Venue visit #5: Bankers Club KL

It's time to reveal our venue of choice *drum rolls* ... Bankers Club KL!

I know, I know...it has one of the worst traffic in KL, and limited parking spaces made available. But we fell in love with the decor and we felt so comfortable by negotiating with PIC Mr Shangkar because he's understanding and so flexible with our requests. I've researched about weddings being held here, and overall there seemed to have plenty of positive reviews from their food right down to their services provided.

The atmosphere and the decor is definitely one of a kind for weddings. The pictures you find on the internet about this place is exactly just that. Bankers Club is a penthouse inside Amoda Building, situated opposite of Berjaya Times Square and in front of Lowyat Plaza, hence the heavy traffic and limited parking spaces.

Whenever our family and friends learnt the location of our wedding reception venue, we can see that they were annoyed about the traffic and parking issue. But in fact, we have no regrets choosing Bankers Club, because the venue represents us as a couple. Both of us loved the venue and the service, and we want our guests to experience a new change other than hotels and Chinese restaurants. In terms of pricing, we categorize this as intermediate between Chinese restaurant and hotel standards. Below are some pictures from one of the previous wedded couple, for more photos, you may visit her blog at: http://wedding.ahdear.com/blog/default.aspx?id=1&t=KL-Wedding-Dinner-Part-1

Photo source: http://wedding.ahdear.com/blog/default.aspx?id=1&t=KL-Wedding-Dinner-Part-1

Photo source: http://wedding.ahdear.com/blog/default.aspx?id=1&t=KL-Wedding-Dinner-Part-1

Venue visit #4: Dynasty Dragon SS2 Mall (closed)

Let's move on to venue number 4 - Dynasty Dragon Seafood Restaurant located in SS2 Mall. They have other outlets located in IOI Puchong, Berjaya Times Square, Summit USJ, Klang Parade etc. In our opinion, the outlet in SS2 Mall has the biggest advantage for us, in terms of food reviews and location. 

We arrived and parked, but had difficulty finding the restaurant, which is located on the top floor of the building. The mall itself looks new but empty. Our biggest concern was, the restaurant may close-down in a couple of months due to lack of patronage in the mall.

The restaurant in use is nicely decorated, clean and bright. The flooring was tiled all the way (the reflection of the ceiling lights were pretty intense for me), including the banquet rooms. They have a small rooftop pool outside of the restaurant, that can be used for cocktail hour on a non-rainy day. Three small banquet rooms can be opened up into one big room, which is appropriate for our intimate reception. One big banquet room can accommodate up to 25 tables, whereas the common area (outside of the banquet rooms) can accommodate up to 45 tables. This suggested that if we decide to have our celebration in the banquet rooms, we might be able to listen to another wedding celebration/commotion going-on in the common area (which is why I'm opposed to sharing banquet halls with other married couples or walk-in guests).

Price wise is acceptable, considering the good food reviews we found from the internet.

Verdict: I believe this venue can be considered if we were having a big celebration. Although they do have a smaller banquet hall outside, the stench of cockroaches is unbearable, and my hubby saw a rat running in the area (eeks!) In addition, we can't accept the layout of the smaller banquet hall although it's more private compared to the banquet rooms in the common area.

Here are some references you may find useful:

• http://www.dynastydragon.com.my/en/branches/sstwo-mall/profile
• http://www.nikelkhor.com/2012/02/dynasty-dragon-seafood-restaurant-ss2.html
• http://miss-munyee.blogspot.com/2011/03/congratz-to-alvin-melody-d.html

Venue visit #3: Imperial Garden Restaurant (PJ)

It's now onto venue number THREE - Imperial Garden Restaurant (Petaling Jaya). This venue is located opposite the Asia Jaya LRT station. This restaurant is parked under the Tai Thong Group, thus you can't really go wrong with a strong name like Tai Thong. We truly liked this venue for the following reasons:

• Existing/standard decor is beautiful - elegant, vintage Oriental theme
• Good reviews on the food they served (yes, even for wedding servings)
• Non-halal 
• Location is out of KL city (ample of parking & easy traffic)
• Charges nett price and cheap

Drawbacks:

• Venue needs to be booked way in advance
• A certain number of tables need to be committed (25 tables minimum)
• Narrow hall & walkway
• Their first dish presentation may be a little over the top (for me)
• Tables may need to split into separate rooms (depending on the total number of tables you require)
• May have to share walk-in entrance with walk-in customers, unless you booked the entire restaurant

Building is visible from Federal Highway - located on the top floor of Intan Square

http://www.taithong.com.my/

Verdict: We couldn't secure our preferred date, so we have to forgo this venue. Plus, they require us to make bookings for at least 25 tables, which is not relevant to us, as we wanted an intimate celebration with our close family and friends.

Venue visit #2: Rama V, Jalan U-Thant, Kuala Lumpur

Our next stop brings us to Rama V, located in Jalan U-Thant (near the US Embassy) - location wise, is OK since the road there is usually empty on weekends. What we liked about this venue is the uniqueness of the whole wedding concept/idea. This venue serves Thai food, which is my handsome's favorite food! If you are looking for something unique and memorable, this venue is definitely the perfect choice!

Menu has its own specialty, with reasonable prices and good reviews!

Rama V Fine Thai Cuisine
5 Jalan U-Thant, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2143 2663
Fax: +603 7803 6891

Opening Hours:12pm-3pm, 6.30pm-11pm 

Some references for you:

• http://www.magicalshots.com/portfolio/2010/lisajohan/index.html
• http://www.smashpop.net/2011/04/page/3
• http://kampungboycitygal.com/2011/09/seventh-anniversary-dinner-at-rama-v-fine-thai-dining-restaurant-jalan-u-thant/
• http://beanpro57.blogspot.com/2009/06/your-one-stop-entertainment-for-wedding.html
• http://www.lotsofcravings.com/2009/07/rama-v-jalan-u-thant.html
• http://deepesthopes-inlife.blogspot.com/2010/11/rama-v-fine-thai-cuisine.html

Verdict: Although we loved this place and the staffs/service, we have to forgo the idea due to several objections from family members of not having traditional Chinese dishes served throughout the night :( 

Venue visit #1: Hotel Millennium Kuala Lumpur

So we have decided on the budget, now let's begin planning our dream wedding!

Besides setting/allocation the budget, you and your fiance should also discuss on the type/theme of your wedding. For us, we just couldn't decide, because there's just too many options and ideas online. The possibilities are endless! So, we decided to let the venue of our choice, determine our wedding theme.

The FIRST venue we visited was the Grand Millennium Hotel Kuala Lumpur, located next to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. We were lucky to see the actual decor of the venue, since a wedding dinner reception was to be held on that day. If you are looking to host a small wedding function, this venue can be considered, as their wedding ballroom could cater up to 22 tables only. The nine-course dinner menu is standard, with prices starting from RM 138++ per pax onwards (quotation based on November 2012). 

Here is what they quoted:

Custom designed dummy wedding cake 

Free flow of soft drinks throughout dinner 

Corkage waived on one bottle of hard liquor or wine per table 

Complimentary one night stay in Bridal Suite with breakfast for two persons 

Flower bouquet for the bride 

Standard floral corsages for the bride and bridegroom’s parents 

Standard flower arrangements for cocktail tables at reception area entrance of 

the ballroom, aisle and centrepiece 

Complimentary usage of one LCD projector with screen 

Champagne fountain with sparkling juice for toasting 

A selection of wedding favours for guests 

Two “double swan” ice carving 

Wedding invitation card 

Complimentary usage of function room for welcome tea ceremony 

VIP parking for the bridal car at the hotel’s driveway

Verdict: We loved the idea of having the dinner reception in their Chinese (non-halal) restaurant, Lai Ching Yuen, but their response to our inquiries took too long, and sometimes, no answer. We believe their salespeople are mainly focus in selling the ballroom wedding packages. It was disappointing, but I guess it was a blessing in disguise, because the layout of the restaurant would be a hassle for us to mingle with our guests. In addition, the hotel is located in the heart of KL city, which is a minus point, as guests will have difficulty arriving/leaving the hotel. During our wedding, we wouldn't want frustrated guests complaining about the traffic or parking. Overall feedback I found online, we would rate this venue for wedding: 4 out of 5.

Here are some related links for your reference:

• http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/ShowUserReviews-g298570-d301433-r114873783-Grand_Millennium_Kuala_Lumpur-Kuala_Lumpur_Wilayah_Persekutuan.html
• http://www.malaysiabrides.com/forum/topic/6226-grand-milleniumkl/
• http://www.emotioninpictures.com/marcus-janices-kuala-lumpur-wedding/

http://www.millenniumhotels.com/grandmillenniumkualalumpur/meetings/weddings.html

http://www.millenniumhotels.com/grandmillenniumkualalumpur/meetings/weddings.html