Gifts for Our VIPs: The Russian Cookie House

As an overseas bride, I spend hours on the net, researching on what's new and what's available in town. That includes gifts for the VIPs - the parents, sponsors and the bridal party.

The Venue: The Pergola

My fiance found The Pergola one day as he was passing by the area. He suggested it to me and I quickly looked it up on the Internet. And I liked it!

My Online BFFs

There are so many online resources out there that a bride can turn to when doing initial research. We basically scour the net for worthy information like suppliers, schedules, list of requirements and wedding inspirations. 

The Church: Santuario de San Antonio

Santuario de San Antonio Parish (Makati City)
Photo courtesy of the church

When we first planned our wedding (which was supposed to happen in 2011), we chose Christ the King in Green Meadows and the reception to be in Sitio Elena, a venue with a garden ambience. We visited the place during one of my many trips to Manila but, in the end, things got a bit sidetracked.

Realisations of a Bride-to-Be

When my fiance and I finally agreed on the date of the wedding, I was making mental countdowns almost every other day and imagining what the Big Day would be like. Yes, I was researching on churches, venues and suppliers but didn't really feel the "pressure" until we started settling down payments and reservation fees. Told myself, "This is it! It's really happening!"

Wedding FAQs

I just started this blog today and I thought I'd come up with 10 frequently asked questions about my wedding. So, here goes:


1. When is the big day?
My wedding is going to be on 28 September 2012.


2. Will you be getting married in Singapore?
We are considering getting solemnised in Singapore but the wedding ceremony is in Manila, Philippines, so our loved ones will witness our union.


3. Why did you start this blog barely five months to your big day?
This isn't the first wedding blog that I started. There's one for our supposed wedding in 2011 but things got a bit sidetracked so, obviously, that 2011 wedding didn't happen. This year, it's the real thing. I made this blog to chronicle my journey as a bride-to-be and as an "online love letter" for my husband-to-be.


4. What have you confirmed so far?
We have already confirmed the church, reception, caterer, photographer, the number of guests, principal sponsors, some members of the entourage and the florist for my wedding bouquet, the bridal party and for the bridal car as well as my wedding couturier.

I'll blog about these suppliers soon.


5. When did you start planning for the wedding?
We've been talking about it since we got engaged (again) last year but it's only in February this year when we started nailing down details and contacting suppliers.


6. Where will you settle after the wedding?
We are planning to start a new life as Mr and Mrs in Singapore.


7. Have you started an exercise regimen to tone up before the wedding?
Yes, sort of. I do yoga from time to time and workout but not on a regular basis. It's time to drag my lazy ass and really stick to it. I do a lot of cardio, too!


8. Have you set a budget for your wedding?
Yes. Since my fiance and I are paying for the wedding, we have set a budget and we intend to stick to it. We have no plans of going overboard. 


9. How many guests are you inviting?
We agreed to have 100 guests, which will consist of family, relatives and really close friends. In short, these are people that we can't live without.


10. What's on your wishlist?
Honeymoon destinations: 
* Siem Reap in Cambodia to see the world-famous Angkor Wat
* Pearl Farm in Davao for ultimate relaxation and pampering
* Macau, China (although I'm not so hot about this place)
* Halong Bay in Vietnam (but the five-hour travel by land from Hanoi makes me think twice about this destination)

We were enjoying the Manila Bay sunset (April 2012)

Wedding Stressing & Wedding Blogging

It's true what they say: planning a wedding is stressful. Planning your wedding is nerve-wracking!