Blog Archives - Never Ending Ideas

Linh & Caleb’s Destination Wedding

15 May, 2019 by Rose Kuruvilla

Linh and Caleb’s destination wedding took place at the Visitors Centre at Tanarimba, Janda Baik at the very start of 2017. I took so long to write a blog post about it as their wedding took place right about the time I had a baby and a new chapter of my life began.

I was overwhelmed with joy when I found out I was expecting but knew that it would mean I was taking a step back when it came to my clients. Luckily most of my clients were pretty happy for me and wanted me to carry on as their planner despite. Linh and Caleb’s wedding was going to be most affected as I was due few days before their big day. I ensured them that I would find a reliable coordinator to help them execute the plans before their big day and they were on board with it. I brought Andrea Ho in to coordinate their wedding. I had worked with Andrea previously on another wedding and she was instrumental in the coordination. I was confident that she would be the perfect person coordinate this wedding without me on site and she was.

Linh (from Vietnam) and Caleb (from Malaysia) met and fell in love in Adelaide where they now reside. Linh was the bride that was dreaming of her wedding day as a child and Caleb – easy going and relaxed, as most groom’s are with his bride’s ideas let her style it to her liking. Their colour scheme ranged from vibrant spring colours to a hint of gold. You could see their theme in everything from the flowers to the decor, from the dresses to the location.

Linh was set on a do it yourself craft styled wedding in a natural rustic elegance. She wanted romantic calligraphy on stationery. She wanted fans with the program on it. She wanted a wedding that was so personalised that one look and you would know is about the couple, their faith and their love for each other.

What I loved most about their wedding was that the couple trusted us so much that they did not fall apart when their plans didn’t go as they wanted. Their ceremony was meant to be outdoors but with our risky tropical climate, the rain came down early that day. They just agreed to set up indoors and go with the rain plan which we always have. They trusted that we had a plan and that is why we have rain plans. They knew that them getting married is more important than the ideal scenarios. Tanarimba Visitors Centre was a beautiful spot even indoors. The natural rustic wood look gave their wedding the ambience they always wanted despite not being able to have it outdoors on the grass.

A fun and lovely couple that was involved in every aspect of shaping their beautiful day. Our team at Never Ending Ideas was honoured to have helped put together all your plans and coordinated your beautiful day. We are honoured to be a part of making your dream wedding come true.

A big thank you to Andrea Ho for coordinating this event. I only heard good things about how everything went.

For more pictures and vendor credits from the wedding, check out our gallery.

Running my colourful brand

14 February, 2016 by Rose Kuruvilla

Cake Image Credit

Today marks 3 years since the birth of my brand, Never Ending Ideas. I could tell you all the good things the brand experienced in 2015 just as I did on our 2^nd year anniversary, but I am not going to. Instead I am going to tell you a little about how I started and how I run this colourful brand.

I contemplated the idea of starting Never Ending Ideas 3 years ago, as I wanted to provide event-planning and styling services in Singapore and Malaysia. I felt the industry could use a full service planner like me.

Admittedly I lacked formal event-planning experience and had no clue of what the event industry was like in this part of the world. All I had was ambition and drive. I knew it was something I could do and I was going to succeed.

First I thought it would be wise to get experience by interning in an event planning company. I would take whatever job I could get whether or not it paid. I sent out my resume to almost every event company in Singapore but did not get a favourable response. There may have been many reasons for the rejections but I could never be certain of them.

Paper Qualification

Upon conducting some research I learnt that paper qualifications in the relevant field matters in this part of the world. I had a law degree and was qualified in England and Malaysia. That was not enough. So I took a course with the Australian Academy of Wedding and Event Planning and graduated with a Diploma. I did not expect much from the course, so was surprised with how comprehensive it was. I learnt a great deal especially when it came to industry research and psychology of a client. If any of you contemplated doing a course in wedding and event planning, I would really recommend the Australian Academy.

The industry research part of the course was useful in understanding what Singapore and Malaysia were like when it came to events, target markets, average event costs and who the key players were.

Type of Planner

Next I started to think about the kind of planner I wanted to be.

Being a very detailed person, I wanted to be a dream planner*

* A dream planner (more commonly known as a full service planner) is one that would be there every step of the way in organizing an event for you. You would feel like you are the only client of the planner.

