Pre wedding photos

I initially did not want to take pre-wedding photos because I thought that photos on D-Day would be more meaningful. At least I would get to wear my wedding gown just once, with all the hair, accessories, the full blown attire once.. which would make it even more meaningful.

Also I wanted the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride in the gown until she walks down the aisle. But thanks to Eileen, I was sucked into the glory of pre-wedding photos!

And a week after my session, I would have to say --- THANKS, EILEEN!! I DID IT! Well, if we are going to do it, do it right :) So admittedly, I went a bit overboard (a bit is understating it). My back seat and car boot was filled with "stuff" i had to bring to the venue. I had 5 different attires, shoes to match, accessories to adorn and a box full of props.

We started at 6am - yes 6am, and ended at 8pm!! No kidding!! The weather was merciful, the team was fantastic (Cindy of Beauty Haven for makeup & hair, Eddie Lee for videos, Yeh of Wondrous Vision for photos, Anies from Garden Fairies for flowers, Debra from The Olive Branch for venue)  and it made my experience from the other side of the fence (i always help setup the scene but not BE in the scene) fantabulous.

We really had a great time - as there were lots of laughter, jokes, Bollywood-scenes of us running around and even deep-water diving!! The venue - Garden Fairies - THE perfect venue for photos because we had all the picture-perfect elements -  water, white picket fences, tree houses and nature in all its wonder. We even took photos in the loo! That was how gorgeous the place was.

With the photography session, I took it as an opportunity to test out my shoes, gown and accessories to see what would work and what would not in real-life weather. And good thing i did too because I am now an expert in flipping my wedding gown skirt.

For us, having the right group of friends with us is very important and with the right synergy, the right team of people made the session a whole lot of fun. With the experts at hand - I am proud to say that i entrusted our team entirely with everything -- meaning i didn't look in the mirror to check my hair & makeup, i didn't check and recheck Yeh's photos and i told Anies to weave her magic and do what needs to be done with my bouquet.

Trust the experts you get because they DO know what's best for you. What's the point in engaging their services if you need to check and recheck whatever you need?

A preview of the photos just confirmed that it was all worth it.

AWP's Efforts

This coming September, AWP Malaysia will mark its 2nd year anniversary and I think here is where Leticia and I, as the co-founders of this association would like to count our milestones as well as express our sincere gratitude and thanks to all the committee members who had relentlessly, in one way or another, lent us their support and encouragements.

Starting the Association was no easy feat and it took us a good 7 - 8 months of deliberations and planning and not to mention, the tediousness of applying for our license. We are NOT registered with the ROC but we are registered with the ROS - which basically means we are NOT a money-making company or organization - despite what a few sour grapes would like to think. I mean, when we and the committee work on any of the AWP projects - these are based on our "volunteering" time and we do not draw a salary from this Association. We know, we know, it is a thankless job almost 100% of the time - and YET, there are still those who doubt us, who slander us and who..... bitch about us. But hey - we can't exactly control what you think or say. We shall not give in to these back-lashing and continue to steer the Association down the right path and at the same time, root for mutual benefits for all our members.

Looking back - here are some of events that brought us to where we are today :

Cathay Cineplex Online Contest in partnership with Cathay Damansara (promotion of Bride Wars starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway)
Cathay cineplex online contest in partnership with cathay damansara (along with the Bride's War partnership, AWP together with Cathay Cineplex Damansara also carried-out an online contest for members of the public. Prizes for the winners are sponsored by members of AWP)

Cathay Wedding Showcase
Cathay Wedding Showcase (AWP, using the Bride's War platform was offered a premium space at the entrance hall for members of AWP to showcase their wedding items - decor, favours, photography were all displayed to create publicity mileage for both the association as well as the individual members)

Cathay Wedding Exhibit
Cathay Wedding Exhibit (As a side-special, the AWP also organized a wedding exhibition at Cathay Cineplex's preview lounge from the 6th - 8th February. This is done in line with the movie premier of Bride's War. The exhibition showcased member photographers with their enchanting photography styles and moment-capturing instincts)

