Breaking the silence, more updates!

After 20 days since my last post, here are our new updates :)

• Prenup Venue for 1st prenup shoot on June: Checked!- Thank God, we finally made a decision to just stick to one prenup venue. We will be having our prenup shoot at Subic, c/o our ninang Ghe. The venue is free of charge,( yey thanks ninang!) so all we have to do is to save some amount for food, toll gate and gas.
• Prenup outfits for our theme: Checked!- Yes, we are nearly finished buying and preparing our prenup outfits. James bought more clothes and a couple of shoes than me, because I'm just going to use my old shoes/sandals and I have this dress that I bought last 2008 that I haven't worn yet. We will start creating the props this weekend :)
• Change of reception hall venue: Checked!- James finally saw our reception venue and tasted our reception food, last May 13 at Grand Terrace's food tasting.I booked the Venus Garden of Grand Terrace last year when James was still working abroad.The venue is good for 150-200 guests, but James didn't like the idea of having a balcony. He told me, guests might ask why they were seated on the balcony ( thinking maybe, they are not that special to the couple). So to prevent that kind of issue, we decided to transfer to a bigger hall, the Grand Pavilion, which can accommodate up to 300 guests. The Grand Pavilion costs a lot more than the Venus Garden, but it is more spacious.Our caterer will be VS&F, and they have good food! James loved it :)
• My measurement with Emil Ocampo: Checked!- Earlier, I went to Emil's boutique for my wedding gown measurement. I went alone because my mom is sick ( boo yah vertigo!) and James is at work.  July 7 will be my first fitting, and yes, I can now feel that my wedding is getting nearer...I'm excited and nervous at the same time.My gown is a combination of my ideas and Emil's design expertise, I can't wait to see my gown in full bloom!  I need to loose more on my waist line, yayks! (pressure mode on!)
• Will-You-Be Cards revisions: Pending- I created Will-You-Be Cards ( WYB Cards) for our principal sponsors, bridesmaids, groomsmen, best man and maid of honor, but I have to revise all of it because they are blurry when printed. I will start the editing today, later in the afternoon.
• Ninong and ninang meet up: This Sunday- This coming Sunday, I'm going to meet James' uncle and aunt. They will be one of our principal sponsors, so I'm excited and nervous to meet them in person. We still have 3 ninangs and 1 ninong to fill our list.

That's it for now, thank God plans are being followed/ happening accordingly. Hopefully this will continue until the big day! :)

Prenup Venue Hunting Part 1

A lot of things happened at my work lately, that's why I had less time to write here. Last week, our office had been gloomy and emotional. A lot of people left us, but they will never be forgotten. Like they say, it is business as usual. I know God has other plans for them, and I know it is for the better.

Well, enough for the sad part, now on to our wedding updates :D First update, we got our rings and we love it! :) I just have some minor comments on the wedding date engraving inside and the two lines holding the diamonds on top of my ring, but all in all it is worth the wait and every penny :) I'll just have a separate review about our wedding ring supplier later on.

Now for our second update, we will be having our first prenup shoot on the first week of June. At first, I thought everything was all set. We will be having our first prenup shoot in Subic, because we have a free venue there c/o our close friend/ ninang. But my father gave me an advice, to just rent a place here in Manila or QC instead of going to Subic, because it'll still be more cheaper to rent in nearby places instead of going to Subic for the shoot ( including the food, gas, toll gates etc). So James and I thought about the whole idea and accepted my father's challenge, To find a nice place in Manila/QC for our prenup shoot. Knowing James he's not really into researching like me, so again the task of finding a new prenup venue is now my burden T_T

If I only know someone who owns an old mansion around Manila, or any place that's free but not a common prenup venue, is fine with me. Hope we could check one this weekend...*sigh*

Hello wedding prep bumps! *sigh*

Updates! Updates!

Today, is exactly 7 months, 3 weeks and 2 days to go before our BIG day and I'm getting more nervous as it gets nearer. We have been very busy with work lately, that's why I lack time to update this blog.

