Wedding Updates!

Almost everything is done! So far it has been quite enjoyable, the only little hiccup was the lady who was supposed to do up the table flowers for one of the ceremonies took weeks to give me her banking details for a deposit!!! Apart from that-I do enjoy DIY and crafting so I actually did up my own invites and even printed them myself. I also made some of the envelopes for the invitations given to Y*'s family as the ones I ordered were being sent to KL. So far, so good!

I've come to realize a wedding budget can be as big or as small as you want it to be. I have been given the luxury of not having to work whilst planning the 3 parts of our wedding (2 in KL and 1 in Japan) so I was able to do a lot of the sourcing myself. Some couples may prefer to have a wedding planner handle everything for them but I knew from the start I didn't want nor need one. Partly because our celebration was going to be really small (60 pax and 33 pax),  and also because I do enjoy planning parties and events. Plus, it's going to be a really simple event, nothing elaborate, pretty confident I can pull it off.

My dress is already done and fitted, and OMG I LOVE my dress. It has all the elements that I love, and I can't wait until Y* sees me in it. He's been so anxious to catch a glimpse of my dress. But no, he shall have to wait until the day itself. My mother, who initially had her concerns about my dress when I pictured it to her- too this, too that, saw me at my first fitting and was in awe. My dressmaker is so good!! Am making a second dress with her for the Chinese Tea Ceremony.

All weddings come with their fair share of drama and mine is no different. There will always be that one person with a snide comment or nitpicking on things. But to be honest, not bothered at all! I'm more excited than anything!!

Can't wait for Part 1 and 2 of #MrMrsKomai!!

Wedding Venue!

Checked out our wedding venue today and had lunch there to sample the food (again). We have had dinner here before and the food was excellent but since we were having a lunch wedding reception, we both felt we should at least try their lunch fare out. Any excuse to fine dine.

As we expected, both the food and service were top notch. I really fell in love with the decor and ambiance the first time I visited and I still felt the same today. Simple and classic but tasteful, lots of natural light and wood. LOVE!

We aren't going to decorate the place because I really like how it looks already and it saves us a fair bit too. Don't want too much going on which detracts from the beauty of the place. The restaurant also over looks a vineyard but unfortunately it would be bare when we have our reception in October.

Nevertheless, still a beautiful place and I hope our guests would think so too!

We also checked out the hotels along Lake Kawaguchi and a few restaurants in the area for casual dining. The colours of autumn are really so beautiful.

A very productive day out with my love!

Gotemba Premium Outlet

Finally got to visit the Gotemba Premium Outlet in Shizuoka today! Possibly the last time I will be able to enjoy "tax-free" shopping in Japan. It took us about an hour from Yamanashi but it was an easy drive (I just played Pokemon Go). The Outlet has a good mix of high end- Balenciaga, Prada, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo and street fashion brands- Sly, Snidel, Nike, GAP, Abercrombie, as well as Sanrio, Disney and even a Pokemon Store.

We had lunch at the much raved about Uogashi and it did certainly not disappoint. It took us about 15-20 minutes to get from the end of the long queue to our seats, which is quite fast. Do note that they will only seat you when your party is complete.

Food was great, didn't capture everything as we were too busy eating. My favourite sushi is no longer salmon. Since Y* ordered me my first plate of arburi engawa (torched flounder fin) months ago I have been hooked. I must have it everytime we eat sushi now. Hello engawa (bottom left)!

If you get a seat at the counter, sometimes the sushi chef announces special sushi combinations or fish which is not available on the menu. On our visit we got to try the engawa kombu sushi. Yummy but arburi is still the best to me. Sooo gooood! They also had the "overflowing" sushi, which of course we had to order.

So much uni and ikura!!! I don't have to imagine how it feels to eat a plate full of eggs and sea urchin anymore. It was so fresh and satisfying! Immediately after, I told Y* to never let me order the uni sushi anymore. But looking at it now... *slurp*

After walking around for 6 hours, yep we were there from 10am until 4pm, we decided to head home. But not before pickup up a Godiva 90th Anniversary blend- Raspberry and Rose Chocolixir.

