Here CAMS the Bride...

Finally! Our Supplier Ratings-LONG

2010-08-14T02:57:00.000-07:00

Supplier Ratings – June 18, 2010 wedding

Hi everyone! J it was a long delay, almost two months na, but I finally got around to writing our supplier ratings. Hubby and I had a really awesome time on our wedding. Like I always say, it’s not perfect, but it sure is beautiful. Our guests also found it as such.

In true La Sallian fashion, I’ll make my ratings as 4.0 being the highest and 1 being the lowest, 0 kasi yung bagsak, eh wala naman bagsak samin. Pero I had a professor once, who gave me a 5 on our writing class, kasi over the top raw at parang hindi sapat na bigyan lang niya ako ng 4, kasi marami na siyang binigyan ng 4. If hubby were to decide, 5 raw lahat kasi sobrang at ease and satisfied siya with all of them. So okay, I’ll give 5 rin to those who delivered more than what we expected of them. Mahaba ako magsulat so, I’ll save it for the details. So without further ado, here are our supplier ratings:

Invitations

Calliope

5.0

They are really affordable and the quality is good. I had my brother do the design of the invite and hubby’s sister prepared the map, and we just sent it to them for layout and printing. Everything was fast and they were very polite and professional in dealing with us. We loved our invites. Our invitees loved it too, since it was so... US J

Cons-None

Church

Holy Family Parish Church –BF Almanza, Las Piñas

4.0

Hubby and I chose that church kasi we grew up going there talaga, since it was our area in our community, YFC. So the church felt like home to us already. We never really thought of getting married anywhere else, except the one near NAIA 3. But anyway, things really pushed us to get married in this church.

Pros: the church has a long aisle, perfect for those who want to savor their walk; it’s really affordable, considering it’s a big church and also beautiful, it’s almost a copy of Ayala Alabang’s St. James, at least in my opinion; their church coordinator, Ms. Josie is very nice. She knew that we will have trouble with the seminars and schedule because hubby is overseas, so she told me to just approach her regarding the schedule para everything will be ready in time for the wedding. She answered all of my questions and talagang extended her help to us.

Cons: actually, one lang naman. They have an in-house wedding coordinator sa church. She was kinda mataray, even when I met with her days before the wedding. Buti na lang, our coords and commentator were also palaban so they didn’t just say yes to everything she tells them. Grabe. She almost ruined my moments. She gave the rules on what’s not allowed during the actual ceremony, and good thing naman na my cousin, who will do part of the coordinating was there with me. I understand naman why she was like that, syempre she just wants the wedding to be smoothsailing. Grabe lang talaga on the day itself, pinasakit niya ulo ng coordinators namin. She was so bossy, according to them. She was cutting some parts from our misalette kasi nalate nga raw kami and may susunod pang affair sa church, nagagalit yung lola ko kasi syempre sinusundan nung guests yung nasa misalette diba? We weren’t able to finish our picture-taking kasi she insisted na we have to get out of the church na nga dahil may novena pa na kasunod.

Eh important sana yung batch nay un kasi they’re our YFC and CFC family na common circle talaga namin ni hubby. Lastly, she almost ruined my moment on walking down the aisle. While I was walking, I really tried to focus on my husband, the look he gave me was priceless. But then, there she was, right in front of me, almost shouting at me to kick the front of my wedding dress so that I could walk faster. “Sipain mo iha, sipain mo!”Everyone was almost distracted. Even my parents who came to meet me. I even whispered to them, "eh sipain ko kaya mukha nito?" When hubby came to meet with me, we were having a really nice moment and we were both crying gazing at each other’s eyes, but then, she had to interrupt. “Excuse me po, dito na po tayo...” to this, hubby whispered to me, “eh siya kaya ang sipain ko,” which had us laughing. Buti na lang, hubby and I were determined to have a good time that day and were extra forgiving. Anyway, the church looked really majestic on pictures. I had simple but elegant floral arrangements kasi, and it really brought out the beauty of the church and of the whole ceremony. They have a balcony where the choir also stays, and its great for taking pictures talaga. Beautiful. So for that and Ms. Josie’s niceness, almost perfect sila sakin.

Choir

Holy Family Parish Choir

3.0

Getting a choir wasn’t really my priority, since I want canned music in the important parts like the processional and the latter parts. I made a playlist in my iPod and just instructed our coordinator to guide the sound system na lang for playing it in time. So I wanted a group that’s good enough and affordable naman. We didn’t want a group who will come from Makati pa or QC kasi I really didn’t want to spend that much, and nakakahiya naman to get them like that, considering we won’t be having them at the reception. Luckily, one of my friends was a member of the choir in Holy Family, so I asked them if they would want to be the choir for our wedding and they said yes.

Pros: Mura talaga. They’re also good considering they’re not really professional singers. And marami sila which was nice kasi it makes them sound more regal. Ayoko kasi ng parang 2-3 persons lang yung kumakanta. Mas gusto ko yung choir talaga.

Cons: They’re newbies pa nga. Medyo ninerbyos ata yung vocalist at first time niya magsolo sa isang wedding gig.Na-appreciate ko rin naman yung effort nila. During the start kasi, the church coordinator told me nga na its not advisable to be plugging in other stuff in their sound system kasi baka magtunog-lata. So I was apprehensive in using my iPod, especially on my entrance. I don’t want the mood to be ruined by technical difficulties. So I asked the choir if they can learn my entrance song. Sabi nila, sure. On the day itself, the moment I stepped inside the church.

Aba, first line pa lang eh out of key na yung vocalist. As in wala sa tono, first line pa lang. Hindi na rin ako nainis, instead, natawa na lang ako, at ok rin naman since nawala ang kaba ko. Eh mejo nagbibinata at nagdadalaga pa talaga yung mga boses nila. Oh well, buti na lang we had a sense of humor. But for the other parts of the mass and when they sang The Prayer, nakaka- goosebumps rin kasi ang solemn ng pagkakanta nila, hindi yung parang may mga vocalist na nagpapasikat. They really sing well as a group and I think they will get better with more experience. Siguro dahil wala rin sila masyadong practice. I just heard them sing during the fiesta mass of the parish, other than that, hindi na. Mahirap din sila hagilapin kasi nga they weren’t really a professional group.

Flowers (church and entourage)

Angel of Hearts

4.0

They were the suppliers for two of my aunts wedding and I found their arrangements simple and elegant. After much researching about them here in W@W, I looked for them in one of the wedding expos and I booked them right there.

Pros: I love their creations. Super nice and they were easy to deal with. The price they gave me was also reasonable and I also got a lot of freebies, as in. Parang tatanungin ko lang kung how

much magpa-additional, they would just throw it in the package. I had an all-white concept for the flowers of my entourage para yung bouquet ko lang ang colourful. Ms. Lorrie suggested adding a hint of blue hydrangeas para mabuhay ng konti yung arrangement. True enough, the arrangements looked really romantic and elegant. Everyone loved my bouquet. It was perfect for my dress and my personality.

Cons: I wanted an all-white setup sa church to bring out the color of our entourage and guests. So we agreed on a dozen of white calla lilies with gold sinamay accents on every pew. Hubby really loved the idea kasi very classic nga. 2 days before the wedding, I got a text from Ms. Lorrie, asking me if it was okay to change the flowers from calla lilies to roses kasi hindi raw maganda yung nakuha nilang supply ng calla lilies. I was already in my bahala na mode that time, so I was gonna say yes na. But then I told hubby about it and he was kinda disappointed.

Sabi niya, we’ll stick to whats been agreed upon, bahala sila maghanap ng calla lilies kasi hindi

naman namin kasalanan yun na hindi maganda yung mga nadeliver sa kanila. They said okay, and at the church, nadeliver naman nila so no biggie. Medyo minus lang yun making us agitated for a bit about the church arrangements.

Rings

Golden Hills

4.0

Our rings were simple and elegant. Hubby wanted a rotating ring, so that’s what I got for him and mine was the identical one, with no diamonds or whatever. I had no problems with our ring supplier. In fact, from the time I paid my reservation, she really took care of my requests and made sure we had it exactly like we wanted. Hubby was just kind of disappointed that the second layer of the ring wouldn’t rotate as fast from the base level, but I guess that was the best we can do with a rotating ring. His inspiration was the ghetto belts kasi that was popular before.

Hotel Preps

Parque España

Pros only. We didn’t really see any negative about staying there for our wedding preps. We actually loved it. Kasi if we have big families and a group of friends who also stayed at the hotel. So the suites were big enough to accommodate us and our suppliers. With our budget, we would have been cramped up in small rooms in other hotels in the south and it would have annoyed me much. Buti na lang we decided to look at Parque España. The suites were spacious, it was clean too. I was able to relax talaga kasi hindi siksikan sa room. Also, hubby forgot his laptop when he

left the suite on their way to the church. Good thing the make-up artist they hired saw it and asked the people on the concierge to keep it for us. We got it back when we checked out. And they were all congratulatory and pleasant.

Gowns and Groom’s Suit

Dan Cadiz

4.5

Tito Dan is a close, close friend of the family. We would always come to him when we needed dresses for special events, so we were kind of his muses. He was really excited to do my wedding gown and I knew no one could ever do it but him.

Pros:

Well, he is really good and considering his work, really unexpensive. His quotations are reasonable and from the outcome, you will see that you got your money’s worth, and more. With the budget I gave him, plus my requests and add-ons, feeling ko nga lugi pa siya. But he did it with love of course. Our entourage loved their dresses, hubby looked dashing in his suit and I

absolutely love my gown. I would go breathless every time I remember it. He made a miracle with that one. I originally wanted a simple, empress-like design, I didn’t think whether it would fit me, I just thought it looked beautiful. But during my first fitting, I looked like a pregnant bride, my flower girl said so. Tito Dan, of course, said he will just repair the bone used in the bodice. So that I can still have the design I wanted. Less than a month into the wedding, I had fit the gown again. It looked beautiful on the mannequin but not on me. I still looked preggers. I started to panic. I then realized that the problem wasn’t with the dress but with my body type. I couldn’t wear an empress-cut gown without looking pregnant. And so, I just decided to let Tito Dan take the reins; to just surprise me, and make the gown look beautiful and bongga on me. And on my next fitting, there it was. Winking at me like it knew we would be meeting soon... my beautiful gown. The details were so intricate and it looks so delicate and just really beautiful. Plus, the bodice made differently so that it could look like I have a waist! Hehe. I felt really blooming and sexy in my gown. Tito Dan is really good, even with time pressure, he still delivers.

Cons:

Maybe it’s because we’re very comfortable with each other, or that he doesn’t have a secretary, that sometimes he forgets that we have agreed on this certain thing or this certain schedule. Good thing lang that I am an OC bride so I always remind him of our meetings and deliverables. My hubby was an OC-groom too so he would always ask me about his suit, and it took a long time before Tito Dan was able to show it to him. Although when he did, it was perfect. Just a few minor alterations because hubby lost some weight. Other than that, I couldn’t really complain since I really got more than what I paid for.

Hair and Makeup Artist

Mario Alondra

4.5

I don’t say it because he’s my uncle, but he is really good. I’m a creature of habit so I really wanted him to do my hair and makeup on my wedding, since he has done it for me since I was a teenager. And people always tell me I look beautiful after being made up by him. He also did a good job on my mom and sister. After the wedding, people told me that my makeup was really

nice since I looked really blooming J

The only problem was that he couldn’t stick around until the reception because he had another gig. I was a bit disappointed, but it was okay. He waited until after the photo shoot with the photographer was done to do a little retouch before we left for the reception.

Bridal Shoes

Abbylyns

4.5

I got my inspiration from Korina Sanchez's bridal shoes by Cesar Gaupo, which probably costs more than 30,000. I provided the cloth and showed them my design. The outcome was really nice, almost exactly like Korina's shoes. It was beautiful. I'm not a shoe person, but I really fell in love with it. It makes you feel more confident when you have good heels on. Plus it was really comfy considering it was four-inches high. The other plus is that it was very cheap. P2,500 with

a customized bag. The Abbylyns staff at Cubao Expo were reliable and accommodating.

Photographer

Jeff and Lisa Photography

5.0

All Pros. No cons. They are the best in their craft and style. Amazing pre-nup and post-nup shoot. All the photos were nice. We only availed of their service-only package (which I’ve come to know, costs twice now than what we paid for last year!) but we weren’t treated like second-class clients. Ms. Lisa is really a darling. And Sir Jeff of course, is nice too J Funny because we were really at ease with them, that hubby refers to them as Kuya and Ate. They are just super nice. I’m gonna stop here because you might think I’m patronizing.

Videographer

30 FPS Digital Videography

4.0

Pros:

They’re good and affordable. Among the known and good ones, I think they’re the ones who offer the lowest package. Its always nice to work with couples because you see how they work together. You see that they’re totally different from one another yet they click and their tandem works, as a married couple and as business partners. Like for most couple-suppliers I’ve encountered, it’s the guy, Paul who is more chatty and outgoing. Yet when you talk to the girls, in this instance, Ms. Caron, who seems a bit suplada at first, but when you start talking to her, you’ll see that just like any woman, she gets you. In my case, I have a brooding family of visual artists (future filmmakers) so it was important to me to have a videographer that edits well, can capture all the moments and give us the raw footage. 30-FPS fits my requirements that way. I know my family would want to sit back during the day itself, but they could not resist having their own edited version. So I trusted 30-FPS to do the documenting J In fact, during the wedding day, they even asked me why I still hired a videographer, when it seemed like my family could also do a pretty good job. They also brought a nice group with them. The guy who was assigned to follow me around the whole day was pleasant to be around. He didn’t make us feel uncomfortable for one tiny bit. That’s the thing with how I chose my suppliers. I wanted them to be really low-profile. I’ve been to several weddings and I was really turned off at how some suppliers kind of steal the show. They hog too much time with the bride, or the couple, that the really important people are pushed aside. For my suppliers, I wanted them to be efficiently working in the background, blending in with my family and my groom’s family and our friends, as this really is our time. And that was how they did it. (sorry, couldn't post the onsite vid)

Cons:

Other than the fact that I couldn’t contact Paul days before the wedding, we really didn’t encounter any bad experience with them. Paul even apologized for not being able to answer my email promptly and explained that he was out of the country for a while. Aside from that time, they were always prompt with the correspondences. They were really professional from day one.

Reception Venue

Monte di Portofino Clubhouse

4.0

Pros:

The place was really nice, romantic and affordable. I even got a discount. When we had conflict with the capacity of their function room, they easily agreed to have our reception on the veranda and poolside area instead. They were actually easy to deal with, once you survived the necessary challenges. Everyone liked the place, especially when it was beautifully set and lit-up.

Cons:

Yes, I think you need an endorsement from a lot-owner or a Brittany Corporation employee to be able to book the place. But everything’s kind of easy na after that. When you’re in, you’re in. We originally booked their airconditioned function room, but our guests ballooned so we learned

na hindi pala kami kasya dun. We were allowed to use the poolside naman, kaya lang the place was really hot. We prayed hard na hindi umulan, although we didn’t anticipate na we would have a problem with the ventilation. Also, just a few days before the wedding, I couldn’t contact the usual contact person in Portofino. Good thing that I decided to do an ocular at the place and called up their office. The whole staff in-charge of the clubhouse resigned na pala. We weren’t informed and not properly turned over to the new management. But in general, it’s a really

beautiful and affordable place J

Catering

K by Cunanan Catering

K by Cunanan is another W@Wie find. At first, I was even apprehensive to get them kasi they really looked so expensive. Just the way people talked about their setup, like it was really elegant, I was hesitant to even go there – to approach them and inquire about their rates. You could say that I was intimidated but one of my suppliers told me that we really should try to inquire. So I did, and it didn't take long before we knew they were the one for us. For hubby, it took one picture. For me, it took one meeting with Kaye, for my mom and sister, it took one taste of their food. After meeting them and tasting the food, I just knew I couldn’t walk away from them. After that, I learned that one of Kaye’s partners/account managers Kar is a good friend of my brothers. Funny, because from the start, they were insisting that I get their friends’ catering business for the wedding, and I didn’t want to take their word for it. But I ended up getting them pa rin.

Pros: The styling was definitely a cut above the rest. They didn’t mind if we got a really low package from them, they really made sure everything looked beautiful. I had a picture of how I wanted our reception to look like, I explained it to them, they made it a reality and made sure they top what I had in mind. Their inputs really counted, kasi even if I consider myself really OC, they would still suggest some things that didn’t even cross my mind. They even took care of our cake buffet. I got two freebies: a chocolate fountain from the bridal fair, and a round of cocktail drinks from the Martha Stewart magazine. And do I even have to mention that their food is really good? Over the top talaga! I really find myself craving for their food even after the wedding.

Cons: nothing much, except for some comments from my parents na parang nagdisappear raw agad the food, iniisip nila na parang kinuha ng mga waiters. Hindi ko na rin kasi napansin so I couldn’t confirm if it was true. We also weren’t able to use our notes, kasi our guests weren’t fond of writing din naman, eh hindi pa sa guestbook so the idea must have been new to them.

Also, hindi nasunod yung chocolate fountain kasi I opted for a white chocolate fountain pero when I saw the dessert table, it was the milk chocolate kind. Ok lang naman, hindi na ko humirit kasi free lang naman.

So despite of the cons, we’re still giving them a 5. With the way they brought our vision to life and made our reception really elegant, plus everyone loved the food, they deserve nothing less. In fact, we’re already saving up so that we can get them again for our anniversary and for our kids birthdays or baptism in the future. Haha.

(more pictures in this website)

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=458433&id=309988215715&ref=mf

Cakes

Cake Buffet (Cakes from different shops)

4.5

We ordered some of our favourite cakes from different bakeshops and our guests loved it. Kar of K By Cunanan helped us with the styling of the cake buffet, and set up a really pretty dessert buffet for us. It was a really good idea because almost all our guests were able to sample the delicious cakes we picked out. We had 5 kinds of cake, 11 rounds, for only five thousand pesos! :))

Lights and Sounds

Rejectkrew

5.0

Pros:

Really really really good! Affordable too. Elmer deserves all the praises that he gets from his previous clients. I was afraid of expecting too much from this guy, because I didn’t want to get disappointed, with all his previous brides building him up, and with the price I paid, I thought I really shouldn’t think everything was gonna be perfect. But he surpassed all my expectations! A few weeks before, I told him we were gonna need an extra projector screen, he provided one for me at a low price. I told him that instead of the indoor setup, we were gonna have the reception outdoors, he said there was no problem with it. A few days before, I also told him that we might need live feed because some of guests were seated far away from us. The night of the reception, the lights and sounds were seamless. He also cooperated well with our program team. The moodlighting was unbelievable. I’ve never seen Portofino more glorious. It was like he planned this lighting for a long time. Elmer really is a genius at his craft.

Cons:

The screens he provided me was from another supplier, a friend of his. Kasi he really only has one screen and he told me about this from the start. But when I told him that I needed one more, he made a way for me, since I didn’t want to worry about it na and I just want one point person for the lights, sounds and visuals. During the reception, there was a technical glitch with one of the screens, but it wasn’t a big deal din naman kasi our program team forgot to tell them about this other video that was gonna be played in another laptop. And at the end of the programme, he personally came up to us to congratulate and apologize. He even offered to give back the payment for the screen. But we didn’t get it na, kasi its just a minor glitch and the happiness he gave us when we saw the lighting in the reception was MAJOR!!

Mobile Bar

Swizzle Mobile Bar

4.0

I met the owner, Karla, in our events class in CSB. She’s a very cheerful and friendly girl. She’s also handling their family business, The Plaza Catering and The Plaza Ham, so she’s really used to events. Of course, she’s a very creative person rin, so her new biz is really hip and happening.

Pros: I got discounts, of course! J We just met once, and everything turned out great during the reception naman J Their colourful shots was a nice touch to our colourful wedding. And its safe to say that our friends really got tipsy enjoying their cocktails.

Cons: None that I can think of! Oh, maybe only that when hubby and I got to the bar, they were running low on drinks na! Hehehe. Alcoholic ata mga kaibigan namin eh.

Photo Booth

POOF! Photo Booth

4.0

A wedding expo find J

No more pros and cons, just GOOD JOB! As an OC Bride though, I was worried that they weren’t getting in touch with me after I booked them. BUT! No worries with that, because when they finally contacted me, everything was easy and we were really happy with their services. Our friends loved it and aside from the magnetic photo, we had their bagtags as souvenir J

Back-up Tent

Belles and Doves

3.0

Only because they’re easy to deal with. I really didn’t have the chance to see their setup because we didn’t need tents on our wedding ;) But I’m still grateful that they were there for back-up, in case we had to do our plan B (which we didn’t).

That ends our supplier ratings. Once again, I would like to express our gratitude to the whole W@W community for everything that I have learned here. Our wedding wouldn’t have been really beautiful if not for you all. Thank you J And inspired by this spirit of unity and love, I promise to really do my best to extend help to other brides out there, W@Wie or not.

