Monica & Tuan

So last time I blogged about the reception, I spoke about the centerpieces. Turns out Wal-mart cannot order the vases for me, so I have to look for another afforable cylinder vase.

But my idea for the overall decor is lanterns. Specifically lit-up lanterns. I got the idea from another bride http://www.xanga.com/huinita/366539922/item.html. She had the most beautiful reception!

Labels: reception decor

At the beginning of all this wedding planning, Tuan & I both felt that photos were of the utmost importance and we really wanted to find a great photographer. We both didn't feel we really needed a videographer. I mean how often are we going to watch our wedding video. I never watch my childhood home movies anymore.

But my mom said that she felt it was important to have a wedding video to show our kids one day. That's the one thing she really regrets about her wedding. So Tuan & I figured we could get a friend to use a digital camcorder and record for us. Or, use a cheaper videographer.

But then I came across this wedding video:

http://www.lookeschvideo.com/?p=4

Its shot by a company called Still-Motion.ca from Toronto. They are incredibly expensive but so incredible good. Don't you just get goosebumps and want to cry when you watch this? Its so beautiful.

Now of course I don't want to spend a whole lot of money for a videographer, but I'd still really like something above home video quality. So now the hunt begins for a cheap but talented videographer.

For you girls out there that are already married, did you get a videographer for your wedding? If you did, was it worth it? If you didn't, do you regret it?

Labels: videographer

One of the first things people ask me after "When's the wedding date?" is "What are your colours?".

And I would excitedly tell them Pink & Red. And the response is usually rather non-ethusiastic. One person even told me she thought they would clash.

So just when my spirits were down about my colour choices, and I was thinking about changing the colours to Pink & Brown (very popular these days for many brides) Martha Stewart came to the rescue! She calls it Pink & Poppy and here's a few photos from her Spring Weddings Magazine:

Isn't it just so devine? I mean what could be more romantic than Pink and Red? They are teh colours of Valentine's Day after all.

And today I came across yet another person who shares the same opinion:

So Hooray for Pink & Red :)

Labels: colours, pink, red

So onto more cheerful things to blog about. Such as decorations! Specifically our reception decor.

I have long decided that our centerpieces would look like this:


The challenge is to find a vase that's tall enough and within our price range. Well we found something that could work at Wal-Mart in Orleans. But the trick is ordering 25 of them. Well I've been unsuccessfully trying to contact Mary, the head of that department, and so far no luck. The Orleans Wal-mart has horrible customer service. Most of the time they do not pick up the phone. When they do, they never transfer you to the right department. And as it turns out, the fabrics department just moved and they do not have a phone. But Mary only works during the week in the morning. Coincidentally the same time I am also at work. So I went in again this past weekend and left a message for her at the fabrics desk to call me, and surprise surprise ... no call. I'm not throwing in the towel yet, but I may just have to find a more customer-friendly alternative.

More of reception decor inspiration to follow.

Before I even got engaged ... well before I even had someone to possibly be engaged to ... I thought that wedding planning would be so much fun! I mean what's not to enjoy about choosing your colors, and trying on wedding dresses, and designing your very own invitations.

But now that I'm actually planning my wedding, it turns out that it's not all fun and games. Don't get me wrong, I love perusing the web and magazines for idea and I love trying on wedding gowns (I honestly have never felt more beautiful!). But there are other aspects of the planning process that never really occurred to me. Such as other people's opinions. Specifically those of our families.

I won't go into all the details as this is a public blog and anyone can read it, but let's just say that our families haven't agreed on most of the things we wanted. For example, I wanted a smaller wedding with familiar faces of close friends and families. What we're actually having is a 250 person affair with many faces I have never seen before in my life and probably will never see again. I wanted the day to consist of civil ceremony, followed by portrait session and concluding with a Chinese reception. What I'm getting is 2 extra tea ceremonies tacked onto the day making it a nonstop 8am to midnight affair. But what is life without comprimise right?

So you know when you've figured out the perfect plan? A plan where everything fits just perfectly and you get everthing you want?

Well when a monkey wrench is thrown into your plans, it doesn't make you feel very good at all. In fact, if you're a little on the emotional side like me, you feel like crying in frustration a bit.

