We are celebrating our nuptial in Auburn, CA

If you have the need to contact me simply page me on the Northern Cali board.

On ward with the regular introduction, minus the knowing about us. (Please don't be offended. I just want to keep some personal facts personal.)

Disclaimer: Well, I am a lazy person to create my own website so I let google pages do the works. And if you find your photo, pics, pix posted here on my site. Please let me know so that I can give you proper credit.  

_ _ ____________ My Wedding Planning ____________ _ _  

Planning a wedding with a budget of $15,000 is very challenging.  Normal wedding costs now a days is about the $20 - 30,000 in Northern California alone. Thus, we have enlisted our very talented family and close friends to help us make our wedding memorable and with in or even under budget. (okay, it may be wishful thinking to have a wedding under budget with our $15,000 budget )

I made my own budget list, by simply modifying the budget list that most commonly used. Then, instead of doing the budget list, to put up here,  I simply put the actual cost of everything I have for my wedding.

My husband's wedding band

His wedding band is almost similar to mine aside from the design in the middle along the diamonds.

_ _ ____________ Venue ____________ _ _

Built in late 18th Century during the gold rush era in California. I just love the old Victorian feel of it. This mansion was turned into a Bed and Breakfast.

Our Honeymoon Suite

 Our suite along with the 14 rooms were included in our wedding package. I have a choice of charging my guest with the room but it was a gift from us.

Invitation out July 23rd :120

10218 0 RSVP received as of 9/14/07

Cost $10,800 including the tax and tips

_ _ ____________ Color & Inspiration ____________ _ _

I really don't have a theme, But I know enough of Autumn colors however, I really don't want to restrict myself with the Autumn theme either. So, instead I used colors. 

I have read many wedding on a budget before and I find it that having a theme actually is more costly than simply using a color.
 

_ _ ____________ Hair & Make Up ____________ _ _

Inspiration

The background photo is the inspiration for my bangs, bottom left is the inspiration for the back of my hair the bottom right photo is the eye makeup inspiration. I luv the smoky eye look of the make up.  When I had my Make up trial it cost me $350 and yes, there goes my hair and make-up budget.

 Final Hair and Make Up

Now, with the simplicity and clean-fresh look of my final inspiration I am so sure that I am going to be able to save money. A co-worker of mine used to be a make-up artist and is also able to at least make make my hair somewhat similar to the photo above.  I was blessed that I worked with a very talented colleague that used to be a  makeup artist.

{A +++} everyone was commenting that I looked so pretty.

_ _ ____________ Apparel ____________ _ _

1st Alteration Patina alteration { Rating: B} Less likely to recommend

she charges more than any other dressmaker in town. I was recommended to go to her.  My personal experience with her was not so pleasant. She made me feel like that I hurried her to do the bustle and trimming the hem. I have a one-point bustle and her bustle-workmanship does not hold as it should, it keeps on falling every time I walk a short distance i.e from table to table. 

   Disclaimer: Now, this is my own personal experience with this particular vendor. I can't vouch for her previous work or any other. 

Cost of hemming and one point bustle $108

2nd Alteration  Alterations Plus {Rating: A} Highly recommended.

Irina is so great to work with.Plus she made sure that the dress was ready with in 3-4 days. I had the pseudo-shawl taken out and trimmed the top to fit me perfectly. Cost of resizing the top and making the jacket $72 

     Disclaimer: IMHO Irina does more work than Patina. Irina did not make feel that I hurried her at all. Costumer Service is simply great. :) . She made my dress available with in 3 days :)

Veil

      my veil it is the drop veil and it will be anchored with a clear hair comb or may be a hair pin.         Veil it self cost me $20 form eBay.  

Shoe

My wedding shoe... But I have another one that is red and well padded and suited for dancing. I will upload all remaining photo soon. Cost $0.00. I have this shoe for ages and wore it only once on our cruise.

My Purse 

 this is my purse cost $0.00 already own it.

Tux

From the Left is the Grooms tux and the right is the groomsmen. Will use the 20% discount from mens warehouse. My Husband paid for all of the tux that the guys will be wearing.

Brother will be wearing a gold vest.

Total cost $600 

The Girls Dress

This is the Girls dress. Though, not necessarily the same style but same color which is black. The girls are going to provide their own black dress as long as no knee high. They can have any style that complement their body.

 Since the girls used their own existing black dress, shoes and used their own and my make up and for the jewelry  were borrowed. Total cost $0.00

_ _ __________  Paper Goods __________ _ _

Our Logo

The Logo. Cost $0.00 for an initial work made by aylee is free. Since I am on a budget, I utilized this logo very well. I could have another design but I like to keep it simple and stay elegant.

Save the Date Post Card style

Here is my first attempt of DIY paper stuff. It looked so busy but I like it and I showed it to my FI and he thinks it is cute and it is us in a way. 

Newsletter

My First DIY'd newsletter i sent out along with my STD especially made for our busy buddies, friends and families. I personally think that they love this version of getting informed about our wedding rather than  through the Internet. I got the template from Microsoft office.

I have two headliner; first one was the story about our wedding. Since we are only inviting closest friends and families we both opt out telling them about how we met and our story. Instead I wrote about our wedding and the infusion of both cultures and leaving the details out. The second headline was all about the time, date and place of the Wedding. And the place to stay and what sort of activities the city offers that month. 

Bridal Shower Projects

DIY Bridal Shower Invite

Since tapping into DIY route, I could not stop and must keep on going. So, to keep the burden light to all of my attendants I did my own bridal shower invite with of course the newsletter of which they all enjoy getting it, to keeps them informed and updated.

Bridal Shower Newsletter 

Here is yet another bridal shower newsletter. Having a newsletter in our wedding makes it so personal and so us. I asked my Matron of honor to write something for the newsletter and I will do the rest. So, with this newsletter edition the theme of the bridal shower is how to help me keep organize and help me learn how to cook. Theme is a housekeeper, we have games and some door prices for the games too. It was fun. Sorry, no pics friends of mine does not like their photo on the net.  

 DIY Bridal Shower Favors

I even made this favor. I like the look on their faces when I show them my work of art (sort of). The pillow box I created and  stuff with butterscotch candies. It fit about 3 per pillow box.

Diy Invitation

  The design is not of my own. Originally a dear friend of my mine whom we call each other sisters, were supposed to have the same invitation but she end up postponing her wedding 'til next 2 years.

  I change the color and some of the text to make it more DIY. Bought the card stock from The paper mill store and print all my paper stuff directly on my printer. Then a single long stitch to bind the invite.  Saves me a lot of money and plus have all the control to correct all typos too. 

RSVP card is in postcard form.  I have printed the names of the guests and given them to only either check please to attend or regret. It was so easy to manage guest that are coming. 

(Originally, I was going to included on the RSVP card  for my guest to circle a number of where they will be lodging. But we opt out because, I end up not doing the OOT  goodies. Low on $$$)

The Newsletter again :)

  The newsletter simply kept the guest more informed and they love getting this newsletter. Originally, I was going to include the info by numbers only to learn where our guest would be lodging. So, that I could easily disperse the OOT goodies. But since we were low on $$$ we opt out. 

Rehearsal Dinner Invitation

the 2nd draft..... I like this one more. I made this one with illustrator. I end up not doing a rehearsal dinner invite because I am only allowed 20 guest to invite. So, the only people that are participating in the wedding ceremony are the only few people that come and dine with us.

Ceremony Reading Cover 

Bar Menu

We provided our own bar cost $1,200 and it's an open bar. Thank goodness for the in-laws and they insisted on helping us by simply paying for the bar. It includes the bartender fee. He drove up from L.A to be at my wedding.   With this amount we had 10 hours of the open bar at our wedding. Our venue allow us to stay and had fun 'til 2 am. Music was still palying, no one was dancing by then only chatting having a good time.

Having the newsletter help me remind all of our guest of the  open bar and designating a driver. Everyone complied and had fun. They all have the drink and the bartender did not pour a lot of alcohol.   We bought 3 of the 1.75 L bottle of Vodka and Rum, but my husband went a bit overboard with Jack Daniels. He bought 6 bottles and we only used at least 2 and 1/2 bottles of each- vodka, rum and jack. We bought our liquors on sale, in a way we save at least $2-300. 

