3.30pm
(Local blues band's CD on the player.
Talented group.
Cloudy afternoon.
Blues music in the afternoon... very slow and lazy day.)

Purple Bliss

Dear Diary,

Past few days have been set aside clearing out other pending matters and now I've finally gotten down to writing and sharing that casual and romantic purple wedding held on 25th May 02, at The Bayshore.

The lovely couple was Derrick and Sheralyn, who finally decided to tie the knot after 5 years of courtship. Friends brought them together and on the ROM day, close families and friends celebrated their union. To add to the revelry of the evening, the day was also the Groom's birthday (whose age I shall not disclose). It was literally "double happiness" as the Chinese would aptly describe the event.

It was a casual outdoor wedding and as any planner would, I prayed for good weather. It had been raining for the past few weeks. Even though wet weather contingency plans were made, the ideal ambience could never be adequately re-created indoors (in my honest opinion). All I needed was the clouds to contain themselves for at least 5 hours and we would be home free.

The day started with a slight drizzle. Sheralyn called with a slight tone of anxiety but I thought a little shower then would do more good than harm. It would probably clear the pool area of residents who wanted a dip or a tan, and therefore allow me the space to set up the area for the evening.

It was planned to be an intimate occasion and with the small budget, decorations were kept affordable, simple yet elegant. I proceeded to dress up the area in the afternoon (fortunately the weather held up nicely) with the theme of white, purple and pink; white to add to the formality of the occasion, purple to add romance (it is also the couple's favourite colour), and finally dashes of shocking pink to bring out the zaniness and fun Sheralyn and Derrick wanted. Lots of rose petals were strewn around the area and around tealights which supplied beams of lighting in a relatively dim venue. Full aqua rose blooms were also placed in vases to add colour. White and lilac organza were draped across branches and tied on garden benches to create a complete soft look for the evening. Small luminous purple paper cones were made to contain nuts put out as snacks for guests to munch on before the ceremony started.

The wedding ceremony started promptly at about 7.15pm and the trendy couple marched in, dressed in matching denim blue outfits. It began to drizzle at this point but to me, it was like a timely little shower of blessings sent from Heaven. Sundial Dreams from Kevin Kern played in the background as I held the hand of the adorable ring bearer and led him through the carpet of rose petals. I guess the excitement got to him and he began looking around in a daze, surprised at all the attention. At that moment, I was afraid he would run off to his daddy standing at the side, together with the ring pillow and precious wedding bands on his little outstretched hands. Fortunately, we made it to the solemnisation table and Derrick and Sheralyn recited the vows that would bind them in a lifetime of love and commitment amidst cheers from their loved ones.

In my opinion, the rest of the evening went well. The food was good and the specially made Croquembouche (the pink themed, strawberry/chocolate flavoured wedding cum birthday cake, topped with a caricature of the newly-weds) was a delight to all who took a bite.

Derrick was "volunteered" for a dunk in the pool later in the evening (as prophesised by himself). The evening ended with the married couple and guests proceeding to the karaoke lounge for more hours of merry-making.

My congratulations and best wishes to you, Derrick and Sheralyn.

Love, Kim

Diary's Snapshots provided by Derrick and Sheralyn.
Photography by Tommy.