An MD and an RN from St. Lukes Medical Center , Global City at Caleruega ( Concepcion - Quiambao Wedding)

Chacha Datu-Arevalo of Lifestyle Party Planners have entrusted me to do the wedding attire concerns for this busy couple, Nathan and Ruth.  Although both working in the same institution and department at that, they all had the details of their wedding preparation entrusted to Cha-cha, one of the more senior wedding planners  in the industry. 

Nathan a Radiology specialist and Ruth a registered nurse likewise at the Radiology Department of St. Luke's Medical Center at  Bonifacio Global City.  One of the more cooperative clients a had.  Neither a wannabee designer as they entrusted me all the designs for all the attires ( adult female entourage, flower-girls mothers, bride and groom's) without much questioning  pretending to be in depth of their knowledge of the attire concerns.  I appreciated their 100 % trust and confidence and  that they are in good hands.  It was a great exchange of pleasantries  on all the meetings along with the thoughtfulness they had for me.  I really enjoyed the "pasalubongs" from Bulacan where Ruth's mother is based.
  Dr. Nathan for a while had a freak accident (broken arm on an arm sling) but it  healed in time of this much awaited big event  in their lives. Leaving Manila as early as we could remember in time to be in Ruth's rented house in Tagaytay where the Quiambaos has decided to dress up.  Full of people in the house but filled with excitement and  orderliness.
 The time has come for all of us to leave  and proceed to the Transfiguration Chapel in Caleruega.  There I immediately saw Dr. Nathan Clad in his fitting tuxedo with a gray paisley design print inside looking very fresh and boyish.  Cool and excited chatting with his doctor colleagues  while awaiting for all the entourage to arrive and soon to line up.  It was indeed an early morning wedding ceremony but everyone was in high spirits.
Finally, all the entourage were in formation and the bridal march commenced.  It was Ruth's big shining moment to walk down Caleruega's steps  entering the chapel.  The solemn morning ceremony for their marriage vows looked so eventful.  Reception followed at the Caleruega's Hall.  The couple was off to Europe fot their exciting romantic honey moon.  I am very grateful for meeting wonderful wedding clients most of the time.  It gives you more inspiration to further enhance your craft.

Note: PHOTOS WERE TAKEN FROM RUTH QUIAMBAO'S SITE

A Wedding Destination Bridal Exhibit and Fair at Club Balai Isabel

To all my wedding supplier colleagues. Not exactly a first time wedding destination bridal fair. However, the owner of the venue which is CLUB BALAI ISABEL is all out in its support and efforts to make this a successful event. A fashion show featuring the collections of FWDP, a suppliers' night, fireworks, sky lantern release and a lot more. Where can you find a very good offering which offers an inclusive accommodation for two nights, a suppliers' raffle, a one year flyering / business card display at Club Balai Isabel after the event and other offers that is difficult to refuse. A major PR agency have likewise been tapped to do the massive campaign for this event both in print and media exposure. Indeed it will have to be intentionally be planned to visit and see for yourself the place and what it has got to offer. The event commences on April 20, 2013 (Saturday) at 9:00 am until 7:00 pm and then again on the 21st (Sunday) at the same time. Potential couples have been tapped from the clients who have booked their wedding event, along with the data base of clients who signed up to attend the event obtained during the last major bridal fair held last month at Sm Mega Mall where Club Balai Isabel has joined the booth of Juan Carlo, the caterer who happens to be holding a grand food tasting during the two-day bridal fair. This client data base was obtained by CBI's commissioned event planner. Not to disregard the numerous vacationers and tourists local and foreign who flocks to CBI filling up the place especially on all weekends during summer. We want to be optimistic on this pilot project event of CBI. No exodus like pattern of audience like the ones in Manila but we hope to see and meet quality audience who are serious about their efforts in visiting the place and considering it likewise a potential venue for their special event. Working my best on this project. Hope see you there.

Vintage Debut in a Vintage Hotel (Pauline Matias' 18th Birthday)

I remember Mrs. Nora Matias. She once informed me that I should be doing the debut attire concerns of her gown. Mrs. Nora was a relative of a previous bride Christine Silos back in 2005. Come 2012, Ma'm Nora has indeed returned to fulfill her commitment with me. Afetr 7 years in the way, her only daughter Pauline is to celebrate her 18th birthday . I felt so honored and privileged that after all those years she hasn't forgotten her word and made sure to go to me again for Pauline's event, I am really Mrs. Matias' designer of choice for Pauline's debut celebration. I felt so grateful for the privilege. As my usual procedure, I made three design sketches for Pauline to deliberate on and choose the design that she wanted. The theme was vintage. I couldn't agree for more although vintage encompasses a huge scope, I tried to come up with a vintage inspired design yet modern in its appeal. Her Vintage theme was very appopriate set in a "vintage" Hotel, The refurbished Manila Hotel celebrating their 100 years in existence. Like wise, the world-class hair and make-up artist Jackie Rivera did Pauline and Ma'm Nora's hair and make-up. Pauline at present is enrolled at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos campus. Such a diligent and studious student I have observed. Making sure she prioritizes her school duties a priority along with her 18th wedding preparation tasks. Of course not to be left behind is Ma'm Nora's blow by blow follow-up of her concerns and preparations Anthony and Irish Velasco of Shutters of Prey Photography and Video , Life's Celebration by Ruby Alvarez and Toni Lapena their choreographer and Joel Felizardo as emcee completed her dream team of suppliers. The usual time table for our accomplishment of Pauline's main and change dress along with Ma'm Nora's gown was committed as scheduled. There was much thrill and excitement at Pauline's preparation room where her dress is continuously being photographed and video-graphed by Anthony and Irish and their team. Jackie Rivera on the other hand is finishing his masterpiece on Pauline's authentic vintage hair and make-up. Everything was all set to go as accompanied Pauline from her floor's corridor photo shots to the lobby, out to the pool side area and back. I am most certain that all the important shots were taken and it was time to proceed to the Polkabal Hall of the Manila Hotel's Fiesta Pavilion. Pauline is all set, fully made up and a black long gloves and headpiece completing her vintage look. The door has finally opened and the debutante has commenced to do the traditional entrance walk. I am most confident that everything went well when she entered the ballroom. The rest was history and for Pauline to reminisce this once in a lifetime opportunity that celebrating debutantes should not miss in their lifetime. A gift that not every 18 year old lass can avail of this experience. NOTE: Some pictures where taken from Pauline Matias' site

