I don’t remember exactly when in 2004 I joined WaW but looking back, I knew we (hubby and I) couldn’t have pulled off a December wedding without the community. I am immensely thankful for WaW for all the wedding ideas and friends I’ve met along the way. Having a community cheering you on as you plan for a wedding was just what hubby and I needed. Ours wasn’t a big production but the number of elements to look out for in a wedding was made manageable and enjoyable knowing we could count on fellow w@wies for advice and ideas. WaW rocks!
In five sentences, who are you?
I am married to a caring husband, Manuel and mom to two boys, Samuel and Rafael. We’re currently residing in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where I spend my days juggling mommy/wife duties and a part time job with a law firm. I maintain my blog Hello Saigon, which started as a chronicle of our life in HCMC. And once in a while, I come up with artsy-fartsy projects.
Lyra Maleon Dacio W@Wie since 2004 N@Wie since 205
What is your W@W story?
WaW will forever be in my heart. I never thought I would be this attached to the group. They’ve proved me that this isn’t just about weddings, this is about sisterhood. I will not forget that they never left me alone, especially during those times that I needed someone to cheer me up. They’re a bunch of great cheerleaders! They’re stories have inspired me to keep going and never give up! I love W@W and I’m so grateful being part of it. Never ending thanks, WaW family!
In five sentences, who are you?
I am a very hands-on bride. Being OC by nature, it became a habit for me to check each supplier’s work even though they’re not our suppliers. Hahaha! I love flowers, I love taking pictures and I love intimate weddings, and that reflects what you will see in our wedding next year. With only 100 pax, we will make sure that our wedding will be just intimate but totally magnificent in our own way!
What is your WaW story?
I’ve been hearing about WaW since 2010 but had my first encounter with this fantastic community in 2014. Being a wedding coordinator allows me to support a family outreach, which caters to the educational needs of almost a hundred street children in our community. It was challenging and difficult at the same time, having to meet the kids’ ‘baon’ a a daily basis and provide for their school needs, as well. With the help of these amazing people from NaW, we were able to do a medical mission for the kids and build a more presentable mini-school area for our literacy program. Now we have tables and chairs and school supplies, too!)
These passionate and caring men and women of WaW extended their help not just by giving but by personally coming over our place to serve the kids and offer their services for free. I am also thankful to WaW for featuring our outreach in their website last August. Special thanks to Darlene Tan-Salazar, who wrote the article.)
Because of that article, I got several inquiries and bookings from upcoming brides who are WaWies. Thank you, WaW for touching the lives of the people around you. We will forever be grateful for all the favor and blessings you have given us. You make studying easier and more comfortable for these children. God bless your community, which has now become our family, and more power!
In five sentences, who are you?
I am a mother of two boys (and 105 kids more!) who loves children. I work as an events coordinator at MCC Events since 2009. I also teach Sunday school to kids on weekends. I am married to a mission minded and supportive husband, who has become my outreach partner for the last 18 years. I do events because it’s my passion and it supports our compassion ministry for children.
What is your W@W story?
I joined WaW when I was planning for our wedding. While I was a WaWie, I met a lot friends who helped me with my wedding. After the wedding, we remained friends still.
In five sentences, who are you?
I’m a working wife of Emman Capucao. No babies yet but we hope to have one this year. I work as a Service Desk Analyst. I love to travel and I’ve been to many places in the Philippines. I’m an adventurous woman.
Irene Rose Carreon-Capucao Joined WaW in 2011
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What is your WaW story?
A friend introduced me to WaW while she was planning her wedding. I got hooked with her stories that I joined WaW as soon as then-boyfriend-now-hubby and I started discussing marriage and wedding planning. That was 2010.
More than 90% of our wedding dream team were WaW finds. Because of Didda and Mimma, as well as the WaWies, we were able to have the wedding that we wanted. Therefore, I always recommend WaW to every B2B/G2B that I know.
After the wedding, I joined NaW as I transition from being a bride to being a wife. With NaW, I learn things everyday (including where you can find Washi tapes in Divi). I get most of my aha! moments from the group and I know someday I will be able to also share my knowledge and give back to this community.
In five sentences, who are you?
