First thing first.

Before you can really plan the wedding smoothly you have to finalized the wedding date and venue. So, after the Pamamanhikan we went to the Immaculate Conception Parish Church to inquire about the requirements and fees and also to reserve the date March 12, 2016 for our wedding, we choose the 2:00pm schedule instead of 10:00am so that we have enough time in the morning to prepare.

Here's the requirement for the church wedding;
1. Local Birth Certificate - you can get this in the local municipality where you were born.
2. Baptismal Certificate - it must indicate "For wedding purposes", so an old one is not valid, get a new one in the parish office where you were baptisted.
3. Confirmation Certificate - same as the baptismal certificate
4. Cenomar - Certificate of No Marriage, get this at the National Statistics Office near you.

After that, secure a Marriage License, you can get one in either your or his municipality.

The requirements;
1. Birth Certificate - a local birth certificate is accepted
2.Cedula - you can get this at the barangay or municipal office
3. Cenomar - get this at the nearest NSO
4. Family Planning Seminar - ask the municipal personnel about this

After you schedule the date on the church, its time to look for the wedding reception venue. You can now book the place you want because you already have the exact date of the wedding. Make sure that you have a black and white reservation and you already pay the down payment to secure that you own the venue on your prepared date.

If you plan to have a wedding preparation outside your home like in a hotel near the church, look for it and reserve it also. So you are not cramming on where to prepare for you wedding. You can tell na rin where it is to the entourage especially the secondary sponsors. In our case, Lina's Orchard offered they we have a free room for the preparation. We get another room na lang to make it two rooms for the groom's preparation. For me, it was a great idea to come from the same preparation venue, it was easier for the couple and their families because they can help each other in preparing and for the photographer you hire because they will go to the same venue they can capture the whole preparation thing better.


When you already done the three, you all are set because that are the most important things to consider in preparing a wedding.

Then, its time to write down the names of the important people who will be part of your wedding entourage. Inform and invite them properly by stating the complete details of the wedding so they can block their schedule on your wedding date. When all of them are inform and confirmed then lets go to next thing...

The suits and dresses.

Because we have a tight budget we went to Divisoria to find beautiful wedding gown and classic suit that fits our budget. Luckily, we found Admel Bridal Botique in Juan Luna St. Divisoria, Manila. We also got a dress for my Mom and asked them if they can make suits and dresses for our entourage. They have ready-made gowns to choose from but we prefer the made-to-order gown and we prefer gowns with sleeves because of the church requirements and all of that comes with complete package. And you know what, my wedding gown was chosen by my groom. I have a design I wanted sana but when he show me a gown [who actually similar to what I wanted] he asked me to fit it and viola we choose that dress.

 This is the idea for the Groom's boys.

  This is the idea for the Groom's men. 

  This is the idea for the Flower girls.

  This is the idea for the Female Entourage.

 My dream Wedding Gown.

 The Groom Suit.

 The Red Plate Catering

After the entourage list, make a guest lists. How many estimated guests are you having? So that you can talk to your caterer about the budget and the foods they will serve on the reception. As I write on my previous post [The Wedding Bells] that we will be getting his Tita Melda's The Red Plate Catering as the food provider because we want to be assured that the food they will serve on our wedding was  taste great and well prepared plus of course the family discount rate. They will also manage the overall setup of the wedding reception. From the table and chairs for the guests, the buffet table, the design of the venue from floor to ceiling, they'll manage it and we know were in good hands.

 

The Perfect Grey - Wedding Photographer Philippines

Then, look for a wedding photographer and videographer who will cover your wedding. On our case, we just get a photography package, it was a bit less expensive than the one with videography/sde package. There's a lot of photography services in town so you have to choose by looking on their previous works and ask for the packages that fits your budget. I really love The Perfect Grey Photography, they do their works naturally and beautifully its not scripted. When I inquire on them, their a bit pricey but since Mille of Calamba Jewelry is a friend of one of the owner of The Perfect Grey, they gave us friendly discount, and after some exchange of messages, we meet with one of their photographer, EJ Lagrimas, he showed us their sample output and we really love it so decided to get them for the wedding.

