walang katapusang preps, haha.

Kuya Ed painted more frames & decors white creating a more French vintage theme while Ton2 is making our backdrop panels. My, i love it.


weeee, pwede na gyud magpakasal! :)


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kicking

Mama is really supportive. We made cloth flowers for the bouquet today. These are scraps so we didn't really spend on it. We need to do it since there are not much of purple and peppermint/aqua flowers available. Also, we added feather accents (aqua touch)... and xempre, eagle's touch! haha.

...

In the afternoon, we did a hospital visit. Tiffany's (eagerl) father was confined. Val and Gen prayed for him. We hope for his salvation. We love moments like this. We have a Healer!

and the best part today?

Yes! Our cell group meeting!!! Topic: Five Love Languages

Thank you, Lord, for our cell group. Our ability and authority to minister is from you!

some more marco loco

good morning from us, three!

overlooking our Alma Mater, Ateneo de Davao University. It gets us sentimental, though.

See what I mean!

yes, Tats was with us! =D

---

back to the preps...

we dropped by Gmall before we went home... 

bought home supplies... Gen might transfer today at the apartment...

We spent the afternoon sorting vintage stuff for the wedding decors...

The wedding environment will totally be away from the magazines...

I wish it turns out well...

This is a risk! hahaha!

More home supplies buying (and paint for some of the decors) at CitiHardware with Gen... and then drive-thru-ed merienda for the wedding core group... 

And the day wasn't over yet, we headed off to Palos to check the place again...

Papa, Mama, Gen and I stayed for a pre-marital counseling and checking...

Weeee! =)

And finally back home...

And one more extension of the day... Gen and I accompanied Weng to check their hotel room for the big day. How I wish I could join the bridesmaids for a sleepover!

pawayusa + pastowej = practical

[stimulated to sketch]

Bought lamps today... something i would really want to see at the wedding... so it's really practical to get things that we would be using more than once. Some of the decoration stuff were used at the e-session (prenup pictorial) and engagement party and will be used on the wedding! Ha, so excited to keep most icons in our future home.

Yes, Recycle-Your-Wedding is our core value for decoration!

can light bear happiness?

We tested the lantern with Amor... Yes, we flew 1 tonight, and it's [very romantic] according to Jackie (yes, she and mama came with us......
 

tatty bear will guest the wedding

Did so many errands with mama today... And here's a stop at the toys department...








Can't resist but buy a bunch of these cuddlies... Tatty bear will certainly have a part in the wedding! Woohoo!

one month

Fetched some of the invitations, checked the photobook and the wedding favors... We rushed all these hoping to get back to BCC at 1pm. We failed to make it on time. We then spent the whole afternoon at Palos Verdes with Ate Jingle, Langga, Amor, Arianne and Ate Rhea. We made layouts, gabbed and ate pizza until we get the 4:30, 5:30pm feel of the place. Believe with us that it won't rain, okay? =)

Preparation lessons:

1. Coherent. We want a coherent theme. #vintage (vintage travel, vintage chic, vintage glam - vintage clean and vintage simple! Vintage but not rustic.)

2. DIY. I used to make my school projects on my own (a typical eldest #birthorder) and I believe in Do-It-Yourself weddings. There's too many ideas to glean from on the web and definitely, I would want to have one that's not so generic as I see many weddings around town--10 weddings having the same decorations... DIY weddings are demanding though. And there's this kulba-part if things work or not. I sure hope they do. 

3. Being hands-on. We wanted to be hands-on with the preps. After all, it will be our first and last wedding. I can't just leave things onto someone else. Yes, hands-on but not be-all. I really believe that I don't always have the best ideas. And sure, during the preps, I found very smart and creative ideas from friends. They are real jewels wrapped in skin.

4. Up-to-date. Follow through. Follow sched. 

5. Live within the budget. Brides want the best wedding for themselves and it's tempting to splurge. And when ideas come, learn to sort which of them are most practical, most meaningful or most important to you. It helps keep the safety of the wedding fund.

6. Engage in moments. Although we're set with the wedding event, it's still important to engage in gratitude-moments to the Lord and with loved ones. I am learning to remember family and friends as much as possible and take time to thank them for their presence and loving support. I can't be too absorbed with the event and miss out on people. I also take me-time moments. Gen and I also ask each other even more frequent "how-are-you's?". Ministry is also our core values as well as secular work. Running time, but still keeping up and besting every moment. #asGodenables 

Our days are definitely numbered. In all these, God be praised!

