Mama: Our event stylist

If there is anyone in this world who is just as busy as I am when it comes to planning my wedding, it’s going to be my mom. She has her own planner, her own checklist, and own schedule for all of the things that need to be done for the wedding. It is unbelievable how supportive and organized she is when it comes to the wedding preparations. It’s like I have my own personal 24/7 wedding planner! I love it!

Because I am based in Manila and the wedding is in Batangas, Mama is my go-to girl for all the wedding stuff that need to be taken care of. She booked the church, submitted our (Kelvin’s and mine) documents, bought stuff like the candles and the bible, and even brought some of my bridesmaids to the seamstress. Two months ago she and Daddy took Kelvin and me, and the rest of our entourage  to Taal, Batangas where we bought their Barong Tagalog. Just last week she had me go shopping for clothes and other things that I will need for the wedding, wedding night, and for the honeymoon.

Apart from her planning duties, Mama is also my self-appointed event stylist! Most people don’t know this but Mama is very very creative, fashionable, and stylish. She made the souvenirs for two of my aunts’ weddings and they were adorable. For my wedding, she didn’t make the souvenirs but she is designing the whole venue along with our caterer. For the past five months, she has been making the table pieces, standee letters, block letters, souvenir bags for the principal sponsors, picture standees, backdrop and other odds and ends for the venue. 

Here she is getting her designer mojo on:

And Daddy, bless his heart, has been strong-armed into the whole DIY thing too! Mama had him drive us around buying materials, painting bottles and other materials, making props, and such. 

Look at Daddy painting away!

And if that’s not enough, she even hired a carpenter to make small tables and a board! Talk about dedication and art! I am blown away with the efforts that Mama has been making for the wedding. I swear she is as excited as I am for the wedding, maybe even more.

But that’s not all, folks, even my cousins and aunts are in the DIY bandwagon! My wonderful, incredible cousins and aunts are also making the origami flowers for the event and weighing in on the design and the decors. Am I the luckiest bride or what?! My whole family and relatives are in on the whole wedding preparation shebang!

Here are some of the origami flowers that my cousins made!

When I asked Mama as to why she’s doing all these things for me, her answer was, “Because you’re my bunso; my love. Because you’ve been good to me, Daddy , and our family. You’ve served our family well; you’ve taken care of us; and this is what I can do to show you how much I appreciate you and everything you’ve done for our family.  Because you are my baby. Because you deserve it.”

Aww!

Now I am soooo itching to show you what she, Daddy, and the ladies have been making but she made me swear not to show you guys.

BUT!  She didn’t say I can’t post teasers and sneak peaks, right?

Here are some of the raw materials that we bought. I will show you the finished product right after the wedding. For now, let your imagination run wild by thinking of how these things will look after the makeover:

Here are some other stuff:

Check out some behind the scenes and teasers. Don’t tell my Mama!

Good Morning store where we bought our ribbons.

Mama scouting for cages and lamps

Waiting for a cab home. We bought too many things!

Macho men!

Mama and I on our way to Divisoria

17 days to go!

#KelandLeng2015

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Wedding Blog: http://www.kelvinandleng2015.blogspot.com/

My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng

Our Wedding Cake (and Ice Cream!)

The weekend was an extremely full one.

Last Saturday was spent with my parents, aunt and cousins and we went around the city completing wedding errands. With only five weeks left until the wedding, all the rest of our weekends (and free time) are fully booked.

A few months ago my family and I went around Lipa City scouting for wedding cakes. We visited different shops and asked for designs and rates but we were quite disappointed and astounded with how exorbitantly priced wedding cakes are now! Goldilocks' and Red Ribbon cakes are priced at twelve thousand per 10" cake with only the first layer being edible and the other layers made of Styrofoam. That's too much and too ridiculous! It's a good thing that our favorite baker came highly recommended!

We went to meet with Marilou Maglinao, the owner of MS Rocafort Party Shoppe, who will make our wedding cake. MS Rocafort has always been my family's cake provider, from birthday parties, all the way to weddings and other occasions. Last December, my nieces (who also are my flower girls) celebrated their birthdays and MS Rocafort made their cakes. Check out the photo below and feast your eyes on the "Frozen" themed cakes!

Here's my niece Milcah with the cakes

MS Rocafort cakes not only look delightful, are affordable compared to named establishments, but also taste heavenly. Below are some of the cakes they've made in the past:

Apart from cakes, MS Rocafort also makes the most flavorful ice cream in the world! Kelvin and I are the biggest fans of ice cream and we literally buy ice cream everytime we see (or even hear) an ice cream cart pass by. The first time I tasted MS Rocafort's ice cream a number of years ago, I just fell in love. 

