Motif and Theme<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n We chose aqua because we are both divers so we wanted something close to the ocean. We also wanted our wedding to be timeless and elegant.<\/p>\n What were your fears prior to the wedding? How did you deal with it?<\/strong><\/p>\n I was really worried about the attendance of the guests. A week prior to the wedding and there are still a lot who have not confirmed their attendance or those who gave very vague answers as to whether they are coming or not.<\/p>\n In the end, we just made a safe estimate for the caterer and stylist on how many attendees are confirmed plus a buffer table for contingency.\u00a0Good thing we trusted the advise of our wedding planner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Church: Notre Dame de Vie Chapel- Fernbrook Gardens<\/strong><\/p>\n We booked the venue one week after our engagement. I have nothing but good words to say about Fernbrook and how our account executive, Kaira,\u00a0handled our account. Sobrang dali kausap. We brought our own priest, too (my husband\u2019s high school classmate) and had no problems with the chapel.<\/p>\n Wedding Planner\/ Coordinator: The 3rd Party Wedding Planners<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n With more than 15 years in the wedding industry, these guys really know what they are doing. I\u2019ve seen coordinators who are \u201csabog\u201d during the wedding day but these guys really set the bar for being professionals. After the wedding I had at least three guests who asked who our coordinators were because bilib daw sila sa kinuha namin.<\/p>\n We got the full coordination package and I could say that it was really worth it. They helped us in choosing the best suppliers but at the same time they never insisted on anything we didn\u2019t like. I really appreciated their honest advice and feedback and they do not take commissions from suppliers that we booked. Malaking tulong din sila in getting discounts kasi they are well-known in the industry.<\/p>\n One month before the wedding, they have already finalized everything with our other suppliers and even made avery\u00a0 detailed three-day schedule for us before, during, and after the wedding day. During the wedding, I was totally relaxed because I knew that these guys would be taking charge of everything. Wedding Gown: Edwin Tan<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n At first I was really hesitant to have my gown made by Edwin because I know that he is a celebrity designer. We first went to Adorata Weddings, their RTW shop where all their lovely gowns are reasonably priced. Akala ko he\u2019s masungit but nooo, he\u2019s one of the nicest and most down-to-earth people I\u2019ve ever met.<\/p>\n After trying on three gowns, I still didn\u2019t get the \u201cthis is it!\u201d feeling so he looked at my pegs and started to sketch a gown for me. Grabe, ang galing! First sketch pa lang, nakuha na nya agad. I really felt that I was looking at my dream gown right then and there. Our next meetings and fittings were held at their shop na in Wilson since I\u2019m having a custom-made gown instead.<\/p>\n A month before the wedding I wanted to change something in the neckline of the gown and pumayag naman siya. In the photos, you\u2019ll see that the gown looks quite heavy pero magaan lang talaga siya. I also liked the shimmery layer he used that gave off just the right amount of sparkle when hit by light.<\/p>\n Barongs (Groom, Fathers, Best Man): King Philip Tailors<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Madali kausap. Perfect fit yung barongs (pants, too) and they delivered ahead of time. Highly recommended!<\/p>\n Entourage Gowns: Krystal Gail Gowns<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Caterer: K by Cunanan Catering<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n One of the top comments from our guests is about how yummy the food was. Here\u2019s our buffet menu:<\/p>\n 1. Hoisin chicken wrap Although we didn\u2019t avail of their styling, they still exceeded our expectations because of the extras they provided and because of their great service. They even provided a wishing tree with personalized note cards since I found out at the last minute na\u00a0wala pala kaming guest book. The name cards, menu cards, table numbers, cake and everything else were elegantly done, too.<\/p>\n Photo: Blacktie Project<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n We wanted a photographer who does a lot of creative shots and Blacktie did not disappoint. Their photos are artistically done and taken from all the right angles.<\/p>\n Secondary Photo: Jiggie Alejandrino<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n One of the best\u00a0out there! We definitely made the right decision in getting Jiggie as backup. His team was one of the first to arrive at the hotel and even before the wedding, we always look forward to our meetings since they\u2019re such a fun couple (he works with his wife). His photos are dramatic and well-composed, yet nothing looks staged. Ang galing talaga! He specializes in portraits and in using natural light.<\/p>\n Video: Ian Cruz Films<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/vimeo.com\/104407013<\/a><\/p>\n One of our favorite suppliers! When Ian\u00a0found out that husband and I are both avid scuba divers, he immediately suggested that we do a unique Save-the-Date video, and even offered a special rate for it.