Think about the dessert after the main

"I haven't done this! I haven't done that! This too! I have no time to think about things after wedding! There's so many to do still!"

Relax! Sure, there are a lot to do still. This is a good time to breathe in and out and think about the game plan thoroughly. Set a short, mid and long term goal to accomplish for your wedding preparation. List out what you need to accomplish each goal. It varies for each couple so for example, here's one:

Short term goal: The planning

• Secure all the contacts, booking and services. i.e. Actual day photographers, Make-Up Artist, Bride's Chaperon, venue, bridal studio for gown and pre-wedding photoshoot.

• If you're gonna have bridesmaids and groomsmen, make sure you've already booked their time! They need to be booked too. *wink* Imagine telling them last minute but they've already made plans! If they're gonna wear uniformly during your wedding day, spare some time looking for it with them so that you can make sure the style and colour suits your theme.

• Plan for honeymoon. "What? I have so many things to do now, I have no time...".. Shush... It's the best time in fact! You're in the midst of planning. Input this into your budget! It's also good to be able to think about your dream honeymoon once awhile during the other phases. It keeps you going!

Mid Term goal: The bumps

• Pre wedding photoshoot. This would be the next phase I look forward to. It's gonna be another major event in our wedding preparation. We'd start looking for possible locations for the photoshoot, theme colour and style that we want and props that we would need to prepare.

Long term goal: The EXECUTION

• Your wedding day. Enough said. This is it! The day that you'll be anticipate for. Hint: If you don't have a wedding planner, appoint your relative or friend or best man or maid of honour to be the floor manager. They'll need to know your plan inside out to coordinate with the hotel or restaurant manager for the wedding reception. So make sure to share with them all the info you got for that night. 

After all that hard work, thank the people and yourselves. Both of you deserve a good pat. Go for your honeymoon! Enjoy the world with just the two of you newlyweds!

-JO-

What's next?

Hey ya, it seems that we have gone pretty hiatus from our last posts/update. That's because we're now doing some preparation in the background.

The next event for us is the pre-wedding photoshoot, then the main event which is the Actual Day next (Tea ceremony and Dinner)

Technically we have less than a year to our big event next year. So our preparation now is to get contacts and details on Dai Kum Jie (Bride's Chaperone) and photo/videographer on our actual day.

I'm also gathering some information on what to props to prepare for our pre wedding photo shoot and also the locations.

I'm really glad I have my girls for this, I'm also in the midst of looking out for bridesmaids dress and groomsmen' accessories. 

Since I have yet to confirm any, I'll be glad if anyone can give me some contact details for :

- Dai Kum Jie
- Photo/Videographer

or any suggestions on the pre wedding photo shoot's (preferably within Klang Valley):
- Props
- Location

Much appreciated!

-Jo-

Update: Getting it legalize

We finally got it legalized earlier this month! It was an exciting and nervous moment at the same time! Someone cast confusion on me. So much anticipation for that one blessed day. So let us share with you our ROM(Registration of Marriage) experience.

This is a MUST step if you want to be lawfully recognized as husband and wife.

You can read all about the procedure before the ROM here 

That day, we arrived earlier than the time slot given - they did not mention how early before the time slot we have to be there - it's better to be early than late. So we waited until they began calling out the numbers according to the time slot given.

Do be attentive to the numbers that they called out to. They will call for twice, then they will proceed to the next couple. So you will lose your time there. Anyway, no worries, you'll still be able to proceed, after the couple is done that is.

There's only 2 main steps.

1. After your number being called, you will proceed to the counter, where you will need to provide them the couple's MyKad and both witnesses' MyKad. Then you'll sign some documents which verify that the stated documents are correct. Please make sure that the names and IC numbers are all accurate.

2. You will then proceed to the designated room, where there will be an officer who will solemnize the event.
I came to know that we can actually opt for either Mandarin or English. The officer then proceeds with the script of the language we chose. 
Here's what to expect: (I forgot which event comes first)

• There will be a point where the officer will ask if you will take your other half as your rightful partner, you will need to reply "I do"
• There will be some oath taking
• Signing, at least 3-4 documents.
• Ring exchange

Then you're done! You're free to take pictures in the room but be considerate of the next couples who might need to use the room.