Valentine's Special at The Curve
Valentine’s Special @ Curve (as part of the Valentine's month activities, AWP organized a Valentine's Special, working together with The Curve to bring a different kind of wedding showcase to members of the public)

Platinum Lounge @ Cathay
The exclusive platinum movie suites at the Cathay Cineleisure opened its doors to our AWP photographers to create a museum photo exhibit to cinema patrons and friends. The promotion was held in conjunction with the month of love. Photographers who participated were Zach Chin Photography, Fabulous Chapter Photography, Edmund Tham Photography and Ideal Wedding.

Berjaya Love Me Do
Berjaya Love Me Do contest winner, Kelvin Teo Seh Kiat & Kimberly Yap Huay Sean had their grand wedding at the Berjaya Langkawi Resort & Spa on the 23 April 2009 and what a celebration it was indeed for the happy couple and their sixty invited friends and family! Congratulations once again! AWP endorsed the entire contest / event.

Garden of Eden Contest
The Association of Wedding Professionals Malaysia launched the “An Escapade : Garden Of Eden” online contest last August. With various vendors and service providers who are current members of the AWP co-sponsoring the event, contestants had a chance to win some great prizes – including a pre-wedding photography package with some of the top-notch photographers in town.

Tourism Malaysia Langkawi Expedition
As the first step in recognizing AWP in its effort to jointly develop weddings for tourism in Malaysia, the tourism ministry had invited AWP to do a thirty-minute presentation to tour agents and press from China who are greatly interested in this market. The presentation took place in Langkawi and we received fantastic response from the tour agents and press. Members wishing to work together with China - please contact AWP for more information.

Community @ Heart
In association with Community @ Heart, a non-profit charity organization aimed at providing workshops for the residents of Klang Valley. One such was the pre-marital wedding workshop for soon-to-be-weds and part of the course offered couples a helping hand from AWP on how to plan their wedding. The event was a fun-filled one with That Special Ocassion, Ideal Weddings, Truly Scrumptious and Beauty Haven.

Tourism Malaysia Brunei Expedition
Still working in tandem with Tourism Malaysia, this time around, AWP was invited to speak in Brunei at the Tourism & Weddings Seminar hosted by the TDC Brunei. Of course, all our members were specifically showcased for this special slideshow presentation.

Indian Summit by Tourism Malaysia
AWP did a presentation on destination weddings to a group of wedding planners from India. Yet another effort to bring in the destination wedding market by Tourism Malaysia.

AWP Media Munches
In a bid to bond further with the media, AWP launched the Media Munches - where it is an afternoon of fun & gossips between AWP and members of the media. Here is where good food and great company is enjoyed - without any mention of work. This is a monthly affair and we thank our main sponsor Prince Hotel for your support throughout.

AWP & Asia Bridal Summit
AWP Malaysia was invited to be a member of the Asia Bridal Summit - which is a Federation of Asia & Pacific Bridal Associations. This would further stretch our network beyond Malaysia and we would in the near future, be able to have workshop exchanges with our other country counterparts for ideas and know-hows.

AWP &TV3
From the Media Munch, AWP had successfully gained the support of TV3, and our members are now being showcased on the TV3 wedding website on a monthly basis. The two volunteer writers from AWP (Kris Wong and Eileen Lui) will contact members for interviews, feedbacks, etc.

AWP Wedding Wishes
In another colloboration with TV3, in an aim to "give back" to the society, AWP launched the Wedding Wishes Project, working with organizations like MAKNA to ensure everyone has a meaningful celebration.

For more photos and details of the news and events by AWP - please click here.

We have certainly come a long way. We still have a whole journey ahead of us. We strive to uphold the credibility and professionalism of this tiny (but growing) wedding industry and we hope you will too. For those who believe in us - it is for you guys that we continue striving ahead - without getting paid.

Thank You.