Pre-Wedding Interview: The Brainstorming

Pre-Wedding Interview is basically a documentary approach to your unique love story. Most importantly, it will be your love story video which will give you a chance to tell your story in your own words. It's fun, heart-warming, and pretty cool. I am obviously a big fan of pre-wedding interview videos.

This videos are a fantastic way to tell your love story to your guests, without having to take time away from your wedding day to do so.

We are very lucky to have friends with multimedia skills. Renz is a professional videographer (at a government office), who also happens to be one of Waldz' best man, agreed to do the shoot. One of our close friends, France, a professional TV reporter, also agreed to be the interviewer together with Kat (my best friend). We were supposed to do brainstorming the weekend before the scheduled shoot, but since "the girls" were busy, only Renz came to see us. We told him our initial plans and he also shared his ideas.

I am so excited to write it all down here but it will spoil the surprise.

Sharing with you the video which we used to conceptualize.

Pre-Wedding Interview: The Basics

Everyone knows a wedding film is the ideal way to share and relive the story of your wedding day. But what about your love story leading up to that big day? That’s where the Pre-Wedding Interview videos come in.

We often see this done only with celebrity weddings. But some videographers include this to their packages nowadays. Some couples opt out in doing this to cut off the expenses. But good news! You don't really have to spend a lot to make a wedding interview video. All you need are the following:

1. Video Man
This doesn't necessarily mean that you hire a professional. If you have a friend who is willing to help out (for free) and knows how to use your recorder/camera, then that will do! It also helps if he knows how to do editing. Honestly, the more raw the video the more realistic it will turn out.

2. Location
Pick a cool off-site location to do a shoot. You can do DIY decors and create the perfect set. You just need a chair where you can sit, a place where light is sufficient (I suggest you do the shoot in the morning.), and a place with no noise will be perfect.

3. Interviewer
Ask a friend or one of your bridesmaids/groomsmen to be your interviewer. He/she will be the one in charge in gathering questions and ideas to keep the conversation going. If you have any ideas you can share this to your interviewer, too.

4. Props
No need to use a lot of this. But if you really need one, then DIY. Its cheaper.

5. Food
This is the only thing you need to shell out some cash. Make sure you have enough to feed the people who will be helping you do this video.

It is ideal to the shoot a few months before the wedding, so you have enough time to do editing if needed. Good luck!

The Wedding Gown Search

Starting your search for “the one” can sometimes be a daunting task. With the internet offering so much inspiration and options for your big day it can sometimes be hard to know where to start. Here’s 9 top tips I’ve put together to help ease the stress and confusion when searching for your perfect wedding dress.

1. Set a Budget
First things first. Wedding dresses are expensive. A lot of work goes into them and good quality fabric costs. Depending on what you’re looking for, nowadays it ranges anywhere from 5,000 PhP to 150,000 PhP. So be realistic about what you can afford, and stick to it! Once you have a budget you can work out where to start. Every boutique has their own price range, it might be worth ringing around to see which fits into your budget. Bespoke designers often won’t list prices as each design is unique, but they will be able to tell you their starting prices. Most brides can frequently get quite nervous when wedding dress shopping; it’s a completely different experience to a normal shopping trip so it’s not surprising it might feel a little daunting. Remember that this is supposed to be fun and exciting, designers and sales assistants are there to help and guide you in this experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

2. Don’t try too many styles at once
The more you try in one session the more confused you’re likely to get. 5-10 dresses are a good place to start.

3. Take only your besties
It might be tempting to take a gaggle of girlfriends dress shopping, but often it can lead to confusing, conflicting opinions which might actually hinder rather than help. Take just 1 or 2 of your closest friends and relatives whose opinions you value, you can always bring along others at a later fitting.

4. Wear the correct undergarments
Its best if you can wear your wedding day lingerie and shoes to each of your fittings, you may not have decided on this yet but it’s important, so make sure you wear something as similar as possible. Heel height is very important too, different shoes can affect your posture and the overall fit of your dress!

5. Think about you
Are you self-conscious about your tummy? Or your arms? Asymmetric gowns can minimise hips, whilst A-line gowns can add to the hip line. Corsets can create a curvy silhouette – even if you don’t have one!

6. Consider fabrics
If you’re getting married in the middle of April, that duchess satin ball gown might just cause you to melt. Think light natural fibres, silks and cottons, for summer. Rainy season is a great time for accessorizing as you can layer – why not try a faux fur jacket and red lips for that bit of Hollywood glamour.

7. Take notes
After your first appointment, go for a coffee, have a chat about what you’ve just tried on and make notes. What did you love? What did you hate? Keep the names of the designers you tried. Does a pattern immerge? Perhaps you’re favouring floral details, or one particular designer. Be aware that most boutiques will not allow photography; this is usually due to copyright issues, so notes are important!

8. Do some research
Once you have an idea of what styles/designers you like, surf the web for dresses that match your preferences and stores that stock them. Going to every local dress shop and trying on hundreds of random styles is more likely to confuse and cause you to forget what you liked in the first place.

