Engagement Photo Session in the District!

As I posted before, my good friend, Trang Dam, is an awesome photographer that does weddings and family portraits. Mr Smallville and I met up with him on Sunday for an engagement photoshoot on the National Mall in Washington, DC. She was awesome enough to feature us on her blog with a preview of the photos. Here are some pics:

I went to MAC to get my make up done right before the shoot. They gave me false lashes and a "daytime smokey eye." I was self-concious at first, afraid I looked too overdone. I dont think it looks too bad in these shots, though!

I am totally pleased and excited by the way it all turned out! I can't wait to see the rest. One of the images will be used on my Save The Date post cards, which i wish to print and send out before i leave for the Philippines April 8th.

Trang Dam Photography

As I said, my close friend, Trang, does some awesome photography work.

She has the photojournalistic unobtrusive style that I love a lot, and I can't wait to work with her.

Trang doesn't only do weddings. She also does shoots for children, family, and other special occasions, like below:

I've asked her to be my photographer for my engagement session, scheduled either the 21st of this month or the 4th of April, as well as the church ceremony on August 21.

You can view the rest of her portfolio at: http://www.trangdamphotography.com/

You can also read her photography blog at: http://trangdamphotography.com/blog

I'm so excited!

My Precious

So you maybe wondering what the ring looks like. Well, about a year ago, my aunt came to visit from Manila, like she does every year. She mentioned something I never realized was available...
My late grandmother's ring.

Ok so I really didn't remember what it looked like. She and my mom had to describe it to me. I was happy to know it was a round diamond. Not sure if i would've liked a pear shape or a marquis... which isn't really my taste.

Anyway it was an offer to Mr. Smallville that he could have the stone as long as he bought a setting for it (since [filipino] culturally it was believed that at least some part of the engagement ring should come from him). This thoroughly confused him because before any mention of this ring, he knew i wanted a very clean, three stone princess cut ring. Now with the possibility with an antique stone, i was telling him I also wanted an antique setting. I think it frustrated him, lol


So he asked me to marry him with the ring on the left (shown as the full set with matching wedding band), and the right ring is my grandmother's, which my aunt flew here with this past fall.

The original ring is a art deco setting that my grandmother had gotten made herself, circa the 1930s. The stone itself is actually from a generation before her, and possibly older, suspected to be from the early 1900s or super late 1890s!

The bridal set on the left (above) is Mike's loving purchase from Jared (yes, he went to jared). I'd dragged him there a few weeks before he bought it, and gave him a few options to choose from. (No, I didnt know he was gonna buy so soon, i was just eager, and hopeful.) I decided to go with an antique pave setting to keep with the antique stone.


The image below shows both rings side by side, with the empty setting. Mike proposed on a Saturday with an empty setting, which was still sweet. However, it felt wierd to be engaged without a real ring to show off when i went to work Monday, so I had to hold it in as much as I could before it I could get it back.

Anyway, after a long two days, I got it back that Wednesday.. and boy was I NOT disappointed!

Meet Remy, my precious!
(I named her after my grandmother)

I like staring at her all the time, especially when sunlight or lovely lighting bounces off of it in shards of rainbow colored beams. I have been Gollum ever since.

Engaged and Ready!

He's a field technician for a cable company in a southeastern VA Middle Peninsula rural area.

I'm a Multimedia Artist/Graphic Designer in Washington DC.

How we met: MATCH.COM (yes, it does work for some)

When did we meet: May 18, 2006

He popped the question the day after christmas (12/26/09). Was I surprised? Very!

Private Religious Ceremony: Saturday, August 21, 2010

Big Wedding Date: Saturday, September 18, 2010

Colors: Burnt Orange, Antique Gold, Chocolate, Ivory

Wedding Style: Traditional, Elegant

A bit about me: I love well executed graphic design and everything that comes with it... sophisticated graphics with a purpose, gorgeous paper, and great use of typography. I actually design wedding invitations on the side. However, I'm not really taking on anymore clients until after my wedding.

Why did I start this Blog: Well, I wanted a chance to share my wedding planning experience with those interested. I also aspire to be a blogger for the Wedding Bee.