It was just barely few months back when I was just reading supplier’s reviews from co-w@wies who have been so beneficial in planning our wedding, now it’s my turn…..Now I would like to share my story of that one defining moment of our wedding.
Parts of the preps was --- STUDIO PRE NUPTIAL SHOOT from DECISIVE MOMENTS
Our dream wedding had always been a simple one…one which has been shared with closest friends, relatives and witnesses to the bond that I will share with my fiancée. Everyone seemed so excited since we have been engaged for 9 long years without gaps and lapses…
Both of us, being the eldest and being the first in the family to get married, everyone seemed to be more than excited than we are.
I can clearly remember what all happened last Oct 14, 2005. I can proudly say, our wedding was a blast! Truly all the hands on planning of us, as bride and groom paid off. It thrilled me to experience that moment which most woman dreamt of, walking down the aisle in her dream church, wearing a designer’s gown with that long veil and of course, to share this memorable day and tie a knot with the man whom she will share her lifetime with. Every bride would tag it as one among the most unforgettable day of her life, and truly it was! Most of wedding moments were unforgettable, truly those captivating moments will stood in our memories.
At least I can finally say, wedding preps & wedding mania that hit us up is all over, mission accomplished! Preparing for our wedding is somewhat like being in an emotional roller coaster ride, I and my husband are both hands on couple, and everytime we meet suppliers, truly deliberation among them comes like you’re in a corporate panel trying to check all the pro’s and con’s of certain suppliers. It was both enjoyable, somewhat stressful and nerve wrecking at the same time. After 10months of preparation, everthing turned out perfectly !
Though we were both hands on, my husband gave me freedom to plan for our wedding. After leafing through bridal articles and surfing from the net, and not to forget to mention the resource group, w@w who truly helped us out in choosing our suppliers. Though our minds were crammed with plenty of ideas to incorporate in our wedding – it boiled down to having DOUBLE the wedding budget forecasted in our wedding ( wheew!), So just, an advise, be focused and stick to your budget. You will end up spending more than forecasted if you will not stick in your budget checklist.
Being Such an OC bride and groom, You could say that there’s personal touch we put into all aspects of our wedding which made the biggest difference, it turned out good for it exercised our creativity in details and somehow lessen some of the expenses. There were small stuff we both wasted our sweat on like the individual place cards, chopsticks and the origami paper to wrap the teabags, handmaid envelope invites). Some of the DIY’s are the unity candles, missalettes, and the pouch bags for the entourage (thanks to Xean’s Mama!)
lighted luminaries
teabags and chopsticks as souveneirs
trinkets
Place cards
picture gallery
guest sheets
Inspite of my sickness for the entire week, thanks to my dear Doctor from Asian Hospital who did all the magic to bring back my voice since I had this acute laryngitis a week before the wedding and I can hardly talk nor say a word. Had even fears of not able to say “I do”! ( hahaha! )
The last briefing with coordinator was done thru e-mail and with all other suppliers. Being so OC, even my coordinator takes care of everything, I still dropped mails to all my suppliers and remind them how I want everything to happen on the big day.
Oct 13, 2005, Mandarin Oriental, 4pm
Our loving coordinator who has been supportive all throughout, Rowie of Weddings by Workzone, checked in for us at Mandarin Oriental at 12noon. Since I am still on the recovery stage, I and Xean did the checking of the stuff to bring to the hotel. We had packed everything two weeks before the wedding and labeled each box already. Each box has a paper with instructions inside, on where to place and what to do with each stuff placed inside the boxes.
Traditional beliefs, which doesn’t ring a bell to me still reigned and has been imposed by Xean’s parents. We were supposed to go to the hotel ourselves. But they believed that soon –to- be married couples are prone to accident, they insisted to drive us to the hotel instead.
Xean and I spent the eve of our wedding chatting and relaxing and last minute shopping. We had to drop by the grocery to buy some disposable plates and utensils to feed the suppliers and family members the next day during the wedding day preps. And to buy my hair clips at SM instead since I wasn’t able to buy it when I got sick. Our emcees, who happens to be Xean’s friends from call centers will have second briefing with our coordinator so we offered them to sleep over at our hotel.
Our coordinator checked our things and had a rundown on what to do the next day.
