Weddings in Singapore are Going To Get Prettier!

After co-founding Diary & Design Wedding, Hellen has headed the design team to expand into a new company, Rosette Designs & Co which specialised in wedding design & decor. Our website is still in progress, but you can see our portfolio here or in our Diary & Design blog.

Simple set up to showcase our props. Cupcake by Twelve Cupcakes. they are super yummy!

Please check our previous works here . You can visit our Diary & Design Wedding blog for portfolio too!

Pictures by Ian Photography & Rosette Designs & Co

He says: Diary and Design Inspiration Boards!

It has been quite some time after our wedding, and both Hellen and I are involved in different things. But one thing my wife is really going all out for is her Diary and Design wedding planning business. As a wedding designer, I see how she takes everything absorbed from the various resources (websites, books, other people’s weddings, etc) and create wedding theme or what she call “Inspiration Boards” for her couples. To me, that is the most impressive thing that comes from her for the wedding business and she is indeed talented in what she’s doing.

Here’s a couple of her Inspiration Boards and my commentary on it:

A sophisticated bluish theme that brings winter back to sunny Singapore!

In this inspiration board, different shades of blue are used, bringing about elegance and sophistication to the wedding. It is more recommended when the wedding is meant to be more formal and classy. The wish tree that is made of glass (or even ice if possible) will be a wonderful decoration and highlight of the wedding.

Beach weddings are always unique and fresh!

Beach weddings is something that can definitely be done in Singapore, in spite of the hot weather. The sea breeze and clear sky will definitely bring with it a special experience for the guest. The key in this theme is the abundance of flowers. The selection of flora brings with it an added element of ‘freshness’ when compared to other beach weddings.

Less ‘beachy’, but still casual, and taking the sea into your wedding

How about using some seashells in your wedding? A wedding based on the sea and the shells, near the sea and casual.. definitely a wedding I hope to be a part of. Best recommended for a couple that has some romantic story related to the sun, the sand and the sea!

Here’s just a small sampling of the work my wife did (and the source of the pics are from all the wedding websites out there, credit!). Do check out the works here for their contact and wedding planning packages!

He says: Thank You (Part 2) – Alvinadeline Videography

Our very Capable Videographers!

To me, a very important aspect of the wedding banquet or service are the videos shown. Through the couples’ creativity, we can find funny MTVs or life stories or even appreciation videos from friends all around. However, these videos can all be done way in advance. The wedding videographer that has to do the same-day-edits (SDEs) for the morning highlights in time for the evening banquet is the one with the really tough job. After watching the numerous wedding videos in preparation for our wedding and Hollywood movies for my own entertainment, camera shots and angles have become something quite fascinating to me. I am not going to research and be an expert in this, but I marvel when the videographer are able to capture that right moment that brings out the best of the couple in motion.

Recently our videographers, Alvinadeline updated their blog regularly again. Juggling between moving to their new office, shooting all the weddings and preparing themselves for the peak period of weddings coming at the end of 2010, I think it will not hurt to give them further endorsement of how well they have handled our weddings. Credit to Hellen of course for decorating and designing the wedding with the photographs and videos in mind.

Personally, I want to thank Adeline for being really nice in introducing their videos to us and ensuring us that they will be able to do a good job. Alvin and the assistant was real friendly and reassuring during the actual shooting, and it’s quite amazing how the 2-man team was able to produce the wonderful video with just 2 guys. A very sincere ‘thank-you’ to the wonderful team! After the wedding, several friends enquired about the possibility of engaging them as well, giving further testimonies that the video produced was well-received.

Dear readers, if you have time, check out their portfolio to see some of the amazing work they have done!

Special mentions to… our wedding!

And a rather unique pre-wedding video based on Alice in Wonderland…

I have always been a fan of their SDE, so I will highly recommend them for any weddings!

One last note, when we were collecting our final DVDs from Adeline, we got more chance to talk to her and listen to her as she told us how she juggled her full-time job and part-time videography work in the past. This is so similar to Hellen, who has a full-time job, a part-time business as a wedding designer and being a full-time wife to boot! I guess chasing the dream will always require sacrifices, so if you think you are cut out for a dream big and unusual, step out and grab it!

