I have always wanted to be able to propose to my girls – best friends who have laughed with me, cried with me, worked with me, grown with me. I’ll marry every one of them if I could!
Given more time and freedom to plan the wedding, I would have done a Bridesmaids proposal. But given only 3 weeks when we decided to hold the wedding on the same day as the Tea Ceremony, I decided to do a after-wedding Thank You party instead with my bridesmaids all dolled and dressed up with a *BIG surprise* awaiting them ;D
So earlier during the planning, I had told them that the shoot will be done at Punggol Waterway area as suggested by my photographer Jon Wang. It was also more convenient since my place is nearby and we could do brunch and makeup at my house. However, I later discovered that the *surprise* that I had planned for can’t be done at the Waterway area and the next best location was East Coast Park. I didn’t want to simply inform them the change in location without any good reason, neither did I want them to know (or feel) anything about the surprise.
So I waited till brunch that day when I slowly broke to them the ‘bad news’: Jon did some recce earlier that morning and for some reason, many part of Punggol Waterway and water features are fenced up! It’s hard to avoid the fenced up area, the whole shoot will turn out super ugly and my photoshop skill will not be able to save the day (it’s a lie, there was no issues doing the shoot at Punggol Waterway area). So we ‘agreed’ to quickly look for another shoot location.
I kept checking my phone throughout brunch pretending that I was awaiting updates from Jon (actually I was really just checking that my vendors were replying and won’t go MIA lol), then told them that Jon suggested to change the shoot location to East Coast Park instead. During this time, Vinna who is really good at finding Insta-worthy cafes and areas in SG kept showing us potential options for the shoot and I was so worried everyone will decide for another spot so I was like: ‘eh… but I want some waters shot…. eh… is outdoor area nice?…. eh… I think this place will be too crowded…don’t want photo-bombers’ >.<
Shawn then came along to add that East Coast Park has really nice sunset and there is a area that we recently went to which is not too crowded. We kept a straight face, acted really disappointed and were soooo good they believed us hhAHHAhAhahHAhah!
After Shawn was done with my hair (yups, he curls my hair for me), he left the house with set-up props and picnic essentials giving the excuse that he needs to pass quite a number of things to his brother for a event prep and will join us for dinner later in the evening. THEY DID NOT SUSPECT A THING! The truth is, Shawn was heading to the shoot location earlier to help set up the spot and ensure that everything was ready by the time we arrived. Meanwhile, we continued with our make up and when it’s time we leave, we took a Grab.
I was praying reeeaaalllyyy hard in the Grab as the skies had turned grey and it looked like it was going rain real bad! As we got nearer to East Coast Park, we saw some tents pitched along the seaside and Vinna exclaimed that I should have gotten one of those tents just in case it starts to rain. I was like, “Yea… but we didn’t know that we would be doing our shoot at ECP, if not I would have gotten a huge tent for us to bunk in… Maybe we can learn from those guys and set up a make shift one… not bad leh..” (Laughing in my stomach and points at a canvas hanging on sticks, much to the dismay of the girls hehe!!!)
Well… Little did they know, that was the plan all along! The surprise was a HUGE SIZE Glamping Tent furnished with beds and a picnic table, filled with fairy lights, rose petals, cakes, chips and lots of drinks.
Setting up of camping tents are only allowed at designated areas in Singapore and that’s the reason why I had to change the bridesmaids shoot from Punggol (where camping is not allowed) to East Coast Park! The surprise was a real success and I can’t be any prouder to have pulled this off without slipping my tongue! Jon had also arrived earlier to find a ‘sniper spot’ where he can secretly take pictures of all of us and everyone’s faces when we arrive. Just look at the pictures below – I am sure the girls were thinking why do they have such a crazy best friend like me. Now enough with the story telling, I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking 🙂
I love how surprised and happy my girls look! Jessica even laughed sooo hard she cried! 😛
It was drizzling slightly but we were so blessed! The drizzle cleared quickly after that, leaving a cooling weather and strong sea breeze just perfect for our shoot!
Couldn’t miss out the opportunity for some solo shots that looked like I’m in Santorini! 
We took a quick break and then headed out again to catch the Golden Hour. Most of my favourite takes are from here with Jon sniggling behind his camera. The reason: ‘ You girls look like a you are going to drop the next biggest hit!’
Love how the photos turned out!
Those photos above may look really silly and unglamorous but to me, they are really fun, natural and heartwarming – I wouldn’t change any of these pictures!
To Jessica, Yina, Vinna, my 3 best friends, some of the finest ladies I know… I hope that 30 years down the road when we are nearing our 60s, we’ll pull out this little album during a cosy gathering with our children and tell them of our friendship that had spanned for decades.
40 years down the road when we are nearing our 70s, we’ll look back and reminisce the times when we were once young, strong and beautiful. Perhaps even do a remake of these pictures? 😛
50 years down the road when we are nearing our 80s, I hope we will still remember the good times we’ve had, the fulfilling lives we have lived together and the enduring friendship that tells it’s own tale. :’)
Bridesmaids Dresses and my gown from Occasion Boutique. Check them out on Facebook and Instagram for more beautiful designs! Simply flash this blog post or any of my postings for Occasion Boutique to get a set of $38 and $88 discount voucher for your dresses!
Many thanks to Glamping Society for the gorgeous glamping set up, PGcakes for the delicious little cake treats, Jon Wang for capturing these beautiful moment and of course, to my most wonderful hubby, Shawn, for your love, kindness, generosity and everything you’ve done for me – I love you!
It’s hard to come by educated people on this topic, however, you seem like you
know what you’re talking about! Thanks