Part II: My Modern Filipiniana Wedding

Now, here is the sequel...

This photo blog covers the wedding reception graced by our family and closest friends.  Daves and I chose a ballroom as our blank canvas.  We intended to turn it into a cozy place that would offer a traditional-but-not-stiff ambiance; one that would allow happiness and well wishes to flow effortlessly.

Traditional + understated elegance.  Invitations by Print City, wedding bands by Suarez, arrhae by Endless Treasures.

A beautiful contrast between traditional and modern. Neo-classical.  Wedding reception - Summit Ridge, Tagaytay City.  One of the newer structures in this cool city, offering a spectacular view of the Taal Lake.

Table setting; menu is displayed in a charming wooden frame.

Blue is our color motif.  Summit Ridge used some lighting techniques to produce this bluish tint with just the right balance, not an overkill.

The buffet table.  This is Pinoy Feast minus the banderitas (colorful flags).

Catching that cool Tagaytay summer breeze after the church ceremony - Summit Ridge veranda.

Our wine toast.  I removed the train of my wedding gown.  The back is also embellished with intricate bead works.  Gown, Barong Tagalog, pants - by Ms. Carmen Papa-Reyes of 8 and a Half Trends.

The traditional garter game.  Candid moment captured by the discerning lenses of Lito Perez and team.

Our first dance.

Giddy like teenagers...yes, even grown ups could go teeny-bopper to the highest level.  

Our principal sponsors. ADD writing a message for me and Daves.

Our good friend Jake enjoying the food prepared by C2 - Summit Ridge's official caterer.

Our godfather, Capt. Geluz delivering his advice on making it work as a couple, a lifelong commitment that is marriage.  His intro?  Julio Iglesias' 'To All the Girls I Loved Before'.  

Our secondary sponsors - definitely in the list of women we love.  Our good friends of many years and in the years to come.  

My fellow baddict (badminton addict) Aileen - writing on our guest book.  

Yes, Ritz.  You're next!  True love will find you for sure. 

The next generation gals are as crazy as me.  

My 'wicked son' Lowell, still fresh-looking after a week of global work shift (Asia, EMEA, NALA) and wedding reception emcee duty.

Good friends I met at work.  They are very much part of our extended family.

We did not hire a wedding planner.  Daves and I managed all the wedding requirements, budget, schedule, and suppliers. We enlisted the help of some friends a month into the wedding. Our runner-blogger friend Banjo took the role: on-the-day coordinator.  He extended a hand in finalizing the program and scheduling the delivery of certain items by our suppliers.  This is something I advise marrying couples to appoint - an on-the-day coordinator.  It will be tough to personally oversee everything on your wedding day.   :)

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These are the wedding suppliers featured in this blog. 

*  Reception, bridal suite, hotel accommodation for family and friends.

  Summit Ridge Hotel - Tagaytay City

  http://www.summitridgehotel.com 

  +63 2 240 6888

  +63 922 852 6800

    

*  Flowers of May - Ms. Evelyn Legaspi 

    +63 918 936 6750 

    email:  liza_n_legaspi@yahoo.com

*  Suarez Wedding Rings - SM Mall of Asia

   http://www.suarezweddingrings.com

*  Endless Treasures Wedding Arrhae - an affiliate of Golden Hills Jewelry  

   http://www.goldenhillsjewelry.com

   http://meowthlovescoffee.blogspot.com/2012/12/preview-our-wedding-arrhae.html

*  Invitations by Print City - SM Center, Las Pinas City

    http://www.printcityinvitations.com

*  Bridal gown, dresses, Barong Tagalog by Ms. Carmen Reyes

   8 and a Half Trends

   4F The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center

   +63 2 624 0114

   http://www.facebook.com/pages/8-and-a-half

   http://meowthlovescoffee.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-modern-filipiniana.html

* Hair and Make-up:  Ms. Garla Cabuco and Team

  http://www.facebook.com/makeupbygarla

  http://meowthlovescoffee.blogspot.com/2013/04/bridal-make-up-review-make-up-by-garla.html

* Photo and video:  Sir Lito Perez and Team, Close-up Portraits and Photography

  http://www.litoperez.com

* Church and choir:  Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

  Priest:  Father Jeff

  Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay City

   +63 46 413 0758

* On-the-day coordinator:  Mr. Banjo Asiddao

   http://ulikblogrunner.wordpress.com/

 * Kultura - SM Mall of Asia

*  The Wedding Library - SM Mall of Asia

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Disclaimer:  This is a personal write-up, not a paid advertisement.

