Our Wedding Video

Click image for larger view

Finally, our wedding DVD has arrived in our doorstep last Friday Morning (Ang bilis talaga ng LBC). I paid our balance to Dan Pamintuan last Thursday thru bank.

I told myself that if I would feel the same emotions to what I've felt during our wedding day while watching this DVD, I'll give Dan a high supplier rating. Well, 95% of my emotions that day naramdaman ko while watching it. And when mom and dad watched it, naiyak ulit sila wahahaha! Dan, you're the man! Hahaha!

At first I didn't like the cover. Was expecting that he'll use a photo of me and Jason as bride and groom. He used the prenup shot from his cam ... pero ok naman sa akin. Importante yung laman. Madali palitan yung cover hehehe!

And kainis din nung medyo sa speech ng Dad ni Jason, there was this irritating static sound from a cellphone. I asked Dan bakit ganun. He said, yung isa daw sa guest namin na katabi nila nung kinukunan kami, yun daw yung gumagamit ng cellphone. SOP nila na pag nasa shoot naka-off yung cellphone.

There were things that were never caught on still photos, but were captured by this moving video. We made a misalette for the priest and I've found out that we forgot to take off the price tag of the folder his using. Kakahiya, nakita sa video hahaha. And no matter how I've tried, hindi naitago yung baby fats around my neck (shocks kakahiya!). And when we're doing the first dance as a couple, we've found out that our pace was a little bit faster than the song itself. Hahaha! Mukha pala kaming clown nun hahaha! Super bungisngis pala ako nung wedding day namin. There's no moment na nakasimangot ako... parang high ako na di maintindihan. Tawa ng tawa. And my voice is different when I'm talking on the mic. Hay o hay bat ganun? Hahaha! And si Jsson lagi naka-smile ... dun ko lang siya nakita na lagi naka-ngiti. Kaya wag ka na magtaka Labs kung wala kang mata lagi sa pictures hehehe!

Again, I've watched how my Dad delivered his speech and made me cry again for the second time. And also my father-in-law's speech to us was again another tear-jerking one. I cried again not because of the speech but on how my husband cried with it. It's so touching ... I don't like men crying because it makes me cry as well. Besides that, our dear friend Allan, who was our emcee that time left a very good message for us and our guest. Let me share to you an excerpt of his speech.

"I've know Jason since highschool and Sheryl for quite sometime now. And this two are the happiest people ... one of the happiest people I've known. So I'm sure that this relationship will go on forever because they are meant for each other. A lot of times sabi ng mga magulang natin, yung mga nauna sa atin, yung mga mas matanda sa atin ang sinasabi that one of the secret to a happy marriage is to laugh it out ... have a good sense of humor. And both of you have that... you are so lucky to have so much love around you..."

So the verdict ... I give Dan Pamintuan a 9 (rating of 1-10). Bakit 9, kasi sabi niya in 5 months time makukuha ko na yung finished product. Dapat June ko makukuha yun, umabot pa ng August. Actually di pa kumpleto, to follow pa yung raw footages ... on the way na ata... hay o hay! Tagal joke! Now, I can say I'm another happy Dan Pamintuan bride :) It's worth the wait.

Our Wedding album

After 10 months of waiting, finally we got our wedding album. Paul texted me last Sunday (Aug. 5, 2007) that our album, blow up picture and 100 loose prints are now ready for pick up. Finally, wala na mangungulit sa akin na maghahanap kung asan na ang album dahil gawa na hahaha. I didn't know na bago na office ni Paul at Ivy. Dun pa din kaso sa kabilang street lang nga. Mas ok yung office niya ngayon kasi yung office niya before nakakahilo puntahan ... literally ... spiral staircase up to the 3rd floor! Can you imagine that?

Click image for larger view

It's placed in a hard box in a cushioned black bag. Biglang nag-flashback ang memories bigla. Ibig sabihin magaling talaga si Paul in capturing our moments. Now you can say that I'm another happy Paul Vincent bride. I love our album sobra! Mom said nga dadalhin nya na daw sa office nila para makita. Sabi ko ingatan nila, masyado mahal pa-duplicate nun hehehe. Ang sungit eh no?

Naku Paul, see you on our 25th wedding anniversary. Sana kaya pa din namin ang rate nyo hehehe.

Hmmm ... yung wedding video? Tanong nyo kay Shierdan Pamintuan, alam niya ang sagot. Kasi ako, I have no idea kung kailan niya ibibigay yun hehehe.

Jason and Ann's 10.28.2006 Wedding Supplier Ratings

Again, I would like to thank the entire W@W community (esp. to Ms. Benz and Sir John), without you ... I won't be able to organize my own wedding. You're a big help talaga ... if included kayo sa rating ... I'll give an 11. (1-10, 10 is the highest). I present to you my long overdue supplier rating of our wedding last October 28, 2006.

Here's the list of my suppliers ... all comments are based on our personal experience and opinions of guest, friends and family ... I would like to thank them from the bottom of our heart.