She says: The Finishing Touch

Finally, the final sets of AD pictures have arrived at our doors. Ian Photography always put aesthetic value above others and his pictures are always beautiful and beautifying. I love it. Simply love his depth of field and graphical composition.

Here are the pictures! Once again, Andrian, you amazed me!

You can see all the pics here.

She says: Introducing Diary & Design: A Wedding Story

After the success of our wedding, we received a lot of compliments and requests regarding wedding planning and design. It has always been my secret desire to cultivate my love for wedding design to a concrete plan. So, when Lily, my wedding coordinator asked to meet up to talk about the possibility to partner, I couldn’t feel more happy! This is the moment I’m waiting for!

It feels so right and so natural for us to plan & design wedding. I am always championing a life of passion and purpose. There is a purpose of why we are wired this way. Why we are born with certain tendency or talents. Some people are naturally drawn to numbers, sports, music, biology, or some cool ones, like design *haha*. I happened to be born with a love for art and design. I was an aesthetically-inclined child with tons of imagination. My mom can testified to that. She had to repaint the wall many times because of my constant sketching.

So now I know why I love and is able to do art and design, so one day I could help many brides to have a beautiful, memorable and stress-free wedding. Man, that was some revelation!

Anyway, enough of childhood flashback, now the future is in front of us. We are officially launching Diary & Design: A Wedding Story today!

Diary & Design Wedding combines the individual strength of a well-designed and well-organized wedding. You get the best of both worlds. Neither design or coordination becomes secondary. Both are given the same priority and full attention. This partnership provides assurance that all of your design and coordination needs are covered, so that you can relax and enjoy your big day.

We already drafted the services and packages to suit your preferences. We even have the Design-It-Yourself packages to help you materialize the ideas you are dying to impose but have no idea how to!  *Gosh, I wish I had that privilege when I planned mine*

UPDATE:

This post was written about 3 years ago, when everything is still in the infancy level. Now the ladies of Diary & Design Wedding are more mature and experienced, not to mention big thinker. So DDW is undergoing restructuring process and will be officially branch out into 2 companies, which each specialized in different area, wedding planning and wedding design. We have yet to officially announced it, but being a design junkie it is a no-brainer for me to head the new baby, Rosette Designs & Co, which specialized in event design & decor. Please check out our portfolio in our facebook page, while we work on our website.

No matter what is the company I am belong to, my love for design & decor is always prevails.

 

She says: Post-Wedding Sale and Rental!

Here comes the long awaited post-wedding sale and rentals! We have items for sale and items for rent.

Most of our For Sale items are in tiffany color scheme. So for Tiffany brides, I hope you can find useful items here.

Interested party please contact me @ winstonhellen@gmail.com

FOR SALE :

Corsage for your Bridal Entourage or Parents or Receptionist

Price : 1 pcs @ $2.50.

5 pcs @ $10. All 12 pcs @ $20

Must Have for Outdoor Wedding!

Available : 30 pcs. Price : 1 pcs for $ 2.50. 5 pcs for $10. 10 pcs for $15.

Pretty White Goodie Bag

Available : 25 pcs. Price: 1 pcs for $ 0.70. 5 pcs for 2.50. Min 5 pcs!

Very nice to house a gift for bridesmaids or parents or helpers

Available : 12 pcs. Price : 1 for $2. More than 1 is $1.50 each. Take all for $15!

Buying price of $ 90. Selling @ $50

FOR RENTAL :

One and only.

Working antique typewriter from 1941. Precious. New ribbon included.

Rental : $ 80 for use. $ 40 for decoration or taking picture.

Deposit $300. Rental period 3 days.

Available : 28 pcs.

Price for rental :  1 pcs for $4 (Min 15)

1 pcs for $ 3 (more than 15)

Deposit of $100 regardless quantity. Rental periods of 3 days

LOVE platter set - very adorable

LOVE Platter SET

Rental for 5 days : $30/set. Deposit$50

Rental for $45 (excluding the film).