9. Be prepared that there might not be “the one”
Not every bride will experience the spine tingling moment that is so over-hyped in films. This is one of the most important days of your life and 101 things will bound to be contributing to your decision. There might be 3 you love and any one would do. Or you might not find anything, which whilst disheartening doesn’t mean you have to give up! Everyone is different and not everybody’s needs are going to be covered by bridal shops. There’s more out in the wedding-world than you might think, try thinking outside the box (what about genuine vintage?).

As a final note, remember that wedding dress shopping is just one of the many exciting things in the lead up to your big day, relax and enjoy the experience!

Update: Less Than 6 Months To Go

Yipee! Less than 6 months to go and I am so glad we've already covered all the major suppliers!

1. Church - Check!
2. Caterer and Venue - Check!
3.  P/V - Check!

Next in our list:

1. Stylist and florist
2. On The Day Coordinator
3. Make-Up artist and Hair Stylist
4. Gowns and Suits

There are so much more to prepare. But at least the major ones are already covered. Whew!

Wedding Trip: Bride On Duty

Mr. Groom-to-be had been busy lately due to their month-end reports. Sadly, he wasn't allowed to take a day off to help me ran some wedding errands. I was close to cancelling my plotted leave last Friday, but I brought out the inner independent girl in me. I have decided to go home to our province and make use of this day to do some wedding-related stuffs.


(Friday) July 24, 2015
It's a weekday and as expected, mom needs to go to work, and my MOH JM have classes to attend to. I was home alone. (huhu!) I have already planned the things that I will be doing that day to keep myself busy like everyone else.

First stop was at National Statistics Office in Calasiao (one jeepney ride from home). I arrived at 9:30-ish and I got number 158 on cue. I filled out the form and patiently waited for my turn. I requested a copy of my birth certificate which now cost 140Php. I was able to get my certificate around 10:30. I honestly haven't tried this before but based on my experience that day, the flow of their system is organized and fast. Prolly because I did not expect to finish it that quickly.

Second stop was at Parish of Saint John the Evangelist (also one jeepney ride from NSO). I was politely assisted by the security guard to the parish office. I was able to get a copy of my baptismal and confirmation certificates both at 50Php each. There was no cue so it only took me a few minutes to get it. I was very impressed that they still have the original copy written in a old hard record book. (Talk about real vintage book!) It only took me less than 30 minutes to get the paper works done. While I was waiting, I inquired about the process if I was getting married out of town. I'm not sure if I was just hungry or tired but thinking about it now, I can't remember all their answers.

Before heading to my third destination, I stopped by the chapel and uttered a little prayer. My lola asked me to light 3 candles for our departed loved ones, and so I did. Made me miss Tatay, again!

My third stop was at COMELEC office. I have missed my chance to vote twice so I am mandated to revalidate my profile. I honestly have no plans in exercising my right to vote anytime soon. I am not updated to any issues nowadays and I am not confident that I will be able to choose the right candidate. But my mom keeps on bugging me to do it. And as an obedient daughter, I obliged. I am so glad that they had the "no lunch break policy!" Anyway, there are only a few people there that time, mostly were teenagers. I was asked to fill out my personal details on a 2-pages answer sheet back-to-back in 4 copies. I feel like a first time voter going all through these. After that they took my biometrics, photo and signature. I asked if I can have a Voter's ID but the lady in charge told me that it usually takes at least 3 years to get one.

I was beginning to get tired and lazy but I have nothing to do at home so I decided to continue wandering. I stopped by the grocery and bought a liter of mineral water. I was a bit hungry but decided to just eat siomai. (Siomai House is heart!) Then I took a jeepney ride to the van terminal to Manaoag.

The church that truly gives me comfort every time, Shrine Of Our Lady Of Manaoag. She is like family to me. She knows when I am truly desperate and when I am absolutely in cloud nine. I visit her as often as I could. As usual, I went to see her and updated her with my life. After reflecting, I ask for her guidance. And every time I do, I always go home relieved and renewed.  After doing my usual routine, talking to her, lighting some candles, and giving mass offerings, I went home.

Before heading straight home, I dropped by the grocery again to buy some ingredients for the food I am planning to cook for dinner. I am not a pro in cooking but I love to try to cook. I was planning to cook Baked mac. I got the recipe from a close friend (Thanks Mights!) and every time I cook this, I always get praised! I hope my family will like it, too. Fingers crossed.


So to sum it all up, it was a productive Friday for me. I never thought I can do this much all in one day! And let me also take this chance to give a shout out to our goverment offices in Dagupan, specifically NSO and COMELEC. You did a great job in organizing the system. Kudos to that! I am one happy citizen!

Wedding Venue: Reserved!

I have mentioned in my previous entry that we have decided to get married in Baguio. And because we have booked our chosen church, there is no turning back now. Baguio is definitely the place to be. I have been fickle-minded (most of the time) throughout this wedding preparation journey. And my ever supportive fiancée don't mind.