Hotel Preparation: THE GREAT EASTERN HOTEL
Website: www.greateasternhotel.com
Rating: 8

Positive Notes:

• better spacious and airconditioned room than the old building.
• excellent services

• lobby at the West Wing is very spacious, good for pre-wedding photos.
• has big ballrooms (advertisement lang just in case you need big spaces for any occassions)

• accessible to Crossings Dept. Store for last minute stuffs to buy.
• Complimentary breakfast good for two
• near Twin Hearts and Windmills and Rainforest (that's why we had our preps here)

Negative Notes:

• Parking is ok pero masyado matarik ... sumasayad yung bumper ng car kung mabilis ka bababa ng carpark nila.
• Nasira sila sa akin when I booked the Presidential Suite for my wedding preps (the biggest room there in the hotel) kaso yung guest ng owner ng Great Eastern checked-in 4 days before my Oct. 27 booking ... na-delay ang flight nila kaya na-extend yung stay nila sa hotel ... ayaw lumipat nung guest sa ibang rooms kaya para di nalang ako ma-stress hinayaan ko na sa kanila yun at hinanapan nila ako ng new room to have my preps. Blessing in disguise, dinala nila kami sa West Wing sa newly renovated part ng Great Eastern kaya tuwa naman kami.
• If you're planning to eat sa Gullivers ... make sure you have the patience to wait for your order...ten years ata kami naghintay ng order namin. Mas mabilis sila pag room service.

Church: TWIN HEARTS PARISH OF THE HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY
Rating: 8

Positive Note:

• They are very prompt to inform us the schedule of Pre-Cana, Canonical Interview, Last day of submission of documents etc.
• They grant all your request ... not all pero lahat naman ng sinabi ko sa kanila nangyari :)
• The church itself is not too spacious and not too small for all our guest. Pero nung wedding namin napuno ng tao yung Twin Hearts.

Negative Note:

• Hindi masyado well-informed or well-trained ang staff nila for church coordination. Yun nalang pagwalisin niya ang mga abay ko mula sa pinto ng church up to sa dulo ng altar ... gawain ba yun ng matinong tao? If I were kasi in his shoes, I know magagalit ako pero I would just let it go. wala na magagawa eh ... saka wala naman atang kasal na walang shower of petals ... bumaba tuloy rating nila sa akin ... it should've been 9.5 pero 8 na ngayon.
• Yung mga paparazzi na photographers na I don't know kung may cut sila or what ... pinipilit nila na pabilhin sa guest namin yung mga shots nila eh hindi naman siya ang official photographer. Ms. Dodo told us na wala daw ganun sa Twin Hearts ... dinidiscourage nila yung mga outsider na photographer ... pero on our wedding day itself, ayun may isa na umiikot dun na di naman namin official photographer na shoot ng shoot tapos pipilitin nya mabenta sa mga guest namin yung pictures na tinake nya susme!
• Pag may naiwan kayo gamit from your wedding, don't worry they will keep it pero they won't inform you that they have it ... 5 days na nasa kanila yung mga wedding paraphernalia ko di manlang kami tinawagan na nasa kanila pala ... heller???
• We have no problems in getting our marriage certificate... pero naman hindi ka lang naman nila iinform na tapos na yung certificate hehehe ... you need to call them.

Reception Venue: WINDMILLS AND RAINFOREST
Rating: 8

Positive Notes:

• Ms. Nora is very professional, she works on your budget, explains the inclusions on your package etc.

• Her staff is so easy to deal with. Kaya wala kami masyado nagkaroon ng problema sa kanila when it comes to services.
• Inclusions are interior decoration, flowers, wines for toasting, doves for dove release and sound system.
• The place itself is so nice ... parang mini Fernwood. Garden set up pero covered and airconditioned ang venue.
• The food is good ... food tasting palang I know our guest would love it.
• Bottomless ang drinks (except for wines). Sa iba ata hindi bottomless ang drinks.

Negative Notes:

• Dati sabi sa amin ni Ms. Nora, parking wouldn't be a problem, pero yun ang naging problema ng iba namin guest kaya na-late sila ng pagdating sa reception.
• If you're planning to have 200 guest or more ... I won't recommend this venue. Kasi based on our experience, yung ibang guest namin nasa likod na and medyo pababa pa yun level sa may likod. So di nila masyado makita yung program. Yung iba tuloy umuwi nalang di na nagtagal. Di na nga namin napansin na nag-uwian na dun sa lugar na yun dahil even us di namin sila makita.
• Medyo na-late yung serving ng food sa Presidential table as well as the VIP table sa tabi. Mas nauna pa nakakain yung mga nag-buffet.
• Maraming corkage fee ... so if you're an OC person and you have a lot of suppliers in mind na di pasok sa package niya, better get another venue. Mas mapapagastos ka sa mga pinapasok mong suppliers (example: cake, wine, lechon etc.) kasi may fee bawat isa.
• Di masyado na-appreciate ng mga guest namin yung choco fountain kasi hindi pa tapos yung wedding program namin eh pinatay na nila yung choco fountain. So akala nila di na pwede kumuha ulit. Eh kami astig kami, pinabuksan namin ulit ni Jason ... eh di pa namin natitikman yun eh.
• Medyo delayed ang refill ng pagkain ... as told by some guest ...

Bride’s Attire and Entourage’s Gown: I DO BRIDAL COLLECTIONS BY: JUN RICAFORTE
Rating: 9

Positive Notes:

• Package includes arrhae, cord, veil, symbol holders, hairpiece, bag and shoes for the bride
• If you get the whole entourage package, he’ll give you a great deal.
• Works on your budget and open to your ideas.
• He can adjust his design to your needs ... I have 3 revisions for my gown, wala ng design revision fee.
• Accessible ang shop niya sa house namin.
• Malinis sila gumawa, pag may problema inaayos nila agad.
• Free wedding announcement in Philippine Star.
• Siya ang pumupunta sa wedding mo to assist you sa gown mo.
• Everybody loves my gown so I think I’ll give him 9 for the rating hihihi...
• Pinasadya niya yung hairpiece ko kasi I wanted a hairvine, kaya pinasadya niya yun sa All About beads.

