December Rush 2008 (Part 1)

Intro
Not minding my week-long jetlag, sleepless nights, and zombie days, I trudged through our December schedule with as much drive as a mad F1 racer. There is no room for a wilted spirit, not one moment of frailty, even if there were lots of unfortunate incidents thrown in our path. Join me as walk or rather run through our December preparations and craziness.

Click here to start – December 4, 2008
Thanks to the closure of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, I stepped on Philippine soil after 29 hours of flying time and a little over 24 hours waiting time. I could hear from the corner of my brain the poundings of the little deadline-monsters. There were still lots to do as we only have the church, the reception, and the photo/video settled. I could only cram my niece’s baptism, my sisters school activities, the duty-free shopping, Christmas shopping, the pasalubong-shopping, and my personal shopping (shopping, shopping, shopping!) with all the wedding details that I have to accomplish before Pio arrived in Manila twenty-days later.

Maid of honor meeting – December 6, 2008
Due to a (good) family emergency, my MOH Diana came to the Philippines from Malaysia. As she have only a couple of days to spare before she went back, we were so lucky to have a chance to meet and talk about the wedding. The meeting was double purpose, to party as well with my high school best friends Roschelle (my bridesmaid), Lu-ann and Yas. It was lot to take in one night, dinner at Diana’s place, then we crashed at Roschelle’s cousin’s debut party and then the official catch up at starbucks.

Mananahi-hunting
I could not ask for more support than what my and Pio’s family gave me for the mananahi-hunting for the entourage’s gowns and barongs. It was a time-consuming effort, really, not as easy as it sounds, and certainly not a one day affair. Walang kinakailangang baybayin namin ang kahabaan ng Las Piñas bayan. Hwehwehwe! My mom and I started in Manuyo, with her very good mananahi friends, then with the Balistoy family from Zapote to Southmall, then to Gatchalian. It was very….educational, in the fashion sense.

The mananahi has to be chosen wisely. There were lots of them who would just look at my designs, then gave the price for each of them, no questions asked. But unexpectedly, there was one mananahi slash designer who asked me terrible questions, like what fabric would I like to use for my wedding gown and for the entourage, or would I consider changing our color motif. Hwehwehwe! Had I had enough visits from shops, I would look like a fool trying to answer those kinds of questions.

But there was one designer who stood our from the rest. When I showed him my designs, he took the time to alter them for the better, to what he thought was bagay for me or for the entourage and made them a bit modern, with matching sketches pa ha! I felt like I was in Project Runway. I also liked the fact that he did not sell himself short, he gave emphasis to the soft-spot of my heart, which are the moms. As deserving as they are, the moms are really the stars of the night.

I’ll save the best for last! Best for the cost, best for the designs and best for value. Dyaran! The barongs of the male entourage! It was just so unfortunate that I wasn’t able to come and see the shops all the way to Lumban, Laguna. Nonetheless, I would forever be thankful to the Balistoy Family for personally attending to the barongs.

The make-up..or make-down..
So frustrating, really. In my eyes, I never really looked good with make-up on. Also, knowing that Pio has this no-make-up-on-me-please attitude, I was particularly looking for someone who will be able to apply just a tinge of powder on his nose.

I regard this hunting trip a solo trip as it was an odd-feeling for me, especially the first trial. I looked horrible, I had to go home to wash everything out on me. The curls were so high, the make-up was so dark. The second one, was ok, but I don’t feel natural with all the make-up on.
The third trial, was scheduled during our prenup. He was highly recommended by Ate Joy’s friend, and he had an impressive portfolio. For the results, please read on the “Prenup” part. :)

And he arrives!
December 24 started out very early for me. Pio was set to arrived at 4am in the morning. He arrived on time, no problem at all. We made plans for the day, which include shopping for outfits for our prenup (the studio requires winter wear, beach wear, casuals and formals), last minute gift shopping, and of course, catching up time. This was also the Noche Buena night, so everything has to be done in a hurry just to be at home early enough for the Christmas eve party.


(To be continued....)

Cocktails, Dinner and Festivities

We could not be more thrilled that we were able to book Villa Immaculada as our reception venue.

Just a stone’s throw away from San Agustin church, the Villa boasts of its covered and spacious dining hall, high ceilings and exclusive catering service by Tamayo’s. The cocktail/welcoming area gives a garden-like feel with the fountain and the hanging vines, a relaxing preview for the occasion. We have chosen a covered venue because we have observed that since 2002, our wedding date is always a rainy day. Always. No sense in taking a chance with mother nature for one day!

One of the best things about the villa is of course, the rates. As we are working with a budget, we are quite happy that the villa is elegant and spacious, just between the ambiance and cost of a hotel and clubhouse reception.

We should also mention that it was just with a streak of luck that we got this venue. During the 2nd quarter of last year, the villa advised that they would not be available on our wedding date as they have renovations on the place. Just in time (before we reserve other reception venues), the villa was once again available! Cheers to Ate Joan Balistoy for making all the reservations and freebie-haggling with Tamayo’s and Villa Immaculada.

Our Colors

Everybody knows that I like purple, and that Pio likes blue and gray. So it is not surprising that the colors of our wedding are red and bronze.

(Very pointless intro, just testing humour. )

Red and bronze are the colors of forever
It is that lovely play of colors as the sun rises in the horizon
That reflection of the sun as it mirrors itself in the bay
Fire and sparks, in a cold and dark night
The kiss of sun in the sky as it leaves for the day

Red and bronze,
For the sunrise and sunsets of the rest of our lives.

(Dad, sensha na di ako magaling sa limmericks hwuhwuhwu..)



Edit:
I couldn't have written it any better.;-) Anyway, just want to share the painting that started it all. We were talking about what color it would be, we've talked about red before but never seriously, and never thought of bronze until we saw this painting. Its by Cynthia Gould, a Toronto Artist, you can see more of her work at http://www.cynthiagould.com/. Just like what Kristine said, red and bronze matches perfectly.