Marilou even gave us a taste of their Cheesy Langka ice cream and she just made our day! Mom and I decided to get two flavors - Ube and Cheesy Langka. I can't wait for our big day; I swear I will go to town on those ice cream flavors!

If you're looking for a masterful cake and ice cream provider, I suggest you hit up Mrs. Marilou Maglinao as soon as you can!

Love,

Leng

#KelandLeng2015

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Hit me up!

Wedding Blog: http://www.kelvinandleng2015.blogspot.com/

My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng

Guess what is on our rings!

While deciding on what we what to be engraved on our wedding rings, Hon got this cheeky grin on his face. I had a feeling and knew what he was thinking.

So I held up my hand and said, ”Hon, you are not having “To infinity and beyond” engraved on your ring.”

He scoffed and retorded, “Of course not! I want: “In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!!!””

*facepalm*

A few days later, I came up with my suggestions:

• "Kelvin ni Leng 05/30/2015” (Hon’s ring) and “Leng ni Kelvin 05/30/2015” (on mine)
•  “I can’t keep my eyes off of you” – a line from our theme song

But then Honey made a terrific suggestion!

You see, almost nine years ago, when he was still courting me; he once drove me to work. As I was getting out of the car, I bid him goodbye and thanked him for the ride.

He answered me with, “You’re welcome. Buh-bye. I love you.”

Without thinking, I answered him with, “I lo –“

I abruptly ended what I was saying; I realized I almost said “I love you” back!

So I stopped, screamed, “Ingat ka!” and slammed the car door closed. Eek!

So back to the present time. Hon wanted those words engraved on our rings instead.

On my ring, “I love you.”

And on his ring, “I…(love you) ingat ka.” 

Loving the idea, Hon went and contacted our Jeweler, Greg Palpalatoc.

A few days ago we finally got our rings! I was beyond excited when Hon finally showed them to me. The rings were inside a lovely bright red velvet box.

Upon opening it, I was overwhelmed by the lovely sight of our rings, nestled in black velvet.

I took our rings out and took a look at the words engraved in the rings. On Hon’s ring was exactly what I was expecting.

Aww! Lovely! It’s so us!

Next up was my ring, I was excited to see “I love you” engraved on it. I looked at the ring for a few seconds. And then a few seconds more. And then a few seconds more.

I couldn’t read the characters on the ring! I looked at Hon and asked him, “What is on my ring? I told you I want “I love you” on it!”

Hon just smiled his classic cryptic smiled and answered, “It is “I love you”! That’s what you want, right?”

I shot back, “Yeah! But I can’t read it. I don’t understand it!”

And then it hit me.

“Wait a minute… Is this elvish?!”

#LordOfTheRings

#LOTR

#weddingrings

#elvish

#LanguageOfMordor

#KelandLeng2015

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Hit me up!

Wedding Blog: http://www.kelvinandleng2015.blogspot.com/

My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng

May tanong ka din ba?

May mga ilan akong naririnig na komento, reklamo, parinig, at tanong tungkol sa aming pagpapakasal.

Sa buhay talaga kahit anong gawin mo, lagi na lang may taong may masasabi, mapupula, mairereklamo, at maitatanong.

Iba't iba ang mga dahilan. Ang iba ay curious lang, ang iba ay kinikilig, ang iba ay natutuwa para sa amin at gustong malaman ang mga nangyayari sa amin, ang iba ay nangi-ngi-alam lamang, ang iba ay lubos lamang na usisera o usisero, ang iba ay lubos na pulaera o pulaero, at ang iba naman ay tunay na may malasakit.

Ang ilang mga tanong ay nakakatuwa, ang iba ay nakakatawa, at ang iba ay nakakainis. Narito ang ilan sa mga tanong na nakakatawa at ang aking mga sagot.

1. "Bakit ka nag po-post sa Facebook at nag b-blog tungkol sa wedding plans mo?" -

Because I want to. I want to give my FRIENDS a glimpse of my life, my journey towards being a wife, and a mother. The same way I post about the other things about my life. I want to share positivity, gratefulness, and the beauty of the people, places, and everything that life has to offer. And on top of that, when I grow old, I want to look back and remember my journey as a person, daughter, cousin, trainer, supervisor, mentor, coach, friend, aunt, sister, girlfriend, fiancée, wife, mother, godmother, and grandmother.

I blog because I want to remember, not just our wedding day, but the sweat, blood, tears, smiles, love, the people, and the road that took us there.

