18th May - The Day We Said 'I Do'

I loved every moment of the our wedding, but the solemnisation would be arguably the highlight of the weekend. Saying 'I Do' over sunset at the Ginger Terrace at The Sentosa Resort and Spa, had been as close to our idea of a dream wedding as we had imagined. The short and simple ceremony was witnessed by our closest friends and relatives, and a four-course western dinner followed.

Our friends were excited as we were that afternoon, and the little junior suite was action packed!

May I share a handsome image of my husband getting ready for his big day! hehe.



Pancakes the co-groom is very much part of the action that day - he had a really important job, as the ring-BEARer! Notice his little ring pillow my great pal Huiqin had painstakingly sewn for him.



Carla, one of the bridesmaids, played an equally important role of the ring-bearer's custodian, and we see them bonding with a little friendship here! :D

You might remember me mentioning how hard the make up artist had to work in an earlier post. That's true again, and the poor guests and the groom kept waiting.. and waiting.. for the bride!

Finally, the bridesmaids and I made our entrance! And the forgetful bride had actually forgotten about the flowers for the bridesmaids X(


Alas... but life goes on! More images of the solemnisation!

Do you call this the 'hand-over'? haha.


The solemnisation was helmed by Mrs Chia Swee Tin, definitely the best JP I have ever witnessed in action. And no, I'm not saying this just because she was our solemniser! ;P

Mrs Chia encouraged her couples write their own vows, and so we did.

Our little scripts in our hands as we exchanged vows.

And we exchanged rings.

And the groom kissed the bride (or was it the other way round?) ;D

Here's another view of the Ginger Terrace, while the certificate was signed.


And there you are .. Mr and Mrs Chia Perq Jon :)

17th May - What you may have missed

We returned home after the luncheon, and hunted for our beloved Tommy, who expectedly went into hiding since early that morning. Sigh, didn't find him until his dinner time!



Refer to the first post to see similar shots!



And I conveniently posed for the trigger-happy husband!




No Tommy, so back to Jon's room, now our cosy nest >_<

Luncheon on 17th May

The first of the two banquets, which took place in Orchard Hotel, was hosted mainly for our relatives and parents' close friends. We traded the conventional two walk-ins for more time to mingle with guests, and indeed busied ourselves catching up with familiar and new faces.

Me having a conversation with my dad's best pals, Mr Kong (left) and Mr Sim (whom I had a teaching stint with at Gan Eng Seng Sec School 7 years ago).

Jon introducing me with his family friends.

My mum-in-law (5th from left) with her friends.

For many moments in the mad of the day, I kept putting myself in the shoes of an event-organiser. This moment, before the grand entrance, was a self-realisation of our real roles as bride and groom. (=

Menus in chinese banquets hardly leave an impression, especially after attending countless of weddings in similar hotel ballrooms. There's nothing to complain about the great food from Hua Ting, and I was really glad to have the double-boiled ginseng chicken soup in lieu of sharksfin, which I abhor with passion!


Another pet peeve - I'm so not a fan of faux wedding cakes and champagne towers, but all couples have their moment, I presume? Who cares, just busk in the limelight! >_<

The speech (with nothing Nazi in content) and the toast!


Cheers to the toasting party, comprising Jon's best mates - Jeffrey, Yao Zhong and Loke Yuen!


One of the most heartening parts of the luncheon was to find my parents enjoying a smashing time with their own company!

It was, of course, a timely opportunity to express our thanks to our parents, and we hope our mums love their magnificent bouquets as much as we love them!

Bride's Diary 2: Tea Ceremony and Luncheon

The tea ceremony, as in the case of a (mostly) secular Chinese wedding like ours, is one of the remaining traditions preserved and possibly the more significant part of the event. Much of the motion was expectedly routine, but I generally looked forward to it as
1) I saw some of my new relatives for the first time
2) Both the hb and I greeted our new parents-in-law as 'Ma' and 'Pa' for the first time
3) The pretty tea set I chose from my dad's vintage teapot collection is finally in action, haha!


I really love the colour and the shape of the teapot (= No wedding motif, didn't even bother with the 'xi' stickers, but who cares!


I thought the set belonging to my parents in law is really pretty too. Here's my father-in-law savouring the moment.

I don't know the appropriate terminology, but my mum wanted the 'facilitator' of the ceremony to be a fortunate woman who enjoys a happy and blissful life. Didn't need to think of the perfect candidate - who else but her best friend, Aunt Yusheng, to fit the role!



Aunt Yusheng was great at her job - with creative use of auspicious idioms at each relative's turn. As usual she looked great in her signature pink wardrobe and radiant cheeks.


Off we went to Orchard Hotel, home to the much acclaimed Hua Ting delicacies. My sis-in-law Susan and my bridesmaids formed one of the most meticulous reception team ever. Thanks Angie for the colourful stationery!

The bride's diary

It has been at least 4 months since the big day, but it's better late than never...

Many of our friends were somewhat confused by the somewhat unconventional schedule of our 2-day wedding - customary ceremony in day 1 followed by lunch reception for relatives and parents' guests, solemnisation followed by a dinner reception for our closest friends and family members in day 2.

Here's my attempt to recount the events.. memories are not that fresh now, but hopefully I salvage the those wondrous things that happened over the Vesak Day weekend.

My poor make up artist Cui Cui (or Ophelia as she's known in the forums) has lots to do to conceal those panda eyes and countless flaws that shouldn't be seen on brides. Started way before sunrise to get the job done, and I must say Cui Cui was fantastic! Sorry no 'before' photo to post here *blush*.

We were cheating on traditions - my eyes were glued to the handphone as Jon video-called me once he left his place.

My mum-in-law preping her son for his big day!

Meanwhile, my bridesmaids were busy at the kitchen executing their plans for the groom's great challenge... LOL... Kudos also to my bro and mum who helped with errands.

My cousin Yaohui waited patiently for the groom's arrival, to ceremonially welcome his arrival.

Groom and entourage stuck outside at the mercy of the bridesmaids. Groom went on the wrong side of the lens to do his usual thing.

The bridal team, comprising 2 great teachers, designed a fantastic quiz which faltered even PhDs.

This question sure flustered the PhD. Hehehe.

And too bad, no escaping of tasty door treats which shook those taste buds!

Jon was probably most prepared for the final challenge - to croon his way to the hiding bride. Didn't think he satisfied the bridesmaids' instructions of including the keywords in the lyrics.. but oh well...


He valiantly charged forward with Pancakes the Co-groom, to kiss the elated bride! XD


Off we went, to the Groom's place, which is now also our current dwelling.

Coming up next.. tea ceremony, banquets, more great memories...