the wedding enthusiast

Love is in the stars

2012-01-24T18:16:00.028+08:00

There are weddings and there are *gush* weddings. This one definitely belongs to the gush-worthy category.

Let's start with a bouquet I'd fawn over...

... bling I'd babble about...

... and a dress that would cause my heart to hiccup. :-)

I love it how My Photato was able to evoke the feelings so familar with weddings:

ANTICIPATION

JOY

LOVE

And how they didn't allow the lovely details of the day to escape their lenses:

Could anything else be cuter than honeystars?

More starry details...

Table assignments were named after constellations.

Most romantics promise to take out all the stars from the sky and put them in a jar for their beloved, do they not? So here they are --- stars in a jar.

Even the bridal bouquet had a Million Stars -- another name for baby's breath or gypsophila.

And if you look at the first photo in this post, the bouquet handle had star-shaped charms.

Star-shaped lanterns and star cut-outs on the cake.

Reception set-up by K by Cunanan

The photos above are but a few examples of the photography style that My Photato is known for (as written in their website):

Our Style: Authentic, dainty and fresh. Shooting in candid is what we really love, having fun and capturing it real. We make sure that every piece we made is a fine art - simple, elegant, but timeless.

More photos from this set are found here.

My Photato
Paranaque

776.7242; 0917.2416485

mailto:myphotato@yahoo.com

Brilliant, bespoke Boutonnieres

2012-01-03T13:07:00.027+08:00

Let's face it. At a wedding, all eyes are on the bride. The gown, the flowers, the make-up, everything is all about her.

The groom becomes "secondary" so everything about him is usually just ho-hum.

But enter {etc} Handmade Goodness, the D-I-Y branch of florist Vatel Manila, and you have people talking about "what the groom is wearing".

Below are some of custom-made works of art from {etc}, specifically crafted for the bride and groom.

A delicately crafted flower for the male entourage made of old world maps.

Above and below, Warcraft characters

Below, could be for a travel- or camera-themed wedding.

Something bright and sunny to balance the greys. :-)

And for coffee-afficionados, a Starbucks-themed one.

Something rustic, perhaps?

Playing with paper folds

Knotty nautical-themed

I suspect that detail-obsessed hands created this jaw-dropping lily of the valley doppleganger.

This trio is Grecian-inspired.

Different samples of fabric flowers

Increasing the level of difficulty by doing crocheted blooms.

Buttons for the boutonnaire! :-p

Aviation-themed

Arizona-themed

Lace on the groom classic roses -- a match made in heaven!

You may ask, does {etc} only create boutonnieres? And to that they will quickly answer a friendly "Of course not." (with a smile)

Overflowing with ideas, {etc} can create perfect details to complete your wedding look.

Here's a little introduction straight from Vatel Manila's website:

{etc} Handmade Goodness is Vatel Manila's DIY arm. Formed with talented former brides as members, the team specializes in customized hand-made items like the following:

Boutonnières for the male members of the entourage (fabric / paper)

Ring & Coin Pillow & Bible Bands (moss / jute / felt)

Hand-tied Bouquets (paper / fabric / felt)

Découpage Letters

Other items as required by clients (if we can't do it, we can outsource it!)

When Vatel Manila opened {etc} Handmade Goodness in early 2011, the aim was to provide Manila the US wedding experience of having things customized for each and every celebration. How pretty is that?

Customized items make weddings all the more special. It also speaks volumes, not just of your good taste, but of your keen attention to the details of your wedding. Let us know how we could be of help!

Email us your ideas and pegs at vatelmanila@gmail.com.

Headbands for the bridesmaids

Bridal garter

Ring and arrhae pillows, bible band

You can also view their first fabric bouquet here and their first paper bouquet here.

* All photos printed with permission from Vatel Manila.

Provence Dream Wedding

2011-11-23T19:37:00.013+08:00

I think I just died of envy. :-P

Just looking at the photos makes me want to fly to France. NOW.

It's quite difficult to type my thoughts with my mouth agape, so I'll let the photos do the talking.

The church, the castle, the Veluz gown, the olive orchard, the wheat field, the vineyard, the old streets of Southern France, the love. And this is just the beginning. :-)

See the rest of the set here.

Mimi+Karl (Fotogra Weddings, Inc.)
U404 JBD Plaza65 Mindanao Ave.Quezon City

*by appointment only*

Office hours are 11am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays.
T 925-2356E info@fotogra.ph

Website http://www.fotogra.ph/

Mimi – 0917-6246464

Peacock Prettiness

2011-11-23T19:24:00.009+08:00

These photos from Mimi and Karl are totally unapologetic when it comes to sweetness.

The peacock, being the bride's chinese name was a prevailing detail in this wedding.

Although the wedding gown was intended to be a tube top, gown designer Veluz brilliantly created a sheer caplet for a more conservative look for the church ceremony. (I'm willing to bet that the pattern on the gown and caplet echo the peacock theme as well).

The following photos prove that aside from the exchange of vows, the bridal march is one of the most emotional part of a wedding.

Even the cake had a little bit of peacock. :-)

See the rest of the beautiful photos here.

Mimi+Karl (Fotogra Weddings, Inc.)
U404 JBD Plaza65 Mindanao Ave.Quezon City

*by appointment only*

Office hours are 11am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays.

T 925-2356E info@fotogra.ph

Website www.fotogra.ph

Mimi – 0917-6246464

Pink, Pretty, Perfect

2011-10-07T19:57:00.010+08:00

I know I've been a delinquent blogger and the past two months have turned my world inside-out but now I'm back and hopefully I'll have a steady stream of posts from now on. :-)

Photographer Jayjay Lucas, a recent groom himself, had these charming photos on his Facebook page and I knew I just had to share them with the world. Enjoy!

I so love the combination of the flowers! Phaleonopsis orchids sitting pretty on a bed of pinks!

It's amazing how the choice of colors for the entourage bouquets complemented the gowns in varying shades of pink.

Quirky handmade boutonnieres by Vatel Manila's DIY arm, ETC.

A picture-perfect shot of the bridal entrance of the UST Chapel.

UST provided a beautiful backdrop for the portraits of the newlyweds.

Jayjay Lucas of Chestknots Studios

(02) 342 3868/ 414 8538(0917) 539 4822/ (0922) 825 8597

EMAIL: chestknots@gmail.com

MOBILE: +63 917-5394822

An arcade of trinkets

2011-08-27T20:15:00.017+08:00

We all have our secret places we go to when we feel stumped, down in the dumps or just itching to buy something we need or in my case, don't need. A place where a small, even inexpensive item can induce a smile from the very depths of our soul.

