It’s very important to be relaxed a few days into your wedding. I know this is easier said than done because even I was admittedly still tying a few loose ends the day before we tied the knot! We chose Discovery Suites in Ortigas because it was one of the nearest hotels to our wedding venue and it was right smack in the middle of malls so in case I had to go get something last minute, it was much more convenient than having to travel to and from Ortigas and Makati.
While there are other hotels in Ortigas, we ended up at Discovery because it was highly recommended by a friend. There were also good reviews regarding the hotel’s amenities, their brand of service and the sizes of their rooms.
Our ceremony venue and reception venue was just one and the same place: our home church, Greenhills Christian Fellowship. The venue is significant because this is where we became friends, got to know each other, grew spiritually and served together in ministry. We booked Auditorium B (where the Sunday worship services are held) which had more than enough space for our 100 guests.
After making a list of our essentials and nice-to-haves, it was easier for us to assess which ones we’d allot more money for in our budget. When you’re planning your wedding, it’s important to remember that:
1) advice from experienced wedding professionals is valuable but be discerning as well. There are some that I have worked with who put the welfare of their clients and fellow suppliers above all, and then there are those who have a different agenda.
2) seeking inspiration is good but ultimately, it’s still YOUR WEDDING, so your rules and preferences will take precedence. Don’t allow popular trends and peer/family pressure to dictate how you’re supposed to wed.
Hope this video helps you out. By the way, I didn’t discuss wedding coordination just yet. That’s coming up in another video.
I thought it was highly possible for me to vlog the whole wedding day. I needed help! I’m thankful that our wedding photographers, my bridesmaids and maid of honor were more than happy to step in and tell the story of our wedding day.
Things I learned?
Matagal pala talaga yung prep shoot. Of course it looks so easy and fast when the photos are put together na for the SDE but… haha let me tell you NO. With all due respect to our photographers, they really did a great job and I know they wanted to get a lot of amazing shots because this is their craft. I guess I just had to properly psyche myself. Hindi kasi professional mowdel si Ingrid. :p
EAT. AS IN. It’s bound to be a long day.
We should have taken pictures with our family and other guests in our photobooth. 😦 I’m thankful that our supplier Photomocoh extended their hours just to make sure that Dave and I had shots of ourselves at the photobooth. That was very nice of them.
Even if you think you’ve planned everything, you have to learn to let go and entrust the execution to the coordinators and people involved. Yes, there will be things that won’t go according to the outline but you just have to let go and ENJOY EVERY SINGLE MOMENT because the time just zooms through so quickly.
You can’t get married if you don’t have a marriage license! 😀 Before applying for anything, we suggest securing all of the requirements since that takes a bit of time. You need to furnish a certified true copy of your birth certificate and CENOMAR, which you can order online and pay via credit card from http://www.psaserbilis.com.ph. You can get your barangay certificates and CTC/cedula at the barangay hall (at your place of residence).
One of the requirements for the marriage license application is the pre-marriage counseling certificate, meaning you have to attend the pre-marriage seminar first at your City Hall and then get the certificate right after. You will need to submit this along with the other requirements. Just so it’s easier, here’s the step by step process:
1) I called the city hall, asked for the available slots and paid for the pre-marriage counseling fee (P100)
2) We attended the scheduled seminar from 8am-12nn. While waiting for the certificate, we were taught how to fill out the marriage license application forms (4 copies, hand-written by both the groom and bride)
3) Once we received the certificate, we went to the cashier, paid for the fee (it’s P200, folks. Please make sure you check the change given to you and keep the receipt) and went to the City Civil Registrar section and submitted the requirements:
-Pre-Marriage Counseling Certificate
-Birth or baptismal certificate (both the bride and the groom)
-Cenomar (both the bride and the groom)
-Barangay Clearance
-CTC/Cedula
-1×1 photos (bride and groom)
-Marriage license application form
4) We were then given a reference number and had to come back after 10 days to get our license
5) After they post the notice for 10 days, return to the City Civil Registrar and then give your reference number. The marriage documents will be handed over to you, sign the receiving log and off you go! Please take note that the marriage license is valid only for 120 days. You have to get married within that allotted time or you will need to reapply again.
Kindly check the website of your own city hall, just to make sure. There are also additional requirements if you:
a) are a widow/widower
b) are a foreigner
c) have gone through divorce or annulment
d) are 18-25 years old
It’s always good to witness a friend’s milestones specially when you hear their stories of waiting, hoping and finally finding someone that makes their heart complete. Halee and I have served in the GCF Youth Ministry for a few years and we also get to lead worship together from time to time. In the recent year, we saw how her relationship with her boyfriend Jed progressed to their being engaged. It was wonderful. We were so happy for Halee.
After about a year of planning, they finally tied the knot and got me to host their special day. Here’s the vlog of their wedding reception held at the UP Bahay ng Alumni.
Another one of those “driving all by myself” adventures. I’ve been to Tagaytay Highlands several times but never got to drive on my own to the Midlands–so this is a first! It was scary going up because it’s mostly uphill and I was getting paranoid that my car would break down or something. Eep! Thank God it didn’t.
I love midday weddings, specially when they’re held at cool, open spaces that are close to nature. There’s something so charming about Clear Water Rest House–the green open lawn, the quaint cottage where preps can be done and the spacious patio that provides an excellent view of the Taal Volcano.
After the morning ceremony at Caleruega Chapel, guests arrived a little before lunch and entertained themselves to the brim by taking photos at the patio, posing for snaps at the photo booth and enjoying the candy bar. The weather cooperated so well. It didn’t rain and the sun gleamed with just the right intensity. Got to work with Jeo and Agnes Odulio again of Empire Weddings. More on the vlog below
Suppliers:
Ceremony: Caleruega Church
Reception: Clear Water Rest House, Tagaytay
Coordinator: Empire Weddings (Jeo and Agnes Odulio + team)
Emcee: Ingrid Nieto
Photographer: Myio Okamoto Photography
Videogapher: Aisle 1401
Caterer: Towns Delight – The Caterer
Wedding Cake: Tourist Cakeshop
Flowers: Green Purple
Hair & Makeup: Diane Coles
Music: Symphony Rhythm Strings and Milet Abrenica
Lights & Sounds: Artuz101
DJ: Rammy Bitong
Bridal Car: JCA Bridal Car Rentals
Tent: Tent King
A game-free wedding reception program doesn’t mean you skip out on the fun! Cris and Roanne made sure their guests were entertained with great music from G7 band and Filipino cultural dances from the Salinlahi Dance Troupe. In addition to the sumptuous dinner, guests were treated to the different food carts/booths like Bono Gelato, Mixed Mobile Bar, Figaro Coffee, Krispy Kreme and Mr. Franks.
It was a bit hard to choose and fit tons of footage in under 5 minutes! But all in all, I would like to just thank my dear friends, clients, couples, brands, coordinators and organizers for a fun peak season in the midst of reading assignments and papers for my MA. Praying for more partnerships, projects and events this 2018. The Lord bless and make Himself known to you increasingly!
Love, your quirky vlogger/host, Ingrid.
Ingrid Nieto-Pagulayan 
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