Our First Mini-Bridal Fair

Today, by accident, Inaki and I stumbled on a mini-bridal fair. It wasn't much. But I got away with an idea of how much catering costs, venue rental, and even how much wedding bands costs. I collected brochures and print outs of their packages; and a bride's yellow pages where all possible wedding vendors are listed. I wasn't interested in photography because we've already made our top three choices on whom we want to get: (in order of priority) Red Mango, Dino Lara and Mimi & Karl.

Based on what we saw, Inaki and I decided that we are going to have a morning wedding followed by a breakfast reception. We were thinking of having the ceremony at 7am, followed by a breakfast buffet at Balay Kalinaw or a similar venue. The kind of buffet we had in mind will have a pancake/waffle station, an egg station, a wide variety of breads, rice and breakfast viands such as bacon and bangus. There will be fresh fruits, and chocolate, coffee and tea services. We're hoping this would be cheaper considering it's not as much preparation as the normal dinner. My project now is to see if the caterers we saw (Hizon's, VS&F, Albergus) are capable of preparing that kind of buffet. If not were thinking of tapping Inaki's friend, Henry, or a friend of ours from a well-known culinary school. We still want our cake to come from Estrel's. For the souvenirs to be small versions of our wedding cake or elaborate cupcakes. Either that or if I can prevail on a friend to give us personalized m&m's to serve as our wedding favors instead.

The attire will be beach themed. Something in the line of white linen long sleeved tops for the men, flowing cotton dresses for the girls, sandals or flip flops for the feet.

I want to wear a red pair of mary jane crocs instead of frilly satin shoes on my wedding.

Anyway, there's another bridal fair that we're attending on February and another in May.

I really hope we can push through with the wedding this year.

Waiting

Two weeks ago or so, the printed transcript was released and Inaki's lawyer was instructed to file a request for the decision from the court. After the motion has been filed, the official 90-day wait starts.

At the latest, we will get a decision by March.

Although the lawyer said that the judge was known for being fast in issuing decisions.

I take this with a grain of salt, particularly with all the delays.

In any case, I hope it's released soon so that the follow up paperwork can be done.

Next Step

It's a good sign that Inaki didn't come home early today. This means that the last hearing pushed through. He was happy with the doctor's testimony. The good doctor came off as very professional and not scripted, unlike the other psychiatrists who took the stand.

The court was very considerate this morning. They've decided to forego the wife's summons due to the two delays; and the fact that it's a no-contest case. (She was supposed to be subpoenaed to give her an opportunity to contest the case, but the plans were for her to stay put, not show up and effectively not contest.) This means that instead of waiting for her hearing to commence on February 2008, we will instead wait for the printing of the transcript. Once the transcript is printed and submitted, the 90 calendar day wait for the decision starts. (Stomach lurching at the anxiety.)

Rainy Morning

Today is the scheduled "last" hearing for the annulment. I'm not getting my hopes up today. There may be another delay.

It's a rainy and gloomy morning. Maybe it's a sign? *sigh*

Time

One month has passed again. It's been more than fourteen months since the annulment was filed. I hate our freaking justice system. If we are getting delayed, more so for the innocent people who are in jail because their hearings keep getting rescheduled by absent lawyers and busy judges.

If nothing goes wrong this week, the final hearing will push through.

Another Delay

Postponed to 6 December.

Reason the Judge went to a conference.

Another two weeks.

After this last hearing, then the summons for the unfaithful wife will be served. The earliest date for her hearing is on February 2008 (pa! Shet.)

Only after this date can the 90 calendar days start for the Judge to issue a ruling. (Hopefully, it's granted.)

This means the earliest time we can marry is 2009. Shet, shet, shet.

Three Things

Three things can happen tomorrow.

1. The hearing will be rescheduled (again) for whatever cockamimmy reason.
2. The annulment will be granted. (HOORAY!!! TIME TO PLAN A WEDDING.)
3. The annulment will not be granted. (Di ko na alam ang gagawin ko pag nangyari ito.)