To Book or Not to Book... yet??

This is our dilemma right now... we wanted to book Panglao Island Nature Resort <http://www.panglaoisland.com> in Bohol for our honeymoon. But we don't know if it is advisable to book it already since we still have to consider the wedding expenses. I also don't want to be too impulsive (sometimes I am buti na lang Ney is always there to bring me back to reality of what we can or cannot have)... haaay! But we also have to consider that if we really want this, will have to book early because December is a peak season (and also for weddings). Last night, I really, really wanted to book it already and was even convincing Ney (short for Honey)... which he did then... well... I had second thoughts... what "if" we will need that extra cash for other wedding expenses (pero deep inside I know na within budget sya hehehe!)... pero I also tell myself that this is the "first time" that we will be together... just the two of us... after all these years. We haven't decided until now... but God knows how I want to call my travel agent...

more pictures from my Trial Hair & Make Up

We were supposed to attend a bridal fair entitled "Celebrations 2006" at the Manila Pavilion Hotel, U.N. Avenue but it was postponed... grrrr... kainis talaga! So we went to Starbucks instead to have my "as-of-now favorite" Caramel Coffee Jelly Frap. He had his usual Mocha Frap. I liked our pictures here because I still looked fresh (I think...) inspite of having to take the MRT/LRT and walking a few blocks to get to Manila Pavilion just to find out that the event was postponed... grrrr! This was around 3PM.






This picture was taken when I got home around 4:30PM... pagod na... ang init pa that day. I finally decided to wash my face around 7:30PM. I did not have any retouch the whole afternoon. And since my mom and fiance are happy naman with Angie & Ogie, I am definitely getting them.

Trial Hair & Make Up

Here are the pictures from my trial hair & make up with Angie Cruz (make-up) and Ogie Rayel (hair stylist) yesterday (March 26).

Half-Updo
My mom prefers this hair style. Picture was taken between 11:30AM-12NN. Angie started around 10:30AM


(front view)



(side view while looking at my honey!)


Updo


(front view)


(back view - galing ni Ogie noh!)

...more pictures (with my honey) on my next post.

"Our PRECIOUS!"

I just saw early this afternoon an exact replica of the wedding ring we wanted from Matus Jewellery. We met with Alain last Friday and explained to him the design we wanted. He said that in fact, he has an order for that particular design and will be delivered this week. So he showed me the ring today -- it's two-tone, yellow gold at the outer side, matte finish with 3 diamonds for me *wink* while my fiance's will just have the plain band. We will still be looking around for "our precious" so nothing has been decided yet. Still to check -- Suarez Wedding Rings (Gateway), Orogem & Goldenhills Jewelry (both located in Greenhills)....

Wedding Suppliers (Part 2)

Here are additional suppliers from the Wedding Expo at the NBC Tent.

Barong Tagalog Fabric by LA HERMINIA


http://www.laherminiaweaving.com.ph
B-1 L-31 CERF Townhomes Countryhomes
Putatan, Muntinlupa City
Telefax No:+63 (2) 565-2385
Mobile No: +63 (919) 233-7720
E-mail: info@laherminiaweaving.com.ph
** We got the fabric for the barong tagalog of my fiance, our fathers and brothers from them. Now, we just have to find a good tailor. We'll try Exclusively HIS....

Photo & Video by [must not be named since we have cancelled as of May 12, 2006]
**My fiance and I went to the Wedding Expo at the NBC Tent on the first day (Saturday). Our agenda then really is to book [bleep bleep] (for our invitation), meet with Teddy Manuel (for quotation) and meet with Konsepto (to see their product samples). We were not looking for photo&video because (1) we already have a supplier in mind which have nice photos at a very affordable rate and (2) we felt that all the exhibitors are way too expensive. So we just got the flyers that they hand out to you whenever you pass by their booths. It was only when I got home that I was able to go through all the flyers and this particular one caught my attention because (1) there is a 20% discount for onsite booking which is not bad =) and (2) it has additional freebies pa like a mini-album I wanted so much. So we were "forced" to go back at the NBC Tent the next day to check them out. Their photos are also nice and we can save more if we get them (plus my mini-album yipeey!) so right then and there, we paid the reservation fee.

And since we were already there, we decided to go back and check La Herminia. This time, we were able to buy the piña silk & jusi fabrics we need.

It was a tiring weekend but worth it!

Wedding Suppliers (Part 1)

I would like to share our preparations for the Big Day. So here is a list of our suppliers who will (I hope and pray...) help us make this a memorable and special day for the two of us and a fun-filled day for our guests.

Bridal Bouquet & Entourage Flowers by TEDDY MANUEL (of Flowers & Events)

** Teddy is super nice... really... and so is his brother, Roland (who we also got for our surprise treat to our guests). Teddy will be doing my dream bouquet and believe me, he was able to work around our budget. They are both very easy to talk to and how I wish I can get them for on-the-day-coordination "if and only if" we still have a budget for it. My fiance said we'll find out sometime October so here am I wishing... and hoping... and praying.... As for those who are curious about our "special treat"... naaahh... you'll have to wait just like me who is super excited. It's my all-time fave!

