Pre-nup

We felt like a mohdel for 3 hours and  it ain't easy to pose but worth the experience.

Theme: Wood & Moss with Vintage Flair

I love its simplicity from being ordinary, plain green to an elegant centerpiece. There's so many things you can do with moss it can turn into beautiful centerpiece, runner, moss monogram, you can  even create a garden, rustic theme wedding even if it is indoor. And I'm just a sucker for moss.PERIOD.

Why Wood? Aside from it is the only inexpensive element I can think of to pair with moss I like the "warmth" ambiance that the wood brings. May this also symbolizes that we keep that "warm feeling"  for each other :)

So how did we end up with Vintage Flair? When we went to WINK to chose our invites he picked a Vintage Design. Among all the invitation sample shown to us the Vintage design caught his attention,  but I'm already fix to have a wood & moss theme wedding. He's not into having a theme wedding for him it is just another complication (oh oh baby don't say that) . But I can't argue anymore, let's just say he's the hands-on groom by circumstances. To avoid unecessary discussion I just go with his choice but it doesn' mean I will let go of my "fantasy". hehe.

I want the wood & moss thing so bad. That's how i came up with the idea on how we're going to combine the two. We will have a damask design for the invites, misalette and for other printing details while the wood & moss will be our main theme for the wedding. Our wedding our call.

Thus we have the WOOD & MOSS w/ VINTAGE FLAIR theme. Groom satisfied with his chosen design. Bride still gets what she wants. Everybody happy :D

Something Old....

We are both bankers er...ex for me...oh well we first met at the bank. I want to incorporate that in our wedding so I told him that we will  use coins that are no longer in circulation for our arrhae . Even though we already have two-set of arrhaes as freebies from Goldenhills (ring) & CA Design Team (gown). Since we can't turn down a freebie it will serve as souvenir instead.

This will also be my something old, I have a few pieces left & I know that he kept some coins too but when I asked him he said those coins were swept by Ondoy :( So I turn to my family asked them if they have an old coins although they've been keeping it sort of  lucky charm but without hesitation they gave it to me (Thanks so much!)

This one is my favorite among the bunch it's from my Grandmother. When she passed away all her children wants to have it but Tita Helen was the lucky one who received it. She gave it to me without any doubt that we will take care of it in memory of Nanay.

 

P5 coin minted on year 1975

 different denomination of old coins 

Valle Verde 6 Clubhouse

After the ocular visit at the 3 hotels we headed to Valle Verde 6 Clubhouse where our reception will take place. In Valle Verde in order to use their clubhouse for any functions or events it's either you are a resident or you can have someone sponsor you. Lucky for us Jhomsz's aunt know someone who knows the home owners President.
The capacity is 200, air-conditioned, glass setting, they have a playground perfect for the kids so we no longer have to worry how to entertain them in a wedding reception which basically they won't appreciate ( i think) and rate is much cheaper than Green Meadows Clubhouse.

Our Motif

After all the searched we decided to stick with the basic, our motif is Midnight Blue & Mustard Yellow.

2-Week Wedding Preps Marathon (part 2)

September 19 = 10:30AM appointment at gown maker. When I saw the gown, oh oh  this is not what I picture it. I think the lady staff saw my reaction & she said the upper bodice is just a "pattern/shell" for the real gown and the weird skirt  is the petite coat. Hay un naman pala eh..hehe...What a relief ! I have to go back on Sept. 23 for my first real fitting.
1:30PM @ Podium  meeting with  Ms. Pam to discuss the flower arrangement. It went well, she was very professional and considerate, their shop is at Quezon City but she agreed to meet me half-way. She brought her laptop to show me their previous work and to pin point exactly what flower she's talking about. Since I'm not good naming flora  i brought a print copy of my inspiration for more "floral understanding". I told her I don't want a too girl-y flower arrangement but more of a rustic approach. No Roses & Alstromerias.

i just like everything on this bouquet

September 20 =Tuesday is paper works. I made a draft for misalette, thanks to w@w a previous w@wie already made a template for CTK misalette. All I have to do is to change the readings, do some revisions and we're all set. I just need Jhomsz's nod if he's okay with it. Then I wrote down a tentative list of guests on my side.

