I Dream of Sugar & Spice {Pt 2: Breaking Dawn}
October 4, 2009
I’m really really EXCITED about the unveiling of our new studio! More so when we will officially open our doors on 31st of October which coincides with Halloween Day. We’ve decided to throw an appreciation cocktail party for all of our industry partners, vendors and clients. It’d be cool to have a Twilight-themed party, especially since I think it’s a beautiful love story, like a modern day Cinderella minus the fairy godmother.
In conjunction with our opening, we have also launched a wedding contest for couples who will be getting married in 2010. I’m sure that most couples would have already started their planning way ahead of their wedding date and would have encountered some challenges along the way. No matter how trivial the problems may be, just submit a 50-word entry of your toughest challenge to-date, along with your best couple photo, names, contact number and wedding date to weddingbliss@thepeakxperience.com.
We will shortlist top 6 entries to be featured on our blog. The top entry will win a beautiful sunset beach ceremony and full wedding planning services. Consolation prize winners will get a cash voucher worth RM888 each, redeemable against Peak Xperience services.
All couples are welcome to attend our Twilight Love Halloween party on 31 Oct, of which there’ll be goodie bags and dessert sampling for everyone courtesy of Truly Scrumptious and the unveiling of our new brand, Sugar & Spice.
We need to ensure there’s enough ‘blood’ for everyone so please RSVP on our FACEBOOK PAGE.
See y’all at the party and do remember to submit your entries! *hugs*
I Dream of Sugar & Spice { Pt 1: My New Paradigm }
July 23, 2009
The most fascinating part of being in the service industry is the endless opportunities available for us to grow if only we dare to reach out and go for it. I believe I am really blessed with all the wonderful people that I’ve met along my journey after I took a free fall from my safety zone into an uncharted territory of running one’s own business.
I gave myself 5 years and it’s amazing how fast the brand is growing (measuring against my own expectations) and how far we’ve achieved in just within these 2 1/2 years. I owe it all to my family, especially my mom, sister and my late father and brother who have been my constant pillars of strength and support. Ironically, it’s these twisted hands of fate that I am constantly on a sprinting mode. Time is to me, my most precious commodity. The world that was will never be again.
It has always been a constant mind struggle for me whether to grow or expand or diversify. All these heavyweights carry vaguely similar meanings yet totally distinct technical implementations and business directions. While a rising tide lifts all boats, I also understand the risks involved in moving too fast, too huge, too costly. Against all odds, I know my passion will carry me through in every endeavor I venture into and hopefully, my clients will also feel the essence of my passion in my service to every individual. I feel the time is right to bring our business to the next level.
In the coming months, I’ll be unveiling the latest extension to our services but for now, I shall just keep them under wraps. I’m really excited!!
Mosaic Music Events and Peak Xperience have also joined forces to leverage our respective strengths to propel our brands forward. We strive to uphold a unique position in the industry and a collaboration of such allows us to synergise our efforts for better product and service offerings. We’ve certainly made it easier for you to jump-start your wedding planning groundwork with the launch of two new and ultimately signature packages: - Wedding Essentials I and Wedding Essentials II.
Starting from August onwards, I will also be the manager of Dennis Lau and Mosaic Music Events. It’s certainly exciting to venture into the music industry. Apart from weddings, Mosaic Music Events has also carved its name as the fastest growing entertainment house for corporate events such as product launches, annual dinners, opening ceremonies and more. Violinist extraordinaire Dennis Lau is also in the midst of producing his maiden album which will feature all of his original compositions by projecting a fresh, modern twist with the violin and showcasing the diversification of the instrument.
We do not know how far we will head with the changes we’ve made but we will never know if we do not even embrace them with a goal in mind. I hate to remain fixated on past praises and successes because the world is constantly changing and we are only as good as our next best job. I do not want to miss the rewards that leverage could bring to both to our clients and to our services.
Life of a Malaysian Wedding Consultant
July 10, 2009
Over at the Best Wedding Fair last Sunday, I had a wonderful time catching up with industry vendors and friends.
Our conversation slowly turned to discussions about how the wedding planning business is growing in Malaysia by the number of planners that are entering the industry. Many of us agree that it is indeed, a ‘fantasy’ job painted by all the intoxicating happily-ever-after movies. We all know that behind the curtains, this is far from reality.