Calamba Jewelry

After we book the photographer , I just call Mille of Calamba Jewelry to start the production of our wedding ring. It took them one month to finish the ring.

Makeup by Jem 

Look for a Hair and Makeup Artist. You can browse their pages to see their previous work. Meet with them and ask them if you can do a free trial. Some of them do the trial during the prenup shoot. We get the services of Jem Biscocho of Makeup by Jem. Upon seeing all her works on her Facebook page, we love how she do her job perfectly, how she make every bride the most beautiful during the wedding. We booked her and we never get disappointed. She put makeup naturally, like a no-make-up makeup look [hindi OA sa blush on] plus she's so pretty and kind.

Then its time to look for some ideas for your prenuptial photos, you need beautiful photos for you wedding papers, invites, tag, table number, tarpaulin... Prepare some clothes we can use for the prenup, it doesn't have to be new, you can look for a matching clothes in the closet.

 The Principal Sponsors Giveaway idea

Candle holder with a tag written this;

"May you continue to light our path"

 The Secondary Sponsors Giveaway idea

Fan with a tag written this;

"To keep you cool"

After the prenup shoot and you now have the soft copy of the photos you can start making the wedding invitation, you can do-it-yourself if you have the resources like a printer but in our case who don''t have, we went back to Divisoria to find a shop who can do our invites. There's a lot of them in Tabora St., we landed in MRD2 Invitation & Souvenir Shop. They made our invitation and souvenirs. And just on the street side, I found some one who can do our signature frame.

When you were in Divisoria, you can look for some accessories you will be needed for the wedding. I went to 168 Mall to look for a locket for the wedding bouquet and a frame we can use for the display of some prenup photos.


If you want to have a photobooth for you wedding, you can book them one month before the event. We get the Smile and Pose Photobooth owned by a friend of his cousin. They offered discount and they output was nice and clear and they personalized the background. 

After that, you can now buy the shoes and accessories you will use on the wedding. Buy a shoes that are comfortable to wear the whole event. We buy our shoes on Gibi Shoes. Invest on your shoes so it will not worn out or suffer your feet on the wedding day itself.  For the accessories, you can used old ones or buy fancy jewelries you don't have to think about losing a treasure on the wedding day.

 The bridal car design idea

 

This Bridal Bear idea

The bridal car, you can rent or use your own car for this. In our case, we use our own car, a silver Toyota Wigo we just bought a teddy bear to be placed on the hood of the car. To make it more pretty perfect for the wedding.

The flowers we use for our wedding was a gift from one of our principal sponsors. His Tito Gener and Tita Anda manage all the flowers we need for the wedding. 

And lastly, purchase the bible and the candle to be used in the ceremony. You can also personalized it with you initials.

So, I think that's it.

Ceremony/Church - Check
Reception Venue - Check
Catering Services - Check
Wedding Gowns and Suits - Check
Wedding Ring - Check
Hair & Makeup - Check
Photographer - Check
Photobooth - Check
Bridal Car - Check
Flowes - Check
Invites and Souvenir - Check
Shoes and Accessories - Check
Wedding Paraphernalia - Check

All done. If I forget something, I'll just update this.

All set for the wedding. Will post the actual photos on my next blog.

Thanks. Spread the Love.

The Wedding Bells

So, its already June. The wedding month. So, I decided to post about my own wedding who happened last March 12, 2016. Let me share to you how we planned our wedding without hiring a Wedding Planner/Coordinator. I planned it myself of course with the help of the then-fiance. We don't have the kilig to the bones wedding proposal [he didn't propose actually], it was a mutual decision. We just feel that this is it. This is the right time to make our relationship to the next level. We just feel in our heart that this is God's perfect time to seal our relationship with God's blessing. October 2015 when we woke up one morning and feel that we want to really spend the lifetime together. We first inform our parents about our plans and the next thing we did is to look for the venue, when will be the date, who will be the part of the entourage and how much will be our budget. The Pamamanhikan was scheduled on the 8th of November 2015 but before that day came we already had a concrete plan for the wedding.

