Penang Fam Trip

I was in Penang recently for a fam trip organised by Penang Global Tourism. Happy I was to have been able to meet and establish new friendships with wedding planners from Singapore and Hong Kong who were invited to see for themselves what Penang has to offer as a destination for weddings. 

Though rather hectic, it nevertheless gave us the opportunity to get to know one another and to visit the many venues that can host weddings, be it beach weddings, heritage or cultural celebrations. I also took the opportunity to extend my stay by a day in order to catch up with our local wedding partners in Penang. Some of these vendors have been long-time partners of weddingsmalaysia, and many have become good friends of mine. Having said that, we also look forward to nurturing nascent relationships that we have recently established with our newer partners. 

Over coffee and cake, we had the chance to catch up on the latest happenings, both in our work as well as in our personal lives. Taking the time to connect is always worthwhile.

Afternoon tea at D'Fat Mona Lisa Cafe in Penang, Malaysia.

Melaka

I headed down to Melaka with my friends and wedding industry colleagues Cindy of Beauty Haven and Calvin of Mphotoo, for work early March. Having recently secured Hotel Equatorial Melaka as a client, we were there for a brainstorm and to get to know the hotel's team. An added bonus was the opportunity to catch up with my Melaka-based buddies Ming and Mayang.

 

I first got to know Mayang in either 2000 or 2001 when she was a journalist with The Star. In fact, it was Mayang who gave That Special Occasion our first major feature in the papers, a catalyst that helped propel the business at the onset. As for Ming, I first met her when she was with Hilton Petaling Jaya, a few years after I became acquainted with Mayang. I remember presenting weddingsmalaysia's credentials at our initial meeting. We kept in touch over the years and developed a friendship.

 

Both Ming and Mayang had been pestering me to visit and when work finally provided an opportunity to do so, I had no excuse to delay the trip any longer. Indeed, great conversation over good food was the perfect way to end an evening in Melaka. I should visit again soon.

 

 

Dinner with Ming, Mayang, Cindy and Calvin at Restoran Pak Putra Tandoori and Roti Naan Melaka, Malaysia.

Company Trip 2014

We've just returned from our company trip, well a combined trip for teams weddings-malaysia and That Special Occasion. To Ho Chi Minh City we went, and as always, had a good time, albeit with a little stress thrown in for good measure.

Travelling in a group is seldom a piece of cake, but over the years, we've learnt to compromise and regardless of whatever stressful situations that may arise, we tend to end up having an enjoyable experience. So for four days and three nights, we ate, we shopped, we saw the sights, but most importantly we communed.

 

Till the next trip, here's to working hard and meeting those targets we've set ourselves to achieve this year.

 

 

Photo shot at KL International Airport, prior to leaving for Ho Chi Minh City.

Company Trip 2013

The teams from weddingsmalaysia and That Special Occasion were in  Krabi earlier this week for our annual company trip. Looking back through the years, we've been to Siem Reap, Hatyai, Penang, Bali, Phuket and Kuantan, and we have a great time year in year out. What's there not to enjoy while on holiday?

 

I typically decide on the destination based on a number of factors. How well we've done during the year, how often my colleagues have pissed me off in the past twelve months, good deals on flights and accommodation, some place we've never been to as a group, sufficient diversity to meet the group's varied interests, good food, some shopping, spas to visit.

 

Our accountant and I have also decided that next year's destination will largely depend on us meeting sales targets set. So teams, you know what to do!

 

 

Photo shot on arrival at Mercure Krabi Deevana in Krabi, Thailand.

Local Content

An industry colleague was asking me the other day why I mostly feature local content in the weddings-malaysia publica-tion and portal. Well, it's a no brainer really. The vendors who support me and participate in the publication are Malaysians or based in Malaysia, so there's no reason why I should not reciprocate by featuring local weddings, created by local wedding vendors. It's really as simple as that.

 

Sure, we do sometimes have photos depicting weddings abroad, but by and large, either the bride or groom is a Malaysian, or perhaps some of the vendors involved in the weddings are Malaysian. It is not a criteria that I strictly stick to but I subconsciously gravitate towards this principle.

 

I guess the underlying justification to all of this is support those who support you. I'd like to think that our industry partners are akin to a large extended family under the weddingsmalaysia banner. Collaborative efforts enable all of us to cross-sell our services and in turn jointly benefit. So here's to a great rest of the year to all my industry friends and colleagues.

