Weddings at the Crowne Plaza Galleria

August 11 and 12 marked the two day event for Crowne Plaza Galleria's bridal fair event for this year. FWDP came in full force with the two-day event with a bridal show during the first day and an exhibition of the gowns comprising 32-pc gown showcase in different styles, and silhouettes. The show was a success despite the organizers' not so supportive arrangment with our show as the audience watched and appreciated the gowns which came out in different looks in correlation with the bridal fair's "four season" theme. The ever popular and talented Henry Pascual,florist/stylist/show director choreographed the show, Gloria Sy provided the hair and make-up of the models. The two-day event came out in a relatively smaller magnitude but was able to succeed in its targeted audience, primarily the couples preparing to get married. The second day also had two more shows one in the afternoon and the other one in the evening. But what came I say? Not to being subjective, partial and biased, its the FWDP's (Fashion by the Wedding Designers of the Philippines) show that was much more attended and better presented.

A Manila Wedding from New York (Gabayan - Cruz Wedding, August 10, 2007)

Gina and Joy came to my atelier during the last quarter of last year, 2006. I learned that on the day that they came to me, they were scheduled to fly back to New York the following day. To begin with, I felt so priveledged upon learning that even when they were still back home, Gina was indeed interested in seeing me and checking out my works. It was indeed destiny. A must visit for her to my office and soon realized that they were getting my services to do the apparel requirements both for the male and female entourage. Of course, primary consideration was Gina's wedding gown and Joy's Barong Tagalog. It was a quick decision as I vowed not to disappoint them.
We were in touch all those times that they were in New York and me here in Manila. One of the smoothest working relationship I had with a client-couple based abroad. I have proven time and again that I can work pretty well with clients based overseas as long we are constantly in touch with each other along with their open mind to suggestions and appreciation of your inputs to them.



Over a week before their wedding date, they arrived and tried to set a fitting appoinment with us. I guess it was the good vibes that we had that made everything easy. Gown adjustment was minor and my bride-client Gina was happy and delighted with the outcome not just with her gown but with the rest of the entourage as well.
Come wedding day, things fell in its proper places. Just a hint of delays with preparation but managed to pull things of anyhow. Definitely not on my end for we committed with Gina as how she anticipated things would have proceeded.
Another masterpiece by hair and make-up artist, Jackie Rivera, I thought he didn't have that much time to work for Gina and Joy' as their late return to the hotel at almost lunchtime to make sure that some final arrangements at the CBCP's chancery where fixed prior to the ceremony making it legal and valid. Ariel Javelosa's Photography and Videography was documenting the event. Scenta Flora provided the floral picks for the brides requirements. Chacha Arevalo of Lifestyle Party Planners was running the event. As we all gathered at room 941 of the Garden Wing of the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, St. Francis of Assisi Chapel was being set-up for the ceromony and eventually to the Fernwood Gardens with Josaiah's Catering preparing the feast for this banquet.
On a Friday afternoon along EDSA, of course traffic was horrendous. But of course this exchange of vows is scheduled to take place and not even the rain could alter the outcome of this joyous penultimate event for Joy and Gina and their kids. It was a long flight to the Philippines that Joy and Gina had to undergo along with their family to realize this dream wedding. A blessed marriage forever!

Come Rain or Shine, Wedding as Usual ( Jaucian - Reyes Wedding, July 22, 2007)

Its the 4th Sunday of July, a very memorable afternoon both for Paolo and Jasmine. As my commitment goes on, we're helping Jasmine dress up at her Manila Bay view room 1401 of the Manila Hotel. It made me feel that I am in a different place. The scene was just serene and quiet but not inside Jasmine's room. Everyone was busy preparing with such festive mood. Photographer Lito Perez was in charge along with videography. The world-class Jackie Rivera (www.jackierivera.com)did a great job (as usual) with the hair and face make-up of Jasmine, her sisters and mom. Jasmine's bouquet along with the entire female entourage was uniquely designed and elegantly crafted by Casa Flores de Belen. A revelation in creativity indeed! The whole show is being run by JC Events Specialist though I never got the chance to meet their team leader. There was so much hilarious moment in the room and tension was an all time low. Everything is in place. There was time to do hotel pictorials and went on
to San Agustin Church for the wedding ceremony. Reception followed at Barbara's across the street.

A Wedding in Guam ( Peregrino - Mariano Wedding, June 30, 2007)

It was late last year when Anna and Adrian set an inquiry appointment meeting with me. I thought it was interesting that this couple came all the way from Guam, an island in the Pacific belonging to the US colony. I know these are straight forward couple though of Filipino descent have been Guamanians for the longest time of their lives and is very clear and concise with what and how they wanted the apparels to come out. I haven't got much to brag except for my clean and elegant craft and my straight forwardness like this young couple and my commitment to professionalism. I was priveledged to be commissioned to do Anna's wedding gown along with all the female entourage including the gowns of the Mothers. As promised, the clothes were finished way ahead of Anna and Adrian's arrival back to get all the clothes.


