Relaxing Gifts for Our PS

All the while, I wanted to give our Principal Sponsors wine and chocolates. Unfortunately, the wine I wanted to give them is only found in South Australia, and the only retailer here sells it at almost double the price - needless to say, it was out of budget! :(

Last March when we attended the Themes & Motifs' Bridal Fair, we looked around the fair, and found some suppliers for wine and chocolate but found their products a bit too pricey. Aside from that, Ron raised his concern of not wanting to give them edible souvenirs since we would be giving them mini-cakes (the one included in our package from Hearts&Bells) already. So, that same day I changed my mind and started to look for other alternatives.

Luckily, we stumble upon, All Red Clay Factory who makes these lasting oil burners in different shapes and sizes. Lasting because, unlike other burners (which I used to buy) which are made of ceramics and break after a few use, they make use of, you may guess it - red clay - which is what the traditional cookware of Filipinos are made. After a detailed discussion with them, we booked them and paid the needed down-payment.

Monday, after the fair, I received an email from them requesting the initials in our monogram that we have discussed, as we wanted to use it as part of our designs. Talk about suppliers really taking note of the timeline and details that we want! A plus for us! :))

A couple of weeks later, we received a photo of the prototype of our customized burners for approval. This came earlier than scheduled which was again another plus! :))

And today, they delivered the items right at our door step - which is again, earlier than scheduled - almost a month to be exact! And to top it off, full payment was COD - I did not need to pay ahead for a product I haven't seen! It was a breath of fresh air. Haha!

Seeing the products, it was needless to say that the designs were done beautifully and the burners themselves were finished and polished to the last edge.

All of these things considered, I give them a rating of 10/10 for the good customer service, quality product, and best of all, affordable prices (to reveal after the wedding). It was definitely a smooth transaction from start to finish. :)

Red Clay Electric Oil Burners

Grateful,

2nd Gift: Wedding Rings DONE For Good! :)

We finally have our wedding rings! :))

Just to refresh everyone's memories, these wedding rings are my parents' gifts to us.

Initially, my mom and I bought vouchers for a pair of wedding rings, but found a more affordable jeweler to make our rings. So we decided to let go of the voucher, and instead choose the local jeweler, Mang Ableng from Cavite City, that my Aunt had recommended and make use of some old jewelries to melt and make the rings, to further lessen the cost. :))

First week of March was when we had went to his shop and showed our wedding rings peg, and he quoted us the price less the amount of gold that we have - amount to reveal after the wedding during our supplier ratings. Below is the design Ron and I had chosen for our most treasured jewelry and gift:

Since we weren't able to go back to his shop a week after, it was only after a couple of weeks when we first saw the custom made rings. To my surprise, I did not like it all. It looked really awful, and, to me, it looked like a couple of twisted wires. :( I almost cried looking at the rings that were handed over to us. My mom saw them as well, and reacted instantly telling the owner that it looked far from the design we have shown him. Seems to us, that the owner realized this as well, and told us that he himself will redo our rings. That day, we left the place dismayed at what we saw. :(

A couple of weeks had past when we were able to swing by his shop to check the rings again. This time, I was completely swept off my feet when we saw them! :)) But the rings are not yet done, as they needed to put another coating to it to make it shinier and whiter so we had to leave them there for a couple of days.

And today, my parents were able to pick up our wedding rings, and let me tell you... They looked wonderful, and are ready for the big day! :))

Our most treasured wedding gift

Super duper uber grateful,

Canonical Interview Passed!

I woke up today with a hint of nervousness, as I did not know how these things go. Adding to that was the idea of what happened to other couples during their interview - which, to some, ended up embarassing (according to their blogs). So, with all courage, we headed to the Church and even arrive 30 minutes earlier than scheduled!

To my surprise, Ron was interviewed first. According to most blogs I have read, it is usully the ladies that go first so this set my nerves back in action. :| Ron's interview lasted for about an hour, and I was even able to steal a picture of him during his interview...

Excuse the crappy photo.. :|

When Ron was done, I immediately proceeded to my hour-long interview. To my surprise, it wasn't at all scary! Hahaha! I mean the questions were pretty much basic and decent - decent in its sense that no racy questions were asked. Questions regarding our relationship as a couple and questions such as my stand with my religion were asked.

The most memorable question to me was, "Why are you planning on having a Church wedding, when you could opt for a Civil wedding which was practical?" I know it sounds very basic, and let me say that I prepared an answer for this, but somehow it became very difficult to answer at that point. It was not because my answer did not sound right, but because I was not sure that it was still the reason.

This was my 'prepared' answer: Simply because it was how I was raised and made to believe by family and by my religion. That Church wedding is more acceptable in the eyes of my family, friends, and specially in the eyes of God.

Sounds just right, huh?

But during my interview, I suddenly realized that there was something more. Aside from the beliefs to which I was raised, I wanted this Church wedding for one reason - to thank the Lord for giving me this Man, whom I vow before him, my family and friends to love and cherish forever. Because once upon a time (more like a lot of times), I prayed with all my heart that he would give me one good-hearted Man. :)

Sounds cheesy? I know! Haha! But it was just the most honest answer I could give to him - so I did hope it was good enough.

Also, during the interview, there were a lot of advice being thrown here and there about relationships and marriage. :) And same as Ron's, mine lasted for about an hour as well.

Just like a couple of students passing their exams, we left the Church feeling excited and just plain happy! :))

Next stop are the Pre-Cana Seminars sarting this Sunday.

Blessed,

Save-The-Date Video Is Out

Hi there! Just sharing our Save The Date video courtesy of CGM Studios. :)

Kilig lang talaga and it shows how funny and goofy we are as a couple. Hope it'll always feel like this even at times that we are stressed out.

Seems the STD video came out in time to remind me of this wondeful trait we have as a couple. This is because things are just getting stressful for me, and most of the times vent I it out on Ron... I know, I know. Poor guy! :(

Anyways.. Hope you enjoy our STD! :))

Kilig still,

Love Letters are Here

The LOVE letters are here... No, they're not the handwritten one, but rather the wooden block letters I have ordered from Papemelroti. :)

Special thanks to W@wies for pointing me to this direction, we now have our own set of block letters - to which I hope to someday use as a decor for our home. :)

So let me include my reviews on Papemleroti. I give them an 8/10 rating for the whole service and product, and below are some pros and cons:
Pros:
- The website is very useful in browsing your needed crafts.
- The person in charge of the carventry is also very easy to talk to, and even advised me of the sizes just in case I was confused.
- Email response is also fast.
- The wooden letters are of good quality and finished to edges.

Cons:
- The ordering portion of the site is a bit off as it did not send any notification of my order being received or sent to their database. Instead, I had to call their office to which I learned that I should email them about my orders.
- The payment system has options, which includes Paypal. Unfortunately, there is an added cost of a certain percentage when you use this payment method. Mine cost me around 100+ pesos additional fees for using Paypal.
- The receptionist (or whomever received my phone call) when I was checking if the items were delivered to my chosen store to pick-up could not even assist me in any way. So to let go of my frustration, I just asked for the store's phone number, and made the checking there.

All in all, I still recommend Papemelroti to those looking for crafty stuff. :)

LOVEd,