A Glimpse of our Pre-Nuptial Pics

One fine morning on a Saturday at a nearby condo in Taguig, we had our prenups.  We were full of enthusiasm and excitement at first but then it turns into annoyance afterwards.  Anyway, nothing much to share about our photo and video team.  But definitely not worth recommending.

Still, let me share with you some of our pics taken bu them.

Chang Yu Wines for table center piece and Principal Sponsor Souvenir

Thanks to Cash Cash Pinoy, we were able to avail the promo for Chang Yu Red Wine coolers for 51% off.

Acacia Hotel for Wedding Preps

Upon searching for a place where we can prepare for our wedding proper, we stumble at this new 5 star cozy hotel in Alabang, the Acacia Hotel,   At that time, we were in a rush and nobody was available to attend to our query right away.  Since we thought that it would be expensive to stay there considering the ambiance, we decided to scout for another place.

Parque España was just across Acacia so we decided to proceed there.  The place was fine but the hallways are narrow.  Here's also the price range given to us.

Along Madrigal in Alabang, just across Alabang Town Center and Metro we also checked on B-Hotel.  It is a 3-star hotel version of The Bellevue in Alabang.  Here's what they have to offer.

We're supposed to book B Hotel already but with violent reactions from family members claiming that it might take sometime going to and from The B Hotel we tried to think it over and re-visit the Acaica.  

This time we were accommodated, we were even given discount if we'll book by then.  Considering the amenities and being a 5 star hotel with a slight difference with a 3 star hotel price,  we decided to buy in.  Here's what we were able to avail.

One on one interview with the Priest

Right after our Application for Marriage License, we proceed to St. Peregrine Laziosi to attend the schedule interview with the Parish Priests.

After few minutes of waiting, I was asked to get in his office. Few introduction of each other and short love story of  us was shared. By the way, it was only between me and the priest.  Later on, personal questions are being dig in.  It was personal but sensible.

Same thing was done to h2b during his turn to talk with  father.  We were both continuously praying that whatever challenge that we may encounter in the future, may we be able to conquer them and stand still for each other.

Marriage License Application

Last October 2, 2012 we dropped by the new San Pedro Municipal Hall to request for our Marriage license.  Both of us were residing in San Pedro, Laguna for decades now.  It was a P50 tricycle ride from our village.

As we reached the Municipal Hall, we were asked to secure Application Form for marriage license at the Local Civil Registrar.

The personal appearance of those getting married is required in applying for a marriage license. These are the requirements:

1. NSO Birth Certificate: Certified True Copy required of each the contracting parties with the respective registry number.
2.CENOMAR (Certificate of no marriage for both parties): Certified true copies are required
3. Parents' Consent (for 18-21 years old) or Parent's Advice (for 21-25 years old) which is a written indication that the parents are aware of the couple's intent to marry.
4. Certificate of Attendance in a pre-marital counseling and family planning seminar conducted by the Division of Maternal and Child Health at the Municipal/City Hall in the same municipality or city where the contracting parties applied for the marriage license.

We were also asked to pay P650 for the following.

After applying for the marriage license, it will be posted at the Local Registrar for 10 days, after which the marriage license will be issued. The license is valid for 120 days from date of issuance and may be used anywhere in the Philippines. 

On documents and certification needed

As mentioned in previous blog, we booked our church way back January but we never worked on the church requirements since then thinking those would be easy.  We focused on other necessity.   Until we were informed to attend church interview on September 12.  Church interview is allowed if the other requirements were already complete.  We have nothing so we asked for a re-schedule and agreed that be it on the 4th of October.

That's when we started collating the needs.  NSO authenticated certificates were available. Next in our itinerary is h2b confirmation certificate. We arrived at San Pedro Apostol Parish at about 12 nn and asked us to be back by 2pm since no signed copies available.  Also their office hours in the morning would only be until 11:30 am. Though I know they can do it easily, we just followed the instruction given and paid the fee of 50 pesos.. 

Proceed to Alabang Market just in front of Barangay Hall.  The new office for NSO and NBI is relocated there from Muntinlupa Municipal Office. It was just a jeep away from San Pedro National highway. First thing is to fill up the CENOMAR form, then pay 75 pesos for processing fee. That would be 150 pesos for two Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR).  For us to pay the fee of 195 pesos each certificate and have the scheduled date of release, we have to wait for our turn. One good thing, the room is air conditioned and we have seats in line. It was quite organized and convenient. The CENOMAR will be needed to have the Marriage License from our municipality.

