Countdown: 1 month!

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And we're onto our last streeeeetch! Last month to finish everything before we reach the culmination of everything that we've been doing the past 2 years. I'm feeling strained more and more mainly because of the sudden spike of workload this month. Tons of things to deliver with so little time. I'm eagerly anticipating my break from work as the wedding will also serve as a much awaited breather for me. 

Excitement for the wedding itself hasn't kicked in yet but I'm looking forward to feeling warm, giddy, and kilig all over. Haha. Enough of this non-sense! Let's now talk business and see our completion rate against last months's task list.

• Send-out all invitations - In progress. Most have been released already but some are still waiting for Christmas reunions to come so they can be delivered to the respective recipients. :)
• Complete processing of marriage license - DONE. We finally have our license! Yipee!
• Update Darlene's  program workbook
• Compile photos for AVP presentations - DONE. Photos for Prenup AVP has been sent to Darlene while the Growing Up photos will be shared to Ariel Javelosa soon.
• Create our missals - DONE. Layout completed and just waiting to finalize some contents before we proceed with the printing.
• Complete our wedding day accessories
• Pick-up my wedding shoes - DONE. I love how my shoes turned out!
• Complete layouts for stationery - DONE. Adrin did a great job completing all this. 
• Label/pack our giveaways - In progress. I already commissioned my trusted bridesmaid to put the twines on our small jams. Packing for other giveaways or tokens haven't started yet. 
• Finish DIY Signage
• Entourage dress fitting and delivery - In Progress. Almost all of our entourage have completed fitting their dresses save for our two flower girls. This will be completed within the week. Actual delivery of the dress will be on January. 
• Delivery of barongs to male entourage - In Progress. Some have been delivered already while others are still waiting for the reunions to happen. :)
• Another meeting with KTG
• Finalize song list
• Shop for house fixtures - DONE. BUT this is a work in progress while the construction is still on-going. 

Uh oh. Lots of items not striked out. But as Adrin would always tell me, fret not because looks like we're still in good shape since we also managed to accomplish these other items.

• Complete Rustan's and SM Bridal Registry
• Order for custom hangers
• Receive our cake toppers and clay giveaways
• Picked-up the jams
• Final detailing with florist

Oh how I badly wish everything will be completed a week before the wedding. May the list below be a comprehensive guide of all the things we need to complete. 

1. Finalize Darlene's program workbook
2. Complete our wedding day accessories
3. Complete packing of giveaways/tokens
4. Finish DIY signage
5. Deliver all barongs and dresses
6. Handover meeting to KTG
7. Finalize song list
8. Submit all church requirements
9. Finalize guest list
10. Finalize headcount of suppliers on the day
11. Book crew meals for lunch
12. Print misalettes
13. Buy offertory item (gift basket, mompo wine, host)
14. Buy wine and beer
15. Buy prizes for games
16. Final gown fitting
17. Prepare for our first dance
18. Pack all items for the wedding
19. Buy items needed for house construction

Okay, I should stop here as it's becoming a bit daunting already. More energy for us please! 

Countdown: 2 months!

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I can't believe that it has been 30days already since I last posted a checkpoint entry. To say that we've been busy is a grave understatement. I was overwhelmed with the list I created last month that it caused me some panic. Work is uncooperative and just proved to be as demanding as how I predicted it to be. Even this blog has been somewhat neglected that updating it more often is now one of my priorities. Haha. But enough of the ranting, and let's get into the business. =)

Let's see what we've accomplished the past 30 days. 

• Complete wedding documents - DONE. We've secured our baptismal and confirmation certificates.
• Layout for other stationery - In Progress. Adrin was able to complete the table numbers, and needs to work on the others still.
• Complete Darlene’s program workbook
• Complete Pre-Cana Seminar and Canonical Interview - DONE. We completed it over the weekend!
• Print invitations - DONE. A portion of our invites will be released today! Weeee. 
• Create our missals
• Detailing with Josiah’s - DONE. We just have minor follow-up items left.
• Detailing with Scenta Creations - DONE
• Buy wedding shoes for Adrin - DONE
• Complete our wedding day accessories
• Order Fruit Garden giveaways - DONE. Orders received too!
• Finish DIY signage
• Book vans for transportation provision - DONE
• Secure a building permit - DONE. Adrin worked really hard to get this as soon as we can.
• Start house construction work - DONE. Work has started and we hope for it to be completed before our wedding. :)

Ten tasks completed out of fifteen. Not bad. Completing the building permit and starting the house construction took a great amount of our time that it bumped-off some of the planned wedding tasks. BUT we do not mind because it's equally important.

I'm sure next month will be more demanding, so I need an organized list of things to accomplish.

