W@W Chat Unplugged

When: February 21, 2009
Where: Bizu Greenbelt

Tim and I attended the W@W Chat Unplugged sponsored by W@W (WeddingsatWork).  It was attended by other w@wies and these suppliers:

Eddieboy Escudero (photographer), Veluz (gown designer), Jody Liwanag of Events Experts (events planner), Ronald of 4th Wall (production design), Jong Mesina & Ghia Pastoral of The Write Impression (social printer), Audrey Tanco of Bizu (private caterer & cake confectioner),  and  Jason Magbanua (videographer).

The highlight for me was meeting "Jason Magbanua" and "Veluz Reyes" in the flesh! My God! I was really starstruck when I saw them.  I've been checking their websites/blogs regulary to see their latest works.  I know and I have accepted the fact that we can't afford them on our wedding, so I have settle in just being a "fan" of these "masters". 

Tim was really laughing at me because I kept on telling him... "Mahal, that's Jason and Veluz" and that I really need to have a picture with them.  When the chat ended, I approached Jason and asked him if I can have a picture taken with him -- hindi na talaga ko nahiya kasi this is now or never! I may not get to see him again or get another chance for a photo op.  Please check out his website to see his works. Here's my photo with the "Master Videographer" - Jason Magbanua:

Tim was telling me that we should leave already, but I was firm with my stand that I would not leave Bizu without having a picture with "Veluz".  Eversince we started preparing for our wedding, I've been drooling over the designs and gowns made by Veluz.  Too bad we really can't afford her.  She was having her yosi break outside Bizu when I approached her for a photo op.  She was so approachable and makulit which made me love her more.. hahaha!Ü I was really a FAN!Ü I told her I've been looking at her designs and too bad her price range was waaaaaaaaay out of our budget. She said that I should still give her a call so that we can talk about --- Mahal, are you reading this???Ü  A girl can dream right?Ü  I was so happy at this point that's why I have this "super smile" on our photo.  Please check her blog so see some of her works.

Here's my picture with the "mother" of W@W - Ms. Benz:

And lastly, here's a pic with my h2b (husband-to-be):

Trial Hair and Make - Val Villarin

One of the package that I won during the w@w auction  was the trial hair and make up with Val Villarin.  I've been reading a lot of good reviews for Val that's why I was really excited for my trial make up.  I initally planned to have the trial make up on our pre-nups, but then I realized if I had to wait by Aug or Sept, our wedding date may be blocked already by another couple.  I told Tim I was willing to schedule an early trial so that I can already decide if Val is "the one" or I need to find another make up artist.

Since it's hard to get a weekend schedule for trial make up, I had mine on a week day - specifically, the last friday before Tim starts his new job.  I really wanted Tim to see my make up so that he can tell me if I look good or not.

We arrived at Val's place 30 minutes late (so sorry) because it was really hard to look for a parking space.  Val was very accommodating and immediately went to work on my face.  I love the way he made it a "natural - no make up" look for me.  I thought it would only be a trial make up that's why I was surprised when he started fixing my hair.  As for the hair, I was not really happy with the finish product because I had a different style in mind.  I told Val about this and he said it can be done as well.  But overall, I was happy with the way I looked and Tim was "happier". 

After some picture taking session, Val said we can talk it over first, have lunch and then just let him know if we want to pay the downpayment already to block our wedding date.  We agreed, thanked him and went to lunch.

In the end, we decided to pay the downpayment so I went back to Val's place and sign our contract.  I told Val I was hesitant to make the dp since he will be participating in the PICC wedding expo and I wanted to wait to see if he'll be offering discounts and freebies there.  However, my fear was he'll get booked by another bride who has the same wedding date as ours.  Hmmm.. I decided to let go of the discounts and freebies and just book Val already.  What I didn't expect is that Val will give me a freebie -- yipee!Ü God is really good.  I got a good make up artist, reserved him for our wedding and got an additional freebie on top of it.

