Shootix, only 7 months to go...

... and I have yet to say GREAT PROGRESS!!! But still, yes, we've made some headway with our preps...

Church and ceremony
Despite the fact that when our Wedding ceremony ends, a wedding reception by another couple will start at the gardens of Paco Park, it's still St. Pancratius Chapel for us. We have yet to meet with the Officiant we want... have also confirmed that they don't really have restrictions on the outfit so long as it's not whorish (yey, I can be veil-less!!!)... and we also have yet to consult the additional/alternative vows we want for the ceremony. Have to pay the remaining balance pa din pala. And we're leaving till December if we're going to pay an additional P500 just so the fountain will be opened for us.

Reception
Despite the expense and this really big Joya-inspired monument in the middle of this great outdoor place, it's really still The Courtyard at PICC for us. Booked both the place and the caterer (Barbara's). We have to pay 50% before we can finalize the contract with the caterer though...

anyway, here is the MENU :)

French Onion Soup
Grilled Fish (with garlic sauce)
Chicken Flambe
Roast pork Loin (with sweet yam in orange sauce)
Creamy Seafood Basil Pasta
Buttered Baguio Vegetables
Mixed Green Lettuces
Arroz ala Christina
Pandan Rice
Dinner Rolls
Fresh Fruit Platter
Blueberry Cheesecake
Decadent Chocolate Cake
Bottomless Iced Tea
Other beverages/liquour: San Mig light, red wine, and probably some brandy (see, we're bringing in all the beverages and just paying P45/pax)

Sawaaaappp no?

Wedding Gown and Other Outfits
I still like the wedding design I had developed. Am thinking of using the grasya type of satin (i dunno what the english translation is for that type of satin) for all the gowns, including the flower girls'. Am still debating with myself on the color combinations to be used for the entourage gowns... ahehe... sometimes I think am going crazy because of it. Am torn between just having all entourage (maybe there'd be slight differences in hues) use lime green and yellow, then have orange flowers, bouquets, flower balls... or have them wear orange-colored gowns, and hold yellow flowers instead.

Really have to consult with a designer first before finalizing the fabrics and designs... will have my secondary sponsors pick their own designs provided it will only require minimal beading, and will be alright with the fabrics we've chosen.

Cake
Having this great expanse for a venue, with monuments and fountain areas... we were advised to get a big Cake. We have the option to sacrifice my all-cake cake desire and have styros designed with icing and such. It's also hard that am being finicky about the cake flavor (why can't they offer mocha and rocky road, or potato almond?).

A fellow w@wie suggested her cakemaker though (thank you Abie ni Howell)... Costa Brave cakes offer all-cake cakes at a price cheaper than that of Alex Franco's. Still, unless someone sponsors our cake... I may have to let it go and just avail what I can from Barbara's.

Flowers
Have yet to officially request quotations from Mang Chris at St. Vincent Parish office. We MIGHT also have to find additional budget for this for our reception venue... although am not planning to go ballistic with guest table centerpieces. I'd prefer alternate gerberas and ZEN-type centerpieces actually.

Also have to really consider making our own luminaries. Hmm...

Photo & Video
Booked Vignette. have yet to provide them with baby photos and 3 songs we'd like for background music to our wedding video. Of course, there's the 50% that's still due for the whole package.

Wedding Program
Hmm... i've already put my foot down and said I don't want to be releasing doves. Other than that, i've also made suggestions to my beloved about the bouquet and garter toss replacements. We also found this nice idea for the cake table.

Am not compiling a list of songs for the ceremony. It's agreed upon that we'd probably just get someone to play DJ. We cannot afford a string quartet anymore!!! We also don't have any emcees yet.

Invitations
Jojo and I have yet to sit down and really finalize the details of the wedding invite, plus all the maps and other inserts. But we want to personally pay our Ninongs and Ninangs a visit muna before we finalize the invites.

Honeymoon
Jojo's dad has suggested their Marinduque resthouse. Ahehe...

Discovery Weekend and the like
Maybe we'd schedule this around July or August.

