OTD Coordinator

As I have been busy with work and Christmas holidays. I forgot to update this site. Last December 22 we were able to finalize our OTD coordinator. We have scouted several OTD, and most have good feedback. We had our initial meeting with Konseptolized last September and Ces Icamina was impressive and accomodating. though we have been eyeing her to be our OTD coordinator we have not booked her yet because we have been budgeting our expenses.

Our initial target to book her and pay the down payment was December. However, since she was really busy, she was able to squeze in her schedule only a few days before the Christmas break! And since h2b have work that day, I only got to met Ces to finalize the OTD booking.

Ces Icamina-Serrano of Konseptolized was a former w@w which made me a little less worried since I know that w@wie brides are really meticulous. So at some point she may be able to know the requirements and expecations w@wies do have for an OTD. Last December 22 we already booked their service for On the day coordination. By January she will start already to work and finish the job I already started.

KONSEPTOLIZED

I was also thrilled when Ces told me that she will give me a customized wedding cord for free and the RSVP will be included in her package (because to other coordinator RSVP service is of extra charge), this is just awesome!!!

Caricature

Have seen caricatures being used in so many wedding invites and STD. I wanted one!!! he he he. Would you believe that we can have our caricature for FREE??!!!! Yes, the friend of my bro was a Digital Animation Student at the Ateneo de Naga University and he would give us a free caricature. Isn't amazing? We have really been blessed :-)

Now, the question is...where will we gonna use this? hahaha. Geezz, will incorporate this so in some of our DIY stuff. We are really thankful to Chard for this wonderful caricature. He even included in the concept our wedding theme...AUTUMN!!! fabulous!

Monogram

I am not really very creative and artistic. I am not an internet savvy as well. I really don't know how to pull the monogram off and create one for us. Luckily I have a soon to be hubby who's good at it. He may not be that well verse in photoshop and other applications in the computer, but once he gets his hands on it, he can be able to create one. Here are some of his creation that am really proud of!!! 




Maple leaf inspired mono



Autumn inspired mono

Black and white mono

Damask inspired Mono



Damask inspired mono

With the above several monogram created we have not decided yet what to use. Until one day H2B became inspired again to create a monogram. I was happy on this one. The color motif have been captured and included in the concept. This will be our official monogram...tada!!!!



Our Official Monogram!!!





Food Tasting

Today we had our food tasting at Ilustrado. Our AE told us to have it this day because they will have a wedding on this day and that Rvee and I can see the actual set up from the groom and bride table, to VIP setting, guest and the cake and buffet table set up.

We arrive at Ilustrado and they were already set up. Nagulat pa si Rvee when he saw tha tarpaulin with the picture of the bride and groom and he said that he knew the bride (she's her schoolmate back in highschool).

Before we head off to our food tasting we first check the set up of Ilustrado to have actually the feel of how our set up would be like. Here are some pictures Rvee took while I am talking with our AE :-)

After the picture taking then we are escorted to their coffee/wine shop to have our food tasting. There was a table set up with our name on it *giddy*



Then the food was serve. All what have been included in our package were ready to be judge and be tasted :-)

Pan-Fried Fish fillet with pommery mustard cream sauce

Fresh Green Salad with oil and vinegar, vinaigrette and thousand Island dressing

Roasted Chicken with Rosemary Honey Sauce

Pot roast beef with Mushroom gravy

The food was great, it was delicious indeed! We had also our dessert, but we got super excited to eat it and we forgot to take pictures hahaha. It was fresh fruit salad supreme and Caramel custard. We are really happy with the food it was not common and it really taste nice. We love also the water that they serve to us, there was pandan in it really refreshing with a twist :-)

We really got a good package at Ilustrado. Aside from our regular buffet menu, they also give us a dessert bar for free...yes you read it right!!! a dessert bar for free..yey! and a bonus chocolate fountain (and yes it's free as well). Hoping that Ilustrado will really execute what we have talked about for what we like for the venue set-up. We are excited for what will turn out during our wedding day. Hope they will give justice to our autumn themed wedding *wink* *wink*

Gown Fitting

December 28, my 2nd fitting with my couturier Zandra Lim. We head off to Q.C together with my mom and bro. Our meeting time was 11:00, though we came 30 mins late (he he he). Zandra was there together with her assistant. I was already feeling nervous on how will my gown look like now. My first fitting actually was just a piece of cloth formed in my body to get the shape and measurement. Then, I was asked by Zandra to fit my gown. It was still the lining but the upper portion is with shearing already.

