finally, our Wedding Day!

June 11, 2011

For 18 months, I've been planning everything leading to this day. I've had countless dreams and nightmares, experienced stress as I have never had before. And then finally the day arrived. I am so grateful that the sun was shining. It's been raining for the last couple of days and one can only pray for a miracle.

My wake-up time is scheduled at 7am. I'm already awake at 5. Maybe it's because of the feeling of namamahay or just my brother doing his ninja moves while I'm sleeping next to him. I blogged how I was feeling that time here and then I woke up Chai, asking her to take a bath first since she takes forever to get ready. Then I called Topher and asked him to meet me at the breakfast lounge. I know that we need to eat properly and now is the only time we can do it. I'm pretty happy that we get to have together before all the craziness began. We took our time with our breakfast and we enjoyed almost everything on the buffet.

After breakfast, we went back to our separate rooms to get ready. I was about to take a bath when my OTD team came. They were sooo early! They're supposed to be there 9am and they showed up before 8:30! They advised me to take a bath and make sure I do all my business while at the restroom. They started preparing my dress and all the wedding paraphernalia on the bed. Just as I was leaving the bathroom, my photo team came! It was my first time meeting Puy and Chie.

A few minutes before 9am, my HMUA team came. It was also my first time ever meeting Ms.Chichi and her team. They went around the room, looking for the perfect spot with natural light to setup their equipment.  Ms. Chichi and I talked about the look that I wanted and how I wanted my hair to be, I showed her and Steph some photos and then we started getting ready.

Ms.Chichi started with me and my eyebrows. It's funny because it took her a while to style my eyebrows properly, I can confess that my eyebrows are not that greatly shaped. All the while, my Nanay is getting primped and one of my SS's hair is being done. After my eyebrows were groomed, I'm called to Steph's chair for my hair. It only took a few minutes for Steph to do my hair, and around this time, Ate Yhoan came with our flowers. I was sooo happy on how my bouquet look and my entourage's flowers! They're beautiful, the flowers were vibrant and fresh! My make-up took the longest time to finish, my butt kinda froze but it's all worth-it. I love my make-up and how it registered in the photos.

Before 10am, the video team came and then started taking videos of the wedding accessories. Once I'm finished with my make-up, I changed into my wedding dress and then it's time for the photos. Me getting ready, wearing my wedding dress. Putting on earrings and accessories.  Topher's sister helping me put on my shoes. I feel comfortable with Puy and how he directs the poses! "Very Nice, Perfect and Wow!" are what I usually hear from him! I feel really happy at the time and it does show in the photos.

We took some pictures at the hotel veranda and with my parents and immediately family. Next was with the entourage team, then my OTD informed me that we need to leave ahead of time. There is a long traffic queue going to Caleruega. Note that this is about an hour and a half earlier than the supposed time we're leaving for the church. Our regret is that we're not able to get photos with the Taal volcano at the background.

When we got on the road, the end of traffic was just before Bag of Beans. OMG. Super layo pa. And the traffic is NOT moving at all! Both sides are not moving. This is around 1:30pm. By 2pm, we just reached Residence Inn. We learned that DPWH had closed one of the lanes which basically means that traffic is stop-and-go. What we did is we counter-flowed with the incoming traffic, which I think is a very smart decision on my Tatay's part. See, he's the one that drove us to the church. 2:30pm we are still at Splendido/Royale Tagaytay. A few more miles to go. Ate Pia informed me that my groom is already at the church but our officiating priest is not there yet. We arrived at the church at 2:55pm. Just at the nick of time. We were not able to start with the bridal march immediately since my in-laws got lost somehow going to the church. We started the march at 3:15. I was suppose to do the long route for the bridal march but because of time constraint, I had to settle for the short-cut next to the church.

While I was waiting for the entourage march to finish, I was at the pathway leading to the church when my little cousin came and  started talking to me. I got anxious around this time, since I know I'm about to do my march any minute now. Then I heard the entourage song, U2's All I Want is You ending and finally my bridal march, Beatle's Here, There and Everywhere is blaring at the speakers. I started to walk.

8 days before the big day...