Negative Notes:

• Make sure yung design na gusto mo eh yun na yun before the production. Kasi pag nagpa-add ka sa design ng gown mo, may additional na agad. After you change your mind hindi na niya ibabalik sa dating rate yung gown mo.
• Madali siya mag-change ng day for your fitting ... Jason talked to him about this because yung ibang abay namin nagli-leave pa para lang mag-fit ng gowns nila tapos bigla niya iniiba yung sched ng fitting. Kaya if you’ll gonna sched for your gown fitting kulitin nyo siya palagi and confirm kung libre siya that day or not.
• Medyo mataray si Mr. Jun pero you can work on him well... business is business ... yun lang. hehehe!
• Pumalpak sila sa corset ko ... yung sa ibaba hindi ma-hook papunta sa harap kasi super taas nung pagkakabitan. Buti nalang nagawan ng paraan before my wedding kundi bababa talaga rating nila. In fairness, hindi kasi sila Mr. Jun ang may gawa nun, may supplier siya na gumagawa ... kaso ang nagkamali yung isang staff nya nagbigay ng maling measurement ata. Kaya ayun ang nangyari ... sa may boob area medyo maluwang pa nga... imbis na mapush up ang boobs ko, lalo dumapa. Buti nalang di ko na pinatanggal yung foam sa may gown ko kaya di nahalata.
• Magaling si Mr. Jun mang-stress ng bride ... pero it’s all worth it hahaha! Lagi ako nawiwindang sa kanya (and he knows it) pero ok naman outcome.

Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom (bags of MOG is included in the package)

Maid of Honor

Bridesmaids (yellow pouch bags are also included)

Secondary Sponsors (yellow pouch bags are also included)

Groom’s Attire and Bride’s Male Family Attire: TESORO
Rating: 9

Positive Notes:

Since Dad has been their loyal customer, nakakuha kami ng great deal. Instead of having Jason’s barong for 8k, naging 4k plus nalang. Half the price di ba? So as my dad and brother’s barong din. They love they’re barong. Malinis ang gawa ... after 2 weeks nakuha na nila yung barong and pants nila.

Negative Notes:

Yun nga lang, Jason wanted sana a Mao collar (chinese collar) even kina kuya at bunso yun din gusto. Noted pa yun ha. Nung nakuha na nila yung barong, hindi naman Mao collar ang ginawa kundi yung simple collar lang. Pero ok pa din...bumagay naman sa kanila yung barong nila.

Male Family Member of the Bride

Photographer: PAUL VINCENT PHOTOGRAPHY
Website:www.paulvincentphoto.com; http://paulvincentphoto.blogspot.com
Rating: 10
(Note: Wala pa yung photo album namin but we give him a rating of 10 for professionalism and good work I’ll work on a new rating if we already have our coffee table album)

Positive Notes:

• Magaling sa motivation ... making his clients at ease sa camera niya.
• Good quality ang photos niya.
• He knows his craft and very artistic ng shots niya. We love our photos. Sabi ng mga friends and family namin para daw kaming artista wahahaha! (friends talaga namin kayo!)
• Very professional, always on time... reminds you of what you need and what you look good on ... mga ganun ...
• W@Wie Supplier of the Year 2006 (whoopeee)
• Paul and Ivy became one of our kakulitan buddies sa text ... they are very prompt on answering your inquiries.

Negative Notes:

• So far wala... but we expected to have 3000+ photos that day dahil 3 photographers sila, pero yung Main Photographer (which is Paul) lang pala ang pinakamaraming shots talaga. Still waiting for the outcome. Di pa nga kami tapos mamili wahahaha!
• Since sila lang ni Ivy gumagawa sa production nun... medyo matagalang production. Sabi ni Paul 5 months prior to submission of selected photos. Kung ipapasa namin yun this January eh July pa namin makukuha. As long as maganda ang outcome walang problema sa akin ... pero wag nyo naman paabutin sa wedding anniversary namin hahaha!

Videographer: SHIERDAN PAMINTUAN
Website: www.shierdan.com
Rating: 10
(Note: Just like Paul, wala pa yung video namin since we haven’t pass him our requirements for the video (quotes, baby pics etc.) and I think 5 months in a process yun. Pero we are giving him a rating of 10 na din. Will give separate rating pag nakuha na namin yung video.)

Positive Notes:

• I saw his works sa website niya, and hindi naman nalalayo ang works niya sa iba.
• Nominated as W@wie Supplier of the Year for 2006
• Sabi nila very serious daw si Dan sa trabaho...eh bakit nung wedding namin ang ingay niya hahaha! Ok nga tong si Dan super kalog... saka pag bad trip ka he’ll do something to make you feel better.
• All request can be granted kung may time siya... if you see his bookings ... super duper wala na ata siyang pahinga.

Negative Notes:

• Since mag-isa lang siya (and kasama niya pala si Jen) medyo yung production takes long ... ok lang as long as maganda pagkakagawa niya. Wahahaha!

HMUA: EJ Litiatco
Website: http://ejblitiatco.blogspot.com/
Rating: 10
(Note: Just like other W@Wies who got her ... she’s your instant bestfriend)

All Positive Notes:

• TMU palang 10 na rating ko sa kanya.
• The price is just right. She’s also very professional. When I advised her to be at the hotel at 6:00a.m nandun na siya ng 5:00am. Kakatuwa no?
• 3 weeks before our wedding she’s been constantly texting me to remind me to moisturize my skin, sleep early, eat right para daw no breakouts sa skin on the wedding day itself. Well, it shows sa pics and it works on me ...

