Wedding bells a’ringin’!

As June brides walk down the aisle for this “wedding month” of June, I’m sure wedding coordinators, photographers, caterers, singers, flower arrangers, and wedding venues are all fully-booked serving their respective clients. Though June is the most popular wedding month, I personally haven’t attended a wedding on June. I’ve gone to weddings on a December (another peak month for weddings), summer, even on the rainy months of September and October. But regardless of the month, weddings will always be a special occasion for me. You could say that I’ve always been the bridesmaid but not the bride, even so, I’m giddy preparing and participating in a friend’s wedding. It also makes me daydream on how my own wedding will be… ;)

One of the most memorable for me so far were the last two where I was one of the back-up photographers. What’s more, they are destination weddings of two of my good friends.

Cai and Nowell: A Beautiful Wedding in Boracay

On the wedding day itself, my friends and I woke up that morning seeing dark clouds hovering over us. You know how unpredictable the weather can be in the month of September. Being lovers of the clear warm waters of Boracay, we went swimming in the beach and in a little while, it started pouring!

It went on for about 15 to 30 minutes. And just like that, there was like a spotlight over us. Heaven started opening up and the skies cleared up. It was a beautiful day indeed!

Some of us can't get over swimming. We just love the waters! By noontime, we saw the main photographer taking photos of Cai's wedding dress in front of Discovery Shores. I took my own camera and started taking shots as well...

WOW!!! Who would've thought that was just created in less than a week?!

By 4:30 pm, people started coming in, removing their sandals, taking pictures, anticipating for the ceremony. After several minutes, Cai finally walked down the aisle.






Just seeing her made me teary-eyed... (To think that she was still sick the night before...) God makes all things beautiful in His time. :)







I witnessed a simple yet beautiful wedding, with the Boracay sunset as its backdrop. :)


Kristine and Tim: A Wedding Made in Singapore

I had the privilege of shooting Kristine while she was preparing for her wedding. I was in her Hilton hotel room at a little past 12 noon and it was my first time to commute to Orchard Rd. in Singapore. (Tim was in a different venue, I couldn't take pictures of him).








I also got to ride her *huge* Chrysler bridal car in the passenger seat. "Libs, kinakabahan talaga ako (I'm really nervous)," she told me. "Ano ka ba, 'wag ka nerbyosin! (Don't be nervous!)" I said while I was shooting her. She thought that something could happen in her wedding like those you watch in America's Funniest Videos. So that's how a bride feels like... :P




By 5:00pm (or so, I lost track of time), the wedding ceremony started in St. Theresa and I heard one of the most sincerest vows. I got teary-eyed actually but I had to continue to capture those moments in camera.




After church, we got back to Hilton immediately, this time for the tea ceremony. I appreciate this special moment because their family and loved ones were personally saying their well-wishes and bilins to the couple as they ceremonially drank tea.


Reception came, we were then in the Hilton rooftop (nice view of the city outside!). I was so looking forward to the Chinese menu! They danced, they sang (Cruisin'! -- That's our fave videoke duet song!), they did their speech. I'm so happy for my friend Kristine. She's blessed with good siblings and a loving father, and now, she has very wonderful in-laws. And the best part is, she has Tim.




What makes these weddings special is not just the location or whatever bells and whistles it has. It’s the sincerity and the promise it brings that day and everyday. Everything is worth the wait. :)

And now, endorsing my favorite wedding photographers...

Oh, and speaking of pre-nuptials and weddings, I'd like to shamelessly plug my favorite wedding photographers--EVER. Check out this tandem, Jorem and Sheila Catilo of Catilo.net. Their photographs are an inspiration. And they're not your usual cliché. Definitely they're not overrated. ;)

A screenshot of their official website.

It's not only because they're my orgmates that's why I'm plugging them (I met them in our camera club where Jorem used to be our club president). I see their passion in all of their photo shoots since I always see something new, something creative, something quirky each time.

Like them also on Facebook. Oh, I'm sure you will. :)

On Pre-Nups and Pre-Wedding Photo Shoots

I wish I had more friend couples who would get married soon so I can shoot their pre-nups! Haha. Lately I've discovered that I actually love doing pre-wedding shoots. Cheeeeezy it may seem, it's always been a fun experience for me (well, especially if the couple IS fun).

Oh what to do, what to do? That was my first reaction when I learned I was doing a pre-nup shoot of my friends. Why should it all come from me? I learned in the process that pre-wedding photography is always a team effort. It's not just the photographer doing all the work. Who and what is involved in this session (or series of sessions)?

1. First, the concept or theme should come from the COUPLE. (or normally, it comes from the bride) Different couples have different tastes (and trips). Some may be really cheesy, utterly romantic, boring stiff, or sometimes outlandish... But learn to adjust to their wants and personalities. It's not YOU who's getting married anyway. Do not impose your own idea. Just give your inputs on how it can improve and come out beautifully.

