Our Happily Ever After

 

This is it. This is the day that the Lord has made for us to exchange vows with God as our witness and in front of our family, beloved sponsors and friends.

Bless our marriage always, dear God. Bless our union. Bless our family and our home... forever and always!

Warning: Bridezilla on the loose!

 

Omg! Omg! Omg! It's only 15 days to go before the Big day. Ow-em-gee! Do i sound like panicking? I still can't believe that our most anticipated event will soon eventuate. 0_0 Where have all the days gone by?

A lot of of things had happened. I had encountered big trials, disappointments, fury, extremely stressful days. An extremely curse-able-experience which i thought only happens in movies. Every bride's greatest nightmare. Nakakapanginig ng laman pag naaalala ko! Nanginginig ako sa galit!

Alam mo yung ang tagal tagal mong hinintay, pinangarap at pinaghandaan? Tapos sa isang iglap bigla na lang maglalaho? Kung kelan malapit na, saka pa nangyari. Why????

Maniwala ka man o hindi, pero isa ang "wedding gown" sa unang inaanticipate ng mga babae kapag narinig nila ang salitang kasal lalo na kung ito ay gaganapin sa simbahan, beach o garden. Isa ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit naeenjoy namin ang wedding preps sa pamamagitan ng pagresearch kung ano bang design ang maganda at kung sinong designer ang iha-hire. Nakakaoverwhelm sa daming pagpipilian. Nakakalito. Mas lalong nakakaexcite.

Minsan ka lang ikasal so make it worth reminiscing. Ang paglalakad papunta sa altar suot ang wedding gown ang isa sa pinapangarap ng lahat ng kababaihan. To feel like a queen even for a day.

Pero pano kung isang araw bigla na lamang gumuho ang iyong pangarap na maisuot ang iyong pinakaaasam-asam na wedding gown? Kung kelan malapit na ang iyong nakatakdang kasal? Ano ang gagawin mo?

Well, this is what happened to me. I hired this "fashion designer" (kuno or so he claimed) to make my dream wedding gown, a few months before my wedding day. Di ko na babanggitin ang name nya kasi baka masuka lang kayo. Isa syang baklang salot sa lipunan. Walang puso, walang balun-balunan, walang konsensya. Ang totoo? Di po sya tao. Isa syang animal!

 Di ko sya kilala personally. Pero dahil may mga kabatch ako na soon-to-be bride na sa kanya nagpagawa at nakita ko naman na maganda rin ang mga gawa nya at mura ang kanyang package, kaya naisipan kong sa kanya na rin magpagawa. Dahil sa totoo lang, ayoko din naman mag-splurge sa gown dahil naniniwala ako na wala sa presyo yan, nasa nagdadala... chos! May mga nabihisan na rin naman siya na sikat ngayong artista at magaling syang designer kung tutuusin. So alam mo yun, maayos naman talaga sya gumawa... dati!

Dati yun! Dahil isang malaking pagkakamali ang nagtiwala ako sa kanya! Nagsisisi ako na sa kanya ko ipinagkatiwala ang gown ko. At pinagsisisihan ko na halos full na ang bayad ko kahit isang beses pa lang ako nakapag fitting. Na wala namang nangyari dahil para lang akong mannequin sa bilihan ng tela na binalutan lang ng plain fabric, tinusukan ng karayom para magkaron ng form. I totally get it, first fitting pa lang naman so i shouldn't expect anything yet.

Then 2nd fitting day came, i rushed to his shop/ house/apartment to see if there'll be some changes made. At least any form man lang para masabing may ginawa sya sa gown. But to my dismay, he's not even there! I waited for several hours outside his door while bombarding him with phone calls and text messages. I was trembling, furious that i trusted him. I got heart palpitations.

Ang dami kong tanong, nasaan sya? Bakit ayaw nyang sagutin ang mga tawag at messages ko? Alam nya namang schedule ko ng fitting ngayon!

Ganun ganun na lang at nawala siya na parang bula! Several days prior to my fitting, tinext ko sya asking for an update sa gown ko since malapit na ang aking "big day". Wala syang sagot. Ni hindi nya sinasagot mga tawag ko. So i got worried. Pero hindi ko pa rin tinigilan, i kept sending him messages and made phone calls. Then eto na, isang araw biglang sumagot sa messages ko. Ang sabi ng loko, naaksidente daw sya kaya hindi nakakasagot sa mga tawag at messages ko. So out of concern, ang dami ko lalong tanong. Anong nangyari? Saan nangyari? Pano nangyari?