Next stop would be St. John Bosco in Makati where h2b was baptized.  In less than 10 minutes we were done.  Certificate was released. It cost 50 pesos. by the way both certificates needs to have a purpose indicated therein. In our case, it was for marriage purposes.

As for my birth and confirmation certificate, I thought it would be easy since I was baptized and confirmed on the same date at our parish before, Christ the King parish. It was the other way around, upon request we were asked to return after several days.  And the certificate costs 100 pesos each.

Anyway, we're close to completeing documents except for the Marriage License. 

What would you say on fitting wedding gowns?

This might have been a coincidence, I had my initial fitting last September 2 and by September 6 it was already burned.

We were at the Cluster Building in Divisoria then. I was not suppose to try the gown.  Actually my sister was with me so she could do the fitting. But they insist including my mom that I should personally do it so we could see the beauty of the gown custom fit for me.  And I do so, more than anyone else, I want to be beautiful and comfy on my big day.

So I ignore about the pamahiin about gown fitting. I love how the gown fits me anyway.   I did not tell hubby to be about this thing.  He is against on fitting the gown prior the wedding.

A day after, there goes the news, fire started to broke up that night at cluster building in tutuban.  I was in denial until the morning I saw updates in television.  The location shown was the same location where I ordered my dress.  I tried calling on the store owner but no answer at all.  I was so worried since nothing heard from them.  But i understand what they are going through.  I just thought they were still struggling.  I really want to confirm what happen to my gown. The fire went over 36 hours and left nothing to the vendors.  Here's the Tutuban official statement.

A week after they gave me a ring and confirmed that the gown was burned but they would replace it.  And since, the initial fitting went well, I just trust my instinct that they can replicate my gown so I won't have to fit it again. 

By the way, I let hubby to be know this afterwards. He only said, "that's what I was saying..."

What to wear on our Big Day?

Roaming around Divisoria, particularly the cluster building filled with wedding gowns are awesome.  Try to fit them all was running into my mind.  Those gowns would range from 3k to 10k which I think is beautiful enough for a pretty bride like us... :)

I saw these gowns which I recently checked out in internet as well in the hallway of divisoria:

if only it's white

 My man will be wearing this Chinese collared barong.

And our secondary sponsors, bridesmaid and maid of honor will be having these dress:

multi-design shawl

Check out Moira's Wedding gowns for other designs.  They will make my gown on our big day.. :)

Invitation and Photobooth

A wedding expo at SMX was attended few months ago and was able to have a great deal. Fifty pesos per piece for a minimum of 50 pieces.  It was a gate fold invitation wherein all we want to include are there. We're keeping away from too much inserts in an envelope.

This invite is from Printed Matter which actually costs Php 5,150 for 50 pieces.

Photobooth was also considered as souvenir.  Cash Cash Pinoy offered 3 hours package for Php 3,500 instead of Php 8,000. This promo includes the following:

Mobile Studio Photobooth Package Inclusions

·         Personalized photo lay out

·         Unlimited prints in 4R for three hours (30mins. stop time not included)

·         Unlimited photostandee

·         High resolution soft copy in DVD CD

·         Props for the pictorial

·         With two onsite technician

·         Personalized or fabric background

Our December Hue...

Deciding on motif was our next in line consideration. At first we were looking on auspicious wedding colors but some are contradicting so what would best look for us was chosen. We both want to have a cheerful and lively ambiance on our big day. It's like having a summer day in the midst of December breeze.   And so we decided on Brazilian  color combination.

 It will be a green and yellow wedding.

Where will the festivity be?

After booking Quido's, we checked on places where they are accredited.  The first option in mind would be somewhere in Alabang since it would be near the church.

1. Hampton Court, Hillsborough - 20k 

It was wide and spacious.  It's a palace like but a negative feedback  from family, it was quite old and seems mysterious.

2. Alabang Hills Clubhouse - 15k

The administrator was not accomodating.

4. Stonecrest - various

There are lots of add on charges

3. Lindenwood Clubhouse - 8k

This is it na sana...but on the day of reservation, our date was already taken... :(

4. Las Villas De Manila - 8k

At last we had the Las Villas de Manila for our reception. it was the only reception available within the area. It was 12 minutes away from St. Peregrine Laziosi Shrine.

https://maps.google.com.ph/maps?hl=fil

Who will prepare our Dinner?

