Who would have thought having a wedding needed so much preparations? Sometimes I ask myself are certain things necessary? Why do others have the expectations that a wedding has to be as such? Is it because someone who read too many Cinderella story books came up with all these ideas of how an ideal wedding should be? I was speaking to my uncle the other day about my preparations, and he mentioned that during his time (probably about 30-40 odd years ago), for his wedding, there is no need to invite friends and colleagues. All he did was hire a chef from a restaurant, put up some tents outside his house, and invited all close family members and relatives. That’s it! He then ask, why want to waste so much time and money just to plan for this one day. Well, it made me stop and wonder as well….and that he had a point.

I guess today, society sees us differently. It’s all about ego, status and how they perceive you. Today if you have a wedding banquet and not invite your friends and colleagues, you’re seen as snobbish or stingy. If you don’t have pre-wedding shots done, you’re seen as trying to save money. If you don’t have a wedding banquet at all, you’re seen as you’re trying to hide something (scandal? bride is pregnant?). Why is it does society sees us as such? What happened to the times where weddings were just kept simple amongst family members and relatives? Mind you, back then, the term “wedding planner” does not even exist! People hire wedding planners simply because there are too many things to do. But imagine if it’s just kept simple…

Anyway, not complaining much as most of our preps are already done. The major thing left is sorting out the guest list and seating arrangements. I guess that’s the one that gives you the most headache during any wedding. Thankfully, I have an awesome wife and mother-in-law, who are always so understanding and supportive in so many ways. Love them both.

Until then, stay tuned for more updates

Don’t really know how to describe it but you should watch these 2 videos, especially the second one. Very very cool indeed!

It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do
I want to spend each moment of the day with you
Oh, look what has happened with just one kiss
I never knew that I could be in love like this
It’s crazy but it’s true
I only want to be with you

You stopped and smiled at me
And asked if I’d care to dance
I fell into your open arms
And I didn’t stand a chance
Now listen honey
I just want to be beside you everywhere
As long as were together, honey, I don’t care
Cause youve started something
Oh, can’t you see?
That ever since we met
Youve had a hold on me
No matter what you do
I only want to be with you

Oh, oh, you stopped and you smiled at me
And asked if I’d care to dance
I fell into your open arms
And I didn’t stand a chance
Now hear me tell you
I just want to be beside you everywhere
As long as were together, honey, I don’t care
Cause youve started something
Oh, can’t you see?
That ever since we met
Youve had a hold on me
No matter what you do
I only want to be with you
I said no matter, no matter what you do
I only want to be with you

2 weeks ago, I was in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam for Mediaworks 2011. Now, if you don’t know what this training is about, it’s actually training on how to take on a real life pitch through strategy and presentation. It’s not exactly a “fun in the sun” kinda trip as it was sort of like a reality show situation where they split you into groups with other strangers from across the APAC region and given less than 48 hours to come out with a full presentation based on a given brief. Why I said reality show is because of the stress and the time it takes to put together a proper presentation deck with strategy to impress the client. Yes, there was a real life client there where he gave an actual pitch brief and requirements. Imagine being in Masterchef going through Pressure Tests and Mystery Box Challenges…that sort of stress.

I arrived in HCMC together with a fellow colleague Nicole around noon after our flight was delayed by nearly 1 and half hours. Event only starts at 4PM so we first checked in and proceed to look for some food. It’s the only time we will ever get to see HCMC as we both know that we won’t be going out of the hotel except on the final night.

Nicole and I at the arrival hall waiting for our transport

We were put up at the Sheraton Saigon, and I was supposed to be sharing a room with a random stranger as it was a twin sharing room. I will tell you why I said “supposed” later on. So after putting down our bags and checking in, we walked around our hotel area for a bit.

Twin sharing room

View from my balcony

A Louis Vuitton store in HCMC

Emporio Armani Cafe

Street food!

Nicole’s sad bowl of noodles for lunch

As you can tell, we’re staying at the “higher end” of HCMC where you can find designer labels. Ok, so when I went back to my hotel room, I got a shock as I found 2 ladies from China who were also attending the workshop in my room. They say they were assigned the same room as I am. There is definitely a mix up here as I don’t think they would put both guys and girls in the same room. Anyway, I went down to the reception and made a complaint. They say it was a mix up on their end and they apologized for it. They were so apologetic to the point that they offered me an upgrade to a larger room. So now, I have a really large room…all by myself! It seemed that the room mate that I was suppose to share the room with, didn’t turn up at all.

Check out the larger room…I have this all to myself for the next 3 nights! :)

After the minor drama, it was time to get into serious mode. We were assigned into groups and given briefs by the client. Each team was also assigned a mentor who are all industry leaders in their own regional market. My team consists of 2 Malaysians, 2 Singaporeans, 4 PRC nationals, and 2 from Hong Kong. Oh yea, I was also appointed the group leader by popular demand…probably because I spoke the most during the introductions.

Over the next 3 days, we were all “locked” in the hotel. First night we slept around 1 AM as most of us were tired especially we all woke up early to catch the morning flight. The second night, it was crunch time. We slogged it out till about 4AM and woke up by 730AM for breakfast and to rehearse and find tune our presentation deck before the actual pitch.

That’s me in the striped shirt briefing the team and our mentor

On the final night, there were 3 finalist being announced and they had to make the presentation to all other teams the next morning. Sadly, our team didn’t win, but we did had a really brilliant idea. The client gave good comments about our overall performance and liked our idea, we were just lacking a few minor details here and there. We all consoled ourselves by saying we finished “forth” overall. Hahaha…but seriously, I was really happy with the team despite some minor disagreements and communication problems.

Team photos

Overall, the trip was a real experience for me. I would definitely recommend this workshop for anyone in the media industry who would like to know tactics and training on how to take on a pitch. I definitely have no regrets going there and would do it all again if I have the chance to.

During this workshop, I was paired with strangers from across Asia and we had group assignments and presentations to do to a panel of judges. I have time to blog now, as my team had just finished presenting after staying up till 4AM last night and waking up at 7AM this morning to finalize the presentation deck and rehearse. Well, I’m headed off to take a nap now, before me and my team mates head out for dinner and probably party!…until then..stay tuned for some photos in my next posting.