One such place for me is the Dapitan Arcade in Quezon City, a knickknack haven more accessible and less congested than the infamous market-mecca, Divisoria.

Just about 500 square meters of selling space, various items are cramped in more than fifty stalls, some even spilling out into the street during Christmas time.

For inexpensive but nice giveaways or props you can use for display to match your wedding theme, Dapitan Arcade is worth the trip.

Candles and papier-mache items.

Sea shells for a beach theme.

Holders for cupcakes or votive candles.

Lamps made of stained bottles, bamboo sticks, chimes and other native items.

Lamps made of capiz shells, resin, stained glass, or wood in different shapes and sizes.

Lots of plates, cups, saucers, pitchers, cake stands, bowls, jars and other ceramic items.

Mirrors

I am so getting an entire set of white tableware when I go back. :-)

Decor that keeps changing depending on the season...

And because I was with my sister who acted as my conscience and kept asking me "do you really need it?" -- I only bought one of those "food screens" to keep insects at bay. Must go back here again soon.

:-P

Dapitan Arcade

Dapitan corner Kanlaon Streets, Quezon City

Knotty and nice

2011-08-15T18:52:00.020+08:00

When I first heard about Vatel Manila's Dylan Gozum asking where he could find oars, I couldn't help being curious.

Oars? At the Mango Farm?

Then, I also heard that he acquired a lifebuoy ring.

Curiouser and curiouser! (as Alice in Wonderland would say).

But, after seeing this Hamptons-inspired wedding, it all makes perfect sense. :-)

The Hamptons refer to towns on the far east end of Long Island, New York. Yes, as in Empire State building New York, New York. :-) These little towns pour out into the Atlantic Ocean which make for great seaside resorts and summer houses.

This wedding is a perfect example of bringing the outdoors indoors. You don't have to be at the beach or at the yacht club to have a nautical-themed celebration. The right details can work without going overboard (pun intended).

Jesy Alto-Ocampo single-handedly (pun UNintended) made sure that the bride looked her best. :-)

Cute as a button! :-)

When I was young, I would watch our neighbor dry their laundry using wooden clothespins. I'm so glad these practical tools have found their way back again into our consciousness as more and more couples use them to display their engagement photos.

I love it that the nautical props were kept to a minimum so that the overall decor did not make the reception pavilion look like a cruise ship. The predominance of blues and whites already do a great job. :-P

Loving the combination of shells, white ceramic pitchers, knots and white lamps.

They say that newlyweds usually are not able to enjoy the reception food with all the excitement. I wouldn't be able to eat too if this was my table. I'd be too busy tinkering with the props. Haha!

See more of this Hampton-esque wedding here and the concept and execution details here.

Erron Ocampo Photography

39B Maginhawa St., UP Village, Diliman, Quezon City

+63 917 8137766

+63 2 2117700

www.erronocampo.com

Folded flowers

2011-08-04T17:08:00.015+08:00

I don't know about you but anything flower-related makes my heart go a-flutter like little wings preparing for flight. Real flowers, fabric flowers, flower-inspired decor, or in this case, paper flowers.

Captured by the awesome duo of Puy and Chie of Really Awesome Weddings, this casual and cozy engagement photoshoot done in Hongkong is nothing short of well, awesome.

All the more made special by an origami bouquet handmade with love by Vatel Manila's {etc} brand. Just looking at the bouquet makes one wonder how such a masterpiece can be crafted by human hands. But then again, as they say, anything is possible with love. :-)

Check out the rest of the set here.

Really Awesome Weddings (R.A.W.)

mobile +63 917.8076534

landline +632 425.3917

email askme@reallyawesomeweddings.com

Post-nuptial Photos

2011-06-12T15:10:00.015+08:00

We've tackled PRE-nups before here.

Now, I'd like to show you some POST-nups taken by Mar and Kel, the ever-so-talented brothers that make up My Photato:

Aside from weddings, MyPhotato has also now ventured into kiddie photography with LACTOPHOTO. Check them out!

Where to do wedding preps

2011-06-10T20:11:00.041+08:00

When planning a wedding, brides or grooms sometimes neglect to include in their plans where they will be doing their wedding preparations. Will they do it at home? At someone else's house? At a hotel?

Some considerations in looking for a venue for your wedding preps:

1) Is it near your wedding ceremony/reception venue?

2) Does it have enough and space to accommodate several suppliers and your wedding entourage?

3) Will there be enough natural light for putting on your make-up and your pre-ceremony portraits?

It's a good thing that most Metro Manila hotels offer yearly memberships that have discounted room rates and other services/freebies that you can use throughout the year even after your wedding.

Here are some of them:

A few weekends ago, I decided to take a much needed breather and stay at the Peninsula Manila with my family. I used my free hotel stay voucher and even got my free cake. :-)

The superior room (per night, PhP 13,000++). Superior rooms facing the garden starts at PhP 14,000++

Although a superior room would do ok for the members of the entourage or even your groom during his preps, I would suggest a bigger room (a suite would be ideal) to accomodate your make-up artist, hairstylist, videographers, photographers, entourage and other suppliers.

The day we checked in, cocktails were being served at the upper lobby area. (I even bumped into Jason Magbanua, who probably didn't know I'm one of his blog stalkers. Haha.)

The magestic iron sculpture by National Artist Napoleon Abueva.

Alice and the Mad hatter were probably here a few minutes ago...

The Peninsula Manila hosts a number of restaurants and bars that you and your guests could try during your stay.

Probably one of the most photographed hotel staircase in the country. A favorite area for bride and groom portraits.

The pool area which the kids loved.

Birthday dinner at Escolta.

My free 2lb cake!

Some photos of the buffet dinner...

And buffet breakfast...

One of my favorite childhood breakfast treats, taho (soybean custard with tapioca and caramel syrup)!

Every Sunday morning, Old Manila opens its doors to kids!

A play area.

Books and toys.

The kiddie buffet.

An area where the kids can watch their favorite movies or cartoons.

There was even a balloon twister! I like that the Pen is such a family-friendly hotel.

Wherever you decide to do your wedding preps, make sure it's where you'll feel right at home. :-)

Letting Love Grow

2011-05-05T14:48:00.038+08:00

Had I not been feeling under the weather last week, I would have loved to get my hands dirty.

BridalBook.ph, Summit Media's on-line wedding site celebrated its first year by having a tree-planting activity at the La Mesa Eco Park.

