The Miracle Facial at SK-II Boutique Spa

Last month, I was very blessed to be invited to be part of the first ever global blogger workshop by SK-II. It was held in Singapore, and bloggers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Korea flew in to attend it. A nice surprise was that we were going to enjoy facials at the newly opened SK-II Boutique Spa at Millenia Walk! I'm happy to share with you my experience at the spa, and what you can expect there.. read on!

The newest SK-II Boutique Spa, located conveniently in the heart of the Marina Bay district in Singapore is the biggest SK-II spa in Singapore to date. It offers over 20 different treatments, mostly facials, and also waxing services. 

The entrance of the spa.. showcasing the full range of SK-II products! 

The facial I tried was the Miracle Facial (S$190 for 60 mins). It is an anti-aging facial, which promises to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and dullness, by using lots and lots of.. you guessed it, Pitera. 

Previously one to avoid anti-aging facials because I thought they were too rich for my skin, I decided to go with this because I (or actually, my aesthetician friend from Boston!) noticed crinkles around my eyes. :( 

I had blamed the dry weather in the US for that, but when I came back to Singapore I still felt it didn't get better!

The rooms were cosy and the beds were plush, possibly the softest facial bed I had laid in, with a down mattress and a fluffy comforter thrown over me. (See the photo up there? It's not my boobs perking up the towel, it's the blanket under the towel!) 

Using aromatherapy, my facialist started the treatment, which brought me into a relaxed state. I got to try so many products during the treatment, and here are some of the highlights.  

Cleansing: My face was gently cleansed with the Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil, followed by the Gentle Cleanser. I really liked the Skin Refining Treatment, which helped to deep cleanse and exfoliate the skin, while minimising pores. 

Extractions: She gently did extractions on my skin, nothing more than I could bear! And trust me, my pain threshold for the face is pretty low. 

Massage: Using the Facial Treatment Massage Cream, she massaged my face, neck and shoulders. 

Mask: SK-II Skin Signature 3D Redefining Mask was left on for.. I think 10 minutes - a little short! I did feel that so much of the fluid in it went to waste, I would have squeezed the rest out and applied it to my body if I were using it at home. The 3D Redefining Mask is for anti-aging, where it targets sagging points of the face. 

After the facial, there was a little dressing area we could get ready at. There were SK-II Foundations available for use, and I tried them out. I have to say I was greatly impressed with the smooth application and coverage of their foundation! It lasted me through the special welcome dinner till 10PM without any touch ups (I finished my facial around 4PM). 

I like the SK-II Foundation! At the welcome dinner, chatting with the lovely Velda Tan of  Belluspuera. 

With such a wide range of facials that the SK-II Boutique Spa offers, there is something for every skin type. You can even bring you man along with you for him to enjoy the MEN Vibrant Facial. 

Brides-to-be will enjoy the radiance the facials provide (try the Aura Lucency Facial for that special glow), and if you love aromatherapy, try the Cloud9 Facial which uses organic essential oils.

Can't wait to try? First timers get $50 off their facials if you register here. 

SK-II Boutique Spa 

9, Raffles Boulevard, #02-54/55 

Millenia Walk Shopping Centre, 

Singapore 039596.

Tel: +65 6336 4880

Website: http://www.senzesalus.com/

For Beloved One Moisture Surge Extreme Hydration Moisturiser

We love the sun. We love the snow. The sea, deserts, cities, jungles, mountains. As travellers, we put ourselves and our skin through a weather shock each time we get to a new destination.

If I only had to bring ONE skincare product on a trip, it would be a moisturiser, although sunblock would be a close second.

Here’s the moisturiser I took on my vacation to the USA.

For Beloved One is a skincare brand from Taiwan which is available in Sephora Singapore (and hopefully soon in more Sephora stores around the world)

I was impressed by their Moisture Surge Extreme Hydration moisturiser (S$90 / 30mls) , which has a gel-cream texture and light fragrance.