• I love how I look that day ...everybody tells me that I’m so pretty. (*blush*)
• She uses high end make-ups ... she uses hypo-allergenic brushes and sponge. Her things are always clean that’s why you’ll be allergy-free when you’re done with your make-up.
• She took care of me until the end of the ceremony. Super duper naging instant Maid of Honor ko siya dahil and Maid of Honor ko super duper busy.

• Words I can associate with EJ is pamper, caring, friend.
• Mara and Taday did a good job as well. Taday is very good... I just picked the photo of the hairstyle I wanted. Pag-upo ko ginawa na niya agad, super bilis hahaha! Paul took a photo of it and ayun... ang ganda.

EJ Litiatco

her sister and assistant, Mara

Taday (in gray shirt), hairstylist

Cake Supplier: SUGARBOX
Website: http://ilovesugarbox.com
Rating: 10
(Note: I Love Sugarbox!)

Positive Notes:

• Nominated as W@Wie Supplier of the Year
• Ms. Emily is very professional ... easy to talk to. Lalo na when I text her, it was like texting lang a barkada of yours. Ganun siya ka-kwela.
• Her price was just right. We love our minicake tree as in. Kahit nagbayad kami ng corkage fee sa Windmills, its all worth it.
• Her cakes are super sarap. Fondant cakes are dry cakes pero sa kanya hindi ganun ka-dry. Di rin ganun ka-moist kasi baka bumagsak yung cake mo pag moist ang cake.

• The cake topper was so cute at hindi namin yun nakuha... may kumuhang iba. Huhuhu!

Negative Notes:

• I expected the color of pink in our cake would be in fuschia, pero ang ginamit ni Ms. Emily is baby pink. Pero ok lang hihihi.

Invitation: VPROJEKT DESIGN AND CONCEPTS
Website: http://vprojekt.multiply.com
Rating: 10

All Positive Notes:

• Ms. Trina is so easy to deal with. Very professional. Very prompt in answering your email and text messages.
• Her creations are so amazing. You won’t go wrong with her. (Note: But we’ve chosen a simple invitation. Hindi kasi namin priority ang invitation)
• She does not only do invitations, but also gift tags, place cards, missalettes and scrapbooks.
• The price is so reasonable. Saka pag nagkulang yung invites namin, isang tawag lang sa kanya she’ll print it right away kahit walang downpayment. Gagawin na niya ready for pick up.
• Her place is so accessible...

Wedding Paraphernalia: HOME AND BRIDE ESSENTIALS
Website: http://www.hb-essentials.com
Rating: 10
Inclusions: Symbol holders (ring, arrhae and bible holders) & Unity Candles Set

All Positive Notes:

• Very professional and I love her craft. Super machika and talagang bow ka sa works niya. When we saw her folio, super na-confuse kami on what to get.
• Hindi siya hihingi ng downpayment sa iyo not until she bought the materials. Pag na-compute na niya ang cost saka niya itetext or itatawag sa iyo kung magkano lahat-lahat ng babayaran mo sa kanya. Gagawin niya yung order mo as soon as you pay your downpayment.
• Wala naman kami problema sa pick up kasi siya ang mag-aadjust para sa client niya. That time, Jason is near ABS CBN, nagkita sila sa Starbucks sa ABS-CBN mismo. Oh di ba ang galing?
• Prices of her creations varies with the client. Just like ours, we just wanted a very simple but pretty items with a tough or our motiff ... It only cost us less than 3,000 for everything. Akala ko nga aabot ng 5,000, di pala hehehe.

our ring holder

our bible holder

our coin holder

Wedding Rings: SUAREZ WEDDING RINGS
Website: http://suarezweddingrings.com
Rating: 10

All Positive Notes:

It fits our budget, nice design of rings, fast service kasi in less than a month gawa na agad yung rings namin. Suarez is locate din gateway, malapit lang sa place namin ni Jason.

Flowers: FLORA@ELEVEN01
Rating: 10
Inclusions: Bride's Bouquet, all female entourage's Bouquet, All male entourage Bottonaire

Positive Notes:

• Very Professional si Mr. Rex Rosario, he’ll give suggestions pa with the flowers he’ll gonna use sa wedding mo.
• Hindi niya na-anticipate na tataas ang prices ng flowers ng October 28 dahil malapit na ang All Soul’s Day nun. Nalugi siya sa akin pero hindi na niya ako sinigil ng additional. Super duper bait niya.

• When he arrived at the hotel yung dulo ng yellow roses ko sa bouquet medyo nag-wilt na and nangitim. Ginawan niya ng paraan na mawala yun. In other words, di niya pinabayaan na ganun nalang ang itsura. That’s a plus for me di ba?
• Everybody loved their (entourage) bouquet, kahit mga Ninang namin, they’re raving about it.

Entertainment: The Velvet Mood by: Gary Silang Cruz
Rating: 10
(Note: I’ve never met Ms. April (wife of Mr. Gary Silang Cruz) in person. All our transactions are thru email and text only. Payments done thru bank. Pero super duper galing nila)

Positive Notes:

• They play good ... almost all the songs I’ve chosen to be played on our wedding and reception were played. And ganda ng renditions nila grabe.
• When my father in law sang a song for us, they played it well kahit impromtu yun. Kaya tumaas nanaman ang rating nila.

• When I’ve heard them playing my bridal march super kinilig ako. Kasi super duper ganda ng boses and ewan ko lang ... but when I hear violin playing super parang nasa cloud nine ako ...