If you have been reading my entries, you will notice that a few months ago, I have written a few chosen venues to hold our reception. And none of it was my final choice! Surprise! Surprise!

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you the winner among all my choices..... (drum rolls) Pinewoods Golf and Country Club Estate Clubhouse.

It was again, one of those love at first sight moment. The moment we entered the clubhouse, Waldz and I just gave each other "the look" that only he and I understands. Our hearts beat faster than normal. We knew that this is it!

We were unable to book them on the day we went there because we were advised to think about it first before making another impulsive decision.

And so after a week of sleepless nights thinking about this venue, we called the owner, Miss Cecille Peredo, who is by the way, the most accommodating wedding supplier ever! We told her our interest in booking their services for our wedding. She would've grabbed the opportunity and asked an initial deposit right away. But she didn't. I admire that she values quality over quantity. She told us that we can only book their services if we have already discussed every little detail. Although she promised to reserve the date in the mean time.

(Saturday) July 25, 2016

Waldz and I have a roller coaster adventure that day. But it didn't stop us in getting to our destination. In fact, it made the trip even more memorable. Miss Peredo had been patiently waiting for our arrival. We lay our cards on our expectations and vice versa. It feels good that both parties can be truly honest with each other making the transaction as smooth as possible. We've covered every little detail, from table clothes, decors, projectors, utensils and so much more. We were unable to do the food tasting but Miss Cecille served us some coffee and Waldorf Salad (absolutely delicious!) After we paid her the initial down payment, I felt oh-so relieved, knowing that another major supplier is already checked in our list.

***Some photos are taken from their website, Olx post, and the some from MY instagram account.

RoyAnne Camillia Couture Broke My Heart

I can't believe that I almost forgot to write about my first ever heartbreak in this wedding journey. But looking at the bright side, maybe I have completely moved on that's why I barely remember the details. Anyway, I still want to write about it. Here it goes.


I have been doing a lot of research during my idle time. One of my most common things I look for are wedding gowns. Like I always tell you, I have no artistic bone so I need to exert a lot of effort to look fab but still making sure that I do not over splurge on the budget. I don't know which is in and which is out. But my heart says go for a lacy gown. I don't want a mermaid cut gown. I just want it to look simple but gives compliment to my body shape. In contrary to what other people think, I am not insecure with my body type. I am confident with my body. (Sexy kaya ako! Self-proclaimed!)

Anyway, I was looking for a budget-friendly and classic-sexy gown. That's when RoyAnne Camillia Couture entered the picture. I saw a lot of gowns she made that I like. I was impressed and got all giddy! I told Waldz that I finally found the gown that I really like to wear in our wedding. He got excited too so we went to the shop the following day. Thank you WAZE for making it easier to look for their shop.

We didn't make an appointment so I did not expect to meet the designer. Besides, I was only going to check if the gowns were as great as they look in pictures. We were assisted by one of her assistants, I cannot remember her name. Tall girl with a long straight hair. She showed me the gowns I saw on line that really caught my attention. It was very simple but I like it. I really do. The moment I saw the gown, I wanted to try it on! But since there is no harm in believing the superstitious beliefs, I didn't. But I held the gown in front of the mirror to imagine how it would look like if I wear it. The gown was really nice. And I really really really like it.

But they/she broke my heart.

I had experienced one of the worst customer service. The lady that assisted me was rude. She did not directly told me that I was fat. But she told me more than twice that the gown I chose will not fit me. So maybe I was a little fat at that time. Maybe I was emotional. But I don't think it is appropriate to make your potential customers feel bad about themselves. No matter how honest you want to be, please keep in mind that you still need to choose your words wisely.

This entry is not intended to rant or ruin the reputation of the above mentioned. I am merely stating personal opinions based on experience. And just for the record, I did not fought back after hearing some rude words, we just left the shop. I cried in the car while my ever loving fiance comforted me.

So as much as I want to have the gown, even if I have already loose weight, I promise not to go back to your shop anymore. I am dead serious about this.


To the Rude Lady Assistant: I hope someday you do not get to experience what you did to me that day. I still wish you well.

Wedding Photographer/Videographer: Booked!

After watching the Pacman fight last May 3, we went to Starbucks Dagupan to meet Mr. Jesson Oliver T. Veedor. He is the main man behind the success of Faces Portraits. They are one of the best photographers/videographers in the wedding industry. They have variety of packages to choose from. It is a little bit intimidating with just looking at the prices but they deliver quality outputs. It is going to be worth every penny you pay them.

Honestly, I was hesitant to even meet them at first because I wasn't really convinced in investing a lot of our budget in our p/v. But Renz (one of the best men) was persistent. And I finally agreed to set an appointment with them. And I Thank God for that.

