27 Dresses, The Movie and FWDP

Last thursday, January 24 six FWDP members including me ingressed at the Cinema 1 to 7 level of SM Mega Mall in line for the showing of the Movie , 27 dresses on January 30. We are having an ongoing exhibit until the 31st of this month in conjunction with the showing of the movie. We are inviting you to visit the our exhibit area where we are showcasing the gowns of some of the members of our association.

FWDP's bridal fair for 2008

Of the nine members of the association , there were six of us who participating in the as exhibitors of this bridal fair entitled "The 6th Ultimate Wedding and Debut Fair" by Island Exhibit Link. Susie Bonaobra, Dennis Martin, Michelle Lim, Edwin Uy, Delby Bragais of of course yours trully. See you there!

My Third Wedding for the Day ( Santos- Tujon Wedding, January 19, 2008)

My last wedding strech for the day. Rex and Gloria's vow exchange has finally come. These clients of mine are highly skilled professional people and I can attest to their importance to details. Its so touching to note of their patience, compassion and understanding to us and it has been easy to us to comply with their concerns. They have never perceived us as mechanical beings and were very considerate to comprehend a lot of subjective matters. All this time, they knew we were doing our best to attend to their needs and they never reprimanded us for anything. We we're up since 5:30 am to begin the day seeing to it the all brides we're dressing up tday will be able to dress up well.
-------------------------------Mother of the Bride---------------------

-------------------------------Mother of the Groom---------------------

------------------Tita Celia Cunanan of the Social Connection--------

We caught Gloria at room 925 at the Garden Wing of the EDSA-Shangri-la Hotel all dressed up as early at 1:00pm for her 5pm ceremony.
We'll she's catching up with pictorials for the hotel and the reception venue. We made sure that her petticoat is well in place along with the silk bouquet attached to her back and the dress fitted well. East Digital Photo and Video was busy taking pictures and videography simultaneously. The bridal bouquet along with the entire female entourage was provided by Angel of Hearts. Danny Capistrano was in-charge of the bridal hair and make-up.


The Social Connection headed by Celia Cunanan was tasked to run the entire event. A Christian ceremony for this wonderful pair and Reception both to be held at Gazebo Royale in Quezon City.

My Second Wedding for the Day ( Go - Lao Wedding, January 19, 2008)

Sheri Lao, a bride based in Toronto tied the knot with Louie Go. My sincerest appreciation to the kindness of the mother of the bride, Ms. Susana Lao, a very nice, soft-spoken, subdued and pleasant lady and the mother of the Groom Ms. Nancy Go, a casual, diplomatic, honest person. It was a pleasure to be working side by side for the first time with The Blushing Bride as the coordinator with Karen Marek being in constant follow-up with us. It would have been my first time to be working side-by-side in realtime with Lee Llamas their commissioned photographer and videographer along with florist Eve and Co by Ms. Beth Amat on that day. We made sure to commit with ALL the requirements, requests and deadlines that was set to us. I just didn't see the point of things being injected with confusions, complications and unnecessary intellectualizations. We always attempt to address the concerns of everyone significant in this event especially the mothers and their inputs and requests. Everyone in the family had their concerns and we felt sorry that we tried to see to it that we hear and accomodate not just with one concern but with everyone's significant requests for this wedding. I thought things would have been better and happier if there was more appreciation than hostility. There are still a lot of things we ought to learn in this life. And I'm no exception to it. But I will always have to look at things with a positive outlook in life. I remember Ms. Nancy Go's thoughts of wisdom she inspired me about challenges in life to be better as we go on. A very good note indeed!

My First Wedding of the Day ( Montes - Buenaventura Wedding, January 19, 2008)

Rheena and JP are professional physical therapists based in the United States. It was Rheena's mom, Ms. Ruby whom I met first for the inquiry meeting. Aside from Rheena's mom, she was entrusted to take care of some wedding preparations particularly in recommending the suppliers to Rheena. I was privileged to be Ms. Ruby's chosen designer and started preparing for Rheena's wedding. Ms. Ruby was a straight person to deal with but her virtue of compassion and appreciation have always been there. We had all the designs and fabrics prepared for the female entourage along with the Barongs for JP, the two fathers, the best man.

Rheena is based in the US, another overseas bride-client of mine but it had been a pleasant and inspiring experience we had from them. They will tell you what they want and as long as you have it accomplished, the concerns of technicalities was never an issue and work is appreciated. I think it is just to be with them on their wedding day and be able to assist them with their apparel concerns. We were at room 1525 of the Makati Shangri-la where Rheena's dressing room was. At 6:15 am, Toto Bagamasbad, their hair and make-up artist was finished with the bride and was mid-way doing Ms. Ruby's make-up.Ariel Javelosa Photography and Videography was covering the event. The beautiful bridal bouquet was by Tony Padilla of Floral designs. A six-door bridal limousine from Trans-ABi was at the hotel's entrance waiting for Rheena to bring her to church.
>>>>>Mother of the Groom, Mrs. Sylvia Montes<<<<<


Ceremony venue was at the Santuario de San Antonio , Forbes Park and Reception followed at the Makati Shangri-ly. I will miss the working relationship I had with Ms. Ruby. Goes the same with Rheena who was just appreciative of our work. It will be a very memorable event for the Monteses and the Buenaventuras.

