Sunflowed

it's funny how your mother wants your wedding to be more perfect than you could possibly want it to be..

to the point that she ruins everything for you.

she hates everything that you like. she hates everything that you want. she even hates everything that you've already booked. worse is when she hates everything that you've already fully paid for.

i'm exaggerating when i say "everything" but you get what i mean..

she always wants something else that she thinks is better. even if you don't like it. even if you're quite contented with what i already booked.

because you already like what you chose. because you already want what you booked.

basically, the feeling really sucks.

that she is ashamed of you, and your tastes. that she wants to show a perfect wedding of a perfect daughter. not the perfect wedding of her own daughter.

and that feeling sucks.

oh, and when she see this, i can already hear her "Just because I want your invitation cards reprinted bigger for my guests, you're already over reacting!!"

---

but that's just the way mothers are.

they just want you to be well liked by people you don't even know. they want you to be the prettiest, even if it's not the normal you. they want your wedding to be amazing... even if you don't like it.

yeah they're teaching you to sacrifice your wedding preferences so that other people will be happy. so that she will be happy. so that you will be happy.

---

yes i know she loves me so much..

i love her too.

Now that we hired a much better one (yes, thank you) I'm still stressed because my mom says that some of my already-booked suppliers are not good enough. That my invitations are too small. That I need to lose more weight.

She's probably as stressed as I am.

Never EVER give your downpayments before reading and signing your contract.

You will never get your money back.

It's a sign that your supplier is not worth a single cent.

Last weekend, we went to a Wedding Fair at NBC Tent. Since we always wake up late, we reached there at around 4 pm. We planned first what we wanted: Coordinators, Hair & Makeup, Souveniers, Invitation ideas, Car..

And here's what we were able to dig up from the huge fair:

Colorplay by Malou Hibaler (Hair & Makeup) Because I need it for my whole family. They have a package of Bride+Groom+3, which is perfect for my mom, my sister, and my fiance's mom. Their package includes retouch before the reception which I really think will be helpful since I sweat really fast. Their promo for the fair includes Airbrush upgrade for the bride! I decided to get addons for the 2 guys as well (Php500 each), that's for my dad and brother. And of course 1 flower girl for his niece (Php500). I noticed they also have a service of prenup hair & makeup where they'll be with you the whole time to change your looks. For Php4000. I took it. lololol They gave me a trial on the spot. We both liked it~ So we booked for Php17k!

Simply Sparkle Events Management by DnC (Semi-full Coordination) We decided to get a semi-full coordination because we think we're busy people. Yeah. I'll be working on a new project anytime soon, and I'll have less time preparing for the wedding, so we think this is the best choice. Their package/promo included personalized ribbons (which I don't really know where to use), poppers (which might not be used either lol idk but that seems fun if we will be able to!), and photobooth. But we just booked one, so it was exchanged for emcee services!! YES!! We think we seriously needed an emcee because we have shy and socially awkward friends. XD Also, they said they'll email us in a week, but we already received an email the day after. Really fast! We booked their semi-full coordination for Php28k! They suck ass. Don't hire them.

TeraLifestyle (e-Guestbook) It's quite unique. And digital. It's like a photobooth, with more features. You can add decoration on your photo. You can write/draw on your photo. You can take a video. You can send it to your email. You can get it on your phone via QR code if you have internet. There is a slideshow of all photos and videos taken. You can put the seat plan, agenda, menu there. You can put your prenup photos there. You can put your prenup/save-the-date video there. In one huge 42" LCD touchscreen. They'll have their staff helping your guests out too of course! Booked it for Php26k. I regret nothing!!!.. Don't tell my mom yet!! XD

For the rest, Simply Sparkle will help us find suppliers. :D I'll probably share them here as well. :D

We stopped planning for quite a while.

Now it suddenly became stressful because I have a new part time work and it's gonna be on the weekends.

Final date. Hopefully.

Pencil-booked the church and restaurant. Will confirm tomorrow. (The down-payments commence!)

Our first choice was November 24, 2013. I can't believe this date is so.. busy. It's not even a whole year from that date. 1st choice church is already fully booked. Second choice church cannot hold weddings because of a feast. Our second choice restaurant already has 1 booked.

Suddenly, stress!

So yeah, I tried asking for October 6 instead. Luckily, there's 1 afternoon slot left from 1st choice church, and 30-table ground floor venue from 1st choice restaurant (the 2nd floor is seriously damn prettier, and already booked! eek!).

..OMG, I'll have the same wedding anniversary day as my friend who just got married this year. Congratulations Kevin and Maryann!

We got our rings a week ago. Bought them from Suarez at a bridal fair in Megatrade Hall last August 25-26. Normally, Suarez already sells the cheapest rings around here in Manila. And they went even cheaper since they're in a bridal fair. From 20k+ to 16k+! We were so lucky!

We got yellow gold rings. I insisted that we were both size 8.. because I didn't want my size to be bigger than his. HAHA. Both rings are shiny at the sides, with stone finish at the center, and one tiny diamond. As freebies, they gave us 2 bottles of perfume (one for men and another for women), arrhae, and cake slicer! I doubt we'll be using the cake slicer though.. but keeping it just in case.

The almanac arrived at the temple a few days ago.

My mother called them up and gave our birth years..

and they came up with

October 6, 2013

November 24, 2013

December 8, 2013

Mama: Anong gagawin mo dyan?! Reception dapat sa Gloria Maris! Yung sa Greenhills! Wala nang iba!

Me: Ah diba mahal dun?

Mama: Basta dapat Gloria Maris Greenhills!

Me: Ok. Eh church?

Mama: Kahit anong church ok lang.

Me: Binondo church? Diba dun kayo kinasal ni papa?