Wedding Glitters

Lego Duplo

2011-03-02T01:12:00.000-08:00

I find it amazing how my 1 year and 8 months old son creatively thought of putting the Lego Duplo blocks together and perch an animal or human figure on the topmost blocks. I didn't fully realize that he quickly records in his mind every step of assembling the blocks and icons for him. I captured of a photo of these as remembrance of how proud I am as his mom to see his first Lego masterpieces.

As a first-time mom, this was a proof to me that children indeed are fast learners. They are like porous sponge that speedily absorbs everything being poured into their little minds. There is power in this little guy. :)

Back on my Blog

2010-04-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

After seven months, it's only now that I get to find time to update my blog.
I hope to maintain the momentum in writing as often.

On another note, my little angel will be turning one on May 1. Im sooo excited for him! Can't wait to be in his 1st birthday party!

My sharing on his birthday prep will come on my next post.

Rekindle the Love

2009-09-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

Now that we have a child already, it is true that most of my time and attention go to our child. Add the fact that I'm a working mom, it is quite hard to manage time...honestly. Juggling things around and fulfilling each different role from a mom, a wife, a sister, a friend, a daughter, and and employee make me feel like I need high levels of energy each day. I wish I were super woman! Nevertheless, despite my weaknesses and flaws, I am grateful that people around me understand how I am. And I am especially thankful that my husband understands my shortcomings as a wife. He may not be very vocal about it but I can sense he is ogling for my time and attention.

I have read one interesting article from a magazine about ways on growing an amazing marriage. I may have focused so much attention to my child and work lately forgetting that marriage needs attention too. One thing I learned from it is that marriage does not take care of itself; rather, it should be nurtured and not to be taken for granted. I don't want to end up devastated one day when I realize too late that I have taken for granted the person I had dreamed to spend the rest of my life with. And so I came up with my own ways in growing our marriage. I should;

1. learn to appreciate what I have.
2. improve my way of communicating with my better half.
3. set non-negotiables when it comes to family bonding.
4. increase sensitivity to each other's needs and expectations.
5. invest time in nurturing our marriage.
6. ensure praying together.

What I've enumerated are easier said than done. It will really take a lot of effort to realize my goal of not only having a happy family but also an amazing marriage. Now I set one foot forward to start rekindling the fire of our love.

My Bountiful Harvest from Farm Town

2009-07-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

I bet all Facebook patrons would instantly relate to Farm Town, one of the most popularly played games in Facebook. I started opening an FB account very recently, and, on the first few weeks, I became hooked on it because the site is more interactive. To my calculation, it has more members than any other social networking sites. Apart from being interactive and cool features, it boasts of addicting games that one would definitely go crazy for. Well, I was one of those who went gaga over Farm Town. I liked the game because it was like as if I have my own farm to tend regularly. Literally, it gives me good harvests in the form of veggies, fruits, hogs, etc. It also enables me to landscape my land according to how I envision my dream farm to be. I couldn't excite you more until you try playing it yourself. I'm sure you will definitely love it!

Figuratively, on a deeper sense, I yielded "good harvest" in the form of valuable learnings. Important ones that are already in me but were further cultivated by my engrossment on the game. These are:

1. The value of hard work. At the start, I only have a small field where I can plant my seeds, and only one or two seeds that I could plant. In my desire to make my field grow, to buy more seeds, to afford farm essentials and luxuries, I need to diligently ensure that my crops would not go to waste. I was obligated yet determined to work hard, to plant the right seeds, to harvest them on time, and to sell them to the marketplace.
2. The value of perseverance. For me to realize my dream farm, I must persevere to generate as many "coins" as I can. The game allows me to generate money by selling my harvest and working for my neighbor's farms. This has motivated me in managing my time so I can be online by the time my crops are due for reaping.
3. The value of friendship and good relationships. I have neighboring friends who also own virtual farm. They hire me to work for their farms if their crops need to be gathered and if their fields need to be plowed. I do all the works for money; to keep the inflow, I must establish harmony in relating to my friends and neighbors, which I consider my partners in leading me to my dream farm.
4. The value of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs take risks, calculated or not, they strategize to keep the business in good shape. As I progress to higher levels, I was gestured in crafting my own strategies in going up the ladder faster yet maintaining a good balance of my farm's growth.
5.. The value of money. Money is an important resource. I was resolute not to spend and splurge my "hard-earned" coins for "wants". Rather, I exercise penny pinching and observe practicality by saving up for more important things I need for my farm. If I have extra, then that's the time I will satisfy wants.

Farm Town is no ordinary game. It teaches discipline that one can adapt to daily living and future undertakings. Be succumbed to it and see how it works for you. :)

On Motherhood

2009-07-13T16:02:00.000-07:00

Motherhood is a gift. It has enabled me to provide unconditional love. It has made me complete as a woman. It has made me a better person. I am simply amazed how God wonderfully engineered a woman’s body to bear a child and to bring him to the world as a priceless present. Being able to successfully deliver our baby to the world, I am truly honored and privileged to have received such blessing.

