Plain and Prints

I knew from the very start I owe time in getting back to writing down our wedding plans. It has been a month now since I started working with HBUS, HSBC. An INBOUND Customer Service for US clients. I have resigned from my previous work two months ago and it was a major decision to finally step out of the competitor card company which is American Express. But what is important now I am back on my feet, not only happy but more than excited because I had more time to condition my heart; the emotions that had been long floating around, my mind, which has been a great companion all throughout, and my own self, which would serve as the living proof of why there is still ME AND HIM standing proud in this tough world. There was no pressure at all, MY TIME was the only key to making it all possible for the planning. BUT ONE THING, my list was never put down.

Lushed

Jojo has this way of making me feel special. So I am exerting extra effort on working with every piece of our small wedding. I only thought of giving him beautiful memories on our day.

I dream of a Round Bronzed Presidential Table and not-so-tall bouquets in chocolate or cappuccino round pots. I also wanted a creative piece of chandelier with soft curtains that would enclose our private dining place while with our parents.

Whether it'd be a wooden seat for the guests or a tiffany solo, I wanted their tables to be lushed by my chosen combination of flowers or roses with the best scented cappuccino-chocolate mixed candles. As laid-back as ever, for guests that would be part of our big night.

The Unity Coins and Caketop Look-Alike

On a leatherette white keepsake box are 13 pieces of Unity Coins I would love to order and have on my big day. I've seen those on red boxes, they are more elegant in a way and expensive. But after a long search, I've seen that this design fits both of our personality best. They are simple and I know they will make a great match the WHITE BIBLE we will be using for the ceremonial rites. These coins I've heard are available in two versions, English and Spanish with various finishes and I wanted them in Brilliant Silver w/ Matte Base.

The Wedding Coins come to symbolize more than just PROSPERITY. There's a coin which represents LOVE, Trust, Commitment, Respect, Joy, Happiness, Harmony, Wisdom, Unity, Nurturing, Caring, Cooperation and Peace.

The other thing which interest me are these CAKETOPS made and shipped from Hong Kong once you've placed an order and you have sent them copies of the couple's photos. They will create a funny caricature out of it on wedding suits or whatever request you'd like. For couples who are very adventurous on their plan, it suits best. At first, we were thinking to place only a replica of the bride's bouquet on top of the wedding cake, but something more relevant to having a caketop we have thought of: to place our old flat band rings on a glass wine. An idea we would still consider later on.

You live your life only once. As you commit it, you make sure it is worthy so you can join them in that blissful paradise.

7th Bridal Magazine

WE BEAUTIFUL WEDDINGS
My 7th Bridal Magazine

It is never the internet nor its stories about weddings that I get information nor updates with first. I run to the newest releases of Bridal Magazines from the rack. Every important detail that delights me, I take note. For me, the magazines I buy are like a HOLY BIBLE. If I am done reading them, I flip back and re-read them over and over again until I memorize the important TO DO's and NOT TO DO's, etc. And how I take care of each magazine-- I buy a very thick plastic cover and place it with the old ones on a big bag. Along with them are catalogues and some brochures I have collected from the Bridal Fair and Venues we have attended.

You live your life only once. As you commit it, you make sure it is worthy so you can join them in that blissful paradise.

My Pair of Red Shoes

Beneath that backless ecru or ivory wedding dress, I wanted my grand entrance with something unique to be worn as I walk down that grassy or carpeted aisle.. something I would wear and carry the entire reception too. With outrageous feedback that I wanted to hear from all guests, yes, that calls for a display of a sexy, but comfortable BLOODY red STILETTOS. So come on-- who says a bride can’t wear red shoes on her big day? I just love the thought! Who knows!

"My Dream Wedding" by Riana Rose

How would I wanted to celebrate my wedding especially if money is never an issue and when I have the “K” to go for anything I want to? Well, here’s something I feel like sharing to my dear readers what I dream of having on my special day with my chosen one.

On a hot, steamy summer day at the Shangri-La Mactan Island’s OCEAN PAVILLION, where there are 350 guests who would witness the union of two souls in front of a breathtaking view of the sunset and the ocean. The bride calmly arrives on church, just on time for the 4:00 o’clock ceremony, she gets out of an old white vintage car, and set foot in front of the closed doors of the Pavillion. Her whole entourage on a bronze and cappuccino motif, smiling at her, picking some courage from the bride herself as they walk down the aisle pair by pair. Suddenly, the bride says ‘AM READY’ ... she puts on her diamond studded veil and march so composedly towards her man...

Haaa! Got you there! But my dreams aren’t done yet. I imagine of some Seafood Al Fresco Dining style while aboard on the world’s largest cruise ship, The Freedom of the Seas; We call her ... The Royal Caribbean International. And as we all dance and listen to the tune of classical music played by the String Quartet, the ship would take us across the European Seas where we would all pass by The Shrine of Liberty at the United States of America. Finally, we would be delighted by the nonstop fireworks display as we raise altogether our champagne glasses on air for the successful but another meaningful celebration of life!

