The Couturier

by: Karen

For the bridal gown, gowns of mothers of the bride and groom, maid of honor and bridesmaids, we got Mia Barlaan as our couturier. We were actually looking for a couturier who would meet our budget (which was so hard to find). So as we browsed to some bridal magazines, I saw Mia Barlaan and liked her sample works. We emailed her and asked for quotation and miraculously it fitted just right on our budget. We met her last February 2008 and despite being young she knows her craft well and was very understanding on the client's needs. I will be having my first gown fitting by June 2008 with her.

For our secondary sponsors' and flower girls' dresses, we got Aling Violy. She is actually one of the known seamstress in my Mom's office and have also done wedding entourage gowns. My Mom liked her sample works and since it would be too expensive if we got all our dresses from Mia; we decided to have Aling Violy do the secondary sponsors' and flower girls' dresses. As of now, all measurements has already been taken and still waiting for the final result.

For Bry's barong tagalog, his mother ordered a simple but elegant, pinya fiber, chinese-collared barong tagalog from Taal, Batangas. His father's attire is also from Taal, Batangas.


Mia Barlaan
www.miabarlaan.com

Aling Violy
6059 Gen Ricarte, South Cembo,
Makati City, Philippines
Telephone: 63 2 792 7959, 63 2 728 3080

Juliet K Couture Collections(AJM Bridal Collection)
by: Juliet C. Katigbak
F. Agoncillo st., Taal
Batangas, Philippines
Telephone: 63 43 408 0701
Mobile: 63 928 465 71 09

Meet the Parents

by: Bryan


Meet the Parents

It was January 2005, when I asked Karen if I can accompany her on her way home to their place in Filinvest, Cainta, instead of just going to BPI to wait for her Mom.

After office, we went to FX terminal along Ayala Avenue, across Philippine and Makati Stock Exchange. After around 30 minutes of travel, we dropped off at Filinvest Estate's entrance gate and rode tricycle. Karen told the tricycle driver, "Kina Reyes po..". Having heard that, I thought, "Wow, sikat! In a very high class / executive subdivision, kilala sila ng mga tao." I even thought, "Baka sa ibang bahay kami dalhin ng driver". =) And we arrived at their house. Their house was not the mansion-like house similar to Pacquiao's mansion in Gen. Santos City. =) It was simple built, white-painted house with three cars: a Mitsubishi-Adventure, a Toyota-Corolla, and an Isuzu pick-up. Astig!

Her Mom opened the gate and greeted us. Since her Mom already met me, Karen didn't introduce me. I sat on their sofa. Karen took a glass of juice; served Starbucks carrot cake and have some chat with her Mom. I was also introduced to her Lola Blanca. Then after a while, her Dad arrived from Church. Karen introduced me to her Dad and had some small conversation about our travel from Makati. It was 10PM when I asked to go home. Karen took me a ride on their car to Estate's entrance gate. I just took jeepney to Cubao, and took bus to Makati.

In late February 2005, Karen invited me to their house again because it was her father's birthday and wedding anniversary as well. I helped them in the preparation of the celebration. They also introduced me to her relatives and parents' friends. It was past 10PM when I told them that I will go home. Her parents told me to just sleep at their house since it was already late at night and might not be safe to travel, given my route will be through Cubao. So I was convinced. Karen prepared her room for me. Obviously, Karen had to sleep with her parents. ;) I stayed in their house until afternoon of the next day, because her parents wanted me to come along with them on their way to Makati and just dropped me off in Kalayaan Avenue instead of traveling alone.


***************************************************

Meet the Fockers

It was Holy Week of 2005, when I invited Karen to go to my hometown in Batangas. I asked permission from her parents so that she can stay with us during the holy week holidays. And she was permitted to come with me. Instead of commuting to province, her father took us a ride on their new Ford Everest to Batangas in the morning of Maundy Thursday. We arrived at Batangas around 10AM. Her Dad met my parents and had lunch with us in our house. I introduced Karen to my Uncles and Aunties and to my Lola. It was around 2PM when her Dad left for Manila. I took her to Balombato pier using our motorcycle for her to witness the beautiful sunset that afternoon.

Karen stayed in our house until Easter Sunday. She met my relatives both from my father's and mother's side. My family prepared a lot of food even if it was a Lenten season. She slept in my sister's bedroom. She experienced in our home to sleep with "kulambo" and took a bath wherein I fetch water in pale from deep well or "poso". It was Good Friday when Karen and I attended the procession for Jesus Christ's death. I also introduced her to some of my high school friends and barkada. It was Saturday when we went to beach together with my family. We rented a motorized bangka to have a trip across the beaches. In the afternoon, Karen and I went to Real, the rural village where I grew up, so she can meet my mother's relatives and I introduced her to them. My Nanay was very happy to see her. She ate star apple served by my aunties. That Saturday night, we supposed to watch my sister acting as an angel in "Dagit" or "Salubong" but we came late. They were on their way home.

We attended Easter mass in the morning and went back to Manila by afternoon.

Few weeks after, Karen again visited my hometown, when my officemates from Accenture had team building in Calatagan during our town fiesta.

Here are some pictures of Karen's first visit to Calatagan:

In our house.
At Balombato pier.
Visit at Real.
During my team visit at Calatagan.

***************************************************

The Florist

by: Karen


Mang Boy Mahusay

As they say, "Mahusay nga si Mang Boy Mahusay!".

He is one of the prominent suppliers in Weddings@Work which all the brides-to-be are raving about. All comments about him was outstanding; he is so popular in Dangwa that there are people pretending to be Mang Boy. So be sure when someone says he is Mang Boy check on the rosary tattoo surrounding his upper body (no joke!). Even my mom, who is very O.C. on our suppliers said that she really liked Mang Boy not only did he offer us a good price for the flowers (good quality flowers) but also he remembers every client and the needs they want despite his long list of clients. I am really relying on this supplier for the brightness and beautification of our church and reception; not to mention they say he is always early if not on time.

Mang Boy Mahusay
Jarielle’s Flowershop
Stall # 16, Dos Castillas St.,
Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 314 5737
Mobile: +63 917 387 1910

The On-the-Day Coordinator

by: Karen


Events by the Friday Club
Coordinator: Liza R. Mendiola

We decided to get an on the day coordinator only as we want to be a hands-on groom/bride for our wedding. An on the day coordinator would take care of all the hassle and bussle on the wedding day itself. We would have given it to one of our entourage or relatives to handle but hey, it's our wedding day it's also their chance to relax and have some fun with us so we decided to rid them off this workload.

Since I am a member of Weddings@Work group, I checked on good coordinator reviews which still matches our budget and the answer was the Events by the Friday Club. They were very quick in responding to emails and text. Liza Mendiola was also prompt in our meeting last February and gave us a thorough run on their responsibilities, checklists and tasks on the wedding day with that, we booked them on the spot. My mom also got a chance to talk to Miss Liza and she too liked them as they never failed to provide concrete information and help for the wedding. Miss Liza also provided great suggestions on games, emcee and any other advices we needed for the wedding as she has been in the industry for awhile.


Events by the Friday Club
http://www.geocities.com/eventsbythefridayclub/The_Friday_Club.html
thefridayclub@gmail.com

The Photographer and Videographer

by: Karen

One if not the most miracle find of all of the suppliers :-) We opted to change our photographer/videographer due to some mishaps and it turned out to be a real blessing for us since we got the best of the best and that's Jayson and Joanne of Redefine Weddings. Popular among the w@wies; their works never cease to amaze me. I didn't need to beg (or did I?) to get these guys since Jayson was very much accomodating and sincere. I can't thank you enough for making me more happy and excited on my special day. Assteeeegggg kayo! We haven't met personally but I know things will be a blast come wedding day ;-)

Redefine Weddings by Jayson & JoAnne Arquiza
www.redefineweddings.com
Address:
Unit 4I, Dansalan Gardens,
M. Vicente St., Brgy. Malamig,
Mandaluyong City, Philippines

The Hair and Make-up Artist

by: Karen

Irene Manigo

For our hair and make-up artist, we chose Irene Manigo. She was actually referred by my Mom's officemate but after a while I saw great reviews on her from W@W (WeddingsAtWork), we decided to meet her up last February 2008. She was very friendly and gave out great ideas for the bride and entourage. I liked the way she was very detailed on her works and gave time to assess the bride's wants and needs; that's why we booked her on the spot! I can't wait for the trial make-up on our pre-nuptial by June 2008 because I know Irene would do well.

For more details on her work, you can visit her website.

Irene Manigo Hair & Make-Up
GCS Bldg. Tunasan, Muntinlupa
Metro Manila, Philippines 1776
Tel: +63-920-9386695 (Smart)
Tel: +63-917-8913645 (Globe)
Email: irenemanigo@yahoo.com (Pri), makeupbyirene@yahoo.com (Sec)
http://www.makeupartist.com.ph

The Wedding Preparation and Reception

by: Karen

Dusit Hotel Nikko


Finding the wedding reception I must say is the hardest especially if you're an overseas bride. It was a good thing my parents were there to help assist us on this. Why we thought of a hotel? You see, since we are migrating to Canada, our property has already been sold so that means we would also need a place for the wedding preparation; so why not have your reception, your preparations, food, sounds, bridal cars, and cake taken care of in just one bill? Next question, which hotel? My parents canvassed all the possible hotels in Makati and it just so happens that their last stop was - Dusit Hotel.

Not only it is near to our church but it gave us a one stop shop for our bridal car, cakes, sounds, reception and suite for wedding preparation. They gave us a good quotation for 100 person buffet that is reasonable in price (not too mention the amount of food variety they offer) and have additional freebies along with it. Our contact there Ms. Tesza T. Cruz of Banquet Sales was very pleasant to talk to and was very detailed on the things that we need. When we went there for food tasting last February, they were very accommodating; the food was superb and the ballroom was fantastic. We got one suite and one room for the wedding preparations. We also saw that they were doing some renovations on the hotel to make it look more dramatic for wedding pictures.

Dusit Hotel Nikko,
Ayala Center, Makati City 1223, Philippines
Phone: (63)(2) 867-3333
www.dusit.com

The Church

by: Karen

National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sacred Heart St. (formerly Dao St.),
San Antonio Village, Makati City, Philippines
www.nsshph.blogspot.com

We wanted our wedding to be solemn so we chose a small church enough to cover our guests but still take good care of our wedding needs. The NSSH Church despite it being small still gives this cathedral-like aura and atmosphere perfect for weddings especially when you go inside.

First time I went there I knew this would be the best church for our wedding; it was so peaceful, well lit and maintained and not to mention, romantic. The Church's staff are very warm and friend and an added bonus is that the Church is also air-conditioned so no sweaty bride nor groom and guests for us!

At this place, we will start the new life together as Man and Wife.

The Love of My Life - My Sweety

by: Karen

It all started with a simple hello,

But then we never let go
I found the love of my life in you
That held a promise for us to be true
You made all these dreams come true
With the love I found in You

Your simple ways, your simple touch
Makes me all love you so much
With you I have found peace and grace
You showed me how love is just by your simple ways
Your smile is enough to brighten my day
To take all these fears away

You're my light in this epitome of darkness
You're my shield in all these sadness
To you I vow a promise to keep
Of a love trusting..of a trust so deep

I love you the love of my life
You're my knight in shining armor, my wisdom, my light
You're my Sweet Silent SQL Administrator...
You're the love of my life

My Bhy...

by: Bryan

originally posted from my Friendster Blog... http://fqiesbry.blogs.friendster.com/

Karen Blanco Reyes...

... is the name of the most important lady in my life. I would say that waiting is worthy. Destiny will make its way to give you what is for you.

They say, "Wishing on a shooting star will make your wish come true.", well, it is true. Because that's what I did. How God gave Karen to me? It all started with a wish. God just used my birthday as a way of giving this one precious gift.

Who will say this rich girl from an executive village of Filinvest, Cainta fell in love with the simple, silent boy from Calatagan, Batangas? Well, opposites attract as Law of Magnetism states. Color wheel shows that opposite colors compliments each other. Newton's Third Law states that every action has opposite, equal reaction... nyahahahaha... nerd pa nga di ba??!!

I am very lucky to have her in my life. She is very caring, loving, understanding, super mag-alaga, sarap magluto... what could I ask for? I remembered, I described her "one of a kind". After almost two years na magkakilala kami, it is proven as is. She appreciates all simple things I gave, from a simple cellphone accesories to native foods from Calatagan. We know people are not perfect, but all her imperfections complete her as a person and I love her for being what, who she is, for being a simple person, for accepting me, for completing my life. I wanna be with her for the rest of my life, we want to grow old with each other. I will say, time will come, we will find ourselves in front of the altar, exchanging vows and "I Do"'s.

I'm very thankful to have her in my life, and I am very proud to call her, my "Bhy".

Once upon a time... How it all started

HER Side of the Story
How the Princess Met Her Prince ;-)

It all started in a sunny beautiful afternoon of September 27, 2004. It was around 1:00PM when I went to 26th floor GT Tower in Makati City to meet my teammates. Our teamlead introduced us to our teammates, the web team and DBA team. I then learned that I belonged to the web team. I was then asked to sit beside this quiet guy named BRYAN M. AYTONA who is part of the DBA team. He seemed snobbish to me at first and would always catch him glancing at my monitor (probably looking who was I chatting with :-P) and sometimes throws this occasional loud laugh.

On my 2nd day in the office, I kept on hearing this "wish" thing for Bryan because it was his birthday on the 28th but I thought it was nothing special (didn't know it pertained for him to have his first GF as a wish on his birthday!) At first I wasn't that much interested on him although I did find him cute but he's so snobbish and seldom gives out a smile to me!

Anyway, days passed part of me was getting curious of him... like I want to get to know him more..like theres something about him... hmmm... Never mind let go and let God. I prayed to Him that he give me a sign that he will give me the one true love I was hoping to meet. So one fine morning I woke up with an anonymous SMS - it's a quote, actually a sweet quote I must say. I immediately checked our support phone and aha! It was his number... so I decided to play along and sent him an SMS back (kinda sweet quote, too) and then that's when we he learned I knew it was him. Exchanges of IMs and sweet SMS quotes then started and I grew fonder and fonder of him as I learned more about him.

At around October, he popped me a message that made my heart jump... he asked if we could take me to my Mom's building after office (I wait for my Mom since we ride home together). So when that time came all my officemates watched us, jaws dropped as they didn't imagine that there would start an "US" since we were so opposite of each other (which I will tell in a little while). Words cannot express the joy I am feeling on that day because I know its the start of something better... of probably a love budding for us.

Now lets go to our first date which was on Greenbelt 3 Recipes restaurant. I ordered chicken teriyaki, he ordered grilled fish (natandaan pa noh!). After which I recall him say, if there was a mass at Greenbelt. I was quite shocked since it's so unusual that on a weekday a guy would want to go to mass out of a sudden. But there was no mass so we sat on a tree, he gave me a gift (teddy bear inside a mug) and he told me right there how he felt for me. I recall it wasn't love yet but its a journey to love hoping to get to know me more.

So fast forwarding everything that happened.. On December 23, 2004, it was an overtime day for us in the office. However, we managed to sneak out because we know there was something special on this day... something about the Christmas spirit :-). We went to the tree in Greenbelt Park and there we made an 'exchange gift'. My gift to him is a Smallville complete series (season 1-4 I think), which I shamelessly asked his "mother" in the "kris kringle" since I wanted to surprise him with what he wants. He also gave me what I wanted based on the kriskringle - a cream sheer blush (kikay stuff) :-). And finally, he gave me a Christmas card where it all said that he loves me and that he will wait when I am ready. I replied back "Ayaw mo ba malaman sagot ko?" Then I said "Love din kita..." with matching kilig. :-)

At first we hid it from our officemates. We want them to know it by themselves which they eventually did... the rest is history!

So thats the 'brief' summary of how our love story started and went about.

Just a short detail about me and Bryan how we are kinda opposite/common at the same time:

Me - I'm basically their connotated rich girl daw and sosyalin type but that's only for those who don't know me. Those who know me know that I am not like that and I'm more of a cowboy, romantic, makulit, clever and simple type. I like to workout, throw jokes, sarcastic remarks, and very intuitive and at times impatient but thoughtful and sweet. Oh! Also likes to do everything at fast track -- as fast as light can be!!!! But specially called by my Sweety as Bhy and the one of a kind woman in his life. :-)

Bryan - Quiet, Responsible and Simple Guy. Very loving and devoted to his family. Mr. Nerdy himself :-P but the type who will stay loyal to you. The "Boy Sigaw" of the CIO DBA... Someone who thinks first before doing an action... and he thinks it very hard. Not the type of guy whom you just met and immediately says I love you; someone so mysterious you'd like to get to know more but sometimes afraid to explore but when you do, you'll find this sweet, patient and loving guy. I call him Sweety, Chichi... and of course my Sweet Silent SQL Administrator :-)

