Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Eclipse - Dalusong Nuptials
Ok, on to the wedding. The groom is a friend of a friend who happened to be our officemate when I was still in a Japanese firm. He is Gerald. The bride, Day is a newcomer to the same firm but when I left so I was not able to personally witness their romance unlike that of Tinee and RD. (I remember, I have not yet blogged about their wedding in this site). I will catch up my friend.
When Gerald contacted me 3 years after I left the company, I was surprised to discover he is getting married. I never knew who the bride will be that time. When he finally decided to get my service, we met at Galleria to discuss the details of the wedding. Oh I forgot, my handsome groom confirmed his booking less than 2 weeks before the wedding! So, it was kind of difficult to polish everything for we have a very limited time but we were able to pull through. Here are some of the pictures taken from the event:
More pictures here.
Ceremony and Reception: Blue Gardens
Photo/Video: Ferzze Zapata Photography
Hair & Make-up: Nina Dumpa
Catering Service: Hizon's Catering
Monday, July 6, 2009
Back to Business
And to start off, I have been preparing for a post on my latest wedding. So watch out for it dear readers.
Thank you to everyone who've stayed and who keeps on visiting this site over the last 3 months. Your support is very much appreciated.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Répondez S'il Vous Plaît - Is It Important?
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Mamba-Villaflor Nuptials
Their wedding was held at The Fernwood Gardens last December 23, 2008. That evening, the venue was full of politicians and good friends of the couple. The priest (I should mention it!) was really astounding. He was so clever and funny. We can't help but giggle at his jokes during the Homily and in fairness, he delivered a good one.
Congratulations!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Bridal Emergency Kit
What is a Bridal Emergency Kit? - It is a collection of items and tools that a bride should have on her wedding day just in case something unexpected happens. This of course should not be carried personally by the bride. She can entrust this to someone, a family member would be best.
Why do we need a Bridal Emergency Kit? - On almost all occasions, some things that are unexpected happens. But on a wedding where the bride and the groom planned everything with care and utmost detailed were fully considered, everything has to be as seamless as possible. With that in mind, a bride would naturally think that she has to prepare for everything that could come along the way, little mishaps and emergencies included. That is why this kit will aid her in taking care of those tiny glitches that can possibly ruin the event.
What comprises the Bridal Emergency Kit? - Below is a list of some things that a bride must include in the her bridal kit and some information why they are needed.
- MEDICINES - antacids, pain relievers, loperamides, anti-allergy and personal maintenance medicines should there be any.
- EXTRA HOSIERY - just in case you need to change or the one you're using gets a bad run.
- NAIL POLISH - a clear one. can be used in stocking runs too and can easily fix chipped polish.
- MINTS - clearly. to keep your breath fresh. remember, you will be mingling with so many guests!
- HANKY - to dab those tears away or to clear some smudges like lipsticks or make-up.
- HAIR PINS - a must. to keep hair in place. i've actually done a wedding where the florist put a safety pin on the flowers girls' head dress instead of a hair pin. this always come in handy in almost all weddings.
- SAFETY PINS - another must have.
- THREADS & NEEDLES - just in case something out of the ordinary happens, you are always pretty and ready to take care of everything.
- SCISSORS - a small scissor will do. can be for loose strings, tags, etc.
- BOTTLED WATER, BISCUIT & STRAW - bride's have a lot of preparation to do before even getting in the church. she can get hungry and thirsty. a biscuit will be good and to avoid a lipstick smudge, drink with a straw.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Top 10 EC Droppers for January 2009
- Sci-fi Chrome - movie and book reviews blog. articles are very interesting. you will surely love his blog if you are a fan of good movies and books.
- Blog De Manila - eric has become a friend since i've been into blogging. a blogger with a kind heart and is keen in helping other bloggers improve their traffic, earn money and the like.
- Chopsticks - The One and Only Original Chopsticks Blogger - just recently known the author but you will surely be amazed on the menus he present in his blog.
- Janrafi - a very young and beautiful blogger who aims to become financially independent and get rich through passive income. very interesting posts.
- Peek Tech Blog - a sneek peek of the latest technology...sometimes really high-tech for me. he's got reviews of gadgets and other gizmos too!
- Healthy Embrace - talk about health, healthy food and ways to keep you healthy. it's all in here.
- Hot In Singapore - angie, is a Malaysian who used to live in Switzerland and now in Singapore because of her husband's work. from all the pics in her blog, i can say she loves travelling.
- Life According To Me - ane, a fellow pinay and young blogger who loves her family so much. she's one of the first bloggers i've known when i was just starting.
- Smiley Earth Blog - a blog about travel, travel guides, tips and information you will need if you are planning on a getaway.
- My Life's Adventure - gen, is a pinay mom living in the US and is now making starting to make site designs as a hobby and additional income. if you want new design for your site, just contact her.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Do-It-Yourself Wedding Planning
Most brides opt to be a hands-on bride when it comes to preparing their own wedding, even if their schedule is too busy. Here are a few tips on how you can handle the hassle and bustle of wedding preparation:
12months before the wedding.
List the wedding necessities - list down the things you need to prepare. below is a sample list (based on my order of priority - you are free to modify)
- church (requirements - CENOMAR, birth certificates, baptismal certificates, etc.)
- reception venue
- photographer
- videographer
- caterer
- couturier
- events stylist
- florist
- wedding rings
- hair and make up artist
- musicians
- invitation
- souvenirs
- host/emcee
- bridal suite
- special effects
Book the first 5 suppliers listed above - why? because these suppliers are often booked as early as 12-24 months before the actual event. plus, when you book these suppliers early, the rate they gave you at the time of your booking will be your fixed rate. should their rates increase the following year, you will not be affected anymore. make sure though that you have thoroughly checked their offers, too! do not book just because you want to assure the rate. it is just an added factor and savings.
- Church - check on the requirements needed by the church first so you can start working on them. i listed some above. check what they have to offer. do they have flower arrangement already? if they already have flower arrangement, it is most likely that you will save a portion of your budget for the florist since they will no longer handle the church arrangement. do they have their own musicians? if so, you can try watching their performance when there is a wedding - you will see how they do. if you liked them, get it. musicians are also expensive nowadays. what are their restrictions? of course you need to check on this so you'll know their do's and dont's.
- Reception Venue - scout on different venues and check on their offers. as much as possible, select a venue near the church. this is so that you won't need to provide additional transportation to your relatives, guests. venue should also have the generators - in case of power failure. if you want a garden venue, make sure to rent tents (be prepared that even on summer, rain could come anytime)
- Photo/Video - most photographers offer photo/video in one package. there are a lot of suppliers who are credible enough and offer photo/video in one contract. you can save more from this. plus, you can check their packages and you'll see, there are a lot of freebies like, sign frames, sign book, tarps, etc.
- Caterer - do check on a couple of reputable caterers. don't just stick to one. try at least 3 food tastings and check which one fits your taste buds and your budget. catering can eat up most of your wedding budget, you know. make sure you've also decided on how many guests you would want to attend and witness your wedding. number of guests is the primary question a caterer would ask from you.
9 months before the wedding
Choose your couturier - go to someone you trust. even if you have already bought all the bridal magazines to check on the wedding gown of your dreams...chances are, the gown doesn't fit your physique. it is better to consult your couturier about it. he should know what is better for you and i suggest you take his suggestions.
Choose your entourage - it's now time to choose your entourage. you can either get a separate couturier for them or not. i'd go to the same couturier - you can get additional discount when you get all the gowns from him. and who says he can't concentrate on your wedding gown if you also get the entourage attire from him? do you ever think you're the only customer he'll get? even if you don't get all the attire from him, truth is he has other customers he might consider if you only get a gown from him.
Choose your event stylist - this is just optional. you can check with your venue how they'd style the place and caterers also offer decorations for the wedding. if you have budget and can afford an event stylist, go for it.
Wedding rings - get a jeweler to design your wedding rings or you can go directly to stores and order an existing design. it's up to you but you have to prepare this early so you'll still have time if there are concerns on your order. remember, rings play a vital part of the wedding ceremony.
6months before the wedding
Choose your make up artist, musicians and calligrapher - do trial make-up so you'll know the possible outcome and flaws that could arise on the actual wedding day make-up. for your invites, make sure to proofread the invitation before having it printed to avoid print errors. for your musicians - you can ask them for a gig schedule so that you can watch their performance.
Go to your fitting - this should be your first fitting. have the entourage's gown fitting as well
3 months before the wedding
Check out the souvenirs you want - you can have a DIY souvenirs. just go stores and select the souvenirs you want. seek help from friends and family in designing them. this is fun =)
Get a good host/emcee - emcees have profiles on their pages which you may want to review. otherwise, if you really don't know one, you can ask referrals from caterers and other suppliers. hint - some caterers have inhouse host but some of their inhouse hosts are also freelancers. you can check their performance on an actual wedding - just let them know you'll need to check how they do and they will let you.
Go to your fitting - this should be the second fitting. have your entourage's attire fitting as well.
Get your wedding rings - if you ordered, this is the time you should get it.
Send your invitations - send your invitations early and have the guest RSVP.
1month before the wedding
Book your bridal suite - you should have one for your preparation. it is common now to book the same hotel for the bride and groom (to save time and effort on the photo/videographers).
Get your wedding attires - by this time, you, your groom, parents and the rest of the entourage should have their attires.
Do your stuffs - get your facials, massage and everything for yourself. do not get a facial 1 week before the wedding. you wouldn't want to have a pimple on your big day!