• Even our emcess doing speeches, nagpiplay pa din sila sa background ng instrumentals ... homey and cozy ang feeling ng mga guest namin.
• Sobrang professional sila as in ... they’re on time talaga. Never silang na-late.

Bridal Car: AdeB
Rating: 10
All Positive Notes:

• We hired their E320 Mercedes Benz ... but on our wedding day, we got a Limo hihihi. Pinagawa daw kasi yung E320 kaya yung Limo ang pinagamit sa amin. How sweet.
• Ms. Lester (yes, she’s a she) very professional kausap sa phone. Since malapit sa house nila Jason ang AdeB, all transaction was made in their office.
• Super malinis ang car nila ... their driver’s are so courteous. He even helped me get out of the car and helped Ms. EJ to fixed my veil nung magmamarch na ako.
• Super safe mag-drive si Manong.

Souvenirs: UNIQUE NOVELTY AND TOY CORP.
Website: http://untc.multiply.com
Rating: 8

Positive Notes:

• Nalaman ko ang UNTC thru a W@Wie also. When we got there they have this huge showroom. A lot of stuffs to choose from.
• Very accomodating si Ms. Shiela Hwan, siya pa nag-assist sa amin ng Mom ko in choosing my souvenirs.
• Meron na rin siya ribbons and tulle for packaging kaya no problem about that already.

Negative Notes:

• I think fault na namin to... I ordered 150 picture frames from UNTC pero some are not in good condition. Yung iba medyo corroded na yung handle ng frames ... yung iba hindi balance yung tayo ng frames.

Wedding Cord, Kissing Bells, Missalettes, Pens for Guest Book: ANA CRE
Website: http://ana-cre-by-arc.blogspot.com
Rating: 10+++++++++++++ (love your own hehehe)

Positive Notes:

Ana Ruby is my very creative cousin, also my Maid of Honor who did all my kissing bells, Wedding Ceremonial Cord, Pens and Missalettes. She’s been doing this since we were still teenagers. Siya lagi yung gumagawa ng mga trinkets, souvenirs sa mga birthdays and debut. First time niya nag-handle ng wedding nung wedding ko. And ganda-ganda ng cords ko and kissing bells (siyempre love your own hihihi). She also does bracelets, earrings, necklace ... she once did ceramic painting (like what they have sa malls right now)

kissing bells

Ceremonial Cord

Misalletes

All in all ... I'm 95% satisfied with my suppliers. So I hope my supplier ratings helped you decide on which supplier to get for your wedding day. Happy Preps!

(all photos by: Paul Vincent Photography)

2006 W@Wie Supplier of the Year

Yes, I'm so happy that 3 of our suppliers made it on the Top 5 list ... and Paul Vincent got it this year. Congratulations to you and Ivy, you really deserve it. Funny thing is, I was reading W@Wie mails reading supplier rating on Paul Vincent when Eranie texted me that Paul got the award. Congratulations also to Dan Pamintuan and Emily Uy for being on the Top 5 ... read more about them here.

Speaking of Paul, I already got our "not yet" enhanced photo CD. Mega pinapipili na ako ng nanay ko ng mga photos to be sent abroad. wag daw i-CD, ipaprint na daw agad ... ok fine! hahaha! napakademanding naman ... imagine sa 3 folders ng photo eh 700 shots ata ang laman huhuhuhu! ano ba yun ... kaloka ... mahirap pumili ng photos ... thanks talaga Paul... no trace of baby fats promise hihihi! Good job to both of you.

On Dec. 3, we're going to Baguio. Since all hotels are booked on the weekends... we decided to go to Baguio by Sunday... Freelancer naman kami, no boss hehehe kaya hawak namin ang oras namin. We'll be staying at Ridgewood Residence. We heard na maganda daw dun. Yun din recommend sa amin ng isa namin Ninong eh. Not that expensive, not that cheap ... tama lang. And ang maganda pa nun, medyo malayo siya sa city so feel na feel mo talaga you're in Baguio. Saka we're not planning on shopping for jams, peanut brittle etc. kasi may supplier ata daddy ko nun, every month meron dinadala dito sa bahay kaya wag na hihihi. Pero I was thinking of buying a igorot style sweater (para siyang poncho) in Baguio. Ang problem is where to buy one. Research nalang siguro kami hihihi.

Now I can work on my supplier ratings with photo hihihi...

Wedding Announcement

Hehehe I know it's too late to brag about this one. Our wedding was announced twice in two different newspaper. Last October 22, 2006 in Manila Bulletin's All About Weddings (Thanks to Ms. Benz and Mr. John mwah!) and the other one was in Phil. Star October 29, 2006 issue (Thanks to Mr. Jun Ricaforte hihihi one of his freebies of you get his services). Mr. Jun texted me so early in the morning, he told me na nasa newspaper na yung annoucnement namin. Nakakatuwa nga kasi di ako ang bumili ng mga newspaper na yan. Yung mga clippings na yan naiuwi na ng tita ko sa Hawaii at ipapakita daw niya sa mga Tito at Tita ko dun na nasa newspaper ang kanilang ever beauty na pamangkin ... hehehe joke lang yun.

I'm still working on our supplier ratings .. bakit ang hirap gawin nun? waaaaaa!

This one was posted in Phil. Star October 29, 2006

This was posted in Manila Bulletin's All About Weddings last Oct. 22, 2006

along with fellow October 2006 couples Darlene & Alex, Sheryllyne & Macho, Girlly & Andy, Bernadette & John, Virgie and Ryan, Anne & Diobert and... Jenm & Deniel

Jason and Ann's Wedding Kwento...

