Resurrection!

I am back after a hiatus of more than a year as a blogger.

I was busy being a lot of things last year. But mainly I was busy being a wedding planner AND a student.

Last year, I completed my BS Nursing degree (clap! clap!) and the road towards that completion was not an easy task, to say the least. I mean, I knew from the start it was going to be quite a challenge. Imagine going through college all over again, this time, with a full time job/business and a family to manage. It was not even easy back then when I was a full time student YEARS ago, how much more now?

I had hospital duty every Saturday and that was when most events are held. I had to be really creative in coming up with reasons to tell my clinical instructors as to why I had to be absent for a day or two from my assigned nursing duty. My creativity eventually gave up on me so I decided to just simply tell the truth. And that translated to duty extensions. 1 day absent = 3 days extension. Whew!

I am also just thankful that I was really friendly to my classmates. They were my source for lecture notes. I spent a lot on photocopies that I was already suggesting to the photocopy lady to tell her boss they should come up with a loyalty card where we earn points and have it exchanged for more photocopy service. Most importantly, my classmates made my nursing life bearable and more fun. They even had to cover for me for a lot of times. Oh, I made them such great actors!

Of course, it really helped that I had a great support system:

My family in Houston who believed in me.
My husband who thought I was the most intelligent nursing student ever.
My daughter who watched me secretly to find out if I was studying or not.
My teachers who were willing to extend deadlines and arrange special exams for me.
My fellow suppliers and wedding planner friends who lent a helping hand to make things easy for me that time.
My friends who were always there pushing me every time I needed a shove.
Most of all, my clients who understood that this was something I had to do for myself in order for me to become a better individual.

But all these is not just because of me. When people ask me how I did it, I have this really amazing answer- God's grace. From the start, it was Him.

That year is over now but up to this day, I carry with me all the lessons that it gave me. And indeed, I am a better person now, not just because I earned a BSN degree, but because I faced the challenge and conquered it.

Stressed Over Your Wedding Budget? You Are Just One of The Many!

My client, who hired me for her wedding next year as her On-The-Day wedding coordinator, called me asking for help. She was in the middle of laying down a budget for her wedding expenses and along the way, got lost. 

I do not blame her. doing the budget for your big day is never easy even if you have all the money to spend for your wedding. So the question is, how do you do it? 

I do not have the magic solution that will make all your budgeting troubles become a thing of the past. What i do have is an answer that may lead you towards the right track - priorities. 

You and your fiance should sit down and talk about the things you want to prioritize (aka spend on) in your wedding. Now you have to understand that brides and grooms normally do not agree on this. I'm sure by now you are very much aware that men are from mars and women are from venus, right? But that should not stop you from being open with each other about your expectations on your big day. Consider it as the first step in being actually married. So brides, don't pull a bridezilla on your groom when your priorities do not jive with his. And grooms, be patient with your bride if she wants to spend a little extra on things that you think are too trivial.

To help you get started on the right track, here are a few things that you should consider in deciding what your top priorities should be:

1. Reception (venue and food)

Being the Filipinos that we are, food is the most important aspect in any occasion. This is one of the things your guests will remember the day after. It is always advisable that in choosing your venue, consider the food that is being served. Be careful in choosing your menu by taking into consideration the kind of guests you have. It is good if you offer something that will go well with your guests' palates and yours.

The venue is also an important factor you should consider. It should match the kind of wedding that you want. Consider also the guests' convenience in getting to and from the venue. If the one you want is not too accessible for most, consider getting a shuttle service for your guests.

2. Photography and Video Services

NEVER EVER SCRIMP ON THIS ONE. This will preserve your big day forever and you would want pictures and videos that will transform your beautiful memories of your wedding day into an even more beautiful tangible form. Pictures and videos should make your trip down memory lane an enjoyable one. Be careful in choosing your vendors on this. Choose someone you are confident in and comfortable with. Most of all, choose someone who can do justice to your memories.

3. Decor

Many people will probably disagree with me on this one. But before you do, hear me out. Your decor, when done in good taste, will make you want to float (not just walk) down the aisle and relish each moment of your wedding. Why? Because this will transform any kind of venue, no matter how drab it may look, into something magnificent and heavenly. It does not have to be expensive, but it most definitely should be done with class and elegance. Your decor will give your guests the impression that you and your spouse have put in a lot of effort to make your wedding special, not just for both of you, but also for everyone else. The decor will speak for you and how important your wedding day is.

4. Hair and Makeup

I will not bother explaining this to men or else I will only be wasting my time. But to the beautiful brides out there, your wedding day is your moment. You have every right to look radiant and gorgeous on your wedding day. Choose  a makeup artist that is known to deliver well. If you have an artist you are already comfortable with, then stick with him/her. Your wedding is not the time to be experimental. You can be bold but always retain your personality. If you opt to shop around for a good makeup artist, you may request for a test makeup session. You may need to pay for each session but in the end, it will be worth it. Invest in a professional makeup artist who is capable in enhancing your assets and not transform you into someone your groom may not recognize.

5. Entertainment (Music and Emcee)

Unless you are sure that your friend can do a helluva good job as an emcee and your cousin's friend's band can get your party going in the direction that you want, consider booking professionals in these field. You should know that your high school classmate who won awards for the debate team does not really translate into him being a good emcee. And think twice before hiring a band just because they are the cheapest you could find. Both the emcee and the band can make or break your dinner party. Ask your wedding planner for other options for you to look into.

Hopefully, these things will help you pen down the things you think are important to you. Always remember though that your wedding is just one day of your whole marriage. It is always better to invest more in yourself as a person, to make you a better person for yourself, for your spouse and for your future family.

Blog Virgin

so here I am in this blogger's dominion.

in the next few weeks, this blog will be filled with interesting pieces of what-have-you to help inspire you in creating a wedding that is truly yours.

this blog is real. no pretentions. just raw facts. and emotions.

welcome to my world.