Here’s to love! Cheers! J

Cams

Been there, Done that! (Reminders from one bride to another, from one who's been out there)

2010-07-06T23:34:00.000-07:00

As much as I want to, I'm not so good with giving tips. I'll just lose my train of thought after a few minutes, and we'll be on a different topic before we know it.But I think I'm good at sharing. At telling stories. I might be yakking away for a long time, but at least I try to be animated and humorous about it.

So in my effort to reach out to other brides who are gracious or maybe stressed out enough to read this blog entry, I'm gonna try to relate what I experienced during the wedding by sharing. From realizations on what did really well, what really helped me, and what could have been done better. And from this, I hope you learn a thing or two, be reminded of the things that really matter, or at least have a good laugh with me, as I recall some experiences from what we call our "big day."

I'm an OC bride, and for those who are like me, let me tell you the real deal: It's okay to be OC... just as long as you let go on the wedding day. Being an OC planner did wonders for my wedding. Because I was like that, every important detail I specified was followed. My coordinators (who are our closest friends helping out) didn't have such a hard time. I planned everything, they did the implementation. I was OC with everything, but I knew that to really enjoy our wedding day, I had to let go sooner or later. For me, it came later. Up to the day before, I was typing in files, looking at the checklists, guestlists, reviewing the contracts. But that was because I was determined to let it all go on the wedding day. So after going Ms. OC, sending in all files to our coordinators, and giving them last minute reminders (everything talaga that I can think of, and I told them to ask me anything na, para the on the wedding day they won't have to ask me), turning over every item and paraphernalia that they would need, I sent an email and text message to all our suppliers, telling them that I will no longer entertain phone calls, questions or clarifications. Instead, I have forwarded to them the contact details of the coordinators so that they can get in touch with each other regarding the wedding preps. I told them that I will be resting and preparing myself for the wedding day, and I trust them that they will make everything alright. After that, I let go. Hands-off on the wedding preparations. During the morning of the wedding day, I gave both of my phones to my maid of honor. It was hard to let go, but after feeling rested and relaxed, and after seeing that our friends and suppliers really did a great job in coordinating everything, I knew we made the right decision. They felt good that we trusted them, and they surpassed our expectations. At the start, I thought of getting a professional team of OTDs na lang, since I was an OC bride nga, I didn't want to feel bad if my friends disappointed us on our wedding. But after having a good talk with our friends, and knowing that they are capable and they would love to do it for us, there was no second-guessing. On the wedding day, they didn't stress us out at all. They took care of everything. And they loved the feeling afterwards. One of my friends who was in-charge was ecstatic because the suppliers gave her a pat on the back, congratulating her for a job well-done. It saved me a lot of money, and a lot of stress.
The day before the wedding, I had a mani-pedi, foot spa and a body scrub. Some brides do it the week before, or days before, but I knew I would just ruin my manicure if I don't do it the day before, and I'd still be so stressed out by then. So after my beauty routine, a really relaxing body scrub, I felt great and I felt glowing. It was like the hardest part was over, and I was ready to be a bride. The night before, after reading my vows and saying a prayer, I already felt like sleeping beauty. My fear that I wouldn't be able to sleep the night before and have breakouts on my wedding day didn't happen. I felt relaxed and at ease.
On the day of the wedding, before the suppliers came in, I already had my me-time. It happened after breakfast. I'm not exactly sure how it happened that I had the hotel suite all to myself. So there I said a prayer, contemplated for a bit, and sang out loud while watching music videos. That really calmed my nerves. It wasn't like I was preparing for my wedding, it felt like hours before preparing to go on a concert. I really felt relaxed and ready for the busy day to come. It helped that I had a great breakfast with my family, and we stopped talking in high tones. I know they were all anxious too, but we kinda have the relaxed vibe at our suite, and we just focused on savoring the moments. I approached them in a relaxed manner, and vice versa. Have a moment to yourself. Even for just 10 minutes before everything gets crazy.
Don't second-guess your decisions, but have a really good Plan B. From what I have learned from my events class, there should be no Plan C, because Plan B should be as good as Plan A. So as our wedding falls on the month of June, we were really apprehensive about the weather. We had an outdoor event. We did the drill, we went to Sta. Clara and offered eggs. We went to mass consecutively, for the intention of the whole wedding as well. Of course, we still had Plan B. To transfer one part of the reception to the indoor function room, while the rest that wouldn't fit would be tented outside. It was good enough, but of course, we're still hoping for Plan A. Two days before the wedding, my caterer's tent supplier said that they can't do backup for our event. It's either we get them and set up the tent, or we don't. I thought about the costing. What if it didn't rain? Then we would be wasting a ton of money and a lovely floor plan. So we had to let go of that supplier and look for another one that can do backup. I was only able to finalize the deal with the new supplier the day before the wedding. On the day of the wedding, I noticed my maid of honor (my sister), and our coordinator, pacing back and forth looking at the floor plans that we have. When I asked, they said that the caterer is having second thoughts on plan A because the sky seemed a bit unsure too. So they asked if I could be ready for Plan B. We talked about it, and we all felt that we weren't ready to give up yet. The weather seemed to be accommodating our plans so far. So we decided to still go for Plan A. At the church, it drizzled for less than a minute, and it was sunny again. It didn't rain. We were faithful, the Lord is faithful. When we got to the reception venue, the setup couldn't be any more lovely and romantic. It was a good thing we stuck to our decision.
What we forgot was this: if everything happens according to our wishes for a no-rain wedding, it will be the complete opposite. It was so hot on our wedding day! We didn't anticipate that it will be that dry. Everyone was sweating at the church and during the reception. We were all good sports about it, but if we just believed that the Lord wouldn't let it rain on our wedding day 100%, we could have just rented fans or air coolers instead of backup tents.
Don't neglect your bodies, and have a good rest. I was very religious in my beauty routine and drinking vitamins up until maybe a week before the wedding. I forgot about my Vitamin C and E. Thankfully, I didn't get sick on the day of the wedding (although I had a migraine when we got back to the hotel), but the groom had a cold. He was so conscious about it throughout the entire ceremony that we just had to laugh about it. He even mistakenly used the priest's handkerchief to wipe his nose. Thankfully, the priest was my uncle. Later on, I learned, that he wasn't able to sleep well the night before.
Eat before going to church. Its true what they say, that you might not be able to eat on your own wedding reception. Before, Babe and I swore that we won't care what anybody says, we will eat on our reception. We won't pass up on all that good food we have paid for. But on the wedding day, its different. While waiting at the car, the waiter already served us the cocktail food. Everything looked yummy! We tried to eat some, but then when we heard our emcee's voice calling out the names of our entourage, we knew we also had to stop eating and get ready. When we got to our table, picture taking began and as we wanted everyone to feel part of the programme, we went table hopping and mingled with all our guests. By the time we got back to our table, we were served with the most beautiful plate of all mouthwatering dishes. We tried to eat, but our friends came up with a really good programme that we were so preoccupied with it, and when you're up there, you really can't think of anything but what is happening around you, people taking chances to have their photos taken with you. And of course, you'd do anything to make their efforts of going to your wedding well worth it. The food was right in front of us, but we barely touched it. After the reception, we had packed food for us at the hotel. But we were both tired and in a state of shock and happiness, that we forgot all about it and ended up bringing it home with us. If there was anything I regret about the whole wedding, its that we weren't able to eat the sumptuous feast that we have prepared. Everyone said that the food was great. And we could only smile. Brides out there, if you're still not done with the food-tasting, be sure you make the most out of it. don't just taste, EAT! Or else, you'll be having a monstrous craving afterward, just like I do now =(
Break-in your shoes at least the night before. I started walking in my shoes the whole night before. Strutting, trying to run and dance with it. And even though I kinda felt silly, I'm still glad I did. Saved me from an embarrassing experience of tripping from it.
For the sake of the wedding pictures. If you feel like crying, go do it. Holding back will make you look like you are sneezing in pictures. I was blessed that our photographer reminded me of this. I didn't bawl out, but just freely let the tears flow. That's the whole purpose of a touch-up anyway. It saved me from having a lot of awkward pictures.
If you have personal vows, practice reading it before you go to church. You will feel confident reading it in public right after.
Finally, and what might seem like the whole point of this blog entry, just relax! Remember that despite all the hangups and setbacks and epic fails that you will see right in front of you on your wedding, what matters is that you have your groom with you and after this will be a lifetime of togetherness. I've been there. The worst thing that can happen is it not happening. But it is. So when you're there, breathe and relax. Everything's under control. The moment the doors opened for me and I stepped inside the church, the main vocalist in our choir, singing my entrance song was out of key. He went on and on off-pitch. But instead of me throwing a fit about it, it made me laugh. And I saw my groom's face and he didn't care. He was looking at me, crying. We couldn't care less. From being just a far-fetched dream, our wedding was turning into a reality. The church's coordinator was ruining the moment by telling me to kick underneath my wedding dress as it was long and it was keeping me from gliding. She was irritating, but I didn't care. When I met my groom, he joked about kicking the coordinator instead. And then I knew, we were there as ourselves. We were off to a good start. I am a worrier. Admittedly, I worry more than half the people I know. But on my wedding day, I did what I thought I could never do - I relaxed. And as far as I can remember, there wasn't a moment I didn't like about my wedding day. I'm the happiest bride I know :)

So I guess that's it. I don't know for sure if what I wrote will help you, but for me it did. And I can only hope for the best for you, pretty bride to be. Be fearless. Trust in the Lord. Trust in the love of your fiancee, the love of your family and friends that they will be the best for you on your wedding day. Trust in yourself, that you did and can do whatever there is to be done. I've been there. This OC, overly anxious, clumsy, scatterbrained, laidback dreamer bride has made it. I'm sure you will too. ;))

love, Cams

The Scare

2010-07-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

A week before the wedding, Babe and I agreed that we would not be seeing each other until the day itself. To spend more time with our families and to build up on the excitement. From the time we parted on our last night, we really held up to our deal, and even if we were at the same places (happened many times), with the help of our friends, we managed to not see each other despite close calls.

But of course, being the OC bride that I am, I gave him his schedule on the day, and reminded him of the time he should leave from the hotel and proceed to the church. I had a different plan for him on how to spend his last days as a single guy, but I let him be. Especially since the whole gang (the boys) were already at the hotel the night before. They were doing the programme, taking care of the details, while watching the Finals of the NBA series Lakers vs. Boston Celtics on the morning of the wedding. I was already in relaxed bride mode, so I trusted him and our friends that everything was under control.

We were calling and texting in the morning, but after lunch, it was crazy busy. There were so many people in our suite and as soon as I got dressed, the pictorial started. Time flew by so quickly and before I knew, it was three o'clock, and we needed to go down and head to the church. The photographers and our coordinator-friends made sure that we wouldn't see each other on the way down to the hotel, so they told me to wait until Babe has already left the building. I was even left with one of the videographers for a few minutes, until we heard that the groom has already left and we can already go down.

And so we were there at the lobby, which was really small, it would be impossible for us not to see each other in case he's still there.

So I was sitting there with my parents, waiting for our car that would bring us to the church. And then I noticed. His friends was still there, his family was still there. I specifically told him that they should be at the church by 3pm.

But more than that, I realized, if they were still all there, to whom did the groom ride with on his way to the church? And then I noticed, they were all going up and down the building. His best men were still there with their wives. I saw his parents, his mom greeted me and said I looked beautiful. So... if the groom was not with the people that he was supposed to be with, then, WHERE IS THE GROOM?!

I started to panic, as they were all asking each other where Babe was. Each of them thought he was with the other. They said they left him at the car to wait, as they picked up the other friends, but when they got to the car, he wasn't there, and the key wasn't there. So they lost the groom. Our on-the-day coordinator, who is also one of our closest friends, must have noticed that I was aware of what was happening. She came up to me and reassured me that everything was under control. I managed to smile, but nervous drops of sweat trickled down my face.

What followed could have been the longest 10 minutes of my life. I was worried about Babe. For a few minutes, I contemplated on whether he has gotten cold feet. Did he change his mind and run away? But I know Babe won't do that. He's not a coward and he loves me. And then, I thought, what if something bad happened to him? What if he was kidnapped as part of an insensitive joke? What if he was abducted(yes, me and my crazy imagination)? In my mind, I was already praying... "Lord, as long as he is safe..." and I was already starting to tear up. But I knew it would ruin my makeup and we don't want any more delays now, don't we? So I just continued to pray.

And then after what has been a nervewracking moment for me, they found him. At the empty lot beside the building. Contemplating. Sure and ready as ever. And I uttered a prayer of thanks. They made their way to the church and soon after, we did too. I was happy again :)

At the church, when it was finally my turn to walk down the aisle, I saw my groom, the love of my life, teary eyed as he approached me. The look on his face was priceless.

When we were walking, I also broke into tears. I told him that he scared me a while ago, when he was nowhere to be found.

Later on, I learned that he didn't know people were looking for him. Our photographer, Sir Jeff, told him to hide, as I was already on my way down. He didn't have time to tell any one of his companions where he was going. He was hiding in the bushes. Typical Babe. Doing what was unexpected, not knowing that I was going crazy and being upset. But I love him, even when he's like that. And typical me. Worrying about him, even when there is no need to. And he loves me, because I'm like that.

The Aftermath...

2010-07-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

No, there wasn't such a thing in our wedding such as an aftermath, except maybe for the migraine I had the day after. And the funny sight of my husband removing the dozens of hairpins in my head on our wedding night. I swear, that moment was priceless. When he told me that I should have called on our close female friend (who was also staying at the hotel) to help me remove the pins on my head. It was really taxing for a guy, but he did it lovingly. His first duty as a husband.

It was a great experience, being married. After the ceremony, Babe and I were in cloud nine. We relished the feeling of being the stars of the night, and of course, finally, we are one and we can be together as much as we want. The love of our friends and family, and our love for each other was eminent that day.

It was a wonderful feeling, being a bride. I felt like a princess, a goddess, and a little girl and a grown woman rolled into one. I have been preparing for that day for so long, and I have been wanting to be a bride ever since, and when that moment came, the feeling was great, and knowing that it was real was even greater. I wasn't daydreaming anymore. It was happening.

And now that we're done receiving and opening gifts, now that the greetings and messages stopped pouring in on Facebook and I have finally replied to almost everyone, after the lovely honeymoon, now that Babe is back to the Middle East for work and I'm also back to work and back to my homebase, now that my beautiful, beautiful wedding dress is in the cleaners for a rather expensive dry cleaning, I realized that, I am no longer a BRIDE, but now a WIFE.

Being a bride was an experience I will forever treasure. And maybe, on our 2oth anniversary and if we are still in a good place, I will wear my wedding dress again and Babe will marry me again. But it won't be the same of course. It was great while it lasted. Epic even. But now I have to move on to the next chapter.

Now that I'm no longer a bride, I'm thinking it's time to close this blog and start a new one when we have settled down. Time to start writing again on my Desperate Housewives covered journal. It only seems right to do that.

So is this goodbye?...

Not without me sharing everything I can about the wedding. This blog, some readers and mostly writing has helped me a lot throughout this journey. To clear my mind, be reminded of the steps I need to take, to help me ease up and laugh about everything that happened. So in a few days, you'll see the end of this blog, but I'm not heading out without a bang. As you know me as a master of long reads, I will be posting a series of blog entries about different aspects, moments and experiences that I had on the wedding day. It just won't fit in one blog entry. Some tips that might help other bride-to-bes. Or just true stories to make you laugh and pretty much relax, as the wedding preparations can be quite a hassle.

Before, I've shared that I love looking at wedding photos and onsite videos of other beautiful brides. I know, I've had too much wedding porn, but come to think about it, it really helped me in my preparations, gave me beautiful ideas that were put to use for the concept of the whole wedding, and showed me what to expect on my wedding day. I used to admire the real brides that I saw on pictures and videos, I was in awe of how radiant and glowing they all were. And looking at them too much, the vibe must have gave off on me. Or it must be my husband's love, but I sure felt like a radiant and glowing bride that day. Like the ones I've seen in pictures. So who am I not to share? I owe it to this blog, and all the bridal blogs I've read, to impart what happened, on the party, on the big event, on the joyous and special moment that is my wedding day. It's quite a task, but there's nothing a bride can't do.

So much for the long read. The series of my farewell Cams the bride wedding posts comes after this.

Here is Camille, CAMS, the bride

2010-07-06T18:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you Lord! Finally! :)

The day wasn't perfect, it wasn't a perfect wedding, but I wasn't a perfect bride. But it was a beautiful day. It was a beautiful wedding, and I felt beautiful. I was a beautiful blushing bride, because I was myself on that day. More than Cams the Bride, it was Cams, the giddy, overly romantic, laidback and sensitive Cams, marrying the love of her life.

two months to go...

2010-04-18T07:32:00.000-07:00

Cams is still Cams the bride. Nothing much has changed. And I think I have come to terms with it.

Tried on my wedding gown and its not perfect yet, there's still so much to do despite the fact that we started preparing since January of 2009.

Yesterday, I already booked our suppliers for the rings and invitations. And I met with our closest friends who we asked to take care of the church ceremony on the day of the wedding. Today, I went with my brothers to the tailor to have their suits made. And then we went to Cubao Expo and had my wedding shoes customized.

People have been asking me nonstop about the wedding preparations, and as always, I try to keep a straight face. Partly because, I don't wanna give away too much information about the wedding, it would ruin the excitement for everyone. And, I try not to be too stressed out and affected by what other people say. So on the outside, it may appear that I'm just taking a chill-pill, but if you know me better, on the inside, I'm already jumping up and down and screaming with excitement.

I always tell my sister that she's been sleeping a lot despite the never-ending projects and assignments she has for school. But when I think about it, I'm the one with a ticking clock and with the big day coming so soon. So I'm wondering why its so easy for me to be falling asleep every night when there's an endless checklist in my mind that I have to work on day and night. Everything will have to take place in the next few weeks and I need to check as much to-dos as I can before the one-month countdown begins. Why am I able to doze off easily? Maybe its because its busy and hot during the day that I can't help but retreat to the comforts of my bed at night.

Normal? Maybe, but not for an OC-bride like me. I keep thinking that now should be the time that I'm not gonna be able to sleep every night as I obsess on every detail about the wedding. That every day I could cross out an item from my mental checklist of sorts. When I'm in-charge of an event, the sleepless nights usually come really close to the date. That when effortlessly I can pull an all-nighter. But it's my wedding day, and as I'm planning to be a relaxed and graceful bride, I don't wanna have to do that. I wanna be able to chill and let go of all preparations at least three days before the event.

So what do I do now? I need to stop channeling all my energy to sleeping and really try staying up late to work on things I need to work on, details I need to fix and finalize. All this while still working during the day. I need to be less lax and be more hyper about it. Ever had the feeling that outside, you appear to be relaxed and calm and collected and graceful about everything, but on the inside, your jumping up and down, dancing and running around, your head and your heart is bursting with excitement and everything's pretty nerve-wracking? That's what I have been feeling right now. I'm insane I know. Camille is not Cams without CRAZY. I don't know if I need this relaxed mode to keep my sanity (otherwise, people seeing me running around and being so looney about the preps would be so disturbing, they might know I'm actually crazy) or I need to unleash my inner Road Runner/Tazmanian Devil at this point so that I may finish everything in time for our one-week relaxation period.

Can you believe how time went by so quickly? :) Grabe... but despite all the things that I still need to do, I'm still all for pulling the days so that our wedding day would come and we would finally be married! =))

Oh well, I'll try to blog as often as I could, but more than that, I need to work on more tasks and cross things out my checklists. Pray for me.

Three months into the wedding...

2010-03-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

And I'm still me.
Happy-go-lucky, scatterbrained, OC me.

I'm still not the person I imagined myself becoming when I'm getting married. The radiant, soft-spoken, well-mannered bride. Nope, still no sign of that girl. The girl-next-door, poster girl, dreamy bride every girl wants to be. Maybe she's not showing up for this wedding.

I may have become a bit tougher and wiser, but I'm still me. I still feel the same things, I still want the same dreams. I still laugh wildly at the same stuff and get pissed for the same reasons. I still make the same mistakes, unintentionally :(

I am a bit nervous that I still haven't changed. If I was the awkward ugly duckling in this story, this would be the perfect time transform into the beautiful swan - in time for my wedding. But what if I don't? And I still end up being me on my wedding day? Can this Camille pull of an amazingly beautiful wedding without ruining everything with her clumsiness? Can she walk down the aisle gracefully as she pictured in her head?

But amidst all that, in a way, I'm also relieved. That Babe gets to marry ME. The Camille in all her quirks and imperfections. The ME that he loves, and the Camille who's equally crazy about him. And just because of that, I realized I wouldn't wanna be anyone else but ME. :)

Our wedding reception moodboard :)

2010-03-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Mamma Mia, let me count the ways...

