Our Catholic Engaged Encounter

A Wedding is a Day ...A Marriage is a Lifetime.

Last weekend was a very interesting for my fiancé and me. We attended Catholic Engaged Encounter. No one referred us to attend CEE for our marriage preparation programme but I heard of another marriage preparation programme from a friend but theirs were a bit more expensive. It was a choice between attending a Parish Pre-Cana Seminar or a Weekend Retreat. But then decided to register Adrian and me to CEE. To tell you honestly, our reason for participating on this weekend retreat was merely because it’s a prerequisite so we can be married in the church. Not knowing that this experience will change my ideals on what marriage is all about and how to deal with the trials and difficulties in a marriage.

There were 5 married couples that shared experiences on their married life. And yes, it’s not always a bed of roses. It was really an eye opener for Adrian and me. Since he is not outspoken about what he feels, I’ve learned a lot about him, his views, ideals, values and attitude on marriage. It was wonderful to discover that we have a lot in common in terms of morality, life-giving situations, openness in communication, decisions in marriage, sexual intimacy and our values on people around us. And it was interesting to know that we differ on some aspects of marriage too, like our values in money and time. But the most important thing is that we are both open to change and to compromise on this matter.

I thought having a happy marriage is the best a woman could hope for. But after CEE, I realized that unity is what keeps a marriage happy. And that “I’m sorry” is not enough but asking for forgiveness to your partner whom you have wronged shows that you are humbled by your insensitivity. I’m so glad to have experience this weekend. It was not like any other retreat I’ve taken before. Now, more than ever, I can wholeheartedly say that I’m ready for marriage. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

We’d like to thank Cory & Dado, Bernadette & Robbie, Malou & Galo, Susan & Tim, BimBim & Mike and Fr. Dave. For sharing your experiences with CEE’s Weekend Batch # 61.

This Weekend marks an important part of our relationship because it opened our hearts and minds to the different aspects of marriage. It not only tackled the spiritual part of marriage, but also the planning and what goes beyond marriage. –Adrian & Shiena

If you wish to know more about how CEE can help you prepare your marriage for a lifetime, contact Mr. Dado Hipolito at 810-0222 or email at ceephilippines@yahoo.com.

nature becomes an invitation

our invitation

This is the final invitation. What do you think? This will be a labor of love, as we put everything together. The invitation card of the wedding ceremony, dinner reception, [beautiful words by Ezra], location map and gift registry. Topped with nature and its enchanting scent [the dried flowers and sinamay fibers are preserved in scented oil.] Sealed and tied with an abaca string.

Is there such a thing as hassle free weddings?

I have 2 objectives to accomplish last weekend. The Photographer and The Reception. I was all set and ready with my checkbook and my ever-reliable sign pen. Funds has been transferred to our account the night before [ah ha! the convenience of online banking, i love it!] But even though all the resources are right there, why is it that things don’t go well as planned? Is it common in wedding preparations for glitches to occur? Is there such a thing as hassle free weddings? If there is, I want to know where I can find it.

Troubled with what the caterer would do on my wedding day. We don’t have a slightest idea on how they [the caterers] do their weddings. We are faced with the dilemma of renting the ballroom only and getting our own caterer but spending more and going over our budget or stick with the venue’s in-house caterer and costs within our budget but not confident that they’ll be able to deliver a good result. So is this a problem or not? With 3 months and 10 days before the wedding, why are we allowed to face this kind of challenge? We are yet to decide on which is which, until we see them in action. It was a blessing in disguise that I saw another contract, which had a wedding date of June 25. And so we are going back [again] on June 25 to see how they’ll set up this wedding. I just hope [and pray] that we will like it so we can be done with this burden.

They say, you win some you lose some. I’d say finding June Seculles of Practical Photography was a true winner. A trusted photographer of Ezra and who has done a lot of projects for her clients too. He gave us a very reasonable price [vs. other suppliers] for a metallic [digital] storybook album, with 500++ shots, coffee table book, framed portrait, pre-nup pictorial and dvd video. His rate was actually over our budget but as Adrian said, we can splurge a little if they are very good in what they do.

time for measurements

I've been looking forward for this day since last april when I set up the schedule for gown measurements of all my female entourage. And now the day has came and I woke up late (WHAT?). Now everyone was blaming me that we left Adrian's place around 8:45 am when our call time was 8 am. Though I'm glad that everyone (in consensus) said that I only have the right to be late because I'm the bride... haha! These are unique perks that a bride should enjoy. (don't worry I'll be on time for my wedding ceremony :D)

We squeezed ourselves into Varian's Corolla and all 5 ladies (Me, Nancy, Kim, Maya and Jan) sat at the back with just 1/2 of our butt sits on the cushion. Laughing, joking and conversations kept my mind off my odd position. But I actually didn't feel any stiffness in my legs and butt not until we got off the car. Buy 9:15 we were in Divisoria and traffic has welcomed us with open arms. We decided to walk to Ilaya from Juan Luna while Adrian and Varian looked for a parking space near 168 Mall. And there, they were to meet my other college friends, Jacq (who is part of my entourage), Mimaw and Weng. Baet got lost and went to another Jolibee outlet but was able to make it at Pasillio R safe and sound.

After everyone was fitted according to the design of their gowns. We searched for a fabric that would fit to Ellie's gown design (she'll be my Matron of Honor). We found a light pink embroidered fabric that looks alike the one in the photo that she sent me. But I would be needing additional measurements from her so her gown will have to wait until our next visit next week.

Adrian also had measurements for his Chinese-collar Piña Barong (pineapple fiber). I haven't seen the design so that would be something that I can look forward to on our wedding day:)

After all the measurements, we headed to 168 Mall to do some shopping (the shopaholic in us are alive again) I bought a neck tag for my flash drive, a pashmina and a sporty addidas watch which is of the exact design as Adrian's watch. I always wanted a his and hers watch :D. Adrian bought me a set of abanico (handheld fan).

Shopping was over by 1:30p.m. While the others already gone to do their own thang, Maya, Kim, Adrian and I, went back to Adrian's place. We had lunch around 2:30 p.m. at Pizza Hut which was right across his apartment. After a delicious pizza and pasta, Kim and I took a shower before we all head to Greenbelt where we disassembled. Kim had her hair cut, Maya went for a little more shopping at Glorietta. While Adrian and I went to Greenbelt3 Cinema and watched Kingdom of Heaven (Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons etc.)We ended the night with a cup of cafe Latte with caramel syrup, cafe mocha and a slice of oreo cheesecake.

It was a tiring but accomplished day. I'm happy. To my entourage, I may have not thanked you enough for sharing your time and weekend with me and taking that long and hot trip to Divi. I appreciate it very much. See yah guys soon.

Final Guest List and Invitation

The long wait is over... last weekend, Adrian and I have finally finalized our guest list. And the lucky number is... 350. And here I thought we only have 200 guest at the most. But then when you start writing them down, you realized how many relatives you have and how many common friends you and your fiancé share. I was also delighted to know that we only need 118 invitations since most of our guests are either living in one roof, married or group of friends that only require 1 invitation. Though we might need to make additional arrangements for the souvenirs since we only ordered 150 pcs of it and from our last count we need 166 + 16 special gifts for our parents and the entourage.

I'm glad that the guest list has been finalized, but another dilemma comes in. Our invitation. When we inquired with the supplier of the handmade paper that we want to use, they require us to order 100 sheets. But we only need 20 sheets. I have asked almost every one in the office if they knew someone who makes handmade papers but to no avail. My friend Jan, told me to drop by SimpleJoys at Megamall because the sell handmade papers too. Baet and I went there yesterday and I saw 2 handmade paper that I like. One in pink and beige.

Darker shade of pink than our motif (baby pink). the flower is embossed. sheet is a little bit thicker than the prototype. -- my impression: a little bit girly-girl. P60/sheet. Sheet size is 1/2 smaller than the one we found in market! market!

The other one is in beige/dirty white with long thin green leaves. same thickness as the prototype. -- my impression: This one is perfect for our "nature" theme but they don't have this in pink.P55/sheet. same sheet size as the latter.

Both Adrian and I liked the Beige colored paper. My coordinator will still try to check with her contacts if she can get a better deal. But if not, I'm keeping my options open for the handmade papers being sold in SimpleJoys.