The Motif

Some COFFEE and some Chocolates.

Yes! Enough for those pa-cute powder blue and carnation pink monochromatic hues and tints of the bridesmaids and flower girls while walking down the aisle.. then catch them later on with their wacky pose during the picture-taking after the ceremonies flaunting their long common gowns. We personally would consider shades / tints of chocolate brown this time. So we have a color motif which would carry out from design, to patterns, shapes and ornamentation or embellishment of the entire program and the celebration.

Yesterday, after picking up my daughter from her school, I asked her on how she sees herself while walking down the aisle on her mom and dad’s wedding day. She wanted to wear a brown gown. I said I like the idea but for bridesmaids and flower girls it would be best for them to wear some chiffon lining of some light brown. Well, my plans aren’t finalized yet. There could be some changes who knows from birchtree colors or some lilac / lavender what Jojo and I always wanted ever since.

The Movie THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

How do you define A LOVE FOREVER? We saw the movie, and I was able to define it myself. From a true story created by Robert James Waller comes a very good-selling novel entitled The Bridges of Madison County, filmed and adapted by Richard LaGravenese in 1995 then directed by Clint Eastwood himself who portrayed the role of a National Geographic photographer, RICHARD KINCAID visited the Madison County, IOWA, for a photographic essay on the cover bridges then later on met the adulterous Italian mother, FRANCESCA JOHNSONS.

Remembering the Four Days was the book personally published by Richard for her lady Francesca whom he met and had slept with for four days. They were destined to meet when he came to her place and was just about to ask for directions going to Rosamunde Bridge. Francesca agrees to accompany the man and show the direction since she was left alone at home by her children and husband for an Iowa State Fair for only four days. A brief introduction to each other from day one, to a bittersweet affair, until the supposed runaway from marriage...when suddenly she realized SHE HAD TO STAY for her family.

She suffered pain of separation from her secret love and everything has just consumed her. The story of her four-day love affair she wrote on a three-volume diary found by her children later on when she died.

Meryl Streep as Francesca Johnsons
and Clint Eastwood as Richard Kincaid

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS by Rita M. Neri

I've read, I have noted her advice all in a piece of a short bond paper. Someday I will have that book.

I sat down at the east wing of the bookstore in Loyola Heights where WEDDING BOOKS are stationed along with wedding destinations and other wedding drama. Thoroughly read piece-by-piece bunch of advices from wedding coordinators and suppliers best they could share for soon-to-weds and I was really overwhelmed. One which I held for several hours is the detailed book of professional, renowned wedding coordinator expert, RITA M. NERI. This book was publicized on 1998 entitled The New Essential Wedding Workbook For The Filipina which became a bestseller. Now I wanted to have one soon.

There’s a part of the book which the writer talks about having GOD within the details of each planning, most especially for a Roman Catholic Wedding. I was moved. That answers for both of us as couple because we are Catholics and though I cannot fully vouch that we made GOD as the center of our relationship, still we believed and entrusted our lives to him from the very point we started a family and worked together as parents. The writer says for the soul of the wedding it would only be the CEREMONY because it’s a solemn affair and the rest of the details are merely components. Well, it wouldn’t be an en grande one.. but sure for both the ceremony and the reception we will all make it impossible for our union of love day.

The Movie YOURS, MINE and OURS

ROCK THE HOUSE! With Dennis Quaid (Admiral Frank Beardsley) and Rene Russo (Hellen North) tandem as high-school sweethearts brought them both to rush into marriage after finding out they are both widows. Jojo and I had some loud laughs watching this. Very remarkable indeed was their LIGHTHOUSE. That's the best part for me. A good landscape painting at my point of view. And I'm taking note of it how the story of the LIGHTHOUSE made me cry and hide myself at the back of Jojo's shoulders. Let us share to you the cyberspace address where you may take a peep of the crew and its story: www.yoursmineandoursmovie.com

There are some culture clash running through their kids-- yup, sibling rivalry and they devised a plan to undermine the marriage of their parents as they all team up. But the supposed mess all end up so beautifully upon the decision of the parents to separate ways and the children admitting their big mistake of trying to break them up. I love the acting of Danielle Panabaker(Phoebe North), the eldest daughter of Renee Russo, pretty and and a talented guitarist and Sean Faris as (William Beardsley) who plays the role of the eldest son of Dennis Quaid-- good-looking boy with perfect academic grades.

The story of the LIGHTHOUSE? Let's just say that LOVE will always be the LIGHT and the WAY for parents who dream of building a strong foundation of a family.

My Parents' Advice

From the very dot of announcing ... to the wedding detailing, I have listened to their advise; MAKE IT SIMPLE.

I may seem so extra serious with all that I am reading related to wedding and look very meticulous with every single thing I wanted to execute and apply. These for all the mere fact that a bride is planning for their big day. And planning would include the not-so-considered and the dreamed stuffs.

If we say BIG DAY, it wouldn't have to be so elegant. For us, it has to be memorable. We would say it wouldn't have to be so costly too because our pockets are prepared only for the major details of a wedding.

This blog would help us express E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G we wanted for our big day, our dream, and it doesn't have to be exaggerated especially on the headcount. I personally wanted 50. But just with a perfect blend of all our likes and loves, we wanted to know that both of our parents should have nothing to worry.

The Movie THE IN-LAWS

Jojo and I have just watched the movie THE IN-LAWS and we've just finished THE WEDDING PLANNER too. I love Michael Douglas and he just played it right to this off-beat comedy. But it's not about the IN-LAWS we will be talking about here because we have no issues whatsoever to discuss, it's just a matter of sharing to you our readers what made our hearts touched by some of the nice episodes of this movie.


UNDERCOVER AGENT - The Father of the Groom, Steve Tobias (Michael Douglas), still does his job in the middle of the wedding planning of his son Mark Tobias (Ryan Reynolds) and his job, is an undercover agent for CIA who deals with international arm dealers, French super-villains, heavily-armed men, and all those not so pleasant to encounter. But one thing right about this dad despite his hectic mission to accomplish, he meets the needs and apologizes to his son straightforwardly all his shortcomings-- for being away for a long time and misses to share parental and domestic duties ... solving the crime on the wedding day itself.


THE PRAYER of the BRIDE (was ANSWERED) - They wed beside the beach only with the presence of the their parents as she wished when the entire flambouyant reception, planned and organized by her father, was destroyed by the exploding missile and all thanks to Steve Tobias who has found an alternative venue which he didn't know is the bride's dream.


The wedding by the beach is something for both of us we very much wanted to have. With only our loved ones. SIMPLE. For us, it would always sound very meaningful to exchange vows in front of God's creation. It was a good lesson learned unexpectedly from this movie.

The Wedding Singers Group 2

For a very unique, relaxed atmosphere on our reception there's one group we dearly loved watching when we met them last January of this year in Alabang. My brother RJ was celebrating his 25th Birthday at HULA HULA Seafood Restau with us, our youngest Ramil Ian and RJ's girlfriend Angie. Mr John Santos' group would give the most perfect ambience as we choose them to sing country folk songs while we and our guests sit back and enjoy the occasion, ensuring there is never a dull moment. The entertainment will express our personalities as individual and as couple to mark the different stages of our relationship for the past 7 years to our wedding itself.

The Wedding Singers Group 1

The songs for the matrimonial rites specially written down on my wedding planner last May will finally come to life as I bookmarked the wedding date to The UP Singing Madrigals or well-known as MADZ. For them to be part of my big day will not only make it complete but truly remarkable. They are my ever best choice.

July, when I met Dayang Yraola accidentally at the UP College of Music after Jojo and I dropped by to inquire for wedding singers. It was so funny that we both looked so familiar to each other while conversing about her then wedding and my plans. It came to a thought that maybe she is the answer to my prayers.

So two weeks ago when I finally knew I am prepared, I sent an SMS to Ms. Ella Baarde. I was comfortable with her reply and she was really a professional. She has sent me thru e-mail the list of songs that they usually sing and play w/ accompaniment from the Entourage to the Picture-taking. Am so glad I found comfort to my number one choice of singing group.

The Wedding Date

The perfect day is Saturday.
The perfect year is 2008.

The Wedding Date matches our own Anniversary.

Exchange of I DO's will be said exactly on our 8th year next May
from the very moment we've said "YES, I LOVE YOU" 8 years back.

My Blog, My Safe Haven

My fondness of blogging started month of May this year. I have created my own and I enjoyed updating it from time to time. My cyberspace address is http://insidemycradle.blogspot.com. The blog name I used was derived from Joseph's Online Diary 2005 which holds his life mementos, ours and the kids'. He has online photos being shared to viewers too. That has been an inspiration, an awakening to me. I know I miss keeping a diary or a journal so I thought if I open myself to this type of adventure, I will keep a cheerful, updated life.. but this time it will be online.. no need to scribble.. so challenging that my life will be an open book not only to family and friends but also to those readers I personally don't know. But it's okay, I am loving what I am blogging. I find it very therapeutic. My blog is my safe haven. My obligation is to STAY TRUE to myself and to my readers.

Going through the drama of our wedding preparations despite the fact there's stress balancing my work and polishing the details of which, I wanted to share to my family and friends the REAL DISH of all that I wanted to happen on my simple day. So let's all have some toast to the best time of my life! CHEERS!!! -- Riana Rose

A Note To All

Dear Friends and Family, we are working on this sweet finish blog which may share to you details of our wedding for next year. Planning such an event was an experience we are both enjoying as couple since we were both highly involved in the preparations. All these matter to both of us since we are preparing our future together. It all feels good to share this love and blogging is one healthy, self-indulging way to prove we are working hard for our dream no matter how and what the landscape may be.

HUMBLE SOULS

Two souls are tying the knot on May 24, 2008. It’s a merry Saturday for their family and friends. It would be a simple yet an elegant evening affair. Everybody celebrating the union of love in paradise.