Jane & Jen's Wedding Blog

2007-11-15T16:48:00.000+08:00

A big THANK YOU to ...

Our Parents - this day would not have been so memorable without you!!! We love you!!!

Jaslyn - for being the bridesmaid & most of all, being my sister!!!

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Wen - for being the best man.

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Trish - for being my personal assistant / chauffeur / organiser / makeup artist / etc.

Tony - for being my extra photographer & helper.

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Sean - for being our chauffeur for the day!!!

Colin - for being the best man, MC during the dinner, for the speech during dinner & for taking the trouble to come back from Korea just for our wedding.

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Vincent - for being the best man, our witness & MC during the dinner.

Yin Ning - for being our witness.

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Fr Mark - for solemnizing our marriage.

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Mark Tan - for being the alter boy.

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Mr Raymond, Encik Amin, Ms Girlie & Staffs of Paradise Sandy Beach Resort - you have truely made our wedding a 'wedding in paradise'!!!

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Yong Ang - best photographer we've ever had!!!

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Ignatius - wonderful singing!!!

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Guests - It was wonderful of you to share our Wedding Day with us. Thank you for your good thoughts, your generous help and for being there. It means the world to us that you care.

2007-11-15T06:42:00.000+08:00

Outdoor & studio shoot

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and a marriage is an adventure. We had both with STAREAST!

Our adventure began on 21 January 2007 when we both went bargain hunting at a bridal fair in PISA. Booth after booth we went but we manage to hook up with JESSY from STAREAST. After explaining to us the different packages they offered we settled on one with fitted out budget. [do ask the shop for the best bargain available] We paid our deposit and didn’t think much of it.

Six (6) months later we got ready to go for out outdoor session photo shoot. We had wanted to make it as special as possible and STAREAST in ensuring the best had their ...

top photographer, YONG ANG

and their make up artist, BARRY

and special effects guy, KEN

along for the outdoor photo shoot. [We were worried about the makeup and hairdo fading]

[see how BARRY did me a new hairdo at the outdoor location itself!!!]

After an eventful day, we were thankful that we had chosen STAREAST. They were professional, courteous and helpful knowing how stressed we were.

Wedding day

After seeing the result of our outdoor photos, we were so impressed that we decided to hire a professional photographer to document our BIG DAY (10 November 2007). Once again we wondered if YONG was available and STAREAST being ever so helpful arranged for it. Not only did our photographer turn up for the event, she meticulously planned the wedding day photos well in advance with us and the results needless to say were so much more than satisfactory. [for more photos, click on the Photo Galleries]

Our recommendation

We both personally & fully recommend STAREAST to anyone wishing to take photos, wedding or otherwise. They are good, professional, helpful and always ready with a smile. So as we look back at our wedding day, we proudly say that STAREAST has helped made our big day and even BIGGER DAY!!!!

Thank you all at STAREAST!!!!

Exchange of Gifts Day - November 27, 2007

2007-11-01T15:08:00.000+08:00

Here's a little 'history' on the Exchange of Gifts tradition ...

The modern families usually send both the intial gifts and the formal gifts to the bride's home on one day instead of separating the two events. Most families still need to consult the Chinese calendar to pick a 'good day' which is normally about one month before the wedding.

Instead of sending the whole list of gifts such as livestock, certain 'good-luck' food or material, some couples simplify the gifts and the groom will only send some nice gifts such as dried seafood and fruit basket to the bride's family.

As for the 'monetary gift', the groom will either pay a certain agreed amount to the bride's family.

As for ours, it is just for the sake of keeping with the tradition. We have relatively simple gifts for each side - fruit baskets & wine!!

Fruit Baskets from the Groom

Wines from the Bride

Finalising our wedding day preparations with the hotel

2007-11-01T14:46:00.000+08:00

Promised the Sales Manager of Sandy Bay Beach Resort, Mr. Raymond that I'll do a little promotion about the food Gaya's Beach on my blog since he gave us a treat everytime we went over to discuss about our wedding dinner with him.

Dinner at Gaya's Beach

Coconut & banana cocktail ... very nice and very very creamy!!!

