If only....

with friend Eduard, CJH Training Summer 2010

....I can wear a yukata for my wedding preps.

Hehehe ;-)

In Focus: Nice Print celebrity clients

First, there was Ogie and Regine.  Then, it was John and Priscilla.  And now, it's Rich and Kyla.


What do these celebrity couples have in common?  Their weddings were covered by one of the hottest photography and videography suppliers in town, Nice Print.  Years ago when I didn't even have a fiance, I would simultaneously browse through Nice Print's and Imagine Nation's websites.  But when we started planning for our wedding, I got the latter's services for our big day.  I still do browse through Nice Print's latest shots via the net from time to time.  


At weddings at work egroup where I am a current member, Nice Print has a long list of brides-to-be.  Former brides were all praises for their work, while future wives can't stop raving about their outputs that just keep getting better.  I guess it also helps that their works keep being featured in the news.  When you cover a celebrity wedding and you do an amazing job, people will surely want to get your services too.  So it isn't a surprise that they got the nods of people like Juris and Say Alonzo for their own altar date, and I think because of all the publicity and hype via the tri-media, Nice Print has been consistently topping the list of suppliers who gets the most number of bookings during bridal fairs.  Surely, engaged couples can't go wrong with what the stars themselves are choosing as one of their suppliers for their big day.  


Because of the growing number of Nice Print celebrity clients, more and more people are now talking about Same Day Edits (SDE) of the showbiz weddings which the company has covered.  Nice Print has immortalized celebrity unions with beautiful, fantastic SDEs that have become trending topics over the blogosphere and via various social networks.  For those who are not so familiar with it, an SDE is a 3-5 minute video summarizing the wedding preps and the ceremony.  The SDE is usually played at the end of the reception.  It's truly a memorable way to cap one's once in a lifetime affair.  



Here are some sample SDEs from the hottest from tinseltown:  


 Ogine + Regine from niceprint photo 
John + Priscilla from niceprint photo  

Rich + Kyla from niceprint photo 

 Ryan + Say from niceprint photo 

Tabetai!

Oishii!!!!!

Special thanks to Ofune Sensei!

Cupcakes Invasion

I really must have such a sweet tooth to write about this and this.

And now here's what I give you, dear readers, for tonight:  fantastic polvoron cupcakes by Double Delights!
Yes, you read it right:  polvoron and cupcakes in one.  I was so curious how they tasted because they looked so cute and so nice.  I bought myself four pieces today.  I had such a hard time picking out the top 4 cutest cupcakes, so I just chose a blue angry bird, a zombie, a Santa Claus, and a rose.  

Here's how they looked when inside the plastic case

Here's how they looked without the plastic cover

Side shot....I love how cute the zombie is!

(Is that an oxymoron?  hehehe)

The rose looks cuter in person than here on my photos

Wanna order?  Here are the details.

The cupcakes were a bit pricy at php35 per piece.  But judging by the artistry and labor that went into the production, I think I'd give them 5 out of 5.  Maybe I can give these cute ones to my bearers, flower girls and kiddie relatives.

How about you, what's your latest wedding-related find?  ;-)

Flower Power

I know, I know. It's still 9 months and 10 days to go before our big day, but here we are --- so excited and giddy that we booked one major supplier from today's bridal fair at Mega Mall. I'm talking of Clint Carl Flowershop. Woohoo!!!!

I actually had my eyes set on another supplier for my floral requirements, but I almost had a heart attack when I saw her quotation for my flowers.  My, oh my.  Even if H2B and I were earning a combined six-figure income a month, I wouldn't go near that figure to spend for things that will either (a) wilt and die on the day itself, or (b) just be brought home by the guests as souvenir.  I love flowers, and I love receiving them from H2B even more, but the practical side of me just wouldn't be at peace parting with that amount of moolah for things that will just serve to beautify the already beautiful venues we were blessed with.

So what else do I do, but turn to my ever-reliable support group from Weddings at Work and my super reliable coordinator?  I searched and sifted through tons of email archives, files, wedding directories, websites, and even sought out recommendations.  I considered some but they would be charging out of town fees, too.  Others were good but their rates were just lower by about three to seven thousand than the original supplier I was eyeing.  Other fellow brides-to-be gave very good recommendations, and they showed me very good deals but I decided to wait some more.  I felt that even with only two thousand peso difference, that small amount can go a long way in wedding preps.

And then I read a review about Clint Carl.  Then backtracked some more in our email archives.  From then on, I put their name on the shortlist of flower suppliers.  I checked out their website, picked out the ones I liked, called up their Dangwa-based office, and just waited for the bridal fair in Mega Mall to book my official supplier for the bridal and entourage, church and reception flowers.  Thank God, we're really nearing the completion of our supplier bookings!

I knew what I wanted from the start, so Ate Leia and were done discussing the details of our floral requirements in less than 30 minutes.   I found it really cute that H2B was there with me all the while, giving his inputs too hehehe ;-)

So here are what we came up with for our big day:

My aisles will be decorated by asters.  No swags please.  Just tall arrangements

and petals on the floor.

Sorry, this file was from way back.  I can't remember my source.

I want a bouquet of pink ecuadorian roses with million star fillers and berries.

H2B always gave me roses, so I want to carry the same on our big day ;-)

Photo Source:  Clint Carl

My loving H2B will have a tulip and rose boutonniere.

I specifically requested this particular sample from Clint Carl's website.

Photo Source:  Clint Carl

Our mothers will carry cabbage roses in this exact color.  Lovely, aren't they?

Photo Source:  Mr Hardinero

My older sister will be my matron of honor.

She will be carrying a bouquet of white and/or pink and green mums.

Photo Source:  Mr Hardinero

My secondary sponsors will have wrist corsages that are as elegant as this.

