Our Maid Of Honor: Jean Fabre Marcaida!

I knew right away that Jean Fabre Marcaida is my Maid of Honor for our wedding! She is my second mission companion while in Tayabas, Quezon and we got on like a house on fire then and after mission when she decided to work in Manila from Cagayan de Oro.

during our prenup shoot at the Manila Philippines Temple

With our names intertwined, Jean really is my alter ego who can make life easy for me during my special day [sans a wedding planner!]! She has always been the helpful type and has an eye for details, the perfect fit for a maid of honor who traditionally leads the bridesmaids, organizes pre-wedding events and stands next to the bride on the big day.

picture by the Wedding Wall

As expected, Jean lived up to her role as a Maid of Honor! She was the one who accompanied me to Ilaya, Divisoria to buy inexpensive but beautiful dresses for flower girls, ring bearers and groomsmen! She also planned an intimate belting out -to -the -tune kind of bridal shower!

with the Best Man, Franco Advincula 

During the wedding, Jean looked after my needs from cellphone loads to buying the trail mix for our pica - pica. And last but not the least, she did such a sweet wedding toast during the reception!

Thank you Jean for making our wedding day my best day ever!

My Wedding Day Looks by The Ellis Effect!

photo taken by Alain Atienza Tagpuno at our
Executive Room in Estancia Hotel Resort

Getting sick a few days before our big day added a ton to my already overwhelming wedding related anxieties.  My eyes have dark circles and are puffy due to a week-long sickness. Worst, I am not fond of make ups and have not worn any mascara or false eyelashes before so I was all teary - eyed when I had my make up trial run with Xairene a week before my wedding. Unfortunately, the trial make - up duo did not set in well as it was quite heavy according to my friends.

I became more worried. My eyes are worst than they were during the trial run, so I'm not sure how Xairene would be able to hide the bulges. She gave me another trial so she could work around my heavy eye bags. One of the looks was already acceptable to friends if I remove my false eyelashes.

photo courtesy of Tyrene Ellis Orais

Two (2) days before the event, Xairene got a job offer that made her unavailable on our wedding day and she was constrained to back out. Luckily though, my hubby-to-be Raymond, came across with his former office mate at Convergys, and she now happens to be an accomplished make - up artist.

Tyrene Ellis Orais is a freelance make up artist behind The Ellis Effect.She lives and works in Cavite & Manila, and has worked with top models, celebrities and clients for their bridal look. I only met her on the actual wedding day at Estancia Hotel Resort but the connection was instant! She is very pleasant and pretty. I had a first taste of an airbrush make - up, and her colleague Mary Praisen Obrique did my hair. 

picture taken by our official photographer Alain Atienza Tagpuno

I feel really beautiful and confident with my looks. Tired eyes are gone and I truly feel like I am a star of my wedding!

Searching and Finding The Perfect Wedding Reception Venue!

We decided on a September 21, 2013 wedding to commemorate the day that Raymond and I have last seen each other in 1991. We also know that it is the anniversary of Martial Law but that's beside the point lol, except that it's a holiday and fell on a Saturday (so my friends and guests will be available to attend!). But with only a little over three (3) months before the big day and with a budget considerations, searching for a reception venue was so challenging for us. We need to find an affordable venue that is available on our chosen date.

Glass Garden in Marikina

We are from Valenzuela and intended to have a temple wedding ceremony in Quezon City, so we initially checked event venues around the Metro like Love of Light, Glass Garden, Gazeebo Royale,Ibarra's Garden,Acropolis Clubhouse, and Corinthian Garden Clubhouse.

Love of Light Garden in Sta. Mesa, Manila

All the wedding venues we checked so far are nice, but there's nothing that prompted me to make exceptions as to the budget constraint. I'm looking for a place that offers more in terms of attractions that guests could check out before or after attending our wedding events.

That's when my hubby - to-be thought of Tagaytay and I couldn't but agree. The City of Tagaytay is a component city in the province of Cavite and only an hour or so away from Manila. Because of its cooler climate, stunning views of Taal Volcano in the middle of the Taal Lake(in Batangas), unique attractions and its proximity to our new residence in Silang, Cavite, Tagaytay is our runaway choice as venue for our wedding events.

