A common mistake in my eyes that many brides make is that they get too obsessed about how pictures of the big day will turn out, so much so that they care more about taking pictures than just being there and enjoying the moment.
Don't get me wrong, I was guilty of it too. Honestly, if one were to look at my thoughts bubbles on the day(s), one would find mostly meaningless, self-obsessed jabbers like: "Is my hair still looking good? Gosh it's so hot my makeup must be melting. I wonder if that will show in the pictures?" "Where is the make up lady? My make up is melting!!!!" "This is awesome. Where is the photographer? Why is he not here to take picture of this moment?"... Well, you get the idea.
But a wedding is so much more than just pictures. Pictures, however epic or delicate they are, can capture but a small part of the overwhelming love and happiness one feels that day. That's why I thought I would write down some of the mental images that I want to take with me, to keep my heart warm when I'm feeling a little down or depleted or not grounded: (Warning: it's a really long list, so read on with caution...)
- trying to decide which McDonald breakfast to have in the morning and which one to save for Josephine (my best friend and matron-of-honor). I took the yummier-looking one, I think. Sorry Jo.
- the feeling of excitement and surrealism the whole time when I was getting my hair and makeup done
- turning back so that Josephine could take a snap of me before I was about to head out to the bridal suite
- briefing my nephews about the rules of the "door game": "You two are police, ok? You need to guard this door and not let Jon in until he says the magic word."
- hearing a huge burst of laughter when I was hiding behind the door and wondering what was happening outside (later I learned - of course - that it was because Austin just said the magic word out loud when he was asked! Not quite police material, I'm afraid.)
- the look on SB's face when he opened the door and saw me in my wedding dress for the first time
- the tears in Mum's eyes when I served her tea during the tea ceremony
- feeling like a celebrity as passers-by shoot me looks of admiration (I think :p) as we were taking pictures at the Novotel Arch
- getting off our Limo outside the Music Garden, seeing the splendid weather and feeling all thankful about it
- the kids, who were supposed to lead the way and walk down the non-existent aisle, wandered totally off-route and started to run to their mom. It was hilarious.
- holding Dad's arm and walking down the aisle. Everyone was looking at me. Everyone was smiling and they all looked so happy.
- looking into SB's eyes when he said his vows. He promised to talk to strangers for me and always tum-tum me! :D
- the delight of having a sip of lemonade in the unbelievable heat, but then had to remind myself not to go crazy - there was no way I could go to the toilet in that dress
- the cupcake tower was really, really pretty
- rain started to pour soon after we all sat down for dinner. We were so lucky with the weather!
- all the compliments I received about my awesome 5-inch Jimmy Choos. Well, my feet have never felt so painful before in my whole life, but it's a small price to pay for such fabulous shoes
- the whole house burst into laughter when they saw the slide that showed SB liked collecting point cards and I liked collecting shoes
- seeing how proud my dad was when he took me around to talk to all our relatives during dinner
- our first dance to "The Way You Look Tonight" - a song that I have secretly wanted for a very, very long time to be our first dance song. Thanks for making that happen, SB.
- our last dance to "We Are Young" at 2am - it might just be my favorite moment of the night. All of his best friends were there and we were all dancing and singing and having fun and acting silly (Group hugs!). It was that exact moment that I thought, they had become my friends too! It felt like we had been through something major together. I was really, really touched, and was really happy for SB for having such great friends.
- back to Hong Kong, I was going crazy writing greeting cards and envelops for every guests, sometimes until 1am (We had little cards for every guest to tell them which table they were seated at, and on the cards were personalized messages for them. Cute idea, but a total nightmare in execution, I must say)
- the photographer commenting that my veil was "so nice and soft" and "not just a regular veil" (I was glad that someone noticed!)
- seeing that all my girlfriends made it on time to the nail spa, all happy and giddy with their manicure, champagne and truffle; the manicure party was a big success!
- thinking that "wow this place is really massive" as we entered our Suite at Four Seasons. Only later did we learn that it's not a regular Executive Suite - we got upgraded to a Deluxe Suite that day which apparently costs HKD28,000++ a night! Both SB and I are positive that it will be the most luxurious hotel room we will ever stay in in our life. When we invited my brother and his kids to come over the next morning, the kids kept repeating "This is too big! Everything is too big!"
- getting my makeup done in the bridal powder room in the restaurant and watching in the mirror how my girlfriends were running around to help with the wedding. I felt so loved. Thank you, friends.
- tonnes of old memories flashed back as my best friends Ching Man and Siu Yan spoke on the stage. I have always been a fortunate girl - lucky to have many true friends who have shared different stages of my life and have stayed true throughout all these years. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
- seeing SB's parents' smiles of approval when I thanked them for raising a son with great values
- a few people came up to me that night to thank me for making the donation on their behalf. Some also asked for more details on Xiao Bian Dan to see how they could help some more.
- I was knocked down by my aunt when she came over to give me a big hug at the end of the night! (Not entirely her fault - my feet were wobbly from standing too long in those Jimmy Choos!)
- changed into bathrobes and slippers (THANK GOODNESS!) and wolfed down the leftovers from the banquet in our monster suite after the night was over. WE DID IT!
How I wish I could seal all these memories in a tin so that I could take them out and relive the days whenever we want to. I hope I will never, ever forget that I was once so happy and so loved (and so pretty and so slim), and always be thankful for that.
