Tony and Nickie's Wedding (Part 2)

Part 2: Yee Boon and I relaxed in front of the tv after a long day. At 4, we moved out again to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kuala Lumpur to be specific, the ISHQ Restaurant in the hotel, where the wedding banquet were to be held. When we reached the hotel, preparations were still underway, the decorator girls were starting to place candles around the centre water fountain and the trimmings on the tables, whilst YB went straight to the video projector to sort out the screening. Turns out the RC jack cables he bought the night before was too short! That got sorted out later anyway, thanks to the hotel staff we borrowed.

I was helping Tony out with the last minute changes to the table seating. Usually happens at most weddings. In the picture above, you can see Duncan's trepidation as bestman, with Michelle helping him with pinning his corsage on. In fact, the people involved with preparations were tensing up. It was almost 6 and the deco wasn't done yet, the music wasn't selected and the reception table was sitting in a dark corner, amongst other concerns. Of course, I hadn't prepared my script. At that point, I decided to 'wing it'. All I needed were some names and the programme.

Fast forward...most of the guests were present by 8.15pm. A little behind schedule, I prompted everyone to take their seats! Power of the MC!... Anyway, the night started with the wedding march of the bridal couple from the spiral staircase down to the banquet hall, welcomed warmly by upstanding guests and clapping hands.

After the ceremonial cake cutting ceremony, dinner soon ensued, during which, a vidoe montage of the happy couple's moments and tomfoolery came on screen.... but much to our surprise, Michelle (Tony's sister) and gang (Ted, Duncan and Michelle's friend) decided to give a rendition of "Sometimes When We Touch" dedicated to the newly weds! Soon to follow was the groom's father's speech (Mr. Michael Lim, who nearly lost his voice that evening. Have to admire him for such a well delivered speech, which happened to be unscripted!), the bestman's speech (bravo Duncan!) and the newly weds' speech. Tony, you gave one fantastic speech, especially when it concerns your 'Heng Tai's' hehe....
Soon thereafter, the 'Yum Seng' ritual had to go on, led by Uncle Delon, the Lim family's most powerfule weapon, for he entertained the crowd with Teresa Teng's song ( Yuè Liàng Dài Biǎo Wǒ De Xīn) and reprised his singing role on popular request from the audience. Actually I think this was when the dinner started to take a faster pace. Plus, the jazz band relegated behind did really know their chinese music. As Uncle Delon charmed the audience with this captivating voice, the band provided the music almost as if they were meant to play those songs that nite. Anyway, the impromptu performance really came together like clockwork. I was most pleased that this banquet was taking an entertaining turn...

That was when yours trully decided to take his seat and retire for the nite...catching up with the boys and my dear ex-colleagues. Yeah, had the time to jostle with David, Yee Boon, Amelia and her husband, Chien Li and Meera. Was a little disappointed that Putri couldn't make it as she was taken ill that evening. Well, all's well that ends well...