on part 2 (juday-ryan) - more on friendship and striking similarities

as you might have guessed...

Anyway, the two-part wedding special was already aired in ABS-CBN, and I loved it, obvi. This was really the celebrity wedding that I really, really liked, maybe because, like a close girlfriend of mine, I see a lot of myself in the superstar bride. Naks naman, Juday, ikaw ba yan? :P

nah, its just that I share the same doting qualities with her. The type that is strong and can live on her own but chooses to be loving and submissive to her partner, the type who just loves laughing with her friends and her fiancee. A little frilly, but who's all about love and romance and friendship and humor.

I just see a lot of me in her, a lot of my babe in Ryan (the private, funny guy type), a lot of my friends in their friends. I guess, bottomline is, they behaved like real people, which is why many real people identified with them.

And where would Juday be without her longtime guy/gay bestfriend? The one who told their story in part 2 of the wedding special. Its the person who has been there from the start. The one guy who has been the bride's chaperone during the times when the groom hasn't showed up in her doorstep just yet. The patient listening end of the bride's rants about her fiancee or her endless stories about how the love of her life swept her off her feet again...

Why do I know this guy so well? Its because if Juday has Direk Nico, I also have my guy bestfriend. He's not gay though like Juday's. He my go-to person when I'm bored and I need someone to talk to or who comes with me when I need to go somewhere. Next to my Babe, he's the one guy who never fails to make me laugh. He can make a joke at me, or at my babe without having to fear we're gonna get mad because he knows that we won't. When Babe was still here and he needs to go to the basketball court to practice, he'll leave me with this friend's house where we'll chat endlessly and Babe just picks me up after playing. He has been there for us since Day 1. And I mean that literally, because we were with him when I gave my most precious yes to Babe. I mean, he was the one who planted the whole thing. When babe was still courting me, he talked to me and made it known to me that Babe was wondering if I would ever say Yes. So I told him that Babe wasn't even asking me that question, so how can I answer? He relayed that piece of info to Babe, and that might have given him the guts to ask me the question. And that's how Day 1 began.

He's the guy who was first to ask us all the awkward questions upfront, and first to defend our relationship from those nosy people who wouldn't mind their own business. Its because he knew that I made a choice, and made a big step, and he knew that I'm serious about this guy, and he's serious about me, so he's just there to support us. He never crosses his boundaries, never taking a side, but just being there for us, for me.

So there, I just thought of him today, while watching the second part of the wedding special. I think every girl should have that kind of guy bestfriend - non-romantic, frank, loyal, funny and supportive. Aren't Juday and I so lucky? He might think that he's not so important in this whole wedding, but the truth is, he's very special for me and Babe. Especially for me. I never would have gone this far in a relationship if he hadn't been there to support me and defend me and encourage me and listen to me during my desperate times. And he's ever willing to be a friend to Babe as well. He's gonna be one of those standing beside us to become witness to our union. He's going to be one of our secondary sponsors.

Anyway, I'm sure you all have your share of great friendships which you also celebrate in the wedding preps.

Another nice part about the juday-ryan wedding was the bond babe and I form through it. I remember having that conversation wtih him when I told him that Ryan Agoncillo cried during their wedding dance. So it got him to thinking if he'll also cry on our wedding day. I teased him about being a crybaby and told him we should have a bet on it. I don't remember how that conversation ended, but I knew I was very happy we had that talk. We were bonding because of this wedding.

This may be the last of my post about the so-called wedding of the year, but, seriously, it tops my list of all the celebrity weddings in the entire history. idol!

A first.... (trial makeup with Lorie Abraham)

Admittedly, this is one of the things I like about bridal fairs. Trial makeup! Although I really am not seriously looking for an HMUA for my wedding since I have a relative who has done it for all the brides and debs in the family and who's really good so I'm all set with him to do my hair and makeup on my wedding day. But, since my sister really loved her makeup trial on the last wedding fair we went to, I braved my fears of talking with a different makeup artist and have my own trial makeup on the wedding fair.