Hanggang sa napansin ko, ang gulo gulo ng sagot nya. Paikot ikot pero lumalabas na hindi totoong naaksidente sya. Na nagsisinungaling lang sya. Na gumagawa lang sya ng alibi.

Nagsimula akong kulitin sya about sa progress ng gown ko simula nang malaman ko na hindi nya sinipot ang ibang bride-to-be at ang mas malupit, walang gown na nagawa kaya napilitan silang magrent at yung iba ay bumili ng RTW na gown sa mismong araw ng kasal nila dahil bigla na lang daw hindi nagpakita si RR. Magaling, magaling, magaling!!!

Sa pag-aalala ko na mangyari din sa akin ang bangungot na iyon, nagmessage ako kay RR at nagrequest ako ng fitting dahil ilang linggo na lang ay kasal ko na. Nagreply naman sya sa akin at ang sabi'y di daw sya pwede dahil nag out-of-town siya. Pero kinulit ko pa rin sya nang kinulit. At biglang sinabi nya na naaksidente nga daw sya. So nagpasya akong sadyain sya sa kanyang shop para alamin kung totoo dahil duda na rin ako at nagtatago na si bakla!

Ilang beses akong nagpabalik-balik sa bahay nya, nagbabaka-sakali na maabutan ko sya. Ipinablotter ko na rin sya sa barangay dahil sa pagtangay ng perang ibinayad ko. Hindi namin pinulot lang ang perang ipinambayad sa kanya. Pinaghirapan ng asawa ko yun. Nag-usap usap na rin kami ng iba nya pang nabiktima, pagbabayarin namin siya sa ginawa nyang panloloko sa amin.

Ang sakit sa puso! Ilang buwan mong hinintay na magawa at matapos. Yung sobrang excited ka sa magiging outcome ng gown na gusto mo. Na sobrang nagtiwala ka sa isang tao. Pero niloko ka lang at pinaasa. Nawala na lang syang bigla at nagtago. Isang napakasakit na bangungot. Ang saklap!

So pano na ngayon? Anong isusuot ko? Ilang araw na lang ay ikakasal na ko sa simbahan. Pano na ang dream wedding gown ko?

May ipinakita sa akin na rtw gown ang mananahi ng damit ng aking mga bridesmaid. Konting remedyo lang daw ay maganda na. Sa totoo lang hindi ko talaga gusto. But I have NO choice! Hindi na ko pede magpatahi ng panibago dahil gahol na sa oras. Hindi na kakayanin.

So sinukat ko yung gown para ayusin dahil malaki ito sa akin. Hindi ito fit sa katawan kong napakaliit (halos buto't balat na lang ako sa sobrang stress) Pero panibagong sama ng loob, nang ibalik sa akin ang gown (matapos remedyohan) na walang pinagbago. Malaki pa rin ito at halatang halata ang di magandang hubog ng damit.

Ang nakakaiyak pa dito, siningil pa ako ng triple sa dapat ay presyo lang nito. Hindi na nga maganda ang fit sakin ng gown, naloko pa ako sa presyo. Sobrang nakakaiyak!!!!!

Sobra sobrang bangungot na! Hindi ka lang isang beses pinatay, dalawang beses pa. Anak ng botcha naman o!

Bakit ba may mga taong nagagawang manloko ng iba? Bakit may mga taong walang konsensiya? Bakit may mga tao na dahil sa pera ay nakakagawa ng masama? Walang puso!

Isa syang salot! Dadating din ang bad karma nya!

Walang maidudulot ang galit ko kaya pinapatawad ko na sya. Wala na rin namang magagawa. The damage has been done ika nga. Ipagpray ko na lang na wala na syang ibang mabiktima. Na balang araw ay pagsisihan nya ang kanyang ginawa. Na balang araw ay marealize nya mas importante ang tiwala kesa sa pera. Si God na ang bahala sa kanya.

Hindi man ako makapaglakad sa simbahan suot ang magandang wedding gown, ang pinakaimportante, meron naman akong pinakamamahal na asawa na naghihintay sa akin sa harap ng Diyos, ng aming mga pamilya at kaibigan. At kami'y mangangakong magmamahalan, magpakailanman <3

Ocular Visit- Hotels in Manila

I had an ocular visit for our hotel preps. Most of our preferred hotels are along Roxas Boulevard for easy travel to the ceremony which is in Malate Church. We have to anticipate the traffic and all esp. in Manila. We also prefer a big room to accommodate our family and suppliers on the prep day.

