Wedding Ice Breaker: Zach Cozying Up....

I was planning to watch Harry Potter today but because the heavy rains haven't ceased, I decided to just stay at home and tend to my Multiply site as it needed a lot of updating.

I didn't notice how long I stayed in front of my laptop that I forgot to tend to my baby doggie, Zach. Whenever I'm home, I would find time to play and cuddle with him. I must have forgotten about Zach coz I got busy making blogs all day...I just realized he climbed up to my bed and snuggled himself soundly on one of my fluffy pillows. He must have been so cozy he didn't notice I was taking pictures of him..

Here he is.... =)

Attaining That Flawless Complexion...

Since I thought we'd be having our prenups, I decided to have a facial yesterday. I felt so flattered when my dermatologist commented on my skin, she even asked me what regimen I follow to maintain good skin elasticity. Don't get me wrong, I don't have perfect skin, once in a while I worry about a zit or two especially since I have very fine skin you can almost see thru it, not to add I have skin asthma... (kita na yong mga tiny veins as in) but one thing noticeable was it improved tremendously as I rarely get breakout nowadays.. It got me thinking, could it be genes? A possibility perhaps.. But I'm thinking there's a more valid reason for the improvement... The fact that I don't wear make up contributes a lot to why my skin doesn't break out as much, I presume.. And how I keep it always clean and moisturized may count as one effective factor. Just like any other girl, I have naturally oily skin, but as what my derma says, it's far off better than having dry skin... All we need to do is keep it well-maintained and we're good..


When I started my routine a year ago, my skin has showed vast improvement. I make it a habit to religiously drink Carrot & Cucumber juice in the morning, and one full glass of freshly-squeezed Orange juice at lunch. This intake of Vitamin C not only made my skin notcieably smoother & healthier, it also helped boost my immune system. By far, I believe there's nothing better than the natural way...

Oh well, I'm starting to ramble again... Just wanted to share a few secrets to help other friends longing to have skin they could very well be proud of. To think we may hit two birds with one stone, you've got nothing to lose if you try, right?

My Postponed Tagaytay Prenup

I feel a little frustrated on how our supposed "Prenup" today got moved to August 2 because of the unpredictable weather.. Leih and I have been to different places the past weeks looking for a venue for our Prenup with Marco. And just as we were about to book Nurture Spa, sudden thoughts of Tagaytay Highlands came over me, I started imagining the cable cars, the magnificent landscapes and the sumptuous food they serve there.... Hence, Tagaytay Highlands it is!!!!

The well-known Tagaytay Highlands

Good thing I was able to get someone to endorse us though honestly, I feel we went kinda overboard with the budget considering we had to shoulder four heads including Marco and his assistant. Seems like God's will that they were able to squeeze in four more people in the reservation list. I was feeling a little stingy but then Leihson ~ my ever so galant partner, was again attentive enough to salvage my building guilt and gave me the approving look and the thumbs up as soon as we paid my endorser in full.

my five different outfits for our prenup...

Everything is all set. Leih even purchased two more long sleeved outfits and I got four new ones, mostly of color purple to suit our motif. (talk about excited). My four pairs of shoes are all packed and I even got a new lipstick and face powder since I'm not hiring a make up artist. I'm going for the natural look, good luck to me... (haha)

Now, all we have to do is wait for two more weeks and hopefully, just hopefully, this weather finally cooperates.. Two weeks seem like years to me... For now, I may just have to learn to be more patient... (if only I can buy patience... dang..)

Scouting For The Perfect Prenup Site...

We've been quite busy scouting for places for our prenup session with Marco Malaca. The fact that my back-up photographer is very good at capturing landscapes, I thought it would be best to have our prenup somewhere in Tagaytay. It would beat two purposes, not only for our prenup but it would be our form of retreat from the busy work routine we all have.

I was able to capture a few shots from Nurture Spa Tagaytay, a small wellness village which promises a tranquil experience for those looking physical rejuvination...