For updates, we recently booked our last major supplier for our wedding rings. We're going to get it next next week and we're so excited to see the finished product :)

My focus now is for our prenup shoots. Yes, we have not just one but three prenup shoots! and we're still on the process of researching and looking for venues, concepts, and outfits. The first prenup shoot will be on May or June, the prenup video by July or August and the last prenup shoot by September. We're having one free prenup venue in Subic, c/o a close friend who's working there. So right now, I'm looking for another venue there to make the prenup shoot worthwhile. For the prenup video and second prenup photo shoot, we'll just look for free venues here in QC and Manila area.

I don't know if this is normal, but I feel relaxed with the preps now. We're going to have DIY invites, souvenirs, boutonnieres and head fascinators but I haven't started one yet, all just concepts in mind hehe. I just hope, I won't be so rattled as the wedding gets nearer.

*sigh*

The Proposal

March 23, 2012, Friday. I will never forget that day. It's the date that I have been waiting and dreaming of to happen in my life, that is to be officially engaged.

I thought it was just an ordinary FriDate to us. I'm checking out Sureseats to reserve our tickets in Glorietta to watch Hunger Games. I texted him that movie seats are running out, so I wanted to get an online seat reservation. He told me not to reserve, but instead I should go out exactly 5:30 pm from work and go straight to his office. We'll just watch the movie tomorrow, so I should'nt be in a hurry. I packed my things, retouched, but I still logged out from work around 5:45 pm. Traffic welcomed me going to the MRT station, so I got in his office around 7:30pm. When I went to his room, he's not there. I just saw Sir Carlos and asked him where James is.

Me: "Ay hello po, si James po nasaan?"
Carlos: "Hello ma'am, nasa taas lang po may inaayos lang."
Me: "Ah sige po wait ko nalang po siya dito."
Carlos: " Sige po ma'am upo lang kayo diyan. Matraffic ba ma'am?"
Me: "Opo kuya natraffic ako papuntang MRT kaya ngayon lang ako nakadating dito."
Carlos: "Friday kasi eh kaya traffic talaga, lahat pupuntang mall."
Me: "Oo nga po eh, Sige po, CR lang po ako kuya..."
Carlos: " Sige po ma'am, diyan lang po sa tapat yung CR."

After refreshing up, I went back in the room and sat down. Sir Carlos approached me.

Carlos: " Ma'am, akyat daw tayo sa roof top sabi ni Sir James."
Me: " Ha, aakyat po tayo? hindi po ba bawal doon?"
Carlos: " Hindi ma'am okay lang po yun, andun naman sila Sir James eh."
Me: " Sige po.."
Carlos: " Iwan niyo nalang po bag niyo ma'am."
Me: " Naku dalhin ko na po hindi po kasi ako sanay eh na iniiwan..."
Carlos: " Iwan niyo nalang ma'am kasi ilolock naman natin tong pinto, nasa akin ang susi."
Me: " Ah ganun po ba, sige po, cellphone nalang po ang dadalhin ko."


We waited for several minutes before the service elevator came. While inside, I asked Sir Carlos about some building stuff and he answered me in detailed. Later on, we reached the roof top of the building, it's in the 36th floor.

Carlos: " Ma'am dito na po tayo."
Me: " Wow ang bilis ha."

When the elevator door opened, It was really dark! but the Makati Skyline served as a beautiful background in the darkness. A single yellow spotlight helped lit the area a little. It was pointing to the second level of the roof top, it's near the Maintenance room.

Me: "Ay bakit ang dilim naman? wala akong makita kuya. Han asan kana?! andito na ako!"
Carlos: " Ma'am nasa taas po si sir akyat po kayo."
Me: "Ay taas pa? dun sa Maintenance room na yun?"

Then I walked the stairs going to the Maintenance room.

Knock, Knock...

Me: "Han andito na ako, asan ka na ba?"

But the door is locked.

Me: "Kuya, nakalock naman yung pinto eh. Asan ba talaga si James?", I'm starting to get annoyed in this part.
Carlos: " Ma'am akyat po ulit kayo dito sa kabila, andun napo si Sir James."
Me: "Ha? aakyat ulit? tatawid ako diyan? nakakatakot kuya baka mahulog ako..."
Carlos: " Hindi ma'am mauuna ako aalalayan ko kayo."

So with Sir Carlo's help, I managed to get through the narrow ledge going to the higher part of the building, There you can see clearly the Makati Skyline. When I reached the other side, a man in green overalls showed up, holding a single red rose with green mums in a red wrapper.

Bernard: "Ma'am, pinabibigay po ni Sir James..."
Me: " Wow, thank you kuya. Han! asan kana ba?!"


Then the yellow spotlight turned off, and this time it's total darkness.

Me: "Waahh! ano ba ito bakit ang dilim naman!"

Then a background music started. Now, my hunch is confirmed, he's going to propose! The yellow spotlight was lit again.

Carlos: " Ma'am tingin po kayo sa kanan!"

Then when I turned right, a Will You Marry Me sign lighted up. James showed up from the corner holding a bouquet of roses. I was in awe when I saw the well lit words from below and James holding the bouquet. I never stopped saying, " Oh my God!, Oh my God!" as he walked towards my direction. When James went up and he's getting nearer to me...

Me: " Weh! Ano yan?!"

He came closer, knelt down, and opened the red box he's holding and popped the question...

James: " Hannie, will you marry me?"
Me: " YES!, of course I'll marry you!"

Then I helped him get up, kissed, and hugged him tightly. I can't get off the smile on my face, it was really magical and perfect! James called the crew who helped him make his crazy idea possible for picture taking. The Makati Skyline made it even more romantic. I told him before that when I was a teen, I dreamed of a proposal on the top of the Eiffel tower. It may not be on the top of the Eiffel tower like I always dreamed of, but what he did was more than what I have dreamed of.

Move over John Lloyd, James is the best actor in romantic flick this time :D Let the pics below enlighten you more on what happened that day :)

The Venue

The Makati Skyline in the morning

This is the exact place where he proposed. The roof top in the 36th floor of the condo unit where he is working. He's the building engineer there, that's why he has access to the forbidden places in the building like this one :D

The Preparation

Lunch time, they decided to lay out the xmas lights 

My very hands on groom to be :)

The best crew who helped James make his crazy idea come to life :D Thanks guys!

They made this ledge just for me, so I could go to the other side.

Setting the sound system

Kuya in green cleaning the area :)

The Event

 

The finished product:)

And he popped the freaking question! 

 

just so happy

  

The Makati Skyline as our background

Can't get enough of picture taking

Say, we're now officially engaged!:)

One happy bride to be :D

There you go, now I'm more motivated with our wedding preps!:D This is really is it! is it!! :D

Details, details, details!

I always dream of going to Paris. Aside from, of course, it is the city of love, I really like the place and its architecture. When I was a teen, I dreamed of my knight in shining armor proposing to me at the top of the Eiffel tower (sorry han, but that was years ago hehe). As I grow up, I've learned that not all your dreams will come true.Well, some may come true but in a different way or execution you never imagined. Since I haven't been to Paris yet, I didn't meet my boyfriend at the top of the Eiffel tower, and we're preparing for our wedding, I came up with this idea to incorporate Paris in our wedding. It shouldn't be that grand, but at least with a touch of french love.

I've been researching lately on how are we going to design our reception in a Paris inspired way, but the challenge here is, we're not going to spend a lot of money (definitely a big challenge!LOL) So I came up with this idea of D-I-Y stuff since it's the craze nowadays and we still have some time (OMG, it's getting nearer!!*panic mode*)

Below are some inspirations that I wanted to incorporate in our reception, but I still don't know what to start and where am I going to buy the things we needed for these projects. All these designs are Paris/french inspired.

images from elizabethannedesigns.com

images from greenweddingshoes.com

image from mydiywedding.com

 images from karentran.com

Wish us luck! we already have a stylist from our caterer, but we only opt to have their standard centerpiece design (cost cutting on floral upgrades haha) so now, I'm thinking of ways on how I can at least incorporate these styles to our reception tables :D 

If you can recommend suppliers where to buy some of these stuff here in the Philippines (specifically in Divisoria) , please do so, we'll highly appreciate it!:D