Guests Souvenirs by KONSEPTO
** We wanted to have this as souvenirs for our guests the first time we have heard of it. We feel that our guests will appreaciate it more than the usual giveaways. And I bet they will be very proud to show it around hehehe! =)

Invitations by [must not be named]

**My fiance once told his officemates that he will have this particular design for our invitations (jokingly) but during a bridal fair in Megamall last February, what we saw was just the design he has in mind. Since their promo rate is only valid until March 2006, we booked them during the Wedding Expo at the NBC tent early this March.

By the way, all the above suppliers were booked during the Wedding Expo at the NBC Tent. I'm so satisfied with this expo because we accomplished so much in just 2 days.

...more suppliers to follow.

Good Food, Great Love

Caterer:
Tamayo's Catering Services
http://www.tamayos.com
**Tamayo's Catering Services was actually the first caterer we saw when we were still in search of that perfect church and venue to celebrate "our love." This is because they were strategically located at the back of Manila Cathedral so you will never get lost... really. But since they only have food tasting on Sundays, we were unable to try them out... just yet. We usually kasi reserve Sundays to rest and spend time with our families. So, we decided to try other caterers... Hizon's (which was referred to me by my good friend in high school, Shar Ramos now Mrs. Tan. She got them for her wedding.) and Josiah's (which I think I just saw in the internet and since they have celebrity as clients... I must say I got intrigued). I was able to schedule an appointment for us with the two caterers on the same day hehehe! If I remembered correctly, we came from our first visit to Mount Carmel Shrine and we even ate lunch at Pizza Hut (pizza, spaghetti & chicken wings... yummy!)... oooppss... that was a "very, very" wrong move. By the time we got to Hizon's (located inside Sanville Subdivision, Tandang Sora where Fernwood Garden is also located and where Josiah's will also have their food tasting that day), it was already mid-afternoon and yes, we are still full. My fiance did not like the food though... maybe because it was already cold since we arrived late and to think that we had just eaten our lunch. But I enjoyed their fruit salad... sweet tooth I guess. But I must say that Mrs. Hizon and her staff, Julie is attentive. And off we went to Fernwood. By the way, I think I have not mentioned yet that we got lost on our way to Sanville Subdivision. Now, I realize that we could have just taken the Tandang Sora route then turn right after Seaoil... haaayy. It was already late in the afternoon (4 past) when we got to Fernwood for our food tasting with Josiah's. At least, I was able to visit the place even if we have not considered it for our reception venue. Going back to Josiah's, honestly... the food was great... really great especially the "fish." Keep in mind that we are very full by this time *burp* hehehe! We were almost sure that we will get them but we have decided to still check out what Tamayo's has to offer. So, I called them up to schedule our food tasting. This time, we didn't eat breakfast and decided that we'll take our lunch there. The "pumpkin soup" was yummy... yummy... yummy and we were able to sample a variety of their menu. They gave us kasi different set of menu. They also have good food so here comes our dilemma. Well, it really came down to who has to offer more for the same amount and Tamayo's did. And my fiance will still have the lengua he so desires since I got most of what I really want for our wedding and this is his "one and only wish." I wonder if our guests will look forward to this. That reminds me to advise Peng not to serve me any lengua hehehe!

...and our journey continues....

Church & Reception Venue

Church:
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine Parish in New Manila, Quezon City

Venue:
Fr. Horan Hall, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine Parish

**It was the church and reception venue that we were able to book first. We have visited San Sebastian, Manila Cathedral and San Agustin. San Agustin is sooo beautiful... grabe... but way too expensive. We were not really planning to have our wedding at the Manila Cathedral because of this notion I have that most couples who got married there eventually went their separate ways =( (until now, I don't know if that was ever true) but we still visited the cathedral because I wanted to see how it looked like. We also visited San Sebastian, it was very beautiful and not as expensive as San Agustin. So ayan mukhang we have a church na! We were even thinking of having our reception at the Villa Immaculada (of Tamayo's) which we saw on our way to Manila Cathedral. Kaya lang we thought that having our reception in a church's function hall will come out cheaper so we decided to check the function hall of San Sebastian. Sadly, it was just small and we don't like the shape of the room. But we are still thinking at that time to book San Sebastian and just look for a different venue. We decided to check out Mt. Carmel Shrine because we heard they also have a function hall. Grabe... ang ganda rin pala niya and super haba ng lalakaran ko hehehe =) and super tahimik ng place... and their function hall is just the right size for our guests with high ceiling so this is it! We were actually (I think) the first one to book Mt. Carmel Shrine for December 2006 so we were able to get the date we want... yipeeey!! So the wedding is finally set on Saturday, sixteenth of December two thousand and six.

... and off we are to look for a caterer....

And so it’s time…

The summer is long… but before the leaves fall from its trees the rain will fall from the clouds as the winds will gather its strength to seize the dust and then will come the flowers blooming at its most magnificent time.