Deposit of $100. Rental period for 5 days.

Interested party please contact me @ winstonhellen@gmail.com

She says: Vintage Themed Album by Ian Photography

In the beginning of this wedding preparation, I was so in love with Max Wanger‘s style of photography, and so did Andrian. Thanks to him, we fulfilled our desire to have prewedding picture Max Wanger’s style. He made Saddle Club in Bukit Timah looks like a summer in Savannah, Georgia!

Now that he has successfully launched his career as wedding photographer, he added a crucial selling point. The customized album!With my uber-creative younger sister, Irene, joining him as his partner-designer-art director-fiance, they made an album which is totally my style! It’s ultra gorgeous!

Nepotism is a treat in wedding business. She knows my taste more than anybody else.

Check out their blog here.

She says: How to do Outdoor Wedding?

Since we have successfully done our outdoor wedding, I am convinced that everyone can have a beautiful outdoor wedding. But I have to warn you, it’s a real pain if you are not prepared or you don’t have the crucial elements. I will share with you in the later part of this post.

Reciting wedding vow under a majestic tree or by the sea while the sun sets are uber-romantic. But are we prepared to pay the cost? Here’s my tips on how to do an outdoor wedding:

1. Location – Very crucial. Your venue sets the tone of the whole event. I always knew I wanted a garden wedding under a majestic tree. So when we scout for venue, I am constantly looking for the suitable tree. After hunting in 8 different spots, my heart wobbled when I found our tree in OMSQ.

Many people turned off after they visited OMSQ . It is very raw and challenging. On the other hand, it was the rawness of OMSQ that inspired my design sense.

So what type of outdoor bride are you? Beach, garden, half indoor half outdoor?

Restaurant with outdoor feel like Suburbia or Verve?

Two more important thing: Research and Recee (Location scout).

2. Coordinator / Organizer / Planner. After you have decided on the location, think of how you can make this outdoor wedding happened? Who will help you to do the decor? Most of the Singaporeans will think of utilizing their closest friends to help them, instead of hiring a professional planner or coordinator.

After my own wedding, I stand here before you to advise, please get a professional planner or at least coordinator. Unless you have friends that does wedding professionally, please don’t make your life or your friends’ miserable.

I attended a wedding planning course for almost 10 months to learn about the professional and proper way to organize a wedding. Hence Winston and I set a wedding planner standard for ourselves. Almost all of our vendors were amazed by the detailed schedule or planning. Simply because we have learned from the best in the industry. Yet for my actual day wedding, I need help from a professional coordinator, Lily from Ly’s Wedding Diary. Please bride-to-be, don’t coordinate your own wedding. You can handle the preparation, but not the actual wedding.

I am very blessed to have friends that work as a wedding planner and coordinator. Lily, our coordinator-cum-classmate in the wedding planning course-cum-church friend, agreed to help me on the actual wedding coordination. My only regret is that I didn’t brief Lily in specific details, as I am the only one that planned and designed it. I didn’t translate that well enough to my decor team and Lily. Fortunately Lily is experienced and my team decor is a group of designers and artists too. They can run the wedding on their own!

As a matter of fact, when you are too involved in the absolute details of your wedding, you can’t concentrate on the actual wedding ceremony. I speak for myself. On my outdoor wedding, I am still re-arranging the centerpiece and making sure the cotton candy machine runs well. During my matrimony, my focus was scattered by the bees that was swarming my altar arrangement.

3. Vendors - This can be the ultimate headache to deal with. For outdoor wedding you need to at least have:

• Tentage/Logistic vendor – if your venue has no indoor shelter, this is a must-have.
• Decorator – if flowers are your main decoration, hiring a florist is enough. But if you want to be original and unique, hire a wedding designer to design a holistic look. This person will also help you to decorate the venue on actual day. Save you a huge headache.
• Coordinator/Planner- get a day coordinator or wedding planner if you have the budget. If no, get the most willing and organized person in your circle of close friends.
• Catering – they will help you provide the tables as well. Can work together with the decorator to achieve a coherent style.
• Sound system
• Photographer – preferably the photojournalistic style to capture the moments naturally.
• Videographer

The rest are your usual vendors, like bridal studio, car, etc. For the wedding dress, please choose dress with short train or dress with a hook from the longer train.