Wedding Ceremony

This is not the place where we met or where I said yes when he ask me to be his girlfriend or his wife. This church has nothing to do with our 8 years relationship except that this church is one of the churches we visited during a Visita Iglesia back in 2012. And for no particular reason, we just love it. We just love the solemness, the size (its not too big nor too small), it was a not too old, it's facing the Laguna Bay (huh?), nothing... we just love it. I can't explain, I just feel its magic. What we loved most about it, honestly, is the parking space. Hahaha. We just want to have a church that have a spacious front to park the vehicle of the people who will attend our wedding and the main reason is I really wanted to have a photo of us outside the church with the bridal car. So after March 12, 2016, we can say that this special church is where we say our I dos. It will become a special part of our lifetime relationship.

Immaculate Conception Parish 

Los Baños, Laguna

Wedding Preparation & Reception

We first saw this venue when my cousin April got married last December 2012. We love how spacious is this place. We love the garden. After looking for some other venues to considered we still end up here. Like the church, we just love it for no reason at all. They offered a free room for the preparation so we decided to used this place.

Lina's Orchard   

Bangkal Road, Lopez Village, Los Baños, Laguna

Wedding Ring

Before the Pamamanhikan day came, we already talk to an old high school friend named Mille Pangantihon, who owned the Calamba Jewelry . Wedding ring is the first thing we inquire for the wedding. It's an investment. We already bought a wedding ring from a cousin which he bought in Riyadh but we didn't like it and it doesn't fit our fingers anymore [oh that's gaining weight]. At first we wanted it to be melt (tunaw) to make new one but mom recommend to just order a new one. We met once and our next conversation was thru text or Facebook messaging. We decided to just start the production of the ring by January 2016 because they say it only takes a month to finish the ring. [baka kasi pag gagawin agad, di kami makapagpigil, isuot agad namin hahaha]. I search the net for the design and finally here it is. For the groom we decided to put just one stone.

Theme & Motif

This is never a question. There will be no arguing happened. We just know.Since we both love the color BLUE, we picked it as the motif of the wedding. AQUA BLUE to be exact.The theme, was a traditional wedding. No more arte. Just plain and simple traditional wedding.We really want a laid back wedding because we have a tight budget.

 
That's the first four concrete plan we have before the Pamamanhikan day came, it was an afternoon of November 8, 2015 when his family met my family. It was a great feeling that they don't have nothing to argue about and they let us to decide what we want for our wedding. They just let us know that they are behind us and supporting us all the way they can.One of his Tita owned a catering services and we decide to get their services. We can save a lot and we know they serve great foods. And his other Tita and her husband, they will be one of the  Sponsor on our wedding offered us that they will provide all the floral arrangements on the wedding for free, that will be their gift for us. [yes, another savings].  The only question arise is "Sinong maghahatid kay Bunek/Cris?". I answered "Si Mommy lang po at ang picture ni Papa". What do I mean by that is this.... 

Saw this on the wedding of Isabel Oli and John Prats. Photo by Niceprint Photography

 "We know you'd be here today, if heaven weren't so far away"

Aww... we missed you so much Papa... Please walk with us in your spirit.

And we decided to do the same. Mommy will walk me down the aisle with Papa in our hearts.

And I will start to look for a pendant to put the picture of my Papa.

And that will be it.... The wedding planning really starts... Its time to inform the family on who will be part of the Wedding Entourage... Look for the suppliers and ideas on how to make our wedding memorable.

Thank you. Spread the Love.

I wish upon a star.

And now, after using my iPhone4s for 4 years now... I wish I can replace it with an iPhone6s plus. But it was too expensive that I cannot afford to buy one. But I know God has a plan for me and that is why I am waiting for the right time to have this amazing phone.