Estancia Hotel Resort in Tagaytay City

We checked several wedding reception venues like hotels, restaurants, and clubhouses that fit our wedding budget and is available on September 21, 2013. We couldn't be more happier in stumbling upon Estancia Hotel Resort. With its big uniquely designed rooms and close to nature location, Estancia Hotel Resort lives up to its Spanish name which means stay, large room or ranch in English!

Do-It-Yourself Prenup Shoot in Boracay (Part 3)

by: Mhe-anne L. Ojeda

From Bulabog Beach, we move on to the famous White Beach of Boracay to capture the blue water, multi-colored people, fine white sands, artistic sandcastles, kaleidoscopic view and stunning sunset! 

Flash Mob! We didn't talk to any of these people to be part of the shoot, but they seem to be prepared and wear our motif colors. Look at her slippers!

I can't believe we are now our third outfit change for our Do-It-Yourself (D-I-Y) Pre - Wedding Photoshoot here in Boracay! Surprisingly, I didn't get any complaints from the man in the house and not much cajoling is needed to get him into those outfit changes and poses hahaha. Oh well, guess he is enjoying the "touching" during our exploratory shoot capturing Philippine flags, sailboats and musical notes and the "kissing" while on board a boat to do Helmet Diving (lol). Seriously, it is the spontaneity, the no-fuzz and the no - props features of a D-I-Y Prenup that makes it ideal for us! (and it didn't cost us anything more than what we already have!)

White Beach is the most famous of the 12 beaches comprising Boracay and has 4 kilometer long beach and footpath. Accommodations of all types and restaurants lined up along its full length up and down. It is divided into three sections called "boat stations" which has reference to the drop off points for boats years back, although now the boat stations are no longer existing. I was actually surprised to learn that there's just one place for passengers to get off and take tricycle to chosen hotel by the White Beach.

Day 2 - White Beach [Boat Station 1]
Time of Shoot: 5pm

Outfit: Green Hawaiian tees by Ducks Unlimited [Greenhills], Red's white beach pants from D'Mall Boracay and my old white beach pants from US
Sandcastle: Made by two 11 -year old kids for a tip of Php 150.

For the photo shoot, we chose Boat Station 1 as it is home to most luxurious hotels and where the beach is said to be the widest and the sand is at its finest . Maybe that's the reason why the kids finished this sandcastle in just a few minutes since the sand easily sticks when wet. 

Ok much of the prenup photos. Boracay will not be complete without us dipping into the cool blue waters.

Boat Station 2 

  

Do-It-Yourself Prenup Shoot in Boracay (Part 2)

by: Mhe-Anne L. Ojeda

For our first day of D-I-Y prenuptial shoot in Boracay, we scored some photos with Philippine - Flags, sail boats and musical notes along Bulabog Beach. The pictures are decent and we were not forced to act like this and like that or felt rushed in any way, since we have no photographers or make - up artists to work with during limited hours of shoot. We were spontaneous and simply had fun clicking and posing when we find something that blends with our wedding theme and concept - "Love is "The Cure": Our Journey To Forever".

Day 2 - Morning 
Location: In front of La Oviedo Villa Resort
Time of shoot: 9am

Photographer: Mark (not my ex-beau but a friendly hotel staff who volunteered to take our photos)

Attire: couple tees by Ducks Unlimited (Greenhills) and shorts by Sports store in Greenhills

Slippers: I got mine in Boracay (Ipanema for P100)

Mr. Tripod started his day early by taking this photo just outside our room.

La  Oviedo Villa Resort - Boracay is a far cry from the plush hotel usually involving  pre-nup location shoots but it is perfect for our needs and that's what matters. We got a MetroDeal voucher from my travel blogger friend that allows us 3-days/2-nights stay for two in a deluxe spacious room, fully equipped with aircon, hot and cold shower, refrigerator, TV and free internet WiFi connection and use of kitchen for those who wants to cook. More, we found our color motif right at the door step!

Korean peg for our dream shot (lol). Possible only with Mark as our photographer.

Boracay is a haven for water enthusiast and there are lots of activities to chose from both in and out of the water. Since we do not have an underwater camera but love to have some pictures underwater, we opted to go Helmet Diving since the fee of P700 each person  comes with a free CD of our video and pictures while underwater. Besides, I haven't tried helmet diving before and this is a good start for Red who haven't tried any water sport yet.

