Ever After Begins Today: October 2013

Friday, October 18, 2013

Countdown: 3 months!

We’re past our 100 days countdown, and today we only have 3 months left. We've been busiest the past weeks and panic is kicking in. I've been warned, but I didn't think that things would be this craaazy!

Since I declared that we've been busy, let’s see how we fared against our targets 3 months back.

~~Free Prenup Shoot with Chasing Tales Photography~~ > DONE
~~Completion of pocketfolds~~ > DONE
~~Layouts for invites~~ > DONE
…and other stationery
~~Production of entourage attires~~ > DONE
Actual detailing with Josiah’s
~~Wedding shoes for me~~ > to be customized by Faire La Fete
Wedding shoes for Adrin
Documents for the wedding > 50% complete (we still lack baptismal and confirmation certificates)
~~Lot hunting~~ > DONE. We purchased a house and lot BUT major renovations are in order.
~~Band for our reception~~ > Crossroads Acoustic

Oh no, I see a few unaccomplished items. I hope the following compensates for the items we missed.

Honeymoon Plans > we booked Miniloc Island Resort by El Nido Resorts
Marriage License Application > requirements already submitted to the city hall
Family Planning Seminar > DONE. Certificate received
Finalized and claimed our wedding rings > We just claimed it last weekend
House Extension and Renovation Plan > this is taking up a lot of our time and effort - we're now working on the requirements for a building permit

For the next 30 days, let's accomplish the following, shall we?

Complete wedding documents
Layout for other stationery
Complete Darlene’s program workbook
Complete Pre-Cana Seminar and Canonical Interview
Print invitations
Create our missals
Detailing with Josiah’s
Detailing with Scenta Creations
Buy wedding shoes for Adrin
Complete our wedding day accessories
Order Fruit Garden giveaways
Finish DIY signage
Book vans for transportation provision
Secure a building permit
Start house construction work

Whoa! What a long list?! And all due within 30 days! So much work to be done. WE.MUST.ENDURE.

Cheers!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Our Wedding Rings Are Here!

Hooray for today's holiday for we were once again able to dedicate it for our wedding preparations. One of today's agenda was to finally claim our wedding rings. We bought our rings from Goldenhills Jewelry barely a year ago. Two weeks ago, we finalized our ring sizes with them so they can already resize the exact rings that we chose last year. A week later, Adrin received a message from them that our blings are ready and we can pick them up anytime. And so we included that in today's errands. =)

It came in this neat white box.

Which contains this classy wood-like ring box.

Upon opening the box, our wedding treasure will stare you in the face. =)

Design is really simple, just as how we want it. We also chose a design with matte finish on top so any scratch that it will take in the future will not be so visible. A single diamond takes centerstage and gives the matte surface the right hint of sparkle.

I can't wait to see these bands wrapped around our fingers, but for now, I'm keeping them locked safe.

Cheers!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Quoted in The W@W Wedding Primer 2013-2014

Thursday last week, before heading to work, a delivery arrived at home. I wasn't expecting anything so it did not cross my mind that it's for me. I was quite puzzled when the courier delivery man asked for me. And so I went out to receive the parcel which was sent by an unfamiliar name. I inspected it as I walked back into the house and I was surprised to see the outlines of W@W's newest Wedding Primer! Woohoo! I got a free copy -- meaning, at least 1 of my responses to the questionnaire sent to the entire community was featured in this book.

The W@W Wedding Primer 2013-2014

Let me backtrack a bit. The W@W Wedding Primer is one of the publications released by WeddingsAtWork (W@W). This is a good read for soon-to-weds because it contains checklists and must-know-facts for couples planning their wedding. It also features articles from different wedding suppliers outlining planning tips and supplier interaction etiquette. I have read the last 2 editions of this book and it sure helped Adrin and I kick start our preparations back then.

When Ms. Benz of W@W sent the questionnaire this year for the 2013-2014 Wedding Primer, I was more than happy to send my response because I want to share all our learnings and realizations in our wedding planning journey. Take it as a way of giving back to the community who gave me so much. =)

KILIG. That is the best word to describe how I felt when I saw my responses in print!!! Never did I once imagine that I will see my name in any form of official publication. Well, I guess not only dreams have the power to become a reality. Even those you haven’t even dreamt of as well. =)

For all you soon-to-weds out there, do grab a copy of the latest The W@W Wedding Primer. It’s the best wedding handbook that you can possibly get. Let me give you a glimpse of what I'm talking about by sharing my favorite contributions to this book.

I learned that a wedding...

I wish...

Advice to DIY brides

Advice to a fellow bride...

My top moment during wedding prepartion.

Still on a high,

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Honeymoon Plans: See You Miniloc!

We’re going to El Nido! Yes, you read it right, we’re going local. The fiance and I are heading to El Nido, Palawan for our honeymoon. It was the last week of September when we completed our reservations and payment for our short stay at Miniloc Island Resort. This is one of the luxury destinations operated by El Nido Resorts in Palawan.

Deciding for a honeymoon getaway did not come easy for us. For one, we have not prepared any budget for it. Despite the financial concern, we still dreamt of an extravagant vacation. Adrin first suggested that we could go backpacking in Europe. I’m all for it because Europe is one of my dream destinations. However, pursuing a backpacking trip would mean that we’re constantly on the move as we go around Europe. It also means that we’ll be staying at hostels or other cheap accommodations that we can find. That didn’t match our vision of a relaxing honeymoon, so we scrapped it.