I am from Baler, Aurora–the birthplace of Philippine surfing. During my last semester as a college student, “Marriage and Family” was included in our curriculum and that was when I wrote that 27 was my ideal marrying age. I did just that, getting married a day after I turned 27. My husband and I crossed paths in high school, started dating after college, and got married after obtaining our Master’s. Our idea of a relaxing weekend is surfing (for him) and reading books (while I wait for hubby to finish surfing). We currently reside in AU and have plans of doing a few low-cost short trips this year.
Michelle Guerrero-Dukha W@Wie since 2010, N@Wie since 2012
What is your WaW story?
I learned about WaW from a former colleague who had her wedding in 2011. She kept raving about how helpful the forum was during her wedding preps. From then on, I promised to myself that once we start planning for our wedding, I will make sure to be a member of W@W first, so when my husband proposed I did not have second thoughts in joining WaW.
Though I was an overseas bride, I was able to get to know about our wedding suppliers through WaW. It was indeed a very helpful community. WaWies were always ready to give advice and support when I had questions. We booked most of our suppliers online judging them mostly from reviews written by WaWies only.
We can’t thank Mimma and Didda enough for establishing this online community. Through this group, we gained some new friends 🙂 It’s amazing that during EBsm maski online lang kayo nag-uusap-usap before eh parang close na close na agad ang mga WaWies.
I partly regret na overseas-based ako because I have never had a chance to attend a WaW Christmas party. Hanggang tingin na lang ng pictures. Hahaha! And oh, I have never won anything in the WaW Auction. I guess I was too slow (and too stingy) to bid 😉
I am keeping our WaW tag and pins until forever. I will always be proud to have been a WaWie and now a NaWie 🙂 Marlon and I will never get tired of promoting this group to all the people we know who’ll be getting married soon.
In five sentences, who are you?
My passion is to teach young children. The highlights of my days at work are when I see children’s eyes light up when they learn or try something new, when they are suddenly able to write the letters in their names or do something they weren’t previously able to do. I get as excited as they do. I love arts and craft. I guess being a preschool teacher helped me a lot in finishing my wedding DIYs. My long patience has been very beneficial during my wedding preps as I was able to keep my cool during the most stressful and ‘bridezilla-provoking’ days 🙂
What is your W@W story?
I was an overseas bride planning a Manila wedding from Hong Kong. I was concern that even though my parents were there to help us, it was something we wanted to have a wedding that was “us.”
WaW helped me scour for dependable and reputable suppliers and also informed me of possible problems that might arise during a wedding so we were all prepared. One of them is to have specific requirements/requests be put on paper so there will be accountability and a structured instruction to give the other people who would use the contract as a basis for their preparation. Also, a couple should realize that you do not need the best caker, musician, photographer, videographer, decorator/stylist/florist, etc. What matters is the journey and the union of two wonderful people.
I will not say that my wedding was perfect since I later found out that there were a few problems but my coordinator and back-ups during that day all took care of it without having to inform me. It was a day of celebration, love and support by everyone around us.
In five sentences, who are you?
I am a wife to a supportive and wonderful husband, a mother of two beautifuly children, a follower of attachment parenting and passionate advocates of gentle birthing, breastfeeding and babywearing.
Cheryl Chan-Wong Joined WaW in 2006; NaWie since 2007
What is your WaW story?
I joined WaW for the sole reason of getting help with our wedding preparations. Soon after, I found myself checking and responding to my emails more often, even if it had nothing to do with our own preparations. There were times when, to the amazement of my then-fiance, I would find myself going out of my way to check on something that I thought the other brides might be interested in. I thought it would all stop as soon as our big day was over but I was wrong. Months after, I still found myself responding to posts and giving my two-cents worth. I even felt kinda bad that I had to leave WaW to become a NaWie because I didn’t expect the camaraderie we had in WaW to be the same. Again, I was proven wrong.
The NaWies became more than just an online community for me, my family and for most of the members, if I should say so myself. What started out as mere names, eventually became Facebook friends, prayer warriors, phone pals, textmates, business partners, prayer group mates, godparents to one’s child, best friends and Tuesday-dates. Virtual strangers from all around became a family–one who would band together to pray for a sick child, who would pool resources together for a worthy cause, who would go out of their way to buy books or toys for everyone who asked whenever a sale was happening without wanting or needing anything in return. It was simply something that you would do for a friend, virtual or not.