Here are some of the hotels i got to visit on:

Traders Hotel

3001 Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila, Philippines 1305

Superior/ Deluxe Twn Room- 36 sqm (*photo credit: agoda.com)

Superior/ Deluxe King Room- 36 sqm.
(photo credit: tnetnoc.com)

Executive Suite Room- 76 sqm- bedroom(photo credit: tnetnoc.com)

____________________________________________________

Diamond Hotel

Roxas Boulevard cor. Dr. J. Quintos Street, Malate, Manila, Philippines
Formerly the Manila Diamond Hotel

Superior/ Deluxe King Room- 40 sqm.
(photo credit: tnetnoc.com)

_____________________________________________________

Pan Pacific Hotel

M. Adriatico corner General Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila, Philippines 1004

_____________________________________________________

Hyatt Hotel and Casino

1588 Pedro Gil Corner MH Del Pilar, Malate, Manila 1004

As of now, our choice is Diamond Hotel.

So how to do an ocular? 

1. You must have a preference (such as hotel, location etc)
2. Visit your preferred hotel/place for an ocular.
3. Proceed to the main lobby/ customer service booth
4. Inquire for the rate, availability, room size
5. Check the room.

Remember: It's FREE. You won't be paying for anything when doing an ocular not unless, you've already decided to book the hotel. Then you'll have to pay a certain amount for the reservation.

That's it! Hope this helps if you plan on doing an ocular soon.

Happy preps!

DIY: Wedding Cord

It's now 95 days left before our big day. I'm still recovering from being hospitalized a few days ago. While on rest, i got my hands working on our DIY project- our Wedding Cord. It's very light and so easy to do. I got it done in just a couple of minutes. I love the final outcome :)

Materials were bought from wellmanson at a very cheap price.

No tutorials for this one, sorry. But you can find good tutorials via web search engine.

I'll just share with you the final outcome of my "Bride's touch"  Plain and simple.

Taddaaaa...

A combination of our main motif, Pink and color accent, Aqua. I have included our initials too.

I have used my necklace's pendant for this cord. It looks cool, yes? It fits our fairytale theme. Love it.

Add a personal touch to your wedding. Unleash the creative side of you. It will not only save you money but you'll also realize how fun it is to do the things you love.

next diy mission: Fabric or Paper Flowers

Happy preps,

Let the countdown begin... 100 Days!

Heya there!

It's been a while. I don't have much to post so i don't drop by often. Plus no-internet-connection-at-home for a couple of months (and counting?) really does pisses me off. Oh well, i have already signed an application to one prospect internet provider here at our cluster and i just hope they'll install a lot quicker so i can chat with my hubby way better.

We've been to Cebu and Bohol last weekend. When we got back here in Manila, after a day, sadly, i got sick! I had to rushed myself at PDH's ER for checkup due to high fever and debilitation. Was admitted due to platelet counts dropping. Which later on, have been diagnosed of Intestinal Flu, which symptoms according to my doctor are almost the same as when having dengue. But Thank God i felt better now and currently recovering. Thanks to my family and friend's prayers. For now, I have to gain my lost energy and weight since my second fitting will be this coming weekend (2 days from now). Hooray!

Let's skip to the main reason of this post. We're officially down to 100 days.. wooohooo! Oh-em-gee!

 So let the countdown begin. Ready?


Happy preps!

120 Days To Go...

My gosh! 120 days to go before our wedding day. Where have all the days gone by? It seems that each day is eating too much time than it usually did. Now it gets more exciting. I just can't wait.

I'll also be sending out another Save the Date card for our guests;

So anyway, lemme review all the accomplishments we already had so far and hopefully i don't miss out on anything;

--- Ceremony Venue ✔

--- Reception Venue ✔

--- Caterer ✔

--- Cake ✔

--- Photo and Video ✔

--- Lights and Sound ✔

--- Bridal Gown ✔

--- Entourage gowns ✔

--- PS gifts ✔

--- Invitation ✔

--- Coordinator

--- Pre-nup pictorial ✔

--- Save the date video shoot ✔

--- Bridal and Entourage's flowers ✔

--- Mobile bar ✔

Soon to-be made...

-- groom's suit

-- father of the groom's suit

-- ring bearer suit

-- bride's brother's suit

Still on process...

-- wedding band

-- hair and make up artist

-- hotel prep

-- church requirements

-- bridal car

-- souvenirs

-- DIY and more diy's

We're almost there.. I can hardly wait. Oh God, thank you for all this accomplishments. I really wish i could be more creative and productive as the days go nearer to our big day.

Happy preps!

Save the Date Card Etiquette..

I chanced upon a website and have read this article. Found it very helpful that i decided to re-share it here at my blog. It's all about save the date cards and its etiquette

Enjoy reading.

