it's a sparty!

The e-vite below has been posted by Kat. The event also has been planned by her :)

Thanks so much, Kat! Sorry I could not help very much in planning the event. Friday siguro, I will be able to go to Landmark and buy facial masks, etc. with you :)

We're going to have a sparty!

Don't forget to bring robes and slippers so we can be at our most comfortable as we pamper away with foot spas, back massages and face masks! Let's also shower our bride-to-be with pampering gifts to take the stress away as she prepares for her big day! Or it can also be naughty gifts to prepare her for the big night ;-)

And did I say there are going to be games too? Kikay prizes await the lucky winners!

It's going to be a night of fun and relaxation so I hope you all can come! See you there :-)

"Home Work"

Weekend of June 2&3 (6 weeks before the wedding)
-submit application for marriage license (OK)
-meet France Oli and discuss OTD coordination (OK - down payment of P3000 made for OTD and emcee)
-fitting of female entourage with Janet Castro (OK)
-bridal shower c/o MOH at Lemon Tree Inn (OK)
-trial make-up with MV Balo (OK)

Weekend of June 9&10 (5 weeks before the wedding)
-buy black pants, shoes and white long sleeves for Papa at SM
-visit Gardini Fashion Center in Sampaloc for fitting of Papa's suit (OK)
-meet my ring & bible bearers and buy long sleeves & pants for them
-look for bridal shoes in Trinoma (Done, but needs approval from MOH)
-meet a potential Solemnizer at Blue Gardens (Jun-09, 4PM) (Done, but not OK)

Weekend of June 16&17 (4 weeks before the wedding)
-fitting of wedding bands with Meicel Jewelry or Matus (Friday)
-final food tasting with Lina Vitan & discuss other details (Friday)
-fitting for JP's gray suit (Saturday)
-buy black pants, shoes and long sleeves for JP's dad & brothers (Saturday)
-order neckties and bowties for the ring & bible bearers (Saturday)
-meet Solemnizer (Sunday)
-first fitting with Janet Castro & additional down payment

Blooming Inspirations

Little Things

12 small things that I need to take care of little by little in the next few weeks:

...Photos printed in canvass & frames, Fans, Matches, Candles, Table Numbers, Balloons, Wishing Tree, Pillows, Table Napkin Holders, "Just Married" sign, "To Our Wedding" sign, Bible...

A Good Thing

The Scriptures say that God designed and created marriage as a good thing. It is a beautiful, priceless gift. He uses marriage to help us eliminate loneliness, multiply our effectiveness, establish families, raise children, enjoy life, and bless us with relational intimacy. But beyond this, marriage also shows us our need to grow and deal with our own issues and self-centeredness through the help of a lifelong partner. If we are teachable, we will learn to do the one thing that is most important in marriage—to love. This powerful union provides the path for you to learn how to love another imperfect person unconditionally. It is wonderful. It is difficult. It is life changing.

Source: Love Dare Book

Anywhere with You: E-Session Photos

Date: May 14, 2012
Venue: Aerospace Museum in Villamor Airbase
Photographer(s): Jed Ray Calara of Imagine Nation with James Valenzuela as the apprentice

Trial Make-Up Session

Sharing some photos from the trial make-up session at Eros Salon in Wack Wack, Mandaluyong City. I had my hair and make-up done by their senior artist. No questions were asked, but I gave them the instruction that because my hair is thin and very fine, I wanted him to volumize it up. 

He did the curling using a "plantsa" first then placed hair curlers to make it somewhat permanent. He cleared my face with water, shaped my eyebrows, put on foundation to make my skin even and another foundation to add some color. he did my eyes first, added on some color in the cheeks, added brown make-up onto the bridge of my nose so it looks more defined, added color & gloss on my lips and pulled my hair up, sometimes painfully, with several hair pins. 

i wasn't so sure about the results, until i saw the pictures from the e-session -- i thought the hair and the make-up registered pretty well! my only comment was that my eyeliner was not waterproof and melts easily when my face would sweat. i hope we can still do something about that. 

JP had a trial also... the stylist somewhat 'arranged' his hair by putting on some mousse. the oil in his face was removed with some colored powder also. it did not make so much of a difference, hehe! i guess he just needs to get a haircut one week before the wedding and avoid exposing himself to too much sunlight and he should be fine. he needs to be a few tones lighter so he will register better in photos, hehe.

