The Love Story Of Lim Li Li And Jimmy Taenaka

“He’s right brain, I’m left. He’s artistic and creative, I’m more organised.”– Lim Li Li, on her spouse Jimmy T

Q: When and how did the two of you meet?

Jimmy: We met at a Franck Muller product launch over ten years ago. I wouldn’t say that it was interest at first sight, but I did tell her that she had nice hair. It took several meetings for us to really start conversing with each other.

Li Li: My first impression of Jimmy was, “Good looking, but young!” When he told me he was an actor, I wrote him off. I said to myself that I’d never date an actor, let alone a younger man. But the truth is that he looks younger than his age. After a few conversations, I found out that he’s a very funny guy. He made me laugh all the time. I was also impressed by his honesty. That’s when we started dating.

Q: How did the proposal take place?

Jimmy: It was very unromantic. (laughs) I proposed to her over a cup of coffee and gave her the ring, just like that. I didn’t get down on my knees as I did it as well, but she wasn’t expecting it and I guess it was still a surprise for her in some sense.

Li Li: He called me in the middle of my workday saying that he wanted to meet for coffee. When I arrived, he gave a very moving speech (which I can’t remember exactly), and then asked me if I wanted him to kneel down after taking out the ring… But I refused to let him do that as it would have been too embarrassing. It wasn’t exactly a surprise for me as I knew it would happen, but I just didn’t know when it was coming.

Q: What was your wedding like, and what do you remember most about that special day?

Jimmy: We held the wedding at Beaufort Sentosa, as our wedding venue in Singapore. It was a very emotional day for me… Never thought that I would tear.

Li Li: The most memorable part for me? He sang. He secretly learned the song Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin from a friend, and gave a surprise performance on our wedding day. I was really touched, as public singing is not his forte, not to mention singing in Mandarin (we all know there are plenty wedding bands in Singapore).

Q: In what ways are you the opposite of your spouse?

Jimmy: She’s a practical and strong sort of woman, who makes most of the decisions in our relationship. I’m more carefree, whereas she pretty much has things planned out for us most of the time. Thanks to Li Li, I’ve learned to become more grounded. Our arguments never last for more than a day, though, despite our differences.

Li Li: He’s very particular about cleanliness, so during the initial years, he was always having to run after me and scold me for being messy, as I used to just leave things lying around the house. Jimmy’s the entertainer, even in our relationship – he’s the guy who relieves all my stress that builds up on a daily basis. I think we complement each other well; it’s great that we’re so different.

Q: How do you normally spend your time together?

Jimmy: We usually bond over eating out, and we make it a point to have dinner together every day. Sometimes, I’ll cook because I’m home more often. We also plan a lot of vacations together.

Li Li: Jimmy and I visit my mother every weekend with our dog, and that’s something my mom really looks forward to. I love trying out new places, so we also spend a lot of time checking out new restaurants. Some of our recent favourite haunts are Waku Ghin and Hashida Sushi.

Q: Have you made any plans to celebrate your upcoming 10th year anniversary yet?

Jimmy: Oh wow, time flies! Our anniversary is in September, so we have been planning a three-week trip to South America, specifically Peru and Argentina, around that period.

Li Li: September is a great time to visit South America while celebrating our 10th year. I’m really looking forward to visiting Machu Picchu in Peru, as we have both never been there.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson that you feel 10 years of marriage has taught you?

Jimmy: Li Li’s father passed away over a year ago, and that was a life-changing experience for us. It brought us closer together, and taught me not to take things for granted. I love her very much and cherish each and every moment with her.

Li Li: Take your time to choose the right person – don’t rush into it. We got married rather late in our lives. I’m glad we took our time and found each other.

Building a Financial Home

When starting a new life together, the building of a marital home goes beyond the physical. Senior financial consultant Joseph Tan, from OO Advisory Services, dishes out advice on  pre- and post-marriage financial planning. 

What Do I Plan Before I Plan For The Wedding?

A matrimonial union is one of the top three defining moments in a person’s life (besides the beginning and the End of Life). A lot of emotional energy is invested to make the wedding event unforgettable, and aptly so because we all see this as a once-in-a-lifetime
endeavour. To keep the beautiful process of planning a wedding stress-free with the aid of wedding planner Singapore service, financial planning lays the foundation on which we can build this experience.

