Online Album

Ika and Toto surprised us with a wedding album (two copies, gave one to my mom). It is such a thoughtful gift, guys! They took all the pictures starting from the high tea, the rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner, the make up and hair, the ceremony and reception. It took them only a few days to pick and edit pictures before hitting the publishing button at My Publisher. I haven't even received pictures from my photographer then when I opened this anonymous package.

Anyway, the album comes with an online viewing. Here it is, enjoy!


I will update my Flickr account to a Pro so that I can share pictures with everyone eventually.

Pics

Our photographer sent a USB worth 5 GB of pictures, three of them edited. I am too lazy to browse over the 1000+ pictures.

This is going to be a lonnngggg project (editing, album, thank you notes), deadline is first wedding anniversary. LOL.

Post Wedding Notes

We have been married, err, 12 days now. Wedding day was magical. We got all the things we've ever wanted and more. It wouldn't be possible without the help of my dearest girls, Evy, Dian, Ika, Yada, Ade, Melly, Trish, Jess, Giselle, Inok, and the guys: Chris, Toto, Bibi's groomsmen, George, my brother, Sean, and not to mention, my mother and Ika's parents. It was just a lot of fun.

We had our mini moon all over Texas: San Antonio, College Station, and Austin. I am back in CA and Bibi is still in TX catching up on his lab work. Our marital bliss is slightly different than most couples since we are still living apart from each other. But as Bibi always says, we have plan, and we are following it.

Anyhoo, now that the wedding is over, the the to-do-list still growing. I can't wait to actually get pictures from official photographer so that we can include a wallet size portrait of the two of us and picture with guests on the thank you notes. I have never been showered with so much love. Thank you, friends, family!

My unofficial photographers have been sending me their pictures, gotta choose some for mama, she's going home this Tuesday night.

My long term project is to make photo albums: the wedding and the behind the scene. It'll be magical.

D-4!

Oh, my.

D-4. At this point I am just...giving up. Seriously, this morning while still in bed, I tried to rehearse what things I need to do Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and the big day, but my mind refused to think.

Changes so far:

• There will be no live singing at reception, although the program says so. Reason is that brother couldn't bring his electric keyboard. NY is having half heart of singing and playing the keyboard live anyway. I am too tired to look for last minute instrument place. Given all the above, we are counting on CDs for music during reception, and if people want to sing, we will make use of the karaoke machine. Real use.

• ....I am sure there will something coming up. I am embracing myself for it (them).

NY is organizing a "tea-party" with the girls Friday lunch time. There are about 10 of us. I am not trying to envision a high-tea ambiance of an English nature. This is Texas, dowtown Riverwalk. LoL.


I am leaving tomorrow on a 6 AM flight and have yet to find a place for steaming.

Favor Sketch

Rough dimension for DIY cover for chocolate bar as wedding favor. Actual pretty work is in progress by Bu Didi.



Update, March 28th:
Design is done, what we need are the printings, cuttings, applying glue, and, voila, favors will be done!

Update, April 3rd:
This is what it's gonna look like. Pardon the printing mishap. I accidentally printed it twice on the same side of the page, still wondering how it happened.

List...

Cake Vendor--Done
Hotel--Done
Wedding rings--almost in Bibi's possession
Materials for readers--Done
Wedding website--Done
Flower order--Done
Music for church--halfway, brother has some sheet music for procession and recession
Invitation--Done, except for the one for local folks and people at work
Veil--Done, except for the comb

Need to get:
Bear
Locket
Ribbons for bouquets and boutonnieres
Vases
Flower foams and such except for Leaf Shine
Candles for unity candles
Materials for favors (Hershey's Trader Joe's chocolate bar with DIY cover)
Cake platter, 16"

Need to do:
Favors (design done, need to print, cut, apply glue)
Table ID (IP, Bu Didi, need to print)
Program for church (need to cut)
Guestbook
Seating, almost done
Delegation of things to do on the day, done, need to hold meeting, though.
Drinks ticket
Trivia

Still in the blank In Progress:
Program for reception (Bibi is in charge and is definitely rolling)
Music for reception (also rolling, Bibi is finding rental PA system), MP3 files left CDs and MP3s available.
Final count from RSVP, hoping guests start mailing theirs before April 1st deadline Sending catering guy the list of menu. Catering will follow up this coming Monday, 04/12. We are about to send contract approval back.Sent
Photographer program, this is still the death of me
Enlarging picture for reception

Anybody has suggestion for a church program design? I am trying to think outside the box. What about a combination of accordeon fold one like this from Martha Stewart online embellished/secured with ribbons?