Here are some random shots of the garden and the Ifugao huts they have amazingly maintained...

On Supplier's Meals and Sealing Waxes...

Upon leaving Vivere Hotel, we went straight to Alabang Town Center. I for one was craving for a turkey ham sandwich, which honestly, I do not know where to buy... We ended up buying something else instead.. We found 3 sets of sealing wax colored lilac and pink, all at PowerBooks...

Another accomplished task I consider...

the sealing wax courtesy of PowerBooks..

We then proceeded to Contis Restaurant at BF Homes to have an early dinner. I was more than happy afterwards, Contis is probably one of the best comfort food I know... We also inquired about their bulk meal orders for our suppliers' meals on Dec. 5....(though we haven't decided yet as we are still looking for other prospective suppliers)

I should say today, we've accomplished a few things on our checklist... It feels much better knowing we're doing just as fine on the preps... Makes me feel that we're on top of thingS. =)

Booking Vivere Suites

Leih and I have finally decided to make our reservations for 2 bridal prep rooms at the Vivere Hotel. I just fell in love with its cozy romantic atmosphere... The rooms looked spacious enough for us and our suppliers, and they even allowed a 3-hour additional time for check out since the ceremony would start at 4:30 pm.

the regal suite bedroom

the living room of the regal suite

We're eyeing the Sky Line for additional prenup pictorials. The view here at night is just divine... I remember the first time we went here together to have dinner, it was our first anniversary... Boy, was it oh-so romantic... I would love to do it again.. =)

dining at the Vivere SkyLine

Center Table Food Tasting ...

Leih and I spent our evening on a grand food tasting at Fernbrook Gardens, courtesy of Center Table... We met Jenny P. (our A.E) to finalize the contract and the list of menus we want for Dec. 5... And again, I'm just so satisfied just like my first food tasting with them (with my mom) last year.. I loved all the courses they prepared most especially their Lengua Con Champignon.. The variety of menus we tasted were all so sumptuous and delicious... I'm even wishing they'd open up a resto so we could visit them once in a while...

Leih was just as overwhelmed as I was... Somehow, talking to Jenny and the daughter's owner, Rica Valera, eased a big part of our worries for that very day... They were very accomodating and most importantly, the food and the set up were all worth every penny. Ratings?? 11 out of 10...


I have posted a few of the centerpieces and deserts that they displayed this evening. Most of these are just basic arrangements so just imagine how beautiful it would be once we get an upgrade... But judging from these centerpieces, I'm leaning on not to upgrade anymore as they are just magnificent all the same...

I'm feeling, we made a good decision in getting Center Table... It's probably one of the best choices

Leih and I made so far. HANDS UP to you CENTER TABLE.....

A Wedding Ice-Breaker From Zach

And so the tedious task of preparing for the wedding has started to hit us back.. I would find myself falling asleep while online with my w@w sisters until the wee hours of the morning... (sorry for that) I think I'm in so much need for sleep lately... and so does my baby doggie, Zach...

good thing he smells like a baby... =)

He made sure he sneaked himself on to my bed and on to my pillow, specifically on my head where he slept leisurely, snoring at my ear and loving the warmth I provided... I couldn't stop from smiling whenever I see this... It's just so cute....

Our Search For "The" Wishing Well....

Leih and I are still on the look-out for the perfect wishing well... Although we could just order one of these samples online, we still decided to look for some cheaper alternative since we'll be using it only once. I don't see the need to spend more than a hundred dollars for a cute wishing well.. (definitely not..)

And so, the search has begun... But hey, it ain't a sin to salivate over these beautifully-crafted wells... What do you thinK?

a white wishing well with lavender touches.. perfect...

I just fell in love with the floral embellishments on this one...

an off-white painted wishing well with yellow balloons

a beautifully-done Capidamonte porcelain wishing well... I just love this one...

or a beautiful bird cage for a change???

and last but not the least, the ivory-embroidered chest box.... perfect...

The Bride Wars Effect

I must admit, it's been a while since I last saw a real movie. I had tons of things to do and going out to chill has been more like a luxury for me the past few months.

This morning, after having done with my chores at home, I watched "Bride Wars" on DVD. Had I known this was a good one, I would have marched down Greenbelt to see it. It was funny and silly and emotionally dragging (at least some parts)... But it brought me down to a few tears, good thing Leih was nowhere to see my humiliating crying fiesta. Suddenly, I missed my best friends who are now living abroad. (sad).



It made me realize how weddings could bring so much pressure on brides.. Sometimes, girls tend to lose the very essence of why they're getting married by becoming so focused and sometimes even "OC" with the gown, the preparations and all. It's somehow saddening .... Being a coordinator myself and now a part of an online wedding community, I've seen a few who have turned into bridezillas..

I've seen brides-to-be going nuts over simple things like finding the "perfect dress," and bombarding everyone with worries about how their receptions are going to look like, and the list goes on.. Some even become so competitive with other brides... Personally, I think it's normal for every engaged woman to be this excited and inquisitive but not to the point that they'd "overkill" just to get their way.

I hope in the end, it's the real purpose of being blessed and becoming one with the " right man" than just wanting to be the center attraction of a big event. I hope we won't lose the very essence of why we're getting married in the first place..

After all, it's just one day, I have read this somewhere and this applies: "A wedding is just one day, a marriage is a lifetime..."

A Bride-To-Be's Best Friend...

As I was cleaning my room this morning, I rummaged through my cabinet and found these magazines neatly stashed in my box. I didn't even realize I started collecting these magzines as early as 2006,2 years before Leih came into my life.... I was newly-single back then and was having the time of my life.

there's more from where this came from..

It donned to me, there is something about weddings that spark up my interest so much. I'm just greatly fascinated with it and the things associated with it like the preps and all, even the DIY's... It seems true for most girls that it is in our DNA's, similar to men's love for cars...

I feel grateful for the publishers for sending out these "wedding bibles" as these have truly helped brides-t0-be like me conceptualize and create that wonderful "one day" worth remembering...

I'm definitely keeping these even after our Big Day's over...

Finally Moving On....

Finally, we're moving on with the preps!!! We've settled the balance with one of our major suppliers ~ Fernbrook Gardens... 'met Emily yesterday and handed over to her our "cash envelope"... There's no turning back on this one anymore.. (LOL)

It was a little humid yesterday so we opted not to roam around too much. Good thing, Leih and I saw the insides of Byzantine 1 & 2 being lavishly decorated for a 6pm reception. It' felt nice just watching the place transform as the events people worked their magic on it. Flowers were everywhere, it was gorgeous... I couldn't imagine how it would be on our wedding day... =)

Emily also gave us an endorsement letter for Vivere Suites, and a bundle of directional maps (100 pieces) for the invitation.

I say, this wedding prep is really getting back on its feet.. A good sign, don't you think?.

Personalized Wedding Napkins....

I don't think I've posted our personalized wedding napkins here on my site...

This came along with the place card holders Leih sent thru LBC.

I love the color... It's so us... =)

Ayha & Leih.... Forever...

Wedding Preps Back On Track

It seems just like yesterday when we started on our wedding preps. And now, we have only 6 months to go and our big day's finally arriving... We've started finalizing the details and the settlements with some of our suppliers.

I managed to arrange all of our payments in separate envelopes. I also put the specific details for each supplier. It makes me feel more organized and on top of things. Besides, mas madaling magbayad coz we get spared from the confusion of dividing our money and to whom this cash goes to... Less hassle..

the individually prepared cash envelopes for our suppliers...

By the way, here's a few of what we have completed so far...

Center Table Catering:
Check! We've paid them in full already last May at the bridal fair. Half of it we put on a check due on November.

Fernbrook Gardens:
Check!!!! I'll be meeting up with my AE Emily in the afternoon.. The balance is ready to be handed over tomorrow. Fully paid na kami ... whew... Task completed...

Edward Teng (Bridal Gown and Ento's Evening Gowns)
Check! Paid more than half of our dues. The balance is already neatly stacked in a sealed envelope.

Scenta Flora Events Management:
Check. Balance is already prepared in a sealed envelope.

Eros Portraits: Check.

Jason Magbanua: Check!

JJS Entertainment: Check.

Dynasty Wines: Check.

Vienna Cakes: Check.

Wedding Bands: Check! Check!

Princess Misa H: Check!!!!!

What else? with the wedding paraphernalias like the embellished wedding napkins, the place card holders, the fairytale pillow, flower girl buckets, the bears, the arrhae, the coins, the wedding shoes (3), the kissing bells, all of them: CHECK!!!!!!!



Tomorrow, we'll be settling our arrangement with Mr. Joebert Sixto for our mood lights and moving heads. We have yet to finalize how the lighting design would look like.... I'm happy though that we're finally moving on with the wedding preparations.. We're almost complete na... I hope we get everything settled a month before our big day...

Wedding preps can indeed be tedious but personally, it's a lot of fun..

.

DIY Kissing Bells? Check!!!

Finally, Leih and I are done with our kissing bells... It felt so good having him to help me with our DIY wedding crafts. He was very eager to do his part on everything involving our wedding. In fairness, he was very patient, wala kong narinig na complaint, and take note, the task took us only a matter of minutes to complete. Indeed, four hands are better than two. (LOL)

Leih: "One down, two more bells to go... haaay..."

I'm kinda in the mood to do more DIY stuff, only we're done on almost everything so far... =)

Here are our kissing bells, specially done by my husband-to-be Leih (hands up to you baby)
and yours truly.... (bow)

MY DIY Wedding Bible...

I just finished our DIY wedding bible... At first, I was clueless on what to do with it, but after I saw this lovely pink paper, I thought of improvising with the help of a few flowers and feathers I have in my box. All I want is a simple design with my favorite color in it... And of course, the "touch of feather" was again present, just like with my kissing bells...

my pink fairy-tale inspired wedding bible...

I love the result by the way.. I'm thinking of embellishing it with butterflies and more flowers, but that's after I find the perfect butterflies for my bible... =)

Our Metro Weddings Prize

Just when I thought Metro Weddings' promos are a fake, a big blessing just came ringing on my mobile. I won... I can't believe it. Today, I went to ABS-CBN with my ever-patient Leih to finally claim the Cathy Valencia Skin & Body Clinic Gift Certificates worth {P9,000.00). Yeah, I am one of the ten winners of this promo. All I ever sent was a short essay and I'm glad to say, I got chosen..

We've already planned when we'll be using these GCs. Since Alabang is just 30 minutes away from us, we may avail our freebies there.

This is a great first wedding gift, and to think it's from Metro Weddings... Leih and I are just so thrilled...

Our First Bridal Fair Together....

I woke up late this morning as I wasn't expecting we'd be going out. Last night, Leih couldn't confirm to me whether we'd be attending the SMX CELEBRATIONS Bridal Fair. He knew I felt sad but then, what can I do, right? I've attended a few bridal fairs without him and I was hoping this would be our first together.


Leih woke me up with a message telling me we'd be leaving before 10. I was so happy I was smiling at the shower.. On our way to the fair, I asked him what changed his mind. He simply said, he knew how badly I wanted to go and he couldn't bear to see me sad. (Awwww) I wanted to hug him right then. The bridal fair wasn't as busy as last year. There weren't too many people so we managed to sneak at all the photobooths and got to taste a few cake samples. It wasn't what we expected, but it wasn't that bad for Leih's first time.
]
We're looking forward to our next bridal fair. It's something that I've grown a liking for. And I sooo love the cakes. That's the best part. =)

My Entourage's Gorgeous Gown Sketches

Our appointment with Edward Teng today was truly very appeasing. I had almost all my female entourage with us, except for Pam who was unable to take a leave from her Nursing Board Review. We opted to leave early in the morning to avoid the heavy traffic, and just on time, we arrived at the Bridal Shop as scheduled. My girls took turns in having their measurements taken, and gorgeous evening gowns were designed for each of them, suiting their figures and personalities.

A few weeks ago, I was going ga-ga on who to get to make my Entourage's gowns. I was hoping we could get a less pricey dress but it seemed not even one of the designers I inquired with got our complete approval. Leih and I then decided to finally go for Edward Teng no matter the price, thinking it's all going to be worth what we paid for anyway. This is probably one of our best decisions ever as I felt so satisfied with the designs they gave me, plus the quality of chiffon and silk that they'd be using on my beautiful girls. The gowns are sure to get "ooohs" and "aaahs" on our wedding day. I sholuld know, 'coz I felt the same way this morning upon seeing our sketches.

We had a hearty lunch at Contis in Greenhills afterwards, all 8 of us including my other cousin Charles and his cousin Pepey.. Leih and I felt so relieved upon going home. We've accomplished one major task. We can now work on the next one. Yipppeeee!!!!

Our Catholic Engaged Encounter

Leih and I just came home from Tahanan Village, Paranaque... Today was the last day of our Catholic Engaged Encounter Seminar. For two days, we lacked sleep as we would be up by 4am. The seminar starts at 7am so we had to allot some time for travel.

Honestly, the lack of sleep and the traveling time was very tiring for the both of us, but this I say... The CEE was well worth our 2-day sacrifice. It was an eye-opener. Indeed, there is much to marriage that most engaged couples do not realize. Most of us get so caught up with the wedding preparations, we tend to forget the very essence of the sacrament. We went home with our certificates, and an unforgettable experience with some of our engaged "classmates"....

What we learned from the past two days will be immeasurable.. I'm just glad we took the time for CEE. Now I can say, we're more than sure we want to take the next step...

Our Very First Anniversary

Today, Judy Ann Santos & Ryan Agoncillo tied the knot.... It also happens to be the anniversary of Sharon & Kiko Pangilinan, and Richard and Lucy Torres... And guess what, today, we celebrated our very first anniversary!! April 28 truly marks moments worth remembering for most people, including us. ...

On our Anniversary, Leih surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of roses and star gazer which he and his mom bought directly from Dangwa, very early in the morning...


He woke up at 2 am just to surprise me at work with these lovely flowers, together with a big breakfast that he prepared just for me.

I'm just so blessed to have such a sweet and thoughtful partner like Leihson.. With him, I couldn't ask for anything more...

Friendship Blogger Award

Thanks Sis Lorna for giving me this award :) I'm passing this on to my other sisters: Abi, Janice, Maan, Sieggy, Krisel, Georgia, Candy, Arvee, Carla, & Kim...

The rules are so easy:
1. Place the logo / banner on your blog.
2. Add a link to the blog who gave the award.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to the blogs that you have nominated.
5. Let them know by leaving a message (shout) on their blogs.

Meeting The Designer....

Today, Leih and I went to Edward Teng and finally had our measurements taken. My gown's design looked so divine, I couldn't help but smile when I look at it... I feel more excited as I can't imagine how it will look on my wedding day. We'll be back at the end of this month for my first fitting. It will only be the base or inside of the gown. If it fits me well, they'd be working on the real gown itself and the beadings which may take a few months to complete... Leih and I couldn't hide our excitement as we looked at the designs...

I'll be scheduling my entourage's gowns next... =)

Prenup Pics by Mr. Edwin Tuyay

These shots are particularly a few of our most favorites... It captured the emotions we felt that day... we looked so comfortable & happy.... even if the sun was raging hot that day... It turned out just perfect...

notice the shoes??? yup, that's my 2 &1/2-inch glass shoes...

Richie Macapinlac's Work of Art

Dressed in casual attire, we posed for Richie Macapinlac before we went home from the pre-nups...and after a few days..... here are some of his wonderful shots...