What then, would be essential in this foundation? As with any relationship in any aspect, honesty is the best policy on which to build a strong base. Husbands and wives should be upfront about their existing debts so that the couple may take stock on what financial situation they will be in after their wedding. Clarity breeds confidence in helping the couple through any debt together. Moreover, being transparent and taking stock of your liabilities will prevent over-budgeting that might stress the relationship post-banquet.

Next up is to prepare for a Rainy Day Fund. Many might deem it unnecessary to have three to six months’ worth of their fixed expenses in cash savings, excluding what they will spend on the wedding or the home they will move into after that. The sticky situation of someone losing his or her job will disrupt the focus in the wedding preparations, thus the Rainy Day Fund will keep the couple’s romantic momentum and emotional state uplifted.

The Matrimonial Home Is As Important As The Financial House I Will Live In

It is daunting to feel that every big event in our lives will clear out our bank accounts – our glamorous wedding, dream home, and a baby’s arrival. But when we take a step back and find a balance between practicality and wants, you may find that you can come out of it a credible winner. Not just with a peace of mind about your financial stability but also the love that you build with your new spouse.

Is a 0.95 carat solitaire so different from a one carat one? Other than numerically, one can hardly see the visible delineation. Should I buy the designer chair, that I would probably only use for occasional guests, or use three-quarters of that amount to buy a couch that I would sit on every evening to read my Fifty Shades of Grey? If the price of a good is high but with an even higher intrinsic value, it is considered cheap, and vice versa.

It is important that average household expenses be 50 or 70 per cent of the net household income after CPF deduction. Any monthly instalment, loans or annual instalments divided must be summed up to remain within the confines of 35 per cent of your net income. Defaulting of these instalments would likely attract lawsuits that will distract you from spending quality time with your loved ones.

Fulfilling Our Dreams Together

Family planning and financial planning have a similarity: they require both husband and wife to work hand-in-hand with each other and a competent advisor. The imminent future entails short-term goals of career advancement, starting a family and purchasing a vehicle to facilitate your lifestyle. The distant future speaks about sending your children for tertiary education and retiring comfortably after a lifetime of hard work. None of these can be attained if not for the root of success: habit.

This habit must be consistently cultivated for happiness and success to be ultimately achieved. Micro-managing your finances might not be the best way to maintain a harmonious relationship; periodic tracking with a tinge of day-to-day awareness would certainly do wonders.

With proper planning for the wedding, both financially and personally, I believe that we can all have our wedding cake and eat it as well, don’t you think?

A Short Gateway In Singapore

Charming, luxurious and individual small boutique hotels are sprouting all over Singapore. Michelle YEE uncovers some of Singapore’s best-kept stay-cation secrets - The boutique hotels.

In an increasingly fast-paced world that’s obsessed with work, more work and even more work, long vacations or even short getaways get relatively short shrift. All too often, the idea of a holiday seems too far-fetched.

But hold your sighs, as there is now a new way of “getting away” without having you to get on a plane or yacht. Boutique hotels in Singapore are fast becoming the convenient getaway for many locals who can’t afford the time to go through the process of getting on-board a plane. It’s hardly the Four Seasons in Tokyo, but what we appreciate about these little concept hotels is that it is still able to provide people with a soothing respite at a more reasonable rate and of course, the convenience. If you ever need a stay-cation, here are the must-visit boutique hotels. Oh, did I tell you that these hotels also serve as wedding venues in Singapore? 

Wangz Hotel

The Wangz Hotel, an urban oasis located in the heart of Singapore, offers exquisite style, spacious guestrooms and most importantly, seamlessly intuitive service to its guests. For the sophisticated travellers who fancy a chic moment in a heritage area, the Wangz boutique hotel will be the ideal place to be. Located at the charming Tiong Bahru estate, the quirky, barrel-shaped building breaks the mould of conventional boutique hotels with its sleek design and star-worthy facilities. At first glance, the Wangz hotel shows off a vibrant interior flavored with artworks. In fact, it gives one the feeling of arriving at an art gallery.

Further in, the observant visitor might find that every room utilizes a different layout. This is due to the unusual architectural design of the hotel. The rooms portray a funky urban-retro feel with generous colour use in the form of designer furniture, chic lighting and textured wallpaper features. Ambient music is also piped in the rooms to complete the pleasant experience.

Aside from staying at the hotel, you can also pop by Nectar for a meal or chill-out at the Halo, an open-air rooftop bar. Nectar is a restaurant housed in Wangz, which serves modern cuisine with Asian influences. What makes the dining experience even more memorable is that they are able to serve dishes on the rooftop.

Location: 231 Outram Road Singapore 169040

Moon @ 23 Dickson

Moon @ 23 Dickson embodies the very characteristics of what its name suggests. It is a sleek boutique hotel standing among nostalgic buildings at the heart of Little India, which epitomises a mysterious sparkling gem within the quaint cultural district. Exuding a gentle, quiet charm amidst its busy surroundings, visitors will be drawn to step beyond Moon’s glass façade, into a cosy, five-storey, 83-room abode with warm, personal service that is second to none.

Past the glass door, Moon’s interior paints a picture of classy, designer chic. Inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Little India, and the modernity of cosmopolitan Singapore, Moon brings together contrasting influences to create a fresh design concept that defines its unique character.

Beneath the outward appearance, Moon personifies true hospitality. Here, visitors can expect to receive exclusive treatment, regardless of position or status. From top quality beddings, luxurious sheets and branded appliances to complimentary mini bar treats, evening cocktails and canapés, Moon is determined to ensure that every guest will receive only the best it can offer.

Moon @ 23 Dickson is certainly a boutique hotel that goes all out to pamper its guests without the hefty price tag.

Location: 23 Dickson Road Singapore 209507

Klapsons

klapsons, The Boutique Hotel, located in the city’s Central Business District is yet another design-driven hotel with a little bit of personality. Transformed from a commercial building, the hotel’s past is now unrecognisable, as it has been replaced with a certain quirky timelessness.

Klapsons’ guestrooms have been individually designed and given their own identity. While the lobby and common areas have been given a touch of “bling”, with elements such as the massive steel sphere that forms the reception area, there still is an equal measure of personality delivered in the form of elegant finishes in the guestrooms – preventing an over-themed aesthetic.

Within the klapsons compound, there are of course, all the features one would expect, from WI-FI access, coffee machines to the first floor restaurant, Lucas, that serves up contemporary western cuisine, accompanied by an alfresco bar and lounge. klapsons boutique hotel also houses a sky terrace bar, Fabrika, which offers patrons a place of reprieve and relaxation, which breaks the monotony of a hassled work day.

Take in a new perspective of the city as you indulge in the stellar night-time view that greets you. Fabrika’s sky terrace extends a superlative view, overlooking Sentosa and the container ships that quietly line of the busiest ports in the world.

Location: 55 Keong Saik Road Singapore 089158

The Scarlet

A step into the Scarlet boutique hotel and visitors will encounter a design experience unique to Singapore. The designers have spared no effort and expense in creating an ambience, carefully crafted to tantalise, to tease and to seduce the senses.

Concept Director, Michael Tan, set out to create a small but dramatic hotel bathed in hues of red, black and gold. Inspired by a single piece of chenille fabric from Russell & Harvey, Michael says, “When I saw the swatch it became the first piece on a game-board to develop a sensuous, dramatic environment that hits you as soon as you walk in the door.”

The lobby sets the tone - shimmering with gold and red Italian Bisazza mosaics, a vision of opulence and splendour. Walk through grand glass doors edged in black enamel, bask in awe at the cascading water feature that frames the reception area, as well as the exquisite Harrison and Gill gilded mirror.

The Scarlet also offers visitors the option to select from five different suites – Splendour, Swank, Opulent, Lavish, and Passion, which offer contrasting settings and moods that closely reflect their names. Glorious tassles from Houles abound, all carefully selected to add to the luxury and seduction of each individual living space.

The Scarlet is a hotel where every room opens to a new and exciting setting in which to indulge and delight one’s senses. Whether seeking ‘‘over the top’’ extravagance and luxury, or a muted, softer, toned down atmosphere of subtle splendour, The Scarlet has it all.

Location: 33 Erskine Road Singapore 069333

Do not hesitate to contact us if you are looking for a wedding venue. Happy wedding!