2. Then there's the videographer. Usually, there's also a pre-wedding video that the couple may want to include. The video can be done same time with the shoot or separately.

3. Make a story board. What are your image pegs? Again, this may come from the bride, but as the photographer, you have to think of an innovative way in delivering those pegs.

4. Becoming a stylist. At some point, you may also have to be the stylist of the couple. Bring props, costumes, make-up, so that everything will be cohesive to the theme. This will also have to be decided depending on your agreement with the couple.

5. Build a relationship with the couple. It would be a breeze if you know the couple pretty well. You'd learn how to adjust and bring out the best of looove in them. :)

So who's getting married next? :)

My Own Version of Eat. Pray. Love. -- in Boracay

In Liz Gilbert's memoir of her life, Eat. Pray. Love., she writes about her trips across the world in search for everything... Though she supposedly has everything a woman would want and dream of -- a husband, a house, a successful career -- still, she found herself lost and in search for what she really wanted in life. She ate in various restaurants and enjoyed life in Italy (Eat). She found her spirituality in India (Pray). And finally, she met her true love in Bali, Indonesia (Love).

I could totally relate with her story because almost a year ago, I was in the same page as hers. I was confused, in the middle of a crossroad, just hanging by a thread. Looking back, I thank God for getting me out of that brink of giving up. I'm now slowly discovering who I am and what my purpose is as He continues to guide me along the way.

But that's a whole another story right there. I could also write a book and perhaps won't finish because I'm always a work in progress...

It's in my recent trip to Boracay where I can say I experienced these three verbs to the full.

I ate. I prayed. I loved.

EAT

I've been trying to limit my food intake before I went off to Boracay (who wouldn't want to be beach-body ready?). But surely when I got there, I didn't want to control myself eating since I want to enjoy the different types of food the beach has to offer. From the simple hamburger joint or inasal chicken in D*Mall, or fresh seafood in the D*Talipapa to the finest restaurants in the triple A resorts of Boracay, you are sure to find something that you would like to eat. Station 2 has always been a staple where you can find most of the restaurants, bars, and establishments. We just diligently walked there even if we were booked in Station 1. If beach laziness hits, one could always take a trike on the way back to your place.

There's always a few hits and miss in Bora's restos though. I ordered a "bolognese" in this resto in front of a resort (the food was so bad, I forgot the name--and I didn't take a picture). When the pasta came, I was surprised to see that it was like a spaghetti from a typical Filipino children's party.

I also had experienced seafood allergy in one of the paluto in D*Talipapa. I guess I was too confident that I didn't have shrimp allergies anymore. Combine that with bad ventilation inside on a hot afternoon lunch. Note to self: always bring an anti-histamine.

I felt sad when I found that our favorite fruit shake in town (and only the best) Jonah's, was already located on the roadside and no longer by the beach. I can't blame them since the cost of rent beside the beach was rising.

Sipping fruit shake by the roadside just isn't the same...

It's in Mañana in Station 2 where I got really satisfied with their real Mexican food. Finally, I found what I was craving for...

Quesadillas favorite.

Burritos another favorite.

Top it off with their banana shake, which can be good for two.

PRAY

Nothing beats starting the day at the beach by praying, having quiet time with God, then capping it off with a good jog.

My friends having their alone moments.

And it's in those long walks alone that you can find sights such as this.

My friends and I have been looking forward to this trip since early this year because we're attending our dear friend's ultimate beach wedding. A week before the big day, there was a major glitch on the bride's wedding gown. Then a day before, we found out that she was still feeling sick. On that morning, we woke up seeing dark clouds hovering over us. And, by mid-morning, we went swimming in the beach and it started raining! Even with those series of unfortunate events, we have been continuously praying and having faith that God is on the move, up to the day we've all been waiting for.

We just thanked God for the shower of blessings. After an hour, there was like a spotlight over us as heaven started opening up and the skies clearing up. A big sigh of relief.

It was God and with our prayers who made all things work together for good. It was indeed a beautiful day!

LOVE

No, I didn't exactly fall in love. I felt the looove in Discovery Shores, Boracay. Just witnessing this wedding and hearing the couple's vows put tears to my eyes because I saw how genuine their love is for each other and how God blesses two people who make Him the center of their relationship.

I loved? Oh yes I did. I loved my friends even more with all the adventures we've shared in Boracay (Zorb balls, Zipline, sharing a big family room, eating breakfast in a veranda, late night games and more) . I loved the quirkiness (or OC-ness?) we've discovered of each other. I loved God even more because I know He also has a love story He's writing for me.

* * *

You don't have to search and travel the world to find these three. Everyday, right where you are, you can always eat and savor life, pray, and love.