Thursday, August 09, 2007

A match made in ER ( Randy and Tet 05.19.07)

Doc Randy was a friend way back pre-med internship years. When I learned that he is finally tying the knot, I presumed it was going to be with Dra. Tet. I first met Tet during wedding we have coordinated 2 years ago. The moment I learned that she is Randy's girlfiend, I thought Randy must have really found the one. Heheh mejo chickboy kasi si Doc pero I just had that feeling that Tet will be his perfect match.

The couple was very relaxed during the day, or even a day before the event itself. I suggested that they get my ever reliable manicurist, Jessica to pamper them with mani, pedi and massage in their hotel room a night before than to go out of the hotel and end up more tired during the day.

Most of their suppliers are the ones we have never worked before. Mejo pressured nga kasi, halos walang turn over and they expect me to deliver. Like 2 days before the wedding, they told me that David and I will also be hosting . Other brides, please dont do that hehehe. It is still best to have an earlier turn-over. I will exert all the extra effort just to help you make your wedding beautiful. But we can't be lucky at all times. Better be safe than sorry. Well, it was super great thing the cards worked well for me on this particular event.
It was a morning wedding by the way, we arrived around 5 am. Come 6 am, Tet's hair and make up started.

They got married at my favorite church ( Shrine of Jesus - syempre that's where I got married ). This particular church is very strict when it comes to solemnity. Photographers would oftentimes abhor being there since they can only take shots from a certain angle during the ceremony.






















They only had one reception venue on mind - Villa Immaculada. This indoor reception venue in Intramuros is being managed by Tamayo's catering. It is a great option for those who wanted a garden and a closed function area in one. The patio of Villa Immaculada can be used for cocktails. There are wrought iron chairs in the garden where guests could reax a bit shortly before the reception begins. Sometimes, the patio serves as a great place to smoke since the indoor reception venue is airconditoned. At first, the couple thought that pink and blue motiff would look so very " JS Prom". I was amazed how Tamayo's made the color combination looked so relaxing and sweet at the same time. Randy and Tet had more than 300 guests. It fitted in the venue. Although I would suggest that 250 would be comfortable for this venue.
Oh, one lucky guy.... :)


But guys, you have to take it slow ( madaming kids watching :)

It is also great to see generations merged in a somewhat serious yet relaxed conversation.

And even friends need a post-wedding turn-over. This is necessary as the couple will only be able to check items right after their honeymoon.
And did I mention that I love morning weddings? Personal lang. We have more time to relax right after the event kasi. My team goes out after every event whether it ends up early morning na. This particular event, we decided to try out a small place near Rockwell drive which serves authentic Thai cusine - SOMS.









I so super love Thai food. My team naman wanted to let go of the usual fries, burger, pasta/ pizza so we decided to hang out to this place.




We ordered some traditonal meals that may be enjoyed by everyone.
Mukha ba silang nag-enjoy??? Mukhang nabitin yata.

Hmm. di naman too spicy inorder natin ah. BAkit parang nalungkot kayo??
Baka naman larawan yan ng sobrang pagkabusog hahahaha.
So off we go to everyone's favorite hangout place, STARBUCKS.

Jun has recently celebrated his nth birthday. We decided to give him a treat - an additonal startbucks mug to be added on to his collection ( with green tea frap - his favorite ). A great day indeed. :)

A Masquerade Ball ( Lei @ 18 - 7.21.07 )

This event I could not resist because of my ninang. :)
Sometime June, I received a call from Ninang Donna ( who happens to be the Marketing Manager of Casa Marinero in Intramuros ), asking me to please accept the hosting stint for the 18th birthday of her friend's daughter. David and I were planning to travel to Tagaytay and take well deserved break but this person can make me change personal plans. I must admit that she was the sponsor we have known at a latter part of our life ( during the wedding planning to be exact) but we are closest to her among all other second parents that we have. So off I went the following week and met Mrs Halamani and her daughter Lei. It was a good thing that the event was also be held at Casa Marinero ( the place where David and I had our reception )

Lei is not your typical girly eighteener. Being surrounded by young men in her class ( she is currently enrolled at De Lasalle under B.S. ECE ). Not naman boyish. Yes, she is feminine but nevertheless, she is the type of young lady who knows what she wants and knows how to have fun at the same time.

So there came the theme " Masquerade ". I must admit that hosting for 18th birthdays are more difficult especially if we are not the ones coordinating for the event. Debuts entail a more staged program than weddings but eventually this event rocked the house. :)
The set up was done beautifully by Ninang Donna. This particular event was held at the roofdeck of Casa Marinero. This area can hold around 120 guests.
For other reception venues in Casa Marinero, please visit their site at http://casamarinero.com/
I must admit, Casa Marinero still serves the best food in Intramuros. I remember how our guests talked about our wedding even months after the event.

This is one party where everyone was game for a photo op. Cool diba? Not romantically linked, may balak lang mag artista :)
After the main reception, Lei had some fun time with her friends. I remember them showing a video presentation of their messages that was shot during a recent typhoon in Fort Santiago
( " What are friends for?")

