Online Wedding Registry

I came across this wedding registry website from Bride Tide.

This is for overseas couples, who would like to have a wedding registry for wishes, not stuffs. This is how you ask for monetary gifts, without offending your guests.

Of course, most of your guests have to have credit card, in order for this to work. I'm just a little concerned about the 6% service fee, on top of the amount of the gift. But I guess, this is how they earn money.

Click here for more details.

Meanwhile, I am still trying to find alternative online wedding registry here in Singapore where we will be based after the wedding.

Jayson and Joanne Arquiza

First of all, congratulations to Jayson and Joanne Arquiza for making it to the Top 5 Wedding Suppliers for the year 2010 by Weddings at Work. Also to Phoeben Teocson and Vatel Manila. I got to know Redefine Weddings because my college batchmate got them as photographer for their wedding. I love their style, very natural and candid!

picture from Jayson and Joanne website

Since then, I've been a lurker at their website, always on the look out for natural and candid sets by J&J. Right after we got engaged, I immediately inquired and luckily they are still available for our wedding date.

Months after that first e-mail conversation, we met them at Starbucks Paragon Mall in Orchard last October. Coincidentally, they were here at that time for a photography seminar. We instantly clicked, it was like talking to a long lost friend.

So excited for the prenup, I know it will be a blast to have them as our photographer!

I'm officially engaged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forgive the massive exclamation points, I'm just very happy to be wearing this lovely heart-shaped diamond ring on my finger. Mr. JE popped the question over lunch yesterday as we were about to have dessert.

I was expecting that he will propose (officially) on December, but to say that I did not hope for it, would be a lie. You see, we've been planning our wedding for months now. Eversince, we told our families of our plans of getting married next year.

The official proposal happened at Rise, a buffet-style restaurant, located at the lobby of Marina Bay Sands Hotel. We initially planned on having breakfast but I learned that it's only open for hotel guests.

Anyway, we went for lunch and we are seated near the buffet. Because we went there with an empty stomach, I can't wait to eat. Sorry PG (patay gutom) mode! Hahaha.

The unsuspecting me just enjoyed the lunch buffet which includes sushi and sashimi bar, tandoori station, pasta, noodles and many more. I loved the carbonara and the california maki! I was even eyeing for the chocolate fountain even before I finished the main course. And if you know me personally, I just love chocolates!!

When it's Mr. JE's turn for the dessert buffet, it took him a while but I did not suspect anything, since I am still enjoying my food. When he came back, I stood up because I saw they refilled the strawberry beside the chocolate fountain. But he stopped me, and told me to look at his plate.

There it was, the RING!!! I was stunned, I honestly don't know how to react. But without a word, I sat down, and waited for him to say something... It was all a blur, I just wish somebody did capture that moment on video, to see how did I react or what did I say exactly. I just remember him saying the magic word, "Will you marry me?" Hehehe!

I did not even remember saying yes to him. The next thing I knew, the RING (pictures to follow) was already on my ring finger, and I'm in LOVE (& Co) with it!

P.S. He told me, that the first word that came out of my mouth when I saw the ring was... "Kukunin ko na ba ito?" Hahahaha! How anti-climactic of me! I just made him re-enact the moment a few minutes after, when we were finished with the buffet and already outside the hotel, in full view of the Singapore CBD.

Finally, I said, "A thousand times, YES YES YES!" It's so surreal. 

W@W Silent Auction

I was deeply (OA?!) saddened that I lost my bid for a CA design team bridal gown during those last few seconds. Huhuhu!

Ms. Benz' sent an email that the items which did not meet the reserve price, will be auctioned again. But this time it will be a silent auction, meaning you only get to bid once.

Luckily, I won Joe San Antonio GC worth 20k and Vatel Manila Peonies Bridal Bouquet worth 10k! Yey!! I saved 13k, because I got it less than what it's worth. Happy happy!

I love being a w@wie!

 

(picture from Joe San Antonio website)

 

(picture from Vatel Manila website)

4 Fingers Bonchon Crispy Chicken

Yesterday was a public holiday (Hari Raya Haji) here in Singapore, so we decided to go out and try something new.

We went to MacRitchie Reservoir at Thomson Road. The rain did not stop us from exploring the place. It has become a popular spot for nature lovers and health buffs. They have an amenities center with food shops.

It was much more beautiful after the rain. Everything is just so fresh and green!

After that, we went to Ion Orchard to satisfy my popcorn craving and I was hoping I could find Bonchon Chicken there. I've been wanting to go there, since I read it in Chuvaness' blog. We found it and there is a long queue!! It must be very very good!

I'm absolutely right! The best crispy chicken I've ever had!!! 

I love their NY-inspired interiors. I read here that first bonchon chicken restaurant was opened in South Korea, but the franchise originated from NY.

It's located at B4-06A Foodhall, Ion Orchard.

4 Fingers Crispy Chicken takes the humble chicken wings staple and ups the ante with sizzling flavours and spices that pack attitude and punch. Hot, juicy and crispy, the wings are individually hand painted with their special sauce, and will have you licking your lips and reaching for more!

W@W Auction

I'm hesitant to write a sad post here, but I figured w@wies can learn a thing or two about my experience in the W@W 2010 Auction.

When I read Ms. Benz's thread about the W@W auction, I got excited but I don't really know what to expect. I read the rules and Q&A(s) carefully. It started November 11 and ended on November 14.

On the first day, I placed a bid on the bridal bouquet... 2nd day on the bridal gown. It did not help that I was too busy at work during the duration of the auction, so when the weekend came, all I want to do is REST. But I still have to participate in the auction.

