Reminiscing my Wedding Day

How time flies! It's almost 3 years since we've been married! An uncle told me once that a love story in a human life only last for 3 years since they met. My husband and I met in Mar of 2006 and got married Dec of 2007! I know it's fast, but who could blame us? We are in love! I remember waking up really early that day, excited and ready to have my big breakfast at Sofitel. My family and I checked in at Sofitel the day before my wedding day, which is also my birthday. I asked my dad and brother to have breakfast with me. I really love the food at sofitel. They have a vast selections from Filipino food to Chinese food to American food! I could eat all day but well I might not fit in my wedding gown! After eating breakfast we proceed to our room. Our suite was located at the 10th floor of Sofitel. This is where they have their privilege card holders stay. On that floor, they also have the lounge where we can eat sushi and drinks to hearts content. 

Back to our room, the first to arrive was Summer, my wedding coordinator. With her was our photographer/ videographer, Robert Lester. Next one to arrive is Barbie Chan, make-up artist and last but not the least was Jerome Ang, my Couturier. As I said earlier, I could eat all day.. My mistake, because I almost can't fit in my wedding dress! QUE HORROR! Thanks to Jerome! He really was there to assist me in dressing! 

Jerome Helping me dress

  

Binondo Church

Fast forward, As I arrived to Binondo Church, there was still an on going wedding taking place. I was asked to wait inside the car. By the time I was ushered by Summer, I was giddy! I am ready to walk down the aisle towards my new life!

Silently walking

At the reception, everything was in place! I was really thankful to Summer for setting everything right! Less hassle and headache for me! Including our cake was magnificent!

Alex Franco's 5 layer cake

A Cup to remember

I have been searching for a mug for several months now. I went to Rustan's Department stores and also consider Starbucks mugs. This is to replace my trusty mug that's been chipped off by our maid while washing. I am very particular with my mug I don't know why. I just wanted it to be white in the inside and easy to handle.

My Mother-in-law saw that I can't find any mug to my liking so she volunteered to buy me one at Starbucks. Although I appreciated her gesture, I didn't like the mug she bought. Mainly because of the color and the shape. She bought me an orange mug. Oh well, it's a gift! That's why I've been using it even I didn't really like it.

Then I came across a friend of my hubby at Facebook. She is selling Thermal Porcelain Mug with Silicon lid to seal it from spillage. Sort of like those paper cups in Starbucks when you ordered to-go hot drinks. Also, they have designs like London Bridge, Eiffel tower, Merlion of Singapore, Great wall of China, etc.

I decided to buy the Merlion of Singapore! Bought it at Php450 pick up at Binondo area. Since, it's realy near our office, I asked my hubby to pick it up for me. Once it arrived I opened it, washed it and used it! Really loved it to pieces!

I could drink hot chocolate, hot coffee or even iced tea in it. Plus it's just the right size for me.

Engagement Day

Our engagement day arrives, everything was ready. I just booked 3 tables at Century Seafood Restaurant in a private room. I also booked a videographer for that day to send to my mom in the US. My gown was made of course by Jerome Salaya Ang. Make up artist was Elaine, recommended by my cousin Avie. When I arrived at the restaurant, everything was already prepared. I don't know who arranged things in order but at least no worries for me. I was asked to walked backwards towards the main table. I saw some of my friends and I was grinning as usual. At last I reached the main table and had my seat.

Tea Ceremony

The routine is that every family members should put jewelries around us. First is the necklace, then the bracelet and watch last will be the rings. My aunt told us that Bryan had to carry both cake outside and had to drive around the block and bring the cake back at the restaurant. This would bring good luck and blessing. After those, we would served tea to each elders. Starting with grandparents then parents up to aunts and uncles.

Posse for a picture!

Afterwards we went to the dining table to eat misua with eggs. It's yummy! I really love Century Park! Lastly, my sister and brother gave each family giveaways consists of sweets like biscuit, chocolates and candies. The day ended well.Now, my main concern will be our prenup shoot and the wedding day itself!

