Flowers/4 types of Gold

As the title goes, I’m going to talk about flowers today.

Or rather, more specifically, corsages, the bridal bouquet for the actual day, hand bouquet for the ROM and car decoration for the actual day. Seng and I were talking about the wedding and some other stuff and the topic of flowers came about. The first thing that came to me were the corsages and flowers wristlets. So, being the kapo that I am, I popped by to the florist in Whitesands and asked for a quotation. I almost fainted there and then in the florist shop.

Corsages were going at $5 onwards. Flower wristlets were going at an average of $10. Hand bouquets were from $70 onwards, and car decorations were between $150 to $300.

The corsages, flower wristlets and hand bouquets are all dependent on 2 things:-
1) What kind of flowers are being used
2) The arrangement or design of the corsage/wristlet/hand bouquet
While the car decorations are dependent on 3 things:-
1) What kind of flower is being used
2) The design
3) Fresh or fake flowers

However, it then occured to me that flower are kind of a waste of money. I mean, I don’t think I’ll keep the flowers. The most for a few days, watching it wilt away. So I thought and chewed on the idea of the flower wristlets. Being the practical person that I am, the idea came to me when Seng and I were walking around Tampines Mall over the weekends, with the initial intention of dropping by to Poh Heng to look at gold jewelry.

As we were talking and discussing about the flower issue, we walked towards Chomel. This shop that sells costume jewelry. Then it occured to me that I could kill two birds with one stone. Instead of the regular flower wristlets, I thought of replacing them with a bracelet. One, it can act as the flower wristlet. Two, it can at the same time be a keepsake or momento for my bridesmaids. And!! They can use it in future as an accessory. It is going to cost me more, but it’s a two in one. So, I kind of save on the time and effort having to look for a simple gift for my bridesmaids.

Of course, my bridesmaids will all get the same design. My maid-of-honour obviously will get a special one, which she is allowed to choose, of course, within the budget which I set. Seng is agreeable on the idea and so is Mum. Woo hoo!! Looks like it might be a go ahead. I’m going to keep this idea in mind, as I continue to look around for other practical ideas.
I’m such a ‘salty olive’ when it comes to money. Haha!!

Anyways, I’m also looking for alternatives for the groomsmen. Hmm… Well, I have not thought of anything yet, but maybe something might come up. Eventually.

Then comes the tradition part of the wedding. The infamous 4 types of gold. I’m Teochew, so it’s part of my dowry. The four types of gold consist of a pair of earrings, a bracelet/bangle, a necklace and a pendent. All of them have to be gold. However, gold looks so old fashioned. Haha! I mean, the design can look modern, but the colour makes it look very old. As the jeweller had mentioned to me and Seng that nowadays alot of people buy designs that have white and yellow gold. Doesn’t look as old fashioned. Haha!!

In any case, Seng and I looked around for designs and stuff. We came across a particular design that we both liked. And I actually surprised myself, coz I actually liked the design, even though there was gold in it. I even saw a gold ring that I actually liked. The set is not cheap, partly that gold prices have gone up substantially. Why, 916k was going at $57.50 per gram when we were at the jeweller last Saturday.

We practically entered every availalble jewelry shop in Tampines Mall.

We were also looking for a matching wedding band for Seng. We have decided not to get those rings that jewellers offer as wedding bands. I’ve already found the wedding band that I want, now we have to look for a matching one for Seng. We found one at SK. But, it’s really pricey. Well, there are diamonds on the ring. But since we have a total budget for the bands, and mine is way under the budget per ring, he can use my portion of the unused budet to make up for his ring. But there is one thing we have realised, and that is rings for men so freaking limited.

Of course, we are still keeping our eyes opened for other options. But in any case, we still have time, so we will keep looking. = )

Qiuru xx