Wedding Favours

The topic of discussion today is; wedding favours.  Just incase anyone missed my title. 

My favours have already been sorted; I know exactly what I want.

These personalized hard candy lollies are made in Melbourne and taste great!  They're the most popular choice as gifts right now because of the fact that you can have your name and date written on it and modify it to suit any Event.

Their minimum order is 10kg which works out to be about 5000 pieces.  Divide that by 300 guests and each guest (Mr and Mrs) will get about 16 pieces.  Kevin has been fighting with me about this because he reckons 3 or 4 lollies per person is more than enough.  I don't understand his logic.

My dilemma right now is the type of container to present them in.  I've looked at lots of fancy choices like little mint/ candle tins, or fancy heart shaped jars etc.  But ultimately I need to remember that;

i) I'm not going to carry glass jars to Fiji
ii) People are going to discard the container once they finish the lollies

So the mostly likely choice is:


clear plastic pillow pack

These clear pillow packs come flat, so we girls will need to build an assembly line where we put the packs together, scoop out 16 lollies for each packet, then stick on the 'thank you' stickers.

So this is one task you'll all be helping out with!

Ant and I were discussing what type of transport we should choose.  My response?  'I want a mini van!!'  His response, 'No, don't be silly.'

I'm shattered.  Because I really wanted something spacey and comfortable.  Definitely no limo's for me.  Or champagne for that matter.  Sorry Sue!

Save The Date

Saturday Sept 24th,2011.

I would have much preferred Sept 10th because it has a nice ring to it, ie; 10/9/11.  That way I'll never forget my anniversary!

Anyway so the 10th doesn't suit because.

The 17th isn't auspicious, according to my dad.

So the 24th it is!

Apparently Novotel have 3 different rooms available for hire.  Initially we were going for the second largest, the Convention Centre.  It is estimated to sit 400 people.  Then we find out this is 400 people without tables which is completely no good to us!

So we're booking the Entertainment Centre which sits 500 people, without tables.  This should translate to seating approximately 300 people comfortably, with tables.

Our colour theme will be red and gold; Mugs should have a bit to say about this!  I'm not ripping off you colour theme Mugs; these are the only colours they provide in terms of chair sashes and possibly table runners.  The table cloth and chair covers will be white.

Ant sent me some pictures of the Entertainment Centre; it's almost 360degrees ceiling to floor glass doors.  There is no a/c but there are lots of ceiling fans.

Floor to ceiling doors with deck in front

The many pillars

More pillars

My first reactions was, 'Omg, ugly white fold out tables and dodgy chairs.'

Then 'Oh great, so we'll all be swatting mosquitoes all night!'

But Ant said they had already organized to buy citronella candles so that's a relief.

Everyone might have been wondering why my last post was titled 'Cutlery & Plates $5'  Because that's the cost per person for a cutlery pack which includes dinner plates, knife, fork, spoon and paper serviettes.

So if you drop your knife/ fork/ spoon on that night, you can pay $5 yourself for another one. 

cutlery & plates $5

The Kan guest list has been finalized.

We have 100 people on ours which fits perfectly within what we have been allocated.

Initially it was supposed to be;

200 Yam Family
100 Kan Family

50 Ant and I

However, we've since revised that idea because 350 is too large a number.  Not only that, it's also because we want to be able to navigate through the tables comfortably.

So Ant and I will incorporate our friends into our parents list to keep it at 300.  I have 10 seats and I think that should suffice  :)

Now I just need to wait for Ant to check with the Hotel if we can get some rooms for cheap.  It'd be nice if the girls all slept over on the night before the wedding and all ride to Church together.

Much is still to be discussed, such as the start time for each activity.  We're going to have a tea ceremony inbetween the Church ceremony and Reception.

My first tea ceremony!!

According to Google: In the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony, both the bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and serve them tea. That is a way to express their gratitude. In front of their parents, it is a practice for the married couple to say, "Thank you for bringing us up. Now we are getting married. We owe it all to you." The parents will usually drink a small portion of the tea and then give them a red envelope, which symbolizes good luck. Another variant is for the to-be daughter-in-law to serve tea to her to-be parents-in-law, symbolizing that she is to become a part of the latter's family.

