The Venue

Marvin and I wanted a Tagaytay wedding specifically at Caleruega. Many couples have had and are having their wedding at Caleruega. In fact, reservation for Caleruega is almost always fully booked. However, to have a Tagaytay wedding would require the guests to travel at the least an hour and a half and we do not want to hassle our guests. So we decided to have it in the city. 

I won't be mentioning the exact place since Marvin strictly told me to keep it a secret specifically from his relatives abroad.  None from both sides of our family have attended or celebrated any event at this place and we believed that everyone will be mesmerized by the place.  It is very elegant and very picture-worthy, as if you have time-traveled from the victorian era.

I was surprised to know that Marvin had already taken his family to this place for ocular even before he proposed. Marvin said that his family was insisting the new church near Marriott to have our wedding. But Marvin insisted on showing them the place and then they were amazed! It was extraordinary and one-of-a-kind! They can't help but have their pictures taken. No other questions, the venue was granted approval!

So then, he arranged an appointment with the AE Ms. King on Monday. If we review the sequence of events, Marvin proposed Saturday, we hiked Sunday and on Monday we already had the appointment.  I think Marvin was confident enough to know that I'll say "Yes" to have scheduled the appointment! hehe But I guess he was just soo excited! 

As we survey the location, I can already imagine the mood and the styling of the event. It would be very intimate and enchanting! Less decorations are needed since the place itself is beautiful enough, most especially during night time.  

The venue itself shouts fairy tale coming true; with me as the princess getting true love's kiss from my only prince.

the next day drama...

The day after the proposal, we are set to go hiking at Mt. Makulot, Cuenca, Batangas. Thanks to Tin for organizing this day hike, to Gotch and Eric for being patient trail guides, to KJ for wanting to shout high up above (thus the reason for the hike), to Gelo & Faith for being fun companies, and of course, to Marvin, who agreed to come with me despite of his reluctance to come.

We were mum about the engagement thing. Only those who were able to witness the moment the night before were the ones who knew about it. I didn't want to tell other people yet. I wanted to tell my parents, college and high school barkada first.

It took us about two hours (with long stops which I forgot to count) to finish the hike. It has been a long time since we've done this again. It was what they call a Level 1 hike or a beginner's hike. There were steep and slippery trails. But we had such fun! Of course, not to mention all the jokes KJ threw to us that day, that definitely amused us. We even played "gestures" at the camp site. We climbed another highest point which I forgot the name (I'll get back on this post once I remembered). At first, I thought it would be impossible to reach, since it was too high seeing from afar, but then when we finally got there and the view was simply stunning! We had a 360 degree view of the Taal lake which includes the Taal  volcano.

I'll cut the hiking part short. After the view of Taal, we went back to camp site where Eric was waiting because someone has to watch our belongings.  Then we descended.  

So drama began when we were on the way home (in our place in Lipa). Nes was texting and calling about some important news that she was not informed about. I knew then that she was referring to the proposal thingy. But then I can't figure who might have told her. It's not that I intentionally did not want her to know but I am taking small steps at a time. But she was very frustrated, very mad. She felt that she wasn't important to the barkada that she had to know it last.

When we got home, I immediately checked my FB page and found that Ivy posted a message that made Nes react. I did not know how to explain it to Nes. Even Cris, Tin and KJ was a little worried about it.  It took me a while before I had to courage to explain to her ( hehe this just proves how scary can Nes be,haha, peace!) She didn't talked to me the first try. So I let it be. Then, she called back. It was so funny reminiscing now, we were crying while talking on the phone!!! I understood where she was coming from, she felt neglected finding out that she wasn't informed about it during the time the proposal happened. I explained to her what had happened that night. Then she was calmed. We were like two crazy girls crying and laughing at the same time!!! haha ( I missed those moments with Nes.. awww) The guys (especially Marvin and Eric) were laughing at us.  They just won't understand us girls.

