Young and inlove ( Patrick and Gel 08.30.08)

Preps: Bellevue Hotel
Church: Notre Dame Chapel, Fernbrook Gardens
Reception: Byzantine 2 Fernbrook Gardens

What makes a relationship work? Age? Money? As the answers to these may also be yes, couples would also agree that there is more to make it work than the abovementioned factors. Effort, time, communication, constant friendship..... the list would go on.

When I met Patrick and Gel last year, all the while I said to myself " Mukhang bata pa :)". Baby face kasi.

Gel has this girly smile on her face and whenever Patrick teases her, they would both giggle. Their crowd is a very young one as well. You would actually think her parents were her siblings. :) The two were gifted to have very supportive families. The wedding was entirely fabulous, fun and lovely. The thing that lingered in my memory? Having hosted the event and seen a couple married for 54 years, with Patrick and Gel on a hindsight, it surely is a lifetime bliss in the making for the newlyweds.

This is my favorite shot from David for the day. It looked so serene, so sacred.
Gel does not have too much of paraphernalia. But what she has is definitely elegant.
The flowers were in full bloom, done by Beth Amat of Eve and Company
Gel's JC Buendia gown looked absolutely gorgeous on her.
What makes a great party? Booze, great music, company of good friends. :)

To make their reception more persolized, the couple printed their prenuptial photos edited with table numbers that were put on top of each table. They also provided one time use cameras for the guest to document memories
A soon to be groom is still focused on what he does best.... onsite.
Watch PAtrick and Gel's onsite here courtesy of Phoeben Teocson http://phoebenteocson.com/?p=58

50's love affair ( Raymond and Genevieve 09.06.08)

Preps: Vivere Suites
Ceremony: St James the Great
Reception: The Palms Country Club

Choosing a 50's theme is a bit risky. But the risk is worth taking when you already had in mind how to pull it off. Cheng and Gieves were two very hands on bride and groom. From bold colors, artistic shots, actual 50's hairstyle and gown, classic breakfast at tiffany's film clip at the reception to the beautiful first dance. I must say they pulled it off perfectly :)

This Breakfast at Tiffany's DVD ( aside from the photo of Aubrey Hepburn as an inspiration for the bride's hairstyle) was played (muted) during the actual reception while guests were settling down on their respective tables. The guests suddenly had a feel of nostalgia.
Ogie perfecting the hair of Gieves. First time I met her, her hair was way too short. she was fortunate to had it grown for the wedding. Ogie's styling waqs of course, superb as ever. ( Not to mention the Php1,500 vanilla scented hairspray :p)
These two played an important role during the reception. Tequila shots were given to single female friends while the Bacardi 151 was given to the male friends- the rest is history :)
Cheng was the man of the hour early in the morning as the team from Redfox had him pose for great portraits at the lobby of Vivere
Godfather Actors???
The ladies enjoying a group shot with the bride outside St James
Taken at the St james courtyard. The bridal gown of Gieves was absolutely vintage. Only a bride with class can carry that :)
Rommel and his groom Cheng:) For those asking, Rommel is the groom's ultimate companion during the actual event. ( Rowell Santiago and John Regala :P)
Gieves with me and two very good friends Missy and Nina relaxing at the boardroom

Oh we just want to showcase this photosignage done by Redfox. This was a prenup photo of the couple. Very 50's :) Wish I had a photo of their guestbook.

Craving for more? Watch their onsite video by Phoeben Teocson here http://phoebenteocson.com/?p=60

Perfect Time (Ricky and Sydney 09.07.08)

Preps: Manila Hotel

Church: San Agustin Church

Reception Venue: Barbara's

The wise always say " There is a perfect time for everything". A time to breathe, time to cry, time to rejoice, time to love, time to decide. This goes very well for Ricky and Sydney.

After several years and 2 smart little boys, Ricky finally gave Sydney a magnificent bridal walk she truly deserves. They chose a classic traditonal wedding with a great Intramuros ambiance, surrounded by loved ones, their I do's were made in God's presence. Sweet, simple, joyful.

Shortly after the ceremonies, Ricky and Sydney enjoyed half an hour of couple pictorial.

This is also a time when we reunited with our own wedding photographers five years ago, Ed and Leny of Manila Prime Studio.

Guess it's also about time to post photos of Rommel with his grooms :)

San Agustin at its finest hour
Kissing in front of many people never looked better :)

For San Agustin couples, it is worth to pay extra for a pictorial at the Courtyard.

Jun Pimentel, one of our associates is a very good friend of the groom. He is not the hairstylist :) But he wanted to make sure the bride would still look her best
And this is Jun's bridal creation

The two boys also offered a flower to their mom during the reception.
Jackie is instructing the bride how to carry the puffiness of the gown
In San Agustin, time is gold :) The church usherettes will begin the march anytime so better be ready....

Jhoelle is giving one final instruction to one of the entourage members

Jun preps up the bride before her walk.

And my David's photo of the day :)
This classic museum shot never goes out of style.

Metro Weddings

It is always flattering to receive thank you messages from couples after every event. That gesture completes our tiring day ( and night ) :)

But I have to admit, to be featured as one of the Best Coordinators and most reliable in town is totally overwhelming.

To everyone who believed in us over the years, our sincerest thanks. Same goes for Metro Weddings, more power to you guys!!!