From Bulabog shore, we were taken to a floating anchored barged in the middle of the  sea. Travel  time was like 5 minutes and for the whole time Mark has been taking our pictures!

Location: Boat near the platform for Helmet Diving
Time of shoot: 10:30 am

Photographer: Mark (staff of the hotel)

even the barge has our motif colors!

On this colorful barge, we were taught the hand signals to communicate while on the water since once the helmet is on, you cannot be heard even if you shout! From the platform, we were brought down the ladder to shoulder level of water and fit a helmet that goes down to our shoulders. When the helmet was on, we descended further on the ladder until we reach the sea floor where we could walk and breath normally like you would do if out of water. It was a fun experience to see, play and feed colorful fishes. We were given bread to feed the fishes to attract more fish before taking the pictures. (note: i'll post some pics once I transferred the pictures from the CD to this computer). 

photo caption by my friend Neal Minosa

We left the platform barge feeling like Jack and Rose of Titanic (only much luckier and happier!) And Red scoring and stealing a kiss!

Do-It-Yourself Pre-Nup Shoot in Boracay!

by: Mhe-anne L. Ojeda

We can't have the wedding as planned and didn't want to waste the plane tickets for that "supposedly" honeymoon trip in Boracay and Bacolod. The result? A Do -It-Yourself Pre - Nuptial Shoot last June 13-18, 2013. Thanks to my friend Arlene for the D5100 Nikon Camera with remote and Alain for lending us the tripod.

Boracay is a tiny island located on the western part of Visayas, in the province of Aklan. It was voted as the Best Island in the World and is a very popular venue for engagements, weddings, and prenuptial shoot because of its powdery white sand, crisp cool blue waters and stunning sunset!

Day 1 - Bulabog Beach ["Number 1 Kiteboarding Beach in Asia"]

Time of Shoot: around 5pm

Outfit: Yellow Polo shirt from a certain store in Shoppesville, Greenhills

Make - Up: None on both except Forever sunscreen

Bulabog Beach is busy and colorful during Habagat season (from June to October) with all types of boating, jet skis, helmet diving and parasailing activities, since the wind blows "westward" onto the famous White Beach. Our accommodation, La Oviedo, was only a stone's throw away so this was our first stop for the pre-nup shots! 

I chose this spot to take our picture because of the Philippine flags which is our motif colors, the sailboats (that symbolizes journey) at the background and the Forever mesh bag Red happened to be carrying that time. Red and I met on Independence Day in 1991 while I was waiting to participate at a  motorcade rally against U.S. Bases at Vinzons Hall in UP Diliman campus. Red was jogging along with his brother whom I recognized as LDS. They invited me to jog along with them and that was the start of our journey to forever (with 22 years of detour  lol). 

I remembered my friend photographer's advice: Touches!

Haven't seen Red with a smile this BIG!  He was surprised to find me so heavy and we couldn't help laughing as I clicked the remote lol

I like this because of the musical note on the sailboat!  Red and I shared passion for music, although he has the talent and I don't lol. He has such a good voice and plays the guitar very well. We attended lots of concerts by OPM rock bands and I particularly like the Band Explosion concert just before Red left for his mission to Cagayan de Oro in September 1991. While he was asking me if I will wait for him after his two (2) - year mission, the Hayp band sang "I'll Wait For You". (click to listen) and he asked me if that was my answer. I didn't say anything but smiled...

Chorus:

I'll wait for you

For how long it takes

Baby, I'll wait for you

Believe in me, baby / You gotta believe it

(Repeat)

Baby, I know how life's been unkind to you

Surely you've seen the baddest times of your life

I'm not in a position to change

What has transpired, no

(Baby/Honey) I saw you and I knew what's on your mind

Somethin's hangin' that has got to be (cut loose)

Only you can make it happen if you decide

I want you to know

Some things, you just got to do for yourself

I'll be there just to see you through

I must confess, baby, I'll help

In any little way I can

Now I'm sure Red knew my answer! I can't believe how this song sounded exactly how our love

story unfolded - 22 years of separation and knowing what he had gone through! 

So we say, Cheers to that!