This Panasonic Lumix GM1 is one of my dream camera. It was small and has a built-in wifi so I can send the photos taken by this amazing camera to my phone. I want to capture more beautiful photos. And one of my favorite blogger uses this camera.

 

I also love to have a GoPro. We always travel using a selfiepod and our front camera is not the better so I really want to have this GoPro so that our strolling will be captured great with this better camera.

Something to be Thankful.

It all began with a wish, a dream until it came true.

Maybe it sounds unbelievable and funny but whenever I post about something I wish I had, God always bless me the gift of making that wishes came into reality. I am always thankful that God always answer my prayers and bless me more than I wished for.


Wish Number 1: Nokia 6600

Back in 2006, I wished for a Nokia 6600 for my 19th birthday. At that time it was too expensive, I'm still studying and I don't have enough money to buy it. But my generous and ever loving parents bought me the dream phone I wanted. Viola, I am the happiest girl. It was their bonggang birthday gift for me.
 

 This was the actual photo of my N6600 with so many blings.  

Medyo low resolution pa yung ginamit ko na camera before vga lang ata yan.

Wish Number 2: Havaianas Flip flops

Since high school I've been reading glossy magazines like Candy and Seventeen where I saw some of the models wearing the expensive tsinelas called Havaianas. It was expensive for us because we're not the rich type family. We are happy with our simple less-P100.00 tsinelas. It was not a thing to me back then. When I reach my 3rd year in college,  I saw some college students wearing Havaianas and I said to myself  "Sana makabili din ako ng ganyan soon..." So life goes on by just looking at them in the magazine and dreaming and wishing that someday I will have my own pair of Havaianas (kahit isa lang)... After college, I got a work. After 5 months working, my contract was ended. I received a terminal benefit and from that I ask my mom if I can buy a Havaianas. Even if it was my hard earned money, I still asked permission from my mom. And of course she said yes. We went to Alabang Town Center to purchase my very first Havaianas Flip flops.

 This was my first Havaianas Flip flops. 

And now, as I posted this blog. We already bought many Havaianas, it was our main slippers now a days. We always have a pair at home. It became an everyday flip flops.

Wish number 3: iPhone4s

 I always wish to have an iPhone... when I posted about it, iPhone 4s was the latest version it has. It was too expensive for us to get it. So it was just a dream for me. I never expected that a day will come that I'll be using an iPhone. But God really finds a way. A contest sponsored by Max's Restaurant was held. By eating at Max's you can win an iPhone 4s. Max's was my mom's favorite restaurant. We always eat there, always means most of the time... Hahaha. When I saw their flyers about the contest, I join without expecting just imagining things that what if I win. So, I gave it a try and luckily I won I won. I was so happy and overwhelming. For a hundreds who joined the contest, I am one of the luckiest who won the price. Thanks God for making a way in granting my wish. Thank you so much God Almighty.

 This is their ad for the contest.

This is the announcement of winner. I'm the first one the list.

 

And here's the actual photo of my iPhone4s who is almost on its 4th yr with me.

Wish Number 4: Toyota Avanza

When all your relative, on the mother side,  had their own car, you also wish you had your own too. I was dreaming of owning a Toyota Avanza. It was really my dream car. Simple. Not too expensive like the other type/brand but we still can't afford it. So, its stay just a dream for us. But, God has a better way of showing his love to us. It was October 2010 when we had our first vehicle. An owner type jeep. Maybe its not uso na but we loved it. It takes us to the places we've never been. It takes us to a place where we want to go and chill. But God has a bigger heart for us. He want us to be comfortable, especially my mom, who is a senior citizen who had a hard time sumakay to our owner type jeep. So the beautiful day of May 21, 2014 came. It was the day that a Toyota Wigo was sent to us. It was not an Avanza but we loved it. It was really a gift from God who give us the guts and courage to take a step in making a car loan. And for 2 years now, our Wiggle (the name I gave to our Wigo) takes us to more places in a more comfortable way. It was with us during some special occasion of our life.And I'll be forever grateful that God bless us with what we really needed. Thanks God Almighty for all the blessings that He gave us.

