Venue Hunting: The hardest part of being an overseas couple 1

This is the most difficult part as the both of us are based in Singapore. There are several options for venues but I want to see them myself first before booking. As for the caterers, I only want two options. I will expound more about the caterer later.

Since we are decided to have a Christian ceremony, we are looking for a garden venue or somewhere overlooking a beautiful scenery. I already crossed out Tagaytay from the list for personal reasons. However, I considered Club Balai Isabel as one of our venues. Our main choice for the venue would be at Antipolo, Rizal. Firstly, it is cheaper than Tagaytay. We are on a tight budget so we have to look for an equally good option. Second, it is a destination wedding yet near my hometown, Project 4, Quezon City. Third, not much traffic compared to Tagaytay. But I do believe there will still be traffic as Manila is really congested.

We haven’t done any ocular yet but below are the chosen venues in Antipolo where we would do our viewing. I just chose them based on the photos I have seen and the reviews from other brides.

1. The Mango Farm

It is located inside Kingscourt Village, Antipolo City. It is one of our main choice because fiance and I love the lush green garden good for the ceremony. And also, there is closed pavilion for the reception. It is exactly what I was looking for yet I haven’t seen it. I love the fact that they don’t do simultaneous event in one day. So, if we rent the place, it is ours the whole day. 

http://www.theweddingscoop.com/entry/ray-an-and-marinelle-s-beautifully-crafted-wedding-at-the-mango-farm

http://thecurrays.blogspot.sg/2013/02/suppliers-review-mango-farm.html

http://mangofarm101.blogspot.sg/2013/04/the-mango-farm-is-also-indoor-reception.html

2. La Huerta Estate

This was my first choice before I discovered The Mango Farm. La Huerta Estate is a 100% family owned vacation house. I liked it because of the Tipolo Deck where you can view the whole city. I think it would be great to have a sunset ceremony in that overlooking part of the estate. Here are the pictures taken from their website: La Huerta Estate

3. Alpadi Estate

I haven't researched much about the Alpadi Estate. What made me decide to include it in my list was this website: Woodland Wonderland

I love the Spanish rustic charm of the estate. Based on the photos, it has lots of staircases which is good if you like the classic staircase shots. I will update this more once I have done my ocular. As for now, you can click the link above for the photos.

4. Pinto Art Museum

Pinto Art Museum is museum located in Antipolo, Rizal which showcases modern and contemporary arts, and indigenous arts. I haven't been in the museum yet hopefully, it is one of the top 4 venues I would want the wedding to be held. I didn't thought they held weddings until our photographer told us that Pinto Art Museum actually held weddings. I actually fantasize getting married in a museum.

Photo credit to Pinto Art Museum Facebook Page

5. The Dome Antipolo

The Dome is located inside Valley Golf subdivision. What catches my attention was that there is no corkage fee for caterers. Haha! Anyway, the venue consists of an air-conditioned indoor area, and an outdoor area. Also, the second floor has a balcony overlooking the city of Manila. I will update this once I visit the place. I'm so tamad to steal pics anymore. :p

6. Velada Estate

Comparable to The Mango Farm. I will update once I visit the place. But you can check out their website for the photos of the ceremony and reception.

So, I'm really quite bias between TMF and La Huerta. Those are our only choices honestly. But I'm quite flexible with Alpadi Estate because of it's rustic charms. So that's all for now. I'm so tamad na to blog. :p 

The Proposal, and installment Engagement

So, I already post a brief story of le fiance's proposal on my first post but let me be detailed. This is our wedding blog, anyway.

Before the night he proposed, he would always tell me that he would propose someday I just have to be patient. He always told me he is decided that I am the one he wants to marry. However, I'm not actually expecting it on the day we were at Boracay. First, because he was so focused with his PR application to Australia that made me think a wedding is not yet inline with his plans. Second and the last, I thought that it is too early for us to get married.

Then on November 8, 2015 we were at Boracay with our friends, Coco and Kuting. Btw, the couple are already bound to stay in Australia for good. So, they kept asking Floyd about his Australia plans. He told them about his ongoing assessment for Australia. Somehow, I felt like I was going to be left behind since we are not yet married and applying for a de facto is not an option as our relationship is just new. On the same day, he whispered to me to be patient, someday he will marry me. So I said, yes, I will wait.

