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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Change of Plans


We are set to get married December of next year. But sudden change of plans. Little side kwento first, as I have mentioned on my previous post, my mom and my titas are based overseas. J and I are already talking and (sort of) planning our wedding but I haven't formally told my mom yet. Well apparently, J sneaked behind my back and called mama last month. She told me weeks after, while I was making kwento to her that J and I are talking about settling down that J already called her and asked for her blessings. And she gave her blessings. (yey!)

Now, since Mama and my titas are based abroad, they usually come home every August or December (mostly August). So they already reserved a ticket for August next year. We also had plans already on where to go on August for our yearly family vacation. And though she said it's OK if they will not go home on August and just go home on December for the wedding, I don't want it naman. So J and I had the talk again on whether we will push through with the wedding next year or set it to 2015. And we decided that we will move it to December 2015. So that Mama and my titas will go home August 2014 (as what's the original plan) and instead of  August 2015, they will come home for our December for the wedding. 

2 years of preparation. A part of me is thinking it is too long but I know time passes by so quickly so that wouldn't be that long anymore.

I think there's also a good side in having a December 2015 wedding. More time to save, more time to look for THE suppliers, more single time :)...


Saturday, November 23, 2013

BOOKED: Rachebeli Wines


It was Rachebeli Wines' 6th anniversary so they offer good deals for bookings done yesterday. From my previous post, I already mentioned how I really have Rachebeli in mind for the PS gifts. I've read a lot of good reviews about them especially in W@W and Girltalk.

Ms. Chelo during the Wine Talk
Good thing, there's Wine Talk by Ms. Chelo while we're roaming around so we got the chance to watch her short presentation and get to taste her Black Plum wine and chocolates too. She talked about how to drink wine and surprisingly, while I am not a drinker and do not like the smell of wines, their Black Plum wine is good.


So right after the Wine Talk, we headed to her booth and talk about reservations. We get to taste her Mango wine and Mango flavored chocolate too while on their booth. Ms. Chelo said that she will offer 3x free chocolates for bookings done from 5:00-6:00 PM. So we continued walking around first then decided to come back at around 5:30 PM.

Our first ever booked supplier
Reservation is only Php1,000 plus their wines are affordable plus the 3x free chocolates so instead of just 12 bars of chocolates, we got 36 bars. Ain't that awesome? :) She also showed us different packaging and labels.

I almost book for 2 packages (12 pcs 750ml for the PS gifts and 24 pcs 360ml wines for every table on the reception plus 72 pcs chocolate bars) but while waiting for the 5:00-6:00 time, we drop by Margarush and we decided that we'll get them too so naisip ko baka super dami ng alcohol yung iseserve. Ms. Chelo said should I change my mind, just inform her. So we'll think about it first. After all, I think it's nice to have wine during the toasting din. Then Margaritas for the after party.

Before we leave her booth, she hugged me and congratulated us. It gave me goosebumps because it made me realized that we booked a supplier na. And we are really tying the knot na. Yey!


Booking on the fair meant raffle tickets. For every Php500 of reservation fee, you earn 1 raffle stub. Wishing from my lucky star that despite that we only got 2 stubs, we will win. :) fingers x.

Rachebeli Wines
www.rachebeliwines.weebly.com
09228200049/09163599007
(02)3464355


Before I Do Bridal Fair

It was our first time to attend a bridal fair so I don't know what to expect. I just brought a big bag (not to mention big, empty bag) for the flyers. Good thing I brought one as it was filled with soooo many flyers when we finished checking out booths. I didn't know flyers would be THAT heavy when compiled.


We arrived at around 12 noon on the first day of the fair and good thing, walang masyadong tao pa. Since we already pre-register months before the event, we just show the printed tickets and we were given the color-coded wrist tags. White for the bride/groom/debutante and green for companions. J and I were accompanied by my sister and my cousin. When we entered Megatrade Hall 3, medyo nahihiya pa ko to walk around as the exhibitors are sort of expecting you to check their booths and I hate the attentions. But slowly I began to feel at ease na din. I began to ask questions, check albums and portfolios and displays.
Some of the flyers
There were a couple of suppliers that caught our attention and a few whom we are sure to book once we finalized the date. I realized it was a bonus in decision making on how the exhibitors treated the guests.