September 21 = Off to Divisoria with BM Clem to look for a vintage wood trinket box, another w@wie suggested that I can find a vintage box at ever reliable Divi. We're on quest to look something like this but much cheaper.

We searched alleys, asking vendors until we found it but as expected the quality is not the same with the higher price tag. BM Clem suggested that we bought one box just to be sure in case I can' find another one. I plan to use this as our arrhae where we'll put our treasures. After Divi trip I have to meet our coordinator to tell her our progress, I'm confident that we're on track..haha. Until she showed me the template that we have to check & filled-up! Goodness! Can't we catch a break :( Sigh.

September 22 = Let the hunt begin! Time to look for souvenir for Principal Sponsors & for my shoes. I got lucky found something for our golf enthusiast ninong.  Ninongs = checked.

Then my shoes, OH MY FEET!  I'm size 40 (EU). Looking for shoes is never been easy for me. Either i don't have a size or that's the last stock. I don't have any plan to look for my shoes in Japan aside from the hefty price tag I have a slim chance to find the right design w/ the right size. So my plan is to look for my shoes here, after trying several shoes, from Makati to Ortigas my luck stop short when I found nothing that will compensate my effort. My last hope is to buy thru on-line.

9:00PM Jhomsz & I have to meet our emcee. She referred by Sharie (a friend of mine)  she was her client last May at Caleruega. The meeting went well, she gave us ideas on how we could make our program, she shared some of her experiences and we  talked for hours in fact we're the last client of Starbucks!

September 23 = I have to pick-up our Marriage License at Taguig City hall. After a brief talk I received it. Yey!We have our license! Then I'm off to Cecilio Abad`s shop to fit my gown. In just a couple of days my gown was almost complete! That's how fast they can work.

CA Design Team made my gown (second team of Cecilio Abad).  They made some adjustments with the design I gave them to complement with my body shape. A little adjustment, tweaking and embellishments I'm all set. Lab Love her  gown!

 Clayton the one holding the veil, he made my gown w/ the rest of CA Design team

hmm mag emote na daw ba?

September 24 & 25 = We have a 2-day Marriage Encounter Seminar at CTK. We're 60 couples in all, the first largest group CTK handled. We met some new friends too :)

photo taken during our last day as souvenir ;)

September 26 = Another attempt to look for my bridal shoes but still no luck.

September 27 = Typhoon struck Manila. ABC declared no more work in the afternoon so Jhomsz picked me up to have the last preps that we can do.

September 28 = We already received the CD of our pre-nup from RF but I have a plane to catch,  sayang

 

Christ the King

Jhomsz gave me  almost a full reign on choosing our suppliers which I'm really grateful for that (thanks 42 spoiled na). His only request is for us to get married on his dream wedding church and that is Christ the King, so how can I say no? So Christ the King  that is!

(grab the photo from Mike & Ivy's blog)

How to get to Christ the King

From Greenhills, drive towards EDSA on Ortigas Avenue then turn left on Greenmeadows, the traffic light after Lanuza & before you reach C5 (Tiendesitas), about 1 kilometer form there.

From UP via C5, drive past Eastwood City, Libis and turn right when you see Jollibee where you'll see the church about 500 meters from the corner of C5.

Acropolis Clubhouse

After Greenmeadows Clubhouse we went straight to Acropolis Clubhouse. 2010 rate is 13K, you can bring anything you want without any corkage, good for 200++ guests, airconditioned, staffs are very friendly & parking won't be a problem.

The place is okay but I'm not into it, there's no "this is it" feeling. At the end we decided that Acropolis  is out of the equation.

2-Week Wedding Preps Marathon (part 1)

They said planning a wedding is already a pre-trial for the couple before taking the deep plunge, this is a time where misunderstanding is a frequent behavior and patience is being tested. Here's our wedding preps challenge lap 1.

