I went to a bazaar last week. While on the road, I texted my husband that I decided to visit the bazaar he told me about a few nights ago. He didn't reply.

I assumed he was busy with office work. Barely 5 minutes at the bazaar, someone said, "Honey." I was surprised to see him there that I literally shrieked in delight and threw my arms around him, totally forgetting we were in a public place.

Hmmm, I didnt realize I could still get kilig after 3 years of marriage. What added to the kilig factor was that he skipped lunch, walked from ULTRA to Exchange Road in Ortigas Center in order to surprise me! He even paid for some of my purchases!

During pre-colonial times, a traditional Filipino wedding lasted for three days. It culminated with a babaylan or priest pricking the chests of both bride and groom to draw a little blood, then asking the couple to drink their blood mixed with water. As the Philippines became a predominantly Christian country, most of these ancient traditions have almost been wiped out of our shared consciousness as a people.

Planning for my wedding in 2005 was one of the most exciting, challenging and meticulous tasks I’ve ever accomplished. I didn’t realize just how much needs to be done until I started reading on “wedding preps” two days after my then fiancé proposed to me. It was a roller-coaster ride – today happy, stressed the next. But the “high” I experienced each moment was incomparable. Pride and joy filled me all throughout the ride. I felt happy  each time I get to cross out an item from my long list. And this list I am glad to share in the hope that I could now be of help to someone as clueless as I was then. 

Whether you plan on having a civil or a church wedding, the Marriage License is a requirement in getting married in the Philippines. Application for the license can be secured at the local Civil Registry from the city, town or municipality where either the bride or groom resides. Your personal appearance is also a non-negotiable requirement in the said application. Philippine law prescribes a ten-day waiting period from the filing of the Application to the issuance of the marriage license. The license is valid for 120 days from date of issuance and may be used anywhere in the Philippines.

'On November 24, 2005, I married my best friend. Being the one who personally scouted for wedding suppliers, I decided to write a ratings article 2 weeks after the wedding. Here goes…

I had the best photographer when I got married in 2005. His name is Paul Vincent de los Reyes (www.paulvincentphoto.com). He is a true artist, a real pro, and has a keen eye for beauty and detail. Yet, the obsessive-compulsive side of me still couldn’t keep from drawing up my own list of shots that I want captured on my wedding day. Not just the essentials like the bridal march, the kiss, the bouquet toss, and the newlywed portrait. The wedding day being of great value to me and my husband, we want even the countless other moments captured so much that we even hired a back-up photographer. Below is a list of traditional shots that wedding coordinators normally give their clients. Choose what’s applicable for you and feel free to add whatever other creative ideas you may have in mind.