"Happiness is being married to your bestfriend"
"Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, God gives us a fairy tale."
"You can thank your stars all you want, but I'll always be the lucky one."
The challenge with having browsed all the dreamy weddings at Style Me Pretty, Bride and Breakfast and Martha Stewart Weddings is you have encountered all the possible she-bang that makes a wedding something out of the ordinary. Drowned in tons of drool-worthy inspiration saved on my Pinterest page, iPad, iPod, phablet and wedding magazines, Person A and I engaged in thousands of conversation to pull off a wedding that is truly our own and speaks of who we are. We listened to friends' suggestions, sought out the help of family to execute our DIYs and described our specifications to "wedding partners" but left all the decisions to the 2 of us; our first project as a family.
In the end we settled with (1) everything relaxed, fresh and polished mixed in a sea of blush pink and a soft shade of grey. Throw in (2) something "us" in all the details such as the table arrangement (table names are after our favorite places), gown embellishment, ceremony and reception signages, entourage (Fifi was the un-official ring bearer), incorporated Person A's favorite color (hint: NOT grey) in the accessories (we've searched far and wide from SM North to Alabang Town Center for that iconic pink dress socks which we grabbed at Greenbelt), used coins we collected from the countries we visited and secretly added a Harry Potter coin, and we were very brave to forego tradition as long as it is not required by the church: we did not have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, no garter and no bouquet were tossed during the reception - there were no singles games, as we promised our friends. Though, there was a table quiz game to celebrate Person A and I's competitive spirit - yep, there was a math question to be answered in 10 seconds.
It also helped that we had a very clear vision of our special day which I stole shamelessly from my previous SFC Household Head: Paolo Ylagan (3) The Ceremony is for God, The Reception is for family and friends and the day after and forever will be for the 2 of us. In our numerous disagreements and discussions, when faced with several alternatives, we go back to our guiding statement and used it as a basis of our decision. Will it be pleasing to God? Will our family like it? Will our friends have a good time?
In the 12 months that we spent preparing for our wedding and marriage, (4) we try to be faithful in praying for the wedding that God wants us to have. I am very grateful that He gave us the resources - time, helping hands and treasure - to pull off the wedding of our dreams. Truth be told, with human strength alone, it was impossible. We were 120% over the initial budget, which we patiently saved up for years, and coughed up the unplanned cost in a year, debt-free, while allowing us to enjoy a relatively luxurious honeymoon to start our forever after. He also blessed us with the perfect weather: overcast morning, drizzle during the ceremony, bright sunshiny cocktail hour and windy dinner at the golf course lounge to make our guests comfortable in the evening air. Mama Mary's and St. Clare's intercession never fails.
I can probably throw #1, #2, #3 out of the window and still declare the 10th of January 2014 as the best day ever: (5) the day that I married my bestfriend, the man of my dreams and the person who values and treats me as the most precious being in this world. Having him as my husband makes me think that I must have done something good in this lifetime to deserve such perfect blessing from God. If you noticed in the photos "para akong ngiti na tinubuan ng mukha" the happiness was emanating from within and I had that disposition 2 days before the wedding that my make up artist commented "Papamasahe ka ng mukha pagkatapos baka napagod ka na sa kakatawa" and my photographer asked "Nakapagkape ba to, parang may tama?" and the skip-hop you'll see in the video and photos are real - just like what we do when we go on our walks. The adrenaline and endorphin were still sky-high the day after that we found ourselves walking along the Aguinaldo Highway at 6AM to the hotel where our parents were staying to look for a few things in my car!
So that pretty sums up why I think our wedding is my version of a perfect wedding despite the hiccups and glitches that day: oh yes, the band botched up our first dance and some of the songs, the coordinator could have done a better job and I heard more issues I was shielded from. For someone with a suspected OCD and a self-declared control freak, my favorite line that day was "OK", "Kahit alin", "It really doesn't matter". I know in my heart that, the most important thing is I am to make a commitment to Person A in front of God and nothing else matters.
I can tell a story with each photo but I will share instead the phrases that were scattered all over the reception to convey our idea of love and forever.
To the best wedding team ever: Jayjay Lucas and Chestknots Studio, Novia Zapata, Justine Bumanlag and Saso Event Styling, Kristel Yulo, Wang Videography, Joy San Gabriel, Splendido and Ladera Catering, Jasmine Mendiola Make Up and Elaine Ganuelas, Khristian Cunanan and the Team Cunanan, Rachelle Marie Dangin and Walter Escano, Flowers of May, Jose Graciano Bartolome and Mico Villena, Katrina and Kristina Baris, our entourage, Bueno Spanish Sardines, a gazillion *high fives* and our sincerest gratitude.
Lastly, Rev. Father John Paulo Bautista, SHMI for the prayers, words before, during and after the wedding and for our Papal blessing, thank you very much.
In the end we settled with (1) everything relaxed, fresh and polished mixed in a sea of blush pink and a soft shade of grey. Throw in (2) something "us" in all the details such as the table arrangement (table names are after our favorite places), gown embellishment, ceremony and reception signages, entourage (Fifi was the un-official ring bearer), incorporated Person A's favorite color (hint: NOT grey) in the accessories (we've searched far and wide from SM North to Alabang Town Center for that iconic pink dress socks which we grabbed at Greenbelt), used coins we collected from the countries we visited and secretly added a Harry Potter coin, and we were very brave to forego tradition as long as it is not required by the church: we did not have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, no garter and no bouquet were tossed during the reception - there were no singles games, as we promised our friends. Though, there was a table quiz game to celebrate Person A and I's competitive spirit - yep, there was a math question to be answered in 10 seconds.
