Monthly Archives: May 2012

Entertainment Guests Personal touches Wedding Stationery

Puzzle Your Guests.

May 18, 2012 – 12:33 pm

Happy Friday! Hopefully the miserable weather hasn’t dampened your Bridelicious spirits. Here’s yet another alternative guestbook idea that’ll leave your guests rather puzzled. Turn your favourite photo (it could be from your engagement shoot, your first photo together, your favourite trip) into a puzzle, get your guests to write a wish for you and let them be entertained. You can frame it after your wedding day and put it up as a wall art or keep it in a box and take it out on your wedding anniversary as your yearly ritual to put together the pieces of love.

Where to buy?
Double Trouble via Etsy: prices depend on the number of pieces so the more guests you have, the more it’s going to cost you. The wooden pieces are individually hand cut so don’t be shocked by the slightly higher prices. It’s worth it.


Photo credits (clockwise from top left): The Reason I Love Photography, Leann Marie Photography, Say Yes to Hoboken, Puzzled 1, Colin Hughes via Elizabeth Anne Weddings, Double Trouble

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Bride Groom Personal touches Wedding Photography

Engagement Shoots: Natural is Best.

May 17, 2012 – 12:36 pm

Photo credit: La Belle Bride 

I’ve never been a big fan of engagement shoots/pre-wedding photos because in this city, photographers concentrate on overly styled photos that are more editorial than portraying a couple in love. You’ll often see girls traipsing round the streets of Central in a long rental wedding dress or evening gown with full-on make up, whilst her other half is sweating like a pig in his shimmery silver tux trying to please his princess. Oh pu-lease. Unless you want to get run over by a double-decker bus, why would you take a photo in the middle of a zebra-crossing? Not to mention that ordinary people don’t walk around wearing a white wedding dress except for on their wedding day.

Save yourself the stress of hiring outfits that you’re scared of damaging and the embarrassment of wondering around the busy crowds (no, when a stranger stops and stares, they’re not admiring you as a loved up couple, they’re thinking ‘you fools hahaha’) by going natural. It simply means wear casual clothes, go for minimal make up, act like how you normally do and smile like you mean it. The photos are meant to be a reflection of your love, your commitment, so go to places that hold a special meaning to you; be it a quiet street where you first held hands, your favourite cafe or the place you first laid eyes on each other. Tell your photographer what you want, the style you’re looking for and let them do the work to bring the photos to life. They may add props to show who you are, what you like; a tennis racquet for tennis aficionados, books for bookworms, tv controller for the movie buffs. 

In the next week, I’ll be introducing two very talented up-and-coming photographers that all couples should keep a lookout for (as you know, natural isn’t exactly HK’s forte). Both ex-lawyers, both girls and both believe that ‘natural is best’.

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Bride Groom Guests Personal touches

The Vow. The Moment.

May 16, 2012 – 1:00 pm

Photo credit: Photography and More

Ever wondered why some wedding ceremonies make you shed a tear or more and some others make you scream ‘get me out of here now’?? It’s all in the vows and they have to be the personal ones too. Don’t just read out the legal vows (b.o.r.i.n.g.!). When two people are in love, you’ll see it through their eyes, their smiles and the sweet nothings they say to each other. Their emotions will shine through so even if you’re not one for sappiness, the personal vows that they’ve so thoughtfully written out for one another will be enough to make anyone’s heart melt a little. Wouldn’t you want that for your wedding too? It takes time though, to write out what you truly feel in a couple of short paragraphs, so start early.

How to start?
 1. Brainstorm.
a) Think of all the things you love about your soon-to-be-hubby/wifey, be it certain elements of their personality or appearance. Their infectious laughs, the way they order their sandwiches (think When Harry Met Sally), their ballerina sleeping pose, the way they sulk and that they are the first and last person you think about when you fall asleep. Sweeeeeet.
b) List out the promises you want to make because you’ll have to keep them! Phrases such as ‘I promise to be a good wife’ or ‘I promise to obey’ are too general to mean anything. Be specific: promise to say I love you every day, to support his/her favourite sports team or to give him/her your last rolo (like the ad!).
c) Think about whether you want the vows to be humorous or serious. Discuss with your other half to ensure you’re both on the same page. The last thing you want is for him/her to say vows that make all the guests laugh out loud whilst yours pale in comparison.

2. Give it time.
 Your vows are not something that can be treated lightly so don’t make it a lastminute task. If you come across a mind block, stop and take a break. Revisit after you’ve had some time to clear your brain and think again. The lead up to your wedding can be all consuming and sometimes, all you want is to get all the tasks over and done with. This is one that you don’t want to rush because when the time comes to read it out at the altar, it’ll show. Put your heart into it.