1. Send-out all invitations
2. Complete processing of marriage license
3. Update Darlene's  program workbook
4. Compile photos for AVP presentations
5. Create our missals
6. Complete our wedding day accessories
7. Pick-up my wedding shoes
8. Complete layouts for stationery
9. Label/pack our giveaways
10. Finish DIY Signage
11. Entourage dress fitting and delivery
12. Delivery of barongs to male entourage
13. Another meeting with KTG
14. Finalize song list
15. Shop for house fixtures

I'll stop here for now. I hope we get to complete all of those and more in the next 30 days. We can do this! =)

Countdown: 3 months!

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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? 

1. Complete wedding documents
2. Layout for other stationery
3. Complete Darlene’s program workbook
4. Complete Pre-Cana Seminar and Canonical Interview
5. Print invitations
6. Create our missals
7. Detailing with Josiah’s
8. Detailing with Scenta Creations
9. Buy wedding shoes for Adrin
10. Complete our wedding day accessories
11. Order Fruit Garden giveaways
12. Finish DIY signage
13. Book vans for transportation provision
14. Secure a building permit
15. 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!

Countdown: 6 months!

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And just like that, we’re down to six (6) months! Yes, only six freaking months left for us before we crossover to a new civil status. I’m starting to feel the pressure and the rush as our weekends gets more and more hectic. But before we move to the potentially crazier months, it’s time to do another checkpoint. =)

To-do list 6 months ago:

•  Groom’s Attire > EA Casedo Embroidery (Rey Casedo)
• Parents' and Entourage's Attire > Jeff House of Fashion
• Engagement Shoot Moodboard > Done c/o Styling by Aira Franco
• Blueprint for DIY Invitations > In Progress (pocketfolds almost complete!)
•  Initial Food Tasting and Detailing > Done through ad-hoc food tastings and email detailing
•  More DIY Accessories > Matches; Shoe Sticker Decals (bought from e-bay)

Wow! Everything was ticked off! But wait, there's more! Haha. Aside from those we also managed to book/complete/ the following:

• Emcee - Darlene Tan Salazar
• Bridal Car - AdeB Entreprises
• Lights Supplier - LST Mobile
• Hotel Preps - Diamond Hotel
• Actual Engagement Shoot – Done last June
• Boudoir Shoot – Done last March

The process of creating my gown has also started. I had my measurements taken last May and last Sunday was my 3^rd fitting. Many more to come as we close the year.

So that was a packed half-year, but it certainly pales in comparison to what lies ahead. Haha. Target for the next 3 months (I’m splitting the remaining 6 months into 2 timelines) are as follows:

1. Free Prenup Shoot with Chasing Tales Photography
2. Completion of pocketfolds
3. Layouts for invites and other stationery
4. Production of entourage attires
5. Actual detailing with Josiah’s
6. Wedding shoes
7. Documents for the wedding
8. Lot hunting (yes this is included in the wedding related tasks)
9. Band for our reception

It really is getting more and more exciting and nerve-wracking day by day. Oh well, bring it on! =)

Cheers!

Countdown: 18 months!

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Today, we're officially 18 months down to our wedding day. I just can't believe how fast time flies. It was last January when Adrin and I got engaged. By February, we were already busy attending bridal fairs and signing-up for food tastings. Back then, we felt that we're doing things really early, but still worked on having our major items/suppliers booked. We still have a long way to go and with that I realize that starting your preps as reasonably early as possible is absolutely an advantage. 

This wedding preps has been my biggest, longest, and most complicated project so far. Despite my OC image, I often find myself lost into it, spending hours and hours reading blogs, browsing pictures, and checking out possible suppliers. It takes a conscious effort to step back and channel some of my time, attention and energy into other activities. I must say, preparing for a wedding has been so addicting! Teehee.  

With that, let me give you a rundown of what we have accomplished in the past 5 months:

• Church: San Agustin Church
• Venue: Grandview Events Place
• Caterer: Josiah’s Catering
• Photo/Video: Ariel Javelosa Photography
• OTD Coordinator: Kiss the Girl Events

And here are the items that we plan to book or work on next:

• Bridal Gown Designer
• Groom’s Attire
• Blueprint for DIY Invitations
• Hair & Make-up Artist
• Flowers Supplier
• Engagement Shoot Moodboard
• DIY Accessories (Wedding Cord, Prenup Accessories and Props)

Exciting times indeed! =D

Now, if only I can devote 100% of my time to this. *sigh* ;P

Cheers!

The Search for the HMU Artist

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I've been on this for weeks now. Since we already booked most of our major suppliers, I'm finding myself staring at our wedding planning spreadsheet/checklist, thinking which item to tick off next. I know that the next big item in there is our wedding attire. I'm already eyeing some designers and been in touch with them so I'm just waiting for my work to clear up a bit then we can proceed onto meeting them.

