Wedding @ Church of St Vincent de Paul 30.10.10 1030am - Paul & Adeline

Dear family, friends and colleagues,
This post is for all who are seeking to find their way to the Church of St Vincent de Paul on the day of the wedding.
You can refer to this link to see how the church look like.
Via BUS
From Yio Chu Kang MRT & Bus interchange
Take bus a direct bus 70 for 15 stops.  (about 29 mins - click here for map)
You will stop opposite the church.
From Ang Mo Kio MRT along Ang Mo Kio Ave 3
Take direct bus 88 for 12 stops. (about 25 mins - click here for map)
Do note that you have to do a little bit of walking so the 1st route is better.
Via CAR
From CTE, Exit Ang Mo Kio Ave 5.
Travel towards Hougang and Buangkok.
Turn left at Yio Chu Kang Road.
The church is on the left of the road after the ESSO station.
Turn in at Jalan Kelulut to go to the church.

PARKING

Please park inside the church if you are not in a rush after the wedding. The carpark will be packed.

If you are in a rush or if there is no more space in the carpark, please take note of the following.

Dispensation from the Traffic Police has been given to park along

1) One side of Jalan Kelulut, between LP 4 and LP 9, and 

2) One side of Yio Chu Kang Road between LP 156 and LP166

For the period between 10am to 2pm.

Please note the following instructions as well:
        a     Vehicles shall be parked as close to the edge of the road as
              possible to minimise obstruction to the vehicular flow;
        b      Vehicles  parked  must  not  pose  any danger to road users
              (motorists and pedestrians);
        c     Parking abreast is strictly prohibited;
        d      There shall be no parking within 3m of fire hydrants, 6m of
              road  junctions,  9m  of bus-stops, at or near road bends or
              designated pedestrian crossings.

See you all on that day!
Paul and Adeline

Shangri-La Hotel - Wedding Show 17Oct10

A colleague just had a wedding there. Nice!

Preparation to Send Wedding Invitations

Spend a whole day making our church wedding invitation cards.

All the invitations (banquet and church) should be sent out this weekend at and latest next week so we can get RSVPs for the numbers. Quite standard I suppose.

Thanks to YY and QY for the design of the map. :)

Cost of paper = $2.70 * 5
Cost of 200 envelopes = $1.50 * 10
Est Cost of ink = $30
Together with other misc stuff, each card costs tops 45cents.

Good thing about making the cards ourselves is the fun. And of course, cheaper and more color and graphics. We divided an A4 into 4 and printed about 200 pieces. It was crazy testing the borderless printing!!

It takes a considerable amount of time though so i guess not every couple would like to go through this route. Our banquet cards were outsourced as it was also given by Peony Jade, our restaurant  (subject to further top up of $120 for 154 cards - 70% of attendance)

Conrad Centennial Singapore - Wedding Roadshow 5th September 2010

Looks really cool...

Inverter Air-Con Does not Necessarily Save Electrical Bills

Shopping around for an aircon now. :)

Read this interesting article replicated here from MyPaper.

Tue, Apr 22, 2008

my paper

Why no savings from inverter air-conditioner?

HOPING to save on energy bills, Mr D Tan, forked out $700 more for a popular brand's multi-split inverter air-conditioner in November last year.

The 33-year-old, who recruits workers for the construction industry, reasoned that long term savings would defray the initial expense. He was thus blase about turning on the air-conditioner in every room, whenever he was home.

But five months later, his electricity bills are still similar to his pre-inverter days - $150 a month.

Click here to find out more!

Mr Tan lamented: "What's the point of installing the inverter then?"

When all units are operating simultaneously every day, energy consumption sky-rockets.

Perhaps, Mr Tan was under the impression he could save on power bills even if he uses the multi-tick, energy efficient labels, for long periods.

That may not be the case.

It all boils down how to long on the air-con is used. If it is on 24/7, savings could be minimal or nothing.

Sales staff at two electronics shops my paper visited recommended inverter air-conditioners.

Considered more energy efficient, inverters vary the compressor speed to achieve the desired temperature.

Traditional systems, or non-inverters, start and stop the compressor to maintain temperature.

Since an inverter cuts the number of stop-start repetitions, less power is consumed, lowering electricity bills.

According to Mr Sonny Chuah, the General Manager of LG's Air-Conditioning Division, heavy users could "end up paying more compared to using a non-inverter". He pointed out that inverters are energy efficient when they operate at partial load.

So using only two out of four air-con units for a few hours daily trims monthly bills.

