The Wedding Solemnization was held at the ground level of New Majestic Bar. The theme of the first level is "Trunks & Roots". You will not find trees and roots strewn all over the bar, but you find the interior design and objects that re-creates a scene of a mythical forest. An observant eye will notice the brown columns on the walls which represent the trunks and metallic artefacts made to look like insects of the forests. While the green sofa spanning across the bar represents the undergrowth along with boulder-like round bean-bags, the colourful panels of the ceiling lights gives an impression of light rays penetrating through the leaves in the canopy.
When we were still hunting for our venue, we considered a few places. I have an affinity with the Bukit Pasoh precint, and fell in love with New Majestic Hotel when I discovered this gem. Then when Fiona learnt about this place from the magazines, she told me about the New Majestic Hotel & Bar. It came as such coincidence that we independently discovered and fell in love with this place, hence we were certain that New Majestic Hotel would be our venue. Following that, everything simply fell in place.
We were delighted to be offered complimentary use of the New Majestic Bar for the Wedding Solemnization, since we were holding their lunch reception at New Majestic Restaurant. Thanks to Grace for facilitating to our requests.
I had intended to do up the basic decorations earlier, however, I was only able to enter the bar from 11:30 a.m. onwards. In the end, I came down at 12 noon and some guests were already at the bar. Nevertheless, it did not take me long to get the table set up.
Though the traditional thinking will be to avoid anything that is possibly inauspicious, such as the "Corpse Bride", on such a day. We loved the "Corpse Bride" movie and long thought of unravelling my mint 12-inch "Victor and Emily" figurines and having them share our limelight on the 8th of August (It is probably an excuse to finally open up one my treasured collection piece).
Despite 08.08.08 is the eigth day of the Lunar Seventh Month, we have researched and concluded that the day of 08.08.08 is an auspicious day for wedding solemnization. Furthermore, the time we have chosen was the most auspicious time of that day. Though we were not at all particular and superstitious, it is good to know that we have got our timing right!
Most importantly, 08.08.08 is one day that occurs only once in our lifetime. Marking this date with three lucky numbers '8' as our wedding day, is our ultimate blessing.
Coincidently, 08.08.08 is also the opening day of the Beijing Olympics 2008. This way, we can never forget our anniversary date! :p
Let us now join our families and friends as we revisit the moments of our Wedding Solemnization.
Invited guests (randomly arranged) are:
William's Dad & Mum
Fiona's Dad & Mum
Victor and wife Floria
Kelvin
Lester
Fiona's aunt Violet
William's aunt
Laurens
Benny
Mak
Elizabeth
Xiao Yun
Vivien
Michele and husband Puay Sim
Agnes
Angeline
Christie
Nicole and daughter Saphire
Anngie
Donny
Ahmed
Bernard and wife Sze Wai
Jason
Jane
Shufen
Cedric
By 12:30 p.m., all our guests had already arrived at the bar. We sincerely apologize for any slack in hospitality. Others could also tell that I was very excited. Indeed I was.
Dr. Ang Beng Choo, our Solemnizer came shortly around 1 p.m.. We were very honored to have Dr. Ang to be our solemnizer. She is a well-learnt and wise lady who is a retired Professor in established foreign Universities. Till today, she still gives back to the society by supervising PhD students in Linguistics and Psychology. In Singapore, she is a respected person in the Ministry of Education. Despite all her great achievements, she is a very humble lady, attributed to her practise in Buddhism.
A big "Thanks" to my brother, Victor and wife Floria, for helping me fetch Dr. Ang to our venue.
Also a huge "Thanks" to Cedric, for helping me send Dr. Ang back after the event.
Without much delay, Dr. Ang began the solemnization. We were both made to take our standard solemnization oaths. Jokingly, Dr. Ang praised me for listening to her questions and answering them appropiately. Following that, we exchanged our rings. We did a little customization to this procedure by putting the rings and ring pillow into a small lamp. We will each then have to retrieve the ring from inside the lamp.
Starting with the groom then bride, we recited our customized vows before slipping the ring onto each other's ring finger. For those who didn't know what we were talking about, our vows came about from the movie "Corpse Bride". The last sentence was added in by us.
Our Vows
"With this hand, I will lift your sorrows.
Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine.
With this candle, I will light your way in darkness.
With this ring, I ask you to be mine.
Do you accept this ring and be my lawfully wedded wife/husband?"
A video clip from the movie "Corpse Bride"
where Victor Everglot recites his vows in a forest
and accidentally asked Emily, the Corpse Bride, to be his wife.
At the end of the solemnization, Dr. Ang tested us on a lesson that she had given us earlier on. This lesson was about the "Four Investments in a Marriage". Though our minds completely blanked out, Dr. Ang was very kind to remind us once again and also to share with everyone, this important lesson.
The "Four Investments in a Marriage" include:
(1) Invest in books to enrich our knowledge and upgrading of our skills.
(2) Invest in our parents and parents-in-laws, to show our appreciation and love for them, such as buying them the food that they love.
(3) Invest in our love by occasionally giving each other gifts, irregardless of monetary value, praising each other in both good and bad situations
(4) Invest for monetary benefits in event of any 'rainy' days.
Dr. Ang also reminded us that we should always say the three words to each other everyday. The three words, "I Love You", should be said to each other in the morning, afternoon and in the night.
Lastly, Dr. Ang advised us to be charitable and generous to the needy whenever we can.
And now we are Officially Man & Wife!
Written by William Tan
(Exclusive access only)
Next Up: Lunch Reception @ New Majestic Restaurant
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