As a little girl I always dreamed that my wedding day would be something out of a fairy tale complete with Knights, beautiful maidens in flowing garbs, an enchanted rose garden, a magical waterfall, white horses, and a faraway castle. However, we all know fairy tales don’t always come true there are things called pre wedding jitters, in-law induced stress, hormonal imbalance, adrenalin rush, pimple attack, sleepless nights, fugitive suppliers, typhoons, cancelled bookings, shortened tempers and heightened emotions. But circumstances like these never seemed to dampen my ideas of what a dream wedding should be and I always believed in my heart that every woman should be given the chance to have the wedding of her dreams! This is what we are all about!Together with a very dynamic friend of mine, JR, Creative Concepts was born.

We’re a group of friends whose different passions are committed towards: Putting into reality the couple’s vision and personal taste for their wedding. Being in close contact with the bride and/or groom throughout the planning process and being there to oversee the delivery of contracted services. Offering vendor choices to the couple based on their given preference and information, doing all possible means within our capacity to ensure that the event runs smoothly. Conceptualizing, planning, preparing and implementing up to the smallest detail all that is necessary to make the couples vision of a dream wedding a reality. The greatest fulfilment I have is when I see the couples happy and fulfilled at the end of the day, and the greatest reward that I get is the bond of friendship formed, which I know will last even when the wedding day has become part of a cherished memory. After a hard day’s work, I can’t help it but shed a tear as I watch every bride walk down the aisle in a white flowing dress with a 30 meter train walking towards the man who would promise to journey through life by her side.

-GRACE

Since college he has been hosting programs, parties, balls, contests weddings, corporate events, product launchings and movie premiers. He has also been a part of many school and church productions as actor, director, set and costume designer. Although, a business management graduate, he decided to pursue his love for acting by enrolling at the prestigious Repertory Philippines to hone his skills in theatre, after which he re-enrolled for a second degree in college, Speech and Theatre Arts in Silliman University.

As his thesis for graduation, JR, together with a trusted mentor of his, staged a full length theatrical production of the well known children’s classic, PINOCCHIO. For this, he got major reviews and positive feedbacks from his teachers, mentors, benefactors, local dailies and most especially wide-eyed wonder and gratitude from the kids who experienced a magical moment with the blue fairy. In fact, they are being pressured to come up with a repeat performance when he finds the time to do it amidst his busy schedule. JR is currently connected with a major film production outfit but one day dreams of putting up his own.

BY: JOHN AND BENZ RANA OF WEDDINGS AT WORK

FROM: METRO WEDDINGS DIRECTORY 2008

Certified True Copies of the contracting parties’ Birth Certificates from the National Statistics Office (NSO).
Valid IDs with the addresses of the contracting parties
Community tax certificates of the contracting parities (required only in Quezon City).
Barangay Certificate (required only in Makati).
Parental Consent (for contracting parties aged 18 to 21) or parental advice (for contracting parties between 22 and 25) — this is a written indication that the contracting parties’ respective parents know of the intention to marry
Certificate of Attendance in a Marriage Counseling Seminar and a Family Planning Seminar.
1 x 1 pictures
Personal appearance of the contracting parties
Subscribed and sworn marriage license form

Other requirements for foreigners, divorced or widowed:

Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry and photocopy of passport (should have date of arrival), required by Philippine Law for foreigners marrying a Filipino. The certificate is issued at the embassy of the foreign bride/groom.
Final Decree of Absolute Divorce (for divorcees only); may be obtained from the foreign court that granted the divorce.
Certified Copy of the Death Certificate of the late spouse (only if s/he widow/er).

Upon submission of all the necessary documents, allow 10-14 days (two weeks) for processing. A marriage license legalizes a wedding ceremony and is valid for 120 days from the date of issue.

1. BAPTISMAL AND CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATES

The bride and the groom must each have these. You will need new copies and the copies must have an annotation:
“FOR MARRIAGE PURPOSES ONLY” it must be secured not more than three (3) months before the wedding day.

2. MARRIAGE LICENSE

The couple may apply for this from the city or municipal hall where either the bride or the groom currently resides. For those who are already civilly married, a certified true
photocopy of the marriage contract with the registry number of the city or town where the marriage was performed must be submitted one week before the wedding date.

3. CANONICAL INTERVIEW

This interview with the bride and the groom will be done one month before the wedding date and will be conducted by the parish priest or his assistant.

4. PRE-MARRIAGE SEMINAR

Both the bride and the groom have to attend this. The schedule for the seminar will be given during the canonical interview or you may inquire at the parish office.

5. PERMISSION FROM BRIDE’S PARISH

A permit from the parish of the bride-to-be must be secured and presented to the parish office of the couple’s chosen ceremony venue. The parish office of your chosen church will provide the form.

6. MARRIAGE BANNS

These will be provided during the canonical interview and have to be immediately brought to the respective parishes of the bride and the groom for posting. These have to be returned to the office after three Sundays.

7. LIST OF NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF PRINCIPAL SPONSORS

This have to be submitted to the parish office one week before the wedding date. Church policy requires at least a pair of sponsors, and ideally a maximum of six sponsors.