2010-02-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

I just saw Mamma Mia on HBO last night, and I was reminded again of how crazy I was about the movie. It's my one of my all-time favorites. I can watch it over and over and sing-along at the top of my lungs. But aside from the singing and dancing and the handsome actors and actresses and the fact that its shot in Greece, my dream destination, I guess its close to my heart because it was the first movie that I got pegs of what I want for our wedding. It's homey and personal, exactly how I wanted our wedding to be. No offense to other brides, but I'm not really the type who wants a princessy wedding, the kind where you will be drifted off to dreamland. I want the start of our life together to happen in a place where I'm home, in a place that's real to me. And I want to be surrounded by people that I love and I want them to be involved in this. I want to get ready in my parent's house, I want to ride in my father's car, I want to make our entourage personal gifts and give them handwritten notes, I'm sentimental like that. That's exactly how I saw Sophie's wedding in Mamma Mia.

So, enough talking, how about I show you some pictures of my favorite scenes and my pegs from this movie.

This movie was filled with colors that I love. Blushing pinks and ocean blues and of course, white. Pink and blue is part of our color motiff. I initially wanted a summer beach wedding, but we're not having one. I'm still happy though that we're kind of getting a soft vibe on it. Summer 2008, is the time that I got engaged, so its maybe why this movie really registered to my brain so quick.

I love the beach. I love water. We're getting married in thecity, but we have a pool in the reception. :) Don't you just love her kind of messed up hair, barely there makeup and flowy dress? I want a relaxed, laidback feel for my wedding look. Plus the flowers are gorgeous.

Mamma Mia, obviously, is a mother-daughter story. Father of the Bride, Meet the Parents, I wonder why movies want to focus on the father-daughter story. I'm close to my dad, but I think in my family, no one is more affected about my wedding than my mom. She cried when they found out I'm getting married, and growing up, I was really her "buntot." I'd go with her to the supermarket, her other errands, and just be with her as much as I can. Some girls aren't comfortable spending too much time with their mothers... I'm not that kind of girl. She'll tell me things she won't tell my other siblings, probably because I was the "mature one." Funny that Mama's also throwing a big party on the month of our wedding. She's turning 50 and she thought that would be a good excuse to throw a party. Just so she can invite other friends and relatives that I won't be able to invite for the wedding. No matter how independent and strong-headed I am, my mother can still save my ass at the end of the day. So I loved that this movie highlighted the mother-daughter bride angle. Even if they were always argue, in the end, Sophie still runs to her mom on her wedding day.

Friends and family aren't merely guests in our wedding. They will all have a special part. And when I dress up, I want my best girls to be there up until I reach the church. The bridesmaids' flowy dresses are beautiful. This is the scene where Sophie rides a donkey while her friends walk on the way to the church. Sophie was not a diva on her wedding day. Sure, she felt special, but she felt real. I want to be like that. I don't expect myself to be perfect on my wedding day. But I want to be perfectly happy... to be me. And although I'm not the most beautiful bride who ever walked the face of the earth, I want to feel special, and giddy, and excited. To be marrying the love of my life.

And of course, the passionate love affair. Sophie and Sky are so hot together. While I wish I can be as sexy as her, I can only settle for a groom that loves his bride the way Sky loves Sophie. And that I have from Day 1. Babe loves me a lot, he went out of his way to give me the wedding that I'm dreaming of. Weddings for me are not just commitments and formalizing unions, it should first of all, include hardcore, against-all-odds, passionate love. The kind where you are truly inseparable; the can't help falling in love type. Its that genuine look in each others eyes and knowing that life would truly be worth-living only if you can have this person in your arms. I've been with Babe for five years and although we have grown a lot and our relationship has hit its mature stages and people also think us getting married is the most sensible thing to do, everyday I know that I'm still as head-over-heels, crazy in love with him just like I was in Day 1. If I had to go through it all over again, I would still be perfectly happy. Because its him.

So yeah, I love that movie. And yay, bits of our concept and design layout will sort of resemble scenes from the movie and that was a pretty welcome coincidence. I know my real wedding will be as fun and unforgettable as this reel one. Even more. Well, that's coming soon :)

our gentlemen will be wearing...

2010-02-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

SUITS from Onesimus.

Bragging? Not really. Just feeling good. After months of searching, tracking down possible options, going to different places to look for good deals and arranging the schedule and measurement of the guys, we just walked out of the Onesimus Factory Outlet earlier this afternoon carrying a bunch of swanky suit bags.

Okay, so two fittings with my entourage,two factory outlets and one heated encounter with a distasteful donya-donyahan customer later, I'm happy to share that our male entourage (most of them, at least) will be wearing their Onesimus suits to our wedding.

Its unbelievably priced lower than the famous Kamuning. The lowest quote I got there was 3500 for the coat and pants, I got it from Onesimus for almost P3,100 plus the quality, in my opinion, is a lot better.

Side-kwento, looking for suits for the male entourage and fixing their schedule was tougher than what I experienced with the girls. Women kasi look forward to going to designers and talking about dresses. Men are not into fittings, but when they take the time, they're very meticulous. Sobrang na-stress ako dun, but with the help of the wonderful Onesimus staff, I enjoyed the experience. It was a great way to bond with the guys as well. I'm so excited to see them in their Onesimus suits on our wedding day.

Being in the company of (mostly) men for the whole day though, kind of brought out the big eater in me... I ate rice twice today! That makes me so disappointed at myself, but being able to finally buy suits for the guys and making babe happy (I hope) is today's happy thought. Maybe even this week's happy thought. Scrap that though, I'm gonna have another beautiful day with a happy thought tomorrow (I might blog about it by then) until the rest of the week, and then on and on and on...:)

Can I tell you a secret?

2010-02-17T04:32:00.000-08:00

I look at other brides photos and wedding videos to keep me motivated.

Yes, even those brides that I do not know. and I do that everyday, or almost everyday when I have the time.

I am a bit picky though. Imagine if I would look at all brides and all websites all the time. I have several favorites. Websites of several local wedding suppliers. I am partial to those who talk candidly and lovingly about their couples.

Some of my favorites are Veluz Reyes' blog, Jason Magbanua, Mangored, 30-FPS, Phoeben Teocson, K by Cunanan, Cecilio Abad...and of course, Jeff and Lisa. Not all of them are my suppliers of course, but I like looking at beautiful gowns and gorgeous and happy brides captured on film, or in photos.

Why? Maybe because apart from those magazine brides, those perfect photos in the glossies, those brides let me know that its real... that everything we're working hard for, what we want, what we imagine, what we dream of, it really happens! So if it happened to them, it could definitely happen to me.

So I need to work... for that slender body, for that glowing skin, for that picture-perfect grin, for the wedding that I have always dreamed of. And if it takes overcoming an unbelievable schedule, stressful decision-making and an almost impossible budget, I will so willingly brave it.

Just so at the end of the day, I can look at all our wedding pictures and videos, and marvel at what I did for love. And when all the memories fade and looking at pictures and videos is the last thing on my mind, I'll know that one thing remains: the man of my dreams holding my hand forever and ever.

Booked our flights! :)

2010-02-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

YES!! :)

the resort and the whole trip's itinerary is still in the works, but their rates won't really change as fast as the airlines...

I'm so happy!! :)) will my true girl friends please get me tons of bathing suits on my shower party (if they're throwing me one)? :) and I will also need a rashguard :))

Another vanity post? Read it then tell me.

2010-02-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

Okay so its February.
Just a few months to go before the big day comes.

Yes, its the day that I might have been dreaming of for a long, long time - guilty as charged. Of course, when I think of my wedding day, I imagined myself to be as svelte and as beautiful as I can ever be. The terms radiant, blooming, effortless, chic, gorgeous and even goddess-like might have come up.

Okay, I may have a bit too much high regard for myself. My parents brought me up telling me I'm beautiful, which has been reaffirmed by some third party like relatives and friends. So I might not have gotten over that.

Lately though, I have been feeling like I look like crap. Should I blame it on the hormones and the lack of exercise? I don't know. Its just that I'm supposed to be radiant already, but instead I look dull and tired. My main problem though, is my figure. I've put on so much weight that I could almost pass for a gay-bride. It's because I'm not the chubby type. I'm big-boned and bulky so I don't look cute like some plus-sized brides. I''m meant to be long and lean. So now I look masculine. Its so sad. I'm supposed to be at my prime, but at the look of it, it seemed like I've already let myself go.

I saw wedding pictures of a batchmate of ours on Facebook. She looked absolutely stunning and beautiful. I was so jealous. Well, she has always been one of the prettiest girls in the batch. Of course, we're way past that.

Its just that, when I look at other brides, they seem so radiant, so calm and collected. And I look at my reflection in the mirror - big face, double chin, facial hair and all, so I thought, am I gonna be the only awkward-looking bride in history? Will I be the first exception to the connotation that brides are the most beautiful on their wedding day?

NO. I should not let that happen. I'm fighting it. I claim that I will be beautiful on my wedding day. Come on, its not like a total makeover and transformation is required. I believe that I have the "goods", so there's really no need to pull off a miracle. I need to look better though; the best that I can be. If I have to work doubly, even ten times hard for it, I would. There's no surrender. I still have some more months to go. To lose two sizes, to have fairer skin; to load up on all that Vitamin C and E which will supposedly give me a radiant glow. And those skin products, I'll take all that I can; and to exercise as much as I can, at least three times a week. And I need to go back to boxing.

Why am I so into this? Well, aside from the fact that I have dreamed about this day for a long, long time so less than stunning is simply unacceptable, its because I'm marrying the man of my dreams. And for the longest time that we have been together, I have strived to be the girl in his. To be the best person, girlfriend, friend, partner that I can be - his dream girl. And our wedding day will sort of be the culmination, the affirmation that indeed, I am that girl. The girl he wished to be with for the rest of his life. The face that he will see when he opens his eyes in the morning. I want him to take one look at me and know, right at that moment, that he made the right choice.

Just yesterday, as we were discussing wedding preps over email, I realized that Babe was getting so anxious about the wedding budget. So I asked him why, and the next words he said just moved my heart from its very core: "Mahal na mahal kita Ming. I want you to be the star on our wedding day, at gagawin ko lahat para matupad yun." Those words alone, and the boxing match is over. I've already won first place, if life was a race.

When I walk in, I want people to think, even for a split-second, that Babe is the luckiest guy in the world for marrying me. And not that I'm this girl who just got lucky someone loved her enough to marry her at that state. Both are kind of true though. I'm lucky, he's lucky. We are both very blessed to have found our true love, at an early age, so they say.

I know thinking and talking about my appearance too much may sound so superficial, but really, I will only get married once. Is it so bad to want something that will give you great memories for the rest of your life?

When I'm old and wrinkly, I want to be able to look at my wedding photos and remember how I, beautiful and still in my prime, married the love of my life and lived happily together forever.

About the dress - somebody stop me! :P

2010-01-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

(January 12, while Babe is asleep)

I haven't told you yet how much I love my wedding dress... :))

If there's one aspect of the wedding that I have daydreamed about most, next to the groom of course, it would be the dress. I know, its the girly-girl in me. Long before I have been engaged, I was already dreaming about my wedding dress. I have sketched it many times; pictured in my head that long white dress, with a beautiful train, flowing with me as I walk down the aisle. You know how some girls have that wedding dress dream, some girls don't. I do. In fact, its one thought that relaxes me and puts me to sleep at night. What? It's a girl thing.

So, when did I know that Tito Dan would be making my wedding dress? Maybe during Kuya JB at Ate Tina's wedding, when I saw the bride walk down the aisle in a Dan Cadiz creation. It was simple yet stunning. Probably the most simple from him that I saw. But the bride was so confident and felt pretty in her wedding gown. That moment, I knew that there was no looking elsewhere.

Tito Dan and I have been kinda chatty for several years now since Mama, Kaye and I would always go to him when we are in need of a dress for events; Kaye's debut, her prom, my graduation, a relative's wedding, and all those years, he hasn't let us down. We just come up with the cut, a design, something simple we saw from a magazine or on TV, and he gives us something... bonggacious - sorry, there is just no suitable alternative for the word. What he makes for us is always prettier than we imagine. Sometimes we are taken aback by his boldness to create such a design for us, but he is always confident that we can pull it off. He treats us like his muses which is why I'm always comfortable with him and his designs.

Now about the design that he made for me... for this one particular dress that will be the culmination of all the gowns I had in my life.

So I showed Tito Dan a picture I saw in a magazine. Its a dress by Romona Keveza, an international fashion designer. Its really just simple but elegant and romantic. Girly but not princess-y. Or maybe it is somehow a princess dress, but not a Cinderella ballgown. So I explained to him what I'm visualizing (as a client, I'm very expressive on what I want, and keen on details): the cut, the color, the texture and weight of the fabric; the restrictions - not too low on the front (I don't want to get in an argument with Babe about it on our wedding day), minimal beadwork. Instantly after that, he sketched a dress for me. And it was beautiful. It's flirty, flowy, offbeat and romantic. It wasn't exactly how I pictured my wedding dress to be, but unexplainably, I was blown away.

It wasn't the dress I saw in my head a thousand times, but one look at it and I knew it was me. Maybe its not me in my constant state yet, but its the woman that I want to be. Its the dress I want to wear when I'm meeting the love of my life down the aisle. It was gorgeous and breathtaking. I loved it instantly and I'm so excited to see it come to life and wear it.

I know I just saw the initial sketch, but I already have a good, unshakable feeling about it. I know Dan Cadiz wouldn't disappoint. After all, he waited a long time for this, he said so himself. Which is why I'm very confident that it's gonna turn out beautifully.

Now that the arrangements for the dress have been made, I only have to work on the body, which should do justice to the dress. I need a leaner frame by mid-February or the end of February when I would be having my measurements taken. Like Tito Dan said, I'll get married only once, when all eyes would be on me. So I should do whatever is needed to look and feel beautiful on that day. Diet and exercise it is. I can do it, I know I can. All for the dream dress and my babe's face when he sees me walking towards him. See? the groom is always number one on my daydream list ;)

(Sorry, I can't post pictures of the peg and the sketch. I want it to be a surprise for most.)

City Hall visit - January 4

2010-01-21T17:07:00.000-08:00

(wrote this in Hillsborough Court, while Babe is playing basketball with our friends)

We went to the City Hall this morning to inquire about getting a Marriage License at the Civil Registry. As I expected, we weren't able to apply because it's still not within the four-month validity. We have to prepare the documents though in time for Babe's arrival in May, then we can apply.

There wasn't much action there and we were even out of the City Hall in 15 minutes, but well, doing or taking care of the legal requirements kinda says "This is It" for me. This wedding is really happening. It's like Babe's saying "Sure na!" in a game show and whether he wins or loses, he'll stand by his answer. He's ready to spend the rest of his life with me, and we're getting some papers to prove it. Yay! :)) It makes me feel giddy and super excited for another great life. More happy days ahead!

Pamamanhikan

2010-01-21T10:07:00.000-08:00

January 3 was our Pamamanhikan! :)

It was, if I could say so, the easiest, lightest pamamanhikan in Philippine history. I was even nervous the night before, because of all the horror stories our friends told us about the dreaded event. But our version would probably be the lightest, most stress-free version of the tradition.

My meeting with Babe the night before the event was even more serious than the event itself!

It was fun, the food was great, the conversation was light. My parents were such gracious hosts! Papa tried to chat up every single member of Babe's family, which is a big deal, because usually my dad just goes down for a while then stays in his office every time there is a party in the house. But he sat there and talked to them while the dining room was being set. Of course, Mama made each one very comfortable like she always do. Babe's family was quiet, but very pleasant. They were on time and very well-prepared.

When the food was ready, we all proceeded to the dining area to have lunch. Papa led us all into prayer. It was short but really good. What do you expect? I got my impromptu speech and writing skills from him.

After lunch where we everyone casually chatted, Babe and I called the meeting to order. Its so like me to call everyone to their places so that we could get the agenda moving. As to be expected from this O.C. Bride, we prepared a script that I asked Babe to discuss. And as to be expected from my ever-charming groom, he brought the laughter to the table. The talk about the wedding was brief; I guess its because almost everything has been taken cared of (by Babe and I) and they didn't have to worry about anything. Plus the fact that we have a mind of our own and they don't have much say about the matter. It helped that they were all open-minded too. As long as we're happy, everybody's happy. I hope everyone had fun.

My brothers sure did. At first they were shy around Babe's family, but they loosened up eventually, even oversharing about me. All my silly quirks, my embarrassing habits, all exposed for Babe's family. They even said that they already traded me for Babe's PS3 games and a controller. In my defense, Papa said some good things about me as well, but mostly about their happiness that I was bringing a good man into the family. More embarrassing stories about me and more praises for Babe. Hahaha.

What made me happiest though is that Babe came very well-prepared. I saw three or four long-sleeves in the car, because he might need to change into something more formal. He arrived later than his family because he bought flowers for me. Its because it was our fifth anniversary; we celebrated it by having the pamamanhikan. I loved that he bought me flowers. It was really sweet , because even on our fifth year when we have gotten so comfortable with each other, he still knows what will make my day and he made an effort to make me smile. I love him to pieces. How did I get so lucky? :)

And so, with that tradition done and they have formally asked for my hand in marriage, we're even more excited for the big day and our family shares that excitement with us. :)

I know, its been a while...

2010-01-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

This is me, re-writing.

What's my excuse for not updating this blog in a while? I know you've been hearing 'its pretty busy' a lot from me lately, but that is really the reason I'm not able to update this blog as much as I want to.

After finishing my project with work, I went on directly to being the best sister and daughter and friend that I could be: went with my sister for errands, Christmas shopping; it was a long list we needed accomplished before Babe arrives. And when he did, busy became me. I was with him almost 24/7, trying to get things done for the wedding. And making the most of his vacation here: trips to the dentist, dermatologist, physician, basketball games, out with friends, with family, out of town trips, visiting friends, buying stuff, pamamanhikan, etc. Of course, there were the holidays Christmas and New Year, and the birthday streak here in the Labayen household.

I'm catching my breath just now, after he left... and while looking for a part-time job at the same time. It's been a great month though, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The good news is, I can finally go on full-blast with the wedding preps! :) Yaaay!!

And, while I was "on-leave," my parents got me a journal that I can bring with me anywhere. Of course, I was only able to write on it after the pamamanhikan, and you'll never guess where I do most of my writing. In basketball courts while Babe is playing basketball, or when he's still asleep in his room. I was THAT preoccupied when he's with me and he's up. I loved every bit of it though. I know I'm liking having the free time now, but I would rather have him close to me while I write.

Anyway, here are some bits about the wedding that I wrote on my journal. I'm so excited to re-write the part about my wedding dress! :))

Here is Cams the bride, and she's back on blogspot!

Learnings on Ondoy

2009-10-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

This blog was supposed to be just about why I needed to wait for a week before I can buy a particular magazine of wedding inspirations. But then Ondoy came and devastated Manila, and then the wedding magazine became the last thing on my mind. I couldn't even talk about the wedding for sometime. It seemed insensitive and untimely to be talking about such a joyous celebration when you know people firsthand, who have been badly affected by the storm.

When I first saw and heard about it on the news, I was heartbroken. To actually hear about stories of people drowning and dying in the flood, or getting lost; families couldn't get in touch with each other and people need to go up to the roof to be rescued. Even when they have second floors. I never imagined that happening in Manila and even if it was already happening, I couldn't believe it. It was so surreal.

The ultimate conflict I was battling with was trying to figure out a way to help out. Each time an opportunity arises when I can donate to charity, volunteer for a cause and help the needy (in a legal way), my heart always skips a beat. I used to want to become a social worker. Its even natural that I fell in love with the most generous guy in the world, he makes me feel like a slacker in that area. Its just that, in my entire life I feel that I have been so blessed, continuously being blessed. How can I not share these blessings to others when everyday, an overflowing supply comes to me? So in a time like this, it felt like an instinct to go and reach out, and offer my time to volunteer. But alas, I was caught up in the whole corporate jungle. I had a deadline for my project at work and it needs most of my time to be able to complete it. So while my mom was cooking pansit to give to friends and families whose houses were badly hit by Ondoy, my dad and brothers were joining rescue operations, and my sister was doing volunteer work in the many relief operations area around the metro, I was either at home, stuck in front of the computer, trying to complete materials for a project, or in the office, working as usual. Two members of our team were also affected by the storm, and my boss was sick, so I had to be a team player and take on some work, stay in the office. More than anything though, my heart longed to be out there, helping and doing something relevant. Anyway, I managed to help out in my own little way as I was restless until I felt that I did my part.