I still even had to do some place cards for the last minute rush coz even if we had phone brigade together with my coordinator two weekS before the wedding, sending “SAVE THE DATE CARDS” given two months before the wedding is also a plus, it will never be a guaranteed plan like any other weddings. But we still thought of always being on the safe side and presumed that all will be coming. 90% RSVP was successful though.
SAVE THE DATE CARDS
We slept around 1am already since Xean and our emcees had a little drinking spree. And our coordinator, even bid goodbye.
Oct 14, 2005
Mandarin Hotel, 730am
We had a wake up call from our coordinator at around 730am. We both felt so groggy when we finally got out of bed but welcomed Oct 14 full of anticipation for the day ahead.
We took a hot tub bath for an hour that managed to wake us up and sooth our nerves and off we go to have a breakfast buffet. While having breakfast and reading the newspaper, we were both feeling butterflies into our stomach while sipping our coffee. We can’t eat that well coz we’re kinda worried of the weather since it was a bit cloudy. It was 9am then, He was having a countdown, I can remember him saying “ 10 hours more to go and you will be Mrs. Moral, are you ready ?”
I just smiled and told him, I just hope it wouldn’t rain baby, how about my luminaries, if ever? “ He then said, “Everyhing will be alright, just pray, we will both pray for a good weather. Feel good in order to look good better. Sayang mga pictorials later!” Those words of encouragement inspired me that day and told myself to Let go and not to worry about anything for God will take charge and Rowie, our coordinator will oversee final details.
We Waited for our coordinator at Mandarin to move to our dress up venue.
October 14, 2005, 10am
The Peninsula Manila
Rowie arrived around 930am and off we go to The Peninsula Manila. It was a worry free wedding day since all suppliers have been so punctual and professional.
Among the early birds apart from my coordinator was my designer, Evelyn of New Creations. We were just checking in at the lobby of The Peninsula Manila at 10am, when she arrived. With her is her assistant Vangie who brought the mannequin with her. They were there early to do the pressing of my gown and to fix it on a mannequin for pictorial.
gown in the mannequin
Next was my florist, Lala of Interplay. She was also with her assistant to bring the flowers that were in cases and vases to preserve its freshness. I just so loooovvveeed and was amazed by the way she arranged the flowers. I loved it!
my bridal bouquet
my sis, moh bouquet
bunch of entourage flowers and flower girls head dress
Then my make up artist, Angie Cruz together with hair artist, Anna was so professional to be there even if Angie met an accident the night before my wedding and had 10stitches at his head…I really am impressed with his professionalism.
with angie cruz doing my make over
Then, around 12noon, our main photog, Paul Vincent together with his wife Ivy arrived together with the team of Pong, the videographer and another assistant. They started shooting the wedding trinkets already.
It was followed by our back up photog, Kix Tavora, who all the way flew from his seminar from Iligan just to cover the wedding. Even kinda worried because we were trying to reach him 3 days before the wedding and his phone is out of coverage area. He was the one who called us and told us that he will arrive on the morning of Oct 14 and there was nothing to worry about.
It was around 2pm when rain started pouring. I was kinda worried since it really felt so hard. I just then whispered a short prayer to pour all the rain and to stop eventually. My folks and relatives then came around 230pm since my and his moms, sisters will be made up by Angie and Anna too. Some of the suppliers were offered to eat merienda so that their stomach will be full to cover the wedding.
My church florist, Sunny Florist then arrived for the buttonaires. He said that church flowers are already at the church and the two long stem roses for the Rose Ceremony is there too.
church aisle flowers
altar flowers
Then our butterfly supplier, Garden Fairy arrived around 430pm. Paul & Kix started shooting Xean at the other de luxe room while the videographer, Pong is busily directing my video shots/clips. Good thing the rain eventually stopped around 445pm. One less thing to worry about and I felt relieved!
Afterwards they started shooting me and my gown around 5pm. Even if we’re in the premiere suite room, it was so crowded, that I hardly even remembered shooting the paraphernalias with me holding it. Even did not have the pictures on the bed, because the photogs run out of time shooting plenty of my paraphernalias.
Then off we go to the lobby and the grand staircase for our portrait shots. We consumed only 1 hour of portrait shots since our coordinator asked us to leave the hotel at around 615pm. But for me those shots, was not even enough…
On the way to the church, I was briefing my parents who will take part for the unity candle lighting. While on the way, I was texting my husband, “ You really looked good on your suit. You’re the most gorgeous groom I’ve ever seen ( ha ha ha ! Love your own ), it was sincere yet purposely done to boost his esteem and lift his spirits, for I know, he is also nervous.
