What made our wedding
so wonderful and perfect? Here are the people that made it
happen...
Wedding
Coordinator:
Planners Plus! Events
Coordinator
Unit
16G Olympic Heights Condo. Eastwood City, Libis, Q.C.
Phone: 687.1011; 716.6551
Mobile: 0917.5340784; 0917.2041805
We booked Chris, Mia and
Kenny for an on the day wedding coordination. Being Drew's college
friend (Chris), everything was very easy - the bond was already there.
Chris handled every situation well and made things organized. She
was like an ever reliable personal assistant - I needed one as the
wedding day was nearing. I wasn't myself, my mind was in "several
different places", I kept forgetting stuff, in short I was in a panic
before the wedding. Thanks to Chris, she gave me back my sanity!
Chris even had a hand helping Drew with his surprise for me on our 8th
year Anniversary. (See The Engagement on Our
Story)
They did a very good job in
making our wedding organized and hassle free. On the wedding day
it self, I was so relaxed and stress free. My mom loved them so
much that she's planning to get them again for my brother's wedding next
year. Thanks guys! You're the best!
Rating: 10+ (highly
recommended)
Wedding Venue:
Fernwood Gardens
71
Cenacle De., Sanville Subd. Proj. 6, QC
Phone: 926.2493; 925.0020; 426.0968
I first saw
Fernwood Gardens on TV years before I got married. I always wanted
a garden wedding, and I thought to myself this is where I want to get
married. Little did I know that it would really come true.
In addition the place got even better through the years.
We had our Christian Ceremony at the
Courtyard. They had the place renovated just in time for our
wedding. There was a cute Gazebo just before entering the
Courtyard. It was beautiful, we had a waterfall as our backdrop.
The pillars were all covered with vines and the dome filled with hanging
plants decorated with lights.
Angel
of Tropical Blooms, decorated the place with beautiful roses on glass
stands, the altar with angels and a beautiful pillar.
For our reception, we had it done at the
Coral Tree Garden. The spacious venue with its beautiful lightings
and foliage made our reception truly one of a kind.
We rented the horse
and carriage too. Making our entrance one of a kind, the kids
loved it too! New to Fernwood Gardens at that time was their
lighted dance floor. It was beautiful, so we rented it for the
reception as well.
Visit their site and see how beautiful
the place is.
Rating: 10+
Wedding Rings:
Matus Jewellery
111 One
Luna Lifestyle Eastwood City
Phone: 631.4145
Themes & Motifs
Lower Ground Floor Podium, Ortigas Center
Phone: 785.7519
Mobile: 0918.9021154
When it comes to personalized service, this husband and wife team is the
best. I gave them a call right away after we saw their display at
Blissful Occasions Showroom by Josiah's Catering in Eastwood. The next
day we saw them near Makati Medical Center. They we're so nice and
accommodating besides that there was a feeling of familiarity - like
we've known each other for a very long time. We found out that
they too went to UST. After that, we then became good friends.
Like what we've always said to them, they are God sent.
So, visit their website and read how we met
and became good
friends at their featured couple section.
Rating: 10+ (highly
recommended)
Wedding Cake:
Judy Uson - The Cake Artist
8 Olive
St., Doņa Petrona Subd., Capitol Site QC
Telefax: 430.8512
Mobile: 0917.897.5839
Looking through several
cake supplier at the Wedding Expo, I saw Judy and her beautiful cakes.
She showed me several photos of the cakes she made. I wanted
something unique, not too formal or stiff, but most importantly
delicious. I fell in love with her white chocolate covered cake
immediately. It was just beautiful! First, we thought of
getting the free wedding cake included with the catering but when I saw
Judy's cake, I just couldn't forget it! I met other cake makers
and showed them the picture of the cake, they said they can do the same
but I was not that comfortable about the idea - what if it didn't look
the way it should? I had to book Judy no matter what!
Besides, it was still in the budget. She was so nice when I
approached her the second time we saw her on the next Wedding Expo.