Don't worry about taking photos in the room, there are plenty of nice scenery out there around the temple to take photos. 

Just wander around, you have all the time to yourselves and if you want to, you can also pray in the temple as newlywed for some blessings.

-JO

Preparation for ROM

Well, technically this part is not important. It's really optional. Really.

You can always go for ROM in any formal clothes that you feel comfortable with. The rules states that on the day of registration for both the couples and witnesses:

- Dress neatly
- No sandals or slippers
- No jeans or shorts
- No T-shirt

The guy's dress up is pretty simple (as usual). Just a formal shirt, a long pants and a shoe. Of course, if you want to look good, dress formal.

For the lady, as I've seen many, they wore a white dress - no particular colour code or dress code applies besides the above "No" rules. You don't need to wear a bride's gown. I feel that's a bit exaggerated and out of place. No harm anyway, but if you do wear that, may I suggest that you have the matching make up and accessories? :)

As for me, I wore a white dress.

 

and to match with it, I brought along my handmade flower bouquet, made of ribbons!

  

I had manicure sessions the day before the ROM and I finally got to do the design that I love so much for this occasion!

 

And a hairdo. I am not good at doing this by myself. Look at my mess.

Regardless, these are just some ideas of what you can do for preparation. Like I've said earlier, it's optional. You can do more than that or neither at all.

The final preparation,

BE MENTALLY PREPARED!

You're going to be someone's wife/husband! Just exaggerating. Don't worry, just enjoy the day!

Update: Getting Auspicious Date (Part 2)

Remember our previous post about Getting the Auspicious Date ? If you don't or haven't read it already, go ahead click on the link to read it.

Here's the update:

The list of dates that we got are not all on weekends (which are preferable so that it is convenient for the guests to make it to the event). Most of the good dates we have fall on weekdays if not near to major public holidays like Christmas or New Year's eve (expected most guest-to-be to be on holiday) T___T. After going through next year's calendar, we finally decided on that one day. 


Once you've decided on that one date, book your wedding venue! This is to ensure that the date you've chosen is also available for the wedding venue and that YOU WILL NOT CHANGE the date. You're given a year from the date you seek for Mr. Loh's service to contact them again to CONFIRM your wedding date. Then you will be given a box set for bride and groom further instructions. 

Up until here, let me summarize them in step-by-step form:

1. Get auspicious date.

2. Once you got the list of dates from them, you will need to reply them within a year.

3. Book venue. To make sure that the date you've chosen is available.

4. Call them a week before you wish to collect your box set. So they'll prepare them ahead.

P/S: Items in the box set are not perishable, so no worries, you don't have to collect them so early. 

It's just whether you'll remember the instructions or not. 

But you can write it down when they explain it.

5. Call them again on the day before you collect the goods to make sure that it is ready.

6. Pay attention to their instructions when you collect them. (You can always call them up again for inquiry though)


Here's the items in the box set.

To stick on groomsmen car

To stick on back of bridal car

Red packets, instructions and auspicious time for occasions

Stick on doors and dressing table.

Cute wooden box that contains all the above items.

These items have the bride and groom's name written on it therefore it would be forfeited if it is not collected within a year.

If you're wondering like me what to prepare or buy for the ceremony, no worries ! They will also guide you on it. At least we can now see some light in our directions. 


The next main agenda for us will be ROM. Stay tuned for our experience !

JO

A little note for Bride To Be (BTB)

Hey there BTBs! "How's the wedding preparation going on?" I'm sure this is one of the most common questions you'll get. It's the most exciting question and yet disappointing at the same time. Depends on how well your preparations are already.

If you have no issue with budget, these guidelines might not applied to you. But if you still want to have a read, go ahead.

