Wedding Preps: Gown, Invitations, Wedsite

Since May 1 is a holiday, Richard and I decided to schedule an appointment with Boy Kastner Santos. I learned about Tito Boy in W@W and read a lot of very positive reviews and feedback about him. Also, a good friend and officemate shared her experience when she visited the shop of Tito Boy in Cavite. Even before we went there, I sort of had an idea already about his personality, his style and price range :-)

We arrived past 10am and saw that he had several clients lined up. Even with his hectic schedule, Tito Boy was very accommodating. He asked for my pegs and when I showed him my portfolio he said that the styles I've picked are...well...shall we say, outdated and old-fashioned. He said it in a nice way though and I liked that about him. He's honest but not too criticizing of my taste. But he was right. I got my designs online and they're basically your typical wedding gown style. I just typed a-line wedding gown or strapless wedding gown in Google search and downloaded pictures that I liked. I just feel that the gowns featured in wedding magazines and bridal fairs are a little too much for me. I don't think I can pull off a frou-frou skirt/ruffled skirt or a heavily beaded gown.

Pegs

I asked Tito Boy if he can come up with a design for me. After studying my frame, he began to sketch my gown. When he showed the design, guess what, we loved it! :-) I think he also based the design with my pegs. He had an idea that what I wanted is a simple, classic but elegant wedding gown. He kept it simple, classic and elegant but with a modern touch. Tito Boy also suggested a champagne-colored wedding gown so that it matches our color motif of Gold and White. After discussing with us the rate for my gown and for Richard's barong, we agreed to set another meeting to firm up the details.

Next in our agenda is to check the invitations store in Alabang Town Center. I had Written in Ink (WINK) and Jay Cee Kay on my list. We couldn't find WINK in ATC but saw Jay Cee Kay. There was one design I particularly liked from the catalogue but it costs Php180/set. With 100 pieces minimum order, this will amount to Php18,000. Hmm...we'll scout for other suppliers first before deciding on the invites.

Later that afternoon, I decided to work on our wedding website.  Please click the link to check it out.

http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding/UserViewWebsiteIntro?wid=1b2848591de0d50c&pid=c04a8af37ad8ec1b&themeCode=

or type http://www.weddingwire.com/richarddiana

Med Consultation, Invitations

Now that I'm about to have my own family, one item I included in my pre-wedding to-do list was to see an Ob-Gyne. I would want to get pregnant soon and wanted to know if there's anything I should be doing right now to ensure I deliver a healthy baby and not encounter any pregnancy-related complications in the future.

To cut a long story short, I didn't like the Ob-Gyne (at Makati Medical Center) and just told myself to schedule another appointment with a different Doctor, preferably one referred by a friend.

Another agenda I had in mind was to check samples of Invitations. I went to see Printed Matter in Glorietta and QP Designs in ParkSquare. Printed Matter was more modern and edgy in style while QP Designs is more traditional.

There were designs that I liked from both stores and will just ask Richard to come with me to check them out.

Pre-Cana Seminar Part 1

After a year of being engaged, it's time to get serious with the wedding preps. We haven't really accomplished much last year except for booking the church and reception venue.

I called Caleruega to check if they have any schedules for the pre-cana seminar but was told that they're very busy with school retreats. Next I called Don Bosco church but they said that they only accommodate couples who are getting married in their church.

Finally I called Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal National Shrine and was informed that they have pre-cana seminar scheduled on April 15 and May 6.

The April 15 session was for the whole day (9am-4pm). It was a meaningful session where the couples were asked several questions about their relationship, challenges, likes/dislikes etc. It was more of a sharing session.

Weddings & Beyond Bridal Fair

The first bridal fair I've attended for the Year 2012 :-)

Went all by myself because Richard had to attend his class in UST. He's a part-time Professor at the Graduate School by the way.

There were the usual suppliers. This time though, I was able to attend the food tasting session of Center Table catering. Two thumbs up! The food was delicious and set-up was fabulous. Wished Richard was there with me.

Meeting of Parents

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.

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

• 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

Cons

• 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

2nd Ocular Visit