...before during and later still...

...the final result...

The Pamamanhikan

The Pamamanhikan or the Filipino tradition in which the groom's parents and family would visit the bride's parents to formally and respectfully seek their approval to have the bride join their son in marriage, happened on Mother's Day. Although I was open to the option of meeting at a restaurant somewhere, my Mama insisted that it should be in Novaliches. She was the one who also took the initiative and told my Papa about the planned visit and together with Ate Tina, cleaned the house and the garden area so the place  would look presentable. I am blessed to have such a supportive and understanding Nanay.

JP came in with Tita Annie and Tito Froilan, bringing merienda for everyone. It was already around 4:30pm and I was really hungry by then... In anticipation, I forgot to have lunch that day and busied myself with my "home improvement" ideas. I was busy changing pillow cases, table covers while praying silently that God would supersede our preparations and bless us. 

I have to mention also and thank my dad. Before JP and his parents came in, I asked my Papa if he approves. He was watching a boxing match on TV when I asked, "Payag ka, Papa?" Without smiling or looking at me, he said, "Oo". I asked again and in a slightly different tone he again said, "Oo." But this time he also added, "Basta wag ka nya lolokohin." It was not easy for my Papa to express how he feels, I knew he was both glad and at the same time worried for me. It was okay. I knew it was because he wanted the best for me. 

Here are some photos taken that day:

...i love this centerpiece which JP chose from SM Home world the night before...

...i took out the photo albums so that we have something to look at in case it gets boring... 

...a reminder that Christ is a silent listener to what will be said during the pamamanhikan... 

...we greeted my Mama and Tita Annie a happy mother's day also...

...our merienda which JP's family brought consisted of palabok, lechon, pich-pichi, puto & chocolate cake which is not shown here. he also brought suman especially for me!...

 ...JP took this photo of me before he went inside...

...my Mama and Papa singing a duet. thank God the videoke which we seldom use worked! everyone took their turn in singing. the first one to sing was Mama to the tune of "Top of the World" which is her all-time favorite... nakakatawa because the rain started to pour down heavily in the middle of her song! the videoke session really made the day so much more fun and special. we tried to beat each other's score but in the end, my Kuya got the highest! He sang his all-time favorite also, which is "Bluer than Blue"... 

...Tito Froilan going through the list of songs and Tita Annie watching and listening along. i think my dad was the one holding the microphone when i took this photo...

...kuya joined also to show his support...

...JP and me, just really happy our parents have finally met and gave us their blessings...

During our videoke session, I could not help but take videos. It is very rare for me to see my parents sing & dance together. I am grateful for the chance to capture this video of them singing "Crazy Little Thing Called Love".

JP and I tried our best to make the day special and memorable and although the pamamanhikan was not perfect, there were delays and some awkwardness at the beginning and towards the ending (because we had to prepare for the e-session the following day), we were really thankful that our parents were so supportive. They asked us more than once, "How else can we help you?" I guess they knew it's not at all easy to plan a wedding, having planned a wedding themselves in the past.

I told them we need help in finalizing the entourage and guests list, in the fitting of the dresses and in praying for good weather on the wedding day and in getting good and trustworthy suppliers. I asked them also to pray for JP and me, that our relationship would go stronger & communication would not suffer because I am currently on night shift and our usual routine is changing.

Things would hopefully get better and easier from here on. This time, our entire families are behind us, praying for us and offering to help us, even financially if needed. 

In all of this, I give PRAISES back to God who makes ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL IN HIS TIME :)

Inspirations: Mother of Bride Dresses

I have found the one...

Inspirations: The Wedding Gown

Still very confused about which design to choose. Lately, I am leaning towards a gown with sleeves and a soft, floor-length skirt made of organza or tulle with hopefully some train and a flower or ribbon applique at the back. Sometimes though I want satin for the skirt with beadings to make it more formal and elegant looking.

I wonder what it should be.

... i love the 3/4 sleeves on this one & the skirt seems interesting also...

...i love the skirt also though i wonder if too plain...

...here is a more elegant version of the second one...