Here's my "Val" look:

Wedding Updates

Tim and I attended the wedding expo at Megamall last weekend.  Our main agenda of going there was to pay for our wedding rings at Meicel Jewelry and just look around.  Tim was not keen on the idea of "looking around" since we've already booked our major suppliers. Wag na daw akong maghanap ng kung ano-ano kasi dagdag gastos.. hehehe!Ü

While looking around, we found the perfect gift for our principal sponsors. I won't mention it here in the blog para may element of surprise pa.  I was so happy with our find and the good thing about it is that I got Tim's approval.Ü

We also looked at different invitations.  I told Tim I really don't want to spend a lot for invites because these are not on our "priority" list.  All  I wanted was the "classic" look - white invites with embossed lettering while Tim had a different idea.  He wanted the colorful ones and he even looked at the pop-up invites. Since Tim has given me the freehand to choose for the other suppliers of our wedding, I told Tim that he can decide for wedding invites.  We found one that we both like with Printed Matter and we almost paid the downpayment so that we can get the discount and freebies that they are offering during the expo.  I told Tim we can think about it first since there would be another wedding expo in March (at the PICC).  Good thing we didn't make the reservation with Printed Matter because we found another invite that we like with WINK. Hopefully, we'll have our final decision with our invites before the next expo so that we can also avail of the discounts offer.

I also had a trial make up with Reiman of Reiman Hair & Make Up.  Since he was offering a free trial make up, I told Tim I wanted to give it a try.  I had a no make-up look and even Tim who doesn't appreciate make-ups said he liked my look.  He was so impressed that he wants me to pay the downpayment already to block our wedding date and to avail of the freebies offered (retouch until the end of the reception).  I told Tim I wanted to think it over since I have scheduled a trial hair and make with another make up artist.  Here is my look:

Anniversary Celebration (02.13.09)

where: Illustrado Restaurant (Intramuros)

Spa Experience

where: Sensate, QC

note: GC from w@w christmas party

6 years and officially engaged!

Tim and I celebrated our 6th anniversary yesterday. 6 years without any break-ups -- so proud of that mahal!

This is the last year that we'll be celebrating our anniversary as boyfriend-girlfriend since we will be getting married on November.  With this, Tim made sure that this year's celebration would be meaningful and special and I can really say he did not fail.  The highlight of our celebration - Tim's proposal!

We've been planning our wedding since last year, but the idea to get married was a mutual decision.  There was no proposal involved and I told Tim I was already ok with that.  I did not expect that Tim had his own plans.  He said he really planned to give me my engagement ring before our wedding - and the way he proposed was really a surprise for me.  He's not really the "surprise" type of guy that is why I really appreciated his effort to make the proposal special.

As for our Anniversary dinner, I told Tim to let me plan for it.  What I initally told him was to go to our house before 6pm and I'll cook something special for him (yup, you read it right.. nagluluto na ko). I just requested him to wear something formal and at first, he didn't want to kasi pagtatawanan daw sya ng parents ko. Dinner lang sa house and then naka-formal pa sya.  I told him, I'll wear a dress para terno kami and I just to have our pictures taken kaya gusto ko naka-formal kami.

When he arrived at our place, I asked him to blow the 6 candles on our mini-cake.  He was surprised to see me wearing a black dress, naka-heels, may bag and naka-ayos.  After a few minutes, I told him na "alis na kami".  He was totally clueless and he asked me "aalis tayo?". I said "yes" and our direction should be going to Roxas Blvd.

I asked him to drive going to Villa Immaculada (place of our wedding reception), he was still clueless at this point. Inside Intramuros, we headed to Illustrado. He was surprised to see the place and I told him I made reservations for us.  It was the first formal dining experience for us and we really enjoyed the food and the ambiance of the place.  We stayed there for at least 3 hours, eating, reminiscing and talking about our future.