I could never forget the experience of giving birth to our first born on May 1, 2009. Though hearing my baby’s first cry marked the reality of my being a mother, it has not yet fully dawned on me that I am already one; yes, until now! Perhaps the feeling of being a new mother just overwhelms me. I am adjusting to my new role. It was hard at first but I am learning the routine of feeding, changing diaper, bathing, bestowing touch therapy, giving vitamins, visiting Pedia, and so on. Eventhough my day is literally consumed of those routines, I see myself enjoying the new things I do. In my almost three months as a mom, I will rate myself the lowest on the scale because I am still a work in progress. Being a mom is the hardest job in the world. Every single “mom day” for me is a challenge sans the extravagant material reward. Despite that, I still get the grandest reward when my little angel flashes me a toothless grin. It inspires me to be better. It also sets as affirmation that what I did for him satisfied him and made him happy. No material thing could ever match the fulfillment I get from his innocent expression.

Epicurean Living

2009-06-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about "Epicurean Living"? To me, it's my first encounter with the word. I learned about it when it was featured in Fit & Fab, a program in QTV 11. Simply put, it is best described as "celebration of life's pleasures". Each moment, be it glamorous, frivolous, funny, unusual, unexpected, or plain simple, can only be unique and special when truly enjoyed and shared with our loved ones.

Family, friends, religion, travel, music, work, food, hobbies, sport are some of the Epicurean sources of life. Now that I learned about it, i will start practicing living the Epicurean way. Some good examples I will do are these: savor my favorite food, enjoy a conversation with my husband, and treasure every single moment with our bundle of joy. There are so many things to enumerate; one thing is for sure, each will definitely be celebrated.

It's Nice to be Out Again!

2009-06-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my scheduled check up with my OB, five weeks after i delivered. Since it's my first time after giving birth to go out again, there's some sort of excitement in me. After the check up, my cousin and I went to the mall. I also took the opportunity to do some errands like paying bills, buying personal stuff, and grabbing some baby stuff that i think my baby would need. There are just so many things at the baby section; most of the items are totally attractive! If I am an impulsive buyer, I would have grabbed some more baby stuff that are not really necessary. Being a practical person that I am, I just satisfied myself to buying just the essential ones.

1. Baby Key Rattle

2. Brush and Comb for Baby's Grooming

3. Nasal Aspirator and Nail Clipper

The D-Day

2009-05-05T22:18:00.000-07:00

On May 1, 2009, I finally gave birth to our baby boy via C-Section. I could have delivered my baby normally but unfortunately, my dilation got stuck at 6 cm. Even if induced, it did not work. Worse, the baby's heart rate was fluctuating; not a good indication of a good contraction. With that, my OB decided that I undergo the C-Section to deliver my baby. Well, i have no choice. I just nodded in agreement to my OB's advice. For my baby's sake, all i can do was whispered a prayer that everything will be ok. The procedure started at around 8:30 am and my baby was out at 9:02 am. It was not that traumatic after all. The procedure just lasted for about 15 minutes, and another 15 minutes in finishing it up - including the cleaning, stitching, etc.

When i heard my baby's first cry, i felt relieved. Indeed, all my hardships and pains vanished the moment i saw my baby. It was all worth it!

Sample Pictures of 3D/4D Ultrasound

2009-03-01T01:43:00.000-08:00

Our baby boy's first pictures in my womb taken via 3D4D Ultrasound. At 32 weeks of my pregnancy, it is helpful to have this kind of ultrasound as it gave me peace of mind that my baby is doing fine inside my tummy. On top of that, I also know that my baby's heart beat is normal and that his size is appropriate for his gestational age. Other info such as presentation, weight and baby's size will also be provided in the OB-Gyne report.

Having a glimpse of how our baby looks like before he is born spills an awesome feeling to me and my husband. The more we get very excited of his arrival. :)
I had my 3D4D ultrasound at In My Womb, SM Megamall branch (5/F Bldg B). Rate varies depending on the package to be availed. I availed of the Pearl Package at P2,500.

Pearl Package includes:
* 20-30 minutes 2D, 3D, 4D session
* 5 high-resolution B & W 3D superior quality thermal photos of facial images
* 5 high-resolution COLORED 3D superior quality thermal photos of facial images
* Diagnostic comprehensive OB-GYN report *
* Gender determination of 99 - 100% accuracy
* Free return visit for rescan within 14 days from the time package was availed if baby is not cooperative during your session (just show your official receipt)
* CD of the above-mentioned B & W and Colored pics in 3D(still pictures) + 5 additional Colored pics (for a total of 15 pics)

2D Ultrasound

2009-02-17T00:48:00.000-08:00

My husband and I are excited to have our baby's first ultrasound. We are specifically excited to know the gender and how the baby looks like inside my tummy.
It's really amazing to see a miracle growing inside me. We are blessed to be expecting a baby boy!!!