1 week before the wedding
Pack for the hotel and your honeymoon - start packing your stuffs for the hotel. separate your honeymoon luggage. bring in your emergency pack (extra hosiery, lipstick, oil remover, needles and thread, medicines, pins) - this could come in handy =)
1 day before the wedding
Prepare and proceed to the hotel - eat dinner and go to your hotel. sleep early and relax
THE BIG DAY
Relax - this is your day. You've done everything to prepare for it so relax, take a deep breath and smile all the time.
If this post helped you in anyway, please let me know =)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Just Can't Get Enough
Let's see in a couple of days or probably weeks?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Wedding Accessories Anyone?
Gerri Diokno
09178999394
homeandbridalessentials@yahoo.com
(strictly by appointment only)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Looking New?
Thanks Lena for making such a nice skin.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Alvarez - Lingao Nuptial
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Client Feedback
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Weddings and Wedding Planners
Allow me to share with you my own personal experience and my perception about wedding planners when I was planning my very own wedding. I thought I'm a super bride. I can do every thing without the assistance of anybody. But yes, I did! However, there were consequences to my being brave-enough-to-shoulder-everything drama. I took care of all the major details. My dream reception setup was brought to reality - it was really hard labor setting up a stage on top of a swimming pool while the foundations were set underwater. Most of the suppliers I got became my friends and up until now, my contacts. But hey, the minor details were forgotten - the bible, the rosary, the matches. Simply because everyone is busy during that day. My friends whom I entrusted everything were just as excited as I am and eventually forgot what their tasks were. It did not end there. Because of being busy taking care of everything, I got sick and I am sick on the day of my wedding.
My personal experience proved that having a wedding planner is just as important as having a caterer on your wedding. Why? Even only for the wedding day itself, you will need someone, experienced and reliable to do the things that you will not be able to take care of during your big day! How about your family or friends? Well, they deserve to be happy on your wedding day as well and they are your guests, not your servants for the day =). There is also a misconception that your sponsors (maid of honor, bridesmaids) are your supposed to be coordinators on the wedding day. Well, to tell you, you chose them to be by your side on your wedding day because you want them to cherish that wonderful moment with you and they are there to share your joy. They can be there to help but hey...don't they deserve to sit and enjoy your wedding? Think about it.
Nowadays, wedding planners are everywhere. Almost every couple hire one just to ensure that their wedding will go on smoothly as planned and not a minor detail will be forgotten. Planners are now of importance simply because most couples already realized that hiring one would mean additional cost but it really means you save a lot of work. The budget you set can be managed by your coordinators so that you won't go beyond your set allowance for the event. Reputable suppliers are also recommended to you to lessen the leg work and sourcing out. So think. There are still more that planners can do. Just talk to them and let them know what your requirements are. They will help.
If you are to get married, would you hire one?
Monday, January 5, 2009
Dorado - Del Rosario Nuptials
I personally know the couple for they are my friends. Tinee, is my batch mate in our previous company. Both of us were hired on the same day. As the company tradition, new joiners are to be introduced across all departments in the office. We went through several departments and on one, there is RD. RD, who has remain single for the longest time, was not really looking out for a girlfriend. Known for loving his family and being a responsible son, he never played with girls once. And just simply because they glanced at each other meaningfully during the introduction, a spark of love came alive and that moment marked the day they fell in love with each other.
Five years passed and they decided to tie the knot to seal their love for eternity. It was solemnized at the Chapel of Transfiguration of Jesus in Caleruega, Batangas last November 28, 2008. The touching exchange of vows made me walk out of the chapel to avoid being caught by the camera crying. And my guess was right, those who cried were shown in the onsite AVP at the reception. The program was hosted by Missy and was held at Splendido. The site is very very nice. You will be mesmerized at how it was designed beautifully!
The event was enjoyed by everyone. Family, relatives and friends from different companies, batches and housemates were present to witness this wonderful event and the couple were very lovely that day. Tinee is radiantly glowing with the make up that made her look her best (finally, you didn't look like a homo - hehe). The make up was just right and the lips, the lips were so red! Charming!
The event was coordinated by Kath Lee of 168 Events Management - she is the Matron of Honor and one of the bride's best friend. Photography was handled by Pat Dy who captured every moment superbly beautiful. Bob Nicolas on videography and he presented the guests with one of his best onsite AVP creations. The setup done by Splendido was very fascinating. The food was great! There is a live feed so all the guests could see what is happening at the program area.
The program ended with a blast of fireworks - beautiful!
Pardon me for the few pics, sis - just visit it next time and there is more to come! Congratulations and best wishes!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Wedding by the Lake?
after the ceremony
outside the church
jaguar mkV from Don Robert's Bridal Cars
post ceremony pictorial at the lake side
my favorite shot - still at the lake side
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Introducing - The Wedding Gazette
Well, just to give you an idea, this site will be all about my wedding coordinating experiences and thoughts as well as lessons learned and the recent happenings on my events. I will be posting here pictures, advice, tips and guides for brides and grooms.
So to those who are planning on getting married, this is the one site for you so keep on reading.
Blog Design by Gisele Jaquenod