Legal Process is Done

It had been rather eventful for the past few months. Starting from March, I had been busy with the renovations for the flat, I must add, tiny flat. Okay, so I’m asking for a lot when it comes to tiny Singapore but hey, one can always wish for a bigger size unit. The renovations are now nearly done, save for the lights and installation for the kitchen sink and all.

I used my favourite flower (Star Gazer Lily in pink) as my bouquet, had to order it from SG Florist as the bridal studio does not carry it. When it arrived, the 3 lilies were beautiful, IMO, and I loved it, just that I didn’t expect the size to be big. A little dramatic for a solemnisation, so I left the bouquet on the table most of the time. That’s one of the good points of a solemnisation. The pink lily means honour and aspiration; rather apt for a marriage, I feel.

Now that I’ve gone through the legal process of getting married by law, the HDB will now leave me alone on the marriage matter. I can’t believe all the hurdles I had to jump over in order to get it done. I mean, it’s a simple process, right? Or maybe I had made it a bit too big an issue but still, I like to have memorable memories especially when it comes to being married. I’m the first in the family from my mother’s side to be legally married.

I really should have done the customary on the same day too. However, it is now over, I just have to go through the customary process from this month onwards, I like to be prepared early, that way, if there is anything that decides to jump out from the bushes and shout “BOO!”, I can whack its head with something hard.

Now that I have just gone through a preview of what will happen on the actual day, the feeling is really there. It means that we would have to eat before the wedding dinner so that we can get through. I was rather nervous before the solemniser arrived and when he did, oh boy. My nerves just went crazy. I don’t know what my husband was feeling but my parents were asking me all the time, “Is he ready?!”

I was going all over to make sure that the solemniser was comfortable; I believe he was very comfortable, he had done it many times, we were just doing it for the first time! Finally, we all sat down to proceed with the process. My heart was thumping loudly, the family and friends were all quiet, I think half of them didn’t understand English but never mind. We were more important at that moment. When my husband held out his hand, I grabbed it for assurance, I was that nervous. I felt safe at that point.

All the cameras were flashing and I was starting to see dark spots from the left over but hey, I was the most beautiful for that day. My friend whom I had appointed as my photographer was telling me afterwards that we could sign slower. Erm, if I did that, I would totally forget how to sign but then again, it was done. Someone spilled water on our marriage certificate afterwards and I never found out who but that is not important. The next step is to laminate the certificate, ROM don’t provide such service for free, right? We have to do it ourselves, right? Anyone?

The lessons I have learnt from this event:

• Get food from good caterers and especially if your mother-in-law is a good cook, get her to do it. Just pay her for the ingredients.
• Assign one or more people to take care of the logistics and miscellaneous things. That way, it is easier to feel better when going through the whole process.
• Smile. A lot.
• Prepare the red packets in advance.

Finally, I really appreciate everyone who have taken their time off to attend our solemnisation. It was truly amazing with your blessings and the kids were really a bonus when they fill the chalet with their laughter.