This is the first instalment of the chronicles of the *Nups...
It hopes to be a journey of things to be done, decisions to be made, funny things to be laughed at (either now or with hindsight) and lessons to be learned as the Elevens make the decision to get hitched officially (hello, greedy hongbao palms, come out and play!) and celebrate this with our potpourri of friends, relatives, hangers-on (just kidding).
It also hopes to be a (reasonably) regular update on the planning of the event, and hopefully of life thereafter.
Recording things in writing (here) is also our way of making sure we get a move-on, as so many motivational writers like to remind us.
Things to be done:
1. Book Banquet Venue (done!)
2. Book Solemnisation Date and JP (still pending...)
3. Guest List (95% completed!)
4. Enlist Helpers (gotta do this soon)
5. RSVPS (later)
6. Wardrobe / Accessories (some done)
7. Wedding bands
8. Sort out program for Banquet eveningAfter all, the journey is meant to be as (if not more) exciting than the destination, no?
So far, we have done
#1, thanks to a bout of decisiveness and M, who handled our request for a booking at our favourite Hotel. M, who informed us that he is a Virgo (we love Virgos!), assured us that he prefers things written out properly (ie, via email as opposed to just verbal agreement), also promised that he would chase us for various things as the Date draws closer. Hey, if M is like that, then we're glad he's taking care of us! M, we are counting on you!! よろしくお願いします!!
As for
#6, after visiting several boutiques and trying on a number of dresses, the main white dress has been decided (whew!). I must thank darling girlfriend J for accompanying me to a handful of boutiques, and for her patience / input (I dont really do very well when faced with pushy chain-smoking bridal studio aunties, like the kind you find along tg pagar and at bridal roadshows). Also thanks to Beloved, who also accompanied me on some of these excursions.
One studio mama-san told me that I had little time to dither (banquet date is 7 mths away, not next week - come ON!!), her clients book packages over a year ahead of time, etc. Needless to say we hightailed out of her shop in under 10 minutes. Shall I tell you where her shop was? Hmmm.
I am so very, very pleased with the Dress that I finally chose. We made an appointment at this boutique, and were taken care of by A. All I had to do was turn up, and tell her I wanted something plain and with no lace. Et voila, she brought out dresses exactly to my specification. This was the one place that didn’t recommend something else -
‘every gown must have some lace / detail, else it will be too plain – you’ll be mistaken for a bridesmaid’, ‘why don’t you try this pattern, you have the figure / height for it, yadda yadda yadda…’ I’m nearly 37. I’m no spring chicken – I know what the hell I want and what I don’t want.
Time to get ready for class this evening. Till next chapter!
PS – remind me to start shopping for shoes to go with the Dress
The tuna carpaccio certainly didn't disappoint either. It was a pleasing mix of onion, carrot, herbs, cheese among other delectable morsels atop a generous base of cured tuna carpaccio. We finished this in under 5 minutes.
We wanted to order the Porcini soup, but Steven politely advised us to re-consider since we did have plans to try dessert as well.
The dessert menu doesn’t feature tiramisu!!! But you wont miss it as there are several other things to choose from, and dessert serving sizes are just right for a sampler-style buffet – 3 people could share 3 to 5 items, something like that. We picked the Perfetto Ice Mango and the Coppa Tartufo – a good way to end a satisfying meal (in the excellent company of Beloved). 
The bill came to just over $90 (incl plain water, coffee, no alcohol). Illy coffee (yay)!!