With our friends Coco and Kuting

On November 9, 2015, we were having dinner at L'Soleil Boracay when he got a message from his agent that he already got the points for assessment in Australia and he passed it with a high score. He can apply already or wait for State Sponsorship. He was so happy. I congratulated him, but it struck me. I will be left behind. I don't want another long distance relationship. Before him, I was on a long distance relationship and it hurt like hell. I don't want another one. He suddenly went quiet. It was an awkward silence between the two of us. I don't want to go home yet as I want to celebrate the night. Even if, I had to pretend to be happy for him. I felt like I will be left behind. We went to Obama Grill because he wanted me to try their Mai Thai. After a glass or two of Mai Thai, he asked me to go to the shore with him. I was actually worried because our gadgets might get wet. Still, he insisted and told me to just leave it on our table. I told him it might get lost as someone might picked it up. He said he doesn't care and this moment is more important. So we went to the shore. He suddenly kneel in one knee, held my hands, and asked me 'Patricia, will you marry me?' I said yes, instantly! Of course, I would. I want to marry him. He is my partner, my best friend, my lover. I will say 'Yes' of course. He then apologized because there was no ring yet as he did not plan to proposed instantly. He wanted to proposed in Singapore but the result of the assessment already came out. He doesn't want me to feel like I will be left behind. So, he assured me that I am part of his dreams. It was celebrated with another glasses of Mai Thai, and a party in CocoMangas while dancing Hotline Bling.

It was the happiest moment of my life. The proposal he did was exactly how I want it to be. Just between us, and nature. It was surreal. Nothing grand nor dramatic. It was quick and simple. I love it.

He gave me the ring on December 20, 2015 at SEA Aquarium in Singapore. It wasn't that romantic but we were never really the sweet, sappy type. We are low maintenance couple. The simpler, the better. He slipped the ring on my left ring finger while we were eating corn dogs in front of the big aquarium. It was simple. Yet, he made me the happiest woman in the planet. Plus, the engagement ring he gave me was already beautiful and elegant. So to just balance it out, a simple proposal will do.

Engagement Ring

I went home to the Philippines for Christmas 2015 to show my mom the ring he gave me. My mom told me the ring was very beautiful and elegant. Floyd and I are going home to the Philippines to have an engagement dinner with my parents this February 6, 2016. We'll be staying for Feb 6-9, 2016. The plan is not laid out yet but we want to do some ocular of venue and food tasting as soon as we are in the Philippines. It is quite hard managing a wedding when both couple are based overseas. Nevertheless, I know that God will provide. :)

I'm engaged! Now what?

Hello there!

It's been years since I last wrote a blog entry. The last time I blog was like four years ago and it was all about age-inappropriate teenage angst and sarcasm. But then, I realize that sarcasm was really my nature so this blog will still be full of sardonic wit and... wait a minute, this is a wedding blog and someday, will be about marriage and stuffs.

Okay, okay! I'm having this blog because I just got engaged. My boyfriend, which now I will call the Fiance, proposed to me last November 9, 2015 at Boracay. He wasn't prepared really. The proposal was not part of our Boracay plans. Yet, he was too happy that his happiness will be spoiled if he didn't proposed. So, he did. Since, it was spontaneous he did not have any ring to give me. But he did kneel in front of me enough to make me believe that he is sincere. And at least, he proposed at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

So after more than a month of the said proposal, I still didn't have the ring. Until he invited me out for a date last Dec. 20, 2015 at S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa, Singapore after our church service. He told me we were supposed to have a dinner reservation at the SEA Aquarium restaurant but the restaurant is already full. So, I told him I'll treat him with some corn dog instead. We sat in front of the big aquarium, watch the fishes, and ate our corn dogs. Then, he hold my left hand and slipped it around my ring finger.

Sorry for the nails! I was not prepared to have the ring that time!

Hiding the nails! 

I love the simplicity of our engagement. It is exactly what I want it to be. Nothing grand. Just the two of us and some fishes. Nothing that attracts too much attention. He knows what I want and how I want it to be and that made me appreciate his efforts more.

Hence, that is why I'm writing this blog now. I want to share the wonderful things of preparing for the wedding, and the hectic scheduling of everything wedding related. I'm not an expert when it comes to weddings but I think my future husband is. Hahaha! Anyway, this is just me chronicling the wedding preparation of me and the fiance. Wedding will only happen once might as well save the memories of planning and the important stuffs.

After our wedding, I hope I can impart some tips and tricks on wedding preparation. As for now, if you know anything that can help me, then feel free to comment and help me!! Please!