--------------------------

Not sure when to send your save the date card? Wondering if you really need one? Don’t 

fret! Here are some helpful tips about save the date card etiquette.

• Save the date cards are announcements viewed as a preliminary invitation to your wedding.
• Save the date cards should be sent at least four to six months before your wedding day, and at least two months before your wedding invitations.


• Save the date cards aren’t formal or even a necessity, so feel free to personalize them creatively!


• They’re important primarily if many of your friends and family need to travel to your wedding, if your wedding date falls on or near a holiday or if your wedding location is seasonally busy or a popular vacation destination. Ideally, sending your save the date cards 9-12 months in advance is recommended if your wedding falls into any of these categories.

• Save the date cards provide your guests with ample time to request days off from work, make travel arrangements and organize babysitters or house-sitters. With proper notice, your guests will be able to make your special day an extended special vacation. A thoughtful gesture is to provide guests with additional information to help facilitate their travel, like tips on local special events or points of interest and any group discounts available.

Your guests will appreciate the advance notice of a save the date card as well as cherish it 

as a unique keepsake of your unforgettable event.

Happy preps!

DIY Save the Date

This is my second (attempt) of DIY save the date. The first one was good enough for a first try. Go ahead and take a peek. This one i like better.

Now, could you please Save our Date?

You know how excited I am. I just can't wait.

The Fernbrook Gardens Bridal and Debut Fairs

click image to enlarge

You can pre-register at their website: http://www.fernbrookgardens.com
or send your complete name, address and contact number to fernbrook.everafter@gmail.com

Our Save the Date Video by Shutter Count

It was a nice sunny day! We're off to La Mesa Ecopark for our pre-nup video shoot by my couple friend, kumare and kumpare, Benj and Chelle of Shutter Count.  Benj was a hobbyist photographer. His passion, dedication and love for photography leads him to a professional career by building a photography business, together with his co-hobbyist Ed and his beautiful wife, Chelle. They makes a great team. They provide the best moments possible through their picturesque captures.

Here's to share with you one of their superb works, our Save the Date video,

It was a very pleasant offer and we are more than grateful to experience their firsthand videography services. We had a day of fun. Thank you so much Marse Chelle and Benj from the bottom of our hearts. It was a pleasure working with both of you. You already! haha Love, love love!

----------------------

Shutter Count provides photo services for weddings, birthdays, debut, christenings and any corporate events.

You can check out and like their facebook page: Shutter Count

They got an affordable rate that will fit every budget without sacrificing the quality of the photos. I assure you, you will never go wrong with them.



much love,

Oh My Gown :-)

Choosing the right wedding dress is one of the most exciting phases in wedding planning. And believe it or not, the bride's wedding dress is also one of the most anticipated so it's really important to choose a wedding gown we love. Ever since we planned about this wedding 2-3 years back, i've started digging on magazines and websites for gorgeous wedding gowns. The seemingly limitless options is very much overwhelming. I had a hard time choosing the right dress for me. I found them all, gorgeous!

With several choices on my list, i narrowed them down to few choices until i come up with my most loved wedding dress.

 Which design should i choose?

Photo credit: All pics were grabbed from the internet

 I like simple mermaid style wedding dress which would emphasize my figure

 

I also like flowy A-line wedding dress which looks really comfortable and easy to move around with

 

But most of all, I love ball gown wedding dress which make me feel like a Queen while wearing one

---------------------------------------------------------

I would love this back detail for a Beach wedding...

I would also love this kind of dress for a beach wedding...

And this one too...

 How about you? which style do you like?

Early Prenup Shoot

Date: March 28, 2012
Venue: La Mesa, Ecopark
Photographer: Nice Print Photography
Hair and Make-up: By ME

I know we had it much earlier than expected. (Big day is Dec). Well, if you haven't known yet, hubby works abroad and he only had a few months vacation then will be off to work again. So unfortunately we don't have much time if we plan to have it later on. So this is the perfect time, not to mention, hubby's scheduled flight will only be a few days away :(

So there, we packed our bags with all our stuffs (outfits, shoes, makeups, accessories etc) then headed to Eco Park in Fairview, Quezon City. Hubby and I were a newcomer. We've never been to ecopark before. Heard that it's a great place for family picnic, well it really is. Giant and old trees were abundantly over the place where it feels so refreshing and truly one with nature.

The shoot itself was exhausting since we're exposed in a broad daylight yet it really is a FUN experience. We seems like true models in the act with several observers on the verge hehe. It took us 8hrs for the shoot. We had so much fun shooting that we kept the time unnoticed and its even nicer that our photographer didn't mind about the time either :)

That same day, Niceprint gave as a cd of the raw pictures. I was so happy that i can't wait to see the result of our today's shoot. Yipeee!