This was our Wiggle, the Toyota Wigo E A/T 2014 model in Silver Metallic

The backstory of our lovestory.

Our first photo together - November 2008

We're almost 1 year when we had our first official photo.

I'm in a relationship with my then-boyfriend Joel for almost 8 years when we decided (actually, its me who initialized or push through it, but we had talks before) to make our relationship to the next level. It was late September or early October of 2015 when we talk about it. For his excitement, he immediately inform his family of our plans. He has 2 brothers who currently in a serious relationship so he think its better to inform them that we're getting married on the first quarter of 2016 so none of the two will also plan to get married in the same year 2016 (Sukob ang kasal). We actually had a super delayed wedding, 2014 and 2015 when his two younger sisters get married. So, it was settled. We're getting married next year and the Pamamanhikan was schedule on the 2nd week of November. (November 8, 2015 to be exact).

So, before that day came. Let me first tell the back story of our love story. How it's all started. Let's go back in time.When we were 8 years younger.

He may saw me before, when I was still  young, free and studying college and he was already working in the said company, Their barracks was a neighborhood. I don't even notice him before because I'm currently dreaming of ended up with my guy best friend (oops.. that's another story). We were actually strangers before. We're working in a same company but in a very different department. I am a college graduate and I'm working on the office as a Clerk/Secretary. He, without judging him, works on the field, as a laborer. I saw him, he saw me. That's it. It's not love at first sight. We're not friends at all.

I worked in that company for 5 months, when I finished the contract I stay at home for a while helping our family business, a canteen/carinderia while looking for a new job. I used to have a loading station where he usually buy load, that's where he get my number. He began texting and calling me. Making his moves to win my heart. December 11, 2007 when we went to his place because the father of one of his co-worker who happened to his first cousin died. It is also an opportunity for him to introduce me to his family, (yikes, meet the parents na agad). I went there with my mom and I was surprise that everyone his family already knew me. And the next day, December 12, 2012 was the big day, I already said yes to him thru phone call. Hahaha. It is because we where in two different places and I want it to be on the 12th. I first inform my mom that I will say yes to him that day. So I said "I love you too". He was my first real boyfriend. The one before him was just a puppy love (and that's another story).

Those first few year was like a roller coaster ride. Ups and Downs. On and Off. Turnaround. Adjusting every now and then. Petty quarrel here and there. Misunderstanding.

But we surpass all those trials in life that why we came to the day that we always dreamed of. Marrying the man who conquers all his fears just to ride with you on Enchanted Kingdom's Anchor's Away and Ferris Wheel. Learned to drive so he can drive you crazy. Learned to cook so he can cook for you and your mom. Laugh at your so corny jokes. Travel the city with you. Take more selfies with you. Never get tired of cleaning the car so you will not ride on a messy car. Love you, your flaws and your mom. Love you even in your ugliest and worsed days. Love and understands you. And of course, I will marrying my best friend and my best enemy. I will marry the one that God made for especially for me. God bless our marriage.

Let's start fresh.

Starting a blog is quiet hard for me, because I am not a good writer.
But, I think I need to start this thing seriously if I really want to.
I get an inspirations from my favorite bloggers, Bianca Gonzales, Patty Laurel and Kelly Misa.
Reading their blogs make me want to have my own too.

I started blogging, back in 2007.
But unfortunately, I am like a :kabute: (mushroom), now you see me, now you don't.
I posted a lot of nonsense thing.
So now, because I am now facing the new chapter of my life,
I think it also time to restart my blog.
A blog that contains more meaningful and inspirational entry.
Stop the nonsense thing, this time its gonna be something with value.

So now, I'll be hiding all my previous nonsense blog and start anew.

Happy blogging to me. Enjoy.

