Wedding ceremony varies according to preference. Some wants it to be simple with few attendees while others like to be huge with long list of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Although this is optional but their presence is greatly appreciated.
 Bridesmaids and groomsmen play an essential role in the wedding. During the early years, their presence during the wedding is match needed to ward off evil spirits, who might be present during the ceremony to spoil the event. It is their belief that by wearing the same attire as the bride and the groom, the evil spirit will be confused as to who the real bride and groom are. Although the history behind their participation started centuries ago during the Roman time. Best man protects the groom from the family of the bride who might come to steal the bride. The bridesmaid on the other hand, accompanies the bride as she travels to the place where his groom lives for the wedding ceremony.

During the ceremony, bridesmaids and groomsmen, serve as witnesses to the vows made by both the bride and the groom. Their presence during the exchange of  "I dos" helps strengthen the love and trust of the couple because of their shared intentions to protect the couple.

Bridesmaid and groomsmen are also present in celebrating the joyous life of the couple. They are  there to make a toast and cheer up together for a happy life ahead.  And to make the celebration smooth sailing, bridesmaid and groomsmen help in the preparation starting from the engagement party up to the very special day. They see to it that everything has been set prior to the commencement of the wedding ceremony. Assisting the guest to their seat and to oversee the flow of the reception's party.

And although this historical background was much different from today, we need to show appreciation to our bridesmaid and groomsmen. For bridesmaid gifts, is not that difficult to look around. However for groomsmen it's a bit harder. So, if you have difficulty to shop  groomsmen gifts . You can always visit Executive Gift Shoppe. They carry a huge selection of unique groomsmen gift in a variety of price ranges. They will give a wide selection according to your needs.

 Image from google

Faye of Quicker8.com is having a blog contest. She is giving away the following stuff below to those lucky readers and online friends of her blog. 

What she is giving away?

First Prize : Ladies Chronograph (big face) watch

Second Prize : Kate Spade Kikay Kit (orange)

Third Prize : Kate Spade Kikay Kit (Floral)

1. Subscribe to her feed via email located right side bar of her blog(REQUIRED) - 1 Entry

2. Blog about her contest along with the Prizes {You MUST include the Prizes and My link}- 5 Entries
- If you have multiple blogs, much better. Each blog post along with the Prizes -5 Entries.
3. Leave a comment in this post telling what you did and give her the link of the blog post. 1 Entry.
4. Comment to any of her post. From August 8,2010 to Sept 8,2010 and you’ll have 1 entry each comment.
Make it sure it's at least three words

Head on to her blog and join. The contest ends on the  8th of September 2010. And it is also open internationally. So everybody can join.

While browsing in the net today, I stumble this wonderful site about sketching a wedding gown. I got to think about how awesome it would be to  have a sketch of  my dress. ^-^.

This is one of my favorites bridal portraits by Brooke Hagel an artist and designer living in Manhattan. She'll do custom portraits for any occasion. Her bridal design, sketches and shots caught my eye. 

$350 is the cost for an unframed piece of work

$14.95 is the cost for an unframed piece of work

The initial deposit of $100 is for 3-4 thumbnail rough sketches emailed to you. Once you choose the one like most, the balance is due and the custom sketch will be completed and mailed to you within 4-6 weeks

Dreamlines is another option and affordable. You can get a sketch of your gown. The only downside is that your not included in the portrait. But for affordable as $100 for 8 1/2 x 11 is an awesome and very good option.

Address: cor. Sta. Ana Avenue & Lapu-lapu Street, Davao City

Contact Person : Ms. Linda Palingon

 San Pedro Cathedral

Address: San Pedro St., Davao City (In front of the Sangguniang Panglungsud Building-Legislative Building)

Address: Juna Subd., Matina, Davao City

Contact Person : Ms. Amy Dhala

Tel. No. 63(082)296-2894

 St. Jude Thaddeus Parish

Address: Malvar Street, Davao City (beside Davao Doctors Hospital)

Contact Person: Ms. Baby Briones & Ms. Ardel Corrdero

Tel no.: +63(082) 227-5404

 Sacred Heart of Jesus

Address: Nicasio Torres Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City (in front of Stella Maris)

FAX no.: +63(082) 227-6397

 St. Francis of Assisi Parish

Address: Don Julian Rodriguez Ave. Corner Carlos P. Garcia Hwy, Ma-a Davao City
Contact Person: Ms. Emelda Vargas
Tel. No.: +63(082) 224-114

 Redemptorist  Church

Address: JP Laurel Avenue, Davao City
Contact Person:
Tel. No.: +63 (082) 227-6647 / 221-2245

Saturday 9 : Friends

1. How many of your friendships have lasted more than ten years? Which of your current friends do you feel will still be important to you ten years from now?
- I have four friends that last more than ten years until now. 

2. When you look at yourself in the mirror, what’s the first thing you look at?
- My face

3. Who was the most recent person on your missed call list on your cell phone? What’s your relationship with the person?

- Erwin, my boyfriend
4. What did your last text message you received on your cell phone say?
-That my boyfriend is online, and ask me to go online.

5. How would you “label” yourself?
- Moody, picky

6. What was your favorite age that you’ve been?

-When I was a kid, no worried, no hassle, no problems to solve.

7. What is your current desk top picture? What’s it significant?

- My picture last Christmas, I just like the photo and the background on it.

8. What was the last thing you said to someone that you‘d like to take back?
-I don't know!

9. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to go back in time and fix all your mistakes which would you choose?

-In my journey, I get mistakes, I've learned from it and become a better person as I am of today. So, i wont' choose it, I want that million bucks.

One of the most important aspect of a successful relationship is communication. Lack of communication can result to misunderstanding, mistrust, doubts or can even lead to separation. A long distance relationship are  even more difficult to maintain. Though some long-distance relationships certainly succeeded but they require careful navigation from the people involved to steer trough the obstacles brought by on geography.

Being in a long distance relationship  for almost three years already, our means of communication is our telephone and computers. Without this two things we didn't know if these relationship worked out. And of course, trust and hold together the love that we feel with each other, long distance relationship can and do work eventually. 

Before we have a computer, our communication is just merely on our mobile phone.  Mig33 mobile messenger, nimbuzz messenger, celicity sms, yahoo mobile, ebuddy are our means of communication. Thus, I cannot leave without mobile phone on my side. 

These are the phones that I love so dearly, the mobile phones has been part of my everyday routine. Though the Nokia n70 is not working anymore but I still keep it because these phone has a lovely meaning in my life. I met my fiancee through with these phone. Nothing special as such, love to have it and can reminisce the memories every time I look at it. The small blue nokia, was given by a friend last 2005 during my birthday here. It wasn't a new phone when she gave it to me but the thought matters most. Even she is in Canada now, but our friendship remains. These phone reminded me of how lucky I am chosen as one of her friends. I met her when I was three months here, since then we became good friends. The phone still working, and I'm still using it as my roaming phone line.

These is my project I bought after four years here in Israel. My means of communication to my parents, my brothers and sisters, and my friends. I bought it in second hand too. My friends has been telling me to sell it and have a new one, but I can't because the thought of letting go this thing is painful for me. It is literally eight years old and even I have difficulty using this laptop, I still  love it and no matter what, I will keep it. I bought a notebook though!

For more nostalgic memories here:

Wedding @ Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao

Snagged the photo from msys @ chic ads weddings and events