The staff and writers of Bridal Book, photographers, event planners, make-up artists and florists from the wedding industry braved the scorching morning sun and with their gentle hands sowed seedlings of love.

I've been following Bridal Book ever since they started, when there were only a handful of pictures of real brides and a few articles. Now, they have a wealth of wedding memories stored on their site.

Bridal Book is currently the most extensive wedding website in the country with features and photos of every wedding detail possible. Inspiration is just one click away!

Looking for ideas on what to wear for your big day? You can see almost every gown silhouette (a-line, mermaid, tubetop), detail (embellishments, overlays), fabric, veils (cage, classic), shoes (comfy, heeled, color), accessory (feathers, flowers, jewelry), name it!

Bridal book also posts advice from wedding vendors and brides can share ideas and help each other with their wedding preparations through its own online community.

I can't believe MyPhotato can make even these sticks look so pretty.

Being a nature lover myself, it is my fervent wish that more people make an effort to take care of the environment so that the seeds we plant today...

...will become the trees our children will see tomorrow.

Right after the tree-planting, all the guests trooped to lunch prepared by K by Cunanan and Bizu.

First anniversary. Paper. :-)

Happy first anniversary, Bridal Book!

All photos by MyPhotato

776.7242; 0917.2416485

mailto:myphotato@yahoo.com

Summer Tablescapes

2011-04-27T18:44:00.029+08:00

This was supposed to be a test photo shoot with my sister who just came for a visit this summer.

It was also supposed to be about pale blue items that could be used as inspiration for weddings.

But as expected, I got so sidetracked when I started to prepare the flowers and other props. I went to the flower market and couldn't decide what flowers to buy.

Eventually, I ended up buying pink-tipped carnations, white asters and red-orange roses.

The day before that, I bought macarons and cupcakes and imagined myself getting ready for the royal wedding. Heehee.

Bags and "love box" I brought from Regalong Pambahay.

A folding table I bought from a trade fair.

Iron wrought stack for plates at Dapitan Arcade.

Doilies from Chocolate Lovers.

Vintage cups from my grand aunt.

Most of the items in this post are those which I rarely use. But these are lovely things that "called" to me. Being the sucker that I am for all things lovely, simply bought them without hesitation.

Birdcage from Regalong Pambahay

Cake stand from Dapitan Arcade, bell cover from Regalong Pambahay.

Rings, necklace, flower headpiece all from Forever 21. Mini cabinet from a trade fair.

I had no idea these were gravy boats until my sister told me. But they simply looked elegant -- in a vintage sort of way. :-P

White lamps from Regalong Pambahay.

Iron chandelier from a ceramic store.

Birdhouses from Dapitan arcade. We don't even have birds! Haha.

Inspiration can be from anything and anywhere. Just look around!

Wedding Vendor Meets

2011-04-25T21:51:00.014+08:00

The inevitable has happened.

I've become a wedding vendor groupie. :-P

For some strange reason, I've been hurled into the world of some of the country's youngest, brightest and most sought after wedding suppliers/vendors. And I'm so not complaining. It's an opportunity to see weddings through their eyes, eavesdrop on wedding preparations of total strangers and sometimes even share my guesses about what goes through the mind of couples preparing for their wedding.

Here I am in one of their regular meets, enjoying food, great company and stories about the weddings they've just done, will be doing and would like to do.

In the company of a caterer, a florist and talented photographers. Great company.

Knick-knacks from Nomnomnom restaurant in Quezon City. Truly happy food.

Contrary to popular belief, wedding vendors don't just talk about weddings. It was so funny to discuss couples who communicate through unreadable text, how different animals are prepared for slaughter, and how age gaps can determine the popularity of showbiz icons (dead or living). After all, wedding vendors are people too. :-)

That night, the vendors indulged me with my questions on wedding photography etiquette (especially among couples who have two or more photographers), the toughest weddings they've handled, and the nicest or most demanding clients.

I could only sigh. It's tough to be a wedding vendor. But their passion makes it all worthwhile.

All photos above by MyPhotato.
776.7242; 0917.2416485
mailto:myphotato@yahoo.com

Weddings and paper

2011-03-31T19:06:00.013+08:00

Some say marriage isn't just a piece of paper, but I do like weddings that have paper in them :-) Take for example this paper-pretty wedding that made my heart go a-flutter when I saw the photos in Mimi+Karl's blog:

The couple had a travel and photography theme. Love the charms.

Bridal and entourage bouquets by Vatel Manila.

A few years back, I could not imagine grooms wearing grey suits, much more yellow ties, with sneakers to boot for a wedding. But these days, these grooms look like rockstars!

Mishi Santos of Vatel Manila's team added a touch of chic to the menswear by crafting these paper boutonnieres made of maps. Mishi's handiwork is truly amazing.

You can see more of her lovespun creations during her own wedding here.

Instead of doing the candle ceremony, the couple decided to do a sand ceremony.

Consistent with the travel theme, the escort cards were paper airplanes!

Mimi+Karl (Fotogra Weddings, Inc.)

U404 JBD Plaza65 Mindanao Ave.Quezon City

*by appointment only*

Office hours are 11am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays.

T 925-2356E info@fotogra.ph

Website http://www.fotogra.ph/

Mimi – 0917-6246464

Three shoes, three cakes, one couple

2011-03-23T15:18:00.023+08:00

I totally attribute it to good timing that I am always seated whenever I look at J Lucas Reyes' photos. If I were upright, my legs would be jelly and I would helplessly keel over.

There is just something about JLR's photos that make me all gooey inside. And with wedding details such as these, who wouldn't?

The bride had two wedding "looks"-- a sheer overlay during the ceremony which she removed for the portraits and reception, and three wedding shoes!

Blooms bursting with color by Vatel Manila.

To match the stunning gown and fresh-from-floral-heaven bouquets, the couple chose to wed with a magnificent backdrop -- the Betis, Pampanga Cathedral which some consider to be the Sistine Chapel of the Philippines.

K by Cunanan catered. I am so loving the shoebox/shoe cake!

I totally love the idea of writing notes for the newlyweds instead of the usual guest book.

Moreso in using the luggage set (I have these from Regalong Pambahay!) to hold the notes.

Aside from the shoebox and shoe cake, there was also a four-tiered cake and cupcakes with a cute topper of the couple.

J Lucas Reyes did auxillary photography for this wedding and you can find more of the loveliness he was able to capture here.

