How we did our DIY Civil /Christian wedding secretly in less than a month, 27 days to be exact.
( BTW, This is a developing story.Haha.Sorry.I am just squeezing in some time)
The thought of having our wedding DIY is really a brave thing to do. We are both doctors and we have a very limited time. Thoughts like “What if something goes wrong?”, “What if we regret this?”, “What if they won’t like it?”. Also, I have a type A personality but I am now learning to have more self-compassion. For me, this is our first project as a couple and at the same time, it’s one of my life milestones and I couldn’t go wrong. I eased my mind saying to myself that I would just enjoy it as it is. It would not be perfect. It will never be. But, we would strive to make it close to perfect. We chose the guests whom we think will understand us and won’t judge us if the event is not perfect.The most difficult part for us was the limitations of guests since we couldn’t really invite everyone. We considered a lot of things. We planned only 30 but it grew to 50. We are still grateful, they were able to attend our wedding even though it was short notice.
I can’t imagine we were able to pull this through with limited time, budget and resources. We originally planned a really simple and minimalist civil wedding. ) For us, what matters most is the union. We almost forego having a celebration for the sake of simplicity. But, we felt the Lord kept on upgrading everything. Each of us gave a budget for this. (No prob for me because I secretly have a stash in tonik for this. hahaha. I may not say it but I was somehow able to put a part of my income monthly to my stashes)
The Decision and Timing
We thought it was about “time” and we planned it immediately the next day we decided to commit to this lifelong partnership after 9 to 11 years of being exclusive BFFs to each other. Surprisingly, there was a “give” especially “free time” as we can fee the Lord was giving us September holidays every week to prepare. Maybe, he thought we have been lowballing ourselves too much since we were just the ones who decided and put up everything. Blessings just kept on pouring in with the help of some friends and newly found friends in the wedding and events industry. Watch more of this in our vlog #1.
Marriage Requirements
Of course, we prepared our requirements or documents. Here is our actual vlog about it starting from Filing cenomar, Inquiries regarding requirements, the actual application up to the pre-marriage/ family planning seminar.
Read about Cenomar here: https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/requesting-civil-registry-document/cenomar
Telling our parents
Initially, I thought of just doing the civil wedding at the QC hall and having an announcement party later on, but I admit it was not a good idea.(Probably part of my monkey mind is telling me to avoid the anxieties.) Also, I believe that in my heart I and my partner would want to share this special moment in our lives with our families and special ones who we both know and who support us. So to combat the anticipated anxiety of wedding preparations, we chose to keep it a secret between us until we reveal it to our parents first.
We told everyone even our parents about the decision closer to the date of getting the marriage license. Why? so that we can extract introspectively how we want our wedding to be. Nothing more echos.Just the bare minimum.(My “just bare minimum” was really simple but we extended and my partner allowed us to make the day special and really memorable).
Preparing Our Wedding As a Couple: First Project
We tried to DIY/prepare everything in less than a month, 27 days to be exact. I keep a progress tracker using Google sheets. And We updated it every time. We were also able to track our running expenses through that so we knew when we could still extend our budget for another supplier. My partner and I would have a huddle every time. We talked to the suppliers and event place people. (I will put the list down below)
It has been a wonderful journey. I suggest couples to DIY their wedding (if they have the luxury of extra time) not only because of the budget but to make it more personal and memorable for both of you. We were really targeting a minimalist, intimate and straightforward event. I did thrift things and started to tap people I know and some newly found people on fb. The wedding industry is so big that I had to narrow the keywords i would be typing. (Typed “QC wedding suppliers”).
Choosing the venue
Looking for our Wedding rings
We tried searching the internet first and asked some friends. I also asked my mom for her advice from experience. She told me not to choose the ones with designs or stones that will make us uncomfortable and that we would want to remove it. She told me the edges should be smooth because my dad got his skin on his finger irritated. Anyway, those were just some of the pointers I took note of. We went to Binondo to find our ring. It was a nice experience and I myself had tried to engrave on my ring.Hehe.
Date of the Wedding
The day of the wedding got earlier since my mom said it’s not advisable for pre-marriage couples to go out on a trip or travel (You know something might happen.) We actually planned a Cebu-Dumeguete trip. I was supposed to schedule a prenunp pictorial for that and as it turns out, it became our semi-honeymoon trip.Haha. Well, I believe having the wedding prior cebuX Dgt is a good idea because our skin got sun-tanned. I couldn’t imagine our pictures if that’s the case. Our faces would have mask tan from a lot of freediving.
DIY PRENUP
No photographer, No tripod. Just us as we attend our friends’ wedding
Solemnizing officer/ Officiant
I just knew about this term during our preparations. Solemnizing officer(SO) is a minister who will officiate your wedding. Originally, we were looking for a judge in the city hall after we decided on the wedding date since this is a civil wedding. However, God had a different plan. He wanted us to listen to His words of love and wisdom to commence our journey. And there we met Pastor Villareal (through the referral of feast delight, our chosen event stylist.) It was a nice and hassle-free experience. Imagine, we could do the ceremony at our chosen venue. I could literally walk down the aisle. It felt really nice and wonderful. We know the Lord is with us. He wants us to be closer to Him. (In fact, we were able to enter the church again after months and attend a mass 1 week prior to our wedding through the holy matrimony of our friend in San Agustin Church.) We also did a DIY prenup pictorial using our attires on their wedding. Shout out to our September wedding Batchmate Doc Marianne and Doc Neil. Congratulations again.