2. "Dapat hindi ka nag po post para may element of surprise." -

I see your point. Rest assured that I  don't post EVERYTHING on social media. OK na? Makakatulog ka na ba sa gabi? Makaka move on ka na? Hindi ko naman pino post yung mga final choices and end product. At sa tingin mo ba i post ko ang tunay na wedding gown ko? So what if I post a picture of the venue? People are going to see it anyway! Tska there will be plenty of surprises during the wedding. Don't worry.

3. "Dapat gayahin mo si __. Hindi sya nagpost tungkol sa kasal nya." -  E di good for her! But I'm not her.

4. "Baka sabihin ng iba nagyayabang ka pag nag po post ka." -

 Sino ba yang iba na yan? If that is what they think then they are no true friends of mine. Kung tunay kang may malasakit, you won't think ill of a person. I am proud, happy and grateful for the things that are happening to me. There is a difference between being proud and being a show off. If you think I'm the latter, then you may want to click that "unfriend" button.

5. "Ano ba talaga? Bakit pa iba iba ang plano/color/motif/designs/etc. nyo?" -

When we first got engaged, we chose Chinese red and champagne gold for a number of reasons. Chinese red because of Kelvin's heritage and it is also my favorite color. Gold because it was my parents' wedding color. But then I decided to change the motif to coral because the wedding is in the summer and Chinese red might be to bills and not to appropriate does summer. And then nagbago na naman ang isip kayo gusto ko pastel colors ang entourage. Since we got engaged we've changed our minds a number of times from the color, to the theme, to the gown, etc. Bakit? Because we can. Because we want to. Kelvin and I will only get married once and we want the best for the both of us. Mas maganda na na magbago ang isip namin ngayon kesa we stick to our original choice and then regret things afterwards. We've been working our asses off for the past 8 years, siguro naman we deserve to make up and change our minds.

Kung sa pagpili na ng kulay ng toothbrush mo pa iba iba ang isip mo, sa kasal pa kaya?

Ngayon, ako naman ang magtatanong. Bakit ang dami mong tanong at comment? Ano ka ba, curious, naiinggit, o concerned?

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Hit me up!
Wedding Blog: http://www.kelvinandleng2015.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng

I realized I might not want to get married.

Hon and I only have less than four months until we recite our vows.

We have been engaged for more than a year and it has been more than thirteen months of planning, searching, interviewing, meeting, bargaining, choosing, paying, and all other activities in preparation for the wedding.

When people ask me how I am, I always answer with these two adjectives: nervous and excited. I can't help but feel nervous, being the OC woman that I am. With everything that we have planned and the number of people that we are expecting to celebrate with us, I want everything to be perfect and enjoyable for everyone. And of course, I'm excited to start my life with Kelvin, be a wife, then a mother. We have been planning and preparing for the wedding for more than a year now, and I can't wait to see everything that Kelvin, both of our families, and I have planned for turn into a reality. I've had nothing on my mind but Kelvin and wedding colors, gowns, flowers, food, cake, programmes, decors, first dances, and other wedding stuff.

But today, on my way to work, the consequences of what I was about to do hit me. I've been focused on the wedding day and my upcoming life with Kelvin that I failed to realize what I will be leaving behind.

I realized that I will no longer go home to my family every weekend. I will no longer see my parents every week. I will no longer get to hug or kiss Mama, Daddy, and TengTeng as often as I want to. I then started asking myself these questions:

*Who gets to cook our Christmas and New Year dishes with Mama?

*Will I still get to take Mama to the salon so we can get our hairs and nails done together?

*Will I get to go shopping with Mama as often?

*Will I get to eat Mama's cooking every week?

*Will Mama text me everyday still?

*Will TengTeng still be close to me even if I was married?

*Will I get to see our gardens and hear Mama and Daddy talk proudly about their labors?

*Will we get to bond over cups of coffee and chocolate while we talk about our lives, dogs, our dreams, our house, and our plans?

*Will I still get to sleep beside Mama and Daddy at night?

*Will Daddy and I still bond over Pacquiao fights?

*Will Daddy and I still go to gun exhibits?

*Will Daddy and I still bond over UFC?

*Will I still be able to have those quiet moments with Mama and Daddy and have a quiet chat?

*Will I still get to join family trips?

*Will Kuya and I still bond with over TV series, funny movies, music, and badminton?

*Will Ate and I still go on our precious food trips, shopping, and Spa escapades?

I might not want to get married after all...

I guess these questions are normal to ask if a girl is about to get married. But just as Kelvin assured me, he will never take me away from my family and will even go with me everytime I go home. I am happy that Honey loves my family and he knows and respects how much I love my family and he knows how much they mean to me.
 
And with that, my tears have stopped.

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Wedding Blog: http://www.kelvinandleng2015.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng

On your birthday, Ate.

When we were younger you were not my favorite person. There were even moments when I resented you.

