With less than two weeks to go, a lot of the details are being sorted out quite intensely at the moment. I had my wedding hair and make-up trial done last Monday. And I have to say that while I'm happy with the hair style, it took me a couple of hours to get used to the make-up. Not because it was thick and washed out for the photographs later, but because I'm not an everyday make-up person.

Despite not being able to communicate what kind of make-up style I wanted, Mariet my make-up artist, got what I was imagining in my head. I liked the brown eye shadows along the outer sides of the lids that gives a bit of depth to the eyes. And the subtle powdery brown look was more natural. I just kept wondering how it would look in daylight because our wedding will be in daytime.

It wasn't difficult to describe the hair style I wanted. I've always been a big fan of curls, and have proof that my hair loves staying curled. Mariet oohed happily and said she loved my hair because it was "doll's hair", meaning hair that does what its told. Hahah... Although, because I had layered my hair quite drastically, it was quite a challenge to give it volume. I kinda regret doing. Nevertheless, the veil would make a difference later. Speaking of the veil, the reason I'm wearing a headband comb is because my face veil would be fixed onto that comb. No preview of that, sorry! ^_~

We collected our wedding rings this afternoon. *^_^* I think these are the best choice we came up with. We hunted around for rings over two weeks ago, having just plain bands in mind. Somehow I wanted something contemporary, and hoped we'd find something that would speak our artistic side besides the plain old bands. That, and price was a bigger factor of course.

Most of the jewellers in Sydney CBD, as I discovered, were mostly jewellers who'd custom-make what you designed. That would obviously be out of our budgets.

We walked into a store at the ground floor at the QVB, and when I saw the tri-bands (they called it the Russian wedding bands), I got excited. The first time I ever saw them was on an ex-collegemate's finger. I thought it was a really unique wedding ring, but never quite thought it'd be something I'd want. Lee told me to try them on together with my engagement ring, and when I put it over the wedding tri-bands, it was an unbelievable fit! I initially thought it would be such a shame that I'll have to wear the engagement ring on the other hand after the wedding, because a normal band or any other type of rings wouldn't match. But this one was perfect!

It felt so significant in a way that the engagement ring made it look like a "rope" of rings around my finger which ended up in a knot. It was a gorgeous fit!

I joked with Lee that while most girls would just have two rings - their diamond engagement and a wedding band - I have four! Heheh... Yeah, and why have one band when you can have three? Like my engagement ring, the Russian wedding bands we got are tri-gold - white, yellow and rose golds.

My singledom will be over.

How would I describe what I'm feeling right now? Honestly, rather listless. I don't know if you could attribute it to having all the energy put into preparing for the wedding, then feeling a close to an anti-climax as the date nears. But I'm sure things will be different in the coming days.

I know the listlessness is partly owing to trying to get adjusted to work and the new environment. Yet I told Lee, had it not been for getting this new job, I think I'd have more bridezilla moments. In some ways, it is a good distraction.

Ju and YM arrived in Sydney in the last few days. We've met up and had dinner. YM brought, on behalf of the others who couldn't be here, this gorgeous photobook as a wedding present! Thank you girls!!!

It has all these embarrassing secondary school photos, but precious memories of all the years 6 of us girls had grown up and come together. It's really a great gift! *^_^*

Also, MIL came by today to drop off my veil and the ring pillow. She made them both! No pictures of the veil, because it'll all be seen together with dress when I post up the wedding photos of course!! Heheh... But the ring pillow is so sweet!

My parents and my brother arrive in Sydney at sparrow's fart tomorrow. *^_^* I'm so glad my dad is actually coming!

I only confirmed this menu with Our Place on Darling's manager, Marco, on Monday. It didn't help that I had to read this menu shortly before lunch at work!

We won't be having the usual sit-down course meal, but canapés and drinks (red, white wines, orange juice and coke) instead. Beer would be on a closed-bar basis. With a guest list of 25, Lee and I felt it was better to have everyone mingle and eat. I loved that the restaurant was a modern Australian cuisine and goes along with the East-West fusion theme that the wedding runs by.

* olives, dips & warm breads
* fresh pacific oysters with nam jim
* peking duck pancakes
* grilled chorizo & haloumi
* asparagus & fontina cheese frittata
* gruyere & herb gougeres
* vegetarian nori rolls
* prawn tortillitas
* spiced lamb brochettes with tzatziki
* roast pumpkin & sage crepe

Don't ask me why there isn't anything Malaysian on that list. I can't bear the thought of asking for satay! (If you've been to Australia, you'll know what I mean...) x_X

It was only during the wedding rehearsal, walking up the aisle with my dad that it all started to sink in. I honestly didn't know what to do with my face.

"Ermh, should I smile...? Should I hold a serious face? Or stick my tongue out like one of my nieces did? Heheh..."

Speaking of which, I had two made by fMIL. One was a birdcage veil, and the other a traditional shoulder length one. Or as Lee would say, the fishnet stocking and the mosquito netting. After doing a quick try-on with the dress, the mosquito netting looked better. Ah well. So much for looking like a modern bride. =P

My brother took some photos of the wedding rehearsal. I don't have it yet, cos he's still holding the camera. So, I guess it'll be a whole chunk of updates AFTER tomorrow! ^_~

Here are the photos of the rehearsal night, three days before the wedding.

St Augustine's Church altar

Holly and Olivia, the flowergirls; with maid of honour, Yuh Meei in tow.

My dad and I, with Lee's brother Neil looking on.

Up at the altar, rehearsing the exchange of rings.

Mango, Fr Joe's Persian, was around to make sure that Lee tripped his way through the steps. Hehehe...

Much like the April autumn morning Lee proposed, our wedding day began heavily clouded and chilly. The scattered showers didn't dampen any spirits, despite guests having minor trouble getting around in the rain. I always thought of rain as romantic. And in some cultures, rain is symbol of blessings.

Instead of walking in a small entourage across Gladstone Park to the church from home, the bestman had to pick YM and I to get us to the church. At the church door, I heard the lovely violin duo play, setting the mood for everyone. The whole ceremony was made memorable by Fr Joe's little quirks throughout. Despite having rehearsed, there were a number of things that he changed at that moment. It didn't bother me at all. It merely amused me at how everyone was talking about him during the reception.

After the ceremony, we went over to the old Balmain wharf in Mort Bay for the bridal party photographs, while guests adjourned to the restaurant. The aged timber deck made for a romantic picturesque setting over the bay, misty grey sky and the Harbour Bridge in the background. And for added props, YM and I had gone last minute shopping at the CBD the day before for transparent brollies! Heheh...

The reception was a delicious afternoon of grazing on canapés, while mingling. I'm glad to say everyone did get to meet and chat with each other. Which would've otherwise been impossible with a guest list of 100! The comment that I got quite frequently from our female guests were about my wedding gown. ^_~ The other notable comments were about our personalised cake topper made to look like Lee and I, and the guest scrapbook which was done so beautifully personalised by every guest who were there - with a Polaroid shot of themselves and personal comment. To top it off, it didn't rain the whole day either. The sun came out beautifully during the reception, and somehow when Lee and I had a picture of our rings taken, the sun was shining directly on our hands! *^_^*

By the end of it all, I felt so worn out and tired of entertaining, I was really thankful that we didn't have a big wedding! Right now though, I just can't believe it's all over!

I created a collage of photos posted here, gathered from MIL's camera and ones my brother took which aren't very clear or good quality. I'll be posting up the photographer's ones here much later, when I do get it.