Songs for the Bride's Dance with her Father

I'm featuring two beautiful songs that brides-to-be can choose from for their dance with their Dads on their wedding day.  The first song is already a very popular choice; while the second one is another beautiful song which may not be as popular as the first.  I encourage you though to check out its lyrics and video before you decide. 

My first recommendation is Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle.  It's a well-written song with beautiful lyrics and melody.  I'm sure every bride and father of the bride would be moved to tears or will be teary-eyed at least while dancing to this song during the wedding party.

Below is a video of the song and its lyrics.





Butterfly Kisses

There's two things I know for sure,
She was sent here from heaven,
And she's daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night,
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes.
And I thank God for all the joy in my life,
But most of all, for...

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair.
"Walk beside the pony daddy,
Its my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny,
Daddy, but I sure tried."
Oh, with all that I've done wrong,
I must have done something right
To deserve a hug every morning
And butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet sixteen today,
She's looking like her momma
A little more every day.
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and makeup,
From ribbons and curls.
Trying her wings out in a great
Big world. But I remember...

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you daddy,
But if you don't mind,
I'm only going to kiss you on
The cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong,
I must have done something right.
To deserve her love every morning,
And butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by
Precious butterfly
Spread your wings and fly

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise,
And I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride room
Just staring at her,
She asked me what I'm thinking,
And I said "I'm not sure,
I just feel like l'm losing my baby girl."
Then she leaned over...and gave me...
Butterfly kisses, with her mama there
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk me down the aisle daddy, it's just about time"
"Does my wedding gown look pretty daddy?"
"Daddy don't cry "
Oh with all that I've done wrong, I must have
Done something right
To deserve her love every morning
And butterfly kisses
I couldn't ask God for more, man, this is
What love is
I know I've gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
Every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses for life...

The other song I recommend is another moving song, this time by Luther Vandross -- Dance with My Father.

Check out the video and lyrics below.





Dance with My Father

Verse 1:
Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me and then
Spend me around till I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure I was loved

Chorus:
If I could get another chance
Another walk, another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
How I'd love love love to dance with my father again

Verse 2:
When I and my mother would disagree
To get my way I would run from her to him
He'd make me laugh just to comfort me(yeah, yeah)
Then finally make me do just what my momma said
Later that night, when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he would be gone from me

Chorus:
If I could steal
One final glance
One final step
One final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
Cause I'd love love love to dance with my father again

Verse 3:
Sometimes I'd listen outside her door
I'd hear how my mother cried for him
(2x) I'd pray for her even more than me

I know I'm praying for much too much
But could you send back the only man she loved
I know you don't do it usually
But dear Lord she' s dying to dance with my father again

Every night I fall asleep
And this is all I ever dream


What's your choice?  Well, I know that whichever you choose from these two, it will surely be a touching dance with your Dad.  Enjoy your dance!

Recommended Wedding Song: Come What May from Moulin Rouge

I fell in love with this song as soon as Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman sang this song in the movie Moulin Rouge.  It's funny as I look back now how I cried so much while watching that movie. hahaha I was broken hearted then and I simply could not hold back my tears.  I think I was crying for the most part of the movie.  That was the sad part of my love story.

Then, I met the man who eventually became my husband.  And the memory of me crying over that movie (while nursing a broken heart) was overshadowed by the promise of love and togetherness in a new relationship and a marriage.

My fiance and I liked this song very much because of its good melody and beautiful lyrics.  This is one of our favorite love songs.  It could even pass as out theme song. :)  Thus, it was part of our song list during our wedding.

Check out the song lyrics below.  It's very romantic and very apt for weddings.  It echoes the promise of brides and grooms that they will love each other until death... "'til death do us part" as couples say or as in the lyrics of the song "until my dying day."

Come What May

Soundtrack of the movie Moulin Rouge

[Ewan:]
Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Everyday I love you more and more
Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing
Telling me to give you everything
Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you, until the end of time

[Chorus:]
Come what may
Come what may
I will love you until my dying day

[Both:]
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste
It all revolves around you
And there's no mountain too high
No river too wide
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side
Storm clouds may gather
And stars may collide
[Ewan:]But I love you
[Nicole:]I love you
Until the end of time

[Chorus:]
Come what may
Come what may
I will love you, until my dying day

[Choir]

[Everyone:]
I will love you (Come what may)
Oh Yes I will love you (Come what may)
I will love you, until my dying day.

Here is a video clip of the song.  Enjoy!

Garden Venues in Manila

Garden venues are popular choices for weddings.  Be it for the ceremony and reception or for the wedding reception only.  That's why many events venues have opened in the past years to give soon-to-be brides and grooms more choices.  Here is a list of garden venues in the city of Manila.  I will be adding to this list in the future when I have more time. :)

1. Baluarte de San Diego - Click here to check out some photos.       

Address: Intramuros, Manila
Telephone Number: (632) 527-3096; (632) 527-9012

You may inquire at the Intramuros Administration at Palacio del Gobernador Building.

2. Father Blanco's Garden - Click here to see a photo.

Address: Gen. Luna St. Cor. Sta. Potenciana, Intramuros Mla.
Telephone Number: (632) 527-7553; (632) 527-7551

3. Ibarra's Garden - Click here to check out their wedding packages and here for pictures.

Address: 525 Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila.

Telephone Number: (632) 522-9999; (632) 254-9088, Fax 254-9188
Email: bqt_ibarrasgarden@ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph
Contact Person: Ms. Angelica Cando - Sr. Banquet Sales Associate

4. Orchidarium Pavillion - Click here to see pictures of weddings at the Orchidarium.

Address: Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, Rizal Park, Manila
Telephone Number: (632) 527-6376; (632) 527-6378/79
Email: cgfi@itextron.com

5. Paco Park Garden - Click here to see photos.

Address: 959 San Marcelino St., Paco, Manila City, Metro Manila.
Telephone Number:  (632) 525-7853, 524-2022 loc. 119

6. Patio Victoria - Click here and here to see pictures of the gardens in Patio Victoria.

Address: Intramuros, Manila

Click here to contact them.

7. Patio de Casa Manila - Click here to see a photo.

Address: Plaza San Luis Complex Corner General Luna And Real Streets, Intramuros, Manila.
Telephone Number: (632) 527-3135

8. Plaza Moriones - Check out some photos here.

Address: Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila.
Telephone Number: (632) 527-3096; (632) 527-9012

9. Puerta Real Gardens - Click here to see some photos.

Address: Intramuros, Manila
Telephone Number: (632) 527-3096; (632) 527-9012

You may inquire at the Intramuros Administration at Palacio del Gobernador Building.

10. San Agustin Church's Inner Garden - Click here to see a photo.

Address: Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila
Telephone Number: (632) 527-4052; (632) 527 527-2746 / Fax: (632) 527 338-2091

Email: info@sanagustinchurch.org

Hope this list helps couples who are planning their big day. 

I've also listed here some Catholic churches in the area to help you in your wedding planning and preparation.

 

Marriage Preparation Seminars

The wedding day is just the start of a couple's life together.  Thus, it is also important that ample time be invested in marriage preparation.  In fact, this is something that a couple seriously contemplating marriage must do.

My fiance and I went through a marriage discernment process with the guidance of the priest who was supposed to celebrate our wedding and some help from older married couples we know and look up to.  But even before we got engaged, we already used a very helpful tool used by Catholic churches in their Pre-Cana Seminars to help us see how compatible we were as a couple.

To help you prepare for your life together as man and wife, here are some seminars that I recommend you consider joining:

1. Pre-Cana Seminars are a must for Catholics in the Philippines.  It is usually scheduled after the canonical interview with the parish priest or the assistant parish priest of the church where the couple will wed.  Older married couples from the parish share their experiences and discuss various topics related to marriage and family life with the engaged couple during the seminar.  If you want to find out more about this seminar, just get in touch with your parish. 