Renz have known Jesson for a long time now. Renz is actually also a photographer/videographer but he's not a pro in shooting weddings. I have always been amazed with his works so I have been bugging him to do the prenup shoot for us. Besides being a fan of his works, it will be a big help in excluding the prenup costs. But he made us understand that memorable events like this should be documented appropriately. As much as he wants to help us lessen the expenses, he would rather insist in getting the best p/v he knows.

I did a few research before our meeting so I was familiar with some of his works that he showed us. We told him our ideas and he shared his ideas as well. After brainstorming, we asked him his rates. And Renz did the haggling. And wow! I was really impressed with his haggling powers. He was able to get a good deal! As a matter of fact, a very good one.

They do not do pencil booking so we had to pay them the initial deposit to reserve the date. So we did. Faces Portraits will be our p/v on our wedding day. And I am excited to work with them!

But wait, there's more, I was surprised to hear what Renz told us. He said that he already spoke with Harold, Renz (another best man), and France that they will be shouldering the rest of the expenses for the p/v. Yes, you have read it correctly. (yippee! Thanks friends!)

Wedding Trip: Covering The Major Suppliers

This is our third wedding trip to Baguio. It just so happen that it is also a graduation weekend for her sister Sophia and my cousin Sunshine. And we both committed to attend their graduation. Good thing it's not on the same date. Waldz and I plotted a day off from work so we can travel and arrive there early. And it is very unfortunate that we were unable to attend both. Sorry, girls. :c


(Friday) June 26, 2015
After eating our late lunch (past 3pm!), we headed straight to our meeting with our potential Florist/Stylist. We went to their office and gave them an idea of what designs and flowers we want. It was a productive hour since we were able to haggle the price within our budget. They gave us a package which includes the entourage bouquet and boutonnieres, flower decors on both church and reception, plus minimal "rustic" styling.


(Saturday) June 27, 2015
Ocular Day. We went venue hunting together with Waldz' family. Honestly, Waldz and I were really decided to book Bell Amphitheater that day. We went there to check the place. It was breathtaking! There was a connection but we feel like there is something missing. So after a few rounds in the place, we decided not to book it first. We re-considered checking the clubhouse that his mom is suggesting. We went to Pinewoods Golf  and Country Club Estates. And to our surprise, we liked it way better than BA. There was an event during our visit but the owner took the time to sit and talk with us. She was able to address most of my major concerns. The venue comes in package with the catering services so that's hitting two birds in one stone! Good Job to us! I got so excited that I wanted to book them right then and there. But his mom suggested that we think about it first if it is really what we wanted. So yeah, I was being impulsive again. Oops!

Since we were already 80% sure that we wanted to hire them, we did not meet the caterer and the chair/table suppliers since it is possible that we can all have it in Pinewoods.


(Monday) June 29, 2015
We had already spoke with Jesson, the owner and main photographer of Faces Portraits. We had already wired him the initial payments for reserving the date and their services. Before heading back to Manila, we drop by their office to sign the contracts to make it all official.

Right next to their office is a very classy bridal shop, All Eyes On You, which offers bridal and entourage gowns, coordination, event styling, makeup services, etc. The shop is owned by Jesson's wife, Apple. She also gave us a good deal. But I told her that we still need to talk about it since our budget was not yet updated but I was interested to hire her services.



It may seem like we've only covered a few vendors but all were time well spent. It is safe to say that this had been a successful wedding trip. It was worth all the time, money, and effort!


Shout out to my fiance:

Thank you for being understanding. Please do not run out of patience. And thank you for tolerating my crazy bratty temper tantrums. I love you!

Bridal Fair Do's & Dont's

There are so many fun things you get to experience with your friends and family when you are engaged. Bridal Shows offer something for everyone during the planning process. Whether you are newly engaged and just starting out or a few months from your wedding and need to book one last vendor, it is worth spending a few hours on a Saturday afternoon (most expo's are on a weekend and during non-peak seasons for the vendors) checking out what your local wedding vendors have to offer.

The Do's

• Do bring a friend, your fiance or your mom. It will be nice to have someone to bounce idea's off of.
• Do register online in advance if you can. This will save you time at check in. And most of this events offer free entrance for advance registrations.
• Do stop at the booths that you really want to get information from.
• Do attend the fashion show (if they have one) because it is fun and who doesn't love seeing WEDDING DRESSES?!?
• Do have FUN! Experiencing this time with your closest gal pals is speical and you will remember all of these great times leading up to the big day!

The Don'ts

• Don't get there as soon as they doors open. There is usually no advantage to being the first ones there. Typically booths get flooded with attendees the first hour. Things wind down a bit in the 2nd hour. If you want really personal attention, arrive in the middle and stay until the end when vendors have a lot more time to talk with you.
• Don't sample every piece of wedding cake you meet. WHAT? Just kidding! This is the perfect day to test out all of those different flavors. You can hit the gym tomorrow.
• Don't take brochures and cards if you seriously don't think you will need their services. You will just have to carry around all of that extra stuff all day. (Guilty hoarder here!)
• Don't miss the prizes! Most bridal shows have some great giveaways and door prizes. Who wouldn't love a free mani or a free engagement photo shoot with a professional photographer?!
• Don't get overwhelemed! There will be alot of information to take in. Unless your wedding is tomorrow you do not need to decide every detail that day. These shows are designed to showcase a number of vendors in each category to help a bride decide what her style is and what types of services she will need for the big day. It is easy to feel like you are behind the eight ball but relax and know that the other 300 girls in the room are feeling the exact same way!