I tried going to several exhibitors, but it just ends up not working out because I just wanted a hassle-free day and they just aren't making it happen for me. And so, I passed by Lorie Abraham's booth and although she was too busy doing wonders for another girl, her AE gave me a pleasant smile and chatted me up as well. I was at ease dealing with her so I was convinced to do the trial makeup.

When it was my turn, the fist thing I noticed was that she really used high-end quality brands for her makeup and tools. No wonder the price was also kind of high-end. Next thing, Ms. Lorie was really nice. Unlike other HMUAs I've worked with, she really took the time to ask me what concept I like for my makeup. I told her that I wanted a bronzy look, but my babe wanted it natural and without makeup. After that she knew exactly what to do and she even gave me tips on how my wedding gown would compliment my morena complexion, and what beauty trends to try before my wedding day. All of her advices made sense and I really enjoyed listening to her give me tips while she was working her magic on me. Once in a while, I'd take a really good look in the mirror and smile at the progress. Hehehe. She was really good. And she really achieved the natural blooming look that I wanted. I was really pleased. The makeup wasn't overly done and I really recognized myself in my reflection. Without any contest, she was great.

So, it may be one of the rare times that I'll be posting my pictures here, but I'm just so proud of it so I'm gonna let you see :)


the photos are kinda dark and mejo oily na because that was hours after the session, but I hope you got a nice glimpse of it naman.. Because that's basically how I look naman talaga. Only better because she has really defined by brows (groomed it 'cause they were starting to be unruly again), hid some blemishes, brightened up my aura with some blush-on, and painted my usually lip-balmed kissers. I just felt that I looked so chic and polished. I loved it, obvi.

The ultimate reason why I'm really so proud about it is because Babe loved it. Its actually the first time he complimented my makeup. Its because he always wants things to be simple, therefore, he always tells me that he likes me better without makeup. But when I sent the photos to him via email, he was so happy and really thought I looked beautiful. Here's the kilig part, he told me "nung nakita ko yung mga pictures mo, naisip ko sa sarili ko na ang sarap mo talagang mahalin." sooper smile na ko after that... I just wanted to look pretty for him on our wedding day. I'm glad he liked me with makeup :)Anyway, he really liked it kasi nga hindi makapal ang makeup. Even when I told him that the rates are kinda expensive, he said it was okay if I really like her.

Too bad I'm all set with my makeup artist slash relative. But don't get me wrong, he's good rin naman. So for those looking for a really good and reputable makeup artist, try Ms. Lorie. You'll really feel at ease with her. And judging from the service I got, I'll say she's worth every penny. If I didn't have good makeup artists as a relative and friend, I'll go for her in a heartbeat. :))

lets talk about the dress...

I am trying to be as discreet as I can about the details of my wedding and keep a low-profile on the themes and concepts, but I have always wanted to talk about what I'm gonna wear on the big day. It's one part I'm most excited about. So, here are some of my inspirations for my wedding gown... they're quite a lot, but I hope these will give you a glimpse of the kind of girl that I am - dreamy (or dreamer), chic, hopeless romantic, low-key and fuss-free.

I have always known that I wanted the most beautiful dress on my wedding day. . Growing up, my mom and aunts were fond of dressing me up especially on occasions that it kinda stayed with me. I'm a clothes/dress person as opposed to being a bag/shoe lady. I just feel so wonderful when I have on a nice dress. It just makes me feel like I'm on top of the world and everything is and will be perfect. Like I can do anything. And so, it's not very surprising that my wedding gown is one of the non-negotiables on our special day. It has to be THE ONE I picture when I close my eyes and daydream...

Its the one dress that will make me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. It will be just like I dreamed of wearing when I was a little girl...something that makes me feel like a beautiful flower... like the picture below...


Although, I don't want to feel like a little girl on my wedding day. I want to feel chic and stylish. And not really over the top. This dress from Marchesa looked so stunning and sexy.

I also envisioned my dress to make me feel like an ethereal goddess, which makes a strong reference to why I'm partial to empire-cut dresses and flowy gowns as opposed to princess dresses and ballgowns... the flow in this Maggie Sottero number below is really captivating. The length is just perfect and the train...


Although flowers is the overall theme for my gown and my entourage's dresses, one of my fashionable friends commented that putting flowers upfront on my wedding gown might make me look like a flower girl. I don't want that. She suggested I try incorporating my flower theme without going overboard and having flower-ish accents on my gown.

In a cocktail event for work, I saw a popular designer wear this beige dress with petal bustier and it was then I realized that I should do that instead of putting flowers on my bustier. I was reminded of my childhood dreams to wear a dress I saw in this baduy tagalog movie where the leading lady was wearing a pink dress with a petal bustier. It was in the early nineties but I knew I always wanted to wear something like that. Luckily, I came across the finale of project runway season 5 and saw that Leanne's finale collection was kind of inspired by flowers.

I like the petal bustier in this dress below. It looks chic, edgy yet still romantic. I'm also using this picture to refer to the color that I want to use (the aqua for my entourage's dresses, the cream for mine).

I just liked the flowy overlay of the dress below.

Though I didn't think Leane would be up on the running on the contest, I actually ended up liking her final collection and making it a big reference to my wedding dress. This dress below is my favorite and might be the closest to how I like my wedding dress to look.

And to finalize the flowery romantic theme, here's the backview of Claudine Barreto's wedding gown. I know, I just can't pass up on flowers for my wedding dress. So I'll have them at the back na lang to also serve as accent to my panel train.

Yeah, as you might have guessed, I kinda know what I'm talking about. Its just that, like every girl, I have pictured my dream wedding dress a thousand times in my head. I have also done a lot of research on the terminologies in the world of fashion. Anyway, like I said, it has to be the dress I imagine. Kinda like the pictures above, but waaaay better.

I have yet to meet with my designer, who's a close friend of the family, and I have always been one of his muses. Everytime we bump into each other he keeps on telling me to meet with him about my dress already. I just think it might be too early for a June 2010 bride to have her wedding gown made. Considering I already know what I like and I know he can make it happen for me, I'm sure it'll be easy then.

So there... that was a glimpse of my inspirations, a glimpse of me. I pray that this dream comes true for me. That when the moment comes for me to see my wedding dress, all my princess, goddess dreams will be fulfilled and upon seeing me on that white dress, my prince will feel like the luckiest guy on earth.

juday-ryan wedding

well, well, well... you knew this was coming didn't you? :)

it's the wedding of the year! How the heck can I not blog about it?
Before anything else, I want to share that before, I kinda wished that their wedding would be this year. I kinda didn't want it to be on the same year or month that we were gonna have our wedding. I just don't want people to be making their wedding a reference for ours. And who doesn't want their wedding to be remembered instead of a big celebrity wedding? So when I learned that it was gonna be this year, I was surprised and relieved.

Okay... Thanks to W@W, I felt like an insider to this so-called secret wedding. But even though I kinda had a clue that it was gonna be the day, I can't help but be so excited with all the juicy detailms unveiling one by one. It was too intriguing that I found myself glued to the boob tube for days. More importantly, it was very, very impressing.

I mean, I'm no celebrity but there are times when I feel that too many people know and are asking about the wedding and I don't exactly know how to act or what too say, especially to those people who I have no plans of inviting. I don't wanna appear rude, but I also don't wanna share too much to spoil the excitement or make them assume they're invited. That part is really tricky. But Judy Ann is like only the biggest star of her generation, and Ryan is a hot item as well, how were they able to pull it off? Unbelievable. :)

Imagine having all that money to blow off on a really grand wedding and invite just about everyone, but they opted to keep it low-key, simple, elegant and intimate. Idol! :))

What's also cool about the whole thing is, they were not only able to get the attention and applause of girls, but they also made the men impressed with what they did. Maybe its the practicality part, and the simplicity and a lot of thinking. It's actually beyond impressive. Anyway, its not much of my fiancee to keep up with celebrities, more so with celebrity weddings, but for this one, he paid attention and opened the subject to me himself. I didn't have to feed it to him, he was updated.

Its because he always wanted a low-key wedding, and he's never too loud about all this. We already fought several times about me sharing too much information to people that I spoil the excitement for him. He wants to keep it special, to us, and people close to us. The wedding preps I mean. He's very humble that way, which I love about him.

So learning from them, I now make a vow to really take after Juday with the way she handled her 'big' day. C'mon, without admitting it, I believe that every girl wants to feel like a princess, even for a day, and if she can choose what day it would be, most girls would choose their wedding. So, its not easy for a girl to keep mum while she's getting the wedding of her dreams, especially if you have big suppliers like RN and Jason Magbanua. But she did it with such grace and tact, that you would respect her silence. And did I mention how absolutely stunning she was in her wedding dress? She just looks so happy and contented. And so did Ryan. Like it was the most natural feeling in the world, and there's no faking it. I hope I see that face a year from now, from my Babe.

So there. Its not an easy feat, but I will try my best. Like as much as I want to, I won't brag about my accomplishment with the wedding preps to random friends, if they ask me, I'll try to give as little and vague information as I can.

You may ask why I'm doing this. Am I gonna do it just because its the cool thing to do? And I want my wedding to be just like theirs? Of course not. It's because Babe was happy with how they did it, so I'm gonna try to be just as graceful, just as tactful, and just as low-key about everything. Besides, that's really the least I can do for him, who's being so giving and supportive of me on our wedding preps. And obviously, what they did made a lot of sense.

Hey, just between us, its also a great way to save :) hehehe. I'm sure you W@wies can figure out why. I can't keep the details though, from my dear W@wie sisters, whom I owe a lot to. But just in case the world is too small for us and you know a random family or friend of mine or my h2b's, I expect you too keep secret the details about my day :)

It also won't be easy to keep it from my family and babe's family, so I might make an exception to that. But even so, I'll try to be really, really quiet about it. I won't let out details that aren't relevant to their roles in the wedding.

Hahaha. Wish me luck! I'm gonna need a lot. :P

To the celebrity newlyweds, my hats off to you. You are an inspiration to us. Congrats and best wishes!

Reception venue: DONE! :)

Finally! After the long, long wait... :))

I told myself I should be done with booking the reception venue by March, but I didn't think it was that complicated. So it was a month and some weeks delayed, but at least its finally booked for our wedding day =)

Now that we have our church and reception, we can already make our save-the-date cards! :)) no, seriously, I know it comes with a sad memory for a person important to me, and that almost made me cross this place off my list, but its just really perfect for the wedding I envisioned for me and babe...

Not in a swanky hotel, where all our guest's move will be "de-numero," or an out-of-town venue which will bring our commuter guests such a hassle, instead its in a clubhouse with a homey feel, with an enormous swimming pool and classic almost Grecian architecture. Its enough for a semi-intimate semi-big wedding for 150 (fine, to 180) guests.

And the best part is, its sooo super duper affordable! I remember really having that big, big grin when I found out about the rates on W@W, but its even better when a friend told me how much we will be getting it for :)) thanks to my 'new' tita! :))

Anyway, I think I've decided not to make any announcements in this blog, since other people, aside from my W@W sisters read it. And really, I'm trying to keep a low profile in the wedding preps ala Juday-Ryan, but that's a different blog entry altogether.

So, I'll just leave you guys with the photos. Feel free to drop your jaws. It's beautiful isn't it? :))

**if you are a W@Wie and you wanna know where this is, just comment**

a thought....

'God determines who walks into your life. It is up to you to decide who you let
walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'*

I'm a bit bothered by the sentence construction, but its true :)

Here's me, not complaining at all :))

On motherhood

I know, I know, yesterday was Mothers Day and all. I celebrated it with my family and gave gifts to my mom, Babe's mom, a close family friend and soon to be brother's girlfriend. It was all good. I tried to extend a greeting to my mommied friends in facebook as my cellphone chose to lose its battery on a day when we have no available chargers at home. Anyway, I just realized, despite the nauseating cheesiness brought about by all the advertising, that there really is something special in motherhood.

I don't know if its just the season, or a sudden jolt in my insides at the thought of becoming a mother. Its weird. I know I have always wanted to become a wife, and a bride. But I don't know where this feeling came from, that I suddenly had this burning desire to be a mom. It was like suddenly, I was aching, yearning for it.

I received great news today, that my future brother-in-law and his girlfriend are expecting their second child. Another angel in the family. Another cute pamangkin that brings out the doting side of me. But at the corner of my heart, there was a thump. Because here they are, already expecting their second blessing. While I'm not even sure if I will have the opportunity to bear a child.. I have polysistic ovaries... I have been 'irreg' since I had my period. And somehow, this causes me to worry. Because there is a possibility that I may not be pregnant...ever. This thought breaks my heart in many, many ways. Contemplating on my status right now, I realized, that if I get married and would end up barren, not only am I deprived of this blessing, but also the most important person in my life. My fiancee is great with kids, and I know he would love to be a father in the future. I would be soo heartbroken if that dream doesn't come true for him. As for me...

I know I was never the nurturing motherly type except in the company of my rather childish friends, and I'm deathly afraid of giving birth. But recently, just out of nowhere, there was a loud cry in my heart, and my spirit calls out to the Father, saying "I want to be a mom."

Well of course not this instant, but at the right time. I just feel it. That I can do anything today for that promise to be fulfilled in the future. I don't even know if I will be good at it, but I know that I would give anything for it. Please, please, let me be...

Sigh... I am praying for it now. I know it will be God's call...and I know He knows whats best for me, so, I rest my case and leave it up to Him.

For all the mothers out there, you are blessed. Love your blessings.

get ready...

i think i found them...P/V

It's always a long read with me... although I try to be as entertaining and brief as possible =)

Of all the suppliers that I will be getting for my wedding, the photo and video suppliers are one of those that I'm most excited and dreading to meet. Why? Maybe because what I'm asking from them will represent our wedding in a lifetime sense. I mean, there's no faking the quality of photos and videos, and if its not good, it will haunt you forever. Its not like you can throw them away after the wedding if you don't like them. They should be undeniably, obviously, incontestably good.

And for this reason, that I can't really have my way when it comes to the budget. Unlike the flowers that I can opt to get just white flowers for the reception, simple drapes, or in the caterer to just serve one dessert or not to include certain amenities to lessen the cost, I can't ask the photographer and videographer to not take shots of certain things in the wedding, or substitute their expensive equipments; what I'm trying to say is, whatever amount they're charging, its probably worth it, and more. And therefore, I knew that if I like my wedding pictures and videos to be one that I will love for a lifetime, we would have to shell out more than what h2b is used to. I love him for being this simple and modest person, but sometimes he just doesn't have a clue on how much these things cost nowadays.

Which is why for a time, I have been putting off getting in touch with these suppliers, because I know it would just upset my babe to find out we're spending that much...but, its a non-negotiable. I'm not saying I want the best and the most expensive, but I just won't settle for the okay category when it comes to these aspects. I want those who are goooood....

So, I already wrote about my photographers. Lets just say they are even more than how I expected them to be. They're just real and reasonable and really nice. I'm just waiting to muster up enough courage again to brave commuting in those areas and then I can finally pay the down payment. I love chatting with them, especially with the wife, because she understands me, and she knows what I like. I also love their photos. I actually look at their website at least twice a day and I even bookmarked it as one of my favorite websites to visit. I know I can't stop talking about them, and if I can just post a sample of their pictures here, or even tell you who they are but I'm shy to do so since I haven't really paid the down payment yet, therefore I have no bragging rights. Pretty soon you'll find out who they are, and if you're a w@wie, you probably have an idea :))

Then, there's the videographer. Some guests foolishly size up the wedding through the onsite video. I was one of them. I dunno, growing up from a family in media, and my dad made a living out of making commercials, so I am a little particular to this aspect. My dad makes the nicest home videos I have ever seen and I'd like him to see that I learned a thing or two from him, by having really nice and not tacky wedding videos. But those kind of videos in this day and age comes with a price. Anyway, my siblings promised on paying for the videographer if I get the one they like in particular. They even said the wedding wouldn't happen if this certain team wasn't there to take videos. But knowing them for years, I would say that in this situation, the saying "its the thought that counts" holds true. I mean, I loved that they wanted the best on my wedding, but they couldn't really pool in this big amount of money just so they can satisfy three to four minutes of superb clippings. Somewhere along the way, I know they'll just let sense take over and think it was a rather crazy idea to have that amount of money for wedding videos. So, without their permission, I began looking again for a supplier. And, considering budget and expertise, narrowed my choices to two.

