Looking back on our BIG day....

18 June 2006 - The day my hubby and I were inducted "customarily" into our respective families, the day where our ancestors, extended families and friends acknowledged that there are new additions to both families.

As predicted, the bride didn't get much sleep the previous night, partly because she was a little worried and nervous but most of all it was because of the "goal!!!" shouts coming up from Clarke Quay. Soccer fans were so enthutiastic that they stayed up the whole Saturday night to cheer on their favourite teams. Believe me, you can hear them very clearly way up on the 17th floor.

Bright (actually it wasn't even day break yet) and early on 18 June 2006, the bride woke up and started with the make-up and dressing. Then, the arrivals of her bridemaids and finally the photographer and videographers. Lucky we took the suite! Otherwise, we wouldn't have enough room to accommodate so many people! (you will see what i mean later on....)

The groom arrived around 9.30am to fetch his beautiful bride. And to his worst nightmare, he got to buy his way through to his bride (twice no less!), gulp down pure mashed papaya with milk and show his musculineness by doing push ups.

Look at him!!! The poor thing.... Taking papaya is so difficult for him, imagine if it were fish extracts? I think he'd rather not take his bride!!! haha... Fortunately, "papaya milkshake" happen to be one of his best buddies' favourite drink. So the lad lapped it all up with pleasure and gusto.....

After all those hassles, the groom finally got to his bride. As usual, we have to take shots after shots of "kisses". But what's "abnormal" is that they made my parents do the same!!! haha... So it's a rare sight but we're all happy about it and took it all with grace and good nature.

Group photo of the bride and her family, bridemaids, groom's buddies and welcoming committee...

14 + 2 (cameraman and videographer) + 8 relatives = 24

All crammed up in the suite!!!

Then, the couple and their entourage left for the groom's place in Toa Payoh. Midway through the journey, the bride suddenly remembers about the roast pork, oranges and pants! The groom frantically called all 3 following cars to check. Thanks to Stuart and Cindy, we didn't have to make a detour.

After paying respects to the elders and tea ceremony, the couple was served "Sweet Soup" containing the usual "zhao sheng gui zi" ingredients as well as a hard boiled egg which is required to be broken into two pieces with one stroke of the spoon. Mind you, it takes skills to do it, otherwise, you'd see a flying egg! Wouldn't that be a sight! haha...

After a light lunch, the couple left for their own home in Simei. We took more photos, the bride changed into the traditional "Kua" and prepared to leave for the hotel to catch some sleep before the banquet in the evening!

The photographer was thrilled to be greeted by a cross (St. George's cross = England's flag) in the dining hall. We all took turns with the flag. (However, as the World Cup saga unfolds, England was ousted by Portugal - much to majority's guess. )

Fortunately, we were all able to catch a little nap before the banquet begins.

We had very good guests. They started arriving around 7pm and the banquet managed to start around 8.20pm (and ended around 10.30pm). Early for Singapore standards, which usually starts around 9pm and ends at 11pm. Things went by with a whirl and before we know it, the whole banquet was over even with two march-ins, 1 slide show, speech by the couple and photo taking sessions. Thanks to all our helpers, things went smoothly without any hitches. No pressure on the couple at all...

It was a very beautiful day, a perfect night, a memorable event which we will remember for the rest of our lives.

We couldn't have done it without:

And of course, not forgetting:

THANK YOU!!!

You've made our day.