Dear Groom: Wedding Preps Do's and Dont's

*** DISCLAIMER: This post is not merely directed for my Fiancé. This is meant to all the grooms-to-be who are hmm... let's say a little less engaged to the wedding planning.

Most, if not all, grooms-to-be are not really hands on in wedding preps. We all know that that doesn't mean that they love their Fiancé less. But it also won't hurt if you try to apply some of the to do list and to know which to avoid. Besides, let this serve as your training ground to your future mantra: Happy Wife, Happy Life!

Do's

1. Be involved

Your wedding will be more meaningful to you if you play a major role in creating it. Find an aspect of the wedding that matters to you and totally take it over. Why not take charge in choosing the wedding playlist?

2. Be pro-active

Your partner will be really annoyed with you if they are always the one who brings up “wedding stuff.” Make sure that you also occasionally start wedding-related conversations, even if they are vague statements like “I think American Author's Best Day Of My Life is a nice song!” Or, “Fuschia is really perfect for a highland wedding!”

3. Your Opinion Matters

Remember it’s your day as well, so throw in your 2 cents about colour palettes, invites or entertainment. After all, it’s you who will be wearing the suit or listening to the music you both decide on!

4. Surprise Your Partner

Even if she says no, get your partner a gift on the wedding day itself. A gift will show her how much you appreciate her as well as being a lovely surprise. Try to surprise her with a love note or a "something old/new stuff"

5. Work As A Team

Think of planning your wedding as a crash course in marriage. Planning a wedding takes time and teamwork, much like a marriage. There can be unexpected bumps and it can also be a very exciting time. If you can pull off a successful wedding together it’s a sign you are meant to be!


Dont's

1. Completely Shut Down

We get it. You think the words "wedding planning" are the two most disheartening words in the English language, or at least in the Top 5, right up there with Erectile Dysfunction and Valentine's Day. So you're tempted to let your fiancé do everything. Don't. For one, it's not fair, as you're throwing her under the bus. More importantly, you lose the ability to actually influence the things that matter. Use the 80/20 rule. By helping with the Big Three (guestlist, the location, and the date) you influence results without drowning in details.

2. Become Debbie Downer.

This is the #1 complaint we hear from women: that their fiances say they don't care, but then, after months of gloomy silence, they criticize at the last second without offering anything constructive. It's a fair complaint. To keep good Groom Karma, every once in a while you must offer some positive suggestions, take a stand, and, if you must, fake enthusiasm. (You think she hasn't?)

3. Turn Into A Groomzilla

Careful. Don't let the pendulum swing too far. Yes, you shouldn't be a zombie. Yes, you shouldn't be oblivious. But don't go crazy. Don't get so pumped for your wedding, so fired up, that you morph into the obsessive, penny-counting, micro-managing Groomzilla. This is the guy that cares way too much about every little detail, grilling florists and out-brideing the bride. Never be That Guy.

4. Half-Heartedly Committed To Help

If you have committed to work on a wedding detail, please don't do it half assed because that's worse than not doing it at all (especially when you said you were going to handle it).

5. Lose Perspective And Forget That Your Wedding Is A Party

Your wedding is a party. And parties should be fun. This is a fact that often gets overlooked by the very people planning the party. So, as the groom, it's your job to keep things in perspective and remember that a good party should have good music, good food, good people, and good booze.

6. Forget The Rules (Notice how this is emphasized)

One more thing about perspective. At your bachelor party, you might be goaded, tempted, and guilted into doing something dumb. Let's say, for example, that your fiancé forbids lap dances, but your buddies insist. Don't go there. A lap dance throws an ugly wrench into the final weeks of the engagement. Wherever she draws the line, respect it.

It's really nice to see such collaboration between the bride and groom.  

Because as we all know, a wedding is about two people getting married,

not just about the bride. Happy Planning!

Choosing Our Wedding Location

I am a lucky bride-to-be because my fiancée had given me the authority to choose where I want us to get married.

At first I thought it was a good idea to have it here in Manila so we can conveniently plan the wedding. And so we did. We attended several bridal fairs (it's the season for bridal fairs), went to some Grand food tasting to our chosen caterers, spoked to a lot of potential wedding suppliers, did some ocular visits to promising venues, and went around to look for the church that gives us "the" wedding feeling.

The planning was actually going smoothly. Google was my best friend. And most of the time, I bugged my Facebook friends who just recently got married to get tips and advices.

We actually also considered having it in Dagupan, but we just didn't get "the" wedding feeling that were looking for.