A Homecoming and a Wedding ( Amparo - Joves Wedding, January 18, 2008)

Tommy and Merle have always been diligently represented by their wedding planner and coordinator Trish of the WED Republic. My assistant Paulo have always been prompt with their concerns. As the wedding date approaches its last strecth, It was the only time I was able to be acquianted with Merle. A very warm and friendly bride in reality. I hope I had a longer time to bond with her even via e-mail though I'ved always attended to her e-mail updates plus Paulo's continuous follow-up.
I guess mainly due to her planner's hard work did assured Merle that everything was well taken cared of. It was even a plus that all her siblings and folks were very nice that made it a lot easier for us. Goes the same with Tommy's family who are all based in Cebu and are all flying in to Manila for the wedding. I'm grateful for the bride's 100 % trust and confidence that was given to us. And to prove that they didn't go wrong with us, we made sure that every detail was taken care of. Result? a sounding fulfillment! My impression is, Tommy is more on the subdued type but you can feel deep warmth within him and appreciate that very much. A wedding destination in Tagaytay is where they chose to tie the knot. Exchange of vows held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Reception at the Ville Sommet where she also dressed up.
Seasoned Dino Lara was her photographer of choice and 30 FPS for videography. Tagaytay and Manila based Flowers of May provided the flowers. Model Gigi Uson did Merle's Hair and make-up. After the wedding, the Amparos and the Joveses are flying to Cebu this time for more bonding. It is very fulfilling when clients appreciates our work and realizes that we've had many clients who credits us with how realistic our terms are and dedication in our line of work. I will miss this wedding and all I can say is that they be given more blessings for their kindess.

My First Deb for 2008 (Czarina Francisco Debut, January 12, 2008)

My first debutant client for 2008 is Czarina Francisco , a student from my alma mater, De La Salle University-Manila. It all began with my former bride-client May Ignacio.
Elaine, Czarina's mom is the brother of May's husband. Her event was held at the Emerald room of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. A charming young girl with of full energy and vibrance. The mom and daughter bonding was in full realization as we witnessed. My best wishes to the new young lady in the society!

A Nurse and an Airline Mechanic in London ( Palabrica - Servillon Wedding, January 10, 2008)

Thelma is a registered nurse and is tying the knot with Lorenz both based in London.
It was a long distance communication for us and somehow we both managed it pull things off. She came home as early as December to attend to some family matters and got the time check on her gown concerns after Christmas. I was happy that I was able to live up with her expections. It was a Filipiniana-inspired wedding gown that can be transformed to a western-inspired design. Dressing up at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel's Tower Wing room 927 in a bridal suite we saw Paulette Tan-Dimaano of Demoiselle her wedding coordinator. Parking was an ordeal at the hotel's basement due to a pharmaceutical company's yearly event celebration. She was dressed up already doing photo and video shoot by Ariel Javelosa. However, we checked her dress and made sure that she was able to wear to properly. Thelma was holding a bouquet of Holland cymbidiums provided by Tropical Blooms along with the entire female Entourage matching up her lavander and magenta motif. Hair and make-up was by Kuks Reyes. From the hotel, we left an hour before here ceremony time and proceeeded at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandond in Marikina City.
The church's doors were closed as we escorted Thelma to the door entrance and made sure that she was well groomed before beginning to march the aisle. Thelma and Lorenz's reception followed at La Veranda also in Marikina City

A Young Couple Tying the Knot (Fernando - Asuncion Wedding, January 6, 2008)

At 23 years old, Rommel and Herlyn are bent on being united in the sacrament of Matrimony. I'ved been meeting with this two energetic couple discussing their concerns particulary their wedding attires. At some points, there were playful stressing of ideas. I realized that at their time and age, 23 year old grown-ups are relatively young couples. I knew I were handling them right. We managed to come up with a finalized design for the wedding dress along with Rommel's tuxedo ensemble.
Sunday was their altar day and we we're at the Garden Wing of EDSA Shangri-la where Herlyn has stayed to dress-up. It was so inspiring to see Lito Genilo himself of Smart Shot doing the photo shoot his other crew taking charge of the video capturing . You can really tell an experienced wedding supplier. JP Montilla of Complete Work, Inc was their coordinator designate running the entire show. Herlyn's bridal bouquet really looked good comprising of about 2 dozens of Parrot tulips especially prepared for her by Ms. Evelyn Aldaba of Lily Flower Boutique. I appreciate other suppliers in their respective field who goes out of their way just to address the concerns of their clients. Freelance Greta Estoesta did the hair and make-up.
It was a pleaseant afternoon as we proceeded to Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish inside Philamlife Homes in Quezon City for the ceremony. A strectch limousine car from Adeb bridal cars brought the bride to the church and then again the wed couple for their reception at the Gazebo Royale where Hizons's catering has prepared a sumptous wedding dinner.