Our venue

I thought I'd show you guys where our wedding reception is going to be. Like I've mentioned before, it's going to be at The Mango Farm which is located in Antipolo, Rizal. Why is it far? Well, JR and I both wanted our reception to be different so we decided not to go with any indoor venues. I really like Mango Farm and it really looks beautiful (from the pictures, that is). Sir Doods said that it was a pretty sight (what will I do without this guy - he's the best!) when he went there. And so did my uncle who lives in Marikina. Here's an excerpt from the venue's website:

"The Mango Farm is one of a few, truly, nature-based venues that has consciously veered away from the overly-manicured and landscaped look of contemporary gardens in urban areas. It is, after all, an operational orchard that has annual mango harvests in April and May. Wedding ceremonies and receptions, admittedly, were merely afterthoughts of the owners who were goaded by enthusiastic friends to open up this "secret garden" to more people. It is a business, but visibly tempered with the environmental advocacy of the owners.

Tucked in the quaint village of Kingsville Court is a real mango farm, a 2.5 hectare piece of undivided property in the Cainta-Antipolo border. It is merely a 20 minute drive downhill from Ateneo de Manila in highly-urbanized Katipunan, yet it is home to a community of over 200 fruit trees dominated by mangoes. Central to the Farm’s functionality as a venue are tastefully designed outdoor patios where guests can soak in the ambiance of a well-kept haven of greens. On evenings, guests will revel even more at the elegance of this veritable tree garden, teeming with a multitude of capiz drop lights and strategically placed spotlights that dramatically emphasize the features of trees. As one writer would say, it is an experience nothing short of walking through an al fresco gallery of art installations."

I can't wait until December! LOL!

A crazy year!!!

I can't believe how crazy this year is going to be for us. We're planning to buy a house in June... which means starting next month, we will be house hunting once more! I really can't wait since we'll be owning a house again ...which means it's ours and we can do whatever we want. We've been living with my in-laws because we have to help them out financially and don't get me wrong, they're nice people and all but it's just different when you have a place of your own. Then again my family will be living with us ...but it will be different since they're the ones who will be staying with us and it's OUR place. But since my family travel back and forth to the Phils. so it shouldn't be a problem. But you can check again with me on how I feel about this by the end of the year....hahaha! My family is a quiet bunch anyway ...and I can boss them around easily...lol! Since we are planning to move, as a Trading Spaces fanatic (I used to watch that show a lot because I like this one designer, Vern Yip, but he has left the show since) and most home improvement shows, my mind is already reeling with how I can design our house! I've been restraining myself from buying all the home and design magazines that I've seen at stores. Mainly because I would like to see the house first! So yeah that's for the 1st half of the year and if that doesn't seem insane ...well, my husband, JR, and I are planning to have a small church wedding when we go back to the Philippines! Yes, we were married civilly years ago and we've both wanted (ok, fine, it's more ME) to have one.

Our original plan was to have it in May 2007 but ever since we found out that both our families will be going in December 2006 ...well, I guess that's when we started thinking of just doing it then. What are the chances that both are families will be there (read: we don't have to pay for their fares!)?!? So, we've decided to go for it! And we even have a wedding coordinator! Not only a regular wedding coordinator but one who was my mentor back in my high school days. Sir Doods or Mr. Domingo has agreed to help us with this crazy idea of ours! I can't find anyone else that I can trust more than this guy. And it's only been 3 weeks into January 2006 and we've already made reservations on the venue and the church! Our date is on December 15, 2006 and the venue will be at The Mango Farm which is located in Antipolo, Rizal.

The church is St. Therese which is only 10 minutes away from the venue. So far, we haven't set the time yet but it will come along eventually. We'll probably start looking at menu packages from the accredited caterers from Mango Farm soon. Then look for my wedding gown, JR's and Jarrod's barong and the entourage's...hair and make up artists... photographer/videographer...invitations...souvenirs...entertainment...etc. I'm glad that the flowers and the cake comes with the catering package. Well, it's still quite early so I'm going to try and not get too stressed ...for now.

Well, that's the crazy year that we have ahead of us but I'm already very excited about it! Doesn't make sense, does it?!? LOL!