Then one day, everything changed. While I was randomly talking to my younger brother, Zander, he made me realize what I really want. He remembered how I used to tell him that I would want to get married in Baguio, specifically where Aga and Charlene got hitched. (Simply because I have been crushing Aga for the longest time. Yes, it was that lame.) Then it hit me.

Baguio really has that special place in my heart.

After reality bit me, I immediately told Waldz that I would want to have it in Baguio. No questions asked, he agreed. (Thanks Babe! I'm so lucky!)

Good thing we haven't paid any initial deposits to the suppliers we spoke with. So now we're back to square one.

We know that it will be a little hard to plan the wedding since our location is 6-8 hours away from where we are. And we will only have a few limited weekends to visit Baguio because were both working on weekdays. Good thing we have almost a year to prepare.

We know that it will take a lot of time, money, and effort to go there. But I am really one lucky girl to have such a supportive and optimistic fiancée. He always reassures me that everything will be okay.

And now I am confident and taking that challenge. Game on!

Genesis: The Beginning Of The Journey

After a few months of being on cloud nine, comes the reality to face that you need to do a lot of planning for "The Big Day!"

So, now what?!

Lucky for some couple who hire a Full Wedding Coordinator, they only have to lay their cards on how much their budget is and how they would want to maximize it. But there are also a few clueless couples (like us), who could but wouldn't hire a coordinator. In our case, we chose not to hire a full coordinator since we have a strict budget to follow. Although some would really invest on this because they are either too busy or they just want to avoid stress during the preparation.

The first few weeks are always the crucial days since it involves big decision making. This is the period where the couples usually, if not always, argue. Most of the time, it is the bride-to-be who does the initial decisions and asks their groom-to-be to make the final decisions. And usually, the guys just agree to anything you present them. It doesn't mean that they do not care. It is just not their thing. Leave with it, honey. 

I am not an expert here. But this things are all based on my experience. I am also a bride-to-be and I hope my journey will serve as a guide to future brides-to-be.

There is really so much to think about. Now where do we start?

Experience is always the best teacher.

The first thing I did is that I tried to ask some recently married friends. I asked them about their wedding suppliers, the contact details, (and if you're really close) you can even ask them how much the rates are. The advantage of this is that you can ask them their comments about the suppliers on how they work. So don't be shy, send them those Private Messages! I am pretty sure they will recommend only the best of the best. Free consultation, dearies!

After I have the necessary details and feedback, I sorted out which ones will work for me and our budget. For now, my fiancée and I have to decide on the Big 3W's. When? What? Where?

WHEN

January 25, 2016. This will  be our 9th year anniversary! (Yey!) 

WHAT

I have always wanted to have a church wedding and a garden reception, while Waldz would want a beach wedding (hence, the proposal venue--Caramoan Island). The type of wedding is yet to be finalized.

WHERE

Manila? Dagupan? Baguio? We are still undecided. Always remember that there are still a lot to consider in choosing your wedding location. 

It will feel like an overwhelming amount of choices before that, but once your date and wedding venue are confirmed, the rest will start to fall into place.

Tips for Mom: They're Engaged!

Great news: Your daughter or son is getting married!

Before you do anything else, take a moment to savor the thrill of this great news.
Finished? Good. Now roll up your sleeves -- because whether you are deeply involved in every aspect of planning the wedding or whether the bride and groom prefer to rely on you as a sounding board while making the major decisions themselves, it's likely that you're going to find yourself juggling the role of advisor, therapist, communications hub and trouble-shooter. You'll need to be able to:

• Keep the planning process on track without nagging
• Offer guidance without being pushy, and
• Be a rock of supportive encouragement -- even if you disagree with the bride and groom on a particular decision.

All this, of course, is in addition to any specific parental responsibilities that you take on, such as contributing to the guest list, bonding with your daughter's or son's new in-laws, negotiating sticky family situations, and welcoming guests at the big event itself.

Finally, there's the issue of who's going to pay for it all. While the parents of the groom are no longer automatically expected to foot the bill for the ceremony and reception, deciding how to split the expenses can be a delicate matter, requiring the utmost tact and empathy.

Here are four general principles to guide you through the process:

1. Follow the lead of the bride and groom.
No matter how many good ideas you're brimming with (or how many you are contributing to financially), this wedding day belongs to the engaged couple. When you offer suggestions, do so with a light touch, and give way gracefully if your suggestion is overruled.

2. The mother of the groom should defer to the mother of the bride.
In general, the bride's parents lead the way for all of the parents and other relatives. If you want to send out announcements or contribute to the wedding in some way, always discuss your plans with the parents of the bride first -- then adhere to their wishes.

3. Keep backup copies of all key information.
Even if the couple is doing a superb job of planning, you'll stand ready to be a hero whenever a glitch occurs.

4. Communicate on a regular basis.
Regular chats (whether conducted online or verbally) allow you to address problems as soon as they arise and also give you an opportunity to provide ongoing emotional support to the bride and groom.