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Related posts:

http://meowthlovescoffee.blogspot.com/2013/09/part-i-my-modern-filipiniana-wedding.html

http://meowthlovescoffee.blogspot.com/2013/01/on-destination-wedding-battle-of-guest.html

Part I: My Modern Filipiniana Wedding

 

A celebration of love, faith, family, and friendship.  This is a mini-compilation of photos from my modern Filipiniana-themed, Catholic wedding.


Classically decorated pair of matchbox for the ceremonial candles 
by The Wedding Library

Matte white gold on glossy yellow gold, comfort fit - wedding bands by Suarez
Bridal bouquet by Flowers of May



Gold-and-silver-plated arrhae (aras) by Endless Treasures
Arrhae, in Filipino Catholic weddings, traditionally symbolizes prosperity.
The 13 pieces of arrhae represent the following virtues:  love, forgiveness, wisdom, spirituality, respect, gratitude, perseverance, trust, optimism, integrity, discipline, gentleness, and passion.



Embroidered pouch by Ms. Carmen Reyes
Madrina de Aras (antique Narra box for storing the arrhae) - I bought this from an antique shop along Crisologo St., Vigan.



Invitation designed and printed by Print City Invitations

Filipiniana-inspired wedding gown with panuelo and detachable train
by Ms. Carmen Reyes



Intricate beadwork on the panuelo



Payneta showered with crystals - handpicked by Ms. Carmen Reyes
(Payneta is a traditional hair piece, originating from the Spanish colonial era)



Custom-made shoes embellished with native fibers and sequins by Ms. Carmen Reyes
Background - throw pillows made of Abaca (Manila hemp), gift for the primary sponsors (Ninong) - bought from Kultura.



The ever-traditional Barong Tagalog for my groom,
by Ms. Carmen Reyes. 
Barong is an embroidered formal shirt from the Philippines.  It is usually made of pina (pineapple fiber), jusi (abaca or banana fiber),  and polyester organza (synthetic fiber).   



A few moments before I walked down the aisle...
Hair:  AJ of Make-up by Garla
Make-up:  Ms. Garla Cabuco, chief make-up artist of Make-up by Garla

 

Pagmamano - this is a Filipino custom, a practice of respect by asking for an elder's hand and touching one's forehead while bowing.  The elder blesses the person.

Fisheye shot by Sir Lito Perez of Close-Up Photography
- a solemn Catholic wedding ceremony -

Father Jeff of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Tagaytay City

Veil - signifies union and oneness.  Together we will build a future for ourselves (and our children to come) through love and perseverance.  Cord - signifies strength.

Our closest 'couple-friends' cum Secondary Sponsors (candle, veil, cord)
Gowns by Ms. Carmen Reyes



Our 'HHWW' moment, enjoying the gentle summer breeze at the patio of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. HHWW is part of the Filipino pop culture.  HHWW = Holding hands while walking. :) 



Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Tagaytay City

 ------------------------------------

 

BFD and I were hands-on in our wedding preparation. We did not hire a wedding planner until the final stage of preparation.  Our good friend Banjo was our on-the-day coordinator. We have had three meetings with him before the big day.  He made sure the plan was properly executed. 

 

Until today, by just looking at the photos, we are still overwhelmed by the level of support our suppliers had (whole-heartedly) given us.  We were in good hands.  All our transactions were done in a professional manner.  We did not have to worry about timelines and budget overrun. Our suppliers are so much in the know, not only on trends, but also about the dynamics behind weddings. 

 

These are the wedding suppliers featured in this blog. 

  

*  Flowers of May - Ms. Evelyn Legaspi 

    +63 918 936 6750 

    email:  liza_n_legaspi@yahoo.com

 

*  Suarez Wedding Rings - SM Mall of Asia

   http://www.suarezweddingrings.com

 

*  Endless Treasures Wedding Arrhae - an affiliate of Golden Hills Jewelry  

   http://www.goldenhillsjewelry.com

   http://meowthlovescoffee.blogspot.com/2012/12/preview-our-wedding-arrhae.html

 

*  Invitations by Print City - SM Center, Las Pinas City

    http://www.printcityinvitations.com

 

*  Bridal gown, dresses, Barong Tagalog by Ms. Carmen Reyes

   8 and a Half Trends

   4F The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center

   +63 2 624 0114

   http://www.facebook.com/pages/8-and-a-half

   http://meowthlovescoffee.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-modern-filipiniana.html

 

* Hair and Make-up:  Ms. Garla Cabuco and Team

  http://www.facebook.com/makeupbygarla

  http://meowthlovescoffee.blogspot.com/2013/04/bridal-make-up-review-make-up-by-garla.html

 

* Photo and video:  Sir Lito Perez and Team, Close-up Portraits and Photography

  http://www.litoperez.com

 

* Church and choir:  Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

  Priest:  Father Jeff

  Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay City

   +63 46 413 0758

 

* On-the-day coordinator:  Mr. Banjo Asiddao

   http://ulikblogrunner.wordpress.com/

 

 * Kultura - SM Mall of Asia

 

*  The Wedding Library - SM Mall of Asia

  



 

Running for Keeps

Recently, I've been receiving advice from family and friends in the medical profession.  They're trying to talk me out of an impending full marathon (FM) training.  

Training for an FM could be more challenging now, as I've been wanting to see some significant improvement with the way I run - and how far and fast I could run.  I was logging longer mileage and faster pace in 2011 - something which I wasn't able to do in 2012.  Should I pursue an FM training plan today, the gamble is in its unpredictable impact to my endocrine system (that system responsible for hormones).  In the past, I didn't bother about delivering my first baby at mid-30s...Now, I need to slow down, get fresh perspective, and enjoy life all the more.  Science is convincing, and so are those people around me who are truly concerned.  I've made a deliberate decision to cut back on training as I open myself up to living a healthier lifestyle. 

Lower mileage and almost zero badminton in the last 7 months - a scenario that allowed for unwanted pounds to inch their way into my system.  I couldn't dwell on frustration. I keep telling myself that I have every reason to stay fit - one of which is to prepare my body and mind to juggle responsibilities of being a homemaker, career woman, and life partner to BFD. There's also this exciting possibility...hopefully, in God's perfect plan (ah, next year?) - I could be running for two.

BFD and I still manage to run together, about 2 - 3 times a week. Running is already a staple in our relationship. Thus, running for keeps. 

I couldn't help but reminisce how our friendship developed through blogging and running...



Runners/bloggers exchanging thoughts...nothing else =)

August 2012.  Our first road race as a couple - 32KM - The Afroman Distance.
It was raining all throughout the course.  We called it 'blessing'.

October 2012 - Our first full marathon as a couple. Lack of training and injury did not stop me from reaching the finish line. Bothered by sprain in my left ankle, BFD wanted me to stop at KM34.  I told him that I could tolerate the pain, and we should enjoy the rest of the course as if it was a Sunday morning date - a walk in the park, literally.

November 2012 - BFD said it would be like this soon. I might need to take a break from running, in order to train for a very special finish line known as, delivery date.

January 2013 - Friends expected a prenuptial photo shoot at MOA or BGC - running gear, running shoes, lotsa' running...but we tried to depict a turn-of-the-century (circa 1900) tableu of a free-spirited couple, running in spring time bliss (though we don't have 'spring season' in 'Pinas). 

The Making of TIMELESS: Our Prenuptial Pictorial

Like a period film, we wanted our pictures to depict the elements of love and heritage - things which transcend the boundaries of time.  Simply classic. 



Timeless. In love and walking the high road together.

Candidly, BFD and Kuting. 
At first, it was difficult for us to get a real serious shot.  The photo shoot itself was fun, especially the people around us. 



Break time!!!

Fishball, anyone?

CAVITEX Billboard?  =)
Wedding: more romantic in the Philippines

With Garla and Aijhay of Makeup by Garla

Love and romance never go out of style.
Just like this mansion, first built in the 1800s and still stands in its entire grandeur to date.

BFD playing some funny antics...again.  =)

"Hanggang sa maabot ng iyong paningin..."





Photoshoot cum playtime



i-Dawn Zulueta daw ba ako???
Kung alam ko lang ikakasal ako this year, sana noon 2011 pa ako hindi kumain...

KUTING / UFC Warrior / BRIDEZILLA!!!  =)





Eloped???







Ano ang title ng movie? =)



Our signature shot =)

Another candid shot. =)



Jump! - with our hair and makeup artists: Garla and Aijhay

HMU artists at work  

Ernie and Teng of Close Up Photography




Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite, Philippines



Acknowledgment

Location:  Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite
Contact:  Mr. Angelo Aguinaldo and Team, and the Cavite Historical Society
Photography:  Mr. Lito Perez, Ernie, and Teng of Close Up Photography
Hair Stylist:  Aijhay Enriquez of Makeup by Garla
Makeup Artist:  Ms. Garla Cabuco of Makeup by Garla
Creative input:  Ms. Maricar Aman, Ms. Carmen Reyes of '8 and a half', Ms. Geri Bregonia
SPA services (post-pictorial):  Island SPA at Island Cove, Kawit, Cavite