The Pamamanhikan

     In Filipino culture and tradition, the "Pamanhikan" is where the man and his parents visit the woman's family and ask for her parents blessings to marry their daughter. It is also an occasion for the parents of the woman to get to know the parents of the man.

    June 2, 2012

     This is the day when Mike and I are finally engaged. Mike's family brought very delicious foods and my family prepared some foods also to compliment it. Everyone had a pleasant time and it was indeed an opportunity for both families to know more of each other.

     Present in the occasion were the following:
           From Mike's family:
           Tata
           July
          Titos and Titas

    From Rona's Family:
          Dad and Mama
          Auntie Annabel
          My brother Tyson
         Cousins Ryan, Toto and Jan-jan

Wedding Suppliers

     It was two months already when Mike had his marriage proposal to me. And within two months, I'm so proud to say that i have almost completed our wedding suppliers. I am so blessed because I have talented yet very affordable suppliers to make my dream wedding possible.
     Here is the complete list:

Church  -  Immaculate Conception Parish, Guagua, Pampanga

Reception Venue and Caterer  - Villa Azucena Resort and Hotel

Hotel for Wedding Preparation  - Kings Royal Hotel, Pampanga

Wedding Coordinator  - Infinite Events by Mr. and Mrs.

Photography, Videography, Photobooth, Photo Gallery and Prenuptial Photoshoot - Raya Photography Events and Wedding Planner

Hair and Make - up Artist  -  Mac Igarta and Ivan Dollosa

Strings (Music)  -  String Session (Merjohn Lagaya)

Flowers for Entourage, Church and Reception  -  Dangwa Florist by Ms. Arleen Maglangit

Emcee  -  Richard Agtarap

Monogram, Invitation Lay - out and Other Stationery  -  Monogram Hub

Affordable Flowers for the Entourage

I want a great wedding but i always hope and pray that we will not go beyond our budget. What is important to us is after the wedding we still have our savings and we did not spend all our money for a one day affair only. That is why, me and mike planned our wedding very carefully and make sure that we get the affordable suppliers but will not suffer the quality of their works.

We are lucky that we've found out the "The Dangwa Florist" promo.  For only Php4,000.00 we can avail of their elegant whole entourage package that includes the following:

1 bridal bouquet (roses)
1 groom boutonniere
1 matron of honor mini bouquet
3 bridesmaids mini bouquets
3 secondary female sponsors wristbands
3 flower girls basket with headdress
2 mothers corsages
2 fathers boutonnieres
5 ninang corsages
5 ninong boutonnieres

the following are the freebies:
1 bridal car bouquet
loose petals
throw-away bouquet

Since we have 12 ninangs and ninongs, we will just add a little amount for the additional corsages and boutonnieres.

The following are the sample pictures of their works:

                (These pictures have been forwarded to me by Dangwa Florist when i inquired to them)

This is their contact details:

Website: http://dangwaflorist.webs.com

Contact No: 708-9318; 984-6480; 0920-6065775

Address: Stall No. 45, Manila Flower Center, 1265 Dos Castillas St., Dangwa, Sampaloc, Manila

E-mail Add: Dangwaflorist@yahoo.com

My Hair Stylist and Make - Up Artist

      I consider my wedding day as one of the most important days of my life that is why i want to look very beautiful with the help of powerful hands of my hair stylist and make-up artist without spending too much. With the help of my sis in GT Femalenetwork, I was able to inquire to different hair stylists and make-up artists with expertise and very known for their talents and works. The following are the recommended by members in GT Femalenetwork:
        1. MV Balo
        2. Jazzumin Ty
        3. Mariah Camaya
        4. Kat Ballada Alegonza
        5. Mac Igarta

     Some of them are already booked on my wedding day but I'm so lucky that I have found Mac Igarta. He is still available on my wedding day and he offers very affordable rates for HMU. He was featured in tv show discussing make-up and been the make-up artist of various models in some magazines and events. Based on his works, I could say that he have great and beautiful works. Mac is also very kind and easy to talk with. He will share all his ideas with you and will help you regarding wedding preparations. Actually he conceptualized our pre-nuptial and helped us find our wedding coordinator. I could say that I and Mike found a friend in him.

     This is Mac's site:  http://macigarta.com

    According to Mac,my hair stylist will be Ivan Dollosa. We still not meet, but i've browsed his facebook account and i could say that he is also expert in his field.

Reception (Villa Azucena)

     After choosing Immaculate Conception Parish as our wedding ceremony venue, me and my fiancee researched for possible wedding reception venue. We want a venue near the church we have chosen not only for our safety and convenience, but for our families, guests and suppliers, too. We will be married in Guagua, Pampanga and i could say that it was hard for us to find a place for our wedding reception. In Angeles and San Fernando, there are lots of beautiful wedding reception venue, such as Holiday Inn, Clearwater Resort and Lakeshore to name a few. But we are very happy that we've found the Villa Azucena Hotel and Resort. The first time i saw there wedding reception set - up, i have decided to have my wedding reception here. It has a big space, wide parking lot, and their rates are very affordable compared to others. Here are the sample pics of the place:

(Pictures are from Villa Azucena site)

This is their website: http://www.villaazucenahotelresort.zoomshare.com

12.15.12 Our Big Day!

        Some people are asking why we have decided to be get married on December instead of having it earlier. Some says masyado daw matagal. There is nothing special with the date "December 15, 2012". We've just considered the following reasons to come - up with the said date:

1. My fiance's mother and brother (and his family) live and work in abroad. They usually just go home here in the Philippines whenever there is a very special occasion just like graduation and syempre if they have enough savings. For the past years, they we're not able to celebrate Christmas and New Year here. So we decided to make it December so they could attend our wedding and at the same time hoping that they could celebrate Christmas and New Year with us, which we know will be a great gift for my fiancee's family.

2. Our Work

         We don't want that we have pending obligations once we had our vacation leaves for the wedding preparations. In my case, every December our company has an very important event that requires enough preparations. Kaya tatapusin ko muna so we could have a great, stress-free and happy wedding celebration.

3. So that we could have an enough time preparing for our wedding. This is a once in a lifetime celebration for me, that's why i'm doing all my best just to come up with a wonderful and unforgettable celebration =)

Our Wedding Church

     It was December 2011 when me and my h2b decided to get married this year, but actually the proposal just happened last April 15, 2012. (Nauna pa ang ilang wedding preparations before proposal =))  With so much excitement about the wedding, we both agreed to have our wedding ceremony at Immaculate Conception Parish at Guagua, Pampanga. We both love this church because this is where we usually have our mass when we go home in Pampanga plus the fact that this is a very beautiful church and it has a long aisle, which i dreamed of walking and meet my groom halfway.

    We have already booked the church and we are so happy that our chosen date is still available that time.

     It is so important for me to have our wedding ceremony to the place we both love and been a witness for the love we have for each other.