Suppliers' Review (Part One)

Here are the ratings for our amazing wedding suppliers. 

(Words by Kat)

List of Suppliers:

1. Photographer: Foreveryday Photography
2. Videographer: Christian Andaya
3. Church Florist: Fullblooms by Inah Anupol
4. Wedding Church Singer: Khevin Almario
5. Groom's Barong: Jacqueline's (Kamuning Market)
6. Father's Barong: Rey Casedo 
7. Mother's Gown: Lilia Bonaobra
8. Entourage Gown: c/o my Tita Levy
9. Venue: North Greenhills Clubhouse
10. Caterer: Queensland Catering Service
11. Wedding Cake: Toy Cakes and Pastries
12. VIP Souvenir: Red Clay Factory
13. Bridal Shoes: Roweliza
14. Event Stylist: Moki Gray
15. L/S: C1 Discotech Lights and Sounds
16. Bridal Gown: Roxy Bagano
17. Projector: Projector for Rent
18. Coordinator: Imbitado Events
19. Wedding Rings: La Real Jewelry
20. Invitation: WINK
21. HMUA: Jen Pili
22. Photobooth: Skyplum
23. Church: St. Ignatius Cathedral
24. Hotel: Astoria Plaza Ortigas

St. Ignatius Cathedral

Rate: 4.5/5

Pros:

• Since nasa loob ng Camp Aguinaldo ang St. Ignatius Cathedral, tahimik ang simbahan at walang mga usisero na makikisilip ng wedding.
• Mura lang ang rate nila 10K lang for the use of the church kaso wala pa ang flowers at choir.
• Airconditioned.

Cons:

Nahirapan lang kami makipagusap sa contact person ng church. Minsan kasi ang hirap magtanong sa kanya at madalas di kami nagkakaintindhan pag may ineexplain sya.

Di rin maganda ang door ng church so kailangan pa ng white blanket para matakpan ang entrance ng simbahan.

La Real Jewelry 
(https://www.facebook.com/larealjewelry)

Rate: 5/5 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Pros:

• We got a lot of freebies such as arras, replica rings, at personalized cord.
• Got 40% discount so roughly we got our rings plus the freebies ng mga 30K.
• Nakadiscount din kami kasi W@W member ako (THANKS W@W). Just present your w@w tag to them para may proof na w@wies kayo.
• Halos lahat ng fair kasama sila so if may kailangan kayo sa kanila madali silang huntingin kasi lagi sila present sa mga wedding fair.
• Katrina was our contact sa La Real and she was very nice. Nakakuha pa kami ng free otap after our 3^rd meeting.

Kwento:

• Nakalimutan namin pa-engrave ang names namin sa loob ng rings. Masyado kasi kaming excited sa engraving ng Alibata sa labas kaya ayun nalimot naming dalawa ipalagay yung names. Anyway, Obi texted Kat (La Real owner) agad agad para ma-engrave ang names namin and asked her how much. Nagulat kami nung sinabi nya na libre na daw. And when we met her para mapick-up yung rings she gave us free otaps (not 1, but 2 otap packs). How sweet!

Cons:

•  None

Skyplum (Photo Booth) 

(https://www.facebook.com/SKYPLUM)

Rate: 5/5

Kwento:

• Skyplum is owned by Don. We got his 4-hour service for 5k and was referred by Moki. Since Moki will be doing the setup of our photo booth ni-request namin na tripod setup lang pwede na. It will save space and madali i-adjust yung shot sa pictures kesa yung typical na photo booth machine.

Pros:

• Don was easy to deal with, madalas sya pa nagpapaalala sa akin about the event kasi 2 weeks na lang wala pa akong nabibigay na photo booth layout.
• Madalas sa Facebook ko sya kausap at mabilis sya sumagot sa mga inquiries ko.
• Photo quality was good din. 

Cons:

• None

C1 Discotech Lights and Sound 

(https://www.facebook.com/pages/C1-DISCOTECH-LIGHTS-SOUNDS-PROVIDER/121102737911745)

Rate: 5/5

Pros:

• Laging online si bobby(owner ng L/S) at mabilis nya nasasagot yung mga tanong naming about sa lights and sound.
• We got his L/S package for only 5,000 so cheap na. Pinatanggal kasi namin yung ibang equipment na nasa package nya (i.e bubble machine, smoke machine etc).
• The sound setup was great. Walang feedback at rinig gang likod ang audio nila.
• Lights was okay. May hints of violet hue sa venue. Masyado lang talagang maliwanag pa para maappreciate ang lights kasi morning wedding kami.
• Nasunod lahat ng gusto namin sa program. Pati mga songs ng grand entrance gang sa lunch time. Wala silang nakalimutan sa instructions ko.

