From Cambodia to Korea & Tagaytay, A Celebration of Love ( Kim - Sunga Wedding)

Another past wedding that I should have posted way, way back.  But its never too late to add this wedding event.

Jun Kim and Ana Janet Sunga are both based in Cambodia both on expat status.  Jun being a Korean national had a Korean wedding ceremony hosted in is native land.  Now its Ana's turn to have a wedding ceremony here in the Philippines and Tagaytay City was the chosen site of this Catholic marriage .  Ana is a lawyer who  happens to be the  sister of  Dr. Judith Rebosa , a medical doctor (specializes in Pediatrics) who is married to the brother , likewise a medical doctor in the field of specialty in Pathology ,of my former professor  in Legal Medicine and Jurisprudence, a very popular family name in this field of specialty in Medicine.  Some interesting associations.  Another overseas bride that had gave me such an easy time taking care of her concerns.  Since they had an all Korean costume attire during their first wedding ceremony, this time Jun will be wearing a barong that I was likewise was commissioned to make along with the entire female entourage and the mothers of the bride and groom.  It was so delightful to see Jun's parents gracing the occasion celebrating this milestone event along with the Sunga family.  I was very to lucky to do a one hit fitting for Jun's mom arriving on Christmas Day or just 2 days before the wedding day.

This was a December 27, 2011 wedding at 11:00 am and the event was more festive being a December wedding celebration.  My team was up there making sure that the bride along with family's attire for the wedding was being worn accordingly.  I have this tendency to be anal with my work checking things up to the last detail and having to have her wedding gown refurbished very well .  Brought with me our portable steam press and flat iron  which I seldom do thinking that the preparation venue are providing these pressing gadgets.  Just to make sure that we will able to flatten out all the wrinkles that have appeared on Ana's wedding dress.

I believe we were in the  Presidential suite of the hotel being in a very huge room to prepare.  After all the preparation at their hotel room, soon it was time to proceed to the church and Janet came down to ride in her vintage automobile.  Following her up to the church still to assist her and put her position in place, we waited till the church  doors opened  and Janet's moment  with her bridal march.  Our task ends here and soon it was time to head back to Manila. Oh well, decided to rest a bit and have lunch in Tagaytay.  Its always worth the trip being there. 

Ceremony Venue:  Our Lady of Lourdes Parish,  Tagaytay City
Reception Venue:  Ballroom, Taal Vista Hotel
Wedding Planner and Coordinator:  R&A Events Specialist headed by Ricci Ang
Photography : Dar Ramos Photography
Hair and Make-up:  Danny Capistrano

NOTE: Some photos were taken from  Dar Ramos Photography

The Wedding of the Sister of My Friend ( Ramirez - Datu Wedding)

I haven't posted the past events that transpired in my career during the last two years.  So here I am remembering some memorable weddings not because they are grand or upscale but because they are worth to be stored not just in m blog but in my memory as well as in the diary of my passion as a bridal fashion designer.

Ma. Christina "Cricri" Datu, DDM

Doc Christina or better known as "Cricri" is the sister of a good friend Charito or popularly know in the wedding industry as Chacha Datu of LIFESTYLE PARTY PLANNERS.  Cricri's groom is Carlos but is casually called as "Dos".  Justifying Carlos' nickname came about because of his twin brother whom they call as "Uno" who stood as Dos' bestman..  No! its not complicated! ha ha ha ha ha.

Carlos "Dos" Ramirez (Groom)

Chacha finally brought Cricri in my office to plan for her wedding gown and I had this unconventional color of a duchesse satin which I got years back from a supplier who goes around with other designers as well to peddle his fabrics.  There was no second thoughts. Instantly Cricri and Chacha chose the fabric and had it tagged immediately for Cricri.  Yes they are special clients                                being the sister of my friend Chacha but they underwent the usual procedure of having attires made with no shortcuts or a
                                                        "diva" sort of treatment.

Charito "Chacha" Datu
(MATRON OF HONOR)
aka ( 1st Maid of Honor)

 Camilla Maxine "Ia" Datu-Arevalo
MAID OF HONOR

Carlos or "Dos" works in a call industry in our country and of course is doing his share of this preparation.

 Mico and Cassandra Marie Arevalo
JUNIOR GROOMSMAN AND JUNIOR BRIDESMAID

The entire entourage comprised mostly of siblings except for the secondary sponsors whom the couple chose and considered  as real long time friends.  I admire the secondary sponsors who made it a lot easier for Cricri with their fittings unlike other weddings I had in the past where the female entourage members makes it more difficult

                                                                                                    for us feeling more important than the bride
Everyone was compliant enough to come and fit their respective attires and made a very decent appointment which they attended.  Of course there as no such thing as a perfect fit but I made sure that everyone had their dresses adjusted accordingly.

                                                                Ma. Lareina Braganza
                                                                                  SECONDARY SPONSOR

                                                                                                                                                                             

(L-R) Sunshine Segunial, Chino Datu, Charisse Roxas
SECONDARY SPONSOR,  GROOMSMAN,  SECONDARY SPONSOR

It was an after Christmas day wedding event, December 28, 2011 at 3;30 pm at the Parish of St. Rita de Cascia with reception immediately followed at the Clubhouse of Philamlife Village.  Chacha's a very reliable wedding planner who assisted Cricri and Dos making sure everything fall into places. The preparation venue was a big room at the Linden Suites.  As always the room is so filled with people , siblings, friends, entourage along with suppliers like me.                                            

Cheska Baldoria
BRIDESMAID

                                                 

Tria Jardinel
BRIDESMAID

                                                   

 Cheska Felipe
BRIDESMAID

                                                   

Samantha Lim
FLOWERGIRL

                                                     

Chino and Chacha Datu

 I looked at the reception hall before we left after Cricri has commenced with her bridal  march.  Indeed a well prepared modest event with Juan Carlo, the Caterer providing the gastronomic delight.
I just loved Cricri's bridal bouquet made of peonies.  One of my favorite bridal flowers.  Chacha and Cricri
just made it happen not to forget Dos of course.

                       

A simple wedding that is not exactly simple! No its not confusing. Believe me!

Dos and Cricri's Dream Team:

Wedding planner and coordinator:  LIFESTYLE WEDDING PLANNERS

Florist: Notes and Flowers

Hair and make-up: Kit Salazar-Fabia ( a former bride as well)

Reception Caterer:  Juan Carlo, the caterer

Bridal Limousine:  Don Robert's 

Reception Emcee: Dr. Love Vaswani

Photo and Video:  Jed and Alex of Imagine Nation

Barongs for my Fil-Am First Cousin for his Wedding at Maui, HI (May 24, 2013)

I feel honored and privileged that my cousin Phil Rem all the way from New Jersey has been messaging me and has commissioned me to do his barong tagalog along with the rest of the guys.
Some Caucasians in a Barong in Maui , Hawaii.
A Filipino-heritage infested state of the US. Hawaii, a state with a high standard of living. The more in Maui. Bur I am very certain Phil has prepared for this.
I am using a piña-silk sinuksok design for Phil along with callado ( perforated design detail) that should make it look more elegant and fitting for a groom's attire. He had only 2 special endorsement. A spread collar and a french cuff. Just the way I see him very fitting in this barong detail style. For my uncle Oscar, Sr. , its likewise a piña-silk sinuksok pattern for him that has a resemblance with the groom's attire. I am all set to start . Just waiting for the barongs that I commissioned to be made in piña-jusi but with hand embroidered detail. Big and tall men the line to serve as Phil's male entourage. This is going to be an exciting celebration and union of two families. I hope I could be there to personally witness the event but my condition will not allow me go. I wish Phil and my other three cousins will have great time with this wedding event.

A Greco-Roman Theme Inspired Wedding from a couple from Kuwait (Quimiguing - Saavedra Wedding, June 7, 2013)

Hair and Make-up Artist Mauri Estrada clipping the bridre's veil

A veteran wedding planner and a bridal fair organizer, Summer "Sam" Caraullo text-ed me to refer these couple nurse who are based in Kuwait.  My privilege as always to the different wedding planners in the industry who have entrusted me their clients.  It was the bride, Carmel whom I was in touched all the way and thanks to viber for making it happen.  She wanted a very Greco-Roman themed wedding but somehow modern in its treatment.  She opted for an aqua and chartreuse motif for the entourage with an infusion of gold as embellishment likewise with her wedding dress      
Jason from Dipolog, Carmel from Tacloban and the rest of her entourage coming from different parts of the Visayas region.  Of course I have my way of having the gowns fitted.  And it came out pretty well considering the very minor adjustments we did for these entourage whose measurements were only sent.  Yes, I sent Carmel my own version of the measurement guide form.  Even for the moms, I was very happy to note that I only had to do the hemming and nothing else.
Carmel as how I treat all my bride-clients sounded just like a friend and my distance with them was never a hindrance to get their concerns addressed including changes.  Yes, Carmel really wanted a very Greco-Roman design for her dress.  I enjoyed doing 6 designs for her and I felt so hilarious when she uttered that the more it confused her.  But its my way of making sure that I treat my bride-client well.

Mother of the Bride

Mother of the Groom

Jason's typical tuxedo style was much easier to deal with.  A real straight guy who entrusts everything to his designer and I made sure that he stands out as a groom with his attire.  It was a perfect from his tuxedo jacket , to his vest and dress shirt. Alas! the trouser's waist was perfect though the  length was too short.  But of course, I will be addressing it so as not to disappoint Jasper. And we did.Come wedding day, I had to make sure I will be there to personally supervise the dressing of Carmel and some of the present entourage and Mrs. Saavedra of course.  Summer's team was to be commended as her staff had to voice out her concern about the time we all have to leave the hotel considering its a friday and the traffic can be horrendous travelling all the way from Shaw Blvd. all the way to Sanville along Visayas Avenue where Fernwood is.

L-R ( 2 Junior Bridesmaids, Bridesmaid,  Maid of Honor, Bridesmaid)

Everyone started to line up. Soon it was time to commence with the bridal march.  It has been emotional for all weddings that I have witness the bridal march.  I guess its a mixture of feelings for everyone.  Carmel has started to walk the aisle.  We waited for her to reach the altar and get fixed.  It was time for me to say goodbye for Sam and her staff for the meantime.  I have to hurry back to the office.  Another group of clients are picking up their
gowns.

Maid of Honor

Secondary Sponsor

Secondary Sponsor

Secondary Sponsor

 
  I don't know why I can't justleave some things to my other staff.  Yes! I'm obsessive compulsive with my job. I love it!

Wedding planner and coordinator:  Summer Caraullo and team of VRC
Photo and Video:  Raymond Fortun by Zye de Guzman
Hair and Make-up:  Mauri Estrada
Reception Caterer:  Juan Carlo, the Caterer
Reception emcee:  Chacha Datu