well.. we met at an online game... gunbound
(love to post pictures so non gunbound players would have an idea of what the game is... but i don't know what's wrong with my weebly... i can't seem to upload pix)

anywayz, gundbound is like the game worms... still no idea? ... well, it’s played 1 on 1 or as a team of a maximum of 4 on each side. Each player is to throw like a bomb on someone (so, we’re talking of projectiles where you get to put the angle & force… physics)


well, we met there.

……..

he had a gf & i hadmine so ours was a purely platonic relationship... gamer online... or maybe not *wink*.
but really, we never had an online affair apart from being friends.

We broke up with my then bf and i started dating around. He was kind of worried at this time of my life & told me to get a steady so i wont be jumping from one date to another... he was probably getting worried about my hopping around.
but i told him that i am not seriously dating and there is nothing to be worried about... i won't be jumping in on a relationship just because i need one... & that the next one would definitely be the one since i am approaching my bio-clock deadline soon. And really... i wouldn't want to belong to someone else when the right one comes along... yes, it's sad to belong to someone else... (you do know the song)

... more...

basta... the ending... we're going to get married! And i am definitely excited. We are.

 
The Philippines is a melting pot of wedding traditions. Some were from the early Filipinos, from ethnic tribes, and others from the neighboring countries in Asia that had traded with early Filipinos. Some which originate from Spanish missionaries who visited the country early in the 18th century. Many of these traditions are drawn from the dominant Christian religion of the Philippines, Catholicism. Kasalan is the Filipino word for Wedding.

Unlike in the United States where the bride’s family pays for the wedding, in the Philippines, expenses are paid for by the groom’s family. The bride’s gown is custom-made rather than bought ready made off the rack. Both the bride and groom wear white, with the groom wearing a traditional transparent button-up shirt called the barong.

Wedding invitations cover both the ceremony and the reception; therefore reception cards are not used. Also included in the wedding invitation is a page that gives all the names and roles of those in the bridal party or the entourage card. In the Philippines, the most popular month for a wedding is December, as opposed to June in the United States, although the latest from the NSO says that it’s on May. 

The wedding is usually done on Saturdays although a portion of Filipinos are now picking the weekdays for practical reasons… budget. The wedding date is chosen based on the waxing of the moon, when the moon is on the way to the full moon which would mean that more blessings would come to the couple’s way. A date with an 8 is also more popular.

On how the wedding is going to be… the decision is taken on by the bride’s parents. A dutiful bride-to-be is then expected to bow down to the whims of her parents while the groom’s side is expected to finance all of the wedding costs as opposed to that in the United States where the bride’s side cover the wedding costs. These days, a lot of couples choose to share expenses.

It is also customary for the wedding to be held at the bride’s hometown if they are not from the same state.

The bride and groom arrive separately and at different times for the ceremony. The groom arrives up to an hour before hand to receive guests. The bride however, arrives just in time for her bridal march. Both the bride and the groom march down the aisle, the groom either alone or with his parents.

The marrying couple picks a few pairs of ninongs and ninangs (godparents) to be the primary sponsors/witnesses of the ceremony. In addition to the bridesmaids and groomsmen, three pairs of wedding attendants act as secondary sponsors who manage the wedding candles, veil and cord ceremonies which make take place during the nuptial mass. The bride holds an heirloom rosary along with the bridal bouquet during the ceremony. Generally the wedding ceremony includes a full mass which runs about an hour.

In addition to exchanging rings, the groom gives his bride an arrhae, which is a monetary gift in the form of thirteen pieces of gold or silver coins. This is a pledge from the groom of his dedication to the welfare of his wife and children. The arrhae is carried by a coin bearer who walks alongside the ring bearer for both the processional and recessional.

Candles stand on each side of the couple. Candle attendants light these candles which symbolize God’s presence in the union. Some couples integrate the lighting of a Unity candle into the service. The Unity candle has its origins in the Protestant religion. After the candles are lit, veil sponsors drape a long white tulle veil on the grooms shoulder and pin it. Another veil is then draped over the bride’s head. The veils are used to symbolize two people who are ‘clothed’ as one.

The last pair of sponsors stands with a cord in the form of a figure eight and place one loop around the neck-shoulder area of the bride and the other loop around the neck-shoulder area of the groom. The cord symbolizes the infinite bond of the marriage. This cord can be a silken rope or made from a string of flowers or links of coins.

After the ceremony, during the reception, a pair of white doves is released by the newlyweds to signify peace and harmony during the marriage. Whoever catches them takes them home as a pet. Instead of tossing of the bouquet, the bride instead offers the flowers to a favorite Saint or the Virgin Mary. Some opt to place the bouquet on the grave of a lost love one.