Orangy taste cocktail ... very nice!!!

Seafood platter ... there's grilled fish fillet, prawns, fried squids, scallops and soft shell crab!!! Very very filling and very very nice!!!! Totally loved it!!!

Lamb

Ramadan set dinner ... starters ... value for money, considering the amount of food they serve for the entire set dinner.

Ramadan set dinner ... main course

Ramadan set dinner ... main course (same as the above) but this picture was taken at the request of Mr Raymond

Ramadan set dinner ... dessert

Overall - pricey of course. It's a hotel so don't expect it to be cheap. But a real value for money coz everything comes in very big portion ... and the fantastic ambience makes everything worth it!!!

Buffet Lunch at Gaya's Beach

More cocktails for us!!!!

Wedding Booklet and Invitation Card

2007-10-01T13:47:00.000+08:00

54 days to my wedding!!!

2007-09-17T13:50:00.000+08:00

Got most of the things done ... except ...

... waiting for the printers to get back to me about the invitation cards!!!

... yet to confirm with my florist on the details!!!

... meeting the guy who will sing for me during the church ceremony.

... yet to get a singer for the dinner ... Jen is supposed to get this done!!!

... yet to get all the misc stuffs like candles, chocolates and wedding favours.

And after all that ... it looks like I've got lots that needs to be done!!!

Photo session - 1 Sept 2007

2007-09-03T08:48:00.001+08:00

Make up session

Even Jen has his hairdo session!!!

Changing of hairstyle in the Peranakan Mansion itself!!!

Final touch-up before the photo session at the Peranakan Mansion

1st bridal gown for outdoor photography session at the Tanjong City Marina

At the Peranakan Mansion

Traditional outfit for the outdoor photography session at the Peranakan Mansion

2nd bridal gown for the family portrait and indoor photography session

3rd bridal gown for the indoor photography session

Evening gown for indoor photography session

Another evening gown for the indoor photography session

Japanese traditional outfit for the indoor photography session

The entire entourage - (L) to (R) - Jen, Ken (photographer's assistant), Yong (photographer), Barry (makeup artist) & me!!!

The entire session took about 9 hours ... from 9am to 6pm.

Overall, tiring but a fun day!!!

Wedding Gown selection

2007-08-27T13:18:00.000+08:00

Went to select my wedding gown yesterday. Actually, since I've taken chosen 1 turquoise evening gown for the famility photo begining of this year, I'm supposed to take back the same gown but the bridal shop is nice enough to allow me to take 2 new evening gowns and not take back my same turquoise one!!!

So here are my selection :

3 white bridal gowns (different patterns)

1 gold evening gown

1 dark purple evening down

2 traditional dresses - but it will only be selected on the phtography day itself

Different gowns will be selected for the wedding day.

Also settled my photography location - the Marina and Peranakan Mansion

Oh, and Snow and Jessy will also be included in the family photo!!!

Looking forward for the photo session next Saturday.

Happy 1st anniversary

2007-05-28T16:07:00.000+08:00

Our 1st anniversary!!! And these flowers are from Jen ....

CEE Pictures (2)

2007-03-16T11:59:00.000+08:00

More pictures of the CEE ...

CEE No. 64

Our sacrifices ... we were asked to write down the sacrifices we made for the weekend to attend the CEE ... and Jen's list was the longest!!!

Food ... so much food till one of them Jen's roomate actually called it the 'Eat and Eat' (EE) weekend!!!

The offerings during Mass ... our sacrifices, our files, etc.

The CEE candle and sweets

Me & Jen ... during lunch

With another 2 couples and Fr Ambrose

The presenting couples - Patrick, Eugene, Chris, Lina, Angie, Bart & Fr Ambrose

Group photo

CEE Pictures - (1)

2007-03-13T15:46:00.000+08:00

The room - my bed

The writing table

Files (pink file = mine & blue file = Jen's) & CEE candle

Name tags

Letter we receive from our Prayer Couple

CEE certificate

Catholic Engaged Encounter No. 64

2007-03-12T10:52:00.000+08:00

Last weekend, Jen & I attened the Catholic Engaged Encounter No. 64 (9th - 11th March 2007) at College General, Penang. Since there's so much to write about this programme ... I will break my post into parts. (This post will be very long and I will try my best to be as detailed and as objective as possible)

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Overview of the programme.