Medical check-ups
I intend to go to an ob gyne for a fertility workup... and I told my Baby that if he ddin't lose weight in 2 months time, he'd be spending P7k to have that dcardio workup at Mla Doctors.

the Guest List
Not even sure if this is finalized already...ahehe... two uncles have recently died... but more kids (by this i mean people around our age) of family friends want to attend. Jojo's parents have been kind enough to promise to sponsor those that will exceed our guaranteed 200 pax (because that's the only number of guests we can magic to afford).

Bridal car
A benz courtesy of Barbara's

Hair and Make Up/Beauty treatments
Obviously, wala pa... I know where to get massages tho.

*~*

Mom in Law's advice:

Talk to each other. Tell each other how much you're willing to give/give up financially. Do you intend to surrender all your income or not? Are you fond of buying shoes? What things do you feel are important to invest in, spend on?

What are your expectations where household chores are concerned? Will you be getting a maid, will you take turns doing the laundry, who will cook your meals?

How often do you intend to spend time together? will you be giving up hobbies? Will you continue with personal traditions with friends?

It's only when you feel you can't talk to, or be listened to by your spouse that a mariage starts to fail. So try to never brew grudges and resentments by keeping your communication lines open.

I love my MIL :)
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Holding Hands

First photo: taken at sunset, background is the gray sands of Tulong Gapo in Bacon, Sorsogon, while we were walking home



Second Photo: taken last night, with our matching "engagement" watches


Holding hands... we do this a lot. Even while we're eating, we can't help but reach out to just touch each other. Jojo even makes a game out of it by stretching out her hand...which I always have to take and meet halfway, preventing me from eating.

:)

UPDATES:

1) Will pay the reservation for our caterer this Friday. Hopefully, we get what we want at no additional cost.

2) I have to decide on the wedding cake. I'm so against a fondant cake and I also want a really delicious cake. I can't afford Alex Franco... and i've been advised that I'd want a big cake because ours is one big venue.

3) Jojo found this jeweller who made the exact same ring designs for a June couple. And so far, he's offered us the cheapest rates for our wedding bands. Anyway, my beloved is in charge of that.

4) Went to Manila Doctors and inquired on exceutive check-ups. Pray that Accette will allow us to charge them for the work-up package we want/need.

5) We'd have to scrimp on our music so am now starting to compile wedding songs. If any of you have great suggestions (will appreciate songs not usually played in weddings... Through the Years and Grow Old With you are already sooo exploited), whteher lyrics, song titles or mp3s, feel free to send away at delisyus137@yahoo.com
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One enlightening afternoon...

...found me in tears...

I have continuously pushed my baby pictures Jojo's way... proud to showcase how cute I was... ahehehe...

Yesterday, I asked to see his baby pics. Because I have yet to really see them. And so, finally, after 5 or so years, he obliged me with several albums.

And that's why I cried.

He was sooo cute... he looked so innocent. And the pictures showed how loved he must have been (being the eldest and being so cute).

And again, I was just overwhelmed with love for him... for the man that he was, for the man that he became, for the man that had all those experiences and trips and friends.

There is simply no rational explanation. I just loved him all the more.

*~*

That is not to say I didn't enjoy kidding him about some really nasty pics of him... dressed as an archangel with make-up, he looked like this really ugly homosexual. Bwahahahahahaha.

*~*

One of my ex's before took affinity with Batman. He even had Bat-shirts...and my brother would incessantly tease me about his arrival because he'd then chant the Batman theme song.

Anyway, found out yesterday why I didn't end up with him.

It seems I was destined for the WONDER BOY, Robin... (will post Jojo's pic in the Robin garb soon as we have the pic scanned)

*~*

My beloved's Mom also discussed the wedding menu with us etc. And she started getting a little emotional... scared that we might object to her advices and warnings, but feeling it her duty to forewarn us about marriage.

And I again cried too... touched by her love for us... touched by her worry... touched because she's a mother who will be saying to her first Baby this year... and who also saw two daughters rent apartments far away from their home. It must be really trying for a Mom...

*~*

Which reminds me... also went over Jojo's Mom's album...her single years... her growing up years. She looked a little like Paw (of the 2nd Star Circle quest), only more classy and without the dimples. And her poses were TIMELESS. You could see she was having the time of her life in all those pictures...

She also graduated Valedictorian in High School... and then went on to get a Nursing degree. She was a beauty queen too. And yet, she went on to spend most of her life being a stay-at-home wife and mother... attending to Jojo and his four other siblings.

Such sacrifice. Such love. No wonder I admire her so.
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A gift, updates, and falling in love again

My Baby had wonderful news... it seems we had another gift sent by his uncle's family. He was pretending to be miffed, not getting presents for himself..but i know he's as tickled pink with what we got as I am.

Or maybe not. Ahihi... anyway, everybody, meet my new Christian Dior clutch (so sorry I didn't take a pic of it in a better angle)



So now, I'd have something new to take to weddings!!! Unfortunately, I cannot use it as my weding bag because I'm foreseeing a big pouch instead to contain all the necessities I anticipating needing.

Love the swarovski design... oh, you should hold it for you to really appreciate it :)

*~*

Booked THE COURTYARD last Friday. My Baby and I have also tackled the menu/wedding package offered by Barbara's.

One stipulation I intend to insist upon is inclusion of soup in the menu. For I know soup might be the only thing I can really ever eat that time.

And the cake has to be tres sinful, of course.

We have yet to accomplish a lot of tasks in our calendar...but we're both willing to just enjoy the coming weekend basking in the late summer's sun.

*~*

Was invited to attend YUMI's 2nd birthday last Saturday. We decided to bring Pyro along. First time we ever took him with us without someone else to really attend to him (my sister, cousin, etc). And of course, we were teased about how fast we were in producing a kid... or how intent we are on practicing for our future kids.

Pyro was his usual malikot self... and my future MIL wondered aloud if he can really march down that aisle. I assured her that Pyro is only an Honorary Best Man (not really a title with an actual role)... and that we will not be trusting him with pillows (with our rings on it) because he likes sucking on pillow corners. (come to think of it, what if he grabs the pillow from our ring bearer?)

Well, Pyro pooped just when the food was being served. And we really didn't know how to handle it.

And my Baby, being the wonderful man that he is... offered to change Py on his own.

And that made me fall in love with him again.

I'm just always left mildly surprised and greatly warmed by how considerate and loving he is.

Of course, I couldn't just let him do it alone...so we made our excuses and went to the ladies room to change Py's nappy together.

And it was surreal in a weird way... to be feeling suffused with love as you wipe a kid's shit away.
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Helpful W@Wies

Some W@Wies and N@Wies have actually rendered volunteer (read: free) on-the-day coordination for couples who can no longer extend their budget to accommodate professional ones.

And some other W@Wies were interested to also help out when they heard of the idea. Most of them are like me, a December bride who want to help and also learn from the experience.

So now, there are those of us offering help (W@Wies, check your e-mail). We're considering May, June and July brides for the moment and so far, no one has come forward with a cry for help.

Anyway... may some of us really make things better for other couples.

And am really proud/happy how the W@Wies have helped each other in different ways.
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Expectant Couple

Ahehe...

My Baby and I ate at this new Tempura Grill along UN Ave. They had this Mother's Day gift for every P500 worth of food... so we filled ourselves with california maki, gomoku soup and tuna sashimi to bursting.

And we got the gift.

And it was this set of barbecue brush and stuff... tools for grilling minus the grill.

I asked my beloved if he wants to give it to Mommy (his Mom). But I was secretly hoping he'd just give it to me.

True enough, he read my mind and told me to just store it in our 2nd chest.

I smiled... later I told him, I was feeling "kilig".

He laughed... and whispered that he was feeling the same.

Something about the expectation of togetherness that is looming ahead of us... and the quiet acquisition of little stuff for the two of us.

Sigh.

That 2nd chest already has this set of glasses we got for free for the 1st chest and the pitcher set and spoon/fork set I bought from Avon.

I also have this hamper here at work that will join them soon.

*~*

And to make me more kilig with anticipation... my beloved is joining me and my family to a trip to Bicol. We'd be together for some 4 days... and I'd be able to share with him the bountiful harvest from the Pacific Ocean that I so enjoy there!