Pardon the posts' titles from here on 'til our wedding day. :)

June 03, 2011

We've accomplished a couple of important things today! Even before heading home to Manila, Chi (of OAB) and I would meet online to discuss matters and questions that I would have about the wedding. Small wedding details that I keep on thinking on and on for days. The last time that we chatted online, we've set a schedule to meet at Moon Garden. Although they've handled several weddings in Tagaytay, this will be their first at Moon Garden and today was also the first day they would visit the place personally.

I've visited the place last year, when I went home unexpectedly. The whole family (Tatay, Nanay, Carlo and Chai) came with Topher and me when we met the OAB team. When we got to the venue, I was really surprised about the changes in the place. To tell you guys honestly, I was disappointed with the changes that I saw. More about that on the supplier's rating (coming soon).

Chi came with her husband, Jardonyx (June) and Ate Pia. Since Chi is already on her last trimester, she wouldn't be physically at the wedding, but the whole team will be there. She assured me that she will be on top of everything throughout the day.

We looked around at the venue and then we decided on where things will be set-up. I gave her a reception layout which Lace (of K by Cunanan) gave me before. It was a layout on how K by Cunanan usually set things up in Moon Garden. We then decided on where we would place things around the caterer's setup.Like where the Starbucks coffee station would go, where will be place the photo booth, the registration tables, string the escort cards and put the appetizers table. After a couple of hit and miss, we agreed on things.

Moon Garden setup from K by Cunanan

We proceed to the details of the weddings, things that I still need to finish and turn-over to them. Here are some of the items that we've discussed:

citronella candles/mosquito patches - as suggested by both Lace and Chi, we should get these just to make sure that guests not be swamped with mosquitoes. The garden has tons of ponds and the rainy season adds to the mosquitoes at night.

1 bedroom suite/deluxe room - they suggested that with the rooms, i should get one like a suite as there will be tons of people coming in that day, that is without adding in the guests and would visit. The last thing that all of us would want is a stressed environment come wedding day.

body form - they asked to make sure that the body form that Tito Boy lent me can be adjusted to my height.

steam iron - for last minute clothes that needs to be pressed.

Bible and pouch - things that I still need to buy!

organize things - organize and label that are needed for each. Place them on a box/paperbag for each place, like preps, church and reception.

labels - make sure that the gifts and the ties/vest of sponsors are properly labeled.

wedding march - prepare cds of the entourage/ wedding march in a CD in cda and mp3 format. also have it saved on a flash drive for back-up

fruit basket for offertory and stipend - need to prepare for the offering

water and snacks - they also recommended that if there are guests coming in from Manila/far location, we can opt to buy water and some snacks that they can distribute while waiting for the ceremony to start

string - needed for the escort cards

gift/gift certs - prizes for the games at the reception

OAB will still need to contact Starbucks Tagaytay to suggest the additional glasses to extend the number of the frappes, and the wedding day schedule. We agreed that we'll meet again 2 days before the wedding.

Moon Garden

We invited the OAB team for lunch, they declined and explained that Ate Pia still need to attend her review school that day. We had lunch in Dencio's  Tagaytay before heading to Taal Vista to book our rooms.

@ Dencio's Tagaytay

I faced a dilemma when we reached Taal Vista. I wasn't prepared to shell out Php15,000 for a single night stay, and that is for my room only! Add Topher's room and we are looking at more than Php20,000 for a single night accommodation. I had to ask Topher and make sure that he's ok with the rates that we will be shelling out. He told me that this is only one day that we'll going to splurge and it's something that we need. So might as well get the best. Awwww. :) It the end, the front desk people at Taal Vista gave us discounts and generously granted my request for late checkout on all rooms (2pm checkout), that made the hefty price tag all worth-it.

Taal Vista

Before heading home, we met with Ate Yhoan of Yhoan's Flower shop who will be supplying our flowers, for both entourage and church come wedding day. I'm happy that she kept the pegs of the flowers that I've shown her for the bridal and the entourage bouquets. We also discussed the church flowers and the inclusions of the package (bridal car flower, offertory flowers, petals for the recessional etc). I still have to give her pegs of the groom's boutonniere as well as the entourage's. We agreed that I'll send the pegs over email and that if she has any concerns, we can chat, call and text.

We went to the mall to pick up supplies that I'm gonna need for the missalette and thank you cards. We still have tons of DIY projects to finish, but bar none, the hardest part of all this is the guest list. Why can't people do a simple RSVP? I've given all the contact information, online and on paper. A simple SMS would do. A message on Facebook would suffice. But noooo, most would still not do it. So all you brides-to-be, be warned as early as today. Finalizing the guest list is the hardest thing that you would have to do.

wedding updates...

Time just flies so freakin' fast! You would think that with almost 18 months of preparation, I would be all done by this time. But NOPE, we're still going over the details and some important stuff still needs to be taken care of!

I'm super thankful for my Nanay. She takes care of the things now for the wedding, she dove in full force with helping with the wedding preps. My parents even offered to pay for our wedding cake and the Starbucks kiosk!

The latest suppliers that we have booked through my parents help are: Yhoan's Flower Shop for the entourage and church flowers, Joy San Gabriel for our cakes and Boy Kastner Santos for the entourage's dresses. My Nanay said that dealing with them is a breeze. I particularly love Tito Boy because he updates me of the progress. He just recently sent me a message, reminding me that Topher's sister who was also our secondary sponsor, is the only one whose dress was yet to be cut.

I've posted before that I would have a cake buffet and forgo the usual wedding cake but as we are nearing the wedding date, I realized I don't want to stress about that anymore. I know it will take a lot of effort from us to pull off the cake buffet.

The most important things that we need to take care of ASAP are the following:
Topher's Baptismal Cert
Topher's Confirmation Cert
Marriage Banns to be posted on church
Misalette
Song List Approval for Church
Photo booth Backdrop
Photo booth Layout
Prenup Slideshow
Guestbook

Topher's mom already took his baptismal and confirmation certificate before, it was my fault that we need to get one again. I didn't know that it's only valid 6 months prior to the wedding, and when I said that it was a requirement, his Mom went off to get it immediately. So need to get another one again.

Most of the items, I need to do myself. I seriously need to start on them NOW!

me: fickle-minded

A girl being fickle-minded is not ordinary. I know it happens to me from time to time. I try not to change my mind too much, specially on wedding matters. I fight it, I try to reason with myself. Because honestly, it costs a lot to change your mind when almost all suppliers have been booked.

So what's been buggin' me these days?

Reception Venue. Yep, it's that big. Don't get me wrong. I love our reception venue. I 'm delighted how it didn't disappoint me when I visited the place last July when I went home. The only thing is, I'm having some trouble with the size of it. According to the manager, it can accommodate 200 guests. But I think that's a stretch. We're only having 150 guests and I'm worried. One more thing that bugs me, I don't think we can have any stage for the reception program. There's a small space in front of the pavilion but I'm not sure if that will do. It's a great thing our caterer is accredited to the place. I need to ask Lace, our AE, on how the sit plan will look like.

HMUA. Unfortunately, I've encountered some not so good feedback with the HMUA that I booked. The feedback came from the e-group that I'm a part of. I know that all reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, but anyone reading a negative feedback about their supplier will do a double-take. I had the issue directed to my HMUA and asked her feedback about it. Although I still have confidence on her skills, it makes me think twice about going with my reservations. It doesn't help that my mom and sister is loving a different HMUA (my sister attend a make-up seminar under this HMUA). At the moment, it's status quo for the HMUA although I'm checking other HMUAs availability for our date.

Cake. I'm having extreme feelings about the cake. It's either I go all out (read: Joy San Gabriel) or not make a fuss about it at all. I don't want a cake just for aesthetic purposes. I wanted something that's good and yummy. I'm really hesitant in paying Php3,000+ just for out-of-town fee when that alone can buy 3-4 yummy cakes. LA's post made me realize that having cake buffet is a great idea. It will allow me to choose the cakes that I love (God knows how I love cakes!) but it will also be cheaper. Anyway, I'm not really feeling a traditional tiered-wedding cake. We've had one before on our civil wedding and it's only pretty to look at. We can't eat it! I just have to make sure that our caterer have cake stands available. It will look absolutely gorgeous on the dessert buffet. Oh, I'm planning to get brownies from Brownies Unlimited, we'll include Walnut Swirl at the desset buffet table.

