Wedding Banquet Venue Recce and Review: CHIJMES Hall

We didn’t want to spend too much money on a lavish wedding because we were saving up for our honeymoon. Ever since I found out about Sposi Novelli (general audience with the Pope and dedicated blessings for newly-wed couples - more details in a later post) in Vatican, we have been looking forward to a Europe trip.

Credit: Metro.co.uk
Easter Mass at St Peter's Square, Vatican City

After much discussion, we decided on church wedding with lunch reception for relatives and friends (all Catholics must be married in a Catholic church), followed by a small private dinner banquet for relatives (can’t escape from Chinese tradition).

As a Catholic and an old IJ girl, I have always wanted to hold the wedding banquet in CHIJMES. The beautiful stained glass windows, terrazzo tiles flooring, chandeliers, elegant neo-gothic design, and the central location… What is there not to love?

Credit: Perennialrealestate.com.sg
Exterior and Entrance of CHIJMES Singapore

After emailing the events management company, Watabe Wedding, we were pleasantly surprised to get a prompt response from the coordinator and we managed to fix an appointment for a personalised site visit. We list down the pros and cons of having a banquet in CHIJMES below for your reference.

Setting

For wedding banquets, couples may choose either the typical Chinese round tables or western long tables setting. This gives modern couples more flexibility in table arrangements.

Credit: Singaporebrides.com
Chinese wedding banquet setting in CHIJMES Hall

Perks

Compared to hotel wedding banquet packages, the perks given are lesser. If you are considering the deluxe package, it does not come with a complimentary hotel stay. (That also means there will be no helpers’ room!)

The coordinator told us that we can book a hotel through them to enjoy special rates, and we can choose from partnering hotels such as Noemi Hotel (which is quite a distance away in my opinion). This means that if you intend to shower before preparing for the banquet, you will have to get to the hotel and freshen up before either dolling up directly in the hotel room or head over to CHIJMES’ make up room behind the CHIJMES Hall before dolling up. Having only one make-up room also means that if there was a lunch banquet before yours, you will not be able to use the make-up room earlier.

Credit: watabe-wedding.com.sg
Make-up Room extracted from official webpage

Parking is another real issue due to the limited capacity within CHIJMES. Guests are encouraged to park at other nearby carparks. This means that your guests will potentially have to walk a distance in their Sunday Best and have to pay for parking out of their own pockets.

Dining

The cuisine provided by CHIJMES is prepared by Tung Lok (Chinese) and Prive Catering (Modern/ Western). That probably means you can expect pretty high standards from the banquet dining. Do note however, if you choose modern/ western cuisine for your banquet, the food tasting is limited to two pax only.

Experience

Last year, Mr R attended a chinese wedding banquet at CHIJMES and was seated behind one of the many pillars. He mentioned he couldn’t really see what was happening on stage and the sound system didn’t help much. He couldn’t really participate in the celebration because of that. If you are not looking at placing the maximum number of tables, do avoid placing too many tables behind the pillars.

Credit: watabe-wedding.com.sg
Extract of wedding banquet round table setting for CHIJMES
Pillars as indicated

He also mentioned that the portion was slightly insufficient for him. However, they practised individual portioning so 10 points to service!

On our own experience with the events management company, the recce went really smooth and we had a good impression of the coordinator. She told us we have seven days to consider or she will have to give the date to another couple. However, because of all the constraints and restrictions, we couldn't reach a decision after a week and they were unable to give us an extension.

They mentioned that we will have to join the waiting list and it will be dependent on whether the couples ahead take up the banquet date with them. Shortlisting a popular venue can be a rollercoaster ride too. *sigh* 

Credit: watabe-wedding.com.sg
CHIJMES: Chandeliers, stained glass windows, in a neo-gothic architecture setting

Pricing (Rates subjected to annual review)

2016/17 Lunch/ Dinner Banquet for Weekdays: from $1198++, min 15 tables

2016/17 Lunch/ Dinner Banquet for Fridays and Eve of Public Holidays: from $1398++, min 18 tables

2016/17 Lunch/ Dinner Banquet for Sundays and Public Holidays: from $1398++, min 20 tables

2016/17 Lunch/ Dinner Banquet for Saturdays: from $1498++, min 20 tables

Were you a CHIJMES dream couple? What do you think of the package offered? Tell us your real experience!

CHIJMES

30 Victoria Street #01-28 (CHIJMES Hall) S(187996)

Email: chijmes@watabe-wedding.com.sg

Contact: +65 63365320

Bridal Package Experience and Review: The Aisle Bridal

We decided to drop by Aisle Bridal’s Tanjong Pagar outlet on a Saturday. The place was small and had a totally different atmosphere from Flamingo. The interior was black and there was just a small row of gowns on the rack.