For the Fruit Juices,  and sodas we bought them in bulk at costco and samsclub. I did not put the special drink that my friend steve, my bartender, made for me. It was bocce ball. It was a hit than the apple Martini.

The Menu

 I had a station buffet style dinner. I created a menu so that my guest would know what sort of food they are getting. Instead of having a label on the food stations (which, to me look  tacky.) And I told my venue that don't take the food away until everyone had their fill and had seconds. Everyone had fun and could not stop talking about the food and drink :) I am so happy.

Total Cost of all Paper Goods including trial run, stamps and misc. $210

_ _ __________ Ceremony Accessories __________ _ _

Unity Candle

This is our unity candle. Candle I owned already just haven't used it yet. It is scented. I only spend $7.00 for the candle stick holder from Ross.

I have a special prayer for the unity candle lighting. 

Unity Coin

Unity coins purchased from mybarong2.com$41.16 

The unity coins is both of Spanish and Filipino tradition. More info soon in my married bio.

{Rating: A} Package arrived on time and in excellent condition.

Unity Cord/Rosary

Unity Cord/Rosary. Bought from eBay 1 year ago don't know from whom. $15.00

Yet again the unity cord in a figure of eight form or a rosary signify the eternal bond between the couple blessed by God. Another shared tradition of Spanish and Filipino culture. 

Unity Veil  

Unity Veil is a unique tradition of the Filipinos. It signifies the Protection of God over the newly wed. My DIY unity veil.  Excuse the mess in the background. I was in the middle of my re-organizing the wedding stuff and projects when I took this photo.

How to make a unity Veil:  

Material:

• Sheer Fabric, Organza or similar material about 60 inch in length (and an inch on all four sides of the rectangle for the trimming.) There is 3 feet in a yard and 12 inches in 1 feet.
  
• 192 inch in length of Trimming of your choice of design. You can have an inch to 2 inch wide of trimming however you wanted it to be.
  
• thread and needle (make sure you get a tread of similar color as with your trimming)
• tape measure and scissor  

1.  With the organza/ sheer fabric measure length = to 60 inch.Cut to that length, make sure to add an allowance of at least 1 or 2 inch on all four sides of the rectangle, depending on the width of the trimming. Then, measure width = 36 inch and cut to that length. Add an allowance of at least an 1 or 2 depending on the trimming width.
2. Find the wrong and wright side of the organza (to know this ask the person that will cut the material at the store and mark it for you) the wright side of the fabric are usually smooth to the feel. 
3. Cut the trimming 2 of 60 inch in length. And again 2 of the 36 inch length and set aside. 
4. Ready your thread and needle.  Don't worry you don't need to be an expert to sew this. It only require a simple stitch. Make sure to sew the ends of the trimmings to prevent unraveling.
5. when you are ready to sew. Use a single thread in needle to sew in zig-zag simple stitch. Start with the shortest side first, the width side that measures 36 inch. Flush the ends of the end of the sheer/organza fabric. Now with each zig-zag sew make sure the all edge of trim and fabric are flushed together. 
6. When you are done with the width side, then begin with the length side of the veil that measures 60 inch. and make sure that all sides flushed from edges. Then repeat the same 5 and 6 process until done.  

Make sure to buy a material that you like and that are on sale to save money. 

Cost $12 including the trimming. (it would have cost me $50 if I bought one, and would only use one time.) 

Bible; gift. Cost $0.00

_ _ __________ Reception Accessories __________ _ _

  

My FI and I have decided that food and drinks are important in our wedding. Thus, the wedding cake taste must meet my FI approval. We have only few list of requirements. 

It must be delicious, one that can't easily forget, icing must not be very sweet. The cake it self must be soft and sort of melts into your mouth and wanting to have more. 

The design is least of our concern. We both love the simple design of the cake on the left. Flowers will be in orange color  made out of sugar. No real flower are to be used. 

Custard and strawberry are the two cake filling that we both loved as were growing up and so, we incorporated this in our wedding and  into our wedding cake. The Icing that we chose was the Italian butter cream  which, is not to sweet just like we both like and know that our guest would love to taste and eat as well. 

