Finding "The One"

No, we're not talking about JP here (I already knew he was the one waaaay before he proposed *eeww, cheesy*).  By this time, we were already scouting for the perfect church and reception venue.  All of the ones we visited were either booked on the day we initially wanted or not at par with our expectations.  But finally, one Sunday in January, we decided to look up a venue that was suggested by an event stylist friend.  I've also read some comments about this place, though I've not seen a lot of pictures on the internet.  The first time we saw it, we instantly fell in love with the place.

Perhaps the timing was just right when we visited.  Cool breeze blowing.  Weather was just the right touch of cloudy.  The person who attended to us was cheerful and pleasant (Hi, Iyett).  Plus an event was held there the day before and remnants of it were still present in the form of clear tents (pretty!), so we somehow envisioned the kind of wedding that we would like to have there.

So without further adieu, may I present to you, our official reception venue, Enderun (Colleges).

Believe me when I say this photo does not do justice to the actual place.  I haven't upgraded our camera for 3 years already.  This is the best angle I have of the place.:)

Here are more pictures of the place during daytime:

part of the courtyard

The fountain

Look how windy it was that day!
Wonder if it'll be like this on our wedding day?

Fountain off, but Iyett said they turn it on during events

They can place lounge chairs outside

This place is so much more beautiful in person that we don't need too much styling done to it.  It looks expensive but if you think about, with the high rental prices of venues around the metro and the expensive starting rates of caterers, you would realize that getting this is a steal already (The venue is included in their menu package rates).  I just can't wait to start planning on what to do here - from food tasting to meeting with our stylist to seeing the mock-up set up.:) I can't wait for our wedding day! :)

Lots and Lots of Churches

We have searched far and wide for the perfect church where we can exchange our vows and officially become husband and wife.  Of course, our first criteria would be its location (because originally, we wanted to have a Quezon City wedding) and then its rate (We didn't want to spend too much on this because we would only stay here for an hour).

So, off we went church-hunting.  The first one I (JP was at work so he asked me to check this place on my own first and just report to him after) visited was Our Lady of Consolation in Mira-Nila Homes Subdivision.  It was the first time I saw a church with purple background, so for the brides out there who has this for their motif, I suggest you take a look at this place.

This subdivision has some fine houses in it, so the view going to the church is not so bad.  I checked out some houses on the way here, but only from the car.  I didn't want the neighbors to think I was some kind of criminal studying which houses I want to rob, lest  I wanted to ruin my chances of booking this church for the wedding.

Main entrance from the street

The lot is quite huge so parking is not a problem

 From the way it looks outside, one would think that it's just one of those usual, old churches with nothing special to offer.

The driveway

 But you'll be surprised when you see the interior.  Purple!

High ceiling and purple backdrop.
It also has some glittery stuff which creates an interesting look. 

This shot was taken at about 8am. A mass just ended, attended mostly by seminarians (Yes, there is a seminary nearby).  The only problem is, this is not airconditioned.  So if your wedding starts at 3pm, I suggest you and your guests prepare some manual ventilation ready (READ: pamaypay).

The side of the church.  More parking spaces here.
Right beside the church is Bulwagang Recoletos

Bulwagang Recoletos is just a few steps away from the side of this church.  For more info about the venue, please check the previous post.

Basic information about the church:

 - rate is P16,000 inclusive of mass and wedding rite, fresh flower decor, singers and musicians, red carpet, lighted chandeliers, outlet for video light, pre-cana seminar and marriage contract

 - Fees: non-refundable reservation fee of P2,000, optional garden flowers at P3,000 and optional additional altar flowers of P1,500

 - Wedding schedule:

     Weekdays: 9am, 10:30am, 1:30pm, 3pm, 4:30pm

      Saturdays: 9am, 10:30am, 1:15pm, 2:45pm, 4:15pm

      Sundays: 1:30pm, 3pm

      *all wedding schedules are good for an hour and a half.

For more info, you may call them at tel. nos. 9311999 or 4531617

Tues-Sun: 9-12nn, 2-7pm

Lots and Lots of Venues

January 16, 2011.

More than a month has passed since that night when JP asked me to marry him.  We decided to let Christmas and New Year pass first before we officially start our wedding preps.  So here we are.

First thing on the list: venue hunting.

We've checked out some clubhouses and garden venues from Quezon City all the way to Mandaluyong.  I'll post pictures of the ones that I was able to take pictures of.  If I can, I'll also include details about these places.

