Pepel Lanante-Spandonis

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pepel spandonis

I became a W@W addict when I joined in 2000 (or late 1999?); a N@wie since it started, and a wedding coordinator after until 2010.

I’m the cool working mom of Micko and Matthew, the kuyas of W@W kids, now 20 and 18 (they were 4 and 6 when I joined W@W); got married in church in May 2001, and was the super happy and proud client of “the Masters”, Fol Rana Jr., Jason Magbanua and Dino Lara.

W@W did not just help me with my wedding preps, W@W helped me with my life. It had been my life for a time. It gave me growth I never imagined. It inspired me. It pushed me to achieve more and share my blessings. W@W opened doors of opportunities for me. I had the chance to work and be friends with some of the “Greats” in the wedding industry. My W@W/N@W friends, most especially Benz (and Abet), the wonderful parents of W@W/N@W, are so dear and close to me I can never exchange them for anything else in this world. I thank God I have them. I feel so lucky. It’s a privilege and an honor to be a member of the very unique and famous W@W Family, and be part of this “one of a kind” and “only one in this world” community.

Joannie Candi

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joannie candi
My first encounter with W@W was when I was still a video editor at Daniel Lei Studio

Being part of the W@W community is not just pure business. It is also being part of a big family who believes and supports one’s crazy passion — like a kid’s emotional tank being filled with love.

I was a video editor before I became a calligrapher and watercolorist. The change happened when I got pregnant with my second child in 2013. Since I can no longer shoot a wedding, I made myself productive by exploring other art stuff through online tutorials and instructional books. I tried calligraphy, painting flowers (old hobby), paper flower making, paper cutting, embroidery, and DIY air-dry clay plates. Oh the things you can do when you have so much free time! My instagram community helped a lot. I currently design invitations using calligraphy and watercolors, and I also teach in private and group workshops. In reality though, I am a slave of 3 humans and a cat and an enabler of awesome stuff.

Joannie Candi
Supplier: Calligrapher (Calligraphy + Watercolor)

Choco Chelle

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choco chelle

Because of W@W, I transitioned from being a loner to being friendly — gaining sisters at heart (w@wies who became really close friends along with their hubbies). Oh yes, because of W@W, wedding planning became enjoyable, too.

I am Chelle. I changed my wedding date 3 times and on our 4th date… Yey! Finally! People say I’m a career-oriented girl because my job is the reason why we moved our date (I got a travel opportunity, and at the same time, career growth). It was hard to decide whether to grab it or continue with the wedding plans. However, as you can see, I do have a very understanding husband who said yes to my dream travel. I also have the best suppliers ever because they stayed with me throughout the changes I made. I’m a happily married girl, who loves eating and traveling, but now since I am super busy with work I can only do the eating stuff. I am a princess in my own little world. Since I’m the eldest, I was raised as a spoiled brat. But w@w changed me. I learned to let go and compromise.

Roche Leonor

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W@W Humans Roche

I met Benz digitally 11 years ago when I was transitioning to a new life. I don’t know why but for both W@W and N@W, she has always “promoted” me to be one of the moderators of the community. Sobrang active ko lang siguro sa pagpopost.

Even if my mod-duties can be considered pro-bono work, I believe this has helped shape my career in digital marketing. Because of W@W and N@W, I learned a lot on how to behave online and how to manage online communities.

Close to three years ago, I transitioned again to a new chapter of my life. Benz and the community remain as one of my solid support groups.

One of the best lessons I learned from the community is to step out of my comfort zone. When Benz shared her boudoir pics, I knew then that it was something I also wanted to do. So even if I’m conservative and I’ve never experienced a professional photo shoot, I threw caution to the wind. I asked seven other members to join the boudoir marathon shoot. It was an experience I will forever treasure. 🙂

     Roche Leonor 
     W@W Webmaster

The Versoza Family (Josiah’s Catering)

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josiahs catering

Josiah’s Catering would not be what it is today without the exposure provided by W@W and its awesome community. Even if we are already one of the pioneers in the wedding industry, W@W has been instrumental in helping us reach another level. W@W provided Josiah’s that next gear which truly helped us to continuously improve and innovate. We are indeed grateful for what W@W has done for the growth of our company, and at the same time, the everlasting relationships built among us, the W@W community, the different wedding suppliers, and all the clients that we have and will have in the future.

We are Boyet, Jet, Jasper, Darlene, Fresh, and Josiah – the whole Versoza clan. Currently, every one of us in the family is active in Josiah’s Catering, each holding a different position in the company. As of now, we’re not limited only to catering since we have expanded to operating several canteen concessionaires, and even starting two restaurants – one in Intramuros (Kitchen Basic), and one in Marikina Heights (Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse). It is truly in all these things that we know how God is really moving in our lives, helping us everyday and using us not to just be examples of being blessed, but also being blessings to others.

