Wedding Prep 101

Every bride should really have a notepad...yup, it's very effective. It should contain your schedule, future expenses, budget, guestlist,etc..  I divided my notepad to 3-- the Initial Prep stage-- the " Middle Prep" stage  and the "Post-Wedding stage". I also made a financial report of our expenses(ahahhaha) and kept all official receipts in place. My hubby is also helpful and would always check on "our fund" if it is still sufficient. It was tiring but challeging.

In the Initial Preparation Stage (which was 10-5 mos. before the wedding day), we picked our venue and officiating priest. We fixed a budget for our wedding which was less than P 100,000.00 (I won't reveal the exact amount--=)) We also conceptualized our invitations and wedding favors and listed approximate costs of the materials needed. We also prepared important documents like our birth certificates and baptismal certificates. We also sought advice from our parents and other married couples on how to plan a wedding. I don't believe in superstitious beliefs so I borrowed a wedding dress from my friend. I also talked with my uncle who is a couturier and offered a big discount for the rental of barongs and gowns for my entourage. I also canvassed the amount and cost for our flowers and decorations.

During the Middle Stage, I already placed our song choices in my notepad including the contact number of the head of the church choir. I also wrote down our guestlist so that we would be able to know or determine the number of invitations to be distributed. Four months before the wedding, I also wrote down favorite honeymoon destination spots which fit our budget. I always have an updated "Things to Do" list and I checked it out everyday.

The Post Wedding Stage, I wrote down the names of the persons that we should acknowledge including their addresses. We also sent them personalized thank you cards. And of course, I wrote down our honeymoon-pilgrimage experience!

Preparing for a wedding is a whole lot of fun! (I have no regrets)

what's so unique about our wedding?

It's not that I want to be frugal--- it's because I want a spark of uniqueness in our BIG DAY. First, instead of fresh flowers, I put out my mom's bridal bouquet (used on 1982) and reinvented it. I reused the ribbons. Dad was shocked and told me to clean it--hahaha and he was more shocked when he saw the finished product. I placed glittery decorative flowers, pearls  and butterflies in order to match our wedding theme--Easter Season... and presto! I have my one-of-a-kind bouquet!

The wedding invitation? I made a newsletter style invitation entitled--THE WEDDING HERALD. I'm happy to say that 100% of our guests LOVE LOVE LOVE our invitation because they'd never seen something like that before. I'd written a short love story and the wedding details in the form of a news item. I thank God for giving me this idea. (and thanks to my personal computer---hahaha) My husband also called his friend to act as our photographer for this newsletter....hahaha.... so nice! It came out pretty well.

These...really are budget friendly!

We also had an easter-egg hunt during the reception and  we chose a movie-themed tarpaulin (Prince and Me--because we love movies)

Mr and Mrs. Larosa-- now and forever!

April 12, 2012--- the most memorable day in my life! Finally, I've exchanged vows with the man whom I dearly love--- God's special gift to me.After 3 years, we're officially married! It's one of the most joyous event in my life.

It happened at the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Casiguran, Sorsogon. It was a simple yet solemn wedding. We're grateful to the bishop, priests, relatives and friends who shared the special moment with us.

This event inspired me to revive my blogging habit. I simply want to share my happiness to everyone and also the things that I have learned from planning the wedding to our life now, as married couple. Today marks our 1st month of being Mr. and Mrs.!

I hope that you'll enjoy reading my experiences, thoughts and dreams!