Just the thought that it will be my bridal gown gives me a feeling of excitement. I am excited of how will my gown look like after all have been done. Upon fitting my gown I feel that "this is really it", though lining pa lang, still yun na ang magiging gown ko on the big day. Super excited and I really feel it na..yay!

                                 

It was fun fitting my gown and my bro getting pictures of me hehehe. It may not be the finish product yet but I was happy. My gown fits me well and the fabric is fabulous. I love the brush train (I will still have a detachable train). As I have posted in my blog the sketch of my gown, it is beginning to became a reality.

I am looking forward for my next fitting on January....happiness!!!

Pre Cana And Canonical Interview

We are supposedly scheduled to have our Canonical Interview last December 9, 2010 however since San Agustin realized that we have a different religion ni H2B and there was no available priest that time so we need to re-schedule the Canonical. I already took my vacation leave that time...see??? how they would have not realized that we are a mixed marriage when we have indicated during our booking the religion of H2B and I. The church assistant also asked us if we want already to be scheduled for a pre-cana and so we did.

Rvee and I arrived San Agustin before 8AM. Couples were coming in already the pre-cana seminar room. Rvee is already beginning to get bored waiting since it's already 8AM and the seminar has not started yet. He then started to play froggy jump in his i-touch since he came all the way from work and he has not slept yet. I am also quite worried that he might get bored and fall asleep at the seminar.

It was already 8:30 AM when the speaker came in. She was vibrant and full of energy. I thought it would just an ordinary..boring kind of seminar. But, when the speaker started out and involving her audience I was in the assumption that there is more in this seminar. When she started it out by educating us back through the sacrament of the Holy Matrimony and including the other 7 sacraments as well. I was actively participating as I still remember the 7 sacraments. How would I ever forget when I have been taught 12 years of my life with Christian education. Rvee been teasing mo of "honor student" when most of the question from the sacrament to what number in the commandments as well as the capital sin..I was able to answer. What we really like about the speaker is that she was able to give a very true to life experience which I guess the most credible advise during counseling and seminars like this. She was able to give an accurate example that indeed married life is not all "bed of roses". She reminded us soon to be wifey that we need to be submissive to our husband. The importance of values of LOVE, TRUST, HONESTY, and FAITHFULNESS. Her life experience in married life really strikes us that indeed it's a joint effort (for both husband and wife) to make it work. The promise and covenant the couple have made and sworn during the day of their wedding is indeed a life long commitment.

"Grant us, O Lord, to be one heart and one soul, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

For what God has joined together let no man can separate them. We know that this is a new phase in our life which we cannot do alone as a human beings and instead we have to have God as the center of our relationship.


After the seminar we have full of wisdom and knowledge that have been learned all through out the 4 hours duration and it seems that the time flies that fast that we haven't even notice. After which they have given us our certificate of attendance and a well wishes from the speaker.


After our pre-cana seminar we are then scheduled to have our canonical interview.  We were already in the room and was about to start when suddenly the priest (who we thought he is) noticed that Rvee is not a Catholic he then stop and exit the room and told us that the parish priest should be the one to interview us since we are mixed marriage..again!!! kaya nga kame nare-schedule di ba kase nga wala priest before. Then we were told that he is just still a deacon and not yet ordained as priest, so we waited. There were 2 other couple waiting for their turn of the canonical as well. We have a short talked with them and find out that their wedding is also February. Since they are also mixed marriage, we shared something in common hehehe. Ate Fe the church assistant then called us for the Canonical interview. We were amazed that all those scheduled for Canonical were in the same room. I don't know why but I think it was okay though so it will be less "nakakaba". There was no interview at all, more like the priest just give us advises regarding married life. Then he just signed our canonical interview form and were done!!!

our certificate of attendance

HMUA

Rvee and I attended the wedding expo at SMX last September 2010. We are actually looking for discounts and lotsa freebies thats why we always attend wedding expos. Our goal that time is to booked invites and HMUA (hair and make-up artist).