3. Keep it short, sharp and sweet.
 Everyone knows you lovebirds can’t get enough of each other but save the essay for your 1-to-1 time. Condense your endearments to about 30s because anymore than that will be cringeworthy…for the guests. Of course they’re happy for you but in their minds, they’re probably thinking ‘get on with it!’.

4. Keep it a surprise.
 Don’t show each other your vows before the big day. Make the exchange of vows a special moment.

5. Memorise.
You’re allowed to have a cheat sheet in case you get stage fright but try your best to remember your vows. After all, these are promises that should last a lifetime. If its so easily forgotten, why bother with the whole wedding anyways?

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DIY Projects Inspiration Board Personal touches Wedding Decor Wedding Stationery

Chalk away.

May 14, 2012 – 11:58 am

I have recently become obsessed with all things chalkboard. Cheap, cheerful and extremely versatile, it can bring varying styles to your wedding, from rustic to old-school and perfect for the high school sweethearts. It’s also one of the simplest DIY projects you can find: all you need is chalkboard paint, a well ventilated outdoor area, chalk markers and materials to spray on. I’ve tried and tested it on label stickers for my mason jars and it only took a quick 10 minutes. It works on pretty much all smooth surfaces so think wine bottles, plywood boards, wooden tables, glass jars, surfboard if you’re a beach junkie or even a car if you’re brave enough. Use it for menus, signs, photo booth messages from guests or seating plans and combine it with your favourite typography. What’s best is if you don’t like the look of the words or pictures on the chalkboard, just wipe away and start again. Easy isn’t it?

Where to buy chalkboard paint?
Yen Fat Ho Paint Merchants – 77 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
1) Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Brush-On (around HKD 240/30oz box)
2) Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Spray (around HKD160/11oz can)

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): A Beautiful Mess, Paper Antler via Bridal Musings, The Shiny Life, Alea Lovely via Wedding Chicks, Shelterpop, Martha Stewart Weddings, Event Jubilee

 

 

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DIY Projects Guests Wedding Food Wedding Venues

Fancy a Cocktail?

May 11, 2012 – 10:24 am

Photo credits (from left): Nicole Hill Gerulat via Elizabeth Anne Designs, Melissa Munding via Green Wedding Shoes

TGIF! It’s been a long week, you’re sitting at your desk thinking there’s a gazillion items on your wedding list you’ve still got to tick off and although it’s only 10am, you’re already dying for that stiff drink. Instead of grabbing for the bottle, why not use this time to conjure up some cocktail recipes that’s fit for your wedding celebrations? Just make sure to speak to the venue about their corkage fees and bar charges because that’s where they can rip you off big time. 

Go for names and concoctions that holds a special meaning to you as a couple – the drink you had on your first date or your regular party drink. You don’t need anything fancy nor do you need to hire a bartender who specialises in molecular creations. Ask the venue to see if a member of their staff can stand behind the cocktail table to serve the guests and act as the pseudo bartender. Oh and if you’re a teetotal, just leave out the booze, although bear in mind that guests will enjoy your wedding a whole lot more if they’ve had a tipple.

Ideas from my own big day adapted from the age old Victorian saying!

“Something Old”
Cape Cod – vodka, cranberry juice, lime (our  regular bar order)

“Something New”
 Hongkie Style –  whiskey, lemon tea, mint (a spin of our favourite char chaan teng drink)

“Something Borrowed”
Dark n Stormy – rum, ginger beer (borrowed from our friend who told us this is the best way to drink rum!)

“Something Blue” 
Oasis – gin, blue curacao, tonic, lemon juice (we needed something blue!)

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DIY Projects Entertainment Personal touches Wedding Decor Wedding Stationery

Alternative Guestbook: The Painting.

May 10, 2012 – 12:22 pm

Tired of all the boring guestbooks you see at HK weddings? You know, the obligatory table runner or the effortless book that you’ll probably never open again after your wedding. How about something a little more interactive, a little more creative and can be used as a piece of art in your home? The production cost of the painting guestbook is low and is a great talking point for the guests (especially you’ve sat them next to a stranger!). Get the guests to paint your future, your house, your honeymoon. Let them think of an idea or if you’re not trusting of your guests, have them paint a pencil-drawn picture. What with all the art jamming sessions that everyone goes to nowadays, I’m sure they’ll be able to paint you a nice memento. 

Equipment:
Easel
Canvas
Coloured paint
Paintbrushes
Paint Palettes
Tissue
Water

Art Supplies Shops:
Artland - 3/F Lockhart Centre, 301-307 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
CN Square – 503 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Art Supplies – G/F, 77 Bute Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Erin Hearts Court via The Knot, Lakshal Perera Photography via Ruffled Blog, Sweet Little Photographs via Bridal Musings, Hitched Event via Green Wedding Shoes, Jerry Yoon Photographers

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Bride Groom Guests Wedding Etiquette Wedding Venues

The Guest List: Friends.

