Save The Date

100K

Inaki and I have challenged ourselves to pull off this wedding with 120 guests on a budget of 100k. That's it. (We refuse to spend more, because we both agree that we'd rather buy a lens. Ahehe.)

Seriously though, I find most of the costs of wedding vendors too steep. So we discussed what is important to us, and how we can get away with getting what we want at the price we want to pay. Here's a rough list of our expenses so far:

• Wedding gown (my splurge) – 17k (lace and moderate beading), I was shocked to find out that gowns nowadays range from 35-120k
  
• Bride’s H&MU – 1k (total of 3k including my Mom and sister) D recommended a make up artist from Body Shop. I almost passed out when I discovered that the current rates for hair and make up is between 5-10k
  
• Rings – 12k (M is currently canvassing rings at Binondo and Sta. Cruz)
  
• Groom’s Attire – 2k (pina jusi plus pants)
• Entourage outfits (including H&MU) – to be shouldered by members of the entourage (sourcing from divi for 650/gown)
• Church – 13k (Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, includes flowers and soloist, although we’re bringing in Bukas Palad (gift from J) to sing)
• Venue – 5.5k (UP Balay Kalinaw), discounted rate for alumna
  
• Catering – 30k (cocktail reception--currently choosing from Henry's, Chateau Verde and Chocolate Kiss)
• Wedding cake – gift from a cousin; ordering it from Estrel's
  
• Flowers – 3k (from dimasalang)
• Photographer – 20k (our friend M is charging us for service only; Nards and I want to create our own albums. We're also going to ask J to take candids during the wedding and reception. Also we've opted for no video because we don’t like the lights, although we're hoping Kidlat wouldn't mind bringing his video camera with him :P)
• Invitations – 1k (DIY, we had an assemble-the-invitation-party at my place)
• Favors – eco bags, will be sewn by a friend who makes bags for Nothing But Water and Sari Sari.
  
• Documents - 2.5k (CENOMAR, Baptismal Certs etc)
• Car – will use my Dad’s new car (ha! buti na lang! :P)
  
• Coordinators – we did not find this necessary because our close friends are going to help us with all the details during the wedding

I'm sure there are other details that we're missing here, but we hope to fit within the 100k limit.

DIY Invite

Another trip to Divisoria with Inaki and my sister. We went to buy school supplies for our invites. We parked at Tutuban Center, and walked a few blocks to Yangco market.

Inaki was hopping from stall to stall along Ylaya St. In one of the stalls, we bought a roll of gold chiffon ribbon, a sheet of dark red sinimay paper (think the size of 2.5 cartolinas), and a pack of red fans (Php50/six pieces). Total cost for this: Php210.00.

After asking around, we found ourselves in George's School Supplies, where we bought ten sheets of thin (somewhat) corrugated board paper (again, the size of a cartolina), and six packs of parchment paper. Total cost: Php230. (Inaki also bought two large rolls of duct tape.)

Basically, our idea is to come up with invites similar to this:


I like this: it's offbeat, unique, and best of all, very cheap! :D

Reception Venue: Balay Kalinaw

I couldn't believe how extravagantly expensive wedding reception venues are! Imagine Php50k for three to four hours? That's a frigging laptop!

We finally decided on Balay Kalinaw. I was giddy to find out that it only costs Php6k to rent the entire second floor. (Plus we get a discount because we're alumna.)

That really saves us a bundle!

I like the feel and decor of the place: very casa manila, very old castillan.

First Booking

Today, Inaki and I put in a reservation fee for Sta. Rita De Cascia.

It was exciting for both of us as we discussed arrangements with Cathy (who is in charge of weddings at the parish office).

We're so excited!!

The slot we reserved is at 2PM. Because of this, we've decided to do a cocktail reception instead.

Churches

Yesterday, we checked out the churches we were considering for the wedding. Fortunately for us, yesterday being a Saturday, there were weddings at the church we visited, giving us an idea of how it would look like on The Day.

My Dad suggested Sta. Rita De Cascia over at Philam Homes. We temporarily booked the date. (If we decide to push through, we need to give a deposit of Php1k by Tuesday, 17 June.)

Inaki liked it a lot. It was cozy and intimate, simple and classy.


Sta. Rita De Cascia
Wedding Fee: Php13,000, reservation Php1,000
Included: clerical jobs (pre and post wedding); stipend for the priest solemnizing minister; fresh flowers decoration; carpet use; soloist; electricity consumption video coverage; and marriage registration fee at the local civil registrar.

pros: small church makes it an intimate affair, very private-no stragglers because it's in a private subdivision, quiet, ample parking space
cons: because of the relatively low ceiling (in contrast to large churches) it's not very airy and ay be very warm even with the fans; and the nearest (as in walking distance) venue for the reception is the Philam clubhouse (Php12k, 4 hours) which cannot accommodate 120 guests - it looks and smells old.


Next, we went to Immaculate Conception Cathedral at Lantana St. I also like this church, but the size is a bit overwhelming.


Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish
Wedding Fee: Php9,000 - includes mass, organist, soloist, flowers and carpet
Php6,000 - includes mass, organist adn flowers
Php4,000 - includes mass and organist
Php1,500 - no mass, no flowers, ceremony only
Php2,000 reservation fee (non-refundable), Php1,000 upon interview,
Php500 additional for electricity of video.

pros: nice altar, well-lighted, high vaulted ceiling makes it well-ventilated and cool, affordable and walking distance (across the street) reception venue good for 120 pax at the 10th floor of their diocese building, relatively cheaper than Sta. Rita.
cons: church too big for 120 guests, open to the public, making it accessible to stragglers, noise from jeepneys plying the street in front of the church, not so sure about parking


Our last stop was at Christ The King Church on Greenmeadows Avenue.

We weren't able to take a photo because there was an ongoing wedding and I felt inordinately shy going in and disturbing their private affair. We went to the parish office, but I got turned off by the lady because she first served a couple who were behind us in the line. I'll call them tomorrow, to ask about the dates of availability.

Christ The King Parish
Wedding Fee: Php25,000
Includes: fee for aircon, decoration and choir

pros: the church has AC, the altar is beautiful but a bit overwhelming, ample parking space, well lighted, church has a social hall with AC that can fit 300 pax and costs only Php15k
cons: it's pricey, the size is not as intimate as Sta. Rita's


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The requirements for the church are as follows:

• baptismal and confirmation certificates (both original copies, with "for marriage purpose" notation);
• authenticated birth certificate from NSO
• certificate of no marriage/singleness from NSO (CENOMAR) (in Inaki's case, we also need to bring the court ruling and his previous marriage contract stating that it was a protestant wedding officiated by a protestant priest);
• 2x2 ID picture (groom and bride);
• Banns - reply from duly accomplished and signed by the Pastors of respective parties;
• permission of proper pastor - the bride's pastor shall issue a permission allowing marriage to be solemnized outside the bride's parish
• marriage license (from the local civil registrar)

We need to submit all of the documents three weeks before the wedding date. I'm actually chewing my nails on this one. Inaki's lawyer (who is mostly a bearer of news that gives me tummy aches) said that his NSO status will be reverted to singlehood or rather he will be issued a certificate of dissolution of marriage by end of August. This is cutting it too close, and giving us a very small margin for possible delays.

I really want to get married by October 8th.

Counting the weeks: we have exactly 16 weeks before the wedding. Minus 3 weeks for the document deadlines in church, plus 4 weeks for the bureaucratic wheels to process our requests, this gives 9 weeks for the NSO to finalize Inaki's status.

I sincerely hope it all works out.

It's Official

Pop the champagne!

We're now officially engaged!

Nerves

I’m chewing on my fingernails. My feet are cold as ice. I have a fever. I haven’t eaten since 3pm yesterday. I haven’t slept all night.

Why?

Because I’m telling my parents that I’m getting married today.

After lunch to be exact.

Look at What the Mailman Brought

A six-page legal document from the city trial court arrived in the mail today.

It says at the very last page:

WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing judgment is hereby rendered declaring the marriage between petitioner (insert Inaki's full name) and respondent (insert promiscuous witch's full name) contracted on (insert wedding date) in (place of wedding) as NULL AND VOID AB INITIO on the ground of respondent's psychological incapacity pursuant to Article 36 of the Family Code.

And just in case you were curious as to the details of her psychological incapacity, here it is:

The respondent's acute, incurable and chronic emtional instability, immaturity, irresponsibility, insecurity, selfishness and eccentricity prior to and during the marriage render her unfit to assume and perform the normal duties and essential obligations and responsibilities of a married woman by reason and her psychological incapacity.

The entire annulment process took nearly two years to the the very day. (It was filed 30 June 2006, and the decision and paperwork came in 2 June 2008.) It will take the NSO, another fifteen working days from the date of receipt of this document to revert his records to singlehood, so that will completely finalize the process by the third or fourth week of June.

But the whole process is over. It's done.

Inaki and I are very very happy!

We're getting married!

Telling Inaki's Parents

It was good timing that Inaki's parents are going to Manila for an appointment. We've been trying to find ways to tell our respective parents about our engagement. The truth of the matter is, much as we would like to announce it, we're waiting for the annulment to be official before we breathe one word to anyone. (Although, my sister, my BFF from LA and our good friend who introduced us know already.)

Yesterday, we went to the bus stop to pick them up and to bring them to the hotel where Inaki booked them. His Dad and Mom were friendly, and I quickly warmed up to them. They checked in and we helped them settle in their room, then we went to Aristocrat on Roxas Blvd. for dinner. Inaki and I planned to tell them that we were planning to get married over dessert and coffee. We weren't able to because his Mom and I were cold and wanted to go out into the warm summer evening, so we skipped the after dinner java and sweets. We drove them back to their hotel, and we went home ourselves, deciding to tell them over lunch today, after their appointment.

His parents checked out at lunch time, and we all went to Harbor Square to eat at Iceberg's. And while waiting for the bill, that's when Inaki told them. He opened by asking if they remembered asking him what his plans were after the annulment. Then he proceeded by saying that we planned to get married. Inaki's Mom reached across the table and squeezed my hand. To say they were thrilled was an understatement. They were sincerely happy. In fact, his Dad was excited at the prospect of grandchildren. Bless his heart. And he berated Inaki to learn how to drive, because I can't be expected to be pregnant and drive around all the time. (I had to laugh at that one. Inaki thinks driving is so beneath him, and that he'd rather bike everywhere.)

Inaki's Dad was also asking when will they go to my parents for the pamamanhikan. We answered that we'll arrange it once the NSO papers are done.

I'm very happy that their happy with our news. :)

That's one thing off our list. Next task is to tell my parents. I truly hope they give us their blessing and they're just as happy. (I have a feeling we need to have a defibrillator on hand when we tell them. They still think I'm five years old.) Once they know, we're fifty percent done with the wedding plans.

I hope, I hope, I hope.

Getting Hitched

Click on photos for larger image.

Source: Dustinland

Wedding Garments in Divisoria

After the text we received from Inaki's lawyer, we went to Divisoria to scout around for wedding suppliers. There are a lot of sewers and clothing vendors in the market place along Ilaya St. I went to random vendors in Yangco market and in Tutuban Center.

Here's what I have so far:

Initial Canvass of Garments (in Php)	Qty	Randylene’s Barong Center (Tutuban Center)	JB’s Bridal Boutique & Souvenir Shop (Yangco Market)	Melda (Tutuban Center)
Wedding Gown	1	6,500 (organza?)	4,500 (organza?)	4,500 (organza) 5,000 (piña organza) 7,500 (duchess silk)
Groom’s Barong (Piña Jusi)	1	1,500	800	1,500
Mother’s Gown	2	1,500	1,000	1,200
Father’s Barong+Brother’s	3	1,500	800	1,500
Maid of Honor	1	1,500	700	1,000
Bridesmaid’s Dress	3	1,500	700	1,000
Best Man	1	500	300	350
Groomsmen’s Barong (Organza)	3	500	300	350

Others gave me a collective quote of Php30k for the whole entourage.

Hmmm, that's almost 1/3 of our total budget.

We'll definitely go back and canvass some more.

News From the Lawyer

"Hi Inaki, I've been assured by my insider contacts that the decision in our case is favorable. Please prepare [details deleted].... The rest of my fees will be due after we finish with the NSO."

Translation? Annulment granted!

90 Days

We just got word from the lawyer that the 90-day wait for the decision officially started last friday.

Thank heavens it's 90 calendar days instead of 90 working days. This means the decision is due by 10th of May instead of July and August.

A wedding this year is getting dimmer and dimmer by the second.

I'm bummed out, but I'd rather wait than not have the annulment granted.

Restaurant

For the past week, we've been loosely discussing how we will plan our wedding. We're trying to cut down on the costs, and one alternative is to have a breakfast buffet instead of the usual luncheon or dinner. I've asked a friend who's a chef, to give us a quotation for a breakfast buffet that includes an egg station, a coffee bar, tea service, fruit juice station, assortment of breads, rice, breakfast meat, and fresh fruits. I hope she can email it to us the soonest possible time. I like the idea that we can finish the ceremony and reception before lunch. Then we can spend the rest of our wedding day however we like.



Tonight, we had dinner at a quaint restaurant in QC. I asked for packages for weddings. It was very manageable. Plus we love their food (translation: yummy!), and the decor is very cozy and charming. We are 90% inclined to have our reception there. :)

Let's just hope the annulment gets granted.

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.