Personally though, I would recommend that a soon-to-wed couple go through a marriage preparation or discernment process prior to reserving the church for their wedding or booking their reception venue.  Pre-Cana Seminars in parishes are usually done too close to the actual wedding (like around a month prior to the wedding date) and there are cases when these seminars are not enough to prepare soon-to-wed couples for the challenges and adjustments of married life.  So for those who want to invest more in their marriage preparation or those who want to discern if they should marry their current boyfriend or girlfriend before going ahead with their engagement, there are other helpful seminars and programs for you.

2. Marriage Preparation Workshop (Cana) of the Center for Family Ministries or CeFAM.  This is a two day, live-out seminar-workshop with psycho-spiritual approach for couples seriously contemplating marriage, for enganged couples, or for newly married couples who have not had the benefit of marriage preparation and are still adjusting to married life.  This was created by CeFAM to enable couples to know one another in depth and to understand the dynamics of their relationship; and to enable couples to discern their compatibility and preparedness for a lifetime.  The process and methodology used are lectures with focus on Human Maturity, Authentic Love and Value Clarification and one-on-one professionally facilitated couple dialogue on their Marriage Expectation Inventory, Interpersonal Comparison Test and Genogram (Psycho-Emotional Family Tree).  The couples’ readiness and non-readiness, compatibility and non-compatibility are highly brought to light with the use and interpretation of the counseling tools and other similar assessment instruments.  Couples who are seriously contemplating marriage are highly encouraged to attend this seminar-workshop at least 6 months to one year before their target date to marry. 

The next Marriage Preparation Workshop by CeFAM will be on July 21 and 22.  Check out the other schedules for 2012 here and the other topics covered in the workshop here.

You may get in touch with CeFAM at these numbers: 426-4289 to 92

Sources: CeFAM website and Ateneo de Manila University website

3. The Discovery Weekend (DW) is a program designed to enrich and deepen the couple's relationship and prepare them better for the sacrament of marriage.   The Discovery Weekend aims to help couples to:

• assess each one's relationship to oneself, to each other, to God and the community.
• experience, develop and deepen their relationship through a method of communication and dialogue, which they can bring into their marriage.
• witness to the many dimensions of marriage openly, honestly and realistically through a team of married couples and/or a priest.
• plan their marriage and not just their wedding.

Any couple may join the program, regardless of the status of their relationship-as long as marriage is in their minds.  They can be engaged to marry in a week's time or going steady for a short period but contemplating marriage. The weekend is not necessarily for perfectly matched couples nor is it designed to help unstable relationships.

Source: Discovery Weekend Facebook Page

4. The Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) is a three-day live-in marriage preparation course held in different locations in Metro Manila several times a year.  The CEE is conducted in groups by a group of married couples and a priest but couples who join the marriage preparation course are given plenty of time to discuss important and sensitive topics that can impact their future life together as a married couple.  For more information, you may in touch with  Chin & Lorna Fernandez at ceephilippines@gmail.com. 

Sources: Catholic Engaged Encounter Facebook Page and Bridal Book

If the Shoe Fits... Searching for the Princess' Shiny Shoe

Tiara, check.  Jewelry, check.  Wedding gown, check.  Shiny shoes... hmmm... still searching.

Would you believe that one the things I had a hard time searching for was my wedding shoes?  Yes, because I wanted to look and feel like a princess from head to toe.  Since the theme of our wedding was Disney Princess, I thought that my wedding shoes should fit 1. our theme; 2. my shoe size; and 3. our budget.

So, my shoes should be shiny, silver or white in color, or if I can find transparent shoes or something that looks like the glass slippers of Cinderella, much better.

