Planning my own Wedding

Having a wedding is not that easy especially if you are the bride because the pressure is in your hands. You have to think every detail of the wedding that you want. Although you have to consult it with your husband for him to approve and when you two agree that’s the time you can pursue the plan. With my part it’s not that easy because the place that I choose to have my wedding is in my country Philippines. The preparation itself is long then the event is just fast. I know that there are lots of married couples out there who would agree with me. But Thanks, that there is an internet, it really help a lot with the planning. I write down a list from big details to small one and we’re on the process of it already. Here is what we carefully consider in planning our church wedding if you want to make a memorable one not only for you but also for your guests.
1. Church - Since both of us were Catholics we look for a place. I was looking at the internet where I could find a good church that will fit to our liking. A wedding that could be remembered and treasured by us. I choose the San Agustin Church as according to some review the place is perfect for a wedding. I already posted the picture of the church in my previous blog. Just click the labels on the right side of my blog. I tag it Wedding. Additional description of this my friend said that the church is very spacious; the feeling is kind of different inside as well due to the fact that it was probably one of the oldest churches in the country, with a very serene and peaceful environment. Many have said it is a very ideal church to get married, though it is an old place, the place still exudes with a lot of great and wonderful aura. The place is private, exclusive and mostly well educated people are patrons of the church. It is fantastic, religious and very old artifacts in the place which includes an antique statue amongst others. The artistic design ideas of the Spanish era are very evident in the church; it makes the church a good place for pictorial as well as the wedding rite, of course. The place is very majestic like according to a friend. A perfect place dream wedding. I am now curious and excited to see the inside of the church as I could just see it outside when I visit Intramuros once. I should say we are set for this- officially booked. But we are not finished yet there are lots of things to consider in marrying in the church especially that my hubby is a foreigner. Here are the wedding requirements:

A. RESERVATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Reservation fee
2. Attendance at the Orientation on Wedding Rules and Regulation.
3. Photocopy of the baptismal certificate of either couple
4. Proof of inquiry/visit at the Chancery Office for foreigners/divorcee- get a form in from this office and fill –up.

B. USUAL REQUIREMENTS
1. ORIGINAL COPIES OF THE BAPTISMAL and CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATES of the bride and groom with notation “For marriage purpose.” Valid for 6 months
2. MARRIAGE BANNS. To be brought to respective parishes of the couple for posting three (3) consecutive Sundays
3. CANONICAL INTERVIEW
4. PRE-CANA SEMINAR
5. MARRIAGE LICENSE. To be secured from the Civil Registry of the city or town of either couple. Valid for 120 days or 4 months only.

C. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Other Requirement for those Civilly Married:

1. Certified true copy of the Marriage Contract.
Other Requirements for those who have lived in another place for six months or more aside from his permanent residence immediately prior to their wedding

■ For Filipinos residing in the Philippines
1. Marriage banns from the parish of permanent residence
2. Marriage banns from the parish of present residence for six months or more immediately prior to the wedding

■ For Filipinos residing abroad
1. Marriage banns from the parish of permanent residence
2. Certificate of Freedom to Marry to be issued by the parish of present residence abroad for six months or more immediately prior to the wedding

■ For Foreigners residing in the Philippines
1. Marriage banns from the parish of domicile in the Philippines
2. Affidavit of Free Status to Marry

■ For Foreigners residing Abroad
1. Certificate of Freedom to Marry from the parish of present residence abroad for six months or more immediately prior to the wedding OR Affidavit of Free Status to Marry

Other Requirements for Foreigners:

1. Clearance from the Chancery Office, Arzobispado de Manila
2. Certificate of Free Status to Marry / Legal Capacity from the Embassy of the country of origin.
3. Certificate of Freedom to Marry to be secured from the parish of permanent residence in the country of origin
4. For Japanese citizens: referral/interview with Rev. Fr. Toru Nishimoto, CSSR.

Other Requirements for Divorced/ Divorcees:
1. Clearance from the Chancery Office, Arzobispado de Manila
2. Certified true copy of LEGAL PAPERS proving the absolute decree of divorce.

Other Requirements for those whose Previous Marriage was declared Null and Void:

1. Certified true copy of the Final Declaration of Nullity from a Matrimonial Tribunal
2. Approval from the Chancery Office, Arzobispado de Manila.

Other Requirement for Mixed Marriage or Disparity of Cult:
1. Do the Priest Interviewer and approved by the Local Ordinary.