For more photos of this oh-so-gorgeous event, check out photos from the main photographer, Paolo Feliciano, here.

Paolo Feliciano Photography

Mobile: (+63)917.535.4760

Email: paolofeliciano@gmail.comBlog: http://www.pampangaphotographer.com/

www.paolofeliciano.com

J Lucas Reyes

Fine Art Weddings + Lifestyle Photography

Email: photography@jlucasreyes.com

Mobile: (+63).919.836.3620

www.jlucasreyes.com

Flowers and frosting

2011-03-17T12:17:00.014+08:00

I don't know if I was overly busy the past few months that I missed buying a copy of the latest Wedding Belle issue.

But I'm happy I did buy one. Featured in this issue are spreads of floral arrangements that help brides compare types of flowers that could cost them an arm and a leg vis-a-vis less expensive options but equally lovely selections of flowers.

Your choice of flowers can set you back by thousands of pesos as seen from comparing the bouquets on top (succulents, button mums and dendrobium orchids) versus adding lotus pods, carnations and cymbidium orchids.

Also featured in this issue were cake designs I have never seen before. One of my favorite is this one that has one of my favorite artwork by Gustav Klimt, "The Kiss":

What I continue to love about Wedding Belle is their regular feature on honeymoon hotspots. Each destination includes tips on how to get there, basic information (climate, currency, etc) and what to do while staying there.

In this issue, featured places include Dubai, Spain, Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Austria, Argentina, Portugal and many more!

Wedding Belle is available in leading bookstores.

*No copyright infringement intended.

Runaway Brides and a Videofest

2011-03-10T18:39:00.041+08:00

Jason Magbanua, wedding videographer extraordinaire is on the run.

In a video, that is.

A few days ago, I was supposed to be in a Mayad Studios video that would be part of a Jason Magbanua tribute a.k.a Videofest.

In charge of casting the 30 or so brides who were to chase Jason were the ladies of Lifestyle by Feliz. Every participant was encouraged to bring her wedding gown. Of course, I wanted to join the bride run! But the problem was that I wore a red wedding gown and with my petite-ness, I might stick out like a red flower girl amidst the sea of white brides.

Lia of Lifestyle by Feliz still egged me on for the fun of it, saying that I might find a suitable white gown among the gowns they will borrow from designers for the shoot that day.

But alas, my body type rejected the available gowns, or you could say the gowns rejected me :-(

So there I was, happily taking photos of "brides" trying to catch the most popular yet ever elusive wedding videographer in the country.

"Brides" getting ready for the chase.

Jason Magbanua mingling with the brides.

Jenifel of Bridal Book also joined the fun run.

Brides getting ready to "ambush" Jason.

Pigeons at the Piazza in McKinley Hill bearing witness to the chase.

Mayad Studios and Lifestyle by Feliz join forces behind the scenes.

And off, Jason goes!

Additional running at the fountain area.

So what was all this running for, you may ask.

Last March 15, WeddingsatWork organized a Bio Videofest that chronicles the humble yet passionate beginnings of a man who dared to break the monotony of wedding videos in the country. His vision, professionalism, dedication in improving his craft and of course, the proof of his work (his estatic brides and grooms) have all contributed in catapulting local videographers from mere "camera men" into respected personas in the wedding industry.

Because of Jason's bravery in pioneering nonconventional same-day edits (SDEs), he has opened doors for both photographers and videographers in the international wedding scene.

In celebration of Jason's 10 years in the industry, five outstanding wedding film makers paid tribute to Jason by painstakingly conducting interviews and gathering testimonials from past clients, co-workers and contemporaries.

Two screenings were held at Rockwell Cinema 4 to accomodate the number of people who wanted to "get to know" Jason Magbanua more -- other than the acclaimed celebrity and most in-demand videographer that he is known for. Both screenings were well attended by the general public and other wedding vendors -- designers, photographers, event stylists, florists, make-up artists, coordinators, etc --- it almost felt like I was in a wedding fair. :-P

The Wedding Enthusiast was there to witness how this simple but passionate being was revered and loved.

You can view the videos by Bob Nicolas, Ian Cruz, John Marvi de Guzman, Mayad Studios and Threelogy at Weddingsatwork.com.

"My shooting style is highly unobtrusive and candid. I don’t get in the way. I don’t direct events but rather, wait for them to unfold. A wedding day has enough drama, humor and romance by itself. I wouldn’t want to tamper your experience of it by asking you to "act out" something which never really happened in the first place." -- Jason Magbanua

Jason Magbanua

Unit 23 Star Centrum Condominium

317 Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City

Philippines

Landline: +632.8171989

Cellphone: +63928.4704145

http://www.jasonmagbanua.com/

giving thanKs by Cunanan

2011-02-19T00:51:00.084+08:00

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by one of Manila's fast-rising wedding caterers, K by Cunanan.

I only heard about K by Cunanan sometime late 2005 when they catered for a press conference of one of the movies I was promoting and I remembered that they made an indelible mark on my palate.

This year, celebrating a little over 5 years in the catering business, they treated everyone to their classic and new menu offerings and proved that even with their non-traditional, never cookie-cutter style of catering for weddings, K by Cunanan is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Here's a little something from their blog describing the kind of caterer that they are known for:

I'd like to think that we're not your traditional caterer. We help come up with inspired events--giving importance to food of course and making sure that your guests taste something new yet comforting. But we try to stretch our service by helping create an atmosphere your guests will remember, one filled with details that would reflect your personal style and taste.

Kaye Cunanan giving thanks.

The decor was, very "K by Cunanan," -- crisp, clean, minimalist. The white and glass cocktail tables were dotted with white candles and white carnations, statice flowers and dried wheat-like stalks.

All the lounge chairs, cocktail tables, sofas, chandeliers, mirrors, linen, Vera Wang dinnerware and cutlery were brought out for this special occasion.

Two bands, Blue Sub and Skarlet played throughout the celebration providing just the right groove. Sensitivity worked its magic on Blue Leaf's Banyan hall to dress everything in white and tinted the drapes with soft lights.

But enough of my babbling.

