Breathe easy, sit back, and relax on your big day

‘Once in a lifetime’, ‘absolutely perfect’, ‘special’… We all want our weddings to be THE bestest, one-of-a-kind, flawless, and perfect (oops did I use that already?) occasion. The perfect gown, the perfect hair, the perfect location, the perfect flowers, the perfect band, the perfect songs, the perfect cake, the perfect ring…on your perfect man. We create so many expectations for ourselves, that now and then we should ask ourselves: Is this really necessary?

Well, I’m referring to the often self-imposed stress, rather than the wedding itself. I believe one’s wedding day should be a day of celebration, fun, and laughter. And tears should only be shed for joy, with precious memories to keep and treasure, yet not over-shadowing a lifetime ahead of happily ever after.

To take the spotlight off the actual wedding day, pre-wedding photography seems like the ideal way to capture the happiness and emotions of getting married.

It was not so long ago that my fiancé and I had decided to venture overseas for our pre-wedding photography shoot. We enjoyed nice cool Spring weather, warm friendly service from the crew, breathtaking scenery en-route, a fantastic album of delightful memories for keeps, and extended the trip into our little pre-wedding honeymoon!

Before you pack your bags and go, there are a few things to take note of:

1. ‘I want to be the most beautiful bride in the world...’ Where are your gowns and dresses coming from – do you source them from your home country, or will the overseas studio provide them? What types of bridal fashion styles are popular there and do they fit with what you are looking for? Imagine not being able to find something you like on the eve of the photoshoot… Korean and Taiwanese tend to go for more soft, romantic looks with chiffon and tulle, while Hong Kongers prefer dramatized outfits (think feathers and bold colours).

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality (excellent workmanship) and range of selection available overseas (including a ballroom gown that looks like my favourite Disney princess’, Cinderella), despite having to deal with some anxiety of not being able to find THE perfect gown before that!

2. ‘I wanted turquoise, not green…’ Communication can become a problem if you don’t speak the local language. Make sure you have a translator, otherwise it could be difficult trying to pin-point what you want exactly.

3. ‘Yes, we want to look like part of Marry Me, Mary…’ Different photographers have different styles and preferences. Some may prefer classic, artistic, or vintage styles, while others may embrace spontaneous, casual, or dynamic looks. Have a chat with your photographer before the shoot and get to know each other a little better. This connection helps to build trust and align expectations so you can set your mind at ease. More importantly, it allows him to draw out the best expressions from you and your fiancé during the shoot.

Apart of photography styles, think about what back-drops you would like to capture – city-scape vs. greenery; modern architecture vs. rustic cottages; sandy beaches vs. hilly mountains… Go with a vendor who can bring you to a location with these varied surroundings and you’ll be spoilt for choices!

4. ‘…but we want to make it personal too…’ Where did you have your first kiss? Where and how did he propose? Any favourite drama or movies you both like? Where are your frequent hang-out spots? Your dream honeymoon location? Anything that has a special meaning to your relationship such as pets, clothes, bicycles, toys, musical instruments etc.? Incorporate these elements into your wedding shoot to tell your love story and make it an even more memorable one.

5. ‘What does the weatherman say?’ Check out the season and weather, especially if the shoots are taking place outdoors. Bring a shawl along if it’s going to be chilly, or sunnies and sunblock lotion for sunny weather. Temperate countries with seasonal changes offer varied scenery – beautiful flowers blooming in Spring give a vibrant and lively feel vs. red maple leaves falling during Autumn offers a charming and enchanting mood. Make sure your wedding co-ordinator has an alternative wet weather plan too!

Now you’re all ready to head off! Just relax, enjoy being pampered, and immerse yourselves in the feeling of love!

On the road: What to wear for business travel?

3 flights in 4 days is about as crazy as my travel itinerary gets (come to think about it i've done 7 flights in 6 days including transits too)... i'm only excited about flying if (a) it brings me to an exotic location that I've never been before or (b) it's for vacation :) suddenly it doesn't matter that I'll be cramped up in a 50cm x 50cm space (better in newer planes like A380) for x hours, that food rarely taste yummy (SQ so far has been the most decent), and my tv screen shrinks and has absolutely horrible resolution (i need an iPad). But when it comes to travelling for business (on economy), all I wish is to have Hiro Nakamura's (in Heroes) teleportation power so I can skip this uncomfortable experience.

Sadly, no matter how hard I tried to focus, I still had no reason to exclaim 'Yatta' when I opened my eyes. So I guess I can only try my best to make the flight as comfortable as possible.

1. Breathe well. Select clothes which are fitting, but not too tight. Clothes are that are too tight may restrict movement, and we don't want to look frumpy wearing clothes that are too loose. I usually go for cotton or knits for tops and well-fitted pants for bottoms.

Tip: Knits may be the most comfy but it's also the most static-prone material. Usually it'll go away a while after you land... just don't rub your blankie too much against your knits!

2. Crisp look. Sometimes we have to just hop from airport to client meeting, and don't have much time in between to change. Take care not to crumple your shirt and blazer so you can still maintain your professional image. Flight attendants typically can help with storing of blazer in a closet. For shirts, opt for a wrinkle-free material such as Brooks Brothers non-iron shirts.

3. Accidents happen. I usually avoid whites or light-colours when I travel, in case a newbie flight attendant or clumsy passenger spills something on me. As I try to pack light when I travel, I may not have spares for such incidents. Fingers crossed, so far this has not happened to me yet...

4. Keep warm. A cardigan, pashmina scarf, sweater or jacket comes in handy to keep me warm for napping on the plane. Pick a fashionable-looking one, and it works great as a a chic accessory when you land too!

5. Walk well. I admire women who wear six-inch stilettos and are still able to tow their suitcases and laptop bags in style. I wish I can be one of them, unfortunately my bad knee can't take that much beating so I've taken to flats when I travel. Ballet pumps and loafers go with any outfit.

My fav pair of flats has to be this croc-skin JipiJapa pumps. They have braved through many airports and cities with me, and is looking battered now. :( I got them in Hong Kong and couldn't find the exact replacement when I went back recently...

Apart from dressing, there are other things to take note of as well:

6. Bed tresses? One of my pet peeves of flying is that my hair will look a mess - either so much static has gathered and my fly-ends can't be tamed, or a wrong sitting/sleeping position has led to what look likes a curling-thong misuse. Bring along some hair wax or serum in your hand carry (in allowable amounts), and if all else fails, I'll bun or tie my hair up in a pony tail. Babes with short hair could go for stylish hair clips or hair bands.

7. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Can't emphasize this enough. Our body and skin thirsts for moisture when we're at 30,000 feet. Drink loads of water and slap on as much hand cream/moisturizer as possible. Spray mist also offer good relieve to travel fatigue.

8. What did the weatherman say? I once landed in 10 degrees only to have my summer jacket *gasp*. My lifeline was my gal-friend who generously lent me her trench coat and scarf for the week!

So before I master my teleportation skills, I have to make travelling as pleasant as possible. Sometimes it just takes looking out of the window and enjoying the amazing view of the horizon - priceless.