My favorite exhibitors on this fair
If you are really on a budget, I suggest go to bridal fairs as you can get big discounts and a lot of freebies there. Some are giving away up to 60% discounts. And with the freebies, panalo ka na. We just don't want to decide right away as 1. we haven't finalized the date yet 2. this is our first bridal fair and I don't want to be impulsive 3. I still need to do my research on feedback about my shortlist.

Special shout out to the following suppliers:

RF himself on his booth
RF is one of my dream supplier. His work are really nice and he is easy to talk to. If not for having other options for our photographer, I would have picked him right from the start. And of course, I didn't let this chance pass without having a photo op with him. I just posted it in my FB page.


Filterpan are real-life husband and wife who's passion is to take photos. The wife (I forgot to ask for her name despite our lengthy conversation) is personally talking to guests. I so love their prenup video ala Asyong Salonga style. I am thinking of getting them for our prenup/engagement shoot because they are excited about my concept and I can really see that they can deliver. The other guy tending the photobooth is also nice. He looks snobbish but he says "God Bless po" when we leave their booth and that was really nice.


OMG. Their Classic Lime Margarita is to die for! Super sarap! I'm not really a drinker (even cocktails) but when I tried their sample, it was soooo yummy. Sa sobrang sarap, I forgot to take a pic of it. Haha! Plus their prices are affordable.


Margarush & LSTmobile have the same owner so if I get them both, I will pay for only 1 OOT fee which is good. Plus their packages for the lights & sounds are reasonable naman. Not to mention that they almost have the cheapest OOT fee for Sta. Rosa, Laguna. We will just check their previous works and we'll decide.


They have the nicest flyer. :) So it's a plus point. Another plus point is that they have a wide array of choices depending on your budget. We haven't checked sample of their works so we haven't included them yet on our shortlist.


They both catch my attention. Ruby from FYI events is the first coordinator we have passed during the fair. J and I felt at ease talking to her. She doesn't sound too pa-impress. For Events on Demand, one of the coordinators showed me a checklist that they will let us fill out regarding the event such as supplier's details, who to call for games at the reception, who will give speeches, etc. and they are the only one who showed me that kind of checklist so they caught my attention. I will look into other coords pa din but they're already on my shortlist. Besides, I still have to search for reviews regarding their services.


There were a handful of HMUA exhibitors on this fair and they are all offering trail makeup sessions but after walking around, binalikan ko talaga si Ms. Ria for a trial. I was a bit hesitant at first as there are many bystanders but I felt comfortable with her. I also felt at ease talking to her and walang "hiya" factor. The only thing that kept me from booking her right on the spot is that our date is not final yet. But I really love her work. Once I booked her already, will post my before/after pic for the trial. Julia, her assistant, is really nice and jolly too. I love her team! :)


Last but definitely not the least, Ms. Chelo of Rachebeli Wines. One of the reason why I registered on Before I do is because I want to visit the booth of Rachebeli Wines. Long before we started talking about getting married, I already have them in mind for our PS gifts. Ms. Chelo is so fun and easy to talk to. They are our first booked supplier. Will talk about it on a separate post.

Our "Before I Do" wrist tags
It was a really tiring day. My bag is so heavy from the flyers we have collected and our feet aches from the long hours of walking around. We also commuted from Laguna to Megamall because our car is coding so it was an added burden pa as it's Friday and traffic is terrible but our first bridal fair was a success. I get to meet awesome suppliers, got to personally talk to my preferred suppliers and get the feel of supplier hunting. Will definitely go to more bridal fairs because it is kinda addicting. Haha!