<\/p>\n After doing our save the date, nagpa-certify din siya with his wife and they are now licensed divers ready to do more underwater videos. We have nothing but praises for him and his team. Sobrang bait, very humble!<\/p>\n During the wedding day, una sila dumating sa hotel and they immediately began filming. Since we\u2019ve worked with them na on our save the date (we filmed it twice, on different locations) we were really at ease with them na. Yung SDE namin, we had no idea that it would turn out like that kasi he never instructed or directed us to do anything. Natural lang lahat. Kaya ang galing talaga how he put everything together.<\/p>\n https:\/\/vimeo.com\/112628606<\/a><\/p>\n I tell you, Ian Cruz works magic!<\/p>\n Bridal HMUA: Toto Bagamasbad<\/strong><\/p>\n My gown designer was actually the one who highly recommended Toto for my hair and makeup. I was initially surprised that this guy is so hard to book! And now I know why: he\u2019s really good. His team is composed of four jolly and nakakaaliw guys and they work wonders really fast.<\/p>\n Entourage and Prenup HMUA: Toni Aviles<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n My first choice as HMUA. I booked Toni one week after getting engaged even if we didn\u2019t even have a set wedding date nor venue yet. She already did my makeup on three previous occasions and I really love her. I\u2019ve also recommended her to fellow brides and they have nothing but praises for Toni. She has her own way of making you feel like a \u201cTonified\u201d diyosa. Now if you follow her on Instagram, you\u2019ll see just how good she is. Amazing talaga.<\/p>\n Prenup Stylist: Yvonne Camay<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Since we already knew that we would fail miserably if we choose our own outfits for our prenup session, we decided to hire a stylist. Sa lahat ng pinagtanungan ko, Yvonne is one, who stood out kasi magaan agad loob ko sa kanya. Plus, her rates are ultra reasonable! She did not disappoint, too. Todo-asikaso kami on the pictorial day and her pegs really matched the place. Nothing tacky or ikakahiya namin a few years from now. I highly recommend getting a stylist for your prenup session lalo na pag you guys don\u2019t have enough time (and creativity) on your hands. You won\u2019t go wrong with Teacher Yvonne.<\/p>\n Florist (Ceremony): Scenta Flora<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Easy to deal with. Nasunod yung mga bilin namin.<\/p>\n Bouquet Florist & Reception Stylist: Flowers Unlimited<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n As for the bouquets, they used high-quality flowers. I had peonies as my bouquet, as suggested by Edwin Tan.<\/p>\n Wedding Preps Venue: The Bellevue Manila<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Highly recommended! Ang galing nila. People cried because of their version of “A Thousand Years.” We also wanted to give a standing ovation when they sang “The Prayer” habang nasa church.<\/p>\n Gifts for Principal Sponsors: The Daily Green Store<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n So easy to deal with! Ang bilis pa ng production and very professional kausap. We had customized jewelry and watch boxes in our motif and monogram for our principal sponsors.<\/p>\n Gifts for Famale Entourage: Personalized Bracelets by Crissa Catalan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"WaW](\"http:\/\/weddingsatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/2014-11-24-08.36.54.jpg\")
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\nOne of the best advice that we took from previously married friends is to invest in a good wedding planner. I\u2019m really glad that we had the them\u00a0to help us every step of the way. Yes, these guys are not cheap but they are totally worth it!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nLocated in Pacita Complex, San Pedro, Laguna. Madali kausap yung owner, Ms. Regine, but you have to provide printouts of the design na ipapagaya mo and you also have to provide the fabric. Their beading and quality of work is excellent and that is why we chose them for our entourage. Hindi rin sila tipid sa beads and embellishments so good deal na.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n2. Blinis with smoked salmon and dill
\n3. Mini prosciutto with pizza
\n4. Assorted bread with creamy pesto spread and liver pate
\n5. Broccoli and cheese soup
\n6. Insalata caprese with orange, walnuts and strawberry vinaigrette
\n7. Vongole pasta, tomatoes and pesto drizzle
\n8. Honey nut prawns
\n9. Japanese rolled chicken, teriyaki glaze, cheese and leeks
\n10. Slow cooked beef with cornbread and creamed spinach
\n11. Organic Lechon c\/o Hecky\u2019s
\n12. Carrot rice
\n13. Banoffee
\n14. Strawberry and cream cheese crepe
\n15. Apple crumble with vanilla ice cream
\n16. Mango panna cotta
\n17. White chocolate cake
\n18. Raspberry Iced Tea
\n19. Brewed coffee and tarragon tea<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nRolan did a marvelous job with the reception! He transformed it into a dream and even the guests were raving about how lovely and elegant the place was. They even had to check if the flowers were indeed real because they\u2019re so pretty. Hindi matipid sa flowers si florist. No fillers, flowers talaga nilagay nila. Nasunod yung gusto ko na hydrangeas for the tables and bilin ko to keep things neat and elegant.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nMusic (Ceremony & Reception): Anima Choir and Strings<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n