Finally, we have a date for the wedding.

We don't have a mushy picture to post for the announcement. So I thought the race number idea will work for now.  The colors used is also our motif for the wedding.  Unless, Quennie changes her mind again.

April 19, 2009. Save the date.

You can visit our Wedding Announcer website for updates and details about the wedding. Click here.

I just kept walking around Greenbelt looking for a place to eat while waiting for her reply. Finally, she said she's leaving the office and will be walking to Greenbelt to meet me. I just found a place to sit and waited for her to arrive.

Upon arrival she asked where we'd eat. She thought I wanted to eat at Cyma. It was just a few weeks ago when we planned to eat here but the place was closed due to the employees year-end party. I told her the place was crowded and you need to be listed first to get a seat. She insisted that we go there.

Little did she know that I don't want a crowded place. I don't want people to see me giving her the ring. I don't want to dine at Cyma because there are plenty of people but she kept on insisting. Grrr... How can I tell her I don't like the place without being obvious about my plans? I can't make valid excuses without giving her a hint about the proposal.

So I acted like an irritated guy who is already hungry and who can't wait to get a seat. I also pretended to be in a bad mood for her being late and she has to follow everything I say. It worked. Of course it will work since it also works for her when she does that. She just asked me where I would want to eat. We walked away from Cyma and I started guiding her to a place that have the right atmosphere.

Again, I have to pretend I haven't seen the place it. It was in Spicy Fingers which is a few stalls away from Cyma. I have already checked the place, the food and, yes, the price. It was ok. The place is a bit dimmed. Soft music. Familiar Mediterranean and Asian food. Casual. No pressure. I got back to my acting again so that she would say yes with my suggestion on the place and food. It worked again.

We placed our orders right away. And while waiting for the food, we have a little chat and I pulled out the pocket bible as a gift for her and I wanted her to bring it on her business trip in Europe. She opened it and liked its handy size and funky pink leather cover. She started taking about how excited she was on her trip and that all of the necessary papers are ok. That was my cue to give her the travel book.

I showed her the book. She got excited and wanted to grab it and view the pictures. Hey! Be careful. There's a ring in there! I had to defend the book and pulled it away so that she can't reach it yet. Then I asked her to calm down a bit and that we will browse through the pages together. The ring was placed in the middle and we can still browse the front pages. I opened the pages slowly for her. We would stop at the pictures of France and would point to her the places she would visit for me. She was concentrating on the pictures and still without any idea on what's going to happen.

We paused on browsing when the food came. We started eating and finished it up. In a few more minutes, I am about to pop the question.

After the table had been cleared, we talked again and browsed the book. I placed a marker on one of the pages of the book as a reminder that I'm almost close to where the ring was placed. Any page further and I would spoil the suspense.

We reached the page marker. I immediately closed the book. She stared at me blankly. I gave her a hug, made a silent prayer, and whispered to her that I love her.

She whispered back, "I love you, too."

Then I opened the book. And there it was --- the ring!

Her face was still blank. I took a few moments to look at her face. Then, I hold her close and whispered to her again. "Will you marry me?"

She said yes.

I took the ring from the book, took her hand, and slipped the ring to her finger. It fits.

It was a perfect night for both of us. We stayed for a while to start a little planning especially on how to tell our parents and everybody else. We had a glass of wine to celebrate and listen to the band play a few songs.

That was it. After being in love with each other for 10 years (now going on 11), I finally had the courage to propose to her. And this night. is a night to start the rest of our lives being together.

Thus when we started planning for our wedding, we started on a budget and started looking what needs to be in the wedding and what will not be necessary. Our list may be quite odd since some seems to be necessary these days. If you insist that they are essential to a wedding, we don't mind accepting donations in cash or in kind. Hehehe.

1. Wedding Video - How much does a wedding photo and video package cost? We were surprised how expensive it can be. Some would charge a minimum of 10,000 just to have a video coverage for the wedding. We decided not to have a video coverage. Why? We don't think its worth it. My cousins had videos during their weddings. It was during the era of VHS tapes. Now, nobody cares to watch them again. And how many weddings have you attended and got to see the video of the wedding again? I haven't seen any lately. Unless my wedding will be telecast live on air, I don't think its worth having a video coverage. Actually, my father used to work as an engineer at an AM radio station. Why not have a live coverage over an AM radio. That might be the first ever! I wonder how that will actually sound like?

