Wedding 101 and Do It Yourself Wedding Planning

The Filipino Tradition of Pamanhikan or Pamamanhikan

Filipino Wedding Planning

Pamanmanhikan or Pamanhikan defined by wikipilipinas:

I was looking forward for my wedding day. I planned it for a year and a half. And I'm glad that it was more than I have hoped for. Here is my detailed and honest review of the things that went right on the big day.

To start of, it wasn't really about the flowers or the things that I bought that I saw was most important. It was my commitment to the person I chose to live my life with. I was happy that God has given me the one I am comfortable with and I know who loves me truly. I blogged along the way things that I learned through planning and even my intimate thoughts here. And I thank each and everyone of my family, friends and readers who stayed with me along the way.

To all my readers I am utmost humble and Thankful to share how the results of planning came about and to all other things that we were blessed with on that day.

The Perfect Weather. It wasn't shiny shiny. It wasn't gloomy either. And the best thing was it didn't rain! I am overwhelmed with God's provision of a good weather on our wedding day!
      
Everyone came in on time - I am in awe that my flower girls and little soldier boys were there around 6:30. Kudos to my Bridesmaid Bevs Arciaga who I told to text this people few days before.

I felt good with my Photographers and Videographers - It took me a while to choose and really review sample photos and videos and I was happy how it came about.

My walk on the aisle was a dream - It was a short aisle but if felt enough. When I entered I heard some say "wow" and I was surprised. I was smiling and thanking people for coming. The band was already playing a song. I mustered to finish until the first chorus.My lola also walked down the aisle after my parents which made it more special. The Church has this solemn feel and I could feel God's presence with me and my Groom.




I enjoyed every bit of the celebration as a bride -

We started on time - My wedding ceremony was at 9:00 in the morning and we started on the dot. I woke up 3am. And hair and make up started at  3:30am.












Make-up - I love my look! I definetly recommend Mr. Ricky de Vera if you are getting married in Baguio City.

Flow of the Program to the Reception was perfect -After the ceremony and the Bridge. Guests and Family walked up to hill for our reception. We greeted them with our favorite food which was pizza and nutella. ;)

We had enough food - Yeas!

We did not go over budget - This was about us knowing which ones we wanted to prioritize and minimize on without attempting too much drama.

LAUGHTER! - I had my brilliant Host, Lester Fernandez do the talking.

Over Flowing Wines - Everyone remembered this for sure!

My Kaydet Girl Dance - It was sang by Gen. De Castro and Col. Rivera, both my Ninongs. :)

Our Families was complete and very Supportive

Everyone made an effort to come! 

They love the food

and the best thingis that I married the person I love the most. ^ ^. 

...

It's okay to wait for love. 

There is no instant recipe.

I talked to someone, a woman. She is distressed, unhappy and impatient. She said she can't find love.
And she can't find the perfect man. And if they were perfect for her they are either married or gay.

Typical you may say.

But lets think out of the box and realize what's wrong with these sentences.
(1) Its impatient. (2) Unkind (3) and a big fat DESPERATE.

Now of course I did not tell her that. I just listened. But the thing is today's world gives everything instantly.
Fly now pay later programs, Express Ways, Instant Noodles and 3-in-1 coffees. Maybe ladies now a days think that if I buy this, wear this and text "Hey, sexy" the man of their dreams will come in and sweep them away from their problems.

WRONG.

Okay I'm no expert. And admitedly I also had that hope. I had big expectations in College. I said to myself, the man I will marry is rich, intelligent and sweet.

Ha! Good thing God intervened and got a hold of me.
I was selfish. It was about me and the benefits I will get for loving such a man.
But love isn't like that.
Let's go back to the basics shall we. Love is kind, Love is Patient and does not boast.

Poetic maybe. But its true.
I am no expert. But here is what I learned all through out.

1. Love comes when you least expect it. Oh yeah, you've heard this a million times. But seriously when we are looking for love and we're desperate, we go to bars. But you won't find a decent guy there. Well, lucky if you had. But most of them are there also to have fun. So don't be so crazy to look for a short term affair, go somewhere you wanna go. Travel. And well maybe just maybe... there he is! taadaaa! You wanna study, study. You wanna volunteer for something, go! and you never know right.

2. God writes our love stories. So what if you feel like going to the bookstore today or dropping a hi message to you High School Crush. Why not sometimes God gives us the feeling of oppurtunity, we just had to know if its God's will or not. And how do we do that, we start the day right. We pray.

3. At the onset of the relationship Ladies might not be so into the relationship yet. And then the guy does this and that and we realize how kind hearted he is, how sweet and caring he is and how gwapo/good-looking he is. Our feelings develops over time so don't expect a high end love at first sight (though I agree this happened to some) still... if you're dating just enjoy getting along and have fun.

4. Be yourself.

5. See what you can do to the person. Or what you can offer. Don't demand. Bake him something, send him a sweet text for him to start the day right. ^ ^;

*Prayer: Father God, Change me....

RELAX!!!

As Katie Perry's song: I've got the eye of the tiger song goes. I think that I got this. My fiance and I got this. :)

Our love story is great. We take care of each other and when we argue we somehow get things fixed easily.



So what's happening now is that I've started with the extra decors for the reception as my added touches. Current Problem: Haven't adjusted the rings. So unlike me to miss this but I think I'll be able to take care of it this week. I have a classmate in my MBA class who has a jewelry store and so I might just give it to her and have my other classmates bring it to Baguio. Second Wedding problem is that I don't have a wedding singer. Haha! Surprise surprise. I can't believe it too. For a super addicted planner like me not to have a singer for the church. haha! My first choice was not available before, and a friend begged me to sign her up for it and last week she backed out but yes still attending. So the first choice texted again and said she can go and then backed out again this week. Well, I'm about to sort this out tomorrow. I'm going to meet the Chaplain and finalize liturgy and everything.

Other than this, I'm expecting fiance's arrival on Friday!

Hope your Holidays are going well.

I only did not get one, not two but three and feels like four Bridal Showers. It was a dream.


Thursday 

Today I was surprised with a "Best Wishes" Cake (Tiramisu Meltdown Cake chocolate cake from Red Ribbon) from my office mates today and a Grace Cole Elements Indulgence Gift set. For my Honeymoon. Hm hm...  Indeed I had a fair share of surprises from people now a days. I also got a "No more Clueless Sex" book by Gail Wyatt and Lewis Wyatt from my friend whom I call Clairebear. Apparently I thought it was just a usual lunch and we really didn't get to document this much.

Bridal Shower FEU MBA MAKATI friends

Bridal Shower FEU MBA Makati Friends

SUNDAY