Cons:

• None

Imbitado Events (plus hosting) 
(https://www.facebook.com/imbitado.events)

Rate: 5/5 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Pros:

• SUPER satisfied kami sa service at dedication ng Imbitado Events. Ni-refer lang sila ng friend namin at di kami nagpatumpik tumpik pa eh binook na namin sila.
• Cheap ang OTD coordinator service nila for 5 coordinators.
• May free registration setup. Di biro ang setup nila ah, at habang tumatagal sila sa wedding business mas lalo pang gumaganda ang setup ng registration area.
• Laging one text away si Ayie for any questions na maisip namin. Kahit petty questions pa yan sasagutin nya agad agad (except for days na maraming raket).
• We LOOOVE Ayie's team. Special mention si Conz at si Bianca.
• Si Conz kasi ang nagbigay sa akin ng 2^nd look (for free) ko at nag make-up sa family ni Obi kahit 1 day before the wedding ko lang sinabi.
• Si Bianca naman is may official BFF sa araw na yun kasi sya ang taga-bigay ng water, tissue, pins… name it she has it! Hahaha!
• At syempre napakagaling ni Ayie maghost ng event. Alive na alive ang guests namin sa lahat ng ipagawa nya. Di kami nagkamali na kunin sya as host at coordinator namin for our wedding day.

Cons:

• Syempre walang wala!

Ang bonggang Registration Area nila, here: 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=621589564581541&set=a.621588481248316.1073741887.195708357169666&type=3&theater

WINK (Invitation)

(http://www.wink.com.ph/)

Rate: 4/5

Pros:

• Alma was our AE and mabilis sya sumagot sa emails namin.
• Affordable ang rates nila at marami silang mga standard template for invitations. I think there are designs that will suit almost all themes sa mga events.
• Inavail namin yung 10% discount nila so we got our invitation per piece for more or less 60php. That’s cheap na rin for 3-piece loose invitation with white envelope.
• Mabilis lang ang printing process nila, akala ko aabutin ng 5days pero after 2 days ready for pick-up na agad ang invitation namin.
• Their office is near Makati, so since we are both working sa Makati madali magdrop-by sa office nila.

Cons:

• I thought mas mapapabilis kung pipili lang kami ng template design nila and ipapabago lang yung colors sa invi, pero I was wrong. Inabot kami ng 3-4 revisions bago nakuha ng artist nila ang gusto namin.
• We had to make a set of instructions with matching arrows, drawings and details talaga para lang maayos nila yung gusto namin ipabago.
• TIP to other w@wies na nagavail ng customization service nila, make sure na detalyado nyo ibibgay ang mga instructions nyo.

Our invitation here:
 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=621588597914971&set=a.621588481248316.1073741887.195708357169666&type=3&theater

Projector For Rent

(https://www.facebook.com/projectorsforrent)

Rate 5/5

Pros:

• Malinaw naman ang projector nila. Nakita naman namin ang onsite at SDE na pinlay namin on our wedding day very clearly.
• Cheap. Kasi for P3,000 nakapagrent na kami ng 5000 ansi and 7ft x 7ft na screen.
• Smooth ang transaction namin at lahat via phone lang.

Cons:

• None

Moki Gray (Event Stylist)

(https://www.facebook.com/mokigraydesigns)

Rate 5/5 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Kwento:

• We booked her early last year at that time wala pa syang styling services. Sumuntok sa buwan lang kami kung magooffer sya ng ganon. Luckily malapit na pala nya i-add yun sa offered services nya. As soon as okay na kami with the rate nagdownpayment na kami agad sa kanya.
• I believe na we got her for cheaps, well unlike other high-end stylist na talagang sobrang mahal.
• We got the following services:

1. Table-scape (guest and VIP tables)

2. Couple's Area

3. Memory Lane

4. Photobooth Area

• We met twice. First was nung nag-occular kami ng venue and when nag-detailing kami sa caterer namin. Buti na lang nandun sya kasi di ko marerealize lahat ng mga tinanong nya sa AE namin.