She let me taste her carrot walnut cake (it was heaven!) and made
the down payment right away. Here's the description she made of
the cake she made for me (enjoy!): a 4 layer white chocolate curl
covered carrot walnut cake with cream cheese frosting and
decorated with fresh and sugar flowers - yummy! The whole cake was
real, no Styrofoam! The cake was a hit! Our guest loved it,
my mother-in-law couldn't forget it and wanted some more to take home.
Now, isn't that enough to convince you?
Rating: 10+
Musician:
The Sentimental
Groove
Phone: 747.8189; 533.3688
Mobile: 0919.8907580
This All-in-One band is
truly versatile and talented. Chris recommended them to us. The first time I heard them at one of their demos, I had
tears in my eyes because they were that great! The
song that made me seal the deal was their rendidtion of The Prayer by
Josh Groban! I will never forget singing with them during my surprise song number for
drew on our wedding. They helped us
practice the song with them - they were very patient I tell you.
They told us that I shouldn't worry, they got my back. You guys are the best!
Rating: 10+
Caterer:
Josiah's Catering
34 East
Drive, Marikina Hts. Marikina City
Phone: 942.5738; 934.2163; 934.9253
Showroom: Blissful Occasions
111 One Luna Lifestyle Ctr., Eastwood City, Libis, QC.
Phone: 631.6398; 631.4145
Besides the venue and the
photographer, the most important part of the wedding we decided to put
the bulk in our budget was the food! In short, we simply want the
food to be the best - everybody happy!
We saw Josiah's at the first Wedding
Expo Drew and I attended. I immediately loved their setting.
But there was a question of "is their food good?". We found out
when we went to the Valentine's Dinner at Fernwood Gardens. We saw
their beautiful table settings, they made the ambiance truly
romantic, and most importantly the food was great! But like other
soon-to-wed, we had to look at other options. We went to two other
food tastings from different caterers. First one - not that good
at all, the second one - food was as good as Josiah's but I found the
chairs and linens dirty and not well maintained.
So finally, we decided to get
Josiah's. It was one of the best decisions we had. Our
guests were delighted with the way they set up the wedding rites and
reception areas. We had the sorrento chairs for the wedding rites
and reception, the table setting and cake table arrangement was
beautifully made, and the backdrop at our table enhanced the already
beautiful Fernwood Garden.
Rating:
10+
Photography:
Dino Lara Photography
9186 Balagtas
St. Guadalupe, Mkt City
Phone: 883-4408
Mobile:0920-9125069
I love
photography! I was very particular in choosing the right
photographer. We saw dozens of them at wedding fairs, sometimes
they all look the same. But when you look closer, you'll see the
difference in the way they take the shot and layout the pictures.
I loved Dino's simplicity and style. His layout was well taught,
clean and easy on the eyes. Not like other albums that pack up a
page with too many pictures ending up looking like chaos!
I read in
one article that there are a lot of good photographers now a days -
that's true! So beside looking at their work, choose one that you
feel comfortable with. With Dino it was easy. He was soft
spoken, accommodating and not very intimidating. You'll feel relax
in front of the camera - really! Another thing I like about him is
that he is open to suggestions regarding your pictures.
He's one
truly gifted artists!
Rating:
10+
Videography: Cr8tvt Videos by Benjou Elginconil
20-B
Mary Grace St. Metro Heights Subd., Q.C.
Phone: 928.3618
Mobile: 0920.9509391
Honestly, and Benjou knows this, we
planned to get another videographer - Jason Magbanua. But because
of budget constraints, we opted for something less expensive but still
with quality. Besides Dino's recommendation, Drew saw Benjou's
booth at the Wedding Expo. He loved it immediately and with the
free CD he got he showed it to me right away. I wasn't convinced
right away and decided to look at other videographers. But Drew
persisted, he think he's great - boy was he right!
Benjou gave us a questionnaire before
the wedding: our motif, favorite slow and fast songs, our ideas on the
video, should it be candid, funny/wacky etc, etc. It was good for
him to do that to all his clients because it made me feel comfortable
that the people who will capture our special day knows exactly how we
want things done.