Preventing Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

2009-02-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

I knew one of the disadvantages of pregnancy is having stretch marks. Stretch marks are not really caused by "kamot" if tummy is really itchy; rather, it is caused by the stretched skin due to growing belly. The skin is normally elastic and capable of stretching but if during puberty a woman got stretch marks, most likely she would also develop stretch marks during pregnancy. Weight gain is also a factor causing stretch marks. That is why, a pregnant women should also be mindful of her weight gain during pregnancy.

Recommended Weight Gain During Pregnancy:
1. Normal weight women: 25-35 pounds
2. Underweight women: 28-40 pounds
3. Overweight women: 15-25 pounds

Many believed that stretch marks can be prevented by using creams and lotions on the onset of pregnancy as it helps increase skin's elasticity. I was hoping not to develop stretch marks so I started putting on Palmer's lotion on my tummy, thighs, and breasts during my first trimester then later on used Palmer's tummy butter for my growing belly.

Palmer's lotion P475
Palmer's tummy butter P595

Both can be bought from Watson's.

Simple is Romantic

2009-02-14T23:52:00.000-08:00

After spending almost five hours at The Medical City for my check up with my OB-Gyne and Endocrinologist, it was really worthwhile to end Valentine's Day celebrating it with my husband in Makati with our family in Risen Christ Catholic Community. It's always meaningful celebrating Valentine's with them. Aside from the sumptuous dinner and lively entertainment, what I specifically like about the program is the renewal of marriage vows. It feels great to be reminiscing the day when the two of us promised to love each other ... till death do us part.

Shopping for Maternity Clothes

2009-02-07T20:11:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy doesn't mean I have to sacrifice my fashion sense. Shopping for maternity clothes is a bit challenging and fun. Challenging because I have to scout for stuff that fits my budget; fun because i like the joy and excitement it gives me knowing that i have new clothes to wear.

On my first trimester, I shopped at SM Department store and bought from Great Expectations. The brand's blouses and jeans are a bit pricey so I have really choose ones that fit me well, pick colors that are not hard to pair with shoes and bags, and consider styles that are easy to mix and match.

Great Expectation's pants give a good fit that deliver a slimmer silhouette. Styles of their clothes are contemporary so a fashionista mom-to-be can still maintain that stylish look. I tried scouting other clothes from other stores like Gingersnaps and Havin' a Baby but for me, designs of Great Expectations are better. Plus, i learned that their branch along Banawe (beside Le Ching Chinese Restaurant) offers 50% discount. I bought some more clothes that I can use for my third trimester. It's really worth it buying there. The staffs are kind and very accommodating. They also gave me two pink umbrellas as freebies. They have stores in Trinoma and SM Malls but I suggest that you shop at their Banawe branch so you can dig into the stack of their discounted clothes. Regular-priced items and new arrivals are also available at Banawe branch.

Sweet Temptation

2009-01-31T20:00:00.000-08:00

A box of chocolates was given to me by my sister-in-law. Looks very yummy and tempting to eat but I can't binge on it due to pregnancy. :(

Cheap Bridal Hair Accesories

2009-01-25T01:52:00.000-08:00

Hair accessories complement a gorgeous wedding gown and adds to the sparkling beauty of a bride on her wedding day. If you will tie the knot soon and is looking for a perfect piece to match your wedding gown, Wedding Glitters' collection might help you find one.

P1000 per piece

P1200 per piece

P900/set of four

P800/set of four

Cost of item excludes delivery / shipping charge. Just add P150 for shipping charge anywhere in the Philippines. Next day delivery.

Payment via G-Cash or bank deposit.

For orders and/or inquiries, you may contact 0917.5365464 or send email to weddingglitters AT gmail DOT com.

Craving For Brother's Burger

2008-12-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

I'm now in my fourth month of pregnancy and I still have some cravings. According to what I've read, cravings would continue throughout the nine months of pregnancy. The other day, I was craving for Brother's Burger but I was not able to satisfy it because we were off to a Christmas party and the nearest branch is out of the way. My tummy ached when I was not able to eat the burger. I didn't understand it, was it really because of not satisfying my craving or was it just a psychological thing? Yesterday, I was craving for it again so my husband inquired if they deliver. Unfortunately, they could not deliver in our location. I thought I would not be able to eat it that day. I got a little depressed and my tummy ached again. My husband and I just looked for the Tomas Morato branch and there we ordered the much coveted burger. I was happy!

Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Wedding Ceremony

2008-11-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

I was privileged to attend an Iglesia ni Cristo wedding primarily because I have not yet witnessed one. Good thing my college friend invited me and it happened to be on my birthday. It was also a perfect timing because I had an appointment with my OB so I can attend her wedding. When we arrived at the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) church San Francisco Locale, San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City, I felt at home because of the serene environment. The spacious grounds of the church provides ample parking for all the guests with a car.

The church was also accessible to the commuters since it's easy to hail cabs when you just step out of the church's gate. It was also my first time to enter an INC church. I was awed with the how they maintain the cleanliness of its interiors. At first I expected that the church ministry would be so strict about the guests' attire; requiring all the female guests to be wearing a dress. Thank goodness no one approached some of our friends who were wearing slacks. I guess it was because our friend already mentioned that instance to the church ministry. I was also expecting that somebody would approach my husband to transfer to where the male guests are seated, but it did not happen. It was not that so strict after all. I heard that the strictness varies per locale.

After a while of musings and looking around, our friend was ready to march down the aisle accompanied by a traditional wedding entrance song. The wedding rite itself is very solemn, and it only took 30 minutes to complete the whole wedding ceremony.

Differences versus a Catholic Wedding:
1. Only traditional wedding music can be played when the bride walks down the aisle.
2. No wedding symbols such as wedding arrhae, wedding cord, and unity candle.
3. Ceremony only takes 30 minutes.

Sign of Life

2008-09-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

It's pretty amazing how the sign of life can be detected thru this small tool called pregnancy test kit. I was feeling something peculiar one day so I thought of confirming my insinuation by having a pregnancy test. I did not wait for the morning to come, I was just excited to discover the result so I did it immediately after I arrive from work. I closed my eyes and silently pray that whatever the result will be, I will gladly accept it. After a few minutes, I opened my eyes and I was extremely happy to learn that the result is positive. Yes, I'm pregnant! :) The Lord has just answered our prayer in his perfect time. To make sure that my initial finding was real, I made another test. So, it's really confirmed, there's life inside me!

More than the excitement, pregnancy is where motherhood begins. It's all about sacrifice and being selfless. For a working person like me, it's a time to slow down and think about nothing but safety and welfare of the life growing inside my tummy. At first, I was fearful about pregnancy because of the changes that will happen with my body and the horrible stories I hear when giving birth. When I firrst became pregnant, I had miscarriage. I guess that's the Lord's way of tellng and preparing me for this second pregnancy. This time around, I'm enjoying it and I welcome this life-changing experience with open arms and a big grin. After all, God has designed a woman's body to carry a child and He has gifted a woman to endure the pains of childbirth. With that thought to bear in my mind, I know I will make it up to nine months.

Perfect Staycation

2008-08-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

Just this weekend, my husband and I just had a budget-friendly yet relaxing vacation at home. Stay-at-home vacation or "staycation" is simply our enjoyable and practical way to have lone time together without spending so much. We thought, with the increasing prices of gas and commodities, it's no longer practical to go out every weekend.

Of course, our staycation is not complete without healthy food to share. I prepared these myself.

fresh apple-carrot juice

nacho dips: beef, tomato salsa, white onion, cheese dip

ready to dig-in nachos

I do not mind long hours of stay in the kitchen because I enjoy cooking and doing it for my husband. Dinner was as good as we were having it in a cozy restaurant.

fresh lemonade

chicken wings with sour cream sauce

ripe mangoes with chocolate syrup

Fruit and Vegetable Carving

2008-07-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

It has been almost two months since my last post. I have been really busy in the past weeks, both at work and at home, primarily because our house help already left us. :( My time for blogging was dedicated to doing household chores like cooking, cleaning, washing the dishes but not washing and ironing our clothes. Thanks to my mom who has been so sweet in taking responsibility of making our clothes clean and well-pressed. :) Without a house help around, I really felt being so much a wife; it's quite hard but it's satisfying enough though.

Now that I finally found time to update my blog, I was thinking of what topic to write about. I was browsing through my files of photos until I saw this picture, an apple and tomato carving which I did last year. Apart from cooking and love for food, it also interests me to expand my culinary skills by learning food styling and fruit and vegetable carving. The husband of my sister-in-law, who is a chef and is a multi-awarded fruit, vegetable, and ice carver taught me the basics. I never would have wanted to try ice carving as it requires more effort and energy to do it considering the tools that will be used in order to transform an ice into a wonderful work of art. So, as a baseline, we started working with an apple and a tomato. The apple has been amazingly transformed into a swan while the tomato, into a dainty flower. For photographic effect, I just arranged brownies on the side. :)

By the way, it requires different knives in varying sizes in order to carve different fruit and vegetables. For the apple and tomato, we just used a small one but it's the one really used by a professional. Hmm... the tools are really something to invest on in pursuing this kind of interest. I've tried using an ordinary small knife but it's hard to achieve the desirable result.

A Day of Bonding

2008-05-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

Last May 18, we were off to our destination but my husband was not yet disclosing where we will go. I was totally clueless but when he drove the way going to UP Campus, I got an idea that we are going to Antipolo, Rizal. Ok, I knew it! (haha) We are staying overnight in one of the resorts in Antipolo. :) What a pleasant surprise! Since he just wanted it to be somewhere near, budget-friendly yet romantic, Overlook Resort is not a bad choice.

On our way to Overlook Resort, we saw directional signages leading to a Swiss Restaurant called Vieux Chalet. Curious about the food they serve, we agreed to visit the place. We were welcomed by the restaurant's homey atmosphere. It also boasts a romantic mood and gives an overlooking sight of the metro. We difinitely enjoyed our food while romantic songs were being played on the background. The cool climate ultimately completed the whole romantic feel.

It was a simple and memorable celebration; a celebration of love and togetherness. To us, being together as husband and wife for a year is already an achievement. But of course, we both knew that we will still battle tons of challenges ahead of us. As long as we will live with our promise ... "till death do us part", and with trust and faith with each other, we believe that we can make our marriage last.

Spice of Life

2008-05-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

On May 19, it will be our first wedding anniversary. My husband and I both took a day off from work for a simple celebration. Prior to that, we've had several plans but it ended up to going somewhere peaceful and relaxing yet a budget-friendly treat to ourselves. My husband was able to book a place somewhere near but he is not telling me where it is. Some sort of a surprise? Hmmm .... I wonder where he will take me and what surprises he has for me. Oh well, this is what I call spice of life -- colorful, bountiful, fruitful, exciting, adventurous and definitely fun! I can't wait for Monday :)

2008-05-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

This year I truly enjoyed summer with my husband. After recovering from miscarriage, we purposely took advantage of the opportunity that we could travel a lot this year, explore the beautiful places of our very own Philippines. We started with Boracay, my husband's first time to set foot on the paradise island. It's my third time to be there but it turned out that he knows very well about the place. We've been to other beaches that boast their own charm. A short trek to Mt. Luho was a bit challenging to me but when we reached the summit, true as they say, it's all worth it!

Next in line was another visit to the beach in Bgy Pundaquit, San Antonio Zambales. I never knew there is such a hideaway somewhere in Zambales. The resort we stayed in was Punta de Uian, and we just loved our room -- a taste of nature in a minimalist orientation. The resort was the temporary home of the local Marimar. It was a serene place perfect for a much deserved relaxation. This trip was another challenge for me because I was obliged to do another trekking from one island to another, I went up a lighthouse via difficult stairways, and I rode on a small banca for 30 minutes from the resort to Capones Island. These experiences are all new to me. I never knew that I can survive all these new life-chaging experiences but I'm just glad I did. I guess that's one beauty that marriage brings to me -- discovering a new person in me because of my husband's influences. He was trying to let me go out of my comfort zone transforming me into the best person I can be.

We also conquered the roads of some towns of Laguna for the holy week Visita Iglesia, inhaled fresh air of Talisay Batangas, and satisfied our taste buds with fresh fruits and mouth-watering delicacies of Tagaytay.

Among all the travels we had, our trip to Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte has been ultimately the most challenging and memorable. Together with nine good friends, we were able to survive the life on a deserted island. It was an experience that really tested me -- physically and emotionally. I also consider it a humbling experience and made me reflect to be ever grateful for whatever I have now, most especially the comfortable life I live as well as the material possessions I have. Back to the basics as I call the life we lived in Calaguas Island. There, there's no electricity, no MWSS water, no comfortable bed so we slept on the sand, no soft comfy pillow, we took a bath from a well, no network coverage to use our cellphones, our night light only comes from the bright stars and lightning, our music comes from the chirping of birds, noise of hermit crabs, and the resounding whistle of cicadas.

Living a life of "back to basics" just for one day is an authentic source of great wisdom that my husband unveiled to me. The memories we had created in such wonderful island were etched in the fine sand of Calaguas beach symbolized by our hands.

Roses and their Colors' Meaning

2008-02-28T05:57:00.001-08:00

The rose is likened to a lady. Its velvety petals, a lady's supple skin. Its different colors represent the make up she wears that give her added glow.
Its scent is characterized by her charm that mysteriously attracts a man's attention. The beauty of a rose remains a mystery until it has fully bloomed. Like when a young lass transforms into a lady, the beauty exudes naturally.

Roses are also the common flower given by a man to his girlfriend, especially at the stage of courting. The flower's charm simply captivates emotion that it has become an icon of romanticism.

Roses are one of the popular choices of brides as their bridal bouquets because they are never out of fashion. Since roses come in different vibrant and gentle colors, they fit any wedding theme and color motiff.

Here's to refresh you with the meaning of rose colors:

1. RED - Love, Beauty, Courage and Respect, Romantic Love, Congratulations, "I Love You", "Job Well Done", Sincere Love, Respect, Courage & Passion

2. WHITE - Purity, Innocence, Silence, Secrecy, Reverence, Humility, Youthfulness, "I am worthy of you", Heavenly

3. PINK - Appreciation, "Thank you", Grace, Perfect Happiness, Admiration, Gentleness, "Please Believe Me"

4. LIGHT PINK - Admiration, Sympathy, Gentleness, Grace, Gladness, Joy, Sweetness

5. DARK PINK - Appreciation, Gratitude, "Thank You"

6. YELLOW - Joy, Gladness, Friendship, Delight, Promise of a new beginning, Welcome Back, Remember Me, Jealousy, "I care"

7. ORANGE - Desire, Enthusiasm

8. PEACH - Appreciation, Closing the deal, Let's get together, Sincerity, Gratitude

9. PALE PEACH - Modesty

10. CORAL - Desire

11. LAVENDER - Love at first sight, Enchantment

12. BLUE - The unattainable, the impossible

COMBINATIONS:

1. RED & WHITE - Given together, these signify unity

2. RED & YELLOW - Jovial and Happy Feelings

3. YELLOW with RED TIP - Friendship, Falling in Love

The Outcome of my Wedding Choices

2008-02-21T06:07:00.000-08:00

After 1 year of preparation, the big day has finally come. On May 19, 2007, everything was all set for our memorable day.

The entrance to the church where I managed that elusive yet ecstatic march down the aisle.

This was the day when we professed our lifetime promises to each other ... for richer or for poorer; in sickness and in health; until death do us part.

At the reception, we were both happily greeted by our families, relatives, friends, and guests as the emcee introduced us - the newlyweds. I couldn't restrain myself from smiling. I guess it's but natural when you are feeling really happy inside. A friend once told me that during her wedding, she was smiling all day without her jaws getting tired. It was only after the celebration that she felt the exhaustion. In that sense, she was right. I experienced the same too.

The entrance to the reception (Mr. Hardinero), where our photo exhibit of prenuptial photos were gorgeously displayed.

Before we ended the day of a joyous moment, a last glimpse of such romantic sight with wonderful families and friends who shared with us in the merriment will keep on reminding us that the life we will share together promises a beautiful tomorrow.

Photos by Edwin Tuyay (Ephotogallery).

Our Prenup Pictorial at The Greenery Baliuag, Bulacan

2008-02-20T03:11:00.001-08:00

Tita Ellen Tuyay suggested two locations for the prenup pictorial, one in Pampanga and the other one in Baliuag, Bulacan. We searched the websites of the two locations in the internet. From the pictures that we saw, we have chosen The Greenery in Baliuag, Bulacan primarily because my husband's interest with lighthouses.

We were asked to bring eight sets of clothes. As much as possible the color of my top should be of the same color as that of my husband's. Why? Because the solid color will bring out the best in our pictures. It was as if we were celebrities heading to a pictorial. I was with my Mom who temporarily served as my P.A. :P Thanks, Mom! Also with us was our stylist and make-up artist friend.
It was a two hour trip; the place is quite difficult to find. The map that we were able to download from the website did not provide complete directional information. Thanks to our driver who patiently asked for the right directions.

We arrived at the location at exactly 3:00 in the afternoon, the best time to conduct the photo shoot because sun has started to set offering a better lighting. Our photographers arrived one hour late because they also got lost. See, it was their third time to go to the place but it was really not that easy to locate. After a short while, we were all ready and started the photo shoot. We were both asked to pose like models so we felt we were like models shooting for a lifestyle magazine. The Greenery was a perfect choice because it has different themes and favorable sceneries that differentiate the mood of the photos taken.

panoramic view of the lighthouse

the light house up close illuminated by the moonlight

a gazebo at the end of a pathway overlooking a pleasant view of the river

the railway leading to verdant views

tall trees in a row, a perfect spot to strike a pose

The photo shoot lasted for three hours. It was tiring but it was very rewarding when we saw from the preview of our photographers' SLR cameras that our pictures were excellently done.

The prenup pictorial is included in the package. For Metro Manila locations, no additional fee. For locations outside Metro Manila, the groom and the bride have to shoulder for their transpo, food for the entire troop, and P3,000 fee for the photographers.

The Greenery's charge for the use of the venue is P2,000. It also has different ballrooms to accommodate themed weddings. For more info, visit The Greenery's website.

My Wedding Choices

2008-02-19T22:17:00.000-08:00

Every wedding displays its own personality and character that matches that of the couple. More often than not, it is the bride who states preferences on every wedding detail. In our case, my husband deligated everything to me so I had the liberty to state what I want. Again, keeping an important consideration in mind -- BUDGET.

1. The Church - I just want a small church because I don't want to walk on the long aisle. Also, small church provides a solemnity of the event and invites closeness of the relatives, friends, and guests. Other considerations we kept in mind in looking for a church were: church's alter and architecture, parking, accessibility or location, cost. The one that qualified with our specifications was the Parish of Hearts of Jesus and Mary, located on Daily Mirror St West Triangle Subdivision, Quezon City. Cost is P12,500 inclusive of the choir and basic flower arrangement. Other churches charge a separate fee for the choir so that was a good deal.

2. The Reception - As I mentioned in my previous post, I want a garden setting reception. After scouting several locations, we ended up with Mr. Hardinero along Quezon Avenue.

3. The Caterer - I want a caterer that serves good food but does not charge too much on a per head basis. I have considered Hizon's because we liked the food we have chosen during our food tasting. Aside from good food and cost, they have been in the business for so long already so their expertise in their field is something that counts a lot. Hizon's also render lovely wedding arrangements and it gives considerable amount of freebies in every packages it offers.

Caterer is one item that we intend to allocate bigger budget because the taste of the food to be served is very important. I dont' want to hear negative things from our guests that the food served to them is awful.

4. Wedding Gown - I want a simple yet elegant gown. I was thinking of a beaded tube-type corset and a balloon pick up skirt embellished with sparkling beads. I searched designs over the internet and had it interpreted by Edd Sy. Inclusions in the package were: bride's accessories (head dress, veil, arrhae, cord, small bag, pillows for the rings and arrhae) and groom's barong with inner shirt paired with pants.

To complement my overall look, I got drop earrings with rhinestones and necklace from Edd Sy's shop. I didn't go for ready-made shoes because I want my feet to be comfortable since the wedding is an all-day event and I don't want to feel my feet aching that can cause smirking face in video and camera. I had it custom made through a friend's friend.

5. Wedding Invitation - The most common stop for this need is QP. We visited the main branch in Quiapo and SM North Edsa branch but the price per piece did not fit my budget. QP has already established its name;thus, has the privilege to dictate a premium price.

We checked out stalls in Recto and was able to look for a good find. Thumbs up to the price per invitation since it was only P40; a far cry from the one in QP. The paper is just the same as the one used by QP. Unfortunately, I had a terrible experience dealing with the owner. Sometimes low price has its sacrifices in many forms: very poor customer service, no sense of urgency, no commitment to deadline, no proper coordination with client among others. For these experience, I will not recommend that supplier (Imagestic).

6. Photo & Video - This is another item which we also want to reserve higher budget. We both love pictures. We want our precious memories to be taken nicely so the search for a qualified Photo & Video company was quite hard. There are a lot of photographers who showcase their masterpieces in the net but only to find out that their packages are overkill. In addition, there are also renowned Photo & Video companies that join wedding exhibits in different malls. Because there are so many choices laid on the table, it's hard for us to decide which one to get.

In times that it's already hard to decide, usually I ask for God's guidance and I applied it to this search. I prayed that I be assisted in choosing the right Photo & Video that fits my budget. One day, I passed by SM North Edsa and saw that there's a wedding exhibit. Intrigued by the displays, I entered to discover that the answer to my prayer was there. As usual, there were a lot of Photo & Video companies lined up but the one that gave me the best deal was E-photogallery by Edwin Tuyay and wife, Ellen Tuyay. Thank, God for that wonderful deal!

7. Motiff - From the very start, I like three colors, and these are green, yellow, and orange. I never thought this would be changed until I saw in one of the websites I've visited that orange and brown combination look very appealing to me. So that's it! Orange and Brown are the colors of my wedding.

8. Florist - Mr. Hardinero, the owner of the reception venue I have chosen also offers flower arrangement. My adorable orange tulips bouquet and flowers for the entourage are from Mr. Hardinero. Since our payment for the church already had basic flower arrangement, we just coordinated to its accredited florist for the upgrade of our flower arrangement. Upgrade included two topiaries at the altar and garden arrangement along the aisle.

9. Other Stuff - The gowns of my bridesmaid was done by Edd Sy but for gowns of the rest of the entourage, I just got our neighbor sewer who can create gowns so that my spending would still be on the right track. Our unity candle and the two candles were donated by our Ninang who has a candle factory. We have decided to forego giving away wedding souvenirs. Apart from our potential savings from it, doing such is no longer a practrice in most weddings nowadays.

Wedding cake, emcee, torch parade, bubble machine, pair of doves, and bridal car are included in Hizon's package.

For our wedding rings, we ordered them from Stardust in Greenhills, where my husband bought the engagement ring he gave me.

For hair and make up, i got the services of a make up artist friend. She was also the same person who made us look fresh and pleasant during the prenuptial pictorial.

To add a little color, 80 pcs of butterflies have been released to spruce up our final exit as we march toward our family and friends joyfully tossing rice grains and rose petals. The butterflies were ordered from Butterfly Farm located in Quezon City Circle.

