The Wedding Band (Not the Headbanging Type)

Despite being groggy and dead tired from an R&R with friends at Club Manila East last Sunday, we still could not pass up the chance to look for potential wedding suppliers and headed straight at "The Philippine Wedding Summit - June 2012" organized by Themes & Motifs.

free tote bag and a wedding magazine upon entrance

The World Trade Center Metro Manila is huge and perfect for such event that although there's a lot of guests and a wide selection of supplier booths, may sense of breathing space pa din at relax ang aming pag-iikot. Our last wedding fair at the NBC tent wasn't this convenient, medyo stress dahil ang sikip ng lugar.

Dalawa ang targets namin for the event. Una, mag-inquire sa Queendsland Catering Services (we learned ahead of time that they will have an exhibit there) at pangalawa, makapag-canvass ng wedding band (singsing). We were able to accomplish both... and more!

First, we learned that aside from the food, Queensland would only cover the table set up. Akala namin may package din sila for decorating the reception venue na parang sa Tamayo's. In any case, kung ang basis ay yung mga malulupit na table setup nila from the photos we saw online, their prices are well worth it. In fact, may mga trip na kami sa basic designs nila.

saw this from one of the suppliers... love the flower cones

Next, we saw this supplier (15-58 Flowers and Styles) that offers decoration services and their arrangements looks totally elegant. We love the idea behind their conical flower stands and they just have a lot of similar creative works under their portfolio. Nakaka-engganyong magpa-book agad! 

Lastly, the wedding ring. The discounts on wedding bands are huge and the freebies are enticing! So enticing in fact that we booked outright (ang plano lang namin sana ay mag compare ng mga prices). It went down to three suppliers na maigi naming pinagpilian before we finally booked La' Real Jewelry.

They're giving out a 50% discount! At may libre nang aras at custom wedding cord (design of our choice) on a very convenient payment package. They will also provide us (for free!) with a cheaper replica of our wedding band that is perfect for daily casual wearing.

Although we picked a ready design from their plethora of rings (see photo below), La' Real will accommodate some customization from us. Majority of it will be in rose gold and the middle part (holding the diamond) in white gold. Sobrang sold kami sa kulay ng rose gold (see sample here). It being unconventional made it look even more appealing. Bonus na lang na it complements our skin tone.

our rings will be based from this design plus a few customization

We want a Baybayin (alibata) script engraved somewhere on the ring (most likely on the opposite end from where the diamond is, on the visible side of the ring [obi]). This is aside from the usually engraved name and wedding date (which we might actually forego). So far, ang napili naming salita for the alibata word ay 'habangbuhay' (forever) at mukang ma-angas naman tignan yung scripted version nito. We'll see how we can arrange for it but overall, we're so excited for our rings!

"forever" in Baybayin

Take Note: It's wise to buy the wedding band ahead of time (especially for us na 1 year and several months pa ang actual date) because gold and diamond appreciates in time. Mas makaka-mura kung bibili ng mas maaga.

By the way, we got our entrance to the event for free. Thanks sa complementary ticket Ate Joyce!

Divisoria Attack!

We dropped by at Divisoria to buy some wedding stuff last weekend.

Prior to going, we already researched online about where best to look for such items in Divisoria. Ayon sa aming pananaliksik, madaming wedding anik-anik along Tabora Street (the part near Recto Avenue).

The place is a wedding shoppers' paradise with its plethora of useful bridal items and at discount prices. Syempre, that's not counting the fact that the place has regular cases of petty theft (merong nakawan nung araw mismo na pumunta kami). Basta ang usapan namin kapag pumunta dun, dapat muka kaming walang pera. And I think we pulled it off so well.

Wala naman kasi talaga kaming pera... haha! [obi]

Nakabili kami ng yarda yardang felt cloth, needlework threads, at iba pang tools para sa plano naming felt and buttons bouquet. Nakapag-tingin din kami ng prices ng mga raw materials for giveaways and souvenirs. May nakita kaming tabletop plant replica na gawa sa cables at crystal beads. Ang ganda, napaka whimsical! Kaso ang mahal. Pag-iisipan pa namin.

So far, wala pa kaming mapili na giveaway so kelangan pa magtingin ng iba't-ibang options. 

research muna.. para di magmukang thief-magnet

After Divisoria, dumaan kami ng Binondo for lunch. Wai Ying, yum yum yum! May nakita kaming nag-bebenta ng laser etched glass na paperweight. Mukang perfect siyang pang-giveaway kaso hindi kami nakapagtanong-tanong masyado dahil sinupladahan agad kami nung Chinese na mukang may-ari. Masyado ata convincing yung disguise namin na wala kaming pera. Haha!

Yun lang.

Our Church

May simbahan na kami!

Last week, we were able to inquire at the St. Ignatius Cathedral inside Camp Aguinaldo and the church has everything we want...

• air-conditioned
• romantic lighting 

   ...the altar is directly beneath a dome where fingers of sunlight passes through a sun roof (and everything else is softly dimmed so may spotlight effect... very ethereal)

• high ceiling
• has a mezzanine 

   ...for bird's eye view shots sa photo ops

• newly renovated
• cheap (as in!)

  ...let's just say we were able to pull favors and the commanding chaplain is literally heaven-sent

• intimate

   ...it being inside a military camp (less miron)

this is it!

St. Ignatius Cathedral

Kaya outright nagpa-book na kami. That's after knowing the house rules, requirements, and other pertinent info syempre. Sold na kami dito.

andami palang requirements

Up next, we checked the nearby AFP Commissioned Officers' Club (AFPCOC) where we intend to hold our reception. It's grandest function room - the Tejeros Hall - is humongous! With a seating capacity of 500 including tables, the theater type hall is more than what we want but definitely a must-pick if we can arrange for the price to be more reasonable.

Sobrang mura na yung rental ng place kung yung catering services ay kukunin from their accredited providers. The place does not need much decorating dahil ang ganda niya na as it is and the tiffany chairs are provided outright (sa ibang catering packages, may extra bayad ito... per head!).

Ang kaso, we are still looking at getting Queensland which is not accredited. Sobrang mahal kasi ng rental kapag outsider ang caterer so we're still not sure about it. Inaayos pa. In any case, we can always opt to get a venue anywhere within the area (Ortigas-Greenhills-White Plains-Cubao).

anlake!