If you haven't already, get started. Here's some guides to follow:


Plan Ahead.
It's never too early to plan ahead. At least you'll get a rough idea of how you want your wedding to be. Have a list on what you should prepare.

 

Get Advices.
You may not be experienced in wedding. So get it from someone who has did it before. Friends, family or relatives or even from the internet. There may be too many ideas from different person and different way of how they conduct their wedding but at least you will get some idea.

Budget.
Set a budget that will not burden your capability. Most girls wanted a perfect luxurious wedding but think about your budget. Don't be tricked with the "wedding is once in a lifetime" quote. Of course it is supposed to be once in a lifetime but what comes after the wedding is your reality. You wouldn't want to end up in debt that take you years and hard work to repay them. I would say that's not worth for a once in a lifetime.  


Plan Again.
After getting to this point, your budget might not be comfortable anymore. This is when you should come up with plan B. Consider rescaling your banquet size, venue, miscellaneous expenses and other possible budgets that you can trim. Consider coming up with other possible plans for wedding. If dinner is too expensive, what about lunch? Do you really need a wedding planner? Do you need the customized wedding invitation cards? Can you do without it? For example. Ask yourself questions about the budget.

While this might not be the best guides ever, I sure do hope it will help to shine some light. :)

I'm utmost grateful when I got help from my friends and family for my wedding preparations.  Can you imagine handling one without them? I can't. I appreciate all of their ideas and help and I feel so blessed to have them. Well, if I think of anything that can help with you BTBs, I'll write it down. Till then. Happy planning !

JO

Getting it legalize

What's more important in marriage than getting the law involved? That's right. This is the important step in marriage if you haven't done so already to make sure that you are lawfully wedded husband and wife. 

Mine shall be done in the temple (Thean Hou) but it can also be done at the National Registration Department (JPN). They provide a private room/hall for the marriage solemnization. I'm not sure about the details for this procedure but you can inquire about it at JPN. Their staffs are pretty helpful. Anyway, here's to shine some light if you wish to do it at the temple like us. 

It's pretty simple. Here's the guideline from the temple that helped us. 

1. Enquiry and booking.
• We kind of skipped this step. We only inquire but no booking yet. Anyway, to book (couple need to present in person), both will need to prepare:
• Photocopy of MyKad ( front and back on same page)
• Photocopy of Birth Certificate 
• Photocopy of 2 witnesses' MyKad (witness does not need to present during submission) 
• Passport sized photo of applicants 

• I'm not sure if the item above needs to be prepared during this step or not. No harm in bringing anyway.

1. Statuary Declaration
• NOTE: Don't forget to bring your(both of you) MyKad and a passport sized photo
• We were told that we could get all the things done at the Ministry of Home Affairs Complex (Kompleks Kementerian Dalam Negeri) at Jalan Duta. I guess there should be JPN that also provide Commissioner of Oath at the same building, but we were too lazy to find out where else.
• We went straight ahead to the Perkahwinan dan Penceraian department to get the JPN.KC02 form. The staff were friendly and told us what's the next procedure after filling up the form. 
• After filling up the form given, OH! and don't forget the to stick on the passport sized photo to the form! We then went to declare it at the Commissioner of Oath. They have it at the same building, but so happen it was closed on that day due to holiday weekend. So we went to the Commissioner of Oath in the High Court which is nearby LHDN building.
• Paid RM 4 for the fee and we're done with the Statuary Declaration. Next, back to JPN.
2. JPN Verification
• We passed the completed form back to the JPN officer and after some verification, and payment of RM 20 for the Marriage Register, we were good to go. 
3. Form Submission
• We went to Thean Hou temple that weekend to submit our forms and photocopied documents of  MyKad, birth cert and witness' MyKad and book (since we skipped the booking step, remember?) for our desired ROM date and paid a fee of RM 80.
• They'll choose a time slot for us and now, we wait for the day to come! *I'm so excited*
4. ROM!

It'll be some time till our ROM date. Till then... Happy prepping up !

-edit-
Here's the update of the ROM

JO