Next, we considered going on an Asian cruise. It will surely be relaxing since we’ll be sailing most of the time and we’ll be arriving to the different ports of call based on the cruise schedule. Not to mention that it’s unique as not all have the means or privilege to go for one. What busted this out is the timing. Our wedding is on January, and that means winter time for the North East Asian countries. Given the chilly season in the northern hemisphere, cruises scheduled around that time are limited to ASEAN countries. These aren’t quite enticing for us so we dropped this option.

The last relaxing option for us would be to hit the beach. And the destinations as so varied. For international -- there’s Bali in Indonesia; Phuket, Krabi, and Ko Phi Phi in Thailand; and the islands of Maldives (yes, we even considered this). And of course, for domestic the choices are also plentiful. Maldives was the top choice but due to budget constraints we rejected it. It became a battle among El Nido, Bali, and Phuket… and as you know, we chose our own. A lot of reviews shared that our very own El Nido beaches are far more beautiful than those of our neighbour countries. That was amped further by the highly positive reviews I got from friends who’ve been there.

Source: El Nido Resorts FB Page

We chose Miniloc because of its proximity to the main attractions of El Nido town. It also offers a tranquil vibe that is not overly extravagant. It’s truly a blessing that we were able to allot funds for it on time (thanks to our bonus =D). We may not have gotten our first room choice (it’s fully booked as early as September), but what’s important is that we’ll see place and its natural wonders. Woohooo! Time to prepare for that ideal beach body! ;P

El Nido Resorts

View Site

Cheers!

Wednesday, October 09, 2013

Marriage License Application Part 1: Submission of Requirements

Last September 25, we allotted our morning to start the application process for our marriage license. We chose to get our marriage license from Bacoor since this is also where we'll reside after our wedding. Since the license only has a validity of 120 days from the date of issuance, I made sure to apply only after crossing the 120-day countdown to the big day. In preparation for the application, I secured all requirements outlined on Bacoor city's website.

List of Requirements:

NSO CENOMAR - Requested online and had it delivered via eCensus
Birth Certificate - Requested online and had it delivered via eCensus
Family Planning Seminar - To be scheduled with the local health office after endorsement of the Local Civil Registry
Marriage Counseling - To be scheduled with the church of the wedding
1pc. 2x2 picture - Personal file
Parental Consent for individuals 18 y/o to 20 y/o & 11mos. - Not applicable to us
Parental Advice 21y/o to 24 y/o & 11mos. - Not applicable to us
Certification of legal capacity to marry (foreigner) - Not applicable to us
Photocopy of Passport (foreigner) - Not applicable to us

We arrived at the municipal hall around 11am and went straight to Local Civil Registry. The lady who assisted us asked for our requirements and provided us and application form to fill out. After completing the form, she asked us to photocopy our documents and pay for marriage license processing and family planning seminar. Upon our return, we were asked to check and review the information typed on our application form to ensure that our details indicated are correct. All these were completed in 30mins. Didn't expect it to be that fast! Good job Bacoor city hall!

Processing of our marriage license will start once we've submitted the certificates for family planning and marriage counseling. We attended the family planning seminar the following week and received our certificate. Our marriage counseling is scheduled with San Agustin on November so we still need to wait for it. Good thing, processing of marriage license only takes 11 working days so we should be able to receive it by December. Whew! Busy days! Can we skip all these things and go straight to the wedding please? Haha.

Cheers!

Faire La Fete For My Wedding Shoes

Buying shoes is always a challenge for me - charge that to the unusual measurements of my tootsies, which are long are slender. Even my toes are longer than that of the common populace. And these feet of mine makes it hard for me to find shoes and sandals that perfectly fit. I normally buy size 5 (USA 35) just so the shoes won’t fall off as I walk even it means sacrificing the comfort of my toes. Size 6 (USA 36) gives my toes that relaxed and outstretched state they deserve, but this size is oftentimes too wide for my entire foot that walking on them is impossible.

A couple of months back, I wore my salmon pink pumps to our corporate event which started mid-afternoon and lasted 'til before midnight. The fun didn't end there as we decided to hang out at a nearby coffee place after seeing a full packed Aracama and Draft. Needless to say, it has been a long day for me. And as I party, my toes were not having the time of their lives. They were hurting like crazy that I was so tempted to take off my shoes and walk back to the car on barefoot.

That incident was the turning point in my search for my wedding shoes. I don’t want to experience that same agony during a very momentous occasion. On my wedding day, I want to enjoy, party, and have a good time without the constant nudge of discomfort on my every move. With that, I started an active research for suppliers of custom made bridal shoes. I shortlisted 3 suppliers, but in the end, I chose Faire La Fete. Of the three, they’re my top choice if I am to visually judge their end products. Good thing their past clients only have good words not only for the shoes, but also for service they received from Stephanie (Faire La Fete’s owner).

Source: Faire La Fete

Faire La Fete is the brain child of Stephanie Castro, daughter of the owners of Gibi Shoes. She works for their family business full time, but is also running this small business on the side. It was 2 weeks ago when Adrin and I met with Stephanie at UCC Coffee along Connecticut St. Greenhills. She has already settled herself in the shop when we arrived. After quick introductions, we got right into business. To better explain to her what I want, I showed her a picture of their own creation and just told her the color modifications I wanted.

My Peg | Source: Faire La Fete

As soon as she was done taking her notes, she pulled out her foot measurement devices (in different sizes) and began taking measurements of my foot. Her confirmation that my foot size is a bit off from the standard sizes made me feel that I made the right decision. She did not require any advance payment so I just have to make full payment upon the completion of my shoes. Our agreed target delivery date is mid-November so I have enough time to break the shoes in and practice walking on them before the big day. =)

Here are some of my favourite shoes that Faire La Fete created.