I can’t emphasise this enough, the best way to prevent wrinkles and fine lines is to keep your skin hydrated. This moisturiser is packed with Minerals (to stimulate cell repair and eliminate free radicals), German Chamomile (to soothe any sunburn I may get), and Allantoin (which reduces skin irritation.. I’m dreading the dry weather!).

It absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves a smooth, velvety feel after, and works both as a day and night moisturiser because it isn’t oily, and you can apply your makeup over it.


This post was first published on www.unpackthere.com , a website by my friends & I about all things travel. 

Up Close: Le Fairymeadow And Her Floral Creations

Recently, I was bowled over by some lovely floral headpiece designs I saw on facebook, and I knew I had to get in touch with the designer. It was Le Fairymeadow, a florist that promises to " dream away with you, and to make those dreams come true with our floral creations". I met up with her and was utterly charmed by her sweetness and creations.

What got you started in floral arrangements and design?
I used to work in the banking industry, but I've known all this time that one day, I would love to have a flower shop. Initially I thought it would be for my retirement, but when I was planning for my own wedding, I met many vendors pursuing their passions who inspired me, and made me want to pursue my dreams. So I left my job and went to floral design school.

Why the name Le Fairymeadow?
When I think of a meadow, I think of freedom. I want a place where ideas can flow freely, and not be restricted by what mainstream designs are. From the time that I was a bride, I knew what was available in the market, and I now bring in what is lacking in the market so I can be different from others.

Your headpieces are so popular with your customers, how did that begin? 
It all started with a creation for a blogger who wanted a floral headpiece for her wedding photoshoot, which wasn't so common in Singapore, except for flowergirl headpieces. It was also because of her that I started thinking of more elaborate designs for brides.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Actually it's from the brides themselves. I get to know my customers, their preferences, wedding theme, and from there I create pieces unique and inspired by them.

What other floral arrangements do you provide?
We also do events decor, the floral arrangements for the wedding day and the cocktail event, candy bar and hand bouquets.

How about your accessories? I saw some beautiful bracelets that you made.
Those are bridesmaid's corsages. I thought, why not do something special that they could keep as a momento instead of the usual flowers around the wrist. We allow customisation to the bracelets, with one to two months lead time.

Love her style and designs?
Headpieces are from $50 - $100, bouquets from $120. Contact her for her rates on events and wedding floral arrangements.

Le Fairy Meadow
http://www.facebook.com/lefairymeadow/
email: lefairymeadow@gmail.com

Do You Really Need To Buy Ampoules From The Makeup Artist For Your Wedding?

Hello Ladies, Well, it's been a long time since I've done a wedding-specific post. I've been thinking about this issue for a long time, and I know that writing about it may incur lots of wrath from makeup artists who believe in selling their clients ampoules. But if you know me, I'm pretty much a straight talker who speaks my mind.

So here goes.. Let's get this straight from the beginning. I have never sold or provided any ampoules to my clients although I have had enquiries about them. And yes, I have bought ampoules before to try out on my skin, so I know how they feel and work.

So, what is this whole ampoule business about? Firstly, ampoules are little glass jars of serum / gels for the skin, sealed airtight and broken only upon application. They typically look like this:

The formula of the product is typically of a high concentration, for different skin types and concerns. You could get one for hydration, oil control, whitening, anti-aging etc..

# 1: Do ampoules work?
 - Yes, if you get one of a good quality, it works just as well as a high quality serum. However, ampoules work even better when coupled with a facial, when the skin is prepped to receive nutrients, and even better with a high-frequency machine where it encourages the product to be absorbed into the skin. To work is one, but you need the right time to have it work.

 # 2: Do ampoules really make my makeup last longer?
 - No. Honestly, if you expect a beautiful, radiant complexion with your makeup lasting the entire day on your face just because of a "miracle" ampoule, sorry girlfriend, it's not gonna happen. Simply slapping on the product and then the makeup will just be the same as applying your own serum and then makeup.

