Entourage Runaway..

And as every couple preparing for a wedding knows.. There's no such thing as a perfect wedding. And definitely no such thing as a perfect wedding preparation!

As our excitement of coming home in the Philippines arises, the height of the stress we had with our entourage also went up. Two weeks prior to our flight to Manila, one of Noel's groomsmen advised that he won't be able to make it to our wedding.. Good thing is that the invites wasn't printed yet when he informed us.

Alas, we thought the dilemma is over and so we proceeded with the printing of our invites. But then October 27, which is also the day of my first gown fitting and supposedly second gown fitting for my entourage.. My supposedly Maid of Honor and Veil Sponsor didn't show up for their gown fitting. I didn't worry at first because I thought maybe they're busy with their schedules. Anyhow it's still three weeks before the wedding so we can still adjust the dresses for them.

Bu then.. when I checked my Facebook account that night, messages of apologies was there informing me that two of the girls won't be able to make it on my wedding day!

One year of preparation, one year notice, one year of emails and calls, one year of checking out the dresses and trying them on! All gone and vanished.. Noel & I were heartbroken.. Most especially me.. (-_-)

first print out made

too bad we have to reprint this..

And so in spite of our busy schedule we looked for replacements and prayed that everything will be fine and that we'll have enough time to have the entourage card reprinted.

As it turned out we were only able to distribute wedding invites 5 days prior our wedding day. Waste of time and waste of money.. But at least Noel & I became stronger because of this trial.

We selected the set of our entourage by their roles and importance in our lives. But then, you can't really be sure because just when you needed them most that's when they will decide to turn their backs on you.

Nevertheless, no hard feelings on our side. Noel & I always believe that "All things work together for good to those who love God." - Romans 8:28

-Ces (^_^)

Trial with Ann

Just like the dress, you have to plan your hair and make-up look and ensure to have a trial.

I had my hair and make up trial with Ms. Ann De Leon-Perez and her hairstylist Jacky last November 5, 2012. I booked her a few weeks before we arrived in Manila. She was recommended by my fellow w@w sis Pia Dysangco when I was looking for a good HMUA supplier that won't have me rob a bank. (*_^)

I actually already booked another supplier prior to that but due to budget constraints we decided to look for another supplier who is equally good yet fits our budget.

Ann's work was featured at www.bridalbook.ph and I so love her works.. Here's the link: 

Make Up by Ann de Leon-Perez

We agreed on 11:00 am hair and make up trial and they arrived on time at my brother-in-laws condo unit in Taguig. Even though this is the first time I met them I felt at ease at once as they're so nice and easy to go along with.

 Here's the peg I showed them.

bridal look inspiration from Lazaro Brides

I showed them the peg I want to achieve and we started immediately since I will also have my final fitting for my wedding gown at 3:00 pm that day. Afterwards, it turned out the look I want doesn't suit me very well.. Although I felt I was so pretty after Ann and Jacky completed my look. (^_^)

Good thing I had my trial because at least I was able to realize that the look I want doesn't suit me. I sent email to Ann and we were able to discuss options on my hair and make up for our wedding day. Ann is really cool because she's really so flexible and nice.

love the way Ann did on my eyes and lips

too bad the hairstyle doesn't suit me.. I looked like Imelda Marcos! heheh :)

-Ces (^_^)

The dress

After months of email exchanges with Garrey of Jose Domingo Bride, I finally met him. He was a w@w find (Weddings at Work where I am a member), so I trusted him even though I haven't personally able to meet him. Since I wasn't able to come home to the Philippines in the middle of our wedding preparation Garrey agreed on letting me have my first gown fitting three weeks prior our wedding day and final fitting a week prior our wedding day.

After our venue ocular, still October 27, we went straight to Garrey's shop in Wack-Wack for our 3:00 pm schedule with him. Even though Noel & I only had two hours of sleep after a long 8 hours flight from Dubai we were still very energetic!

For a year I kept the design of my wedding dress secret to Noel because I want it to be a surprise for him. (Ang arte ko lang! heheh!) So I refrained on posting about my wedding gown even though I very much wanted to (*_^)  During my fitting, only our coordinator Nemalyn (we call her Mai) and I went to Garrey's shop while the boys are sleeping in the car at the parking area.

Garrey's sketch of my wedding gown

with Garrey and his assistant

love this side view (^_^)

I love the feel of the dress.. It's so comfortable and flowy just as I want it to be.. I wanted to have a second look of having the straps removed after the ceremony. Garrey said ok but then this didn't happened.. (-_-)
I'll post the story on my suppliers rating later on.

front view without the laces and beadings

back view with the veil

-Ces (^_^)

Hello The Cliff Royale!

The next day, October 27,  after two hours of sleep we went to The Cliff Royale Subic Resort to have our first ocular visit. We were invited by Ms. Victoria Montecastro-Benabaye to have a Filipino breakfast with them at the resort.

We arrived there at 08:30am and the weather was really pleasant that day plus our host was really accommodating as well.

(from left) Ms. Victoria, Ms. Nemalyn our coordinator, me and Noel

                           

our chosen ceremony area

cocktail area will be beside the ceremony area

our chosen reception area

The place was really great and the staff of The Cliff Royale Subic Resort were very accommodating. During our ocular we learned that there are actually three resorts located at The Cliff - namely The Cliff Seagrapes, The Cliff Subic Resort and The Cliff Royale Subic Resort where we will be staying.

We had two more visits afterwards and I must say that the staff of The Cliff Royale Subic Resort were the friendliest and incomparable than the rest. We have high hopes we will receive the same service on our wedding day. I'll post a review of this place post wedding day very soon. (^_^)

Flight to forever

Woohoo! And our big day finally passed.. It's been a long one year wedding preparation but we totally enjoyed every day and night of it kahit kaka-stress talaga.

I wasn't able to update this blog for quite a while, but as the saying goes.. "It's better late than never". So I'll start my kwento from our flight going home to the Philippines (^_^)

                           

 

We woke up at 4:00 am to catch the 05:30 am complimentary shuttle bus from Chelsea Tower in Dubai going to Abu Dhabi International Airport provided by Etihad Airways.

The bus trip going to Abu Dhabi was smooth and fast. But prior to that we got really pissed with the service provided to us at the bus waiting area. When we checked-in our luggage the day before our flight, we were instructed by the Etihad Airways colleague who checked-in our bags to be at the bus stop exactly at 05:00 am in order for us not to miss the shuttle bus because she gave us the last two seats. But then when we arrived there at 04:45 am, the security officer who was facilitating the boarding of passengers to the bus told us to wait for the 6:30 am bus because the bus is full and that we have ample time to be at the airport since our flight will leave at 10:15 am. Imagine the frustration we felt that time!! We woke up very early because we were told to come early then when we arrived we were told to wait for one hour?!?

But thank God the security officer noticed us and listened to our explanations and afterwards allowed us to get on the 05:30 am bus.

Arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport

We were welcomed by a pleasant morning weather in Abu Dhabi

Our ticket going home!

I was thinking "after 8 to 9 hous we'll be in the Philippines " (^_^)

Our flight left early at 09:45 am Abu Dhabi local time and arrived in the Philippines at 11:00 pm last October 26, 2012 three weeks prior to our wedding day. Yipee! We're finally home after two and a half years (^_^)