While this is the case for all air-cons, people tend to buy multi-system inverters to enjoy cool comfort in different rooms most of the time.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) estimated that homeowners may save up to $730 annually by switching from a conventional air-conditioner (with no ticks) to an inverter (with four ticks), provided only some units are turned on for eight hours or less a day.

The picture changes drastically at full load, when all units operate at the same time.

However, Mr Victor Yu, marketing manager of Toshiba's Air-con Division, points out that inverter air-conditioners seldom operate at full load.

He said: "That only happens when owners install a smaller-sized equipment, which requires the compressor to keep running to maintain the set temperature."

Economics aside, inverters appear to be winning fans.

Electronics retailer Harvey Norman did not disclose exact numbers, but revealed that inverter sales doubled in

March this year compared to last year. Non-inverter sales rose by 30 per cent.

Of the 48 air-con related complaints filed with the Consumers Association of Singapore since January this year, none groused about inverter efficiency.

So, whether you plump for an inverter or stick with a non-inverter, Mr Chuah cautions to "always consider your lifestyle" to make smart technology work for you.

Documents needed for Catholic Wedding

A good resource for Catholic Wedding Preparations


http://www.weddingsday.co.uk/catholic-marriage-ceremony/


Contacted Fr Fred, our celebrant, over the weekend. Was told on somethings to prepare and bring before we meet him.

1. Engaged Encounter/ Marriage Preparation course Certificate
2. Extract from Baptism Church for both guy and girl
3. Confirmation certificates
4. Wedding booklet - readings and songs
5. Both guy and girl IC/passport
6. Both set of Parents IC/passport Witness's IC/passport if parents are not witness


waa... lots to prepare

Chinese Wedding Customs

Image by CW Ye via Flickr

Today the 2 families met to talk about the wedding. More of the Chinese customs aspects. I knew that there was a lot to it and that it would be complex (hence wanting to keep it simple). However, I really didn't know really how complex it is.

Yes indeed that both sides do want to keep it simple too but it's not as simple as I thought. And there's so much expectations embedded in it.  I think people make it complex. And I wonder if the people asking the couple to follow such customs know how much stress this can cause for them.

Anyway, I have an altered impression and re-shifted the place of importance this will have.

Did a superficial search on the subject. The following links are quite good and it will take sometime to digest.

• http://www.chinese-wedding-guide.com/index.html
• http://www.minah.com.sg/
• http://sgweddingfavors.com/blog/9/chinese-wedding-traditions/ (overview)

 Do note that the different customs to be followed really depends on the dialect you and your spouse-to-be belong to.

Collection of HDB Keys - 2nd HDB Appointment

Image via Wikipedia

We collected our HDB keys on the 29th June 2010, Tuesday.

Coincidentally, it was also the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul. A nice start to it all with religious significance.

The collection of keys happens on the 2nd appointment. Mine was at 3.45pm but apparently, you can even come earlier.

The whole process was a breeze and significantly faster than the 1st appointment where the HDB officer has to explain all the details to you. The officer tending to us was very fast and zipped through everything. He assumes we have read through everything and just asked us if we have any queries. Only important stuff are emphasized like bill payments, what to bring esp the documents etc.

The 2nd appointment took only 5 mins with all the keys handed over to us.

The sellers just proceeded upstairs to collect their cheque.

Just one note on the utilities (which was a breeze in admin too).

If the sellers have not terminated their services, you can do direct transfer at the SP Services section in HDB Hub located at the 2nd level near the Resale section. I believe this will cost you less because you don't have to reinstate the power, gas and water. However, you do need the readings from the flat and the signature of the sellers so this definitely has to be done beforehand. (I wonder why our housing agents did not advise us this).

The way we did was to reapply as the services were terminate. I cannot emphasize how easy it is.

1. Just take a queue number, 
2. to go to the counter when called, 
3. fill in a simple document and let them know your address. 
4. GIRO application can be done on the spot (with just your ATM card, you don't have to even remember your bank a/c number).
5. Arrange a time for the SP Services pple to go to the flat to activate the utilities (mine will take a week)
6. Reinstatement payment of $70 will be deducted upon activation.

Easy!

Hidden Bed System

Was at our new flat today for the contractor to take a look so that he can draw out a quotation.

My uncle and auntie was there too just to take a little look.

Cos it is a 3 room flat, we hope to save space. They gave us quite a bit of ideas like a walk-in wardrobe and a pull-down bed.

Just putting in the reference for the hidden-bed system first.

Leda Holdings Pte Ltd
Mr William Ong
leda@ledasystem.com.sg
3018 Bedok North St 5
Eastlink #01-27 S(486132)

Interior Designer - Koong Yee

Image by clevercupcakes via Flickr

Koong Yee was referred to us by our ERA housing agent.

