Date: December 2016
It is almost a unique Singaporean culture that many couples hold their ROM Solemnisation some time before their fancier wedding celebrations… because of legal purposes. In order to complete housing procedures, most couples have to produce proof of marriage, which is the ROM cert.
Like soooo many couples before me, that’s what I decided to do, especially since i had gotten a resale flat with a shorter turnaround time. (See my resale flat journey here) So with a short lead time and limited budget, I turned to Taobao for some help! Read on below for some tips and links!
Why outdoors ceremony instead of at ROM itself?
It is definitely cheaper to do it at ROM itself, unfortunately ours had to be on a weekend (ROM is closed) since many of our guests would not be able to take leave on the weekday. Also, my uncle was the solemniser, making the preparations slightly easier!
As with any planning process, I’ve learnt invaluable tips the hard way and I’d like to share them with you before I proceed on with the Taobao Links.
Tip #1. Know what can be saved on, and what should not be.
This was the hardest struggle for me, since I wanted everything but had a budget. In the end, we had to prioritise what we could spend a little bit more on, and decide what we could save on. After all, there’s also no point saving on everything and ending up really unhappy on the day!
We saved on venue (relative’s condo function room) and decorations (Taobao) and even on my dress (Taobao) as the other options were simply too extravagant. I even did the dessert table on my own to save costs. But we did not save on catering (we chose Neo Garden based on all the recommendations) and we decided to get a photographer for the day.
#2. Don’t try to do everything yourself
Delegate and ask for help! That’s also something I had a hard time doing. I was baking the whole dessert table with a friend for 2-3 days, till the night before the event. Didn’t get much sleep (scolded by the photographer because my eyes looked tired in most of the shots) and was quite stressed out!
Thankfully, on the day itself, when I was trying to run around to do everything, my close friends ordered me to stay put and let them help out. Awwww so much love!
#3. Personalize
Once you decide to do most of the things on your own, accept that it will never look like one of those glam pinterest pictures – whereby everything is obviously professionally set up and expensive. That doesn’t mean that your special event has to look shoddy or bad! Go from another angle and make everything cozy, intimate and personalised. Hand-drawn signs, handmade door gifts (I baked granola!), pictures and love – that’s your key to a beautiful event.
Don’t be a bridezilla ok? 😀
And now, for the TAOBAO Links! Here are items that i bought from Taobao, and the links. I used Ezbuy because of the Prime Shipping (Only $2.99!)
#1. My Dress!
Yes, my dress was from Taobao! After SO MUCH research, I decided to order this full-length gown. I loved that it was a little sheer at the top and very well fitted.
Tips to buying dresses
- Reviews. OMG, so important! Go through all the reviews (especially the ones with pictures) and ask yourself if you can accept how it looks like it pictures
- Made-to-Measure. Preferably go for the dresses which have an option for you to send in your measurements. Mine did, and so it fit really well!
- Corset back. If it’s not MTM, find those with corset/laced-up backs – this will give you a little leeway for tightening or loosening.
- Get a back up. I bought 2 dresses (both for under $100) in case one doesn’t turn out well! That was actually the case in the end, so i’m glad i did so!
- Give it time. This should be the first thing you buy, at least 2 months in advance. Just in case, ya?
TB Link: https://world.taobao.com/item/525317411772.htm?fromSite=main
Cost: $65
#2. Photobooth
Photobooths don’t come cheap, and if you can afford it, hire someone to do it for you, along with the instant print-outs! (Aww Snap Photobooth is one such company I’ve worked with, and they are good!)
If not, make your own with a Photostand & gorgeous coloured streamers to suit your theme! You can even reuse them for future events!
Photostand TB Link: https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=45020903534
Cost: $27.83 (Background Frame only)
Streamers TB Link: https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=520560001952
Cost: $18.55
*Use the 20cm width option, you will need about 15 of these
I bought: 5 x #50(white), 5 x #25 (light blue), 5 x #26(water blue). Tada!!
#3. Rose Petals
Rose petals are definitely a good way to get that romantic vibe. Best still, these fake rose petals actually look pretty good (and they won’t turn yellow or rot…). There are plenty of sellers for these kind of rose petals, so be sure to read the reviews.
TB Link: https://world.taobao.com/item/43925444093.htm?fromSite=main
Cost: $5.46
I bought 4 packets of White petals & 2 packets of Light Blue petals.
#4. Paper Tassels!
Jazz up your dessert tables or photobooth with these pretty tassels! I love love love the colors!
TB Link: https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=525962866983
Cost: $13.23
(1 packet has 5 tassels) I bought 3 x White, 2 x Silver, 2 x Light Blue, 2 x Lake Blue.
#5. MR & MRS Sign
Yes, it’s cheesy, but it’s super cute too! After all, who doesn’t want to announce their newly-wed status (:
TB Link: https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=43649815054
Cost: $14.78 ( I bought the Medium size in Silver Glitter)
Non-Taobao deco items that you should get as well!
#6. Table Cloth
Duh, don’t forget the table cloths! They are super important. If possible, get some other colours to liven up the white.
I got mine at Clementi (those cloth shops selling rolls of fabric!), plenty for only $24.
#7. Wooden Boxes – Dessert Table
Elevate your treats and decorations with these wooden boxes/racks from DAISO! Only $2 per piece, and it looks good! You can also get a bag of potpourri there for that lovely scent and red hints.
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