I really am the luckiest girl in the whole wide world.
Don't get me wrong, I was guilty of it too. Honestly, if one were to look at my thoughts bubbles on the day(s), one would find mostly meaningless, self-obsessed jabbers like: "Is my hair still looking good? Gosh it's so hot my makeup must be melting. I wonder if that will show in the pictures?" "Where is the make up lady? My make up is melting!!!!" "This is awesome. Where is the photographer? Why is he not here to take picture of this moment?"... Well, you get the idea.
But a wedding is so much more than just pictures. Pictures, however epic or delicate they are, can capture but a small part of the overwhelming love and happiness one feels that day. That's why I thought I would write down some of the mental images that I want to take with me, to keep my heart warm when I'm feeling a little down or depleted or not grounded: (Warning: it's a really long list, so read on with caution...)
- trying to decide which McDonald breakfast to have in the morning and which one to save for Josephine (my best friend and matron-of-honor). I took the yummier-looking one, I think. Sorry Jo.
- the feeling of excitement and surrealism the whole time when I was getting my hair and makeup done
- turning back so that Josephine could take a snap of me before I was about to head out to the bridal suite
- briefing my nephews about the rules of the "door game": "You two are police, ok? You need to guard this door and not let Jon in until he says the magic word."
- hearing a huge burst of laughter when I was hiding behind the door and wondering what was happening outside (later I learned - of course - that it was because Austin just said the magic word out loud when he was asked! Not quite police material, I'm afraid.)
- the look on SB's face when he opened the door and saw me in my wedding dress for the first time
- the tears in Mum's eyes when I served her tea during the tea ceremony
- feeling like a celebrity as passers-by shoot me looks of admiration (I think :p) as we were taking pictures at the Novotel Arch
- getting off our Limo outside the Music Garden, seeing the splendid weather and feeling all thankful about it
- the kids, who were supposed to lead the way and walk down the non-existent aisle, wandered totally off-route and started to run to their mom. It was hilarious.
- holding Dad's arm and walking down the aisle. Everyone was looking at me. Everyone was smiling and they all looked so happy.
- looking into SB's eyes when he said his vows. He promised to talk to strangers for me and always tum-tum me! :D
- the delight of having a sip of lemonade in the unbelievable heat, but then had to remind myself not to go crazy - there was no way I could go to the toilet in that dress
- the cupcake tower was really, really pretty
- rain started to pour soon after we all sat down for dinner. We were so lucky with the weather!
- all the compliments I received about my awesome 5-inch Jimmy Choos. Well, my feet have never felt so painful before in my whole life, but it's a small price to pay for such fabulous shoes
- the whole house burst into laughter when they saw the slide that showed SB liked collecting point cards and I liked collecting shoes
- seeing how proud my dad was when he took me around to talk to all our relatives during dinner
- our first dance to "The Way You Look Tonight" - a song that I have secretly wanted for a very, very long time to be our first dance song. Thanks for making that happen, SB.
- our last dance to "We Are Young" at 2am - it might just be my favorite moment of the night. All of his best friends were there and we were all dancing and singing and having fun and acting silly (Group hugs!). It was that exact moment that I thought, they had become my friends too! It felt like we had been through something major together. I was really, really touched, and was really happy for SB for having such great friends.
- back to Hong Kong, I was going crazy writing greeting cards and envelops for every guests, sometimes until 1am (We had little cards for every guest to tell them which table they were seated at, and on the cards were personalized messages for them. Cute idea, but a total nightmare in execution, I must say)
- the photographer commenting that my veil was "so nice and soft" and "not just a regular veil" (I was glad that someone noticed!)
- seeing that all my girlfriends made it on time to the nail spa, all happy and giddy with their manicure, champagne and truffle; the manicure party was a big success!
- thinking that "wow this place is really massive" as we entered our Suite at Four Seasons. Only later did we learn that it's not a regular Executive Suite - we got upgraded to a Deluxe Suite that day which apparently costs HKD28,000++ a night! Both SB and I are positive that it will be the most luxurious hotel room we will ever stay in in our life. When we invited my brother and his kids to come over the next morning, the kids kept repeating "This is too big! Everything is too big!"
- getting my makeup done in the bridal powder room in the restaurant and watching in the mirror how my girlfriends were running around to help with the wedding. I felt so loved. Thank you, friends.
- tonnes of old memories flashed back as my best friends Ching Man and Siu Yan spoke on the stage. I have always been a fortunate girl - lucky to have many true friends who have shared different stages of my life and have stayed true throughout all these years. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
- seeing SB's parents' smiles of approval when I thanked them for raising a son with great values
- a few people came up to me that night to thank me for making the donation on their behalf. Some also asked for more details on Xiao Bian Dan to see how they could help some more.
- I was knocked down by my aunt when she came over to give me a big hug at the end of the night! (Not entirely her fault - my feet were wobbly from standing too long in those Jimmy Choos!)
- changed into bathrobes and slippers (THANK GOODNESS!) and wolfed down the leftovers from the banquet in our monster suite after the night was over. WE DID IT!
How I wish I could seal all these memories in a tin so that I could take them out and relive the days whenever we want to. I hope I will never, ever forget that I was once so happy and so loved (and so pretty and so slim), and always be thankful for that.
I really am the luckiest girl in the whole wide world.
