You + Me = Us

Sometimes we get so mired in the details that we forget the essence of it all...

Here's to a bright future ahead of us.

Updates... less than 20 days to go

I almost can't believe that we only have 20 days to go before our marriage is blessed in church. It feels like it was just yesterday when we were just starting to prepare for our church wedding... and now it's almost here. I feel like there's still a hundred things to do! But I'm glad it's almost crunch time, since I'm really just looking forward to celebrating with my family and friends.

I even have 'assignments' to do from my coordinator, haha. I really need to work on those, but I can't resist blogging. Especially since there are things I'd like to share.

One, I've found my shoes. I went through a lot of shoe stores with my husband, baby and dad tagging along (who really aren't the best people to go shoe shopping with, haha, but my mom and sisters are all abroad right now). Nothing seemed right. Finally, when we were tired already and about to go home, Rogel pointed out a store that I bypassed originally (because I hadn't planned on spending a lot on shoes). Since we've gone to so many stores already, I thought, why not? So we entered the store. And there, I found it:



I love my shoes! They're simple and comfortable, just the way I like them. They're the perfect height, since I have difficulty walking in high heels. I was actually open to wearing colored shoes, but these are perfect. They're actually not as pricey as I thought they'd be, but still pricier than what I wanted to spend. Well, they're an investment. I can always use them after the wedding. =)

Another thing I found is my prep dress:



I was originally looking for something in my motif (burgundy and gold), but when I saw this, I couldn't resist trying it on. And when I did, I was sold.

I was also able to meet with my coordinator and emcee recently, and we were able to talk about the reception program. It's almost finalized... just need to decide on a couple of details.

Yay, progress!

I love love love Jeff & Lisa!

Read this blog: http://jeffandlisaphotography.com/?p=1281 and you'll understand why I love them so much. =)

If there was one supplier I'm truly super happy with and would still get even if I suddenly win a million dollars today (hahaha, I wish), it would be them!

In other news, I keep debating with myself whether to get a back up photographer or not... I know, I know... what's the point, right? I suppose I want this other photographer to concentrate on the guests, while Jeff and Lisa can concentrate on Rogel and I. I also want to have a picture of the reception set-up before people arrive, but how can I have that when we'll be having some pictorials by the bay before the reception starts? Hmmm... of course, I'm sure there would be dozens of non-professional cameras clicking away. Okay, let me list some pros and cons...

Cons:

1. It's out of budget already! Haha, though there are back up photographers that go as low as 5k, which is pretty inexpensive.

2. Why should I get a back up photographer whose works I don't love? Since I'm on a budget, my choices are pretty limited. I suppose this is my main reason why I'm leaning toward not getting a back up. It's like, what's the point, if I'm not going to love their photos anyway, right?

3. More people = more crowded places. We're having our preps at G-Hotel (we've finally decided), and their suite isn't really that big. Though I've read of fellow w@wies who have managed to squeeze 2 main photographers, 2 videographers, lighting assistants, 2 back up photographers... not to mention the parents, the entourage... in G-Hotel's suite. They said you could comfortably squeeze around 15 people inside it. Still, I wouldn't like feeling claustrophobic.

Pros:

1. More pictures! Haha, need I say more? (I'm such a photo-addict)

2. They can capture details that my main photographer might not be able to.

Okay, that's basically it. More cons than pros, at least right now, haha. I wonder if I could tell the back up to just head straight for the church instead of going to the hotel? Maybe I could get a discount, haha.

Oh well, I'll probably just rely on my dear guests' amateur photos, hehe.

The Pre-Cana Experience

We had our pre-cana seminar at St. Peter the Apostle Parish yesterday. It had three parts. The 1st part was a middle-aged woman who lectured on the 10 Commandments and the 7 Sacraments. It was okay... a little redundant since we're pretty familiar with these already. The 2nd part was a couple who have been married for 28 years already. They talked of compatibility, the stages of a relationship, and the ups and downs of marriage. Their talk was pretty interesting, and I enjoyed seeing how they interacted with each other, the way they bantered and joked around. One of the things they advised was to think about the qualities your partner has that you love and list them down. Since there isn't a perfect marriage, there would be times when you need to read this list and remind yourself of these qualities. I thought it was a good idea, and I decided to list the things I love about Rogel...

