Peacock Dance
September 26, 2008
One of the best things about being a wedding planner is the continuous learning about culture and customs that makes this job so fulfilling. Being a very ‘factual’ person, often times I find myself immersing deeply into a subject and for this wedding, the peacock dance!
According to India9, the “Peacock Dance is confined to the hilly regions of Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts of Andhra Pradesh. It is performed by the Khonds who live in this region, during their weddings and festivals. In Tamil Nadu, this dance form is known as Mayilattam.”
As most of you know, peacock is the national bird and pride of India. It’s significance in Hinduism is sacred, with the peacock being the vehicle of Kartikkeya, the God of War who is a son of Lord Shiva. Kumari (shakti) also rode a peacock in the entourage of the Goddess Durga.
I think all Indian dances (from classical to folk) are the most graceful embodiment of expressions yet also the most complex dance forms there are on earth. The Indian classical dance especially, is a beautiful embodiment of music, drama and dance - nritta, nritya and natya. The peacock dance takes on the grace, poise and mannerism of a peacock. According to Krishna Lal, “there are 108 postures in Indian dancing, and one of them is mayura-lalita, the name given after the characteristic posture of the peacock.”
Peacocks spread out their majestic tails and start dancing in rythmic fashion at the sight of dark clouds, an indication that rain is in the offing. Their melodious cries are associated with rain and hence, fertility.
Photography by Jim Liaw Photography.
Information Sources:
Alumbo! The Self-Help Site.
Peacock in Indian Art, Thought and Literature by Krishna Lal.
Talents Wanted
September 20, 2008
We are constantly on the look out for talented, driven and energetic individuals to join our team. If you are result-oriented, self-motivated, have an eye for detail, resourceful and a good working attitude, send-in your resume to events@thepeakxperience.com.
Full-time:
1) Business Development Executives
2) Wedding Planners
Project-based / Freelance:
1) Event Co-ordinators
2) 3-D designers
Talents & Performers:
1) Vocalists & Musicians
2) Dancers
3) Emcee / Master of Ceremony
4) Special skills (caricaturist, stilt walkers, magicians, etc)
Please e-mail your profile/portfolio to events@thepeakxperience.com
Church Ceremony: Offering of Flowers
September 20, 2008
Three days ago, a reader sent me an interesting question via e-mail but has asked for her identity to be kept private. I thought that perhaps some other readers might benefit from this so here’s the question:
Hello Natasha. I like your blog. since you are a wedding planner, can I ask you a question? me and my fiance are planning for our wedding and our ceremony will be at our church. we are now over budget. a few of my church friends who got married gave flowers to the church. is it compulsory to give flowers as offering at the altar to the church? because I plan to reuse the flowers we offer at the church and bring it to our wedding dinner. I don’t think people will notice it because we will bring back again the next day to church on sunday early morning before members arrive. we are shy to ask our pastor about this. do you think you can offer me advice? can you please don’t publish my e-mail and reply me? thank you.
My reply: Offering of flowers to the church is not a written rule or compulsory act of giving, but rather a matter of personal choice. It is the sincerity that counts regardless of whether any guests notice the disappearance of the flowers. I would suggest to have a separate basket of floral arrangement if you’d like to present it as an offering to the church. You can then inform the church administrator of this matter.
The other flowers from the church ceremony can be re-used for your dinner reception. If you’d like to offer the same bouquet of arrangements to minimise cost, then best if you do not transport it out of the church and ’sneak’ it back the following morning. It would seem like ‘recycling’ rather than a sincere offering.
If budget does not permit, flowers for the bridal party and altar is all you need. If you have a tall candelabra for your unity candle lighting ceremony, it can be decorated with more garlands of greens with minimal flowers tucked in. To cut costs, the end of pews can be easily decorated with satin or organza ribbons, or simply keep it plain. To help with your decision and budget planning, it is best to list out all your floral needs and prioritise accordingly. Hope this helps.
Chinese Sandalwood Fans
September 15, 2008
Here’s a very simple way to turn a simple chinese sandalwood fan into a sophisticated decor element. All you need are some french lace, glue gun, brush, pigmented paints, assorted beads, glitters and some ribbons.
and…voila!
Feast of Love
September 14, 2008
The Menu
Appetizer
Marinated Seared Scallop with Mango Salsa,
Prawn Caviar and Mixed Green Salad
***
Soup
Clear Winter Melon Soup
***
Entrée
Cod Fish Fillet served with Enoki Mushroom Sauce
and Mashed Sweet Potato
Mango Sorbet
***
Main Course
Herbs Crust Beef Tenderloin served with Pink Pepper Corn Sauce
or
Chicken Parfait filled with Sauteed Spinach, Seafood and Mushroom Sauce
****
Free Flow DESSERT BAR
Chocolate Fountain
A variety of French Pastries, Chinese Petit Fours, Fresh Fruits and Local Delicacies.
***
Wedding Cake
Chocolate Mud Cake
***
Beverage
Signature Mocktail
***
Champagne
Laurent Perrier Brut LP
***
Red Wine
Maison Bouachon Chateauneuf du Pape
***
White Wine
Bouchard Pere Et Fils Chablis
***
Photography by Jim Liaw Photography
Dennis Lau’s Exclusive Birthday Party
September 12, 2008
Dennis Lau, violinist extraordinaire, songwriter and managing director of Mosaic Music Entertainment celebrated his 23rd Birthday at Werner’s at Changkat, the hippiest bistro in town. It was a private affair with 40 exclusive friends and associates. The food was lovely, the wine was great and the company was fantastic. Here are some shots by Kidchan Studio.
Candid shot of the birthday boy making his birthday wish…looked like a really longg wish…
Dennis showing off his revamped website. Check it out here.
Moi with none other than the face and founder of Advertlets, Josh Lim.
Wilson the ‘lengchai’ & talented keyboardist, Dennis, vocalist Gina and sassy Adrienne Wong.
Dennis and friends.
Andreas’ Special
Now, can we *cough* have the real *cough* Andreas on a platter please? *wink*
Love is in the Details
September 12, 2008
Weddings are usually the same. The expected rundown of programme that makes it so generic but it is really the tiny little details here and there that turn ’just another’ wedding into a great signature wedding that truly reflects the couple.
Elizabeth is of Indian, Chinese and Kadazan heritage whilst Régis is French. Hence, for their wedding, it was an avant garde affair of classic elegance with touches of eastern culture.
Elizabeth and Régis went to great lengths to ensure that their menu was special and totally personalised. From the tableware to cutleries to the exact portion of each dish, much thoughts were put in to cater to the taste and bite of every guest. French wine and champagne to complement the flavour of the food. The wedding cake was customised to match the embossed patterns on the wedding invitation and menu cards.
The lavender (french wildflower) colour and garden theme represented mother nature so loved by the couple. Fleur-de-lis monogrammed initials were carried through in moderation while a special Memory Lane walkway leading into the garden was set up, requiring guests to pen down their messages to the bride and groom. Just as the sun began to set beautifully on the horizons overlooking the golf course, the bride and groom made their grand entrance together with their parents accompanied by a solo saxophonist. Jordan Almonds and Badam Halwa were given out as wedding favours with personalised postcards of Paris and Brunei that doubled as placecards. The bittersweet taste of Jordan Almonds represents the bitter sweet of life, and traditionally, signifies health, wealth, fertility, happiness and longevity. Badam Halwa is an Indian almond candy and the combination of both signified the marriage between two cultures.
More importantly than ever, it was the gathering of family and friends who flew in from various parts of the world that made it such a beautiful occasion, with special surprise performances by the father of the groom, the bride’s family and the Best Man. The ambience was romantic, laidback and informal. The night ended with a bouquet toss, followed by an after party at The Mansion, KL.
Photography by Jim Liaw Photography.
Short & Sweet - When Simple Words Say So Much
September 12, 2008
Wedding toasts are meant to be sincere, original and straight from the heart. Here are my favourites from One Tree Hill. Short, sweet and meaningful.
Episode 202
Bestman’s Toast - Lucas’ Toast to Haley and Nathan at their 1st Wedding Reception
“I think everybody knows that Nathan and I got off to a pretty sketchy start. Nathan, mutual hatred sound about right? Yea, you see, then a funny thing happened; Haley. She showed me that you can find the good in everybody, if you just give them a chance. The benefit of the doubt. Sometimes, people disappoint you. Sometimes they surprise you. But you never really get to know them…..until you listen for what’s in their hearts and that’s what Haley did with Nathan. That’s what we should do for them. So for you skeptics out there, prepare to be surprised. So this is to my brother and my little sis in-law, and in love.”
Episode 216
Bestman’s Toast - Lucas’ Toast to Keith & Jules at their Wedding Reception
“Remember tonight, for it is the beginning of always. A promise. Like a reward for persisting through life so long alone. The belief in each other and the possibility of love. A decision. To ignore or simply rise above the pain of the past. The covenant. Which at once binds two souls and yet severs prior ties. The celebration. Of the chance for two will always be stronger than one. Like a team, braced against the tempest’s of the world. And love, will always be the guiding force in our lives. For tonight is mere formality, only an announcement to the world for feelings long held. Promises made long ago, in the sacred space of our hearts.”
Episode 322
Maid of Honour’s Toast - Brooke’s Toast to Hailey and Nathan at their 2nd Wedding Reception
“I’m not the most eloquent speaker so I thought I would borrow a few words from Shakespeare. ‘Love is not love which alters when alteration finds.’ When life gets hard, when things change, true love remains the same. I look at Nathan and Haley and somehow I feel safer. I don’t know if I can explain that, but they give me hope and I’m afraid say it out loud because maybe if life finds out, it’ll try to beat it out of them and that will be a shame. Because, we all can use a little hope sometimes, you know. That feeling that everything is going to be ok and that there’s going to be someone there to help make sure of that. So, here’s to Nathan and Haley, and here’s to hope, and here’s to a love that will not alter.”
Picture taken from One Tree Hill Fan Site.
White Hydrangeas
September 10, 2008
Simple. Pure. Linen White.
These blooms are my latest craze. They are so versatile. From centrepieces for corporate events to wedding floral arrangements, they can transform a bare space into something beautiful without stealing the limelight.
Taichung & Sun Moon Lake
September 9, 2008
If Taipei is too much of a city for honeymooners, head over to the west central of Taiwan. A popular weekend getaway among locals, Taichung is synonymous with historical sites, eco tourism activities, quaint cafes and Sun Moon Lake. Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s largest lake. It is a tourist hotspot especially for honeymooners and wedding photography. It’s best to spend a night at one of those luxury boutique hotels in Sun Moon Lake so that you can catch the beautiful sun rising over the mountains at dawn. Also check out the Taichung Folklore Park, Wuling Farm, Lecheng Temple, night markets and Lavender Forest.
Frankie and Cecilia managed to cover many scenic spots in Taichung just within one day which included the countryside with the mountains as the backdrop, seaside, waterfall and some local cafes.
It was spring time with blooming flowers, sunny sunshine and cool breezy weather which were perfect for outdoor shoot.
Photography and gowns by Julia Wedding News
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