This is going to be a lengthly post as I would like to pen down our gowns and suits journey for #AwMayzingJourney.
Some couples fly overseas to get their suits and gowns down and some fly over specially for Bridal Veil. Lucky for us, both Bridal Veil and The Mens Club are located in Singapore, and conveniently, right in Orchard – Delfi Orchard – 402 Orchard Road.
When James first proposed, we were lost and since I was totally caught off guard, we had no idea where or what the next step was. Other than booking of the hotel, people often tells us to book my gowns early as the design that I want may be booked by other brides-to-be already. However, I wasn’t sure if I want my gowns to be rented or bespoke then. I also dislike the idea of wearing the same gowns as other brides so I was surely leaning towards bespoke more.
It didn’t take me long to make a decision. I made an appointment with Michelle from Bridal Veil and my mind and heart already knew what I wanted when I stood outside Bridal Veil for the first time – even before I entered the shop. The gowns and suits that were showcased behind the glass panels caught my attention. All of them look edgy yet elegant and classy.
I remember telling Michelle this “I want something that still speaks me and I can still look like myself at the end of the day.” The bottom line is – I don’t need anything too fanciful. I just want to be myself.
I was also given different fabrics and colors to choose from and I ended up with Satin and The Great Gatsby – Black, White and Champagne. I love satins because of the simplicity and shine.
Michelle knew exactly what I wanted and showed me sketches of the gowns that she had specially designed for me. To be honest, it was such a difficult decision because all of them were so beautifully drawn. How do I even settle with 1 out of the few? One point that she was spot on was that James is more daring than me in terms of dressing. My head turned to her when she said that and I went “wow.. she really took the time and effort to study our styles and characteristics.” Boy.. I was so touched.
After we are done with the designs selection, Michelle arranged for more appointments for me – from the skeleton fitting to the finalized measurements. If there is one thing that I do not have to worry about for my wedding, it would be our suits & gowns because I went to the right designer and team (Yi Xia & Cherie), the right friends.
Trust me when I said I do not have to worry a single bit about my Gowns. Michelle is a perfectionist. She thought of everything for me from my theme, to the designs and everything that you can think of.
My gowns are not exactly simple. Take a look at the picture below. The layerings were so perfect. I could almost feel their hardworking in putting the different layers together.
James had his suits designed by Colin from The Mens Club and it was always a joy having Colin around because he loves to joke around. Both Michelle and Colin are so nice that they treat every bride & groom as friends. By the way, The Mens Club also designs bespoke suits for the ladies if you ever need one.
James had 2 different suits designed by Colin, which I will not be revealing them at this post for now. Stay tuned for the second post.
Now, back to my gowns. I think everyone’s favourite has got to be the Pink Cheongsam I wore for my tea ceremony and sending off of the guests at night. Each flower was painstakingly hand cutout by Michelle and her girls from a Kimono fabric that Michelle had sourced from Japan. My mother-in-law even asked me to buy over the cheongsam so that I can wear it for future dinner(s).
One little issue I had was my tummy. I couldn’t bring myself to cut down on carbs during the fittings. Michelle kindly shared tips with me on the cutting down on cuts and how to walk in a cheongsam gracefully. I hope I didn’t disappoint her on my wedding night.
What can I conclude from my first post?
It is important to choose the correct people for your wedding. They literally strike off an item from your To-Worry-About list. We were very very fortunate to walk down the aisle in gowns and suits from Bridal Veil and The Mens Club. No words can describe how proud we feel to be dressed in them.
Stay tuned as I pen down the final designs and our feelings as we march down the aisle in them on my second post 🙂
bespoke
Customise Your Own Bespoke Cocktail at DRINK Cocktail Bar
Author: Alex Chua
Finding the perfect drinking spot that your friends or colleagues will enjoy is easy, now with the opening of DRINK at the historic site of Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall. DRINK the cocktail bar is the brainchild of FOO’D by David Oldani, the latter of which was conceptualised by Italian celebrity Chef Davide Oldani, Chef-owner of the 1 Michelin-starred D’O in Cornaredo, Italy.
This stylish metropolitan bar is helmed by award-winning mixologist Mike Cheong, who had clinched 8 international and regional awards including Asia’s Grand Champion in the 2015 La Maison Cointreau Cocktail Competition. While you might be intimidated by the ‘bourgeois’ façade and think the drinks would be pricey, the reality is further than the truth – the drinks here are in fact more affordable than you could imagine. And guess what, you could create and name your own bespoke cocktail while enjoying free-flow of complimentary canapes too!
Height is the first thing that arrests me when I first walk in. It’s high ceilings and Corinthian columns, coupled with the alcohol and wine bottles gloriously arrayed on tall glass shelves exudes the kind of modern sophistication that makes you feel taller and more confident than normal. The orangey orbs hanging above provide sufficient illumination for a private, cosy conversation without being too much of an obstruction. And you are free to move and sit anywhere you fancy– at the counter, sofa, or go alfresco.
The famed mixologist is known to create exquisite and visually-arresting (note: Instagram-worthy) cocktails. You can savour Mike’s latest exquisite cocktails like Guilty as Charged ($20) which is well balanced with sweetness, acidity and texture, or Court Adjourned! ($18) with its fruity punch and hints of melon and floral notes. Want a taste of Mike’s creativity? Simply spend $100 on alcoholic beverages and he will concoct a complimentary bespoke cocktail named after you!
Ordering your own bespoke cocktail is simple – just fill up the form with the drink name, favourite spirit(s), preferred flavour(s) and texture(s) and slot it on the bar counter. I called mine ‘Kway Lapis’ and had the spirits section left blank for the creative mixologist to surprise me with the blend. The resulting is solid whisky mixed with hints of pomegranate – hitting the desired sweet and savoury taste.
Pairing up with the cocktails and wines are the complimentary canapes, available every day from 6pm to 8pm – a time when pals and loved ones unwind over a glass of wine or light cocktail before dinner. The selection of canapes includes Duck Gelatin, Vol Au Vent Taleggio Cheese, Green Pea in Glass, Pea Shoot, Quail Eggs, Totmato with Crabmeat Zucca & Gambretto,, Mini Zuccotto, Assorted Jelly and more.
Also available are the sharing platters good for 2 to 4 persons. For the self-professed carnivores, The Meat Platter ($48) is the ideal choice. Featuring mini sliders, chicken wings, lamb chops, pork sausages and fries. The Seafood Platter ($68) features a delightful spread of oysters, grilled squid, tiger prawns, battered halibut and fries. If you want you can add a whole lobster ($28) to the platter – fresh, fleshy with meat and de-shelled.
Currently, DRINK is offering Happy Hour from 4pm to 8pm (1-for-1 selected cocktails, wines, spirits and beer) and Complimentary Chef-curated canapes from 6pm to 8pm. No more excuse not to give this new establishment a try!
DRINK Cocktail Bar
Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall
#01-01. 11 Empress Place, Singapore 179558
Operating Hours:
Mon – Sat: 4pm – 12am
Happy Hour: 4pm – 8pm
Closed on Sundays
Tel: 63853424