May 9, 2012 – 11:02 am

Photo credits (from left): 1 Wedding Source, Candice K Photography

The Guest List. The dreaded task on every couple’s to-do-list. The unavoidable. No matter how well you think it’s been thought out, no matter how hard you’ve tried to be the gracious couple, you’re bound to have offended at least one person. Remember, this is your wedding, not theirs so don’t feel obliged to invite a guest just because you feel bad. This is not the time to act like you’re best friends with the whole world nor is it a popularity contest. The day is your most private, most personal, most touching and happiest point in your life. Spend it with those you care.

How to draw up your list:
1. List all your friends and categorise them into Tier 1, 2, 3 and so forth.
a) Tier 1 = those you’d meet up frequently (bumping into each other in a bar and saying a courteous ‘Hi’ doesn’t count), your best friends (even if you don’t see them all the time), you’d confide in, who’d you inform whenever you have news (good or bad) and you’d do anything for.
b) Tier 2 = those you may have been close to but for whatever reason you only see once in a while and those you’d have a good laugh with when you do meet up.
c) Tier 3 down = Facebook friends, ones you don’t even know why you’re friends with in the first place and if they’d invited you to their wedding, you’d think twice about.
2. Do not invite acquaintances. They’ll feel obliged to give you a present even if they don’t attend and you don’t even bat an eyelid as to whether they turn up or not so why bother?
3. The more people your invite, the more mouths to feed which means your wedding bill will inflate. It’s also more stressful coordinating hundreds of guests so keep it small. Unless you’re a Kim Kardashian, the celebrations should be an intimate affair.
4. Invite those in your Tier 1 category and depending on your venue size, wedding budget and how important you feel Tier 2 guests are to you, you can invite them as well.
5. It’s a matter of politeness to invite +1s and that applies even if you don’t like your best friend’s boyfriend. When it comes to the photos, you can photoshop him out.
6. Make it a balance between the bride and groom. If one side has a significantly larger party, the other is going to complain and get jealous. Talk it through. The last thing you want is to start off your marriage with ill feelings.

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Bridesmaids Wedding Fashion

Fashionable Bridesmaids: The Skirts.

May 7, 2012 – 11:38 am

Your girlfriends. The ones who will be there through thick and thin so it’s your duty to make sure they’re looking stylish on your wedding day. That’s assuming they are your bridesmaids. Jump on the latest fashionable trend: the two-piece. Perfect for a casual summer or outdoor wedding, pair a simple white tank with a monochrome skirt and if you dare to go a bit wild, get the bridesmaids to wear a funky patterned number. They’ll thank you from the bottom of their hearts for not making them wear a hideous frock that they’ll never be able to wear again. This way, they’ve got an extra outfit in their wardrobe and you’re sure your money hasn’t gone to waste. Don’t worry, no matter how pretty or cool you make them, there’s still no chance of them upstaging you. All eyes will be on you, the beautiful bride. The bridesmaids are just a bonus. 

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Carmen Salazar Photography via Grey Likes Weddings, Oh Darling Photography, Ventola Photography via Emmaline Bride, Christian Oth Studio, Jesslaine Elise Photography, A Bryan Photo, Tim Will Photography via Southern Weddings

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DIY Projects Personal touches Wedding Decor

It’s All About the 2-in-1.

May 5, 2012 – 9:49 am

The 2-in-1 guestbook and photo chalkboard backdrop. Simple, fun and interactive.

Photo credits: Jonas Peterson via Once Wed

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DIY Projects Inspiration Board Personal touches Wedding Decor

The Alternative Aisle.

May 4, 2012 – 12:08 pm

Rose petals scattered on the floor with soft light illuminating from the floor candles is a romantic way to decorate a wedding aisle but it’s so year 2000. Make a statement walking down the aisle by going for the alternative trend. That means you’ve got to ditch the flowers and go eco. Tell a story by printing photos on a cloth runner, go whimsical by lining the aisle with x-large balloons, handmake your own paper flowers or better still, write your personal vows on a chalkboard runner. Make it ‘your’ project so that the groom is involved. Trust me, your man will definitely have more input in this than choosing the colour of the flowers. Start creating!

It’s oh so personal!

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Illuminate Photography via Oh Darling Wedding, THe Other Sister Photography via Oh Lovely Day, Entwined 2012, Jesi Haack Designs via Events by Heather Ham, Dave Robbins Photography via Style Me Pretty

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