I dislike packages. I believe going above and beyond your call of duty is necessary especially when providing a service. The idea of service is to help. Why put a limit to it? If your guest-seating chart was in a mess at the eleventh hour, don’t start pulling your hair out. I would sit and help you sort it out, no matter how late it gets. If it is important to you, it is important to me.

I also want to help you brand your event with something extraordinary. Something personal. An act, a sentiment that guest would never forget. I have never met a person who wants a run of the mill event. I believe everyone dreams and has ideas of what they want their event to be like. They just need a little help framing it the right way, someone to believe in their idea and take it up a notch. Many of my ideas stem from something a client said.

Running the brand

So I started this colourful brand.

Everyday since has been a learning curve. When I first started, I found myself doing more than just planning. Besides being a full service planner I had to do admin, accounts, marketing, advertising, sales, networking, social media management, website management, etc. I was blessed that my amazing husband was there to advise and support me where required. It was full on.

Support

It is important to have support when running a business or an event. I won’t lie. I’ve thought of cloning myself many times. I would not have come this far with the brand without support from family, friends and interns. I am very grateful for this. It is all of you that make this brand what it is.

Loyalty

Partners and clients who have worked with me know that I am extremely loyal.

I was told that my loyal nature is a weakness when it comes to running a business in this industry. I disagree with that statement. I believe loyalty is a strength. Being loyal makes you trustworthy and reliable. Clients appreciate that.

Stay Inspired and Keep learning

As the name of the brand says, it is important to stay inspired. Providing a service that promises something out of the box requires constant new ideas. When someone talks to me about an idea, my first thought is how can I make it even better. Whilst I’m typically a bucket full of ideas, I do go through some dry days with no fresh ideas. I usually bounce out of it by taking sometime out of routine.

I hate the words “it can’t be done”. You will never catch me saying that. Even if it is impossible, I’ll find a way to do it. If you do not know how to do it, learn. That is how I got into event styling.

“It’s impossible. But I’ll do it!” – Phillipe Petit

New Year

So as I embark on this new year I look forward to new partnerships, welcoming new clients and coming up with some juicy ideas.

I take this opportunity to thank my husband, all my event partners, clients, family and friends for your continued support in Never Ending Ideas. You keep the brand colourful!

ELLE feature on how to party!

30 November, 2015 by Rose Kuruvilla

A little over a month ago, I was contacted by the features editor of one of my favourite fashion magazines – ELLE , asking if I would be interested to help them with a feature for their December issue. Naturally I was quite excited at this opportunity and honoured to have been asked. The feature was on planning a New Year’s Eve party and I was asked to give some practical and creative tips on how to plan it.

This is a snapshot of the cover of the December 2015 issue and the feature:

You can check out my tips in their December 2015 (Malaysia) issue which is already on sale in news stands and digitally at www.elle.my . A huge thanks to ELLE Magazine for the feature.

Flowers for McLaren

19 September, 2015 by Rose Kuruvilla

It has been a while since I last posted up a blog with an exciting update on what I have been up to. What better way to restart with telling you about our latest event with DMR Group for a McLaren Event. I was asked by Shawn Lourdasamy of DMR Group to decorate McLaren Applied Technologies’ Round Table Forum. I was asked to give the round table forum a softer look and to keep the decor clean and elegant. I was also requested to use only red flowers to compliment pristine white furniture.

After giving thought to the brief, I suggested using red roses in traditional minimalistic designs and to do away with foliage to keep the designs clean.

Here our some photos of the event:

I put together red roses in round posies as centerpieces on the coffee tables arranged in a U shape depicting a round table with a touch of colour.

For the cocktail tables and reception table – I placed a single red rose on top of a bed of white pebbles in a glass vase. a few rose petals were scattered around the base of the vase for effect.

I also came up with a design for the coffee and tea table using coffee beans and polyscias tea leaf.

To add a little variety to the red floral decor, I put together a red ginger arrangement in a tall vase.

Thank you Shawn for thinking of me and giving me this opportunity to decorate such a prestige event. I am humbled and honoured to be part of your team.

A big thank you to Anand and Kamini for assisting me with the arrangements and setup. Having the support meant a great deal to me.

To my amazing flower guru, Christina Quek of Yamano Florist & Ikebana School – thank you for guiding me with the designs and order.

To my very supportive husband, thank you for always inspiring me especially when working on projects, supporting me and always having a quick solution to everything. I am blessed and forever grateful.

For more pictures of this event, check out our gallery.

