Initially, my fiancee and I are getting married in December. However, since her parents might go out of the country, the same with our chosen officiating minister, we opted to do the ceremony, albeit in a rush, but still soaked in planning and prayer. So the new date will be at the end of this month, August! I can't get more excited!
We are both excited about our preparation. During the week, since most government offices are only open on weekdays, we complied with the necessary requirements for our marriage. We had to go to the Civil Registry to file for a Marriage License, and to the City Health Office Population Commission for the required Family Planning Seminar. We never thought processing will be a breeze, though we have to move from one place to another, it was not as complicated as we thought it would be.
But our week's highlight was when we went around the community to look for an apartment and when we went to Ongpin for wedding rings and when I formally introduced her in the church. .
Friday: Gladys and I were accompanied by my parents as we look around Marikina and its adjacent community - Cainta. We searched from San Isidro, to Sto. Nino, Concepcion and Malanday areas. Some apartments are too small even for couples, and a bit pricey for their features. Some are cheap but do not spark interest in me, and more so in my future wife.
We even scoured social media to look for nearby apartments and rooms for rent but to no avail. Some are too sketchy, some are not easily accessible, and some do not even provide complete details.
But there's one apartment that we visited - a newly built condo-style that my fiancee easily fell in love with. Too bad we even forgot to take snaps of the property, but it is very spacious, conducive to work-from-home set-up, the place is quiet and accessible to public transport and establishments. We immediately reserved the apartment.
Saturday: We went to the Scout area in Tomas Morato for Apartment 8 Clothing. I have often heard of Apartment 8 Clothing before, but this is my first time visiting its location (for what reason, except for now, haha!) There were a lot of dresses - in various colors! No wonder ladies find this place a haven for their love of dresses.
My fiancee tried several dresses and we stayed there for about an hour. She asked me to take several shots of her while wearing a white dress. We do not believe in superstitions, by the way. I wanted to share some pictures, but I'd rather reserve them some other time.
After Apartment 8, we walked to Asian Theological Seminary - where I am planning to enroll for a Master's degree. I wanted to familiarize myself with the place as early as now before the class officially begins.
Then we went to Quiapo-Ongpin to look for wedding rings. My friend referred me to a specific stall where they bought their wedding ring. But it took us a while before reaching Ongpin! We went on a circuit, and Google Maps failed us. Until we decided to hail a tricycle. To our surprise, the place we're looking for is just a few meters away from where we are! Charge to experience, and off we go looking for affordable wedding rings.
Since it was almost dark when we arrived, we were not able to visit the place my friend told me. We just hopped from stall to stall and checked prices. Before it becomes totally dark, we decided to call it a day.
*Note: No, we did not buy the wedding dress or the wedding ring. We are planning to go back the following weekend. *
Sunday: I was assigned as the preacher for the Sunday service, and upon the encouragement of my pastor, I was prompted to introduce my fiancee to the congregation formally and have our intent to get married be made known publicly. Since we skipped the engagement part, I find this plausible because people would know that we are serious with our intent and that we are involving them in the celebration of marriage. That brief moment we shared together in front of the church was awkward but we were both happy because we are surrounded by people who love us and care for us!
What an eventful weekend!