 

 

Cover of weddingsmalaysia 2013.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, it's been a crazy couple of weeks since the Chinese New Year holidays. I can't believe how busy I've been at work, both at weddingsmalaysia and at That Special Occasion. I've been enjoying meeting new wedding partners for the former and soon-to-be-married clients when it comes to the latter. With editorial deadlines to meet, appointments to attend to and a myriad of other tasks to accomplish, it certainly has been a hectic but nevertheless rewarding period.

 

I am happy to say that I've got an upcoming holiday to look forward to. I shall be hitting the islands and beaches soon for some rest and recreation, and am definitely going to be working on those tan lines. A holiday every now and then, even a short one, helps one rejuvenate the senses and calm the restless soul.

 

But till I board my flight, there is still much to do. Work however always seems much more pleasurable when a holiday is looming on the horizon. Time to start packing soon!

 

 

Lounging by the sea, a favourite holiday pastime of mine.

Congrats Integricity!

It's always wonderful when associates you work with are recognised for their talent, ideas and work ethic. When this happens, they feel a sense of achievement, a fitting reward for all the hard work put in. There is a sense of pride in being able to go toe-to-toe with their competitors, in an industry that is both challenging and constantly evolving. The earned respect also acts as a catalyst, a motivating factor for even better work to come. Yes, we are happy for them. More importantly though, all these positive vibes also rub off on us as we too get inspired. We want to do better as well, think more creatively, enjoy our work even more. We too aspire to work better as a team, enhance camaraderie and nurture a sense of belonging. We too become more purposeful in believing that we can hold our own in the competitive environment of the wedding industry. And we aim to do this with the input of our associates at Integricity, winner of the Local Hero Award and Silver Award for Digital Agency Of The Year at Advertising + Marketing's annual Agency Of The Year Awards 2012.

I have for many years relied on the team from Integricity when it comes to all things digital, in relation to the businesses that we run. From weddingsmalaysia to That Special Occasion and many others in between, they have been our counsel. Suffice to say, I am extremely happy that they won. I remember vividly the first time Alex Lam came a calling years ago, and it has been a pleasure working with the team at Integricity ever since. We are not a big account, yet we get the attention and prompt assistance.

So here's a little message from my team and I ... 'Very well deserved! Now even more people know what we as clients already knew. Much congratulations to everyone at Integricity. Thanks to all, past and present, who have and continue to work on all of our accounts, from the slightly busier ones to the least active ones. We look forward to greater collaborations in future. Well done again!'

A little congratulatory gift we sent over, photo courtesy of Warren Tan.

R&R

The past few weeks have been crazy in terms of work. Apart from having to meet editorial deadlines for The Hiplist 2011 which is due out next month as well as weddingsmalaysia 2012 which is in pre-production, orders have also been streaming in at That Special Occasion. These are good developments and I am thankful, but it also means that I am a tad more stressed than usual.

Being on holiday thrice since June adds to the chaos of the work schedule but it's not something I should complain about. In fact, such trips help me recharge and I often come back ready to tackle the challenges on the workfront. The upcoming Hari Raya and National Day holiday is something I am looking forward to. A chance to catch up with the extended family and have some R&R.

In the meantime, I could do with a badly needed reflexology and massage. If only I could find some time!

Photo of Elemis Spa at the St. Regis in Bangkok, Thailand.

Calm

In my line of work, whether publishing at weddings-malaysia or creating attire at That Special Occasion, challenges abound. My friend and financial planner Doris recently told me to stop using the word 'stress' due to its negative connotation, so 'challenge' it shall be.

One important lesson that I've learnt is to 'keep calm and carry on' regardless of the circumstances. I am certainly an advocate of 'the show must go on' no matter what. Sometimes I get my feathers ruffled and I've also learnt to treat it like 'water off a duck's back'. Only then can one move forward, and in fact I tend to get much more motivated when faced with such challenges.

So to those who may from time to time face the same situations in which I find myself in every now and then - 'keep calm and carry on'.

Photo shot at B'Sweet in Hatyai, Thailand.

Appreciative Winners

Congratulations to Samantha and Gavin, winners of the recently concluded Splendour Of Nature contest in which both weddingsmalaysia and That Special Occasion were sponsors.

Their story is one that inspires, one that encourages hope, one that reinforces our trust in fate and destiny. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Gavin in person but I did have the good fortune of designing a wedding gown as well as a cheongsam for Samantha. I say good fortune because Samantha is one of the most gracious brides I have met in my decade in the business. It's winners like Samantha that make our participation in such contests worthwhile.