The Aisle Bridal @ Oxley Bizhub 2

The lady told us that we will be going to their Oxley Bixhub outlet for gown selection and indoor phototaking. The Tanjong Pagar outlet will be closed as the new gallery has better facilities and bigger space.

The ladies were friendly and we felt that they were sincere when they were trying to promote their package to us. After much haggling negotiation, we decided to settle on the Aisle package and take up their actual day photography services as well.

The Aisle Bridal @ Oxley Bizhub 2

I must admit that it was a rather impulsive decision as I had originally intended to visit a few more boutiques that I have shortlisted, but somehow I wasn’t feeling rational at the moment. :P

For a quick preview, the package we obtained came with the following:

Prewedding Photoshoot

-        Two white gowns (indoor and outdoor selection)

-        Two evening gowns (indoor and outdoor selection)

-        Two groom’s suits

-        Fresh flowers Bouquet (typically baby’s breath)

-        30 Poses

-        12” x 15” Wedding album with crystal cover

-        20” x 24” Photo Frame

-        8” x 10” Tabletop photo frame

-        Bride and groom make up and hairdo (indoor)

-        Outdoor night scenery included

Actual Day Session

-        Wedding gown (open selection)

-        Evening gown (open selection)

-        Teadress or kua (we traded this off)

-        Two Groom’s suits (Groom to buy his own shirt)

-        Accessories and Veil (accessories on loan were earrings, necklaces, hair accessories)

-        Fresh hand bouquet (choose from their default album)

-        Six fresh corsages (two for groom, one each for parents)

-        Bridal car decoration (to drive car over the evening before for decorations, standard artificial flowers with sash)

-        Trial makeup for bride

-        Actual Day and Night make up and hairdo

-        Six jiemei corsages

-        Two father’s jackets

Add-on

-        Actual Day photography

-        10-hour coverage

-        All photos returned in soft copy

Promotion (this promotion seems to be always ongoing though)

-        Free prewedding MV (if you choose this, they will have a videographer on the day of your prewedding photoshoot so that you can have a ‘behind-the-scenes’ video to show on your wedding day)

-        Family Photos with free Mother’s make up (comes with three photo frames, 16” x 20” and two 8” x 10”)

-        Free 24 4R photos (The photos must be repeated and you have to choose from your 30 poses. We took 3 sets of 8 photos for our parents and ourselves)

We chose the three free frames but requested to use our own wedding photoshoot photos instead because it makes more economical sense. The family photos will eat into our 30 poses quota and the time taken to coordinate and get all the family members to turn up for a short photography session (which again will take up our wedding photoshoot time as well) is too much work.

In my honest opinion, it will be better to engage another family studio to take dedicated family photos instead.

Check out our subsequent updates on our Aisle journey if you are keen to shortlist and visit Aisle Bridal as well!

Source: The Aisle Bridal
Local artistes Qi Yuwu and Rui En in The Dream Makers II

The Aisle Bridal Boutique and Gallery

Opens 12nn – 9pm (Closed every Tuesday)

Location: 62 Oxley Bizhub 2, Ubi Road 1, #01-24/25, S(408734)

Contact: +65 62896888

Wedding Roadshow Experience and Review: Why we wouldn't go to a Bridal Fair again

There are two major categories of events that are vigorously promoted online - Bridal Fairs and Hotel Showcases. The former boosts of attractive discounts, lucky draw bundles, freebies, and a wide range of vendors for wedding couples to consult and consider.

Source: theweddingvowsg.com
Banquet setting for Capella Singapore

I am someone who falls easily into consumer traps and so after we decided on the auspicious date to get married, we went to our first bridal fair held at a major shopping centre feeling all hopeful and excited.

Sadly, it was our last bridal fair as well.

The fair we went to was a small event. There were a few bridal boutiques, photography services, and misc vendors. I have low energy level so a small event isn’t a problem. In fact, as an afterthought, I was more than glad that it was a small event and hence allowed us to get out of the place as fast as we could. D’:

Source: herworldplus.com
Marina Mandarin Hotel Showcase Promotional Highlights

We walked into the fair and was greeted by a polite and earnest middle-aged lady who invited us to listen to what her bridal boutique has to offer. We were almost persuaded into signing because it sounded like a really good deal and she sounded really honest and customer-oriented. Anyway, we decided to hold the horses because that was the first stop, and we continued on the treacherous journey.

We were then stopped by this younger man, who enthusiastically tried to entice us to go over to their bridal boutique booth. Mr R however, didn’t really consider the boutique as one of our choices so we tried to politely reject the man and go on our way. This is when we got a rude shock of our lives.

The man insisted, why can’t we listen to them when we just listened to another bridal boutique’s pitch?