2. Fancy Wedding Albums - They used to be simple enlarged pictures during the wedding placed on a special album. Now, it looks like a magazine with different binding options. We were even offered a 15,000 wedding album with fiberglass cover to make the memories really last. Sounds nice but no thanks. For one, those fancy albums have a drawback. They are heavy. Very heavy. You take pictures so that you can let your friends and family see them and to capture those once in a lifetime memories. But these albums make them hard for you to carry. You wont go too far with them. Also, we have seen some layouts from photographers in Bacolod and they don't look like its worth 15,000. So, no thanks, again. If we want to share the pictures and to keep those memories for a long time, here's our solution: Post them on the web. It reaches a wide audience. The webpage will last longer than printed pictures. Comments are logged. Best of all, it's free.

3. Bridal Car - This is still being discussed. We might get one if we find a nice white VW Bettle in Bacolod. But we wonder if we need one since the wedding venue and reception is just on the same place. The only time we need the bridal car is to move Quennie from the hotel to the venue. If the distance from the hotel to the venue is about 10kms, I could even ask her to do a Bridal Fun Run instead. And you pay around a thousand for something you use in less than 20 minutes since driving in Bacolod is a breeze. We think it's just there for the pictures and the tradition. And why can't I have a Groom's Car? A sports car perhaps. I'd gladly pay for that.

4. Live Orchestra or Band - I agree that these really add a lot to the ambiance. But since we are planning to have garden wedding and it is near the sea, we don't think that we can get the ambiance and effect we wanted with a orchestra or a band. The noise of the wind and the roaring sea would compete with the music. And maybe the noise wont be a noise after all. Wind. Sea. We might just have the ambiance we wanted. Just pray it wont rain.

5. Fancy pen, knife, fork, plate, toast glasses, unity candle, etc - Customized wedding accessories are now common. We saw them on bridal fairs but never bothered to ask. They are nice but they don't really mean that much on a wedding. It something the wedding can go on without.

Call us kuripot, especially me. But I would rather concentrate on how to make the marriage the biggest event of my life than just making the wedding a big event.

And of course my list of wedding essentials...

1. The groom - He might be late. So make sure he arrives on time. Hahaha...

2. Ninongs and Ninangs - Thanks in advance.

3. Friends and Family - more than 200 of them on our list. Please bring your own food, drinks and utensils. Just kidding...

Anyway, for more updates on our wedding preparations, you can visit our weddingannouncer.com website here. Take the quiz if you like or just browse through our pictures. Check back once in a while to get updates as we get closer to our big day.

Last May, we went back to Bacolod to look for possible venues. We checked out some hotels and resorts where we can have our dream wedding.

Quennie and I wanted a garden wedding. So we were looking for a place that have a nice garden and will have a provision when it rains. We need a place that can accommodate around 200-250 guests. We also wanted the place near a venue for the reception. Although if the wedding venue would have catering services also, then it will be much better.

After going around the city for 2 days, we have more or less have a decision. We decided to go for Palmas del Mar as our wedding venue. They have a nice garden. They have catering services so there is no need to transfer after the wedding. They have a good wedding package. We believe that this place best suited our needs for the wedding.

View more pictures of Palmas del Mar at our photo albums.

Other venues we have visited and considered are the following:

L' Fisher Hotel - No garden. Not big enough. Expensive.
Business Inn - No garden. Has a big ballroom. Reasonable.
Planta Centro Bacolod - Has a garden but very bare. Suite rooms are beautiful. We liked it. A bit expensive. We heard the food is not that good.

It wasn't the perfect place. It wasn't the perfect night. But I was with the perfect girl.

It was the usual Friday for her. She would be leaving for business trip so I told her I want to have dinner with her before she leaves. She had no idea what was going to happen that night.

I left early that day from work. First, I bought a Compact Bible for her. I want her to bring it with her on her travel to Europe. Then, I went to a bookstore where I bought a travel guide to Paris. She wanted one and even asked me to mark the places I want her to visit when she is there. Lucky girl. And its her lucky night.

Then I went to the jewelry store to get the ring. After several months of looking, I was able to find the perfect ring for her. I know she wouldn't allow me to buy such things. I know her to be practical when it comes to money. But after all those years we have been together, I want to give one for her.

Next was the school supplies. I bought a paper cutter and a double sided tape. Huh? What for?

First stop was to find a working area. I decided to stay at a Japanese fast food restaurant where there are a few people yet. I took out the travel book and the paper cutter. I opened thru the middle pages. Using the paper cutter, I cut thru a square in the middle of the page. I kept on making a square hole until it was deep and wide enough for the ring to fit in.

Finally, it was done. The hole was just perfect to place the ring. It was also placed somewhere in the middle so that she can still browse the first few pages and then a ring will suddenly be revealed. Neat. I place a double sided tape on one end to secure the ring once I place it there.

Now, to place the ring. So I was in this Japanese fastfood restaurant and a lot of people started to come in since it was almost dinner time. People from the office in Makati are out of the office and are taking an early dinner. Meaning, I can't afford to let people see me slip a ring inside the book.

So I was thinking of a place where I can be alone and then take out the ring and place it inside the book. I was near the mall and remembered the perfect place to be alone... the comfort room.

I got out of the fast food and went to the nearest comfort room. I found a vacant cubicle and close it. Now the hardest part. I have never moved as slow as this in my entire life. In front of me was a toilet bowl with an automatic flush. I took the ring very slowly making sure it will not drop into the bowl. With the other hand, I took the book and opened to the page where the tape was. Then, I firmly secured the ring to the tape and kept the book. I went out of the comfort room with a feeling of success.

I went to Glorietta and Greenbelt and looked for a place where we can have dinner. I found this place where there are a few people only. Light were low. Food looks great. Nothing fancy. At least we can have this moment together.

I texted her where to meet me. It was disappointing to hear that she'd be late since there was an issue at work and she needs to attend to it. I asked when she'd be leaving, and she said she had no idea. What!!!??? I started to get hysterical. This is already Plan C and here comes another roadblock! Fate isn't be playing around with me, isn't he?

I just took a breath and hope that everything will go according to plan.

Continue reading ...

As we plan for the wedding, the details are starting to surface. One of the interesting question from the bride's family is "When is the pamanhikan?". I got blank upon hearing that. What is it anyway?

I have a very slight idea of what pamanhikan is. I just see them on TVs and movies. My cousins had that when they are about to get married. All I remember was I get to eat some food. I dont know what they really talked about. So I started searching for information in the internet.

Pamanhikan is an old Filipino tradition where the groom and his family formally asks the hand of the bride for marriage in front of the bride's family. Pamanhikan is called Pamalahi in Ilonggo. Im not sure if Pakagon is also the right term. It's like parents meeting the parents.

Oh that sounds easy until I read further.

Typically, the pamanhikan is held at the bride's house during lunch or dinner. It is also customary for the groom's family to bring is some food. Today, other couples have their pamanhikan in a neutral territory like restaurants. Or bring in a third person to facilitate in the discussion (parang retreat a!) or help ease the awkwardness in the meeting.

Now to the awkward part.

During the pamanhikan, the details of the wedding are discussed like wedding budget, expenses, guest lists, and more. Quennie and I struggle with those topics. How much more is this if discussed with our parents. I mean, we haven't finalized things yet. We get stressed when people ask us about the venue, the date, the motif. And putting more people in the planning might get more stressful.

And what if our plans get ruined. Our parents might thrown in ideas from their retro bauls making it look more like its their wedding and not ours. They could get bossy and think that we are still their six-year-olds where they can tell us what to do. Right now, I'm thinking of a subtle way to tear down their retro talks when they start talking.

And finally, when will the pamanhikan happen. Our schedules are bit tight. I know its still a year before the wedding but I might have a business trip from July to August and Quennie might be assigned offshore from October to March. The wedding will be around April. Cool.  So we thought it would be best if we do the pamanhikan when we go home to Bacolod this May.  But they said, it is traditionally (I'm starting to hate this word) done 3-4 months before the wedding.  Huh?!

And still more questions. Do I have to bring a dowry of fattened calves or native chickens from our farm? Do I have to chop firewood before the pamanhikan? Sing a harana?

Please help.

Hers

• Decide on the motif, gowns, budget.
• List the entourage, sponsors, guests, and follow-up attendance.
• Contact vendors for venue, caterer, dress, etc.

His

• Say "Yes" to all her plans.
• Give a convincing nod as often as possible.
• Blog about the wedding preparations.

Fair enough for me.

Anyway, for more updates on our wedding preparations, you can visit our weddingannouncer.com website here. Take the quiz if you like or just browse through our pictures. Check back once in a while to get updates as we get closer to our big day.