He gets a 5% cut out of the renovation package if I take it up, Makes me think that a part of the cost of my renovation goes to paying him instead of going into the materials. A bit uncomfortable with that though.

But still, we manage to go check the place out. Here's Koong Yee's website. At least they bother to have one that is nice. (They are situated at Balestier area. Good excuse for chicken rice or bak kut teh.)

The assistant manager Stanley is engaged to Eunice, the person who followed up with me initially.

I must say that they are very professional about it and very personable. No hard sell or anything.

We went through our floor plan and discussed what we wanted of our dream home. I asked them to quote the ceiling price for the whole works to get a feel. And boy, the price is certainly vvvvv high.

The good thing is that they gave us the quotation breakdown. I will not publish it here out of respect. It will be unbecoming if a competitor sees it and undercuts them. But feel free to drop a comment or query.

Will be checking out others more.

Think in this industry, reputation is worth more than the price quoted. I sure don't want to get an ID that makes a mess of my house which I am going to stay for years.

Buying a Resale Flat - Calculating Your Financial Plan

Image via Wikipedia

Our 1st HDB appointment finally arrived on the 7th May 2010, our very first step of getting a place of our own.

The whole process is a breeze if you have a housing agent and the HDB officer walks you through everything. So much so that I'm nearly signing the papers blindly when presented to me. The whole process merely took about 2 hours including waiting time.

Anyway, in Dec last year, I did some manual calculations of the finances involved in buying a $400,00 resale flat (4 room) to get a ballpark figure. Actually, HDB has a fantastic calculator (click here) that does it for you. I think it came after the revamp of the website.

If the above link is disconnected again, just google "HDB Resale Financial Plan".

Basically, it does this:

• Total fees payable with the breakdown (stamp, conveyance, caveat)
• Auto calculation of loan required from HDB
• Total cash you need to fork out broken down into payment on 1st appointment and completion of resale
• Monthly mortgage loan installment

It's so easy to use it and I recommend printing out the results before your appointment with HDB. This is so that you will not have surprises at the first appointment and what you need on the spot, especially in cash terms.

At the first appointment, HDB will also work out the financial plan for the buyers which is a replica of what you would have done using the above calculator. I attach a sample copy of mine (blanco the sensitive details) for your reference.

And man... I love it when I don't have to fork out any COV. :)

Occasion - A Bridesmaid Dress Boutique - Raffles City

Image by kristiewells via Flickr

March 16 was a day out trying to settle our wedding stuff.

Remembered that we went out in the morning to IHM Church to negotiate with the administrator about our church wedding venue because there's going to be a archdiocese event on the day of our wedding. But all has been settled and done when we finally booked St Vincent de Paul on 19April2010. What a relief, retrospectively thinking.

Anyway, it was the day when we went hunting for a place that provides bridesmaid dresses.

Occasion in Raffles City level 3 is the very first boutique we visited. I must say that some of their dresses are nice. And the prices are quite reasonable too.

The thing about buying stuff like dresses requires the "mo qi" or the "at the moment" kinda feeling to know what you really want. Unfortunately then, Occasion's dresses did not strike any chord within us. Probably because we did not know what we really wanted yet. Moreover, we were concentrating more on going for our photoshoot in Taiwan a few days later.

 But at a cost of abut $60 - 70 per dress, Occasion is certainly worth a look!

Hunting for the Perfect Bridesmaid Dresses

Image by calypso Dragon 13 via Flickr

Been looking for a place to get bridesmaid dresses because our AD packages does not include.

We have been to places like Occasion at Raffles City Shopping Centre level 3 to survey market offerings. Daniel Yam @ City Square Mall level 2 is also not bad. The main thing about getting the dresses is cost. We hope to get them at below $100/piece without compromising the quality.

Yesterday, we popped by Love Potion as suggested by Addy. Very small outfit as compared to the above 2 but it was not too bad. Got a few designs and we are likely to go to them.

For our wedding in Oct, they suggested to confirm placing the order by July so that by September, the dresses will come in. It means it takes about 2-3 months lead time for such things, not unlike the AD gowns of MTM (made to measure).

In Sept, our bridesmaids can come in their own time to do the fitting the choose the designs. It takes about 1-2 weeks for alterations.

For 6 dresses, we can have 2 designs to pick from. For a package like that, it is about $85/piece before adding any adornments.

