Decisions, decisions, decisions - Solemnisation Area how?

The hotel had agreed to give us 1hr complimentary usage of one of the function rooms on the 5th floor for our solemnisation before the dinner. The Clove room, with the window curtains drawn, would let us have Fort Canning hill as the backdrop of our solemnisation. Small and cosy. THAT'S THE PROBLEM! It turned out to be TOO small for our solemnisation.

Even though we would only be having family present to witness the exchange of vows and the rings, the Tan family proved to be too big for the Clove room. Marcus didn't want our guests to have to stand to witness the moment, and we didn't want the room to have a very cramped feeling. After all, that was the reason why we decided to take the Phoenix Ballroom, as we will only be having about 30 or so tables in a ballroom that can take 50 tables! We want space to mingle and walk around.

Well, like what Marcus said, we have no choice, but to ask the hotel to give us an alternative. We were given three choices: two function rooms to choose from, or to use the huge foyer in front of our ballroom as the location.

I headed down to the hotel again last night, and had a look at both the alternative function rooms. Cannot make it lah :(

Imagine walking down this corridor to get to the function rooms at the end.


One with the same window scenery as the Clove room, but with a pillar right smack in the middle of the room causing the aisle to be on one side of the room


The other is a basic windowless, plain and boring looking function room

We discussed it over, and I think we are very very highly (like 95% confirmed) going to have the solemnisation area at the foyer outside the ballroom.

Solemnisation area

It solves so many problems like:

• Don't have to worry about no one jaga-ing the reception table and our photo albums etc, as it is in plain view of all the guests. Our reception helpers will still be a part of our solemnisation moment!
• Don't have to worry about the space constraint. Although we would still be keeping the numbers to only family to witness that special occassion, all our special guests will be seated comfortably without any need to squeeze.
  
• The solemnisation area is just next to the bar! Our guests can have drinks as they witness us exchanging our vows and rings!

Although it will be out in the open without any privacy, but then again, the moment guests turn left when they exit the elevator, the entire foyer is ours. So, that's still the best!!

This is where our photo albums will be displayed


Reception Area


View of the foyer from the lift lobby