I'd like to think that I speak for my fellow sponsors too when I say that an appreciative winner really makes our day. We put in the effort and when the effort is appreciated and recognised, it makes our work all that more enjoyable. Here's to the both of you Samantha and Gavin! Read about their story here and here.

Photo of Samantha and Gavin by Kid Chan Studio.

Team Work

Teamwork is important in any organi-sation. Although I may rant and complain, I value my team, both at weddingsmalaysia and at That Special Occasion. I am demanding yes, because I expect all of us to do the best that we can. Those who fall short need to be told, myself included. Only then can we improve.

Going on a trip together helps us bond and we do one every year, except last year when I felt we were not up to the mark in our performance the year before. We did pretty well in 2010 and hence our company trip recently. In Hatyai, we shopped, we gorged ourselves with food, we relaxed with massages and reflexology sessions. By spending time together, camaraderie was also enhanced.

It's now back to the grind but there is always next year's trip to look forward to. We ought to do well this year!

Group photo shot at lobby of Novotel Centara Hatyai, Thailand.

Company Trip

I've just returned from our company trip to Hatyai, a combined trip for my teams at weddingsmalaysia and That Special Occasion. We've been doing this for the past couple of years - Penang, Siem Reap, Bali, Phuket. It's an opportunity to bond, to have some fun after a year's worth of hard work.

I chose Hatyai this time round as I felt shopping and food would do us good. No worries about planning any sightseeing itinerary. Shop till we drop, eat to our hearts' content were top priority. Throw massage and reflexology into the equation and you have it, a truly enjoyable couple of days.

Come the end of the trip, we always look forward to the next one. The destination for 2012? Well, it will really depend on how well we do this year. I guess we are all motivated in a way to do the best we can. The better we do, the more attractive the destination I suppose. Here's to closing more deals in the months ahead.

Here I am shopping in the Old Market in Hatyai, Thailand.

Setting

Other than the food, the setting of a restaurant plays a part in the entire gastro-nomic experience. Those who read this blog often enough would know that I love the sea. I am most happy when I am on holiday by the sea and definitely enjoy having a meal either on the beach itself, at a restaurant fronting the beach or perhaps like the one in the photo with beautiful seaviews as a backdrop.

I am not too fussy with food when on holiday. I don't complain unless it is very bad. For the most part, I make it a point to be a bit more laid-back and take things in stride. And when the setting is as beautiful as this, coupled with great food at reasonable prices, well, that's a bonus.

I am going on holiday again in 2 weeks, a combined company trip for weddingsmalaysia and That Special Occasion. A trip for eating and shopping, no sightseeing. I look forward to more food!

Photo shot at Tarua Restaurant in Lamai, Koh Samui, Thailand.

Working Together

I am happy to say that for the most part, my friends and industry colleagues within the weddingsmalaysia 'family' get along well and are always willing to cooperate and lend a helping hand when the need arises.

In an industry such as ours, we can seldom work in isolation. There are too many components of a wedding for us not to be intertwined in one way or another.

Here's a photo of decor by My Bridal Florist, shot by Andy Chin Studio during the recent wedding fair at Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur. Us non-photographers often rely on our more artistic counterparts to capture our work in a stylised way only they can. A fine example of how cultivated relationships are a boon in our line of work.

Photo of flowers by My Bridal Florist, courtesy of Andy Chin Studio.

Doubletree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur

I was at the launch of ExKLusively Yours, Doubletree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur's announce-ment of its bridal month in November.

With me at the event on Tuesday were members of the weddingsmalaysia family who are participating partners for the bridal month. They include Kid Chan Studio, My Colorful Memories, Bridal Glam, That Special Occasion, Pretty In White, Acadia Card, Wicked Wax, Wishing Tree and TrulyScrumptious! among others.

It's going to be an exciting month come November, particularly for the soon-to-be-weds who are still looking for a venue to host their wedding banquet. Upgraded wedding packages, weekly wedding workshops and the chance to win a free banquet with the inaugural Brides Race - these will certainly add to the excitement.

Photo of participating partners with Ian Barrow, General Manager of Doubletree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur.

Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur

The season for wedding fairs has started and we co-organised the first one this past Sunday at Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur. There will be more to come as each of our hotel partners (by 'our' I mean weddingsmalaysia) vie for banquet bookings for weddings in 2011.

