A Sign?

And the nightmares continue...a couple of days ago i dreamt that lhb found a venue that he liked better that Ville Sommet. So in the dream we wanted to change venues (church and reception). And i wasn't too happy about that. Around 2 nights after that dream, i dreamt that it was raining on our wedding day. I felt very disappointed.

Crap.

10+ months to go...3 nightmares and counting....!!!!


"Reality is never as bad as a nightmare, as the mental tortures we inflict on ourselves".
-Sammy Davis, Jr.


*today i am thankful for the ateneo :)

Stressful Nightmare!

Last night i had a nightmare about my wedding day. The back of my veil was too short. The front didn't even fall below my chin (it was seriously one ugly veil!!!). I kept asking myself who made my gown and i couldn't even remember (though the gown itself and my make up were ok). I remember walking down the aisle and stopping completely because something went wrong and i had to start from the beginning. Everything was so delayed. I looked at the clock (there was a big wall clock at the church!) and saw that we had like 30 mins left. I was so stressed because at that time the mass was not yet starting. We had to tell our priest to make the ceremony really quick but the priest that i wanted couldn't be there. Instead, Mr. Ryan Cayabyab (music director, conductor, composer...etc) was there and he officiated the mass (me and my obsession with Philippine Idol! :)). I got so nervous because i did not know if we had to prepare our own vows. It was one freaking mess. Luckily, i woke up :)

Less than 11 months to go and i am already having nightmares. And knowing myself, i'm sure the dreams will only get worse!!! Haha :)

"Dream away everyday, try so hard to disregard the beating of the rain that drops and coincides with the beating of my heart"
-Maroon 5


*today i am thankful for my cousins :)

Dino Lara

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still”.
-Dorothea Lange

Looking for a photographer was very taxing for me. When we started with our preparations, i collected as much brochures as i can on all the wedding photographers i could find. Knowing about photography did not make it easier. We couldn't get someone who was just good at taking pictures. The photographer's gear, editing skills and album layout were also taken into consideration. There were a lot who offered very attractive packages (they gave a lot of "freebies"). But in the end we chose someone who we believe is one of the best in the industry.

The first time we met up with Dino we found out that he was already "sort of" booked. But luckily that deal didn't push through and we were able to get his services :)

YES YES YES...!!!

YES
adv.

It is so; as you say or ask. Used to express affirmation, agreement, positive confirmation, or consent. (www.dictionary.com)

How difficult is that word to understand? I am irritated as hell because without meaning to sound like a *****, we are sure. I believe we established that fact more than a month ago. I know my guests, and i know the people who love us will go to the wedding-rain or shine (whether it will be held in manila, tagaytay, hong kong or timbuktu!). I do not care if there are only 200 (or less) guests. If they get wet, we'll do something about it (i mean seriously! the reception area is covered!). It's really not as difficult as people think. It's a wedding. It's as simple as that.

"People need trouble -- a little frustration to sharpen the spirit on, toughen it. Artists do; I don't mean you need to live in a rat hole or gutter, but you have to learn fortitude, endurance. Only vegetables are happy".
-William Faulkner


*today i am thankful for patience.

Flowers and Events by Teddy Manuel

I just love Teddy! :) We got him as our florist/stylist and our coordinator. I read about him in the past but i was able to see his work during the wedding of lhb's cousin. When we met up with him, he showed us pictures of his past works. He showed us pictures of the arrangements/set up he did for another wedding at Ville Sommet. I liked the fact that he had a lot of ideas and he was very open to my ideas as well. I asked him if he was OC (obsessive compulsive) because i knew that i needed someone more OC than me! And based on what i saw during Cel's wedding, it seemed he was OC enough. I just hope we get to pull off the theme that we have in mind :)

"Love planted a rose, and the world turned sweet".
-Katharine Lee Bates

Threelogy

We learned about Threelogy from our friends Pj and Abi who are also getting married next june. I remember feeling hesitant about getting a separate videographer because some photographers offer video packages as well. Since lhb and i are photography hobbyists, we prioritze the photographs more. But after seeing what a great videographer can do for a wedding (on-site avps), i knew i would later on regret not getting a separate one. Threelogy was a great choice for us. They fit well in our budget (sort of...lhb is still trying to convince me that an on-site avp is not needed! haha), i like their style and they seem fun to work with. I know they won't disappoint :)

Ville Sommet

We found it very difficult to look for a reception venue in Tagaytay. When we were still in college, i always dreamed of having my reception in Tagaytay Highlands. We were able to witness a small reception that was very beautiful. But we found out that the particular reception i saw was held at a part of the golf course already. This was around 4 years ago (before all the hype about the famous bar-san nuptials). And we found out that it takes a very long time to have a wedding at the golf course approved (and i assume it will be costly!). I actually didn't think that it was part of the golf course because it was just along the garden before it. And of course i have my pride and i wouldn't want people to say that i got the idea from "that" famous wedding. I know i have better ideas than that. Haha :) And after seeing the packages, i thought it was a bit expensive since the food would be provided by their in-house caterer. Canyon Woods was a better option for us. The ballroom/reception hall was ok (but lhb didn't like it) and their caterer was very good. But then again, there was something missing. I knew that once i see "THE" venue, i would know right away. And i did. The good thing was, lhb felt the same way about Ville Sommet. We didn't see it till our second ocular (?) trip to Tagaytay. I was so happy when we did :)

We know the possible difficulties. We know that for others it may seem expensive and impractical. But deep down we both know that it will be worth it :)

“The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It's a choice you make, not just on your wedding day, but over and over again and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.”
-Barbara De Angelis

*today i am thankful for great friends, great company and a good cup of hot choco :)

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

Address: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church, Tagaytay City, Philippines 4120

The church was the first thing we booked. It was easier to look for a ceremony venue. There were only three choices : Calaruega (a small chapel where everyone gets married); Chapel on the Hill (another favorite of many) and this one. I fell in love with the interiors of Our Lady of Lourdes instantly. Its walls outside weren't as pleasing to the eyes though. Since it was just renovated, the walls (outside) haven't been painted yet. But i am hoping that by the time july 2007 rolls around, everything will be fixed and ready.

“I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit”.
-Kahlil Gibran

Good Weather

I can only pray for good weather on our special day...

Earlier we went to Tagaytay and got a preview of what it would be like if it rained on our wedding day. We went to our reception venue and experienced first hand the problems our guests might encouter. We went because we knew there was going to be a wedding and we wanted to see the place with tables/chairs, etc. I felt bad because i was praying that it would rain today so that we would see what it would be like if it did. Unfortunately for the couple, while they were still at the church it really started to pour like crazy (and they didn't have tents!!!).

Anyway, we know how important it is to have a contingency plan. We actually started making one the moment lhb's mom started throwing "what if" questions at us. And i actually think i will go insane if i don't have one. That contingency plan will be the key to a stress free, weather proof (if possible :D), fun filled day :)

And as John Ruskin said "Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilirating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather".


*today i am thankful for the chance to plan ahead :)