It has been days since Kelvin and I have tied the knot.
I have been meaning to blog ever since Saturday but things have been awesomely
busy I have not had the time to sit down and collect my thoughts.
And today I finally got a window! I came in to work
early today – and when I say early I mean 7am early! Only to realize I have a
meeting tonight at 7pm which means I can squeeze in some “me” time and write.
So if you’re reading this and you and you want to know
how things went on our wedding day, read on!
My family and I woke up at around 6:30AM to have
breakfast. We woke up later than planned because I was up half the night
finalizing the seat plan with Mama and Kelvin. Mom and I had quite a fight the
night before the wedding but made up a few hours before dawn. I also wasn’t
able to sleep very well; because it was my last night as a single woman, I
figured I better spend my last night wedged between Mom and Dad. I closed my
eyes with Mama’s arms wrapped around me, and Daddy’s warm back pressed against
my right arm.
Less than three hours later, I woke up to the sound of
Mama rustling about getting ready for the day, while Daddy was softly snoring
beside me, fast asleep. I didn’t sleep very well. Maybe because I knew what the
next morning would be bring and I was too excited. I would be closer to the
moment Kelvin, our families, and I have been preparing for. And the day was
finally here. I jumped out of bed, kissed my family good morning, and looked at
myself in the mirror.
beside me, fast asleep. I didn’t sleep very well. Maybe because I knew what the
next morning would be bring and I was too excited. I would be closer to the
moment Kelvin, our families, and I have been preparing for. And the day was
finally here. I jumped out of bed, kissed my family good morning, and looked at
myself in the mirror.
The horror! There were two huge bags under my eyes, and
my upper lids were a huge swollen mess. It didn’t help that my fight with Mama
the night before left me crying, and my 4:30AM bedtime made it worse. Thank God
my makeup artist advised me to put ice on my eyes and face the moment I wake
up, and that’s what I did; I even carried my ice pack all the way to the
restaurant for breakfast.
I saw Mama Kila (Kelvin’s mom) on the way to the
restaurant, I asked for Kelvin and she told he was still sleeping. I had this
crazy urge to make a mad dash into his suite, push his door open and jump onto
his bed screaming, “We’re getting married today, honey! Rise and shine!” But I
knew we weren’t allowed to see each other until the wedding ceremony starts, so
I meekly said goodbye to Mama Kila, and joined my family in the restaurant for
breakfast.
A few minutes after ordering breakfast, the resort staff
informed me that my makeup artist and her team have arrived, so I rushed back
to my family’s villa to get ready. I didn’t get to eat, I was too excited
anyway. I was just all good and ready to walk down the aisle and marry Kelvin.
But I knew that before that even happened, I had to get myself ready and into
my wedding gown. I doubt if the priest will be too happy with a bride in her
sloppy pajamas walking down the aisle, with crusties in her eyes. I didn’t want
to scare my groom away either; although he has seen me at my worst days.
So I rushed into the shower, put my contact lens and
robe on, and sat on the makeup chair. My fabulous makeup artist, Icel Galvez,
and the rest of her team started working their magic on me. They first started with my hair, where they
sprayed, and twisted it into the style that I wanted. Then Icel worked on my
face. While Icel was working on me, the rest of her team then started working
on the rest of the ladies of my entourage including our mothers, and sisters.
And there I was, sitting on the chair, having my face and hair done, getting
ready to meet Kelvin at the altar. At the thought of Kelvin, I hurriedly sent
Keith (Kelvin’s brother and best man) and Mama Kila an SMS, telling them to ask
Kelvin to go get showered and get ready for the wedding team.
At around 8:30AM, I realized that my wedding coordinators
still have not arrived. Badz Gacuma told me that they had a number of mishaps
on their way to Batangas and would be late. Mama, Ate Ye, and I then got to
work, taking on the role of coordinators, calling and collaborating with the
other suppliers. I While getting my face and hair done, I was on the phone with
the florist, caterer, coordinators, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and photographers,
who also were running late. At this moment, emotions were running high, my mom
was starting to panic, and Ate was starting to rant about late suppliers and
unprofessional vendors. It was a good thing I took a good look at the timeline
that my coordinator sent me, and I had the contact numbers of all the
suppliers. I figured, it wouldn’t help if I throw a fit and go bridezilla on
the people in the prep venue. I was starting to get worried as well but I just
kept my cool. The wedding was not until 2pm. We still had a lot of time. I kept
repeating to myself, “I will not stress myself out. What matters is that I am
marrying Kelvin.” With that mantra in mind, I kept myself calm and focused on
what needed to be done.
At around 10AM the photographers and coordinators
finally arrived. I was hugely relieved because I was starting to feel
overwhelmed, with Mama panicking and Ate ranting her head off. I didn’t even
get the chance to look at myself in the mirror! Almost everyone was furious by
the time the coordinators got to our villa. From there they took over, with
Ciara as my bridal manager. There were still a number of bloopers here and
there, but nothing alarming, we were all able to sort things out eventually.
The photographers then got to work, taking pictures of
all the wedding details like the veil, arrhae, shoes, bouquet, cord, etc.
At
this time, I was busy directing my bridesmaids and asking them to hurry getting
their hairs and faces done.
Me and my cousin and candle sponsor, Angel Guno
After a few minutes, the photographers asked me to
go into the bedroom where they took a few shots of me. (Wedding people call
this the “beauty shot”) As I have never modeled before (apart from the prenup photoshoot), it was pretty difficult
for me and I was a little stiff at first. Thankfully Wilson, the lead
photographer, and Ramil (the lead videographer) were very nice and gave precise
but gentle instructions, which made posing easier for me.
But let me tell you, there were just soo many shots!
Most of the shots were taken by the window but I was feeling antsy with the photographers
and videographers asking me to face here and there, smile, look down, behind
me, put my hands on my waist, neck; run my hands down my bouquet, dress, etc . It
felt quite awkward to me at first with more than five cameras trained on my
face and movements. But don’t get me wrong, I was having the time of my life,
modeling the wedding gown of my dreams. (I will reserve a separate blog about
my wedding dress; I want to make sure I do it justice) When noon came by, I was
begging my photographers and videographers’ mercy. I just wanted to run out the
door, drive the car to the church, and get married!
Kelvin was at another part of the resort having his pictures taken along with his entourage and family. Here are some snaps from his shoot!
Nevertheless, I wanted to make sure every moment was captured. So here are some more snaps!
Kelvin was at another part of the resort having his pictures taken along with his entourage and family. Here are some snaps from his shoot!
My groom and his brother, Keith
Ang pogi!
My groom with his best men
Surprise!
Honey with the Tan family
Nevertheless, I wanted to make sure every moment was captured. So here are some more snaps!
Icel with Mama
Me texting the suppliers while Mama feeds me pancakes
Ninang Heidi and Ninang Corige
Lambingan with TengTeng
Mama Kila and Sohpie
Selfie!
My beautiful Mama
My sister and Maid of Honor, helping me put my shoes on.
My sweet nephew and our ring bearer, Prince.
My lovely family. :)
After a few more shots with my family and bridesmaids,
we were then off to the church!
But there was another hurdle – getting me in my wedding
gown into the bridal car. Papa (Kelvin’s dad) was very sweet to let us use
their white Honda Accord as our bridal car. It was a little difficult to get
inside the car at first, but with a bit of pulling and tugging of the dress,
skirt, train, and veil here and there, I was finally able to squeeze myself in
the car with my Mama to my right and my Daddy to my left.
And with one big sigh of breath, we were off to the
church to meet my groom, his family and all of our loved ones.
Watch out for Part 2. The Wedding Ceremony!
#KelandLeng2015
Watch out for Part 2. The Wedding Ceremony!
#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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