AT THE CHURCH
We reached Santuario de San Antonio early. Way from The Peninsula to Forbes is not that heavy traffic inspite of payday and Friday night gigs. My march is around 645pm, and we were at the church at 625pm. We should have stayed longer at the hotel for more portrait shots, that was the regret I Had. The wedding had a relaxed and understated elegancy.
When I arrived the church, the coordinators lined up the entourage. I was also putting pressure on Rowie to put the luminaries at the aisle outside the church but she reminded me that I told her that I instructed to put it when everyone is already inside the church. Maybe, I was just really having my panicky moment of my life And that I wanted everything to happen as planned.
The 3 cute little angels who marched with their round all green flower wand and butterfly wings looked so cute. The gowns of the whole entourage looked so elegant and the color motif matched perfectly.
At the groom’s march, I can hear from outside, how “The Prayer” was played and perfectly sang in duet by JSS. It was like hearing it from a radio, so solemn and lovely. The church door was opened a bit, everyone anticipated it was already me, but before me was my little bride dressed in white organza wedding gown with her veil, the music changed to “The Theme from Love Affair”, my 7year old little bride was so excited to walk that she almost slipped onto her gown and nearly fell. When she reached the altar, the music changed to purely instrumental of “For All of My Life” by For Real. I knew in my heart, I was the happiest bride. I knew, I was walking to a new life of love, friendship and most of all, an everlasting life to share with the man of my life. The church door fully opened, seeing green and orange luminaries lighted outside the church and live butterflies was released to follow me as I march. I walked slowly unveiled since I wanted to see everyone who attended the wedding. They said, I wore that happy smile which spread the mood among our guests. When I reached the middle of the church, there were my parents who were waiting for me to march me down the aisle as I was about to be handed to my husband. I felt the nervousness, I felt like I was about to faint, maybe my nervousness just reigned over me. My parents put down my veil and walked. As we met with his parents, I kissed my Dad and Mom and Xean blessed to Dad and hugged my mom.
I noticed as I march, It was so overwhelming to see that no matter how big Santuario was, it was filled with people close to our hearts to celebrate the big day with us.
Maybe due to wedding stress and OC-ness, I still felt a hot sensation inside the church, I was telling him that it seemed that the air conditioner is not functioning, I wanted him to hand me over the cellphone so that I can text Rowie. I became a real pasaway even during the ceremony itself. He just pointed to me the spotlight which was there all throughout the ceremony. As per our guests, it was even cold at the church.
The ceremony was more intense and emotional. During our vows, Tears flowed from my eyes, undeniably, I am gasping my breath as I utter each word …then cried and cried again. I can feel Xean’s sincerity as he recited his vows and he is nearly teary eyed too. I can’t help to shed tearful joys…this is it, …the moment of no return…..Xean even insisted that it was not tears but sweat he was wiping off his forehead. the mood spread among the guests, you can witness tears flowing from my eyes and the guests shed tears. Those were tearful joys evidently seen in the pictures.
The homily of Father De Veza was so inspiring. Being a priest of Santuario, of course, it was worth it to have gotten his services. He came well prepared and the words of encouragement in living our new life as couple opened our hearts to the doors of sharing a happily married life.
At the middle of the ceremony. We tried to check again on the people at the church and were surprised to see how filled the church seats was. The right side was filled until the end and the left side was half filled. Xean was so nervous that reservations were not enough to accommodate all of them. I told him, don’t worry, Rowie will take care.
During the first kiss, he looked at his friends and they tried to tease him, he held me on my shoulders and gave me that passionate kiss which was quite long. Everybody then applauded
faced the crowd - for the first kiss as husband and wife
our first kiss
After the long pictorials with family, entourage and friends….we even grabbed this moment to take pictures with our own suppliers. We had picture with our quintet but unfortunately, the singers already moved to the reception to serenade some of our guests with their acoustic music. We even had pictures with our own photographer and back up photographers as well.