And our lovely bridesmaids can keep them. :)

www.lovepotion.com.sg

Resizing Your Proposal/Wedding Ring

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Addy's proposal ring is a little too large for her middle finger. Bringing it back all the way to US to change the size does not justify the cost.

Just only recently that her good friend Diana let us know that there's a jeweler who does resizing at Far East Shopping Centre. Popped by that place and manage to get a quote.

For white gold, it costs $30 to resize.

For Platinum, it costs $60 because of the need for laser-ing.

Also to note that there might be a line mark on the ring if you do resize. Do pop by if you do need the service. :)

Short Update on Things-To-Do

Really been too hectic to update anything.

A short update on recent happenings:

• Met and signed up with photographer, Sam.
• Met and signed up with videogragher, Ben.
• Visited Koong Yee for discussion and request for quotation on renovation
• Reconfirmed with SVDP on the church wedding venue and the overall floral theme

Going for our first HDB appointment tmr!

Still have a list of things that are not done yet that are in our face:

• Settle numbers and guest namelist for church and dinner
• Contact all our helpers and friends
• Plan for the rough programme for the day
• Collect our wedding photos from Taiwan

Church Wedding Venue - St Vincent De Paul

Just paid for the booking of the church. :) I hope that confirms it at long last. Quite a long story for another time.

St Vincent De Paul's Church Website

Forms found on the website for booking of church (Please call to enquire 1st)

• http://www.svdp.sg/forms/form_cafe.pdf
• Paid - $460 for 2 hours
• http://www.svdp.sg/forms/form_flowers.pdf
• Paid - $350 for near basic flower arrangements (hope there's another wedding the same day to share the cost and have nicer flowers!)

The "Yes"s

• Handicap friendly
• Small but cosy (you can call it a large chapel?)
• Seating of about 600 - 700 in the church
• Air-conditioned
• Can accommodate 200 pax for reception
• Beautiful!!
• Near our houses too (5 min drive, 10 mins bus ride)
• With my name on it? ;p

The "No"s

• Lack of parking space (40 cars?)
• Quite ulu (lack of accessibility)

Buses - 70, 103, 854

Front Of the Church of St Vincent De Paul (SVDP)

SVDP from across the road

Inside the church after mass

Canteen below the church

There's a nice platform as well

Location:

Hotel Re! - Re!Joice Wedding Show - 1st May 2010 1-5pm

From an emailer:
Visit the Website here.

Taiwan Wedding Photo Taking Trip - Day 2

Woke up early in the morning about 7am and it was already bright and shiny.

Sheraton does not provide breakfast cos of the rate we got. :(

Made our way to MeiLiHua (Miramar) which was famous for its Ferris Wheel.

Wrote a little review on google maps

Ate breakfast at Mos Burger which was relatively cheap for 2!

The typical small MOS Burger but nice :) 

Comes with a drink

 This is where we had our lunch - Saizeriya! 

Singapore also have in Liang Court - cheap and good and filling!

Tasty hot plate meat patty!

Ferris Wheel pose

Jianan MRT toilet is so much cleaner than Singapore's MRTs.

We left the place at about 1pm to go to our Bridal Studio.

Stopped at ZhongShan Jr High school MRT Station and walked like hell..

Reached the venue @ 230pm - ShaLuoManTing at MingQuan East Road. 

It was quite easy to find along the main road.

Had a quite a bit of adventure including going to Landis to "ease my stomach"

The whole street was full of such bridal boutiques akin to Tanjung Pagar in Singapore. 

Had to go down 2 streets to get to France Paris, the other shop.

Met with the peeps. Cannot take photos then. :(

We took 2 hours selecting addy's 5 gowns

Then we proceeded to GEM to select my outfit.

Spent about 1hour here. 

Quite an atas place

They tried to upsell but at least they were nice

Even took a photo with them

We had to go back to France Paris at 8pm to meet the photographer

Went walk walk 1st.

An illegal roadside stall selling really cheap shoes

NT$200 per pair

Outside Mingquan East Station

Took MRT to Taipei Main Station intending to go Ximen Ding but changed our mind

Walked back up from Taipei Main Station towards NingXia Street, a night market

The bestest guojiao ever. cheap cheap!!!

The steamed version

The stall from inside

Bread Galore at NingXia night market

Reached France Paris and spoke with the photographer for 1/2 hour

Decided to go Shilin night market to shop again

Had this lady who persuaded us to buy her hairpin so much

Could have driven the price much lower but she was so nice

Even took a demo video on how to use the hairpin summore

Reached back hotel close to 12

Sheraton pampers us so much - arranges our toiletries so nicely

The bathroom version :)

Expenses for the day: