A busy week

This was one busy week. From Sunday to sunday, each day there's a task we have to complete. How busy were we?

Sunday, Oct 24 - 10AM >Trial Make up with Val
                         - 1 PM > 5 PM Prenup with Imaginenation

Monday, Oct 25 - 1 PM > Prenup with Kuya Bernie

Tuesday, Oct 26 - DIYs

Wednesday, Oct 27 - DIYs

Thursday, Oct 28 - Ryan's Fitting with Joe

Friday, Oct 29 - Meeting with Nice Print

Saturday, Oct 30 - Divisoria Trip & DIY session with Ayeth

Sunday, Oct 31 - Ryan's Confirmation

Hayyy...Pagod!

Niceprint Prenup—Classic and Dramatic

Yesterday was a fun shoot. Today had a bit of drama, though I no longer want to go into details on what sort of drama happened today. One thing is for sure, I was really disappointed about it that I cried a lot after I got home from the shoot. huhuhuhu..

Kuya Bernie was really nice and great. He's really a professional and is very passionate with his craft. He gave us a number of tips on what and how to pose so that you'll be at your best angle. And eventhough he had a hard time with us, he managed to take really good shots of us. Below are some of my favorites.

I know Kuya Bernie will surely deliver well on our wedding day. I am just glad we had him on our team. Having him as our photographer makes us feel confident that what we want will be delivered.

Imaginenation prenup—A day full of trains

It was indeed a "train-full" day =D.
Earlier today we had our 2nd of our three prenups. We won this pre-nuptial photoshoot when we attended the Before I Do seminar sponsored by Imaginenation.

Jed and Lai were assigned to us. I've already talked to Lai a couple of times already and met her once in Makati. She's really cool, nice and really friendly. On the other hand, today was the first time I've met Jed but it's not easy to get along with him because he's also friendly and nice.

Below are some of my favorite shots of the day. =D

Exactly 2 More Months To Go!

2 more months left for the preps
2 Prenup shoot scheduled
1 Good news received
1 Bad news made me cry

Time is flying so fast. It really is crunch time now!

Oct 15, 2010—Celebrating Four Years of US!

May of 2006 we met in a little coffee shop
And talked non-stop…
Shared jokes and laughter—
Teased and made fun of each other.

October 15, 2006, we became a couple.
Encountered hardship and trouble…
We fought every now and then—
But I'll always love you time and again.

Oct 15, 2009, three years after—
I said yes to be yours forever
I love you and it is only right that we be together…
Thru thick and thin; for richer or poorer…

Oct 15, 2010, we’ve been on this journey for four years today…
And we are two months and one week away from our big day…
And now that we anticipate the new chapter of our lives—
I want you to let you know that I will love till the end of our lives.

10.10.10—Meeting of the Family a.k.a PAMAMANHIKAN

10-10-10, while others chose this day to be their wedding day, we had our “Pamamanhikan” scheduled on this day. Actually, ours is just a formality. It’s more of a formal meeting of the two families. Because if it were a traditional pamamanhikan, all of the wedding details would only be discussed at this time. Details like what date? Where would it be? Who takes charge of what? How many guests? Etc…

But since we already have everything set and planned, it was just right that we let our family meet formally before our wedding. Because in the four years that Ryan and I have been together, our families have never formally met until yesterday. Having said that, I was really nervous and anxious yesterday because I did not know how everything will turn out. If all will be okay? Or what will Ryan’s family think of my family? Or will my Ate stir up any unlikely scenarios again and humiliate me? Who will come on his side? I was thinking of a lot of things (again, because I was worried and thinking of a lot of things I forgot to take pictures of our families being together.)

I threw a fit before Ryan’s family arrived because my Kuya and his wife were still not in the house. I was crying and threw my mobile phone as I really want them to be there (parang bata lang di ba..ehehehe). I felt alone and desperate when Kuya was not yet at home and Ryan’s family was already on their way to our house. Good thing they arrived before Ryan’s family did. After which, everything went well naman. It’s a good thing that my brother brought my niece, Ichi and Ryan’s cousin brought his son. Having adorable kids during pamamanhikan lightened the mood and eased the tension.

Ryan’s family brought a box of sweets, Lasagna, Pancit canton and Roasted Chicken. Everyone is enjoying the Kare-Kare, Hamonado, Relyenong Bangus and Maja Blanca that Mama made. Ryan bragged to his aunt and cousins that I made the puto that they were eating which they all enjoyed and said was delicious. Naks at least I know that I can cook something edible. ehehehe =D

After the feast, mama & daddy sat in our living area, in front of Ryan’s mom, two aunts and uncle. We were sitting at the middle. I thought, eto na ‘yon. Papangaralan na kame ng bonggang bongga. I felt relieved when it was not a lengthy one. They just spoke briefly and my dad cracked a few jokes. Mama shared with everyone that before Ryan courted me, he asked for permission from my mom to do so. And I was like, for real? He did that? It was the first time I heard of it and I felt happy and touched after hearing it. =D

His family left after a couple more hours and that made us officially engaged and soon to be married!

Tips for those who are still planning their "pamamanhikan", have some kids during the event. Since little children, especially cute ones, draw attention and lighten the mood. Also, prepare and bring some good food. Just be ready for the pangangaral portion and know when to answer and what is the right answer. =D

My 1st Gown Fitting--Whew!

Earlier this afternoon, I had my first fitting with Joe. For the first time after Joe took my measurements, I finally saw how my gown would look like. We’ll sort of, because it’s not yet finished. =D Beadworks still need to be placed. The layered fabrics of the skirt need to be sewn still as well as the design of the bodice. But even so, I found it beautiful already and I know it will be once it all done. =D

My mom, being a dressmaker herself, examined the dress and was pretty satisfied. The cut is right and all stitches are sewn well. She loves the craftsmanship and the way my dress fits me. Well that’s a big relief! Because I know she’s skeptical with the designer that I chose because she never had seen any of her works and she wanted a different person to do my gown. But now that she has seen it, she knows I’m in good hands with Joe. She adores her actually, because she’s very bubbly and has a pleasing personality. She didn’t feel awkward with her at all. And as for me, I absolutely love my gown and satisfied with its fit. I felt like a little kid swaying and twisting around so that my skirt would move. I was happy and adoring my gown.

Though, my first fitting seems to be a normal and breezy day, it was actually a stressful day. So stressful, that I forgot to take even a single picture of my fitting.

First, my soon to be mother-in-law and Ryan’s aunts forbid me to fit the gown because of the superstition that if the bride fits her gown, it will bring bad luck or misfortune to her and to her groom. It took a number of explanations and negotiations to convince them that I need to fit the gown. I was ready to cry then because I am already excited to fit my gown but then I am being forbidden to fit it.

Second, my mom threw some tantrums after I changed the plans on where and how we would meet to go to Joe’s shop for the fitting. Believe me, she literally threw a fit that day, and made me crazy, and made want to cry even more. Waaaaahh!

I thought the drama and stress ends there, but lo and behold, there’s another stressful moment. On the way to Joe’s shop, I had my period. Gosh! Of all the days to get my period! Good thing I am prepared.

Hayy…At least the day is finished and I was able to fit my gown. Whew! Can't wait for next fitting =D I'll make sure I'll pictures by then. =D

The RING

Nope. You guessed it wrong. This is not another Japanese horror flick. =D
I am just happy that finally we have a wedding ring supplier! Yep. After months of searching and endless discussion, Ryan and I finally booked a wedding ring supplier at the fair earlier at SMX convention center.

Straight from Ichi’s baptism, Ryan and I went to SMX convention center to attend the ongoing bridal fair. We’re just supposed to meet with Cakeline to pay for our cake upgrade fee and talk to Ms. Joy San Gabriel and asked her about her pastries. Unfortunately, Ms Joy San Gabriel was not yet on her booth at that time. So, we decided to roam around and wait for her.

We passed by Goldenhills booth and started looking around. I thought it would be just the same as before. We would look at the designs and then Ryan would comment with “Pwede” or “Ayus lang” and then we will leave. But I thought wrong. Ryan, this time around, asked for further details and then asked the question “Ikaw baby? Kahit ano pwede. Ok lang sa aken kahit alin”. And that’s the queue I am waiting. =D

We chose a classic design that goes well with my engagement ring and suits his requirement. There’s one thing though that I asked to be done with our rings—I specifically asked for the following to be engraved on it instead:

Love Never Ends 12.22.10

Wedding Rings—A BIG BIG CHECK! =D

frustrations...

Barely three months before the wedding, frustrations and issues are coming out one by one.


Frustrations over one of our suppliers who does not know how and when to set client expectations. I am being led to assuming that all is good and that my requests are understood. And yet, when I scrutinized the setup that was when I found out that she had a different understanding of my request. Grrrr! It felt like I have to fill in the blanks for me to get the whole scenario or I should always ask probing questions which should not be the case because I am the client and it is her responsibility to tell me what I should need to know.

Frustrations with Ryan for being uncooperative.

Frustrations with the number of things that are not happening as planned.

Frustrations with myself for not being able to finish things as scheduled.

Hayyy…

Photo-ops with the MYPHOTATO brothers—our first pre-nup!

Yep. You read it right. This is the first of the three pre-nups we will be having. Two of which are blessings pero goodluck naman sa wardrobe and ideas di ba?! This is one of that two. Anyway, we started our afternoon by getting lost in UP Diliman campus, ehehehe...Lost and don’t know where to go, we decided to park at the nearest building and parking lot available, and informed Kel where we are parked. Kel and Mar came after a few minutes in a mint green car.

Who are Kel and Mar? They are the Myphotato brothers, or so what their team is called, who also happens to be a sub-team for Redsheep. Although they continue to shoot for Redsheep, they’ve put up their own wedding photography business and are now trying to make their mark in the industry.

A budding team in the industry, the brothers is hip, cool, funny, but a very talented team of photographers. They have their own style and more than the directed shots & poses, they prefer capturing real moments, candid moments as they come—making them ideal for couples or persons who are not so keen in posing in front of the camera like Ryan. Ryan is really a camera-shy-type of person but somehow during the shoot he’s relaxed and comfortable in front of their cameras. Perhaps it helped that they were having friendly conversation with us and that they were trying to know us a bit more not just as their subjects. They made us feel that we are friends, which is what I like the most about them. The shoot went easy because we were comfortable with them since it felt that we were just having fun with our friends =). And because they wanted to capture more of our candid moments, they asked us to talk to each other as much as we could. As in, naubusan na kame ng topic na pag uusapan ni Ryan! We ended up smiling and laughing at each other because we have nothing else to discuss =) Kaya sa mga magpre—pre-nup better prepare a lot of topic to talk about =)

Here are some of our prenup pics courtesy of Kel and Mar. Hope you like it! (chubby chubby nga lang ako...ehehehe...kelangan na talagang mag effort sa diet...ehehehe)

Nakangiti si Ryan! Rare occasions yan! ehehehe

Pa-sweet lang! =)

Fave ko to!

Sabi nila para daw akong naka-yapak sa picture on the left...ahahahha

Click here for more pictures.

Four months to go and we're now licensed to wed!

I just got our marriage license earlier today! We're now licensed to wed!

Shucks! four months to go na lang! Suppliers payment is up soon and so are our prenups, detailing, invites, gown fittings, etc...I still have lots of DIYs to finish...It's crunch time na!

Marriage License Seminar and License Application—Done!

Aug 11—Ryan and I attended the Marriage Counseling and Family Planning seminars at Cainta Municipal Hall. It was a good three hours. Both Ryan and I were sleepy while sitting in the room and listening to the speaker. Though I must give credit to the speaker since he did try his best to make the seminar lively and fun. He cracked jokes every now and then and other participants were actually enjoying his talk. I guess were just really sleepy at that time. Ryan just knocked off from work and I slept late the night before. We got our certificate of attendance for both seminars after we had our lunch.

I met up with my mom after the seminar as Ryan went home to sleep. We went to SM Megamall and got the CErtificate of NO MARriage (CENOMAR) we requested a couple of weeks ago, window-shopped, had a check up with an opthalmologist and bought a rice cooker. I was really tired when we reached home.

Aug 13—Ryan and I returned to Cainta Municipal Hall and went straight to Local Civil Registrar office. We filed our application for a marriage license (Shuck! marriage license??totoo na talaga to...ikakasal na ako!). The administrator was actually a bit hesistant since the date for our wedding and the expiration date of our license are too close. Our wedding date is on Dec 22 and our marriage license will expire on Dec 24 but we said it is okay so long as our license is valid on the day of our wedding. We had to this since I will be moving on to my new work by Monday and I will not have any leaves by then. So, I have to fix everything that I could while I am still on terminal leave. They eventually did allow us to file our application after a few explanation and a few white lies…ehehehe… =)

For those who would like to know the process and requirements in applying for a marriage license, please check the steps below:

1. Secure a copy of the following documents:

       a. NSO copy of both yours and your fiance’s Birth Certificate and CENOMAR. To be safe get two copies of each. I have to request for another CENOMAR for the two of us since the registrar in Cainta took the original copies.
       
       TIP: You may also secure a copy from SM business centers in SM malls. It costs only 20 pesos more if   you get it directly from NSO office. A copy of a Cenomar costs P215 and a birth certificate costs P160 (NSO Rates are P195 and P140 respectively). This will save you the hassles in going to NSO and the long lines.

      b. Certificate of Residence (CEDULA)
      c. Certificate of Attendance for Marriage Counselling Seminar
      d. Certificate of Attendance for Family Planning Seminar
             NOTE: You can only get the certificate of attendance for the seminars once you have completed them.

2. Check the schedule and attend the Marriage Counselling and Family Planning at your Municipall Hall or City Hall. (For Cainta, its scheduled every Wednesday at 9 AM-12 NN )

TIP: It would be best to inquire with your civil registrar office if this is still a requirement with them. Some  municipalities or city halls does not require couples to attend this anymore. Or ask them if they will honor your certificate of attendance in a Pre-Cana or Discovery Weekend seminar as a replacement for the Marriage Counseling seminar. In this way you’ll only need to attend the Family Planning and will save you time.

3. Fill up an application form from your Civil Registrar office and submit it together with your other documents and pay the marriage license application fee (For Cainta its P350). Ensure to keep the claim stub that will be given after your application has been filed.

4. Claim your marriage license after ten calendar days.

Hope this information helps!

Another must-do off our list! Yey!

Canonical Interview—Done!

We had our canonical interview earlier today. I plan to schedule this on Aug 10 but since Janice informed me that they will be having theirs today, I willingly agreed to schedule ours today as well. When we got to Chris the King, five other couples aside from Janice and Jake were already there. Janice and I were actually behaved this time. We’re not that loud and rowdy as we usually are. Parang hindi talaga kame. Sayang wala si Che (ni Dave).

bangag! pero si Ryan naka-smile...ehehehe =)

Aliw talaga tong heading ng canonical interview form..ehehehe =)

nagmamaganda kamen ni Janice..Behave kame jan....ehehehe =)

One must-do now off our list. Canonical Interviews—checked! Precana seminar coming up!

Irritated....Tired....but Glad....

I am irritated…
Even after coming home at past 12 midnight last night, I woke up early to prepare for the day. My first stop, Morong Municipal Hall, Morong, Rizal. I have to file a petition to their Local Civil Registry (LCR) to have the issues with my birth certificate fixed. I was pretty confident that I have all the requirements they asked me to bring for the petition filing for the change of first name, but I was absolutely dumbfounded when the civil registrar officer said that his number one requirement was an Affidavit of History! Imagine my frustration when I heard him say those words. Not once in the number of times I have contacted their office have they told me that I have to have this affidavit! Neither did they tell me that I also need to provide copies of my pre-school, elementary, and high school diploma plus, a baranggay certificate. And they wanted me to complete those before I file the petition. I was absolutely furious and frowning the whole time I was in their office. I got more irritated when the LCR officer commented that I should smile as a sign of respect since I am at their territory. Man! Who would smile in that kind of situation, where you have to travel for almost two hours only to be told that I still don’t have all the papers they require and that I should complete it first before filing the petition. Nobody informed that such affidavit is needed! After the long talks that my mom had with them, I was able to file the petition and to follow na lang yung additional documents na kelangan nila. Hayyyy! Badtrip talaga!

I am tired but glad….

After getting out of Morong’s LCR, I rushed to Divisoria to meet with Ayeth. The travel time was really tiring. Then I walked all the way to Tita Vky’s shop in Ilaya. I accompanied Ayeth to Tita Vky's shop so she could ask for a quotation for the gowns of her entourage (she had some problems with her supposedly dressmaker for their entourage). It’s a good thing na din that I met with Tita Vky because I was able to discuss some minor adjustments with our set-up. And one more thing, that I was glad about was that I already bought our toasting flutes. It really has this cool and funky-shaped stem. All I need to do is have our names etched on it. =)

Ayeth and I went to Ortigas afterwards to have an ocular at Astoria Hotel as a our possible hotel preps. I'll tell all about it on my next post. =)

Love Love Love Kimmidolls!!

These dolls are the cutest! The first time I saw these at Rustans Dept. Store I absolutely adored them. A product produced and distributed by TAG, Kimmidolls have a total of 70 attractive and really nice doll designs. Each kimmidoll have its own individual identity and are described in detail in an individual profile collectors card. And it comes in three different sizes: Extra Maxi, Maxi and Mini.  

They now have Kimmi Juniors. It's a more-cartoon-like version of the dolls. It also have english names instead of Japanese ones which is why I still prefer the original ones. It's more unique, beautiful and classic. I hope I could start a collection of these dolls. I am also planning to use them for my wedding if I have enough funds. =) Below are my favorite doll designs.

 

Would this be my "IT" shoes???

I had a very busy and tiring day today. Yet, I have accomplished so much as well.

To start of, I met with my friend Mae in Galleria, who’s now my Matron of honor, and headed to Joe San Antonio’s shop to have my measurements taken. I was a bit nervous to have my measurements taken because I do not really want to know of the numbers or siguro adik lang talaga ako! =) After taking my measurements, Joe and I discussed a bit more details of my gown like the material to be used, color of the fabric, the length of the train, and even the chinese buttons that I wanted to be used. I also got to see the progress on Laine’s gown, which I gladly reported to her just a few hours ago. =)

A little more chit chat and we bid Joe goodbye to head off to our next itinerary for the day—Tita Vicky’s shop in Divisoria (suki na yata ako ng Divisoria nowadays).

Mae had her measurements taken since she is now my Matron of Honor. I also have to explain to Tita Vicky the changes with the line-up of my entourage as well confirming a few details with the gowns of my entourage. We then walked to the streets of Tabora to purchase the bells I would be using for Cha’s kissing bells and searched for the chopsticks I would be using for my own kissing bells. I was able to buy it at Divisoria Mall at the basement area where all sorts of kiddie party needs, candies and toys can be found.

By the time we headed home were almost dead tired but there is still one more stop we have to go—SM City Taytay. My main purpose of going there is to order personalized ribbons for both Cha and me for our kissing bells but little did I know that I would find my "would-be-IT-shoes". See pictures below:

What do you think guys of my “would-be-IT-shoes”? I’m calling it my "would-be-IT-shoes” since I still have plans of having my dream wedding shoes customized if our budget still permits and if I find a good supplier but would not cost me too much. My friend loves how my “would-be-IT-shoes” fits me and said that it is already a steal. It is simple yet elegant, it has just the right height, and it is the exact shade of blue that I want.  The best deal of it all was its on sale when I bought it and only costs me Php 800!

So what do you think guys? Should I just stick to my "would-be-IT-shoes" and make it my IT shoes?

...revamp with my entourage....

One of my bridesmaid went off to Singapore for a job opportunity. My maid of honor suddenly backed out for some reasons. Now I am missing two female entourage. I no longer wish to have another headache so I am breaking my own rules and including two of  my closest married friends in my entourage. Anne, does not want to be my matron of honor because she's still pregnant with her second baby as of this writing. Neither would she want to be my bridesmaid. Ok. I'll make her my secondary sponsor. Mae agrees to be my bridesmaid but Anne declined to be my matron of honor. So she's now my matron of honor.

Thank you Macquis for being ever so nice and agreeing to be my bridesmaid instead of secondary sponsor.

Another problem. Ryan still does not have a Best Man.

requirements...clearances...certifications... when would I be done with them???

Fixing the issue with my name is already getting in to my nerve. The civil registrar office where my birth certificate was registered is requiring a number of supporting papers. These required papers are costing me money, time and lots of efforts.

NSO Copy Birth - Done; Just received it a few minutes ago
NBI Clearance - Done
Voter's Registration Certificate - Done
Certificate of Employment - Done
College Transcript of Records - Done
College Diploma - Done
Baptismal Certificate - Done
SSS E-1 Form - Done
Affidavit of Discrepancy - Done
Police Clearance - Finally got it. I almost got late waiting for it and they really require personal appearance.

Court Clearance - Of all the days na a-absent yung signatory person ngayon pa?! Naman?! I have to go back by next week to get it and they require personal appearance as well.

Confirmation Certificate - This is the one causing me a lot of headache. My name in their record is LONELY instead of LOVELY! Naman?! Who would name their child as LONELY???? Considering I was a student pa of the parochial school who had our confirmation scheduled, fixed and arranged. Now I have to go to the office of Diocese of Antipolo to request for the information on record be fixed.

When would I be finished with all of it???

Exactly 6 Months to go! - Our countdown begins plus a revamp of my entourage list!

Shucks! Today marks our 6-month countdown. It seems that it was only yesterday when we started scouting and booking our suppliers. And now we're down to our final six months. I am almost in a panick mode. I still have a number of DIY projects to do, a number of details that has to be ironed out, a number of documents to produce, a few suppliers still to find, and in two weeks time, I will have my measurements taken. Waaaahhhh!!!! I have so much inches and pounds to loose. Goodluck to me! Ryan is also dead serious in losing those extra inches. He said he wanted to loose those first before looking for his suit. Goodluck to us!

Issues are now coming up as well. One of them is member of our entourage backing out. One of my bridesmaid backed out since she had a career opportunity in Singapore. And now my Maid of Honor backed out as well, for reason I rather not say.

Since I no longer wanted to have a headache, I broke my own rule and asked two of my closest friends to be part of my entourage even if one of them is currently 8 months pregnant with her second child. Having them included in the list, I now have to rearrange our entourage list. I now have a Matron of Honor instead of a Maid of Honor.

The stress of wedding preparations!

OT: It's my special day!

It's my Birthday! and this is a special birthday since this will be the last birthday I will be celebrating as a single individual. Although, nothing special happened that day. Ryan bought me a cake and enjoyed the spaghetti that my mom cooked for me. We later on went on a movie date and watched The Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.

My birthday cake!