Ivy Pe

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ivy pe

I’m Ivy, a W@Wie since 2012 and N@Wie since 2014. What was originally a quest for ideal suppliers turned out to be a second family for me – from being mere chatmates, we became the closest of friends, confidantes, and advisers. I can’t imagine life without my co-W@Wies. W@W changed not just my wedding day, but my life.

I am a shopaholic, chocoholic, bubbly, “makulit”, “maingay”, and slightly “pasaway” girl. I had 10 photographers on my big day and a whole lot of confusion. I married my high school sweetheart after not seeing him for 14 years and almost marrying my college sweetheart of 8 years. My lovelife was as colorful as a box of crayons, b ut God has now started a beautiful painting of my life together with my husband. I work in an IT company with a non-IT job. I don’t have any free time because when I am not working I go out with friends or family, “make kwento” in my blog, read YA fantasy and sci-fi books (don’t roll your eyes at me, they’re fun!), DIY whatever I can get my hands on, travel, travel, travel, and of course, spend quality time with my hubby. Did I already say, “I love weddings”? Some people get bored attending weddings but to me, it’s a source of excitement because each wedding is always different and beautiful.

Ayie Contreras-Tuates

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Ayie Tuates

Back in 2007, my mom gave me a W@W Primer. Since mothers know best, I think she already knew even then that being a wedding planner is a profession I would be good at. I was doing wedding coordination and hosting for family and friends only during that time.

I had no idea about the W@W community until early 2012 when a few couples told me that they found a few reviews of me in W@W. Those few reviews resulted in 59 bookings for 2012. It was a great number already considering that I was only praying for 2 weddings a month when I went fulltime! More reviews gave me a greater number of weddings – a number that would make any supplier feel thankful. I am now doing more than a hundred per year. W@W turned my life around.

Looking back… My parents went crazy when I left my “prestigious” job in Star Cinema.  I know they were scared of this “unstable” freelancing life I was choosing then. But I am mighty proud to say now that W@W has changed my life dramatically for the better and that my parents are now proud of this life my husband and I chose for ourselves and our family. Because of the blessings brought about by W@W, I am also able to help others. Two years ago, our team trained a young lady whom we thought had a potential for greatness. Her father couldn’t send her to college so she became my “fulltime” coordinator for a year in order to save enough and take up an Engineering course in college. She’s still with me during weekends and vacation months. W@W truly changes lives.

As I always say, if you love the wedding industry, it will love you back. Thank you for loving me, W@W. Rest assured, I am always yours at my best.

Ayie Contreras-Tuates
Imbitado Events, Coordination and Hosting

Justine Bautista

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justine bautista

I first heard about W@W from an officemate who was getting married a couple of years ago. That time, I was still a computer programmer, although I had already gotten hooked into photography and videography.

I clearly remember my first email to W@W was to attend a W@W Video Fest featuring Jason Magbanua. I was still dreaming of becoming a videographer then. That event made a difference in my views, hopes, and vision. I didn’t expect that someday I would be doing something for W@W and also meeting and being friends with members of the community, the founders, and the great suppliers.

Indeed, W@W has been a big part of my life and what I am doing now. I can say that I am an avid fan of the group — it’s founders, suppliers, and the wawies.

W@W stands up for it’s name WOW. Wow for making the wedding industry connected, organized, and respected.

Thank you, WeddingsAtWork. 

Justine Bautista
Videographer (Zoombox Wedding Videos)

Ting V. Patriarca

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Ting V. Patriarca

I joined W@W in 2005, and I’d like to thank Benz for creating an online community that supports and encourages us to be better wives, moms, sisters, and friends. It also empowers us to love and improve who we really are. The community is hands-down way better, faster, and more reliable than Google 🙂

I am an academician in the field of special education, married to a litigation lawyer and a mother of 2. Currently, I am still breastfeeding my youngest at 3.8 years old and am proud of it. I love fashion, bags, the outdoors, and McDonald’s french fries. I’m also an accessory-maker and designer. Oh, I prefer actual books to e-books, and I am a subscriber of Yes! magazine.

Ting V. Patriarca
w@wie since 2005

Jenki Fernando

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Jenki Fernando

I’m Jenki Fernando, and I’ve been a W@Wie since 2006.

Before, I used to believe that I was a “Jack of All Trades, Master of None”… To me the tag sounds negative, but with W@W, I truly appreciated how everyone liked the things I made which I thought were just mediocre. With W@W I found out I can do a little of everything, I can keep improving, and I can discover a lot of things about myself. Salamat kay Benz sa walang sawang pagtiwala sa mga kakayanan ko.

