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02/15/2009
 IMG_2117_1 |
Wedding Pictures
posted online
if anyone liked the non-professional shots i posted earlier, and would like to see more, they are online at:
www.amyt.printroom.com/madlangbayan |
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01/29/2009
 prepping for the night... play acting, really! aw, look at the baby--er, bouquet! a pretty maid looks on what a good looking group! post ceremony first dance "le vie en rose" father daughter dance dress shot with bustle the closest the camera ever got to my bare legs party on, B & T! probably one of my top favorite pictures of the night a surprisingly talented dance floor the makeup is wearing off, but the smiles aren't : ) ah, italy... what a lucky lady i am...                     |
My Wedding
The first of the photos
these are non-professional, but i think you'll get the vibe of the night nonetheless. it was really amazing. i am so glad that we were able to surround ourselves with all of our loved ones and really create a moment/entire day of such genuine, personal love and emotion. everything came together beautifully; i couldn't have asked for more. i am so grateful to my friends and family for pulling together to support us and just emphasizing how much of a true celebration the day was. as i said, i couldn't have asked for more, especially from my new husband who is now not just my best friend but my life-long companion. should be fun! :)
oh, and i included a couple pictures from our honeymoon in venice, italy. |
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01/14/2009
 FINISHED PLANNING! |
Countdown
Coming up fast! (almost the sixteenth)!
Tonight was the rehearsal dinner--AND the first time I spelled rehearsal right on the first try! HI-YO! We went to Buca di Beppo. My sister made me a gorgeous ribbon bouquet from all the shower presents. I ended up giving it to the precious flower girl because she really seemed to enjoy it. Most of the ribbons were thick and white with "CRATE AND BARREL" written across them, but she made it work and it ended up looking just lovely. The trial runs were kind of funny. I hope that everyone arrives on time. Mostly it's the grandparents that we are concerned about. We pretty much settled on the idea of escorting the grandmothers, but only those who are there on time, so as to not hold up the rest of the processional. If we do end up walking the each of the grandmothers, it might take a bit of time. I hope I'm not a nervous wreck while I'm waiting back there. I feel extremely nervous already! At least on the day of the wedding, you know that everyone is looking at you lovingly, not with scrutiny. Man I am just super nervous. It's because it's been hyped so much, but really, I mean, me and Mike aren't huge attention seekers, so maybe that's why I feel a bit out of my element. I'm not shy, but it's just such a heavy feeling, having your dad walk you down and give you away. Especially me and my dad because we are close and pal around a lot. It just feel weird, like I am desperate to crack a joke or something to ease the tension. Maybe I'll ask "so, are the Lakers playing tonight or tomorrow?" or something just so it doesn't feel like such a long walk--and man, is it a LONG WALK or what???? I feel like that aisle goes on forever. My dad whispered, "oh wow, you go up there?" when the coordinator told me and Michael to step up onto the alter. We kept saying how weird it feels to be directed up there, with all the attention on you. I told him that the only other time you go up there is when you're dead. I don't think it was quite the appropriate joke to crack at the time, but I was just so darn nervous. He's nervous too. We both were saying that it is impossible to do the long walk without one of those nervous grins plastered on your face, and there is nothing more we can do about that. I told him to use the slow, methodical intonation of the sportscasters on the Golf Channel to deflate the emotion of the moment, and also so we don't rush down too fast. Yikes!
Tomorrow my mom and I are going to get mani-pedis and a massage and lunch, then my sis is going to do a final trial run on my hair, then my family is going out to dinner for my brother's birthday. I think after I get through all that I will just call up the girls to watch a movie or something. Maybe I should go to the gym or do something productive with my nervous energy. I don't know. I'll probably end up being a lazy bum as usual. Michael is going to work out. I'm a little sad but also more excited that we're not seeing each other until the big "moment" on Friday at the church. Did you know that they even close the doors after the bridal party get in their respective places and reopen them for me when everybody's standing? I didn't realize it was such a big deal. I thought I just followed behind everyone, but just to a different song. Okay I have to think about something else. I'm going to drive myself crazy these next 24 hours, Michael is actually semi-lucky to not be subjected to my kookiness. |
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01/08/2009
 candy station   |
Candy Buffet
And more food!