Among the photographers present that night was Mar of MyPhotato who captured much of this night's celebratory mood. Here's a sneak peek through Mar's lenses, completely raw but amazingly awesome (I kid him that it must be all the veggies he eats -- he's following a lacto-vegan diet and I keep telling him how I wish I could have the same will power to avoid meat.) But how could you avoid eating food this good? :-P

Lace Tan of K by Cunanan shared with me their menu that night which guests kept going back for more:

Classic dishes:

1) sea bass with mango salsa and coconut cream -usually red snapper or lapu lapu but of course we had to make it special for thanksgiving

2) roast beef ribs

3) honey nut prawns

4) crackling pork wraps

5) cheese station

New offerings:

1) mini burgers with foie gras

2) squid ink paella

3) truffled pecorino mac n' cheese

4) shrimp and quinoa salad

5) steak with ponzo sauce and truffle butter

6) tuna tataki

7) sushi nachos

The dessert bar:

1) white chocolate cake

2) chocolate mousse with candied hazelnuts and strawberries

3) russian tea cookies

4) grilled pineapples with ginger syrup

5) quezo de bola cheesecake

6) a croque en bouche that was a gift from Joy San Gabriel

The bar was by Kaye's brother, Mac Cunanan who owns juicebox. http://www.juiceboxmobar.multiply.com/ :)

Lace Tan saying hello to the guests.

The girls of K by Cunanan

Lace with Mar of MyPhotato

J Lucas Reyes and wife Cathy, Dylan Gozum of Vatel Manila and Mike Santos of The Mango Farm

Lace Tan, Ernest Pascual, Jaja Samaniego and Dylan Gozum.

The wedding enthusiast caught red handed taking photos. :-P

I also stumbled upon more shots of the food that was served that night by Oly Ruiz of Metro Photo. Since Oly Ruiz is known for making brides and grooms look like seasoned fashion models, just take a look at his photos of the stars of this celebration and see if you wouldn't want to lick the screen.

Drinks from the bar

Of course, not to be missed, dessert!

Photographers Mimi and Karl, Kaye Cunanan, Ernest Pascual and Oly Ruiz.

To everyone at K by Cunanan, may you have many more catering years to come! Congratulations!

K. by Cunanan Catering
Sta. Cruz, Manila
711.0940; 710.6445; {Tue to Fri ~ 11am to 8pm}; kbycunanancatering@gmail.com

Metro Photography
The Wedding Lounge - Escriva Drive, Ortigas Center
456.1114; 0920.9130299
mailto:meetus@mymetrophoto.com

My Photato
Paranaque
776.7242; 0917.2416485
mailto:myphotato@yahoo.com

Valentine's Day the good old-fashioned way

2011-02-16T14:11:00.061+08:00

I've mentioned before that hubby and I don't usually do Valentine dates. Never during our courtship days, not even after we got married.

This year however, we decided to make an exception. My only requirements for this Valentine date were the following:

1) A place where it won't kill me to drive and park (yes, hubby doesn't drive, I do. I don't cook, he does).

2) Somewhere we haven't tried but with good reviews.

3) Somewhere we don't have to wait in agony for a table or the food.

And with a text message, hubby asks "How about Manila Hotel? "

I immediately see a vision of us dining at The Champagne Room and I text back "Game!"

Most people know that I have a thing for old venues and anything french so having a date at The Champagne Room spells French Vintage Romance. In 2004, I was considering this charming venue for our wedding reception. Unfortunately, they ceased hosting weddings on that year (but resumed a few years thereafter).

For a little bit of history about what is probably the oldest hotel in the country, here's something from the Manila hotel website:

It has always been said that history never takes a holiday at Manila Hotel. In 1898, one of the first decrees was urbanizing and planning of the nation's capital, Manila. Architect and City Planner, Daniel Hudson Burnham was hired to pencil in his plans. He drafted a wide and long tree-lined boulevard that would begin at the park and at the spit's end of the bay, a boulevard that would be dominated on one end by a hotel.

On the commemoration date of the American Independence, July 4, 1912, Manila Hotel was inaugurated and officially opened. Four hundred handsomely groomed and elegantly attired guests were ushered in for a dinner American roast, Philippine lobster, and French champagne.

They came and they went during the twenties. In their Orient trek, notables and celebrities found their way to Manila Hotel, which is now dubbed by the elite corps as the Address of Prestige in the Far East.
The hotel's registry was once again chockablock with name-droppable figures especially in 1935. Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon invited Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who was then approaching the end of his tenure as Chief of Staff of the US Military forces, to come and build the Philippine Army. For six years (1935-1941), MacArthur, his wife Jean and son Arthur made the Manila Hotel their home.
When war struck and gave the entire country a cruel blow, Manila Hotel rose to the occasion and re-emerged a statelier vaunted institution. Doors were reopened to people determined to live well on July 4, 1946.

The long list dazzled as the fifties and the sixties at Manila Hotel were graced by the likes of Bob Hope, The Beatles, Marlon Brando, Tyrone Power, Secretary John Foster Dulles, Senator Robert Kennedy, Sir Anthony Eden, Charlton Heston, Burgees Meredith, the Rockefeller brothers, John Wayne, Publisher Henry Luce, Vice President Richard Nixon, Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson, and more.
While it was the social gathering place for many and for sundry reasons such as weddings, debuts, coming out parties and anniversaries, the Manila Hotel was also the chosen site for many activities and congresses of national and international significance. Among them were the ASEAN Summit meeting of October 1966 and the Philippine Constitutional Convention in 1970.

Even at the turn of the century, Manila Hotel's story and tradition of unparalleled service goes on, hand in hand with genuine Philippine hospitality. It continues to stand proud, meeting the challenges of today's discriminating guests and showcasing only the best the Philippines has to offer.
Manila Hotel embodies rich Filipino tradition and hospitality that revives experiences worth remembering.

And so, on the night of February 14, while most lovebirds were battling traffic in other parts of the Metro, hubby and I were cruising to the oldest city with light traffic --- except for the Manila Hotel driveway :-)

Below, the Manila Hotel lobby. I suddenly had a flashback of my Senior Year Graduation Ball. Eeek.

Hubby checking out the chocolates being sold at the lobby.

The corridor leading to the Champagne Room

Since we already made reservations for an 8pm dinner, we were more than happy that we did not have to stand in line and were given a table immediately after the maître d’ confirmed our reservation.

The iron-wrought grills, marble floors, chandeliers and crystal palm trees all contribute to the fine dining experience.

I've seen this room in the daytime and nothing compares to its lovely interiors bathed in sunlight.

I could probably sit here all day and be perfectly happy.

The Champagne Room is brightly lit compared to other restaurants with dim or "romantic lighting." Personally, I would rather dine where I could see both my date and the food. I was never a "dinner by candlelight" kind of girl.

A cozy couch for a couple.