Pros:

• Reasonable na ang rate nya for the style and passion na binibigay sa lahat ng projects nya.
• Very happy kami ni Obi sa style na ginawa nya sa reception.
• All our guests were saying na ang ganda ng setup namin! Others even had a photo-op sa memory lane namin. Hahaha!
• She proved na di kailangan ng grand setup to prove something. It’s the little details that made an impact and statement to all of us that day. We are just blessed to had met Moki.

Cons:

• NONE

Pictures here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.609074449151934.1073741843.415592001833514&type=3

Roxy Bagano Couture (Wedding Gown Designer)
(https://www.facebook.com/baganocouture)

Rate: 5/5 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Kwento:

• Roxy was referred by my HMUA (Jen Pili). Boothmates daw sila sa last wedding fair nila (at that time) at pinangako ni Jen na irerefer si Roxy sa clients nya kasi ang ganda daw ng gawa nya.
• So I inquired agad kay Roxy after browsing thru her work sa FB.
• I gave her my pegs and budget. She agreed din to sketch a design for me kahit wala pa akong downpayment.
• On our first meeting, di ko inasahan na ang young pala nya. 2 years younger kasi sya sa akin.
• She made a gown sketch for me at nagustuhan ko naman and booked her right there and then.
• The gown comes with a bridal bag and a head piece.

Pros:

• She was really great to work with.
• She listens sa mga gusto ko at ayaw ko sa gown and also gave suggestions sa kung ano ang mas babagay sa akin.
• Ang sarap lang nyang kausap, madalas nagtatawanan lang kami pag fitting time. Tapos share share lang kami ng mga wedding preps stories.
• Affordable ang rates nya.
• She also did help me dress-up the wedding day. Nandun na sya ng maaga pa lang sa hotel.
• Ang sweet pa nya kasi ginawan nya pa ako ng 2 pettycoat kasi ramdam nya nahihirapan ako mag-walk dun sa una nyang ginawa.
• She also added beads at appliqués sa gown ko. Lam ko kasi konti lang ilalagay nya kasi nga limited ang budget ko, pero pinuno nya ang bodice part ng gown ko kaya happy talaga ako nung nakita ko yung gown nung last fitting.

Cons:

• Wala again.

My wedding gown pictures here: 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.555357024540569.1073741840.133350510074558&type=3

Jen Pili (HMUA)
(https://www.facebook.com/HdTouch)

Rate: 4/5

Kwento:

• We booked her kasi referred sya ng friend ko na ikakasal din. Nakita ko rin na mura ang rates nya so binook ko na sya.
• Di na rin ako nagpa-trial make-up kasi ang mahal, P1500.
• Di na rin ako kumuha ng 2^nd look at touch-up service nya, kasi mahal again.
• I got the following sa package nya na worth 18K.
• 1 Airbrush Makeup
• 6 Traditional Makeup

Pros:

• Ang dali lang kausap si jen, parang kabarkada ko lang hehe!
• Peg ko lang sa makeup is fresh at ayaw ko lang ng masyadong makapal na makeup. Yun naman ang nasunod.
• Ang ganda din ng pagkakagawa sa hair ko. Like ko yung ginawa ng hairstylist nya.
• Makeup ng entourage was great, nagbloom lahat ng abay ko. Pati mga mothers naming ni obi.

Cons:

• Mejo na-sad lang ako kasi after an hour shoot, parang naging oily na agad yung face ko. parang nahalata sa mga pictures ko sa hotel.

My transformation picture here: 
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=452108351577846&set=a.452108398244508.1073741837.200168030105214&type=3&theater

Red Clay Factory (VIP Souvenir)

(http://www.redclayfactory.com.ph/)
Rate: 5/5

Kwento:

• Aksidente lang namin itong na-book sa fair. Dapat kasi iba ang regalo namin for VIP's pero nung nakita namin yung mga lamps nagandahan kami at ang mura nya sa fair kaya after doing some calculations and comparison agad agad na binook na namin.
• We ordered 14 pcs. of medium-size lamps. P450 each ang isa.

Pros:

• After the fair, nagfollow-up email agad si Robert (Red Clay owner) para i-remind ako sa mga pending details na kailangan ko i-provide sa kanya. Natuwa lang kami sa customer service nila.
• They delivered the lamps sa bahay namin kaya less hassle and with no extra charges.
• The lamps have free ribbons din na nag-complement sa motif namin. Since close to lavender ang motif namin, lavander ribbons ang isinama.
• Pag binook sila sa fair, bukod sa fair price nila free na ang paglagay ng monogram or any design sa lamp.

Cons:

• None

It's a Wrap!

Exactly one week to go. We are down to the few small details on our checklist. Here are some of the behind-the-scene snaps on what's going on in the HQ as we pack things up prior to the big day.

nagamit pa yung stamps LOL

This box goes to Moki.

this box goes to the church

 Thanks to St. Paul (the store) for these.

this box goes to the hotel room

That's it for now. Back to ticking more stuff on the checklist!

Enter the Last Month

It's November already. The last 30+ days to finalize the wedding details! With it, halos weekly na kaming may lakad at ambilis na ng pacing ng mga wedding progress. Here's what happened during the past couple of weeks since we've posted our last update.

D.I.Y Crafts

We are pretty much done with everything. Ang natitira na lang ay yung mga kelangan ng finishing touches at yung mga kailangan talagang gawin nearer the wedding date.

Done projects:

• Magnetized the boutonnieres and crafted the metallic plates where the magnets will be attached on. (We decided to keep the magnets for the gents since their fragile barong needs extra care. For the ladies, it will be pinned the usual way.)
• Painted some binder clips bronze, for that vintage look. This will be the table card holders.
• Added a stand on our ornamental board with monogram. 
• Wrapped the gifts for the sponsors.
• Created our own cake topper! (It's made out of corrugated cardboard!)

panay pagmumuka namin

meet mini-us

In progress:

• Layout for the photo booth prints.
• Wishing tree (We found a wooden vase for it, for cheaps!)

Invitations

Lord, sana magkasya pa ang susuotin namin sa kasal. Amen.

After a crazy meal at Zark's - Taft, we went to WINK (Makati) and claimed our invitations. With one month and a couple of days to go before the big day, in addition to the other tasks that needs to be done, we are now officially cramming to distribute them.

Thank God for LBC!

As much as we want to personally deliver all of the invitations, we are pressed to have it mailed instead as the wedding preps steadily eats up much of what spare time we have left. 

many are invited but few are chosen

Wedding Animation

Aina, Obi's ever-bibo cousin, created a very cute animation based on a poem Obi wrote for Kat. The short clip will be played on our wedding.

All drawings are done by Aina while the catchy background music, entitled "Not Evident", is by the Narcoleptic Dancers.

Online Invitation
Aside from the printed invitations, Kat also designed an online invitation using Weebly. The artwork is based from the wedding animation created for us by Obi's cousin (see entry above).

See image below. Sa dulo niyan makikita yung layout ng invitation details. Yung layout na yun (na gawa ni Kat using her new-found Photoshop skills) ay galing sa naunang design na gagamitin dapat namin for our printed invites pero hindi natuloy since we opted to choose a pre-existing layout made by WINK.

the upper portion of our e-invite
it scrolls down to more artworks and the wedding details

We made the e-invite for those who are not going to receive the printed invitations since we limited its distribution to our relatives and principal sponsors only.

Marriage License

walang pila sa umaga

We applied for our marriage license at the Las Pinas City Hall. We've been expecting long queues, it being a public office, but it's surprising that the entire process only took us less than an hour (although a notice on their wall advertised that it should only take 5 minutes... typical government B.S.). It also helped that we prepared the requirements ahead of time. Here have a look at their website for the steps for application and the requirements.

legalizing our love for each other

Pag dating doon, panay fill-out of forms and processing of papers na lang ang ginawa namin. Pinabalik na lang ulit kami after a week and voila, may lisensya na kaming maging Mister and Misis Parcon! 

public office selfie

We asked Kat's dad to get it for us since it's a weekday at ubos na ang aming vacation leaves. Pwede naman. Kailangan lang magpadala ng authorization letter na siya ang kukuha in behalf of us.

Wedding Banns

We had our wedding banns posted on our respective parishes: Kat at the Pilar Church, while Obi at the Our Lady of Loreto in Villamor Air Base.