Even if we attended last weekend’s wedding fair at World Trade Center, I feel that we haven't been productive at all. Let’s just say that we did not make the most out of that event; not even to research properly at the least. Sigh.

And so, to make up for that guilt (and not to feel stuck in the rut), I sorted out all the flyers we collected and segregated those for the HMU suppliers, with the plan to check each one out over the internet. Lo and behold, for 4days now, I've been shooting email inquiries here and there and am constantly on the lookout for their replies.

The more works I see, the more I get confused. I've even created a new excel sheet to tally inclusions of the packages that I get. This makes price and value-for-money comparison a breeze but it does not entirely address the selection process difficulty because you'll not choose based on price alone of course. 

I think I need a couple more set of eyes to look into the portfolio of these artists. Any volunteers? 

Cheers!

To-do's: 3 months ahead

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As we get nearer our wedding day, the items that we need to take care of gets more detailed. Below are the minor but just as important items that we must not forget.

• Consult with a hair and make-up artist.
• Reconfirm honeymoon flights and accommodations.
• Book pre-wedding and wedding night accommodations.
• Book the performers for the ceremony.
• Obtain marriage license, and request certified copies.
• Organize gift registry.

Cheers!

To-do's: 4-5 months ahead

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Here is the second installment of the wedding checklist series. As we near the big day, the tasks gets more complicated. 

• Compile guest list and organize addresses.
• Arrange for wedding gown fittings.
• Book a florist.
• Book a photographer/videographer.
• Book musicians/entertainment.
• Book your wedding transport.
• Book caterers.
• Start fitting for the female entourage's dresses.
• Select outfits for male entourage members.
• Assist mothers with selection of their outfits.
• Organize an emcee for the celebration.
• Confirm your stationery.
• Order the wedding cake.
• Select wedding bands and have it engraved.
• Begin choosing souvenirs or tokens for sponsors.

It would be good to note as well that by this time, the couple must have finalized their choices already and completed the pre-work before booking each supplier. Pre-work should at least include the following:

1. Commitment-free Food tasting. Take advantage of the grand food tasting events being organized by caterers from time to time. This is a good opportunity for you to see their sample setup and most especially get to taste their food. It is also the perfect venue to inquire about their packages and its inclusions, as well as rates or fees for other services you'd like to avail. Don't worry because you're not obliged to book them right then and there.

2. Check sample output for photo/video service. Browse several albums of the photographers to see their shooting style. You might also want to check their album layouts to see which ones appeal to you the most. For videos and same-day edits, take advantage of online sites being maintained by the videographers to showcase their works. Watch as many videos as you can.

3. Flower inspirations. Research the type of flowers you prefer. You can also note several pictures for your pegs. Then when booking florists, share your pictures and be sure to ask if they can provide you those flowers. Be flexible enough to note down alternatives just in case the flowers they source during your wedding are not of good quality or not available entirely. Surely you do not want to get crappy flowers (due to uncontrollable events), just because you stuck with your choice. 

I hope this helps!

Cheers!

To-do's: 6-12 months ahead

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I've been consolidating wedding checklists a few weeks after Adrin's proposal. As someone who has zero experience on wedding planning, I would like to arm myself (and my H2B) the right tools that will help us make our ideal wedding come to life. I've consolidated different checklists and came up with a comprehensive one. Now I'll be sharing the first items that couples must take care of when planning for a wedding.

• Announce engagement to family and close friends.
• Choose and finalize wedding date.
• Estimate the budget and consult with you and your fiance's families.
• Decide on the theme - formal or informal, big or small - and color motifs.
• Approximate the size of your guest list.
• Send out save-the-dates to all relevant guests.
• Decide on the time of day you want the ceremonies to take place.
• Book a wedding coordinator, if desired. Select one which you have the most rapport with.
• Book your church or ceremony location.
• Look for a reception venue and book as soon as possible.
• Arrange appointments with your priest or civil marriage celebrant.
• Start working on the church or civil registry requirements. Obtain the necessary documents, which may sometimes take time.
• Select principal and secondary sponsors and confirm their participation. (Will-you-be cards)
• Select wedding entourage and confirm their participation. (Will-you-be cards)
• Select liturgical members and confirm participation.
• Start choosing the wedding gown designer and set an initial meeting to discuss style preference.
• Start looking for barongs/suits.
• Make a shortlist of possible suppliers (photographer, caterer, cake-maker, videographer, photographer, musicians, etc.) and set initial meeting to discuss theme and budget.
• Discuss honeymoon destination and make travel bookings; update passports if necessary.
• Discuss your new home after the wedding.
• Draft your wedding invitations and misalettes, as approved by your church.
• Begin a health and beauty routine.

Let me know if there are other items not in the list, which you believe should be taken care of at once right after the engagement, so I can add it up. Based on this, are you on-track? :)

Cheers!