My Dress Dilemma

After our lunch date at a hotel in Manila early December of last year, Mr. M and I went to Tutuban and met up with his friend who helped us get to know trustworthy, potential bridal gown suppliers.  I've read too many stories about brides whose gown couturiers failed to deliver their dresses on time and worse of all, those who never delivered anything at all.  I can imagine the brides all rushing to Divisoria to make last-minute purchases and repairs.  I can never really emphasize how important it is to start planning early, begin buying everything you need immediately, give the down payments as soon as possible, and talk with potential suppliers and seal the deal once satisfied, as planning a wedding can be really stressful.  So as we lift up to God concerns like these, we also have to take a step of faith and do our part in preparing for the wedding and making sure every concern and every detail is addressed and taken care of.

With this in mind, I sought to settle the matter about my dress at once.  The dress is one of the things that stresses me out.  I have a body that is hard to understand.  Let's just say that I resemble a pear, okay?  You know what I mean?  I need to hide lots of bulges without looking like I got buried in a pile of organza and tulle! My height, while not a problem with Mr. M, also puts a limit to the types of gown designs I can wear.  See?  To top it all, when I emailed my gown inspirations to my potential bridal gown suppliers, none wanted to do it due to the sheer difficulty of dealing with the laces I want. Or, those who said yes couldn't bring down the cost of their quotations.  Huhuhu.  :-(  And I wouldn't want to spend a teacher's one month's worth of salary for a gown I will wear for a maximum of only eight hours in my lifetime.

I was getting desperate already because I knew that I have to settle this gown issue before January ends.  January is crucial, because gown makers prepare for the junior-senior prom season, as well as the numerous summer and June brides all over the country.  By the end of the first and second trimester of the year, the gown makers will be busy with the brides from the -ber months.  Since I am an August bride, I'll be stuck in the middle of their busyness, August being a ghost month.  But I continued to pray.   By God's grace, it was perfect timing that I read about Sis Michi's gown via our Weddings at Work egroup (if you are a bride-to-be, you need to sign up with this egroup!).  Sis Michi already signed up with a bridal gown maker who has a relatively good reputation at an affordable price.  She excitedly waited for the day she will bring it back home and try it on for their big day.  But to her horror, her gown was a disaster.  With only 25 days to go before her wedding, she scoured the net for possibilities.  At such short notice, no designer in her right mind would accept her order.  But she persisted.  Then she came across Vangie Suva.  We at the egroup waited with much tension as to how this gown problem would be resolved.  When we saw the pictures she posted on facebook, and when she finally gave her supplier reviews, we collectively heaved a sigh of relief.  Vangie saved Michi from a disastrous wedding (imagine a beautiful bride walking down the aisle in a mediocre gown!).  Michi's bridal gown was made in just less than three weeks.  Yet it did not show in the pics at all.  Even her photographer thought it was a designer dress!

Vangie Suva and Michi's gown have become such a hot topic at our egroup that I myself checked her out as well.  Last Saturday, I met her at Megamall and what can I say?  I was won over by the beautiful craftsmanship of a sample gown she made, all the good feedback I've been hearing about her from fellow brides-to-be, and of course, Vangie's easygoing manner and helpful disposition.  She readily said yes to the gown inspirations I presented, and we were done discussing in an hour.

In two months' time, I'll be having my measurements done by Vangie.  So this is how it feels.  I'm really starting to feel like a bride.  Yay, I now have a gown maker!

Meanwhile, watch the awesome SDE of Sis Michi and Patrick by the wonderful team from Wang Videography.  Her SDE's title is Next to You by Chris Brown (featuring Justin Bieber).  Did you catch her gown from the clip?  Nice, isn't it?






Now, if only I can trim down and lose more pounds....  :-p

----------

Vangie Suva of Shaznay Dry Goods

B-10 Fiesta Shopping Mall

C.M. Recto, Binondo, Manila

(Beside escalator)

Cellphone No. 0906-3326338 / 0933-1919044

Tel. No. 971-9407

shaznaydrygoods@yahoo.com

227 days to go

Our 2nd year anniversary portrait

Tick.  Tock.  Tick.  Tock.  I wouldn't want to blink.

It used to be three years from now, then it turned seven hundred and thirty days to go, and finally, twelve months til the big day.  Mr. M proposed, and then Christmas and New Year took up our time.  Next thing I know, it's 227 days before 8-30-2012.  That gives me only eight months and twenty-six days to say good bye to singlehood and say hello to the married couples club. And that's saying a lot for one like me who had no boyfriend since birth (NBSB) hahaha!  Of course, none until Mr. M came along ;-)

Now I understand why brides-to-be feel all sorts of emotions --- excitement, anxiety, trepidation, sadness, joy --- and since I myself am a bride-to-be, I can now empathize with girls going overboard with their wedding preparations.  I tell you.  I have a collection of over 300+ bridal gown inspirations, 100+ pegs for hair and make up, 200+ pictures of couple portraits, and the list goes on.  Call me OA or anything, but now I understand why brides-to-be behave the way they do:  we only get married once, and we just want to do things right.  Maybe have it executed to perfection, if at all that is possible.

Soon, I'll be moving out of this house, and will be leaving the life I once had with my mom and siblings.  In less than three hundred days, I'll be changing my name, my address, my civil status, and so much more.  No more house help to clean up the house, wash our clothes and cook our meals.  It's going to be US this time, taking over all those chores and doing things on our own as we build our own family.

On a food trip at Secret Recipe

Before, we just used to talk about our scheduled dates, activities to do on particular days, food cravings, and all that stuff.  These past few months we've been discussing bills, house hunting sessions, kids, down payments and contracts.  Most of the time these days we sit down in front of our computer and tinker with the wedding excel file we made to keep track of our payments, receivables and even future expenses.

In 227 days, I will never be the same again. #changes

And the countdown continues....

Sneak Peek: Mindoro

Happy new year!  あけまして　おめでとう　ございます！

For 2012, I plan to write more about the places that I have visited, as well as those that I would like to explore and stay in.  It must be M's stories of Coron, Baguio and Bohol, or local adventures of friends who generously shared pics via FB that got me thinking about the places I've been to and those that I'd like to tick off my list hopefully before I'm all wrinkled and gray.  Travelling is one thing M and I would love to do, and we are praying that the Lord would bless us financially to be able to see His awesome works not just here in the Philippines but in various other places as well.

I know I still owe you, my dear readers, a post about Boracay.  No, we didn't check in at any of those beach-front hotels in what you call the noisy 'public beach' strip that stretches for seven kilometers along Bora's shores.  I would never have gone to Bora if you make me stay in any of those hotels considering their proximity to night life establishments which I totally hate.  Going to the beach for me is all about swimming, sun-bathing, and relaxing.  Throw in some snorkeling and exploring too.  But I wouldn't want to retire at night still hearing the deafening blast of sounds from some local disco.  So yes, we stayed at a hotel-resort with its own private beachfront, and is the only property in that part of the island with a golf course!  The hotel was fully booked, but we didn't even feel it as it seemed we were the only ones swimming in that part of Boracay!

But I'm getting ahead of myself.  Let me share with you one of my all-time favorite escapades, our 2009 holy week adventure in Sablayan, Mindoro.  The underwater picture of me with a snorkel gear and that of a pawikan were taken using a point-and-shoot Canon IXUS camera dressed up with an underwater protector.  All the rest of the pictures here are the ones I myself took, and mind you, I only used an ordinary point-and-shoot GE camera.  :-)  (Hooray to my low-tech camera which has served me so well before Ondoy!)

I hope to find the time to write a full-blast blog on this one.  I will.  It's just that things are starting to go crazy in the office....

If you're like me who can be adventurous and not too fussy with accommodations (but choosy with food!), if you love nature-tripping, walking, smelling the cool, fresh air, and if you can survive without the usual luxuries we often get so used to (ie, internet), then you'd love the Pandan Island Resort.  Go rustic!  :-)  We stayed for three awesome nights, and this is one of the best vacations I ever had.

I'll let the pictures do the talking.  Take note, folks.  No photoshop, whatsoever!  :-)

meditating by the sea in these lovely wood houses @ DJ Beach Resort

jump shot!

Will you kayak with me?

We're all alone in this island

flower power

having a tan

to the rainforest

lovely beach

calm waters

beautiful sunset

hello, dear ones

too cute

first time

Is that you, Pong?   LOL  :-)

by the Libuao Lake

Libuao Lake

afternoon shot

glorious sunset

Sneak Peek: Boracay

I never liked Boracay.  I have always had visions of men and women in skimpy attire, frolicking along the white sand coasts and showing off their gorgeous bodies in broad daylight.  Boracay for me meant partying all night until the wee hours of the morning, consuming all the booze, rocking to the loudest sounds, and just doing everything in a wild way.  So for me, it's no, No, and NO to Boracay.

Until I visited and went there myself in April 2010.

I still hate all the things I mentioned above, but now, I am a proud Boracay convert.  Fine, white sand + pristine, blue waters + excellent accommodations + good food + sunny weather = a relaxing vacation I can do over and over again.

