\\\\ VheartsM's RECAP and some NON-PRO photos ////

Sorry so long!  Finally, I got to writing my recap.  I was kind of procrastinating because if I wrote it, it kind of marks the official official end of wedding planning and being the bride and getting all the attention (lol).  But then again, it marks the beginning of a beautiful new chapter in our life.  So, finally, here's my recap and some non-pro's.

The week of  the wedding, my lucky butt got sick.  I came down with a cold, runny nose, cough, fatigue....boo!  I sounded like a barking seal :(  I also still had some DIY's to finish up.  I had hoped to be done with everything by end of September, but that didn't happen....I had gotten "wedding planning burnout" and did what I do best....procrastinate!  Luckily DH (hehe..DH!!!!) was here so we were able to knock out the final details in a few days.  By Wednesday night we had all the wedding stuff together and ready for transport to the venue.  Also that week, I had family flying in from the Philippines and Texas.  So it was quite busy.  But I wasn't nervous or anything.  I just wanted to get the things done and the big day to be here already.

The day before was our church rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  Before all that, I had also went to go check into the bridal suite at the hotel.  I called in advance for early check-in and they said that they would note it but could not guarantee it (they were fully booked for the weekend).  I got there about an hour before normal check-in and they informed me that the room wasn't ready.  I was like, ok that's fine, I'm early anyway.  They had me leave my cell number with them so that they could call me as soon as the suite was ready. It comes time for normal check-in but no phone call.  The line for check-in started to grow and still no call.  So I finally get in line....room STILL was NOT ready.  I was starting to get irritated, but I kept calm.  It was almost time for the rehearsal dinner so I had asked the front desk to deliver our things to the suite as soon as the room was ready.  They said ok, they even took the ticket number for the bell hop person.  I headed out to dinner after double checking that they would bring our stuff to the suite and making sure they're careful because my dress is there.  They finally call me when I'm AT dinner.  But I was having a good time so I was like whatever.  After dinner we still had time before the church rehearsal so DH and I headed to the hotel to get some stuff we needed for the church and to complete check-in.  I checked in and we head to the suites.  NONE of our stuff was there.  I call down to the front desk looking for it and they said they didn't have it.  Cue panick/pissy mode.  WTF?  My DRESS and everything is on that blasted bell hop cart!  I'm texting my MOH/sister telling her the situation and she tries her hardest to calm me down. Minutes later, she calls me to tell me that they saw all of our stuff STILL outside on the bell hope cart thingy!  I head downstairs and gave them an earfull!  Luckily everything was still there and intact.  And so, on to the church rehearsal we went.  

In between all that....Our church rehearsal wasn't until 7pm so we decided it would work out better to do an early dinner.  So off to Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown San Jose we went.  It was alot of fun.  Our bridal party was there along with some out of town relatives.  The food was super good and it was fun talking with everyone.  Everyone was in good spirits and getting excited.  

The night of my sister and I were in the bridal suite preparing stuff for the next day. We laid out the gifts for the BM's and FG's. We also visited the guys for a bit and I said my good night to DH.  My sis and I also practiced the Hawaiian dance we were going to perform at the reception.  We also ordered a quesadilla from room service because we were so hungry!  I hardly ate at the rehearsal dinner because I was busy talking with everyone and I just didn't feel that hungry.  I finally fell asleep maybe around 2 but it was a light sleep.  I wasn't feeling nervous though.  I was just really tired and for me if I'm really tired I have a hard time sleeping. But I eventually did.