W@W Auction 2013

It was my first time to bid for the W@W Auction and it was really fun. I didn't get the chance to bid for the major suppliers because my wedding will be on a peak season but I was able to bid for a "nice to have" and I was really happy to get it.

Grabbed from @hangstylemanila IG account
Copy of the confirmation email from Ms. Benz
Paid!
J and I are really happy we got this "nice to have" item. It was slowly sinking in that we are really preparing already.



Monday, November 18, 2013

Reception Hunting: Ayala Westgrove Heights

Since we are getting married (hopefully) in St. Benedict Church, we are looking for reception venues near the area. It would have been nice to have reception in Tagaytay but I think the travel time is too long already. So for now, we are scouting clubhouses, private properties for rent, hotels around Sta. Rosa.

We weren't able to see the clubhouse of Ayala Westgrove Heights because according to the guards, you need to have a sponsor to rent it and your sponsor will be the one to contact the office and schedule for an ocular. It would have been nice to have your reception here because proximity-wise, isang tumbling lang 'to from St. Benedict Church.

How near?




We're standing on the grounds of St. Benedict Church while taking pictures of the entrance of Ayala Westgrove Heights so it's really near.

Photo courtesy of http://ayalalandproperty.com 
Photo courtesy of http://www.everra.net
I still hope we can have this on the list of our options because not only is it adjacent to St. Benedict Church, it also look beautiful.



Sunday, November 17, 2013

Church Hunting: St. Benedict Church

A couple of months ago, while looking for churches near our place, I learned about St. Benedict Church. It became popular because it is where Shalani Soledad got married. I saw pics of the church on the net and I showed it to J and he instantly liked it.

So yesterday, after a couple of postponements, we went there to hear mass na din. It took us a little over 30 minutes drive from Biñan to reach the place. When we arrived there, I was literally feeling so-kilig! I don't know if that's what you call the "this is it" feeling but I feel like a teenager seeing her crush after vacation. Haha! Basta, iba yung feeling. Like I was seeing myself walking the premises in my wedding gown!

gentle reminder: picture overload :)

These are the exterior facade of the church in different angles












And one of the reasons why I had this feeling na "eto na talaga"? This.
Look at that outdoor aisle
And THE door
Why I fell in love with St. Benedict Church before even seeing the insides
The place is sooo peaceful. Reminds me of Pink Sisters in Tagaytay but a lot more serene. If you've been to Pink Sisters, that's the kind of vibe you'll get here. Mas reserve nga lang yung place as super konti lang ng tao and ng nadaan na sasakyan.

And now for the insides.
Very nice architecture
The ceiling

I appreciate the spacious chairs

Just OC. :) I so love the details on the chairs
And the altar shots




The church, inside and out, is simply stunning. No need for extra decorations. Because the facade itself would look good on your pictures na.

Here's their Wedding Brochure:




The Parish Office is located on the right side of the church beside the restrooms. We were entertained by Red and Ms. Baby. Now here's the catch: they said they are not sure if they can accommodate us for December 24. (heartbreaking) But still they log our names and said they will just inform us if Father Isagani will approved of it. So as of this moment that I'm composing this post, we are still waiting for the text regarding that.

To wrap up this post regarding St. Benedict Church, here's my summary:

PROS:

  • Beautiful and stunning facade
  • Serene and peaceful surrounding
  • Still preserved unlike churches in Tagaytay where in IMHO are already common
  • Have the option of the use of aircon during the ceremony
  • Well-kept restrooms
  • Ample parking space
  • BPI bank nearby (across the street)
  • Stores nearby (across the street) - still have to check if it's open already
CONS:
  • Strict rules for the wedding ceremony
  • Liturgical songs only for the ceremony (processional song included)
  • No choir provision 
  • Would be difficult to reach the place if you're not familiar in the area
  • Difficult to go there via public transportation
  • Sound system - I don't know if it can be adjusted pero sabog yung sounds and it's difficult to hear someone on the microphone (This is my main concern)
Amidst the cons, I still love St. Benedict Church and would still want to be married here.