Shakti: Women Behaving Badly – Tales from Indian Folklore

22 March, 2015 by Rose Kuruvilla

I was asked by Kamini Ramachandran of Moonshadow Stories to style and design a set for ‘Shakti: Women Behaving Badly – Tales from Indian Folklore’ as she celebrates World Storytelling Day 2015. Strictly for an adult audience, the performance consisted of stories of some of Kamini’s signature tales that she has been telling since 2003.

When Kamini first approached me about styling a set for Shakti, I was very excited. Whilst the styling I typically do is more for dinners and ceremonies, I was ever ready to take on the challenge of designing a great set. My love for theatre, passion to create something new and the perfectionist in me guided me in making this set come alive.

Upon receiving the brief and understanding the theme of the stories, I came up with the idea of styling a set around a simple South Indian home with elements from each story. The ambience of the set was there to add imagery to the stories told. I was inspired by the stories and how colourful each were.

Here are some pictures of the set:

Inspired by the stories, the set was styled around a South Indian Home.

“…and she prepared the altar exactly as she instructed” (Worship of a Household God)

“…he left her to prepare the wedding feast” (Bopoluchi)

“…she helped herself to the robber’s loot” (Bopoluchi)

“…and the flames from all the lamps from all the houses would…” (A story & a song)

“…she added sugar, cardamoms, and cloves to the boiling milk” (Worship of a Household God)

A shot of Kamini and I with the whole set.

Thank you Kamini for the amazing opportunity and for believing in Never Ending Ideas. I hope to work with you again.

Thank you Verena for managing Front of House well and for helping me with all the late comers.

To everyone at the Arts House that helped me with the management and setup of this event, thank you!

To my husband, Geophin, thank you for being incredibly supportive and for getting Silverfox Photography to take the beautiful pictures of my set at the last minute. I am forever grateful.

For more pictures and vendor credits for this event, check out our gallery.

Birthday Post

14 February, 2015 by Rose Kuruvilla

Today Never Ending Ideas turns 2!

It has been quite a journey running the brand for the last 2 years. With lots of support from clients, partners, dreamers, family and friends, our last year was a pretty good one. Looking back at our last year, I put together a slideshow of pictures of our highlights.

A big thank you to all my clients, vendor partners, dreamers, family and friends. Never Ending Ideas would not be here if it were not for you. The biggest thank you to my husband and partner, Geophin, for investing in the brand and most importantly for believing me. The brand is as it is because of you.

As today is Never Ending Ideas’ birthday (which also falls on the most romantic day of the year), we wish everyone a splendid day ahead! Have a drink and celebrate us!

Design your own Christmas Cocktail with an Asian twist

11 December, 2014 by Rose Kuruvilla

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! There will be parties for hosting and cocktails for toasting! Impress your guest this year with Christmas cocktails designed for the Asian palate. This year I designed 6 Christmas cocktails with an Asian twist and am overjoyed that the Wedding Notebook featured them on their blog.

This is a snapshot of the feature:

To find out all the tips on customising your own cocktail, check out the full feature here.

The beautiful photographs were taken by the talented Silver Fox of Silverfox Photography. Thank you for helping me with this.

I want to thank Hanna Abraham, Cheah Lyn Ee, Audrey Siew and Theresa Manavalan for brainstorming drink concepts with me for this project. Also a big thank you to the Wedding Notebook for featuring this Christmas Project.

I hope these tips will inspire you to create your own Christmas cocktails. Do share them with us. I would love to see your creations.

With that here’s wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!

Destination Wedding of Jenelle and Tom Seddon in Malaysia

14 November, 2014 by Rose Kuruvilla

Just a few months ago, our clients, Jenelle Lee and Tom Seddon got married in Malaysia in the presence of their adorable son, Byron, family and friends. Their wedding was very special to us as it was the first destination wedding we planned. So you can imagine how thrilled we are to see their wedding featured on Jet Fete, an International Wedding Blog.

Here are some shots from the feature:

To see the full feature and vendor credits, head on over to Jet Fete!

Planning and styling their wedding was so much fun. I found Jenelle and Tom very interesting from the very first time we spoke. I had asked them if their wedding was an object, what would it be? Their answer was the torch ginger flower (more popularly known as bunga kantan in Malaysia) as it is Malaysian, exotic and can be eaten. I had never heard of anyone to date that wanted to use such an unusual flower in their wedding, so I suggested making it the theme. With this unique theme, we were able to explore many avenues in styling their dream wedding.