We first went to The Landmark to search for the perfect shoes for me.  I saw a lot of shoes that were shiny and silvery or white.  But there was not one pair of shoes that convinced me they're the right pair for my wedding day.

Thus, my fiance and I continued our search for that elusive shiny shoe fit for a princess bride.

My fiance suggested that we go to Power Plant Mall.  Just like what we did at The Landmark, we went around every shoe store to check if there was a pair that I'd like and would fit my criteria.

It was in one of the shoe stores there that I saw what I think was the perfect shoes for a Princess Bride.  The shoes were transparent and they looked like Cinderella's glass slippers.  They had swarovski stones that made them sparkle and shine.  And they had a pair for my shoe size.  I excitedly tried a pair.  I even tried to dance some steps to see if I would feel comfortable dancing the foxtrot in them.  They felt perfect for my feet!

I looked at the saleslady and casually asked for the price of the beautiful pair I'm wearing.  As soon as she said the price, the big smile on my face started to fade and suddenly the shoes didn't seem perfect at all.  The price of the shoes I tried was Php16,000! 

I was amazed that I was able to think of an excuse right away to leave the store and leave "Cinderella's shoes" behind. haha :)

Okay, so I found the perfect shoes... well, not really, because it did not fit our budget.  I would never buy a shoe that expensive even for my wedding day. No way!  It was simply impractical.  I was even thinking that the shoes I will buy for my wedding should be something I can use again on other occasions.

I think we went to SM Makati and Glorietta to check out some shoe stores too but we found oursleves back at The Landmark.  This time, I was determined to buy the best pair of shiny shoes I'll fit into, one that satisfies all my criteria. 

I finally found the pair of shoes I wanted to wear for my wedding.  Yes, I tried to dance some foxtrot moves with them, walked around with them and stared at the mirror lengthily before finally buying the pair.

I was happy with my purchase.  It was a simple shiny pair of shoes, silver in color, with heels that are three inches tall.  They had straps around my ankles to make sure my shoes will not slide or will not be left behind during my bridal march or our first dance as a couple.  I liked Cinderella's story but I didn't want to experience that part where she lost one of her shoes. 

Important lessons learned during our hunt for my wedding shoes: Know your priorities and know what part of your dream wedding to compromise and what not, where to splurge and where to stick to the alloted budget.

I still felt like a true princess on my wedding day even though the price of my wedding shoes was just around a thousand pesos.  Let me tell you why through a quote in one of my favorite shirts: YES, I AM A PRINCESS BECAUSE MY FATHER IS THE KING OF KINGS!

Recommended Wedding Song: On This Day by David Pomeranz

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it.  I said to myself, "I want this song sang in my wedding."  My plan did not push through though for I changed my mind and chose another song (Angels Brought Me Here) for our entourage procession.  I also did not get to ask one of my friends to sing this at the reception.  anyway, I still love this song and highly recommend it for weddings as bridal march, entourage procession, during the pictorial in the church, as music for the couple's first dance or simply one of the love songs to serenade the couple during the reception.  It's so romantic!

Check out the lyrics below.

On This Day

Here we stand today
Like we always dreamed
Starting out our life together
The light is in your eyes
The love is in our hearts
I can't believe you're really mine forever

Been rehearsing for this moment all my life
So don't act surprised
If the feeling starts to carry me away

On this day
I promise forever
On this day
I surrender my heart
Here I stand take my hand
And I will honor every word that I say
On this day

Not so long ago
This earth was just a field of cold and lonely space
Without you
Now everything's alive
Now everything's revealed
For the story of my life
Is all about YOU

For if you feel the cool winds
Blowing through your nights
I will shelter you
I'm forever here to chase your fears away

On this day
I promise forever
On this day
I surrender my heart
Here I stand take my hand
And I will honor every word that I say
On this day

I've been rehearsing for this moment all my life
So don't act surprised
If the feeling starts to carry me away

On this day
I promise forever
On this day
I surrender my heart
Here we stand like our plan
Please say you'll always look at me this way
Like on this day

Our First Dance as a Married Couple

One of the things I dreamed of about my dream wedding is that my groom and I would not dance the traditional waltz or a slow dance as our first dance as couple.  I love dancing, ballroom dancing in particular.  So, I thought that dancing a traditional dance would be boring. :)

Thus, when I finally got engaged, I asked a dance instructor to teach me and my future husband a ballroom dance that we can dance during our wedding reception. 

