the ultimate party

So. We got married. It's been a month now, and yet I still can't bring myself to write about it. I mean, seriously, where do I begin? I feel that to put everything that went on that day - the whirlwind of emotions and events - into words will be nothing short of  futile.

But that's what pictures are for. Here's a handful of my favorite pics from the big day. As they say, let the pictures do the talking.

Getting ready: The girls were busy making me pretty. I, on the other hand, was more concerned about loading film into my Colorsplash. I got priorities!

To the aisle we go: Not exactly a flattering picture but it is pretty memorable. Right as I was about to walk down the aisle, my throat felt really dry. I think I finished the whole bottle in one gulp. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who was parched. D had a beer right before he walked down the aisle. 


Funny, too, that tourists who were staying in the villas lined up on the walkway were taking pictures of me. Damn paparazzi... Ha!

Here comes the bride: One word: Surreal. I couldn't believe it was finally happening. I was nervous, giddy, and extremely self-conscious. I'm not used to having people gawking and staring at me. But when I looked up all I could see was D, and that made me feel a lot better. At that point, everyone disappeared. All I could see was him. 

The handover: I honestly thought I would be bawling at this point. Every time I thought about this moment months before the wedding, I cried. But it wasn't the case on The Day. I just hugged my Dad real tight and said, "This feels like a rehearsal but I guess this is really happening."

At the altar: Again, everyone disappeared. It felt like D and I were the only ones there.

His vows: D's vows made everyone laugh out loud. He said he didn't want it to be so serious. He vowed to go shopping with me even though he hates malls, protect me from the birds that I am so afraid of, do the dishes for the rest of our lives, and ended it perfectly by saying, "I vow to always remember how much I love you right now."

Her vows: Weeks before the wedding, D reminded me incessantly to write my vows. I told him I'll just wing it on The Day. He laughed and thought I was kidding. Well, guess what? I wasn't. I didn't write my vows. I didn't prepare at all. I guess I wanted to speak from the heart and just be as spontaneous as possible. I told him that two years ago, I didn't think this day would even be remotely possible; that he changed my life; and that the last two years with him has been the happiest years of my life. I told him that everything I did with him felt like the most natural thing in the world, that I've never been so sure of anyone in my life.So that day, I told him that promising ever after with him felt like the most natural thing I've ever done.

The red kiss: After our first kiss as husband and wife, I looked at D and saw that he was wearing my lipstick. 

Husband and wife: Once pronounced as Mr and Mrs Burckhardt, we were ready to par-tayyy!

And what a party it was.

we did

We did it! I still can't believe that the madness that was our Ultimate Wedding Weekend has come and gone. A gazillion thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to join us in promising ever after to each other. D and I are overwhelmed with love and gratitude. Each and every one of you made it the best party we've ever thrown in our entire lives.

A special shout out to...

To our parents: We've said it once, and we'll say it again - thank you for bringing us into this world so we could find each other and fall in love. We couldn't have done this without you. Seriously.  

To RAD, who is the most badass officiant the world has ever known: A job well done. Asking you to marry us was one of the best decisions we've ever made.

To Teddy, the bestest man ever: Thank you for flying all the way to Bangkok from the concrete jungle where dreams are made of. You were the best man not to just to Dieter, but to me as well. 

To Alex, who kept me sane throughout this whole shebang: Thank you for shooing away random strangers taking my picture while waiting to walk down the aisle. And for just being there. You deserved to win that bouquet toss. You're next! I can feel it in my bones.

To Edmir, Shane and my cousin, Russel: You guys turned my vision to life. D and I were amazed with what the three of you have done with the place. You guys rock.

My AA girls: Thank you! Thanks Angelica for my make-up. Thanks Dimple for my hair. Thanks Cat for taking control of the fujidroid. Thanks Binx for being there against all odds. It was nice being surrounded by familiar faces during what was possibly the most stressful and nerve-wracking day of my life.

Truth be told, D and I's favorite part of the wedding was when we got back from the shoot and saw all of our friends, in a sea of white, mingling and drinking, with the sun setting in the background. At that point, D and I turned to each other and smiled because that was exactly what we were thinking of when we were planning this wedding - our families (Bangkok friends, highschool and college friends, and immediate family) coming together. It was perfect.

So thank you, thank you, thank you. And just for good measure, thank you. We can never say those two words enough.


*Cross-posted from our wedding blog. 

us married

WARNING: If you're not a fan of cheese and mush, move right along...

This is the first weekend that it's just us again, us being married. It's surreal. D and I always figured the wedding is just a wedding; just because we signed a piece of paper and said our vows in front of a group of people, doesn't mean we'll love each other more than we already do. But somehow it feels different. I look at him from across the table and remind myself that this man is my husband, my partner for life. The thought of spending the rest of my life with him excites me to no end. It makes me want to bust a move, jump around, and slap on the widest grin I could muster.

Three weeks have passed since the whirlwind that was our wedding weekend, and I am still beaming. When friends ask us how it feels to be married, we joke and say, "21 days in, and the magic is still there!" The magic is still there. It really is.