There really is no perfect wedding. I'm one of those people who believe in that. As a matter of fact, ours wasn't that perfect. The imperfections was really quite visible. But still everybody enjoyed that 3 hour event that took place in their lives. Hindi ko na elaborate lahat-lahat. Bigay ko lang sa inyo ung mga kaunting details na naalala ko sa wedding namin. Thanks to our W@W community ... I pulled off our wedding without a coordinator. This group is a big help talaga. Kaya we're thanking God for helping us on our wedding day.

October 27, 2006 around 1 p.m., We went to Jun Ricaforte's shop to pick up all our gowns. Wala pa yung shoes and bag ko (imagine wala pa!!!) but Mr. Jun assured me that he'll drop by sa hotel to fix my gown sa mannequin form. He'll bring the shoes and bag nalang kasi naiwan niya sa bahay. Ok quite a relief for me.

2:00p.m. We had our bookings reserved at The Great Eastern Hotel. Yung pinareserve ko na Presidential suite nila eh may client na kumuha nun 4 days ago pa. Na-delayed ang flight kaya na-extend ang stay ... (another stressful thing that took place that day). Sabi ko, I don't need to wait for them to check-out kaya hinanapan nila kami ng new rooms. Blessing in disguise, Ms. Jacq of Great Eastern hotel showed us sa West Wing ng hotel nila. The newly built part ng hotel. Ang ganda ng lobby and the rooms are more malamig and spacious. We took 4 rooms for us, sa family ni Jason, sa mga tita ko, and some of our female entourage. Ok ang lobby ng west wing, I texted Paul right away ... told him makakagawa na siya ng dramatic effect sa lobby ng Great Eastern Hotel. hihihi!

We had our family dinner sa Gulliver's ... medyo 10 years nga lang ang services pero masarap ang pagkain nila promise. The night before our wedding day, may ginagawa pa kami ng mga pinsan ko na gagamitin kinabukasan. Eye patches for the blindfold jack en poy garter game, pouches for the loose petals and the baskets for the fruit offertory. By 12am natulog na ako ... dun lang ako inabutan ng antok.

October 28, 4:00am I got a text message from Ms. EJ Litiatco telling us they're on their way to our hotel. Siyempre ako nagulantang hahaha! Ang aga kaya! hihihi! Si mom ang mas tensed hindi ako. Nauna make up yung 2 abay ko kasi nagbreakfast ako baka kasi sikmurain ako. Saka I'll be wearing a corset kaya I need to eat baka kasi di ako makakain sa reception.

6:00 a.m. dumating na flowers namin. Medyo nanghinayang ako sa bouquet ko kasi risky daw talaga ang yellow roses. Pag medyo nagwilt siya, nangingitim yung dulo. Mr. Rex cut those parts na lanta na kaya ok na siya nung tapos na. Maganda lahat ng ginawa niya for us. Thanks to him. After 15 mins dumating na si Paul and Ivy. Nagtatawanan sila pag-open ko ng door. Kasi ang text ko daw sa kanilang room no. is 1106 (Blooper no. 1) ... eh nasa 1101 kami. Kinatok nila yung yung sa room 1106 ... "Si Ann Recta po?" .. umiling lang yung person tapos sinara pinto. Kaya tinawagan na ako ni Paul ... asan daw ba ako ... hahaha! Pagbukas ko ng pinto nagtatawanan na kami lahat.

They started doing their thing (photo shoot) ... nakakatuwa sila panoorin ... lalo na si Ivy, kala mo kung ano ginagawa sa sulok ... yun pala nagshoshoot ng mga wedding symbols ko dun. The whole time I was teasing Paul about the nomination for the Top Ten W@wies Supplier of the Year. And nalaman ko nga din thru Paul na Mr. Buddy G. will get footages of them on the go sa wedding ko. Excited hahaha! 7:00am dumating si Shierdan ... I was the teaser again na kaya siya na-late kasi nagprepare siya sa shoot ni Mr. Buddy G. for the Top Ten W@wies Supplier of the Year. Kaya tawanan nanaman kaming lahat. I'm so thankful for this people kasi hindi ko talaga naramdaman masyado yung kaba sa wedding. Before I forgot ... 6:30 am dumating yung couturier ko, si Mr. Jun Ricaforte to help me out sa gown ko. yey! I thought kasi hindi siya ang pupunta sa akin sa wedding ko. and he is so prompt. sinabi niya na 6:30 siya dadating, 6:30 nga siya dumating. hahaha!

Ms. EJ is so good ... hindi ako nagkaroon ng allergies sa make up ... my lip color is nice ... my hair is nicely done, thanks to Taday ... and my hairpiece is so pretty ... thanks to All About Beads c/o Mr. Jun Ricaforte.

They started my shoot around 8:30 ... yun ang assume ko kasi di ako nagsuot ng watch para di ako ma-tense (and it really works) ... as usual kung ano2x na pinapagawa ni Paul sa akin hahaha! Since D-day na ... ok na ang posing ko ngayon ... mas game ako kaysa nung prenup. Hihihi! Kaya siguro tuwa din si Paul na mag-shoot.

Pagbaba namin sa hotel may isang bride na naghihintay din ng bridal car niya. So ako, nandun lang muna sa loob. Marami kasal nangyari ng Oct. 28, sa w@wie list palang i think we're more than 10. And AdeB upgraded our Mercedes Benz E32o sa limosine. Wahahaha! Nagulat nga kami ni Jason. We thought din na may additional sa bayad. Wala pala. Ok din si Manong (I didn't get his name) super bait pa. Ayaw nga nya natataranta ako. Saka wag daw ako mag-alala help nya daw ako pagbaba ng car.

As they closed the door of Twin Hearts, pinababa na ako ni Ms. EJ, she's such a darling... inayos niya ang veil ko plus train ... hindi niya talaga ako iniiwan. Kaya love na love ko siya. As they opened the door, I was so overwhelmed with the crowd ... grabe napuno ang Twin Hearts ng bisita namin. As I was walking down the aisle while Velvet Mood is playing Ikaw Lamang by: Zsazsa Padilla pinigilan ko ang mata ko sa pagtulo ng luha. And everyone is clicking their cameras talaga. And I saw Jason all smile. Dad's officemates and staff was already teasing him to cry na. Kaya nagpigil talaga ang tatay ko. wahahaha!

By the time Dad is already giving me out to Jason, it's the first time I saw him super gorgeous in his Barong. Ang gwapo gwapo niya. Ang sarap niyang titigan. Our mass is so solemn ... and maganda din ang homily ni Fr. Bendita. Everybody love it. During the marriage rites ... May part that we suppose to recite both ... iba yung tinuturo ni Fr. Ernie sa babasahin namin (Blooper no. 2). Kaya nalito kami ... pero ok naman since ako ang gumawa nung misalette na yun nahanap ko naman. Nung blessing ng bible tinawag na yung bible bearer namin ... instead na binigay niya sa pari yung bible (Blooper no. 3) eh binigay niya kay Jason ... tinitigan namin yung pinsan namin ... sabi namin "Ano gagawin namin dito? bakit sa amin mo binigay?" hahaha! Kaya natawa ulit kami ni Jason at binigay ng pinsan ko yun kay Fr. Ben. Ok ang flow ng Marriage rites ... bungisngis daw kami ... lagi daw kami tawa ng tawa saka ngiti ng ngiti. Fr. Ernie also told us that he's so happy that we are so prompt. The mass started on time and we are not late. Unlike the other couples. To tell you frankly, feeling namin ni Jason parang ordinaryong araw lang yun. We are so relaxed ... not until came this very irritating incident ...

After the recessional, siyempre paglabas amin ng church nag-shower na sila ng party popper and loose petals. Ewan ko kung maganda sa picture ha ... kasi parang ang bilis ng flow ng event. After nun dinala ulit kami ni paul papasok ng Twin Hearts para kuhanan kami ng mga portrait shots sa loob ng church. Kaso yung mga pagpapabinyag nagtakbuhan na agad sa altra para magpicture taking na sila ... at eto pa ... yung church coordinator nila hinarang kami kasi sinabihan daw niya mga abay namin na bawal ang pagsaboy ng party popper at loose petals sa loob ng church. Eh malay ba namin ... first time lang namin ikasal ... saka wala naman sa contrata yun (we read the paper we signed sa Twin Hearts, wala naman restriction.) So pinabayaan na namin... ano gusto nya gawin namin ... pulutin namin ni Jason yun isa-isa?

While my Maid of Honor and brother took care of our wedding pharapernalia (candles, pillows, veil etc.) mega pinagalitan ng church coordinator ng Twin Hearts yung Maid of Honor namin na bakit daw kami nagkalat sa church na sinabihan naman daw niya na bawal yun ... at according sa mga abay ko, ni isa daw wala sa kanila sinabihan na bawal daw yung party popper sa loob. Wag daw sila aalis hangga't hindi nalilinis yung aisle. Sa sobrnag kabaitan ng mga pinsan ko at ng kapatid ko, kumuha sila ng dustpan at walis para walisin yung kalat ... eh siyempre ako nagalit na ako ... kasi sabi ko pabayaan na nila na tumalak yung lalaki na yun at security guard about the petals at party popper kasi wala na naman sila magagawa ... eh pinagwalis talaga nila yung mga abay ko ... pinigilan ako nila EJ at Paul ...sususgudin ko na talaga yung coordinator dahil nabubwisit na ako sa kanya.

Sabi ni Paul umalis na daw kami para umalis na din mga pinsan ko at kapatid ko ... wala kami shots sa Twin hearts because of the incident. Kasi nakita na nila Paul na anytime susugudin ko na yung coordinator … at nangingiyak na ako … pinipigilan ko lang. Kaya umalis na kami lahat, iniwan na namin yung kalat … my kuya hired two tanod to clean it all up … Sabi nga ni Dan gaganti nalang daw kami ... yung natirang party popper papuputukin daw namin ulit ng sunday sa loob ng church para magalit daw ulit yung church coordinator.

SIDE KWENTO: At dahil sa incident na yun … lahat ng wedding paraphernalia ko (2 boxes) naiwan sa Twin Hearts which hanggang ngayon we have no idea kung nakuha nila or not. Sa sobrang taranta ng mga abay ko (which act as receptionist, usherettes and ushers din sa reception) pumunta ng Windmills… nakalimutan or walang nakaalala bitbitin yung mga box na nilapag nila sa last seats near the door sa Twin Hearts. Since Tuesday pa ang bukas ng church office nila, eh Tuesday ko pa malalaman kung nandun nga or not. Sana nga nandun dahil nanghihinayang ako ... the rosary a gift for mom which came from Rome pa was there, my Precious Moments Bible ... the pillows and Unity Candle I bought from Ms. Gerri is all there ... hay ... sayang... sana hindi na makatulog yung nakakuha nun at ibalik sa Twin Hearts lahat ng kinuha niya. (kung may outsider na nakakuha ha)

