Wedding Guide Asia

When you walk into a wedding reception, the first thing you are going to look out for is that towering wedding cake and who can blame you? It’s what everyone remembers, besides the bride of course.

Start by searching online and magazines for ideas. If you have a wedding scrapbook stashed away somewhere, this is definitely the time to put it to good use.  Don’t know where to start? Here are three things that you need to do:

1. Plan

A wedding cake is a piece of art. And all pieces of art require ample time and dedication. So if you’re looking for something special and out of the ordinary, you need to plan at least 3 to 6 months ahead. Another important point is to make sure that there is enough cake for all of your guests.

2. Look for a Cake Designer

Your cake designer should be professionally trained and experienced. A good designer should be : (more…)

Back in 2002, Grant Thatcher realised there was a huge gap in the market when it came to travel guides for the stylish traveler. After all, not everyone is built for backpacking and some of us like it a little more plush, a little more… luxe.  So armed with an idea and a vision, he created LUXE City Guides, which has now become the staple for those who want to be ‘in the know’. With guides that cover destinations all over the globe, which tell you where to go when it comes to food, fashion and entertainment, it’s no surprise that these days, everyone needs a bit of LUXE.

Here’s our 5 mins with Grant Thatcher, founder & editor of LUXE City Guides:

There are many travel guides on the market, what makes LUXE City Guides so special?

First of all our guides have a sense of humour – a first for travel guides! But most of all we tell it like it is and we are not afraid to have a point of view. We tell you the best of the best and leave the rest. Not got a best friend in Seoul? Leave it to LUXE to show you around town.

How does LUXE find the best places in town?

We employ not only a local editor on the ground that knows the city inside out, but also we take the advice of around 20 stylish contributors who live and work in the city. We then send in our own editorial team to check out personally all the suggested entries. No other guide on the planet does this!

Tell us about LUXE online.

You can purchase your LUXE City Guides through our online store at www.luxecityguides.com . You can easily look through hotels, read in-depth reviews and book a room through our beautiful LUXE City Guides hotel & villa collections. How glamvenient is that! Don’t miss our blog, www.luxetasy.com which posts about the things that have caught the gimlet eye of our editors around the world.

LUXE also has mobile guides available! Good news for my Blackberry…

Yes, good news indeed. We have just launched Luxe City Guides mobile.

10 of our cities are now available in app format to download to many handsets including iPhone, Blackberry, Samsung and Nokia. And we are just about to launch 10 more! (more…)

How many times have you been faced with the dilemma of what to give as a gift at someone’s wedding? Lucky for you, WGA doesn’t just cater to brides and grooms, we also like to be of some help to the confused guests!

It’s common courtesy to bring a gift when you attend a wedding, the big question is what to give! Sure, it’s the thought that counts but let’s face it, we want to give something that the couple will actually be happy to receive. Registering for gifts hasn’t really made it big in Asia yet, so people still have to depend on their creativity.

Money or Coffee Maker?

Money seems to be an easy option, it’s definitely useful, especially for young couples, but consider how close you are to the couple before you decide on that, it may be practical but it is also rather impersonal. Besides, then you’ll have to face the big “how much is adequate” question.

Grandma's antique bracelet would make a great "something old"

If you’re close family, then you are probably leaning towards jewelry or valuables of some kind, no? Sometimes an antique bowl or grandma’s gold bracelet means a lot more than a pair of brand new pearl earrings (well sometimes…)

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Don’t you just hate it when the only thing between you and that dream honeymoon destination is last month’s credit card bill? But hey, who says you can only have a good time in Belize or Bora-bora? According to United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Malaysia was ranked 9^th in the world in international tourist arrivals last year, a whopping 23.6 million! Wondering where to go? Consider these tourist hotspots if you’re:

A Beach Bum

Imagine yourself basking in the sun with a Daiquiri in one hand and a book in another. Then, take a romantic stroll along the silky soft beach with your loved one and with your toes dipped in sand, enjoy a breathtaking view of the sunset. Tun Sakaran Marine Park (top) is a host to world-class dive sites and glorious coral reefs. Located 20 kilometers off the Semporna mainland, The Tun Sakaran Marine Park is the largest marine park in Sabah. A permit is needed for entry into the Park, and for all activities. It’s a touch arduous, but definitely well worth the effort.