Wedding Preps

I was still working at Super 8 as a purchasing specialist that time and I was overwhelmed with work plus my wedding plans. It's a good thing that Bryan went to scout churches and reception venues with his sister. He already had booked Binondo Church and Diamond Hotel for our reception. But alas, his family didn't want a hotel reception, so we had to change venue to Century Park Hotel with chinese dishes of course.  I was freaking out because 30k for a reservation at Diamond hotel down the drain! I could buy a lot of stuff using that money! But, oh well.. it's their money not mine.. Our family is not that rich and me, myself, don't have money for a wedding. That's why all expenses was paid by my husband's side of the family. The good thing is that his mother let us have our way throughout the planning of the wedding. Well, except the reception..

Second booking went to a wedding planner. I already had one in mind, Summer, my client before for gift aways. She is a wedding planner and I already knew her that's why Bryan and I agreed to give the contract to her. You can contact her at her ym account vrc_creative@yahoo.com. I could say she is very organized and upto date with me all the way until my wedding day! She also came with me at my prenup shoot! I really love her to bits! Plus of course her husband! I also ask her to contact Barbie, my make up artist, to coordinate with her.

We had a trouble finding a host for our wedding. Due to our very lovable date which is a day after my birthday. Everyone was booked that time. We change 3x for a host and finally decided the last one is good enough. I didn't like him but he's OK. He sang my wedding marche and also sang 2 songs at our reception. His package also include sounds system which is a plus for us because we are really tired of checking suppliers left and right.

Time for booking flowers, Carlito is a cute guy and I think he is reliable enough. He gets his flowers at Dangwa that's why he was cheap.I don't like his flower arrangement of my bouquet though. It seemed so plain, it's a good thing that my gown was really fabulous. Thanks to Jerome Salaya Ang! He also gave me my Engagement dress for free. That's why I booked him for all my entourage including the guys suit! I love their suit and my entourage dress! all of it for only 120k That also includes 2 dresses for mothers and 1 for my grandmother. Love him!

We didn't had food tasting at Century Seafood restaurant because it seems unnecessary. We always ate there whenever there are functions. So we trusted their food will be exceptional.

Last but not the least booking was the invitations. We booked at Unifair Printing because they are close enough at our work place and I also wanted a very simple invitation. The normal Chinese emblem with heart which I suggested. I wanted to take credit for it because the design was tweeked by me first. Anyway, I was already proud of it.

My hotel of choice which I will be sleeping the night before the big day was Sofitel. We got the one bedroom suite at the corner with wonderful views. I just love it. We got it for 2 nights and cost us at about 30k. By the way, did I mentioned our wedding car was a jaguar? I love it also but it was too small. I just wished I got the Lincoln.Overall, wedding preparations are okay. I had fun. If ever I'll do this again I might do it the same as I did before.As you could see all my suppliers are based on practicality except the wedding car! haha!

The first change in my life

Ok here goes my first post! I always wanted to attempt writting a blog that would document my experience being married and my pregnancy woes. It might be a diary of some sort, so please bear with me.

I First met the man I would marry in a Chinese Temple managed by my uncle Tom in Q.C. That was Chinese New Year evening of 2006. We really did not met but our eyes came in contact everytime. It's just like highschool once again for me. Seeing a crush and getting giddy.

After 2 weeks, we met again in that same temple. I think he saw me talking to one of his aunt that time. After 4 days viola! I got a text from his aunt saying a nephew of hers' wanted to meet me and if it's okay with me to give my number to him. Of course I knew that time that the nephew she is reffering to is the same guy I saw.. (I did my research!) And so after getting tickled by my cousins to death I texted her and said yes. That night was the start of everything. We texted and he (Bryan) asked me if I wanted to go have some coffee the next morning before going to work. Of course I said yes! Gone are the days of Maria Clara! After this, we were inseparable!

Feb. 14, 2007 That's the day he gave me an engagement ring. He reserved a table at the Fireplace in Hyatt Hotel. Gave me my bouquet of flowers and blabber about a chocolate that was so expensive that he could not affort to give to me. It turns out it was an engagement ring! That night I can't even described what I was feeling. I came home so high and cheerful, my smile from cheek to cheek. Not even my father, who I have been irritated before I went out, did anything to my soaring mood.

I know it's been short and we just met a year ago and now we are going to get married! But let me tell you this, I never felt this right to belong to someone else as I felt it with him. Someone told me that love stories usually ends on the third year. Maybe true or maybe not.