When Angels Shed Tears of Joy

Skip and She merrily flipped a new page of their life, together. While the rain pours that day, the couple exchanged their vows of eternal commitment with each other. It was like the heaven rejoices when their hearts united as one on December 10, 2011. Yes, I would say even angels shed tears of joy when they professed their love for one another in public.

I could just imagine how the Lord would bless them with bountiful blessings- like having lovely kids such as these. 

May success welcome them like these bubbles as they journey in life together as husband and wife.  

We were delighted, being part of this remarkable union, to see all their dreams come true. Congratulations to you, Skip and She. 

I don't agree when people say wedding is a very stressful day. For me, wedding is a once in a lifetime event that is filled with happiness. Here's what Skip and She have to say about it. :) 

Just to snatch a photo with the event stars- me and my event partners. 

Inspired by a Seasoned Event Planner

     Armed with 18 years of experience in wedding and events planning, Ms. Rita Nerie, the Preston Bailey of the Philippines, inspired more than 30 event planners and talked about Destination Weddings last June 18, 2011. Truly, her tips on planning destination weddings are precious. T'was the first time I hear her speak and to me, it's fantastic! Let me summarize her talk.

It is important for me as an event planner to:

1. Start Preparations.

This includes sourcing out of hotels, early bookings of airfare to save and check weather conditions at the place or country where the wedding will be held.

 

2. ROI- Research, Ocular and Investigate.

Maximize the use of the internet to be able to know all the details I need with regards to the place. Insist the need for an ocular inspection on the wedding and reception venue. It will be helpful to ask friends or anyone who has past experience on the venue to be used. Having a Plan B is extremely important. Also, prepare the questions I need to ask the couple and to all suppliers and coordinators involved.

3. Know the legalities.

Be informed with the civil and religious ceremonies and consider having alternative options.

My husband and I were inspired by the insights of well-respected event organizer, Ms. Rita Nerie of Rita Nerie Event Planners.

4. Know the locals.

Meeting all suppliers personally is a must, as much as possible. I need to establish the "team of suppliers" and make sure everyone is on the same page.

5. Attend to other activities pro-actively.

Then, be able to suggest, recommend and refer with confidence. Ask and ask and ask. Presumptions will surely miss so I need to know as many information I need to make my wedding event a blockbuster.

Thanks to Ms. Rita Nerie for sharing her tons of knowledge and experiences in the recently concluded The Philippine Wedding Summit 2011.

The Philippine Wedding Summit

See you all here!!!

Themes & Motifs - The Special Events Co. (The Philippines' & Asia's premier producer of the biggest & most prestigious wedding fairs) presents The Philippine Wedding Summit - June 2011, another landmark event that brings together the brightest wedding suppliers in a festive weekend of the very best in the local wedding industry.

The Philippine Wedding Summit - June 2011 is the Philippine wedding industry's showcase of elegant ideas and best treats for soon-to-weds. As the industry's celebratory wedding fair, annual exhibit, and convention, this momentous event features the best suppliers of wedding related products and services for brides & grooms doing their wedding planning at this time of the year.This event also features FREE career enhancement seminars as part of Themes & Motifs' advocacy to further professionalism among local wedding suppliers.

http://www.themesandmotifs.com/PWS2011/index.htm

The Royal Wedding Inspiration

The Royal Wedding almost dominated all newsbreaks and chitchat topics. And of course, everyone has different dreams about it.

Ladies would want to be Kate Middleton.
Guys dreamed of being Prince William.
WE all wished we were invited!

The Royal Wedding Invitation

This event really defined a dream-come-true and a fairy tale-like wedding of all ages. :) Now, soon-to-be weds around the globe were fascinated on their prestigious union. I think, our wedding inspiration right after the Prince Willam and Kate's union will be totally different. This must be so exciting!!!

Candles

It may be so less important to think of but candles during wedding is as important as the bride's veil and the cord. Candles lit up the path of the couple's new journey in life as to-be husband and wife. 

The ideal color of candles is white, which has a purity symbolism. Sizes may vary depending on the candle holder available. As for me, I prefer big ones so everybody, even those who are seated on the back, can glance the light coming from it. Also, big candles can stand alone easily and all you need is to take care of the candle drops.

Tied by violet and gold laces, these candles witnessed the sanctity of an eternal covenant between the groom and the bride. And, prayer seals all promises the newly weds professed to each other.

Glimpse of My Special Day

Who could have thought that I'm gonna marry my bestfriend? He made me cry many times and that is what he was really good at. I couldn't just imagine that I would marry the one I hated. I was totally ignorant of his soft side. He is simply romantic. I guess, I've found myself guilty in believing at this saying, "the more you hate, the more you love".

The exchange of vows turned out too far from what I expected. It wasn't serious. My groom delivered his promises of love for me in a way that everyone enjoyed, including me. He was funny but yet so sincere.
 