Smooth and sippable white chocolate topped with a rose and raspberry swirl, raspberry crunchies and a drizzle of raspberry sauce. A wonderfully unique flavour that calls up sweet memories of springtime. I want another one!!

One of our purchases today, the perfect white shirt for a groom-to-be! We managed to save a fair bit on the suit so we decided to splurge on this beautiful shirt. Each brand has a different fit and after trying on so many shirts, Prada and Armani fit Y* the best. He chose this in the end because of the feel and it has a slight stretch. I love it on him! Can't wait to see him all suited up.

♥

The Proposal

As of 3rd May 2016, I have been engaged to the most wonderfully perfect man for me. The proposal came as a complete surprise to me because we had already made it sorta known prior that we wanted to be with each other (forever, haha). 

Y (my fiancé) told me he picked the ring himself, and this man knows me so well. A single stone is usually the choice for engagement rings but he felt that this design suited me better. Delicate, simple and sweet. And he is right, I love the ring but even more I love that it reflects my style, and was picked out by Y.

Y distracted me with desserts and drinks just before he proposed. When he popped open the box and started expressing his feelings, it was as if my surroundings froze and I couldn't hear anything except for his voice. Admittedly, I did tear a little but after that I couldn't stop smiling!

I've never come across such a design.. a little bow but it's so delicate and pretty and unique! I LOVE IT!!! Y always picks the best gifts for me (which is a hard task as I'm very particular especially with jewellery).

I am so blessed and thankful for having Y love me exactly the way I am (and knowing me so well!!).

We have now been engaged for more than a month but every time I look at the ring my heart still skips a little and a smile plays on my lips. 

I miss Y so much! Counting down the days until we meet!!

Almost ready...

Amongst the things I had to get done prior to my departure was to apply for the "Single Status Certificate" or also known as the "Letter Verifying Marital Status" in Malaysia. Application for this certificate can only be done at Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) Putrajaya and will be valid for 150 days.

I applied for mine yesterday and the whole procedure took me about an hour plus. From filling the forms, giving a sworn statement, obtaining the cert and also having it endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is located at another building.

Most if not all the information needed can be found online, however the last unofficial guide I came across was written in 2015, there were just slight changes. Here's a walkthrough below:

1. Drive to JPN Putrajaya, there is ample parking along the streets and also a designated carpark next to the building.

2. Go to Level 1, Department of Marriages & Divorce, Counter 1. An attendant will ask for your IC and give you the necessary forms to fill.
*You will only be given a number after you've filled up the forms and given your sworn statement. Previous information found online, applicants were allowed to take a number at the same time.

3. After filling your forms, you will have to give a sworn statement (just signing) at the Commissioner of Oaths just downstairs or if it's closed, at the next building. I took a number and waited about 5-10 minutes, signed some papers, paid MYR4 and I was done.

*From the JPN website, one of the documents required is "Application letter stating the purpose of the application", do not fret there is a template provided with the forms, you just need to fill in your details.

4. Once completed, bring your forms back up to Level 1 and the attendant will hand you a number. I waited less than 5 minutes before my number was called, paid MYR5 and in about 10 minutes I received my certificate.

5. Now, with certificate in hand you will have to drive to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (about 4-5 minutes away). Again, ample parking.

6. Sign in at the guardhouse and walk all the way in, there will be a counter inside. Show your document and take a number. Your certificate will collected when your number is called. It took me about 15 minutes to get mine. The cost of the endorsement is MYR10.

7. Done!

The whole process was easy peasy, and didn't take very long.

Just a reminder:

-Bring your IC and a copy of your foreign partner's passport

-The forms available online are only for reference, you will have to obtain the original one at the JPN counter

-Don't forget to get your certificate stamped and signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Check opening and closing hours, it's different for both the Departments

If you Googled this, chances are you're preparing for a marriage so, CONGRATULATIONS!!

You can find the official information from JPN here.