Because of my happiness, i would like to share with you a glimpse of our prenup shoot.

Tadddaannnn....

 What do you think??

Here's what you need to bring for the shoot:
- Outfits (costumes)
- Extra footwear
- Accessories/ Props
- Hand towels (to wipe away those sweats)
- Extra clothes
- Water (and more water)
- Make-up kit (in case you don't have an hmua for that day)
- Extra money (for entrance fees and food)
- Bring-in foods or baon (para mas makatipid kesa bumili pa sa labas)


** Ecopark entrance fee: 40/head, 20/head (if quezon city resident)

Happy preps!

Wedding Expo Sept 2012

Pre-register HERE for free admission.


xoxo,

Booked: Chocolate Confections for PS Gifts

We no longer have to think of anything goods to give to our principal sponsors. We've found Chocolate confections at the bridal fair.. It's composed of imported wines with belgian chocolates. 

You may check out their facebook page: Chocolate Confections

Happy preps!

xoxo,

Booked: Photo and Video

Finally! We now have our Photo and Video supplier. Booked them at the recent bridal fair that we've attended. Among all the P/V suppliers and booths at the fair, Macromedia Photography got me interested. Aside from their affordable rates, they got lots of freebies :) Upon browsing their sample albums, we've noticed that they got a nice work. I have a good feeling that they'll make our wedding pictures beautiful. Lei is so nice and accommodating. So then and there, we made our reservation to blocked the date.We availed of their promo rates with free SDE's, prenup and so much more :)

Happiness! One major supplier down.

You can check out their works HERE.

Disclamer: The site is outdated but as you may see, they got nice works.

You may also check them in facebook: Lei of Macromedia Photography

I like their shots and hoping that they'll exceed my expectations on our wedding day.

Happy preps!

xoxo,

Wedding Expo 20th Edition Experience

An hour later after our flight from Bicol we headed straight to SMX to attend the Wedding Expo 20th Edition. It's the biggest and prestigious wedding fair of the year presented by Themes and Motifs. I got to meet my fellow BBB's (GT 2012 b2b) just before heading the entrance of the expo itself.

(from L-R; Di, Lennie's h2b, Lennie, Jam's h2b, Jam and moi :)

Here's what we have accomplished at this fair:

We've booked Macromedia Photography as our P/V supplier :)

I had an Airbrush trial makeup with friend Joan Uy-Dacio for Free

Booked Chocolate Confections for PS gifts


Happiness! Finally we've booked another major suppliers.



Happy preps!


xoxo, 

Weddings & Beyond Expo

Pre-register HERE for free admission.


xoxo,

On Choosing the Right Wedding Dress

Choosing a wedding dress is one of the most exciting phases of wedding planning. Every soon-to-be bride is excited thinking about finding the right wedding dress, where to shop or who's designer to get.  Here is some of the information that will help you find the perfect wedding dress for your big day.

When to Start

Get started as early as you can so that you can devote ample time for the fittings. Wedding dresses are usually custom made and hence, need several alterations before it fits perfectly. Though some may prefer ready-to-wear, off- the-rack, or hand-me-down wedding dresses. In case you have less time for custom made, opt for something simple.

First Step

- Think about your style and imagine how your wedding dress would be like. Write down few adjectives that best describes how you want to look. Ex. vintage, sophisticated, sexy, royal, elegant etc.

- Determine which design element will complement your body. Specify what you absolutely do not want in your wedding dress. Ex. ball gown silhouette or beading.

- Set your budget and stick to it. A general guideline is to alot 10% of your overall wedding budget.

- Choose the time of day and formality of your wedding. Keep in mind your theme (if you have) and the season.

Next Step

- Scout for a wedding gown designer or couturier. Call and make appointments. Take note about the prices and wedding dress descriptions.

- Book your gown designer/ couturier. Ensure that you sign the contract and got the receipt for payments.

- Have your designer take your body measurements. Bust, waist, hips, length. Decide if you want a long train or veil.

Here Comes the Fittings

- Schedule for first fitting along with a sharp-eyed and honest friend.

- You need to bring the shoes that you are going to wear or with a similar heel height you plan to wear on your wedding day. See if you can walk or move comfortably.

- Schedule more fittings until the wedding dress is a perfect fit.

- Remind your designer about the date of delivery.

Lastly

- Try to maintain your weight as possible. Better yet, forget about the diet, wear that dress, girl.. don't let the  dress wear you!

Happy preps!