Judging from the number of e-mails I get on a monthly basis from fresh graduates to professional engineer, graphic designers to nurse (yes, a nurse!) who sent me their resumes, I figured it’d be best if I offered my two cents on my life as a Malaysian wedding consultant and what it takes to thrive in this business. I may not be the best to advice on the chapter of ‘Successful Business 101′ but I’ve had my fair share of trials and tribulations within these 2 1/2 years. Running one’s own business can take 10 years off your age.
It is undeniable that many wedding planners cross over from other fields, some make it big and some shrivel away like stale news. It is because of our varied backgrounds that we each have our own strengths, a unique selling point that differentiates us from another. I put a special spin on my wedding packages through the knowledge I’ve acquired from my experiences in the airline/travel industry. Much of my traits are acquired through hard-earned experiences from my audit days at one of the big four accounting firms to corporate communication and event management responsibilities. Even short-term summer jobs at restaurants, hotel and cake factory helped to hone the attributes that differentiate me from the rest.
Respectfully, I have great admiration for other consultants/planners who are much more senior than me such as Hooi Joo from Table 10 and Shen Yi and Poh Lin from I Do Weddings who all have their unique traits and knowledge through their experiences both in and outside of the business.
Hence, I never believe that we are competitors because ultimately, a client’s decision is an emotional investment that is based on how well you sell your biggest entity, and that entity is ultimately YOU - your personality, character and your ‘art’. The market is big enough for everyone but too small to make enemies.
While having the gift of gab is a charm, it can only take you so far if you do not have the necessary skills to match what you promise. Similarly, having a pretty face always gives one an upper hand in almost every industry, but that can probably only last you 30 seconds. After that, you’d better have something smart to say or you’d just be passed off as .. well, just another pretty face.
“How difficult can it be?” some may remark.
I had a similar impression before I entered the industry. Over confidence and under estimation are dangerous traits that will kill your business the minute you start. Planning your friend’s wedding is also different from planning a paying customer’s wedding. Your friend is obliged to you to demand too much of your time, and a paying customer demands every right to have your full attention towards every hook and nook related to their wedding preparations. It is also this very reason that I am still awake at this ungodly hour trying to finish up my work-in-progress report.
While organisational skill is a wedding consultant’s most -prized asset, she must also possess exceptional interpersonal skills. Have you ever planned or organised a party or an event? Do you remember the hassle that went into making your event a success? Well, top that with family members who want to be involved in every minuet detail of the wedding, arguments that arise between two sides of the family, managing conflicts of cultural gaps, solving dissatisfaction between vendors and clients over matters that may seem trivial to the common eye such as ‘the red colour of the roses is not in the correct tone’ and the root of all evil, money-related problems. Multiple that with a planning threshold of 12 months. Every touch and detail is a BIG matter!
In one of our conversations, Kris of Weddings Malaysia said that “wedding planning is a thankless job because when an event is successful, it should be successful because that is a planner’s job, but if anything goes wrong even if it’s not the planner’s fault, they will still get blamed for everything.”
There are no set rules in wedding planning but business etiquette and integrity are the pillars of our reputation. There are courses that you can take to be a certified wedding planner, but in this part of the continent, that does not guarantee your success in the business. Most certification courses are skewed towards the western culture and in practice, are not always applicable in Asia. I can definitely testify to that because I too, have taken certification courses from The Wedding Planning Institute in US.
As a wedding consultant, you are expected to have a solution to everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING! I’ve had my fair share of scenarios - from groom with asthma collapsing to cake disaster on morning of the wedding to client’s laptop that ‘died’ midway during a grand march-in. These are things that happen beyond your control and as a planner, you must always have a contingency plan. Wedding planners who tell you that they’ve never had any problems at any of their weddings probably have not planned enough weddings. Your problem-solving skills are gained through experiences, not through a paper certificate.
I paid a visit to this popular resort somewhere in Klang Valley yesterday and to my dismay, the once-beautiful lake revealed an ugly pool of muddy soil all around and dried up trees. How am I to inform my clients who decided on this venue because of it’s lakeview landscape that their guests would be looking at this barren view when they exchange their vows, no thanks to global-warming (the lake is drying up due to the dry season). Do I get the resort to pump water into the lake, demand for replanting of trees, change the venue and forfeit the money paid, camouflage with an increase in decor expenditure, leave it as it is and blame it on the erratic weather or pray really hard for a downpour before their big day? As extreme as some of these solutions may sound, you’d be surprise with the kind of things you’d be asked to do as a wedding planner.
I could probably go on and on about expectations, experiences, etiquette and so forth but I’ll save them for another day. Now, who wants to buy me coffee? *wink*
Birthday Dinner at Michelangelo’s Ristorante
May 20, 2009
Prior to my working trip to Ipoh last weekend, I had a wonderful time with friends who treated me to a sumptuous dinner at Michelangelo’s Ristorante, Solaris Mont Kiara.
I won’t need to describe the food, as there are really good reviews at Kenny Sia’s blog or at BestFoodJunction.com.
I just wanna thank my friends for such a wonderful gift, since they know I’ve been single for the past ..hmm.. 4 years?
Seemed as if this fella’s cock fell out of the painting right onto a platter of pink cup ‘A’ boobs, served by the culprits who taunted me to “lick the dick”, “lick the dick”, “lick the dick” after I blew out the candles.
with pleasure *wink* …
Mademoiselle Mah took 6 hours to sculpt the ideal ‘cake’ with complimentary pubhair to make it real. She said, “I forgot to ask you if you want it shaven or hairy. So I make a hairy one for you!” Nice..
For me, I was just ecstatic I got to chop off some balls.
Thanks for being such a sport and kudos to the staff at Michelangelo’s Solaris for the wonderful service.
Well, it’s not everyday that a straight girl gets to say “I licked a tit”.
Weddings Malaysia & AWP Media & Industry Partners Appreciation Night
February 10, 2009
Just a quick update on what’s been happening after the long CNY break. Finally, my new pad is coming nicely together with the last of furniture arriving today. Last Friday, I had a good time watching Bride Wars, courtesy of Weddings Malaysia and AWP.
Here are some photos to share taken by the talented Kenneth Tan of Fabulous Chapter Wedding Photography.
From L-R: Jon Low of Ideal Weddings, Zach Chin of Zach Chin Photography and Kenneth Tan of Fabulous Chapter Wedding Photography.
Greeted by beautiful detailings.
Step in to the Platinum Lounge.
Wedding planners! *wink*
From L-R: Jovita Lo of Tres Beau Momento, Victoria Lim of Heart to Heart and Natasha Khoo of The Peak Xperience.
Photography by Kenneth Tan of Fabulous Chapters
My First Week as a Wedding Planner Intern
January 19, 2009
For a change, I gave our intern (who is also my youngest sister) an assignment - to blog about her first week working at The Peak Xperience. It’s interesting to read about our job from a third person’s perspective.
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By Hsieh June
When i first arrived at The Peak Xperience, i was totally clueless and had no idea at all what i was supposed to do. I had in my mind that I would be working as a secretary or maybe just doing paperwork such as writing and typing work sheets. Then I was told that i would be working as a personal assistant and also an intern. I realise that working in this industry, one has to be showered with creativity, packed with confidence, be up and proactive, has a heart of patience and the responsibility to carry out an outstanding job. It is not just a challenging job but also a stressful job because there is the need to use the brain to think to the extreme to create something out of the ordinary that is able to make people say ‘Wow’.
One of the things that i enjoyed during the whole period working there was being able to do and see new things and going to new places. I particularly enjoyed going to visit a wedding photo studio because there were so many beautiful wedding pictures on display. However there was one thing that was just irritating that is to get stuck in the traffic jam. I was counting down the minutes till when the jam was over. The planner, Miss Natasha Khoo took me around running errands and buying things for an upcoming wedding on the 10th of January 2008 in Port Dickson. It was a beach-themed wedding and The Peak Xperience was in charge of the decorations for the place. So to make sure that the place looked and felt like a garden, we had to go source for all the things for the wedding. Thus it was quite a stressful week as everything has to be done in time.
It seems that everyday we were on the hunt for flowers. During that trip i got to learn the different types of flowers and the names although I can’t really remember some of the names now. Haha… Other than that the other task was to put on chair covers for over 700 chairs plus tying 300 over ribbons. So add it all up and it would be around 1000 over. By the time we loaded everything into the Toyota Hilux to be taken down to Port Dickson, the car was packed. The night before, we slept at the early hours of 4 to 5 in the morning due to the preparation and woke up at 8 am and headed straight to the venue.
It was a rush all day, the guys putting on chair covers and hanging the decor and the ladies doing the flowers. As this is their special day, we want to create a memorable experience for them that last forever. All the hard work paid off as the end results were marvelous. The bride and groom loved the place and so did their guests. I felt proud being able to be a part of this event knowing that you had done a good job gives you the boost of confidence. It also feels good when you see the others happy and satisfied. I felt happy for the couple when i see the smiles and joy on their faces.
“People always think that being an event or wedding planner is a glamorous job because when they come to the event it’s all decorated, everything looks so pretty and grand. So they think that it is a fun thing to do but actually what they do not see is the process in making. It is a lot of hard work as you know since you’ve been following me around on my errands and how stressful it is, and it is the end result of all these hard work that makes it look so effortless.” This is what Natasha said to me when we were in the car stuck in traffic jam. We do not believe it until we go through it and believe me, it is so true!! Sometimes the after event is also the stress part. Try imagining, folding and counting 1000 over pieces of chair covers and ribbons at 11pm at night and taking down the decorations and packing up the items and loading in to the car. Natasha was busy with the wedding couple while we packed up the things. We finished everything around 2 am, headed straight home and slumped into bed.
The following morning, we had to rushed back up to KL to mend the booth at Prince Hotel. It is my first time attending a wedding fair and the experience was great! The models were really pretty.
Then after the wedding fair, we had to pack up and I thought we could then go home already but Natasha said to me, “Ok, now we are going to do market research.” So, off we went to the KL Wedding Expo. To avoid the weekend traffic, we took a bus to Midvalley and went back in a taxi. The wedding expo was overwhelming!!! So many wedding studios exhibiting their albums, photos, wedding gowns. My favourite was meeting Su Yin, the cake artisan.
During my first week working at The Peak Xperience, it was really an ‘Xperience’ for me. I would say that I enjoyed working in The Peak Xperience because it had opened my eyes into a world that I never seen before. This work is not all stress and work only it is still fun and in this industry it teaches you to explore new things and expand your creativity to think outside the box.
Counting Down to Christmas!
December 11, 2008
Boy oh boy…Christmas is a joyous occasion. It’s a time for parties, presents and food. Time to do my rounds. Santarina’s going around town to hand out these eye-candy, scrumptious goodies to friends, associates and clients. They are just so pretty I couldn’t resist snapping some pictures!
These tiny little brownie pops are home-made cuties. My sis also made some miniature chocolate cakes and fruit cakes to cater to different tastes. Talk about talent! She’ll only be turning 17 by end of this month. Some handmade cards I made for a selected few. It’s all customised to match the personality and business nature of the end receivers.
Here’s wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and a prosperous 2009!! *snowman hugz*
p/s: Check out Décorateur for Christmas themes, ideas on gifts and more!
Blues & Tunes
December 9, 2008
Days like today is a great day to hibernate within the confines of my room. It’s a public holiday. The roads are quiet but I have no intention just yet to go out. It’s been raining cats and dogs all morning. The sky is dark and gloomy, with just a weak ray of sunshine peeking through the heavy clouds. It’s a great time to free the mind and simply indulge in doing nothing at all. It has been a hectic week, I shall not feel guilty about being unproductive today.
With a book in hand and the strong aroma of freshly brewed dark roasted coffee lingering amidst the cool after rain breeze, I switch on my player and snuggle up comfortably onto the soft lush edges of my dark brown suede sofa. A peaceful moment of quiet bliss.
There is no point to this post, really. As the soft music gently caresses my senses, I decide to share a few of my favourite must-haves in my playlist.
*Remember to switch Berry (the Boom Bear) off if you wanna play the videos.
The Closest Thing to Crazy - Katie Melua
This song is from her very first album a few years ago but it never fails to set the mood for a relaxing afternoon. “Just like Heaven” from her latest album is just as beautiful.
C’est si Bon - Arielle Dombasle
I am a huge fan of Arielle Dombasle! Her songs are great for pre-dinner cocktails or to set the mood for an afternoon delight. Her version of C’est si Bon is the best!
I Will be Here - Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis actually wrote this song for his daughter and the lyrics are very meaningful. I nearly cried when one of my couples sang this song at their wedding. Thereafter, it became my top 20 play list.
L.O.V.E -Frank Sinatra
A rather common song for weddings but the subtle playfulness in its catchy melody and not too cheesy lyrics never fail to make me sing or prance along to the tunes (even if I’m seated!). Whose version is better? Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra?
Olivia Ong’s version is fantastic too!
Joss Stone - Right to be Wrong
Her husky voice gives a sultry, soul-ful character to every song she sings but this one’s my favourite.
Beautiful Mess - Jason Mraz
I can play it over and over again and still fall in love all over again with the song (and Jason Mraz). Awesomeness!!
That’s all for now. Have a great week ahead! I know I have much to look forward to *grin*
Back to my book, coffee’s getting cold.
A Tribute to Tian Leng
December 1, 2008
Exactly one year ago, my one and only beloved brother, who was also my faithful business partner, friend and teammate, suffered severely from a fall that eventually took his life two nights later on December 3, 2007.
Officially, he was only involved in two projects - OYL Manufacturing and British American Tobacco (ASPAC) functions. He was the muscle man behind the scene when I needed to do some heavy lifting. A good listener and opinionated during discussions and brain-storming, he was ever ready with a smile and always the spirited one even in stressful times.
After 365 days, the pain of losing someone dear feels strangely raw. As quoted by Rose Kennedy, “It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds’. I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens, but it is never gone.”
I started drafting this post a month ago, but time and time again, I can never find the right words. I guess, all that needed to be said had already been said.
So, here’s a tribute to you, my brother.
A project that transpired from his passing, Decorateur will be launched on December 3, 2008. The hard copies are work in progress and will only be out third quarter of 2009. With a tagline, “Creativity is My Lifestyle”, the weekly-updated blogazine is really all about living out your life to the fullest. Read editor’s message for further details.
Thank you for touching our lives in more ways that you could have ever known. Rest in peace.
“If I had my life to live over, I’d dare to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax; I’d limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones. You see, I’m one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them. In fact, I’d try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after the other, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had it to do over again, I would travel lighter than I have. If I had my life to live over again, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dance; I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.” - Nadine Stair -
Bad Judgement = Bad Show
November 18, 2008
The equation is as simple as that.
All it takes is one bad judgement to bring down the entire event. I have only myself to blame for that. A big lesson learnt, at the cost of losing my integrity and the trust that my client has placed on me.
I was just so sad, angry and upset throughout the night that it affected my concentration during the event as well. I should really learn not to be emotional and learn how to compartmentalise my thoughts.
It’s easy for people to sugar coat their words when they try their best to sell themselves and their services. It’s also easier to accept good reviews and compliments. However, the judgement of good character and professionalism is the most obvious when it comes to handling a bad review, bad feedback and disgruntlement. How a person goes about in resolving the problem tells a lot about one’s character.
Entertainment is a very important part of every event. It doesn’t just take a good singer, but a great performer and entertainer to carry off a good show. Combine bad song choices, lack of showmanship and out of tune performances and you get disastrous show. I trusted in them to prepare their songlist, just as how I’ve trusted any other credible music bands to prepare themselves before the event. I also assured my client eventhough they wanted to pick each song for the performance that night, as most bands similar to this do not allow picking of songs. The manager also asked me prior to the show about the audience background, industry type, ratio of management and non-management staff as well as race ratio so that he could plan out the song list. All those seemed like empty talk judging from their performance that night.
What is even worst are performers who do not take pride in the quality of their show, and instead of finding out why we the planners and clients are unhappy, the manager instead told me that whether I’m happy or not, I must still pay them and started chasing me for payment as if I owe them 10 years worth of debt when it was just over the weekend that the event was held!
So unprofessional was the attitude that he even sent me a string of sms-es that ended with threats of tarnishing our reputation if we prolong payment to them. These are in fact, without a proper post-event review or discussion, and he probably still doesn’t know why we are unhappy, since he doesn’t care anyway except that we must pay him.
I vouched for the band and assured my clients of their quality. I have definitely seen the better side of their performance. It’s a hard lesson learnt. I am just so disappointed… once bitten, twice shy. As they say, all it takes is one bad show to kill ten good shows because bad news always travel faster than good news.
I am really disappointed with this unfortunate incident but I am glad I finally see his true colours. It is without regret that I will never ever work with this band again.
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