Boudoir? Can I do it?

Confidence is one of the traits that I want to develop.  I really don't feel confident about me.. I am bully yes, pero hindi ko nakikita ang sarili ko na maganda or sexy.  

Nakareceive kame ngayon ng email from our boudoir group na they will finalize our concept after this holiday season.. Pagkabasa ko nito, I realized kelangan ko din itong i-share as a part of our wedding preps.. :)

Since trending ang boudoir sa mga brides-to-be, I wanted to try this one too. (Only if budget permits). Tine, a fellow w@w sister, ask if we are okay to do a group boudoir, that way, mejo may karamay kame sa "pagsubok" na ito..haha!  Since talagang naghahanap lang ako ng makakasama I said yes agad.  Same lang naman ang gusto namen sa "project" na ito.. yun ay dapat budget friendly ang rates.. :)

So we all agreed and made the DP.. There's this personality questionnaire for each of us to answer for them to know us a little more and to come up with the concept we have in mind.  Grabe!! It took me more than 4 hours to answer the less than 15 items they have. Mas mahirap pa sa Physiology lab exam! Hahaha! Ang hirap magbuhat ng sariling bangko!hahaha! :)

They also requested for our pegs sa shoot para siguro mas ma-visualize nila yung gusto nameng kalabasan na concept ng photoshoot.  Ito ang mga nakita ko.. Super hirap humanap ng mejo concervative na pegs! :)

Kakayanin ko kaya? hmmmmm

Videographer...Check! :)

I saw Aisle 1401's post that it is their last call for their 2012 rates.  My heart skipped a beat that time! I really want them to be our videographer since sila yung nakita kong pwede sa budget namen plus madame ding good reviews sa kanila sa w@w.

I asked Ms Anna agad kung pwede pa akong humabol and I deposited the amount the following day.  Today, I received their confirmation na booked ko na sila on our date! :)

Ansaya, another price-locked tipid moment.

I planned to book Aisle 1401 last April nung intro rates pa nila but Kim said that I should search other videographers pa.. Ayun! double na agad ang rates after ng Intro rates nila.. kahinayang din yun talaga.. But still, lucky pa din to get their 2012 rates for our 2014 wedding.. :)

We are now an Aisle 1401 couple! Excited! :)

Lights & Sounds.. Booked!

Since budgeted ang aming wedding, I need to book a supplier that has a budget-friendly rates pero dapat good quality din! :)

I found them sa w@w and ang good reviews sa kanila ang mga w@wies! :)

As I found out  na ilang wedding na din ang nagawa nila sa Target Venue namen, I shoot them an email agad.  Sir Joseph replied promptly and found out na pati PC eh nakatrabaho na din nila so good point din yun sa akin..I want kasi na yung suppliers ko eh familiar na sa mga expectations ng isa't isa para harmonious ang peg nila!hihi  :)

Also, sa email palang alam kong masasabi ko agad yung questions ko kay Sir Joseph..He's very patient sa akin since wala talaga akong alam sa mga par of lights na requirement daw minsan ng caterer or stylist!haha! :)

Walang sabi sabi, I made a fund tranfer sa kanila and viola! Sir Joseph sent us the Contract agad! :)

Another item crossed out sa checklist! :)

Trial Gown Fitting :)

Since super okray kay Kim ang mga peg kong gowns, naisip kong magtry magsukat ng gowns.  Lucky, Nat (a fellow w@wie) posted a pic from her gown fitting from Ivory and White. I immediately set an appointment with them and they replied promptly. I was excited talaga! :)

On the way to the shop, napaisip ako kung may kakasya ba sa akin na gown..(hahaha..petite mode kasi ako).

Ms Miles welcomed us and super accomodating sila ni Ateng assistant (sorry ate I forgot your name..hehe). We chose 4 gowns to fit.

Gown Number 1: Cerise

Inisip ko talaga na kapag nakasukat na ko ng gown, kay Kim ako unang titingin para makita ko reaction nya.. Worth it!hahaha.. I saw him na medyo teary-eyed na hindi ko malaman kung ano yung expression na yun..haha.. Worth remembering talaga. Super nainlove si Kim sa gown na ito at ito talaga ang bet nya sa mga nasukat ko.

Our Coord suggested a serpentine gown for me para daw may shape. I remember telling her na anlaki ng puson ko baka maexpose..hahaha..Nung chinicheck ni Kim yung detail for the gown, he said "Nasan yung puson mo?Magic!" hahaha..Okray pa rin sya!hahaha.. 

Here are some photo of the first gown..

