Before I Do Pre-Wedding Workshop

If you've been following this blog, you know that I started talking about the Before I Do pre-wedding workshop as early as August.  M and I have started attending a seven-week pre-marital counselling at our church since October 20, and it's really an exciting and educational experience for both of us.  But the Before I Do pre-wedding workshop was also one which we both eagerly looked forward to.  It's because we know many of the speakers (not personally) from having heard them speak at our church.  I've listened to Edric and Joy Mendoza at countless worship services / sharing of testimonies and homeschool orientations, plus I also follow Joy's homeschooling blog. I've seen the testimony of John Mateos Ong on TV. His company, Imagine Nation, is doing the photography for our wedding (c/o Noel Salazar), and before we made this major decision, I made sure to check out not only the portfolio but also the business ethics and philosophy of our suppliers.  So I know a handful of info about him and the team even before attending today.  And since Edric and Joy, John and his wife Monique, and also the other speakers, are from the very church where we go to every Sunday, I knew that we were in for a special day of lectures and practical sharing based on the Bible.  M and I know that we can never be prepared enough for our lives as a married couple, so we take every opportunity we can get to attend seminars like this. (Note:  And oh, if you're a bride/groom to be, please sign up and be a member of the Weddings at Work egroup!)

Let me show you some snapshots from this event.  Too bad, I left the memory card at home which is why I wasn't my usual shutterbug self (haha!):

I had to fight off my uber shyness to grab a photo op with Sir Jong of Imagine Nation...

(If you haven't got a photographer for your event, grab ém!  I'm telling you, you're hiring one of the best photographers!)

And yes. I wouldn't pass up the chance to have a picture of M and I with 1/2 of the tandem behind Weddings at Work, Maám Benz ;-)  I am so awed by her being so down-to-earth....and I'm talking here of someone who has changed the lives of thousands of brides and grooms all over this country and even beyond. 

Here's D (sweetheart ni P) sharing what it means to be a submissive wife...

My honey was actively participating and writing down his notes.  Yehey!

Sir Jong is sharing his testimony here before we wrapped up the workshop...

We actually won a prenup make-up with Ms. Karen Reyes when M and I answered a question regarding the love languages session.  What a blessing!  Karen is one of the make-up artists of the Make-up Studio Team by Madge Landrito!  All who attended the seminar-workshop will also get a free prenuptial photoshoot with the team from Imagine Nation, aside from the other prizes given away.  See, blessings overflow!  Thank God!

Shot with our group mates ;-)

By the time the seminar-workshop was over, I've already filled up about six pages of my tiny notebook, not counting the handout / pamphlet they gave us.  M and I learned so much, and we're excited to live out and apply what we learned in our marriage.  Truly, we can never claim we know so much of a topic, and we can only be humble and open-minded to learn more how to become better partners to each other and how to have a Christ-centered relationship.

Kudos to Jong and Monique, Edric and Joy, Sir Abet and Maám Benz, and all the rest of the team and the sponsors for making this event a reality ;-)

Double delights: a pre-wedding seminar and a prenup pictorial!

Marriage is supposed to be for keeps.  It's a lifetime commitment for better or for worse.  So how do you make it last and weather all sorts of trials and problems?

Honestly, I do not know the answers.  Of course, we need to put God in the center of our relationship, and to follow Biblical principles for marriage and parenting.  But the truth is, I know I'll never know what to do until I myself am there in that situation.  So it's best to be prepared beforehand, even at least in theory, to avert all sorts of troubles that may be avoided.

M and I both agreed that we need a lot of marriage counseling, as there are problems and concerns which might find their way into our marriage and cause friction between the two of us.  Thankfully, we have a lot of support from our family and friends, and even churchmates, who pray for us always and are ever-ready to give Biblical advice.  I really thank God that He has given me a man with whose faith I share, and with whose principles I agree.  I am also grateful to God for giving me so many ideas even before I got into a relationship with M!  Yes, I attended all the parenting seminars of my church.  Why, even the sermon series these days are about parenting and taking charge of your family / group! 

When I brought up the topic of a pre-wedding seminar to M, he was naturally for it.  Thank God!  So last Wednesday, I finally had free time in the afternoon so I went to BDO at SM Megamall  and paid the downpayment for what is going to be one of the best decisions M and I have made for our wedding preparations. You see, we both signed up for Before I Do pre-wedding workshop as we know that marriage goes beyond feelings and emotions.  It's a lifetime commitment before God, our families and friends, and we have to be determined to keep this marriage at all costs.

Before I Do is a pre-wedding workshop the aim of which is to educate couples about the many facets of marriage based on sound biblical principles. I didn't know that it was conceived by my churchmate and one of my favorite photographers, John Mateos Ong and huis wife Monique.  The workshop includes topics like Sex & Marriage, Financial Responsibility, Communication, the Five Love Languages, and Biblical Roles of Husband and Wife.  The workshop is interactive because after each topic, participants break up into small groups for either an activity or sharing of experience and shared reflections. Check out what it is all about from this website.

For only one thousand and five hundred pesos (PHP 1,500), M and I can participate in this seminar-workshop on November 5 and take home freebies too.  Wow!  I was literally running to BDO Megamall to hand over my payment.  Only twenty-five (25) couples may be accomodated every workshop, so I was really relieved when we were still taken in.   

And here's the part I like the most:  we get to have free prenuptial photo shoot anytime between November 2011 and April 2012 (except holidays and week ends).  Praise God indeed!  I couldn't stop saying wow while reading their confirmation email.  A free prenup from Before I Do means that I now have two prenups!  Remember, I won a prenup pictorial a few months ago?

So now I have a hundred and one more reasons to slim down and stay fit....I better look good in those two prenups hehehe ;-)

I you and your H2B are serious about preserving your upcoming marriage, do check out Before I Do.  It runs only every April and November.  Hurry, reserve your slot before it's too late!