Mother's Etiquette Alert:

Think before speaking. Your child may want to tell certain friends and family members about the impending nuptials personally, so be sure to coordinate sharing the news with the couple before you begin telling one and all. Also, be careful that in the excitement of the moment you don't mislead those you tell into thinking they're going to be invited to the wedding when this hasn't yet been determined. People will invariably ask for details about the upcoming nuptials. If the person doing the asking is on your 'maybe' invitation list --or isn't on the list at all-- simply reply that the wedding plans haven't been drawn up yet or prepare your questioner for a non-invitation by saying something like, "It looks like we will be having a fairly small wedding..." Vagueness is always a far better approach than making a misleading comment and causing hurt feelings. "I hope you'll be able to come to the wedding!" should be reserved strictly for people you're absolutely certain you'll be inviting.

Short Engagaement vs. Long Engagement

When a couple gets engaged, the first thing that happens is the stress. Planning a wedding is incredibly, incredibly stressful, and many might be tempted to just shorten it all and get the wedding over with so they can move on to being married.

Apparently most couples manage to resist this urge. Huffington Post just ran a survey showing that the average length of an engagement is 13 to 18 months. Despite this desire to rush to the altar, most couples, including us, do wait. And I believe it's a good thing.

A short engagement (six months or less) really only makes sense if you have already been with your spouse for a long time and the marriage is just a formality. But in our case, we chose to have a longer engagement so that we can save up and pay for our own wedding. Otherwise, especially for couples who have been together a year or less, a long engagement (more than one year)is very important. Here are five reasons to be engaged for more than one year:

• You have your whole life to be married
When you are first getting married, you want forever to start RIGHT NOW. There is no reason to rush into it.

• Weddings are stressful
It takes time to plan a wedding. If you are eloping or having a small wedding, by all means, have a short engagement. But some venues or churches book up a YEAR in advance. So if you have your heart set on it, it's best to wait.

• Engagements end
Sorry to burst your happiness bubble, but engagement is way easier to call off than a marriage. Give it time. Let it settle. Plan together.

• It's a fun time
You are only engaged for one VERY brief period of your whole life. People are happy and excited for you. It's a special time in anyone's life, so why rush into the marriage. Relax and enjoy it!

• You need to know each other
For some people, six months into a relationship, they get engaged. Six months later they get married and then six months later they are pregnant. Eighteen months together is NOT enough time to know you're compatible as partners and parents. It just isn't. I have heard that it takes three full rounds of each season (three years) to get to really know one another. That's a good rule of thumb. Good thing we're more than 8 years toegether now, yey!

DISCLAIMER: This are all just from my point of view. I am not saying that those who had a shorter engagement do not end up being happily married.

Marriage is a life-changing decision. And you must be sure that you are whole heartedly marrying the guy you want to spend the rest of your life with. 113th day of being engaged, and I'm enjoying every bit of it! :)

Planning your wedding Guest List: Who makes the cut?!

One of the most sensitive subjects that you will tackle while planning your wedding is the guest list. While both the bride and groom may think that they will be able to invite everyone they want to, this is often not a possibility. The choice of who to invite to the your wedding needs to be a mutual agreement between you and your fiancé, and the truth is there are some people on your personal guest list that will not make the cut.

When you imagine your dream wedding, is it really filled with everyone on your Facebook page? People you choose to invite will fall under a number of categories, but not all of them will be obvious.

No-brainers
There are certain people both of you will agree on as no-brainers to attend the wedding, but there is still the question of whether they need an actual invitation. Immediate family members and the bridal party, for example, may have already been verbally invited but it is still good etiquette to send them an invitation.

Prune the family tree
Although you may be getting mutual pressure from your individual families to invite second cousins, great-great uncles and children of your guests, you and your fiancé have to come to a mutual agreement as to where the cut-off point for your family members will be. You should consider the costs, and if parents are funding the wedding you should seek feedback from them about what family members are essential guests. However, you must make it clear the ultimate decision is yours.

What about single friends?
It is certain that you both have friends who either haven’t married yet or are divorced. You may have met some of their significant others, while some you may not know at all. In this case, the right thing to do is not to make assumptions. However, you need to be certain that if you send these individuals +1 invitations that you are comfortable meeting the unfamiliar people they may bring. Although it should be their choice whether or not to go to a wedding stag, you are well within your rights to restrict +1 invitations to the bridal party and groomsmen.

No shows
There are always those who will not be able to make it to the wedding, and whether or not to send them invitations can be a tough call. If you decide to send an invite, make sure it is to those with whom you are close. They will appreciate the time that you took to send the invitation. Those you are not as close with may still feel obligated to send a gift and not be as happy to see your invite.

Old flames
This is the most common cause for friction when putting together the guest list. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. For your part, just because you feel comfortable inviting an ex does not mean that your fiancé does. Have an honest conversation about both of your feelings on the matter before pressing the issue. Keep in mind that this is your day, looking toward the future, and it is not a time to be dwelling in the past.