#JoelCris2016 Wedding Suppliers

Joel & Cris Wedding

Onigo - Perua Nuptial

Date
12 March 2016

Ceremony
Parish of the Immaculate Conception
Los Baños, Laguna
https://www.facebook.com/avemariaaguasanta

Wedding Preparation & Reception
Lina's Orchard
Lopez Village, Losa Baños, Laguna


Catering Services
Food: The Red Plate Catering
https://www.facebook.com/The-Red-Plate-Catering-353333181519026

Venue Setup: DAX Catering

Lights & Sounds 
JARZ Light and Sound
https://www.facebook.com/JarzLightsSoundz

Photography Service
The Perfect Grey - Wedding Photographer
https://www.facebook.com/theperfectgrey

Photobooth
Smile and Pose Photobooth
https://www.facebook.com/SmileandPose-Photobooth-259891187392350

Hair & Makeup
Makeup by Jem
https://www.facebook.com/Makeup-By-Jem-1391078687779396


Wedding Gown/Groom Suit
Entourage Dress and Suits
Admel Bridal Botique
https://www.facebook.com/melody.conag

Wedding Bands
Calamba Jewelry
https://www.facebook.com/calambajewelry


Invitations and Souvenirs
MRD2 Invitations and Souvenirs
https://www.facebook.com/MRD2-Souvenirs-159349627783187


Flowers
GSV Landscaping


To view some pictures, just click the Links below:

Prenup: https://youtu.be/ExMqyPrU61M
Preps: https://youtu.be/pb1wGR3QtlM
Ceremony: https://youtu.be/s-aJ2GtzIuk
Reception:  https://youtu.be/GyrEP2zLKk4


#JoelCris2016

Just saying....

#thereturnofthecomeback

My first post since I came back.


Subject: English

Ako man, inaamin ko, hindi rin ako magaling sa English..

I prefer solving a math equation than writing an english essay.

So, iniiwasan ko talaga magpost ng english, sa mga status or updates ko sa social media.
Kasi baka mali, mag post man ako, siguro mga 1000x ko ichecheck ang grammar at spelling bago ko ipost.

That's why, nag tataka ako sa iba, na feel na feel ang english kahit mali mali ang grammar at spelling.

Sige ang post sa english na ang haba haba, ang dami naman correction.

Matalino ka lang, kaya magegets mo naman ang ibig nya sabihin.

Pag binati mo, ikaw pa yung sasabihan ng bitter, inggit ka lang daw, ikaw na daw yung magaling at matalino.

Pero, tama ba yun, okay lang mapahiya sila sa english grammar basta maipagyabang lang ang mga bagay na meron sila at sa tinggin nila ay kakainggitan mo?

Nakakainis lang na yung alam nila na mali na sila pero wala lang, di daw mahalaga yun kasi yung daw alam nila. Bukod yun ang alam yun na ang tama, di ba pwedeng icorrect para di ka mapahiya sa madlang people.

Minsan di na bibili mg pera ang breeding.

Kahit mag mukha kang sosyal at mayaman, pagbuka naman ng bibig mo, sumisingaw ang kawalan mo ng pinag-aralan at ang pagiging palengkera mo.

Sana wag sa kung saan saan na material na bagay mo inuubos yan pera nyo, try mo kumuha ng Personality Development Course.

Here we go again!

Yes.. It been almost a year and a half since the last post.
I'm again back and hopefully tuloy tuloy na...
Dahil kasi sa social media like instagram, facebook and twitter,
hindi na tuloy ako masyado nakakapagblog...
Siguro dahil dun, isang clik lang then caption then post, viola, status update agad...

I will try to post more often.

Kung pwede lang kasi ilink ang blogger sa FB/Ig/Twitter like the tumblr thing...


Posting again soon.. :)

It's official! I'm BACK!

Yes!
You heard (I mean, read) it right, I am back. I'm definitely back, for good.
After almost 2 long years, I will blog again.
After mourning for losing the superman of my life, (Hey Papa, I miss you everyday)
After all the ups and down of life.
I'm back and I am more inspired to write about anything and everything that's running on my crazy head.
So seat back and wait for all the blogs that I was about to write in the next few days.
I miss this as much as I miss the layout of this blog! Hahaha.

xoxo,
Cris ♥