The Wedding of a Dear Friend and Her Charming Beau ( Sotelo - Gonzales Wedding)

Gail or Elaigh as I have known her broke a very good new. finally she is tying the knot that I will very soon meet Charming Chad. I soon realized that we all have the same alma mater! Animo.... La Salle. It wan just a thought but did not sank to me so much anyhow. And Oh, their weddingLooks like Charmeuse, but Peau de Soie has a moderately stiff drape. Those who cannot pronounce Peau de Soie (French for 'skin of silk') call this Duchess ... planner, JP Montilla was from La Salle again. All green archers with a chosen motif of blush pin and sliver gray. I feel so lucky being able to work side by side as well, Ma'm Juliet Roscom and Ettie sotelo. And Chad's Dad, O what great families which I had a great time working for. Chad's sister and her family flew in all the way from the US for this wedding and it was a smooth undertaking all the way. Elaigh's female bridal entourage were all great. None of these ladies gave me a hard time with their fittings. Very professional and punctual. Elaigh opted for a white silk peau de soie fabric (Looks like Charmeuse, but Peau de Soie (Skin of Silk) has a moderately stiff drape. A multi tiered bubble detailed skirt with scalloped layering. With customized embroidery with silver threading creating a three dimensional effect of the details. Elaigh gave me further instructions of no plentiful embellishments but only swarovski crystals. I thought she wanted simple decorations on the gown but when the gown was finished, it was so neatly done and its simplicity adding Elaigh's very good handling and carrying of the dress simply exuded elegance and an elan of sophistication. A ribbon inspired design was how Elaigh and I conceptualize the female entourage gowns in satin gazar fabric which blended very well with the bride's gown. Ma'm Ettie Sotelo was very regal in her Grecian-inspired gown in pink pure silk chiffon and Ma'm Juliet Roscom's gown was likewise a statement on her own with meticulous gown details likewise in pure silk chiffon. This was a December 18 wedding. One of those sought after date which was allotted only to parishioners of Santuario de San Antonio. Preparation and reception were both at the posh Makati Shangri-la. John Tronco did the photography and video as Elaigh's trusted photo and video supplier along with florist Gina Galang of Royal Flower Shop.the It was a romantic 7:00pm as the guest started to fill up the cold-air-conditioned church. It was finally time to commence with Elaigh's bridal march. I can feel her excitement and nervousness. Off she went to commence with her wedding ceremony. I was tired but I was happy. It was a wedding made in heaven, full of love and attention and care.

A Morning Wedding with a Young Couple (Qasim - Bassig Wedding), July 28, 2012

Doing the debutant gown of her sister Ynah last December of 2011, i was given another privilege by the Bassig family to do the gown of their eldest daughter Karla. With a very short lead time, we were able to do it in style. My appreciation to the cooperativeness of the entire family along with Jhaz and his family as well. It was an early wedding ceremony to be held at Notre Dame vie chapel at the Fernbrook gardens and the reception at the Byzantine room of the same venue as well. Despite the time constraint, we were able to accomplish what was expected of us. Class A Pineapple-silk barong fabrics was given to all the male principal sponsors for them to wear for this wedding and A complete set of upscale quality of chiffon in pink were given as a gift to the female principal sponsors to be made as their attire for this wedding.

Coming all the way from Makati, me along with my staff proceeded to Imus, Cavite the home residence of the two families.

I cannot believe there erect a mansion amidst the houses in the subdivision where Karla has decided to do her wedding preparation. Jackie Rivera, the all time seasoned make-up artist did the hair and face of the bride, her mom and some other members of the entourage. Picture perfect. The era of the frou-frou (French word meaning elaborate details) skirts is very much on the rise. As if a 200 yards organza materia was not enough to do Karla's skirt alone. Jhaz on the other hand, opted for a pineapple silk fabric all the way from Aklan with a unique all perforated detailed design that was overlayed on his cream tuxedo. A formal male attire fusing inspiration froom the east and the west. It looked more impressive in real time.

It was really a busy but festive mood we experienced when we arrived at the bride's residence and was given a very hospitable treatment and accommodation. It was a combination of pinks and silver grays, purples and lavanders for the ladies . I noticed a very relaxed father of the groom , Sir Nonoy but I can feel the emotions of the families deep inside.

It was even a delight for me to see a former classmate in medical school to stand as one of the male principal sponsors. A morning filled with fast movements, excitement and festive mood. I can see a lot of invited guests that filled up the chapel big enough to be classified as a church. The gown was very flattering to the bride and he groom as well. It was a special day for the Otchos and the Bassigs. A wedding made in heaven. A young couple and filled with love and excitement. I was a witness to this. And the support from both families, what more can I say. A wedding bliss indeed.