I was married to my bestfriend whom I have (sort of) known since pre-school. We were a couple for 7 years before getting married on our 8th anniversary. We were trying to conceive for almost 8 years and we have come to accept the fact that it’s hard for us to have a kid. We’re still working on it, but we are now more forgiving of ourselves. Because of N@W, I have learned to forgive and be patient and understanding. I also share the advocacies of N@W like breastfeeding, environment-friendly alternatives like cups and cloth pads to my friends.

Charm Medina-Fesarit

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Charm Medina-Fesarit

I am Charm, ang sabi nga ni Mimma, ako ang resident polymer clayist ng W@W since 2011. Hahaha! I am a proud W@Wie and N@Wie, and walang halong biro, I am not the person I am today kung hindi dahil sa W@W and N@W. 🙂

I am Charm, wife to Ray and Nanay to Bryx. Honestly, I don’t know how to start, because I have a lot of W@W moments! Some of the highlights are: having the courage to start (again) my polymer clay business “CharMed Clays”; my W@W barkada, whom I super love because “ang sarap nilang kasama”; being a N@Wie, which has been a super blessing to me – the sharing and lessons on family, being a wife and parent, society, etc. along with group buys and discounts as well as the online garage sale, and most especially, the encouragement to go on breastfeeding! Yes, because of N@W, I have and will always be determined to breastfeed, and I’m proud to say I’m Bryx’s breastfeeding mom for 17 months and counting.

Faye Dungca

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Faye Dungca

I’ve been a W@Wie since… Day 1! I was super excited to be the 1st w@wie!  I remember I started corresponding with you and John after I came across your wedding website via The Inquirer.  Definitely I was among the 1st batch, and Jason’s bride #4 (guesstimated, since that booking was one week after Beej) and one of Dino’s first batch of brides, too.  Oh, I was part of W@W’s first triplets — 3 same-day weddings.

This year, my husband and I will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary, but really, we’ve been together for 21 1/2 years!  I feel fulfilled as a wife and a mom, and am thankful everyday for the gift of family.  For years, we struggled with infertility (due to my severe endometriosis) but we triumphed and have been extremely blessed with three kids — 2 IVF, 1 conceived naturally, and they’re now 7, 4, and 3.  Though ours is a very busy household, I’m proud to say we’re definitely hands-on, intentional parents.  We are also very lucky to have the help of their doting lola and lolo – which, here in the U.S., is invaluable

Paul Vincent

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paul vincent

We used to place two-liner free ads in Buy and Sell, hand out pamphlets to our friends and relatives, offer our service literally door to door to studios, until we discovered W@W. It was during their early years and we were taking our baby steps. The innocence of how it all started for us and for this community will surely water your eyes and take your breath away. It is a deep relationship between two friends that have experienced the same hardship. It is a bond that forever changed us both. We are proud to be one of the few who experienced how it all started. Looking back and reminiscing both sad and happy memories, all I can say is

Wow…what a ride! Cheers to you W@W!

I used to be an introvert, well I kinda still am, but I have gone a long way and I am a people person now. Before I knew what an SLR camera was I used to sit alone and people watch – observing how they’d talk, laugh, and react. Often, I would also try to read their thoughts and interpret their gestures. Who would have thought after so many years it will come full circle. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a photographer actually, but I always knew I would end up in a field that has something to do with the arts. My love for watching and reading people helped me develop my photography style. Preserving those unguarded moments is, for me, far, far better than any glam portrait. These are the memories that move people, that connect them and immediately make them feel they can relate. By the time you have finished looking at the pictures I have captured for you, and you look directly into my eyes without saying a word, I can already read, sense, and almost hear you say, “thank you”. It is the most gratifying and intense feeling I have experienced. Knowing that I have made 2 people cherish and treasure something for the rest of their lives, gives me a sense of purpose. I am Paul Vincent, and I am a photographer.

Paul Vincent
Photographer
2006 W@W Supplier of the Year

Rhas Denilla – Piopongco

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Rhas Denilla-Piopongco

I joined the Weddings at Work Community in February 2014. W@W paved the way and helped me realize that we (as a couple) don’t need to spend so much to have the wedding of our dreams.

I’m a Journalism graduate who’s working in the banking industry. A lot of my friends used to wonder how I got into this profession especially because my course’s strength is not in numbers. Even though I am happy with my job, writing is still my first love and I have personal blogs which I still keep until now — adding posts whenever I miss writing.

I once said that my life began at 29 because it was when I started to see life beyond the fairy tale that I imagined. It was when I pushed myself to the limits, tried a lot of new things, and traveled more. In the end, I discovered more about myself than anything else. After almost 3 years, I am still on the road to discovering my purpose but this time I now where I’m heading.