It is always a challenge organising such events. There is lots to do but thankfully, we have a large pool of industry vendors to work with, most of whom are quick to respond to invites to participate. And we are always appreciative of their support.

There are more interesting things to come, in particular in November. I'll save that for another post.

Photo shot at the Grand Nirwana Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur.

10 Years Of That Special Occasion

Today marks the 10th birthday of That Special Occasion. It's hard to believe that it's been a decade since Anna and I joined forces to plunge into the wedding business at the onset of the new millenium. We were inexperienced but aspirational at the time.

10 years down the road and I'd say that it has been a relatively fulfilling journey. I've been inspired, enthusiastic, challenged, frustrated, pissed off, at different times over the years. We've enjoyed much good press, made wonderful friends in the industry, met great clients and not so good ones, achieved milestones and overcome little obstacles along the way. That Special Occasion has also been instrumental in playing a role as a catalyst in our spin-off business, weddingsmalaysia which include our portal, publications and even The Wedding Hub.

Admittedly, one gets jaded over time. The challenge is to develop fresh ideas, keep the business model relevant and be inspired anew. Having reach this milestone, I find myself in a reflective mood. Let's see how the future unfolds. In the meantime, thanks for the good times That Special Occasion.

Photo of bride and bridesmaids in our creations, courtesy of Whizarts Wedding Photography.

Uptrend

We're well and truly into the 2nd half of 2010 and from the business point of view, the wedding industry is doing great. My observation is two-pronged. The first as a publisher and editor of the weddingsmalaysia portfolio of magazines and portal. The second as co-owner and co-designer at That Special Occasion.

Whichever way I see it, the industry is doing extremely well. Couples going the custom-made route, be it for gowns, suits, invites, cakes, favours and the like, is a good sign. An even better barometer is how couples are spending relatively high sums on pre-wedding photography, whether shooting locally or flying abroad. And when the actual day arrives, they pull out all the stops when it comes to capturing images that they will cherish for a lifetime. It is not uncommon for some of our clients at That Special Occasion to spend up to five figures on photography with our industry colleagues. In fact, most of my industry colleagues in the photography sector are pretty much booked up. Luxury components such as entertainment, decor and wedding planning are also in demand, which again augurs well for the industry as a whole.

The good thing about the current state of the wedding industry is that there are a host of service providers who offer expertise at varying price points, from the affordable to premium, with a common trait of quality. The trick to snag the best deal is research and compatibility with these professionals. It's also pretty easy to figure out who's doing well in the market - the ones who have their calendars booked up way in advance. That's always a good indicator.

Gown by That Special Occasion, photo courtesy of Stories by Integricity Visuals.

Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie

I always take snapshots of our partners during the bridal fairs that we co-organise, with this I mean vendors who are part of the weddingsmalaysia family. For me, it is a record of sorts. A record of those of us who partcipated in a successful event. An event that we all enjoyed being a part of.

Yesterday was no different at Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie's wedding fair. This is the 2nd year running we've worked together with Emily and her team and the hard work paid off handsomely with a good turnout of quality couples.

Some industry colleagues have commented on photos that I've put up on Facebook. I am no professional but I gather some are pretty ok. I guess one does learn a thing or two when hanging out with photographers every now and then.

Here I am with photographers Joshua, Ke Wynn and Paul.

Second Wind

2010 marks the 10th year since my biz partner Anna and I started That Special Occasion. Time really flies and we've come a long way. Starting out as acquaintances and business partners, my relationship with Anna has evolved into a trusting, caring friendship. She will tell you that it has not been easy as I can be pretty difficult to get along with, day in, day out. That I admit. Still, our partnership in business and our personal friendship remain strong, eventhough she's been thousands of miles away in Hong Kong ever since her hubby Arjuna was posted there in early 2008.

Running a business, well, 2 actually including weddingsmalaysia when one's biz partner is away can be challenging. And I have at times been at boiling point. But as they say, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. I recently made it a point to watch Valentino : The Last Emperor. It is the sort of movie one needs to watch when one is in need of some inspiration - that when passion meets creativity, a fulfilling career is possible.

Who knows what the future holds as our businesses continue to progress. Almost nothing is for certain as fate has its own way of working itself out. But one thing is for sure, I feel that I have got my second wind, and it's going to be one hell of a ride ahead.

Image of Valentio : The Last Emperor.