We were finalising the entourage list for the invites and he was insisting on putting the middle initial of every single member of the entourage.  The thing is, here in the UK, one’s middle initial is actually the middle name unlike in the Philippines where it is your mother’s surname.   I told him i didn’t want the hassle of phoning people just to confirm their frigging initials but he was insistent.  In the end i had to give in on the condition that HE will do all the asking.

Second argument was about RSVP.  I didn’t want our names on the RSVP since we won’t be arriving till the 5th of December, i prefer it to be done by our coordinator since it’s part of the service they offer.   Also, i don’t want people ringing us to say “can we bring someone along” even if the reserved number of seat is already on the invite.  I just want to avoid people being offended if we can give in to requests.

Lastly, a lot of G and my dad’s kababayans in the province are hinting on our relatives parang nagpapa-imbita.   At the very beginning, G and i agreed that it will be a family and friends only affair.  It just so happened that i came from a big family both on my mum and dad’s side.  G, although their immediate family is small, is really close to his dad’s cousins and his 2nd cousins so again, big numbers.   At the moment our guest list is at 201 and our booking is for 200 so i refuse to invite those who volunteer to attend.

I maybe a bit harsh here, but these people who wants to be invited has not acknowledge my existence until now.  Excuse me. Deadma na kung deadma.  My mum offered to pay for the “extra” people but i flatly refused.  That would defeat the purpose of having a family and friends only celebration.

Someone told me that i’m being a bit selfish because these people only want to share in our happiness.  I don’t think so.  They only want to be there so that they can nit-pick and gather chismis that they can broadcast to the whole baranggay. It’s a sad reality. They’ve done it before, they are likely to do it again.  Not on my wedding, though.  NEVER.

Oh, i would love to have these lovelies sent out to my guests.

For more info about the giveaway, click here.

Dingbat Press is also offering a 10% discount to wedding invitation purchases made in their Etsy shop through the end of the month. Mention code DP10 when purchasing.

Photo credits: Dingbat Press

these STDs are from printed matter.  i think they did a brilliant job.  our theme is autumn so i thought it’s okay to make the design “autumny” to give the guests a hint.  our invite would of course be more formal.

veluz is the only supplier i was sure of booking when i started the preps.  i booked her even before i booked the church and reception.  first met her june 2006 and immediately, she put me at ease.  i love how she’s so kikay and so bakla.  she tells you what will and won’t work, she is honest that way.

i remember one time when i finally succumbed to ONE bridezilla moment. i rang her at 3am *my time* asking her if she can recommend a coordinator.  her words “ano ba, matulog ka kaya” still makes me smile to this day.

here are some funny moments with ms V and niko, that i will never forget.

first fitting–note it was just “kacha”/lining
ME: Wow, ang ganda *gasping with excitement*. pwede na ‘to, eto na lang pwede?
MS V: Uy, excited…sige, pakasal ka na. Libre na yan.

i rang her to book an appointment when we went home this july.
ME: hi V
MS V: den, nasan ka
ME: dito ka sa pinas
MS. V: oh my god, buti tumawag ka, i’m so happy makakapag-fit tayo
ME: G’s dad passed away e.
MS V: ay parang hindi tamang ma-excite ako, pero basta don’t forget to see me before you leave
ME: I will kaya lang baka tight
MS V: I’ll make time for you.

On the second fitting, V revised our original design and asked Niko to sketch for her.
MS V: oh, bakit ganyan drawing mo? walang korte? ayusin mo.
Niko: Okay…*sketched for about 5 minutes*
MS V: ay niko, mali. ibahin natin. baguhin mo ulit
Niko: pagkatapos kong careerin.

ME: Mr Niko, measure mo na shoes ko?
Niko: Sige…ilang inches?
ME: 2 inches lang
Niko: Hindi mag 3 ka, kaya mo yan. Nakakapayat pag mas mataas
ME: Ay ganun? Sige, pwede 6 inches?

Wedding preps were temporarily put on hold because of this but before we return to the UK, we managed to meet with some of our suppliers (post to follow soon).

I have posted majority of our STD (SAve-the-Date and not the disease) magnets.

last january i started reading again and i read a post by a b2b (bride2be) in london asking if fellow brides would like to do their prenups here with john mateos ong, who happened to be her photographer too. i told her i was interested and asked what the terms were. as with standards, we will share the cost of the airfare plus the prenup fee. i was a bit hesitant at first since i know that it will be expensive but we both said that we’ll find some other couple willing to do the same and share expenses with us.

she emailed jong and luckily, he got another email, on the same day asking him if he can cover their wedding here too. jong said yes, got his visa & schedule sorted and so yesterday, G and i had our prenuptial/engagement session.

i was worried because the forecast was going to be rain and hail but it turned out to be a great day, albeit very very cold. we started off with a quick photo op at westminst3r station. it wasn’t allowed but he just couldn’t resist it, he had to take quick, pa-simple shots. he even studied where the cameras where positioned. then we went to westminst3r abbey, big ben, tower bridge, southbank and the london eye.

my mum and dad came with us since we need someone to hold our stuff (change of clothes) and help jong with the lights and since it was a working day, their the only volunteers. i felt bad because they had to walk with us for a good 4.5 hours in freezing weather. we didn’t even bother changing clothes because we had to wear our jackets all the time.

my whole body was numb after it, it was so tiring but so totally worth it. we were impressed with jong. he doesn’t seem to get tired, cold or hungry. he’s so nice and humble and fun to work with. G and i are so glad that we were given the opportunity to have our prenups since i know that december is always a busy month for photographers and we’re only going home a couple of days before the wedding.

i can’t wait to get the CDs later.

we also considered fernbrook gardens but we’re put off by rates increasing even before it was build and the fact that their add-ons are ridiculously priced, imo. i’m sure it turned out beautiful (we only looked at artist’s perspective, that time) but it wasn’t for us.

we had a meeting with ann zablan, the banqueting manager in june and found her to be very accomodating and easy to deal with. she’s very flexible too with the package inclusions so we’ve decided to book the palms.

As soon as i saw the church, i fell in love. It was definitely a “THISisIT” moment. It was love at first sight but an unrequited one at that. I couldn’t tell G how i felt because i have already paid the reservation fee at CoH.

On the way to Tagaytay i tried to put St James out of my mind and set my mind on CoH. When i got there, it was the same as i remembered, serene and beautiful but i somewhat forgotten how far it was.

In the end, we decided that St James is the one for us.

because of this, i decided to email the person i want to make gown and luckily, she said yes. so far i have booked the church and the couturier, i have a groom so what more do i need right?

welcome to the crazy world of wedding planning, overseas style.