#thankfultohavewillingfriends

invitation sneak peek

text by: gen | layout by: rej

I'll be getting the first five copies today...

I really hope it will turn out good...

#jitters

farewell

Spent all day editing our invitation and photobook... Plus break times to play with instagram stuff... i still have a life! Haha.

...

And, today, my Nanay Susing went back to the Lord at ninety-two. I only learned it when our youth pastors' meeting was about to start. I left the room and I was overtaken. She is so dear to me. Really, I miss her now.

Nanay Susing is truly an inspiration. She had been among the early Christians here in the south. She was saved when she had her third baby, that was in the 1950's I guess (to do the math: Papaps was born in 1957, he's the youngest of six). Since then, Nanay Susing became a passionate believer: evangelizing everyone she knows. And as a young Christian, she brought a radio with her when she could not share so others could listen. Imagine her doing that from house to house with six munchkins tagging along. She was an inspiration.

I feel so blessed to be a third generation believer. She didn't backslide in 60 years of faith. Nanay fought in faith & finished the race. #tears

...

I actually desired that she could grace the wedding. With that, we moved the venue from Villa de Mercedes to Palos Verdes (although we paid the downpayment already) so tht she would not find it hard to walk on stairs. The last time we saw each other (and another moment when Ate Grace wed), she promised me she would be there when I walk the aisle.

#tears

I miss her. I miss her singing. I miss her long prayers. I miss asking her questions on long drives during reunion. And I miss blushing when I couldn't answer hers (she asked if I had a boyfriend). And so do I miss her excited look when she asked me to sing at my cousin's wedding--the first and only time--si Nanay ang nakadiscover sa ako!

Sigh.

But I delight, however, that she now sits with Jesus and the Father. I will one day see her again--and tell her about my wedding and kids.

...

This grieving moment, too, shall pass.

...

ps: pls pray for our papaps, too. thanku.

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love's march

UPDATES:
Been to the give-away maker. Haggled. Bought additional parts and it's making me excited for the end of the month. I hope they turn out good.
Mama had been a great company today. I knew things are different with her street-smarts on use. We also found the needed candles. We weren't really looking for it yet, but found one that I really wanted to have. It's price is a bit fancy, but I read from a blog before that it's good to lit the same wedding  unity candle every anniversary. Now that gives the run of our money.
Mama also asked how much do I need to pay for the bridal gown. I probably blushed when I said the amount (It's not an arm and a leg though. I just didn't want to oblige her of support for she has been very caring already with matters needed done and preparing; and also because so far we have been enjoying all the planning at our own choice and--own expense. Haha). Nonetheless, she repeated the amount with a clarifying sound and then said, she will shoulder it. Waaaaaaah... I hugged her. And my head voluntarily buried itself in her shoulders. I was sooooo happy. Not because we would save some wad but because I will have a wedding gown from her. Yes, from her. I am a genuine sentimentalist, I know. But this one is different. This means I will be walking the aisle with the embrace of her motherhood and personhood. I am so delighted. So happy already. I promised myself I wouldn't cry when I do the march, but the blessing (not just the gown, but the release and love) might probably make me bawl big time. (I still hope I won't. Mahal ang makeup. Toinkz!).

#tears
#sigh

i love you, mama.

story-books

I'm privileged to have my favorite brother as my driver today.

To keep himself from the boredom over the expected stops, he brought along John Maxwell's The Difference Maker. We only realized that he left it where it is pictured until we got to F.Torres St. #joyrideyousay

Checked Artisan Design Studio, Leighton Photography & Jerry Sy Studio for photobook as an alternative guestbook (we've planned a different vintage-y style of capturing the guests' hearts, but it might take while until everybody is finished. So we thought of another way to divide the populace. Ha, populace! =D). Right now, I'm waiting for their quotations. For business, competition is good. ;) 

When I got to Abreeza (for further bridal preps), I chanced upon a store that actually tickled my visual sense. #fourtheyeforthesenseofdecorating Haaaaay, I wanted to faint seeing the small store being crowded with vintage books, notebooks, jars and lamps. It's like I want to invite them all to grace the wedding!

So to keep myself sane and quintessential when I leave the haven, I grabbed two hoax vintage books.

they are actually boxes.

Decorative, yet purposeful. Not bad at Php 90. Kuripot?

