Hi Guys

I just had my wedding reception a few weeks ago on 20 December 2012 (20 12 2012 - get it) - after more than 3 years of marriage to my wife, Sophie.

We had to postpone our wedding reception because of an unfortunate death in my wife's family shortly after we were registered. Chinese custom dictated that celebratory events had to be held only after 3 years from the date of the death.

When the required time passed, we decided to host a private wedding reception for a small group of friends and family. We wanted it to be different from the usual dinner reception in a ballroom of a hotel so we decided to do an open air wedding banquet by the beach. After some searching, we decided to have it at The Rocks of Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa on Sentosa Island. This is a small island that is off the south coast of the Singapore mainland - where one of the 2 casinos (integrated resorts) in Singapore is located. We scouted out the place and found it to be ideal. The next thing was to decide on the date. This was already about July 2012. To give ourselves enough time to prepare and to also cater to the schedules of some of guests, we decided on a December date. After checking with the hotel, we realised that the only available date in December 2012 that was before Christmas would be on 20 December 2012. With no other choices on the dates, we took it. I did not realise at that time that the date translated to 20 12 2012 - which is quite a nice and easy to remember date. Actually, I only realised this after the wedding reception when someone asked me whether I chose the date because of the number.

We knew December was traditionally a wet month as it is the monsoon season here in Singapore. But we thought that if we did plan for an open air reception, then at the very least there was a chance that our reception would be different from the usual norm. We monitored the weather since November and found that it was raining frequently. From 1 December 2012, it rained everyday and mostly in the late evening. A week before the reception, the hotel told us that if there was rain by about 3 pm on the day itself, they would have to abandon plans for the outdoor event and would have to set up the reception at the alternative indoor venue. This was because the ground would be too wet even if the rain stopped after 3 pm. So we kept our finger crossed and prayed hard for a miracle - we pretty much had our minds set on the outdoor setting.

On 20 December 2012, dark clouds loomed at 3 pm with gusty winds but somehow it did not rain. The sky cleared up by about 4 pm and everything was set up nicely. By about 5.30pm when I had the briefing with the banquet manager, the dark rain clouds were back and the banquet manager said they would monitor the situation and would have to play it by ear if rain did come. By the grace of God, the dark clouds moved away and it did not rain. We had our perfect wedding reception as planned. FYI - everyone else who planned the outdoor wedding reception at the same location on any of the other days in December 2012 did not manage it. Only us ... what were the odds of that

It was a great day for me and I thought I would share some pics of that day with you guys here on TIG. Yes, I am the pudgy guy in the suit. Here goes:-

1. The Venue




Here is the link to the hotel's website to see the location - http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/rasasentosaresort/weddings-celebrations/

2. The Ornaments




3. The Preparation



4. The Entrance



5. The Cake and Champagne



6. The 2nd March In



7. The Ring



8. The Food, Fun and Games



Hope you guys liked the pics and thanks for sharing in my joy

May the New Year bring all that you desire and then some ....

Cheers, Mark

Thanks for sharing your pictures
"I am the pudgy guy in the suit" I'm sure we would have worked out you are not the lovely lady in the wedding dress
All I remember of Sentosa was that's where the cable cars went. It looks like a beautiful spot now.
I'm glad the weather held out for you & everyone had a great time.


too good to eat

congradulations my friend the reception looks like it was really great what a beautiful looking area you held it in. your wife is really lovely looking in her dress it looks like it was custom made. Thanks for sharing your photos with us

Congratulations, i double checked the cake to see if i could find a hidden stormtrooper but nothing

Congrats and cheers for sharing, Mark!


That must have been a fantastic day for you and your wife.

Happy to hear that the rain stayed away at your wedding. Probably the honey bird brought the two of you luck in the raining season.

congratulations Mark & Sophie and I'm glad the skies were kind to you all on your big day outside!


Love this picture

Mark

Wow looks like you too had a wonderful reception!! Congrats to you and your lovely wife!

The bubble photo is really a nice one!

A Huge congratulations to you both!

Thanks guys for all the well wishes and congratulations. My wife says hi to you all too and sends a deepest and heartfelt appreciation.

Glad you all like the pics - had a professional take them... not bad huh?

Everything was pretty perfect that day - food got the thumbs up from everyone, entertainment was interesting and it did appear that everyone had a great time out. I am happy and relieved that it all turned out well.

BTW, I did pick up some more items to add the the mix during this time - will do a limelight of them soon.

Cheers, Mark

walkie wrote:

i double checked the cake to see if i could find a hidden stormtrooper but nothing

OK I can't keep the secret any longer. Mark wore underoos

Sigh .... secret it out ...

it was the Leia style underoos

LOL

Thanks for sharing Mark

A Huge congratulations to you both!