Sourcing for wedding banquet venue...Finally confirmed on 19.5.2009

Since March 09 onwards, we started to source around for a suitable wedding venue. The selection was really tedious. We have several criterias which we were looking at

- Pillarless ballroom
- Great food & ambience
- Reasonable price
- Big & Spacious bridal suite
- Most importantly, it must be centralised and convenient for our guests. Preferably in lively shopping districts and near to mrt.

With these criterias in mind, we started to look around and source for quotes.

By May, we had done a few rounds of elimination. Finally, we were left with 2 last hotels which we really like and we were rather undecisive.

1) Novotel Grand Phoenix Ballroom (Clark Quay)

Pros
- Big reception area. Once you stepped out of the lift, the whole floor seems to belong to you.
- Very grand ballroom. Pillarless and high ceiling. Can accomodate up to 60 tables.
- Although the bridal suite is a bit small, it is considered very comfortable and cosy.

Cons
- Quite strict with their perks. No free flow of beer and wine
- The review on food provided by their Dragon Pheonix Restaurant was not very good
- Don't really like their candle theme. Cannot have the screen on the stage.

2) Orchard Hotel Ballroom 3 (Orchard)
Pros
- Pillarless L shaped and high ceiling ballroom
- the rose theme is very sweet and cosy.
- Food is prepared by award winning chef in Hua Ting Restaurant
- Spacious bridal suite
- Free flow of beer and wine

Cons
- The ballroom can only accomodate up to 32 tables. Personally feel that the ballroom is very small, though cosy.
- Might have to share the reception area with a few couples if there are other wedding dinners on the same day.

On 19 May 2009, after some considerations, we decided to choose Orchard Hotel because we still prefer our favourite orchard shopping district . Paid a $5000 deposit.. Such a big expense...