*note: Since we are still waiting for our pro photos (I saw a sneak preview and jaw dropped), I think I'll write a few posts about the remainder of the DIYs and small details of the wedding.*The stacks of take-out boxes grew higher and higher.
The count almost reached 200.
They were everywhere! But what to put in them? Candy, ofcourse! And lots of it!!
We love the look of color-coordinated candy buffets (a la Amy Atlas) and sweet treats in matching packaging. But the wedding was 2 weeks out and the only personalized purple & yellow candy we had ordered were M&Ms. A bit panicked, we headed to Target to load up. I knew candy wouldn't be hard to find, we just had to choose the correct candy wrappers/packaging: anything in yellow, gold, or purple.Enter these yummy bites:
They are just a portion of the many bags we bought.
For those interested, here is the amount of candy we purchased.
Kisses: 10 bags dark chocolate (purple wrapping) and 5 bags almond (gold wrapping)
Jelly Belly: buttered popcorn, island punch, lemon drop (to match our martinis)Cadbury: 3 bags (purple wrapping)
Hershey's Nuggets: 5 bags of various almond, toffee, dark (gold wrapping)Hershey's Bliss: 7 bags (purple wrapping)
M&Ms: 4 bags personalized, 4 bags Lakers (purple, yellow, white)
Lemonheads: 6 boxes (yellow)
Almond Roca: 1 container (gold wrapping)
Ferrero Rocher: 5 containers (gold wrapping, delicious)
Tobleron: 3 bags (yellowish wrapping)
It ended up being way too much! I would say about 2/3 of what I purchased would have been fine for our 120 guests. Less mini chocolates but definitely more M&Ms because they were a hit!For containers, I had amassed a nice collection of apothecary jars from Michael's (all thanks to their 40% off coupons). The jars were perfect to display the candy.
Here are just a few of the jars (photo taken w/ BB camera).Next step was signage!
Signage for the candy bar :) I used PaperSource Plum Scallop Circle Labels to print out the candy contents of each jar, and cut circles from lavender paper to provide the labels with sturdy backing.
Font is freebooter script from dafont.
Wide yellow ribbon went around each jar and the labels were attached to them. 
We also tied some ribbon around the jars for a cute look.
We packed the candy, jars, and take out boxes nice and tight, and handed them off to Anna of Love & Splendor the day before.
About 1.5 hours before the reception ended, the candy bar all set and ready to go! Anna set it up perfectly. It looked super stylish and too sweet!! Here are a few photos taken by friends :)
So much chocolaty goodness :)
Purple and gold foil look so nice and shiny.
And the take out boxes rounded off the look nicely :)
My favorite part was the personalized M&Ms! We ordered ones that said "Jella and Matt" and "9.26.09", and custom ones with Lakers logos :) It was definitely a crowd favorite.
Will you be having a candy bar? What candies did you choose?
Blog title is from lyrics by Gwen Stefani
Trying to be budget conscious yet true to our style, we have worked with a budget that allows us to spend more on what we like and less on what is not as important to us. Examples of this are a splurge on invitations but skipping the calligraphy and personalized stamps, a splurge on our ceremony venue but a skimp on our reception hall, a splurge on photographer and writing a videographer out of the budget, and a splurge on a DOC which has saved our sanity. One of the main spend vs save options has been with our caterer. We love our caterer. Their food, service, and professionalism has been amazing. They have risen to our expectations and their reputation. Being food lovers, the fiance and I are so happy we chose them and a menu that provides variety, taste, and health options. We splurged on appetizers (ceviche, bacon wrapped prawns and scallops), entrees (steak and salmon), even dessert (ice cream buffet) because we know that good food means happy people and good food is remembered. But with all this splurging, we had to figure out a way to save on. We've provided our own alcohol and shortened our guest list, but there was also more we could do. Our caterer also takes care of our food related rentals (linens, stemware, utensils, plates, chaffing dishes, table number holders, etc). We always wanted something nice in the form of our table setting, but knew this was where we could potentially save. While I love fancy linens, utensils, stemware, and plates. And I longed for the cleverly crafted details of a Martha Stewart styled wedding.I knew we had to go for something on the simpler side.We chose the basics of each item. White cotton linens, for a clean look. This would also allow our centerpieces to stand out.Napkins folded flat also gave the clean lines look. I really like the addition of a bit of flowers for a touch of color.And I liked the white on white look (table cloth, napkins, plates). 