Traditional Filipino weddings are very strong in the faith, emphasizing God in every part of the ceremony and inviting Him into their lives. Also, every part of the ceremony emphasizes the joining of two people as one in a life long commitment of love and caring.  
 
we we're thinking of providing the fabric for our entourage so it would be their tokens from us as well...

that way, we could have them tied up to the theme or motiff, while they'd get to choose the designs that they's want.

anywayz, my aunties are indeed excited.
Picture
my aunt yayang found this fabric at divisoria... lots more of finds there.

i'm going to visit & have my dress done at her seamstress... it's kind of an extra spend when we just consider the RT tickets that i need to get... but since, it's her trusted seamstress, i think the extra bucks spent would be worth it. ^^<

 
my aunties are excited about my wedding as well.
they jokingly say that they're even more excited than my own mother! my Uncle Pedro had been fascinated by the two for popping up all those ideas about my wedding.

anywayz, here are some sites that Aunt Neneng gave me to check out on bridesmaids' dresses... they're cute and wearable even after the wedding... yah... lovely...

Short Sleeveless Silk Chiffon Dress with Beading
www.davidsbridal.com Search: DavidsBridal.comBridal GownsBridal PartySpecial OccasionsAccessoriesInvitationsCeremony & ReceptionGifts & FavorsSaleOutletReal Bride Stories

Antonio Melani "Skye" Dress www.dillards.com Sleeveless dress with a ruched bodice in a buttercup-color Victorian lace/chiffon combo. Of cotton/nylon. Only at Dillard's. Imported.

London Times Sleeveless V-Neck Dress with Satin Bow - Dresses - Women's - Macy's www1.macys.com Shop the latest London Times Sleeveless V-Neck Dress with Satin Bow online at Macys.com. The satin bow at the waist gives this pretty party dress by London Times a flirty finish.

XOXO Prom Dress, Chiffon Flower Print - Dresses - Juniors - Macy's www1.macys.com Shop the latest XOXO Prom Dress, Chiffon Flower Print online at Macys.com. Have a fun and flirty prom night in this floral print dress by XOXO!
 
A CENOMAR however, contrary to what many of us thought is not a requirement for marriage ... read more

So what is a Certificate of No Marriage or what we mostly call as CENOMAR? Simple as we can pronounce the name itself, just take the literal meaning from the long version of it. On the other hand, be technical meaning, it has a lot.

For the NSO and the people who knows more than what the word means, a CENOMAR is certificate or certification that the NSO - National Statistics Office issues to people or anyone that proves a person is and has not undergone any marriage.

The CENOMAR however has to be authenticated by the department issuing it (NSO) in order for it to become a certified true copy and not just some make up document that other people buy somewhere else. Note that the NSO is a database center in the Philippines of all marriages that has happened in the past for as long as the responsible parties like the civil registry or the registrants themselves have passed necessary documents to them regarding a marriage.

By law, not more than 15 days is the allowable time frame that responsible parties should pass to the NSO necessary documents to register a marriage. The copies of the marriage certificate will have to be submitted to the local civil registry where the marriage was done and solemnized.

A CENOMAR however, contrary to what many of us thought is not a requirement for marriage but instead, it is only necessary for couples who were to wed to know and be certain that their partner's civil status is still single and unattached to or uncommitted to anyone by laws of the civil registry and the catholic church require.

CENOMAR will always be the best way to avoid getting charged with any case related to marriage and so on.

Requirements in Getting CENOMAR:


  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Number or copies needed
  • Purpose for the certification
  • Complete name of the father
  • Complete maiden name of the mother
  • Complete name of the person to be certified
  • Complete name and address of the requesting party

    source: http://nsoinquiryonline.i.ph/
 
 
Registration of Application for Marriage License

Reglementary Period and Place of Registration Where a marriage license is required, each of the contracting parties shall file separately a sworn application for such license with the proper civil registrar which shall specify the following:       a) Full name of the contracting party;
      b) Place of birth;
      c) Age and date of birth;
      d) Civil status;
      e) If previously married, how, when and where the previous marriage was dissolved or annulled;
      f) Present residence and citizenship;
      g) Degree of relationship of the contracting parties;
      h) Full name, residence and citizenship of the father;
       i) Full name, residence and citizenship of the mother; and
       j) Full name, residence and citizenship of the guardian or person having charge, in case the contracting party has neither father nor mother and is under the age of twenty-one years.

Requisites in Applying for a Marriage License

1. Original birth certificate or baptismal certificates of the contracting parties or copies of such documents duly attested by the persons having custody of the original.
    
    If either of the contracting parties is unable to produce his birth or baptismal certificate or a certified copy of either because of the destruction or loss of the original, or if it is shown by an affidavit of such party or of any other person that such birth or baptismal certificate has not yet been received though the same has been required of the person having custody thereof at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the application, such party may furnish in lieu thereof his current residence certificate or an instrument drawn up and sworn to before the civil registrar concerned or any public official authorized to administer oaths.

    The presentation of the birth or baptismal certificate shall not be required if the parents of the contracting parties appear personally before the civil registrar concerned and swear to the correctness of the lawful age of such parties.

2. If either of the contracting parties has been previously married, the applicant shall be required to furnish, instead of the birth or baptismal certificate, the death certificate of the deceased spouse or the judicial decree of the absolute divorce, or the judicial decree of annulment or declaration of nullity of his or her previous marriage. 3. In case either or both of the contracting parties, are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one, a consent to their marriage of their father, mother, surviving parent or guardian, or persons having legal charge of them, in the order mentioned shall be obtained.

4. Any contracting party between the age of twenty-one and twenty-five shall be obliged to seek parental advice upon the intended marriage. If it is unfavorable, the marriage license shall not be issued till after three months following the completion of the publication of the application thereof.

5. In the case where parental consent or parental advice is needed, the parties concerned shall attach a certificate issued by proper authorities to the effect that the contracting parties have undergone marriage counselling.

6. When either or both of the contracting parties are citizens of a foreign country, it shall be necessary for them before a marriage license could be obtained, to submit a certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage, issued by their respective diplomatic or consular officials.

7. The license shall be valid in any part of the Philippines for a period of one hundred twenty days from the date of issue, and shall be deemed automatically cancelled at the expiration of said period if the contracting parties have not made use of it.

Number of Copies to be Accomplished

It shall be the duty of the contracting parties to accomplish four (4) copies of the Application for Marriage License for registration. After the registration, the civil registrar shall distribute copies of the document bearing the civil registry number as follows: first copy to the registrant; second copy to the Office of the Civil Registrar-General; third copy shall be retained for his file; and fourth copy to the solemnizing officer.

For questions & clarifications, send e-mail to the Civil Registry Operations Division.

source: www.census.gov.ph
 
it's our young professionals growth group night...

i announced our engagement.

and i'm so happy that they are happy for me!

thank God for my extended family in church... &thanking God for my parents who want a sort of big wedding for my friends to be able to come.

anyways i'm getting free wedding singers! ^^<
& mind you... they sing pretty well... all for God's glory.

btw, we watched... indescribable...
& we're reminded that it's not about us. God created the universe not for us but for His glory to be seen.
How little we are compared to His greatness.
How so so small we are... & yet, He died on the cross for us... and this is called... grace.
 
the pinoy fiesta idea...
we're getting excited... it may no be the small wedding that i have envisioned but it would go with the virtue of family... & would give me the opportunity to be with a lot of loveones... prob nga lang... more room for wedding crashers...

but hoping and praying for the best.

anyways, i'd be seeing dennies again on april!
i'd go to manila...
we're to go to a pre-wedding counseling on april 17 with my missionary uncle & auntie.
then, shop at divisoria for cheap fabrics and finds.

my future mother-in-law kinda warns me not to get too
carried away and spends away our budget.

anywayz... planning a wedding pala is not at all easy.
a lot to think about even with budget aside.

God help. Thanks
 
this is just a part of my daydream for now...
still to be approved by my fiance and our families...

but anyways, i love dreaming... obviously.

why the barrio fiesta? ... because it allows a bit of chaos which is inevitable with the number of guests that would be coming.
Picture
this is vera wang's aurora... far from the maria clara with panuelo that the previous article had mentioned...
but anyway, imagine this dress with a bolero with the Filipiniana sleeves (yup... those that imelda marcos had been known for) then, it would be pulled together as in the terno that this theme calls for.
The bolero can then be removed during the reception, which is like changing the whole outfit. & instead, a panyo will be placed vertically on one shoulder.

the groom ang the male entourage would wear the barong... as usual.
 
Picture
source: weddingsatwork.com

For the wedding gown, wear a modernized Maria Clara complete with panuelo.

The groom, the male entourage and wedding guests should wear a barong tagalog.

The wedding invitation should be in Filipino/Tagalog.

Choose a turn-of-the-century venues for the ceremony and reception. Intramuros comes to mind.

Instead of a bridal car, hire a horse-drawn carruaje or kalesa.

Have the Nuptial Mass in Filipino. Say your vows in the vernacular.

Use Sampaguita (our National flower) and other local blooms for the bouquet, confetti and decors.

Hold an heirloom rosary with your bouquet as you march to honor your Catholic heritage.

Let the choir sing Tagalog Liturgy songs for the ceremony
and OPM lovesongs for the communion, piacture-taking and recessional.

Upon exit at the church or during Grand Entrance at the reception, have the bestman exclaim: MABUHAY ANG BAGONG KASAL!!!

Create a Barrio Fiesta atmosphere in the reception.

Serve an all-Filipino buffet with a lecheon (roast pig) as a central part of the handaan.

For December weddings, have a puto bungbong and bibingka stall
to get the guests into the Christmas mood.

Dress up the ceiling of the reception hall with banderitas instead of drapes.

Instead of flowers, use tropical fruits (mango, pineapple, rambutan, atis, etc. ) as table centerpieces.

Hire a rondalla instead of a string quartet.

Play the guitar and serenade the bride with a harana.

Do the money dance. It’s a Filipino tradition!

Never miss the details.
Have a caketopper with the groom ina traditional barong than the usual tuxedo.
*shameless plug*

 Instead of champagne, propose a toast with lambanog.

Gather the single ladies and play agawang-panyo or hang several blooms on a pabitin instead of doing the traditional bouquet toss.

Gather the single men to play pukpok-palayok instead of the garter toss.

Our native delicacies and local handicrafts are perfect as wedding favors