So there, the drama was over.

the proposal... which I planned

Wait! Don't get me wrong! I did not plan my own proposal nor did I urge Marvin to propose!!! Dalagang Filipina pa rin naman ako noh! hehe

Anyway, what was supposedly an intimate college friends reunion -- after many weeks of not seeing each other -- turned out to be the ultimate reason for celebration. I planned this meet up since we had so much to celebrate - my belated birthday, cris' belated birthday, tin's graduation, and cris' as an official MD!!! Like most of the time, it was I who set the time and place. It was the 21st of August and since we were always in Makati area, I decided to have our dinner in Tomas Morato area where KJ is attending another party so there will be no excuse for her not to attend.

I learned from the ever reliable "Our Awesome Planet" about this new restaurant named Cerchio (pronounced as 'Tzerhr.kyoh') means Circle in Italian in Tomas Morato. The interiors were so nice, stylish and intimate. We were seated in a square table which sits 8 people. The attendees were Cris, Annie, Tin, Gotch, Marvin and I. Kj followed after about an hour of persistent calls and texts from me.

We had crispy pata, singaporean crispy squids, thai sinuglaw and more which I forgot already. It's not that the food was forgettable it's just me, I just seem to be forgetful and unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me.  No one actually did have a camera, that is, until KJ arrived. 

So we were having our usual conversations and sharings. We were contemplating on "one's" soon to come proposal. (I deliberately did not include the person's name for privacy purposes.hehe) Until...

...moments later, as we were to conclude our dinner and our chats, Marvin suddenly stood up and asked me to stand beside me. I was wondering what he will do and why I was being asked to stand up. I saw the baffled faces of my friends as well. With my refusal to stand, Marvin being sooo red (which I thought was because of the wine he drank), took something from his pocket, bent his knee, took my hand and uttered "Sylvia, will you marry me?!"

Everyone was surprised and speechless! I was the most speechless of them all! I felt blood rushing to my cheeks!!! The moment was happening too fast, I know I heard myself say "yes" the first time but no one seemed to heard it. I felt Cris' jerked my elbow and I heard marvin asking me again for my answer. And then, I said, "Oo naman.." with a *blush*. 


No one expected that that would be the most special thing we were celebrating. Everyone was so happy and bouncy!!! "Kilig to the bones talaga!!!" As for me, I was very happy, I am soo kilig!!! I felt more in loovee!!! hehe  Actually, I was kinda shy, since we were the only group that was very loud!!! to think it was an intimate restaurant! But who cares!!! I was having one of the most special evening in my life and no one can ruin that!!! 

Though it wasn't my ideal proposal with all the dreamy production, it was definitely beyond expectations!!! What made it more extraordinary was the company of my beloved true friends (who had unimaginable faces!!!) It was truly priceless!!!

Now I am ready to spend the rest of my life with my best friend and my one and only love. <3

choosing the inspiration

Marvin and I have been together since high school. In the course of our ten years of togetherness, there had been times that we've talked about marriage but we never have discussed about the details. So when the day came when he popped the question, I was totally clueless about the details of what might our wedding would be. 

Browsing through the ever reliable world wide web, I was instantly in love with the peacock wedding theme idea!!! I love all the colors -- teal, turquoise, cobalt blue, plum, fuschia pink, and gold.  I saw many inspiration boards and they are all lovely and elegant. I also love how the over all look is very vintage-y! 

I also found out that peacock symbolizes beauty and fidelity. according to feng shui: peacocks are a symbol of beauty reminding us to take pleasure in the finer things in life. It is pure of heart, loyal and faithdul to their partners. In fact, the male peafowl goes to great lengths to attract his hearts and his ladylove's desire.

In real life, I am fortunate enough to have met "my peacock" which is why I am happy to have this as our wedding theme. The theme would truly reflect the beauty of our love and our loyalty to each other.

But I had to limit my color options into just - plum, cobalt blue, and teal with accents of gold.

Now I am excited!!!