..Wedding Countdown - 14 Days Left..

14 days left.
2 solid weeks to go.

Woah! Where have all the days gone?

There were changes since the detailing (with coordinator and Enderun) happened. So some items have been crossed out of the list and several have been added. Now, I present to you our updated checklist:

Church - NSSH (done: fee, pre-cana, submit wedding forms and required documents/pending: marriage contract and briefing)
Venue - Enderun (done: final menu, detailing, downpayment/pending: settle remaining balance, items to be endorsed)
P/V - East Digital Studio (done: prenup, preferences, checklist, songs, childhood pics,photobooth layout, guest book pictures/pending: food allowance/revised layout for GB, PB, TY, Tarp)
Hotel Preps - The Picasso Makati (done: booked/pending: preferences)
Gown - Concha Couture (done: final design,measurements,headpiece design, 1st and 2nd fitting/pending: final fitting, settle remaining balance)
Florist - ClintCarl (done: initial details, changes in ento and table centerpiece/pending: NONE)
Coordinator - Angel Whispers (done:initial meeting, layout, program, final details/pending: rehearsal, turnover)
Mobile Bar - Boozebumps (done: cocktail menu, mocktail menu/pending: NONE)
Sky Lanterns - W@W (done: 25 pcs/pending: clearance from Brgy. The Fort and Taguig City Hall)
Lights,Sounds,Tent - Metromix (done: initial details, cd of wedding mix (c/o EMCEE/pending: final details)
HMUA - Pong Niu (done: trial makeup/pending: NONE)
Photobooth - Pixmo (done: layout, final design/pending: NONE)
Invitation - DIY (done: layout, final wordings,envelope/pending: distribution haha!)
Wedding Cake - c/o MoH (done: design/pending: none)
Rings - c/o BM (on hand, yey!)
Documents - Various (done: NSO Birth and Cenomar, Baptismal&Confirmation, Marriage License/pending: NONE)
Ento Gowns - fabric given
Groom Suit - Kamuning Tela Market (done: design, measurement/pending: fitting, tie, shoes, belt)
Ento Suit - Gardini (scratched off the list!)
Ice Cream Bar - Fiorgelato (done: flavors, downpayment)
Accessories - Veil, cord (on hand)
Wedding Songs - done
Freenup - Osep and Mariel (done, pictures on hand)
Program - Jeremy (done: music and program)

Pending:
Match, Arrhae, Bible
PS Gifts - Wines from S&R
Crew Meal - Ambers
Freenup - Joyce (pending: clothes)
Couple's game - candle props, Starbucks GC
Offertory - host, wine, gift basket, candles
Offer dozen of eggs to St. Claire


DIY:
Table Numbers - done
Wishing Tree Cards - done (pending: strings)
Wishing Tree Crystals - done
Table Napkin Holder - done
Menu Cards (scratched off the list!)
Misalette - done
Door Hangs (scratched off the list!)
Trivia card - done: questions/pending: design & printing
Favor Boxes - pending: design & printing
TY tags - done (pending: strings)


How to finish everything in 14 days? Ha! I say Miracles do happen =)


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..wedding preps - freenup pictorial with Osep and Mariel..

Let me tell you upfront - after the Prenup shoot with EDS, I say, Rocky and I, we're professionals. Put us under the flash bulbs, we automatically strike a pose and smile.

..NOT! XP

Working with Rocky's cousin, Mariel, and her boyfriend, Osep (both budding photographers) was an experience. Ours was their first prenup shoot. There were some "getting the feel of it" moments at the start but hey, they're (almost) family, so we all relaxed a bit and let loose.

It helped that we had a discussion weeks prior to define the concept and style. UP was our chosen location. O&M are both alums so they know where the best places are to shoot. We went to Bahay Ng Alumni for some indoor shots and the rest are outdoor.

One thing I notice about myself during these pictorials is that I tend to babble a lot. Even Rocky noticed it. To the point that I was worried O&M might not be able to get good shots because either my mouth is open or my eyebrows are furrowed.

