Productive July

I may not have blogged on time about what has been going on with our wedding preps but I'd say that this past few weekends have been quite productive for us. Weekends, because we're only able to do so much during those times due to work but we're proud that they have been quite productive so far. 

July 3-6, we spent our long weekend in Cebu. It was my birthday gift for Rain on his 30th birthday. I'll be making a post of that on my other blog.

July 11 (Sat),  we went to Tita Sabel, the dressmaker who's going to make the dresses for my entourage and mothers. She happened to be the Aunt of a HS friend of mine so we were kinda given some discounts on the gowns (wink!) With me were my mom, my sister and my cousin, (all part of my entourage) and my former HS classmate Geli, with her daughter-Jilien (my flower girl). They all had their measurements taken. I told my eldest sister that she can buy her own dress in the US since she's my MOH and she doesn't have to have the same color as my entourage. The only 3 persons who were not able to come with us were my bestfriend from HS, Dane and Rain's sister and aunt who were in Pampanga.

After that, we went to Shercon Resort for a scheduled meeting with Benedict, the florist assigned to do the flower arrangement in our reception venue. We told him about the flowers (for the centerpieces) that we prefer which is mostly just white and told him about how we want the whole venue to look like. Ben seemed to be a nice person as he openly accepted our ideas and suggestions although we could smell alcohol on his breath but he looked sober so I just ignored it.

The following day, July 12 (Sun), Rain and I together with my nephew went to Bella's Flowershop to speak with Ms. Mhalou about the songs which will be played during the wedding. We booked them last June. We're having 1 pianist, violinist, guitarist and 2 vocalists on our wedding. yay! Actually, we were not really planning to have that, however, during that time when we were inquiring about their flower arrangement, I heard Ms. Mhalou playing the violin and I immediately fell inlove with the music that I asked Rain to book that instead. So we ended up booking their music entertainment instead of their flowers. So anyway, we came back last July 11 and provided the songs that we want to be played on our wedding, although incomplete, I told them we'll just come back and give them our complete list of songs once we're done choosing them. My friend, Ana, was also with us. She was my former classmate in HS and college and she promised to sing during my wedding so there, I gave Ms. Mhalou her number so she could text her for rehearsals. weeeee!

Then we went to our wedding church to inquire about the church requirements that we need to accomplish but we were told that it's still early and that we still have to wait 'til Sept to do them. I was also told that only instrumental is allowed during the wedding and I felt sad. Since I was young, have been dreaming of walking down the aisle while my favorite song is being played in the background. I wonder why it's not allowed but I don't want to ask anymore and felt to just oblige. After that, we went hunting for crystal gels as wedding decors and after visiting several places including flower shops, we finally found them at ACE Hardware in Robinsons Lipa at super low price. I immediately got several packets and bought them! I was so happy!

The following weekend, July 18 (Saturday), we were supposed to have our food tasting session with our caterer, Mr. Auster. With me were Rain, my mom, baby Dean and my sister's bf, kuya Andrew. Mr. Auster's place was small and I think is intended solely for food tasting activity, yet it looks cozy. There was a small living room with couch and then a dining area where there was a round table set up. We were asked to sit while waiting for Mr. Auster. Shortly after, he arrived and as he browsed thru his email in his laptop, he asked when we made the schedule. I told him about two weeks ago. Mr. Auster did not know about it. Apparently, the resort did not forward the email to him about our scheduled appointment. He was not notified and because of that, no food was prepared for us. A different client was scheduled on that day. I was so disappointed that I wanted to call the resort personnel and curse them. But Mr. Auster was kind enough to apologize although it was not his mistake. He got our preferred food choices and scheduled our food tasting this coming Saturday, July 25. He also took note of the list of all the things we wanted to have in our wedding reception, like the vases that will be used as centerpieces, the stage, backdrop etc. He said we can discuss this more on our next visit. After that, I was so hungry that I brought my family to SM and had seafood galore at Seafood Island. After everyone was full, we went ahead and met with Ate Minda, our chosen florist for the church. I gave her print-out pictures of the flowers we want to have (yes, I was that OC). I told her that instead of flowers to line the aisle, we're having twigs. I have high hopes that they will make just what we want to have.

July 19 (Saunday), we picked up my bestfriend Dane and her daughter at their house and went to Tita Sabel to have their measurements taken. Now we only have to wait for Ate Charm (Rain's Sister) and Tita Bes (Rain's aunt) for their measurements and everything will be complete. After bringing Dane and her daughter back to their home, we went to San Felipe to see my cousins. I informed 2 of my cousins about them being part of my entourage. My cousins and I spent some time catching up, we ate lunch and just before we go, I went to my ninang's house and informed them that Charles, my cousin, agreed to lend us his blue car for our wedding. However, we were told that it probably was not a good idea. Apparently, his car was not meant for such long travel and I think was made and assembled solely for car show. haha. So, that means Rain and I are now back to looking for a bridal car. At least, we knew this early on so we still have ample time to find one.

Anyway, during that night, my brother started to teach us our wedding dance in the tune of "Timber". I realized that I haven't danced for a long time and it was now a bit hard for me to follow the dance steps yet Rain and I had so much fun. Though I'm not sure if I'd be able to dance that well with my heels and long gown but let's see hehe.

So that's it, so much for a productive July weekend. Will make another post after our Food tasting on Sat. Weeeeeee! so excited!

First Fitting

Last June 24, Wednesday, I had my first gown fitting at Merlene's shop. I was not too excited at first knowing that there is nothing much to be expected during this 1st fitting. I thought that I would be wearing only the inner/underskirt part of the gown (petticoat). We waited a few minutes in her office until Merlene's assistant went out carrying my gown. I was surprised that my gown was almost finished (of course without the lace and beads yet) but the upper and lower part of it has been made. I was so excited, I immediately went to the changing room to wear it right after Rain was ushered outside. He shouldn't be seeing me wearing the gown :)

I was very ecstatic that it didn't matter that the gown was too tight and that the bust part was a bit high. I was caught up in a moment of extreme excitement that I didn't care to notice the difference in it from the design that I chose. Ate Belen (the assistant dressmaker) was busy doing all the measurements on me for repair while I, on the other hand, was busy taking pictures of me on my unfinished gown.

When I went home, I looked back at the pictures I've taken and it was only then that I saw several differences from the original one. Apart from the bust line,  the cut of the gown itself was higher. I immediately texted Ms Shirley (the assistant) that I will be coming back to discuss about these things with them and to not make any major repair yet. They agreed and advised me to come back the following day.

When I returned on Friday, I was told that cut was right and it was just moved up a little bit when I wore it because the waist line was really tight. They did a bit of revision on it and when I fit the gown this time around, the bust line was not that high anymore. I was also given a choice to have "2 looks in 1 gown". Instead of having my top attached to the skirt, they're going to make it detachable so I can have a different gown style during the reception. I told them that's fine with me as long as I'm going to have exactly the same design like the original one. They explained to me how it's going to work and it looks like it's fine so I agreed. In the church, I will be wearing a gown with the same original design and during reception I can take off the upper part (see thru-bolero-type-gown) and replace it with a princess-like shawl. I actually love the idea of wearing it because it makes me feel like a princess (belle to be specific) lol.

I'm happy that my concern has been addressed resolved and now I can continue to sleep happily and dream about the making of my wedding gown. I'm excited for my next fitting which will be in August. Yay!!!