*~*

And one other thing that makes me kilig... hahaha... we've really decided na on a reception venue!!! We're pencil booked already but am paying the downpayment this coming Friday.

After that, we'd be dealing with Barbara's (haggling actually) and ordering our wedding rings.

Yes. I am tres happy.

Oh, the venue is THE COURTYARD, picture to follow.

*~*

Jojo and I still owe each other a complete check-up! Plus, I have to go to an ENT before going to Bicol!
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Generosity and Thoughtfulness...

... comes in many forms.

And for a bride-to-be preparing for her wedding without any savings at all, only dreams, any form generosity and thoughtfulness takes count... a lot.

Aside from my W@Wie friends... my Berks friends have continuously cheered me on and assured me in the midst of all my kilig moments and worries.

And some of them have really taken the time to be kind... sending me misc. wedding stuff and white chocolates...

And then last night... I received a package from Canada. I couldn't remember for the life of me anyone I know from Canada... and when I opened the package, it was a copy of Bride In Style (?) mag... from Ting.

I was so surprised and touched by the gesture that I was kinda in tears while I browsed the first pages of the mag.

To make it more perfect, I cuddled in bed with the mag and the WC sent by Tatang.

I'm always left overwhelmed by the sweet little gestures of friends... especially when you consider the fact that most of them, I have yet to meet personally. And aside from really appreciating their thoughtfulness, I also get challenged to be the kind of people they are.

LIke what my Baby keeps telling me, with the Berks, am in real good company. They're just really a bunch of people I can learn a lot from... people I shouldn't mind emulating.

If only i'd grow up being half the wise and loving people they are... I know i'd do more than alright.
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here is an excerpt of what I posted in my main blog.

TRUE LOVE SNAPSHOT

In Five People... it was said that we all have a True Love snapshot... one particular memory we keep remembering whenever we think of our loved one.

For all intents and purposes, JRA is my true love... and my snapshot of him will always be that afternoon (sunset) in Boracay, some 4 years ago... when he was scolding me about how he's doing everything to take care of me but am too stubborn I was hurting myself.

The tiff was about this bathing suit (and its ruched design) that was scratching at my singit... that later on produced a really bad welt there. I told him about it... and he insisted that we take a tricycle back to the resort. I insisted on walking... because I was feeling the holding hands while walking along the beach at sunset thing.

Anyway... that is my snapshot of him. Sure, he was upset and he was scolding me... but that will forever remind me of why I love him and how he must love me.

THE FIVE PEOPLE I'D MEET IN HEAVEN

From where am sitting right now... I can only think of my maternal Lola as a guaranteed welcome party. But then again, who you loved best may not necessarily be the one who will teach you your last lessons.

I also wonder... assuming the natural order of having my parents die before me... if Dad will be meeting me there... to enlighten me on whether he really had an affair before... and why.

And then I thought... i'd love for JRA to meet me too, but that would mean he'd have to die first.

And I figured, in a way, it's a fair enough deal... to lose him and then be welcomed by him, or to leave him, and then be his welcoming committee.

MY HEAVEN

What Dreams May Come (a fave movie) and Five people (now fave book) both propose the idea that you choose your heaven... in heaven.

JRA said, heaven for him will be wherever he is with me and holding my hand.

My heaven is a little more complicated.

It's going to be a picnic or kiddie party... where all the kids I really found cute or cared about will be present... and my sis will be there as a kid herself... and i'd be taking pictures of them and attending to them and laughing at them...

I'd be a witness to their antics and cuteness...

And JRA will be carrying a child in his arms (most likely, Pyro), watching me...

*~*

We have yet to really finalize our reception venue. We have narrowed the options among the following:

1) Philippine Columbian - nice ballroom actually, not sure about their exclusive caterer if food will be great, not sure of set-up too... cheapest so far

2) Pearl Manila - heard of their nice food, don't really dig the pool not being the same level as the area... has ok ballroom

3) The Courtyard - we really liked the place plus it's outdoors, parking won't be a problem... but venue fee is tres expensive what with Barbara's catering not exactly low-end too...

Deadline for decision: May 13, 2005
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