For our hotel accommodation, we were supposed to book at Great Eastern Hotel but due to conflagration that occurred a week before our wedding, we changed our booking to Sulu Hotel. Realized that Sulu Hotel is better for picture taking although Great Eastern Hotel's rooms are fairly new and the price is just right. Maybe the fire was a blessing in disguise.

10. Honeymoon - Six days and five nights in Hong Kong. We were lucky at that time because Cebu Pacific offered reduced rates. Our friend helped us look for good accommodation in Prince Edward St. HK.

Wedding preparation can be tedious and tiring but overall, it is a total fun and I simply enjoyed the experience. :)

Scouting for a Garden Reception Venue in Quezon City

2008-02-19T13:58:00.000-08:00

I prefer garden setting for the reception and I want it in to be in Quezon City. There are excellent garden venues in QC such as the famous Fernwood Gardens followed by Gazebo Royale when it comes to popularity. As expected, the tag price that comes with their popularity will cost us a lot of money. At that time (2007), Fernwood's prime venue which they call venue A (the one with the pond housing swans and janitor fishes) costs P90,000. This excludes the church inside which costs P25,000. On top of that, Fernwood requires only their accredited caterers to serve the food for your guests; the lowest budget per head at that time costs P650. On the other hand, Gazebo Royale's venue costs P56,000 up depending on the size of the hall that will be booked. It also has accredited caterers.

It was like bulk of the budget will just go to the venue, and it is not practical. I said to myself, forget your dream wedding to be held in Fernwoods or in Gazebo Royale! I need to be practical in such a way that the budget that we have allotted to our wedding will be utilized wisely. After all, it is our hard-earned money.

We searched for other garden venues over the internet and found other locations such as Ibarra's in Timog, Solea in Baler, and Mr. Hardinero along Quezon Avenue. Among these three, we have opted for Mr. Hardinero. Aside from its charm and romantic ambience, the rental cost is acceptable. At 12,000, it already includes tables and chairs good for 100 guests and basic sound system. I did not avail of the chairs because I wanted to use Tiffany chairs even for the guests. Usually, Tiffany chairs are only for principal sponsors, groom and bride. I got Tiffany chairs from my caterer, which, of course, have separate pricing. Mr. Hardinero has its own catering services and has accredited caterers. At that time, the only accredited caterer was Hizon's. I was lucky because Hizon's is really my choice. It also allows other caterers if you prefer other than the ones in their list. However, a corkage fee will be charged.

These are the pictures of the venue when we conducted ocular inspection.

The stage with gazebo for the bride & groom. It can also accommodate 30 persons more, usually the parents and principal sponsors are seated here.

How the stage looks like at night. The red cemented floor used to be Bermuda grass but the owner had it cemented so the chairs and heels of the ladies won't get stuck on the soil.

Mr. Hardinero by the way is an old house turned into wedding reception business. The old house is just directly across the stage. The area on the left can be used other purposes such as caterer's area, resting place for the guests, or nook for displaying photo exhibits.

The entire venue can also be used for Christian weddings. The picture below is an area to hold the wedding ceremony. It can also be used by the caterers.

To check out the area, Mr. Hardinero at 363 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.
Also learn their other services by visiting their website www.mrhardinero.com

Wedding Planning Begins

2008-01-20T10:15:00.001-08:00

After accepting my fiance's proposal on May 20, 2006, thoughts about my dream wedding started flashing through my mind. Along with my preferences, of course, budget has to be the major consideration. I dream of a wedding that's practical and simple yet the elegance, beauty, and solemnity will never be sacrificed.

In the process of wedding preps, my fiance and I had disagreements on some things but just to appease me, he gave in to my requests.

As a start, I devised my own excel template where I can list down the things needed and the corresponding budget for each item on my list. There had been several templates available in the wedding magazine I bought but I still find it incomplete so the one I did is better for my use. (Note: You can also make your own template or ledger that works for you.)

Here's how I have listed the things I need for my wedding:

1. Church
2. Reception
3. Photo & Video
4. Bride's Gown and Shoes
5. Bride's Accessories
6. Groom's Barong and Shoes
7. Flowers
8. Caterer
9. Wedding Invitation
10.Wedding Souvenir (I opted not to have this)
11.Make up artist
10.Check In Hotel
11.Honeymoon Destination
12.Wedding Favors
13.Others

I have assigned budget for each item so I already have an idea on the cost that I will scout come the actual sourcing of suppliers. A buffer budget must also be allocated to compensate for any increase in budget of certain item in the list.

My wedding preparation is one year so I had the luxury of time sourcing out for the right suppliers. I learned that it is better to make catering reservation early to avail of the 2007 rate. Caterers usually increase their rate every year so take the opportunity of getting the potential savings by booking early.