our wedding video is finally in

Finally, after waiting for more than a year (yes, it was well over what was agreed in the contract), we finally have our wedding video with us. And it being a Jason Magbanua video, it sure was well worth the long wait. Sure I bitched and complained around in twitter on it being so late. Who wouldn’t?? Albeit when we finally got our parcel, we could say that it was really worth it. No mediocrity at all with the presentation.

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We were travelling when they had to finalise our video cover. And since we’re travelling, I couldn’t give them photos for the cover, hence they asked some from our photographer Dino Lara. I needn’t have to fret what photos would they choose. Both Dino’s and Jason’s team have excellent taste so as expected, the photos chosen were among my favourites.

Even when I asked of it, Jason’s secretary didn’t ask us anymore for courier fees for sending the package to Japan. I think it was their way of making up for being late. Fair enough.

Was laughing how hubs was reacting while watching the video. It reminded me again of how much courage he needed to muster to kiss and hug me like he did in front of our loved ones knowing that going along with tradition will really make me happy. Thank you A.

Of course I was teary eyed the whole while we were watching the video. And more so while watching my dance with my father. There was a time years back when I thought I wouldn’t be able to give him that. But by God’s grace, I met the perfect man for me, who gave me a beautiful wedding where I was able to dance the big dance with Papa.

We laughed and were yet touched again by the speeches. Thank you for the words, beloved friends and mentors. We will always cherish and be grateful for them.

And speaking of speeches, I think I owe our guests an apology. My speech was soooo unorganised! But with my massive migraine at that time and of course the emotions churning inside me, I hope you understand why so and really, all I needed to say is “thank you” which I said quite A number of times haha. I dearly hope for your understanding our dear friends.

It was also really nice how, aside from the usual scenes to be selected – preparation, ceremony, program, vows, speeches – jason’s team added another scene selection in the DVD: our song number. It was of course the first time I saw and heard the songs we rendered. And again I can only be really thankful that I was able to sing like that despite my terrible terrible migraine.

Will try to share some parts of the DVD in the future. If and when I figure out how to rip parts of it. Teehee.

God is good. Thank you Lord for all the love and blessing.

our wedding is on Martha Stewart Weddings Philippines!

I remember it was a busy day in late November. My mind was still bent on figuring out the depressuring calculation for the LNG service at supercritical phase when the lights were turned off for lunch break. Mind wholly preoccupied, I was like a zombie when I opened my gmail and logged in. Then I saw Martha Stewart on my inbox. And thought that it was a spam mail. I almost tagged it as spam mail. And then the zombie me decided to open it. Of course from thereon I wasn’t zombie mode anymore! Suffice it to say that every part of me was tingling with excitement! 😉

Back when I was still doing the preps, I had dreams of our wedding being featured on a bridal magazine (mostly I dreamed of MSW haha) or bridal websites like Bridalbook. But after the wedding, I decided not to submit our photos in bridal magazines or websites. Was thinking that posting photos of our wedding on our blog was enough. Hence MSW emailing out of the blue was much sweeter and thrilling. 🙂

Liezl, the section Editor was really sweet with her email saying MSW is interested in featuring our wedding in their March issue and that they were wondering if we were willing to be featured. Of course we are willing! 🙂 it’s a dream come true! She then replied how they loved our sweet details especially our little girls in kimono. Knowing how they probably encounter many Ăźber sweet and cute wedding details everyday in their work, my heart glowed with pride when I read how the MSW team loved our wedding details.

Leizl then advised me that I’d later be contacted by their writer who’ll be covering our story. True enough, a couple days later, sweet Mimi emailed me introducing herself before getting on with the interview. Because we are based overseas, our interview was by email. Mimi gave us quite a set of questions and well, me being more expressive in writing, our answers were quite lengthy. 😀

The feature was really a great blessing and a bride’s dream come true, especially now that it came out just when we are celebrating our one year wedding anniversary. But there was one boon with the feature aside from it being a venue to reminisce – it provided us a venue for Atsushi to express some more what he felt during our wedding. Because of the nature of the questions, it made us reveal some more what we felt, hence hubs expressed what he felt then. And even for that alone, I am already very thankful for the feature. Yes, I was kilig to the bones with Atsushi’s answers. 🙂

March rolled by however and MSW still wasn’t out. If truth be told, I was already having doubts that our feature pushed through, afraid they changed mind. I was already convincing myself (and I really am convinced!) that the special moment Atsushi and I had when we were answering the questions was a blessing enough already and of course the thought that we were considered to be featured out of the many weddings last year.

April rolled by and still nothing. My friends Kat and Rey were already checking the magazine racks everyday – haha, thanks guys!! And finally, all the waiting and checking bore fruit yesterday.

I thought we’ll just be designated half a page or one whole page at most. Was so amazed we got four whole pages!! 🙂

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The cover in this issue.

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What better way to reminisce your wedding day on your anniversary than seeing your wedding featured in print – and in a Martha Stewart magazine at that?! Thank you Martha Stewart Weddings Philipines! 🙂

Can’t wait to see the actual print next week!! 🙂
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And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. – Over the Rainbow, Wizard of Oz

on albums and baskin robbins

First day into our vacation and a long-awaited exciting package has arrived already.

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Our main album,the black one, must have weighed more than five kilos! Dino and team are just amazing. Someday soon, I’ll try to post some, especially those that looked like paintings.

Had a mall outing with my family-in-law. Dropped by Baskin and Robbins. Love Potion #31 and chocolate mint. Love.

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Supplier Review: Vatel Manila

As Dylan Yap-Gozum really was excellent with his services, this post is actually not a “review” but more like sharing the beautiful bouquets that Dylan of Vatel Manila did for us.

As i’ve shared in my previous post, I ran the risk of limiting Dylan’s creativity because of my being a stickler with regards to flower meanings. True, I also ran the risk of not having the most beautiful of flowers for our wedding. But the symbolism is really important for me and since there really are lots of other beautiful (and affordable) flowers that have beautiful symbolisms, I stuck on with my requirement. Besides, I was also pretty confident that Dylan can deliver and can still be creative despite my imposed limitations.

And of course, Dylan didn’t fail me.

The moment I saw my bouquet during the wedding day, the two words that I can describe it with are abundance and profusion. It was a rich ball of flowers. “Rich” not just in terms of quantity of flowers but literally rich because my bouquet was composed of only tulips and orchids which really are quite expensive.

Orchids for love, luxury, beauty and strength. Tulips in general symbolize perfect love, grace and elegance with orange tulips signifying energy, enthusiasm, desire, and passion. Again, somebody sometime ago may just have made this all up. But then again, it’s all in the mindset. If you think you’re surrounded with all these positivity, and even holding one that symbolizes such positivity, I believe it’ll surely influence how you think and how you act.

Our wedding was at 6pm in Tagaytay. Since our coordinator Erika (of Detalye Weddings and Events) picked it up in the morning (Dylan makes his deliveries really early in the morning), the tulips run the risk of opening fully even before the wedding. Hence, I was really glad of Dylan’s thoughtfulness – see the plastic ring round the tulip? 😀

Love this brooch.

My ball of orange flowers went perfectly against my green preps dress, completing our wedding colors.

And of course, it was perfect against the whiteness of our wedding garb.

Our pretty ladies had their share of the beautiful flowers as well.

The day before our wedding was the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Dylan got inspired with the British Royal Couple’s bouquet and included Sweet William – dark pink (?) ones – into the bouquets of our entourage. He was confident the flower’s symbolism would pass my strict requirements. And sure enough, it did, with much giggling besides. The symbolism? The flower symbolizes “gallantry, finesse and perfection”. Love it.

Beautiful isn’t it? The rose cactus is really so pretty.

The carnation pomanders were just perfect for the little girls.

Symbolizing fidelity, optimism, joy and long life, the chrysanthemums (or “mums”) were just apt pillow for our rings and arrhae.

I had a fortune bouquet for the bouquet toss tradition. I myself also wanted to pick a fortune. haha.

To top it all off, Dylan gave us a lovely suprise – a bridal car bouquet as freebie. And it’s nowhere small at that!

Thank you much Dylan!! 🙂

Oh, one thing more. Not only were his flowers beautiful and joyful-giving, Dylan himself is one positive person that a bride should hang around with. True, I’ve only had contact with Dylan through emails but all his emails were like a breath of fresh air. Keep it up Dylan!! 🙂

Supplier: Dylan Yap-Gozum of Vatel Manila

Ratings: 5/5

Contact details: vatelmanila@gmail.com, www.vatelmanila.com

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All photos above, save for the one entitled “entourage flowers” (taken by my bridesmaid-friend Cindy), were courtesy of Dino Lara Photography.

Review: Irene Sy-Go

Irene is probably one of the nicest among our suppliers. And the most poised at that, I think! Thoughful to boot. When we were getting started with the makeup, I was coughing a bit, due to an itchy throat. It was Ms Irene who took the initiative and called a staff in Ville Sommet to bring us drinking water “because the bride is having some coughing spell because of dry throat”. Now who wouldn’t love her?

As for her team’s output, I would probably let the photos tell the rest of the story. Hair by the way is by Rica. I love the hairstyle she did for me during our trial makeup but because of a certain request I had, Rica did it this way. Not so bad, I think.

me, fooling around

Irene at work

pretty ladies! i wouldn't be surprised if they already bookmarked Irene's homepage and phone number

 And oh yes, I wore this green dress during preps. I fell in love with a simple wedding dress in an old Martha Stewart Magazine cover. Out of wanting to deviate from the norm of wearing a bathrobe or akin to it during preps, I requested tita Linda (Linda Dee bridal) to make me a cocktail dress with the bodice similar to the one in the magazine. Tita Linda made a lime green one. It perfectly matched with my bouquet to complete our colors. Heart!

All photos courtesy of Dino Lara.

Supplier: Irene Sy-Go

Rating: 5/5

Contact details: +639209506227, irenesygo501.multiply.com

Review: Jamsy (Lights and Sounds)

I think I would let the pictures speak for themselves for my review on Jamsy. All photos are raw unedited photos from Dino Lara, save for the added text.

 

As for the Sounds part, we only had one technical problem with our Sounds. Hubby and I were about to start our performance and I was about to make some spiel on our first song. The mic given me however, refuses to work. It took a minute or so to get the emcee’s (Ingrid) mic. It was great from there, however. Apart from that minor problem, everything sounded real great!

Supplier: Jamsy Lights and Sounds

Rating: 4.75/5

Contact details: +632.826.5801, +632.788.8931, +63917.4503548, +63917.7420580, fax: +632.8207287