Cerise (Front)

Cerise (Back)

Cerise (Side View)

 Gown Number 2:

Eto yung least na nagustuhan namen kasi super simple lang nya at madame nang nakasuot ng ganitong type ng gown..hahaha..Di ko na din natanong yung name nya.. :)

Front

Back

Detail ng back

Gown Number 3: "Princess Mikay Dress"

Eto daw yung peg sa pagkatao kong gown..hahahaha..Nilagyan pa ni Ms Miles ng headband as accessories kaya F na F namen!!hahaha..Pero medyo di ko din sya gusto..or dahil maluwag lang yung gown sa akin kaya mejo hindi ko sya bet?hehehe

Princess Mikay (Front)

Princess Mikay (Back)

Princess Mikay back details (pls don't mind the tube!haha)

Princess Mikay front detail

Gown Number 4: Mariet

Eto pa yung isa nameng nagustuhan na gown. I saw Kim as he almost jump sa saya when he saw me wearing this.  Maluwag pa ito ng lagay na yun pero naappreciate pa din namen yung fit nya.. :)

Mariet (Front)

Mariet (Front)

Mariet (Back)

Front Details (Never mind the tube!hahaha)

Mariet (Side View)

So, That's it! Nakakatuwang magfitting..Pero dahil matagal pa ang 2014, Chillax muna kame.. :)

On the Day Coordinator (OTD). Booked! :)

Sa mga hindi nakakaalam, On the Day Coordinator means sila yung mag assist sa bride, groom, church arrangement and reception.  Sila yung magensure na yung napagusapan before the wedding will be executed well.

There are only two Coordinators that I inquired to.  Both have a budget-friendly rates and good reviews from w@w.  But when I inquired with Kiss the Girl Events, I felt the "this is it" feeling. 

Ms. Abby replied to my inquiries promptly and the conversation with her is friendlier than the other OTD I inquired.  We set up an appointment some time in August but they had an emergency in one of their upcoming events so we just called it off.  Pinagpilitan ko lang ang sarili ko na okay lang di matuloy ang meet up basta blocked na date namen..hahaha! I said sa meet up nalang kame magdown..(ako nang makapal!hahaha!)  1 event per day lang kasi sila.. :)

I asked again Ms Abby if she'll be available today since its a holiday.. I met with her in Makati with one of our Groom's gay!(hahaha!).. We got along well then when Kim arrived, I felt he also seemed to be at ease with Ms Abby. She gave us some insights agad na if I'll book some of my prospect suppliers that I should do it asap so that we'll have their 2012 rates.. Kwela din siya magkwento so I was thankful that the meet up turned out well.  :)

That's it! I am now a KTG bride! :)

P.S. 

Kim and Lester said that Ms. abby looked like Say Alonzo.. :)

First Dilemma: A change of Heart

It was actually not a change of heart but finding the one that will make us happy. :)

I received an email today from Ms. Maja (Passion Cooks - PC) making a follow up on our inquiry and asking what  she can do to help us.  When I read this, grabe! can't explain.. I know I'm smiling from ear to ear! Kilig moment toh! :)

I replied telling her that our budget is only this amount and that their rates are really waaaayy beyond our budget. Trying my luck, I ask her if there is anything that we can do about the budget. After sending my reply, I was so excited that I kept on refreshing the mail page so I will be able to know her response and also, to know if I can still keep my thoughts up..hahaha! :)

Lo and behold, she agreed that she could work out on our budget as long as the OOT fee will be added on top of the package that we had. When I read this reply from Ms. Maja all I have in my mind is that "I now believe I'm lucky!" hahaha! :)

After that, it was only the time that I remembered that we already booked Richgold (RG).  But then, I thought for just around 20k difference plus the freebies that will be lost,  I think it is worth it!

Ms. Maja told me that we can have our FT by Feb of next year! I'm sooo excited about that. I wish Kim will finally taste the delicious foods served by PC. 

Kim also agreed that we may change Caterer if that's what I want since Caterer is my share on our wedding. :)

I'm happy to feel the famous "this is it" feeling of b2b's everywhere. It was indeed a kilig moment! :)

Happy Birthday Honey! :)

Today is Kim's Birthday. :)

I planned to surprise him today. He didn't know that I'm on leave today. I went to his office around 9am today, I gave the paraphernalia that my friend (Retsel) will distribute to his friends in the office.  But then, I remember that he's going to deposit on a nearby bank (Ahem!) around this time! (Grabe ang kaba!26F si Retsel while 25F si Kim! )

My plan is when I didn't see any of his office mates, I will not tell him I'm in his office, but then, when I was leaving the building (Oh, Yes! paalis na ko!!!!), that's when I saw his office mate (Pahamak!hahaha). I'm afraid he'll tell Kim that he saw me.  What I did, I called Kim and told him.. "Hon, san ka? Dito ko building mo.." he was surprised! I tried my luck and lied (Great liar kaya ako!hahaha! Cheng, alam kong magcocomment ka! magaling ako magsinungaling!hahahaha!kahit pano nabigyan ako ng gift sa pag arte!). I told him, " Pumuslit lang ako kasi may occular kame sa Amorsolo Office namen.. Surprised ka ba?" He was happy when he saw me. Kinilig naman ako.

