The Wedding of My Dreams...

the lobby of our reception area...

It was the wedding of my dreams... A very happy moment for us and our families... I was the relaxed bride, ever so jolly. Just imagine, it's now the turn of the wedding coordinator to celebrate her own wedding... nice one, right? Since everything was well prepared, I felt like I had nothing to worry about, even if our main photographer got a little late, there was no stressed bone on my body. I took everything in stride. It was my day, and I wasn't going to spoil it for the world.

Being the ever so-prepared bride, I had everything in place, and as a bonus, the team which I hired to supervise our event were all sooo smart and dependable. Believe me, I was laughing all day, smiling at all these wonderful people, making my suppliers kulit so they'd have their lunch first before they start working on me.Weeks before, I've arranged all our DIY accessories for the reception and the ceremony.. I felt so excited just imaging how my Do-It-Yourself crafts would look at the table once they're all set...

our guest table... nice, ei?

my DIY flowergirl's tin bucket...

my diy-candle holder... wait, where's the kissing bell?

our personalized table napkins...

our DIY-wine bags & place cards... =)

our chocolate fountain... delish!!

It also helped that I had an awesome dream team with me on my special day.. Tita Princess & Eric were there to do my make up and hair, my back up photographers Marco & Gerard were on time, taking turns & finding angles and shots they could make use of.. Edward Teng's staff was ever so dependable prepping up my heavily-beaded wedding gown as early as 9:30 am.

Edward Teng's staff Ate Cita prepping up my gown..

Love, Beth and Kaye, got into action as soon as they arrived at 10am, fetching all of our souvenirs and doing a rundown on my "must-bring" accessories... I handed over to them the acknowledgement receipts e and the balance - payments of some of our suppliers which I personally prepared. . Of course, there was down-t0-earth Jason Magbanua , our videographer who I made kulit because me and my good friend Hyacinth (who is in the States) are both starstruck with him and his works... I was even giggling on the phone with Hya while I updated my facebook. In short, I had nothing to worry about. I was literally in good hands. Everyone was in a relaxed mood, even watching "JAWS" at Star Movies..

my dream team busily watching "JAWS".. hihihi

It was literally stress-free until I got to the church. I started feeling nervous only when I got off the horse-drawn carriage and was about to walk down to my waiting groom.. So that was how it must felt for every walking bride.. Mommy and my cousin Bobby rode with me at my Cinderella-coach, and just after my mom disappeared at the hallway to meet my dad, my knees suddenly turned into jelly. (I'd like to think strawberry jelly this time) As I faintly heard "Canon in D", I realized that my entourage were slowly walking down one by one, and that Leihson was already waiting near the altar...

my super beautiful bridesmaid, Arni... (Charmed One)

my gorgeous cousins Bibsy, candle sponsor Joan & Matron of Honor Beegel

my goddess-like beautiful cousin Jates, our veil sponsor...

my Kuya Borge & my angelic cord sponsor, Pamela...

When I heard my cue (The Prayer), the door opened for me and swirls of smoke came out and I started walking... ever so slowly, the slowest walk of my life that is. (one, two, one, two, just as Eric, my hairdo fairy instructed)... As you all know, I walk three times the average normal walk of a person so this is a first. I couldn't remember any of it anymore as it turned out like a blurr to me, all I could see was my parents and Leih waiting for me... anticipating....

here comes the bride..

As I was walking, I was telling myself, "I'm not going to cry"... though tears startied welling up at the corners of my eyes... My parents met me halfway down the aisle and "delivered" me to Leih who was teary-eyed yet all smiles at the front...

can't seem to let go of my folks..

When it was my turn to say goodbye to Mommy and Daddy, my tears just rolled down instantly. I couldn't muster the courage to control myself. My chest was choking, I was out of air, I felt like bawling... I couldn't seem to get past Daddy... I just can't... I hugged him tightly and kissed him.. i suddenly felt sad and anxious at the same time, I knew Daddy was trying to calm himself so he just hugged me back, ever so tightly as he patted my back... And then they said, lot of people stared crying as well... ( as I am writing this, I am in tears, just recalling that memorable walk)..

on our way out of the church...

me and my groom, Leihson...

The ceremony was so solemn, so hearfelt.. Fr. Sel Hernandez gave us his homily in Tagalog so it meant a lot more meaningful to us... It was "tagos to the bone" as they say. And just after the priest announced "You May Kiss The Bride", Leih, my husband, gave me our first kiss as a newly-wedded couple, and then he kissed me again on my forehead and hugged me tightly. It was surreal. It was full of respect and love. It was more than I could ask..sharing our first kiss...

the newly-married couple...

Truly, it was the wedding of my dreams... My family was there, my aunts (Mommy Abut & Mommy Chenggoy) came home from abroad just to be there on my wedding day..and of couse, almost all my cherished friends were present, save for some who weren't able to make it.. Even a few of my best best friends ( Hya, Ghia, Mai) were away but still, I know deep in my heart that their thoughts are with me...

It was a beautiful bountiful celebration that came after wards. Surely you wouldn't want to miss the "first dance" which we painstakingly practiced with our patient choreographer, Dustin. I'm not sure how it looked at the reception, but I'm grateful that I was able to get Leih to dance in front of so many people. That was enough effort on his part and I applaud that..

our first dance... to the tune of "Sway"...

my dad and my dearest Nanay Luz who gave us personalized pastillas wrappers..

as Jason Magbanua's onsite video was being shown...

We are just so happy our wedding's finally over.... beautifully & very successfully done.. All our efforts paid off, I should say... All those hardwork I put on these preparations paid off. It was a good thing I started on early with our planning. It pays to be a wedding coordinator, INDEED!

Now, I'm a Mrs.... =) Yay!!! I couldn't be any less happier... =)