During our quest for nice HMUA, I really don't just want to booked without trial and just merely because they have a lot of supplier ratings and all. I wanted to try it myself. However, most of the HMUA in the expo don't have free trial argggghhh! luckily we have passed by the stall of Ms. Mel Cruz of About Face. She has this album of a before and after look and am quite impress...d nga, ganito b talaga kaganda na after ng make up??? I told H2B about it, na-amaze din sya hehehe. So, magkano??? yun ang tanong. I already told H2B that I wanted an airbrush make up kase ayoko na ng may retouch and mas maganda ang after look ng airbrush in all fairness. And when I told H2B the price range of airbrush make up, medyo muntik n sya mahulog sa upuan nya =). So we still roam around the venue to look for a very reasonable HMUA. I was eyeing that time Mayone, however wala sya free trial make up. But, then sa katabi nya stall which is Ms. Mel..surprisingly offer a FREE TRIAL MAKE UP. Hinde nga lang airbrush but I think I can already gauge from there kung okay talaga sya o hinde.

So I asked her assistant if I can have a trial make up with Ms. Mel. And she said na after dun sa ginagawa ni Mel, I will be the next. So, I was super excited to have a free make up. While waiting, I ask for the rate. Since wedding expo yun there was really a huge savings and discount over the regular price of an airbrush make up. Now, my turn for the trial. Before she started, she took a picture of me na wala pa make up (for her before and after look). Super bait ni Ms. Mel, though she's very soft spoken and ang gaan ng kamay nya. Napaka patient nya pa sakin kase madalas maluha ang mata ko kapag nilalagyan ng mascara at eyeliner hehehe. H2B is just waiting for me at the other side, excited how it will turned out *wink*. After an hour (I dunno really how long it was) the make over is finished (make over???? hahaha). And this is how it turned out.




my before and after look



With Ms. Mel Cruz



After my make up has been done. Super speechless ang aking hubby, mas gumanda daw ako lalo hehehe. I let him see the package and rate of Ms. Mel for airbrush and ang kinagulat ko Rvee agreed to an airbrush make up package woooot woooot! Go, book na daw ang airbrush! So, I did booked Ms. Mel that day. Happiness! I got her airbrush package for bride + 2 heads (Traditional) and grooming for H2B. And to top it all I have an airbrush make up free trial which will be used for my prenup...yey!!

The bridal gown...and the designer!

When we are starting to plan the wedding. I already wanted simple yet elegant gown. I am not really fan of those beaded super fluffy with lace and all. I tried to look for several designs in the net and this picture caught my attention.

I have already my wedding gown inspiration. Now, the question is who will execute this gown that I want :-( I have search again several couturier who can make my dream gown. There are several designers that are to die for like Veluz, Cecilio Abad, JC Buendia, Rajo Laurel etc... But, even if I really wanted them, we cannot afford them :-). I didn't want to splurge much on the gown coz there are other important things that we can used the money for in our wedding. H2B and I talked about the budget and we settled with that and look for a designer that is within the range or if it can go up at least a lil higher than our budget only. After several meetings with designer. One of my team member suggested Zandra Lim. I immediately look at her site. I was amazed in her gown designs saved in her portfolio. We decided to pay Zandra a visit. Rvee and I look for her shop in E. Rodriguez Sr. in Quezon City, luckily we were able to find her shop.

At first Zandra is very shy, she's soft spoken . Then I let her see my wedding gown inspiration. She told me that she make her own version of what I want and will make a twist so as not to copy the entire wedding gown. She's very open for suggestion and does not tell you what she wants, but will definitely advise what will look best on you. That is what I like also in her. After she's done with her sketch this is how it looks like already:



Front design



back with detachable train



 And after that syempre there goes the price discussion. She have mentioned the fabrics that she will be using in my gown. And there goes the computation...tada!!! it is within our budget! I ask H2B his opinion regarding my gown. He just ask me, "gusto mo ba?...are you happy?" syempre nod and yes lang ako. So sabi ni hubby then we get "Zandra Lim to make your dream gown". Am super touch with my Rvee...he's the sweetest man ever!