Oooh, Bora.  Bring it on!

A Malaysian proposal

Let me end this glorious year with a lovely proposal video from Malaysia.  I got the article written by Sean Yoong from Yahoo News (posted on December 30, 2011) and shared it via our Weddings at Work yahoogroup.  Since this is a wedding blog, why not post it here as well? 

Spread the love.  Hold hands.  May our marriages be as joyous as the day our grooms popped the big question :-)

Happy new year, everyone!

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — After watching an emotional video of Malaysian Timothy Tiahpropose to his girlfriend, "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest hailed it as a heartwarming coda to 2011. Singer Christina Perri confessed that it made her cry.

Celebrity endorsements have helped the creatively crafted clip rack up nearly 4 million views online within a week, turning Tiah and his now-fiancee, Audrey Ooi, into unexpected role models for numerous young romantics worldwide.

It's a surreal twist for Tiah, a 27-year-old Internet entrepreneur who says he has long been allergic to the idea of getting hitched, partly because some of his older friends suffered failed marriages.

"But I realized there's no other girl who gets me like (Ooi) does. There's no other girl I've ever considered marrying," Tiah told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The video, set to Perri's wistful U.S. hit ballad "A Thousand Years" and shot by a Malaysian wedding footage company, shows Tiah surprising Ooi while she was having dinner with friends at an Italian restaurant in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 30.

At first, Tiah nervously walks to the restaurant's glass entrance and waves from outside to get Ooi's attention.

Ooi, 26, appears bewildered as a grinning Tiah holds up a series of posters imprinted with Internet memes — catchphrases and artwork that became popular online — that narrate how he wants to spend the rest of his life with Ooi despite being terrified of marriage.

"If you like it, y u no put a ring on it," one poster proclaims, before Tiah shows Ooi a picture of the animated character Puss in Boots with pleading eyes under the words "Will you marry me?"

The nearly five-minute clip ends with Tiah on bended knee, offering Ooi a ring and a bouquet while she tearfully accepts his proposal.

Tiah, who has been dating Ooi for three years after meeting her at his birthday party, initially planned to show the video mainly to family and friends, but the crew that filmed it convinced him to let them put it online in mid-December.

Bloggers began sharing the clip, which went viral after Seacrest mentioned it on Facebook and Twitter on Dec. 23.

Perri tweeted that she was "honored" that her song was used in the clip.

"Ahhh I just cried my eyes out (and) couldn't stop smiling all at the same time!" Perri wrote.

Others had similar reactions on video-sharing websites YouTube and Vimeo, where the clip has accumulated nearly 4 million combined views over the past week. "I wanna be proposed to like this!!" YouTube user XGothify wrote.

Strangers have approached Tiah in elevators and cafes, saying they recognize him from the video. But Tiah believes the attention will fade soon, insisting that the proposal was little more than a "goofy and geeky" gesture.

"We feel a bit shy about it, but it feels nice at the same time," he said.

Ooi said that midway through Tiah's proposal, she feared he was trying to break up with her.

The couple is now busy planning their nuptials.

"It'll be a fairly simple" traditional Chinese wedding ceremony and dinner next year, Tiah said. "I don't think people will be interested in seeing a video of it."

The Count down Begins...

In a few minutes' time, I'll be bidding 2011 good bye and saying hello to 2012...

Come January 1, it'll be 242 days before our big day.   :-)

Let the count down begin!

hindi ako gaanong excited kaya may daily countdown pa ako, di ba? LOL  ;-p

Shoes Inspirations

Ah, the things we women go through to get ready for the big day!

This past few weeks, I was having visions of what my gown would like.   The inspirations are endless that I ended up posting another blog about that bridal gown slash dress which I'll be having custom-made in Divisoria  (or as my mom calls it, 'La Rudy Vi').  Now of course, as any girl can attest, when you start thinking of the gown, you also try to visualize what the entourage gowns will look like.  And let's not even talk about the mothers.  They have their own styles and preferences to consider, making this whole issue of gowns and dresses exciting albeit challenging.  :-)

And when you start talking about gowns and dresses, can shoe talks be far behind?  :-)   See, this whole wardrobe thingy is a package.  Gown + Shoes + Make-up + Hair + Accessories = Look for the day.  I'm taking my own sweet time trying to finalize what my gown will look like, and I learned that when you have a gown custom-made in Divi, it will take them only about three months, so I figure I still have time to spare.  It's a good thing I've long settled the issue of make up with my one and only choice, Rae Venturanza, and I already have an idea of what kind of hair style I want for the big day, so that's not a problem.  The accessories I will wear on our big day are my e-ring and earrings which I will be borrowing from my sister-in-law (How sweet. Thanks, C!).  And so, I'm left with the shoes.  

Where do I begin?  First of all, I hate the white bridal shoes concept.  I don't like to wear, much more spend, on a pair of shoes that I will wear only once in my lifetime.  So no to Kate Middleton-inspired lace and beads type of shoes.

Duchess Kate Middleton's 5 1/2 size hand-stitched bridal shoes were designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

Source:  The Daily Mail

Now, if it were something I could wear for after the wedding, then I'd reconsider.  Especially if it looked something like this:

Sexy but subtle --- whether in jeans or in a dress 

Nine West Jack Toe Peep Pumps

Source:  This Next

Sometimes, I wish I could just wear something flat for my wedding.  After all, I'd be sitting, standing up, kneeling, jumping (?), running (?), posing and dancing for more than four hours.  So I thought I'd buy anything like these:

Dainty and stylish for my jeans -- perfect for those relaxing weekends 

Chloe Square Toe Ballerina Flats - $450

Source:  Barneys

Classic and always in style

Lanvin Cap Toe Ballet Flats - $650

Source:  Barneys

When I mentioned this to my mother, I got a big, big frown.  Hahaha!  She said I should wear comfortable heels (about 2 inches) to match the dress.  Heels?  I never wore heels!  Remember my gladiator heels from our date at the Diamond Hotel?  I only inherited them from her because she can no longer wear high heels due to her arthritis.  But given the chance, I wouldn't choose anything higher than an inch!  So of course, here are what I saw and liked if I could be convinced to wear something like these on our big day hehehehe :-D  (Of course, the budget is a separate consideration.  Hahaha!)

 Burlina

Christian Louboutin - Patent leather peep toe t-strap pump with adjustable buckle at ankle - $945

Source:  Barneys

Lady Peep

Christian  Louboutin - Patent leather platform peep toe pump - $945

Source:  Barneys

Madame Butterfly Pump

Christian Louboutin - Satin platform pump with large bow at pleated peep toe - $945

Source:  Barneys

So So

Christian Louboutin - Patent leather platform peep toe pump with cross strap at toe and halter slingback - $895

Source:  Barneys

Orlina 

Manolo Blahnik - Elastic open toe slingback sandal with multiple crossing contrast bands at instep - $735

Source:  Barneys

 Sedaraby

Manolo Blahnik - Satin open toe multi-strap sandal with adjustable posted ankle strap $755

Source:  Barneys

 Evita

Tabitha Simmons - Satin platform open toe T-strap sandal with jewel embellished strap, grosgrain ankle tie and closed back -$2,185

Source: Barneys

Tribtoo Pump

Yves Saint Laurent - Patent leather platform round toe pump - $795

Source:  Barneys

 Faustina by Nine West in Moon / Roccia - $119  

 Knot by Nine West in Black Suede - now only $39.60 from $99

Mega by Nine West in Natural Leather - $49.50

From real brides' shoes, here are some of my inspirations:

Cenyang's shoes as captured by Jaja Samaniego

Source:  Jaja Lifestyle Photography

San Pedro-Alcasabas Wedding

Source:  Perfect Match Shoes 

 Santiago-Reyes Wedding

Source:  Perfect Match Shoes

Manguiat-Tripon Wedding

Source:  Perfect Match Shoes

Sigh.  I'm glad I only have a budget for one pair of shoes; otherwise, I'd go crazy with all these lovely footwear!  So to finalize my choices, I figured I'd rather have something that meets the following criteria:

1. with heels but only about 2-3 inches --- just enough to give my 5'1'' frame a taller illusion;
2. with heels that are not too thin (as in those Louboutin shoes) but are not too thick -- something like in the style of Mega by Nine West;
3. closed, and may or may not have straps for added protection from slipping and / or accidental removal of shoes while walking; and
4. in a color and fabric / leather that can be flexible enough for after-wedding use 

Sweetie has been reminding me to finalize this one too so that I can start with our DIY.  Oh, and he's buying me the shoes as his wedding gift!  Yipee!!! :-)  Thanks, Honey :-)

Pasig Youth Development Center

If you're a frequent visitor of this blog, you would know that I am from the beautiful, clean and green city of Pasig.  I've lived here all my life, but I've studied in two other major cities near our place, am currently engaged to a wonderful fiance who hails from the southern outskirts of Metro Manila, and will get married in another new city within the Metropolis.  It's ironic that I don't know my city that well, and that's why I've decided to 'make up for it' by featuring this lovely place just beside that spot I call my own office. I know it is difficult to nail down one's wedding ceremony venue, much more a reception venue, so without further ado, here's the Pasig Youth Development Center (formerly known as Youth Training Center):

Side entrance to the YDC

The quiet lobby of the YDC.

The glass door to the left of the welcome counter is the office of the very accommodating and bubbly administrator, Ms. Isabelita de Leon.  The glass doors to the right is the library.

When you look to the left, you will see the first function room of the building.

It's the Sampaguita hall where can hold weddings for as many as one hundred and fifty persons.

Across from the Sampaguita hall is this flight of stairs leading to the 2nd floor where you'll see another function hall.  The stairs to the lower floor is where you'll find the amenities for youth programs (ie, Dance Studio, Music Room, Lecture Room, etc.); hence, the name Youth Development Center. The Mayor built this center to hone the talents and abilities of the city's youth ---- for free!

Another shot of the Sampaguita hall entrance

A quiet nook for those who want to visit the administrator

Another quiet nook across from the Sampaguita hall and near the staircase going up the 2nd floor.

This is a painting of the city's former Mayor, Soledad C. Eusebio.

The library.  Sorry, it was closed temporarily when I visited that's why the shot came out quite dark.

This is the interior of the Sampaguita hall.  It has a nice view of the gardens outside of the building.

This place is actually a stone's throw from the Rainforest Park, a water sports complex, garden / park, playground, events place, and zoo in one.  The park is a project of the Eusebio family.  Those who chose to hold their special events here at the YDC usually decide to have pictorials in the Rainforest Park because it has lots of lovely spots to serve as your background.  Click here for a sample from one of my favorite guys behind the lens, Noel Salazar.

It's a little dark in my pictures because I was too shy to ask for the lights to be turned on.  But even with this late afternoon sun, you get this very maaliwalas look, thanks to the many windows.  What more if you hire a lights and sounds supplier to brighten up this venue.  This hall, by the way, is airconditioned and has its own restrooms for both male and female.

Another shot by the door

The Sampaguita Hall also has its own kitchen --- perfect for your caterer!

That glass door leads to the restrooms.

Yes, they are labeled as GIRLS and BOYS, instead of FEMALE and MALE. Hahaha :-)  But they're pretty decent and clean, and this is very important when holding your events.  Icky restrooms can turn off guests.  YDC, thankfully, has a very nice and industrious set of staff.  They always clean up the place every so often.

When you climb the flight of stairs I was talking about earlier, it will land you to here.  This floor has the computer room (for out of school youth), another set of rest rooms, a dormitory, and a bigger function room or auditorium, the Narra hall.

These two aluminum doors lead to the two dormitories.  This shot is the spot where you'll be when you climb up to the 2nd place.

This is the Narra hall or the auditorium.  It can fit 300 people theater-style.  It's ideal for lectures, plays, and big group activities.  I heard they have done weddings here too.

This hall has a very high ceiling.  You can easily do drapings here with all the scaffolds.

They were organizing for an affair when I took the pictures, so pardon the mess and disarray.

The auditorium has a stage, a white screen for film showing, a dedicated high-powered LCD projector and professional sound system.  I asked the staff if I could try out the LCD projector, screen, sound system and aircon, and wow, I was so impressed!  The equipment were still brand new, so whoever will rent out these facilities will get 100% satisfaction from their quality.  The sounds and projector were so good, I felt like I was in a rock concert!  Too bad, I didn't think of shooting short videos of those.

The upper deck of this auditorium houses the control booths for the lights and sounds.

For those who wish to rent out either of the two function halls, you may call Ms. Isabelita De Leon of the Pasig Youth Development Center at 628-4291.  You may also drop her an email at litsdeleon@yahoo.com. The center is located at F. Legaspi Street, Rainforest Park, Maybunga, Pasig.  Landmarks nearby are the Stella Maris Church along Stella Maris Street, Maybunga Barangay Hall, Hampton Gardens Condominium, and C5.  Tiendesitas is also a mere five minute-ride away from the place.

The rental fee for the Sampaguita hall is around Php 10,000 inclusive of five hours use of the venue, airconditioning system, chairs, LCD projector and screen and sound system.  The rental fee for the Narra hall is around Php 15,000 for the same amenities.  The price is still negotiable, but please make sure to personally visit the administrator.  Ingress and egress for your affairs are also flexible and will not be charged separately from your account, as long as this is done within working hours.

To read about other possible Pasig reception venues from this blog, click here and here.

Happy venue hunting!