For a livelier atmosphere, head to Sipadan (bottom right) and be entranced by its collection of bigger fish and abundance of turtles, sharks, and other marine life. Spend a few pampered nights in Sipadan Water Village, a luxury resort overlooking the Celebes Sea on the island of Mabu. If you’d like to rough it out, Perhentian Island, Terengganu (bottom left) is the way to go. The best time to visit the place would be from June to August, when the sea is calm and weather is good. Do call the chalets or hotels in advance as these three months are their busiest. (more…)

Everyone’s doing their bit to save the world, and it’s called going green. Nowadays ‘green’ weddings are becoming more and more of a big deal with the likes of Al Gore’s daughter (no surprise there!!) and Maya Karin keeping up with this trend. If you’re bent on keeping things eco-friendly for your wedding, these tips may come in handy!

1. Location

Set the tone of your green wedding by choosing an eco-friendly location. If you go for an outdoor wedding , choose a location that will show off the beauty of the environment. Have your wedding during the day to take full advantage of the sunlight (saves loads of electricity and pictures taken under natural lighting are so pretty!)

2. Invitations

Use recycled paper wherever possible for wedding invitations, most companies can offer this option. Also consider treeless paper made from materials such as bamboo, hemp and kenaf. Even the type of ink used for the invitation should be taken into account as some inks can be toxic. Weddings can generate a huge amount of paper consumption, so give careful thought to items that can be reduced. For example, instead of a program for everyone, perhaps one per couple or group.

3. Choose Eco-Friendly Rings

When it comes to choosing a ring, make sure to use jewelers that are green-friendly. More and more jewelers are using recycled gold and fair-labor gemstones. To make sure you are not purchasing a “blood diamond,” ask your jeweler about the origin of the stone.

4. Photos

Instead of sending out hundreds of paper based photographs, save on postage, processing and toxic chemicals by storing digital images on your wedding blog for family and friends to download as they please; printing out only what’s absolutely necessary.

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Most couples get pre-wedding shots done prior to the big day, but what about a video? If you’re not camera shy and can perhaps have a little acting streak in you, then this could be a great option.

Here’s another video from top wedding videographer, Jason Magbanua, who for this project was inspired by paper cranes, wedding clips and Mayad. I picked this one because it actually starts underwater which I think is pretty cool for a wedding vid! Check it out, Jason doesn’t do cheesy, typical shots… instead he makes every couple look like they’re starring in their own Hollywood romance. (more…)

The first wedding dance.

If you’re an extrovert, you’re probably excited at this chance to bask in the limelight!

If you’re an introvert, your heart is probably beating a little faster that usual.

Yes, it’s time to put your best foot forward (Monday humour sorry) and make that dance one to remember.

As with most weddings nowadays, the music you choose and the dance you dance is completely up to you. Well, and maybe your in-laws!

While some couples get serious and go for dance lessons, others use it as a time to get the party started (and guest spot on Ellen!).

Whatever tickles your fancy, we’ve come up with a few different songs from different genres for all you different brides out there.

Okie, you can NEVER go wrong with “It had to be you”. There are many different versions out there though I do feel Harry Connick Jnr’s is the best. If this song worked for “When Harry met Sally”, then it should work for you too! Off topic, is it me or did he look much better when he was younger?

Unless you’re from New Zealand, you’ve probably not heard of Chris Knox! He’s a famous kiwi singer and his hit song, “Not Given Lightly” is still played on the radio and tele till today. I remember one of my classmates, Dave Delatour (now an actor in Hollywood), sang it to us girls and it has stuck with me since. This is a romantic song with a bit of spunk.

I know it’s not the norm in a Malay Wedding to have a wedding dance, but I did have a friend who married an English guy and decided to keep the tradition. So for the modern couples out there, here’s one of my favourite malay songs, Kau Ilhamku which translates to “My inspiration”.

Okie, so maybe you’re thinking “Steph, these slow songs are sending me to sleep!” and want something with a beat. How about Barry White! The man with the deep voice will have everyone singing along and dancing in their seats. Guaranteed. (more…)

Planning a wedding is definitely not cheap! In fact it will probably burn a deep hole in your pocket, but fear not! Here at WGA we like to give you tips on how to cut down on your wedding budget. Wedding invitations are obviously a necessity, there’s no denying it, however there are ways to save on them. Have you ever considered making your own invitations? In this way, you can make a one-of-a kind invitation and also save at the same time.