Remember that you and your partner are the ones that make the rules — and there is an exception to every rule. Be prepared for some hurt feelings if you have to trim the list too severely, but this is a day for the two of you. Anyone else that shares in your joy is a bonus.

The Basics in Planning a Wedding

He popped the question. You said yes. Hooray!

So what are you supposed to do now?

Answer: Stare at your ring for the rest of your life! Kidding!

Now that you have a ring on your finger what should be the first thing you do? I’ll be quite honest, I believe the direction you go is dependent on each couple.

But I have here a guide on what to do next (you know, right after you call your mom and inform the VIPs in your life):


* Sit Down with your Fiancé

Before you pick a date, venue, or even set your budget, talk with each other about what is important to you and where your priorities lie. Once you and your finance are on the same page, sit and chat with all money contributing parties. Like it or not, if parents are paying for part/all of the wedding, their opinion matters.

* Set a Date (Even If It’s Not the Date)

After  “congratulations” and “let me see your ring,” here’s the first thing people will ask: “When’s the wedding?” It’ll save you lots of headaches if the two of you come up with a vague-yet-specific answer, like “We’re shooting for early 2016” or “We like the idea of a summer wedding.” People appreciate feeling like they’re in the loop, and they’ll also put the event into their mental datebooks. Plus, it’ll give you and your guy a little direction as you start planning. Also, in the long run, have 2-3 dates in mind that you would like to get married. Make sure they work with the key players in your family, especially those who might be travelling. Consider high traffic travel dates for out of town guests and hotel availability.

* Create a Wedding Blog

Now that you’ve told everyone the good news, set up a wedding site or blog to keep everyone apprised of your nuptial news. Post photos, write your “how we met” story, and have a guestbook (make it as personal and interactive as you want). Get the bare bones up first. Later on, you can get fancy with wedding details, hotel advice, maps, quizzes, daily thoughts and whatever other wedding whimsies you want to share. Send it around to those who ask, but be prepared for the fact that your mom and your BFF may be the only ones who want to read it.

Sharing with you our wedsite, #WaldzLovesMymy

* Daydream (a Lot)

Get a bunch of wedding magazines, watch romantic wedding movies for feel-good tears, look at maps for honeymoon ideas, blog-stalk engagement sites. Give yourself permission to let your brain turn into its own wedding channel. If you haven’t been planning your wedding since you turned five, that’s OK. Now’s a good time to collect ideas that inspire you and to learn what you want—and-don’t-want in your wedding.

* Plan a Night Out With Just Your Fiancé

Until the celebrations and parties and wedding are finally over, there’s not going to be much “just the two of you” moments. Get in some good face time with each other now and make it a point not to talk wedding details. Yes, there’s a ton to do, but for now, it’s perfectly OK to hit the town and celebrate --- just you and him.

* Get a Wedding Planner

No, not a wedding planner person, at least not yet. Get an iPhone app, a datebook, a calendar or some other kind of keep-organized device to help you create a timeline for major wedding-related tasks. While you’re at it, pick up a wedding-planning binder to keep all those inspirational ideas you find.

* Think About Whether You Want a Wedding Coordinator or Want to Go It Alone

Review the elements of your wedding that’ll take a little planning (negotiating with bakers and caterers for the best prices, finding the ideal venue, organizing party favors) and figure out if those are tasks you want to tackle alone or if you’d rather hire a wedding planner (Stress reduction and a little time-saving sounds nice, right?). Keep in mind that a wedding coordinator will cost extra money, so make sure the option fits into your budget before you give it serious consideration.

* Start a Wedding Savings Account

Remember that even a simple, small wedding costs money (and sometimes a lot more money than you would ever imagine). A wedding savings account is an easy way to keep cash accumulating for the big day, so you don’t have to rely on plastic to bear the brunt later on. Open a basic savings account at any bank (or look online for higher interest) and set amount every paycheck that’ll go toward wedding-related expenses only.

* Ask Your Parents (and His) for Their Ideal Guest Lists

Before you start putting a number on how many guests you want, it’s time to ask both your parents about whom they’d most want to invite. Be sure to tell them this is just a preliminary list and things might change. After you have their “dream” lists, you can add and edit and trim. This will be essential for finding the perfect venue and setting your budget.

* Choose Your Venue (Church and Reception)

If location is important to you, choose your venue before approaching wedding professionals. One of the first things wedding pros ask is date and location. When choosing your location, make sure to take a list of questions to ask at your walk through. (Some of the most important things to ask are: What is the max capacity? Do they have in house catering? What is included in the price?)

* Choose Your Wedding Professionals

Once you are at this point start booking your wedding pro’s in priority order. Dates can fill up fast, especially in the busy wedding season. Don’t wait to connect with a photographer, caterer, or florist you really want. If you hold off, they might be gone by the time you are ready to book.

* Chill Out and Have Fun!

Take time to relax. Get a massage, sleep in when you can. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event purely about you and your fiancé. You are allowed to enjoy it!