This Catholic Engaged Encounter is a programme designed specially for couples planning to get married.

This programme is a weekend programme where couples are required to stay in for the weekend. It starts with couples registering and cheking in at 7pm on Friday night. Upon registering, a small fee of RM250 per couple must be paid. Of course, couples wishing to attend must register earlier and forms for registration can be collected from their Parish offices.

Couples who have registered can then go to their rooms ... different rooms of course!!! For our weekend, my room is at Level 3 and Jen's room at Level 2 of Block B.

Light refreshments are given for those who had no opportunity for dinner. The programme stats immediately after that. There are 3 Presenting Couples - Christ & Lina Baptist, Bart & Angie Cheah and Patrick & Eunice Cheah. The presenting priest for our session is Fr. Ambrose Vaz from Singapore. Other support teams are - Daniel & Stella Chong (Public Relations Couple), Peter & Elizabeth Chow & baby Zachary (House Couple), Alphonsus & Rebecca Chua (Supply Couple) and Ivan Ho & Alene Yong (Prayer Couple).

The entire programme is mainly presentation by the 3 presenting couples and the priest. Every session is conducted with the presence of the priest. We are are required to take down some pointers given, and after each session, questionairs will be given to us. We are then required to answer these questions separately and then later given time to discuss these questions with our partners.

This programme is a very special programme because each couple will also be adopted by another couple who has completed their CEE. The purpose of this adoption is so that the couple who has completed their CEE can pray for the couple attending the CEE. Church Masses on Saturday and Sunday will also be offered for the couples atteding the CEE.

The programme is actually quite hectic (starts at about 7.30am and end at about 11pm daily)since there are so many topics to be covered and tonnes of questions to be answered and discussed. There is a short Mass on Saturday morning and a longer Mass on Sunday evening, at the end of the session, together with the presentation of the certificate. There is also a special prayer session (from 10pm to 11pm) on Saturday night. This is the time when everyone who knows about the CEE and also our adopting couples will pray for us. A CEE candle will be given to each couple. There is also a confession session (for Catholics)after this prayer session.

Programme ends with a Mass, presentation of our certificate (1 per couple), group photo and high tea.

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My views of the programme.

Overall, I think the CEE is a good programme. There were a lot of topics discussed ... such as finances, sex, children, communications, etc. I would say that some of the topics are general and of course, being a Catholic programme, it also touches on the Church's view on marriage and some issues.

I must say that this CEE gives us an insight of what married life would be. At least, it allows us to talk and discuss issues that Jen & I would not or might not have thought about it.

Do I like this programme? Well, I do not like this programme and neither do I dislike this programme. But somehow, this programme made me realise that although there are similarities between me and Jen, we also have our differences.

Perhaps I should be grateful that this programme actually made me realise our problems before it is too late. Although we talked about it, compromised and settled it, somehow, part of me felt that it is not actually settled as what we assumed it to be. I suppose to truely settle this problem would take a hugh sacrifice on either one of us.

But all in all, this programme is beneficial and I would recommend all the engaged couples to attend this programme.

Family photo session

2007-02-06T08:20:00.000+08:00

Went for a family photo shot on Sunday. Not too bad. At least, I now know what it is like for the actual photo shot. Quite fun actually, especially the dressing up!!! And here's a photo of both of us.

FAQs on Catholic Engaged Encounter

2007-01-31T13:31:00.000+08:00

Here's a little FAQs on the Catholic Engaged Encounter ... for those who are interested in what this programme is ...

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What is Catholic Engaged Encounter?
It is a weekend programme for couples who are preparing for marriage. Private time is made available for the couples to build a closer relationship with their respective partners. It is an opportunity for the couples to talk privately, honestly and seriously about

- their future married lives;
- their strengths and weaknesses;
- desires and ambitions;
- their attitudes about money, sex, children, family;
- and their role and involvement as a couple in the church and society.