Some photos that will linger in your mind even after you graduate and have your own lives . :)


I remember when I turned 18, not everyone of my age was too keen to get a photo. Or uso na ba photography that time? Mahal ang roll ng film before, mabigat pa yung camera. :)

And this is how the young ones party nowadays. Well, I can still do that. Sometimes I wonder, at 31, I am almost double their age but I can still host their event. ( Oh I miss my college friends ). We are not the magimmick type before. Movies, Bowling, Eat- Out masaya na. Buti na lang at our age young at heart pa din kame ni David :) Sabi nga nila, Rock the world when you can. :)




Sunday, August 05, 2007

Old World Romance ( Wendell & Rica 07.15.07)

Rica's passion for old world opulence made her wedding with Wendell romantic and really classical. With a little help from their family, the wedding theme turned out to be unique and worth planning for.
I wish David was able to take more photos but technically, since we were coordinating the event, he can only take shots when we arrive at the hotel, during the make up and after the reception program. Planners would attest that sometime in between those segments that I have mentioned are the busiest ones.
The Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Manila was styled accordingly by April and Karen Yu. The VIP table centerpiece includes lush flowers in Gold urns and some birdcages with votive candles and loose petals

Thanks to April for the two reception set-up photos. :)


The Entrance of the Rigodon Ballroom from the foyer area ( usually used forc coktails ) was styled with rich burnt orange drapes and some hanging crystals giving the guests a feel of the theme.
A surprize came later that night when guests learned that the centerpieces including the urns may be taken home. Heavy as it looks, guests were delighted to take one home
Rica and Wendell gave Almonds in gold boxes as a keepsake for the guests. We have put the boxes on the guests tables and the guests loved them.

Here are some reasons why their wedding became uniquely elegant:
1. I never thought that a big bouquet would compliment a bride ( thought of the flowers overpowering the bride's beauty ). In this case, it was well fitted.
2. The victorian inspired gown ( high collar and all ) made Rica's beauty look like she just went out of a periodic romance storybook. I would love to wear it myself. :) Every female entourage member wore cameo pendants too. Their make up by Madge Lejano made them prettier and vibrant.

3. The couple paid attention to small details. They used a lace parasol during the pictorials. It added a bit of romantic flare to the whole set-up. It was a good thing that Wendell's mom and sister were big fans of victorian items too.

4. ENTOURAGE DANCE - Oh yeah, the bridal entourage performed a special dance number after the couple march down the reception hall. The sister of the bride took an extra mile to choreograph the dance.

5. The grandfather of the bride gave out a toast for the newlyweds

6. The groom sang IKAW LANG ANG AKING MAHAL by VST for her bride - With the help of his two close friends, he was able to make this segment the reception's highlight.

The parents of the couple gave out a very unexpected emotional messages that got everyone teary-eyed.

To see more of this wedding, please visit the following sites
http://dinolarablog.com/ for the official photos
http://shierdan.com/ for the onsite Audio Visual Presentation






Saturday, August 04, 2007

The Luckier One (Emon & Clar 07.14.07)

" If anyone will ask who is luckier in this relationship, I can honestly say that I am the luckier one...."
- Clar, married to someone who can make her smile for the rest of her life 071407-
" I promise to take care of you "
- Emon, married to someone who can make him learn that going back to the basics will make a marriage work -

I remember these lines clearly as the couple said their final message for each other and for the guests during their wedding. She is indeed very lucky. Having been married to a man everyone respects, someone family oriented, professional, matured. But luckier? I guess not. The bride is someone beautiful, gifted and very sweet. Don't get me wrong. I do not mean to say that the groom is the luckier one. It would be very hard to gauge who is. It will take time to measure the complexity of her uttered words. The groom on the other hand, deserves all the good words said about him, I can honestly say that he will be able to take care of her. Having been privileged to meet them and get to know them a little better shortly before the wedding, I am convinced that this bond will have a long journey. I can proudly say that they look good together. Clar is a very hands on bride. She took time to personalize some wedding items ( the invitations, mass booklets, souvenir packaging were done beautifully). Even the luminaries who lit the pathway of Oasis has a very personal touch with their monogram. Emon on the other hand is cool and warm at the same time. He makes you feel comfortable and welcome ( as a true gentleman ) and become cool as ever as he withstands the pressure of a hands on bride ( hehehe, it's hard to be hands on. :) )
Here are some highlights of their wedding captured by David

Clar being made up my Val Villarin. He was able to transform her from a very timid, sweet looking lady into an elegant and regal bride
After the church ceremonies, the entourage were asked to stay and join the couple's pictorial.


Oh and please don't expect kids to be super attentive. Like the couple, they should enjoy the prime of their childhood. :)

Some of the desset included at the Hizon's dessert bar
This is one particular segment that I really enjoyed during the wedding. It is known to all the
Filipino women would oftentimes abhor to be included in the singles game. We are the ever so timid type. But during Emon and Clar's wedding, the winner was so game, she made the segment look really cool. Lucky gentleman I must say

This is the first time I have seen Smartshots ( the official photographer) preparae an onsite video presentation for a wedding. I must say that the guests really aprreciated how it turned out. It was done beautifully.




The couple chilling with us after the reception program.





For the official photos and video, please visit this site
http://www.smartshotstudio.com/ under weddings.