Anna-Mae + Amit AD

Location: Penang, Malaysia
Venue: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Wedding Planner: Touching Hearts
Videographer: Andy Wang

Please click on the title for more photos.

Love Carnival @ Chymes Hotel

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On this one day event, we’re offering RM500 rebate off on any of our Photojournalistic Photography Packages! Offer is only valid if you book us on that day so please bring along your money or cheque to secure your dates with us!

visit: http://luvcarnival.wordpress.com for directions.

Featured Vendor: Touching Hearts

Vendor: Touching Hearts
Specialty: Wedding Planner
Website: http://www.touchinghearts.com.my
Email: enquiries@touchinghearts.com.my

1) Tell us more about Touching Hearts
The idea of starting a wedding planning service in Penang was sparked off from a passion of two close friends who wanted to make wedding functions come alive again. Wedding scenes has turned into a routine affair with standard expectations and everyone, including the wedding couple, just wanting the ceremony and reception to end fast after a hectic day. Luckily, with the influence from the many bridal magazines and wedding related websites available, some wedding couples’ expectations and requirements for their special day have increased. Couples may have their dream wedding in mind and would like to see that all the details right from the bridal gown to the table setup is tailored to match their theme of the day.

With that thought, Touching Hearts Wedding Concepts is formed to provide full wedding planning services to make the planning process more enjoyable and every wedding event different and more memorable. We propose and conceptualise ideas based on the wedding couple’s requirements and budget. Our services include amongst others, planning a comfortable budget, preparing a schedule/checklist, assisting with selection and booking of ceremony and reception venues, assisting with selecting a colour theme and style of the wedding and preparing itineraries for the wedding ceremony and reception. We also assist in recommending, negotiating and booking the appropriate suppliers, or we can work with the couple’s preferred suppliers to ensure that they deliver their best quality and value. We will be on-site to coordinate to ensure that everything goes on smoothly and provide a stress-free day for the wedding couple.

2) How important do you think a wedding planner is for a bride & groom to-be?
A wedding is a very meaningful and special occasion to both the couple and their respective family members. It is also a time where relatives and friends travel from far and near to celebrate this joyous occasion. By engaging a wedding planner, the couple will have peace of mind knowing that someone experienced is doing all the meticulous planning and all details are taken care of. The wedding couple and family members can then enjoy the wedding celebration with their family and friends.

Many couples have told us that it is nice to have a wedding planner to guide and advice them during the whole planning process as it will make the process less tedious and they can actually make decisions more effectively. For couples who are out of town, they feel comfortable when they engage us as they are assured that someone is overseeing their wedding arrangements and we are able to work with their parents to take the pressure off them. Couples appreciate our service as we are able to provide them with relevant information such as suitability and availability of a reception venue and quality and costs of related suppliers. At times, we act as the couple’s liaison, resolving disputes and smoothing over rough spots that may inevitably be present during the period leading up to and on the wedding day.

3) What should people look out for in a wedding planner?
A good wedding consultant provides you with a comprehensive overview of what to expect in the preparation of a wedding event, advises you on the right and trustworthy selection of banquets, florists, bridal shops, photographers, etc — but most of all, stands by you to ensure that all your desires for the wedding come true with perfect moments. Trust is important in any relationship. You should feel completely comfortable with the planner and feel assured that he or she completely understands what your needs are.

4) What is the most interesting wedding that you’ve done?
This year, we had a wedding in Langkawi whereby the wedding ceremony was conducted at the beachfront of Four Seasons Resort followed by tea ceremony. Dinner reception was held at Tapaz Restaurant in Perdana Quay. A very relaxed and warm setting. Highlight of the evening was the entrance of the couple by a boat!

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5) In your opinion, what is the wedding trend/theme for 2011?
As we approach the end of the year, we feel that 2011 will be the year of weddings. We see weddings in 2011 to be more intimate with smaller number of guests. However, decorations will still be kept simple, warm and romantic.

6) What are Touching Hearts’ future plans?
After 8 years in this industry, we are looking to train up apprentices who are passionate about wedding planning. By this way, we hope to able to provide more service to couples who are getting married.

To view past features, please click here.

Yeng Keng Boutique Hotel @ Georgetown, Penang

After photographing so many wedding portraits at so many beautiful places in Penang, I’ve developed a fond on heritage boutique hotels, especially in Penang. I’ve shot and visited quite a number of new and old boutique hotels ever since I started photography and it has never failed to impress me by its aesthetics and history. Recently, the folks from Touching Hearts, Floralsense, Alishia & myself visited this new boutique hotel located at Chulia Street called Yeng Keng Hotel. It’s a nice place to stay and to have your wedding portraits taken too! Here are some of the photos taken during our visit sometime last week.