Here is the place setting we looked at during our catering consultation. Each item is the basic, bare bones, starting off product they provide. It's definitely on the more economical side of things, since we have to pay for each item (plate, utensil, napkin, glass) we rent, but we figured as long as the food is good maybe no one will notice the simplicity of it all. We liked the over all look, which is a bit simple but has enough style. The wave-pattern design on the plate reminds us of our vases. The napkin has a little bit of lavender folded into it, this is standard at their weddings and matches the inspiration above as well as one of our wedding colors. The stemware (water, wine, and champagne glasses) is smaller than their other, more luxurious option, but as long as the drinks are flowing, the guests won't mind. And the silverware is a bit fun. It's hard to notice in the photo (taken by a Blackberry) but the fork and knife are different in style. The fork has a simply detailed bottom handle, and the knife has a sort of "w" shaped bottom handle. It's slightly reminiscent of an upside down heart, so we chose that :)All in all, we are happy with our decision and can't wait to see everything in place.How did you decide on your place settings? Did you go for a more detailed, colorful, textural look, or a simpler, monochromatic look?
Blog title is from song in Disney's Beauty and the Beastp.s. time is flying by so fast!! Right when I thought I had everything under control, I realized that so many details are still in the works. Wish me luck w/ the next few weeks :)
Growing up with first generation, traditional, Catholic, Filipino parents has given me a sense of culture and tradition that I try to balance with growing up in a more modern LA/CA/USA. Although I put a lot of importance in their values, I am Filipino-American and my thoughts and likings sway towards a more modern feel. This has been quite apparent when planning my wedding. The parents know the traditional and religious customs/ceremonies they'd seen in countless weddings past. The huge bridal parties, the godparents, the cultural customs. I have been to a few traditional Filipino weddings and think each detail and ritual is beautiful. While I may not do all of them, I respect the love and meaning in each. The bride wears a white wedding gown, similar to in the US, the groom wears a traditional hand embroidered formal shirt called a barong. Made in a thin, almost transparent material, embellishments of lace are added to the front as nice details. Since the barong is basically see through, a white shirt is worn underneath for modesty.The wedding ceremony usually takes place in a Catholic Church. Two popular cultural traditions occur during the ceremony: cord and veil, and coin. Sponsors, usually godparents and uncles and aunts, are present to witness the union. They will provide guidance and support to the couple, and can participate in the wedding ceremony.
During the cord and veil part, two sponsors pin a veil over the bride's head and the groom's shoulder. This represents the couple's commitment to protect each other, to clothe each in their love and loyalty. Once the veil is on, two more sponsors place a cord (in a figure 8) over the couple's shoulders. This cord binds their love, symbolizing unity and infinity.
Following the cord and veil is the coin ceremony. Also known as "arras", the priest drops 13 coins into the groom's hand, then the groom drops the coins into the bride's hands. This symbolizes the groom's support of his wife and household, as well as wealth and prosperity. For a more modern take, we plan to change this a bit. We will ask the priest to bless the coins and place them in both of our cupped hands, symbolizing our shared commitment and position in our marriage, as well as a symbol for prosperity. We feel this portrays an equal, balanced relationship.Coins can be regular quarters, half dollars, or dollars, and they can be fancy. Fancy coins, like the gold plated ones above, are a beautiful keepsake and can be passed down. The rest of the wedding ceremony consists of vows, blessings, and kisses. For more information on Filipino wedding traditions please visit: Wedding in the SkyWeddings in Bliss!Sweet KnottingsWith all the serious and business parts over, it's time for fun! A Filipino reception has lots of food, family, and fun. There aren't really any rituals or traditions at receptions, but there are a few cultural aspects to add. Most of these have to do with dancing.The dollar/money dance is a popular event. After blogging about it here, we are still considering how it will be recieved by our guests. Chances are, if we do this dance, it will be spontaneous. Other dances are more traditional to the culture. Dances like tinikling and eskrima could require bride and groom participation or be performed by family members.Tinikling is the national dance of the Philippines. It involves the beating and tapping of bamboo poles on the ground and against each other, in harmony with one or more dancers. The dancers step over and in between the poles while dancing. Another dance is the eskrima. More of a martial art, participants use rattan sticks, in a fencing but more fluid like motion.There are so many aspects, details, and meaning in the traditions. So many different kinds to incorporate into a ceremony. I know that although we aren't choosing to have every tradition, using one or two allows us to share my culture withe one another and with our guests. Will you incorporate any cultural rituals or traditions to your wedding day?
Blog title is from lyrics by No Doubt
Above is the family table. We opted to sit with our parents and siblings instead of a head table or couple table. It was tight seating for 10, but a good chance for our immediate family to bond and soak in the new family :)
Guests began arriving.
College friends. My favorite people.
Cousins :)
I love this photo of me and all of the little girls :)
Mom and my Titos and Titas. My mom has tons of friends, I think her friends made up a major amount of the guest list, but I was fine with that because each has been a great part of my life.
