Kollam and VVIP table

Sandakan Indian Association 25th Anniversary

WEBS was appointed by the Sandakan Indian Association as their event consultant for their 25th Anniversary Dinner, which was held on the 12th of October 2009. After a month of plannings, the WEBS team flew to Sandakan on the 8th. Upon arriving, instead of a short sightseeing, we headed straight to Sandakan Hakka Hall (in Taman Tyng) to assess the location. Later we were briefed by Ms Jocelyn Lee of SIA on the arrangements for the event (caterers, tables & chairs, souvenirs, total invitees, etc) and the the Association's preference for their event setup.

E-Day (E - event). WEBS started out as early 8.30am at the hall. Weather was perfect that day. Most of the setup was done around 4pm. The main highlight for of the hall were the VIP table (Dtk. Peter Pang, Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah & Wife). Lot of sweats poured, but our minds were focussed, because this is the very first time WEBS involved in such event (mind us, we're so used to weddings ;)). Alas, by the end of the evening, our hosts told us that their VIPs were so happy with the event, and some are even impressed with our setup!

Regardless the time constraint, we still managed to snap some pictures of the hall (pre and after setup). This event was a very tiring one as WEBS was only given a month to come with the concept setup. We would to extend our appreciation to the local caterers (ADZIE and Mr. Sadhar) for their wonderful foods (love the teh tarik). Now, bhangra dance anyone?

Table layout for SIA guests.

SIA members 'gotong-royong' to built this colourful Kollam, which was designed by WEBS

Hall - in the midst of setting up....

Backdrop - done. Now, for the stage makeover....

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI

WEBS would like to take this opportunity to wish all our dearest friends and loved ones a SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI, MAAF ZAHIR BATIN. Be safe on the road, and please don't overeat yourself ;).

Wow, it's been a long time since our last entry (almost 2 months). Well during our absence, we took the opportunity to have a break from wedding planning. Not to say that we're out of our game, but to refresh our ideas on our future projects. Rest assure, we're pumped up more than ever, yeah!

We would like to showcase one of our previous couple who had their wedding just recently (Bestah & Cecilia). It was a very small yet a radiant evening. We just love the colours. All of their guests had a smashing evening. Not to mention of the Sarawak Rice Wine which was going around the whole evening. We were happy and honoured to be engaged by Bestah & Cecilia to plan and manage their weddings, and we can't stop saying thank you to both of you.

MORE PICS FROM FIFI & SUHAIMI WEDDING DAY

Table setup for wedding guests (families and friends).

The fernleaf really completes the chair cover and its green bow ;).

Another angle for the long tables.

View from in front of the house. So many tables and chairs all over the garden!

The main table. Lots of people really loved the menu cards. Ideas and layout courtesy of Hyatt Banquet team. They always deliver!!

Hyatt banquet team in action.

Layout setup.

Front view of the house.

Tables & chairs were everywhere at the garden.

More tables & chairs arrived from Hyatt.

Fifi & Suhaimi's HISTORIC DAY

We finally did it! Fuhh... It was a very tiring day on the 10th july. The team started quite early in the morning by getting some CDs from the couple's residence. By the way Fifi, the cartoon show was very cute and romantic ;).

At first the weather didn't look as if it would hold up. A day before the wedding, while all the contractors were busy setting up their equipments, skies were dark and it was soooooo gloomy. It was difficult to set up tents, table, screen projectors, lightings, etc. Despite all of this, there was one person who stayed extremely positive..... the groom's father! He had a such strong faith that the weather will be favourable. He told to us not to worry too much about it, even though we realised that we've got less than 24 hours to get everything ready.

Well, on event day, the weather was absolutely sunny and made it perfect for everyone doing the setup. It was not too hot as it was cloudy most of the time. There was however, a scary moment when a strong gush wind just came. It blew off the table decor that was being set - up with floral centrepieces, nearly tore the big, wide projector screen, created havoc with some of the tree decorations and tore a huge banner hanging at front of the main gate! It was chaotic then. Just for a second, everyone panicked but thank you to all.... everyone was quick to act and we managed to salvage everything without any undue damage. All of a sudden, everything was set to go.... Then, guests started coming in. WOW! traffic jam was so massive! We estimated that there were around 3000-4000 guests.

The wedding was fantastic. Everyone was enjoying the food, and music by our famous local band Hinava, it really added more fun to the party atmosphere.

By the time the wedding ended around 11pm, all of us were relieved that everything ended on a happy note. Fifi & Suhaimi, and Suhaimi's parents were glad that the wedding went smoothly, and there smiles everywhere....not just theirs but everyone who were involved.

We couldn't pull this one off if it wasn't for the Hyatt team. Special thanks to Zaman for putting up with Sandra.... the floral decorations and table decorations looked great. To Hinava, for proving that they're still the best when it comes to entertaining the crowds. Also big THANK YOU to the other contractors; Donald and team for the marquees, fans and of course for accommodating our last minute requests, Wesley, our MC, PSE, SuperInd, etc. Last but not least, we would like to thank Datuk & Datin Lee Sulaiman, for allowing us to work on their lovely home for a truly unique wedding reception.

To Fifi and Suhaimi, it has been a great honour to be your wedding planners. So much we learnt and garnered from your wedding. We hope our paths will cross again in the near future. Until then, SELAMAT PENGANTIN BARU, SEMOGA BAHAGIA HINGGA KE ANAK CUCU (& CICIT).

Before we go, here are some pictures that we took during the setup on the wedding day. Enjoy ;).

WEBS team working on decorations.

Butterfly-filled stage!

Sound check with Hinava (band for the evening).

Control station for sound and lights.

Table setup in progress...

Fifi & Suhaimi

Another wedding awaits us, on the 10th of July to be exact. Expected attendees (gulp), 3000-5000 pax. Yes, you heard us right.

This will be our biggest project so far. So many mise en place (prep works) for this event, since it will be held outdoor. So much experience and knowledge garnered from the process itself. Example, portable toilets for rent. Ridhy had to search high and low for this facility, and alas, he found one ;). Only 4 days to go, the pressure is on, and leaving us with only excitement and prayers, that the wedding will be a momentous one for everyone, especially to Fifi & Suhaimi.

Bestah & Cecilia - WEDDING DAY

Well, finally the big day has arrived for this couple! Sandra had to run the show as Ridhy was not available due to work commitments. She was assisted by an experienced team (Yaw Ling & Imelda). With George and Nana of Jofanna Bridal, it made running the event so much easier and smoother.

From the beginning, the team had to contend with many issues particularly with where the event was to be held. Luckily, these were all smoothed over before event day. There were still some hiccups during the event itself. Something which we all need to reconcile with, especially when it comes to running any event. Its hard being a perfectionist! sigh!

Anyway, to Bestah & Cecilia, congratulations and a big THANK YOU for letting us be part of your big day. We hope that all your dreams have been realised. We wish both of you lots of Happiness & Prosperity as you begin this journey together.


Ladies & gentlemen, we are proud to present to you:

MR & MRS BESTAH TEO

Fifi & Suhaimi - Update 2

In the midst of all the busy-ness this past few weeks, we've also been pretty much occupied with Fifi's and Suhaimi's wedding reception.

The reception menu has just been finalised! :) still got a few things to do.... food tasting, some payments, a final inspection for the caterers and decorations.

Work on lighting is still in progress due to budget changes. Band's confirmed too..... We've also been asked to organise tours and transfers for the bride's Indonesian family and friends. Its going to be fun. :)

In the meantime, our team will be busy this weekend, managing Bestah and Cecilia's wedding ceremony and reception. Back next week!

Bestah & Cecilia's Wedding - Update 3

With only a few more days to go, the adrenalin is pumping. With everything more or less finalised, we can only pray and hope that everything will turn out as planned.

All that's left to do is to rehearse the flow for the ceremony and dinner. Next posting, the post mortem!

Going Back Memory Lane...Jocelyn & Sunil's Church Blessing

We started wedding planning many years ago with family weddings. It was my cousin, Mervyn's wedding, followed by Natalia, before my sister Jocelyn and her husband, Sunil decided to have a church blessing in 2007.

It was all to be very personalised by each member of the family. The concept, floral arrangements and the flow was from me, the wedding cake made by the bride herself and the other bits and pieces from my mum, aunties, etc.

The concept... was a fusion of cultures.... the bridal party all wore Indian traditional costumes in the family colours, turquoise (which also happens to be our colours too..most of us in the family are also partial to the same colours). There were lots of family and friends coming in from West Malaysia. A late afternoon church wedding followed by an elaborate high tea at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort. Photography was done by a well - known Sabahan photographer and a personal friend, Louis Pang.

Bestah & Cecilia - Update 2

We recently did a site inspection at the reception venue with Bestah. Its a fairly straight forward event though I would say, the venue itself has challenges. From past experience running an event at the same venue, we do hope that we can have a much smoother event with little or no surprises popping out at the last minute. We are keeping not only our fingers crossed but all our toes as well!

In the meantime, we are working on the event flow. Everything is falling into place albeit still a number of details to be finalised.

We'll be counting the days till the wedding... keep cool Bestah and Cecilia! Relax... let us worry for you.

Music for the "DAY"

MUSIC is always an integral part of any event, and especially so with weddings. Whether its a soloist, a quartet or an entire band, this sets the mood for the whole event. A piece of music whether a song or just an instrumental piece holds different meaning to every couple. It evokes emotions which would otherwise be kept within.....we've seen many grooms weep like babies as they watch their brides walk down the aisle to that special music or their faces are so full of emotion when they dance the traditional first dance with their brides.

Choose your music carefully.... something which holds meaning for you both or brings back a certain moment like your first date, or the background music when you proposed or even when you were on holiday and heard something interesting or just go back to all your special moments together and the tunes that you can associate those moments with.

Do bear in mind though, when you are walking down the aisle that there are restrictions in certain places of worship... certainly no rock music! The priest or pastor will faint! supposed to be a serene moment. There are probably a number of popular traditional music that are used by many brides but there's just one that never fail to make me teary - eyed.... "Canon in D" by Pachabel. It just makes you feel like so contented, happy and ready to take that step.

More from me soon....

Fifi and Suhaimi - Update 1

Site Inspections.....

We're doing a series of site inspections at the wedding venue with caterers and sound and lights contractors this week. Its going to be pack - filled week working on lay - outs, decorations, etc...once we have finalised these details, the rest should fall into place. More updates soon!

Bestah and Cecilia - Update 1

An update on the event..... Bestah got inspired and wanted us to incorporate an elegant ceremony that will be turned into a rock and roll affair at the reception.... never say never! we'll make it happen! we'll be meeting up with the groom this weekend to get more details and to run through the plan.. we're here to turn your ideas into reality... so here we go! Lots more soon :)

Fifi and Suhaimi... our July couple. 

Fifi is from Indonesia and Suhaimi, is a Sabahan. They recently asked us to be their wedding planners for their reception here in Sabah. Going to be a really big bash. We are all set to make their dream wedding happen. Watch out for more posts on this wedding.

Cecilia and Bestah

Photo courtesy of Jofanna Bridal

Prior to meeting this couple, we were briefly told that we only had about a month to plan for this wedding. So many concerns and so little time. After we met them yesterday, we were so relieved that Cecilia and Bestah were so cool and receptive to our ideas. It made this so much easier....ideas just flowed after that. We are truly honoured to be part of your wedding day and hope that everything will turn out as you dream it to be..... Congratulations Cecilia and Bestah!

Jocelyn & Didi's Garden Wedding at Lembah Impian

Friends and family of the Bride and Groom had all eyes on them as they said their vows.....

Jo and Didi lighting the Unity Candle

The Angus Sisters...Melissa, Marjie and Melinda serenaded us at the ceremony...

Bookings anyone? They are GOOD! :)

The Happy Mr & Mrs Didymus walking their way to the reception at the Cabana.....Sandra tailing them from behind watching their every move.

Beautiful Dress!!! Courtesy of none other than Jofanna Bridal.

Jocelyn & Didi's Wedding @ Behind the Scenes

Just love floral balls!

A "Sandhy" touch...lots of floral balls... looked absolutely great...thanks to the excellent angles taken by King Joj of Jofanna Bridal.

The garden set - up at Lembah Impian Country Homes....a bride's dream coming true.

Almost done! Putting the final touches at the garden.

Gerberas (daisy like flowers that comes in a variety of colours) that were chosen by the bride for her bouquet is used on the chairs and flower stands to bring the entire  theme together.