Filipino Tradition: Pamamanhikan

"The (often awkward) meeting of two families

The blueprints of wedding plans are drawn or made known during this occasion. The pamanhikan is often hosted by the bride’s family as the groom and his folks visit them to formally ask their daughter’s hand in marriage and discuss plans for the upcoming wedding over lunch or dinner. This can be an uneasy situation if it’s the first time for both parties to meet. The soon-to-weds may feel a little awkward (nervous even) seeing and listening to their parents consult each other on matters like their wedding budget, guest list and the like.

It is customary that the visiting family bring a gift (often, the best home-cooked specialty of the groom’s mom) for the hosts. Others may opt to hold the meeting on neutral grounds (a restaurant is a likely choice) or invite a mutual acquaintance to the gathering and help ease the awkwarness of the first meeting. Why do Pinoys bother with all the trouble? We all seek our parents’ blessings for a happy and trouble-free marriage. Afterall, pamanhikan is a treasured Filipino heritage which, first and foremost, avoids the embarrassing situation of having the parents see each other as strangers come wedding day."


- W@W Article

I know that this is too old-fashioned and some of the couples that are planning to get married might not be doing this anymore. And in our case, I knew this isn't possible since our family is like, half-of-the-world apart. Haha!

The thought came in while I was looking at w@w, this was just a recent topic and I wondered... Do I really want a Pamamanhikan?

I was born and raised in the Philippines and as a Filipina, I do want a Pamamanhikan. But with our set-up, I don't think it is possible. I just want that Steven would someday ask my parents for my hand, and I'll ask his parents for his hand too! Hahaha!

I know, it's given that we're getting married, and we're going to build a life together. Our parents knows that already, but wouldn't it be nice if they were asked in person? :)

I'm hoping that maybe, someday in the future it'll happen.

Wedding Thoughts

If you read this blog than you will see that Kat is visiting all of our suppliers so far, but I am still getting a feel for how our wedding will look.  I'm excited to go with her and view Rosemont Gardens in October because we really want it to be the "diz iz it" venue.  Right now we are trying to figure out caterers and desserts.  I was surprised to learn that in the Philippines, cake is usually reserved for only the couples, close family and friends.  So we are thinking of having extra desserts as well.  I really like this idea, this way if guests have a nice selection to choose from.  

Kat has worked really hard with all the supplier visiting, and I kind of feel like I'm not doing too much, so I can at least write my thoughts here.  I think our wedding will be great, no it will be Legendary just like in the title.  Kat has worked really hard so far, and we will continue to work hard in the future to make it happen.

I look forward to being able to write supplier reviews in the future, but until then I'll write my random wedding thoughts instead.  Look forward to more in the recent future.  :D

DIY: The First Attempt

Okay, I'm one of the brides who dreams on doing as much DIY as they can on their wedding day. It's still so far away but for some reason I had this lazy urge to make a paper flower. I got a paper and a scissor and Pinterest as my guide.

I cut a spiral and rolled it.

Okay, I don't know how to put it together. If I'm going to use a glue, glue gun or a double sided tape. I guess I'll figure out in the future. Haha Told you, it was a lazy urge.

Anyway, here's my peg. From Passion Cooks. :)

Couturier Alternative: The Search for the Awesome Mananahi

My mom was also looking for someone who can make her dream dress for their third wedding, since I was looking for someone who's going to make my wedding dress she told me about it and we went to Bayan, Marikina. 

I showed Ate Mel my pegs and qouted me 7k for the simple fairy dress I first fell inlove with, and qouted me 18k for the complicated fairy dress that I wanted. 

She showed me some of her works:

Although they look pretty normal, to think that everything will just be worn one day, it's still a nice catch! :) I'm going to wait til' mom gets her dress so I can see if they really work good.

Prenup 101: Conceptualizing the Theme

Okay, so I'm having a hard time conceptualizing our prenup theme. I thought I already know what I want but when I was looking at My Lookbook at Pinterest, I just can't choose what outfit should I wear and what outfit should Steven wear.

Prenup location is no question since Steven and I already know where we want to have our prenup. And I already talked to my HS friend if she can be our photographer. But choosing the wardrobe and the theme is one great challenge for me. I wanted to get Aira Franco to make it easier but as much as possible, we're cutting costs since we'll be over our budget. 

We're planning to have our prenup this October and I should conceptualize the theme real quick so I can determine the things we need for our shoot. Too early, I know. But as much as possible, I want to be early because I know as the wedding day comes closer, there'll be a lot of things that gonna happen. I am expecting some miscommunication as early as now, because I know that our suppliers will have other clients too, I just hope it won't be too much of a stress. I know that we can do it and even if it won't be as perfect as my Pinterest Boards, it'll still be perfect for us. lol! ♥

I hope I can finally conceptualize our prenup theme! As soon as possible! :)

1st Wedding Preparation Dilemma: Choosing the Couturier

Okay! I am so torn between Emil Ocampo and Mara Chua. They are both within our budget. I wanted Emil because he makes gowns that are within our price range, actually it was a little over, we just added so we would hit his starting price for a wedding gown. His works are absolutely lovely! I am inlove with his works, but somehow, I'm looking for someone who would make a unique wedding dress for me. Something light, and breezy and at the same time awesome. Something that would fit our theme and has that wow factor.

Okay, I know that gowns with ruffles are just so lovely and irresistible. But they're so common! Even the laces and beads. And as I was looking at different wedding dresses that was made by different couturiers, I notice a certain style in each of them, all different from each other but not quite. Overall, they look so common already. I'm not saying they're not beautiful! I'm just saying, ruffles, laces, and beads are wedding dress' cliche. Haha!

I found Mara Chua, but I was afraid to ask her because I saw her rants on her fb, and her works looks expensive! I liked her though. I inquired to her and wow! It's within our budget! I love it! I got excited and I wanted to meet her! 

I'm still so torn since choosing Emil might be good too, but choosing Mara Chua would be the best! 

I really can't stop thinking about her designs! It's so pretty and unique! OMG ♥ But yeah, I am scared that the design I'll get from her might be over our budget. I mean, she can work on our budget but I just wanted her to design without any limit you know, she works best when her creativity and imagination is unstoppable. But with Emil, I am sure that it'll already look lovely and we might even get a discount or something. The downside is, it will look common already. lol

1st Photographer Meeting - Chino Dizon of Shutters and Mirrors

At first, I didn't know that we can meet up with Photo/Video suppliers. I actually am joining some random wedding groups in facebook hoping I'd find some other suppliers. Mr. Chino Dizon, added me way before I asked him if he covers weddings. He told me he does and gave me rates and packages. We actually talked for awhile about the packages. Then we set an appointment so I could see the finish products (albums).

We met at Gateway, Cubao. I was a little nervous because I really haven't researched on what to ask or what to expect in meeting a Wedding Photographer. I think I was not yet prepared on that matter. lol

He and his wife came just a little bit over 1:00pm since they had to park their car. It was nice to talk about the packages, Mr. Chino Dizon was such a breeze to talk to and his wife also. I thought they were just a boyfriend/girlfriend. They look pretty together!

I liked the album and the photos were soft and vibrant. I got interested.

But when I came home and checked his website, the photos were not the style I wanted. I'm not a fan of desaturated pictures, although I used it a lot on my pictures (because I have a crappy camera). His angles and shots were really good though. Here are some of his works:

I tried liking his style and even thought that I will still get the raw pictures and can edit the pictures myself. But I know, that it's very unethical. So I have no choice because of course, we had to choose someone that will fit the style of our wedding theme. So far, I don't have the courage to tell him that we can't get him, what will I tell the reason was? It would be embarassing to tell the truth.

Anyway, I hope I'll have the courage that I needed.


Update: I finally told him that we're looking for other possibilities. I know that he's a talented photographer and a nice supplier, but sometimes we have to look for the "This is it" feeling even in our selected suppliers. ♥