As a NaWie, I made friendships that I know I will treasure for a long time, I learned (and continue to learn) how to become a better wife, a better parent, a better friend, a steward of the environment and and a better person. And don’t get me started on getting the latest news on sales, travel tips and tried-and-tested recipes. Yes, we do have it all and I am sooo glad that my journey with the group did not end when I got married. In fact, it has just begun.
In five sentences, who are you?
I’m Pittipat–wife, mother of two, crafts geek, baker, breastfeeding peer counselor-in-training, and calligraphy newbie. Hoping to find ways to help create awareness and acceptance in the public for children with special needs because they deserve to be treated with respect just like everyone else.
Pittipat Manzano-Chupungco Joined WaW in 2005; N@Wie since 2006
What is your W@W story?
I stumbled upon WaW when I attended my first-ever bridal fair. I signed up and was so excited to get my copy of WaW’s Bride’s Yellow Pages. I joined the e-group to gain knowledge on how to plan my wedding, learn how to pick the right suppliers, and brainstorm with fellow brides-to-be on creating that special wedding of my dreams.
Little did I know that WaW will play a big, big role not only in my wedding but in my growth as a person, as well. WaW was the portal of so much more. It paved the way for lifelong friendships, life choices, advocacies, and self-discovery.
In five sentences, who are you?
Fast-forward to 11 years of being married to my soulmate and one true love, I am now a mom to Zoe (10 y/o), Phoenix (6 y/o), and Titus (1 y/o). Most days you will find me at home, trying my best to raise little saints, one day at a time. My days as a stay-at-home mom can be long and tiring but I have found a lifeline through NaW. This online community of kindred spirits has been my saving grace when I am bitten with moments of uncertainty. Most importantly, it has led me to the many life choices I am passionate about: natural birthing, breastfeeding, intentional parenting, and homeschooling.
Tricia Faustino Joined WaW in 2003; NaWie since 2004
I’m Ai Reyes Latoja. I was first introduced to WaW back in 2005 while sourcing suppliers for my wedding. I’ve been happily stuck in the WaW Universe ever since.
In five sentences, who are you?
Since turning NaWie in 2006, I’ve juggled my roles as a graphic artist and book illustrator with being a full-timeand hands-on mom to our huge bundle of joy Choychoy. More than the excellent wedding suppliers that I discovered, it was within NaW that I found a genuinely caring community and the strongest support group that an autism mom can hope to find. Among fellow NaWies now turned dear friends, I have truly found a home.
This community is a happy place to many couples! W@W is a community of celebrations. We celebrate weddings, true, but we also celebrate milestones, little achievements, the perfect moments that make up the ordinary, the love and binding of families, the small wins and victories, and even the challenges that make the uphill climb worth it. W@W has seen my story when I was meeting my own struggles, and it is with W@W that I have continued to meet them and thrive. With this community, I can say, in comfort, ‘this is who I am and this is what I do.” And be met with, “Welcome!”
Who am I?
I am in imperfectly formed, and I am in constant flux. I married the most steady person I know, a safe harbor in tumultuous times, a place from which I can ground myself. I am now a mom to a seven-year-old boy, of fiery personality and of a stubborn streak. It is because of W@W and N@W that I have found a community of like-minded women, who march through life with the knowledge that we are all doing the best we can, in the company of people who hold no grudges or judgment.
Chrissie Salvador Joined W@W in 2003; N@Wie since 2005
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I joined the Weddings at Work Community in March 1999. Yes, I was part of Batch 1, also known as the “oldies”. Because of W@W, I was inspired to become a wedding coordinator and start Kay&Co. Events Coordination Team. Though I have since decided to lay low on my coordination business, I am still thankful to W@W for the friendships gained all throughout the years.
I am a working mom of 2 — a Support Manager with two sideline businesses as Event Coordinator and Chef for Kay’s Kitchen.
I learned about W@W when I was still starting out as a photographer. As a struggling artist, I sought inspiration in the W@W podcasts with the best suppliers in the wedding industry. Somehow it made me feel no different than the people I aspired to become. W@W helped me believe that I can be a great destination wedding photographer — that somehow, I can dream big.
