- Pillar-less with low ceiling.
- The room look very cramped to us.
- 1 LCD projector screen.
- Got the feeling of being closed to the stage.

Stage Decoration
- The lighting is very dim.
- Wide and spacious stage.
- The stage decor are acceptable.

Ambiance
- The lighting in Cinnamon Room is very dark so it may affect the atmosphere.

Service
- The staff are friendly.

Food
- Food are not so fabulous.
- The menu does not look expensive.
- Not much choice like having shark fin soup, abalone, etc.
- Not value for money.

Bridal Suite
- Big and spacious.
- Great view of the Clarke Quay, Singapore Flyer and Esplanade.
- Complimentary plate of chocolates.
- Nice decoration of "Just married" rose petals on the bed.
- Nicely done on the bath-tub full of rose petals.
- Aroma smell of the candles depend on which suite you are in.

Address
- 177A River Valley Road, Singapore 179031

Website: Novotel Clarke Quay

For more information: http://www.singaporebrides.com/hotels/novotel_clarke_quay/index.htm

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5:43 PM

Wedding Venue - Grand Plaza Park Hotel City Hall


Purpose
- I had gone to their wedding shows twice on September 2007 and September 2008. I also seen the whole set-up of the ballroom and reception table for the wedding. This was my choice for wedding venue.

Location
- Ten minutes walk from City Hall MRT station.
- Located between Funan Centre and Peninsula Plaza.
- Bus stop is right in front of the hotel.

Reception
- Privately for the wedding event.
- Long and narrow corridor outside the main ballroom.
- Private cocktail bar is at the end of the corridor.
- It will be crowded if you have more than 200 guests on 2nd level.

Ballroom
- Very classic and grand. Most importantly, it is a pillar-less ballroom.
- The ceiling is just nice for the height.
- It can accommodate up to 35 tables. (Minimum tables was 25)
- It will be spacious if your maximum capacity is 28 tables.
- There are 2 doors in the ballroom so the march-in is L-shaped with less than 2 minutes walk.
- There are 2 LCD projectors screen at the left and right side of the ballroom.

Stage Decoration
- Very cramped, enough for the decor, wedding cake, champagne pouring and the speech box.
- Not recommendable for solemnisation.
- The stage is not high enough. Just 2-3 steps from the floor.

Ambiance
- The feeling in the ballroom is cosy and grand.

Solemnisation
- 3 great places for ROM, ie function room, waterfall and garden.
- Free rental at Waterfall area.
- Additional $300 (my estimation only) to rent their garden.
- If function room is available, the hotel allows you to use the room as complimentary.

Service
- Banquet manager will make sure that their staff are clear of their duties.
- The staff will take charge of the whole event and make sure everything goes well.
- The waiters/waitresses are very attentive as they make sure you have your drinks or canapes.

Food
- The food is served by the most popular restaurant called Park Palace.
- Shark fin soup and E-mian are the best.

Bridal Suite
- Orchid suite is spacious and cosy although it look normal.
- Governor suite has private jacuzzi attached outside the room. Furnitures are big so the whole feeling made me feel very cramped in this room.

Address
- 10 Coleman Street Singapore 179809

Website: Grand Plaza Park Hotel City Hall

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5:41 PM

Wedding Venue - Holiday Inn Park View


Purpose
- Attended the wedding show on August 2007.

Location
- Quite a distance away from Somerset MRT station.
- The hotel is hidden behind the Cuppage centre.
- Not accessible to bus stop and MRT station.
- Difficult to hail a cab.

Reception
1) Crystal Ballroom
- The foyer is very cramped, unable to accommodate many guests.
2) Orchid Ballroom
- Spacious foyer although there is restaurant nearby.

Ballroom
1) Crystal Ballroom
- The disadvantage is the 2 pillars.
- Can accommodate up to 40 tables (Minimum 25 tables)
- The ballroom does not look spacious.
- Straight and short march in.
- Half the ballroom can see the couple march in but the other half of the ballroom will be blocked by the 2 pillars.
- I wonder where to see the LCD projector screen.
2) Orchid Ballroom
- It is pillar-less and spacious.
- Can accommodate up to 20 tables (Minimum 15 tables)
- L-shaped march in.