4. Wet Weather Plan - whether you are getting married in the hottest month or rainy season, please have a wet weather plan. A few days before our wedding, Orchard Rd was flooded until half a meter deep because of the heavy rainfall. Whatever your belief is, having faith for a good weather is not enough!

5. Cleaning Up -  This is very, very crucial. We had a minor setback after our outdoor wedding ended. The security guard of Fort Canning made a big hoohaa, about the mess, although the vendors was scheduled to clean up the day after. Brief your vendors in advance of what they should clean post-event.

Ok.. so far that’s what I remembered.. I will add more when new things come to my mind.

She says: 10 More Days!

We are getting more nervous as days gone by. 2 weeks to our wedding! While we’re almost done with the preparation, we still need to meet up with our vendors and finalize things. We not only have 1 wedding, but we are running 2 weddings! Both equally important and dear to us. The hardest part is to decide the guest list. We want to keep the outdoor wedding small and intimate, yet we don’t want to offend anyone. But oh well, we have to make some sacrifices then.

I just finish my photo montages, finally! Since motion graphic and video editing are part and parcel of my job, I am my worst critic. But anyway.. 1 week prior the wedding all my high standard suddenly flew out of the window. I just want to get this thing done!

Anyway I wanted to put this animation by my favorite designer, Impactist, but it’s kinda a lil’ too solemn for the wedding opening, so I just put it here.

Yesterday we met our videographer, Alvin and Adeline together with Wansheng. They commented about our detailed program and schedule, it’s very impressive! Thanks to Winston! The lesson from the wedding planning course really help us in drafting our programs. However we are still raw in this business, so both of our vendors gave suggestions on how the program should run. Some moments are so picturesque that they need more time to capture a great angle. For example is when the bride’s veil is down.

We weren’t aware of that till they mentioned it. Above is a picture by Wansheng.

Luckily we haven’t print our wedding booklet, so we can still make changes. Anyway, I found a great place to print my booklet! I asked 3 places and the quoted started from $500 for 100 pieces. Ridiculous!! Thank God I found the third one, which is much cheaper, provide the cutting and scoring for our accordion-style booklet.

She says: Make Up Trial and Error

I just went for my 2nd make up trial in Di Gio after the first one turned out to be less than desirable. I think it was my fault, because I didn’t brief him properly. My Taiwan pre-wedding make up really matched up my taste without me saying anything. So drawing from that experience, I just told the make up artist I want a natural make up. Turns out, it’s too natural that I like my daily make up better than this one! My eyes still look as small as they really are. Chris, the make up artist said it’s because he didn’t put the fake lashes for make up trial. Because I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feeling and everybody in Di Gio gave nice comments, I conformed with it.

It didn’t last very long till I realized, it wasn’t what I wanted. One of bridesmaids commented that make up is supposed to make the bride stands out not blend in. I couldn’t agree more.

So, I asked for another make up trial. This time I came prepared I showed him what is exactly the make up and hairdo I want through pictures and my make up from Taiwan. He was nice enough to do the second one and put the fake lashes, although it will cost me $15. We had a good session, and this time it’s really trial and error. Turns out, previously my idea of natural make up was not in sync with Chris’. I don’t like colored eye shadow and just want my eyes to be BIG. that’s all.

So here are my references.

Outdoor Make Up

Outdoor Hairdo

Retro feel with the hump and white satin ribbon. I like!

Banquet Make Up

I love the dramatic eyes of 1950s. Since my banquet is inspired by Breakfast at Tiffany’s, I think it’s just right to have the vintage-ish look for the banquet.

Thumbs up to Josephine, Casey and Chris who are so patient with me. I am one complicated bride! I think by now, they know my pattern. I won’t state my dislike on the spot, but I will think about it and will drop the bomb few days after that. Oops!

At last, I feel confident with my MUA. That’s very important, brides-to-be. Don’t just give in but press on to whatever you like! You deserve the best!