Our Wedding Scrapbook: June 2008

(continued from previous post)

2.45pm We stuffed all we could into my dad's Myvi, including 5 cartons of wine and our evening clothes. On the way to the hotel, we picked Henry from the bus station.

4.00pm The ballroom preparation begins! Set up projector, laptop and slideshow, cd player and songs, reception table, wedding scrapbook aka guestbook, wedding favours, MC script, evening programme, song practice, instructions to captain ... whew... so much to complete in half an afternoon. Fortunately, we had Justin, Steve, Ray, Lee Hwee, Louisa, Khye and Yin helping out.

6.00pm A quick bath before I had to go down to receive guest. Vicky was busy with the evening make-up. I have not prepared my speech. Tried scribbling a few sentences but could not get it together. Well had to go down soon, so will hopefully think of something before 'showtime'.

6.55pm My parents were already down at the reception. Guests were slowly trickling in. Planted myself at the main entrance and braced myself to receive the 400 plus guests. Got Louisa, Khye, Shireen and Sigrid to man the reception table.

7.45pm The ballroom was almost full by now. It was almost time to start. Vicky and I took the back way to get to the start of the red carpet. Almost time now. Had to to find the two kids who were marching in before us.

8.00pm March in to "After All", a love duet by Peter Cetera and Cher.

8.30pm Finished our 2nd dish, the sea cucumber soup, this was our cue to get changed up before the 4th dish (the fish) starts rolling out. While Vicky changed to her wedding gown, I had another go at the speech.

8.50pm Back at our table. Soon the 4th dish came out and that was the cue for our slidehow. Had a couple of hiccups. First time playing on the Mac. Stopped abruptly in the middle and the fonts were all wrong at the back. The show had to go on ...

9.00pm It was time for the 'champagne' (the hotel only provided sparkling juice) popping and toasting. the whole ballroom raised their glass as my friends led the 'Yam Seng'.
I was up next -speech time. Took out my few sheets of scribbled notes and gave my version of the 'Oscars thank-you' speech. I was just relieved when it was over. Now it was time for my friends to perform.

9.10pm Steve kicked off the performance, followed by a duet with Raymond. Next the guys decided to give an impromptu performance - our Secondary 2 talentime winning performance - 'Kiss the Girl'. I was invited to join in to sing a song that I barely remembered the lyrics. For the song finale, was made to kiss my bride. How apt.

9.30pm It was the final leg of the night. The photo-taking session. My photographers and brothers helped to ensure a smooth passage through all 42 tables. Had the chance to exchange a few words to old teacher, friends and relatives. Completed it just in time to see off the guests. Even had time for a school rally session with the St.Andrew Old boys.

11.00pm More photo sessions with the Muarians. Also had time to sit around with my relatives.The evening was over but there was more work to be done upstairs (eg. counting money). So we bid farewell to all who came before retiring to our room.

The End

5.45am The beeping started and my hands instinctively shot out to shut the alarm.

6.15am Dad sent my photographer, Teoh, to Vicky's place. Decided that I could afford another 20 mins of shut eye

6.45am Woke up. Washed and dressed up. Brothers started arriving soon after 7.15am. Got the corsages pinned on and ribbons tied to car doors. Had breakfast while waiting to leave.

8.20am Finally got the all clear from Vicky's stable. Got into the Volks, with Steven as the designated driver. Got there in barely 5 minutes, waking the neighbourhood with our shameless honking.

The games began. The sisters demanded push ups, Steve and Ray obliged, with both hands pushing up their male boobs. Guess that was not what the sisters meant.

Next, they wanted a song. Steve grabbed his guitar and we belted out 'Oh Vicky' to the tune of the evergreen 'Oh Carol'. They wanted another, in Chinese. We sang Teresa's 'Moon represent my heart'.

Then came the sticky part - the angpow negotiations. I managed to escape with my first two angpows. The biggest one still safe in Steve's pocket. The gate opened and we marched upstairs to find the bride.

Found Vicky in resplendant white on her bed. We were made to eat half-boiled eggs before going downstairs for the tea ceremony. Since we could not reach my place by 9am, we had to leave after 9.

9.15am Reached my place. Took the customary route to the bridal room. Another photo session ensued.

9.30am Time to take off again. Now for the Church Wedding Ceremony. Left with my brothers so that we could prepare the church and squeeze in some song practice time. The church started filling up and was more than half full by 10.30am.

10.30am The church bell rung and the march in began, followed by the church ceremony. I shan't bore you with the details.

11.15am We're married! Time for more posing. Family, relatives and friends took turns to have their photos with us. After maintaining my smile for half an hour, it was time for lunch. A minor 'water-shortage'problem was adverted by some helpful intervention.