We scheduled the pamanhikan on my Mom's birthday. Richard and his family came to visit and had lunch with us. It wasn't the formal pamanhikan yet but more like meeting of the parents. The first time they were introduced to one another was during my cousin Abi's wedding, And that was back in January 2008. We did discussed about the wedding date though.
Everything went well actually. We plan to schedule a second meeting by next year.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Wedding Date moved to 10.23.12
If I could just go back in time, I would have consulted my parents on our wedding date. I didn't realize that October 20 was my Grandmother's death anniversary. I definitely would not want my family to be having mixed emotions on my wedding day. Problem is, there's no other available schedule for Q3 and Q4 2012 in Caleruega. I had to choose from these dates: October 23, October 24, November 3, November 4. Mother didn't like November 3 and 4, it being so close to All Souls and All Saints Day. So we decided on October 23, which is a Tuesday. Ceremony is still scheduled in the morning.
So now, it's going to be a Destination Weekday Wedding :-)
Pros
Pros
- ambiance - trees, garden, nature, great scenery
- away from the hustle and bustle of the big city
- ideal for intimate and solemn affair/gathering
- can negotiate for cheaper rate from suppliers
- a lot of suppliers still available
- no traffic
- not all guests can attend but I can extend invite to everyone
- auspicious date (Sept 15 and Oct 20 was neither auspicious nor inauspicious)
- not a busy day
- wedding and honeymoon can be done in one week, 2nd week reserved for arranging things in new home
- limited reception venues
- travel time of guests
- coordination with suppliers
- out of town charges
- additional transportation costs
- church doesn't have that many inclusions
- not all guests can attend
- reception program ends 3pm, post-wedding celebration to be held elsewhere
Friday, October 21, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Wedding date moved to 10.20.12
Last time we went to Caleruega, we also checked possible reception venues inside the vicinity and even the rooms where we could stay on overnight.
Veritas Hall
Rooms
Two months has passed and we still have not decided on the reception venue. Others we've considered: Splendido, Sonya's Garden, Josephine's, Antonio's, Summit Ridge Hotel, other garden type venues. We weren't familiar with the other reception venues in Tagaytay that's near Caleruega.
Richard suggested we just go for Veritas Hall in Caleruega so our guests won't be inconvenienced of travelling from one location to another. Besides, they'll already go out of their way to attend our wedding, so we thought that we don't want them to travel anymore farther. Also, not many people are familiar with Tagaytay area. We risk having our guests arrive late for the reception or really hungry if they get lost. Something we really don't want to happen.
When I called Caleruega to reserve Veritas Hall, I was told that the venue has already been reserved for a school retreat. There's no other option for us but to move our wedding date where both the church and reception venue is still open.
That's when we decided to move our wedding date to October 20, 2012. It's still going to be a Saturday morning wedding. I have also reserved two twin rooms nearest the church. Our plan is to stay in Caleruega the day before the wedding.
Now, we have an extra month to prepare :-)
Veritas Hall
Rooms
Two months has passed and we still have not decided on the reception venue. Others we've considered: Splendido, Sonya's Garden, Josephine's, Antonio's, Summit Ridge Hotel, other garden type venues. We weren't familiar with the other reception venues in Tagaytay that's near Caleruega.
Richard suggested we just go for Veritas Hall in Caleruega so our guests won't be inconvenienced of travelling from one location to another. Besides, they'll already go out of their way to attend our wedding, so we thought that we don't want them to travel anymore farther. Also, not many people are familiar with Tagaytay area. We risk having our guests arrive late for the reception or really hungry if they get lost. Something we really don't want to happen.
When I called Caleruega to reserve Veritas Hall, I was told that the venue has already been reserved for a school retreat. There's no other option for us but to move our wedding date where both the church and reception venue is still open.
That's when we decided to move our wedding date to October 20, 2012. It's still going to be a Saturday morning wedding. I have also reserved two twin rooms nearest the church. Our plan is to stay in Caleruega the day before the wedding.
Now, we have an extra month to prepare :-)
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Our Dream Wedding
Like everyone else, I had my own visions of my ideal wedding. These are basically general ideas, nothing specific. I remember jotting these down in a planner way back in 2010 I think. So here goes...
Date & Time
Richard's Dream Wedding
Key words:
Date & Time
- September 15 (anniversary date)
- Saturday Wedding
- Morning Wedding (9 or 10am)
- Other options: January (our parents' anniversary), December; 4pm Wedding
- Air-conditioned, "maaliwalas" (sorry, could not think of a better term)
- Small venue, fit for intimate gathering
- Small entourage group
- String Quartet and Choir a must
- Ideal if we both personally knew the priest
- Meaningful liturgy
- Somewhat non-traditional program (not too long, not boring/dragging, no dramatic moments)
- Ideal if our host/emcee is a close friend of ours
- Options: Autumn/Fall colors (Orange, Red, Yellow, Brown), Pink and Brown, Peach & Green, Royal Blue/Navy Blue & White
- Key words: Natural and Effortless
- Casual, Relaxed, Laidback
- Light, Easy, Fun
- Hair down, half pony with the rest in wavy curls
- Inspiration: Judy Ann Santos, Kate Middleton
Richard's Dream Wedding
Key words:
- Classic
- Elegant
- Formal
- Traditional
- Intimate, Solemn affair/gathering
- Motif: Gold & White
- Not too grand/elaborate but a wedding that matches/fits our stature
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Weddings At Work
I'm officially a proud W@W member! :-)
A colleague suggested that I register in this forum/group because it helped them a lot when he and his wife were planning for their wedding. And so I did just that. I've read quite a number of supplier reviews/ratings and this has helped me come up with a shortlist. My fellow w@wies have been very kind enough to answer my inquiries and even offered several ideas/suggestions to my wedding preps.
Cheers to my fellow B2Bs! :-)
A colleague suggested that I register in this forum/group because it helped them a lot when he and his wife were planning for their wedding. And so I did just that. I've read quite a number of supplier reviews/ratings and this has helped me come up with a shortlist. My fellow w@wies have been very kind enough to answer my inquiries and even offered several ideas/suggestions to my wedding preps.
Cheers to my fellow B2Bs! :-)
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Transfiguration Chapel, Caleruega
We didn't immediately dive into the wedding preparations even after Richard proposed. I guess we're just trying to savor the feeling of being engaged :-) I also admitted to him that after I got the ring, I wasn't really in a hurry anymore to get married haha! Maybe it's just the ring I'm after ;-)
By this time, we both agreed to hold the wedding in 2012. Richard at first thought our wedding is going to be on September 2011 or January 2012 but I told him that it's just too soon.
Anyway, we decided to at least reserve the church and reception since this is the most important and these venues often get booked ahead of time.
Our first stop of course was Caleruega.
Upon inquiring, it turns out that September 15, 2012 is still open and it also happens to be a Saturday. Yay!
So there. We paid the initial downpayment to block the date for our wedding :-)
By this time, we both agreed to hold the wedding in 2012. Richard at first thought our wedding is going to be on September 2011 or January 2012 but I told him that it's just too soon.
Anyway, we decided to at least reserve the church and reception since this is the most important and these venues often get booked ahead of time.
Our first stop of course was Caleruega.
Upon inquiring, it turns out that September 15, 2012 is still open and it also happens to be a Saturday. Yay!
So there. We paid the initial downpayment to block the date for our wedding :-)
Monday, May 9, 2011
Wedding Church
Richard once told me that he would want to get married in Caleruega someday. As for me, I never really gave thought to my ideal wedding church or venue for the ceremony. Well, definitely it's going to be held in a church, as opposed to a beach or garden wedding.
Here's a list of Churches I initially considered:
Transfiguration Chapel, Caleruega
Manila Cathedral
St. John Bosco Parish
Santisimo Rosario Church (UST)
Nuestra Senora De Gracia
Santuario De San Antonio Parish
St. James the Great Parish
Blessed Sacrament Church (no picture)
From this list, ideal church would be Manila Cathedral. There's just something about an old church. It has a lot of history into it. It's also pretty much accessible to anyone. Minus points though - limited members in the entourage (depending on your package), too many wedding schedules in one day, and venue not very ideal for an intimate/solemn affair.