T'was supposed to be serious. But we made everyone enjoy the moment.

I have dreamed of having this kind of wedding. The venue was elegant. The place was huge. The weather was great. And, the guests enjoy the tasty food. I wanted loose petals to fill the red carpet because it profess my joy of being the bride of the day. All eyes are on me and it kept my knees trembling. As I walk through the aisle, I thought to myself, "This is my moment." I felt that time, I was gonna leave my singleness and be united with the one I love.  

I chose the motif, peach and brown, which my bridesmaids and secondary sponsors loved. I wanted the ladies to become more beautiful that day (because they are already pretty!). I chose tulips for my bouquet and it was so lovely!

The bride every woman was envy of. Truly, being the bride feels like Hollywood.

My tears flow as I see my friends, relatives and guests painted their faces with much joy. Truly, their presence means a lot to me. Their tears and fun struck into my heart. This event can't be done again. The next would be just anniversaries.

The last time I pen my signature as single was on that marriage certificate. I knew, after that night, my life will change. I would no longer bear the name of my father. I would carry my husband's name and be under his care. After that night, I would have a new story book of my life where I would be the princess and my husband would be the leading man. 

Precious Time

As a wedding coordinator, I need to be twice as early as the call time of the entourage. It is like I'm laying the stage where they will perform. Chairs must be complete in number and aligned well. Need to check the candles, match or fueled lighter,sound system sound check...While I am busy on these little things, the ladies could be relaxing in a salon for a hairdo and make-up. I'm pretty sure, some guys are already tired of waiting for their partner. Haha!

My groom appreciates his Papa and Mama.

There are times when guests are also busy. They love to roam around and talk to their relatives, chase the kids, comment on the food and take pictures. But the moment the couple starts to talk, they listen. There's a part of the program when the newly wed will thank and appreciate their parents. Here, the couple realizes that after the big event, they are not going to live with their parents anymore and is going to live on their own. Separation is not a joyful occasion. Thus, tears may flow from both the parents and the couple, just what happened to us. ***tears***  

 

The girls just wanna have fun.

Now, let's talk about pictures! These girls graced the newly wed couple during the opening of the reception program. Look at them. No one missed to smile. I guess, they are always ready for any candid shot. Ehem...I think they were not prepared for this. ***smile*** 

Every moment is precious, even the falling of rose petals from the bride's bouquet. It's part of the wedding package. The wedding ceremony is designed to be a blissful event because it is a unique and divine union of two different individuals bound by love and commitment. Let's remember that before they were total strangers. Amazing! 

One of my greatest achievements in my life is when I arranged my own wedding. The guests were happy. I got awesome flowers decorated the elegant venue. My reception program host was pretty-brilliant. My best friends left their work to witness this memorable event in my life. I owe everyone my gratefulness, and of course, my happiness.

Describe Joy

My Husband and I Walks the Aisle

Being the event coordinator and wearing the matron of honor gown is both stressful and fulfilling. Here, my husband does dual role too as the reception host and on-the-spot pianist.  How you wish you could have someone like him supporting your passion. *wink*

The key to the success of the event must ring your bell. It's the 3-letter word -JOY. It's not easy to list numerous important things during the wedding preparation plus the email exchange, phone conversations and supplier search. It takes joy to wash off all sweat. 


On the event day, everyone arrives a little bit late but has high expectations on food, flowers and floor arrangement. As they come in fresh, it's my job to keep them fresh until the end of the program. Whew! 

What makes me feel good is when the newly wed couple throw their big smile on me and say, "Thank you for making our day so special."  Awww...

I must start to tell you the stories of love...

Me and my Friends

Elegant Wedding at Fernbrook Gardens

A California-inspired wedding at Ville Sommet

Oh! This is a union of best friends...

Their story is like a fairy tale. 

My best friend's wedding at The Glass Garden.

Let me take to to a journey. I have witnessed several exchange of vows and their stories are truly worth remembering. From the story of best of friends, a long distance relationship, a no-accident acquaintance turned to lovers...it will take your precious moments for me to share you the happiness and delight I felt. 

The wedding day is once in a lifetime. (Ideally speaking, as Filipino culture and tradition is concerned) So, why not pay attention to even the little things of the remarkable event. At this moment:

bite sized chocolate is important,
hairpins are as significant as expensive lipstick,
your bestman can't say no an hour before the event,
music, microphones and lights are your friends.


As the bride and groom walk through the aisle, all the guests could see is the smile on the couple's lips and tears of joy. We are totally unaware of the preparation- emotionally, financially and the fact that the couple sleeps together, away from their parents and siblings.

Keep each detail in place. Hire a passionate photographer to grab your precious moments. Ask help from wedding planners. You can't miss a thing because each ceremony is motivated by a single word- LOVE. And you can't repeat the same moment, again.   

I have a lot more to share...:)