Managing Great Expectations

One of the 'prerequisites' of getting married at PJEFC is completing a 10-session pre-marriage counseling course. Together with our counselors -- Drs. Hera and YF, Irwin and I officially kick-started our first session tonight! :)

The format of these sessions requires us to do a little bit of homework before we meet each session. It would include some Scripture reading as well as answering manyyyyyy questions -- questions that have NEVER crossed my mind previously :P These questions are called inventories and I guess its primary objective is to stir up both our thoughts and help us manage our expectations a li'l bit better upon entering the next phase of life... and boy, are there ALOT of expectations to cover and discuss! :D

About 2 years ago, the church also made us do a compatibility test which had us answering about 180 questions like "Do you agree that romance will fade after many years of marriage?" or "Do you foresee any major disagreements with your spouse after marriage?". Our results have both been tabulated, and we're also using it as a general guide for discussion.

Conclusion of our first session: Irwin and I are too idealistic (rather than realistic) about marriage! keke! The test showed that we strongly believe that we will be madly in love with each other forever! :D And while it is a GOOD thing, we were also made to realize that at some point, there will be rough patches, and issues that will challenge our love for each other are bound to surface. The most important ingredient for a successful marriage is to place God at the center of our lives & marriage, and also to stand by our commitment as well as the vows we will make to each other when we get married! :)

A Saturday Spent in the City

We were 'summoned' by Stephen (our wedding planner) to go down to the Marriott to meet him today :P He was doing a wedding there tonight, and wanted me to check out its decor because I onced emailed him a picture of lights in ball-like shapes suspended from the ceiling. He wanted me to see it in person... but also then to tell me that this type of decor will not be suitable for our wedding venue at Sime Darby Convention Center because our grand ballroom will be much BIGGER -- the light-balls won't create too much of a wow-factor. I totally agreed -- I personally didn't like the light-balls after all.

The hall was also decorated using champagne&white-color floral arrangements -- which I also now realize that I don't quite fancy. It didn't seem as striking as how I have 'envisioned' our hall to be. Keke! So I'm happy that I have made some 'progress' in the floral & decor department because up until this afternoon, I hadn't put much thought into it!

Since we were in the city, I decided to ask Irwin to drive us to Jalan Brunei -- a small area just off Jalan Pudu. Someone had recommended I go there to source for vendors to custom-make our wedding invitations... and I'm so glad that I checked out that area (although its located in quite a dodgy part of town). 85% of the shops on Jalan Brunei Selatan are printing vendors who specially design and mass print literally anything you want -- from highly decorated boxes to wedding cards and paper bags :D We managed to source a ball-park costing for our SURPRISE invitation card idea. Again, I can't let the cat out of the bag... yet :P ... although I'm dying to share the idea! HAHA!

For soon to be married couples, do check out Jalan Brunei Selatan when sourcing for wedding invitations. You won't regret it especially if you're planning to print in high quantities of at least 500 pieces and above :)

A short update

Its amazing how the I'm-Getting-Married fever has just died down -- just like that! Gone are the nights spent religiously surfing wedding websites and collecting ideas for my Inspirational Board! HEHE!

Here are some quick updates on everything!

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: My mom's been the greatest! We went material shopping a couple of weeks back and bought some 50 meters worth of lace and satin! I've decided that my girls will be wearing brownish-bronze colored dresses. Kinda imagine them carrying a loosely-tied yellow hand arrangement with that. But that's about all the details I can dish out!!! -- for now at least :P I've met with a tailor early this week, and have discussed and designed ONE piece -- just a trial one for myself. It'll be ready in November and I'm crossing my fingers that it'll turn out OK. If my girls agree to the design, I'll proceed to make the rest of the 4 pieces for them. Else, we'll still have plenty time to alter the designs till everyone is happy!

BEST MAN & GROOMSMEN: Irwin and I met up for lunch with Irwin's best man beginning of the month. He agreed to do almost everything -- BUT deliver a speech! :D We'll see how that goes after finalizing our program. Irwin's groomsmen have yet to confirm though -- only 1 out of 3 of them have agreed.

WEDDING WEBSITE: I've been itching to launch our website FOREVER!!! But there are still some things that have yet to be finalized -- i.e: groomsmen line-up. However... we've purchased our very own domain!!! keke! Get ready to check it out at www.irwinandvanessa.com when we launch!

BACHELORETTE PARTY: My M.O.H Yee Mun is in the midst planning my hen's night -- already! We still have 10 months to go :D I've just sent her a list of the girls whom I wanna be there. Can't wait! (am wondering what she has up her sleeves) :P Thanks babe!

Work has been quite hectic for both Irwin and I. We can't wait for our 13-day holiday to Shanghai end of the month :) Until the next time!!! <3