Here's a list of Churches I initially considered:
Transfiguration Chapel, Caleruega
Manila Cathedral
St. John Bosco Parish
Santisimo Rosario Church (UST)
Nuestra Senora De Gracia
Santuario De San Antonio Parish
St. James the Great Parish
Blessed Sacrament Church (no picture)
From this list, ideal church would be Manila Cathedral. There's just something about an old church. It has a lot of history into it. It's also pretty much accessible to anyone. Minus points though - limited members in the entourage (depending on your package), too many wedding schedules in one day, and venue not very ideal for an intimate/solemn affair.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
2012 Auspicious Wedding Dates
Here are some of the things we considered before choosing the wedding date.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8shdzff7fBnS_vqzE6FNsRRWAmWZEHwuiA4wia99gjSCuwuxQIppKYzgL_BiwLekrUzg10i6yW9znzHj6AFy_0MF94UN1PA9DW0XdmUuJKZipYG7TF3HGjzvOvxYmLyDepe87pSNMyng/s1600/Auspicious-wedding-2012.jpg
http://voyager8.blogspot.com/2010/12/inauspicious-dates-to-avoid-for_15.html
http://www.herongyang.com/chinese/wedding/wedding_dates_2012.html
http://www.bestgiftsforwedding.com/blog/chinese-marriage/auspicious-wedding-dates-chinese-marriage/auspicious-wedding-dates-2012.html
- Year
- According to Feng Shui, this should be the bride/groom's animal sign but preferably groom since he's the chief breadwinner
- 2012 - Year of the Dragon (Richard)
- 2020 - Year of the Rat (Diana)
- Lucky Numbers
- 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 26, 27, 28, 29
- 8 represents love and infinity
- 9 represents eternity and fulfillment
- Availability of Church
- Availability of Reception
- Guests outside Manila/Philippines
- Work
- Period (yes, this is also a factor hehe)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8shdzff7fBnS_vqzE6FNsRRWAmWZEHwuiA4wia99gjSCuwuxQIppKYzgL_BiwLekrUzg10i6yW9znzHj6AFy_0MF94UN1PA9DW0XdmUuJKZipYG7TF3HGjzvOvxYmLyDepe87pSNMyng/s1600/Auspicious-wedding-2012.jpg
http://voyager8.blogspot.com/2010/12/inauspicious-dates-to-avoid-for_15.html
http://www.herongyang.com/chinese/wedding/wedding_dates_2012.html
http://www.bestgiftsforwedding.com/blog/chinese-marriage/auspicious-wedding-dates-chinese-marriage/auspicious-wedding-dates-2012.html
Friday, April 15, 2011
I'm engaged! Woohoo! :-)
I have never been more motivated to step on that treadmill and get serious with my Fit n' Fab project. I seriously need to lose weight before the Big Day.
Anyway, what got me curious is why Richard decided to propose on my birthday. I had thoughts of a romantic/candlelit dinner or even him proposing on our anniversary (around September). But this was totally unexpected. Well, I guess that was the plan. To caught me offguard :-)
He picked me up after work and I asked him this question. He said that he was actually thinking of proposing in May, after my Singapore trip and after his US business trip. But that's going to be like 2-3 weeks that we won't see each other. Everything happened spontaneously. He started calling people that day to share his plans of proposing. And he bought the ring also on the same day before going to our house.
Hmm...so that explains why he was late to arrive :-)
Anyway, what got me curious is why Richard decided to propose on my birthday. I had thoughts of a romantic/candlelit dinner or even him proposing on our anniversary (around September). But this was totally unexpected. Well, I guess that was the plan. To caught me offguard :-)
He picked me up after work and I asked him this question. He said that he was actually thinking of proposing in May, after my Singapore trip and after his US business trip. But that's going to be like 2-3 weeks that we won't see each other. Everything happened spontaneously. He started calling people that day to share his plans of proposing. And he bought the ring also on the same day before going to our house.
Hmm...so that explains why he was late to arrive :-)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Proposal
This is it! Richard finally got down on one knee and proposed! :-)
I thought this day would never come (phew). I have been hoping to get engaged since September 2010 but he never popped the question.
Richard proposed on my 27th birthday. We had a small party at our house. We invited relatives, friends and neighbors to come celebrate with us. Not only was it my birthday celebration but my sister also graduated from college. And a Magna Cum Laude no less!
Anyway, his working hours is only until 5pm and so I thought he'll be one of the guests to arrive early. It was already past 7pm and still no sign of him. I wasn't really worried because I did request him to buy ice cream. Thinking that he's still in the grocery or maybe stuck in traffic, I continued to chat with the guests.