The morning of I was still calm as can be and was definitely excited.  My parents came super early to drop off all the flowers and some breakfast for all the girls, the guys and our relatives who had checked into the hotel the night before.  My bridesmaids all showed up on time and so did our MUA's and DOC.  We all started to get ready.  I had gotten hungry about half -way through makeup and hair so my MOH got me some food.  I didn't eat breakfast earlier, so I figured now would be a good time.  Two of my BM's were extra awesome because they fed me while I was getting my makeup and hair done. LoL.  Sounds silly, I know, but they did!  In between the makeup, one would give me a bite of the breakfast croissant and then the other would squeeze in after and give me a piece of fruit or a sip of orange juice.  Loved it!  LoL.  We just kept laughing.  At about 11am the videographers and photographers arrive and begin to do their thing.  They were wonderful!  We just felt so at ease and didn't know they were there unless they said something or we heard the click of their camera.  By about 12:30 it was time for me to get the dress on and everything.  My girls helped me and it was the best feeling ever.  As soon as I had every detail on and in place, the tears came.  But I quickly stopped them because of my makeup. Hehe.  I told them "no more ooohhhh's and aaaahhhh's make me laugh!"  And they did :)  We took phots in the room and then headed down to the lobby to take more.  We got word that the groom was in the same tower (the groom's suite was in the other tower, but they had to check out so they moved to one of my relatives room in the same tower as the bridal suite) so everyone was on the lookout and on their phones to make sure that the groom didn't come down to the lobby :)  While we were taking photos downstairs, I had noticed my dad had his phone out....he was trying to snap a photo but when I would look his way, he pretended to be doing something else on his phone. Hehe.  Soon enough it was time to head to the church so my MOH and I waited for the town car.

At the church they had me go into the bridal room right away and there I waited for everything to start.  My DOC also gave me the lovenote from DH.  I knew it would bring me to tears, so I skimmed through that puppy as fast as I could (but I did read it again later on that night). Everyone kept checking on me and I was still doing good.  Then they told me that we're starting!  I take a few deep breaths and told myself no tears! Finally it was time for me to get ready.  I take my place between my parents and waited off to the side as the FG's made their way down the aisle and then the doors closed.  My dad kept asking me if I was ok and I told him yes.  And then the doors open, which meant it was my time to walk down the aisle...which also apparently cued my tears!  I saw DH and I started crying.  I was just so excited and overwhelmed and excited!  I remember walking down and seeing everyone (and also saying, "wow, more people came to the ceremony than expected!" because you know, oftentimes people will just show up for the reception) and I just felt sooo happy.  We reached the end of the aisle and my dad lifts my blusher to give me a kiss and I saw that he was crying too!  He said he wasn't going to cry!  I turn to my left to give my mom a kiss too and she had a tear in her eye as well :)  They handed me to DH and the rest of the ceremony begins.  I remember looking out into the pews seeing who was there and did a little wave here and there. Hehe.  Fellow PW bride missdoxxy was our reader and she did such a wonderful job!  Thank you cousin!  We got to the vows part pretty fast it seemed.  We had memorized our vows, but the priest was informed that we did so we ended up repeating after him, which was fine.  I got all chocked up when it was my turn for the vows.  During the ceremony we also did an offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary which was very nice and after that part, my sister was to hand me my bouquet and when I see her walking over to do that, she was in tears. LoL.  Then it was time for us to be pronounced husband and wife :)  It was beautiful.  We did our traditional photos inside the church and then it was time to head over for the reception.  DH and I got into the towncar and were driven the long way around because the hotel wasn't even a half a mile away.  Our DOC made us a snackbag for the car and we were so grateful.  I think my appetite was finally coming back after having been sick for the past week.  

At the hotelwe arrive to the front and we head across the street to the fountain plaza to take some photos with our bridal party.  That was alot of fun.  They really did a great job listening to the photographers and videographers.  We let them head back early so that they can catch at least half of the cocktail hour (which we found out they had offered cosmos and other liquor....which was a nice surprise because we only paid for beer and wine!).  When DH and I were done with photos outside, we head back to the hotel and get a sneak peek of the reception room.  BEAUTIFUL!  It was everything we wanted it to be.  The hotel also had a plate of hors d'oeurves ready for us and some champagne as well.  When it was time to let the guests in, we were whisked away to the back so that no one would see us yet.  We were then brought back around and got ready for our introductions.  Our BM's and GM's had decided to do a little dance as they got announced and it sounded like the crowd enjoyed it.  I can't wait to see the video!  Then it was our turn to be announced and we made our way to the dancefloor as our family and friends cheered us on.  We went into our first dance right away and it went well.  DH and I had taken some dance lessons and had our first dance choreographed.  All I can remember was smiling and giggling the whole way through. LoL.  We also had other performances throughout the night.  My MOH/sister did a tahitian dance with two of her dancemates, one of my aunts sang a couple of songs and then my BM's, MOH and I did a Hawaiian hula dance.  We also had our slideshow which we absolutely LOVED.  Our videographer was the one who put it together and it was perfect.  He had worked in some scenes from the movie "Father of the Bride" and it just flowed perfectly.  He was even able to put in the video clip of when DH proposed :)  We also did the traditional money dance, father/daughter dance, groom and sisters dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss and speeches.  We also were able to take a picture with each table which was really nice.  It gave us a chance to say hello to everyone.  Our guests also had the photobooth to entertain them and it was a big hit!  We eventually got to the dancing part and the DJ did a wonderful job.  People were dancing and enjoying themselves.

The day was simply wonderful.  Sooo much fun and filled with alot of love.  Everything just seemed to run smoothly and without a glitch.  Our vendors were AWESOME!  They all worked really well together and made our day defnitely one to remember.  So to our DOC Arlene Marcos of Ah...New Beginnings, Marc and Phoebe Aviles of This is IT Photography, David Ethridge of AVR Films, Glenn Comp of Fairmont Hotel, Jensen Louie of Impact Sounds.....THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

The day afterwe headed off to our HM in Oahu.

Marrieds, I soooooooo truly understand now when you say it all happens so fast!  I mean, I knew it would, but man!  I can't wait for the video so that I can relive it again.

Soon-to-be marrieds....definitely enjoy every minute you have of planning and of course on the big day.  It really truly does go by fast.

Some advice:

-Hire a DOC!  As much as I am the type who likes to have as much control as possible, hiring a DOC was one of the best purchases we made for the wedding.  She made a world of difference. The entire day from beginning to end just ran so smoothly and beautifully.

-Breathe, lol.  I remember taking alot of deep breaths so that I wouldn't cry.  Hehe.

-Just go with the flow.  Whatever you weren't able to do in time, let it go.  The only person who knows about it is you. Hehe.  I know, the bride is very important, but it comes to the day of, there's probably not much you can do.  I remember saying "oh, I forgot the bridal and groom's suite signs, i forgot the mr. and mrs. signs for the sweetheart table." But I was like, it's too late now, but it's ok.  

-Take the time research your venues, vendors, online places that you purchase things from.  A little legwork can help save money here and there.  

-If you're like me, you like to do online shopping and if you do, one helpful thing I found was to try and find out where the company is shipping from.  If you're able to find something close to you, perfect! That will help save on shipping and you know it will get to you faster.  I was able to find a paper company that shipped from a city just 15 minutes away from my home.  Shipping was cheap and I got it the next day :)

-Do what you want to do for your wedding.  Do things that fit yours and FI's personalities.

-Also do what fits your budget.  When I came on to PW, I was sooooooo inspired by everyone's ideas and naturally wanted to include just about everything in my wedding.  But in the end, we picked and chose what meant more and worked within our budget.  It's hard not to compare and even feel a little competitive on such a huge website but remember what's most important to you and FI and what will fit in your budget.  

That's all I got for now :)

The big day truly is special and no matter what happens, good or bad, in the end, what's important is the new union that you and  your FI have entered into.  Happy planning for the brides to be and Happy marriaging (hehe) too all the marrieds :)

Here are some non-pros that I got from family and friends.  There are also some photos from our videographer that he shared on his FB page.  Enjoy!

Photos from family and friends:

yaaay congrats!!!

Wow, what a beautiful recap! Your day sounds wonderful, and Congrats on your beautiful wedding! :) Thank you for the tips too, I know I'm always looking for them.

Gorgeous!!!  Congrats again :)

woot woot. congrats!!! ;)

Photos from our videographer David Ethridge of AVR Films: