The Grave Story behind Balloons

I love colours, without a doubt. When I think about my own wedding, I can see the event in my mind's eye, splashed with vivid colours, vivacious and reverberating life. Balloons were one of the ideas listed on my list, to add colours to the whole event.

What's not to love about balloons? They add a whimsical touch to the whole picture. Big bunches of balloons that one could hold on to and almost float away with the wind, almost. The idea of landing wherever the wind blows, like a dandelion seed spiralling in the wind is almost childlike and carefree, romantic.

I have seen photos of how balloons can, under a skilled and creative photographer, be transformed into something dreamy, romantic or childlike. I love the photos taken by Bittersweet Photography by joseph:

bittersweetbyjoseph: Ian & Ee Jia's wedding

bittersweetbyjoseph: Ian & Ee Jia's wedding

bittersweetbyjoseph: Eric & Priscilla

I must admit that I was shortsighted, being caught up in the desire for my wedding to be colourful and aesthetically pleasing. As much as the balloons might liven up the whole event, it comes with a price that I am unwilling to pay. The following article, although not related to my wedding, came with a very grave message and caused me to rethink about using balloons at my wedding:

Ponggol Balloon Released Canned

By the way, the Ponggol resident Cherh Kah Leng, is one of my dearest friends and we both share a love in preserving our environment and leaving a legacy for our future generation. We knew each other when we both started our flying career almost seven years ago, together with our dear Vera. She left flying to further her education in marine biology and continue her efforts at preserving the marine ecology. She is one the friends that I am truly and fiercely proud of. In her honour, NO BALLOONS shall be used at my wedding. Any balloons which might used during photography sessions will be responsibly disposed of.

This news article had came in very timely and I am glad that it reminded me of the repercussions and the heavy price I have to pay for a colourful, balloon-filled wedding:

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A beautiful day with gorgeous weather... the happy bride and groom said "I do", a kiss exchanged, champagne popped, and balloons released. A truly beautiful and joyous moment.

The newlyweds tossed their handheld bouquet to their single friends, and with the well wishes of their loved ones departed in their bridal car, ready to embark on their exciting twosome journey.

Meanwhile balloons floated higher and higher, out of sight, out of mind, a colour but trivial role in the wedding. Sometime soon, they were bound to burst and descend back earth, limp pieces of rubber. Some will find their way to the stomachs of hungry and inquisitive wildlife, either serving a quick death by suffocation or a slow gruesome death by clogging their intestines.Some will be washed back to the shore as unsightly litter.

Not to mention a waste of finite resources: helium.

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I am unwilling to let my special day be stained by the lingering and damaging effects of littering, marine pollution and the possibility of taking the lives of wildlife.

Balloons blow, don't let them go.

Some food for thought.

The Price of a Wedding

Who can put a price on a lifetime of marital bliss, and what determines it? A grand wedding that is bound to have relatives and friends talking about it for weeks?

As I read the following article posted on Facebook, I felt sad and it further steeled my resolve to focus on the things that mattered more. It also affirms my decision to be a self-sufficient and DIY bride. No funding from either set of parents, no loans, no debts. Every month, Jeremiah and I would deposit a certain amount of money into our joint account to save up for our big day, and thereafter, for our future home.

Dream $110k wedding ends in debt:

http://news.omy.sg/News/Local-News/Dream-110k-wedding-ends-in-debt-232671

We have long decided that we would have a wedding that is within our means and more importantly, a special day filled with the presence of our family members and loved ones, without any obligations of monetary gifts. The precious time guests take out to celebrate with us a new phase in our lives means more than any gifts they could bring us.

I am definitely not saying that having a grand wedding is wrong, but it is very important to plan a wedding within one's means. For us, we are both enjoying the process of saving up for our own wedding; doing it together makes the whole event more meaningful, as it is marks the beginning of our lifelong partnership, cleaving from our parents and making it on our own as a new family unit.

Having said all that, life is not always a bed of roses. We had our contentious moments, but it only propels us to be more creative in resolving our issues, and in the process become more empathetic and loving towards each other.

Part 1: Aspects of a garden wedding

Last friday evening, the night out with Himself did not end too well. He was not his usual patient, loving and magnanimous self and he got a little snappy at me when we talked about the Hort Park and the possible issues we might face. It turned out that he was falling sick and that caused him to be very cranky. Although he could not help it, it hurt me and I went home feeling very sad.

I was very fortunate that just hours ago, I had a walk and dinner with Merv and managed to put certain things in perspective. Although there were no conclusive outcomes on the venue, I ended the night feeling much better and learning a thing or two about loving my other half.

While we took an evening walk at Bishan Park, Merv and I talked about the possible issues that may crop up during an outdoor wedding. As a seasoned photographer, a married man and a very wise friend, he gave me his two cents' worth:

Weather:
Since we are only inviting family members and very close friends as our guests, they will brave any weather just to be there to witness and celebrate the union of their loved ones. Period.

Of course, I would love to make my guests as comfortable as possible. The warm weather could be easily countered by installing ceiling fans in the tents.

As for myself, I had already told Himself that in the worse case scenario where it rains (unless there are thunder and lightning), I will be more than delighted and gleeful to hold his hand and run down the aisle with an umbrella. It will be so much fun and so spontaneous. I just have to make sure that my eyeliner and mascara are waterproof.

Anyway, Merv also pointed out that it should not be too warm in the morning because the ground/lawn will be cold from the night before.

Photography:
From a photographer's point of view, a function room with glass panes that make up most of its walls is not a good place for good photos, because vantage points for taking photographs will be limited, due to the reflection of light and people from the glass panes.

Merv loves the idea of having the solemnisation in the morning too, because morning light can make for very beautiful photographs. I think that it will be even more so in garden settings, where colours are vibrant and bright.

Sound/Acoustics:
Merv shared that the sound in a function room might not necessary be better, because the sound may bounce off the walls and low ceiling. So taking that into consideration, outdoor might not do any worse. With strategically placed sound systems, good acoustics can still be achieved outdoors.

The only issues left now are perhaps the tentage costs and the possibility of a bad weather on the wedding day. I am trying to be creative and thinking of ways to work around the tentage issue. As for the weather, it is an issue of little concern to me because rain or shine, I know that I will still want to marry this silly man.