I went back to their bldg around 1pm to get the paraphernalia from Retsel and have it set up in the box I decorated. Retsel's schedule is upto 1pm only and Kim's was 4pm. 3 hours wait it is. But then, I decided to buy a cake for Kim and give the "gifts" during office hours so it will look like it was delivered. We even asked the lady guard to tell him that it was a delivered to the office. When Retsel and I were leaving the building, Kim called asking me with very surprised and about to cry voice (I think...meron bang ganun..)  where I am. I told him I was in Ortigas then he told me "Sabi ni ateng guard, maliit na nakadress yung nagbigay! asan ka?!" hahaha..I told him I'll be waiting for him and we'll celebrate his birthday together..He sounded happy while we're talking over the phone. 

Since we're on "Tipid-mode" alert, we ate at Chickboy! (Kim looooooooves Chickboy) with Retsel and went home. 

That night, I received a message from him saying " thank u sa lahat!best bday so far!i love you!I love you! I love you! Happy i have u!" :)

ang gulo ng mga papel..haha

antok na ko kaya di ko na alam kung ano pang gugupitin ko.. :)

Ang loob ng box! Oooops, baligtad! :)

Ayan na ang mga letters from his friends! :)

ang soup! :)

We Booked Richgold :)

Armchair  Kim Version! :)

Armchair My Version! :)

The Caterer that fits our needs...Hehehe.. I would really want to book PC but they are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond our budget.. :(

Next choice is Richgold. We booked them because:

1. AE is accommodating;

2. Desserts are great!;

3. Lots of Freebies; and

4. Our theme is one of their basic set up. No need to upgrade.

I already told the story of our FT with Richgold so there is no more kwento na..hehehe..

RG's Mobile bar

The Appetizers

Summer themed VIP table..I loooove the Aquarium! (Sorry, I don't know how to rotate the pic :))

Backdrop #1

Backdrop #2

Our friend who's waiting for THE ONE to sit beside her... (Kidding Cheng! :))

Our theme...Autumn... We requested for the yellow flowers to be changed by red flowers. (Tabingi moment, again! )

With Sir Carlo after signing the contract! This is it!

Moment ulit ni Cheng! :)

We're Officially ENGAGED! :)

Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, PuertoPrincesa

Di ko talaga malilimutan..Super tulala kasi si Kim sa Van. kala ko nahilo
lang sya sa byahe or what.. When we arrived sa church, ayaw nya
magpicture-picture (eh normally, sya ang nangunguna sa pictur-an!)haha.. He
requested na pumunta kame agad sa altar, eh dahil makulit ako at adik sa pics,
sabi ko mamaya na, wala naman masyadong tao kaya free kame to check every angle
of the church. Pero mapilit hinila ako sa altar! pansin ko basa ang kamay nya
pero di ko nalang na voice out..hahaha!

Nung nasa altar na kame, habang busy sa pagpipicture ng altar, his exact words are "..Honey, wala akong nareadyng
speech basta tatanungin nalang kita..Luluhod pa ba ko?sabi ko, wag na
khiya..(lumuhod naman sya..hahaha!). Ewan ko kung natatawa ako dahil kinikilig
ako o nahihiya kasi may mga nagdadasal malapit sa altar at baka naistorbo ng
eksena namen..haha! Then he asked the question.. then I said "OFCOURSE, YES!"..
:)

After that, dumerecho kame sa labas ng church para magsindi ng kandila..feeling
ko, habang palabas kame, may mga nagmamatyag na mata..haha! habang nagsisindi
nga kame ng kandila may nagpicture pa samen..sana napictur-an nya yung moment
namen..:)

Yung mga kasama namen, (yes, may kasama kame..hahaha) walang kaalam-alam sa
nangyari dahil busy sila magpicture..hahaha.. Nalaman nalang nila ang proposal
nung nasa resort na kame..Nagtampo sila kasi gusto nila ma-capture ang moment na
yun..Excited na din sila for the preps..Kaya para di na sila magtampo, while
nasa honda bay tour kame..gumawa ako ng post engagement shoot for them to feel
and capture yung kilig.. Successful naman ang naisip ko..Di na sila tampo..:)

Here's some of  the post engagement shoot! :)

Location: Luli Island (Lulubog - Lilitaw), Palawan
Photog: Retsel Kram! :)

Kim's Idea :)

My idea :)

From Retsel Kram's Cam, " The Sweaty Hands Moment" obvious naman akong naghahanap ng mapipictur-an! :)

From Cheng's Cam, "Ring moment ito! ndi nya namalayan!hahaha! :)

Look Retsel Kram, nakunan mo din pala yung moment! Di ko lang alam kung ito yung while he was asking me o yung paalis na kame sa place..:)
Tanging si ateng nakadilaw ang saksi sa "Moment namen"! hahaha

FT with Richgold

When Ms Benz posted in W@W that there's this Caterer that styles like PC and food was great too, I got really curious about it.  Some w@wies are also raving about their GFT with this Caterer. When I read the conversation about this Caterer, I got this "Kilig" moment when they said that the rate was 777 per head with some freebies!

I emailed this caterer, Richgold wedding, to have their rates first hand.  Sir Carlo immediately responded to my queries and even invited me to their mini FT. Its good to attend this kind of FT since they have an actual wedding and the food that will be served is the same as the food to be served in the event.  We attended this mini FT and I invited Nat since she's also curious about Richgold (for 4 naman yung invitation eh..hehe).  We were first in the venue. Sir Carlo was very accommodating and jolly. Never a dull moment..he explains everything to us. He even toured us on the venue for us to see their setup.

Being a shy person in nature, its good that Sir Carlo made us feel that queries are welcome. I was able to voice out my inquiries and make some jokes to Sir Carlo and the other couple doing FT. Food was good! Especially the desserts! Lovet! :P

Principal Sponsor's Table

The Backdrop :)

Crystal Chairs

Mini tiffany chairsa for the kids! I like! :)

Cutleries are inside the napkin for hygiene purposes. :)

From top to bottom - Cream Dory with Tomato Salsa , Breaded Pork  with Mushroom Sauce, Lumpia, Korean Beef Stew and Penne with White Mushroom Sauce. Yum. yum. yum! :)

Lumpia with Deep Fried Wrapper

Saaaarrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap! Soup (Cream of Cucumber) Juice (Red Iced Tea and  Blue Lemonade)

Candy Buffet (Candies we're provided by the bride while the jars and set up were from Richgold.)

I was not able to take pictures of the desserts since super nabusog na ko sa main entree. We had Creme Brulee (Kim's Fave) and Chocolate Mousse (Mine's). They also provided us with Buko Pandan, but we're not a fan of this dessert (Sorry! :))


We didn't book them yet since we want to book them on one of their GFT. I'm hoping they will give us more freebies during GFT. hahaha! :)

FT with Passion Cooks

The raves about Passion Cooks in W@W is sooooo nakakacurious.  I am really considering PC as our Caterer kahit na waaaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond our allotted budget ang pricing nila.. I even told myself na lahat ng bonuses ( yes! bonuses!) for it! di bale ng ndi maganda gown ko basta suuuuuppppper ganda ng reception ko.. :)

When Nat(w@wie friend) said she have her FT scheduled with Ms Maja, Cyndee (another w@wie friend) and I asked if we can come with her and she willingly agreed as long as Ms Maja will allow. (naks!baet nila pumayag!)

Michelle (another w@wie friend), offered to drive us to BF Homes though only today will she meet us. (baet di ba? Thanks Michelle! :) ) We had some chitchats about wedding stuffs and its good to know that you have someone to relate to.. :)

When we arrived at PC's place, Ms Maja is not around so her staff assisted us to the FT.  

Oriental Salad with Crispy Catfish and Mango Tomato Salsa

 For the salad, it is good! Naasiman sila Nat and Cyndee pero ako hindi..anu kaya prob sa taste buds ko?hehehe..Fan kasi ako ng manggang hilaw.. :)

Chicken and Ham Crepe with Brown Sauce

Baked Prawns Thermidor

For the main entree, they served us these great food. No wonder everyones craving for their food. Nasarpan talaga ako! :)

Saaaarrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaap!

 The caption tells it all! :)

Desserts

Chocolate Lazy Cake

 I luuuuuuuuuuurrrve this cake! not too sweet nor bitter! (kala mo food critic but i really love this!)

Mango Cream Pie

 This one's like graham cake yung middle. Still delicioso! ♥ :)

Ms Maja was able to meet us after eating. Galing sya sa divi to buy stuffs for their event. She is sooo kind and ang hinhin and all! haha! ganda!nahiya nga lang akong picturan sya.. :)

All in all, I really looooove the food! Plus yung styling na nakikita ko.. However, Ms Maja told us that pricess will change pa and wala silang price lock, plus sa styling may add up pa...haaaay...mukhang malabo na ang PC.. :(