(walnut swirl = LOVE)

Florist. First of all, I would love to get Vatel Manila for our entourage flowers. Dylan has been extremely patient and kind with all my inquiries. However, getting a single supplier for both church and entourage flowers will save me around Php8,000 as compared to getting 2 different suppliers for each. So it is with a heavy heart that I may have to forego getting Vatel Manila's services. I initially didn't want to spend much on flowers knowing that they will not last, but seeing Dylan's creation made me falter. The difference alone can pay for a back-up photographer's rates.

Back-up Photographer. Speaking of which, it made me realized that I really want one. I want TONS of photos of our wedding and having a back-up photographer will do just that. They will take care of angles and things that the main photographer may not cover. I have my list and will need to narrow it down based on portfolio and price.

Entourage Couturier. I need to decide on this real soon. I'm almost sure of booking Tito Boy Kastner Santos of Sheaths Couture for the entourage dresses. I have to finalize the dresses for the girls and for the moms. Soon!

the search for the Florist - Vatel Manila

I first read about Vatel Manila in w@w. I was reading Armi's supplier rating and ogling her gorgeous wedding pictures in sunny Boracay. I didn't pay attention to the flowers then, I was more mesmerized by the beauty of their other wedding details (starfish boutonniere anyone? =D) I then read Angel's supplier rating for her wedding, Vatel Manila popped again. A link was posted that directed to Vatel Manila's blog about their wedding. That time, the flowers I DID notice.

Gorgeous flowers that were beautifully arranged. I stalked the site, read it top to bottom twice. New arrangements seems more fab than the one before it. Mustered enough courage, I emailed Dylan. He answered almost immediately. First unfortunate news , he stopped doing church arrangement since summer of 2010, second he does not deliver flowers to Tagaytay. However he does Deliver-for-Pick-Up, meaning you meet him on a certain location to pick up the flowers. He did mentioned that he can go as far south as Alabang and SM Bacoor to deliver 'em.

While waiting for his quotation (I just turned in his information form today), I thought I'd share some of my favorites of his creations:

roses and two-toned Bouvardia

arrangements of roses, carnations, rice flowers of assorted colors,and Queen Anne's lace

bouquet made up of 12 large peonies. Wax flowers for texture and as filler

Haworthia attenuata; the Echeveria elagans (a.k.a. rose cactus) with Craspedia Globosa

(left) yellow pompon mums and rose succulents mini Cymbidium orchids (right) single large rose succulentand pompon mums with black crystals 

gloriosa orchids, all-purple Lisianthus and rice flowers (2 colors) and Eucalyptus wrap

pomanders of pink Gerberas & Alstromeria tied with brown ribbons

large fuchsia and lilac Ecuadorian roses with Queen Anne's Lace, yellow Craspedia globosa, blue Eryngiumcand chartreuse Cymbidium orchids

(no specific descriptions on theses bouquets but they are fabulous nonetheless)

(no specific descriptions on theses bouquets but they are fabulous nonetheless)

lilac anastacia crysanthemums with Queen Anne's lace, acrylic crystals and pink statice

vine balls with pink carnations, succulent shoots, ostrich wisps and a single black satin flower

flower pillows using all-white cluster Carnations with succulent shoots & Cattleya orchids (can't imagine anything more pretty!)

pink Alstromeria and black satin ribbons

out-of-season palm flowers locally known as 'bukinggan' and "crazy vine" 

Dylan himself has 2 sets of favorites that he likes (for now), you can read the first set here, and the second one here. I sincerely hope that the quotation that he'll send will be within the alloted budget and that we can look over the fact that someone still have to pick-up the flowers come wedding day. If not, I can still dream of these wonderful creations.

Vatel Manila
Dylan Yap Gozum
+63.915.383.8803
vatelmanila@gmail.com
http://vatelmanila.blogspot.com/

*all photos are grabbed from Vatel Manila's blog: vatelmanila.blogspot.com