I met Mimma in Jeff and Lisa Photography’s Firestarter Workshop. More than a year after, I got to join the N@W photoshoot marathon together with my wife Jill. A few months after that, we were invited to our very first W@W Christmas party and the experience was overwhelming!
We initially wanted to be part of the W@W community so people would get to know our brand. But what we got was so much more than what we ever imagined. W@W is beyond business, it has become FAMILY. The W@Wies, N@Wies, and Mimma welcomed us with open arms. The conversations made and new friendships built with couples and suppliers alike are just priceless. LVP
I am the main photographer and owner of LVP for almost 4 years now. I am married to my lovely wife Jill and we have 3 kids: Jim Edward – 10, Jacob Ethan – 5, and Ysabela Llouise – 2. They are my driving force to continue pursuing this passion in spite of all the challenges. I am often told that my shoots are fun and laid-back. As a photographer, I believe the outputs are best when my clients feel most comfortable with who they are. It’s when we all stick to who we are that we achieve what we really aspire for – including awesome photos. LVP also believes in building lasting relationships with clients. Our dream is to eventually have LVP brides from all corners of the world!
Although I was scoffing at what they were saying–that W@W was a virtual community–I still joined W@W when I was starting wedding planning. The community I initially believe did not exist became a big part of my life. I was the typical OC and DIY bride and I was so much into W@W that my Dad once remarked, “Pati ba naman kasal ng iba pinakikialaman mo?” Haha! True enough, after having my wedding, I turned my back on my budding and promising career and became a wedding planner.
Who am I?
I am a wife to Bernard; a mom to three delightful and amazing kids – Jia, Joya, and Iana; a Positive Discipline Parent Educator; a natural parent; a low-media life advocate; a breastfeeding peer counselor, and a Montessori mom. I love books, coffee, pictures, travelling, conversations, and the beach.
Ten years ago, my life changed when I joined the W@W community. I was the typical active W@Wie and now, I am the typical active N@Wie. N@W is my safe place and my days are filled with conversations with my co-N@Wies. W@W helped me with my wedding. N@W is helping me with my marriage, my kids, my household, my projects, my work, even my showbiz updates. Haha! It is my sanity saver, my comedic respite, a place where I can rave (and sometimes rant), my prayer group. W@W and N@W have taught me that true friendships can actually blossom virtually.
Clarice Anne Talavera-Avinante Joined W@W in 2004; N@Wie since 2005
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I was part of the early days of w@w in 1999 when we all became woven together even just through emails. “Eyeballs” or meet-ups were just part of sealing those friendships forged online.
I wasn’t actually looking for w@w when it found me. But I believe it did not happen by accident. It found me when I was longing to share (be heard and be understood) with someone all things about weddings and relationships. And w@w definitely filled that basic need of the human heart. And though I may not have a plethora of advice to give away now about weddings, w@w has been a helpful tool to discover for myself, how to take care of relationships that matter to me, beginning with my marriage.
I am based in Sydney. I married young and I thought I was ready for this lifelong commitment. It was easier to give up than keep going at one point. But by the grace of God our relationship was restored into a whole new level, and we recommitted ourselves by really making Him the “core” of our being. Everything in our lives, is anchored on that now. This is what makes our love for each other and for our children, steadfast and relentless every day.
My wedding preparations are now all a blur. All that remains is my love for the foundress of w@w (n@w), Benz. With all of her celebrity status now, she has remained warm and down-to-earth. With all the people she knows, it is surprising how she remembers people’s names and their stories.
I don’t see Benz all the time, at most, I will see her once a year. But when I do, parang yesterday lang kami huling nagkita. Her generosity and kind heart are so apparent. She will volunteer to pick you up in her car, and arrange care packages, baby showers, and surprise birthday parties. I feel so blessed to have met her, I am looking forward to more years of friendship, laughter, and stories over sangria. I hope she knows how much she means to me. I love her and the community she created for us — it’s amazing how those virtual friendships that started in 2001 for me are now part of my life.
I am a solo parent of 2 lovable young boys aged 12 & 10. I tried homeschooling but it didn’t work out — I guess working nightshifts and teaching two boys is not a good combination. I am now an aspiring writer and a photography enthusiast. I’m serving God with my talent, time, and treasure in my effort to thank Him for all the blessings that He showered our family.
Ann Austria W@wie since 2001
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