wedding photos by thegaleria

Our wedding photos by Brian are out. We've sent it round to everyone, we think. If we haven't, we're sorry. We didn't mean to miss you out, but here's the link to the online album.

http://www.thegaleria.com/weddings/david_elena/

We think Brian's done a great job capturing the mood of the day, despite the difficulties caused by the dim lights at the Bar & Billards Room. We love it! We love our wedding! Can we do it again??? I still can't believe how quickly the day passed, and how little time we had to share with everyone. Of course, mostly, I can't believe how little of the groom I saw that night! I believe I lost him the minute I said 'i do'.

And then, they're gone.

Seeing David's (oops, and mine now) family off at Changi on the 15th July 2007.
Their flight was around 3am, but we got to the airport by 12am so that we'll have more than enough time to check in, get the GST rebates, and have a nice cuppa before saying goodbye.

The Smiths have Landed

And the Jones, and the Barhams, and the Beards, and the Iles, and a Thompson... Have we left anyone out?

Last week saw us making a couple of trips down to Changi to pick up David's family. On Thursday, the UK lot arrived. All wearing their wedding tour polo tshirt, as they said they would. What a sight! I think many got stares and a number of passengers and customs officers asked them questions. We wish we were there to see it all.

So far, Chinatown is probably the most visited place of interest. Derek and family, Richard and Susan, Wendy and Bert have been there twice. They're planning a third trip. We went down with the Smiths (and Co.) yesterday, and took a picture at Smith Street.



But top of the list of the most frequented place in Singapore by the David & Elena Wedding Party is the Santa Fe (Tex Mex Resturant) aka TK Mex (according to Richard). We think they've been down there every night. Some for drinks, some for food and drinks. The staff and management have been so pleased they've been charging them 'Happy Hours' prices even though it isn't. Well, now with such great services and prices, how can one not keep going back?!

Open Mic Night

No, it's not an invitation for everyone to start singing.

We've decided to do away with the traditional "yum seng" (where the bride, groom, and their family get onto the stage and scream 'yum seng' three times for luck), father of the bride speech, and the best man speech, and go with an open mic concept. That is, anyone who has anything nice to say about us can help themselves to the mic (in between the jazz sets) and say a thing or two. Of course, we won't be upset if no one does.

So, you've been warned/advised. You're welcome to do this in groups or, the brave ones, alone! No embarrassing stories about me turning off the bread machine, whilst it was baking away, on one of my first visits to Bromham though.

Wax, Mask, Shape & Shine

Another wedding activity we indulged in yesterday was a trip to the manicurist. My friends had bought me a manicure-pedicure treat for my birthday, as they thought it would be a great opportunity for me to try out a nail spa for the D day. Nail Xpert's located two lanes down from the Raffles Hotel in one of the old shophouses and smells lovely. We went in and got a nice foot soak, scrapping, scrubbing, and a leg mask. Oh, David tried the paraffin wax and said he felt like he was an extra on the set of the House of Wax.

My nails are expertly trimmed, shaped, cleaned, and polished. The whole experience was very nice (it's always nice to be pampered). Although at one point the girl doing my hands poked the inside of my nail and it hurt a little but it was nothing to be worried about. Hey, no pain no gain. The final product was fab. I like the way my nails looks but I am not sure if I will want to, or have the time to, come all the way into town on the eve just to have my nails done. The lesser time i spend trying to bring my nails back to a safe environment (i.e home) the better! I managed to smudge the white tip on one of my toe nails within minutes of leaving the place!

Only thing I'll complain about is the slightly rushed feeling I felt at times. It could be because the girl was rushing to convince me to sign up some nail spa package with them whilst my nails were being dried by a super duper heater fan. But alas, it is the typical sales tactic in Singapore. Sell the consumers a package, with a seemingly great discount, so that they'll be hooked (they have to come back, they've already paid for it!).

In any case, it was a fun, great, treat for the both of us. Many thanks to Yvonne, Jane, Jamie, and Cat (hope i haven't missed anyone out) for this.

Suit Suit Riot

Yesterday we went down to David's tailor for his suit fitting. After doing a few twists and turns, he decided that he is happy with it. So, it got packed into a suit carrier, with a cool flip out hook, and was brought home. Now, he's just got to make sure he doesn't put on any weight before the 7th, and the 17th (when we have our wedding photos taken).

To have and to hold

I've done it!

After humming and hah-ing about making a ring pillow from the materials used for my gown, I decided to go for a ring pouch and possibly a ribbon to tie our wedding bands togetherh. This was easier to sew than a ring pillow, more convenient for David to hang on to, and less cliche! So, after a considerable period of sewing. I've done it! My ring pouch. Our ring pouch (David reminds me as I type this). Now, all i have to do is patch the hole on the side...



Rings in pouch!

Special thanks to Danny, my wedding gown designer, for passing on the extra material to me. Yay!

Table plans

With military-style planning we have developed a table-plan. At first we tried to do this on Excel, but we remembered an old episode of the West Wing where they used cocktail sticks with a flag on, and stuck them around a table. So we did too, and have finally allocated everyone a space.

I am instructed to inform you all that it is I, David, who has written this.

Buttonholes and Wrist Corsages

Next on the list to organise are the buttonholes and corsages. We've got some included in the bridal package (for David and our parents) but are going to organise some for our brothers and their partners as well, so we thought "why not just check if others want the same and we can just order from the same florist and pick it up all on the same day". Very efficient, I'll say.


We're going with the basic white orchid. Not too sure what the final product will look like but I am sure the florist will know what he/she is doing. Buttonholes cost S$5 each, whilst wrist corsages cost S$12 each. All buttonholes come with safety pins so they can be pinned on shirts (no need to worry about wearing a jacket). I am sure we can arrange for alternative flowers, at a cost, so if anyone has any requests, we can try to speak to the florist. Alternatively, there are quite a few florists scattered around Orchard Road who would be happy to help as well.


In the meantime, we're taking orders. Closing date for orders is the 23rd June 2007. Just kidding, but we would like to get all orders to the florist at once and avoid repeated calls to make any changes. So, have a chat, have a think, and let us know. :)