Stage Decoration
- The decor look like a Christmas theme to me although it is not Christmas day.
- The candle theme will be nicer and the ambiance make it more romantic.

Service
- The event planners are not pro-active, can't be bother when there are a few couples who want to ask questions.

Food
- Not very appealing.

Bridal Suite
- The hotel room is very cramped. Although the living room was spacious, the bedroom edge was too narrow.
- The decoration is very plain, doesn't look like a suite for wedding couple.

Address
- 11 Cavenagh Road Singapore 229616

Website: Holiday Inn Park View

For more information: http://www.singaporebrides.com/hotels/hipv

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5:41 PM

Wedding Venue - Swissotel The Stamford


Purpose
- Attended the Style Wedding: Glamour Bash 2008 which was held at Swissotel The Stamford on April 2008.

Location
- Great location which is just above City Hall MRT Station.
- Located at 4th floor inside Raffles City shopping mall.
- To get up to the ballroom, guests have to go through their main hotel lobby. I almost lost my way there.

Reception
- The area is big and spacious which can accommodate more than 1000 guests.
- A complimentary of ice display from hotel at the foyer.

Ballroom
- More choices on the ballroom, minimum tables at 25.
- Main ballroom can accommodate up to 180 tables. Able to partition the ballroom if there are any other event.
- L-shaped march-in at the main ballroom of 25 tables but please note that the VIP table can accommodate up to 24 guests so you will be marching round the table before going up on stage.
- The ballroom is very spacious but I found that too spacious won't have the feeling of being closed to one another and felt that I was far away from the stage although there were around 25 tables.
- Pillar-less ballroom with high ceiling.
- 1 LCD projector screen

Stage Decoration
- Stage is very wide and spacious, ideal for solemnisation during wedding dinner.
- The stage stair is not convenient. If your gown has a very long train, it will be better to have someone to help you, most likely the staff there will lend you a lend.
- The stage is high enough for all guests to see.

Ambiance
- Love the candles in the atmosphere of romantic ballroom.

Service
- Hotel Staff are friendly, helpful and attentive. Goes all the way to guide you through the whole process (eg, check-in in advance before couple arrives, rehearsal for march-in, wait at the hotel lobby when couple arrives, etc).

Bridal Suite
- Excellent sceneric view from the suite.
- Spacious and luxurious.
- A bath-tub has a door that can jump over to the bed.

Address
- 2 Stamford Road Singapore 178882

Website: Swissotel The Stamford

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5:16 PM

Advice for a good start of wedding preparation

I and my fiance had been to many wedding shows between August 2007 to April 2008 and we came across 4 things we need to start with to prepare for wedding:

1) Solemnisation (ROM) / Wedding Date
2) Venue
3) Bridal Studio
4) Budget

Getting a venue is important.
1) Location must be accessible for all guests.
2) Choosing hotel ballroom / restaurant is important especially on the feeling of the cosiness and comfortness and also to take note if your preference is focused on pillarless and high ceiling.
3) The capacity of the ballroom must suit the number of pax both of you are inviting.
4) Take note of their weekday / weekend package (including additional perks) if there is a limited budget between two of you.
5) Lastly the food must suit your taste.
6) Well, the final decision will lie on the availability of the venue. Important tip: Book a venue one and a half year in advance if your date is auspicious.

Tips on choosing Bridal package:
1) Sign up for wedding shows where the Bridal studio showcase their wedding gowns during the fashion show. That is where you can start to choose your preferred design.
2) Look at their wedding albums if the photography and layouts suit your style.
3) Look at their package to see if it is attractive. (Check out on Singapore Brides Forum to compare the packages and feedbacks before you sign up.)
4) Most importantly, the coordinator you are going to sign up with, should make both of you feel comfortable and reliable.

There are many files that can be found in Singapore Brides Forum to help you along the way.
1) Budget Expenses Spreadsheet
2) Preparation Timeline List
3) Emcees Speech
4) Thank you Speech
5) Actual day Wedding Timetable

I hope the above mentioned are able to help you on the start of the wedding preparation. Have fun!

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4:24 PM