The Chateau Laurier has always allowed wedding photographs to be taken in their hotel. If you're not having your reception there you have to pay a fee (something like $125). So when I asked about making such arrangements on my wedding day, I got the following shocking response:

Sigh, that's really too bad as our photographer takes such beautiful photos in the Chateau Laurier. Its a hotel that is beautiful in that antique and historical sort of way, you know what I mean? I was even planning on spending my wedding night at their hotel :(

So after I get over my despair, what are my other options for possible indoor portrait locations? The National Art Gallery? The Museum of Civilization? Will I run into the same problems at these locations?

Labels: Chateau Laurier, Photography

So the first thing we actually booked was our reception venue. Since there are only 2 Chinese restaurants in Ottawa that can accomodate 250 people, we knew we had to book quickly. We decided on Chu Shing Restaurant in Chinatown. Funny thing is whenever we tell people that were having our reception there no one ever knows it ... that is until we tell them that its across the street from the Yangtze Restaurant!

The thing is I can't figure out why almost every asian wedding is Ottawa is held at the Yangtze. In fact I have never been to a wedding reception at the Chu Shing before. But in our opinion, the space is bigger, the decor is nicer, and the food is cheaper. I snapped a few pics of the place when we had dinner there this past weekend. So you can see for yourself:

So we're in the process of booking Rockliffe Park Pavillion for our ceremony site. It came down to Rockliffe or Billings Estate ... but as Rockliffe is more central and closer to downtown Ottawa, it won. We stoppped by this past weekend to take a look and someone had just finished up a wedding! So I got some pictures of how it would look like all set up:







It really is such a beautiful spot. The view of the Ottawa River from the Pavillion is quite nice. I can only hope that the weather on our wedding day is as nice as it was when I took these photos! But at least its a sheltered spot in the event that it does rain.

Labels: Ceremony, Rockliffe Park Pavillion

We spent the last week interviewing about 6 photographers and actually made a decision!

His name is Josh Brown, http://www.josh-brown.com/info.htm, and he's a student at Concordia University. He's had experience with weddings before, and we just love his style of photography. When we met him we were surprised by how young he is, but from his portfolio we know the skill (with both the camera and photoshop) is there. A major bonus is that he's about half the price of all the other photographers we looked at!

Here are a few of his photos that I just adored:

Labels: Photographer

So trying to pack in 2 tea ceremonies, a civil ceremony, time for photographs and a reception is going to be tough ... but I am of the mindset that if I want something badly enough, I will make it happen! So here's what I came up with. I pity the photographer and videographer that has to stay with us through this hectic day! Come to think of it, I pity me & Tuan. But as the saying goes, "No pain, no gain"!


Preliminary Wedding Day Itinerary

6:00 – 7:00 Bride gets hair done at hairdressers

7:00 – 8:45 Bride gets ready at home (Orleans), gets make-up done at home

8:45 – 9:30 Tea Ceremony at Bride’s House

10:00 – 11:00 Tea Ceremony at Groom’s House (199 Kent Street – downtown Ottawa)

11:00 – 12:30 Lunch at Groom’s House.

11:30 - 12:30 Bride sneaks away to room @ Chateau Laurier to get ready.

13:00 – 14:00 Civil Ceremony @ Rockliffe Park

14:00 – 15:00 Group Photos (wedding party and family) @ Rockliffe Park, GG's Residence

15:30 – 17:00 Couple Shots @ Chateau Laurier.

17:00 – 18:00 Relax in hotel room.

18:00 – midnight Reception at Chu Shing Restaurant on Somerset St., Ottawa

18:00 – 19:00 Guests arrive, have photo taken, are seated

19:00 – 21:00 Dinner is served, Speeches are given

21:00 – 22:00 Games, bouquet toss, slideshow, First Dance

22:00 – midnight Dancing until restaurant closes




I think we've tried to accomodate all 3 cultures represented (Chinese, Vietnamese, and Canadian). Once the parents meet I feel that some butting of heads may occur, but I'm going to try to stick to my guns. Any thoughts?

Labels: schedule