Total:$335  

 Our Cake Topper

This is our cake topper. Yes, I know a bit vulgar but my FI and I thinks it is so funny.  Our parents  and our families and friends had a hoot about this one. It was my husband who really was wanting get married many years before I finally said Yes. I guess we have been verbally/mutually engage about 4 years before our actual wedding. I got the ring on 07-07-07. Well, he actually put it on that day but we had the ring since Feb of 07.

Cost me $15 yet again at walmart. 

Toasting Mug during Cake Cutting

We don't drink wine nor champagne when we eat cake, thus the mug is used. Cost me nothing it was a gift. $0.00 

My husband would not use any other mug that we have at our house but these only. He said "I love it."

Our Toasting Flute during dinner

The embroidered ribbons were made by ex knottie Kim she is one of those knotties for hire.

Cake Server 

Our Cake Server.... Cost $3.99 from Ross...

Our Card Chest

This is my card box/chest cost me $0.00 I already owned it

We have decided not to have a garter and bouquet too. But because I am expected to have a money dance we both have it on our first dance. My mother opened up the money dance and it was fun. 

_ _ __________ Flowers __________ _ _

Roses, tulips and the orchids. Cost $645

_ _ __________ MISC __________ _ _

• Clergy to marry us cost $400 
• DJ Cost $0.00 my Brother in law
•  Favors cost $89.85
• Attendants gift $30 I got them shawl and a lavender soap from France, plus free stay at the mansion
  
• Photographer cost $0.00 would have been 1,100 with all raw digital photo film. We pay our photographer when all was done. We used the money we got from our gifts and money dance. 

_ _ __________ Wedding Day Advice __________ _ _

My version of a  Wedding Day Advice  

_ _ __________ Useful Internet Tools __________ _ _ 

 Siggy Bio Link

<a target="_blank" title="your title goes here: i.e my bio  " Target="_new" href="your url goes here" Target="_new">

<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" COLOR="#FF0000">MY BIO LINK</FONT> </a> 

Here is the url to your bio: 

 http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/page.aspx?username=your knot user name goes here

 Note make your url in a tinyurl and paste between the apostrophe

this code is editable if your very familiar with html code. 

Now, you can change the font face to any you like as long as knot has it in their server.  The color is also editable to what ever color you like. 

RSVP COUNTER code

I used emoticons for my RSVP counter.

10218 0

<hr align="left">
<strong>Invites out July 23rd:<img src="http://tinyurl.com/26ue3j"><font size="3">
120
 <br>
  <img src="http://tinyurl.com/2stkrs"> 
102
  <img src="http://tinyurl.com/35gv5a">
18
  <img src="http://tinyurl.com/332n7w">
0
 </font></strong> RSVP received as of 9/14/07
<br><strong>RSVP by September 15th . </strong> 

*** click and the link to see if you like the icon ***

***All that is in color are editable or replaceable with you own personal number and date***

Wedding newsletter

This is an online newsletter and you could also print it. You have to sign up for free and has a year free subscription and you may also cancel at anytime. Site is called the letterpop.com simply click on the link or the photo and will take you there directly.

Map Maker

I have stumbled on this site while searching on the net about how to wedding and maps, low and behold I noticed this weddingmapper.com it is an excellent tool for future DIY projects. Also, another site is the knottie Map bio. I will put the link later on.

DIY Photography

This couple has decided to do a DIY wedding photography, much like a photo journalistic way of photo shoot. All they have done is set their camera on a tripod and pose. here is their link.

_ _ __________ Vendors __________ _ _ 

The Powers Mansion Inn: A bed an breakfast Inn. Located in the heart of historic Downtown Auburn 

      Officiant:  Rev. Fr. Donnaghy; found him through rent a priest. 

    Photgrapher:  Profound Imaging. Mike is simply an easy going fellow. I like that sort of attitude about our vendor easy to talk to meaning less stress on our part. 

     Alteration: Alteration plus, is a general dressmaking shop and they also specialized in wedding dress. Highly recommended for those on a tight budget.