There's one who caught my attention once and I visited their website. It was nice, very clean, very classy. I totally forgot it after because I saw many other works (those who were from uber expensive) that were even greater. Until after realizing that nothing would come out of my brothers' promises, I resumed looking for a good and affordable videographer. I found that they have discounts for W@wies so I decided to check them out (again). The videos were also really good. It's got a twang to it, and you wouldn't mistake it for cheap. I saw their rates and found that of all the good wedding videographers available, they actually have the lowest prices. On top of that, they are willing to give discounts to w@wies. That's really nice. I kinda like their style and judging from their blog entries, they really try to get to know the couple as much as they can. A writer by heart, I also loved the fact that they include snippets of the priest's sermon and the couple's vows in their onsite videos. It just feels so heartfelt and real. I see myself, in ten, twenty something years, with my babe in the living room of our beautiful home, watching our video and gushing all over again when we get to the part that we said our vows, and the reminders the priest said... and really, remember the feeling all over again. One of my w@wie sisters commented that it's a little grainy though...and they're kind of conventional pa rin when you really observe. Most of their clips are romantic, but some are bordering into cheesy. But I'm cheesy. hehehe. They are good though... I was already impressed and I like them enough to consider them.

And then there's the one who has been a household name to the W@W community. I have learned a lot of raves about them, and even fell in love with an onsite video they made for a friend's wedding. They are really really good and this goes without saying that my W@Wie sisters will really start a brawl when I say that they're not any good because that is a total lie. They are THAT good that my fellow bride-to-bes will move heaven and earth to defend them. Hahaha. Obsessing in their website for a while, I thought, 'man, this guy is really talented.' He captures details, emotions, makes things look fun, colorful and dramatic without the extra cheese. Anyway, the rates posted in their website almost crossed them off my list, but I just liked them so much that I really had to ask if they were available on our wedding date. And, just like my glee when I got a nice discount at Nike for my rubber shoes just for asking, I was greeted by a nice reply from the other half of the great name, telling me that they are still open on that date and have a special package for W@wies! Minutes after that, a big smile was plastered on my face. I can't contain my happiness. Babe also agreed that its a really good deal if we choose to get them :) As of now, I'm in constant emails with them and I'm excited to meet them real soon. Its a plus factor that my photographer team has good words to say about them, and they have worked with them a lot of times before. There was just one catch, just when I was about ready to send them my down payment, I saw a post from one of my fellow W@Wies saying that she got them as videographer. She's getting married the day after my wedding, in Boracay! and these suppliers kinda promised her that they will be there for their prenup which is the day before! oh no... I emailed them about it, and I'm still waiting for them to sort it out. I hope they do soon. If in case they couldn't be able to do my wedding, I'll be willing to let it go. I guess, but I will be pretty heartbroken for a few days... Since I was already convinced they'll do my onsite video really well.

I still haven't closed my doors to the first supplier though, because what they have is a pretty good deal as well, still cheaper than the 2nd one and they're willing to give discounts on top of their affordable rates. Tough, tough choice. So soon hopefully, I'll be looking at their websites again, study their onsite videos, and see which one's work really speaks to me. And of course, I'll get my fiancee's say as well, as he promised me he'll look at their onsites tomorrow on his rest day. Can you imagine how stubborn he is for that assignment? To think his laptop's turned on almost 24/7. But he promised me he'll do it naman. Although I'm pretty sold with the 2nd one... Anyway, I'm still praying for it.

Pray for me as well ha. Nothings final though, but I really think I found them =) its a feeling of happiness and contentment when I think that they are gonna be the team for my wedding. So... I really pray, that this is it. A supplier-client perfect match :))

I do hope everything gets sorted out tomorrow...