After 9 years together, Rochelle and Arthur to finally wed on Aug. 8

Rochelle Pangilinan (left) and Arthur Solinap —NICE PRINT INSTAGRAM

Arthur Solinap originally planned to propose marriage to Rochelle Pangilinan in 2011. But it would take them another five years to push through with the engagement. And in hindsight, they said, it was a wise decision not to rush things, because they realized that they still had issues that needed sorting out.

“We weren’t ready. We still fought quite a lot, cooled off at one point, and faced a lot of trials. If we forced ourselves to get married then, we could have ended breaking up,” related Arthur, who will finally tie the knot with Rochelle on Aug. 8—their ninth anniversary.

“We saw to it that everything’s in place,” said the actor in a recent interview. “Now’s the right time, the perfect time.”

The celebrity couple, who started in show biz as part of dance groups—Rochelle, with SexBomb; Arthur, with Abztract—will have a Christian, garden wedding at Los Arboles in Tagaytay City.

“I have always wanted to have my wedding in a place where the weather is cool. I’m a dancer, and so almost all my life I have been sweaty! I deserve to look fresh, for a change, on my special day!” quipped Rochelle, who’ll wear a Michael Cinco gown. “Tagaytay is likewise a special place for us; it’s where Arthur and I became a couple.”

The wedding entourage includes Dingdong Dantes, Jolina Magdangal, Andrea Torres, Alessandra de Rossi, Luane Dy, Glaiza de Castro and Max Collins. Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, Sen. Tito Sotto and Jose Manalo, meanwhile, are among the sponsors—those who have become a big part of our lives and careers,” Arthur pointed out.

While Arthur seemed relaxed, Rochelle admitted that she has been getting increasingly emotional and nervous as the wedding day approaches. “Amid the tiring preparations, I’d get heartfelt messages from friends and [I] just end up crying,” she said. “I think I will do the same when I walk down the aisle.”

Rochelle added: “I’m a breadwinner. The mere thought of having someone, of not being alone anymore makes me so emotional.”

Another source of her anxiety is the prospect of motherhood. Her mind is full of questions: Will I become a good mother? How will I juggle work and family life? One more thing—she’s deathly afraid of needles. “I’m scared of the pain. Just thinking about it makes my skin shiver!” she said.

Rochelle, 35, and, Arthur, 37, would like to have two children and might try for one soon after the wedding. “We’re not getting any younger. Sometimes, I get jealous of my friends whose kids are now all grown up. But like what Arthur said, everything happens in God’s perfect time,” Rochelle said.

The GMA 7 talents are eyeing Italy as their honeymoon destination later this year. “We want it to be in Europe… I don’t mind continuing with work after the wedding, but it would be very nice if we could take an extended time off, to recharge and enjoy ourselves,” Rochelle said.