Sealed with a KISS... And We're DONE!

Let me start by saying, I'll be writing this in my normal speaking ways - tagalog na minsan may english, so as to be as natural as possible to tell the story. :)

Okay, game na.

I started my day, by waking up at 3:30 am - yes! Ganun kaaga ang gising ng isang morning bride. I was never a morning person, and I have always disliked activities na super aga, but this particular activity was something I looked forward to kaya kiber na sa pag-ayaw ko ng paggising ng maaga. Plus, I actually did not have any sleep at all - di talaga ko nakatulog... Kabado ba or excited? Haha.

Anyways, right after waking up, I tried to eat a few spoonfuls of rice para di ako magutom during the preps and ceremony. Then just as I was taking my shower, my phone started ringing - napressure tuloy ako matapos agad 'cause I think it was already 4:00 am that time, and my schedule says na I should be starting my HMU. After finishing my shower, I went to answer my phone, and it was Ms. Jeanne (HMUA) who was calling kasi nasa harap na sila ng bahay namin. And true, paglabas ko andun na sila at the same time Manny & April was already there also - earliest sa suppliers namin! :)

Upon arrival nila, they went ahead to do their parts. Ms. Jeanne and I headed to my parent's room where we set up the HMU area, and then I just handed MAP all the accessories and details so they could take photos na. Ayun, start na ng busy day. Haha.

Around 4:30, wala pa din si KTG and they called to say na naligaw daw sila. :( So they came a bit late na than planned. But kahit na-late sila they were able to stay on top of things, and immediately introduced me to Sara, who became my bridal assistant that day.

Everything happened in a blur talaga. One moment, I was having my make up done, the next I was already changing to my gown na. Parang di na ko nakakain and pinilit ko nalang umihi para di ako maihi sa Church. Hahaha.

Our main PV, CGM, came in around 8am ata since they came from Island Cove pa to shoot Ron's preps naman. Well, working with their main photog was irritating at some point. No offense, but the way he treats people is very rude. Akala ko nung una ako lang nakapansin, until my mom, and Ms. Jeanne mentioned it as well. Anyways, that's going to be on another blog.

Ron's preps
Photo credits: CGM Studios

Back to the story.

After all the preparation chaos was done, we went to the Church na. I must say I was very calm and collected that time. As in I was on a high na wala ko worries or any apprehensions about the day. Ang saya lang ng feeling. While waiting sa bridal car, I saw everyone one by one as they were coming. Lalong nakakaexcite kasi ito na yun talaga! :)

When it was time for me to get out of the car, dun ko bigla naramdaman ung kaba ko. Especially the time I could here the sound of the entourage's march. Haha. I thought to myself, how do I react sweetly when the door opens? Kasi I did not want to cry, although I know naman right from the start ng preps na crying during the bridal march was something inevitable for me. Hehe.

And then I heard my bridal march song. Ayun na nga. The door opened. I was standing there seeing all these people... di ko pa makita si Ron noon because of the lights. I tell you, right that moment when the doors opened, I felt like I became deaf. Hahaha. I did not hear any sounds, not even the beating of my own heart. Everything just happened. I started to walk down the aisle, and started to tear up. Wala na ung mga hiya moments ko na baka panget ako umiyak and it will be caught on photos. Haha. I cried most when I saw my parents, and when I saw Ron crying din. We calmed down lang noong nasa altar na kami pareho.

And yes, Ron uttered the funniest line that time. "Sobrang iyak ako, sabog pati uhog ko!" Hahahaha. Laugh trip talaga. :P

So ayun, the ceremony went on. The only feeling I felt was it was sobrang init! Talk about wearing layers of fabric tapos wala electric fan - I thought for a second that I would faint. Buti nalang my MOH came to fix my veil and train kaya nasabi ko na ang init init. The Church was not airconditioned and it was around 9 in the morning. Ayun, may electric fan sila na inallot for us, pero di din nakatutok since baka mamatay ang mga candles.

Anyways, the ceremony went on smoothly. And we were finally MARRIED! Woot woot! :))

Photo credits: Manny & April Photography

Photo credits: Manny & April Photography

Going to the reception, nakaramdam ako ng kaunting gutom. Good thing I had animal crackers sa pouch ko so I snacked on it, while Ron did not even had a bite. So I assumed hindi sya gutom and marami sya kinain nung breakfast.

At the reception, we had our post nups with MAP, kasi nawawala si CGM. Good thing talaga that we had back up photogs kasi if not for MAP we won't have some of the photos that we have now. After the post nups, we went ahead na to the banquet na. Ang dami namin guests - well, what should I expect with a 200-guest list diba. The reception was a blast. Ang saya lang, kahit na parang roller coaster ang emotions ko. Hahaha. One moment you'll find me laughing, and the other naman I was tearing up. The best part for me was the speeches, kasi wala nagspeech ng maayos except for my brother and cousin. Hahaha. Lahat ata ng naka-assign magspeech eh nakarating sa stage only to change their minds on giving one kasi naiiyak na sila, tapos naiyak nalang din ako. Haha. And who could forget the Father-Daughter dance that I shared with my Papa...wait, let me re-phrase that "Father dance - Daughter cry". Hahaha. "#Emotional" talaga ang day na ito. :)

Photo credits: Manny & April Photography

We also had games during the reception: single games for male and female guests, and couples game naman for those na either married na or getting married palang. It was so much fun, and we're glad they enjoyed it too.

Shoe Game for our single male guests
Photo credits: Manny & April Photography

Saftey pin game naman for our single female guests
Photo credits: Manny & April Photography

Our "Him" in our Couple's game
Photo credits: Manny & April Photography

Our "Her" in our Couple's game
Photo credits: Manny & April Photography

Our emcee, Babsie Morabe, giving us a taste of our own couple's game
Photo credits: Manny & April Photography

When it was all done, and guests had left, that's when we both realized na hindi kami nakakain. Dishes were served in our table pero wala kami nagalaw dun - I think in my case, I was only able to take a small bite of the baked salmon. Kaya when we got home, at  around 3pm, eh para kaming patay gutom kung kumain. Hahaha! Imagine a no sleep, no meal bride and peg ko kaya ipagpatawad na para kong construction worker kung kumain after the reception. :P

The day was not yet over after that. My parents arranged an after-party sa village namin for our other relatives na di naivite sa main reception. This went on until 10pm ata or so. During this reception, bangag nalang ata ako cause I honestly can't remember a thing that happened. Sorry po, wala talaga kong tulog kahapon. Ayun, after showering, I gave Ron all the gift money we had, and he started to list them all, while I started to fall asleep na pala. Hahaha. When I woke up this morning, I saw his list (accountant talaga si Ron, everything was detailed and noted) at natapos talaga nya. Good job kay hubby! :)

We also received some gifts and kahit wala pa kami bahay sa ngayon, I am excited sa mga gifts nila kasi we won't be needing to buy anything na. Complete na agad ang mga necessities like pans, plates, cups, rice cookers, iron, etc. :)

So so sorry for a very long kwento. It's just that one day, I will look back and I want to read this for me to remember everything that happened in this most special day - Our Wedding Day! :)

PS: Here is our On-Site Video by CGM Studios. Enjoy! :)

Still on a wedding high,

Looking Back - DIY # 2: Photobook Album

Back in August, I decided to purchase 3 vouchers from an online store, Ensogo, to redeem Photobook albums that I intend to use for the wedding. Initially, I thought to use this for the following photos to be compiled into an album:

(1) Our Love Story - something that I figured could be my gift to my future husband. And since I used to make scrap books of sorts, I figured this could show him another side of myself.

(2) Our Prenuptial Photo Shoot - Since the prenup album will serve as our Guestbook, I figured this could be a way to have a prenup album without the writings of other people - just a clean photo album.

(3) Our Wedding Album - Since the wedding album that we'll be having will only contain the photos from our official photographer, I figured this to be a way to capture and collect our favorite photos that would be coming from unexpected people and guests. 'Cause let's face it, not all unforgettable moment will be captured by our official ones, and maybe a simple funny photo from a friend will capture the essence of one moment in our wedding.

Unfortunately, like all promos and offers, the vouchers have expiration period and it will end prior to our wedding. So before I purchased the other 2 vouchers, I knew change of plan was necessary. To my surprise, I thought of the most wonderful way to make use of the other 2 vouchers I plan to buy. Before I changed my mind, I hit the "Buy" button, and smiled to my excitement.

Now, to what purpose will I use the other two, right? It will be our "honoring gifts" to my parents and to Ron's sister and her husband. I figured that since they are the people that matters to us most, I would love for them to feel the same amount of love as we feel for each other during our wedding day. I hope that when they receive these albums of their own "Love Stories", that they will have their own feeling of being loved and lucky to have found someone - the same way we do. :)

Now... Having all these planned out, I started to do the first project lined up - Our Love Story. And due to our busy work schedules, and the demand of the upcoming wedding, I only get to do this during my spare time, or my me-time. :) Needless to say, it's been months already since I started doing this, and only now have I actually finished ours. And I promise to make no more revisions to this. Haha!

Sneak Peek of our Love Story Photobook

Next will be the other two "projects" that I'll be needing to finish before my vouchers expire... Crunch time - I know! Let's just hope that I could work on this secretly, without the two couples knowing. Hehehe!

Cheers!

A Gathering of Two Families

At last, the Pamamanhikan is done. According to tradition, the Pamamanhikan is done to announce the engagement of the couple and for the Groom to formally ask for the Bride’s hand in marriage.

Initially, we set the date of the Pamamanhikan on Christmas of this year, but coming from a traditional family, we’re told that we’re not suppose to be making arrangements for the wedding until it is done. So, months after the engagement, we realized that we’d want to do it sooner if we wanted to start booking suppliers at a lower rate, and make other necessary arrangements, and to have ample time to research for back-up suppliers. So instead of having it this Christmas, we set it on a Sunday, July 22nd 2012. Thus, it was more of a strategic move to do it earlier.

We had no idea what happens during the formalities, though we’ve attended some. So the only question we had in mind was – What food will Ron and his family bring to the said event? Period. That is all that we thought of. And since we had the date set next year, June 8th 2013, we figured everything will go on fine. As an engaged couple, we’ve discussed places, people, and other things for the upcoming wedding. But I guess nothing prepares you, for the formalities. Emotionally.

Days before Sunday, there was a typhoon, so Ron and I were not able to discuss some details alone. Admittedly, I was a nervous wreck for some reason. I had butterflies in my stomach, and kept checking our checklist, so we know what to answer their questions, if there were any. My control freak alter-ego was surfacing, and I hoped that everything will go on just fine.

Then comes Sunday. Everyone came for the formalities; from Ron’s side of the family, and from mine. We had lunch first before we discussed the wedding. When Ron came with his side of the family, and brought the food to be shared, we immediately thought twice whether the food would be enough for all. So, we asked someone to buy additional roasted chicken just in case.

Ron still calm, unlike me! Haha! :)

Food for everyone - the roasted chicken hasn't arrived yet.

Lunch time!!!

Smiling the nerves away ;)

Ayiiiiii.. it's our engagement party today! Wohoooo!!!

During the discussions, Ron formally asked my Papa for my hand in marriage in front of both families – I actually felt like a little girl again, sitting next to my Papa. Emotional as I was, tears were about to fall when my Papa responded to Ron with, “Sa akin naman ay pumapayag ako. Malalaki na naman kayo. Pero isa lang ang hihilingin ko sa iyo… Huwag na huwag mong sasaktan ang anak ko.” To which Ron responded, “Opo.” I was trying hard to hold back the tears and good thing I was able to, though I’ll probably won’t be able to do the same on our wedding day. Haha!

Holding back the tears... so much like a little girl.

Ooohhh... people are serious naaaa!

Ron and his side of the family

From there, everything just flowed lightly. The date was finally set – Formally set. A lot of questions were asked like where will the ceremony will take place, where will the reception be, and a lot of other details. Even the question about where we’ll have the honeymoon. Suggestions were also being brought to the table for us. It felt surreal – Like this is it! We’re getting married and we have the blessings of both families. It was truly a blissful feeling for us – it made us, especially me, realize that we are not alone in the preparations though we plan to shoulder everything.

At the end of the day, it was tiring, but it was definitely fun. I felt relieved as well knowing that both families are in agreement of the upcoming wedding, and no objections were raised. I was a very happy girl! ;))

Tired, but definitely happy! :D

 So now… the wedding plans begin.

Cheers!