I'm currently trying to find a tea set like the above - black on the inside, red on the outside with and a gold 'double happiness' design.

It'll be a pretty little keepsake after the wedding!

When's the Date?

The answer is; TBA


Ant has finally managed to make a booking with the Event Co-ordinator at Novotel Convention Centre!

The ever elusive woman returned his phone call today after he twice tried to get in touch with her in the week gone.  An appointment has been set for Tuesday 10am.  We can finally discuss pricing and possible dates!  Not to mention see the venue because I have never been.

The ball is truly rolling because his Priest is also going to ring the priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral's to set up an appointment for Ant's family to see him.

And he's also been told who will head our pre-marital counseling so his mum will be contacting them to find out the requirements because it's a bit hard for me to fly in if there will be many sessions at different times etc.

So it sounds like I've done nothing right?  Wrong!  I have been dutifully dress shopping, as much as I hate it.

Especially when the saleswoman insists on being IN the changing room to help you in and out of the dresses while you are practically naked.  But luckily this was only at one place.  And my underwear didn't have holes, whew!

I made Lyn stay in the change room to help me at the second bridal shop, so the saleslady had to satisfy herself with waiting outside the curtains.  Ha!

Checklist: 12 - 10 months

I am trying to be proactive about my wedding planning so there will be numerous posts on how I'm going in the coming months!

According to an online wedding site, my Checklist 12-10months before the wedding should look like this;

I think we know what we'd generally like. Besides whitening my teeth, I've considered everything else.

The guest list is a toughie because we're anticipating the majority of guests will be our respective parents' guests. 

Novotel Convention Centre sits 350 people apparantly, so I've tentatively estimated the guests will be;

• 200 Yam side
• 100 Kan side
• 50 Ant and I

A while back I asked people who were going to Hong Kong or China to find me some sample wedding invitations.  (It was a surprise to me when Ant said he wanted traditional Chinese invites but I am happy to go along with it).

My Uncle from China sent these.  My first reaction was: YUCK;



Auspicious Wedding Dates 2011

I've been told to get cracking on my wedding planning.

Everyone is keen to know the date so that they can apply for leave.  I myself need to know the date so that I can take the time off!

According to most wedding timelines, I'm supposed to have sent the Save The Date cards out by now.  Ha, I haven't even set the date!

Google has told me the below are auspicious dates for 2011 weddings;

Ideally Ant and I would have preferred August.  We've been told however August falls into July on the Lunar Calendar which is a very bad month as it is the month for ghosts.

It's not something I understand but I'm sure my friend Google can explain it to me if I can be bothered to type it in and read it all.  Right now that's a meh.

So for everyone who wants to know the date, put in your leave for September.  Ant is going to check with the priest (Sacred Heart) and venue (Novotel Convention Centre) whether Sept 3rd is available.  Then 10th if not.

(I know Sept 3rd isn't highlight as an auspicious date, but I'm pretty sure my dad said it was.  Or maybe he said it wasn't......I wasn't really paying attention to my own wedding date to be honest) 

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be getting married.  I would just prefer it to be a simple civil ceremony with my bestest buds and family.  Then buffet dinner where I can stuff my face.

Bye Anthony!

I've just come back from seeing Ant off at the airport.

We're not very fond of long drawn out goodbye's so it's usually just a hug and kiss; very tear-free.

This trip was a long one - he arrived in Brisbane on Friday Dec 10th 2010.  Stayed in Brisbane for a week then came to Melb Friday 17th and stayed with his mum's Aunty at Forest Hill.  Then they came to mine from Dec 23rd.  His family left on 1 Jan 2011.

This morning we woke up at the early hour of 8:30am to have breakfast with Leny Cel and Faye.  8:30am is the earliest time we've gotten up during the 3 weeks he was here!  I blame my late bedtime and wake ups on his negative influence on me.

Cel has been here since Thursday on holiday, and she, Leny, Faye and Angie had gone out clubbing the night before.  Ant and I had preferred a quiet night so we'd gone to Melbourne Central's Tamadochi sushi train for dinner instead.  Breakfast was at Soul Cafe on Swanston Street (cnr Bourke).

I had an Eggs Benedict and a half strength latte.  It was a lightly toasted muffin with two sunny side up eggs on smoked salmon with pesto sauce.  I polished it all off, ontop of the bratwurst I'd bought from Victoria Market.  I must've been very hungry!

Then we had tea at Ren Tea which is opposite the road.  They specialize in Chinese tea - 'Hong Kong style Tea' is what they have written on their shopfront glass window.

The girls all had a taro milk tea with pearls on Leny's recommendation.  Tasted sweet with a light starchy aftertaste.  I had the rose black white tea which was like a normal tea, except with rose buds.  Yum. 

Below are pics of Ant saying good bye to the girls...

As you can see, they weren't really that interested.  Flitter was more intent on trying to blend in with the tree and White Chicken was having a grand time dirt bathing.

Frankston Beach Waterfront Festival

One of the best things to do in summer is to go to the beach; and you can tell I'm having a good summer when my last two posts and current post are about the lovely beaches we have in Melbourne.

Today Paul and Oy drove us to Frankston Beach to see their annual waterfront festival (including evening fireworks).  The Festival runs from today Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th.

It was a sunny 25 degrees while we were driving South East.  The temperature must have climbed higher during the 40min drive because by the time we arrived, it was absolutely sweltering.

In fact, during the ride in, Anthony and I had to swap seats in the car because the sun was shining on him and he complained his 'bum was getting sweaty'

While Frankston Beach is known to be one of the cleanest beaches in Melbourne, the water was quite murky due to the recent heavy rain we've been having.  That didn't stop people from having a swim; nor did it stop the sea gulls from bobbing in the shallows, as shown in Pict 4.

There was a live band performing, food stalls of each variety, beer garden, free water stations, health and fitness stalls, and numerous rides from the tame tea cups to the more death defying sky screamer which was like a merry-go-round, except hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh up in the air.  

After walking under the hot sun for 30minutes, we had a seat at the many outdoor umbrellas, picnic tables and chairs set out.  I didn't think to take a hat or wear sunscreen, so all I had to shade myself from the sun were my sunnies and knee length black dress.

This is the result; sunburned chest and arms.  Uneven on the chest, I might add.

 

And to top it off, I forgot to buy some after-sun lotion for tonight, so it is Not going to be a good good night.

On the ride home, Ant and I fell asleep on the back seat.  Unfortunately for Paul, I didn't realize I was lying on some Reese's peanut butter cup chocolates I'd brought along for the ride.  It was soft from being in the hot car all day, and when I woke up from my nap, his seat and the side of my dress was smeared with chocolate.

Now he'll have a peanuty smell in his car and will always be reminded of me :)

All in all, Frankston Beach is all that it's cracked up to be.  Just remember to slip slop slap and wear a hat!

St Kilda Beach and Beachcomber Cafe

Today was another scorcher and most of it was spent at home where it was cool indoors!

After waking up at 7am to let the girls out, I stumbled back into bed and woke up again at the late hour of 10:30am.  And it was only because my cousins were outside loudly ringing the doorbell!

They finally left at 3pm; which is about the same time that May woke up so that we could finally go bridal shopping!  Shopping for wedding dresses really isn't that fun.  But seeing as this is only my second time around, I shouldn't be so quick to dislike it.

More to come later on how that goes.

After dress shopping, May and I met up with Ant at Borders where he was doing his usual free reading.  From Melb Central, Paul and Oy picked us up to go to St Kilda for dinner.

We ate at the Sea Baths which is right on the Esplanade, with views of the beach.  The Restaurant was called Beachcomber Cafe. 

Oy, Paul and I inside Beachcomber, the food, Ant and I on the beach

The food was good - and for the prices they charged it shouldn't have been anything less!  Oy and Ant had the Fisherman's Basket which was au$36 and although pricey, was quite worth it with prawn and scallop skewers, battered mussels, fish bites and fries.

I had the au$20 Beach Burger which had a yummy relish and huge beef patti, and fries.  I also ordered wedges which cost about au$12 and a huge waste seeing as our meals came with fries.

Paul, Mr Gluten-free, had the risotto which was the smallest portion on our table, but he declared it as being yummy.  Most of the waiters there are backpackers on a working visa, ours was a lovely French guy who needed to refer us to another waiter to understand what 'gluten free' meant.

Outside Beachcomber Cafe's parking lot - see if you can spot Ant who happened to walk into view with Paul after they parked the car. 

Williamstown Beach

The temperature was a warm 30 degrees today which instantly meant 'beach!'

I took Ant to Williamstown Beach, which is conveniently under 40min away from where I am.

To get to Williamstown, we caught the tram to Moonee Ponds interchange then hopped onto the 472 bus which took us right up to the Esplanade.  How's that for Melbourne bus service?

For a work day, the beach was quite full so I can only surmise most people were taking an extended holiday like I am.  The majority of people there were kids on school holidays and young tots with life's free babysitters; their grandparents.

Today I learnt a very valuable lesson; do NOT go to the beach with your Ant.  He was a huge pain in the rear end and disagreed with practically everything I wanted to do.  We were grumpy with each other the entire hour we were there.  It was only an hour because he didn't want to go in the first place, so I compromised by saying we wouldn't do the whole tanning and swimming thing.  Little did I know it meant a grand total of 1 hour only on the beach with Mr Grouchy.

However despite his poor attitude and disdain for Melbourne beaches, I took the below snaps

Costco and Buckley Park

The house is so much more quiet now that Anthony's family have left.

Not that I'm complaining; I no longer have to wake up early (or feel bad that I overslept and they had to put their own breakfast together - which happened most mornings anyway).

Anthony and I are able to take it easy, sit at Borders sipping coffee while indulging in lots of free reading.  Infact, we have so much time on our hands that most times we are at a loss as to what to do!  And we need to pace ourselves too or we'll run out of things to entertain ourselves with :o)

Yesterday being a public holiday, the siblings, partners and Ant and I went to Costco then the park with the boys.

Costco warehouse

Costco is a large warehouse (similar to Cost-u-Less in Fiji, but so much better stocked). Entry is for members only which makes it all the more exclusive but quite croweded still. A subscription is valid for 12months and gives you 2 membership cards - 1 for yourself and another for your friend/ family member. How do they ensure only members use the card? Your name and photo are on the card.

After a bit of shopping totaling au$279 (au$110 of which was for a stainless steel wardrobe for Anthony) we went over to Niddrie to hang out with the boys at the park playing footy.

Paul tackling Peter



Anthony chasing Jackson



Melbourne New Year 2011

It's New Year and the fireworks have finished and the weather has cooled down.

Today (31/12/2010) Melbourne experienced one of our famous heatwaves where the temperature reached 41 degrees and it was a windy 45 knots. The Yam's described it as being in an oven and Fiona exclaimed, 'the wind is making my eyeballs burn!'

Luckily our itinerary for the day was Highpoint Shopping Centre which was blissfully air conditioned.  Anthony and I did a quick tour then went to Borders for some free reading.  It was so hot that when Mr Yam popped out for a cigarette break, the heat was too much for him and he had to retreat indoors, sans nicotine hit!

We came home and had a quick shower and light dinner before leaving for the New Year Eve fireworks.

Melbourne was treated to two lots of 10minute firework spectacles - one at the family friendly time of 9:15pm and another for the adults at midnight at multiple spots within the City.

I took Anthony and his family to the 9:15pm one at Docklands and from the get go we had to fight and dodge our way onto the tram into the city, then wait ages for the Docklands tram which was naturally packed.  The Waterfront was packed with families and we contributed to the crowd.

After fighting our way onto the packed tram back into the City, we went to Pepperoni's which is my favourite pizza shops in the city.  We had a late dinner where we almost polished off 2 large pizzas, garlic bread and a 1.25litre drink as part of the au$29 deal.  I say Almost because had about 3 leftover slices.  Not too shabby considering we had Fiona with us and she doesn't eat much!