Look hon, real silver! :-D

Hubby and I opted for Moet et Chandon champagne (because we are at the champagne room and we couldn't get a decent wine recommendation from the clueless waiter)

And now, the Valentine menu:

After the standard soft dinner rolls, butter and pâté, we practically had spoonfuls and forkfuls of different aphrodisiacs.

Melage de Huitres a trois

Medley of Oysters

Fresh with Oscetra and Champagne Mignonette

Chowder with Leek Fondue

Grilled with Pancetta and Lemon Cream

Humide Se Baignent de la Crevette et de la Coquille

Dans le Bouillon d 'Anis et de Gingembre Clair

Steamy Bathe of Shrimp and Scallop in light ginger and aniseed broth

Salad de Roquette Truffe Poivre Rotis Rouges, Pate d' Asperge

Le Fenouil Coupe Fin avec le Mozzarella Frais et Pingnol
Truffled Spicy Rocket Salad with Red Roasted Pepper and Asparagus Pasta

Shaved Fennel, Pine Nuts and Fresh Mozzarella

Sorbet Rouge de le Petales de Rose
Red Rose Petal Sherbet

Le Boeuf Mini-rotit avec le Homard Laque La Reduction de Vigne Rouge et Tomate-Basil Confit

Naked Beef Mini Roast with Grilled Lacquered Lobster Red Wine Glaze and Tomato Basil Confit

I was so giddy as the waiter cleared our table for dessert complete with his silver sweeper and "crumb" pan. :-)

La Tranche de Gianduja avec la Framboise Parfait Fraises Immoral et Peche Defendue

Leche avec le Miel et les Amandes Toastes

Chocolate Gianduja Slice with Raspberry Parfait

Sinful Strawberries and Forbidden Peach

Licked with Honey and Toasted Almonds

Pralines

All throughout dinner, the in-house string ensemble serenaded the diners with pop songs and show tunes while hubby and I were playing "Who can guess what song this is?"

Happy Valentine's hon!

And as the cars cleared out, I had a quick snapshot of one of Manila Hotel's newest event venues aside from its numerous ballrooms (outside of the hotel), Tent City.

Another thing I liked about this package dinner? I wasn't given an almost wilted rose. Instead, it was an aphrodisiac we could enjoy at home -- Strawberry jam!

The Manila Hotel

One Rizal Park Manila, Philippines
(632) 5270011

http://www.manila-hotel.com.ph/

Young love

2011-01-27T19:24:00.096+08:00

This is my first big wedding in a long time.

The groom, Elton, comes from a large Chinese clan and the bride, Roxanne, has one of the most beautiful faces to grace Philippine film and television.

I couldn't believe that the entire church was almost filled to the brim. I couldn't even find an aisle seat where I could take photos of the entourage so I elbowed my way to the intersection of the church.

The female entourage carried posies in shades of pink and purple to match their lavender-silver and plum

gowns.

Although I knew that there were several showbiz "royalties" present at the wedding, I really couldn't care less. I was more starstruck with the wedding "royalties" -- designer Pepsi Herrera, photographers Dino Lara and Lito Sy, and videographer Jason Magbanua doing what they do best -- show the world how beautiful this wedding was.

The wedding entourage was a mix of businessmen and showbiz personalities, including Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach, Maricel Soriano, Vicki Belo and Boy Abunda. And hubby of course! :-P

The groom marched thrice -- the first was when he was accompanied by his parents, second, to escort his daughter from a previous relationship, and third, to carry his daughter with Roxanne.

A parade of flower girls heralded the arrival of the bride.

The most awaited walk - Roxanne marches down the aisle in her Pepsi Herrera gown.

Since this was the wedding of a very young couple, the priest expressed his initial apprehension in officiating the ceremony. But after he had spoken heart to heart with the couple, he knew that this was not a marriage on a whim, but of two young hearts who vow to love each other whatever challenges life may bring.

With his booming newscaster-like voice, the priest even elicited laughter from the guests with a poem he said in Filipino:

Ang mga anak ang hiyas ng bahay (the children are the jewels of the home)

Ang lalaki ang haligi ng bahay (the man is the pillar)

Ang babae ang ilaw ng bahay (the woman is the guide/light)

Ang mga biyenan ang anay (the in-laws are the termites)

He called for everyone to help Elton and Roxanne protect their love, their marriage and their family. And he asked Elton and Roxanne to prove all the naysayers wrong.

Roxanne's vow pulled my heartstrings. It was a vow that would quash all doubt, heal all wounds, and fill all hearts with hope that true love does exist and this marriage will last because both are willing to work hard at it.

One of, if not the most soft-spoken and most kind actresses around, I felt the sincerity and gravity of her love for Elton and her utmost desire for a happy family.

The church was filled with white flowers -- calla lilies, chrysanthemums, asters, roses and orchids.

The entourage comprised of 20 principal sponsors, 8 pairs of groomsmen and bridesmaids, 3 pairs of secondary sponsors, 3 bearers (rings, arrhae, bible) and 10 flower girls. At some point, I thought the wedding march wasn't going to end. Haha! :-)

This was my parting shot of the church, the only chance I could take a photo of the aisle without the mob. :-P

The reception was held at the NBC Tent. Teddy Manuel fashioned a loft-like atmosphere at the registration area where guests could mingle on daybeds and cocktail tables.

Elton and Roxanne gave away delightful mini cakes for their guests.

The main hall must have housed a thousand guests! The tables on the side of the tents were elevated so that the guests from the far side of the tent could view the event from their seats.

The presidential and guest tables echoed the all-white flower decor at the church, now paired with lamps, candelabras, chandeliers and crystals. Everywhere you looked, different varieties of white flowers greeted the guests -- tulips, hydrangeas, mums, roses, casa blancas, amaryllis, snapdragons, phalaenopsis, baby's breath, carnations, hyacinths, statice, alstroemerias ---white flowers everywhere!

A spherical "chandelier" of faux flowers and lights was the reception's pièce de résistance that night.

Below, the wedding cake with a slideshow of the couple's engagement photos by Red Fox photography in the background.

The flower girls having fun on the dance floor. They looked like they were having a mini cotillon. :-)

Tim Yap, one of the groom's cousins, hosted the reception.

Right after they entered the ballroom, Roxanne and Elton did their first dance as a married couple.

Just look at the army of photographers and videographers documenting the dance. Haha!

Elton and Roxanne also gave out feathered pens to their female guests.

Ah, young love!