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What happens during the weekend?
A team consisting of a priest and two married couples would present a series of short talks on various topics. From the talks, the couples are stimulated to examine and discuss the topics from their own viewpoint, personal backgrounds and circumstances. The series of individual reflection and couple dialogue is the main focus of the weekend.

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What is the programme like for the weekend?
All couples must report by 7.00pm on the Friday of a particular weekend and the sessions start on Friday night itself. The weekend ends by 6.00pm after mass. The programme for the weekend is intensive. Couples would be expected to stay up late (at least until midnight) and to rise earlier (as early as 7.00am).

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Are there any group discussions with other couples or dialogue with the presenting team?
No. The weekend is for private dialogue between the couple.

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Do I have to be a Catholic?
Strictly speaking, no. But for CEE Penang, due to the limited number of places and the priority for those intending to marry in the Catholic church, it is preferred that either partner is, or both are Catholic. However, non-Catholic couples may apply on a case-by-case basis.

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If I am not a Catholic, will I be encouraged or forced to convert?
No. The focus of the weekend is your relationship and future marriage. Although sharings by the presenters may be Catholic in nature, they are by no means aimed at converting non-Catholic participants. The Christian values presented are positive values that are common to all faiths.

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When should we attend?
As early as possible. It should not be left to the last minute just before the wedding as there are many distractions and wedding details to attend to.

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What is the cost of the Weekend?
The registration fee is RM250 per couple. The fee covers:

Accommodation for Friday and Saturday night
All meals and snacks from Friday night (light dinner) until Sunday late afternoon (tea).
Weekend pack (stationery and handouts)

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Am I allowed to attend to other matters during the weekend?
No. All forms of distraction is most unwelcomed. Kindly advise family and friends to respect your privacy for the weekend. Communication should only be reserved for urgent matters.

Usage of mobile phones during the sessions is strictly prohibited and its use during other times is also strongly discouraged. Participants are strictly not allowed to leave the premises.

It is our hope that you would make this weekend special and meaningful for yourselves by participating fully and to focus your attention on your partner and yourselves.

Catholic Engaged Encounter - Penang

2007-01-31T13:20:00.000+08:00

Jen & I have signed up for this Catholic Engaged Encounter Weeked in March. It's a requirement that every Catholic who wants to get married in the church to attend this weekend thingy. Will write more about it after we've attended it. Here's the confirmation letter received. (Check out the website linked below ... looks not bad)

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER - PENANG

C/o 16 Jalan Bintang,
Fettes Park,
Tanjung Bunga
11200 Penang
31st January 2007

Dear Ooi Chih-Jen & Jane,

Engaged Encounter Weekend No: 64

We write to inform that you have been registered for the above mentioned program. On behalf of the Presenting Team we welcome you and look forward to meet you at the weekend. The details of the weekend are as follows:

Date: Friday 9 Mar – Sunday 11 Mar 2007

Venue: Block C, College General, Jalan Cengai, Fettes Park, 11200 Penang

This is a live-in weekend and couples have to check in on Friday evening by 7.30 p.m. at the latest. Please have your dinner before checking in, and do be on time. If you leave the program for any reason, you will not be allowed to rejoin the program. The Weekend ends on Sunday evening around 6.00 p.m. If you are from outstation, please ensure you have ample time to catch your bus or flight back home.

The team made up of two married couples and a priest will lead you through the weekend. The men and ladies will be housed separately and come together for sessions and meals. Please note that Certificates of Attendance will only be given to those who attend and participate fully in all the sessions.

We start the sessions early each day and end late at night. Please be prepared to work long hours. To ensure the smooth flow of the weekend, we have set up some Ground Rules which are appended below. If you feel that you are not able to observe the Rules, we suggest that you do not attend the weekend.

Should you decide to attend the weekend, please finalize your leave arrangements and be at Block `C’ College General on Friday with your change of clothing and toiletries. For any queries please contact our Publicity Couple:

Phone: Daniel Cheong 012-4762720
Stella Choo: 012-4742027
OR
Email to: ceepenang@gmail.com

An amount of RM250.00 per couple (estimated cost), will be collected when you register on Friday. You will be informed of the actual cost at the end of the Weekend and if there is a shortfall, you will be asked to top up the balance.