And so... with the calamity that was Ondoy, and the scare that was typhoon Pepeng, I had some realizations. I know, by now, most of us have learned a thing or two because of this. I just wanted to share mine in this forum because as brides slash future (or present) homemakers, we need a firm grasp of what's important and valuable. Kinda basic, and we should all know them by now, but here they are anyway:

When you're single, its easy to just go through life without a care in the world and take it one day at a time, but I realized that when you get married and (soon) become a mom, you will need to do so much more than exist. You need to know the proper values to teach your kids; you need to learn to lead by example. I am so much prouder and more appreciative of my mom now as I realize how much time I have left under her care. 'Charity begins at home is so true' and she is a clear manifestation of that. She always encourages us siblings to give more, be more generous with each other and those who aren't as fortunate. Same with my dad. He is not indifferent and he would extend our home, our possessions to people who need it. Growing up, we saw them devote their time, talents and treasure for worthy causes. I'm not trying to brag, but I think they did a pretty good job in instilling the value of giving to us. So while other friends and relatives were worried about their farms and pets in Farmville and Fish World (no offense to those who are into these, but really?! in times of calamity and other people are stranded and hungry?!), my siblings and I are in search of ways to be able to help, volunteer and assist those who are in need. Just like charity, apathy begins at home too. So before you dream of making and raising kids, think if you already have the right values to teach them. Do you want your kids to have the same character as you? If you're not yet sure, please do not "go forth and multiply" just yet.

Note on giving: if you have an item in your closet that has been sitting there for more than a year, then it's not your property anymore. It's charity's. You are merely keeping it for the person who would have better use of it than closet-filler. With my hectic sched at work, getting clothes out of my closet was really the best I could do. Given how much of a packrat I am, I have clothes that I kept since my early college days, hoping I would slip back to my college girl body and wear those clothes again. But then, when my friend told me about this sermon she heard from the priest (one of the few times she was actually listening in mass), it was an eye opener. I realized, I have been keeping those clothes for so long thinking I "could" wear them again. But I know I won't. What, will I just keep them there til God knows when? While there are some girls out there who literally have nothing else to wear. So along with my sister, I took a good look at all our clothes and, with eyes half-closed, decided to give away those clothes that are still good, but we don't use anymore. Yes, you actually learn what giving is all about until it hurts. It's hard to part with old clothes, possessions you have had for years. You know when most girls are into shoes, some girls are into bags, I am most of a clothes-person. Memories about how happy I was when I got them, or how good I felt when I wore them keeps replaying in my mind. But am I gonna let that hold me back from putting a smile in another person's face? It was kinda sad to let go of that perfect pink top that I bought years ago, probably the nicest pink top I have ever had, but, in my head, I see a sigh of relief from girls who may just have found the perfect pick-me-upper that she badly needs. Anyway, the feeling was great...priceless if I may say. And I now have more room for new clothes, and a chance to update my wardrobe ;) and with the truckload of blessings that keep coming, I know a new perfect pink top will get to me soon :)
But as much as we can give away and get rid of anything we want, we also need to learn to value the things we have and see if we really need to acquire new things. With the Ondoy calamity, I have been reminded of the value of money. I always say, "I need a new top, new shoes, stuff for my room, etc." But come to think of it, they aren't really needs. They are just wants I turned into needs. I look at my current office clothes, shoes and bags and I see that they're still okay. A bit worn-out, but still wearable and functional. No need to buy new stuff just yet. Because the amount that I spend on those little things that I claimed I needed can be spent helping out those who lost all their possessions. Also, we should learn to value every single thing that we have. Use them properly, maximize them. We can't bring them to our grave, we can't have them forever; sooner or later they will just disappear and we're lucky if they won't be washed out by a flood. Lets enjoy them while they last.
I have never been so proud to be a Filipino. Smiles, unity and heroism in spite of the tragedy. Only in the Philippines.
Family is the most important. I'm grateful that all of my relatives were safe during the storm. You can acquire new furniture, a new car, new house, but a family is irreplaceable.
Most of all, keep the faith. PRAY. In the face of fear and panic, prayer calms us. It gives our minds clarity and peace, even for a short period of time. Its easy to believe all the doomsday talk with the series of tragedies happening, but it will not help, lest we become more anxious and afraid. Its funny how people go to church and hear mass and say they trust the Lord, but when difficulties arise, they forget all about the goodness of God. He is our creator, master of the universe, and He is our Father. Even logic concludes that a father who loves His children will not take away something from them, especially if He created it for them. Its just impossible in my book. We are loved, and the Lord is a faithful God. He is king over the flood. He's all over the place. Just be still; have faith.

These are just some of my learnings. It may be little teachings, but its a big deal if we try to live by it everyday. I hope, that I continue to acquire these lessons, even on ordinary and beautiful sunny days that lie ahead :)

Post on my wedding preps to follow soon, I wish ;)

Last Birthday on Single Status

2009-09-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

So last September 12, I turned 24. This age is not usually a milestone age for most people, but this pitstop for me, is kinda special because it is considered my final birthday as a "single lady." At first, even I can't believe that I will be a missus on my next birthday. Time does fly so fast. Anyway, this birthday was different from the rest, because usually my birthdays are quiet and celebrations are in the form of a simple dinner with the family in any of my favorite restos (I always prefer it that way), or a sleepover with my girlfriends (with soft tacos, cake and ice cream); I always try to cook for my guests. This year, since, its my last single birthday, we all made a conscious effort to take the bash a notch higher.

I thought it would be great to welcome my birthday by party-ing (I'm using the word party as a verb, what the heck) the night away with my homegirls. You know, "Get down and go out and just lose it all" as expressed in Black Eyed Peas' new single. Since next year, I will be responsible to someone, for someone and that someone will responsible for me. It was my last chance to be as carefree as I wanted on my birthday. The idea pleased my party-loving brothers and suggested that I throw some sort of celebration on a club, with more friends than usual. But I still didn't wanna let go of a traditional birthday dinner with my family, since they are really the ones I'd like to spend my birthday with. So it was decided that the "night-out" would happen the night before my birthday, to welcome my special day with a bang.

Meanwhile, since it will be my last birthday living with my family, my mom has decided to skip the usual intimate dinner and throw me a simple birthday party at home, inviting our relatives and close friends. I let her plan everything this time because despite the fact that we're having the party catered and with more guests than last year, it was a lot cheaper than my "simple" dinner celebration during my 23rd birthday in my favorite restaurant of all time (hey, I have expensive taste). And you know, its like a mom preparing for her kid's seventh birthday party... just this time, I'm turning 24 but it'll be her last time to throw me a birthday bash. So everything was set.

One of the reasons that I don't "celebrate" my birthday with all my friends is that, admittedly, I am not keen on blowing off that big amount of cash for just one day. I initially planned on just taking the girls out (because obviously, we don't drink that much) on a night at the club, but the guest list got bigger than I thought ( I only invited my closest friends through Facebook). Thankfully, I worked hard for that week (plus somebody gave me a really great birthday gift - cash) so I was able to get us a table in the VIP section. It was an awesome night. It was my first time though to be spending that big amount for a night out so I got kinda paranoid about it. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed it; danced the night away with girlfriends (high school and yfc barkada), reunited with a good friend, and basically watched my friends have a good time. I loved the fact that people close to me were there, all dressed up and game (even though it seemed like a really busy workday for all of us) just to welcome my birthday with me. There were instances in the night though that I longed of just chilling at home and chatting with my Babe. I then realized, that I really was not cut out for the "party every night" (or even every weekend) lifestyle. And it was great that I realized that on my birthday. It meant that I was ready to leave that phase of me behind, and move on to quieter birthdays at home with Babe.

During the night though, I loved seeing my bestfriend with her boyfriend. While I have been with the love of my life for almost five years now, it kinda took forever for Kups to find the man for her. I'm just happy that I'm leaving single country behind with Kups in good hands with her Wab. We are so over the night-out-to-meet-boys stage. I'm glad that although she's not on board the getting hitched route yet, she's getting there sooner, and with a suitable partner who seem really really in love with her. :) It made me really proud and contented to just sit there with them and bask in their kilig powers.

The night went well, and I did not go over the budget ;) thanks to my brothers who really looked out for me and put my best interests at heart. They made sure our budget was doing okay and that my friends were entertained with drinks in tow. I worried less around them.

I officially started my birthday though, by working. I literally breezed through it though, because although I just had a few drinks the night before, I still felt "hungover" because of lack of sleep. The photo shoot was great though, it was swift and I met another rich, old couple who seemed still very much in love with each other. The man was the President and CEO of one of the largest companies in the country, and the woman was also a business woman cum socialite. But in their lovely roofdeck condominium, they were just husband and wife, enjoying the rest of their years together. While the photographer we hired was taking pictures of them, I daydreamed that some years from now, Babe and I would reach that same level of stability (financially) and we'd still be so in love and we would still, unapologetically, call each other with our pet names around other people. I am amazed when I see couples like that. I had some weird notion that rich people marry other rich people for money or fame or position. But such was not the case for this couple, and it was so great to witness that on my birthday ;) True love is the joy of life.

When I got home, I was so tired I practically slept the whole afternoon.

When I woke up, I went to mass in the evening and then followed the dinner party at home. I had fewer guests than expected, just my closest relatives, but it was all good. I loved the fact that we had plenty of leftovers (takaw talaga eh) even after my mom distributed her goody bags (pabalot) to our visitors. Needless to say, I loved the food. I also had a great time with some of my guests. Some of them didn't make it, but it was fine. The night ended with me sleeping in my parent's room. Wearing Babe's benchwarmer jersey. It was exactly how I wanted my 24th birthday to end. I had no complaints.

Trying to sum it all up, I am happy with how my "last single birthday" turned out. It made me realize, that amidst fears or "unfinished" business or dreams that have not yet come true on my last birthday as a bachelorette, I am so ready for the M word. Throughout my birthday celebrations, I marvelled at the power of love through great couples - my bestfriend and her boyfriend, the rich couple in the photo shoot, my parents, and did I mention that two days before my birthday, I saw two of my favorite young married couples in the world (my photographers for our wedding, Jeff and Lisa, and my dear Auntie Cha and her husband Papa James who are expecting a baby girl)? As I approach the last few months of my singlehood, I stay positive and giddy about getting hitched. Everyday, people bombard me with how difficult the next phase is gonna be. And at times I really get paranoid about it. But I know love. I see it all the time. I believe in it. And it is the core of my very existence. So why should I be afraid? If anything, I'm super excited for my next birthday. I'm so looking forward to it - to be 25 and to spend the rest of my existence with the love of my life ;)

long time no blog...

2009-09-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

I just hate it when work gets in the way of blogging, and gets in the way of life...

Anyway, just a few months to go and I'll have more time on my hands, finally.

Wedding preps, doing good... Great, actually. Almost done with booking all the major suppliers.

Getting a bit nervous about the guest list. Seriously, I think its the hardest part.

So many things to blog about, really. But I have to get started on my post about my last birthday in single status =)

hopefully, you'll read more from me in the next couple of days...

my wedding day fashion lookbook :)

2009-08-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

Here it is :) I made it using Polyvore, yet I'm seeing a future dilemma because when I save the sets I made in Polyvore, they end up being so small in JPEG. I hope I find an easy way to enlarge them, as I want to print them out and give them to my designer.

Oh well, here it is. I hope you like it, as this will be the farthest you will get to getting a glimpse of my wedding day fashion look. I want it to be a surprise to most :)

Cams wedding fashion lookbook by camslab featuring Fiorelli bags

Another check on the supplier wishlist! Definitely not a Reject!

2009-08-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

Just this afternoon, I met with one of the most sought after and unexpectedly most humble of the suppliers that I ever met. Trust W@wies to give the most accurate and detailed feedback on a supplier. And in fairness, they hit it with this certain supplier so well! Everything they described about him was true! :)

Him being this small guy (not really small, he's not just that tall) who was unassuming yet very accommodating and reliable. After months of trying to set a meeting with this guy (I totally understand why he's so busy, everyone wants to get him as supplier!), we were finally able to finalize a schedule a few hours before the meeting. Hahaha. And so we had a casual and delightful discussion on the things I require from his team as this is such an important part of the wedding reception. I mean, this will really set the mood for the place.

Despite his unassuming presence, it was also obvious that he means business and he really knows what he's talking about. He's also realistic about what he can and cannot do. But so far, I think he was able to understand what we want and what's best about that, is that it's super affordable! I was expecting it to be one of the things that I would have to spend a lot of our budget on, especially since this supplier falls on the most wanted list for bride-to-bes. But I'm so amazed with his simplicity and his professionalism.

After I bombarded him with my questions which he so earnestly answered, and we discussed some more things about the lights and sounds, we agreed to a package rate that I really found so reasonable (I didn't even bother to haggle, I felt like doing so would rob him of his livelihood. I mean really, how affordable can his expertise get?) and it was off to signing a contract and giving a minimum down payment. And now I can finally breathe because we now have an esteemed and reliable lights and sounds (and LCD projector and 6ft x 6ft projector screen! Can you believe that?) supplier :))

Babe was pleased that I was able to book another good supplier at a surprisingly low cost. I mean, we really wanted moodlights for the wedding reception, and we're getting it! And its pretty affordable, really!:))

Now, do I even have to say the name of this oh-so-popular supplier? :) I'm sure you all know who I'm talking about :) Well, I can't wait to see our venue after he installed the moodlights and sounds all over the place. What puzzles me though is why he has the word Reject to his company's name when he most certainly is not. Hmmm...

And only for that today, I think I deserve a pat on the back :)

Talagang may K! - this post is not for the hungry

2009-08-10T23:39:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow blogging brides! and the rest of the world... hahaha. It's been a while. It was a rather busy month in the office. And it still is...

A lot has happened though with the wedding preps. Well, not a lot meaning I have accomplished a lot of things, because obviously, I can't seem to get my hands on that much preparations. But I say a lot, because I have a significant accomplishment and something (almost) monumental happened that ushered us into the next phase of the wedding preps. So, as I need to catch up on my blogging, I'll try to write several short entries as I can to keep you most updated :)

First off, let me share the good news that we are soon to be in the hands of a really credible and amazing caterer! Part of W@W Top Wedding Suppliers for 2008, great raves from my fellow W@wie sisters and highly recommended by Jeff and Lisa, our most reliable and brilliant photographers :) Okay, its no surprise to say that its the ever famous K by Cunanan.
Now, given our limited budget, it took me several push from other brides and just one look at their photo gallery to actually email them. As an events person, I know what our budget is and isn't capable of. So I was just being realistic and practical. But then, after our several correspondences via email, their AE, Lace was able to draft a customized, slightly cheaper (and sulit) package for us. :) And so I got my hopes up! If it took me a lot of convincing to give them a try, it took just one look at their photo gallery for Babe to decide that theirs was the perfect choice. And whose word do I only listen to when it comes to decisions?

So there, I scheduled a foodtasting and meeting with them on a Friday and I brought along Kaye, my sister and maid of honor, and Mama and Tita Beh, our future ninang :) Since things were pretty busy in the office, they had to fetch me from Rockwell (actually kanto ng Estrella kasi super traffic everywhere!) then we went straight to the place. I think we were 45 minutes late because of the traffic. On the way to Ms. Kaye's residence, they were getting impatient because of the long ride (from Las Pinas to Ayala Heights ba naman eh?!) and then my sister and mom kept telling me that the food better be good as they had to drive more than two hours to get to the place.

When we got there, we were amazed at the quaint beautiful house that stood before us. A waiter in uniform escorted us inside the house, and then there was young-looking Lace (who I kept calling Ms.Lace, but she looks younger than my sister!) who greeted us and ushered us to the table that was all set. After a while, another young and savvy-looking lady went out and introduced herself. She was the famous Ms. Kaye :)
Won't it be too taxing if I write about every great detail that happened in the food tasting? So I'll just let some of the pictures do the talking. What you need to know though is that we had the best time. I was always excited for my turn on the foodtasting, but I was always worried that I wouldn't like the food too much and we'd be disappointed. But for this one, my first (and last I believe), it was surely memorable. Ms. Kaye was a pleasure to meet with! She's so young yet she has extensive experience and well-respected in her field. My sister and I idolize her. Tita Beh found the connection with them because her late husband was high school friends with Ms. Kaye's dad. I even found my mom (who's very authoritative when it comes to food) agreeing to everything she says. I was hesitant to tell her the agreed package rate at first because she might just walk out the door, but at the end of the day, Mama was the one who convinced me to go for K by Cunanan, as they were really everything that I could ask for: hands on, creative, gives attention to details and very accommodating. Did I mention they serve really really great-tasting food? It was superb! Every dish they served passed our taste buds with flying colors! Well, needless to say, my mother knows me well.
K by Cunanan was a worthy addition to our dream team. If I was the type of bride who collected notable suppliers like they were trophies, K and her team would probably make it to top shelf. It makes me confident to know that she's on board with our (Babe and me, of course) concept for the wedding. I showed her the look I wanted for our reception which consisted of high-end flowers. And she willingly gave her version of the look we were going for. It was uber elegant and she didn't even mention about the price! I didn't even need to upgrade! Some caterers would have stressed on the kind of flowers that we were limited to have because of our budget. But not her. She just asked me what flowers do I not want to include. I talked to her about other ideas we thought of for the reception and she guided us with her wise words to make the idea work. Although, she was not like other caterers or AEs who seemed too authoritative and overpowering. She was simply elegant and talented.

The phrases "answered prayer," and "supplier-client perfect match" enter my head when I think about K by Cunanan. They were really, everything that we could ever wish for in a caterer.

With all this, I am just so blessed that Babe is the nicest groom-to-be in the world! I would say that getting K by Cunanan altered our budget in a major way, and it was the first time in this whole wedding preps that I felt Babe really grew worried about our budget. We almost became disheartened on the whole wedding preps. But we didn't fight. We dealt with it and chose to face the reality. I asked him several times if he was sure he was okay with getting K despite its effect on our budget. And he said he is. Maybe because he saw they were really good, or because he knew I secretly wanted K so bad. I love him for that. It's like long before the wedding, he's already fulfilling his promise to put me first before anything. I am, without any contest, the luckiest and most blessed bride in the whole wide world!

So on my part, I now have to be extra particular on the budget. I guess for the earlier part, I indulged in getting the suppliers that we felt were really great. Although their services are priced a bit more than we hoped to pay, I think it was still a good choice since they would really make our wedding memories special. And I honestly thought we were going to settle with the cheaper caterers and we'll have so much budget left for the others. Choosing K had a big blow on our budget, but it is one that we willingly take. We consider it part of that first phase in the preps were we indulged in those details of the wedding that are really important, and now, as I said, we are dealing with it. I'm more careful with our budget and more determined than ever to haggle to get the lowest possible prices for the other wedding details. Besides, if we have K as our caterer for our reception, I think the whole of our wedding will be able to pull of that understated elegant look :))

Okay, so I ended up writing more than I actually thought I would, but without further ado, here are the photos. Again, this post is not for the hungry. Enjoy:

words...

2009-07-16T02:23:00.001-07:00

a new artwork i made through polyvore. Just making the most out of my sickly time to do what i love...

words by camslab on Polyvore.com

testing lang :)

2009-07-16T01:08:00.000-07:00

Sharing my recent set from polyvore.com, this is kinda similar to my pre-nup photo look, that I will embed here, soon maybe :)

simple life2 by camslab featuring Diane von Furstenberg

A little less than a year to go - updates

2009-07-05T02:07:00.000-07:00

Oh well, how's the rest of the world doing?

Yours truly is doing great. Kind of slow-mo in the wedding preps, but after an almost fight with Babe, I decided to take things in stride and avoid being impulsive in doing things. I'm like the tasmanian devil of Looney Tunes when I'm excited. I can get a lot of things done when I'm on a roll, but some of them turns out unfinished and messy and I wish I never laid my hands on it. And some times, with the many things I try to accomplish, I tend to forget about them in the long run, and they are left hanging. So again, I'm trying to practice grace. Every decision needs to be well thought out, not hasty. And to pay attention to details. It's not a race, so I have to do it slowly but surely.

Its pretty hard, especially for me, a sucker for weddings. I know I can get it done in a jiffy, its not rocket science and most of the time, I trust my intuition that I know what I'm doing. But given my track record for some of the plans that were hastily executed, I really should start being more careful in making decisions. As it is, Babe is already being affected of the stupid mistakes I made (only because of several impulsive moves that I forget). In the future, my decisions will not just affect the two of us, but our kids. Our family. So I have to get it right, get it together as soon as possible. I don't want to screw up when it really matters.

Although, I realized I have to meet with the caterer and the lights and sound supplier soon, to get the best deals possible. Its great though that one of our close friends is really taking care of the drapings. We would just have to pay for the materials and the labor of their staff.