Our Entourage

Principal Sponsors

Elizabeth Yan Baraut

Michel Baraut

Ramona Yan-Racca

Tito Racca

Ma. Luisa S. Seludo

Ariel Yan

Lilia A. Andrada

Roger P. Yan

Erlinda R. Lennon

Esmeraldo P. Rivera

Aida S. Padilla

Ireneo Padilla

Narios L. Tabungar 

Efrena R. Reigo 

Alberto F. Regis 

Anicia S. Regis

Maid of Honor

Katrin Nunez

Best Man

Jeffrey Roi Fabrero

Bridesmaid

Lorie Mindaro

Groomsman

Dan Eric Rivera

Secondary Sponsors

Candle

Sherry Mabacquiao

Jhonas Khim Fabrero

Veil

Marietta P. Rivera

Joseph Rivera

Cord

Jessica Fabrero

Jerome Fabrero

Bible Bearer

Blue

Ring Bearer

Gavin Airam Maddatu

Flower Girls

Mikalah Renee M. Soriano

Ashley Claudelle Villegas

Inspiration: Flower Girl Dresses

Anywhere with You

Engagement Session with Jed Ray Calara of Imagine Nation and James Valenzuela. Grateful for the provisions and the weather and the fact that although I fell off a broken staircase, I did not hurt myself in places other than my two shins.

Thankful as always to JP who was patient with me, running errands for the group, carrying my luggage and making sure I was okay. Thanks Be, for comforting me after I fell, making sure I wasn't too badly hurt and for being my "hair dresser" for today... for making me smile and laugh, for fixing my up-do when my hair would go unkempt. You are such a joy and a blessing to me and I love you :)

Salamat, Jed and James! It was such a fun and memorable day :) We love the photos and we loved working with you :)

Date: May 14, 2012
Venue: Aerospace Museum in Villamor Airbase
Photographer(s): Jed Ray Calara of Imagine Nation with James Valenzuela as the apprentice

A Little Panicky

I just realized I am running out of time in preparing for the engagement shoot, which we are scheduling on May 14, Monday! Here are my things to-do:

1. Contact Eros Salon for the trial hair and make-up session.
2. Pay the reservation fee for our VW
3. Contact Ate Bien of Nice Print Photography OR Imagine Nation. I might need to change photographers and convert my contract with Nice Print to video only. 
4. Buy props (flowers, luggage), clothes (colorful dress and jeans) and accessories (necklace)
5. Buy from Watson's: facial spa, teeth whitener & Veet lotion hair remover!
6. Learn how to make a pinwheel :)

Hay, ang dami pa pala! Kaya siguro hindi ako makatulog today!

Contact Details:

Villamor Airbase
Contact#: (63) 2-8323498
Hours of Operation: 8:00am - 12:00pm (Monday to Friday), 8:00am - 12:00pm (Saturday)


Nice Print Photography
Unit 203 Emerald Place, 604 Shaw Blvd., Pasig City
Telephone numbers: 6365505, 6333812, 6385206 Fax number: 6333812
Mobile numbers: 0917-8642377, 0922-8627768
Email: Inquiry@niceprintphoto.com

Eros Salon and Make Up Studio
Unit 412B Wack Wack twin Towers, 1550 Mandaluyong, Philippines
027940964/027231812
Mon-Sun: 10:00 am- 9:00 pm

VW Car
Gab Jover
09228102501
50% non refundable reservation fee thru BPI Savings, account of Rafael L. Jover 0010-0082-04
Office:  8 Maligaya st., Joyville Subd, Sauyo QC
Email: gljover@yahoo.com

Part 2 : Food Tasting with Lina Vitan

Last Saturday, 70 days before the wedding day... I went to Lina Vitan's office in Kamuning for a food tasting event with Ate Elsa and her sister. There was another couple there and two other couples came in later on. I was very thankful that I did not come there alone.