My cousin Abi and her husband Joseph was also at the party. Joseph is one of Richard's closest buddy. And while we were eating, he kept hinting that the next celebration is coming soon. I took no notice though because guests kept coming in and I would often leave our table to greet them.
It was already past 9pm when Abi interrupted my conversation with a neighbor to pull me outside our house. She said that Richard wanted to talk to me. I was confused because he could have just talked to me inside our house. Outside, I saw him getting something inside the car. I thought it was his gift to me. Abi and Joseph were on the sidelines just watching. Then Abi pulled out her Samsung Galaxy Tab and Joseph his phone and began filming us!
Richard was just standing there, all smiles, and I sensed that he's unsure how to make the next move. He handed me a small gift bag but it was empty. Then he suddenly knelt down and took out a heart-shaped box from his pocket and showed me the most beautiful engagement ring (gasp!)
I barely heard him say "Will you marry me?" because Abi and Joseph were laughing and cheering in the background. I said "Yes!" of course and he slipped the ring into my finger :-)
Yay! We're engaged! The forecast is true after all :-)
I would also like to share the edited version of the video. Since all you can hear in the background (original file) are cheers and laughter, I replaced it with music instead. There were also 3 separate files and I decided to just put them all together. Hope you guys enjoy watching as much as I did :-)
I thought this day would never come (phew). I have been hoping to get engaged since September 2010 but he never popped the question.
Richard proposed on my 27th birthday. We had a small party at our house. We invited relatives, friends and neighbors to come celebrate with us. Not only was it my birthday celebration but my sister also graduated from college. And a Magna Cum Laude no less!
Anyway, his working hours is only until 5pm and so I thought he'll be one of the guests to arrive early. It was already past 7pm and still no sign of him. I wasn't really worried because I did request him to buy ice cream. Thinking that he's still in the grocery or maybe stuck in traffic, I continued to chat with the guests.
My cousin Abi and her husband Joseph was also at the party. Joseph is one of Richard's closest buddy. And while we were eating, he kept hinting that the next celebration is coming soon. I took no notice though because guests kept coming in and I would often leave our table to greet them.
It was already past 9pm when Abi interrupted my conversation with a neighbor to pull me outside our house. She said that Richard wanted to talk to me. I was confused because he could have just talked to me inside our house. Outside, I saw him getting something inside the car. I thought it was his gift to me. Abi and Joseph were on the sidelines just watching. Then Abi pulled out her Samsung Galaxy Tab and Joseph his phone and began filming us!
Richard was just standing there, all smiles, and I sensed that he's unsure how to make the next move. He handed me a small gift bag but it was empty. Then he suddenly knelt down and took out a heart-shaped box from his pocket and showed me the most beautiful engagement ring (gasp!)
I barely heard him say "Will you marry me?" because Abi and Joseph were laughing and cheering in the background. I said "Yes!" of course and he slipped the ring into my finger :-)
Yay! We're engaged! The forecast is true after all :-)
I would also like to share the edited version of the video. Since all you can hear in the background (original file) are cheers and laughter, I replaced it with music instead. There were also 3 separate files and I decided to just put them all together. Hope you guys enjoy watching as much as I did :-)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Forecast for 2011 (The Rat)
After work, I went to SM Makati to do a bit of window shopping. And I saw people gathered around a huge board that listed the 2011 Forecast for the Chinese Zodiac/Astrology signs. Out of curiosity, I moved closer and read the forecast for The Rat. Here's what it said:
I have never felt so happy! I really hope this is going to be my year hehe! :-)
Found several links online too regarding this forecast.
http://www.chinaculture.org/focus/focus/2011springfestival/2011-01/27/content_404993_2.htm
http://www.swfcabin.com/swf-files/1299379780.swf
http://www.capitol-restaurant.com/zodiac/rat.htm
On the love and romance side of life, there could be cause for celebration during the year in the form of an engagement, wedding or birth. July, August, December and January will be particularly special months.
Found several links online too regarding this forecast.
http://www.chinaculture.org/focus/focus/2011springfestival/2011-01/27/content_404993_2.htm
http://www.swfcabin.com/swf-files/1299379780.swf
http://www.capitol-restaurant.com/zodiac/rat.htm
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