September 11 = Arrival at NAIA. After months without seeing each other, we've been put to a test. A  little story of confusion & wrong assumption. Usually I'm using PAL but this time due to price increase I used JAL. A week before my flight I texted Jhomsz informing him of my arrival @ 1PM  JAL. Upon arrival I'm expecting to see him already waiting (excited me). This is NAIA airport, the manunudos are all waiting behind a semi-bar. I'm near sighted looking for him was quite a challenge. It's already been after 30 mins. no sign of him. I'm beginning to worry, worst I can't make a call I don't have peso coin with me! I walked back and fort still there's no sign of him, a guard approached me, I asked him if this is the only arrival area, and he said yes. I walked again another man approached me asking if I'm okay?  I said not actually and have to make a call out of awe he gave me P5.Ah bless you kuya. I called our house no one is answering.What is going on?!Seriously!Does no one care I'm coming today?!  I dialled again finally my aunt answered then she told me Jhomsz is waiting at Centennial Airport! What!!!!! I said JAL not PAL. So my aunt called him and after 15 minutes he arrived no hug nor kiss for him!hmmp!Silence.....I told him  JAL not PAL! He said I always use PAL and he assumed when I texted JAL he thought it was PAL "typo error" dahil madalas ka naman mag text ng may miss and besides same time din ang dating mo. I'm guilty on this, most of the time there are typo error with the letters. A couple of minutes more, we missed a turn on the way to Duty Free then we`re already smiling. Bati na kami :)

September 12 = Morning general cleaning in preparation for AVP interview on Thursday....By afternoon apply for Marriage License, another challenge here, there's a conflict in Jhomsz's document, a discrepancy on his father's name, good thing affidavit was acceptable. Then after 10 days and we can get our license.

September 13 = Canonical Interview and ocular visit to 3 different hotels in Ortigas. First stop was at Richmonde Hotel. Staff was very courteous and helpful. Rate is reasonable, over all it was okay but the room space is quite small than we expected.

                      Junior Suite                          

receiving area at Junior suite

Superior Suite

After Richmonde we proceed to Linden Suites this time taking pictures is not allowed. Best way to describe it, spacious. Hotel staff was also friendly and accommodating. Rate is also reasonable :) Last stop was at Discovery Suites among the three hotels I like this one. The lobby is big right for some pictorial, rooms are not as big as Linden but I like their furnishing better. The best part Podium is only a stone away perfect for our guests who will come from abroad. As expected rate is much higher than the two. No decision was been reached. Then we're off to see Valle Verde 6 Clubhouse (check on Valle Verde 6 Clubhouse post).

September 14 = Final Food Tasting, another hurdle. We were all looking forward on this day only to find out that I sent a wrong file instead of list of menu I sent list of entourage :( Our AE gave us a dead line to submit our chosen menu so they can prepare it before hand but it was already too late when I checked my mail. I called our AE first thing in the morning to checked if she can accomodate us and she said SURE!Yey!Though not all food that they served is in our menu, still we left fully charge. We all just have one request NO WANSUY (taste & smells like celery) Here are some pics to feast your eyes ;)

hors d'oeuvres: spinach and feta cheese triangles, blinis w/ smoked salmon & dill, hoisin chicken wrap

barbecue chicken salad in martini glass

Honey nut prawns, spicy tuyo in angel hair pasta, beef & pork (i forgot the names), carrot rice & grilled red snapper w/ mango salsa & coconut cream

Panna cotta w/ kiwi, creme brulee & flambeed mangoes w/ vanilla ice cream

September 15 = AVP interview @ our place..A freebie for booking NicePrint during bridal fair :) Interview for both parents and at least 1 friend from each of us. What was the interview all about? We have no idea, we just have to wait until our big day.

Tito Louie, Papa, Tita Nilda & Tita Grace

with bridesmaid Clem

wacky raw?

Jhomsz's friend Syo left early he has other appoinment (in demand hehe..thanks Syo ;)

September 16 = Pre-nup @ El Kabayo Ranch, Pampanga courtesy of Raymund Fortun. I won in w@w auction last November 2009 to get his service. It took us almost 2 years to finally have our pre-nup due to the not-so-cooperative weather condition but this time mother nature gave us 3 hours to pose before heavy rain poured down.

September 17 = Measurements of the entourage (my side) then off to Megamall for the ring

Apple our Maid of Honor

 Julie Ann our Secondary Sponsor

September 18 = Free day from wedding preps, finally! We spend it with his family at Manila Ocean Park.