Well, surprise, suprise! The pictures turned out good! Post-processing was spot on - exactly the way we wanted it. My favorites are those that exude romantic vibe. The levitation shots are unconventional but really fun to look at. Overall, Rocky and I are very happy and extremely thankful to Osep & Mariel for the wonderful pictures!

Side note:
The difference between EDS and O&M is the way they conduct the pictorial. EDS instructed us to pose - directs where to put our hands, where to look, those kinds of stuff. Meanwhile, O&M let us be ourselves - in Osep's own words, "Parang nagde-date lang kayo". They want the shots to be as candid as possible.



Definitely candid - Rocky and I never expected poster-worthy pictures from them. But yes, this one in particular is climbing up to the top of our all time favorite pictures.


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..wedding preps - official prenup pictorial..

Preparing for our official e-session had been stressful.. to say the least. We did not have a theme, but we always wanted the pictures to look contemporary with modern settings and structures.
Looking for the perfect location was our first major concern. We originally thought of having it done in MRT (first, for novelty and second, because we were patrons). Such activity was not allowed. Then we thought of Ikea (ala 500 Days of Summer), Bo Concept did not allow either. Eastwood requires a fee way over our budget. Which leaves us Bonifacio High Street. Don't get me wrong, BHS is picturesque. It's just that it has nothing new to offer. So just to have different options, we made reservations in Fully Booked too. It turned out, it was the perfect setting for our pictorial.
Outfits were our second problem. We did not hire a stylist, so we have to pick our own clothes - all three sets of them. Since we wanted that 500DoS photoshoot, our choices were inspired by Tom Hanson and Summer Finn. Preppy for him and Vintage for her. And I must say, it did work well with our setting.
Third issue was logistics. I was to go to Makati to have my trial makeup with Pong Niu at 7AM. Rocky was to pick up East Digital staff in Ortigas at 8AM. We were all set to meet at Pong's and go together to BHS. Great plan. Only, EDS were not in the office at 8AM. Rocky called me at 845AM to say that they have to go directly to BHS so we can start on time. And I offered to take a cab going there. Pong, God bless her heart, offered to drop me off some place I can easily get a taxi. And she did. All's well that ends well.
The actual photoshoot was uneventful. The only thing I remembered was that it was hot. Other than that, nothing really sticked to memory (save for the snickering manong construction workers who kept looking at us doing our poses). EDS redeemed themselves from being late by being open to our suggestions and comfortable to work with.
And the output, you might ask? Hmm, it was good. Heck, it was GREAT! We totally love the pictures! I look at them 4 times a day, all 200+ pictures! I just can't get enough! Rocky looked very dapper with his tie and a pair of Onitsuka Tiger. And I.. I feel pretty, oh so pretty (I owe it to Pong and Rexy who did an amazing job)!


Well? Pretty good, yes? I hate to say I told you so! =)

Disclaimer: I made this using PhotoScape. No professional post-processing. The very reason I am super excited to see actual edited output from EDS.

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..Wedding Countdown - 100 Days Left..

Here are our accomplishments to date:

Church - NSSH (done: pre-cana/pending: submit wedding forms and required documents)
Venue - Enderun (done: final menu/pending: detailing)
P/V - East Digital Studio (done: none/pending: prenup location, preferences, checklist, songs, childhood pics,photobooth layout)
Hotel Preps - The Picasso Makati (done: booked/pending: preferences)
Gown - Concha Couture (done: final design,measurements/pending: headpiece design,first fitting on July)
Florist - ClintCarl (done: initial details/pending: changes in ento and table centerpiece)
Coordinator - Angel Whispers (done:initial meeting/pending: layout, program, final details)
Mobile Bar - Boozebumps (done: cocktail menu/pending: mocktail menu)
Sky Lanterns - W@W (done: 25 pcs)
Lights,Sounds,Tent - Metromix (done: initial details/pending: cd of wedding mix,final details)
HMUA - Pong Niu (pending: trial makeup)
Photobooth - Pixmo (done: layout/pending: final design)
Invitation - DIY (done: layout/pending: final wordings,envelope)
Wedding Cake - c/o MoH (pending: design)
Rings - c/o BM (pending: design)
Documents - Various (done: NSO Birth and Cenomar/pending: Baptismal&Confirmation, Marriage License)
Ento Gowns - fabric given

