3 Oct 2006 — Finally the wedding shoot is over and done with! Yep, so what happened was that William and I arranged for the bridal team from J&M in Singapore to come to Sydney to take our wedding pictures here. And before you go thinking we’re acting like spoilt rich brats, we have our reasons, good ones too.

1. It costs the same to fly ourselves back to Singapore, as it would to fly the photographer and make-up artist down to Sydney.
2. No, I don’t think we are creative enough to scout out any more new and unusual places to take our photos in Singapore, and no, we don’t just want a rehash album filled with photos of us at Sentosa, Botanic Gardens, Changi beach, Chinatown, you name it.
3. We’re probably leaving Sydney soon, and wanted something to commemorate the time that we have spent here.
4. We don’t trust the local ang-mor photographers to do the job because (do you realise?) in Western tradition, they actually do not have the concept of doing this, i.e. having a pre-wedding photoshoot. In fact, it’s probably pretty weird to them since in their culture, the groom isn’t even supposed to see the bride in the wedding gown until the wedding day!?! Right Joerg? The only photos ang-mor brides and grooms take are the actual day spontaneous ones where they pose naturally in their actual wedding gear. Thus we didn’t feel we could communicate to an ang-mor photographer what it was we were after, not to mention having to scout for a separate hair and make-up artist here, and what about the gown???
5. We figured it would prolly cost us a whole lot more if we were to do the photoshoot separately from the rental of the gowns and suits + flowers + car + car decor. Believe me, signing up with this sort of package is actually a lot more cost-efficient even after taking into account the 2 extra plane tickets.

Ok, so hopefully I have convinced the skeptics out there that no, we’re NOT trying to throw money down the drain.

So, it’s been a week and sadly, Elbson and Adrian have taken their leave. Yes, actually we had such a great time with them that we are really sad to see them go. And I think it’s safe to say the relationship between them and us has become a tad more incestuous, we’re definitely more than mere bridal studio and client now. Awww….

Where do I even begin? Firstly, they turned out to be really down-to-earth and easy-going — they didn’t mind flying Gulf Air, nor putting up with us in our apartment (Elbson even said that it’s nicer than a hotel?!?). They were also very appreciative and was never giam-siap to show it (unlike some other people we know) — haha, especially Adrian, especially with regards to all the makan places we brought them to. Hmm, wouldn’t be surprised if he’s put on a kilo or two!

They are also very far-ni, with Elbson, the designer, being the 典型 glam-queen “sister”, and Adrian, the photog cum 老板, being the typical roly-poly goofball. I mean look, isn’t he a dead ringer for NONO from the Jacky Wu show?!?

And looking like that, how serious a person can he possibly be?… So yes, many a moments, the photoshoot was filled with ease, laughter and sheer enjoyment; and sharing a natural sort of chemistry that fuelled us, the “working” hours actually passed fairly quickly.

Nonetheless, they were fun, but definitely not frivolous. When it came down to work, they were very professional, and more importantly perhaps, filled with immense enthusiasm. For instance, unlike the typical 1-day photoshoot, Elbson had to come up with several different 造型 for me over the 4 days, and each day he never fails to amaze me with his creativity. Every morning after the 2-3 hour “cosmetic procedure”, I’m always blown away by how different and unusual I look in the mirror: wah… I can look like that?!?

He also provides the best beauty tips. Like did you know to get perfectly manicured long beautiful looking nails, you no longer have to grow them? All you need to do is get a pack of instant ones and stick them on!

Ta-dah! All done in 10 minutes! Perfect for chor-lor girls like moi! And cheap too! Supposedly only S$10 for 3 sets at SaSa in Singapore! Like duh… where have I been?!?

Hair and make-up aside, he’s also very nifty with the costumes (well, that’s what the gowns feel like)!

Take the first day of the shoot, when we were already in the Hunter Valley, 2 hours away from Sydney (i.e. home), when William discovered he had left all his jackets on the sofa in the house! (Could have killed him and eaten him raw if not for the fact that I needed a 男主角 for the shoot) Elbson immediately went into crisis-control mode, speaking firstly in a very normal almost nonchalant tone to appease us, telling us not to worry, and reassuring us that these days, it’s quite the trend in fact, not to don a jacket for outdoor shoots. Dunno true or not, but somehow he managed to pacify us. Seizing those few seconds of of calm, he craftily created a “look” for William using nothing more than some loose pieces of feathers and lace — suggesting that it was in fact a blessing in disguise as it leaves William no choice but to venture into less treaded waters of DRAMA!

Hmm… after seeing the end-product I guess I agree.

Make-up artist and fashion guru aside, he was also our instructor on all things hiao — from the poses to our facial expressions, of which Ah-Bi and I were COMPLETELY clueless! Somehow when left to our own defenses, we just hiao buay chu ley… anyway, here’s Elbson in action himself:

Heh heh, can see that we’ve nabbed ourselves a good teacher right?

The other role he played was counsellor, to yours truly. Yep, night after night, when we have reviewed the photos and I am close to the brink of tears and on the verge of just throwing the towel in, he would step in with his nonchalant tone of voice to reassure me over and over again not to worry, that all the chubby cheeks and ah-sou (阿嫂) arms can be easily erased away with the magic-photoshop-wand! And somehow I always feel better afterwards… in fact, by the 3rd day, I was pretty Zen about the whole thing, and happily tucked into chocolates and ice-cream… this Elbson, he’s SO convincing! In short, he is every straight girl’s dream friend. I am such a fag hag lor.

