So, where should I start, or rather, continue? Some updates to our relationship... we got married! Unbelievable... after 5 years and 6 months of long distance relationship, we made it and achieved the first milestone.
We had our solemnization in Singapore (at Mandarin Oriental hotel) and we chose to do it here for a couple of reasons:
1. My wedding ceremony will be in Korea, so this is like a small gathering for my Singaporean family members.
2. We have plans to stay in Singapore for good, marriage cert here will simplify PR or LTVP application administratively.
3. Registration of marriage here is more formal (in Korea, you just need to fill up a form and submit to the local district office) and more meaningful.
4. Easier to convert to Korea cert so that we have both.
4. Easier to convert to Korea cert so that we have both.
The process itself is easy as long as you get your head around it. There are a few distinction for cross border marriage, which was not highlighted in the usual wedding forums.
Firstly, if you intend to settle down in Singapore, remember to do the pre-LTVP assessment as this will shorten the LTVP application processing time to "up to 6 weeks", otherwise it could take up to 6 months. This assessment is FOC and should be taken at least one day before the solemnization. As the name suggests, this is just an assessment, it doesn't grant you anything but is for you to gauge how likely (no guarantee) your foreign spouse will be granted LTVP. If you pass the assessment, you will be granted letter of LTVP eligibility which I think is valid for a year. We did not do the assessment because we know that due to work commitments, he will not be able to stay here for the next 1 year.
Secondly, be sure to sign up for the marriage preparation program. It is not a mamdatory requirement but if you intend to apply for LTVP or PR, then this is required/preferred. I understand that you can also attend this after your solemnization. This is a 2.5 hours FOC course. I have seen couples attending this without translator even though the foreign spouse has difficulties understanding English.
Thirdly, this is just to let everyone know that your foreign spouse is able to go through the ROM process here as a tourist, with no special passes or visas.
If you are super kan chiong like me and your foreign spouse has difficulties understanding English, go through the statutory declaration (can be found online) with him/her beforehand, you are required to read this aloud infront of the ROM officer before they issue you a blank cert for signing.
We have checked out a few venues for our solemnization and decided to go with Mandarin Oriental harbour view suite for the following reasons:
1. Good food, this is quite important for my Dad
2. Good view as we have Korean family members here, we want to show them the skyline (unfortunately, our hotel rooms at Pan Pacific had better views)
3. Right size, it is meant for close family members but our family is quite huge so I needed a place to fit 60 pax.
4. Right price, this is not the actual wedding and we don't want to end up spending too much money/effort on this
5. Indoor, he can't stand wearing suit in Singapore's weather.
5. Indoor, he can't stand wearing suit in Singapore's weather.
Mandarin Oriental harbour view suite rooms fit every criteria above. We did the ceremony in suite 3 and dinner in suites 4 and 5. Changing and makeup were done in suite 1 and we had the foyer of suite 2 for reception. As our ceremony was held on a Friday evening, we were lucky that there were no bookings so we could have all the rooms to ourselves. Overall we were satisfied with the service and arrangement at Mandarin Oriental. The night view of the skyline acts as a perfect backdrop for photos. All of our pictures turn out to be really nice even though we did not engage professional photographers. There is a ton of difference during daytime and at night, trust me, I was reluctant to go with Mandarin Oriental at first as I went to recce in the afternoon and most of the pictures posted online was during the day. It looked like a boring function room. But at night, the view is beautiful.
We stayed at Pan Pacific for the following reasons:
1. With only 6 tables, room is not included in Mandarin Oriental package price (you need at least 10 tables)
2. MO provided special rate for rooms but the standard rooms were sold out. PP rate was much better and had marina bay view.
3. Within walking distance to MO and connected to Marina Square and Suntec
PP really outperformed our expectation. They had Korean staff at the reception, shower facilities at hospitality room which could be used FOC after you check out, nice breakfast spread and really nice view (we chose the balcony rooms). The staff were really helpful and my husband was just super pleased to be serviced by the Korean staff who was able to acede to our requests on most front.
We have decided on our wedding date next year in May so stay tuned for more updates and my 스드메 (Seu-deu-me, short form for studio, dress and makeup) and hanbok choice. His aunt is in this line of business and has connections to the top notch firms which service celebrities, so everything will be a breeze for us. We will just go where his aunt recommends (otherwise preparation can be a headache). It is common to engage a wedding planner in Korea who will help you shortlist a few companies and offer better rates than you going direct. That said, being a kan chiong spider, I did my homework as well.