More details of the EE Weekend can be found on our Website www.geocities.com/ceepenang.

Please contact us by phone or return email before 9 February 2007 to confirm that you will be attending the EE Weekend.

Thank you and God bless,

Lina & Chris Baptist
Lina & Chris Baptist
CEE Contact Couple, Penang

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GROUND RULES

1. Switch off your mobile phones & pagers during the sessions.
If necessary make your calls only during lunch and dinner breaks.

2. Avoid going into your partner’s room.

3. Be punctual for sessions.

4. Stay in the Conference Room until told to leave.

5. Avoid personal discussion during the presentations.

6. No smoking in the bedroom, conference room & dinning area.

7. Keep to the area around Block ‘B’ & ‘C’.

Change of wedding date

2007-01-28T16:33:00.000+08:00

My previous post stated that we were supposed to have our wedding on 22 December 2007 but on Friday (26 Jan), we met out parish priest, Fr Mark and he told us that December, before Christmas is the season of Advent and the church does not allow weddings on the season of Advent.

So our wedding date is now brought forward to 10 November 2007. Not too bad, except that Jen's sister may not be able to make it and my sister may be having her A-Levels exam. But really, there's no choice since November 10 is a good day for wedding, and it is fine with the church and also with the hotel. So now the photography will be brought forward to June, which is also a good thing since I have term break during June and it can be done in a few days.

Anyway, we went to StarEast just now to asked if they could let us take our family photos next week since Jen's sister will be out for the CNY. Choose my dress ... a simple turquoise evening gown for the family photo next week and will also be wearing that gown for our actual photography session in June.

There are just so many gowns there ... wedding and evening gowns ... and every other gowns there are beautiful!!! Took me so long to try and choose for 1 gown (of course, they'll have to make some alterations since I cannot fit the gown properly) ... and I really wonder how long I will take to actually choose another 6 for the photography!!!! Wow!!! I'm so looking forward to it now!!!

Oh and we have also checked out some of the 'possible' locations for our outdoor photos, but nothing confirmed yet.

Wedding Photos – StarEast Wedding

2007-01-25T10:40:00.000+08:00

Wedding Day
· Wedding Gown – 1 pc (Royal & Imperial Collection)
· Evening Gown – 2 pcs (Royal & Imperial Collection)
· Make up & hair do – 2 sessions (at the shop)
· Bridal car decoration – 2 cars
· Bridal bouquet – 1
· Corsages – 3

Photography Session
· Wedding gown - 2 pcs (Royal & Imperial Collection) (Outdoor – Imperial Collection only)
· Evening gown – 2 pcs (Royal & Imperial Collection)
· Traditional costume – 2 pcs

Albums
· Main Albym - 20” x 15” (Full design & full page & album – 20 poses)
· 2nd album – 12” x 16” (Full page & album – 20 poses)
· Enlargement photo – 20” x 30” + frame – 1 pc
· 2nd enlargement photo – 16” x 24” + frame – 1 pc (or 12” x 18” + frame – 2 pcs)
· CD – 40 poses (jpeg file) + 90 poses (gif file)

Free Gifts
· Family Photo (Studio) (11R) – 2 pcs
· Guest Book – 1 pc
· 1R mini album – 1 pc
· 8R crystal photo frame – 1 pc (collected on 21 Jan 2007)
· 4 in 1 crystal photo frame – 1 pc (collected on 21 Jan 2007)
· DVD (wedding photos 40 pcs + music)

Wedding day photography (morning & dinner) + 1 copy of CD (all photos) + 1 album (8” x 10”, 80 poses, valid 1 year) = RM 888

TOTAL : RM3176.00 (including RM888)

Wedding Preparations ... so far.

2007-01-25T08:56:00.000+08:00

Time to post something instead of just pictures ... so I'll just start with the wedding preparation.