The day we got the video we went to my
parents house and watched it with them. We were laughing, I was
crying, smiles was on everybody's face. He delivered what we
wanted and even more! Most importantly he showed our personality,
it's like he knew us really well. My dad commented, which he
rarely do, that the video was well made, it must've been expensive -
Not! Drew loves the on-site AVP he did, he even has it in his Palm
to show everybody at the hospital.
Rating: 10+
Invitations:
Unifair -
Erwin Tiu
Rating: 8
Programmes:
Unifair - Erwin Tiu
Rating: 8
Flowers:
Tropical Blooms
1671 Baler St. Santiago Vill. Mkt
Phone: 895.7230; 890.1952
1258 Dos Castillas St. Sampaloc
Phone: 309.4324
Mobile:
0919.4433936
Rating: 10+
Bouquet
Preservation:
Precious Moments
Phone:
776.3152; 776.3153
Mobile: 0917.3291836; 0919.6905249; 0917.8137647
Rating:
8
Souvenir:
Excel Frames and Decors
by Sonny Osi
19
Mindanao Avenue Pag Asa, Quezon City
425.1525; 0918.9195381; 0917.4030588; 0916.2824012
Rating: 7
Gowns/Barongs:
Edward Teng
500
Santol St. Sta. Mesa, Mla
Phone: 716.5710/31
To dress-up an entourage of 2 bridesmaids, 2 junior bridesmaids, 2 ring bearer, 1
coin bearer, 1 bible bearer, 7 flowergirls, 3 female secondary sponsors,
1 maid of honor, 2 moms, the groom and me, we need to find a
couturier that is good and at the same time affordable. With the
recommendation of our friend Vina, we inquired about their services.
I'm the bride-to-be who wouldn't want to spend a hundred thousand on a
wedding gown that I'll be wearing once. At their shop at
Sta. Mesa, I saw their beautifully made gowns. We inquired about their
prices and their offer was good enough for
me! But I didn't book them right away, I had to be sure. With
the help of W@W e-group I was able to make up my mind. I read horror stories of other
brides nightmarish experiences with their couturier, other W@Wies'
recommendations and what to look for in a good and reliable couturier.
Rating: 9
Make-up Artists:
Eddie Bruan
Hair Designs
5983 J. Villena St., Poblacion, Makati
Phone: 895.4485
Cell:
0918.5083340; 0920.6570545
Rating: 10
Accessories:
Rio Tiaras by Reggie Escolin
106
Small Horseshoe Drive, Horseshoe Village, Quezon City
Phone: 412.6640
Mobile: 0917.5302341
Rating:
10
Shoes:
Lila Almario - Powerplant Mall, Rockwell
Rating: 6
Hotels:
Astoria Plaza
Escriva Drive
Ortigas Business District Pasig City 1600
Phone: 687.1111
Fax 910.0370
Rating: 10
Hotels:
The Peninsula Manila
Ayala cor.
Makati Ave., Makati City
Phone: 810.3456 ; 812.3456
Fax:
815.4825; 844.3301
I loved
the Pen even before we got married. We celebrated our 5th year
anniversary there. At that time I joined the Pen Club. We
had lunch at Neilsen's - yummy! After lunch we went to the spa and
had a wonderful massage. The attendants were very courteous and
friendly.
I checked
in the day
before the wedding. The receptionist was so
accommodating and courteous. I've made reservations months before,
I planned to stay in the superior room the day before the wedding
(because it will be just me and my best friend Gemma who will be
spending the night), then transfer to the Juniour Suite the next day.
But then, the receptionist upgraded my superior room reservation to a
Junior Suite at a very good price so that I won't get stressed out
transferring the next day. At our room, like other bride-to-be, I
was so stressed out! Good thing Gemma was there. She called
the spa and had a masseuse come up our room. Was it the most
unforgettable massage I ever had!
Ordinarily
the Junior Suite cost about $400 a night, but because I'm a Pen Club
member I got all our stay (3 days 2 nights) for the price of one night!
