Abet and I are extremely unfussy about our wedding attires. We didn’t want to spend a lot on wedding outfits that will only be worn once, we wanted to have as much to spend on our caterer instead.

My gown is a very simple one. I can’t even call it a gown, it’s just a dress, a very basic one. So cheap, too. I ordered the fabric online since it’s not available here (5 yards at $10/yard) and had it shipped via Johnny Air for around P700 (it came in an envelope). My friend Marjo who teaches at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines is making my dress, and he’s charging me an obscenely low price, it’s just practically to pay his mananahi and buy the rest of the materials.

We got Abet’s barong in Tutuban in Divisoria for a low price. My brothers’ barongs (and probably those of our guests) cost more than his. Abet wasn’t also very fussy about the design, we were in and out of the store in less than ten minutes.

What I splurged on were my shoes. I bought a pair of Kate Spade sandals. They’re no Louboutins, but they cost more than what I usually spend on kicks. It’s my wedding gift to myself. I didn’t mind spending a bit on the shoes since I can wear them again and again.

I wanted Abet to get new shoes for himself as well, I wanted him to wear lace-ups. They don’t have to cost as much as Lowa Renegade Mid shoes, I just wanted him to get a new pair for the wedding. He absolutely refuses, saying he has a perfectly fine (non-lace-up, grrr!) pair to wear. Oh, well. If he insists.

I do worry a bit that maybe I’ll look kawawa at my own wedding. I’m not too worried about Abet, since really, who pays attention to the groom’s barong? (I’ll answer this: my brother Momon.) I just tell myself that simple as my dress is, I’m in love with the design, I fell in love at first sight with the peg, and it’s just my style. And that I’m proud of us for being practical on this matter. Also, I know I’ll be beautiful on my wedding day no matter what (yez, attitude!). Lastly, I tell myself that while my dress is chipipay, I’ll be wearing Kate Spade shoes.