Since we're having a tight budget for our wedding, I do more research. Thanks to Female Network, I got lot of ideas from our sisses there. Quido's Catering offers a great yet affordable package.  I emailed Ms. Gina right after and yes, she's really accommodating. She gave us schedule of her wedding services and let us choose the when do we want to have the food tasting.  I was with my parents and youngest sister when we did the food tasting.  It was delicious as per my papa's comment.  H2B relied on papa's judgement and decided to book Quido a week after.

On top of everything...

The first thing we considered for our wedding day is the church.  We see to it that we attend church and give thanksgiving weekly.   Those candle roster and Eucharist Chapel at St. Peregrine Laziosi Shrine are witnesses of our devotion.  We've been into different challenges in our relationship. Yet, this is the place where we would meet and fix everything silently. 

We then told ourselves, this will also be the very place we want to exchange our vows as husband and wife.

One day for a change, we dropped by the  church to inquire regarding wedding matters.  We were required to submit birth certificates to process the reservation.  So a week after, luckily our December wedding date is still open for reservation.  It was really meant for us. 

Our House soon to be a HOME...

Few months after the engagement, of course we're talking about wedding stuffs. Since, it seems things are moving swiftly, steps being taken are not quite sure. All we know that time is we found love in each other's arm.  
Luckily on the same year (2011 then), my younger brother needs to marry her partner. They were already gifted with beautiful daughter then which gives delight to the family.  She's a teacher and for her to be allowed to continue her profession in a Catholic sector school, she needs to abide by the schools vision and mission.  Considering that, we have to give way for their 2011 wedding.
What happen is a blessing in disguise as we interpret it. It means my dadi and I will have more time to kindle the relationship.  More time to prepare for our wedding and be sure of every step we would take along the way.
Though the wedding was not pursued then, we decided to invest for our future family. We came across a reality giving us the opportunity to put up our own house. Though it was not a dream house for us, it was a reality house indeed. Thank you Profriends for introducing Cedar Residences to us.
Currently, we're soon to complete our down payment and move in afterwards.

What makes La Luz extraordinary?

In celebration of my post Birthday and Valentine's Day, dadi (my significant other) and I decided to have a beach date with my family.  La Luz Beach Resort  was our chosen destination.  It' just an hour drive via SLEX (South Luzon Express) and STAR toll away from our location down south.  

We were welcomed cheerfully by the La Luz staff and it was a great start to enjoy the rest of the day.  

Cabanas aligned along beach front with swaying curtains looks alluring. Cool breeze air and sea hushes are mind relaxing.  What a pleasant getaway from usual workday. Buffet was also terrific; as usual I enjoyed the kare-kare and fruit after.

  

baby arwen, my niece

It was a delight seeing my family enjoying this day trip.  My parents walked by the beach sweetly as if newly wed couple.

My siblings took pictures of every beautiful spot in the place.  I love seeing everybody happy.  Bonding like this is unusual to our family because of busy schedules.

What makes a big difference to this day? There was big rock formation quite far from our area.  Dadi asked me to check out what's in there.  All the while, I thought that was out of curiosity. And there at that specific location, he pulled out a box of ring and asked me if I could marry him.  I could not explain how I felt.  Of course, I'm happy but not yet sure.  Relying on the "this is IT" feeling, I answered "YES."

 

10.18.10

It's been a while since I was enjoying my single-hood then. I can go to places at any time. Explore thing I haven't did before. Enjoy my friends company until wee hours in the morning. Focus on my career and my family.  

Until one day, while browsing Facebook, I got an invite from an old schoolmate way back elementary years to add him on his friends list. As I usually do, once recognized then you're in my lists. That's when we begin to chat and get updates on each other's life.  We used to bump by the mall, church, and even along the streets within our villages but never talked the way we did lately.  We exchanged numbers and the bonding grew stronger. I just noticed myself sleeping late because of unending texts and calls with him.  It doesn't matter, I'm enjoying anyway.  After then, we would usually meet after work to go home or eat dinner together.  He was already courting me then as he describes but none that I know. :)  The thing is, though I'm not sure of everything, I tried to give it a shot. And poof, before I knew it...KAMI NA...

Ours is not that easy relationship to start. We have to struggle over our differences. But we were able to fix them eventually.  Having an open communication and being transparent with each other was a great factor plus the fact that our families know each other for quite a while.  That's why they were surprised seeing us together.  They never thought we would go along.