Wedding Dinner – 31 March 2007

And so, the wedding dinner was over last Saturday.

Had such a busy weekend that I was on MC on Monday. Too tired to go to work and I dont feel that comfortable anyway. All in all, both J and I were simply GLAD that everything was over. Contrary to what ppl hv been telling us (to sleep early and be a beautiful bride), we hv been sleeping late, abt 1 or 2 am in the morning the week b4 our dinner as we need to finalise our table arrangement and seating plans. I also had to compile and burn songs into CDs which were to be played during the dinner.

As we had already done our tea ceremony in Jan, we only had to deal with our wedding dinner last Sat. My initial plan was to check into the hotel at 2pm and then relax and enjoy the suite. But, as it turned out, we were still doing the admin work at our house in the morning and everything wasnt settle until abt 3pm. By the time we checked in, it was close to 4pm. My makeup artiste arrived at 4.30pm. Oh, I like his style and the way he did my makeup and hairdo. It was definitely 100 times better than the makeup artiste I had for my tea ceremony who made me looked old. LOL. My helpers and families started arriving soon after and it wasnt very long b4 the suite was packed.

Having done with the makeup by 5.30pm, I simply relaxed and helped others while they changed. Ate some bread. J and the helpers went to attend a coordination meeting at 5.45pm. I wanted very much to go along too, just to kaypo and to set my mind at ease. I’m the sort who will think of all the what-ifs and prepare for contingency plans. But I stayed in the room in the end as I didnt want to go down to the ballroom with my nice makeup and hairdo and wearing T-shirt and bermudas.

By 7.15pm, almost everyone left the suite to go to the reception area. I was left with my sis to help with changing into my gown. Some galfriends came up and we managed to take some pics b4 going down. I wanted to go down earlier to mingle with my guests during reception but my sis was saying I dont hv to coz guests normally dont arrive so early.

By the time I went down, it was after 8pm or so. Managed to see a few friends. Helpers were busy checking the turn-out and confirming the tables. I think it wasnt until 8.45pm that we told Christine, the banquet manager to start the dinner. Seriously, I wasnt that excited at all. Perhaps, I was too focused on how to march in gracefully and not step on my gown. Christine was such a good help, she taught me how to hold my gown and can-can and walk so when the doors finally opened, I was feeling more confident.

It was great seeing all our friends and relatives smiling, cheering and clapping for us. Oh, and the rose petals which they ‘threw’ at us. That was a surprise to me as I didnt know the hotel had prepared them. Christine was there again at the steps to the stage to help me with my gown. After the cake-cutting ceremony, we seat down at the VIP table and then had the first dish. Didnt manage to eat much coz it was too much of a hassle with my makeup on. Asked for a knife and fork so that it was easier to eat but still, I didnt eat much. Christine brought us some honey water (with a straw! That’s was such good thinking on her part). We had to leave to change for the evening gown after that and I think somehow, the rest of the evening just flashed by.

My evening gown was a pink bubble gown with a long train and I had to wear a bigger can-can under it. I certainly had a more difficult time moving ard in it as I had someone to hold my train for me. The 2nd march-in was easier and seemed to be over faster than the 1st. We had the champage pouring, the toasting b4 J delivered a speech. The toasting was fun. J’s university friends from the States who flew in to attend our dinner, went up the stage too!

After that we had the table to table photo-taking. I was delighted to see my friends, colleagues, ex-colleagues, everybody. A pity that I couldnt spend more time with them to catch up. By the time we were done with the photo-taking, they were serving the 2nd last dish. But it was great to hear positive comments on my pink gown. Even though it was not my made to measure piece, I was still happy to hear my guests said they loved it.   Oh, there were also good reviews on the songs played and a few of them even asked me for the CDs. One friend commented that my dinner was special coz the songs were lovely and non-repeating, and my photographer was a pretty lady! LOL.

J got ‘forced’ by his colleagues to drink a bit, mostly red wine. So he was pretty ‘high’ towards the end of the dinner. Anyway we were standing at the exit to thank all the guests and I was like going either "Thanks" or "Thanks for coming" so many times. Gosh, I didnt even know who they were. Just smile and thank them. A bit pointless for me. Bleah.

We stayed on for quite sometime to say goodbyes. When we finally went back to our room, it was closed to 11.45pm. Started counting ang pows and undressing. Christine sent up our food (which was warmed up!) and she even helped me to collect the complimentary cake from the pastry shop downstairs which was already closed. My family left ard 1 am. J was supposed to go meet his USA friends for some drinks but they turned up at our room instead with beer and stayed until 2 am. We cleared the room, removed all my hair accessories, showered and ordered food using our room svc voucher. It was almost 4.30 am when we finally get settled for sleep. Totally knocked out.

Woke up at 12.30pm. Packed then checked out at 2pm followed by complimentary brunch at the cafe. If not for the fact that it was free, we seriously wont consider having it coz it cost abt $57 per pax. Then we went to return our gowns and then to Fullerton Hotel to meet his USA friends. We basically spent the rest of the day with them, had dinner with them and J’s family at Jumbo Seafood at ECP then sent one of them off at the Airport.

Was so tired upon reaching home (almost 12am!!). Still had to unpack and only went to bed at 1+ am.

Nevertheless, it was quite an experience. Although everything just flashed by and I didnt hv much time to register the events, I guess I still enjoyed it. Friends said they couldnt recognise me with my makeup on. LOL.

Looking fwd to the public holiday this Fri! Yeah!

Tuesday, 1220 hrs.