Photo Source:  Clint Carl

Our six flower girls will carry button mums flower balls in green.

Sorry, I can't remember which site I copied this from.

I am not a fan of high centerpieces because they can isolate people, and can actually become barriers for great conversations.  So whether it's a guest table or a VIP table, they're all going to get a simple and low arrangement of roses, mums, million stars and filler.  Similar to the picture above but less elaborate.

It's really true what other would-be brides say.  It's never too early to get ready with your wedding.  And if I may add, you can never go wrong by researching, reading, asking around, computing, costing, and consulting your H2B before you make any booking.  We are just so happy with all the suppliers we have booked because H2B and I believe in making mutual decisions, being open about our spending and accountability, meeting all of our suppliers together as a couple, and praying about each decision we make.  Because we waited, we were able to get a very good deal with our floral supplier.  Thank God!  I would have surely regretted booking a different supplier, then finding Clint Carl and learning about her rates.  I am just so excited to see my bouquet in about 9 months.  And my H2B is just as giddy hihihi  ;-)  

----------

Clint Carl Flower Shop

Website:  http://clintflowershop.webs.com/

Stall #4 Dos Castillas St., Sampaloc Manila "DANGWA"

Tel # 3861926; 5595682; 09395892266 (Leia G. Macalam - Owner)

email: clintflowershop@yahoo.com

Monday SDE Feature

I love, love heartfelt vows.
And yes, happy endings.
Get ready with your box of Kleenex and watch this.


Paolo and Rissa from Bob Nicolas on Vimeo.

Before I Do Pre-Wedding Workshop

If you've been following this blog, you know that I started talking about the Before I Do pre-wedding workshop as early as August.  M and I have started attending a seven-week pre-marital counselling at our church since October 20, and it's really an exciting and educational experience for both of us.  But the Before I Do pre-wedding workshop was also one which we both eagerly looked forward to.  It's because we know many of the speakers (not personally) from having heard them speak at our church.  I've listened to Edric and Joy Mendoza at countless worship services / sharing of testimonies and homeschool orientations, plus I also follow Joy's homeschooling blog. I've seen the testimony of John Mateos Ong on TV. His company, Imagine Nation, is doing the photography for our wedding (c/o Noel Salazar), and before we made this major decision, I made sure to check out not only the portfolio but also the business ethics and philosophy of our suppliers.  So I know a handful of info about him and the team even before attending today.  And since Edric and Joy, John and his wife Monique, and also the other speakers, are from the very church where we go to every Sunday, I knew that we were in for a special day of lectures and practical sharing based on the Bible.  M and I know that we can never be prepared enough for our lives as a married couple, so we take every opportunity we can get to attend seminars like this. (Note:  And oh, if you're a bride/groom to be, please sign up and be a member of the Weddings at Work egroup!)

Let me show you some snapshots from this event.  Too bad, I left the memory card at home which is why I wasn't my usual shutterbug self (haha!):

I had to fight off my uber shyness to grab a photo op with Sir Jong of Imagine Nation...

(If you haven't got a photographer for your event, grab ém!  I'm telling you, you're hiring one of the best photographers!)

And yes. I wouldn't pass up the chance to have a picture of M and I with 1/2 of the tandem behind Weddings at Work, Maám Benz ;-)  I am so awed by her being so down-to-earth....and I'm talking here of someone who has changed the lives of thousands of brides and grooms all over this country and even beyond. 

Here's D (sweetheart ni P) sharing what it means to be a submissive wife...

My honey was actively participating and writing down his notes.  Yehey!

Sir Jong is sharing his testimony here before we wrapped up the workshop...

We actually won a prenup make-up with Ms. Karen Reyes when M and I answered a question regarding the love languages session.  What a blessing!  Karen is one of the make-up artists of the Make-up Studio Team by Madge Landrito!  All who attended the seminar-workshop will also get a free prenuptial photoshoot with the team from Imagine Nation, aside from the other prizes given away.  See, blessings overflow!  Thank God!

Shot with our group mates ;-)

By the time the seminar-workshop was over, I've already filled up about six pages of my tiny notebook, not counting the handout / pamphlet they gave us.  M and I learned so much, and we're excited to live out and apply what we learned in our marriage.  Truly, we can never claim we know so much of a topic, and we can only be humble and open-minded to learn more how to become better partners to each other and how to have a Christ-centered relationship.

Kudos to Jong and Monique, Edric and Joy, Sir Abet and Maám Benz, and all the rest of the team and the sponsors for making this event a reality ;-)

We got a bridal SUV!

I almost fell off my seat.
My older sister is lending me their brand new white Toyota Fortuner on our wedding day.
Ah, family love!  Thank God!!!!!!

Image Source:  Image Shack

Image Source:  Outlook

This is truly an answered prayer for me.  Praise God!  We can easily save as much as Php8,000++ for having been gifted with a free bridal SUV!

Vroom vroom vroom!!!!!  ;-)

J + P

J and P are related to me via the school where I am connected with.  Actually, P is the one I know more, since P and I have been together in the same community since 2006.  I was blessed to have been an honored guest in this wedding.  Last August, when I first got the news that they're getting married, we were all ecstatic!  And who wouldn't be?  It is pretty obvious that J loves P so much.  She has chosen well, and she deserves the happiness.

Here are some pics I personally took during their fun and intimate ceremony at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mandaluyong:

J and P chose to hold their early dinner reception at Tanghalang Pasigueno.  Click here to read about a previous blog I made about this awesome venue.

The last two very artistic shots of J + P are not by me.  I grabbed them from their talented photographer, James Valenzuela.

Congratulations and best wishes, J and P!  May your marriage be filled with happiness and blessings from the Lord!