On a Cloud Nine

I was in high spirits when I saw our surnames under Raymond Fortun's November 20,2011 calendar slot. I still couldn't believe until now that we are really getting married.  

Realities are indeed better than dreams..couldn't be happier.. ^^

Wedding Preparation Guide

My aunt (tita Grace) sent me a spreadsheet containing the list of to do's prior to the wedding day itself. I find it really helpful so I am posting it here to help other bride-to-be's as well.

Happy preps! =)

Announce your engagement Decide on a date Decide on time of ceremony and reception Go over the budget Pick the ceremony site Determine number of guests and draw up a guest list with fiancé Choose and reserve the  reception site Book a hotel room for wedding day (suggestion: h2b stay at the same hotel for coverage of his prep) Select ceremony officiant and check his availability (if not supplied by church) Draw a list of primary sponsors and check their availability Choose members of the wedding entourage Finalize members of the entourage and principal sponsors Select mass readers and program hosts (emcees) Formally inform all Principal sponsors and wedding entourage Decide on color motif and wedding theme Make honeymoon reservations Canvass all prospective suppliers Book a designer and finalize wedding gown and entourage attire and schedule fittings Book supplier for grooms attire and male entourage (if own supplied) and schedule for fitting Book photographer and videographer Book make up artist Decide on gown design and supplier Decide on entourage attire and designer Have every participant measured and schedule for intital fitting Hire events stylist/florist Hire on the day wedding coordinator Book the musicians, sound system supplier and singers. Finalize cake design and supplier Decide on wedding favors and book supplier Scout and book bridal car supplier Finalize and book all special suppliers (like confetti, fireworks, etc) Decide on design and order the wedding invitations Choose and order wedding bands and have them engraved Make a directory of all pertinent persons and suppliers and keep it handy Complete all church requirements Schedule couples seminar  Do an ocular of church and reception with Stylist and Coordinator (if needed) Take sample copy of missalette to Officiant for approval Complete the guest list with contact numbers and name to address in envelopes Start Delivery of Invitations Do bridal registry Have bridal/groom fitting and wedding party and schedule for adjustments Schedule Prenup pictorial Do a hair and makeup run-through (with headpiece) on day of prenup pictorial Print missalette Have missalette stapled, cut and embossed Buy/Order gifts for principal sponsors and wedding entourage Arrange final fittings for bride and entourage Break in bridal shoes ( this is important) Finalize all songs to be played at church and reception Inform Musician and coordinator of your song selections Finalize ceremony plans and reception program Prepare technical script and program flow with coordinator Have dry run with Reception hosts Finalize reception set up and layout details Order wines for toasting and arrange alcoholic drinks to be served (if own supplied) Turn over all suppliers details to coordinator RSVP guests Puzzle time: Do the seating for the reception Make sure all wedding favors (principal, entourage, guest) are complete and ready for turnover to coordinator Prepare all necessary items for ceremony and reception Get final trim and color for hair Get teeth cleaning Prepare table cards for VIPs Finalize seating arrangement Prepare registry cards (if assigned seating) Delegate duties and responsibilities to friends and family needed for the wedding Make sure wedding outfit and accessories is complete and done and scheduled for delivery Attend bridal shower Give the food provider the final head count and discuss final arrangements. Confirm details with all suppliers Write all check payable to all suppliers for their balance for turnover to coordinator Place fees for tips for the Big Day fort turnover to coordinator Finalize everything again with Coordinator for Ceremony and Reception Program Get relaxation and body treatments Prepare all things to be brought to the hotel and emergency kit

I'm Gearing Myself Up

with prayers and faith for my busy, stressful yet exciting 2011.

The Bible said in Psalms 119:116 that He will sustain me according to His promises. So to HIM, I cast our wedding and 'marriage' preparations.

Because I have always loved pink

so I changed our blog skin and I am happier.

Pink is ME. ƸӜƷ

My Heart Melts..

Kate: Beb tumatawag ako kanina kasi may nakita akong Lacoste shoes sa mall. Di ko alam size mo e. Di naman kita ma-contact

 Jay: Bakit?

Kate: Christmas gift ko sa'yo

(naibili ko na sila lahat ng pasalubong pag-uwi ko, sya nalang ang wala)

Jay: Okay lang yun, di ko pa naman need ng shoes. Idagdag mo nalang yan sa budget natin sa wedding gown mo.

awwwww!

Jay knows I was longing for a beautiful gown (with tiara..lolz!) It was so thoughtful of him that he still remembers when I was complaining in one of our skype convos about how expensive was the gown I initially wanted.

But of course I will still buy him a christmas present.. =)

We are now officially a w@w couple!

Yes, Jay already received our w@w tags today! I didn't expect it to be that fast since Miss Benz told me the processing could take up to 14 days. But it only took 6 days! Weeeee! Can't wait to see them! Thank you so much Miss Benz, you're a star!

Wondrin' what am I talking about?

 Click on this link to find out: About w@w tag

Videographer Found!

After securing the venue, caterer and photographer, I consumed most of my idle time watching wedding SDEs by different videographers - from the most famous ones to those who are still new in videography business. But we are also watching on our budget and Jay is very strict with it. I even told him I'm willing shell out for the photo/vid because I really wanted to splurge on it, but he was firm that we should stick with what has been planned. Our budget for the video is only 30k - 35K since our photographer is quite costly for us already (but Atty. Fortun is my non-negotiable supplier and we got his special package, saving us 9k. ^^ ) I had to eliminate those whose offers are higher than the set amount, except for Chug Cadiogan. I've seen Chug's work through ate Sarj. He was the one who covered their wedding. I also learned from her that Chug is humble and fun to work with. So I was wishing that he could cover ours too.But his package is out of our budget. A co-w@wie told me that I can ask for a special package since I am a w@w member. So I instantly e-mailed him. His special package for w@w are superb, but still out of the budget so I was bit depressed :(. I was even tempted to get him without telling Jay how much shall we pay. But I realized that it's not good to start the 'marriage' with some lies. So I had to think of some ways to eventually convince him.

W@W group has been a blessing to me. I've met some brides who are on the same situation like me. I also learned that there are quite a lot of good videographers that could deliver a quality output but wouldn't hurt our pocket. I've thrown them emails inquiring on their rates. I was also surprised to learn that they really recognize w@w group and they're offering same packages at lower prices. Yay! how good was that! So I just decided to let go of Chug (**with a sad face**) and for the whole week I did an SDE marathon and I scouted..scouted..scouted..And tadan! I landed to Kris Matanguihan's site.

According to what is written on his site, Kris is just one year in business, but already has more than 4 years of videography experience. And man! He's unquestionably talented and his works are absolutely great! And most of all, his packages are not that pricey yet. I giggled when I checked on w@w site that he's giving out discounts for w@wies (if I avail the discount, our budget will fit in) Without a second thought I sent him an e-mail. Kris was very accomodating, that time I had no w@w tag yet (but I was told by Ms. Benz that I am eligible already.) So he advised me that he'll temporarily reserve the date for me until I claim my tag. I was alleviated. I could now move on to the next wedding preps.

Two days after, Ms. Benz announced that there'll be an auction (W@W Auction is your chance to get Supplier's Package at a lower cost.)  At first I was just curious to know who participated . I was in glee when I saw Kris' name as one of the donors. Next moment, I found myself clicking the 'register'. During last few hours of the auction I literally kept my eyes on the screen. Haha! I was really determined to win, I was holding my laptop (and iphone) everywhere I go (yes, even in toilet!), I didn't want to lose sight of the auction. Haha! And it paid off  - I won Kris' Full Wedding Video Coverage!

The package includes:

Two (2) 3CCD Widescreen Cameras
Three (3) DVD edited (Cinematic and MTV Style) (approx. 30mins)
Raw Footage in DVD (approx. 4 – 6 hrs.)
SAME-DAY-EDIT (Preparation and Ceremony footage edited and shown at the reception)

Thank you so much w@w!

That was my very first time to join an auction. I enjoyed it. I hope there'll be another wave this year, I'll definitely join again. =)

Oh and by the way, we were able to save up about 35% of the original price plus the w@w discount. Jay should be so proud of me. Haha!

But above all, all credit goes to God, He once again proved me that He is an ABLE FATHER that He can work in wonders. He's really soo good, we were able to avail a good videographer (reviews I've read about him are all positive) and yet still aligning with our budget . I'm looking forward to personally meeting Kris in few weeks for the signing of the contract. =)

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In case you're in a budget and looking for affordable videographers you might as well try to check on the following (I've also been reading good feedback about them).

Kris Matanguihan

http://krismatanguihan.com/

Of course love your own. =) I remember on calling him 8 o'clock in the morning just to tell him I won the auction. He answered me with a sleepy voice and I just realized holiday pala sa Pinas. Oh my.. I apologized promptly. He said it's okay and he even congratulated me for winning the auction. I'll add some reviews about his work after the wedding. Can't wait!

Bong Videos

http://www.bongvideos.com/

Co-w@wies who got him say that he's not difficult to talk to and he's really professional when it comes to his client commitments. Terms of payment according to them are also okay. I've also been exchanging emails with him for several times. Among the videographers I've inquired on, he's the quickest to respond, he entertains all queries.

EMACS Photography

http://emacsphotography.blogspot.com/

Their works also outstand other affordable videographers (at least in my own pov). I've also read good feedback from a co-w@wie. They also do give discounts to w@w brides. And we almost got them.

ALT-X Photography

http://emacsphotography.blogspot.com/

They're equally young and talented videographers. They're still new in business that's why they're still inexpensive. One w@wie got them and was satisfied with their output.

I've also inquired on the following videographers with ongoing promos but I have to read reviews about them yet:

Geronimo Photographico

http://www.photographico.com/

They have 30% off on their videography packages

Digital Shots

www.digitalshots.biz

They have an ongoing 20% off on their video packages (on going until Dec 31,2010)

Hope that helps! =)