At the candy buffet we'll have:
sour patch cherries mini reese's peanut butter cups mini toblerone bars chocolate covered pretzels dark pink m&ms light pink m&ms Hopefully everyone will find something to enjoy. I like the inclusion of toblerones; after I found those, I felt like the task had my stamp of approval. I think I am also going to have to ask Frosted Cupcakery (the bakery we are using for our strawberry and nutella cupcakes) to include some little cupcake boxes in their delivery, for all those delicious leftovers. I think we overestimated how many cupcakes people will be eating. I often forget that not everyone possess the insatiable sweet tooth that I do. Man, we've really loaded up on the food here! For the cocktail hour, we're having california rolls; individual chinese chicken salad servings with chopsticks; little open-faced sliders; korean bbq beef skewers; and brie, pear, and walnut quesadillas. The quesadillas should be de-lish!--and I know a couple bridesmaids who will be eager to try them as well! I can't believe it's only a week away. My dress is getting some last minute alterations, but pretty much everything is settled at this point. There is one more meeting withe the DJ, and I need to confirm with Frosted Cupcakery the delivery time/order as well. Hmmm... And I need to contact the hotel reservations people to make sure we still have a place to stay in Venice! Fun stuff! But tomorrow, we're going to Disneyand! PS. The writing on the sign isn't the final draft (it's written on the outside of the plastic wrap). I feel the need to clear that up since I know it looks a bit wobbly. |
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01/06/2009
 scones with jam and whipped cream |
Bridesmaids Luncheon (NWR)
scones
Scones should only ever be served with jam and whipped cream. Nothing tops it, ever. We had fun today. We drank mimosas and ate little sandwiches. I think that Michael would love to come try the "high tea" one day too, but we might have to order, um, double because it just seems like the little finger sandwiches wouldn't do the task for his appetite. He would like the whipped cream though.
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01/06/2009
 Me and the Maid of Honor, Bubba |
Countdown
Ten days!
Yikes! TEN DAYS! I met with the photographer, Amy, today and I feel so much better about everything falling into place. She relieved my worries about who needs to be where for all the pictures to be taken. She even helped schedule the night's events. It seems like it will go smoothly. First off is the introduction of the bridal party and groomsmen, then the big dance, then my dad's welcome and the pastor's blessing of the food, then the salads, then the toasts, then the entree and cupcakes, then the father/daughter and mother/son dance, then a bit later on after some dancing: the money dance, then the bouquet/garter tosses... and then no more scheduled events for the evening, just dancing and fun.
But back to the present... I am really excited about having tea with the girls tomorrow. We're going to have a good time--I mean, who can say no to delicious scones and finger sandwiches? Plus I am giddy about telling everyone about the progress we've made regarding the schedule for the day. And I'm pleased that the honeymoon plans seem to have fallen into place as well. Our friend (and monogram artist) got us an incredibly pretty children's picture book about Venice. The illustrations in it are just gorgeous, and it is surprisingly informative! Now it looks like we will be spending four full days in Venice, and take one day trip to Padua, as well as one to Verona. I thought about maybe taking one of the fast trains to Milan too, but they last about two hours each way, and I'm not sure if either of us will be up for that. Man, ten days! It's gone by so fast--especially the last couple weeks. I feel like Christmas was just yesterday. It is too bad that the fall semester holds finals the week before Christmas, It makes everything go by so fast without allowing my to relax and savor the season. It's all just a blur really. Well as far as wedding prep goes, I have been using whitening strips everyday and trying to drink more water than usual. My dad told me that if I am scared of how I look in my dress that I should hit the gym... he means it more as a stress reliever than a panicked attempt at losing weight though. I know nothing notable can change in ten measly days. Hopefully it will sort of de-stress me though. I want to be calm and collected, not all scattered and sick like i have been lately. |
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01/01/2009
 |
Honeymoon
Venetian food
Last night my sweetie and I went out for some Italian food for a quiet little New Year's celebration. I usually try to stay on the lighter side of the menu--salads, soups, or sometimes salmon. But, last night I saw something that I knew I had to order: black spaghetti. Why? Simply put, it is a staple in Venetian cuisine. Basically, the spaghetti and sauce are stained with squid ink. The sauce is extremely flavorful, and the spaghetti noodles are complemented with rings of calamari (squid). Normally, I am not the world's most adventurous eater, and I know how repulsive this sounds to the chicken-finger crowd. But because of my research on Venice the past few weeks, I just had to get it. Venice is going to be gorgeous. And the food in Venice is what has enticed me and my fiance to dream of splurging, languishing over meals, and generally feasting every chance we get... Yeah, we sound sort of gluttonous, but you only honeymoon once right? And when we do decide to leave our hotel, I want it to be worth it: breathtaking architecture and art, romantic nooks and alleys, and food that's fit for a king.
By the way, the pasta was delicious. Decadent and salty, with bits of black juice spotting the place-mat and tablecloth; not to mention making my lips and mouth extra dark and garlicky for my sweetie, hahaha. |
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12/27/2008
 bridal party and bride girls   |
Bridesmaids
Hot stuff, coming through!
Here are me and my maids :)
They are too pretty--I can't wait to see everyone all dressed up and glam. The boys clean up pretty well too, I must say. This picture is from my bridal shower and it includes (in order of appearance) my baby sister/maid of honor, me, my bff (yeah, I speak sixth-grader), and a cousin Michael's--who has also become a very good friend since me and Mike started dating. They are all gorgeous girls, and each have been wonderful and supportive of me and my planning--they haven't complained at all that the only thing I do/talk/think about is the wedding. I am excited to give them their gifts for being in the wedding--they really deserve some recognition at this point in the game! It was fun to find things for them (they are all different gifts). I love picking out presents. I just can't believe it's all almost over already. Pretty soon, I want to have high tea with them and my mom at a swanky golf course nearby, and finally give them their presents (whilst munching on scones and sandwiches). I'm such a girlie-girl. This wedding is really bringing that out in me. Years ago, I would have NEVER guessed that I would choose pink, of all colors, as a theme for my wedding. The black edges it up a bit, but nonetheless it is a very femme color combo. I'm not as much of a toughie as I used to consider myself, I suppose. Anyway, here's to good friends that back you up in your times of need. I am excited to be a bridesmaid, one day, instead of a bride. I feel like I would have a good experience and thoughtful input; (well hopefully after all of this I will have learned a thing or two)! One thought is that even though it's fun to make things personal and unique, at the end of the day, you have to keep your sanity--and as long as there are drinks, good food, and music, people will have a good time. All the little details enhance the experience, but they don't "make" the day, or not nearly as much as much as the idea of simply being there to share the moment with the new couple does. Another well learned lesson: don't dish out too much unsolicited advice--I know all too well that brides suffer through enough of it as is (You paid too much for your honeymoon hotel! You shouldn't have the bridesmaids in those dresses. You should do this in your ceremony!) All of which, I have observed, is followed with unsolicited family planning advice. People are really nice, and just want to help, but still--it can be overwhelming. I'll keep a buttoned lip. I surprise myself sometimes and can, actually, keep my mouth shut. Okay, I'm off my soapbox! Essentially, I want to just do as good of a job being supportive and helpful as my girls have done for me--maid or not. As a friend, I would feel responsible enough to offer to lend a helping hand. Every little bit counts--whether it is just a kind word about the progress of the plans or an active role in the preparations--every little thing adds up, and a bride will take notice. I can promise that. |
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12/25/2008
 The Peanut gang dancing to "Linus and Lucy" |
Merry Christmas
To all the stressed brides :)
Hope everyone has a happy holiday :)
A quick, actually wedding related tidbit--I think the bridal party is going to come out to "Linus and Lucy"--you know that song that the gang dances to at the beginning of "A Charlie Brown Christmas"? It really isn't a Christmas carol so that won't be infringing on anachronism, and I have always loved that song (and the movie, of course) so I feel like it retains some of our goofy personalities (well, maybe mine only). I know it seems really random, but I think it will capture the lightheartedness surprisingly well, and be a good transition into the first dance too. We'll see though--as always with me and Mike, nothing is ever set in stone up until the very last second : ) Also wishing all the December/January brides good luck and a lovely wedding. It's been really rainy (even in Southern California!), but don't let that get you down--umbrellas will look très chic in the photos. Now go eat some yummy ham, tamales, and all the other awesome Christmas food. Screw the diets for the day. Merry Christmas. |
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12/23/2008
 trying to show it from different angles much better than when i arrived with 0 makeup on! yikes! close up of eye makeup    |
Ask a Question
Makeup trial run part deux
So here is how it turned out at the makeup counter.
I initially wanted a stronger lip, but I am curious as to what you guys think. A stronger lip always means more time reapplying as well, right? We also discussed thinning out the eyeliner a bit, only on the part closer to the inside corners of my eyes though, because my eyes are a bit close together. We also talked about "spot treatments" for my breakouts :( so sad, I am going to have some skin issues. That's just the way it is and I need to get over it. Oh well. At least the cover up made it less noticeable. Still bums me out but I will try to focus on the positives instead. So what do you girls think? A stronger lip? More blush? I love your comments, they are very thoughtful. |
gummiflamingo
| 4 | years since wedding |
Samantha
Michael
Jan 16, 2009
Los Angeles,
California,
United States
St. Lawrence Martyr
The Ayres
Amy Theilig
Pink
I cannot wait to get married to Michael...
number of visits: 4497
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