1. He's really nice. I know nice seems such a boring description, but who wouldn't want someone nice to be her husband? He's the type of guy who doesn't mind driving his uncle, doing everyone's dishes, or running errands for his mom all the time.

2. He loves to cook for me, and he's a great cook! I wish I could cook like him.

3. He always offers me the last slice of cake.

4. He's really smart. Not merely bookish smart like me, but street smart as well.

5. He loves to sing to me.

6. He has spontaneous moments when he'd suddenly take me in his arms and dance with me.

7. He's very sweet and affectionate.

8. I know he's someone I can trust.

Hmm, I think that's enough for now. Anyway, the 3rd and last part was an old man who had been married for 52 years. He's quite old-fashioned, with rather ancient beliefs. I was a little irritated when he kept mentioning how wives should always maintain their figure 'coz men have roving eyes, and always like looking at attractive things. I wanted to retort that men should very well maintain their figure as well! (Though I didn't, 'coz he was already talking so slow, and I didn't want to prolong the talk any longer) And he even confided that he once cheated on his wife. She almost left him, but he asked forgiveness and promised not to do it again, and their relationship survived.

I truly hope that our marriage would stand all odds... and yet I also believe that there are some things that might not withstand a marriage. Infidelity, for one, is something I'm not sure would ever be forgivable in my eyes...

Rogel and I trust in our love for each other though. I hope and pray that we can stand whatever life brings us.

The Story of My Gown

I mentioned in a previous post that I changed my 'inspiration gown' to a new one, and this was what I asked my couturier to copy. So when I went back to Blanca's after two fittings, lo and behold, the gown was finished! I was so surprised. And stunned. 'Coz honestly, what they made was COMPLETELY different from the gown I asked them to copy! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I could only stare at the gown and wonder how they came up with it based on the design I gave them. I suppose the shape is the same... it's a tube with a sweetheart neckline and it's empire cut... I suppose the train is more or less the same length... but gosh, everything else is just... off.

Well, I suppose what they made really isn't BAD or anything. It's simply not what I expected. The gown was supposed to be made of lace, and I'm not sure if they even used lace. And the gown was supposed to have minimal bead work... only at the waist... but they filled the bodice with beads.

Blanca even asked for an additional 2k from our agreed upon price. Is it my fault she filled it with beads? She says she saw there were beads using her magnifying glass. She's always complaining that her eyesight's failing though. Just my luck.

Oh well. It's not really an ugly gown or anything. I think in time I just might start to like it. And I am determined to love it. The fit is pretty perfect. And I suppose I'm still glad that the design is concentrated on the top part.

I actually have a picture, but I don't want to post it right now. I'll post pictures after the wedding.

I also asked her to make a bolero. I like this design:


I told her to make a bolero of the same material. Told her to put minimal design on it. I don't think I can trust her to copy anything anymore.

Also, she changed the shade of red we agreed upon for the entourage gowns. It was supposed to be burgundy... she showed me the cloth she would use for my mom's gown before, and it was the right shade. She said she'll use for the same shade in satin cloth for the entourage.

She didn't.

Sigh... oh well, the shade isn't bad as well. It's more red than burgundy. But at least she did choose a nice type of cloth. This is the almost finished flower girl dress:


It just needs a gold ribbon at the waist. I like simple flower girl dresses. I don't like overwhelming designs that could overpower the cute faces of the girls.

Blanca says all the gowns will probably be finished by next week. Problem is, ALL of my entourage only submitted their measurements (none of them were taken by the couturier). Most of them are based abroad, others based in Cebu, one in Tarlac, another in Manila. I don't know what to do with their fittings. My sister, who's my MOH, is arriving on May 21 with my cousin, who's a secondary sponsor. And my wedding's on the 23rd!

These gowns are giving me a headache. I only hope that the gowns don't need much alterations.