The Wedding Preparation (Part 1: Where to start???)

Pardon me for the very late entry of this series of blogposts...I know some of you have been waiting very long for the details of my self-planned wedding (some even called/FB/pm-ed me and my husband)...grrrhhh, so sorry. I initially wanted to post these entries right after my wedding but what held me back until now was....*ahem* busy baby-making. LOL. Ok, jokes aside. My sister in law engaged some same wedding vendors for her wedding in March this year. Hence, I thought it would be best if I keep my comments until her wedding is over. 

Many have asked me where and how I got the contacts of the vendors. Majority were obtained from online wedding directories and forums, while some were recommendations from friends and relatives. Here are some of the Malaysia's online wedding forums and websites that I find useful:

http://www.wedresearch.net/ (has a long list of vendors all over Malaysia

with countless, unbiased customer reviews)

http://signatureweddings.asia/

http://weddingsmalaysia.com/

http://www.theweddingnotebook.com/tag/malaysia/

http://www.malaysiaweddinghub.com/

http://www.wedding.com.my/

http://www.bridemalaysia.com/

In order to ease the vendor hunting and selection process, it would be best if you already have sorted the following with your fiance' (and not forgeting your in-laws/parents): 

1. Type of wedding ceremony you're looking for (outdoor/indoor/destination wedding, 

     banquet dinner/luncheon, church ceremony)

2. Wedding date

3. Approximate number of guests
4. Budget allocation for each item 
    Tip 1: Download the wedding planning & budget checklists from wedding webpages like 
    theknot.com. Keep all the details in a wedding folder for easy reference. 

The first wedding item you should be searching for is, I would say, reception venue. Popular venues on "good dates" are quickly booked out, so book early! (I booked mine almost a year ahead). Here's a useful link, compiling majority of the wedding venues in Malaysia with details of price (though not the latest revised price), seating capacity and customer feedbacks: 

http://www.wedresearch.net/p/venue-search_4.html
(Note: you need password to access the page. 
Get your free access by emailing to wedresearch@gmail.com)

There are some points you need to take into consideration when deciding the venue: 

1. Capacity - can the venue accommodate the size of your guest list?

2. Accessibility - should be centrally located with ample parking. Easy transportation and 

    nearby accommodation for outstation guests. 

3. Restrictions - some locations especially religious venues have strict guidelines on attire, 

    music, photography, videography, decorations, etc. So, do take note. 

4. Plan B options (for outdoor weddings) in case of unforeseen weather - do check the 

    alternatives available 

5. Customers' reviews - service, food, decoration provided, etc. 

Tip 2: Short list the venues selected and make a trip down to all of them (or until you have found the ONE). Bring your fiance' and/or a close friend. Have a look yourself. Speak to the person in charge. Do not book a venue based solely on what you see over the venues' website. The pictures displayed could be very deceiving and you may not be getting as what shown in the pictures.

JW and I went surveying some of the short-listed venues until we found the one fit for our wedding: Setia City Convention Centre (SCCC). We chose this among the few others because:
1. The wedding package offered was within our budget (RM1188++ per table)
2. The convention hall could cater to the size of my guest list (minimum number of tables: 
    30; can cater up to 200 tables, for banquet seating arrangement)
3. I am totally in love with the lush gazebo & outdoor landscape (fits my garden wedding 
     theme)
4. Ample parking 
5. Easily accessible by NKVE and not as jammed as KL/PJ areas during the weekends 
6. New, clean with no foul carpet odour
7. It's only 3 minutes drive from Jer Wei's house...Hence, I can easily run to & forth for the 
    preps :)

SCCC, which was only recently opened in November 2012, is strategically located within the commercial hub of Setia City, in the heart of Setia Alam Township in Shah Alam. 

We took the cheapest Chinese Wedding Dinner Package (Cassia Blossom Package) which included the following: 

- Selection of 9 course Chinese Banquet with free flow of Chinese tea

- Food tasting of selected menu for 8 guests (I managed to nego for additional 2 guests)

- Complimentary use of in-house PA system (for wedding dinner only)

- Free usage of LCD projector with screen for wedding presentation show

- 2 bottles of sparkling juice with 5-tier champagne fountain for toasting ceremony 

- Complimentary corkage for one bottle of wine/liqour for each table

- Pre-plated service for bridal table

- 5-tier dummy cake for cake cutting ceremony

- Door gifts (local pralines) for each guest

- Complimentary floral arrangements and decorations for ballroom and foyer (very minimal)

- Red carpet for wedding march

- Foyer electronic signage for wedding presentation

- Rehearsal for 3 hours on event day (early access for pre-set or rehearsal is chargeable 

  at minimum room rental price)

- Use of private bridal suite with refreshment   

- Complimentary use of gazebo for garden wedding solemnisation 

- Complimentary bridal car park & 2 VIP guests parking at main entrance

- Flat rate parking of RM3 nett per entry for invited guests

Complimentary gazebo use 

View from inside of the gazebo

Special LED lighting effects

The introductory price was RM1188 ++ per table of 10 and the minimum number of tables was 30 then. Below are SCCC's latest packages for western & chinese weddings. Should you be interested, do give them a call.

Chinese Wedding Celebration SCCC.pdf

CASSIA BLOSSOM 1388.pdf

MAGNOLIA BLOSSOM 1488.pdf

PEONY BLOSSOM 1588.pdf

WESTERN BANQUET 158 _8 PAX PER TABLE_ _1_.pdf


Up next: reviews of my wedding vendors...I hope to put the next entries up ASAP but I'm going to labour soon...so please bear with me. :)

xoxo,
Carmen