On the last day, I placed a bid on a videographer's mini movie, but that did not reach the reserve price. Same goes with the bridal bouquet. The saddest thing, somebody outbidded me on the bridal gown. Just when I thought I could finally have my bridal gown couturier. Sad. Sad.

Here are some lessons I learned :

1. If possible, wait until the w@w auction before booking your suppliers. I did not know about the auction beforehand, so when I saw a good deal of my photo and video suppliers there... Sayang naman!

2. Get a high-speed internet connection. This could work to your advantage during the last few minutes of the auction. Open multiple tabs and get ready with your username and password in case somebody outbidded you the last minute.

3.  Discuss how much and which items you are bidding to, with your fiancee. Remember, you must agree first, before you place a bid.

4. Do not be overwhelmed, read each item description carefully. Some items require you to check with supplier's availability first.

5. Bid only if you have the means to pay for it, and if you want it. It helps to research each supplier before placing a bid.

This is all I can remember on the top of my head, I will add more if I can think of something more.

Goodluck!

Our Wedding Theme : New York

(picture from ILOVENY website)

New York! New York!

Mr. JE adores all things related to NY.

While we were aboard a double decker bus, we were listening to Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys, i had a light bulb moment...

Why not use NY as our wedding theme? It could definitely work, because Magallanes Church is very modern. Very Urban and Chic.

And the rest is history... Ideas galore!!!

P.S.  I get ideas from this ILOVENY website, since honestly we have not been to NY.  We have to make lots of research research!

Magallanes Church

I've always wanted to get married in Tagaytay, especially when I saw this quaint little church in Canyon Woods. Very intimate. But after we saw Magallanes Church in a bridal Magazine, we knew this is our church. Very modern and beautiful architecture!

(pictures from Magallanes Church website)

It's a plus factor that Magallanes Church is located in Makati City. Where we spent most of our time as a couple, whether it's an after work date, or window shopping in Greenbelt.

Our infatuation was affirmed, when we visited the church last September 2010. It was love at first sight for us, I could definitely see myself walking down that aisle. They were prepping up the church for a wedding the time we visited, and I loved the flower arrangements!

Kilig mode! Love love love! 

P.S. Ms. Cathy of the parish office is so nice too! Very bubbly and easy to deal with. Which reminds me, have to start working on the church requirements, oops! hehehe!

Perfect 10 Weddings

Let's do this backwards, shall we? I will let you know how I found each of my suppliers, including the ones that I booked already. Just this afternoon, I told Mr. JE that the main purpose of creating this blog is to help future bride-to-be(s) in their wedding preparations. After getting engaged, I know how clueless we all can be. It's a way of giving back, because w@wies' wedding blogs helped me a lot too! And of course, I want to chronicle my own wedding preparations.

(logo from Perfect 10 Weddings website)

The first wedding supplier I booked is my wedding coordinator, Darlene Tan of Perfect 10 Weddings. I joined weddings at work (w@w) even before we announced that we are getting married to our respective  families. The first week, I was just lurking through each thread, learning how to interact in a very very active forum like w@w. Imagine, more than one thousand messages per day?!

This particular thread about Darlene caught my attention, a lot of w@wies were raving about how OC, nice and prompt she is. Of course, I emailed her! And she responded to me within a day. She even apologized for replying late, that's how prompt she is.

We set a meeting for her and my sister after she got back from Singapore to celebrate my birthday. That was around August 2010. As you may already guessed, yes, I'm an overseas bride-to-be from Singapore. My sister / maid of honor instantly liked with Darlene! They were all praises for each other, my sister said that their meeting stretched to 2 hours, and was just cut short because she had another client to meet. 

The next day, Darlene emailed me that "parang bride si Mabel (sister), she knew exactly what you wanted, it must be because how close you are as sisters..." I knew right there, that I will book her na, so I asked my sister to pay the downpayment, immediately after we pencil-booked with Magallanes church.

The Search for "the" Wedding Dress Couturier

I emailed 4 wedding dress couturiers, and so far I only got 2 replies. It must be because it's a long weekend holiday (again?!) in the Philippines. I blame myself for inquiring so late, because I cannot decide on my budget for this. Should I splurge on my wedding dress or should I go for affordable designers? I would love to wear something like this..

(picture from Pronovias website)

To add to my dilemma, I'm an overseas bride-to-be and I don't have the chance to meet them and talk to them personally regarding my wedding dress ideas. Not until I go home for the holidays this december. Supplier-client rapport is very important for me. That's why, it makes me anxious everytime I have to book a supplier without meeting them first. Oh well.

Since I started blogging my wedding preparations 10 months before the actual wedding day, I've already booked most of my major suppliers. Here are some of the updates as of today :

1. Church : Magallanes Church (Saint Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish) - downpayment paid

2. Reception : Enterprise Center - Pencil booked, downpayment to follow

3. Photo : Jayson and Joanne Arquiza - downpayment paid

4. Video : Phoeben Teocson - downpayment paid

5. Coordinator : Perfect 10 Weddings - downpayment paid

Up next, Caterer & Wedding Dress Couturier.

Back to Blogging

I haven't blogged for more than 4 months! Ay-oh! Boy, I missed this!

I've been contemplating on whether or not to start a new blog for my wedding preparation details. Yes, yes, you read it right! I'm getting married!!!!

But I don't want to maintain another blog, I have enough internet accounts to maintain... facebook, twitter, multiply, tumbler, wordpress. And now, mywedding.com, theknot.com etc etc. I figured, why not re-use my blogspot, I initially designed for my beads.

Here you go, I can safely say that I'll be updating my blog regularly for at least 10 months. Love love love!