Goodwood Park Hotel, it shall be

Finally... the first phase is almost over... but not yet.

In the end, we looked through all the packages and decided to take Goodwood Park Hotel as THE venue to hold our wedding, for several reasons. Most importantly, it's because I like the place. And my beloved darling so loves me, he wants me to take this venue. :)

Although we have told Goodwood Park Hotel that we are holding our wedding there. But, there's a lot to negotiate. So... it's not considered done. Nevertheless, we are going down on Wednesday to discuss the package further, and finally pay the deposit.

I am getting really excited about our wedding. :) I always wanted a Princess-style wedding. Looks like it's slowly taking form! I really never dreamt that I would be having my wedding at Goodwood Park Hotel - a hotel that before the proposal, I have never been inside before! You won't believe it right? Ha...

Back before I had dinner at Gordon Grill, I always liked the way it looks. It not only looks colonial but also ancient - like a castle! It even has a red-carpet effect in the old main entrance. Okay, this is my guess that the entrance I saw was the old main entrance.

Although the hotel added a new wing, and it now looks like a cross between a castle and a glass-walled parliament, I still like the old English flavour of the hotel. :)

Now... I just hope for the best deal and we will be closing this chapter of phase one. There's still another thing to worry... and definitely more, in time to come. But, at least, we got the date and venue fixed. :)

I am so excited!!! And so looking forward to the day I walk down the aisle.

2nd Venue

I went to Merchant Court yesterday. And now... I am torn. Ha...

About a few weeks ago, I went to the Pool Side restaurant at Merchant Court and the hotel seemed really messy, cluttered and old when I walked past the lobby that day. In fact, I even felt that the lift was old. I didn't feel good about the hotel.

But yesterday, it looked different! The ballroom is spacious and it has a huge, private cocktail area. However... there's only one screen in the ballroom, on the left side. On top of that, they only have three selection of wedding flavours. Plus.. they only give a night stay in the bridal suite... Geez... too short a stay!

However, overall... the package is good. The venue feels all right.

The difference between Goodwood Park and Merchant Court is... Both are colonial style hotels but Goodwood Park exudes a lot more charm and grandeur. It also gives a lot more feel of exclusivity.

Venue Search

We started aggressively searching for a venue now. Since the day before, I have been receiving calls from hotels where I made tentative bookings that other couples would like the rooms.

So, now... panick mode... we are seriously exploring the venues. :)

Goodwood Park Hotel is very nice - colonial flavour, reputable (five-starts hotel), good service from the event manager and most of all, meaningful. Afterall, he proposed there at Gordon Grill. Even the waiter remembered me!!!

The package offered was decent. The wedding flavours are unique and the wedding set-up was not too bad too.

Overall, I was very happy with what I saw. The hotel also exudes romance and grandeur at the same time. It is the old English flavour I like.

However, I'd like to see if we can spend lesser moola on venues. So, I would like to explore other options as well. However... I think there's a high chance I would take this venue. :)

We'll see.... Getting all excited!! By the way, due to a wedding tonight, a couple was rehearsing at Goodwood Park Hotel. Oh my.... You can't imagine how elated I felt. I couldn't wait for the day I walk down that aisle myself. Haha.... Geez....

All righty... stay tune for more.

Cheers!

27 December 2009

The date has been fixed!!! Finally ~~~

Haha... the next thing we have to do is... book the pastor and venue.

We have narrowed down the venues to 9, which we would look in details in the packages and view them to finalise the place.

We also need to go down to church and ask a whole host of questions regarding Holy Matrimony and its procedures etc.

Thank God for the understanding of our parents. My mum is supportive of a simplified wedding. My dad would probably let us be too.

Phew ~

But at least... the date has been fixed. :)

I'll be anticipating this day.

Planning Nightmare

Geez.... Wedding is sure a nightmare to plan.

DD and I selected six dates and checked up the hotels. When I told my dad and checked with him, he suddenly changed our dates around because he couldn't be around on weekdays. So, we selected a Sunday and he insisted on giving us a date, which he did. That date didn't have any availability at all due to some APEC 2009.

Eventually, I came home and discussed with him again. And guess what?! It reverted to the original Sunday we selected.

Ha... I am sure this is just the beginning... Hopefully Dad would be more cooperative and let us run our own planning.

Anyway, DD is in his second day of work. He ended very late today. So, I am waiting for him. My poor darling. I miss him so...

DD's new phase in life

My DD started his new phase in life today! He starts his new job in the corporate world today as a Sales and Marketing Executive.

I am nervous, excited and happy for him all at the same time.

The job sounds prospective. He is visionary and often right about his gut feel. So, I know that he will be certain about the job.

I only pray that ABBA will guide and lead him in his career.

Meanwhile, I'll let him settle in and then I'll think about my own career.

Keep praying...

No pain, no gain!

Geez... I am in pain... Like... "chut chut" (crippled), as Joyce put it.

I put up a really good fight at the marathon that took place on Sunday, against my nose which started its own marathon since a few days before my big run. Trust me... it wasn't easy. I had to stop several times to ask for tissue paper from the supporters. Anyway, finishing the run in 6 hours 41 minutes is nothing to brag about but I am really glad I completed.

As though fate has it against me to run marathon, I have for two years been "banned" from it. So, I took the chance this year. Telling myself that even if I can't finish it in the best timing I wanted, I must at least persevere through and reach the finishing line in style.

So, I did. It was a satisfying experience being able to finish a full marathon of 42.195km. No pain, no gain. I brought back with me, not only the rewarding experience of finishing it, but also bruised and blistered toes, muscle aches on both my legs, hips and every leg joints you could imagine, sore back and also sun burns (and I am peeling like a snake now).

DD and I started the run at 5.40am, and 7km later, I slowed my pace to a jog and lagged behind him. In no time, I lost my DD. Nevertheless, I kept my pace and managed to reach approximately 18km at the same pace. After that, I felt weak and started walking, with a few hundred steps run in between. I did this until I passed the 21km mark and started my long trek with Joyce and James. We alternated between strolls and brisk walks with many chats to distract us, until 40km. After layering ourselves with deep heat, we started to look for the 41km mark to start running.

However, it was not in sight. We spotted 42km soon after and started our run. I took a sprint despite my painful toes at the end, and finished it in style.

So, here's a treat for the eyes on my stylish finish, which I think you would agree. Hee hee.