I guess, I really have to start putting together a "Wedding Folder" and make a timetable just to make sure I don't miss out on anything. And work on those lookbooks for the suppliers. Hmmm... but I'm also thinking, I'll have a lot of time to do that in September, when my contract from work expires. But, I shouldn't be procrastinating, so if I could start on something as early as now, might as well do it already (I always contradict myself, if you haven't already noticed).

In other news, I'm super proud of Babe! :) he has already saved up and even exceeded his share of our wedding budget :) I'm so happy. Not just because we already have the moolah to pay for everything that we need for the wedding, but because he really made sure he gets to have this certain amount at the earliest possible time even when his priority is money for the lot (house to follow). Between us two, I'm the one who's more excited for the wedding, but he managed to have this amount ready, so that I can go full force with the wedding preps. And it only means he's already excited to be married to me. What can I say? This man really loves me. (Super heartfelt smile :)) )

And then, there's my new dilemna. I thought I was dead set on my color motiff - aqua, fuschia and freesia (darker, mustardy shade of yellow), but the preppy dainty side of me is starting to come out more and more after I finished the moodboard for my wedding dress (see my previous blog entry for the picture). Now I'm thinking if I would switch to a more dainty, pastel motiff, which is light-bubblegum pink and aqua. But then, I don't want to seem too "weddingy" and when it comes to our personality as a couple, I'd say we're really more of the loud and proud side, not those shy perfect pastels. Aarrgh! I really can't decide! My sister slash Maid of Honor says I should just stick to the original motiff, yet the pink and aqua combo is just so pretty to pass on... Babe says he's okay with whatever. What do you think?

Kinda off-topic now, does anybody watch the new teleserye "The Wedding"? I'm super hooked! Not just because its about weddings, which I love next to Babe and writing, and especially, contrary to what others think, not because my biggest local celeb crush Zanjoe is playing lead opposite Anne Curtis. I'm not even that smitten with the plot, I mean, it needs improvement at some points, but I don't know. Might be the script, might be the acting, might be the characters they portray. I especially liked ZM as Marlon. His role there reminds me of a certain guy I call my fiancee. Hardworking, funny, brave, a little proud and undeniably in love with his girl. What-A-Catch. I was never into the rich guys who can get anything they want without working for it. The simple, determined, kind of naive guys seem to attract me more, and I'm just so lucky to have one who's also head over heels in love with me :) My favorite line from the show is "Sinong batas?" (by Zanjoe to Anne). Simple but so damn real. I love it that my Babe knows how to assert himself with me because admittedly, I'm kind of a brat and is used to having things my way. "Medyo sanay ka na utos ng utos... ayokong madala mo yun pag mag-asawa na tayo." Babe keeps me grounded. I'm not that much of a diva anymore because of him. And so, my weeknight schedule includes watching The Wedding before I go to bed.

Okay, enough blogging (or blabbing) for now :) hopefully, I'll write more wedding preps updates next time :)

my wedding dress mood board :)

2009-06-30T07:57:00.000-07:00

thanks to Polyvore and Adobe Photoshop, its finally here! :)

PART 2: A Year From Now...

2009-06-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

...I'm entering a new chapter in my life. Marriage.

Being the hardcore romantic that I am, I can say that I've dreamed of my wedding my whole life. Its the thought that calms me and puts me off to sleep at night like a lullaby. Sometimes, I feel like the wedding preps can go on like a breeze and that getting married is actually easy.

Now being married, that's a whole different level. Its a matter of life...until death. Its the gate to this whole new different chapter, a whole new reality. A whole new you, and a whole new him. What you are now as a couple might cease to exist when you enter marriage. Well, at least that's what they say.

It's building a family together, and raising kids and reaching dreams together. For most people, marriage is what defines what kind of person you will be ten, twenty, fifty years from now.

Yes. Marriage is a big word. But I'm not afraid of it. I always tell people that. That when other girls in their early twenties are just not ready to get hitched yet, I'm willing to make that jump head on. And its mostly true. I've seen how marriage is from my parents. There are days when they're so sweetI feel like throwing up, and there are days when they argue so hard but they just argue about family things, not really about them being incompatible. So I realized that problems are gonna be part of the picture, but when its with the person you want to be with for the rest of your life, problems can be an everyday thing yet you'll still have a ball.

Marriage takes work, but, I know, especially with my babe, that its absolutely worth it.

What I'm afraid of though, is several things that has nothing to do with me and babe. Leaving home, for instance. People who know our family will agree that we are just one of the wackiest, funnest family around. Tight-knit will be an understatement to describe us. They, along with my Babe, are my number one priority. We do almost everything together. Out of town trips, breakfast, dinner, going to mass. I've grown even fonder and closer with them when Babe went to work abroad and they were my constant dates. I wonder how it will be without them. I mean, from the start of our relationship, Babe and I consider Family Time and Family Day for our families sacred. But we're starting our own family soon. As much as we don't want to, we have to maintain a safe distance to learn how to be on our own.

One thing we have agreed on, is that after the wedding, I'm going with him to the Middle East so that we can both work there, save up for the house and future. As much as I look forward to living with Babe in a strange land, I don't know how I can ever battle being so away from my parents and siblings. Apart from the comfort and luxury that I experience at the confines of my home, I know I'll be yearning for the presence of my entire family on a daily basis. I miss them even on weekends without them. When this topic even comes up, friends are already betting that I'll be crying buckets the day I move out because I'll be so homesick :( I'm worried that Babe will have the hardest time with me when I get so emotional missing my family too much. But I guess, same with a man, a girl needs to do that to become truly independent. I guess the time will come when I really need to be physically separated from them, so I try to spend as much time as I can with them. People say I'm making it harder by doing that, but I know I can't spend that much time with them when I have a family of my own, so might as well do it while I can.

There are a lot of things that I look forward to with being married to Babe and one of which is serving the Lord with him. We have tons of fun when we're serving together along with our friends. Sometimes we have different points of view, but we always know how to work together on a united goal. I believe he is my mission partner. :) But then, as a woman of God, I know that I can serve Him in other ways apart from my partner. I have always believed in women empowerment, and that I want to do for the rest of my single life. I mean, for sure priorities will have to change when I get married. I'll be attending to my husband and family first and foremost. Not trying to sound heroic or anything, but I want to be able to make a change in a girl's life. A girl helping out another girl.

A lot of other must dos enter my mind when I think about the clock of my singlehood ticking. I want to be the best friend I can be, to write a breakthrough piece, to really, make a career out of writing (and I mean hardcore, real writer stuff) to be able to sing out loud in front of a crowd (videoke not included), to dance without a care in the world, to learn to drive and actually drive somewhere, to cook a normal everyday meal (an adobo or sinigang would do, not the complicated pasta dish and dessert I make for special occasions), to travel alone, to help more, to sin less, to pray more.

I guess, I just want to BE my best before I enter into a new chapter in my life. So aside from my physical preparations (health, beauty and fitness), I'm also working it out with these other things. Cliche as it may sound, I want to be complete. And like I always say, I want to be his dream girl. He deserves the best of me. I am ready to be married to him, but before that, I must be ready to leave all my single dreams behind and turn them into reality so that I can move on to making new dreams with my Babe. So for myself and for my dreamboy, I'm making the most out of my last year as a single gal.

Countdown all you want, I'm gonna conquer everything before I walk down that aisle. ;)

PART 1: A Year From Now...

2009-06-18T00:41:00.000-07:00

I'm getting married. :)

(super heartfelt smile follows. the kind that makes your stomach hurl in anticipation)

June 18, 2009 started with heavy rain, and I prayed that this would not be the case next year. Thankfully, this time (quarter to four, which would be the assembly time for our wedding), the sky is blue, partly cloudy, but not raining.

The previous blog was a 'one year before the "big event" updates.' This one, is some sort of a reflection-kilig mode entry. So, yes, its time to put up the WARNING: LONG READ sign.

The new old songs in my iPod had me nostalgic of all the stupid, somehow desperate moments of singlehood. Bittersweet memories. I realized how I yearned for all the drama before. When I would tune in to Dreamsounds (Wave 89.1) every night and wait for all the senti songs that reminded me of a boylet and cry just because of a song. And I would devote a lot of time to contemplate on the failure that was my lovelife. What a waste of time that was now that I think about it, but not really, because I am a writer. It was in those moments of solitude that I poured my heart out in words. I have this diary where the other side was a happy heart, and the other was a broken heart. That phase pretty much filled the latter. But I wrote really great stories of heartbreak and unrequited love then, some even got me excellent grades in my creative writing class. Maybe somehow, my journal was my constant companion and never left my side on those days. So, its safe to say, that writing is my first love.

Somehow, I realized that I was attracted to drama, to heartache then. I loved post-relationship phases. When, together with my college friends, I would get second helpings of chocolate cake, just because we're depressed and unlike boys, food has always been good to us. If a relationship ended (boylets lang, Babe is my first OFFICIAL and SERIOUS boyfriend), I'd wallow in misery, but I'd take it all in, with arms wide open. I would stalk, try to reconnect with these guys even, and stay in the pain for as long as I can. I was miserable. I didn't care if they got girls pregnant, even if they made the moves on a friend, even if they had a really long conversation with a girl they just met, right in front of me, when it was I who surprised them for their birthday! Those were really painful moments, but it was during my so-called rockstar phase (gone drinking almost every day, skipped classes) that I realized, this should be the end of an era. There must be something better for me. Like Brooke in Tree Hill, I wanted to be the lead in my own love story. I realized I wasn't gonna get married soon, so why rush? I told God I will wait, I will serve, but I will not settle for less. If He played favorites, I should be one of them.

So I served, I spent time with friends, I prayed more. I tried to become a better person for myself, and not for anyone else. And then, at the most blessed time, there he was. Not really waiting in the wings, but just there for me. As a brother, as a friend. I remember our first serious conversation when he told me, that if he was the guy I liked, he would never hurt me and let me go. I didn't pay attention to it then as I was preoccupied with another guy. So there. We were both serving, we'd exchange mini-hugs, he'd make fun of me, so hard that at one point I almost cried. But I knew he genuinely cared for me. There was this one time when I was visiting my best guy friend in the same village where he lives. If you know my friend and I, we could talk for hours and not get tired. And there he was, he stayed on and chatted with us over isaw. And that was when I realized I was looking forward to spending time together. We began to text constantly, have stolen moments in friendly gimmicks, and I guess, the rest is history.

At the end of every "relationship" that I had, I always believed that this certain guy was my "one great love." Why? Maybe because, like the stories I write, I was a sucker for unrequited love. I thought that love was synonymous to sacrifice, to pain. If you're hurting so much, then that must be love. And I cried bucket of tears for those guys. But Babe proved me wrong. He showed me that there are no compromises for true love. No excuses, no hangups. Its either you want to be with the person or you don't. And he loves being with me. If those guys got buckets from me, Babe had barrels. I've cried over him more than I have cried for all those previous guys combined. He also has chapters in the heartbroken side of my diary. No previous experience could ever prepare me for the rollercoaster ride that was me and Babe. But each time he made me cry, he replaced every tear with truckloads of love and laughter. He got me writing on the happy heart pages of my journal every so often. He makes me so happy its contagious. I was never the trooper kinda girl, but with him I feel so alive, its like I always want to share my happiness with other people. I learned to laugh at silly jokes, when my close friends know that I hated corny before (not that he's corny, he's the funniest man I know!). He's not perfect, but the longer I get to know him, the more I understand how perfect we are for each other. How we can make each other saway, and really just understand each other's quirks, strengths and weaknesses. He makes me want to become a better person, and I think the same is true for him with me.

It got me thinking, that those past men were merely stopovers, footnotes in my love story. They were not my "one great love." Because if it was so great, then why did it end in the first place? (For the record, I have forgiven these guys and even managed to be good friends with some of them. Maybe it wasn't entirely their fault anyway, but it really doesn't matter anymore)

There's really no point in comparing, because Babe is waaaay greater in every aspect. But with us, there really is no end. We might have the biggest of fights, but we never walk out on each other. We know that in the end, it is still us and love still outweighs our differences that we just have to work out our issues. That is certified forever material. I love him with all of me. And before I get too mushy, I just know, from the very start, when we prayed as a couple and offered our relationship to the Lord, that He was God's gift to me. He was the answered prayer that might have took a long time to arrive, but was very well worth the wait. I realized then, that things doesn't have to end, people don't have to leave for you to realize that they are the one you are looking for. Somehow, you will just feel that the search is over because you've found them and they are for keeps. I could state a million things to let you know why I'm marrying babe, but they probably wont fit in this blog, and really, no one else's opinion matter than mine and his. :)

I almost gave up once and thought that maybe this kind of love (romantic) is not for me, but I thank the Lord for being true to His promise in giving me the awesome awesome guy I have always dreamed about. I'm so blessed, like I have been my whole life. So, is Babe my one great love? Without a doubt, I know that he is. I can certainly say that a year from now, I'm settling down with the love of my life. Can't wait ;)

From One Tree Hill: "Believe that dreams come true everyday... Because they do."

One year to go! Updates of a June 2010 bride

2009-06-15T01:46:00.000-07:00

It's now that time of the year when I can really start jumping and get all giddy and excited while exclaiming "One year na lang!!" Finally, it will really feel like it when people tell me, "malapit na!" Babe and I can't be more excited. For the day itself yeah, but even more on our life after.

The preparations have already started and I have booked several major suppliers, been to some nice bridal fairs, started my beauty and fitness regimen and corresponded with some possible suppliers. Thankfully, it hasn't become too crazy for me yet and I still have not transformed into Bridezilla and I think I have acquired a certain grace in the duration of the wedding preps. Maybe its because of that that some brides give off a certain relaxed aura.

Anyway, here are some of my supplier and wedding preps updates:

Church - Holy Family Parish, BF Almanza Subd., Las Pinas
Even before Babe proposed, I remember walking along the BF Almanza Streets with two of my close friends pointing to the Holy Family church and telling them that someday, they are gonna attend a wedding there. And I will be wearing white. Fast forward to after Babe proposed and when trusted advisers told us that the first thing we should book is a church, I knew somehow we were gonna land there. For me it was like homecourt. It is near, and really, has a sentimental value for the both of us since we always go to mass there. And like I mentioned in an old entry, that's where he first pictured me as his wife. That makes the church kind of non-negotiable. I can move the wedding date, but I will get married in that church. Anyway, so I inquired and was pleased to find out that the rate was really low. The lady in charge, Ate Josie, was pretty easy to deal with. So I gave my down payment of P1,000.00 and that was it. We have reserved the church for the afternoon of June 18, 2010. She told me to come back when my fiancee is here in the Philippines so she can advise us on the seminars and stuff.

Reception Venue - Portofino Clubhouse, Daanghari

I got a really good deal here. The wait was kinda long in booking this venue and I really had to tap different people for contacts, pull some strings (you need an endorsement to be able to reserve the place). Thanks to my friend Pau and her friend Tel who's a lot owner there, I was finally able to make a reservation. I almost crossed this off my list, but thankfully, we were able to work everything out. This is just so ideal for the simple and intimate dinner party that Babe and I want to have. Not to mention the rent is also really cheap. I mean, have you seen how beautiful it is?

a view of the swimming pool, from the 2nd floor

that's my sister/MOH waving... with Babe's family.

Flowers for church and entourage - Angel of Hearts
For me, booking them happened pretty fast. My sister and I went to the Wedding Expo where we met with Sir Lawrence. But it was kind of a no-brainer already, since my aunts who previously got married recommended them, and so did my fellow W@wies who I trust. And he was offering me a pretty good package valid only on the day of the expo. I just felt at ease because I showed him some pictures of floral arrangements I found on the net, and he was confident that he could do it. I don't want that many flowers anyway, just enough for understated elegance. And I'm all for the simple white and green ones lang naman, although mine has to have a bit more color. I'm actually excited for this when its time to do mock-ups. Can't wait to raid his stall in Dangwa.

Caterer - still looking! W@Wies swear by K by Cunanan and Blue Petals though. Although I'm for the latter because their packages are reaaally low. I just hope I can go for a food tasting in the near future to seal the deal.

Photographer - Jeff and Lisa Photography

Videographer - 30 FPS

After all the secrecy, I'm finally posting here who I'm getting for photo and video coverage. Like what I wrote about them in my previous entries, its just a supplier-client perfect match. Babe and I just want our day to be simple, heartfelt and fuss-free and this is how these suppliers struck us. I love that I'm in constant communication with Ms. Lisa; she's very friendly, willingly answers my questions and may I just confess that I'm a stalker of their website? How can you not stare at their pictures? They have an impeccable eye for details and are great at capturing moments that are real and romantic at the same time. I just had to do something to get them. You know how with several suppliers you get, they're not really your first choice? Like if money wasn't an issue you'd totally get a different one. That's so not the case with them. Even if I had a million bucks as budget for my wedding, I'd still go for Jeff and Lisa, in a heartbeat.

With 30 FPS, I loved that I can just go to their restaurant in Alabang when I want to meet with them, and that Sir Paul replies to my texts as promptly as possible. I also loved their onsite videos. Simple but timeless. They will surely remind us of our vows many years from now. Did I mention I got a really, really good deal with them? Among the esteemed wedding videographers, I think they have the lowest package, which they still managed to adjust for me :)

Wedding Gown/ Entourage's Gown - Dan Cadiz
No formal discussions yet, but since Tito Dan's a friend of the family, we all rely on him when we need dresses for weddings, debuts, etc., I think it's given na that he is designing my dress and that of the female members of the entourage. The moment we talk, I'll just show him some pegs, he'll sketch a design for me, I'll fall in love with it and by the end of the meeting, for sure he'll already be taking my measurements so what I have to work on is getting my wedding gown body ready. Budget? My mom isn't "Mars" (short for Mare) with him for nothing. We're so suki that I think we'll be able to get really fab dresses at lesser cost with him. Also Babe's suit perhaps? We'll see.

Hair and Makeup Artist - Mario Alondra

Like Tito Dan, Tito Mar's pretty much a given na. He's my mom's second cousin. He's not that well known in W@W, but he's popular in Las Pinas and he's really good. Politician's wives, several celebrities are some of his clients. A long line of women in our family have trusted him for their hair and makeup on their wedding day, and being a creature of habit and lover of culture and history, I'm not one to break the tradition. He did my makeup when I was conned in joing the beauty pageant in our High School, in both of my proms, my debut, relative's weddings, my sister's debut, etc. And friends and relatives give two thumbs up everytime :) Besides, its not like I need a total makeover on my wedding day. I'm going for au naturelle remember?

Hair and Makeup Artist for prenup (with J&L) - my good friend, Jinkie Simbulan. She's also really good! She doubles as my beauty adviser by the way ;)

Lights and Sound - This is also crucial since I'm counting on mood lights to create the (I qwas about to write mood, duh, kaya nga mood lights eh!) atmosphere in the reception, since I just want white everything and rely on the lights for color. Also, I won't be hiring a band for the reception so I'm counting on the sound system's DJ to be good too. I also plan to rent out an additional PA system for the church. I am now torn between two good suppliers that are W@W certified. I'm still deciding between RejectKrew and Sensitivity, although as of today, one of them already has the upper hand. To be fair, I'm meeting with both of them soon :)

Suits for male entourage and family - my friend recommended Mister K from Paranaque, and another one recommended her Tita, who used to be the apprentice of Edwin Valerio, also from Paranaque. Will have to research more on this. I was thinking of renting suits na lang for some of our groomsmen. My parents will pay for the suits of my brothers and so Babe and I will only worry about the suits of his brothers and dad.

Drapings - to be provided by one of our closest friends :) I'm so happy about this, because like I said, I just want a white, clean overall look for the reception and the white drapings will really reflect the moodlights well. I will have to show him some pegs though to give him an idea of how we want the drapings to look like. But he said it was a piece of cake for his mom and their staff.

Souvenirs - Definitely a photo booth. We're just deciding which supplier to get :)

Choir - will need one that's really affordable lang, since they'll only be singing the mass songs naman eh. Still scouting for a good group... If you can recommend anyone from the south, and my budget is actually 5,000 below only...hehehe.
Bridal car - my dad's car, Pearly. A 2008 edition Toyota Camry. Its beautiful and its free. And it will feel like home since I ride in it almost everyday.

Invites - After being tempted by several suppliers, I realized that I will do the invites myself. We just want it fun, brief, elegant and low-key. I should be able to do that. Will just look for a good supplier of paper and have a talk with my dad's friend who owns a printing company.

Hmmm... did I forget something? :) other paraphernalia like candles and stuff are basic, DIY it is.

That's it for now. So far, I think I did a pretty good job... Hehehe. As for Babe, he's doing a great job in saving as well :) a year to go and he already saved more than half of our allocated budget for the wedding. Not to mention most of the down payments were already made, care of yours truly (my little contribution to our dream wedding). And he's not losing his mind yet over my over-excitement, that's the tough part! hehehe :)

Some realizations I acquired from the wedding preps as of today: If you're having a hard time deciding between two options, close your eyes and picture yourself already marching down the aisle or having your makeup done or having the first dance, then you'll know what you truly want. Works for me, everytime. Always stay true to that picture inside your head.