Although some may be pessimists at heart and say young love and young marriages are doomed, the wedding enthusiast chooses to see the bright side -- how lucky for two people to find the love of their lives at such a young age, knowing that they have more years to spend together. :-)

Here are scenes from Elton and Roxanne's special day through the eyes of Dino Lara:

More wedding photos from Red Fox photography here and here.

Congratulations and best wishes, Elton and Roxanne!

Well-suited for the occasion

2011-01-24T20:35:00.025+08:00

I'm a planner. Hubby is, for the most part, a procrastinator.

Hubby had known for a long time that he was going to be a principal sponsor at a wedding we were attending in January 2011 and he had received the cloth the couple wanted him to use for his suit as early as November 2010. He was unusually busy late last year, but it was only a little over a week before the wedding when he finally asked friends to recommend someone who could be trusted to do his suit in a week's time, quick but polished.

That's when he decided to call up Francis Libiran.

I knew of Francis when he was still with his other business partner, Miguel, when they put up their shop, Njork, sometime in the early 2000s. I even considered having hubby's suit made at Njork for our wedding in 2004, if a close friend had not recommended a good tailor.

But lo and behold, hubby still ended up having a suit made by Francis, seven years later.

I wasn't there for the measurements, when Francis designed the suit and when hubby picked up the finished suit as I was out for an event. I did however, free up my schedule for the fitting so I could peek into Francis' atelier, hoping to meet Francis himself, who is currently one of the most sought-after designers by celebrities and non-celebrities alike.

Unfortunately, I was not able to meet Francis. Darn.

But I was happy just being at his shop, and happy that hubby looked dashing during the wedding.

The window display at Francis Libiran's atelier

It was a gown I could see myself in, if you cut it a teeny, tiny bit so I wouldn't trip over, that is.

There's hubby waiting for his fitting.

I liked the vibe of the waiting area, modern and comfortable, not kitschy and not too imposing.

Some of the jewelry and other accessories in a glass cabinet and at the counter display which can help the ladies in seeing the overall look of their dresses/gowns together with bling.

Finally, after just a few minutes of waiting, hubby was called in for his fitting.

A battalion of assistants helped hubby fit his shirt, pants and coat and noted all the minor adjustments that had to be made. It was the end of the working day and they were still a cheerful and helpful bunch that made me think it must be fun to work here.

Francis designed a high collar shirt and a coat highlighted with silky edges on the collar, lapel and pockets.

And now, for the real thing:

There he goes down the catwalk, I mean, the aisle, with his "inay" and partner principal sponsor, Maricel Soriano.

And with the lovely bride, Roxanne Guinoo-Yap.

You can view more of this wedding from the same day edit by master wedding storyteller, Jason Magbanua:

Francis Libiran
126 Sct. Fernandez street, Tomas Morato Q.C.
925.5495; 416.9098
Strictly by appointment

Something blue and a wedding gown times two!

2011-01-07T12:32:00.020+08:00

I stalk weddings blogs, that's my addiction. :-)

While on my stalking spree, I chanced upon the site of one of the very few female wedding photographers in the Metro, Jaja Samaniego.

After seeing much of Jaja's pre-nuptial and wedding photos, I immediately knew that this was no ordinary budding photographer. Her camera lenses seem to have a magnet for all things lovely.

Here's one of the weddings she's covered with a bride who probably not only had something old, something new and something borrowed, she got married in something really blue!

Isn't her gown just dreamy? *swoons*

Here's another "blue" wedding by Jaja for all of you.

Can't decide on your wedding gown? Why not have two? :-)

Two of the weddings she's photographed that will surely be tagged as "utterly overflowing with gorgeousness" in my book can be found here and here.

Know more about this gifted lady with an eye for all things beautiful from Vatel Manila's exclusive tete-a-tete here.

Meanwhile, I'll be keeping my eye on more of Jaja's work this year. :-)

jaja_samaniego@yahoo.com
www.jajasamaniego.com

Farm fresh love

2011-01-06T20:42:00.057+08:00

This wedding is just absolutely overflowing with pretty details, I honestly don't know where to begin!

Much of the wedding aspects were lovingly designed and made by hand, and even if I were not there to witness it personally, the photos make the love and joy almost palpable.

* * *

Most farmers and country folk would say that morning is the best time of the day for tending the garden, harvesting fruit and flowers and getting the best produce of the day. I believe that morning is also the best time for a wedding, when the sun slowly wakes every living thing with a gentle brush of light.

By now, the wedding world is buzzing about this refreshing (pun intended) orchard-themed wedding oozing with so much country romance. Mishi, the bride, who I met during a merienda cena I wrote about here, is a girl after my own heart. Creative, patient, flower-knowledgeable and sweet as sugar. It is no wonder that Filbert chose her to be his beloved.

Read on and be inspired by a wedding that is truly lovespun:

Filbert and Mishi's orchard themed invitations

From the almost country-cowboy-cowgirl invites, Mishi surprises us with the delicate, dainty choice of fabric for her wedding gown.

I've said it on Facebook and I'll say it again -- this picture is just too perfect! I can't decide which I love more -- the perfect pairing of lace and pleats, the eye-popping color palette of antique gold and tangerine or those rosy bags and shoes which are vying for my attention versus the posies. :-)

And just when I thought Dylan of Vatel Manila had no more surprises up his sleeve, he comes up with this bridal bouquet that makes saying "spectacular" an understatement! *Clap! Clap! Clap!*

Filbert and Mishi made sure that their day would have an abundance of citrus hues, from the paper lanterns, to the floral baskets with fresh oranges, to the parasols and fans they provided their guests.

What's the most adorable? The handmade ring pillow, the ring bearer with a garland of berries or the flower girl with her matching doll? Will somebody please help me decide? *biting fingernails*

Now, enough of my babbling. Let's here it straight from the bride herself:

What was your theme and motif and what are the reasons for you deciding on it? Any special memories attached to any of your wedding details?

My ultimate dream wedding is a garden wedding in Sedona, Arizona – Vibrant greens on a background of orange and red land formations illuminated by the golden rising sun. It became the source of inspiration for our color palette – Various shades of orange, green and brown.

Filbert and I both love anything country – rolling hills, country houses, rustic pieces, anything handmade and hand-painted, and (yes, although you may wince) country music. We love the vibrant yet laid-back, relaxed, carefree feel it gives. Orange fruit (of any variety) is Filbert’s favorite. We thought the fruit would be a perfect addition to our design elements since it also carries our color motif. And so, we came up with our Country Orchard theme.

My lace wedding gown was devotedly created by my 68-year old aunt Rosita Flores, in fulfillment of the promise she made during my teens. She has been making my dresses since childhood. My white gold dangling earrings with 4.7 grams citrine stones adorned with 54-piece diamonds was a loving, unexpected gift from my Mom.

What were your sources of inspiration? Were there constant changes during the planning process?

Though I have built a collection of wedding magazines and read countless blogs, we pulled out all the stops to make our wedding truly personalized and unique, even on a limited budget. I (for most parts) was responsible for the design concept of our wedding. As soon as we have finalized our theme, ideas came flowing effortlessly. We were determined and really poured out our efforts to stick to the theme and find the appropriate materials.

Lace has always been my favorite, and so I have decided to use the material on every entourage gown. We had to scour Divisoria through and through to find the perfect lace for my gown. Once we found “the one”, we came running again to find matching designs for my bridesmaids and moms in order to create a unified look. I designed all the gowns to reflect my love for classic cuts mingled with my favorite (and lovely) details – overlays, belts and pleats.

Decors were chosen to match the theme – country-inspired flower arrangements, baskets and weave patterns, rustic and native materials, oranges and other favorite fruits. We were highly detailed on how we want the concept and design carried out, and we are happy that we found awesome suppliers who truly valued our ideas. Since our ceremony was done outdoors under the splendid trees, we decided to bring the greenery into our indoor reception as well. We asked our caterer to create topiaries of leaves with oranges for the tables.

What elements were your non-negotiables?

We did not want to compromise first-rate and unique food, fine service and impeccable styling, and so k. by Cunanan Catering became our indispensable even during the early stage of the planning. We never got quotations or did food tasting elsewhere– that is how determined we were in acquiring the services of this supplier.

Since we found The Mango Farm, we felt sure that we have already found the perfect venue. It was ideal for our theme and needs, and it is perhaps the only true green venue in the city.

Unforgettable moment on the day itself?

The most unforgettable must be the heartfelt moment while I was walking down the aisle. The warmth we felt from the people surrounding us, the mixed emotions of my parents, the enormous love and excitement I saw through Filbert’s gaze, smile and tears were all priceless and unbeatable.

Unforgettable moment during the planning stage? Any roadblocks? Compromises made?

There were plenty of unforgettable moments, but on the top three of our list would be:

Our frequent trips to the crowded and frenzied Divisoria which involved haggling, carrying several kilograms of loot, tripping upon road craters and murky puddles etc.
Sleepless nights with our DIYs.
The moments we devoted to prayer.

The entire planning stage was probably the most nerve-racking, tiresome phase in our relationship. Arriving at a mutual plan about the details of our wedding within ourselves and our parents was a struggle. Everything needed to be reasonable and convincing. I guess it is because here in the country, people tend to adhere to traditions. Weekday wedding date, themed wedding, a strict guest list, few entourage members, a non-all-white bridal apparel, sponsors carrying parasols for their march etc… etc. were distant and unappealing to them. We must admit we often felt uncertain about our preferences and tried to make way for other people’s thoughts so we could please them and avoid conflicts. In the end, we realized that we should uphold our precious ideas to save us from pain and regret.

Budget was also an issue, but we were determined to prove that we do not need to compromise quality whilst in a limited budget. We researched and balanced priorities and cost. We are happy and proud that we ended spending below the expected, and still had a wedding that we (and people, including our parents) loved.

How long did you plan your wedding from the moment you said “I will”?

Filbert proposed on November 12, 2008, in time for our third anniversary as a couple. We did not break the news right away. We prayed and patiently waited for the perfect time to get married. On January 2010, in a gathering of both our families which Filbert arranged, he formally asked for my hand in marriage in front of our loved ones. It signaled the beginning of our wedding preparations. The wedding came 10 months later (On our 5th anniversary).

What elements of the wedding did you decide to do D-I-Y?

I have made little caricatures of oranges and orange tree to decorate our save the date cards, place card, table numbers and menu cards.
Since I am very particular with the design and the look and feel of the fabrics, I have designed, then selected and purchased the materials for all the dresses with Filbert’s help.
Since I have not been usually contented with ready-made, I have personally created and sewn the rosettes and the crystals on the bags and shoes of the bridesmaids.
I did the embellishments of the flower girl’s dress and the matching dress for her doll to make sure they match.
I made the ring pillow out of jute, bobbin lace and wooden flowers, since I cannot purchase it anywhere.
To save bucks, we designed and printed our own ceremony program and guide.
We did not want the usual guest book and sign frame. Filbert made a tree painting which served as the thumbprint and sign tree for guests.

If you could pick just 3 wedding details that you absolutely loved about your wedding, what would they be?

My dress. It was the combination of my aunt’s love and dedication to her work, my vision, and our joint efforts as a couple made it even more beautiful. (This is what you call a dress with love in the stitches -- wedding enthusiast)
The flowers. I have never seen such beautiful arrangements in my life. Dylan of Vatel Manila is such a genius. (I so agree! -- wedding enthusiast)
Our cake. We did not want the usual layered tiers of fondant and sugar flowers. The cake was made for sharing, and the design was consistent with our theme - All-edible, 4-tier satellite cakes covered with whipped cream in basket-weave pattern, topped with the freshest fruits. The cartoon topper of a couple picking mangoes from a tree was Filbert’s idea. (The mango tree was the cutest part of the cake! -- wedding and mango enthusiast. haha.)

Any advice for those currently planning their wedding?

Be sure to cherish each moment of the planning and all that comes with it, including the stress, hassles and the draining expenses, since we pass this road only once.

Nurture your relationship and DO NOT neglect your partner. Keep in mind that the planning should help both of you grow, not break you.

Be diligent, patient and have enough drive to work/sacrifice for the things you want. If there is anything that needs to be done, act promptly. Do not procrastinate.

Set realistic and proportional goals, expectations and budget. There’s no room for mismatch here. Learn to let go, especially if you can no longer afford, or if a supplier could not meet your needs or deliver your expectations.

Be persistent and meticulous in your search for your suppliers. Get thorough information, seek advice and learn to distinguish reliable feedbacks.

Based on experience, all suppliers are important, but if you should list priorities, place the following on your top 3:
1. Food – Since it is obviously (and will always be) what your guests will remember most.
2. Photo/Video
3. Coordinator - For a once in a lifetime event, you want someone to help you execute your precious ideas and plans and set everything straight, not ruin it.

Learn to explore and love Divisoria. It’s a haven for crafty brides.

You can read more about this wedding at vatelmanila.blogspot.com and bridal book.com

Congratulations Filbert and Mishi!