Same for Adrian, so funny, he was like a kid at a carnival, always so excited to be at all the various places, and he just couldn’t seem to get enough, happily clicking his camera away! In fact, on ALL the nights, Billie and I were the first to call it quits, not him. If we had left it to him, he would easily have stayed for a couple of hours more, at least!

He was also really good at capturing pictures from an unusual perspective and weird angles, which was exactly what we were after. And he always made the effort to make us laugh and feel at ease, like once in a blue moon when we actually came up with a pose ourselves, he would “reward” us with praise like “wah… 聪明的孩子 hor…” Even now, I can still hear his “ok, ready, 1, 2″.

Ok, ok, so I bet you’re all game to see some photos of the shoot now hey? So without giving too much away, I’ve compiled some pictures of the process and hopefully you’ll enjoy them. Come!

So firstly, here’s a peek at some of the gorgeous, wonderful and funky locations we went to:

The picturesque Hunter Valley — filled with lush green frolicking hills and stout brown grazing cows

The equally breathtaking La Perouse. Can’t believe that Ah-Bi and I have lived in Sydney for more than 5 years, and it’s our first time here! I mean look! This place is beeeawwtiful!

The iconic Bondi beach

Harry’s Cafe de Wheels — another Sydney must!

Paddington Market, also a favourite haunt of ours.

For a dash of high-culture, we headed to the steps of St Mary’s Cathedral — what… we also 有墨水 one ok…

… and for a splash of child-like fun, which admittedly is more us, we invaded Luna Park!

Last but certainly not least — for my 老爸 who shared these wise words with us: “Spend so much money flying the photographer over, better make sure you take some pictures that people can straight away tell is Sydney and not Singapore one” — the Harbour Bridge & the Opera House!

Look, we organised the trip so well we even had time to rehearse the poses the day before the actual shooting began. Pro or what?! And judging from our inhibitions, we badly needed it.

The “au natural”-romantic pose

L: Need I say it? The Titanic pose
R: The looking-into-the-distant-and-pretending-to-laugh-at-something-funny pose

And yep finally, here’s us in actual action:

Lots of preening and pruning…

Trying to find the right angles…

…and checking the results.

But it wasn’t all work and no play. At the end of the day, there was always time for a drink…

… and of course, lots and lots of makan! Here’s just a sampler:

After we wrapped up on the fourth night, William also brought the boys for a night out on the town, paying a visit to Star City (the casino), and also checking out the girls at King’s Cross and no doubt, the boys along Oxford Street. Indeed, by the end, it felt more like we had friends visiting rather than a “business”-related trip. As for Adrian, he enjoyed the wine, scenery and the pace of life here so much that I think he’s all ready to apply for permanent residency too!

Before I end this blog, there are a few people and places to thank. First of all, the deserted Tallivera Grove in the Hunter Valley.

The place was closed and we looked all around trying to find someone to get their permission to no avail. Nonetheless we did manage to take many beautiful pictures there, so a note of appreciation to the owners.

Also a BIG thank you to the good people at Tyrrell’s Wines.

Not only was Mick, the guy we met there, so obliging as to open the cellar door for us past opening hours, but he also generously presented us with a complimentary bottle of sparkly and 4 Tyrrell’s Wines glasses! Wow! Talk about hospitality! So in return, allow me to extend them a bit of free publicity. Come 28 October, the pastures of Tyrrell’s will come alive with the annual Jazz in the Vines event. There will be lots of good jazz, fantastic food and of course an abundance of wine. So if you’re in the neighbourhood…

Then there was Sonia who owns Madame Fling Flong.

The retro restaurant/lounge tucked away in Newtown was our one and only indoor location.

Sonia (she’s the one on the left) was great, she had absolutely no qualms about loaning her place out to a bunch of strangers for a photoshoot! She was like “the place’s all yours, just feel free to do whatever you want!” And in the 2 hours that we were there, she didn’t even bother to peek in once, not once. Talk about trust! Muuak!

And finally, well, it’s neither a place nor a person, but there’s something I’m absolutely indebted to for the span of this photoshoot…
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…my blankie!!!

As you can see from the above photos, I wouldn’t leave home without it, and definitely couldn’t have no-freaking-way survived without it! Don’t let the sunny photos trick you into thinking it was all warm and balmy; when the wind blew, it chills you to the bones, whoa… especially come nightfall. Brrr… So yes indeedy, a big fat hug for Bambury, my blankie. At this point, also need to mention Elbson’s unceasing kind attentiveness. Armed with Bambury, he was never far, and any chance he got between shots, he would be there wrapping me up.

Haha, he even affectionately referred to me as 陈宝珠 (Connie Chan), some film diva from the 60s, and to himself as my 丫鬟 (i.e. maid). In those days, it was quite the norm for these big-shot movie stars to have their own servants on the set following them all around, tending to their every little need, kinda like what he was doing. Awww…isn’t he a sweetie?!

Well, and that’s that! It’s a wrap folks! Heh heh, can’t give too much away. You’ll have to wait to see the finished product, after I’ve photoshopped my way to all things slim and beautiful. And now that the shoot is done and the wedding is another 9 whole months away, I’m all ready to unleash all my demons and head out to party and pig-out! So yes, my dear Sydney friends who have been wondering why I’ve been M.I.A. (missing in action), you’ll be hearing from me pre-tty soon! (Well William’s mum just arrived today for a 2-week stay, but that’s another story…)

Finally, a parting shot of the fab 2 who have made this experience an absolute joyful, fun-filled process.

Thanks guys!!!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006 at 3:56 pm and is filed under Getting Hitched!. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.