 # 3: What do you recommend instead?
 - Go for a makeup primer instead. I use Smashbox's Photo Finish Oil Free Makeup Primer

A makeup primer is specifically designed to reduce the appearance of pores and "set" your skin for the application of makeup, as well as help it to last longer and protecting it against environmental stresses. There are different makeup primers, ranging from those for oily skin, dry skin, even for colour correction(i.e. neutralising redness or brightening sallow skin).

# 4: Then why do so many bridal makeup artists sell ampoules?
 - It makes them extra cash. Simple as that.
 Just like all these hidden charges that some bridal shops charge you after you thought you got a good deal signing up for a $1888 all-in-one package, you end up having to top up for every single detail after. I know of a couple who topped up something like $90 for 3 ampoules, for both groom and bride. $90?! That's daylight robbery for ampoules. Ampoules are available at $5 or less each. Even Dr Hauschka's Rhythmic Night Conditioner Ampoules are £44.95 for 30 ampoules.

Question 5: What shall I do then? They are pushy and say my skin is "very bad and in dire need" of some ampoules?
 - Argh! I hate it when people in the beauty industry try to push products by criticising their clients. It just gives us such a bad rep.
Firstly, in the months leading up to your big day, you should start taking good care of your skin.
Monthly facials are a good way to relax and deep cleanse your skin.
Next, make sure you exfoliate! If you have a thick layer of old or peeling skin, not even a boxful of ampoules is going to help, and any makeup applied will always bring more attention to flakey skin. I use Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant which is gentle but effective.
Battle extremes with the right skincare. Too dry and everything just looks powdery and doesn't apply smoothly. Too oily and makeup slides off. Using the right skincare regiment will ensure your skin is well prepped.

Of course, checking with your makeup artist about hidden costs (some charge for false eyelashes too! wtf) before you book them will help you make a more informed decision. For me, I don't believe in hiding any costs. What you see is what you get. I also never push products, although if I love something I genuinely recommend or rave about it! Any advice to my client is truthful, and I will give them the most easy way possible to solve any problems they may have.

 Till then!
 xoxo Jo

Trying out IPL at the Strip Mobile!

Dropped by the STRIP Mobile last week and tried out their IPL!

Got a trial zap on my navel and it didn't even hurt! I remember the IPLs 6 years ago.. It was like a kid snapping rubberbands on your skin.

But technology has improved and STRIP's IPL is virtually painless. They apply a freezing cold gel on the skin before zapping the life out of your hair follicles.

From today till 11th Aug, the cute STRIP mobile will be parked at Cineleisure Orchard. Drop by to purchase your vouchers for waxing and IPLs at uber fab prices! And if you want it fast, you can get waxed onboard the STRIP mobile too.

Jo's Tips To Finding Your Best Wedding Hairstyles

I love browsing the web for hairstyles.
Brides.com has a great library of hairstyles, which was my to-go page when I started doing bridal makeup and hair. Here's a screen shot of their page, this one has tips for your trial session.

Read it? It is true - at least the bit about wearing your hair out after a trial. I always tell my clients to keep wearing their hair and makeup after the trial, and then tell me after how it went. We'll know then if anything went wonky, or they prefer certain things differently, or hey! that the false eyelashes are actually really comfortable (I use the Princess Lee eyelashes from Taiwan ;] )


Another thing I advise my clients to do, is to search out pictures online about what styles they like. Sure, I do give recommendations and suggestions, but when I meet my client for the first time, I don't automatically know their real style.
I am not psychic. I can't read minds, and I can't quite imagine the exact wedding dress from verbal descriptions (lace, tulle, ivory, princess, mermaid... ).
The best way to communicate with your makeup artist? Pictures. Hell, it actually is THE best way to communicate with any of your creative suppliers, be it your wedding planner, designer or florist.
Because "natural" may mean different things to different people, and so does "casual". There are 1038462 different "smokey eyes" - ok, i exaggerate, but really, if you can be specific, do be specific. It'll save you alot of time and also help us get straight to the point and give you what you want.

