a year after photos

so, we were supposed to take our "day after pictures" right after the wedding -  but we kept pushing it off until it became "a year after pictures."  like our other sessions with Angelica Glass - we had a great time.  we took these pictures around her place in LIC.  here's a preview she posted on her blog.  i will post more when receive the full set. 

(*note.  isn't it a wonder what makeup can do for you?!  i look like a different person here.  i have to say.  i wasn't 100% pleased with what the markeup person did for me.  i said i wanted it a bit "dramatic" and here's what i got.  i knew i should have brought a photo!)  i came across makeup artist, Maria Chang's blog and she has a lot of photos of her work on real brides.  her work is amazing.  this would have been super helpful when i was preparing for my wedding (even if i couldn't hire her since she is in california).  http://www.mariachang.blogspot.com/

school is out- finally!

 i graduated!

me and my proud hubby (and scary man in anguish in the background).

i'd like to thank:

1. JESUS

2. my loving and tell it like it is -hubby

3. will give me everything and then more -mommy 

4.  all of my friends who didn't leave me/hate me even though i wouldn't call them/write them or remember their bdays for the past three year.

i am much indebted to you all.  i couldn't have done it without you.

i can't believe it's  been 8 months since i last posted... well, for anyone who actually still reads this xanga... let me post some professional photos from my special day 10 months ago... maybe i'll even do a little vendor review for my NY brides at another time.

(i think i'm posting just because i really shouldn't be right now- i'm smack in the middle of finals!!!  don't tell the hubby i'm not studying!)

these are all pictures by the oh-so-talented and cool, Angelica Glass.  i still feel so lucky to have snatched up angelica glass as our photographer.  there's no one quite like her out there.  her work is always amazing.  

getting ready at the hotel:

(i look naked!)

before the ceremony:

(my bouquet- which i wasn't so fond of)                         (bridesmaids' bouquet)

here is the ceremony site before the guests filled in:

(my cute aunt enjoying her parasol)

(here's the handsome groom waiting for his bride)

(it was the first time we were seeing each other that day)      

the bridal party went to take formal pictures:

(i had to get out of the way so j could have his photo with the ladies)

(aww, what a nice photo) 

(this is what happened when it was my turn with just the guys)

(i did a little better with the girls)

...and i leave you with that one of us smooching. 

it's a lot of work to update.  i think that will do it for me today.  please stay tuned for the reception and beach pictures.

Wedding day pictures part II

here is a picture of the ceremony site.  i wanted it simple on the green lawn. 

this is a picture taken by hubby's sweet cousin (and professional wedding photographer!)- manus chau.  he's an incredibly nice guy who captures amazing pictures.  if you're a bride in the san francisco/bay area- check him out!  www.manuschauphotography.com

yes, we had a long long way to walk.  the heel of my shoe kept sinking into the grass!

tada!  hubby and i under our canopy- getting married.  the officiant is our pastor friend.  it was so special having someone who knew and cared about us marry us.  his message to us was just beautiful.

(the person who snapped this picture is very proud of this shot.  good job!)

we went back to the bridal suite to get me all bustled up- yes, it took 3 ladies to find all those pesty buttons to the bustle. 

before making our grand entrance as mr. and mrs. at the reception, someone needed to be moisturized.  heehee.  there was resistance but i couldn't allow the flakiness!

we entered.  (www.manuschauphotography.com)

we had our first dance -"eternal flame" by the bangles.

(btw- my mom made my bustle - and i loved it!  i didn't want my dress pinned to my butt- the lace just didn't look right that way.  i loved how it turned out!  yay for a mom who can sew!)

we laughed as we danced.

the best man (hubby's bff from 2nd grade!) gave such a funny and touching toast!  everyone said that was the best speech they had ever heard!  the bm's toast was also very personal and lovely.  we love our friends! 

and here is a picture of our table.  aren't these bride/groom champagne butlers cute?  my mom got them for us- it was so cheesy and funny - we decided to put it out on our wedding day.  i'm glad i did- it still brings a smile to my face. 

here is our cake- i really didn't love the flowers- but that's ok!

we cut the cake.

we danced.  (hubby's dad's got some moves!)

we goofed around.  (hubby likes to make fun of me in this picture- he always points out- "look how short your leg is!!!")

i threw the bouquet.

...and the day eventually came to a close.

we felt so loved and blessed that day.  we thanked God for each other and all of our family and friends who showed us so much love during this time. 

Yay- WE'RE MARRIED!!!

After 11 months of planning and preparation with much excitement, anticipation and just a tad of stressing... the day finally came.  Woke up that morning as one HHB, and by the middle of the day was one HHL!  Yup, I am now a Mrs.  Let's note some of the changes:                

-get to wear two bling-blingers

-must check off "Mrs." for my prefix and check off category "married" 

-his money = my money!

-must worry about what to make for dinner every night

-wake up 10x a night b/c of the surprise of hitting someone's arm/knee next to me

-hubby doesn't have to drive me over the bridge and back to take me home

-get to live with hubby and doggie baby!!! 

So, all in all, i'm happy to report that i'm a happy married lady.  here are some pictures from that beautiful day:

Non-pro pictures

getting ready

the morning was really hectic.  perhaps the most hectic morning of my life!  (if i can do it all over again- i wouldn't want to tie the knot so early in the day!  since our ceremony was at 12pm, the hair/makeup crew arrived at my hotel room at 6:45am!  they weren't on time- they were actually early!  they called me in the parking lot at 6:30am and i was still in bed.  there were four girls (bride + 3 bridesmaids) that needed to hop in the shower and be ready to get our hair/makeup done in like 15 mins using one bathroom.  of course, we didn't go to bed the night before until like 1:30am.  so, i was getting ready for the most (?) important/special day of my life on 5 hours of sleep.  (and did i mention i got my friend of the month that morning as i was getting my makeup done!)  but voila!  we somehow managed to get ourselves clean and beautified in time for the ceremony.   

here are my beautiful bridesmaids.  they looked seriously gorgeous!  yeah, that's why i picked them- to look pretty in my pictures. 

here are the ladies and i leaving the hotel for the ceremony site (love how we are all holding our bags in our wedding attire)

in the bridal suite -waiting for the ceremony

me and my beautiful mom.  she looked so beautiful that day.  i thought she was the most beautiful MOB (haha, i mean, mother of the bride, of course) in the world!

my stunning matron of honor -af.  she has a way of keeping me calm and comforted.  so glad i had her help throughout the planning. always so giving and generous- i threw away her bouquet during the bouquet toss b/c the florist forgot to give me a throw-away bouquet.  

my bridesmaid- io.  she has one of the best sets of ears around.  she'll listen to me for hours- even when i'm talking silly.  she had the duty of keeping my flying, cathedral veil in check so it looked good at all times.  she had a hard job- the wind blew in all directions (but that was fun).

here is bridesmaid aw.  she looked like a model with her trendy bangs.  she and i are simply- heart to heart.  it doesn't matter how long we haven't seen/talked to each other.  it's instantaneously heart to heart.  she gave such a touching toast.  best bridesmaid toast ever!

waiting to walk down the aisle with the parents

took some deep breaths before the walk down the aisle.  i love this second photo- i think my mom and i shared a moment (but i have no idea what were talking about). 

family picture

to be continued.... will post more pictures later!