Source: quickmeme.com
Our faces at that moment

I was wide-eyed with bewilderment. As consumers, we have the right to decide how we want to spend our time right? Why must you, a vendor, be all agitated and angry at us because we listened to your competitor’s sales pitch but chose not to do so for yours? Anyway, this behaviour further affirmed our decision.

Our third encounter was with a bridal boutique that specialises in overseas photoshoot. We were not looking at travelling (budget, time, budget) and their local photoshoot samples didn’t wow us much, so we passed it up.

In between all the listening and shuffling from booths to booths, we were faced with many aggressive salespersons trying their best to pull us to their booths. It was a frightening experience really. I feel like a plankton in the sea without any say and had to be pushed here there and everywhere by the strong currents.

Source: spongebobia.com
Plankton from Spongebob Squarepants

After the third encounter we decided it was time to retreat, so we walked as fast as we could towards the exit. I have never felt so relieved in my life.

So back to the first boutique, we decided to google reviews of the boutique as we were keen to sign up with them. Reviews online were mostly negative, with many couples saying that they signed up because of the earnest salespersons, but the service and experience with the actual crew was disappointing.

I guess we really have no luck with such events. *shrug*

How was your experience with bridal fairs? Have you met aggressive pitchers and were as traumatised as us?

Share your stories with us!

Bridal Package Experience and Review: Flamingo Bridal

One of the events I was looking forward to was the Pre-Wedding Photoshoot. 

After all, who doesn’t want to look pretty and get VIP treatment for possibly the very first and last time in her life? (Ok, it probably is because I don’t get invited to balls or black tie events much eh.)

Source: TNP
Taiwanese Celebrity Jay Chou and Model-Actress Hannah Quinlivan captured in their fairy tale wedding photoshoot

Source: TNP
Taiwanese Celebrity Jay Chou and Model-Actress Hannah Quinlivan captured in their fairy tale wedding photoshoot

So with the help of my best friend, Google, I started browsing local bridal boutiques and asking friends for recommendations. Online bridal forums such as Singaporebrides are useful for reading up on actual couples' experiences with bridal studios as well.

The first boutique I physically checked out was Flamingo Bridal.

Flamingo specialises in bespoke wedding gowns so you will be able to wear that uniquely yours dream dress for the big day. One of the more notable clients they have recently is the famous DJ Peifen.

Source: Flamingo Bridal Facebook Page
Local DJ-Host Lim Pei Fen with her customised Flamingo wedding gown

My cousins had engaged Shirley’s services for their wedding and they were really happy with the end results. From what I understand, the bridal boutique will retain the wedding dress and you will be able to keep the evening gown. The wedding dress will be available off the rack for other brides-to-be. You can choose to keep the wedding dress for a small top-up fee. 

Located at Duxton road (beside Pince and Pints), the cosy boutique had a simple and yet welcoming interior. We walked in and was welcomed by their designer, Shirley Li. The lady was warm and unpretentious and I took a liking to her immediately.

Source: Flamingo Bridal Facebook Page
Bridal couple Jon & Kell with Flamingo's customised evening gown

I told her I like the classic ball gowns and lots of lace (think Duchess of Cambridge with a 20kg weight gain). She showed us three off-the-rack gowns and suggested designs based on my body shape and likes. She encouraged me to try on the A-Line gowns instead as ball gowns will apparently make me literally look like a ball L (ok she didn’t say that but I guess it was implied haha)

In any case, I really liked the off-the-rack gowns I tried on, and so we started enquiring about the bridal package.

For brides who like customisation and flexibility, I suppose Flamingo Bridal is really the place for you. The basic package comprises of a bespoke wedding dress, an evening gown, a tailor-made suit for the groom, and other services such as flower bouquets and actual day make-up/ hairdo. For pre-wedding photoshoot, depending on which photography partner you choose, the price will be slightly different. They work with several partners such as Lightbox and Samuel Goh.

Source: Flamingo Bridal Facebook Page
Fresh Flower arrangement by Flamingo Bridal

All in all, the final packaged pricing was above my budget, so sadly I was unable to commit to it despite being really swayed by the gorgeous dresses.

If you do not have a tight budget like I do, and enjoy dedicated and personalised services, I strongly recommend you to give Flamingo Bridal a try. Do note that most of the wedding dresses I have seen are more subtle and simple though. If you prefer dresses that speak out more, you will probably have to communicate with Shirley and assess further. She is not pushy at all and was nice even after I told her we need more time to consider.

Remember to give her a call or make an appointment before stopping by, as she may not be around all the time!

Source: Flamingo Bridal Facebook Page

Sharing is caring! Do share your experience with us here so that others can benefit from it too! :)

Flamingo Bridal

Opens 12nn – 8pm (Mondays – Fridays), 12nn – 7pm (Saturdays)

Location: 31 Duxton Road S(089495)

Contact: +65 62262728