And if you still have no idea what you want?
You can ask me , or you can also check out ELLE's list of The Best Wedding Hairstyles, and then give me a call :)

Born This Curly Way: Making The Most With Texture

Growing up, I used to hate my curly hair. Well, who wouldn't? As a kid not knowing any better, I would brush it till it got big, frizzy, uncontrollable. The only time I liked it was right after my shower, dripping wet, sleek and straight.

For 10 years in my life, from when I was 15 till 25, I tried everything, from relaxers, rebonding, flat irons, and even the Brazillian keratin straightener (did not even last more than a week!). Finally, tired of endless visits to the salon, curly root regrowth, damage from the heat and chems, I let my curls grow out.

Today, I have a curly bob and I'm totally loving it!

Most people think I've used a curling tong, or permed my hair, but all I did was embrace my curls. Here are my shortcuts to getting frizz-free curls in this crazy weather (where humidity goes up to 90% on a normal day! )

1. I use shampoo and condition for curly hair 

The Luscious Curls range by Fekkai  with grapeseed extract and moroccan oil, helps define curls and control frizz. Available at Sephora in Singapore 


2. Once a week, I use a deep conditioning treatment

My hair has been coloured, dunked in chlorine when I swim, and suffers UV damage whenever I'm out playing (sorry, I mean working on a shoot ;P) in the sun. Although it contributes to the whole "surfer vibe", the ends of my hair do really take a beating. So once a week, especially after swimming, I use L'Oreal Absolut Repair Cellular hair masque to restore moisture and it does help to soften and smoothen my hair.

p.s. I think surfer Rob Machado could use a little of this, but whatever it is, DAMN, I love his hair!!! And I love surfers :)

3. A curling cream really helps to enhance and define curls

Where was I before using Moroccanoil? Pretty much living in frizz.. Seriously though, only this curl cream does it for me so far. Although I like to use Redken Ringlet 07  for work as it is perfect with a curling tong, for my own hair, Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream  both conditions and defines curls. Sometimes I mix in a drop of Moroccanoil Treatment for more shine. And you know what? It smells perfect too, no yucky ol' hair gunk situation here. 

4. Some wax and styling products won't hurt

In fact, they'll help hold your hairstyle, add volume and polish. I use Hoyu 3210 Neutral Wax, which I bought at the salon (more details next!). It has a natural, matte finish. 

I rub it between my palms and fingers, then finger curl sections of my hair, which helps enhance the curls, making them more spiral, bouncy, and prevents them from frizzing and messing up throughout the day. 

Sometimes if I want lots and lots of volume, I scrunch it all in, pushing my hair from the bottom up. 

5. A good haircut is essential 

Without my hairstylist, Ivan from Insquare Salon, my hair would probably still be an unmanageable mess. I first met him at a photoshoot back in....2007? But it was only in 2010 when I went to him, with my hair half grown out from a rebonding, that I saw the possibility of having curly hair again.  

With decades of experience, Ivan is still amazingly humble, friendly and gives excellent suggestions. Unlike hairstylists who insist on chopping off inches of hair, Ivan respects his client's styles and wishes, which is what I really, really love about him. If you would like a creative cut, leave it in his stable, precise hands, and you'll always walk out of his salon always feeling beautiful, with a cut that always grows out well. 

Andrew & Kenny, the awesome designers of Depression, also trust Ivan with their hair! 

In Square Salon also stocks Hoyu, so give them a call if you'll like a makeover for your hair, then follow my easy, easy, easy steps and start loving your curls :) 

In Square Salon 

24 Sin Ming Road 

#01-39

Singapore 570024

Tel: 6554 0916 / 6554 0917

http://www.facebook.com/InSquareSalon

Browhaus' Beautiful Revamp

Last month I was invited by the kind folks at Browhaus to try out their Browgraphy Thread & Tweeze in the newly revamped Paragon branch.

It was like being transported into a super cute camp site in the forest once you step in, there are tents, woody furnishings and a "grassy" carpet under your feet.

Entering the Browhaus "campsite" , choose from a ride range of brow and lash treatments 

I was led into one of the cozy treatment tents, fitted with plush recliners and comfy towels

The Browgraphy Thread + Tweeze (S$42) consists of both the Color Tweak and Brow Shaping. 

The Color Tweak is brow dye which can either lighten or darken your brows, matching it to your natural hair colour. 

The Brow Shaping I tried was the Thread + Tweeze, a combination of both tweezing and threading to shape the brows. 

As a makeup artist, I'm usually very iffy about letting someone else touch my brows, so I lay down and presented my obsessive requests to my therapist: no over-plucking, please darken my brows, not too arched and thin. 

She handed me a mirror and explained that she will just be tidying up my brows, balancing out their shape (one of my brows naturally grows higher than the other), and darkening my brows. I insisted on a darker than dark tint, since I look almost alien without any brow makeup. 

It was my first time doing threading, and it was surprisingly fast, and not at all painful for me, perhaps due to the fact that I don't have dense brows. Tweezing was then done to "clean up" around the brow. 

Thereafter, a vegetable-based dye was applied to my brows, and after it was cleaned off, TA-DA! Perfect brows! The arches of both brows were balanced, they were neat and not overly trimmed, and the colour was perfect, made me wish that I was born with them looking like this. It looked like I had run dark brow gel over my brows, natural yet defined. Seriously, I was impressed. 

A "PEACE" ampoule was then applied to soothe any irritation or soreness around the brows, which was lovely. I always meet clients who have red skin after shaping their brows, and especially close to their wedding day, it's better to keep the skin (and nerves!) calm. 

The tint lasted about 5-6 days, perfect for holiday goers, or honeymooners who wish to look great while travelling and not bother about makeup. 

I have a feeling that I'll be returning to this little retreat sometime soon again!

One of the two Log Cabin rooms, for total comfort and privacy during longer treatments such as the 

semi-permanent Brow Resurrection  

Escape to Browhaus Paragon: 

#05-11, Paragon, Singapore 

Tel: +65 67376585

or check out the other Singapore and international Browhaus outlets on www.browhaus.com

Scrub-a-dub-dub.. scrub in my scalp?

While shopping online at HQhair for a kit essential, Redken Ringlet , I chanced across a new range of products by Redken called Nature's Rescue. Honestly I was more drawn to the packaging than the fact that it was paraben/sulphate/silicone-free, and since anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for the ocean, so when I saw the uber cool labels showing a blurry picture of the coast layered on turquoise, I had to find out what it was all about.

Seriously, it looks this cool on my shower shelf. ok, fine, minus the great lighting. 

I decided to order the Refining Sea Polish, which is an exfoliant for the hair. I know what you're thinking, "WTF?" Trust me, I was so curious about it I had to give it a go, since I've never heard of such a product before. Clarifying shampoos, yes, but pumice in your hair? The reviews on the Redken site were all in its favour, and I was also sold on the oceanic fragrance description. I use products like promade and wax everyday on my hair, and recently I thought it was getting limp with a product build-up, so this sounded like a God-send. 

Excited to try it out once I got it, I hopped into the shower, rinsed and shampooed my hair, then squeezed out about a teaspoon of that stuff onto my palm. It felt... just like a foot scrub. 

Rubbing it onto my scalp and working it down sections of hair, it wasn't as scratchy as sugar or salt scrubs, but it really did feel like fine sand getting stuck in my hair. The pumice is very very fine, and cushioned on a creamy paste.

Washing it out was a breeze, it dissolved and rinsed out very easily, and my hair felt conditioned after. But of course, I did condition lightly it after. 

(Same theory works for body scrubs, you may feel like your skin is soft after the scrub, but upon hopping out of the shower, slather on the moisturiser.)

When my hair dried after, it was soft, felt nice and clean, no grimey residue of any product. The fragrance however, doesn't last, perhaps also because I used a different conditioner after. Maybe I should buy the Cooling Deep Conditioner then.

Try it if you're a heavy duty styling product user, or if you want some deep cleansing relief from oily hair.

It's recommended for all hair types, and safe to use on coloured hair. My hair colour did not fade or lighten from using this. 

I haven't seen this sold yet in Singapore, if anyone does, drop me a message in the comment box below.

Priced at €17.35 (S$28) from HQ hair. 

Tip: You can google for coupon codes and get a further discount too

Downside: The order placed on HQ hair took 15 days to get to me in Singapore from the UK-based site. I placed the order on 9 May, and received the parcel on 24 May. They promised 5-7 day delivery.

Strip Me!

Sometimes I wish I could just say that without any consequences, I think this post will be the closest I get away scot free talking about stripping in Singapore!

Confused? Well, this ain't about clothes, although if you do like your clothes more than makeup and beauty, you should drop by StyleShoppes, an online fashion portal, which I am contributing articles like this onto as well.
Now, back to the matter at hand.

Before I went on an Italian spring vacation about a month and some back, the folks at STRIP:Ministry Of Waxing invited me to try out their brand new product, which is a collab with New York based apothecary and uber cool brand MALIN+GOETZ.

So now, marry the two beauty experts: 

STRIP, which offers the most hygienic brazilian waxing experience in Singapore and beyond (and trust me on this, I've seen many other places that truly fall short of good hygiene), has literally stripped off and pruned over 2 million bushes and counting. They bring to the table experience on hair removal, and can pre-amp what happens to your skin after, since they've seen a hell lot of skin that has been irritated, inflamed and affected by ingrown hairs. 

MALIN + GOETZ, which develops their products in the heart of New York, uses paraben-free natural ingredients, botanical extracts, to create tried and tested skincare which is as irritant-free as possible. 

What I love about MALIN+GOETZ is that the co-founder, Matthew Malin, suffers from skin conditions like rosacea and eczema. I know that sounds horrible of me, but I suffer from eczema too, so I find it a relief that somebody who actually understands and experiences our plight is creating a broad line of skincare that aims to be suitable for sensitive skin. 

And their baby is the STRIP x MALIN+GOETZ Ingrown Hair Cream!

How does this work? Well, after my brazillian wax at Beauty Emporium (see pictures below!) by Strip, I was given the cream and  told to apply it on any area which had been waxed, from the first night right after the waxing session. It contains Chamomile to soothe the skin which is usually sore or red after waxing. There is also Vitamin B5 and E to promote skin repair. 

How then does it prevent ingrown hairs? Enzymes from Papaya and Pineapple help to smooth skin out for days following your waxing session till the new hairs start peeking out again. 

Also, the cream can be applied on any other area prone to ingrown hairs, be it your underarms, legs, or even  the face for men who shave. 

I was pretty sold! The Brazilian wax I got lasted me a good couple of weeks and I was frolicking in the (cold!) water along Italy's Amalfi coast in my teeny bikini! 

too cold to swim but I HAD to put on a bikini and get some sun

The Ingrown Hair Cream is available at all 34 Strip Ministry of Waxing locations from London to Shanghai and beyond. If you're in the US out of Manhattan, fret not, order your Ingrown Hair Cream from the MALIN+GOETZ website                     

If you're in Singapore, be sure to drop by the super cool HOUSE at Dempsey where on the 2nd floor you will find STRIP inside Beauty Emporium. Be sure to call ahead to book an appointment for your waxing sessions! 

STRIP Co-ed Beauty Emporium

8D Dempsey Road, #02-01

+65 64757833

10am to 9pm daily

Cute & quirky interiors at Beauty Emporium where Strip is found

Or get your nails done under the same roof - by Spa Esprit 

Up Close: The Wedding Stylist

Happy 2012 everyone!! I had a fun Christmas and New Year, and I'm really looking forward to Chinese New Year when my family has chicken rice for reunion dinner! (we're Hainanese :D)

This year, I'm bringing a new feature to this blog, to give you insights for your wedding day. This "Up Close" section will bring you interviews, secrets, and tips on organising your big day while looking your polished best, straight from the professionals in the business!

To start us off, I scored an interview with Caroline Tan- Reed, wedding planner and founder of The Wedding Stylist. Also included are photographs of a wedding she had planned, taking us through from conceptualisation to the actual day.

Caroline Tan- Reed: Founder of The Wedding Stylist

What inspired you to become a wedding planner?

2007, I had a very good friend who asked me to help her with her wedding, and that sparked a passion for it. I got into it full time in 2008.

I did a Wedding Planning Diploma with a school in the UK, which helped me in terms of planning a wedding, such as managing the budget, timeline, and prioritising.
It was more detailed than what I did with friends.



Why the name "The Wedding Stylist"?

I did a focus group with some friends, and we were contemplating on 3 names, "The Wedding Designer", but it sounded too much like a fashion designer. The other was "Unveil Weddings", but they thought it was too boring. The Wedding Stylist was a little bit more American, I wanted to bring a western touch to Singapore weddings.

About 80 % of my couples have studied abroad, or are of mixed heritage, or live abroad, or their other halves are not Singaporean.


What are some of the misconceptions of the job?

The most common misconception is that it is a glamorous job, and it is not a glamorous job at all.

On the wedding day, while the bride usually wakes up about 4 or 5am, I wake up at 3am to prepare everything, and am the last to leave.
I also have to throw out the trash - definitely not glamorous.

Some demanding brides also expected me to book their honeymoon.
One of my brides insisted that I book tickets and plan the route through UK for her pre-wedding shoot and travels.



So what exactly is the jobscope?

I am there to only help her manage her wedding.
Part of our jobscope is also to come up with the concept and theme, to present different options for decorations, give them advice on things like dresses, food, and schedules.

Storyboard: The Wedding Stylist

We usually do up a storyboard, taking into consideration their personality and what they like. It has a floorplan, pictures and colour palattes of our recommendations.
(Other than that, I'm not there to organise their honeymoon.)



What's a typical month/week/day leading up to the wedding?

Month: Final details like flowers, alterations of dresses, suits, wedding stationery, design and fonts of the menus, type of music to be played, itenary for the day, car decor & flowers.

Week: Last minute scrambling for changes, forgotten details, picking up bits and pieces.

Day: Surprisingly, it is very smooth because you already know what you have to do, and it's a long day so you're so busy that you don't have time to think of anything else.


Time line: The Wedding Stylist


But also because you're there?

I hope so, haha.


How does a bride decide if she needs to have a wedding planner or not?

Usually if the bride is very busy, she will need a planner.
The other reason is that they need some inspiration, because they might not have the resources or knowledge to look for ideas, so they come to us to help them design the wedding and recommend our contact list, like you as the makeup artist for example. (Thanks Caroline!)



Have you had weddings where the couple brings you in to salvage their plans?

I had to plan a wedding in 1.5 months, they had only booked the venue and got the gown and the suit. We had to get everything in place - the food, flowers, band, itenery, Justice of Peace (JP). They didn't even register at the Registry of Marriages (ROM) yet.

(Usually the ROM booking opens up 3 months before your wedding, and you need to have your JP who has agreed to marry you, and there's an online form where you sign and pay. )


Where do you get your inspiration from?

Blogs, wedding magazines, friends, people I work with, like photographers. We discuss what weddings we've been to, and bounce ideas off each other.


How about when you got married ?

Mine was a very simple ceremony with only 100 people, a church wedding and a small dinner. I wanted something intimate and cosy.
In the morning we had a colour theme of yellow and pale coral, and we used orchids to incorporate some Singapore touches.
The evening was a small dinner at the Raffles.


Would you change anything if you went back to that?

No, as a wedding planner you lives your own dreams through so many weddings, so when it comes to your own, you know what's really important is the company and that you enjoy yourself and that everyone is there to share it with you.



What's the strangest thing at a wedding you had planned?

It's not weird in a bad way, we had a wedding in Chijmes and we brought in some ah kwas (transexuals) to perform, so that was quite a shocker, but the couple wanted something outrageous and fun.



Are Singapore brides and weddings too mellow or regular?
I think because we come from a culture that teaches us to respect and listen to our elders, a lot of the brides cannot have a wedding that they truly want, but what their parents want. That's really sad because it is their day after all and it is going to happen once in their lifetime.
That's one bit I feel quite sad about, because I know alot of it is planned by their parents, and they're doing it for the parents.

Other than that I've had some brides who are quite chill, and they just do what they want to do. These brides turn out to be the more fun and happy brides, because they give you alot of imput and they are so involved in the wedding.

Which was your most memorable wedding?

There was a couple who hired me 2 months before the wedding, and the bride had lots of ideas but they just didnt know how to execute it.
They wanted a garden theme for the church and reception.
Since she was on a budget, we went to Ikea and bought small vases, and did the flowers ourselves. It was very DIY and we used ribbon strips on the table and paper dollies to make it more garden feel for her. It was fun.
She had a dessert buffet and she made her own doggy bags where she stamped each of them individually.

There was a vintage typewriter so that people could write their messages to them on it.

Photo: The Wedding Stylist

Some things were difficult to find in Singapore, like a clay ring pillow where their vows were written on it, which was very cute.


It was very fun working with her because she was very inspirational.



Show us how your ideas became reality!


The Storyboard



The Venue : CHIJMES






Details:





The Entrance:





Photography: Aloysius, 39 East Photography
http://www.39eastimages.com/



The professionals are in: Caroline's Little White Book


Non-hotel ballroom wedding location:

The Marmalade Pantry at The Stables
http://www.themarmaladepantry.com.sg/
55 Fairways Drive, Singapore 286846
+65 64679328




Burkill Hall at Singapore Botanic Gardens
http://www.sbg.org.sg/visitorinfo/venueforrent.asp
+65 6471 7374
photo: 39 East Photography











Clifford Restaurant at The Fullerton Bay Hotel
http://www.fullertonbayhotel.com/dining-en.html
"With full height glass windows, you don't even need a lot of decorations"
Photo: Fullerton Bay Hotel



Food & Catering:

Asian: Tung Lok
http://www.tunglok.com/

Western: Marmalade
http://www.themarmaladepantry.com.sg/
"They've got great food and impeccable service"


Wedding Gown Designers (all by appointment only):

Louis from Amor Meus Design Studio
23 Purvis Street, #02-01 Talib Centre
Singapore 188613
+65 6336 6930
amormeus@singnet.com.sg


The Prelude Bridal
http://www.theprelude.com.sg/
21A Duxton Hill Singapore 089604
+65 6221 4982
"The Prelude brings in very sleek and modern dresses from the UK and US"

photo: The Prelude Bridal













Love, Yu
http://www.weloveyu.com/about/
8 Mohamed Sultan Road #03-01 Singapore 238958
+65 6235 7781
yu@weloveyu.com




















"Ee-Lyn is so accomodating. Her off-the-rack is a very different style from what people usually go for, but she has designed complicated things very similar to Vera Wang"
Photo: Love, Yu















Wedding Stationary & Cards:

Caroline's team of graphic designers and printers will whip up beautiful bespoke invitation cards if you have something in mind, but if not, pay a visit to
Craft Inc
http://craftincdesign.com/
402 Orchard Road, Delfi Orchard #02-16
+65 6734 1811




To have your wedding planned by Caroline, click here or read more about her work at http://www.the-wedding-stylist.com/
She also has a really pretty blog with ideas and photos