The Lina Vitan office was much smaller and harder to find than I expected. I also expected a buffet setup where they would serve all the dishes available in the menu package we are availing of. Instead, Lina Vitan served a limited set of menu: one kind of soup, two kinds of appetizers, one kind of salad, two kinds of pasta, beef, chicken, fish, vegetable dishes and desserts. It was a sit-down event and the waiter would come in and bring the sample dishes:

• For soup, they served us "Crab and Corn Soup w/ Quail Eggs"
• For appetizers, we were served  "Asparagus tips wrapped in ham"* and "Tomato & Cream Cheese Bruschetta"
• For salad, we had "Mixed Green Salad in Honey Mustard Dressing" 
• For the main dishes, we had the following: 
• Baked Ham Macaroni Casserole
• Old fashioned favorite Lasagna*
• Roast beef with Buttered Vegetables
• Beef Salpicao
• Honey Pork spareribs Barbecue
• Chicken Gallantina with Tartar Sauce
• Soy Chicken
• Roast Chicken*
• Macedonne of Vegetables
• Fresh Lumpia*
• Fish Fillet with Tartar Sauce
• Blue Marlin Teriyaki
• Finally, for our dessert, we were offered "Butterscotch" and "Panacotta with Blueberry"*

They generously served us dishes even though some are not part of the original menu package I am paying for. I have indicated these in asterisks above. Perhaps this was an invitation to upgrade the package or just something they do to improve the food tasting experience.

My contact, Ryan was very pleasant and very accommodating. He would let us know what dishes were being served and gladly accommodated our questions. Most of all, I like what seems to be his motto in life, "Lahat naman po napapag-usapan." When we asked him if we could have a Mamang Sorbetero at the event as suggested by Ate Elsa, he told me that he will try to find someone for me: an ice cream vendor with a good-looking ice cream cart.

All in all we had a good time and our only negative comment was that the roast beef and honey pork they served us was not tender enough. For the bruschetta our comment was that the bread was not crisp as we knew it should be. We loved the vegetable dishes, the fish fillet with tartar sauce and Lina Vitan's signature dish, the baked ham macaroni. The butterscotch and panacotta was also quite good. Ate Elsa and her sister loved the butterscotch so much that they had to ask if they were selling them in boxes that same day. Over all, I was satisfied with the taste and food presentation. I am now confident that my guests will like what they will eat at our dinner reception.

Here are some photos from the food tasting event:

Our temporary set of dishes are as follows:

• Pumpkin Soup
• Tomato & Cream Cheese Bruschetta
• Baked Ham Macaroni Casserole
• Roast beef with Buttered Vegetables
• Roast Chicken
• Macedonne of Vegetables
• Fish Fillet with Tartar Sauce
• Assorted Pastries and Fruits for dessert

Personally, I prefer the chicken ala pobre which I had the pleasure of tasting in another event but I knew that JP likes roasted chicken so I am opting for that. My package included either beef OR pork only, and I have chosen beef although I initially thought I can have both. Ryan told me that should not be a problem since he knew I will be ordering lechon for the reception also. 

Sometime June, we will have our final food-tasting event, this time hopefully with JP. I trust his sense of taste when it comes to food and I am intrigued to hear his comments on the dishes I have chosen.


Our Ice Cream Story:
I haven't mentioned the Mamang Sorbetero idea to JP yet, but we both agreed we wanted to serve ice cream. I often remember our early days as a couple and that involved a lot of ice-cream eating. In fact, our first "unofficial" date involved eating gelato ice cream in SM Megamall. Even in Singapore or while in an air plane, we would find ourselves enjoying ice cream together. Just this year we tried Haagen Dazs cheesecake ice cream and while on a plane ride from SG to MNL, we ordered Ben & Jerry's chocolate chip cookie dough flavor. I love ice cream and I love having it more with my H2B :)

Day 2: Weddings & Beyond Bridal Fair

I went back yesterday to the "Weddings & Beyond" bridal fair held in The Tent. My goals for doing this are as follows:

• Update our contract with Nice Print Photography to include the On-site Photo Slideshow which usually costs an additional P5,000. I requested this as free add-on and Bien who is my contact agreed over the phone. I wanted to see this reflected in the contract.
• Look for a jeweler and avail of the bridal fair discount.
• Look for a couturier with experience in making the gown design i wanted. 

Wedding Bands

There were several booths I visited and all were offering 14K rings that are either white gold, yellow gold, rose gold or a combination of these and platinum which I learned was more expensive. I knew that I wanted a ring that would have diamonds in them and I knew that JP wanted a simple band that was pure white gold. 

The first shop I visited was Golden Hills with stores in SM North EDSA and SM Megamall. They had a wide range of designs and was offering 20% discount with a minimum of P1,000 for down payment. They had several rings that would fit our budget and those that even resembled the stainless 'couples ring' that I was wearing. But none that I felt was right for us.

