Happy Ever After

Forty days ago, I exchanged 'I do' with Tyrone in a simple and beautiful ceremony in my home city in Davao. We were surrounded by family and friends. 

Our vision was to share the special day with a select few -- only those that were closest to us. And our working number was just 75 people. Lo and behold, we pulled it off. Although we missed some friends who didn't make it because they're abroad or have other pressing family matters, we remembered them in our celebration. 

We are so grateful that friends traveled almost 600 miles to witness and be part of the beginning of our journey as a couple. We are especially grateful to everyone who lent their talent, shared beautiful speeches, and the generous gifts given for the start of our new life. 

A few years from now, I'd like to look back to this day and how I was able to capture the moments in this entry. Mind you there are literally thousands of outtakes from the four DVDs given to us. These were all raw files. We only need to choose 130 photos that will go to our wedding album.

Yesterday, I tried curating the album for Facebook. I tried to second guess myself whether I needed to post it there. But some family and friends weren't able to celebrate with us. And those who did wants to see the photos, too. And then, after uploading Facebook just messed up my carefully curated album. LOL.

It took me the better part of the evening selecting, choosing, coping and posting these on another folder. It was so tedious I wished I had a MacBook Air so I can just drag and drop. 

Carefully but hastily made beautiful throw away bouquet. Thanks, Bonna!

The elegance of calla lilies.

It's been over a month but we still marvel at how things worked together to make our big day, as awesome as it was... more than what we could hope for.

XX 

It's happening.

So, my future hubby just made this. 

Swell!

Only 21 days left before the big day. And we are so looking forward to it, as family and friends travel a considerable distance to be with us on the day we exchange vows. Not just of undying love but of our commitment before God to faithfully be with one another, regardless of the tides of our lives. 

See you all.  

XX

The Wedding Diary: Countdown to Expenses

There are only 14 weeks remaining before our big day. I have a hard time visualizing 14 weeks so, I need to break it down in months. There are four weeks in a month. That means, I barely have three months and two weeks before I finally exchange "I do". 

Like any normal sane person, I feel the jitters. But since am determined to conduct our big moment in serenity and total laid-back provincial vibe, I try to find my center in times of uncertainties. 

My mantra until the big day.

It's Friday, the 13th. Instead of dreading the day, am counting on it to bring me "luck". I need all the positivity today because I am set to meet some suppliers... to give them our hard earned moolah. Hihihi. 

And over the weekend, we would have to do food tasting, confirm pencil booked professionals and pay. Sigh. 

If it isn't my lucky day, I don't know what one is. My old friend responded to my Facebook inquiry if anyone knows any violinist in Davao. This old friend resides in Cebu but took the time to message me that her son is one. Woot! Woot! 

Am not sure yet, if she and her husband's going. But I'd be really floored if they do. They're one tough couple I greatly admire. Theirs is a relationship deeply centered in God. 

Married life, as it is, already paints difficult scenarios. So, I need all the guidance and inspiration I can get a hold of. More prayer warriors for a life enriched in His love and grace would be a dream come true. 

The Wedding Diary: Countdown to the Big Day

Today's date is June 5, 2012. According to my online wedding checklist courtesy of Bridalbook ph, I only have 19 weeks and 3 days to tick off all of my to-dos before the big day. 

And so it hit me. There are still some small details that I have to take care of. The big ones are already done, booked and paid for. 

After getting that out of the way, am now just contemplating on how to translate my laid-back provincial wedding with a touch of romance. I scoured the different corners of cyberspace for inspiration and put a visual to what I'd like to imagine it to be. Thank goodness for virtual boards such as Pinterest, the task gets easier by the day. 

By the way, my fiance is a graphic designer. So, it shall be a long and winding discussion yet before we finalize this detail. 

Here are some of my visual inspiration: 

Photo Credit: Pottery Barn

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Photo Credit: Pinterest

My good friend Ching will trek with me to Dapitan, this weekend. Dapitan is a place where all the knick-knacks can be found. And even one of a kind design idea, handicraft-wise.

So much for being a relaxed bride-to-be, every waking moment is a slow torture knowing that I still have many small items that remained undone, both in my virtual checklist and on my handy notebook. Oh, don't forget, I also have it on my iPad. No minute detail should be missed, right? 

The day coordinator insists that I should have par lights for better lighting. But I think it would be too harsh considering that what we want is just an intimate romantic night with family and friends under the pale moon and the dark sky blanketed by softly twinkling stars. 

XX