Our common factor: We're both sweet and also loving. We view love not something out of whim, but something that grows out of knowing each other day by day. Something that you have to share with one another... and gets stronger through trials and pains. We have gone through all the storms... gone through all the levels of happiness and pain... but it has helped us a lot! We won't be where we are right now if we hadn't grown and learned. It has made us what we are as a couple now... a power couple! :-) Some might think we focus too much on each other na baka magsawa daw... but that never happens or will ever happen because theres so much to learn from each other and so much love... and to think we're almost 4 years together!

Once upon a time... How it all started

HIS Side of the Story
How the Prince Met His Princess ;-)

The wish…

and so it begins…

January of 2004, I was to start to work in Accenture Philippines. One cloudless night after the dinner, I was sitting in a garden bench just outside our house in Batangas watching at the stars, thinking of what job lies ahead in Accenture. I suddenly thought, “I wish this year, my long awaited Princess will come…” then out of nowhere, a falling star just pass across the sky. I was amazed then smiled.

The sign…

September arrived so fast, and my 22nd birthday was just around the corner. There was news that there will be new hires to join the team. All my teammates were always excited every time there will be new hire especially if it will be female. Once we got the names, we will look their profile in Friendster. One of them is Karen B. Reyes. We looked on her profile and I saw this Sarah Geronimo look-a-like on her graduation picture.

My first impression, Karen was like a usual socialite, coniotic gal. My teammate was the one asked her for date. Not me, as usual… hehehe… I am a workaholic during that time. I don’t know why, she always asked me to login for her on her PC though her teammate was seating beside her… hahaha…

Then, there was a team celebration for all the birthday celebrants for September. Asking what is the celebrant’s wish is a normal joke in the team. My teammates were always teasing me what could be my wish. They knew that I don’t have girlfriend ever since. And since there were new hires, they told me to be careful for what I wish for since it might be granted. This is also the time they asked the new hires for their “Top Three” crushes in the team. And I am one of Karen’s top three. =)

Bull’s eye…

The Green Archer stroke the Cardinal with her bows and arrows. Naks!!!

Time passes by and I got attracted to her, I am a shy type of person so most of the time I talked to her at IMs and SMSs.

There was one time, during our team lunch (We arranged our storage bins as tables). There was a mini-hotseat session, wherein Karen asked to describe me in just one-word description. She said, “Sweet” and that's how my alias as “The Sweet Silent SQL Administrator” started. Then when I was asked the same question for her, I said, “One-of-a-Kind”. We’ve been texting already by that time, so I have little idea about her. =)

The move…

One time, I asked her if I can walk along with her on her way to BPI. My alibi… I am going to Landmark so it is the same way… style!!!

Then, I became her constant companion every afternoon to BPI. I sent her Christian Bautista’s love song MP3s(which soon become our theme song.) thru IM, playing charades in YM guessing movie titles. I also asked my sister and cousins for sweet SMS quotes so that I can have a sweet good night SMS for her.

Then, I asked her for a date sometime November. We have dinner in Greenbelt and had some conversation at Greenbelt Park. I gave her a gift. She also introduced me to her Mom.

The day the wish granted…

Then fast forward -> December 23, 2004. We had dinner in a Japanese Restaurant at LKG Tower food court. After that, we went to Greenbelt Park to have our exchange gift. I gave her card and her wish list during our Christmas Party. Then that was the day She and I become "US". My wish granted. It was around 9PM. She started to call me "Sweety", and I call her "Bhy". Before we gone home, we went to Greenbelt Church, though the mass already ended, we sat for a while inside the church. Then, when her Mom arrived, she introduced me, and asked me for a ride home to Kalayaan Avenue… (Astig… kakasagot pa lang, nakisakay pa pauwi…hehehe).

Then our Christmas is very happy. Our teammates only knew about us the week after Christmas, they saw a hint in my Friendster profile, and the rest is history.

As we go along our lives together, through ups and downs, despite of very big difference of what we have in life, we still managed to go to the top of these challenges, getting even stronger. I thought, in movies, wherein the two lovers always having hard time in their relationships despite of life difference, well, we do experience them but we make sure that the our story’s chapters are always a happy ending…