Jen & I went for the Wedding Fair at Pisa last Sunday (21 Jan 2007 - ok date was included for the sake of our children and grandchilder, so that they know what happend!!! Oh, and that is if this blogger thingy is still around by then.) to check out the promotions there. Not too good since there weren't many stalls but not too bad either since we managed to get something from the fair.

Checked out the prices and rates for wedding dinner at the Paradise Sandy Beach Resort. Very reasonable rates for the dinner tables and they are also able to prepare everything for us, for our outdoor (pool side) wedding ceremony and a hall for the tea ceremony. Actually, I am very keen on the outdoor wedding thingy; and also not to mention that it is also very convenient to hold an outdoor ceremony followed by a tea ceremony at the same hotel. And so without consulting our parents, we told the Sales Manager our tentative wedding date is on the 22 Dec 2007!!!

Of course, nice me called my mum to ask her to check a suitable date for me and mum came back with 22 Dec as well!!!! See how the dates are always somehow 21 or 22 or 23?! Ok, 23 is the date engraved on my ring!!! Nevermind the ring .... let's get back to the story. Oh, and Trish said 22 Dec is the Winter Solstice Day (Tong Yuan Day ... you know, the multi-colored glutinous balls day)

But, after asking out Parish Priest, I was informed that outdoor wedding is not allowed coz a wedding is considered as a holy ceremony and it should only be held in the church. Quite disappointed with that ... but a church wedding is also ok. It's just that now, we'll have to spend a bit more on the church decorations (flowers!!! anyone knows any florist where I can get a discount?!), the keyboard player and also a few people to lead the singing.

Oh, and back to the Wedding Fair ... we also managed to book a Wedding Photograph Package with StarEast Wedding. (Will post up the details of the photograph package in my next post) StarEast is a little too far for me ... especially on the wedding morning where I have to go very early to get my makeup done but since Trish has agreed to be my driver, it shouldn't be a problem!!!

Guess that is about all for the wedding preparations ... not to much to prepare. Jen and I will be dropping by at Paradise Sandy Bay tomorrow to confirm our reservations and also to confirm the date with the church.

Registration Photos (7)

2007-01-24T17:30:00.000+08:00

Dinner at Starview ...

Registration Photos (6)

2007-01-24T17:28:00.000+08:00

The gifts & our cert ...

Flowers from Shu Huoy ...

Nice mugs from Sumitha, Ganesh & Mrs Khor ...

Wedding cert

Registration Photos (5)

2007-01-24T17:19:00.000+08:00

With friends & families ...

Registration Photos (4)

2007-01-24T17:06:00.000+08:00

'After' the registration ...

Group photo ... inside the Registrar's room ....

A little 'talk' by the Registrar ...

With parents & sis ...

With Shu Huoy ...

And both of us!!!

Registration Photos (3)

2007-01-24T16:55:00.000+08:00

'During' the registration ...

Exchanging of rings ...

Flowers ...

Flowers again ...

Jen receiving marriage cert from Registrar ...

My turn ...

Registration Photos (2)

2007-01-24T16:43:00.000+08:00

'During' the registration ...

Oath reading ... (which I honestly did not understand it at all coz it sounded stupid!!!)

Checking our forms / marriage certs ...

Signing time ...

Jen's mum as his witness ...

And dad as my witness ...

Registration Photos (1)

2007-01-24T16:12:00.000+08:00

Here are some photos of our registration ... actually before going into the Registrar's room so it should be 'before' registration!!!

With my parents & sis ...

With Sumitha & Ganesh ...

With Sheau Lian & sis ....

Group photo ...

Me & Sheau Lian ...

2007-01-23T17:00:00.000+08:00

Welcome to Jane & Jen's weding blog. This blog will be all about us ... our photos, our registration, preparation for our wedding and of course about the wedding itself!!! (And a whole lot of thanks to Trish who made this blog so beautiful!!!)

Since this is the very first post in our wedding blog and I really do not know what to write about ... and so for a start, I'm just putting up photos of myself and Jen here.

Me & Jen at Collin's wedding ....

at The Curve ....

at Cititel ...

and at home!!!