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: 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!

EA Casedo's Embroidery for Adrin's Attire - Booked!

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Okay, I need some catching up on this blog. Work has taken an uphill climb again and I'm finding my way once more to the life path of working on multiple projects. Believe me, it takes some getting used to after treading the single project path for more than a year. Oh well, so much for my work life.

I just want to share that I'm on track with my to-do list for the next six months. We were able to tick off another major item from our list last month. And this time, it's for Adrin! Yey! 

Parallel to my research for other suppliers we booked last year, I also kept a watchful eye for recommended suppliers for barongs. Yes, barong. This is Adrin’s preferred attire on our wedding day.

Our initial scouting trips were within the confines of a mall. We would check out shops from time to time and look at the barongs on the rack. Adrin would look around and take note of his likes and dislikes. He made firm that he doesn’t want the super raw looking ones which consequently are rough to the skin.

As we attended the bridal fairs last month, we also included in our agenda to canvass for barongs. Carefully scrutinizing the designs showcased during the fair broadens our knowledge on the classic formal wear for Filipino men. Thanks also to the very accommodating suppliers there who patiently answered our questions. Being acquainted with pitchera, raya, and calado helped us picture what will look best on Adrin and also our entourage. Haha. Without any intention to book for his attire in that fair, noting down the rates for each item is the best that we can do.

Since last year, I already have a supplier in mind for Adrin’s barong. Rey Casedo is a well-recommended supplier in w@w, and brides are raving about the quality output they got from him for a relatively cheaper price compared to the market’s average. I’m not surprised though since he’s from Lumban Laguna, the barong capital of the Philippines! J

And so, after talking to Rey over the phone on the first week of January, I finally decided to schedule a meeting with him. I also invited my friend Aiza since they are also interested to book Rey for the father’s and entourage’s attire.

It was an early morning meeting in a fast food chain some weeks ago. Rey and his driver got there way earlier than our meeting and we also got there before Aiz and Ron so we immediately discussed with Rey our orders. He had with him barong fabrics in different types (pina, pina cocoon, jusi) and various embroidery designs as well. He first showed us some sample outputs in his car which are for delivery that day. After that, we went through the pile of pina fabrics to diligently examine and appreciate the designs of each one. And finally Adrin was able to decide on the fabric for his barong. Indeed, the actual fabric that will be cut and sewn to be his attire on our wedding day. J

After deciding on the fabric for him, we also chose the fabrics and designs for his father, best man, groomsman, and our secondary sponsors and bearers. Since we forgot to bring our check book, we excused ourselves first so we can withdraw some money for the down payment. Next we handed him our partial payment for the items ordered and had some comforting breakfast. J

If you're also interested of Rey's services, drop me a message so I can link you up with him. J

UPDATE (they now have a Facebook page!):
Facebook Name: EA's Casedo's Embroidery
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Cheers!

Designer Meeting #5: Anna Ong for Jeff House of Fashion

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Since we have already booked my gown designer, it's time to move to Adrin's and our entourage's attire. I also started researching for these two last year. It was at w@w where I first learned of Jeff House of Fashion. It’s a popular supplier for entourage gowns aside from the ones located in Divisoria. My inquiry with them months ago was attended to quickly and Anna, Jeff’s niece and his partner/assistant in the business, sent me their quotation for initial designs I sent.

It was last weekend when we had a meeting with Anna. I was armed with the new designs I had in mind for our entourage when we braved the Saturday traffic to reach JHF’s shop at Taguig. At first I was surprised to learn that Anna is actually not as young as I imagined. But she continued to be as pleasant in person as she was in our email correspondences.

I showed her my printouts of the new designs while she pulled out the initial ones I sent. She compared the two sets and confirmed that her initial quotation is still applicable to the new set. Upon seeing the pictures, she started pulling out sample fabrics, as well as her entire collection of swatches, and started explaining their differences. We learned that chiffon (my choice of fabric) has several kinds, and some are heavier than the others.  

Not long after we were talking about the timing from measurements, production, fittings, until delivery. Measurements start 6 mos. before the wedding date, and target completion and delivery is a month before the big day. We also asked about the payment scheme should we decide to close the deal.  

With all questions thrown and answered, we bade our goodbye to Anna with the promise to get in touch with her as soon as we decide to commission them for our entourage’s dresses. We're still thinking things through about this. I'll keep you posted. For the mean time, check out their works, you might like them too! =)

Jeff House of Fashion

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Cheers!