I was happy to hear from Anna that the clothes we made had perfect fits along with the Moms' dresses. They tied the knot at St. Anthony's Church in Guam and had their reception party the Hilton Resort and SPA

IT Couple on Vows Exchange ( Layugan - Ramirez Wedding, June 30, 2007)

Angelo and Jenny both have budding careers at Accenture, one of the bigger IT companies in the Philippines. From the bride to the groom to the Mothers until the whole female entourage was all commissioned to me by this wonderful, easy to deal with couple. San Sebastian Basilica was chosen to be the ceremony venue followed by a 350-guest reception at the Oasis. At 1:30 pm, we arrived at Jenny's bridal suite at the Century Park Hotel and waited for a few minutes before she decided to dress up. East Digital Photography and Videography was busy taking the pictures and covering footages for their video. Karen and April Yu provided the flowers for the entire female entourage. I learned that the hair and make-up works was by ABA (Academy of Beauty and Arts) headed by Lourd Ramos. Unfortunately he dad to leave ahead but left his staff to make sure that everything else is accomplished including the attachment of Jenny's veil. I missed to recall the name of the group of their wedding coordinator headed by Dindi.
Jenny had time to do picture shots up to the hotel's lobby. Accompanying her to the hotel's main entrance, a white Mercedez Benz bridal car from Trans Abi arrived to fetch Jenny to be brought to the Basilica. Of course, we followed her up to the church.
We made sure to bring her to the church's main door and assist her as the wind blew her illusion tulle veil while commencing the bridal march. Jenny walked swiftly as her parents was waiting for her half-way thru the church's aisle and marched to the altar where Gelo was waiting for her.

A Wedding from London to Manila ( Alcalde - Baldevarona Wedding, June 29, 2007)

Janice and Ronald are both overseas based in London, England in the United Kingdom. Both have managed their careers in their adapted homeland. But for whatever reasons they have, its most pleasant to realize that they decided to get married here in our beloved homeland. There's nothing like getting married in your own country where we experience the true Filipino way of celebrating weddings.
My bride-client was a typical trusting bride choosing one of the three customized designs I submitted to her. I appreciated the confidence she had in me and made our working relationship much easier. Janice has opted to dress up at the bridal room of the Grand Terrace where she is having her reception. It was a good thing we left much earlier thinking it was a friday and the traffic would be horrendous. True enough, coming from our office in Makati, we realized the heavy lunchtime traffic along the northbound of EDSA. We decided to reroute by passing thru the Fort Bonifacio area and leading to the C5 highway. It was a good thing that traffic was more manageable.
Arriving at the Grand Terrace half an hour earlier than our committed time to Janice was much better. I immediately noticed Janice when I entered her room. She looked so radiantly pretty and polished with her hair and make-up which was commissioned to Gloria Sy. An excellent female hair and make-up artist I must commend. No leg pulling of course. No friendship patronizing! Its all of a professional commenting.
After the all picture takings and video taking highlights , we then proceeded to the Iglesia Ni Cristo, V. Luna locale for her wedding ceremony. When Janice has commenced we her bridal march, we thought it was time to leave and our goodwill work has ended. I am so happy to have met Janice and Ronald and her entourage for making it easier for me to fulfill and complete my work as their chosen designer. I am always optimistic that clients like them comes my way.

The June Bride ( Agudo - Manzo Wedding, June 11, 2007

It was a 3-day vacation. Independence day holiday was moved a day prior which was an ideal wedding date for Vanee and Randy. It was my former bride-client Lynette Aguilos-de Jesus that recommended me to Vanee and commission me to be her wedding gown designer. An inspiring experience as for me as one of the better achievements a designer can attain when you are referred along with postive testimonials.

Vanee was having her photo shoot when we got to her suite 848 of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. It went on for about ten minutes more and with the portable steam press we brought with us, we had the gown pressed to make it look neat as we also do.
My staff Adet assisted her to put her gown on. John Mateos Ong of Imagine Nation was on the go with photography and videography.
We left the hotel half and hour before the wedding march and we arrived at San Sebastian Basilica at least fifteen minutes before four in the afternoon for the wedding vows exchange and immediately proceeding to 1 Esplanade along the SM reclamated area for the wedding banquet. A very accomodating bride. My sincere gratitude for having an ear to listen. My instantaneous confidante!
Before the church doors opened, we made sure that her 5-metered veil was well laid out, the veil blusher properly in placed. The gown's train was well layed out. Some final coachings on walking and handling the bouquet and it paid off.