You were fairer, prettier, taller, and dantier. I was not as fair, not as pretty, not as tall, and was a hellcat; always coming home with soot and bruises.

Your dolls were always more beautiful, your jumps in Chinese garter were higher; ikaw ang laging "Mother". You always had the pink stuff because you were older; and I was left with the yellow colored clothes. Nauna kang nakapili kay Pink Five kasi mas matanda ka. Sakin tuloy lagi si Yellow Four.

You started joining the santacruzan when you were in grade school. Ako ga-graduate na ng college hindi pa rin.

Boys started courting you when you were ten years old, ako nakapag debut na at lahat wala pa rin.

You had a number of suitors, left and right; while I had not a single one.

We weren't always close. I remember how ridiculously hard we fought when we were kids. We would literally tear each other's hairs out, and kick each other's shins without crying out for fear of our parents finding out. I even came home with a big bruise on my shoulder because you hit me with a plastic My Little Pony figure.

Do you remember when Daddy handed each of us a knife because we wouldn't stop fighting?

Do you remember the time when you would hide my stuff to get back  at me for being mean to you?

Do you remember noon na lagi kitang sinusumbong at pinapahamak kina Mama para mapalo ka?

We were each other's worst enemy. No one made us cry harder but each other.

But we were also each other's best critic. I could always count on you to tell me things straight; no matter how painful the truth hurt. You were never one to mince words; and you never held yourself back when you need to confront me about something - be it my, silliness, or outright stupidity.

You were always there looking out for me. Sa school, school service, sa love, sa life, and on the streets. You are my food trip buddy. I remember the time when we both decided to call in sick from work and we just went to buy whatever food we wanted. We ended up not eating half of the food because we were just too full.

I remember when I would help you keep secrets from Mama and you asked me not to tell her where you were. And I still haven't told her, don't worry.

Of all people I've met on this earth, you are one who has never broken a promise. Thank you for the digicam, my wedding gift, the TV, shoes, bag, and everything else.

Even when you're not in the Philippines, you still are my confidant. You were the first one who knew of my break up with Kelvin. You were the first person I broke the news to when Kel and I got engaged. And you called me seconds after I sent you my news.

You can't imagine how much I appreciate how strong and brave you are. I can only imagine the pain of homesickness you feel in the past months. I am so proud of the woman you have become. Because of the sacrifices you have made for your dreams and for our family, you are now braver, stronger, and more beautiful, inside and out. Our family can never be prouder as we are now.

Keep chasing your dreams, Ate. Come home when you can. We miss you. We're here, waiting for the moment you can come home and I can say all this to you in person.

Happy birthday, Ate. I love you.

I'll see you in six months. :-)

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Wedding Blog: http://ourroadtothealtar.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias
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GLENDA - Jul. 16, 2014

The day after my mom's birthday, tragedy struck Southern Luzon. 

Typhoon Glenda ravaged the province of Batangas, leaving more than 60 people dead in the CALABARZON area. 

This is what greeted us the moment the rain and winds stopped.

A tree fell onto the roof and the roof then crashed onto our car.

A tree behind the house crashed onto the pig pen where our dogs were.

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Wedding Blog: http://ourroadtothealtar.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias
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Dark and bright side of July

Okay, this is one fucked up month.

Let me list the reasons why:

1. Our wedding budget is getting nowhere. We have ten months left until the wedding and our finances are pitiful. On the plus side, I am still engaged to the most wonderful man in the world, and we are getting married no matter what, even if it takes us walking down the aisle and celebrating in Jollibee.
2. Typhoon Glenda ravaged our town in Batangas, the roof of the garage crashed on our car and was lofted by the wind onto the road. On the brighter side, our main house is intact, and our car only suffered a tiny dent and still works in amazing condition, considering it is more than a decade old.
3. A giant tree branch fell on our pig pen, crushing the roof and our two dogs. On the plus side, my family, including our dogs, is safe, complete, and healthy.
4. The rain seeped into our rooms and all of my clothes including my laptop had been drenched. On the brighter side, the laptop has been dried off and is working.
5. My laptop is indeed working but it has become slow and only works when it is plugged in, and refuses to charge. On the plus side, my laptop still works and I still have access to my files, videos, pictures, and wedding stuff.
6. The promotion that I have been working on for the past two years have been given to someone else outside my team, without me being given the opportunity to at least apply. On the plus side, I still have a job, I have the best teammates in the world, and I'm still doing what I love to do.
7. I'm sick and have been suffering from acute asthma attack. On the plus side, it's a Friday and tomorrow's a weekend. I get to spend time with my lablab!

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Hit me up!
Wedding Blog: http://ourroadtothealtar.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng