Caterer: TJIOE THE CATERER

Late last year, we attended the grand food tasting of Josiah's Catering at 1 Esplanade. They has this promo that when you book them on that day, desserts will already be included at no extra cost. Making the decision was a no brainer for me that day as I love desserts and their presentation was also great. Little did I know it would entail Php20K going down the drain! 

Missed doing some consultation and researching! Hayaya! When I told our families about our Josiah booking with their buffet setup, all I got were raised eyebrows. Buffet setup is a no-no for them because they do not want to line up. And so I went back to Josiah's and inquired about their sit-down package - it's expensive! With the spike in the number of guests in our list, the cost was just crazy! 

With God's grace, our coordinator introduced us to Tjioe (pronounced as Choo). Finally, a caterer suited our needs --- LAURIAT + CHINESE! Hooray! By the way, Tjioe has ties with Quiksnak in Manila. Anyways, I contacted Edwin to ask for their lauriat packages. Amazingly, it closely matched the price of Josiah's buffet package. We went ahead with the food tasting and it was great. Thus, we decided to book them as our official caterer. Below are some snapshots of the chosen dishes.

As for Josiah booking, I asked if I can order cocktails instead of food; unfortunately, the contract I signed indicated that the 20K downpayment will be forfeited if booking is not pursued. I even charmed my way out of it but it didn't worked! I still can't figure out why they wont return the money. After all, its not like the lead time's tight for them to get another booking. I cancelled 7 months before the big day for crying out loud! Oh well, let's just leave it as lesson learned the hard way! :(

Engagement Stylist: RABBITHOLE CREATIVES

You just use to see stylist for magazines and televisions. Now, there is "engagement styling". I was not planning to initially hire a stylist. I convinced myself that our photogrpaher and HMUA were enough for the e-session. Months and weeks had passed, all I had was concept. I couldn't figure out the moodboard (the details). I am also at the same time busy with work, business, family and  house renovations. Hence, I decided to book finally book an engagement stylist. If you also want a hassle free e-session and all you need to do is project to the camera, then i suggest you book one. Just a tip - most stylist have hair and make up included in the package already. You may opt not to book separate prenup package with your wedding day's HMUA, not unless you want a practice prior to the big day. 

Aira Franco and RabbitHole Creatives are the ones have crossed my path. Aira's rate packages are 10K, 18K and 25K. RabbitHole Creatives' packages are 12K, 30K, 45K, 75K. There are still tons of stylist out there --- lifestyle by feliz, teamba, style diaries etc... (try to read via female network.com). We chose Rabbithole as I got to see the photos from Benjie's FB page (our photographer) with them being the stylist and we like the output. This is one way you can choose your stylist, how well they work with your photographer. 

Our e-session concept was simple and chic, hence I chose the basic package + remove hair and make up (since I have booked HMUA already). I really recommend RabbitHole for their out of the box creativity and fresh/raw ideas. They can go as far as those creating milk cartons that you can wear or they put a bed in water! We just chose not to go that far as this does not fit our simple and chic concept. 

(photo grabbed from RabbitHole)
This is Alice/Madhatter package I think.

(photo grabbed from RabbitHole)

(photo grabbed from Rabbit Hole)

RabbitHole Creatives' main expertise is styling and production design. They can be book beyond engagements -- marketing needs, editorial & even booth designs! Thinking of out-of-town or even out-of-country shoots? They can even cater to that as well. Though, getting them to style your wedding ceremony/reception is not yet their priority at the moment. Perhaps soon :) 

 

WEBSITE; FACEBOOK

Coordinator: Vangie Go of WEDDING TREASURES

Almost everyone's advise - "Must get an On The Day Coordinator". This may vary though. This can be a supplier or friend/relative. Downside of having a friend/relative as a coordinator is that you have to be sure that he/she can handle stress under pressure and treat it as work, else it can be friendship over. That person will not be able to enjoy your wedding even the after party. 

I asked for other friends opinion and read blogs and forums. It boiled down to Christine Ong-Te (COTE), Phyllis Lim and Wedding Treasures. COTE's price was around 50K for OTD according to research. Oh boy, that's way expensive! Phyllis - I know she's comparably good according to feedback of my relatives and friends. But she was my college professor. I was too shy to ask her to do things for me. So finally, it boiled down to Wedding Treasure. I set up a meeting with them and our contact was Vangie Go. Phyllis Lim and Wedding Treasure are of the same OTD rate. The fiance very much like her for the expertise and knowledge she shared (talk about being 15 yrs in the industry!). I think we chatted for about 1.5 hours just discussing tips for the event -- suppliers, contract, guest list grouping etc. Hence, booked her around Jan, 2014. 

After getting the contract, she gave me a bunch of templates I need to fill! Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I'm actually happy because her documents are all I could ask for. She even shared me several checklist I need for the day, some songs, programs and even proposed layout! Amazing! Because of this, she now has a dedicated folder in the our Google drive.

Wedding Treasures consists of 3 sisters, Eugene Go Oda, Evelyn Go Lim and Evangeline Go. They have celebrated 15 yrs in the industry as of last year.

Contact Details (Vangie Go)

Email: wtreasures@gmail.com; weddingtreasures@yahoo.com

Mobile: 09228060011; 09175251187 

The Blog Story

To start of, I'm new in the world of writing and blogging. The reason I created this blog is to give back to the e-readers what we have experienced. Internet blogs and forums were a big help for us especially on the initiation and planning phase of the project.

First thing that needs to be done is write down your guest list. This will mostly drive # of people invited and where it will be held. From there, talk about your budget as well. After that, define your big rocks -- which field is your priority, non negotiable. It can only be 1, 2, 3, or more. But definitely not all I believe. At least for us it was Photo, Video, Location and Food.

Here below are some snippets of the tools we use. And for the record, I did always have +/- 10% for everything it may apply -- budget, cost, guest list, discounts etc... The perks of being a project manager as day time job hehehe :)

               

At the end of the day, every wedding is unique and magical  in its own way of regardless how much you spend on it or where you decide to hold it. It is YOUR wedding and not other people's wedding. Keep in mind though that this is a one-time event, so if you have luxury to spend then go ahead, make it grand. If you are going to go into debt just to make it grand, you may want to re-think. It's not good to start of your marriage with financial debt because you still have your future lives ahead of you.

Venue: BLUE LEAF FILIPINAS

Major requirement for our families' location wise was it should be within Metro Manila. One criteria we agreed upon was to look for other venues aside from Hotels/Restaurants. Reasons are: (1) We do not have a date yet (since it's still September, 2014 Chinese calendar normally being released in Oct/Nov timing and surely fewer dates are already not available for those common hotels/restaurants. (2) They are more typical and perhaps more expensive as well. 

After 1 week of the formal proposal, we went to Themes & Motifs Bridal Expo. The priority for that day was to look for that perfect venue. Then shortly, one booth caught our eyes. The architecture of the building struck us. So chic and elegant. And the best part, it's NEW! (the rates are still low, and can still haggle prices) :)

Since we do not have a date yet, we are not able to book the place. Also, we wanted to check out other places to keep our options open. But we kept coming back to that place, even visited it at the actual site together with our families.

Finally in end October, 2014 Chinese calendar was already available and we already set a date!  We immediately booked the halls for ceremony and reception purposes. 

BLUE LEAF FILIPINAS

Belle Avenue, Aseana City, Paranaque City 1722 Philippines

Website; Facebook

Entrance (photo grabbed from Blue Leaf)

Sinulog Hall (photo grabbed from Blue Leaf)

Make Up: TONI MARIS RODRIGUEZ

Some brides would normally book Hair & Make Up Artisit a.k.a HMUA when the big day gets nearer (perhaps 4 to 6 months before the big day). Some go to several expos and ask for free trials. But for me, I kind of did it differently. 

Looking for a great photographer and videographer was countless of sleepless nights and eye soaring because you are in front of your computer and/or mobile even in your past time. Then the thought bubble comes in, "I should get a considerably above average HMUA as well, or else our photos and videos will be outstandingly unpleasant" Hence, HMUA is the 4th supplier I booked.

I started searching in facebook, looking thru Chinese friends or friends of friends who recently got wed and checked out their photo and makeup. I was looking for a particular artist who can transform eyebrows and eyes (yes those chinky eyes need to pop out). I was also looking at tons of portfolios and went directly to brides who are Chinese (by surnames or by their looks). Then, I googled "Chinese bride wedding Philippines" and that's how I got Toni Rodriguez Make Up Artist. She was on the top list last Nov 2013.

I asked the MOH to come with me to help me judge her skills. It was Saturday morning. The studio was very cute with pink and b&w stripes. So chic & girly. The first time I saw her, she looked so glamorous. I was actually intimidated by her beauty. But eventually we talked and we talked and we talked. Hahaha... I was also amazed with her hair stylist, Marvic, as she did my hair in just under 30 minutes. Wow!  I asked for a traditional trial make up instead of airbrush (to save cost as usual. Hehe). See below the result of "Bridal Look". My smile looks weird though as I was not feeling well that day.

After a few days of consultation with few family and friends, comparing her package with Cherry Pacheco, I decided to book her instead. Balancing cost vs. quality again is the key. I got the Hepburn & Prenup package and asked for discount as usual. I wish though I had an event on that same day so I could have put her great work to good use. 

In addition, she was reason that I got to know Rabbithole as prenup styling and Coca Couture as gown couturier. Stories about them will be posted separately. :)

Behind this beautiful creation is also a woman of elegance I must say. I like her passion and expertise in this field. I am moreover willing to attend her make up classes if ever she will arrange one. I truly believe she can go way beyond being a professional make up artist. She will be opening her own Nail Salon soon (can't wait!).

WEBSITE; FACEBOOK

  

Till then! Will share more of her work soon on the next post... Bye for now! :) 

Photographer: BENJIE TIONGCO

When I started canvassing wedding photographers, I was initially overwhelmed. There are tons of great photographers out there! I have to plot a table, listing all the photographers shortlisted plus inclusion in the package. By the way, shortlisted suppliers were still 10. In span of 1.5 weeks, some are already booked, hence 10 became 3. So I got that thought that perhaps photo and video should also be booked a year in advance just like booking for your perfect location.

I stumbled upon Benjie Tiongco's site. I was attracted to how elegant his site looked like. Purple color!!! Perhaps biased because I love the color purple and it's part of our color motif. Asides from the color, his tagline was MODERN. CHIC. TIMELESS.. Yes, the word timeless was the one I was looking for. Besides, I love how he captures romance in every couple he has taken -- at least for the once he had posted. 

see how nice purple color looks like! so elegant

Below was his 2013 rate card. Again, balancing price vs. quality is the key for us.  So I setup a meeting with him together with the fiance.

Though he was an hour late, and I was kind of irritated about it, I saw a good person within. So I overlooked his tardiness and remembered asking him if he has Chinese blood because of his surname to break the ice. He showed us several photos of his clients, foreigners, filipinos and chinese. Even the albums were actually good. :) 

Afterwards, we handed him the downpayment, reminding him as well that we are not good at posing in front of the camera. And he smiled back saying, "no worries about it and I can guide you through it". Feeling comfortable with a photographer is the key to a successful output of the photos.*crossing fingers*

This was the 3rd supplier we booked for the wedding! Officially booked him Oct 30, 2013.

Benjie is a nursing graduate. However, he found his passion in photography and decided to go professional. With humble beginnings, starting with Imagine Nation Photography, he is now a certified destination wedding photographer indeed. He has been to many places and is still being booked by several clients local & abroad. Busy schedule I must say! I wish he had an executive assistant though, so he can update every clientele he had shot in his FB or his website showcasing his variety as professioal photogapher (just my 2 cents).

WEBSITE; FACEBOOK

Ciao for now!! e-session and wedding photos results will be posted soon.. :) 

Videographer: RED SHEEP CINEMA

Videos captures those precious memories, especially for those once in a lifetime events and makes it timeless when watched over and over again. Hence, we decided to have this as priority. Non negotiable. Since the fiance has a better taste, I assigned the selection task to him.

He initially chose Treehouse Story Films and Cinemaworks Wedding Art Films, but unfortunately both of them were not available on our selected date. Looking for that perfect videographer was indeed a journey. There were sleepless nights and petty fights -- watching countless videos per supplier, agreeing to disagree, balancing price vs. quality. Oh boy! 

In the midst of a stressful project, my friend/colleague referred me to Red Sheep. Red Sheep did their videos and she was impressed. Hence, I presented it to the fiance, and finally he loved it! Haggling with discount and offering him 50% DP, I got the balance of price vs. quality :) 

I booked him immediately around Oct 2013 through making bank deposits and exchanging emails --- see the trust! Well, his schedule was also full, from local to international booking. We only met him around late February 2014 to have that connection. His style by the way is candid. 

The man behind the great works, Guj Tungpalan. He was formerly working with an IT company. After doing several videos for company events, the passion turned into business

EMAIL: redsheepcinema@gmail.com

WEBSITE: http://redsheepcinema.com/