I didn't think it was possible to love him any more than I already do. When I think of just how crazy I am about this guy, my heart feels like it's going to explode. Words fail me and I am afraid I won't be able to rightfully express just how much he means to me. Like Dorothy Boyd saying "I love him, Laurel. I love him. I love him!" over and over.

The Monday after the wedding weekend, I went straight back to work. I went home everyday that week feeling an inexplicable sense of calmness and contentment that I have never experienced before. As I made my way home at the end of the day, I thought, I just had a productive day at work and now I am coming home to my husband. We'll eat dinner, talk about how our day went, sit on the couch, put our legs up on the coffee table and watch TV.

And that made me think, Man, this is the life!

PS Pictures will be up soon!

Krabi preview

A couple of weeks ago, D and I went down to Krabi to iron out details for our Ultimate Party. The weather wasn't exactly beach weather but the place was still uh-mazing.

Here are some pictures from the trip.

We've got 21 days to go til The Day and I still can't believe it's finally happening!

stress and the perfect getaway car

So now that the announcement has been made, the wedding planning is well on the way. And together with the planning comes the stress that seem to come in full force. Sigh. We got the best advice from D's boss today: "Hang in there!" Well, from the looks of it we'll be hanging on for quite some time. Seven months to be exact!

As I try to catch my breath after a morning of researching for hotels and tours and answering emails from people in Manila and the US, I'll leave you with something that has taken my breath away.

The Vespa Ape Calessino.

Wouldn't it be the perfect getaway car after the wedding?
Oh boy, I want!

[Photo from A Cup of Jo]

this is it

Last night, D and I gave the down payment for the hotel reservations for our big BBQ party in 2011. As soon as the transaction was made, D turned to me and said "This is really happening! Seems more real now. We're getting married!"

So for you guys who haven't caught on, the BBQ Party I keep referring to is our wedding which will be in January 2011. I didn't really want to make a big fuss about the announcement but...

YES! WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!

*happy dance*fist pumps*high kicks*chest bump*do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around, that's what it's all about*

I'm excited! elated! ecstatic! over the moon! ridiculously and deliriously happy that I am marrying the bestest man in the world! What can I say? I'm one lucky girl.

So with that I leave you with the first pictures of D and I, taken on our semikindasorta first date.

Probably One of the happiest days of my life. 

Afternoon picnic at the park followed by dinner and drinks at Heineken Green Space, Central World.

picnics and vignettes

I am getting more and more excited about D and I's BBQ Party next year. A lot of family and friends are planning to attend, and I am thrilled at the idea of being surrounded by our loved ones on such a special occasion. I can hardly contain myself!

In lieu of all this planning for The Party, I am constantly on the lookout for inspiration. I rely on sites like this, this, and this for awesome ideas. Just recently, I've come across another inspiration that left me gushing over the details.

Marnhe and Simon's celebration is definitely one for the books. I love how it was a labor of love from friends and family who were more than willing to pitch in with the preparations. I also love how the couple's love for picnics was incorporated into their day. Photographer Riekert Cloete really captured the joyous occasion. Just look at the wonderfully saturated pictures! Not to mention the awesome vignetting! It's love.

[Photos from Snippet and Ink]

all dressed in white pt. 3

Thanks to my fab friend, Edmir, for introducing me to the wonderful world of Pia Gladys Perey. I am seriously considering donning one of these lovely Grecian-inspired dresses for D and I's BBQ Party in 2011.

Lovely. Just lovely.

[Photos from Pia Gladys Perey]

all dressed in white pt. 2

Oh Jenny Packham, your ethereal bridal creations make me swoon.

Love, love, LOVE the airy feel of these dresses!

[Photos from Jenny Packham]

all dressed in white

 I'm still on the lookout for the perfect white dress for D and I's BBQ party next year. I'm not a fan of puffy dresses plagued by excessive beading and yards of fabric. I just want a simple white dress that spells effortless elegance.

Today, I set my sights on BCBG because they make reasonably priced pretty dresses that won't amount to a down payment for a car or a house. Here are BCBG dresses that have caught my fancy:

I welcome the idea of wearing a short dress because the setting we have in mind allows it.

This one appeals to me only because I find the open-back detail of the dress interesting.
Also, the pleated crisscross detail at the bodice adds a nice touch. 

This seems to be the winner of the whole set.

Quite a steal for US$358.

What do you think?

[Photos from BCBG]

showing some love for Morgane Le Fay

While admiring this lovely wedding at 100 Layer Cake, the bride's dress caught my eye. So simple yet so elegant.

I found out that the gown was by Morgane Le Fay, a New York City-based fashion house founded in 1982 and designed by Liliana Casabal. I wasted no time in finding more of their beautiful, ethereal creations. Here's some that I love:

They don't just have white dresses. I've just been drawn to white dresses lately. But this particular white dress, I am completely in-love with.

 I can imagine wearing this to our er...uh... BBQ party next year.

What do you think? Yay or nay?

[Photos from Morgane Le Fay]