Invitations Out

Mailed invitations are out on Saturday. Please be on the look out for it and RSVP ASAP.

Danke and love,

-Getting to be stressed out bride

And as a token of appreciation to my worker bees. Here is a picture of them (designer not included) while working on the invitations. Danke all.

2010!

It's been a while since I updated this blog. Honestly, I've had cold feet on preparing for this wedding. It is not about the groom and me, thankfully, but about leg works (and actual works) left. I am chanting the word "simple" for about a thousand times in an attempt to make myself feel better.

Bottom line is no matter how simple this wedding is gonna be, it still needs preparation, correct? Delegate and organize are my two best operating words these days. Also, magabu (makan gaji buta) every chance I can or when inspiration strikes. Notice the two don't necessarily coincide.

I would like to thank my resident muse and Ibu Bunga (aka Chief Decorator) in advance for their constant attentions and ideas on this crazy cross-country planning. Also to my mother. We went to the alteration place to have the bustle sown and to shorten the off shoulder neckline on Sunday. She also picked the same style of the bridal bouquet I had in mind. And to Oni for her idea for a simple chocolate bar favor.

So, in summary, flower is rolling. Favors have been decided and team assembled. We almost have a photographer chosen. Muse and I are working on invitation for a middle February print and March 1 send out. I am printing those myself. We also have a couple of ideas about making a fun reception.

The most important thing is that Bibi and I are almost there sacramental wise. We finished Enganged Encounter, had second meeting with the Father in December--we have rehearsal time by the way-- and last but not least, got two meetings with Sponsor Couple done also in December. The last meeting with Sponsor Couple will be over details on ceremony. I am thinking to go on the weekend before President's day.

Big item to do list:
Cake (I am thinking just to have cake instead of cupcakes. Rio-rio is charging reasonable fee for set up)
Music for ceremony and reception
Program
Transportation
Make up
Other decoration
Finalizing menu

I am quite energized.

Hmmmm....taking a deep breath.....

We might need to downsize the wedding depending on what happens at the work front.

Things will start unfolding tomorrow and the following week. At the worst case, I am picturing that it boils down to a matter of life survival in lieu of an extravagant -well, to some extend- nuptial celebration. This epiphany is the result of wee morning perusing news and company announcement. 3 AM, no gym tomorrow!

On the positive side, the whole deal takes pressure off from myself (and the dude) on the planning of a somewhat dreamy wedding. I am just glad we haven't put anything down for venue.

PS:
Babe, really, your Vegas plan is more realistic at this point. LoL.

PPS:
Screw you, Economy. I am going to retreat to some type of a simple life, Fiance, you're coming right? Foraging anyone?

Save the Date!

May 1st, 2010 at 2PM in St. Francis of Assisi Church, San Antonio, TX.
Reception to follow at Riverwalk (not yet determined).


------
Fr. Jim just replied my email regarding the time change. Needless to say, we love him so much. Thank you, Fr. Jim!


PS:
Bibi, we can go crazy on making this oh so romantic. :D

Much Ado About Nothing

I haven't been doing anything substantial lately except to confirm with the father that we are going to meet with him on Sunday the 18th and that we tentatively put a hold on April 24th 2010, 2 PM slot. We will set the date and time when we actually talk with him in persons. Also, I just mailed the Engaged Encounter form for a retreat on December 4-6 in San Antonio. We can actually celebrate Fiance's birthday together this year!

I watched this for the umptenth time last night not just because it has the word "wedding" on it but it is on my list of memorable flicks and a girl just needs to retreat to girly guilty pleasures sometime. [Short digression: back in the film's release year which is also my freshman year in college, the school's film society decided to play it at the auditorium. Everyone whooped whole heartedly in unison at the part where Julianne character mentioned (despite condescendingly) the name of the town where our school is.]

Oh, I had been flipping thru and cutting pictures from magazines (not bridal) for inspiration for something refreshing on pre-wedding pictures--I was surprised that Fiance actually wants to do a pre-wedding photoshoot. See, I refuse to waste money on acquiring bridal magazines for inspiration, it is always resulting in a sensory overload and lack of common sense. But while waiting for an oil change this morning, I was about to flip thru a magazine called "Welding." That little "L" in the middle just escaped me.

PS:
Fiance's sisters are throwing us an engagement dinner party. I think I need a dress or a cute top to wear with this gorgeous navy blue silky skirt I have. LoL.

LoL!

I have possibly done the geekiest thing bar none about this wedding planning. Well, maybe not the geekiest thing since I am hoping to come up with something geeky for the wedding itself, but still.

What is it, you say.

I am using a cleanroom note book as a planner/notebook for organizing ideas about the wedding! Size-wise, it looks like the small one on this picture.



This way, I can conveniently bring it to the lab (and everywhere else) and use it whenever ideas strike without anyone knowing. I decorate it (discreetly on an inside page) with a favorite picture of me and Bibi and a picture of our hands with mine wearing my engagement ring. Maybe I'll put on some stickers and other embellishment later. *sarcastic tone* On a more practical side, I need to add a calendar to do list page to it and a table of content. [Update: the notebook has a calendar now, from October 2009-May 2010, accordion style...]

It's been great so far. The only thing is I am probably gonna run out page sometime. LoL. I am definitely keeping the book as a priced memento after the wedding.

Bridekenstein Management (Sort of)

Ahh...it feels like I haven't been updating in ages. No worries. I keep on thinking about wedding preparation in every waking minute (surprise, surprise, the whole ordeal hasn't made it to my subconscious realm yet, I am famous for twisted, scary dreams).

It is true what wise people say, planning takes 90% of your time, execution takes only 10%. Although, I have to remind myself to slow down on the planning side sometimes. Bibi's famous two words and two punctuation marks for me are "Easy, Killer!" It is good that this work week has been quite substantial for my future and adding to it are the personal projects with impending deadlines, so I couldn't really realize any of the things on the to do list but randomly thinking about it. Otherwise, most decision will be made and apart from the religious side of things, we can be happily married already. LoL!

Speaking of Bibi...I have a feeling he's probably will never post anything in this blog what with the estrogen saturated air. It is ironic that the idea of creating this blog was his in the first place. In a way, I can understand that it's like opening a pandora box once he hits that enter button on the address tab, much less trying to add material to the blog. See, I have a penchant to become a monster when I am enjoying doing things I like.

Also, shameless selves-promotion here.

As a closing to this rambling and for the purpose of jotting down pertinent materials, here are the things I've been thinking about, in no particular order:

-List of reception places to see in October trip

-Actually buy ticket for October trip

-Send email to Fr. J to confirm we are going to catch a meeting with him that Sunday

-Preparing a list of question, concern, etc, for him about our wedding preparation and Mass

-Figuring out time off and schedule for Engaged Encounter retreat (November? December? out of the San Antonio Diocese?)

-Readings for Mass (I've been reading the Bible, reflection book, etc., to find something that touches heart)

-Invitation design (Bu Didi is in charge, I scored a laser color printer from surplus at work, so I can print them myself on Bu Didi is done! Although, I need to find pretty paper material for invitation, reception card, RSVP, etc.)

-Photographer (NY came up with an affordable photographer list. I need to look over their portfolio. Sad thing, on some of them, I think I can do a better job editing the pictures. I might as well do post processing myself, I'd tell you.)

-Some geeky decoration, activity, theme on the wedding to make it "us".

-Veil, oh, veil. I'm torn between cathedral mantilla or fingertip length with simple white pearl ribbon on the edge.

-Macaron as favors (Evy, you're just amazing, she provides the foolproof recipe, NY is on board as baking mate, Mommy should be too! Need to find boxes that'll showcase the pretty color)

-Guest list

-Delegating tasks (I have evil plan...huahuahuhaaa)

-Bridesmaid or no????

Color Swatch

Shades of purple and silver (gray) as color theme.


Leaning towards either of these two, thistle (f) or plum (e).


PS: Bought my dress. :) Thank you Rentje for accompanying me to the store. I was beyond clueless without you.