First of all, before you begin rolling your sleeves up and getting started on your invitations, make sure you have a theme for your wedding. Once you have that settled, you’ll need blank cards of your choice of colour and size. To simplify the printing process, utilize the services of a local copy shop to help get the text on paper. You can also have your invitation cut and folded. It’s inexpensive and fast. Former Miss Malaysia Zen even tried her hand at making her own invitations and no surprise it was a success!

To add that special flavour and make your invitation unique, try decorating with ribbons or pressed flowers. You could even use a thick satin ribbon to tie the card shut with a bow (remember to stay in line with your theme though!) This would probably involve a lot of pasting and gluing so prepare to get your hands dirty. Here’s an idea, instead of using ribbons or flowers, how about a nice picture of you and your future husband/wife? It definitely makes the invitation more personal. I received a similar invitation to a wedding a while back and thought it was a very sweet idea.

Tip : If you don’t happen to have too many guests, how about hand delivering the invitations (provided the guests live in the country!) This always hits a special spot with your guests, it makes them feel important :)

Also, for WGA readers living in Malaysia do make sure to check out Czip Lee for all your stationery needs! They’ll provide you with everything you need to get started (and we all know that getting started is the hardest bit!)

When you come from East Malaysia, you’re naturally a small town kinda person whether you like it or not. Everyone knows everyone, life is pretty chill (road rage? where got) and the big city lights seem a world away. However, growing up in a small place can also make you a big dreamer (it did for me!). Louis Pang may hail from Sabah but he’s made quite a name for himself not only in Malaysia, but internationally. Last year, Louis was one of the four prestigious Grand Award winners of the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) print competition 2009.

Quite an accomplishment yes!

So I was pretty stoked when Louis recently joined WGA’s directory, the Little White Book. I asked him to send me some of his favourite photos to showcase and I got this wonderful array of pics! This is just a teaser and we’ll show more later (such as his WPPI winning photo) when I interview Louis.

Capturing the emotions. Louis runs his studio together with his wife Jasmine. You can’t beat the teamwork of hubby + wife!

Lighting is an integral part of good photography. You need a photographer who is not only skilled but understands how to use lighting to his advantage (and yours – because you’ll look better, hehe). (more…)

Welcome to the Jungle. Well, not quite! Forget the dreariness of some hall with far too many florescent lights and what not, the awesome Jungle-Luxe Bridal Fair at Tamarind Springs promises to be something chic and fun at the same time.

If you haven’t dined at the revered Tamarind Springs or its neighbouring restaurants IL Tempio & Mandi-Mandi – then let me fill you in. Nestled deep in the heart of Ampang, the restaurants are a refreshing change from the norm. Surrounded by natural jungle, cosy ambience and exotic decor, you really do feel a world away from… K.L and the twin towers! I’ve always gone there in the past with a boyfriend (they may change but the place doesn’t!), because of the delectable Indochine/ Italian food and most of all the atmosphere. However, little did I know back then that they’re also in demand as a small wedding venue.

Besides being a great place for intimate weddings, photographers also like to use Tamarind Springs for wedding shoots as it gives you that natural, green backdrop… minus a trek to the rainforest! As such, it’s only apt that the Tamarind Spring group came up with the idea of holding a bridal fair there for the first time ever. Not only are they featuring a consortium of some of the top wedding vendors in town, they will also be showcasing 4 different themed weddings; Contemporary Malay, Oriental Glam, Victorian Chic & Rustic Luxe.

So if you’re stuck for ideas, it’s probably a good idea to pop in!

To make it a little more fun, expect to see a POLE DANCE performance, fashion show, food sampling (yum yum), make-up demo, lucky draw sessions and goodie bags to take home with you (did someone say free gift! Hehe).

Okie, so the next obvious question is… “when/where/who/how!”

Okie, forget the last one. “How” you get there is seriously out of my duristiction ;)

Date : Sunday, July 25 2010

Time : 11:00am to 4.00pm

Venue: Tamarind Springs Restaurant (more…)