Other Requirement for Widows or Widowers:

1. Certified true copy of the Death Certificate of the deceased spouse.

2. Date and Time – Both of us decided the date and time sometime in February and our wedding is in the evening. But you can decide whichever you like. Morning, afternoon or evening

3. Reception- Do we want a Hotel or Restaurant? Indoor or Outdoor? With this we decided the indoor. We choose venue already and its inside the Intramuros area. The place is called Teatrillo. Here is the picture of how they catering dress-up the venue. Probably I will let my caterer do the same. I am ending up the details of my wedding in here. While it is still in process from time to time I will keep it posted here so others who plan to have a wedding could get some pointers from me.

San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila -One of Philippines Historical Church

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I have a stressfull week last week as my co-worker is on leave. She works full-time while I work in the afternoon as part-time worker. Since I know the job she requested me to work full -time which is fine with me as it would add to my earnings. I was happy although a little bit stressed but I love the work. The only problem is I could not write my blog and post it. I really miss blogging though sometimes I skip a day posting. There are times that I got busy doing house chores and go out for errands that prohibits me from opening my computer and do the blogs. Another thing that made me stress last week is the planning of our upcoming church wedding which is next year 2010. Unlike my civil wedding here in the US that I personally do the bookings , making the wedding favors and making the list for the guest. Pretty easy for me. But this time it is far, as the wedding will be held in the Philippines so some of my relatives can partake this once in a lifetime and memorable event of my life. It not easy to work this out when you are far. Good that my former officemate volunteer to help me in the planning. She was the one who contacted the church administrator for the booking. Same with the venue which is also inside the Intramuros area. Triatrillo was the place that we choose for our reception. As early as now, we were able set the date of our wedding at the church of San Agustin in Intramuros. I do this in advance because this church is historical and there are lots of weddings held in this place. For you to be on the list, it takes like the wait-lists had a span of over a year. Our is scheduled on February of next year but we were able to get the slot of 6:30 in the evening because the day that we take is Saturday and there are lots of couples who are on the list already and its fully book . Anyway even its already evening at least we were able to get the date. To give you an idea of the place I have here the pictures to show where it is located.

This is the view of the whole Intramuros, Manila. According to history this is the city within the walls.In(Latin) intra means within and muros means walls. This is the popular name given to the walled city of Spanish Manila. The name “Manila” (it is claimed) derives from nilad, a type of mangrove that bore white waxy flowers (Ixora).

Designed and built by Jesuit priest Antonio Sedeo from 1586 to 1587, this is one of the oldest stone fortifications in this place Intramuros.This Began as a circular fort called Nuestra Seora de Guia. Renovated in 1593 to join the walls of the city. Fort fell in disrepair and, in 1644, construction began for a new baluarte which was completed between 1653 and 1663. Resembling an ace of spades, it housed a foundry during the 18th century.

San Agustin church is the only colonial church that has retained its original vaulting, despite the destructive forces that shelled the church during WW II. It was a fortuitous turn because San Agustin church flaunts one of the most artistically decorated interiors among all of the colonial churches in the country. A side chapel next to the main altar is dedicated to the Spanish Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the founder of Manila. His remains were re-buried here by the Augustinians, unidentified and mixed along with others, after they were ruthlessly unearthed by the British who were searching for golden treasures in 1762. It is quite scarry when you look at it on the outside because it is very old already.but take a look at the church is more than just an architectural icon.The playful effect of chiaroscuro-light and shadows-and perspective, restrained only by the limited palette of a few earthly colors, is a visual spectacle. Perhaps, the grandiosity of the painting is a bit too presumptuous to some critics, but one can assume that the vitality of the interior must have roused the imaginations of Simon Flores, a local artist who later became responsible in decorating the interiors of several other churches.

From a clearer view of the inside when it is lighted you will be amazed of its architectural design.The reason why most of the celebrities and those who belong to the upper class (elite) who could afford to held a wedding here get their share of memories. Modesty aside I am one of them who dreams to hold a wedding here and a dream come true. Though we do not belong to the society mentioned above. We just want to make our day a memorable one.If you want further knowledge of this church history just click the picture and this will explain why this church was on the list of the Philippines treasures.

Cousin's Wedding

Just recently my cousin on the father side ties a knot in the Philippines. They had a church wedding which the held at the Holy Rosary Parish in Angeles Pampanga. Steve as we fondly call him works in Dubai where he meet his now wife Jenny. Before the wedding they send a message at my Friendster asking me if I can go home and be one of their witness at the wedding. Sorry to say I turn them down for the reason that I can’t leave the country yet, I am still waiting for my interview for the green card. I explain to them naman the reason which they understand. They sent me some pictures of their wedding that I use to post here at my blog. See pics……











Steve and Jenny we wish you a fruitful years of marriage full of patience and understanding, a marriage blessed with kids he he he. I just hope the love that you have shown with each other will continue “ kahit maputi na ang buhok nyo” and you will remember what the bible says “na ang sinumang pinag-isa ng Diyos ay hindi kayang paghiwalayin ninuman”.