My Dream Gown

Being a member of W@W has exposed me to a lot of designers and couturiers, and pictures of wedding gowns from past brides. It's really helped me distinguish what I like and don't like on my wedding dress, and it has even changed my inspiration wedding gown.

This is currently my inspiration wedding gown. =) I love the design because I feel that it suits my romantic nature. And I like the fact that the emphasis of the gown is at the top, and the skirt simply complements it with its flowing layers. I've seen pictures of gowns that have waaay too much detail on both top and bottom, and it's practically garish looking in my opinion. I think this is me... I'm still not sure about the sweetheart neckline, but I'm open to suggestions. That's why I'm currently obsessed with finding the perfect couturier... someone affordable but able to deliver. I'm currently eyeing Jean Avellanosa. I love her designs, and I think she can really deliver. I'm also considering Tet Hagape, but I feel like her shop is inconveniently located (it's somewhere near Eastwood). Oh well, we'll see.

The Auction is Over

Sigh... I feel slightly sad now that the W@W Auction is over. I only won one item... Ms. Dulce Fortunado's hosting service. I'm happy about that of course, but it would have been a dream come true if I was able to win the wedding gown package that Cecilio Abad offered, or even the P50,000 GC from Niko by Veluz. I've always dreamed of having a gown made by Veluz... sadly, it is also only in my dreams that I can afford it. =P Maybe 10 years from now... haha, if only things worked out according to plan! But right now I need to be practical, and that means finding affordable suppliers and not going beyond my set budget.

It's still sad to think about sometimes though...

The Search for the Wedding Gown Designer

Sigh... this is one of things I'm really looking for right now. But it's so hard 'coz 1st of all, I don't have a car. 2nd, Rogel is so busy and can't come with me. 3rd, my parents are in the province busy with our business. 4th, none of my sisters are in the country and so I can't ask for their help. 5th, I'd love to ask my friends but they're busy with work as well. Lastly, I'm currently VERY pregnant and it's so hard to get around (and expensive 'coz it's much more comfortable to ride a taxi). I think the last reason is actually why it's so difficult for me to find my wedding gown designer.

And hair and make up artist. And coordinator. And... etc, etc.

Recently though, I've encountered another designer online whose rates are affordable and whose work looks beautiful. Check her out: Prim Chua. I love the gowns in her website! The gowns look really expensive, for someone whose rates are really affordable. Now I wonder when I can visit her shop...

Another designer whose rates are very affordable is Amonn Velasco. His shop is located in Makati.

There are actually a lot of couturiers in Makati whose rates are affordable. I just really need a car. And a driver, preferably Rogel.

Sometimes wedding preparations are so stressful. Especially for the pregnant bride. Good thing I won't be pregnant soon (baby's due in December), and next year Rogel will be free as well.

W@W Auction and Christmas Party

Wow, I've never heard of the w@w auction before, and it sounds so much fun! Fun and practical as well, especially to us cheapskate brides (hehe) who really want a nice wedding at the most affordable prices. I hope I'll be able to get a few prizes, like coordination, flowers, gowns, hair and make up? Hehe, okay, maybe that's too much. But I'm excited! It sounds so fun!

So many choices

Now that I've booked my caterer Ma Del's Cuisine, and sounds & lights provider Rejectkrew, I am now ready to move on to other stuff. I'm currently obsessed with finding an OTD coordinator, one that's affordable and offers quality service. I feel like I've emailed all the possible coordinators there is already. Here's what I've come up so far...

1. Events by the Fridays Club: P10k. Highly recommended at w@w for their affordability and service.

2. Bridal Fantasy: P10k. Another popular choice at w@w.

3. Redawn Events: P10k.

4. Fridays at Seattle: P15k OTD + host. Book now to avail 10% discount.

5. Special Events by the Planner: 12k OTD + free bubble machine and confetti poppers.

6. Fab Occasions: 15k. Highly recommended at w@w and most of our suppliers.

7. Bride's Diary: 15k OTD + free party poppers.

8. Dream Quest Events: 10k.

9. Fragrant Moments: 15k OTD + fragrance diffusers and 2 sets of party poppers (sounds interesting, and I can get a 10% discount as a w@w tag holder).

10. Eventual Pursuit: 18k OTD + souvenir pictures in cd and facial spa at bridal shower.

11. Wacky Works: 12k.

12. Breakout Events: 9-18k.

Well, I think that's it. Seems like 10k is the minimum amount to have an OTD coordinator. If I had the budget, I'd get Fab Occasions.

I've talked to a w@w sis though who actually offered free OTD services before. She says she and her husband are willing to help me out at an affordable price. I think I'll meet up with them this weekend to talk about their services.

Anyway, gosh, wedding planning is becoming an obsession.

7 months to go

Check out the wedsite I've made: rogelandhelene.weddingannouncer.com.

It's really cute. =) Of course, I'm biased, but anyway, it's still cute. =P

Yesterday, Achi, my oldest sister came home from Singapore. She's only staying until Sunday though. I wish she could stay longer so I could consult her with my wedding preparations... she got married this February 9. She had far more time planning her wedding though, and had far more budget. But it's okay, it's really kinda fun scouting for affordable suppliers and making the best out of what we can afford. Of course, if I had limitless budget, I already know the suppliers I'd choose...

But since I don't, I really have to scout well and read feedbacks regarding each supplier's service. Great service normally doesn't come cheap, as everyone knows. But sometimes it might come just right...

Anyway, so updates since I last posted?

We've finalized the ceremony and reception venue. We've paid the reservation fees already, so it's all set. The ceremony will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Paco, Manila, and the reception will be at Ramon Magsaysay Center Hall in Roxas Blvd.

We've also paid downpayments on my chosen videographer and photographer. I'm pretty happy with my decision - I personally handpicked these two, 'coz I really want to have nice videos and photos as mementos of my wedding. Rogel trusts my decision, though he occasionally remarks on the expenses that are accumulating... But anyway, after agreeing on the ceremony and reception venue, he's pretty much leaving the rest of the planning to me.

Here's a list of what I want to finalize in the next month:

1. Caterer - I'm currently eyeing DXC Catering because they have good reviews at W@W and they have affordable wedding packages. I contacted Blue Petals but they want to schedule the food tasting for next year since they said our wedding date is still far off, so I thought I'd scout for other caterers first. So right now I just want to have a food tasting at DXC and if their food is good already and their table arrangements aren't bad, I plan to book them.

2. OTD Coordinator - this is one supplier I realize easily gets booked, so I really want to book them soon. Right now I'm only deciding between Events by the Friday Club and Bridal Fantasy... they have affordable rates, have good reviews at W@W, and are currently still available on my wedding date. It sucks to be stuck here in Capas and unable to meet with them.

3. Bridal Gown Designer/Couturier - I want to have a designer who can be there on my wedding day to assist me in dressing and any last minute emergencies/alterations that need to be done.

4. Hair and Make Up Artist - these are easily gobbled up by wedding-crazed brides as well... of course, every bride wants to look their best on their wedding day.

5. Sounds and Lights - I'm eyeing Rejectkrew for this because they have a very affordable rate.

Hmmm, I think that's it. Invitations, misalettes, entourage gown designer, bride and entourage bouquets... well, I think these don't have to be finalized in the next month. Maybe in the month after that.

The Start of Forever

So... Rogel and I are finally wed. Civilly, at least, and now we're planning for our church wedding next year. One would think that 8 months is enough to plan a wedding, but many churches and potential reception venues have already been booked. After only one week of scouting, I'm almost ready to pull out my hair in frustration. Well, not really. I suppose I'm just worried about not getting the church and venue I want (and can afford) as time goes on. It's really hard not to have a car to do ocular inspections of these churches and venues. Another fact is that my dear husband is busy with his studies... it's his last term in nursing, and I really don't want to jeopardize his grades and whatnot, but on the other hand... I really, really, REALLY just want to finalize our church and venue so I can move on to OTHER stuff... stuff which could be left to me without needing his input. I really just need his opinion on the church and venue 'coz honestly, I find myself second guessing my decisions. I like something during an ocular inspection, then start disliking it as the day goes on. I just need someone to balance me, to tell me to stop stressing out and that the venue is nice and this is what we want and so on.

I hope I can finalize our church and venue in the coming week. I wish it could be as easy as just choosing among all the beautiful venues out there, but we're operating on a budget, which really limits our choices. Maybe on our 10th anniversary we'll just get married again in an intimate ceremony with only our close family and friends in Tagaytay. Hopefully we'll both have stable jobs by then with savings in the bank. But right now, I just want a nice wedding that can fit our budget. Something that our guests would describe as simple but romantic. If only we could have less guests, but my parents have so many relatives and friends that they need to invite. I just hope that the 200 guests we agreed upon (50 for Rogel and 150 for my side) is already final and I don't get surprised later on. The venues I've been looking at can mostly fit a maximum of 200, so the guests really need to be just 200.

Anyway, wow, it's a nice feeling to be blogging again. I truly have a love and hate relationship with having an on-line journal. Like in my livejournal... I ended up meeting and becoming friends with the most memorable people... people who've become a part of my life... well, at least before. Now I'm left with memories, mostly bittersweet... I've began a new chapter in my life, and everything feels... different now. I feel like I can never go back to that girl I was, the girl I sometimes wish I still were. I'm not sure if I'm truly ready for this phase in my life, but... life happens, I guess, and sometimes there's nothing you can do but live it and make the most out of it.

Sometimes I still wonder about the choices I've made... echoes of someone's words occasionally ring in my ears like a distant chant. I've made my decision, and most people would say it's the right one, but I still wonder...

I have many fears. It's hard not to be afraid when you're in a situation you never imagined yourself to be at this point in your life. But then, life simply gets out of your hand sometimes... though an old friend would argue with that adage and say you control your life every step of the way.

But I've made my bed and I can't go back.

I just hope and pray that everything would be alright...

But anyway, enough of this melancholia, next entries would be about the venues we've visited. I wish I took more pictures, darn it. I've been toting my camera all over the place but I keep forgetting to use it.