Perfect Match

Been trying to look for shoes that I am going to used on my big day. I wanted it not the usual bridal shoes (white same as my gown). I have tried several shoe store to look for the pair of shoes. Though I have already been eyeing to have this as my wedding shoes.

Since our motif is Chocolate brown and Burnt Orange (our wedding theme is Autumn). Having an orange shoes is awesome!!!. Luckily, my support group w@w suggest a supplier that can customize this for me. I immediately sent them an email. I have asked their owner Mari if they can actually made the same shoes for me. And she confirmed that they can....I am sooooo happy. Mari invited me to attend the "Before I do" bridal fair coz they will be joining the fair. So, last Sunday Rvee and I went to megamall for the last wedding expo this year. Have found the stall of PERFECT MATCH. I instantly book them.

I do hope they can really execute the same shoesI wanted. Well, let's wait and see :-)

Search for perfect venue

The time that we planned to get married. It was always been our choice to have the ceremony at San Agustin Church at Intramuros. It was memorable for us both, because when the first time we both visit the church to attend mass, there was a wedding that is happening. Rvee told me that when I will just let him be the one, he wanted that we will get married at the same church.

We then book the church on July 6, 2010. Paid their required DP to blocked our desired date. And yes our desired date is still open. Yipeeeee!!!

After we have booked our church....now the search for a perfect garden reception venue. We drop by first at Tamayo and they have invited us for their food tasting at Villa Immaculada. Then we tried, coz I know that they are one of the best caterer we have in the metro. They have already provided us with the packages and inclusion for Villa Immaculada and we really love their food...superb!!!

Rvee at Villa Immaculada

Though we know that our heart now belongs to Villa Immaculada we still opted to visit other places and venues within INTRAMUROS areas.

CASA MANILA PATIO

CASA BLANCA

TEATRILLO



INNER COURTYARD

BALUARTE DE SAN DIEGO



with the guardia sibil



PATIO VICTORIA



We have also visited Puerto Real, Plaza Moriones, La Castellana. I just don't have a pictures of those venue. Maybe we were tired posing and smiling at the camera hahaha. Anyway, after we have visited those places. Our choice is still Villa Immaculada. So we went there to ask what would be the payment arrangement so we could withdraw the money just to blocked our date. And while waiting for our AE...our energy is back for picture taking...hahahaha...camwhores!!!

        at Villa Immaculda Entrance :-)

We got a call from Rvee's friend Marc saying that there's still another venue that we need to see at Intramuros. They do have a garden reception and a ballroom. He said that it is a fine dining resto along General Luna Street. So, before we pay the DP to Villa Immaculada, we opted to try and check the venue Marc have said.

while going to Ilustrado..picture taking again

When we set foot to the entrance of Ilustrado we were quite amaze as the place seems so private. This is our requisite for the venue we are looking for.

When we came to their office one of their AE was very excited to introduce what they can offer. Rvee and I were so delighted seeing their wedding packages and inclusions. Ilustrado's package are on a per head basis but the fact that the venue itself has no charge. So, basically we will saved the fee for those garden venues only the catering fee if ever (in comparison with Tamayo). Wow, isn't wonderful???!!! Now, the question is, how is the venue by the way...


Sinagtala Ballroom







The platform/place for bride and groom. Just love the dome at the center

The Sinagtala ballroom is an indoor venue with good quality air conditioned :-) I love the look of this ballroom and the AE also provide us some pictures of actual set-up of the Sinagtala Ballroom.

 

Now for our preferred venue...a garden reception. The AE accompanied us to their garden venue which is just in front of their resto.

Ilustrado Garden Courtyard





the wishing well

Their garden venue looks cool,intimate and private. We love the fact that there are so many angle or spots that are good for picture taking (picture na naman hahaha). Our AE also provided some pictures of how the garden courtyard look once styling is done..tada!!!

Because of this...the decision is final!!!! booked the place...And our wedding Ceremony will be San Agustin Church and Ilustrado Garden Courtyard both within Gen Luna St. Intramuros Manila.