BTW, guys, there is actually a Solemnizing officer information system (SOIS) to check if your chosen SO is legit. Mind you guys, they have a license from PSA for doing this. Here is the link: https://sois.psa.gov.ph/search
A wedding vlog made by Pastor Villareal.
Thank you very much pastor for solemnizing our wedding. We will remember what you told us. Thank you for doing this vlog. i wasn’t able to document it myself since I was in the moment.hehe:)
REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION TO SOLEMNIZE MARRIAGE
- Two copies of Accomplished Application Form (OCRG-SO Form No.1) subscribed and sworn to before a person authorized to administer oath with affixed documentary stamp
- Two copies of colored ID pictures (2×2) with white background taken not more than a month ago
- Machine copy of appointment as priest, head, founder, bishop, pastor and minister of the religious sect.
- Proper endorsement/designation/recommendation from the head of the religion or religious sect to mention; the full name, nationality, complete address, location of the church, temple or mosque where the applicant regularly perform rites and indicate the extent of his territorial jurisdiction
- Certified True copy of Certificate of Live Birth
- Certified True copy of Certificate of Ordination issued by his/her respective church
- Payment of Registration Fee.
- Copy of the Certificate of Registration, Articles of Incorporations and Bu-laws, and updated General Information Sheet (G.I.S.) certified by the Head of the religion or religious sect.
A straightforward Program
Emcee: Kristine Macasiray
Technicals: Regine Villanueva
A.Ceremony (SO: with Rev.Villareal,
Order of entourage:
Best man
Groom
With Family of groom.
Maid of Honor
Bride’s parents
Bride
B.Reception
I. Wedding traditions
1. First Wedding dance as a couple
2. Slicing of the Cake
3. Toast
II. Prayer for dinner
III. Dinner/pic (Live song)
AVP
III. Q and A Game (from the audience) /prize nuts
IV. Messages to the couple
V. Video (Childhood) 3-5mins
VI. Game
VII. Video (Couple) 3-5mins
VIII Thank you message from couple
Wedding suppliers and logistics
(THis is still a developing content. I’ll put more details soon on another blog if i have time, hehe!)
1. Venue/Food/Sound/ White screen and projector – Myon’s
Very responsive to our messages; No problem with food because they have wedding catering packages https://www.facebook.com/MyonsCuisine/
2. Event Styling (+ Welcome board)- Feast Delight https://www.facebook.com/feastdelightph
3. On-the-day-Wedding coordination- Feast Delight Clickhttps://www.facebook.com/feastdelightph
5. Bridal hair/Mother and Sisters HMUA: https://www.facebook.com/HmuabyDanielle
I messaged her 1 day prior to the event.My original plan was to do my own make up and have my hair done at a nearest salon but eventually decided 3 hair looks would really look nice plus it would be done on my room. I didn’t regret it:) The rate is also affordable. She is not difficult to work on with and very accomodating. She assisted me very well. It felt like I had hire a best friend on that day.
My mom and sis also got here services for hair and make-up.
6. Game Prizes- Reeznuts https://www.facebook.com/reeznuts
7. Souvenirs: https://www.facebook.com/thebeanstalkofficial
We decided that it would be nice to give a little something to our guest. Coordinated 1 day super hassle-free transaction. Paid gcash and boom,they were able to deliver earlier upon my request. Assigned person to receive: My brother
8. Cake – 3 tier Wedding cake https://www.facebook.com/iamrochsph
-Ordered 3days prior to the date; Thanks to my mom and tita chic for coordinating this . Our bare minimum for the cake is just a caramia cake but thank God again for this Bonus:)
9. Photos: BNH snaps https://www.facebook.com/Bnhsnaps
10. Video: IC Tan Madz Shots https://www.facebook.com/MadzShots
11. Wedding Prep Room/ Location of pictorial: https://www.facebook.com/mplacastaycationbyanne
12. Sponsor Souvenir- Scentchips lamp (We really love this so we thought of giving what we love)
Things we DIY / got for free
1.E-invites – I made it using canva.
2. Music/ Technicals- C/o Regine (sister) (Spotify playlist)
3. Wedding program/host/singer: Tin Macasiray
4. Bouquet – Bought 2 artificial flowers at shoppee ; bought a white ribbon at SM to intertwine the 2
5 Veil -Shopee (Link soon)
6. Bridal make-up Bought at SM watson store; I chose the waterproof, or the 24-hour dependable but not expensive make up
7. Program/ Table grouping/ AVP – I fInalized this 1-2 days before the event.
8. Gown- I bought beaded long white gown from divi, but 4 days prior, our friend Doc Rachel offered to lend her wedding gown. We just had a minor alteration and it looked so beautiful. Thanks again doc:)
Conclusion: Post-Wedding Huddle with my Husband
I eased my mind saying to myself that I would just enjoy it as it is. It would not be perfect. It will never be. But, we would strive to make it close to perfect.
So yeah, as expected we had some minor concerns and room for improvement from some feedback. But, they were so minor, i think. After this season, I realized and learn a lot of things about myself, my husband and weddings in general. I enjoyed it. And I can proudly say , “Looks like we’ve made it!”
Thank you!
Thank you so much to those who helped us out!
Thank you to those who came and celebrated with us.
Thank you to those who have congratulated and wished us well.
We appreciate it very much.
Watch this video made by our friend Madz Shots , @ian carlos tan
—–🖤Hi I’m Rz, a doctor,adventure-enthusiast, ocean-advocateMolchanov freediver, who is trying to live mindfully while having a minimal impact on the environment. I am not perfect in this less or #zerowaste journey. But,i am always trying my best. Goodvibes only pls:)
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