It also helped that we had a very clear vision of our special day which I stole shamelessly from my previous SFC Household Head: Paolo Ylagan (3) The Ceremony is for God, The Reception is for family and friends and the day after and forever will be for the 2 of us. In our numerous disagreements and discussions, when faced with several alternatives, we go back to our guiding statement and used it as a basis of our decision. Will it be pleasing to God? Will our family like it? Will our friends have a good time?
In the 12 months that we spent preparing for our wedding and marriage, (4) we try to be faithful in praying for the wedding that God wants us to have. I am very grateful that He gave us the resources - time, helping hands and treasure - to pull off the wedding of our dreams. Truth be told, with human strength alone, it was impossible. We were 120% over the initial budget, which we patiently saved up for years, and coughed up the unplanned cost in a year, debt-free, while allowing us to enjoy a relatively luxurious honeymoon to start our forever after. He also blessed us with the perfect weather: overcast morning, drizzle during the ceremony, bright sunshiny cocktail hour and windy dinner at the golf course lounge to make our guests comfortable in the evening air. Mama Mary's and St. Clare's intercession never fails.
I can probably throw #1, #2, #3 out of the window and still declare the 10th of January 2014 as the best day ever: (5) the day that I married my bestfriend, the man of my dreams and the person who values and treats me as the most precious being in this world. Having him as my husband makes me think that I must have done something good in this lifetime to deserve such perfect blessing from God. If you noticed in the photos "para akong ngiti na tinubuan ng mukha" the happiness was emanating from within and I had that disposition 2 days before the wedding that my make up artist commented "Papamasahe ka ng mukha pagkatapos baka napagod ka na sa kakatawa" and my photographer asked "Nakapagkape ba to, parang may tama?" and the skip-hop you'll see in the video and photos are real - just like what we do when we go on our walks. The adrenaline and endorphin were still sky-high the day after that we found ourselves walking along the Aguinaldo Highway at 6AM to the hotel where our parents were staying to look for a few things in my car!
So that pretty sums up why I think our wedding is my version of a perfect wedding despite the hiccups and glitches that day: oh yes, the band botched up our first dance and some of the songs, the coordinator could have done a better job and I heard more issues I was shielded from. For someone with a suspected OCD and a self-declared control freak, my favorite line that day was "OK", "Kahit alin", "It really doesn't matter". I know in my heart that, the most important thing is I am to make a commitment to Person A in front of God and nothing else matters.
I can tell a story with each photo but I will share instead the phrases that were scattered all over the reception to convey our idea of love and forever.
To the best wedding team ever: Jayjay Lucas and Chestknots Studio, Novia Zapata, Justine Bumanlag and Saso Event Styling, Kristel Yulo, Wang Videography, Joy San Gabriel, Splendido and Ladera Catering, Jasmine Mendiola Make Up and Elaine Ganuelas, Khristian Cunanan and the Team Cunanan, Rachelle Marie Dangin and Walter Escano, Flowers of May, Jose Graciano Bartolome and Mico Villena, Katrina and Kristina Baris, our entourage, Bueno Spanish Sardines, a gazillion *high fives* and our sincerest gratitude.
Lastly, Rev. Father John Paulo Bautista, SHMI for the prayers, words before, during and after the wedding and for our Papal blessing, thank you very much.
"Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, God gives us a fairy tale."
"You can thank your stars all you want, but I'll always be the lucky one."
"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine"
"All you need is love"
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."
"You will forever be my always"
"You're all I need to be with ... forevermore"
Photographs: Jayjay Lucas and Chestknots Studio, Invitation & Signages: Novia Zapata, Entourage Flowers & Reception Styling: Justine Bumanlag and Saso Event Styling, Bride's Gown: Kristel Yulo, Video: Wang Videography, Cake: Joy San Gabriel, Venue & Catering: Splendido Taal Golf & Country Club and Ladera Catering, Bride's Hair and Make-Up: Jasmine Mendiola Make Up and Elaine Ganuelas, Hangers & DIYs: Khristian Cunanan and the Team Cunanan, Event Host: Rachelle Marie Dangin and Walter Escano, Couple Story Video: Jose Graciano Bartolome and Mico Villena
Photographs: Jayjay Lucas and Chestknots Studio, Invitation & Signages: Novia Zapata, Entourage Flowers & Reception Styling: Justine Bumanlag and Saso Event Styling, Bride's Gown: Kristel Yulo, Video: Wang Videography, Cake: Joy San Gabriel, Venue & Catering: Splendido Taal Golf & Country Club and Ladera Catering, Bride's Hair and Make-Up: Jasmine Mendiola Make Up and Elaine Ganuelas, Hangers & DIYs: Khristian Cunanan and the Team Cunanan, Event Host: Rachelle Marie Dangin and Walter Escano, Couple Story Video: Jose Graciano Bartolome and Mico Villena
Enchanting and so very lovely! <3 :D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tot :) God is very kind to give us the wedding of our dreams :)
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