Finally A ---!

Still a part of the Wedding Preps Series though :)

After 4 months of requirements, seminars and wedding jitters (SRSLY), finally had the budgetarian civil ceremony slash elopement over and done with!

Firstly, we didn't want to make a fuss out of our civil union because the D Day festivities was already planned to a T later this year, along with all our funds. We only did it to cut down on the documents we'll be processing back home as I mentioned on an earlier post and as I realized ~ it's actually much better to have an intimate affair where the people attending are only your nearest and dearest. In our case, watching our small family and my colleagues hitting it off during our makeshift reception was really fun and heartwarming. We didn't get to do the beer pong but at least we were able to do the GOT S8 E6 viewing party (yes it's actually part of our program HEHE) and bond over our personal takes on it.

I watched a few vlogs as well on civil weddings on Youtube and I really liked the simplicity of it ~ in Japan all you have to do is just bring your family register and personal seal with your significant other and it's done! I watched Camie Juan again and her NY civil wedding (had this on loop one jitters-filled weekend) was so straightforward and simple and it made me feel that despite everything, it boils down to just the both of you and your commitment to each other.

DIYed the invites on Word and sent them out a week before the ceremony.

We received a call on the same week of our scheduled solemnization for the actual timing. Because of Ramadan, we were asked to come at 1:15 PM but we went there at least 20 minutes before in case we needed to do something else before the ceremony. Turned out to be a good call, final checks on the marriage contracts had to be done before we were asked to take our places in front of the podium.

The ceremony was presided over by the vice consul. We were 15 couples in total and I was the one wearing the simplest dress out of all the brides (Thank you Namshi!) which I got on sale for 71 AED (or 1,000 PHP). My sister and cousin signed off as witnesses while his sister was the designated P/V + chauffeur for the day.

Paying it forward: Enjoy 15% discount at Namshi. Use coupon code RFBCRAQ on your first purchase, just click on the images below and start shopping :) (Pics below from Namshi)

Backless ng slight! Pak! Sana by December ganyan na din ako kapayat! Pak!

I'm 5'1 so the mini dress became knee length which was fine because you have to be decent inside the embassy + RAMADAN. J just wore his Sunday best and luckily, his belt from aliexpress matched his shoes so he looked so snazzyyyy

We bought his shoes from Payless for only 60 AED! Imagine! AND it's MEMORY FOAM :)
My black strappies are my regular work shoes from SHEIN.

Bouquet from Lulu :) at 21 AED.

Fun after the ceremony ^^ We don't do adult affairs well HEHEHE

Over-all, the event lasted from 3 hours and off we went to prep for the boodle fight/reception.

Here's J, my eyebrows + me

DIY BOODLE FIGHT

Our simple yet sumptuous feast

(L-R)

Tinolang Manok with Papaya

Torta at Pritong Talong

Pritong Tilapia

Steamed Kangkong + Okra + Lorin's Bagoong

Adobong Manok

Buttered Shrimp

Ensaladang Kamatis at Itlog na Maalat

Tuna Sisig

&

Walang Kamatayang Unli-Rice

We booked a 3 fully furnished bedroom apartment, or should I say, my colleagues booked it as a gift to us ~ SHUKRAN sisters!

The day after: Me (slightly hung over) + J (fresh as a daisy) + my regular eyebrows :)

To think we started off as just me having this mammoth (WOTD) crush on him back in 4th year HS for his drafting + calculus wizardry and now we have officially tied the knot ~ HIHIHI landi! Chos! Lakas maka- A Love so Beautiful ♥

Now we can concentrate on our balik alindog program in peace. 

Thanks for the read!

Officially Mrs. A ♥