Our dance instructor was Danny Pintacasi.  I first met him at a Salsa night in a restaurant in Greenbelt years ago.  My friend, Vanessa, introduced us.  Although, I haven't had the chance to learn the salsa until now, I was glad I met him.  I contacted him right away as soon as my future bridegroom agreed that we'll learn a new ballroom dance for our wedding.  I'm so glad that George likes to dance, too.

It was a good thing that Danny's availability matched ours.  We set the date for our first practice right away.  Danny suggested that we learn the foxtrot for our wedding dance and that we dance to the music of Frank Sinatra's Love and Marriage.  And wonder of wonders, I found out that my fiance George had a cd of Frank Sinatra's hits including the song suggested by Danny.  It must be God orchestrating my dream wedding down to the littlest detail I desire.

So, Danny began to teach us the basic steps and choreographed our wedding dance.  I don't remember anymore how many times we met but I think it will not be more than 4 because George and I were already very busy with our wedding preparations.  It was also a good thing that George and I had been dance partners in the past (modern dance and swing) and we both enjoy dancing.  These made it easy for us to learn foxtrot and memorize our wedding dance. 

On the night of our wedding, during our reception, we were both nervous when we were called by our emcees for our first dance as a married couple.  But as soon as we started dancing, the nervousness sowly faded away and we simply enjoyed dancing with each other.  I think we made one or two mistakes but I don't think our guests noticed them.  We all enjoyed it!  They enjoyed watching us dance while we enjoyed dancing to the music.

I thank God for fulfilling this seemingly trivial wish.  It just proved to me that nothing is trivial to God as long as it is important to us.  I thank God that I met Danny whom He used as instrument in helping me fulfill my wish.  Most of all, I thank God that He led me to my bridegroom who not only had all the essential qualities I wished my future husband would have, but also satisfied most of my preferences.  And one of those preferences I listed was that my future husband must love to dance as well.  God is so good indeed!

Check out the lyrics below of this Frank Sinatra classic.

Love and Marriage

Love and marriage, love and marriage,
Go together like a horse and carriage.
This I tell ya, brother, you can't have one without the other.

Love and marriage, love and marriage,
It's an institute you can't disparage.
Ask the local gentry and they will say it's elementary.

Try, try, try to separate them, it's an illusion.
Try, try, try and you only come to this conclusion:
Love and marriage, love and marriage,
Go together like a horse and carriage.
Dad was told by mother you can't have one
You can't have none.
You can't have one without the other.

[Musical interlude]

Try, try, try to separate them, it's an illusion.
Try, try, try and you only come to this conclusion:

Love and marriage, love and marriage,
Go together like a horse and carriage.
Dad was told by mother you can't have one
(You can't have none.)
You can't have one without the other.

Here are some of our pictures while dancing.

If you and your fiance are thinking of having your first dance as a couple choreographed or you simply want to learn how to dance ballroom, I recommend that you get Danny to teach you.  Dancing can be a good bonding activity for couples.  It will not only improve your dancing skills, you can also lose some weight in the process.  That's why dancing is my favorite way to shed off excess pounds.  It doesn't feel like a chore like if I'm thinking of other exercises. ;)  Anyway, you can catch Danny every Wednesday and Sunday for Salsa nights at M Cafe, Greenbelt 4, every Thursday at La Dolce Vita in Polaris street and every Saturday at Chihuahua, Makati Avenue.  You may get in touch with him at these numbers: 09164907924 and 5145019.