Banquets very expensive in HK !!

晴報: 家長資助擺酒話晒事 仔女無癮

https://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E5%AE%B6%E9%95%B7%E8%B3%87%E5%8A%A9%E6%93%BA%E9%85%92%E8%A9%B1%E6%99%92%E4%BA%8B-%E4%BB%94%E5%A5%B3%E7%84%A1%E7%99%AE-225038150.html

Travel news oct17

Travel / Honeymoon news for Oct 17^th .. Happy Friday everyone …

 

Several friends managed to buy HKD $1 tickets to Tokyo & Phuket this week (one way, excluding tax)http://www.hkexpress.com/en-us/hotdeals/onedollarfare-phuketex.aspx?utm_source=Homepage&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=HKEe_bday_newsletter_20141013

Emirates launched new round of Europe discount tickets, Budapest from HKD $1710, Amsterdam from $1950 ++http://www.emirates.com/hk/english/destinations_offers/special_offers/special_fares/special_fares.aspx?intcid=HPFares-637518-222298

 

For all you foodies, Tripadvisors fans vote for 2014 best restaurants in the worldhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Restaurants-cFineDining-g1

15th HK wedding showcase sept 20

Just over a week until the 15th HK Wedding Showcase, organized by Audace sponsored by Kee Wah Bridal Cake & located in Kowloon Bay KITEC. Couples still have 2 days to enter the "Creative Wedding" short writing competition to secure 2 free entry tickets & also eligible for prizes including a photo package to Bali including hotel & flights. 

http://www.wedding.expo.com.hk/v10/092014edm.php 

Angelina Jolie wedding gown

This is taking "customized" wedding gown to a new level hehe

http://m.usmagazine.com/celebrity-style/news/angelina-jolies-wedding-dress-featured-colorful-designs-first-photo-201419

Emmys

Spent Tuesday evening at home checking out the 66th Emmy's on television. Yahoo-HK got a snapshot of some of the actress dresses & gowns. Quite enjoy watching "Modern Family"... can't believe Sofia Vergara is 42 yrs old she is still very hot! 

https://hk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/第66屆艾美獎頒獎典禮紅毯盛會－女星逐個睇-033501336.html

Travel news

Holiday, Honeymoon and Travel snippets for this week. We will be attending a Malaysia wedding next month, very excited for the bride and groom! 

Emirates newest promotion airfares , to Europe from HKD $2240 http://www.emirates.com/hk/english/destinations_offers/special_offers/special_fares/special_fares.aspx

HK Express HKD $80 single way ticket promotions to Asia cities is back http://www.hkexpress.com/en-us/hotdeals/megasale.aspx

Vietnam Air promotion to Paris from HKD $1940 http://www.travelexpert.com.hk/tc/index.asp 

Cathay Skytrax Fanfares promotion starting tomorrow (Tue 8am) HKD $100 return business class tickets to Asia & premium-econ tickets to Europe/US http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_HK/latest-offers/flights/fanfares/index.html 

Luftansa promotion

Happy Friday! Dear honeymooners & holidaymakers 

Luftansa has 88yrs-anniversary promotion today (one day only for Aug-8th). Promotion price to Europe $2880++ for economy and $11880++ on premium... 

http://www.lufthansa.com/hk/en/online-carnivals-economy 

Nice car !

Honeymoon and travel news

蜜月資訊

Lonely Planet ten secret hotels you can't even reach by road ... http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/hotels-you-cant-reach-by-road?affil=EML_EDITORIALNEWS_80

TA's ten exclusive hotels with private beaches ...

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TripNews-a_ctr.privatebeachesEN

Emirates euro destination free ticket lucky draw ...

http://www.emirates.com/hk/english/destinations_offers/subscribe_to_offers/campaigns/win-a-trip/to-europe.aspx

Some pretty gowns from a long time ago !!

Interesting wedding lift-out magazine from Ming Pao today, this article on wedding gown design from the 1940s ... so pretty !

Wedding diets....

Copied from yahoo "health" ezine "Are Wedding Diets Healthy?" and triggered a bit debate in the US... 

First the 2014 summer of love brought news of Kim Kardashian’s corset-wearing, calorie-restricting pre-nuptial plan. Then came Jessica Simpson’s wedding-prep diet, which included going vegan (minus vegan baked goods, presumably) to ensure she’d fit into her Caroline Herrera gown in early July. Now, luckily, comes Lauren Conrad, whose refreshing bride-to-be preparation is just business as usual, meaning she’ll avoid both carbs and the gym. 

“I really love food,” the reality-TV star, set to soon marry fiancé William Tell, recently told People. “I’m not good at dieting. I try to make smart choices but just eat a little bit less.” Plus, she added, “I think it’s important to look like yourself on the day.” 

Conrad’s attitude was a little bright spot in the big dark cloud of the wedding-diet obsession — a trend spurred on by the multi-billion dollar wedding industry, which emphasizes model thinness and picture-perfect beauty as ideals for the big day. A Cornell University study, in fact, found several years ago that the goal of losing 20 pounds was right up there with that of ordering flowers and planning a honeymoon for 70 percent of the 272 brides-to-be surveyed — and 14 percent even purposely bought wedding dresses that were too small, as cruel incentive. “Most women engaged to be married idealize a wedding weight much lighter than their current weight,” wrote lead researcher Lori Neighbors. 

The practice of crash dieting before you tie the knot — or at any time — is not even healthy, Linda Bacon, diet expert and author of “Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Weight Loss,” tells Yahoo Health. “All calorie restriction is dangerous — after all, you’re depriving your body of nutrients — and the more extreme, the more danger they pose,” she explains, listing compromised immune system, lost muscle and bone strength, and a miserable mood as some of the pitfalls of the practice.   

Someone who seems to understand it all is Cosmopolitan writer Loni Albert, whose piece “Why I Won’t Diet for My Wedding” this week has been another positive note in the discussion. Soon after her boyfriend proposed and she felt “happy and hot,” she wrote, she was bombarded with negativity.   

“A month later, once the planning began and I signed up at a wedding website, emails cluttered my inbox and ads filled my web browser: Wedding-Arm Lipo, Bride-Only Juice Fast, Start Shedding for the Wedding. It planted a seed in my head that maybe I should drop from my usual squishy size 6 to a svelte size 4,” wrote Albert. “And the idea didn’t just come from strangers on the Internet, she adds. “Pals started asking which crazy diet fad I had chosen to get wedding-ready. A coworker offered me the Paleo book that got her tiny for her wedding. A trainer I’m friendly with stopped by my treadmill and asked if I was ready to step it up and sculpt a ‘hot bride bod.’” 

And even more disturbing, she noted, “was hearing my married girlfriends reminisce longingly about their ‘wedding weight.’” Albert wanted to look amazing on her big day, she said, but not to the detriment of her psyche, which had gone from feeling great about herself to insecure as those around her poured on the “skinny bride” pressure. “Shouldn’t women work on prepping for a kick-ass marriage,” she asked smartly, “instead of kicking their own ass prepping for a wedding? 

Bacon believes women who are driven to be extra-thin on their wedding days have other issues at play. “Here’s what’s really happening: Women feel inadequate and the only way they know to feel better is to lose weight,” she explains. “It makes sense: Women are taught that the way they get value in this world is to have a thin body. But is that the world you want?” Finally, Bacon notes, “You’re entering into a marriage. Ostensibly you’re looking for a partnership, to be seen and appreciated for who you are, right? Weight loss won’t help you get there.”

Honeymooner info July 2014

Dear Honeymooners a couple of links to end the week...

Qatar Air new promotions to Europe from HK$6500 http://www.qatarairways.com/hk/en/special-offers.page

HK Express HK$80 promotions end this week http://www.hkexpress.com/en-us/hotdeals/megasale.aspx?utm_source=MailChimp&utm_medium=eDM_en&utm_campaign=20140704_megasale#.U733oIkazCQ

Tripadvisor's Ten super exotic private beach hotels http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TripNews-a_ctr.privatebeachesEN

Lonely Planet's 35 romantic customs around the world http://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe/travel-tips-and-articles/thirty-five-incredible-love-and-marriage-customs-of-the-world?affil=EML_EDITORIALNEWS_77

Even groupon in wedding mode

Honeymoon ideas

Attention holidaymakers & honeymooners need some special vacation ideas look no further than Tripadvisor "2015 Top 25 Destinations in the World".

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice-Attractions-cLandmarks-g1-a_Mode.expanded

Mua

http://wedding.esdlife.com/articles/bride-makeup/20140617_mua_25_questions/ 

ESD's article "25 question to ask your make up artist".

please let us know if you would like some recommendations for MUA for bride, or bridesmaids, moms or casual projects...

New arrival

Handpicked accessories from around the world. Let Acacia help you to perfect that look!

Handpicked accessories from around the world. Let Acacia help you to perfect that look!

15影像達人的婚攝世界

15影像達人的婚攝世界 

http://campaign.esdlife.com/ad/zcb/2014/04/01/index.php 

Introduced studios: ALA Production, Flawless Wedding, Henry Choi, HSO Gallery, Jonathan Lee, Joseph Photo, Kel Li, KM Studio, Martin Chow, OCean Wedding, Poetry Prodn, ProS, Samuel Yan, The Knot Prodn, Van Photography. 

Happy Tuen Ng Festival

Happy Tuen Ng Festival everyone. Hope you took the long weekend on nice holiday or spend quality time with your loved ones :)

Perfect imperfections

Such lovely lyrics don't you think B2Bs. I'm so surprised haven't heard this song yet in recent weddings banquets we have attended this year. It's true, if he is "the one" he will love your everything including your perfect imperfections ... 

[Verse 1:] 
What would I do without your smart mouth? 
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out 
You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down 
What's going on in that beautiful mind 
I'm on your magical mystery ride 
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright 

[Pre-Chorus:] 
My head's under water 
But I'm breathing fine 
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind 

[Chorus:] 
'Cause all of me 
Loves all of you 
Love your curves and all your edges 
All your perfect imperfections 
Give your all to me 
I'll give my all to you 
You're my end and my beginning 
Even when I lose I'm winning 
'Cause I give you all of me 
And you give me all of you, oh 

[Verse 2:] 
How many times do I have to tell you 
Even when you're crying you're beautiful too 
The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood 
You're my downfall, you're my muse 
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues 
I can't stop singing, it's ringing, in my head for you 

Kim Kardashian in Givenchy wedding gown

Possibly the most anticipated celebrity wedding gown picture in recent months as reported exclusively by People magazine yesterday ... Kim Kardashian @ Florence wedding with Kanye West, dressed in Givenchy Haut Couture ...

http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2014/05/24/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-wedding-givenchy/

Flower girl dresses

In addition to those shops mentioned below, Acacia Wedding knows of a wholesaler in New Territories. They also have kids outfits (customizable, in various sizes & very decent quality & super value for money). Drop us a message if you'd like address. By the way don't call them flower kids, "花仔" is "page boy" and "花女" is "flower girl".

http://wedding.esdlife.com/articles/wedding-preparation-others/20140523_flower_kids_formal_wear_news/

"參加過不少朋友的婚禮，每當花仔花女一出場，往往都成為亮點。曾經聽攝影師講過：「如果舉行教堂或戶外婚禮少了花仔花女，就好像婚禮少了一個世紀之吻一樣，感覺總有點美中不足。」我非常同意攝影師的講法，因為發現每次新人與友人分享婚照時，朋友們一見到花仔花女，總會換來一連串的歡笑聲與數十句「好得意」，叫好又叫座。他們就如電影中的配角，可以讓畫面更具感染力，令溫馨場面更溫馨，歡樂場面更歡樂。因此，為成就更懾人的畫面，他們的造型絕對不容有失。

有見現今市面上的花仔花女禮服質素及設計參差，MODE Tuxedo 創辦人Eddie 和 Edia 特別打造全新兒童禮服品牌 MODE Children，務求為花仔花女度身訂造質素高且價錢合理的「飲衫」 (度身訂造價：約 HK$2,500)。首度登場的花仔系列 (圖一)，除款式設計夠紳士之外，更嶄新地使用防水、防皺且透氣的乾濕褸物料 Gabardine 製作，令花仔穿得有型又舒服；花女系列方面，除了有色調柔和且予人優雅感覺的芭蕾舞短裙外，更有源自童話公主的小散裙 (圖二)，讓花女可以當一天美麗的小公主。

有著共同理念的 Blush Bridal 創辦人 Sonia 有見市面上欠缺既舒適又時尚的兒童禮服，而且發現愛為小朋友悉心打扮的父母越來越多，因此，創立了Pom Pom Little Couture (圖三)。不論為疼愛自己孩子的父母或想以小禮服作為花童禮物的新人，都有較佳的選擇。

不過，知道亦有父母及新人不是覺得小禮服價錢太貴，就是擔心小孩子成長速度太快，禮服穿上幾次便不合身。因此，前身為時裝買手，現為 Chic-oholic Kids 創辦人的 Jen 特別自家為小女孩而製作 tutu skirt (圖四；售價：HK$328)。Tutu skirt 共有 7 種搶眼顏色供選擇，由質地柔軟且層次感豐富的 tulle 製成，上身不論配襯甚麼也無損小公主貴氣。最重要的是，小裙具彈性的橡根頭設計，就算孩子日漸成長，腰圍大了數吋也合穿，起碼可比一般禮服耐穿多一、兩年，對父母與新人而言，感覺或會更划算呢！

Mode Children

尖沙咀金巴利街 1B 恆港中心 11 樓

Pom Pom Little Couture

中環堅道 39-41 號 G 層 E 舖

Chic-oholic Kids https://www.facebook.com/chicoholickids"

Cannes 晚裝

Asian starlet dress/gowns at the Cannes Film Festival 2014 red carpet. Happy Friday everyone ...

Stunning new evening gown / cocktail dress

P is for pink, P is for pretty. Lucky bride will look super pretty in this EG, arriving soon in HK by plane...

New photos

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Please feel free to check our photo album on ESD (生活易) website, one of the most used and trusted online resources for local Brides in Hong Kong ... 

http://showcase.esdlife.com/wedding/list/婚紗

Honeymoon chitchat, ecofriendly resorts

Dear honeymooners, Tripadvisor sent out their "top 10 most gorgeous eco hotels" this week. 

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TripNews-a_ctr.ecochicEN 

Its a bit US-centric, but the article reminded us of a resort here in Asia which we easily vote as the best eco-friendly luxury hotels. Its called Sixth Sense on Con Dao Island, it really is a secret as there are no international flights to this serene place. You can trust Brangelina on it! 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2279950/Con-Dao-Six-Senses-Angelina-Jolies-little-bit-Paradise-Vietnam.html 

Met Ball Evening Gowns

All over local papers, western media and TV like Channel-E, lots of attention on western celebrity fashion during the "Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala" (Met Ball) in NYC. Better than pics is this video link below!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/tvshowbiz/video-1093852/Stars-fashionistas-attend-Met-Gala-New-York.html

 

No doubt a lot of differing opinions but we vote best and worst dressed evening gowns for Miss Blake Lively (metallic Gucci Premier) and Miss Kate Upton (black lace Dolce & Gabbana).

Top unique beach destinations ...

This week's Tripadvisor's "Top 10 Unique Beach Destinations"

http://www.tripadvisor.com/TripNews-a_ctr.uniquebeachesEN4

And last week's "25 must visit places for 2014"

http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cTop-g1-a_Mode.expanded

Love is in the Air .. even for celebrities near and far this week ...

Love is in the Air .. even for celebrities near and far this week ... 

George Clooney 
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-george-clooney-engagement-ring-amal-alamuddin-20140430,0,5801841.story#axzz30QDqbxHM 

Chris Zylka (Spiderman 2) 
http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2014/04/chris-zylka-engaged-his-girlfriend 

袁彌明 
http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/enews/realtime/20140430/52429423 

鍾鎮濤 
http://mysys.net/news/fruit/art_main.php?url=http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/entertainment/art/20140501/18705874 

蘇永康 
http://ent.takungpao.com.hk/star/q/2014/0429/2447173.html 

Lyn (來自星星的你主題曲歌手) 
http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/enews/realtime/20140430/52430362 

Wedding/banquet exhibitions in q2, 2014

Dear Brides-to-be, 3 interesting upcoming wedding exhibitions in the next few weeks. For those looking for that 6 star no-expenses spared wedding, Ritz Carlton are doing their promotions next week and Chinese banquets start from HKD$15388 per table including soft drinks but excluding taxes and wines. Happy exploring! 

"My Dream Wedding Fair 2014" 
June 2nd, 2014 12noon-7pm
Kowloon Harbour Grand Hotel (Whampoa Garden, Hunghom) 
http://www.harbourgrand.com 

"Ritz Carlton Wedding Unveiled - Create Classic Moments 2014" 
April 27th, 2014 12noon-7pm 
Ritz Carlton Hotel (Intl Commerce Centre, Kowloon) 
http://corporate.ritzcarlton.com/en/Press/Properties/HongKong/Releases/wedding_unveiled.htm 

"14th Hong Kong Wedding Showcase 2014" 
April 26-27th 12noon-8pm (organizer is Audace, not open Fri) 
KITEC (Kowloon Bay Intl Trade & Exhibition Centre, Star Hall) 
http://www.wedding.expo.com.hk/v10/expo_info-20140426a-profile.php 

Tripadvisor Top Ten OWBs , honeymoon, acacia wedding, Maldives , bora bora

The acronym "OWB" would be familiar to many lovely Brides-To-Be, synonomous with luxury honeymoon destinations especially those resorts in the Oceania region. Last year, the ex-president of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheen said "if carbon emissions continue at the rate they are climbing today, my country will be underwater in seven years".. slightly unbelievable but nonetheless thats why many newworld travellers are scrambling to see its beauty. Tripadvisors last week published the "Ten Stunning Overwater Bungalows" http://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenter-a_ctr.overwaterbungalowsEN a nice starting point for potential honeymooners to research.

Emma Watson, Noah, Oscar de la Renta gown

Am thinking of going to watch "Noah" this weekend, am quite a big fan of Russell Crowe. But I think I prefer Emma Watson in her Burberry advertisements look rather than this very miserable black dress she wore to the New York premiere of the movie yesterday. When you are 23 years-young and ooze with energy, I'm sure there's a more flattering color. The black dress in fact was an Oscar de la Renta piece. For B2B wanting to get some wintery wedding-gown ideas you can also check http://www.oscardelarenta.com/bridal/collections/bridal-fall-2014/ 

HK international film festival

You can check out the 38th Annual Hong Kong International Film Festival - this started yesterday and the event will continue until the 7th of April. There will be screenings throughout the city especially the UA chains for those cultured genes. Yesterday a group of local celebrities appeared at the opening ceremony at the HKCEC and its firmly into the Spring/Summer 2014 look for the evening gowns...

http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/main.html 

Photo from NBC, h&M try to sell bridal gowns ...

 heard that H&M are trying to sell low end bridal gowns... Hmmm...seriously ?

57 years of European Royalty Weddings

CNN article from last night: "Aisle be there: The personalized wedding march"

checkout those photos from 1956-2013 ... 57 years of European royalty weddings .... 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/20/living/personalized-wedding-march-matrimony/index.html 

Cafe deco, Watermark restaurant

Dear Brides to Be, for anyone looking to have a wedding party in a non-hotel or non-typical environment, we heard The Cafe Deco group apparently are hosting a wedding showcasenext week on Saturday March 29th (primarily for the Cafe Deco premises at The Peak, and at the WaterMark fine dining restaurant at Central Peak. Pre-registrations are probably best and limited discount packages may be available. 

http://www.cafedecogroup.com/enewsletter/wedding/wedding_2014.jpg 

Happy White Day ...

Happy White Day to everyone! During our recent visit to Japan, White Day (ホワイトデー) gift stands were absolutely everywhere and it seems to be a pretty big thing. While traditionally on 14th of February its the girls and women who give chocolate or gifts as an expression on love, boys and men have to return a gift. 

Wiki says "first celebrated in 1978, started by National Confectionery Industry Association as an answer day to Valentine's Day on the grounds that men should pay back the women who gave them chocolate and other gifts. In 1977 a Fukuoka-based confectionery company Ishimuramanseido had also unsuccessfully marketed marshmallows to men on 14th of March, calling it Marshmallow Day"... 

蘇慧倫

我記得差不多二十年前在外國讀書，很喜歡聽 #蘇慧倫# 的 "Lemon Tree" 你看她當年這麼年輕 http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HfdEk5RbzrA ！

今日本地傳媒廣泛報道四十三歲的她剛剛日本結婚。她另外一個我很欣賞的東西，就是跟我一樣是很喜歡滑雪！哪當然，因為她老公Jimmy是台灣的一個非常出名 snowboard 代理！恭喜！

Tripadvisor Top Ten Hotel Views of the World ...

Hotel selection on holidays tend to be a very personal choice. For sightseeing destinations many friends tend to choose a cheaper, convenient & clean hotel with minimal fuss & prefer to spend the money elsewhere. But if you are planning a honeymoon you can check out Tripadvisor's new "Top 10 Hotels With Stunning Views" countdown where I'm sure you can spend a lot of time in your hotel! Though theres maybe a handful in Europe or Oceania could be worth honorable mentions! http://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenter-a_ctr.hotelviewsEN1

10) Hotel Salto Chico @ Chile ... (for some reason this hotel really reminds me of the scene in the movie 

"2012" when the Ark is about to crash into a glacier mountain).... 9) Jade Mountain Resort @ Caribbean 8) The Tower @ England 7) Wolwedans Lodge @ Africa 6) Traders Hotel KL @ Malaysia 5) Embassy Suites Hilton Niagra Falls @ US 4) Le Sirenuse @ Italy 3) Kaklauttanen Hotel Lapland @ Finland 2) Palazzo Manfredi Relais Rome @ Italy 1) St Regis Deer Valley @ US. 

日本京都手信！

Steve Madden vs Oscars ...

The biggest red carpet event of the year The Oscars 2014 86th Academy Awards finally here next week. I watched "The Wolf of Wall Street" movie 2 weeks ago, it is 1 of 9 movies nominated for "Best Picture".

 I was fascinated by the Steve Madden story and afterwards read a lot about the founder's history on the internet. In fact, he was in CBS interview a few days ago  http://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-madden-on-putting-his-best-foot-forward/ just before the company reported fourth quarter earnings. I am curious if anyone ever kept a pristine pair of the original 500 pairs of "Marilyns" he produced (and sold in his car's rear trunk) before he become famous with that "Mary Lou" design...!

Spring 2014 collection bridal

Coming soon from the US to Acacia Wedding's HK showroom ...

Milan Fashion Week (Feb 2014) ...

A busy month for fashionphiles!  After checking out the videos and lovely photo galeries from London Fashion Week, the last few days saw many articles out on the Milan equivalent which just finished this weekend. 

Their Fall 2014 saw again quite a big presence of Print and also Fur... with plenty of Autumn color shades... with some commentators describing many collections as Nomadic. Photographers loved to take snapshots of this circular runway with huge circle of flame and blue spotlights http://news.yahoo.com/cavalli-scorches-milan-ring-fire-catwalk-191105109.html 

Don't expect to get much inspiration if you're shopping for that perfect Evening Gown though, it had even a less showing than London ( check http://www.fashionisers.com/category/fashion-news/ they have the best photo collection for over 20 of the designers for Milan Fashion Week ) and Versace was the only one relatively active in this segment ( see photo attached ...) 

Small tips for environmentally friendly Wedding ...

ESD (生活易) ran a nice article today on being environmentally friendly weddings, something some people are increasingly conscious of. Somewhat more common in Western society, but still frowned upon in Hong Kong (its a very personal choice...). 

Food Volume: Some couples will cut the number of dishes in the banquet. For western buffet, some restaurants will organize leftover/unserved foods to charity or for takeaway services.

Food Type: Stay away from foods like sharks fin.

Inside Deco: Go for more reusable/biodegradable material rather than foamboards which is dumped afterwards. Use a hotel's reusable deco/signage.

Outside Deco: Check if guests may really be interested in snacks or sweet corners, organize to charity for edible goodies leftovers.

Dress: Look for mini dress etc for bridesmaids which they can reuse/rewear after the wedding & groomsmen to wear work suits.

Invites & Laisee: Minimize over-packaging on invitations, laisees.

Gifts: Give guests smth they are more likely to use rather than throw away. 

London fashion show 2014

Saw in local papers some HK socialites flying all the way over to see London Fashion Week 2014, today will the 4th and second last day. You can check out the show schedule herehttp://londonfashionweek.co.uk/schedule_aw14.aspx and I think for the first time they are also putting selected live broadcasts on the internet websitehttp://londonfashionweek.co.uk/live.aspx. 

So far those Autumn/Winter 2014 collections I saw have been dominated by casual wear or office wear. But for Brides-to-be looking for inspirations for your wedding cocktail dress/evening gowns, you can search the website highlights gallery on the following designers who did make a (small) showing in this arena (from left to right Marios Schwab @ Day-3 and Emilio de la Morena, Julian Macdonald @ Day-2)...

Baihe Blasted ...

I was reading the the local newspaper and saw all this commotion about Baihe's commercials and how some mainland netizens gathered in protest or threatened to boycott the business as the commercial is pushing the idea of forced or pressured or even arranged marriages (逼婚). Baihe.com, along with Jiayuan.com & Zhenai.com are the 3 biggest online dating/marriage sites in China, with over 60% combined market share, but seems losing some momentum with the more common use of handset apps. 

But anyway definitely this year I feel there are more news stories on twenty-something year-old kids not wanting to return back to home county from their city workplace, for fear or being accused of not having a boy/girlfriend or having marriage plans. 

The commercial : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ul0KyzDK5Cs

Alternative Bridal gifts / accessories at Bangkok Chatuchak market

With the costs of organizing weddings constantly on the rise every year, brides are always looking for the best deal to purchase wedding related accessories or gifts. There are a couple of interesting places where Acacia Wedding came across some awesome products, for brides or for gifts. One of them is Thailand Bangkok Chatuchak - probably the world's biggest outdoor market. In fact some magazines said to step in and out of every single shop (and not spending any time inside) in the whole market will take you around 17 hours of non stop walking!!

 

Veil, accessories, umbrella shop - there is one single shop on the first row of Soi-57, it is absolutely amazing. i have never seen anything like it in hong kong. they have veils of all sizes, mini hats, bridal-look umbrellas and other accesseories. I spent over one hour there and wanted to buy everything as it was very decent quality, and designs I have never seen in HK.

 

Aromas, candles, oils - the best area is around section 10, near Soi-19. there are several high end shops (even with air conditioning!) and are great for gifts or personal use.

 

Wedding banquet gifts - I tell you this area has even better selection than 金都, there is literally anything you want for table gifts for guests - salt/pepper shakers, mini bags, edible gifts, artwork, weights, thank you cards, bottles absolutely anything. It may not necessarily be cheaper than Taobao, but there are many things here. These shops are quite spread out, but there are many in section 17 and section 9.

 

Plastic flowers, corsage, decoratives - you wont find these in the plants/gardening sections at Chatuchak, you actually have to go to the arts area like section 8.

Clothes - unfortunately, you won't get much joy looking for alternative style bridal dresses or bridesmaids dresses in the market. There are some higher end shops near the market entrance from underground entrance and section 5, but it won't have much to do with a wedding.

 

Happy hunting ...

 

74th Valentine's Wedding Expo

The 74th Valentine's Wedding Expo (this is the one organized by HKAE, not Audace) will be on next week feb 14-16 Fri-Sunday at Wanchai HK Convention Centre again. Acacia Wedding will be visiting but not exhibiting this show. 

http://www.wedding-show.com.hk/VWE14/index.html 

There are some wedding magazines that may also have free tickets or you can try redeeming on websites likehttps://www.facebook.com/pages/-/146607168772627?sk=app_573230136068004&app_data=zh 

Acacia Wedding 恭祝大家馬年行好運 ... 開工大吉 ... 身體健康 ... !

Acacia Wedding 恭祝大家馬年行好運 ... 開工大吉 ... 身體健康 ... !

Bridal Veil DIY ...

For any brides interested in DIY for bridal veils & headpieces, ESD has recommended some courses for February hosted by Terry Lo Wedding Studio as well as Ruby's Bridal Fascinators. Costing around HKD$2000 may be more expensive than renting from bridal shops but it does add that special touch!  http://tinyurl.com/p97bvh8

Grammys

尋日凌晨舉辦的第56屆格林美音樂獎 (Grammy's) 上映了一場三十三對同性跟異性情侶台上集體結婚!

當時演出是最佳新人獎 "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis" 在唱他們 hit song "Same Love" 是描述同性戀愛的歌。麥當娜也擔當了嘉賓。

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A6OVxPiZQDc

Say Yes to the Dress

前日又收倒 amazon.com 幾本可放在 coffee table 的新書。Randy Fenoli 的電視劇是好好看，特別是 ＂Say Yes To The Dress " 系列會探訪美國新良態度跟味道。現時這電視劇會在 NOW 214 Discovery Home & Health 可以看倒。終有一天我也想去呢個全世界超級出名婚紗店看一下 (Kleinfeld's)。。。

http://www.kleinfeldbridal.com/index.cfm?pid=Say-Yes-To-The-Dress

Johanna Ho

Our neighbour's shop "soft opened" this week, still haven't had a chance to meet & congratulate the famous Johanna Ho. Her flagship store on the ground floor of our building started renovation at a similar time to Acacia Wedding's showroom and looks really awesome. Incidentally, Miss Ho was also one of the judges at the 38th "Young Designer Contest" awards during the HK Fashion Week 2014 mentioned in the previous blog. 

HK fashion week 2014

We were very busy last week with moving our showroom but today finally got to catch up on the news from one of Hong Kong's biggest fashion events "Fashion Week 2014" and in particular the 38th "Young Designer Contest Award" which is hosted by the Trade Development Council. Check out the 2 winners Nelson Leung (梁鎮霆) and Max Mak (麥永豐) in http://www.fashionally.com/en/ydc_flash/ydc_news/2014/0/139 

You can find out more about this year's chief judge belgian Veronique Leroy herehttp://www.veroniqueleroy.com/aboutvl 

你的婚禮有寫明 dress code (衣規)嗎?? ... Part 1

最近 Acacia Wedding 去了一個五星級酒店觀禮，拍照時看見一班人有tux也有tshirt牛仔褲。新良好慘！

新良新浪如果想避免也可以嘗試在結婚請帖寫明，外國是非常普遍。去參加的朋友也應尊重。或許英文的解釋我可以寫一下我想法。這是香港比較多有的。

Black Tie
男的全部黑tux，所以香港比較罕有，因為很多人不會擁有。女的長裙 evening/cocktail dress。短裙最好黑色。盡量不穿像婚紗白色。

Business Formal
我覺得這其實是一般香港五星級酒店應有的標準。男的穿上班西裝，不花恤衫加領帶。女的跟上面blacktie 一樣或者穿好像上班衣服也好。

Business Casual
我覺得這其實是一般香港酒店或酒樓應有的標準。男的請不要穿牛仔褲，起馬要恤衫加西裝褸。女的跟businessformal 差不多，可是香港夏天summer dress 或短裙也沒問題。

Casual
雖然是casual，可是牛仔褲應該是clean,不穿窿，不拖地。除非旅遊婚禮也不應短褲。tshirt應盡量簡雕，最好有領polo。絕對不應穿拖鞋。女的短褲短裙亦可。

Beach
旅遊婚禮流行這個，特別是沙上儀式，拖鞋短褲很平常。可是如果布吉五星級酒店教堂，應寫 casual (no flip flops no tank top) 即是不穿拖鞋背心或吊帶。

Others
比較罕有，外國人會指明題目衣服，好像如果在船上派對就穿白色tux.

Valentines Dinner @ Mygarden Wedding Venue

Received a wedding invitation a few days ago. So this year no need to think about where to have Valentine's Day because we will be attending ceremony and dinner at "My Garden" at Kowloontong. I have never been there but the photos look nice. 

http://www.mygardengroup.com.hk/

港台新聞：證婚服務投訴激增 （要小心挑選！

港台新聞：證婚服務投訴激增 （要小心挑選！）

http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/expressnews/news.htm?expressnews&20140114&55&977301

消 委 會 去 年 首 11 個 月 ， 收 到 25 宗 有 關 證 婚 及 婚 禮 統 籌 服 務 的 投 訴 ， 較 前 年 同 期 的 10 宗 ， 增 加 一 倍 半 。

其 中 一 宗 個 案 ， 投 訴 人 以 4 萬 元 光 顧 一 間 提 供 海 外 婚 禮 註 冊 服 務 的 公 司 ， 在 希 臘 一 個 小 島 舉 行 婚 禮 ， 當 事 人 在 婚 禮 後 收 到 結 婚 證 書 和 翻 譯 本 ， 發 現 上 面 的 職 業 資 料 出 錯 。

另 一 宗 個 案 ， 投 訴 人 以 5 千 多 元 購 買 一 間 公 司 的 律 師 證 婚 服 務 ， 律 師 在 監 禮 時 讀 錯 新 娘 的 名 字 ， 整 個 過 程 被 錄 影 下 來 ， 令 新 娘 感 到 十 分 尷 尬 。

消 委 會 呼 籲 消 費 者 ， 在 選 擇 證 婚 或 婚 禮 統 籌 服 務 時 ， 選 擇 口 碑 好 的 公 司 較 有 保 障 ， 而 證 婚 服 務 是 較 新 興 服 務 ， 婚 姻 監 禮 人 服 務 水 平 亦 參 差 ， 消 費 者 應 選 擇 較 有 經 驗 的 監 禮 人 。

Just got back to Hong Kong in the weekend, time to do homework again :)

A few tips shared with some friends and clients booking honeymoon from Hong Kong recently

Should I book myself or go through an agent?
Depending on the destination, sometimes it is even cheaper to book yourself (normally in HK, its cheaper to go through travel agent). However sometimes the airlines (like CX Holidays or SIA Holidays for example) themselves have good package. Many hotels also have honeymoon specials (a good source is to check on Tripadvisors, especially for Nth America & Asia) & sometimes the hotel will even ask you to fax over proof of marriage (usually within 6 mths will be considered eligible). There are several agents in HK (Wincastle or Tiglion) have tailor made packages for honeymooners or wedding celebrations, in general they will be cheaper than if you book yourself due to their bulk purchases. 

Any other discounts I can find?
For HK based friends you can also try going to the wedding fairs organized by iWedding or Audace, we have seen some pretty big discounts for exotic destinations like Maldives or Guam. You can also check bulk-buy websites like Groupon. Be aware of fraud but you can sometimes find heavy discounts from people trying to sell transferable tickets on Ebay, YahooAuctions or other websites. 

Should I tell the hotel/tourguide I'm on honeymoon? 
In general I would say yes. Many hotels will throw in free champagne if you tell them you are on honeymoon, or will give you a warmer welcome. We have heard of tourguides giving presents even, in friendlier countries. But we also heard for some emerging mkt destinations, its better not to flash your wealth or expensive marriage celebrations for security reasons. 

How to find a suitable hotel for honeymoon? 
The answer to this question depends on the sort of vacation you want. Some couples don't want to see or interact with nobody so better if you find a no-child hotel or hotel with no-child pool. Some couples still want to party so you're better off booking a hotel near night life. Feel free to message me for any tips in various cities, especially in Asia. 

How come you seem to get upgraded more than normal on your flights? 
Many people will try to stick with one airline for travel for example Cathay Pacific, and book higher fares for the same flight in order to get asiamiles. In the long run, some people claim this is worth the premium as in general airlines will only upgrade for a full flight, and the preference order will be according to class (diamond, gold, silver). The last time I heard someone upgraded due to birthday or honeymoon, that must have been several years ago. Your chances of being upgraded if you do earlier online check-in is higher (check your "BN" number on boarding pass). 

12 Trips of a Lifetime

For friends planning honeymoon or epic holiday check out Tripadvisor.com "12 Trips of a Lifetime" released on Jan 3rd 2014. I miss Santorini so much, I has such a wonderful time there. 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenter-a_ctr.tripslifetimeEN13