1. Bulwagang Recoletos Atrium in Mira-Nila Homes Subd in Tandang Sora Ave., Quezon City

Intramuros Hall

lobby

garden in the middle of the building

view from the bridge in the garden

For inquiries, email them at bulwagangrecoletos@yahoo.com

2.  Nuestra Senora de Gracia Garden, Bernardino St., Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City

Their rate I think is around P10000, but this is only available on Saturdays because that's the time the Seminarians are out, which lets you stay longer in the night.

3. Gazebo Royale, Visayas Ave., Quezon City

     We visited this place just because it's near our place and it's really nice especially if you add to the decors. But this does not even come close to our list of inexpensive venues. Heehee. :)

4.  Christ the King Hall

5. Mt. Carmel Hall

6. Oasis

7. Fernwood Gardens

And the Search Began

I used to daydream about my wedding day and all the preparations that come before that.  I never thought that when the time actually comes that I have to plan my real wedding that I would be completely, utterly lost.  JP and I started to envision what we want our wedding to be like, and up until we finally made our first booking, we must have changed our minds about a lot of wedding stuff a dozen of times.  

"Let's make it our anniversary date" to "Maybe it's better to hold it on November" to "Wala nang ibang available date. December na lang."

"We'll just look for churches, venues and hotels in QC area" to "Maybe we can check out Mandaluyong and Ortigas area" to "Finally, Fort Bonifacio."

"I want a Grecian-inspired wedding gown that my Mom can just sew for me.  It'll probably cost me less than P3000" to "I think I'll go for a sheer strapped, ready-to-wear gown priced at not more than P5000" to "I'm in love with this fully-laced, mermaid cut wedding gown!  I wonder if anyone could make this for me at P10,000 tops?"

We have only made a couple of bookings so far and we still have a long way to go.  I pray that making decisions for this wedding doesn't always have to be this way.  Otherwise, 10 months wouldn't be enough to prepare for this most awaited event in our lives.

Pity me.  And pity JP more.

Discovery Weekend: What to Expect after the Wedding

December 3-5, 2010

After the proposal, the first thing that I booked for us is attending a marriage preparation seminar called Discovery Weekend.  I know, I know.  Most couples make this one of the last things they book, usually after all the nitty-gritty details of the wedding have been finalized and are just waiting for their wedding day to arrive.  I just felt that whatever we learn out of this seminar would be essential not only to our lives as husband and wife, but as two people at the start of preparing to enter this sacred vocation.  I wanted to make sure that JP and I start on same ground: understanding which values are non-negotiable, and which can be compromised; which principles cannot be bent, and which ones can be discussed.

  I inquired through their website the next available schedule, their fees and the venue to make sure that JP and I can free our schedule and attend.  Coincidentally, a few more slots were being filled last December, and I was told that it would take months before you can attend this seminar. So, me not wanting to let go of this opportunity, I immediately called JP and told (READ: not asked) him that we were to attend a weekend seminar.  He asked me if it was necessary, and I said yes because churches require couples to attend a pre-wedding seminar (I didn't know that only some churches acknowledge this particular seminar.  Others require you to attend their own pre-wedding seminar. Teehee. My mistake).

Nevertheless, I didn't really mind taking this seminar with JP because it definitely helped us as we start with the preparations.  Most of the lessons, we already learned from the seminar where we met, but we "re-learned" them from a different perspective.  Not only that, we also gained new friends here. :)

For schedule, fees and other details, you may visit Discovery Weekend website.

One Sweet Day in November

November 21, 2010

JP and I have been together for more than 4 years, and yes, we are one of those cheesy couples who still celebrate their monthsary.  Although, I must admit, the level of grandness has somehow deteriorated as years went by (from dinner dates in restaurants, to dinner dates at home).

Of all those celebrations, our most unforgettable monthsary happened last November, when JP finally asked me the question that all girls are dying to hear. And what made it more romantic is he chose the same event where we first met (in a personal leadership seminar), in front of all these strangers and friends alike, without me knowing what is going to happen until he called my name to come up in front!  I've always had a dream proposal, but this was waaayy more than I hoped for.  Kudos to him for being able to pull that off, and kudos to our friends who never mentioned nor hinted anything, nothing at all, even if we were together the entire day (or was I just too oblivious to notice anything? Heehee.).

Of course, the benefit of having your friends witness your proposal story is tons and tons of pictures and videos!  See that paparazzi guy behind us? That's my brother-in-law taking a video.  I guess he was one of the "hired" people to document this momentous event in our lives. :)