Then after the recession having flower shower cones held by our friends and members of the entourage, party poppers were popped by co-w@wies who surprised us. us ( thanks to you guys, we love you! ) , at the church recession who were assigned to hold the party poppers, they stood away from us and followed the instructions stipulated in the party poppers but the confettis just popped out in front of them which left them laughing after. xean and I was so grateful to see them, they claimed they were just doing ocular and checking the demo of JJS, Sugarbox, Webdevices and Sugarbox, who happened to be one of their suppliers too.
After recession, the owner of the catering services, Ms. ERes who then became our friend promised to offer a pictorial taken with her BMW with the finally hitched sign.
Off we go to the reception venue which is just few steps away from the church. Initially, our venue would have been a garden venue that’s why we thought of having luminaries. We made candlelit path towards the cozy, green garden from church to reception. It even created a balanced atmosphere of intimacy.
We were amazed with the arch and flower arrangements as we approached the two wooden staircase at the reception. The friendly waiters together with their torch welcomed us. My coordinator was so kind enough to re-touch my blush on and lipstick.
Before our grand entrance, as usual with my OC-ness, I looked again for the bubble machine and Rowie informed me that it was inside ready to produce plenty of bubbles to make the entrance grand as ever. With those bubbles, monarch butterflies were released again and the quintet played the “Orinoco Flow” by Enya which made the entrance even livelier as I imagined.
After the first half of the pictorials and the dinner, the usual wedding tradition such as Cutting of the cake and Wine Toasting. took place. Afterwards the second batch of pictorials resumed. We then had the first dance, with the tune of “Moonriver and Someone to Watch Over Me” which was perfectly sung by the quintet. It was so inspiring to share the first dance with our parents. Everyone enjoyed as they watched us dancing until my dad and his papa decided to dance together.
Days and weeks have passed but we were able to hear good things and praises about our wedding. They said that the wedding was full of love and touching. Some friends said, the ceremony was like an American wedding, simple but elegant. It was so American because of the rose ceremony which we incorporated in the mass.
Much work, money and love went into this one time event. Sadly, like all other things in this world, not everything will go as planned. As expected, there were few glitches which was hardly noticed :
1. Due to many tapers that I sent to the church florist to set up for the unity candle. They end up confused putting the green candles at the nuptial candelabras. However, it looked better than the usual white colored candles the church usually set up. It was supposed to be the candle tapers that our parents will light during the unity candle ceremony. At the start of the ceremony, I was asking xean to give me my celphone so I can text rowie not to ask my parents to do the candle lighting….it was a good thing, rowie was so smart that I had this 4 candle holders which can house a tea light candle, and those served as the tapers used by our parents. Only me, xean and rowie knows about it….it was left unnoticed.
2. my cousin who is supposedly the commentator told me last minute that she can’t make it early at the church so I had to get a reliever. My college friend substituted but she wasn’t that much familiar in being a commentator so she was at lost with some of parts of the mass…but I was still thankful that she did it for me even if I can see in her eyes that she was not comfortable in doing it.
3. after we sliced the cake, it fell off the table due to my clumsiness. I think, the video was able to cover it.
4. we had to change our priest the last minute, because of the wrong & uncorrected missalette which was given to the commentator, she was able to mention the name of the former priest who was supposed to officiate the mass so the priest introduced himself during the homily. ( nahiya talaga kame!)
5. got surprised when my dad handed to the priest the lighter to assist my mom to light the tea light candles for the unity candle ceremony.
6. Due to long pictorials, some parts of the program were cut short. We had to get rid of well-wishers (mostly our friends) and even the speech of the maid of honor and best man (which I regret because my sister and xean’s friend prepared for it.
7. I was able to put his ring on his right finger. I was completely blanked that it was supposed to be worn at the left. He also had a hard time encircling the ring in my finger, it seemed that it was quite small but it wasn’t the last time we bought it.
8. I forgot to bring the photographer’s permit to cover the wedding --- the photographer and videographer had to wait for me to talk to the security guard that I left the permit at the hotel. It was a good thing, I was able to convince the guard with my charm and blessing in disguise also that we arrived the church early, otherwise, no pictorials will be done inside the church before my bridal march
.
Wedding preps which had been very taxing, Stressful tasks in planning and organizing, meeting with supplier and short listing, doing oculars, organizing gown / suit fittings, food tasting and all the endless details which we both handled was over.
It turned out to be the incredibly magical moment which we will always
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
bouncy
artistic
grateful
hungry
content
flirty
giggly
high
accomplished