How Low Can You Go? " A Wedding Planners' Challenge"

The second part of an article entitled " How Low Can You Go? A Wedding Planners' Challenge" was published at the Manila Bulletin today. We are very much honored to be invited to this particular challenge. Originally, Benz ( of W@W) challenged us to prepare a 200k budget for 200 guests way back 2006. Now, she gave us a freehand on choosing an initimate wedding of 100 guests, budgeted yet decent for our taste. I have been an ultimate believer of church weddings. Aside from moral responsibility, I have always thought that any couple can still have a nice, intimate wedding that is low cost yet memorable.

Closer look at the budget challenge

Aside from the option published at the local newspaper, couples on limited budget may also do the following:

1. Choose a nice intimate small church. Choose a nice time ( late afternoon or early evening)

2. Invite a small number of guest - people really close to you, those whom you want to spend the most memorable day of your life with. Those who will really care.

3. Limit your entourage. Why not have the maid of honor and bestman act as the principal witnesses as well? In that way, you may limit the number of attire to be done as well.

4. At the reception have a dinner dance party instead of the traditional wedding reception. Invest on good entertainment. When guests arrive, let a band entertain them. Roam around and talk to your guests during dinner.

5. Dance all night long. Maybe some of your friends or family members can say their messages of love at any given time in the reception.

It is a little laid back, casual affair but a moment with dear people can make any simple event extravangantly vivid in your memory.

As the old saying goes " There is no such a thing as great things, only small things with great Love"

At the end of the day you'll realize you already knew what love is. :)

Allan, Ria & Frank

I am writing this for David.

While we were hearing mass last Sunday, the priest started his homily asking " Where have you met the Lord lately?" David's answer? June 22 during Allan and Ria's wedding.

Not that he has not been with the Lord but that day for some obvious reasons, he's pretty sure He's just there. :)

Everyone was awakened by a signal 3 typhoon that hit Manila early Sunday morning. I woke up David to turn off power outlets as a massive power interruption occured. It was 3 in the morning and we have just slept. We then decided to prepare early and leave the condo at 6. Our calltime is at 9 but the sigurista side of us made us decide to leave early to check the road and traffic situation. The whole city was flooded and since the reception/hotel is at Edsa Shangrila and the church is at San Sebastian, given the distance, we have to check for possible contingencies.

A view from the window. Wiindy and Rainy

EDSA at 6 AM
Let's divert a little and talk about the main guys, Ria and Allan. The couple has been under a lot of stress days before the actual event. The ballooning guestlist, then Allan has to be operated for gallstones Thursday week of the wedding. We were all concerned about him walking at San Sebastian's long aisle. And then came Frank. Surprisingly, they have been both very calm during the day. Come what may. :)

Ria, having her nails done at the suite

At 10 AM, it was business as usual

The brunch was from Rufo's who came in on time :)

Going back to meeting the Lord. I called San Sebastian at 10 am to confirm the availability of a generator. They said it works perfectly in fact, they are using it at that very moment. The couple reserved 2 hours for the wedding slot. 2-4pm to be exact. David left early for the church to check on routes. Only to find out that it really is super flooded. And he had to find a safer route as the bride will be riding a vintage Jaguar MarkV as her bridal car. But Charlie, the owner assured me that if we give him a less flooded route, everyhting will be fine. They arrived at the church perfectly safe.

Jaguar Mark V amidst the storm

Even umbrellas have a place in the church
Then I got a call from David reporting that the main generator just broke down. In ten years, this is the first time it did!!! There is a limited power source as of this moment. Then we decided to take the call- allot a certain duration until it get's fixed then start whether or not it is fixed yet after that time ( as the church agreed to adjust the community mass as well). It is impossible to get a generator supplier at this time since transport would take time and besides, given the weather, we're pretty sure generators are all out.

Ria and Allan's lomographer friends were there to cover the event as well.

After an hour, with a backup generator that can only support the church's sound system, David, together with the church coordinator, decided to start the ceremony. With or without electricity, the wedding must go on. The entourage used the lights from Jason Magbanua and David provided the priest a candle that he can use to read the misalette.

Then came the MIRACLE. When the bride was about to walk, ( we still had the closed door entance), the door opened, the bride fixed her bouquet as instructed, took a deep breath, raised her head and look directly to the aisle. With the voices of 92 AD humming the bridal song, Her veil swept by the wind, she took her first step and then...... all chandeliers opened ( like that of a movie ). Then everyone cried with applause. All the while people thought it was part of the effect. That it was directed. Little did they know, it was Meralco light. And David met the Lord at that very moment.

Shortly before the bridal walk, Ria approved of having her gown get a little wet just to have a great and romantic entrance

He was ecstatic when he called me. You see, God works in wondrous ways. Most of the times, He tells us to slow down and leave it all up to Him. Those who believe will see the difference of what beauty and perfection is all about.

The whole wedding went well. Jason was super early as well and his onsite as always was superb. The team from Mangored were still super cool, you would not notice there was a storm outside, the ballroom was transformed into an English garden by Henry Pascual. Missy Litao provided a very lively program. All suppliers delivered as expected or even far more.

That huge beautiful cake. Very intricate details

92 AD entertained the guests during dinner

The guests were treated to a sumptuous feast, comfortable atmosphere, lively enetertainment, personalised giveaways and lots of fun.

And the couple? They look so good together, not even a storm can compete with their love. It was indeed a beautiful event. I guess everyone met the Lord as well. :)