The second shop I visited was Meicel Jewelry. Their shop is not located inside a mall so I thought they could offer a more competitive price. The owner whose name I forgot to ask, was very accommodating. I told him the design I was looking for, the color and my budget. He helped me go through the white gold rings and allowed me to try on some. He knew I wanted a ring adorned with some roughly cut diamonds. He explained to me that their rings are quite different from what others were offering because the color was clearer and did not cast a yellowish color. He let me try on a ring that had 9 x 0.2 carat diamonds and I felt quite happy wearing them! I was told that the clarity was G and although I have no idea what that meant, I was convinced nonetheless and paid the minimum down payment of P2,000. They gave me 25% bridal fair discount and the final price of the rings was P10,000+ more than my original budget. We could have paid our OTD coordinator with the additional amount, but I have no regrets. We will be wearing the rings everyday and I want them to make us smile each time we see them :) 

JP and I will choose our final design next week & I am confident that we will find something that we will both be happy wearing for the rest of our lives. Feel free to browse through their collection of white gold rings. Here is the one that I really liked:

Couturier

There were several well known exhibitors at the bridal fair such as Edd Sy and Edward Teng. There was even an exhibitor from Laguna that could make hand-embroidered gowns in pina cloth for the price of 60K. I visited their booth and looked at the packages they were offering even though I knew I could not afford them. 

I was already losing hope until I came across a poorly lit booth that showcased simple yet elegant gowns and became interested. The first thing I asked was where the store was located. When they said they have a shop in Tiendesitas I sat down and asked if I can see more of the gowns they have created in the past. I was so surprised to see that they have created a gown that was very similar to the Cecilio Abad gown that I have in mind! So close that I thought they were bluffing!

I became really excited and thought this was destiny! I will visit their shop sometime this week and see if they can accommodate my demands given the short period of time available. 

Here are some of their sample works:

K.M. AQUINO COLLECTION'S

By: Kathleen M. Aquino
Bldg 5 Stall 6 Novelty Village
Tiendesitas Brgy Ugong Pasig City
(0929)706-9563
(02)513-7791
(02) 547-9838 to 39

Package 1 php 40,000.00 (10 persons)
Wedding Gown- Made of Satin or Chiffon
(1) Maid of Honor
(3) Bridesmaids
(3) Secondary Sponsor
(2) Flower Girl

Package 2 php 45,000.00 (10 persons)
Wedding Gown- Made of Ducheese Satin
(1) Maid of Honor
(3) Bridesmaids
(3) Secondary Sponsor
(2) Flower Girl

Package 3 php 60,000.00 (12 persons)
Wedding Gown- Made of Mekado
(1) Maid of Honor
(3) Bridesmaids
(3) Secondary Sponsor
(2) Flower Girl
(2) Mother's

I do not know if they will be our official couturier. I will know after I visit their shop this week & discuss with them the maid of honor, bridesmaid and flower girl gowns I wanted.

Nice Print Photography
Right before closing, I dropped by the Nice Print Photography booth and asked if they can accommodate my request to include the onsite photo slideshow, to replace the AVP of scanned, old photos they offered as freebie initially. An onsite photo slideshow was a better deal I thought even though they both cost P5000. I easily can make the AVP myself using MS Office PowerPoint or the Windows Live Movie Maker.

Ate Bien excitedly showed me that she has already updated our contract. No further discussions needed. I will talk to her again this week to discuss the engagement shoot.

If I have time, I will write about Day 1 of the "Weddings & Beyond" bridal fair also :)

Inspiration: Wedding Invite

I saw a sample of the wedding invitation below from visiting Print Diva's booth at the bridal fair earlier today and just thought, this is perfect! JP and I have agreed that we will go ahead with our journey theme and a passport with boarding pass invitation would really be appropriate. I even saw that we could opt for an air mail envelope and thought that would be even better.

...boarding pass, passport and air mail envelope...

...front page of the passport...

One other factor that made me feel very drawn to the above sample was that the colors used for these are so close to the color motif we are trying to go for, lavender and celadon green. And since it was a bridal fair, we were able to avail of discounted rates and additional freebie: 100 pieces monogram cards that we could use for our wedding favors.

I really like the design and quality of the print from the samples I saw and I am excited to see our own invites printed out soon! I am also excited to show JP the above design in person once he gets here next week for our Pamamanhikan.