Don't book on impulse. You know you're making the wrong decision when it feels like you're being hurried and forced into something you don't want. Yet, if you know you like this certain thing and you found the perfect supplier for you, you need not think hard. You'll just hear that voice inside your head saying "this is it." Of course, two heads are better than one so don't forget to consult your other half.

Love your own. When you've found and booked the supplier for you, stop comparing them to their more prominent and expensive counterparts. Focus on how they can deliver the best service on your wedding. Instead of looking for "what they don't have" in other supplier's blogs or websites, visit their blog regularly, remember why you got them in the first place, and know how their strengths can work well for your wedding. So stop obsessing on that high-end designer or that videographer that celebrities get.

Lastly, enjoy the wedding preps. REally, move at your own pace. Make the most of the bridal fairs, sAvor the moments you get inspirations for your dream wedding dress, listen to songs you want played on your reception, exchange friendly emails with your suppliers, take time to help out a W@wie in need. Engage in long conversations with your fiancee in making decisions. Its not a contest, really. Have fun and it'll feel like the most natural thing in the world.

That ends my post on my wedding-related accomplishments. I have 2 days and a year to go, technically. But I want to blog about more serious long term matter on the 18th eh... so I wrote this early na. Okay, now, on with the wedding preps!:))

My One-year beautification project Part 2 of my vanity postthe usual long read from me

2009-06-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

And here's the 2nd part, where I declare the things that I will do for my wedding look.

I know, I'm taking this waaay too seriously. Might give you the impression that I'm trying too hard. Hey, I'm not panget ha (not that anyone's panget, all brides are beautiful), its just that I want a really simple, yet stunning and ethereal look on our wedding day. I want that Ponds ad moment, where I will be the most radiant girl in the room, and my babe will feel like the luckiest guy on earth. That's my moment, which will only happen once in my lifetime, so I should do whatever I can to look and feel great at that particular time.

Anyway, here's what's included in my one-year beautification plan:

Oplan Fair-ish skin. I have always taken pride on being morena. Well, there was the phase in high school where I dabbled on a few Block and White, but as I grew up, I have learned to love my complexion. It has been one of my assets, because I believe that bronzed olive skin is sexier. But then, I want my gown to be in off-white and creamy color, and friends say the dress would look so "lutang" in bronzed skin. And I mentioned that I wanted that Ponds moment. I want to be babe's My Fair Lady on that day. So, fair skin it is. I'm not gunning for that alabaster, mestiza type though, as I don't want to look like a metathione model naman, I just want that radiant, rosy, glowy lady-like clear skin that is suited for brides. And with that, I'm trying some of the Garnier Light line of skin whitening products for the face which my friend suggested I try. I'm now using their dark spot corrector and anti-puff eye roller. I haven't tried Garnier's body line yet, but I'm now using a whitening lotion with sunblock. Hopefully that helps. At night, I also lather on Myra E lotion, and I think my sister and I are already addicted to it. My friend also told me to take Myra E 400 capsules which helps in getting fairer and healthy-looking skin. But we have tons of Vitamin E capsules from the States at home, so I'm taking those for the mean time kasi sayang naman. I'm also taking Cee Plus, Vitamin C supplement with Rose Hip that was said to do wonders for the skin especially scars and acne scars (I'm selling this by the way, so if you're interested ;) ). I have really sensitive skin so I'm quite careful on what I take in and the products I use, so I stuck to my soap and facial cleansers advised by our dermatologist. So far I haven't developed an allergy to the new products I'm trying. Yey...

Bleaching the hair on my upper lip area. I want a soft over-all look on my wedding day, and since I suspect I have more male hormones than any usual girl, facial hair has always been a problem. Lay Bare's threader and waxer is my bestfriend. Yet I have always been apprehensive to have the hair on my upper lip waxed or threaded. I'm not bothered by it on regular days, and I don't really think its too 'out there' but some people notice. So I brought it up during my trial makeup with the great Lorie Abraham and she told me that its best to just bleach the hairs on my upper lip so that they will be lighter and less visible. Waxing and threading may make the strands grow thicker kasi eh. Anyway, I'm still scouting for a good bleach creme, but I think I'm gonna go for the Sally Hansen line since they're known for those hair-removal products. I just hope it goes well and I don't overdo it...I don't wanna have white mustache! Anyway, Ms. Lorie said I should try it out before the wedding to see if I develop an allergy to it or if I should seek other alternatives. I loved how she picked up on things I only mentioned once. It feels like she was really listening, and sincere in dealing with me. Not too many makeup artists are like that. Sigh. But, I have a good one on my team, so no complains from me. Anyway, I hope the bleaching goes well and I get a softer, more feminine look on my wedding day.

Perming my eyelashes. Admittedly, I have always been manang with these kinds of stuff. I don't normally go for these things especially when it requires sitting still for hours, let alone minutes as I'm such a kitikiti. But, after Ms. Lorie's thorough explanation, I realized I needed to do it. See, I have long and thick lashes, but like the hair on my head, they're just so bagsak that they're slanted downwards. That explains why I always get smudges when applying mascara, even when I curled my lashes a number of times with an eyelash curler. So I really should have them permed so that they will curl and open up and make my eyes appear bigger. Because even if I use falsies on the day, I'll still have a problem because they'll be slanted downwards pa rin. Kaya pala ang dalas kong mapuwing! :P Anyway, I'm just waiting for a new contract in work to materialize and then I'll have more time on my hands to devote to these things. I'll probably dedicate one whole day to have my lashes permed, and to get the bleaching thing done.

Wear mineral makeup. This is a tip I got from W@W. I just got so curious about this that I started researching about it. Turns out this is really good for me, because I have sensitive skin and regular makeup usually expires on me. These won't. I can use them for more than a year or so. Plus they won't hurt my sensitive skin. They just seem to be a bit messy since they mostly come in powdered form, and a little more pricey than regular makeup, but I was told they also give maximum coverage, so the pros outweigh the cons.

Get back in shape. Okay, for most of the time, I thought people were actually exagerrating when they tell me that I've grown. But when I looked at my previous photos in Friendster and Multiply, that was when it hit me. I really lost it. I guess it was stopping boxing and exercise that really made me blow up. Thankfully, I lost a few pounds when I got sick and that made me more conscious of my diet. That partnered with constant exercise should do the trick. Three months before I meet my wedding dress designer, I also plan to take these herbal supplements my parents are taking which is really great for weight loss. Imagine my mom already lost 11 pounds on her 3rd week! It's really effective but entails a lot of sacrifice as you'll only have one meal a day. And it's a bit expensive. So, its kind of my last resort. First, I'll try if boxing and diet does it for me. I hope it does.

Be faithful to my beauty and fitness regimen. I know! This is the tough part. But the clock is ticking so I really have to work if I want really visible results. What's good though is I'm so motivated now. I'm updating my kikay kit in a few days, when I get the chance to spend a day in the mall. I also started devoting time to fixing myself before I leave the house for work. And with that I don't mean just getting dressed and combing my hair before I get in the car. Its making sure I apply sunblock, I look presentable and I wear accessories before I go to work. It makes me feel more confident.

Anyway, I think this entry has gotten way too long again. I hope you other readers won't think I'm too shallow or conceited. I'm just trying to be realistic. If you wanna look good on your wedding day, you have to prepare as early as now. I'm lucky to have started the preps early, I'm sure I'll see positive results as the days become closer. More than a year to go...

Just a way of measuring my progress for this year-long plan, I took a picture of me without any make-up. I'll check at least once every quarter if there are improvements (fairer, clearer skin, smaller face, slimmer arms,hehehe). So, here it is.uy, aminin niyo its not so bad! :P don't need much work naman diba? hehe.

Here's a closer look.

Haha, that's taken from my brother's Mac so I changed the background. Anyway, this is me without makeup, hopefully next time I'll have fairer skin na and smaller face.

One year? kaya yan! :))

The bride to be's vanity post Part 1the usual long read from me

2009-06-03T02:12:00.000-07:00

this is the first part of the post that will end all my kikay entries (for this quarter).

Admittedly, I have been paying too much attention to my looks these days, well, not really the looks, but my hair and skin care. I'm not really what you'd call a high-maintenance girl, my hair's still basically wash and wear most of the time and I'm a big advocate of natural beauty. But I guess at one point, being low-maintenance and au naturelle became neglect. It all started when I was on an outing with my YFC Barkada and during the morning when us girls were done taking a bath and fixing ourselves, after combing my hair and putting on lotion, I found myself staring at the other girls in the room who were all still busy applying makeup and other stuff on their faces and hair. And then, one of my girlfriends asked me, "ikaw Cams, wala ka bang kakikayan sa katawan?" I was speechless. I had thrown out most of the items in my makeup kits because they have expired. All that's left were my lip balms(no color whatsoever), eyelash curler and face powder. I haven't updated my beauty loot in ages!

That was such a wake-up call for me. I used to be Cosmogirl Cams. I was updated with most beauty and fashion trends, and friends would come to me for makeup and fashion tips. And then for some reason, the Cosmogirl part of me just left and I didn't even notice it. At first, being my usual righteous self, I put the blame on several people and circumstances. 1)my Babe, for loving the simple side of me too much, sans makeup that I just became too much of the less is more kinda girl, and for being away, hence I didn't feel the need to always look good for someone 2)my sister, who was my partner in all things kikay. She pretty much gave up too when she entered film school. I mean, she was wearing my brothers' clothes to class most of the time! And so, when she neglected her looks, I did too, 3) the strict dress code in the office which pretty much left me with no choice but wear dull slacks and collared polos and ballet flats to work, 4)my officemates in their uniforms and kind of plain lifestyle here at work that I didn't feel the need to look pretty in work compared to my media job before where I always had to dress up and be made up to level with the celebrities, 5)lack of bonding time with my girlfriends therefore no chance to play dress up or talk about kikay stuff 6)spending too much time in the boys room. We had several relatives and family friends use our room for the last quarter of 2008 and most of 2009 (they just left last week) and so we were bunking in the boys room for a while, playing wii and the like on our free time. We were getting clothes from their closet, getting rid of most of our kikay stuff to lessen the junk in their room thus, no kikay time for a long, long time. See, I got six reasons, and I really haven't began to really think just yet.

But I realized, those reasons were merely excuses. That most of the blame was really should be mine. I mean, it was I who neglected my physical appearance, who got contented in wearing those kinds of clothes to work. So it was all me. But there's no room for pointing fingers (biglang ganun samantalang kanina ang dami mong sinisi =P) Thanks to my dear friend, Cosmogirl has awaken from a long and deep slumber and is now making her way back to Cams. Especially now that she's about to become a bride. So now, I'm dead set on prettifying myself again, most specially that I'm now preparing myself for my wedding that's almost a year to go na lang.

So with my approval, my friend appointed herself as beauty consultant slash makeup artist for my wedding. Well, she won't do my makeup on the day itself, but she's doing my makeup for my prenup. She's really good and although she didn't have a formal education on it, I wouldn't call her novice for she works in a global cosmetics company and she trains the ladies in the beauty counters on how to apply makeup. So I guess she just skipped the school part, but she's just the ultimate kikay girl, I trust her completely when it comes to this aspect. There were a lot of sensible advice that I got from her, and I'm pretty much convinced that I'm buying all the products she told me to try.

My trial makeup with Ms. Lorie Abraham (which I posted here before) also had a part in my so-called reawakening. While she was working her magic on me, she was giving me tips on things that I should try for my wedding. If my friend was subtle in the products she advised me to try, Ms. Lorie was more forward. You know, she told me to try out several beauty trends that I wouldn't really think of going for, but when she explained it to me, I realized they were practical beauty tips and I need to give them a try. While she was working, she kept on admiring my assets and gave me tips on how to highlight them and several things to try out before the wedding, so I would know if they work on me or I would develop an allergic reaction to them since I have sensitive skin. When she was done with my makeup, she told me that since I was blessed with good features, I just need a few makeup to look put together and I'm all set. That was such a boost. I felt so confident and so eager to resume my beauty regimen after that.

And not for anything, I'm thankful that I got sick and was hospitalized for a few weeks because I was able to assess certain things that I do to abuse my body, like eating and drinking certain foods, lack of exercise, etc. And now that I sort of lost weight and was able to find love on fruits again, I feel more radiant and energized to go on with feeling healthy and beautiful.

The gloomy weather's being a wee bit unhelpful, but I'm fighting every urge to be tamad to get up from bed and start neglecting my looks once again. It's even nicer now because my sister has also started to become conscious of her looks again. I guess its because we got our pink, girly room back :)

So hello world! CosmogirlCams is so back! :))

**if I can't get enough of blogging about all things kikay and vain, they will be at http://cosmogirlcams.blogspot.com

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

2009-05-25T03:57:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-05-23T23:58:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-05-22T00:12:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

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! :)

2009-05-13T04:37:00.001-07:00

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....

2009-05-13T03:38:00.000-07:00

'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

2009-05-10T23:22:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-05-09T09:09:00.001-07:00

i think i found them...P/V

2009-05-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

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...

upping the ante

2009-04-19T02:02:00.000-07:00

This blog was inspired by one of the blogs that I was following, Wedding For Two. In Sex in the City (the movie), Carrie said to Big, that her dress "upped in ante". What was supposed to be a simple intimate wedding turned out to be one for show. Well, we all know how that turned out.

This got me thinking, well, I have always known that I'll have a fabulous dress on my wedding. So it wasn't the reason for upping the ante. What did it for me was the month. I am a June bride. Getting married on the wedding month, I had the thinking that mine had to be really really nice for it to stand out from the other weddings. Suddenly I had the urge to get just the best suppliers even though their rates are waay above our budget, invite guests who really weren't part of our priority just so they'd be pleased that they were invited, and make up the need for other favors that are really just add-ons in a wedding. Its like I wanted to comply with the requirements of a magazine bride. Upon reading the blog entry from Wedding For Two, I realized I was starting to lose sight of what is essential. Just because ours was a June wedding, I was suddenly trying to make it special for them and not for me. It was turning into the word that I have been trying to avoid since the start of the whole wedding preps - GRAND. Good thing I was dehypnotized from all the wedding porn that early.

I want my wedding to be fun, heartfelt and personal. I don't want my wedding to be another one of those weddings for show and to get so out of control that my groom will be driving away in a Limo. So now I'm trying to stand my ground on the number of guestlists, with choosing the right suppliers, those who are low-key but delivers what WE want, and just saying NO to those things that aren't really important to us.

But yes, we're still kinda upping the ante when it comes to our taste levels, it has become more stylish and more classy, but we're staying within budget and going for our priorities. It will still be the same fun, heartfelt and personal wedding and hopefully, still very affordable :)

my wedding photographer

2009-04-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

Who are they? Well, I'll be meeting with them this Saturday, hopefully. I pray that we are a supplier-client perfect match. I was so impressed with the photos in their website/blog that I think I look at it everyday. Our few email correspondences tell me that they are professional and have good background and reputation.
Then again, they had me at their signature phrase, that's almost same to our wedding theme, and just a few words that describe me and babe.
You might think its too early for me to be writing about them, but its fine, since I won't be saying who they are yet (just in case they aren't who I thought they were when I meet them).. Its just that, when things get too hectic with the preps, or they give me headaches because their rates aren't exactly how much I'd like to spend for photos, I want to be reminded of why I got them in the first place, and this blog entry will do just that.

It's not surprising when I say that I'm getting them for their expertise. They have such impeccable eye for details and their photos come out classy, romantic yet real at the same time. It has a certain light that I think the sun exudes naturally when two people are in love. Honestly, with the quality of pictures they produce, I think they're actually charging pretty low. But that's fine with me, for now ;) hahaha. I have several friends (and relatives) who I believe, can take nice pictures, especially since they know our style and personality as a couple. That's great, but of course, I want a team who has dedicated their time capturing beautiful moments of people in love, thus, they should be real wedding photographers. I can't and I won't entrust my wedding pictures to newbies, just this once.

And then, its because they don't seem like the more popular wedding photographers who will go around making a scene and stealing the limelight from us on our wedding. I have a feeling they will be very low-key, not demanding a lot, not directing every minute of how we should act and pose, but just quietly taking beautiful shots of our most cherished moments.

See, our wedding should be sacred, intimate, and I guess, I just want people, our family and friends who have witnessed our love story, to feel that its not one of those weddings that aims to make a show. There are moments in a wedding that should be quiet and heartfelt, yet vibrant of the love between the bride and groom. With my experience in weddings, I've noticed that sometimes, just to be able to get a dramatic shot, photographers ruin that moment by directing everything. I don't want that for my wedding. I want our friends to be able to come near us when they want to, and would like most of our time enjoying the moment with our loved ones than creating poses. I just felt that, with the way their pictures turned out, that they are the type of photographers who are unobtrusive yet delivers beautifully.

So there... I look forward to meeting the husband and wife team that I will get to be our photographers on June 18,2010. I even asked babe to give me a call when I meet them, just so we're sure that both of us made the decision. I hope everything goes out terrific. Pray for me :)

so busy...

2009-04-15T22:22:00.001-07:00

so much to tell, or write, and no time to do it. I'm so busy at work now. I'm enjoying it, but of course, I'd rather dedicate most of my time to my hobbies :)

I'm excited to blog about my updates and show off my DIYs.

Soon I guess. Please pray for me. I think my prayer regarding the venue is about to be answered. I'll let you know. Its almost the weekend anyway, I'll allot time to blog, I promise.

For now, let me leave you with these beautiful images :)

Wedding for Two

2009-04-13T01:18:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a lot of wedding blogs lately, but only the ones that make me think and try to be creative, and not the ones that make me want to wallow in self-pity. in fairness, i found a lot belonging to the first category. Just like that of wedding for two, a practical wedding, and offbeat bride. There's a lot, actually.

Just wanna share with you this nice illustration. Simple. But really, if we're turning into show directors-slash-dictators while preparing for our wedding (or in other words, Bridezilla), this ought to put some sense to our weddingporn engorged heads.

my personal mission statement - draft pa lang :)

2009-04-07T06:16:00.000-07:00

In time for the season of reflection, I attended a 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for Associates Seminar. And one of the exercises was to make a draft of our personal mission statement. To be able to find our goal, our purpose... and to begin with an end in mind each day. So I just thought I'd share this to you :)

Disclaimer: first draft toh ah, so its nearly not perfect... but in the light of the lenten season, I just like to share this :)

April 7, 2009

To become the daughter, the sister, the wife, the mother, the friend, the hero, the blessing that God created me to be.

To make my parents proud, not because I ended up exactly how they want me to be, but because although I chose to lead a different path, I am a reflection of how well they raised me.

To provide a happy, solid environment for my children in the future. To be a nurturing mother and friend.

To be all that I can be to my (future) husband. A partner, a lover, a companion, a crying shoulder, a fan, a wife and a bestfriend.

To create lasting moments of happiness with my loved ones; to spend my life loving them and laughing with them.

To be the voice of women. To make sure each girl is treated like a princess, and every single lady know her unique beauty and capability.

To be the woman that God wanted me to be.

Just reposting nice blog entries

2009-04-02T03:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, I suddenly had the urge to repost some of the nice blog entries I found from different wedding blogs :) This one below is a good read :)

http://www.apracticalwedding.com/2009/03/what-happened-with-i-stopped-reading.html

Just so you know, I'm really not ready to kick the habit of reading wedding blogs just yet. I guess because I'm enjoying and still learning from a lot of them. Especially in the best suppliers to get. I also visit blogs of several wedding suppliers. Of course, I have to be in the know ;)

Anyway, maybe I should just work on my new post (which I haven't finished yet) before I repost other entries :)

Posted from Wedding Bee

2009-04-02T02:02:00.000-07:00

I was trying to take a breather by browsing weddingbee one time, and I came across this blog written by Ms. Glitter. Except for the first paragraph (which is totally opposite) and the part about the groomsmen's ties (I totally knew that), it was so me! It was like I wrote this blog and felt it by heart...

Anyway, let me share it to you na lang:

Can I tell you a secret? I’ve never planned an event in my life (unless you count a friend’s birthday at a local restaurant as “event planning”). And I don’t know what I’m doing. Shhh, don’t tell anyone.
Often times, I feel genuinely out of my league when reading through the posts of other bees or looking at weddings in magazines or online. Picture-perfect brides remind me of that girl from one of my college English classes. She always had the correct answers, and her nail polish matched her shoes. Next to her, I felt like the awkward girl in the back of the classroom who needed to borrow your pen and wasn’t caught up on my reading. I was always one step behind.
I care about wedding planning (or I wouldn’t be blogging about it), but I’ve got to be honest with myself: I’m a big picture type of person. Ask me what marrying Mr. G means to me, and I could probably write a novel about it. Ask me if the groomsmen’s ties should be matching the bow on the bridesmaids’ dresses, and my indecisiveness takes over.
I have general concepts of what I want everything to look like and how I want the day to run. But, now it’s crunch time.T-minus three months to go. Wedding tasks are becoming very specific. Details, details, details. I feel myself wanting everything to be just right. Since when did I become a perfectionist? And who said everything had to be perfect, anyway? I’ve got my stomach in knots every night. But why? Maybe I’m trying to be the flawless girl from English class. But I can’t be her; I can only be me.
I need to remember to remain true to Mr. G and I, and what we want our wedding to be. Weddingbee and other sources of inspiration have helped me tremendously. Without them, I honestly don’t know where I would be. But, when all of this is done, I can guarantee two things: my wedding will be over and I’ll be married. Through all of this, Mr. G and I may not be featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. It probably won’t be perfect, but I hope I’ll love it because it will be ours.
Have you found yourself striving toward wedding perfection? How have you dealt with that need to get every detail just right?

updates, wishful thinkings and divi-ilaya trip

2009-04-01T01:20:00.000-07:00

I was really the busy with work the past few weeks, events here and there, I wasn't even able to devote time to our business. But more than that, I missed the wedding preps. Imagine, almost a month passed by and I haven't done that much preparations except look up some photographers, go to bridal fairs and my proposed venue.

I guess Babe and I are pretty much done with the conceptualizing thing na, we basically know what we want for our big day. So we're entering the implementation stage na kaya lang its kind of in a halt kasi before anything else, I really want to finalize the reception venue.

The last I heard about it from my future brother-in-law, the management hasn't gotten back to him. Apparently they're busy because they're moving to a new office. So no progress there yet. At the same time, I have finished drafting the letter for our town's congresswoman slash the owner of the clubhouse. I still haven't printed it out though, I'm stil dilly-dallying on whether I should send it. But I badly want to finish booking the venue, that was my objective for March and its now the first day of April :( so I might just send that letter after all.

Anyway, we held our event last weekend in a hotel, and it really made me smile that despite the fact that I wanted to be somewhere else that time, I was surrounded by happy brides...and grooms of course. There were 5 weddings in the hotel on that date! Well, it was a Saturday, and it was one of the more popular and nicest hotels in the metro. So even though I was just so exhausted and wanted nothing more than to be at home and chat with my babe, just looking at the brides and how radiant they are and how pretty their dresses are, with their grooms holding their hands and they entourage and guests dressed in their best, that somehow made me smile and eased the exhaustion that I was feeling. My favorite was when I realized that one bride has the same color motiff as mine (nice dresses too) and then there was a semi-bride wars moment. Two couples crossed paths at the hotel. And it was sweet that although they didn't stop, they smiled at each other and wished each other the best. It was nice to see something like that at random.

And then of course, even though I have been so busy and tired working all week, I didn't let the weekend pass without me doing some shopping and a bit of wedding preps. So because my MOH and Bridesmaid stood me up :( , I just went with my cousin to Divi. Lets just say it was a tiring day. But fulfilling because I was able to score nice clothes, bag, shades, etc. I went to Ilaya to find swatches for my wedding gown and entourage's gown, but I was disappointed. I was expecting a mecca of cloths of different colors, but it wasn't that much. Well, it was partly my fault since I really didn't know what to ask for naman and I really went just to know what kind of cloths and colors were out there. Anyway, I'll leave it all up to my designer.

Those are the updates for now. Hopefully I hear from Portofino soon. Of course I need to pay the reception venue first before I pay for the caterer and for the photographer right? oh wel...

why I want a merry map :)

2009-03-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

well, this was a pleasant surprise when I read sis khim's blog. I followed her link and I came across this amazing supplier. Another prized find from my fellow W@Wies. Grabe, i think they're (busy bee projects) one of a kind kasi they focus on maps, which are actually very pretty and creative. I never thought I'd pay much attention to the map, since most of our guests are from the south.

But then I thought of the other guests who will be coming from Makati, Manila, QC, etc. So I thought, I have to win this... or, maybe I'm just inventing a reason to justify including this very pretty map to our invites. The samples were just so cute! Very much my personality because I doodle a lot! Friends notice when I'm bored because I draw on my notebooks or any paper, and lets face it. I have doodles on almost every page. I have 12 pens in different colors on my office desk and I use them every day.

and okay, this would be a fun surprise for my babe since making a map might be an easy feat for him, an engineer, yet I want him to do the rough draft and leave it to me (or to busy bee project to make it so alive and colorful :)

Actually, we really haven't received a confirmation for our target venue yet, but i'm pretty sure we'll get it ( heck, i'm writing the owner, a politician). That's how determined I am. Plus I'm kinda lucky that way, you know? Hehehe. In Christmas parties, or random raffles, I always get the grand prize, or the most coveted one. Which is why I have a good feeling about this thingy :) If I win this, I'll have to include this as one of the reasons why I need to get confirmation of the place (Madame Congresswoman, I'm really serious with the venue, in fact, I even had a map made signifying that the reception will be made in Portofino Clubhouse) hahaha.

Background about the venue, there are two ways of getting there from our chosen church. One is via Alabang Zapote road and going to Daang Hari, which will take about 10-15 minutes for those who aren't Las Pinas residents, and then there's Friendship route, a way from inside the village, kinda complicated, but with the help of a MAP, can take guests there within 5 minutes.
Grabe, parang panalo na eh noh... well, as the saying goes, believe before it conceives. :)

Bottomline is, I find it really really pretty, and although I know that IF I don't win I can still find a way to have this done because my super nice, and the best fiancee and husband to be in the world would still let me have this pretty add-on to our invites, I'm thinking maybe I've had enough of that, uh, spoiling. I've had my way with the videographer, photographer, church, date... he's been so giving and really generous. Considering I was the one who told him we're gonna stick to this budget, yet I talk him into getting suppliers that are hmmm...kinda pricey. Its been great but I don't want to be abusive. Heck, I don't want people thinking na I'm just doing all the picking and he's the one with bills to pay. So yun. This is me doing my part of the bargain. Ako yung may gusto, I need to do something to acquire it. So here I am, trying my best :)

Anyway, i hope it was a pretty fun read, coz whether I win it or not (if I don't, hopefully one of my W@Wie sisters get it), this was a pretty good post and a really good supplier that more people should hear about them. So...really, there's nothing to lose. Win-win :)

in line with this creative projects, allow me to show you one project I made for my babe for Valentines Day. I used scrapblog here, just a proof that I'm one of those girls who still think that its the thought that counts (heck, I made this for free! yet its cute naman don't you think? :) )

Super pretty find - Twigs and Honey

2009-03-23T22:30:00.000-07:00

Sis Maan is really an angel. hahaha. Through her, I came across this really great online store called twigs and honey, which specialzes in accesories for the bride. Since watching the finale of Gossip Girl Season 1 (where Lily got married and had a white flower for hair ornament) , I knew I wanted to have flowers on my hair when I get married. So I was always on the lookout for nice hairpieces in wedding websites, but I never found something that's pretty, chic and laidback enough for me, and for my theme.

Until... I read Maan's blogentry about twigs and honey. It was then that I found the perfect accesory. The prettiest flower for my hair. Its too beautiful for words, so you just have to know that I gasped and almost shed a tear when I saw this piece. I can't fully describe how I felt when I saw it, but some people may refer to it as "orgasmic." Maybe love at first sight holds true for me and pretty things ;) Its the exact color and style that matches the dream gown in my head.

Perfect timing for me to view the blog, since my cousin from Florida is going home this April to get married. I just might ask her (as a favor or pre-wedding gift) to buy it for me. It just sounds more affordable and reasonable in dollars than in peso. I mean, lets get real, brides here don't really spend that much for a hairpiece. But for my wedding day, I think its worth the investment. Besides, I want something from my wedding to be an heirloom piece to my future duaghters and grandchildren. They may not want to wear Lola's wedding gown, but at least they can use something old and pretty for their hair :) Fresh flowers are a no-no since they wilt. I'm also thinking of getting a buttoniere for my fiancee. So that we have a part of our wedding clothes to keep for memorabilia.

Anyway, here are the photos. I know my wedding is seasons away, but I hope I can get my cousin to buy for me. Maybe she should also buy for her own wedding :) I do hope Twigs and Honeys still sell items from last year's collections.

for my pre-nup pictoral, I want this one above. For my wedding day, the choices are below...

for my babe's buttoniere, here is my proposed buttoniere:

And then, I was never really a fan of shrugs (boleros), but the picture below just made me think twice :)

Oh well... Great website, the blog even helped me find the hairstyle that I like. I love all things nice and pretty, so this is really a find for me :)

Ever mine, ever thine, ever ours

2009-03-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

Why the title? Hahaha wala lang :)

I was just feeling a little romantic. The wedding preps and wedding talks came to a halt the past few days, because Babe and I were arguing about several stuff and it just didn't feel right to talk about the wedding. Some arguments were serious, others almost became serious. There was even an instance when one of us thought of not pushing through with the whole thing. I guess that really happens to engaged couples, when they start arguing about something, and then all of a sudden they just start relating it to the big picture, because "hindi magkasundo" and they start thinking that this is how its gonna be when they get married.

Of course, always, or most of the time, it ends up with them working on their issues and still tying the knot. Maybe, a very important occasion such as a wedding brings out the best and the worst in you as a couple.

But notice when I said that when we were fighting, it didn't feel right to talk about the wedding. Wedding and not the marriage, because I never contested us getting married. I never thought of letting go, or giving up on him despite our 'occasional' diffierences. Since we got together, we have had A LOT of fights. There were even the heavy ones that almost did it, but I never doubted US. I knew we were going to make it. Its like I always knew he was gonna be the only one for me and that whatever our problems and our differences are, we can resolve it. Its like, we may need a day or two for time-out, but I'm faithful that in the end, he loves me and I love him, and its still the two of us. Its like what I always tell him, I will love him forever.

Honestly, I have never been this committed to anything, or anyone before. And if this is what marriage is all about, staying and believing that two very different people who love each other can make things work despite all the conflicts and stay in love forever, then I feel like I have been married with him a long time ago. Hahaha. :))

haha emo lang eh... I just miss my babe... For a while actually, we weren't arguing or getting in a fight, because we were both too busy with work and planning our wedding. I guess we're just getting used to the situation kaya bumabalik na sa normal. Hahaha, but as long as this rollercoaster ride involves gim, I'm on board :))

Wedding Expo sharing

2009-03-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, I went with my sister, who also happens to be (one of) my maid(s) of honor to the Wedding Expo in PICC. Grabe, it was good that we drove our cousin(one of my bridesmaids) to the airport early morning, and arrived at the expo a little before twelve o'clock. There weren't as many people when we got there, pero one our way out, around 3:30, super daming tao! Kaya for the next bridal fairs, I made a mental note to really go early.

Admittedly, I was a little sad when I saw couples holding hands as they walked through the booths. I missed my Babe... its one of those times when I really wished he wasn't working abroad. But then, he was here with me naman in moments that really mattered (like last Christmas, and when someone really close to my family died) and as promised, he called me up when I was already at the expo to ask how I'm doing and if i'm enjoying the hunt so far. Its a big deal for me since there's four hours time difference, and he could have been still asleep at that time. And its okay na rin since he abhors shopping and going to one shop (or booth) over and over. It would have caused a fight... or not. Anyway, I'm glad rin naman that it was my darling sis who accompanied me to the expo. She's my best girl and the best person to come with me with things like that because we have the same taste and enjoy the same things.

We had fun naman, she got a trial makeup from... oh no I forgot the name. Basta the name of the one who did her makeup was Junie. He's really good. He does makeup for tv celebrities. My sister was so impressed with her makeup, that she wanted to hire him for my wedding and get a different makeup artist from mine! Eh that's so not possible, since the makeup artist I'm getting is a relative, and parang tradition na that he does the hair and makeup of bride and mother and sister of every wedding in our family. He also did the hair and makeup of me and my sister on our proms and debuts. He's really good naman and of course he charges us super minimum lang. So yun, haha. Anyway, my sister's pestering me to get Junie even for the pre-nup lang, and she vows to get Junie in any occasion that she can! Not bad at all... hahaha!

So, aside from Kaye's fondness for Junie and her beautiful makeup, another accomplishment is having booked Angel of Hearts, for flowers for the church and my entourage. I personally met Lawrence, the owner of Angel of Hearts and made chika about the weddings of my aunts who got him as supplier. After which, I showed him the photos I got from the net of how I want the church and the flowers to look like, as in I loaded my usb pa in his computer ha! He was really easy to talk to, he gave me a really good rate with lots of freebies because suki na nga talaga ang family ko. Afterwards, I booked him for my wedding na :) there are some changes with my requirements, but I'll look for him na lang in Dangwa :)

We sampled (and went back several times for) Joy San Gabriel's cakes. It was delish! Originally I didn't want to spend so much on the cake, but upon tasting her creations, I suddenly have to think twice. Hmmm... its really mouthwatering that I have to stop blogging about it coz I'm starting to crave. Ok... now, stop.

I almost booked with Nice Print, kaya lang I had to think twice kasi I need to consult Babe first on how much he's willing to spend for these aspects. Although I'm pretty much convinced na rin that they're the best for us eh. I wanted to meet Meanne of Sensitivity Lights and Sounds personally, but she was busy talking to a client eh I was kinda exhausted na rin walking around the venue.

Anyway, it was a tiring but fulfilling day :) I'm looking forward to going to more bridal fairs in tne coming months. Hopefully, Babe can join me in one of these trips. Sana may bridal fair sa December... that's a breathe of fresh air from all the Christmas bazaars around the metro :)

More preps coming along! Umaandar na talaga toh!

Busy as a bride-to-be

2009-03-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

Before anything else, I need to let out one big.... Haaaaayyy....

Why the sigh you ask. Nothing, I just feel so exhausted with work and starting up our business recently. It almost feels like I have no more time for myself. No time to watch tv and marvel on little things, on my interests. Exaggerating much? Well, I go home, take my dinner if I have an appetite, do my routine in the bathroom, pray and dream for a bit, then doze off. The next day I wake up early, no time to make my presence felt with my brothers and sister and even eat my breakfast.

Weekends are packed, because of occulars and wedding fairs and overtimes, and couple errands and service. I don't know if I can even squeeze in some time to watch a movie or read a magazine (that's not related to weddings).

Hey, I'm not complaining. Or maybe I am a little. Its not the wedding preps that's making me antsy. I'm loving it that sometimes I can't stop talking about it. Its not the wedding, its not even the new business. Its the thing that's most unnatural to me - office work. I remember in college, a professor who can see past lives told me that I was once a princess from an exotic land. So maybe that's why I abhor working like a slave. Hahaha. No, its more of an issue with time. You know, I have always believed that life should be spent with the people you love. Your family for instance. And so, I dread leaving for work every morning and coming home at night with no energy at all to have fun with them.

I don't picture myself being a nine to five office girl, running late for the bus, answering calls and emails. Putting in too much time outside the home that when its really time for home, you feel like a lifeless zombie, you don't get to enjoy your time with people who matter.

I pictured a different future for myself; it maybe the same with every girl, I don't know. But this is mine: I want to be able to kid around and stay up late with my husband until we get tired from laughing the entire night. I want to savor the hugging and cuddling and sweet nothings when we wake up in the morning. And to have the time and energy to prepare for him a nice breakfast, fix his tie and his hair, and put colored post its on his books, lunchbox and laptop so he'll think of me throughout the day, and then after work, he'll come home to a fresh-looking sweet smelling wife who has already prepared his dinner.

Of course, I'll still work, but not go to work. I'll write, answer emails, and have everything done at home. Except when I need to be in an event that my company is handling or when visiting and supervising our business in any part of the day. Still I'll have time to talk to my mother on the phone, to watch a movie with my sister, and give advice to my girlfriends. Of course that won't change even when we have our own kids except that I will devote most, if not all of my time for them.

Oh how beautiful life is. But first, I need to claim it, that it will happen. Because for something to be achieved, it should be conceived in the mind. And so it will...

Action is needed of course. Which is why I'm really striving now, to really save up, and prepare for a good future so that I won't have to be struggling by then. So now apart from work, I'm devoting my time to starting up our food cart business in the south. Although I don't know if I have ever worked this hard in my entire life, I could say that I am really motivated, especially since I have set my eyes and my heart on my long-term goals.

Also, although my body's really complaining, its easier than I thought especially because I chose the best company to help me achieve my goals. The Filipino Dream. I was never the entrepreneur-type until I found this company, in the best timing if I may add. Just as I was all set to prepare for my future family. So, not for the purpose of plugging, I really recommend this business to friends who are coupled-up, who have thought of taking the next step and those who just want a better life for their families. Let me tell you, its never too early to start planning and saving up. If you need information on this, let me know and I will help you.

Anyway, I notice my entry is getting longer so I would have to end soon. Yet, like I said, getting married is difficult and stressful at some point, but nothing compares to the anticipation of being with the love of your life, building your dreams together. Haay... this is a kilig-one compared to the stressed sigh I had at the start of this entry. Love... is the reason behind everything. So if I were you, I'd prepare for the big day, and the bigger days to come after that.

Hopefully, I'll be able to post wedding related entries before the end of the week, or rather before the start of another week :)

wedding preps realizations

2009-03-02T00:03:00.000-08:00

A few months into the preparations, you might ask: for an event person, what is the hardest part in planning and preparing for your own wedding?

My honest answer: making the decisions!

The coordination and looking for suppliers is a blast, but when it comes to having the final say, I'm finding it really hard to just choose one! Its not like I don't think hard when making the decisions on past weddings that I coordinated, its just that, with that one I make sure to consult the couple or the bride at least, until the day before the wedding for last minute changes or instructions and I just give the go signal on the day itself while keeping their best interest at heart. I don't know why I can't seem to do that for my own wedding. Maybe its because as a young girl and a typical romantic, I've dreamed of that day for a long time and I want it to be nothing short of perfect. So now that it's about to become a reality, I'm scared that if I make a decision and it becomes the decision that will make my wedding a disaster...I might have that shoulda wouldas that I always have at the end of things, and will I regret it afterwards?

And of course its our budget. Never mind my small contribution, its my fiancee's hard-earned money that I'm using! Especially since he has been a real sweetheart with our wedding preps, not being stingy in our budget, not making a big deal on the number of zeros required in cash (he has always been a saver, and very prudent man, not too expensive in lifestyle) just to make sure that we'll have the best on our big day. I need to make sure that everything I spend on is worth every penny. Worth every minute that he has to be apart from me and work abroad. The best groom and husband to be deserves the best wedding. Well I guess I just need to trust myself more when it comes to my wedding. I think I did, and am still doing my research and I'm not deciding on impulse naman, so I shouldn't be too scared, as long as I know I have carefully thought of every decision. And I always consult him naman :)

Next question: What is the thing you're most nervous about when it comes to the wedding?

Well, I'm a planner and I want everything to be ready on my wedding day. And now I'm sure I'll be able to get everything done except for the legal documents.

Its really complicated when your groom is abroad. If I can, I'll do everything, every paper that I need to submit by myself this instant, but of course, both the bride and groom has to make an appearance before the court, and church. So there... adding to my anxiety is the fact that some of these documents has an expiration period and are only valid for a certain number of months. Aaarrgh! Its one of the things I'm really nervous about. What if everything's all set except for the papers, without which, we won't be able to get married...

Sigh... well, Babe's next vacation will be in December so by then, I have to prepare the things that we need to be able to attend the seminars that we need to complete while he's here. Well, mukha lang sigurong mahirap, but I have an aunt naman who went through the same thing because she married a foreigner. Kung nagawa nga niya eh... I'm sure kaya ko rin :) Anyway, my Babe is doing his share of hardwork and sacrifice for this, I just have to do mine :)

For my fellow beautiful brides, try to ponder on the same questions just to give you some insights as you savor the moments that you prepare for the big day... :)

For other friends who are viewing my blog, or will view my blog at one point, mahirap magpakasal. Pero masaya :) You just need to be ready for it I guess...

Cute Blogger Award

2009-02-24T19:20:00.000-08:00

I'm not new to blogging, yet in writing about my wedding preps escapades and interacting with fellow blogging brides, you can consider me a newbie. And so as I was tagged by some of my blogging w@wie sisters, I do this enjoyable thingy ;)

1. Each blogger must post these rules
2. Each blogger starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves
3. Bloggers that are tagged need to write ten facts about themselves. You need to choose ten people to tag and list their names.

so... here goes =) :

1. I love Capiz Shells. Yesterday I was in Manila Penn and I fell in love with their chandelier with Capiz Shells. I own several capiz earrings and necklaces. And staring at a capiz chimes or decor kind of puts me in a daze sometimes. Which is why will still incorporate this capiz in our wedding theme and gifts for our principal sponsors. Buti na lang we know of a very affordable supplier of these native materials :)

2. I like cake more than ice cream. It makes me kind of a lola in that way. I used to like ice cream more when I was a kid, but growing up I saw that ice cream, despite the array of flavors get more boring as compared to cake, which keeps on reinventing itself. Hahaha. I especially love cheesecake, lemon torte from Sugarhouse and Mango Bravo from Contis.

3. I love going to the beach. I'm a summer person kasi. I had a conversation with a friend about places in the Philippines that we often like to visit, and we concluded that we are different with our preference. She is a Baguio person (like she really goes there at least thrice a year) while I'm a Boracay/beach person. I try to go to Boracay at least once or twice a year, and hit the beach at least thrice. I love the beach. The calming yet exciting sound of the waves, the mixture of oranges and purples and blues in the horizon. The feeling of sand on my feet. The laidback bonding with my friends over drinks and walking hand in hand with my babe by the seashore. I could be there forever.

4. I am a bookworm. I prefer reading books or magazines over watching TV. Its the best way to keep me from getting bored.

5. I am a creature of habit. When I like something, I am loyal to it. In food especially. Even in restaurants that I frequent, I order the same course over and over again for years. Like for Cibo its the Venneziana pasta; in TGIFridays its Chicken Fingers, Ceasar Salad and a strawberry iced tea; for Hawaiian Barbeque its baby back ribs and sour cream baked potato. For gerry's grill its sizzling sisig, adobo shreds and crab rice. Tried and tested for years. Ask the waiters. Hahaha.

6. I have more than 20 diaries in my lifetime. I'm only 23 by the way. And I keep cute notbeooks or journals given by friends or by my dad. One of my favorites was a pasalubong by my friend Ann when she went to the States, its a two-sided journal, one cover has a illustration of a heart with flowers and stuff and the other cover has an illustration of a broken heart and flower petals scattered like it has been ruined. I still use it up to now, to write super happily in-love or totally heartbroken moments. Another one of my favorites was given by my dad from his recent US trip, it has a black and white venetian, scrolly-curly theme, I haven't used it yet and I want my wedding vows to be the first entry in that diary.

7. I like to sing, and when I sing, I internalize as if I'm on a music video.. I say that because my sister internalizes like she's have a concert or a gig coz she sings clenching her fist and putting it near her chin like a microphone. I have that 'malayo ang tingin' look when I'm singing. I have major LSS when I start singing, and when I'm using my ipod in public transportation like the shuttle, I always sing along with the song even if other people can hear.

8. I have been so affected by the Chris Brown-Rihanna controversy. Friends even text me and give me updates coz they know I appreciate it. I watched their concert here in Manila and I have always loved Rihanna as a singer. But I won't take sides coz Chris Brown seems like a sweetheart. I hope they make up soon. But both should consider counseling.

9. I am an advocate. I believe that I am a feminist, in a way that I believe that women are as capable as men in any field. And that they have every right to fight back when they are not treated right. Women should be respected and loved. Women are powerful. I'm a big supporter of anti-poverty and education for children of all ages.

10. Writing is my first love. I love to write and although I'm kind of not practicing it as much in my career, I'm thankful for the gift of blog. :)

So... for other blogger brides or just bloggers out there, join the bandwagon, you're tagged!

booked venue and date. Yahoo!

2009-02-24T05:25:00.000-08:00

yey! finally after stressing on it for a while, I have finally made the initial reservations for the church!

Ate Josie, the lady in-charge was nice and really helpful. I told her about my situation, my fiancee being out of the country and she made some suggestions about submitting the requirements and getting a schedule for interview with the priest, pre-cana and other stuff.

Can't believe I just need to pay 5,000 to complete my reservation for my dream church. Haha. It includes na raw the use of the electricity, and sound system. I think I got me a pretty good deal. Plus Ate Josie was really an angel so that was like a bonus ;)

I can't believe I have finally done the reservation; I know its one of the most important things that I have to prioritize and now its like we've taken one big step closer to our wedding :) it feels so good and now I know how my fellow w@wies feel after they've put one big check to their list :)

Next: make the pegs for the dresses and for the theme, draft a guestlist and list of entourage and schedule an occular to Portofino.

HAhahahahappy preps!

movie date with my MOHs

2009-02-23T07:07:00.001-08:00

I went to watch 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' with my bestest homegirls this afternoon, my sister Kaye and bestfriend Jai.

I was feeling a little exhausted during the day so I took a leave from work. In the afternoon I felt a little better and in the mood for a movie so I invited Kaye and later on texted Kups (that's our nickname for each other, with Jai and I) and she was happy to take a break from dinner with her new boyfriend (which we definitely approved of).

The movie was fun :) just the movie to share with your bestfriend and sister. Especially since they're the two girls who I can expect to get me out in a rut, like Suze for Rebecca in the movie. The part where Suze was getting married and Rebecca showed up and they reconciled was touching.

After that, we drove Jai to her new apartment (saw it for the first time) and then went straight home. Pretty little time to chat, but we did all we can while Kaye was driving. YEt, I had the best time with my Maids of Honor :)

Anyway, tried to make the reservations at the church today, but apparently the parish office was closed on Mondays. Hopefully I get out of the office early one day this week. Its my goal to reserve the church before February ends. :) and my babe and I decided to start drafting or guestlist so that we'll know how many to expect and how much to allot as budget for the food :) wish me luck :)

Best Valentines day gift

2009-02-22T20:05:00.000-08:00

my babe never forgets to send me flowers on special occasions. its really thoughtful. but, for this Valentines, I got something even more special from him, when he didn't really give it to me... REad on:

Dear Tito Robert and Tita Ging,

Hello po!

First of all po, gusto kong humingi ng paumanhin sa biglaan namin desisyon ni camille sa kasal at hindi po namin nasabi sa inyo agad ang aming mumunting plano.

Thank you po kasi for all the years sa relationship namin ay pinagkatiwala niyo po sa akin si camille at pasensya na po kayo kung minsan ay di ko po nasusunod yung mga hiling niyo po na ihatid siya at pati na rin po yung di namin maiwasan na arguments (paminsan minsan lang naman po) and pati po hindi po ako nakakpagbonding sa inyo gaano kasi po medyo nahihiya pa po ako eh. Hahaha

Pero siyempre, laking pasasalaamt ko po sa inyo dahil po kung wala kayo most probably wala si camille and she is all I have ever wanted po, for me she is perfect like her parents. Sa pag-invite niyo po sa akin sa mga gatherings niyo, sa pagpapakilala niyo sa akin sa mga kamag-anak niyo and sa lahat lahat na po. Hinding hind ko po malilimutan yun for the rest of my life. J

Alam po namin na hindi po madali ang tatahakin namin landas and I know naman nandiyan lang po kayo to support us and help us about being husband and wife and building a family. And again, muli po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo, taas po ang kamay ko sa inyo.

Ingats po parati! And God bless!

Yours truly,

Alexis “koko a.k.a. jericho rosales” Eusebio

Well, I secretly wanted a love letter for Valentines, and although this wasn't written for me, I was so touched when I learned that my fiancee sent my parents an email for now reason at all. It really made my day :)

Live, Laugh, Love (Cams first blog post on wedding updates)

2009-02-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

Live, Laugh, Love

Camille and Alexis

June 18, 2010

Holy Family Parish/Portofino clubhouse??

lets tackle these things one by one:

Stop! this will be a rather long read. You can pause in between. :)

June 18, 2010

I have always wanted to get married in the summer. It was summer when he proposed to me, it was a Sunny April afternoon. Anyway, I am a summer person. And I have always envisioned my wedding to be in the summer, or May, which is the month of flowers. So, when we sat down to discuss our wedding plans, I requested that we forego the popular 10-10-10, or 9-9-9 dates that people suggest and have the wedding in May. He agreed and the initial date we set was on the 21st of May next year, exactly 2 years, 1 month and 1 day after he proposed.

But as we were starting the preparations for the wedding, we came face to face with the reality that we can't decide on everything without considering the people around us. Because as my mom grew excited and told our close relatives about the date we have set, issues started to arise, since some of my closest uncles and aunts and cousins who live abroad would want to come home and attend my wedding. But they can't in May because the kids have classes. So my mom had to ask me if it was okay to move it in June. At first I didn't want to move it to June because I really wanted to get married in May, and I'm itching to get married already so that I can be with my babe. But I know that marriage is the start of a new life as a family, and I don't want to start that life with disappointed relatives, and I really want to share this moment with them anyway. Plus I'm positive that they will love my husband-to-be. We were just starting out together when they met him. So there... after a lengthy and almost heated discussion with my babe, we finally set the new (and final!) date to June 18, 2010. It falls on a Friday (my request) and the number 18 is his lucky jersey number (babe is an amazing basketball player). Now that we have set a date, the next step is to get a reservation for the church.

Holy Family Parish

There were just two choices for the church. One was the Holy Family Parish in Las Pinas, where we live and the Shrine of St. Therese in Pasay. A brief background of each, Holy Family is the church in the subdivision where babe and I served as members of Youth For Christ. Some of our activities were held there, and its where we go to mass when he was still working here. Its near our house and that of our close friends. Somehow that church felt like home to us and so I have always imagined getting married there. It has a beautiful altar and has an antique, southern feel. The Shrine of St. Therese on the other hand, was something that we just stumbled on. Underneath it was the columbarium where the crypt of a beloved friend and family is. The place below was nice and so we were intrigued by what the church above looked. It didn't fail to amaze us when we got up. It was stunning to say the least. One of the nicest churches I've seen so far. But it was really big, quite expensive and far from where most of our guests will be coming from.

So, we were torn between a church that had our fondest memories, or one which blew us away the first time we saw it, the feeling was almost like falling in love. We're both okay with either of the two so we prayed hard to be able to make that decision. Being the event planner that I am, I decided to look at the big picture and include other elements of the event. Like the nearby venues for reception, the difference in price, the location to guests, its relevance to our budget, and so, the OC girl in me made a table comparing these two churches and presented it to my fiancee. With real and actual figures (yes, I did some research) on ink, we were able to see the relevance of choosing the church to our budget and the whole event. And so, finally, we decided to go with the Holy Family Parish as the church for the ceremony. I secretly hoped that we would end up there, because it was where babe and I went to church even when we were kids (although we didn't know each other then of course). He was an altar boy there, while my family used to live in that subdivision. And I remember clearly what I was wearing, when after a YFC activity, we went to hear mass at the Holy Family, when he looked at me and sweetly whispered to me that he feels like we're already married. So marrying him in that church, makes it all the more romantic, don't you think? :)

Portofino

I came to know of the place when we attended a family reunion. From then on, I found the place to be promising for an elegant and intimate event. Although the next happenings in our lives brought a little melancholy to the venue, and we almost crossed it out of our list. I grew a little depressed about the whole thing for quite some time, since it was the most ideal place to have our reception (considering proximity to the Holy Family church, budget and our concept). Still, at the back of my mind, I kept on praying for it. Then, when I have started looking for other options, I got a go signal to put it back in our list. I was really grateful. Yet despite of that, I needed an insider ( a lot owner, or employee) to be able to book, or even just come in for an ocular. A distant relative works for the owner of the subdivision but I didn't want to use that connection because that means inviting other distant relatives to the event (when what we really want is an intimate gathering). Luckily, Babe's brother used to do sales for the subdivision and they were granted a lifetime membership meaning they can visit the place and have someone book events at the clubhouse. I'm so excited! I'll be a little tied up for the next few weekends, but I promised we'll have our visit on the next available Sunday! I'm still praying to for this... I hope I get prayers from you too. I'll update you when we get it. :)

Live, Laugh, Love

I've dreamed of a beach wedding from the time I started dreaming of marrying my boyfriend, now my fiancee. I love going to the beach, and so does he. Every time he comes to visit (he works abroad) we make it a point to schedule a trip to the beach. I loved the movie Mamma Mia for its unpretentious, laidback summer theme. Months after he proposed, I already looked at catalogues of summer dresses and even downloaded a reggae-inspired version of the Canon in D. So there was just one ultimate theme in mind for our wedding: summer, beach, flowers.

And then the change of date.

Practically and theoretically, I can't have a summer wedding in June. Although I believe in the power of offering eggs to St. Claire, and the trend to push through with the theme despite the season seems to be accepted by most, my being an event manager tells me to do otherwise. I just can't risk it. It's just one day and there will be no ulitan if the rain messes it up. Knowing that June is rainy season, I can insist on having my summer wedding. So...while daydreaming about my pre-nup photo with my babe, I pictured us just laughing and horsing around, and making a fool of ourselves and I can't help but realize that we are not the usual touchy feely couple, instead we are the playful couple who always joke around and laugh, chase and mimmick each other, doing all sorts of fun stuff together yet loves passionately. So, even though the live, love, laugh phrase is getting popular and I see it everywhere, I thought it describes us best as a couple.So I proposed this concept to my babe and he liked it, even more when I started getting all the aspects of the theme out of my head like the design of the venue, the program, etc. I promised to give him pegs/a presentation of how I visualize it in my head coz its hard to describe over the phone and email (and men are visual beings). I'll have to do that bit by bit every night (since I have a full schedule on the next few weekends. Do you know of wedding or bridal related websites that I can get inspiration from?:) Anyway, my babe was pretty much convinced, so we're going with the live,laugh,love theme :) Still, we're using the Pachelbel on the beach music for the processional, I already paid for it and it still applies with our personality as a couple :) (who wants the music? I'll try to load it here so you can here it)

I'm so excited as I begin the wedding preps :) Honestly, I didn't think it was gonna be this easy and this fun, but well, what can I say? I have the best groom and husband-to-be in the universe, a wonderful support-group and peers at W@w, supportive family and friends, and a lot of guts to do events since the previous weddings that I organized.

I'll be attending weddings expos and bridal fairs for the next few weekends, but hopefully I get a lot of things done before the week ends.

Happy preps to all the brides out there!

A Glimpse of the Mushy Bride-to-be ( before I turn into Bridezilla!)

2009-02-16T18:50:00.001-08:00

I can't think of any other way to officially start this blog other than saying:

I have never been so sure in my entire life.

So, its a YES. Definitely, no second thoughts about it.

Its just that from the time we told our parents that we have selected a date and a year to get married, I have been bombarded with the question of whether I'm sure of what I'm getting into. And without a hint of doubt, I tell them, I am.

Maybe in this generation, women getting married (without the baby bump) at the age of 24 may seem totally insane and really impulsive, but I have no hesitations. They say I have my whole life ahead of me, and I agree - all the more reason not to prolong the waiting and spend the rest of it with the man who has shown me the deeper meaning of life.

Some say that I might meet another person in the future, but I believe that love isn't just a feeling, but a commitment. To be with the other person for good times and bad, to love and stay in love, and work on being in love for the rest of your lives. If we work on friendship, why the heck can't we work on love? Needless to say, I have no doubts. Besides, I'm marrying one of my very best friends, the one person in the universe who can make me laugh and smile even at the most difficult times.

So I don't understand why some people think its suffocating to get married. Of course there are certain things that you can only do when you're single, but I don't think its the end of freedom. I'm just looking forward to spend the days and nights laughing and having a good time with my babe.

Other people scare us by saying that being boyfriend-girlfriend is so far from being husband and wife. But some happily married people I trust tell me that sometimes they don't feel the difference and they wake up still head over heels with the person they fell in love with years ago. I prefer to believe the latter. I'm not going to believe that every marriage is doomed when I am just getting there. I think I know my fiancee pretty well and he knows me, but if we're going to find out something about each when we become husband and wife, then that makes it all the more exciting don't you think?

Another issue being thrown at me is being un-domesticated. "Sure ka na ba? Walang maid, kaya mo? Maglaba, mag-alaga ng bata? Magluto, maglinis ng bahay, kaya mo?" Eh hindi naman ako nag-aapply bilang katulong ah! Haha just kidding. Well, I'm not the most industrious person at home, and I admit to have grown up with maids, but, I've dabbled on doing the laundry, washing dishes, cleaning and cooking at one point (I am even a decent baker I believe, I can whip up a mean blueberry cheesecake!), so I don't think my future family is doomed. Besides, I am determined to be the best for them, and you can't go wrong with passion and determination.

Recently, while looking for means to increase our savings and budget for the wedding, I have discovered that I have a flair for business, something I never thought I had. So, who knows? There are facets of me that are yet to be tapped. I might be the good homemaker that you never imagined. I love kids and I seem to have more patience for them than other girls I know so that could be a start. I look up to my mom a lot. She empowers a lot of women even when she is "just a housewife" (was, now she's an entrepreneur). I know that being a homemaker is no easy feat. You know, I wasn't trained to be the most hospitable girl in suburbia, but this I know for sure: I love the man who will be my husband. He is really good to me, and I will do my best to make him feel loved and taken cared of. He deserves the best and that's exactly how hard I'll try. Anyway, he's a boy scout, he can cook his own food naman if I ruin dinner. Hahaha joke lang babe :)

On a lighter note, despite these somewhat party-pooper questions, I know that they (family and friends) mean well. That's how loved we both are. And I'm sooo not discouraged. I have never been this sure. I just listen to their comments to avoing being rude, but no one will ever make me change my mind. The plans on where we'll settle down and how we'll battle the long distance haven't been laid out yet, but I know that I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him. In fact, I just want all these questions, the preparations to go by so that I can already be with him, forever.

We have just finalized the date and the church where the ceremony will take place. It's where I have always dreamed of marrying him. From one theme in mind, we decided to go with another which suits the season when we'll get married. It's so us, in every sense of the word, or words.

You may ask how he's doing with all the preparations. He's dealing with it like a perfect gentleman. Offering inputs and letting his bride let her creativity out. Being generous and patient with her over-anxious and OC fiancee. He is every bride's dream groom. Hahaha. I love him with all my heart. He makes me even more excited to hear that line, "I now pronounce you, husband and wife." I may be a little scatterbrained, and my vision of the dream wedding changes from time to time, but only one factor remains constant. Him, waiting for me at the altar, in his sincere reassuring debonaire smile that makes me want to rush to his arms in a heartbeat.

Now, that's where all the mush went :) kiliiiig... :))

This song I'm feeling right now:
Breathe - Faith Hill
I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face and
I'veNever been this swept away

All my thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze
When I'm lying wrapped up in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear
Is the beating of your heart

'Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

**so on less-busy days i will be writing about my experiences in preparing for my wedding, posting pictures or links of inspiration, and maybe sometimes venting when stress seeps in. Watchout, I might become bridezilla! hahaha i hope not... Right now I just want to enjoy and take in all the excitement and mush that I am feeling...

Again, welcome :)

Welcome!

2009-02-16T18:48:00.000-08:00

Wow, i just started another blog! I'm so excited! This will be my wedding preps blog where I will post photos of inspiration, happenings, etc.

Here CAMS the Bride...

Finally! Our Supplier Ratings-LONG

Been there, Done that! (Reminders from one bride to another, from one who's been out there)

The Scare

The Aftermath...

Here is Camille, CAMS, the bride

two months to go...

Three months into the wedding...

Our wedding reception moodboard :)

Mamma Mia, let me count the ways...

our gentlemen will be wearing...

Can I tell you a secret?

Booked our flights! :)

Another vanity post? Read it then tell me.

About the dress - somebody stop me! :P

City Hall visit - January 4

Pamamanhikan

I know, its been a while...

Learnings on Ondoy

Last Birthday on Single Status

long time no blog...

my wedding day fashion lookbook :)

Another check on the supplier wishlist! Definitely not a Reject!

Talagang may K! - this post is not for the hungry

words...

testing lang :)

A little less than a year to go - updates

my wedding dress mood board :)

PART 2: A Year From Now...

PART 1: A Year From Now...

One year to go! Updates of a June 2010 bride

My One-year beautification project** Part 2 of my vanity post**the usual long read from me

The bride to be's vanity post** Part 1**the usual long read from me

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

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

lets talk about the dress...

juday-ryan wedding

Reception venue: DONE! :)

a thought....

On motherhood

get ready...

i think i found them...P/V

upping the ante

my wedding photographer

so busy...

Wedding for Two

my personal mission statement - draft pa lang :)

Just reposting nice blog entries

Posted from Wedding Bee

updates, wishful thinkings and divi-ilaya trip

why I want a merry map :)

Super pretty find - Twigs and Honey

Ever mine, ever thine, ever ours

Wedding Expo sharing

Busy as a bride-to-be

wedding preps realizations

Cute Blogger Award

booked venue and date. Yahoo!

movie date with my MOHs

Best Valentines day gift

Live, Laugh, Love (Cams first blog post on wedding updates)

A Glimpse of the Mushy Bride-to-be ( before I turn into Bridezilla!)

Welcome!

My One-year beautification project Part 2 of my vanity postthe usual long read from me

The bride to be's vanity post Part 1the usual long read from me