We teamed up with talented Cheri Loh to design the couple’s wedding stationery starting with their super cool save the date. The save the date was illustrated by Cheri and animated by DMR Group. Check it out here:

Here is a snapshot of the happy couple:

Jenelle and Tom, CONGRATULATIONS! We wish you a long and gingery happy life together!

For more images of their wedding – check out Wedding of Jenelle and Thomas in our gallery. The gorgeous photos from this wedding were taken by Andrew Yep Photographie (for couple) and Bitter Vanilla Photography (for Never Ending Ideas).

New look for Never Ending Ideas

13 November, 2014 by Rose Kuruvilla

In the last few months I have been working with clients on their events, rebranding the Never Ending Ideas brand and working on our very own stationery venture which we will launch next year. If you are reading this post you would have noticed our website design has changed. I received feedback that the old design was too noisy and difficult to navigate. So I decided to give the website a fresh and clean look. I hope you will love the new site design as much as I do. A big thank you to Chilly Bin for the awesome job with the website.

With the new design, I have also put together a few monthly blog reads which include:

Drinks with me – I will showcase drinks I personally designed, signature cocktails that I love, share recipes or show you tips and tricks on serving drinks at events.
Planners Guide Series – In this series I will give you tips, advise and easy guides on planning efficiently.
Inspirations – Always inspired, I will share an inspiration a month through inspiration boards and stories.

I have been encouraged by many followers to do these monthly reads. So here is something to look forward to. On top of monthly reads, I will also blog about my experiences and events that I planned from time to time.

Enjoy the new look!

We are ONE!

14 February, 2014 by Rose Kuruvilla

Never Ending Ideas is one today! We have learnt so much, met some lovely and talented people, became a partner of an International Wedding Network and most importantly we inspired.

To all our talented vendors out there, thank you for being amazing to work with and we look forward to working with you again.

To our lovely clients, thank you for choosing us. It has been an honour.

To all our mentors, thank you for your guidance and patience in helping us build our brand. We are better because of you.

We want to thank everyone for following Never Ending Ideas and for all the encouragement. You have been an inspiration.

Our paper anniversary,

We celebrate with you.

Do make us a part of your dreams

We’ll make them all come true!

Yellow Bird Wedding Inspiration

11 February, 2014 by Rose Kuruvilla

It’s been some time since I last blogged. 2013 was a year filled with new beginnings for Never Ending Ideas and myself. Having only launched in February last year, we have achieved a number of milestones. We made new friends in clients, coordinated our first real wedding, made mistakes and learnt from them, partnered with an International Wedding Network, an most importantly we inspired many with our humble work.

Never Ending Ideas turns 1 this Friday. Last year our goal was to get to know the industry better and let them get to know us. I’ve been thinking of a goal to strive for this year. With so much on my plate, I have been feeling rather grey lately (which explains the delayed updates). Uninspired. Not very handy especially with a company called ‘Never Ending Ideas’. Then something happened. I was having my morning tea and looking out at this concrete city and there flying near by was a humble yellow bird. It’s not that I’ve never seen a yellow bird before, neither was it a rare breed. It just stood out from the concrete city, gliding through the sky with such grace, style and confidence. That is this years goal – to do everything with grace, style and confidence.

With that I put together an inspiration board themed around the yellow bird and our goal.

Image Source: Cake// Ring Pillow// Bird Ring// Lady in White// Bird Art

We do not own these images.

Images are sourced from the Internet and been credited accordingly.

Please contact us if we have used your image and not credited you correctly.

Pimm’s Cup

22 November, 2013 by Rose Kuruvilla

A popular cocktail served at weddings, the ‘Pimm’s cup’ makes it as our cocktail of the week.

There are many versions of Pimm’s Cup. This is my version:

Ingredients

2 Highball glasses

2 oz Pimm’s No. 1

5 oz 7Up/Soda

1 twist of lemon

1 twist of cucumber peel

Lemon slices

Strawberry slices

Orange slices

Handful of mint leaves

Hard ice cubes

Method:

Pour Pimm’s over ice cubes in a large highball glass. Fill glass with 7Up/Soda. Add twist of lemon, twist of cucumber peel, lemon slices, strawberry slices, orange slices and stir. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Alternatives

Add berries like blueberry and raspberry for a sweeter Pimm’s cup.

Half a teaspoon of Eldeflower syrup can be added to give the Pimm’s cup a distinct taste.

Serve this cocktail in different glasses for a cool modern twist. Mason jars are a popular choice for events.