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Mabuhay!!*

Posted June 15th, 2010 | 9:00 am | By Judith Manzano | 26 Comments

*pronounced mah-BOO-hi and is an expression used to exclaim “long live”.

It’s hard to believe that six months ago I introduced myself and Mark to the Weddingbells online community and now I’m saying my farewell. In that time, you’ve learned quite a bit about our Filipino heritage from the ceremonial traditions to the superstitious beliefs. You’ve followed me through the gong show that was the hunt for my dress, hopefully received some makeup inspiration and learned about the difficulty of coming up with a cake design.

When I entered this contest, my head was still floating high in the clouds from the proposal. You know what I mean: the perma-smile plastered on your face, you walk as if you were part of a ballet and you find every excuse to talk about the proposal. I couldn’t help but jump at every opportunity to tell my proposal story and this contest was just another chance to relive the proposal. I was completely gobsmacked when I was contacted by the Weddingbells staff and the rest is history. Read the rest of this entry »

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Pink Elephants, Oh My!

Posted June 1st, 2010 | 9:00 am | By Judith Manzano | 17 Comments

Many of the other bloggers have expressed the importance of finding a photographer that will not only fit your budget and style, but will also deliver stunning photographs that you can enjoy for many years to come. Pink Elephant Photography and Design not only delivers the style we were looking for, they are also friends of the family. Casey and Jojo (yes, just like one of my favourite R&B groups) are a husband and wife team whose unique style caught our eye. Not only do they take great photographs, their artistic use of photo-manipulation was what sold us on these two.

I knew right from the day we were engaged where I wanted to take our engagement photos: at my work! Okay, as lame as that sounds, the building I work in is a state of the art, eco-friendly building that’s won many design and ‘green’ awards all over the world. Mark thought I was crazy but after seeing the building, he agreed. Manitoba Hydro Place is Manitoba Hydro’s brand new building in downtown Winnipeg. This building uses the latest technologies in sustainable energy which makes it not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing in a minimalistic/simplistic style which is very much “us.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Tiers of Joy

Posted May 18th, 2010 | 9:00 am | By Judith Manzano | 13 Comments

{Some of Charlie’s beautiful creations.}

It’s not a secret that one of my biggest passions in life is art in every form. So when it came to our wedding cake, it was only natural for me to want to design it. I had the craziest idea that I would make our wedding cake until Mark got concerned that I may be biting off more than I can chew. I tried to argue but when he said to let Charlie take care of it, I was sold on the idea.

Chef Charlie V., owner and head chef of Charlee’s Restaurant, is a close friend of ours for many years with Mark having gone to school with him since high school. We love his food and you can often find us dining and hanging out at his restaurant. What sold me on the idea of Charlie making our cake was the thought of just how much I LOVE his cupcakes! He makes the meanest, the moistest base and pairs it with a light, fluffy and not-too-sweet icing. Not only is he a whiz with food, he’s also hard working, easy to get along with and an all-together good guy. Read the rest of this entry »

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Through the Eyes of a Child

Posted May 4th, 2010 | 9:00 am | By Judith Manzano | 11 Comments

{The centre of my Universe.}

I can say with complete certainty what my greatest achievement in life would be my daughter. I once read the following phrase and have since lived my life by it, “God gives not what you want, but what you need.” I was blessed with her presence at a time I thought was far too soon only realizing many years later that her life was exactly what I needed; when I needed her. She is the driving force behind my drive in life and to be a better person. While she may only be in her ‘tweens’, she has taught me lessons in humility, sacrifice and above all, unconditional love. My daughter is my hero and is the reflection of everything I am and everything I have only dreamed of becoming. Marrying Mark was not only something I’ve been looking forward to, it’s also been my little girl’s hopes for many years. The following is a little interview I had with her while snuggled up in bed together. *Please note that I may’ve had to change a little bit of our conversation so it made sense. She speaks ‘tween’ most of the time… haha! Read the rest of this entry »

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Going to the Chapel and We’re Gonna Get Married

Posted April 20th, 2010 | 9:00 am | By Judith Manzano | 14 Comments

{Proof that we were destined to be married.}

*We’re not really getting married in a chapel; I just really like that song. I was actually singing it after we met with the priest…hehe*

It was important for both me and Mark to be wed in a church so what better a church than the one that plays a big part in both of our lives? St. Edwards Roman Catholic Church is not only the church that my family has been attending masses at all my life, but it is also where Mark attended elementary school. Can you believe that Mark and I actually had our first communion’s together and had no clue? It’s true! A few years ago, I was flipping through Mark’s childhood photo albums and when I got to the photos of his first communion, there was something strangely familiar with the photo. I visually scanned the photo and sure enough, I found my young self in the very same picture! Many years since that photo, Mark will once again be in a white tuxedo and I will once again be in a white dress and veil; walking down the very aisle that has been the central point of my day dreams since I was a little girl. Read the rest of this entry »

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Traditionally Untraditional

Posted April 6th, 2010 | 8:30 am | By Judith Manzano | 19 Comments

My beautiful mom trying her best to smile through the pain. They’ll be celebrating 32 years together.

My mom has always been the strength in my life. She may be tiny—standing at a whopping 4’11″—but boy can she make you shake in your booties when she’s angry. But she’s also a comedian whose laugh is contagious and we’re very close. One night, my mom and I were going through her things to see which pieces Mark and I could use in our wedding—I’m a little bit sentimental that way— and we got to talking about her wedding. “Look at my pictures, I’m so mad!” she says as I’m looking through her things. “Why would you be mad mom? You should’ve been happy!” Sure enough, some of her photos show her dressed beautifully in a white gown but with a huge frown. “Oh I was happy! It’s just that your Titas (aunts) made me put coins in my shoes! I was in pain from having to wear high heels to catch your dad (she meant so she wouldn’t be dwarfed by him), and in even more pain because I was stepping on coins, ALL DAY!” This led to a long conversation about traditions and superstitious beliefs that have been handed down through our family. Read the rest of this entry »

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Bridal Makeup Tutorial

Posted March 2nd, 2010 | 11:00 am | By Judith Manzano | 26 Comments

In the early stages of wedding planning I made a decision on something that seemed outrageous to some: I’ve decided to do my own wedding day makeup. How can I possibly have the courage to endeavour such a huge task? Simple: I enjoy and am actually obsessed with makeup application and products. This is kind of ironic and I’ll tell you why. Growing up in a predominately male family (two brothers and many male cousins), I was the girl that wore ripped jeans, T-shirts and runners and could be found chasing after my older brother: climbing trees, playing sports on the street and being the dummy for him to practice his wrestling moves on. Who would’ve thought that I would grow up loving anything remotely girly? You also couldn’t tell from looking at me that I enjoy playing with makeup since I run out of the house most days wearing glasses and not even a smidge of foundation. I’m not sure when I first became interested in makeup but I do know when it turned into an obsession—the year my BFFs gave me a M.A.C. gift card for my 20-something birthday. Ladies, I blame this all on you! Hehe, LOVE YOU! Read the rest of this entry »