Wedding Updates... Blah.. blah... blah..blah

Originally uploaded by shellybeeens.

This post is dedicated to one of my best and oldest(long-time) friends, Gretel. Being miles away, I wanted to keep my friends back home in the Philippines current with what was going on with my life, so I started this blog. But since I began chatting with them through IM's, I didn't feel as motivated to keep this blog updated. But during one of our IM conversations, Gretel had clamored about the frequency of my blog updates, eventhough we chat almost everyday. So since, she is one of the reasons that I keep a blog, here it is, Gret.

Last March, (I know, I know... That was two months ago.) Vince and I went back to San Diego to meet with our wedding vendors for the first time. Since we are planning our wedding from Indy, we contracted most of our vendors through email and phone calls.

Vince was in charge for the most part of picking the videographers and photographers since he has more artistic side than I do. He researched all the photographers and videographers whose works he liked and whose fees would fit into our budget , then I just approved which one of those choices I liked. I couldn't be happier with his choices.

The afternoon we arrived, we went to Norma and John's residence/office to talk with them about our wedding videos. This young and energetic husband and wife team spent almost two hours talking to us about our plans and vision of the video. Their enthusiasm made me more excited about the wedding.

The next morning, I had a makeup trial session with Becca. She used airbrush and MAC cosmetics. I usually look uglier with make-up on. But I liked the way my make-up looked. However Becca won't be able to do my make-up on my wedding day at the time that I want because she has another wedding to take care of that afternoon. I didn't hire her because I didn't want her to be rushed and end up not doing the best job she could for both weddings.

Make-up Trial Session with Becca:

In the afternoon, Vince and I met with our photographers, Heather and Skip, another husband and wife team, at the Cabrillo National Monument for our Engagement Photo Session. I must say that Heather and Skip rock! Heather was wearing a pair of cool jeans and boots that I so covet, albeit not my usual style. I wish I took pictures. But that moment, she was the photographer and I the subject. Anyway, we planned to have our photo session at sunset but was cut off by the park ranger who made us leave at 5pm, way before sunset. We managed to catch the sun setting at the nearby Ocean Beach. Thank God for Heather, who thought of the place. They did a great job with the pictures. I can't post them here, because I can't download them and I look terrible in most of them. I am so not photogenic. It's not Heather and Skip's fault. They are photographers, not magicians. I just hope that they are good in retouching and manipulating images. :)

The following day, Vince and I went to visit his brother Quinn who also lives in San Diego. We had lunch and then went back to the Cabrillo National Monument for sight seeing. Vince didn't have enough of it and wanted to show it to Quinn as well. Quinn ended up taking pictures of us. Vince and I liked the pictures because we looked more natural and comfortable.

The following day we had a cake tasting that didn't go very well. We both didn't like the cake provided for us by the catering manager. We looked for other bakers and found one that we liked. When we told the caterer, she said she would ask the hotel's chef to make the cake instead so we don't have to go to an outside baker. My friend who tried the cake said it was good.

We also found and talked to a florist about our floral details. Up to now, we haven't signed a contract with her because I wanted some things revised. Flowers are not very big in our plans, but we do want our wedding to look nice.

On my last day, I had another make-up trial session. This time with Hawiza. She didn't use airbrush, but the regular make-up technique using Smashbox products. I liked the make-up but she made me wear false eyelashes that I am not used to wearing. My sister-in-law thought I looked better with them. Excuse the cheesiness, but here I am having my own photo session in my bathroom back in San Diego:

Two weeks ago, I went to San Francisco to fit the cheong-sam that I am going to wear for the reception. Vince couldn't come with me because that same weekend, he was taking the oral part of his board exam. I was a little apprehensive going to my future in-laws by myself. Vince's family is great, but being from a different culture, I don't feel as comfortable. Vince's mom picked me up from the airport and we went straight to the tailor to pick up my dress. The tailor needed to make some minor adjustments so we went to lunch while waiting.

We also looked for the dolls I want to use for the wedding table. When we got engaged, Vince's mom gave me these dolls.

I thought they were so cute and I wanted to have their costumes for the wedding. Of course Vince thought it was absurd, so I thought of using the dolls for the wedding cake table. I know they'll look cheesy on the table, but they are so cute. Vince didn't want to use the exact dolls, and wanted to buy new ones for the wedding. So, his mom and I scoured Chinatown stores looking for them. We didn't find any, but Vince's mom found some good Chinese music to listen for relaxation.

I also got the chance to visit with Vince's brother and sister and their families. I enjoyed hanging out with Wei and Stevie. I am always amazed at Stevie's creativity and imagination at such a young age. He turned their kitchen counter wall into a space ship with drawings of controls and windows looking through stars and galaxies. He made maps of pretend hidden treasures. He even had a calling card of himself as a cartographer. I wish I took pictures.

I also had dinner with Gah(Vince's sister) and her family. We spent the afternoon at the mall looking for luggage for their July trip. When we got back to their place, Nicole (Vince's niece) played the piece that she composed for our wedding. I was really touched and blown away. We also watched the video of her playing the piece on the piano, her brother Bryan playing the violin, and a friend on cello. She wanted to call the piece simply "Love" but Gah suggested "Love Forever" sounded more optimistic. Nicole will play the piano during our wedding ceremony.

I really enjoyed that weekend with my future-in-laws. Vince's mom made me comfortable. She talked a lot, which I enjoyed because I don't talk that much. I'd rather be the listener during conversations. She's an intelligent outspoken woman. I always learn something from her. Vince's dad on the other hand is mostly quiet, but he is a great cook. I wish Vince learned that from him. Vince's brother and sister and their families were such a joy to be with. It made me wish that we live close-by.

We have 47 days to go before the wedding. The invitations were sent. Haven't received any RSVP's yet.

Next Monday will be my final fitting for my dress. The salon will ship the dress to my brother's address at least two weeks before the wedding.

I have a million tasks to do aside from the wedding. My hospital is switching to a different computer program so I have to take classes for it. I have to renew my ACLS this week, and I haven't studied yet.

I can't wait for the wedding to be over. Not just so I can spend the rest of my life with Vince, but also to reclaim my old way of life in which wedding plans are not part of. Planning your own wedding makes you realize what love can do. Yes, it can do miraculous things... It can move mountain, it can cross the seas. It can make one cheesy. (See pictures above) And drive people insane. Jusk ask Vince.