P x T wedding catch up soon...

I owe a lot of documentation from my wedding. I shall get some time to finish them soon. :) All I can say is that you can never out-think, out do God's generosity. 

Ang Pamamanhikan

Ang pamamanhikan ay isang Pilipinong tradisyon kung saan ang pamilya ng lalaki ay pormal na hihingin ang kamay ng dalagang nais nyang pakasalan sa pamilya ng babae. Kadalasan, nagaganap ito sa bahay ng dalaga. Nagdadala ng pagkain at regalo ang pamilya ng lalaki sa partida ng babae.

Whew. Ang hirap iexplain sa wikang Pilipino. In any which way, ours happened with a twist. Pol's and our familh decided to hold ours in a restaurant. My house is quite a mess with me recenty arriving, add the 5 dogs that we have, less helper. Pol's family willingly adjusted and we had our Pamamanhikan at The Nest, Vivere, Alabang. It is quite a nice restaurant overlooking the city.

What to say? It was a merging of family, centered in God's love.

The Reception Venue

As an overseas bride, I relied much on the instinct of my fiance when it comes to some decisions which needs physical presence -- like reception venue. I eyed so may reception venues in Binan and Sta. Rosa, checking new hotels, exclusive clubhouse and resorts. There are lot of things to be considered when looking for a reception venue -- number of guests to be accommodated, food, parking, aircon or non aircon, etc etc... 

We were looking for a big space, with in house catering if possible, and of course, budget friendly. 

And so when Papol saw this reception venue as suggested by friends, we booked (and I trusted him) immediately. Villa Leonila Resort in Binan Laguna came to picture. Mind you, our Church will be in Cabuyao and the reception venue in Binan. It's some 20 minutes drive. Kontra nga super ang aking inay pero sa bandang huli, kaming mag jowa pa rin ang nasunod. Somehow, it made sense that the venues represented our roots -- Cabuyao for Church, Binan for reception, and Sta. Rosa for the preps.

This venue offers great package which includes caterer, set up, prep room, basic soundsystem, cake, and dove. The cost is really good too, hence, practical fiance said YES!
I saw some pictures of the venue, although their Facebook page isn't much of help. With some styling from 4Leaf Events and Beyond, I'm quite sure it will turn out great.

Villa Leonila Resort in Binan is quite new. This branch, although just two years in the industry, is a new venture of the main branch of the same name, located in San Pedro, Laguna. The resort is managed by no less than P. A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corporation, a big construction firm in the South. The first branch, Villa Leonila San Pedro,  started operation in 1997. 

A sister from Singles for Christ was one of the first couples who got married in the venue last 2013 gave me good reviews. Here's hoping that expectations will be met. 

Front gate

Front view of the pavilion.  I might say that the pool is quite refreshing.

Side view..

And far view, haha waley... excuse the bricks. Ewan ano ginagawa ng panahong iyan

Pictures are solely grabbed from their FB site. I will update this with Supplier Rating after the wedding.

Please cross your fingers for me. Hehe.

E-invites for Principal Sponsors

You gotta be creative when one of the wedding couple is overseas. This is how we sent requests for our Principal Sponsors. These are done via www.paperlesspost.com and sent to the mails of our prospect Ninongs and Ninangs. It's handy because we can track their answers via mail. We can only visit the Ninongs and Ninangs once I get home in July. Thank God for technology. I shall tell you more about the site in separate posts because we plan to send our invites through this also.

 

 

DIY part 1

I am blessed to have creative and crafty friends who offered fo Diy some of my wedding details. As such, my entourage will be walking down the aisle with pretty fabric flowers and accessories. These are still works in progress but the bride in me is getting excited! Wohoo. Kamusta naman ang pagdala ko ng mga to from Qatar to Pinas. Aja!

 

The Church

Pol and I decided to get married at this beautiful rustic church in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Natatawa ko kasi dati, never sumagi sa isip ko na ikakasal ako dun. Kasi nga, walking distance lang sa bahay nila Pol yun. Pol used to be a choir member there, and we usually hear mass there after SFC service. Siguro nag conspire lang ang mundo dahil, yung pari na gusto kong magkasal sa kin, ay na destino dun. Akalin mo nga naman!

So, meet our church, St. Polycarp Parish Cabuyao, Laguna. (Photos not mine).

As of this writing, kumukumpleto pa namin ang requirements as below. Pero sure na sure naman na, na dito magaganap ang aming pagiisang dibdib.

Update: 17 March 2015, booked this church. Yipee! Omg, this is it!

Monogram 101

Dahil 8 March ngayon, officially 5 months to go na lang to the big day. Thing is, I have been asking talented friends and cousins to suggest options for monogram. At meron ng isa. Yay! Nakakakilig pala yung ganito. Parang ang lapit na pala talaga. What do you think about this monogram?

 

 

When God made our love story

Pol and I met in the summer of 2008, at the time when I was not ready to fall in love - again. We are both active members of Singles for Christ and during then, and volunteered to be part of the events team that spearhead's the yearly outing of the community. We actually didn't notice each other first until we were assigned to be teammates in one part of the program.

Actual Program Day. Someone asked us to pose and we did. May 3, 2008

The picture above actually was cute, and it started the whole thing of us keeping in touch even after the event was over. After nun, ginawa naming chatroom ang Multiply and became textmates. And that's when we started calling each other "Pakner."

Soon, the messages online and texts became long phone calls, thanks to unlimited calls. I remembered having an accidental date when we organized a group movie date with SFC friends and nobody showed up. A cup of coffee revealed each other's vulnerability and I'm glad he didn't take it seriously when I told him that I am not interested to date any brothers from the community. Another long "date" after, if I may label it that, made us really feel that what we have was something more that just friendship.

At the back of my head I wasn't sure how things will turn out to be. There was never really a formal courtship. Just one day (actually a month after the event), we decided to be a couple, that's that. We took a leap of faith.

First night as Bf-Gf, 4 June 2008

All I know back then was that, after two failed relationships, I really prayed for God to give me a Prince after His own heart.  I resolved to wait, but He didn't let me wait that long.  Being a leader of Singles for Christ Laguna, I wanted a relationship that will truly glorify Him. And He was faithful.

Pol and I did not have it easy after. But one thing's for sure, we trusted God in this relationship. Our dates maybe boring for some as it always consists of service first then just coffee after. Our hangouts are the activities of the community, service meetings after another. But, it made us closer, stronger, and more prayerful I guess. We had big issues, personality differences, opposing views, but love always prevailed and forgiveness always abounds.

The key however to the happy 7  years that we have, is Pol not giving up on me. He was an example of patience, faithfulness and unconditional love.

We got engaged on the 27th of June 2013. Just when I was about to leave for Qatar.

Pilit na mga kiti. 27 June 2013..

I'm thankful that he put a ring on me. It was his way of protecting the relationship. It gave me something to look forward to. Made the love grew stronger.

And so here we are, 5 months away to the big day. When God made our love story, He made sure we will both have the best that we deserved. Thank you Papa God.