;)

What a bookish day. And yes, before I retire to bed tonight, I'm finishing my daily practice of reading one chapter of a marriage book that's really helping me much. Magbasa jud ko dapat kay dili ni joke. =)

can't be any happier

Here's a video from Kuya Rey of soulzoundzdezign. It's really very nice noh? The wedding looked very vintage yet fab already. Thanks to Kuya Rey's save the date video--all glory to God for the edged skill and competent creativity. (You can also watch other videos at the website).


When the skill evaded us this time, I'm glad Kuya Rey is there! I can't be any happier now. So blessed to be cousins with you!

peaceful chaos

[Today, I got Gen this mag. After all, it's his wedding, too!]

Part of being a bride in advent is managing all the things needed done. Well, that's what one pays for being too hands-on (Actually, I once battled the idea of getting a wedding planner/coordinator. And at some point, I emailed prominent and budding ones in the city. They're somewhere in between cheap and expensive. Affordable at the rate you want to get--thank God for the gift of haggling. But I thought to myself, they will only create either something too bonggacious that the wedding's not [about the couple] anymore aside from the color scheme; something that's about their creativity rather than your personality; or too bland if there are things you want to put but can longer be produced in the place you're in. I still admire them. But I can't let any of them rob me of the opportunity to be the bride--aside from being the one wearing white.  And since, there's no perfect wedding--but a dream wedding!--I opted going hard core in the research and the envisioning of what we wanted to see and not-see on that day whilst welcoming warm help of ideas and manpower from friends and family. With what could possibly happen come November Twelve, I could not be any happier at the thought of being staunchly devoted and involved in the input and output of things--yes, despite possible glitches. Right now, I just feel blessed to serve a wedding of God's writing. It just so happened that the bride is--I.) 


OTHER THOUGHTS
To everyone getting married, or planning to to marry someday, lemme tell you that the engagement season is not just about kilig. As they say, If you have to face circumstances, face them. Logic for pretty girls? You bet.


Engagement is stressful whether you like it or not. Since it is a season to transition to a different life (of both long seasons--singleness and married life), new things require adjustment, and adjustment is a stress--that inner push, pull, twist and stretch inside your heart and mind. Imagine having too long engagement (more than a year), you can't spare yourself from the much needed adjustment with having a another family, your grown family and starting a family; your finance, a new home, domestic life, ministry, upcoming trips and the possibility of getting children. They cloud the bride's heart and mind as she must be responsible enough to expect these things. How I wish somebody detailed all these areas to me. My heart screams I need a discipler-bride! Heaven, please! (And since, I am not sure I'm having one except having lots of those tidbit-advices, I am now entertaining the idea that, perhaps I have a calling to disciple future brides!)


Doubtlessly, here we are in a perfect situation to finding, chanelling and creating peace. 


Philippians 4:6-7 says: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 


Therefore, peace I receive today: eleventh of forty. At this moment of preparation, all the more I found family, friends, rest, confidence, company; and more distinctly, a very faithful groom and an even more faithful God. It's good to be submerged in a season such as this for God to tell me that He is real, and His peace truly transcends all that I cannot bear and comprehend on my own.

certified bookworm

[so sorry, poor camera]

As much as we're preparing for the wedding, we both knew we wanted ourselves prepared for the demands, responsibilities and stresses of marriage. I guess reading books about marriage is among the things I need doing. So here I am, trying to devour one despite full-packed days.


Let me know the beauty, let me know the ways. Let me see the glory, let me see a glimpse of those days.


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Bridesmaids: More Than Who They Are Known For

Eighteen bridesmaids. I know it’s a lot. But that cannot compare with how many ladies wait on a bride in the Jewish times. They prepare with her while her groom is away and while they wait for the [day].

Before, whenever I think of getting married someday, I do not really imagine bridesmaids with me. A maid-of-honor who can do the necessary tasks is enough. Bridesmaids seem to be just decorations and they add up to the payables.

I was wrong.

When I checked the Bible, ladies in waiting are there. And truly, my disciples, closest friends and key leaders, along with my cousins and Gen’s sisters are a few of the girls I consider to be the reason I keep myself pure–next to the expression of loving God. Yes, their primary role is to keep the bride beautiful and pure. And I am blessed to have my bridesmaids–my friends and teammates who inspire me to live large, beautiful and pure.

I love these girls (and the girls I get to inspire–hopefully, marami) and I love journeying with them in the value of womanhood and chastity.

Tonight, we signed the Bridesmaid’s Contract. (Don’t worry, it sides on the fun stuff rather than the serious! =D) It was fun and it keeps me excited to plan the wedding with them. #handsonbridewiththoughtfulbridesmaids