ANOTHER SIDE KWENTO: I called up Ms. Dodo of Twin Hearts and told her about what happened that day ... she appologized naman sa naging attitude ng staff niya. Gusto ko kasi ma-justify yung ginawa nung coor niya sa amin, lalo na sa mga abay ko ... naka gown sila at naka-barong ... immediate family ko sila pinagwalis niya sa aisle ng Twin Hearts ... hindi talaga namin nagustuhan. Sayang nga di nakunan ni Dan on tape. Kasi kahit sino talagang naasar sa ginawa nila. Kaya naghintay ng matagal guest namin dahil dun ... hindi kasi nila nalaman yung nangyari ... until natapos yung wedding. Sabi nga ni Ms. Dodo dapat di ko na daw sinira yung day ko dahil dun ... sabi ko po, hindi ko din naiwasan mainis dahil pinagwalis po ng staff niya yung mga abay ko na dapat nasa reception na dahil mag-aasikaso ng guest namin.

At the reception, medyo nagulo daw ng konti yung seating arrangement since nasa Twin Hearts pa nga kami dahil sa incident. Eh wala kasama sa pag-assist si Ms. Emily of Windmills sa mga guest. Pero buti nalang naplantsa naman ng maayos. Kaya sinimulan na yung program. As our emcee and good friends, Allan and Lilibeth started introducing our entourage, nakita ko yung chocolate fountain. Si EJ naman naawa sa akin at binigyan ako ng marshmallow. Natuluan tuloy yung gown ko ng chocolate waaaaaaaahhhhh! Pero here comes Ms. EJ to the rescue. Di niya tinantanan yung chocolate drip sa gown ko. Tinanggal niya. hihihi!

Smooth naman yung flow ng program. I must say I'll give credit to our emcee. Talagang nadala niya ang crowd. I can see everybody is laughing when he cracks joke. Kahit kami tawa ng tawa nyek! Nung cake ceremony, nahirapan kami i-cut yung cake namin (Blooper no. 4) waaahhh kaya nga ayoko minsan ng fondant. Sa na-slice namin na cake ... ang nakuha namin karampot kasi nawasak bigla kaya natawa nanaman kami ni Jason. I super love our cake. Thanks to Ms. Emily of Sugarbox (I really love Sugarbox!!!) though hindi nga lang nasuond yung pagka-pink nung color (I'm expecting it to be in fuschia pink) pero ok lang masarap yung cake as in ... lahat ng guest namin nasarapan sa cake namin.

Yung garter toss naman nakakatuwa yung outcome ... blindfold jack en poy yung game. Nakablindfold yung guys while playing jack en poy. Nanalo yung pinsan ko ... ang matindi yung bouquet toss ... (Blooper no. 5) Supposedly isa lang dapat ang maiiwan na ribbon na naka-tie sa throw away bouquet. The other loose yun ... parang nakaipit lang sa ribbon ng throw away bouquet. Ang kaso sa sobrang higpit ng pagkakagawa ng Maid of Honor ko, pagkahila ng mga single ladies ... walang natanggal ni isa hahaha! Kaya pumili nalang kami ng isa sa kanila, si Rich yun, a good friend of mine who got the blue ribbon, the other's are yellow. Kaloka!

Pero siyempre di mawawala yung mga iyakan blues. Pinipigilan kong wag umiyak pero by the time dad had his speech, talagang di ko napigilan. And when Jason's dad did his, lalo ... hehehe! Iyakin talaga kami. We had the father and daughter dance ... and the couple's first dandce. Magaling ang Velvet Mood. Lahat ng songs na ni-request namin natugtog nila... meron mga iba hindi natugtog pero ok lang... maganda naman ang performance nila. Wala ako masabi.

Yung dove release na di nagawa sa church kasi nakalimutan i-pick up ng mga tita ko sa reception eh ginawa nalang sa reception. Pero after na ng program dahil wala sa program sa reception yung dove release. So for photo and video purposes, ginawa namin dalawa yung dove release ... (Blooper No. 5) Nung hinatak namin yung string from the bell ... hindi siya bumuka...kailangan daw maglambitin kami ala Tarzan and Jane sabi ni Paul ... wahahaha! Nung nabuksan naman namin, yung isang dove nag-asal duck ... wahahaha! Nagswimming sa fish pond ng Windmills kaya tawa ulit kami.

Eto pa pala ang isa ... nung champagne toast with the bestman ... (Blooper no. 6) Nauna pa ang best man namin uminom ng wine kaysa sa amin. Hehehe! Saka nung toasting, nahuli yung mga waiter na lagyan ng wine mga baso ng guest namin kaya lahat walang laman yung wine glass nila nung toasting ... another first hihihi!

We end up our day with super duper lots of photo shoots. Game na game na kami sa mga pinapagawa ni Paul at Ivy eh kaya kahit buong araw ok lang sa amin. Sa 300 pax na binayaran namin, 40 persons ang hindi nagpunta. Nag-confirm naman sila pero mas minuna nila yung presonal nilang buhay. Sana di nalang sila nag-confirm para di kami nagbayad ng ganun kamahal tapos wala naman kakain. Madami hindi nakapansin sa chocolate fountain. Samantalang ako yun agad napansin ko pagpasok namin ng Windmills.

When we are in the hotel ... as we go to sleep ... di pa din kami makapaniwala na tapos na. It's all worth it, kahit visible ang mga glitches. We just let it go ... I kept on asking Jason what happened that day ... he just answered, "hindi ko alam, basta ang alam ko akin ka na!"

Supplier ratings soon!

(Photos by: Paul Vincent Photography)