Pending:
Groom Suit - Kamuning Tela Market
Ento Suit - Gardini
Ice Cream Bar - Fiorgelato (pending: flavors)
Arrhae, Bible, Veil, Candles, Match - Divisoria/Wedding Library
PS Gifts - Wines from S&R
Crew Meal - Ambers
Wedding Songs
Freenup - Osep and Mariel (pending: concept, location)

DIY:
Table Numbers
Wishing Tree Cards
Table Napkin Holder
Menu Cards
Misalette
Door Hangs

Still a long way to go. Hopefully we can finalize everything ASAP. 100 days is not that long a period to prepare everything.
Note to self (and h2b) - Focus. Focus. Focus

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..Wedding DIY - Photobooth Monogram..

UPDATE: This has long since been changed. Damask was discovered, motiff has been changed. Now, may I present to you, the monograms we will be using for our DIYs.





Since our photobooth is courtesy of my sister's, we have the luxury to design our own layout. So may I present to you two samples of our photobooth monogram. Rocky chose the second one. Great choice, love! =*


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..Wedding details - THE 3RD W (pt.2)..

"The Shortest Aisle"
St. Andrew in Bel-Air was an obvious choice due to its relative proximity to Enderun. When Rocky and I first saw it, what caught our attention was how short its aisle was. We counted the steps - only 10. This was what kept Rocky from approving.

"The Church on the Hill"
St. Michael is located inside the Army compound of Fort Bonifacio. The facade is not too impressive but once you see the (new) altar, you'll be convinced. This was one church we kept in the waiting list. Just in case.

"The Youtube Effect"
We saw San Ildefonso on Youtube. From the video, we found the interiors and altar really pretty. When we did our ocular, we thought that it was like your typical neighborhood church. Not really the type you'd want to get married in.

"The One That Got Away"
St. John Bosco is one church that we visited which looks exactly like it appears on picture. Setting foot inside the church gave us the feeling that "this is the one". Unfortunately, the schedule was not agreeable. We had to let go of this grand church with heavy hearts.

"Right Place at the Right Time"
National Shrine of the Sacred Heart was one of Rocky's first choice. To be honest, we were not too hopeful that we will be able to book this church as it requires an interview prior to reservation. But seeing it in person made us feel otherwise. I love the ceiling, the balcony and the altar. The size was just right. The length of the aisle.. perfect. The interview, it was nothing to be nervous about. Yes, Rocky and I have gone through it. And yes, we will say our "I do's" in this church.

..Wedding suppliers - via bridal fair..

Thank God for bridal fairs!

Well, not really. It makes couple impulsive, indulgent, and extremely tired! Nevertheless, the discount, freebies and countless options made it all worthwhile.

"The Third Choice"
HMUA is one supplier I have not really put much thought into. I was thinking of Princess Misa but Rocky was not impressed. Next was Faye Wong. We had to endure a solid 15-minute wait just to find out she had already been booked on our date! Which leaves us Pong Niu. Pong is pretty, which I thought is a good sign. She had that Zooey Deschanel look I am gunning for. So who knows, I might get to sport that 500 Days of Summer look on my wedding!

"Dilemma"
Vignette vs. East Digital.
One boasts of award-winning photographer. While the other offers 60% off its regular package rate. One has already covered a wedding in the same church as ours. While the other has very helpful staff that allows us to customize. Either of the two, we really thought, is a good choice. So the deciding factor for us boiled down to the style we wanted our pictures to have. We wanted a classic look, not too vivid colors, almost sepia even. We found exactly that on one album of East Digital.

"Surprise, Surprise"
Rocky's sister, my MoH, sponsored our cake. She was able to book the supplier in the Bridal Fair without our knowledge. This is just the sweetest surprise we've received (so far)!

Next Bridal Fair will be on March at SMX. We don't really plan to go as we have already booked most of our major suppliers. Besides, we thoroughly enjoyed our first (and might be the only) Bridal Fair experience that we don't need another one in the next 4 weeks (or ever)!

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