Medyo nagka-problema lang yung kay Obi dahil humingi ng full body photo ang church admin ng Loreto... na dapat magkahawak ang kamay sa litrato! May ganung choreography pa? Wow ha.

Anyway, it should be posted for three Sundays. We are heading for our third Sunday as of this writing.

Attire

A trip to 168 Mall in Divisoria punctuated our long wait for the designer gowns that we commissioned from Lilia Bonaobra. It's for Kat and Obi's moms and for one of the principal sponsors (Tita Grace). It ended up looking elegant and classy. Something unexpected for their really affordable price tag.

for Obi's mom

There were last-minute adjustments required after the ladies did a fitting and Miss Lilia, herself, see to it that they are done. 

By the way, we also had them custom-made a pinya jusi barong for Obi's brother. We claimed it that day as well. It's decent work, needless to say. Kaso naka-box ang mga gowns pero ang barong ay naka plastic lang. So it's a bit meh on that part. They should have those barong/suit plastic cases already at this point of their business.

cheap but quality barong for Sponklong

Sa Divisoria na din kami nakabili ng camisa (undershirt) for the gents. Andami naming pinuntahan para maghanap ng colored na ganyan. Panay puti kasi yung common na binebenta. Nakabili kami ng kulay cream. Sakto lang ang kulay sa barong.

Barong Tagalog

On the same day we claimed our moms' gowns, we also went to Tabora and scour the labyrinthine passages of Divine Mart to buy pinya jusi mini-barongs for our cute little bearers.

Nagtanong kami sa iba't-ibang stalls hanggang sa makakita kami ng pinaka-mura ang offer amongst them all. Average price is P650 to P700. We got our barong (three in all) for about P550 to P600 only. Bargain!

For Kat's dad, we had Mang Rey Casedo custom-tailor a pinya cocoon barong, including the matching suit pants. Sikat na sikat si Mang Rey sa forums ng Weddings at Work at halos lahat ng reviews about him doon ay positive. Pinuntahan niya personally ang bahay nila Kat (all the way from Lumban, Laguna) para kuhaan ng sukat  si Tito Ben and did the same travel again after a couple of weeks to deliver the finished product.

It's nice work and the artistry behind the embroidery is very apparent. Napaka intricate ng mga burda at angat tignan ang magsusuot. Worthy of every peso we've spent.

Good job, Mang Rey!

We also did a short stop in Baclaran to buy a pinya jusi barong for Jal (Kat's cousin), who's going to be one of the entourage. Sunod sunod ang barong stalls sa likod ng simbahan ng Redemptorist kaya hindi kami nahirapan makapamili. Ingat lang sa mga snatcher!

barong ni Jal, not bad

they have a wide selection, for cheaps

*****
Updated the "Wedding Updates" page with recent information about the wedding.

Two Months to Go

Two months to go! Andami nang nangyayaring progress for the wedding to write about each of them separately. So here's to more squiggly lines as we run down through the things that happened during the last month.

D.I.Y. Crafts

More DIY projects are getting finished. We can only ogle at them in wonder as everything falls into place. Ang gaganda. Parang hindi kami ang gumawa! LOL.

Done projects:

• tags for the wishing tree
• ornamental board with stringed monogram
• table cards (for social network notice)
• layout of the map for the invitation (Kath did the layout so WINK will just have to print it)

tag photos at #obiwedskat

wishing tree prototype

finally, a use for all those photos! this goes on the ornamental board.

In progress:

• tags for the give-aways (have to attach it to the give-aways)
• magnetizing the boutonnieres (for the groom and entourage)
• layout for the photo booth prints (focusing on the rustic theme)
• matchbox design (to be printed) 

it's a match! this goes on the matches.

obi's boutonniere

Not started yet:

• wishing tree
• cake topper (this might be optional)

Bridal Gown

We dropped by at Roxy's place for Kath's first fitting. 

I was not permitted to see Kath on her work-in-progress wedding gown (it's a customary thing) but she's really really excited and giddy about it so I guess I have to take her word that it's really beautiful on her. [obi]

We knew it. Hindi kami nagkamali ng pagpili kay Roxy. Her business is doing well since we last commissioned her for our gown last year. Honestly, we think she'll do even better with more time and experience. Iniisip nga namin, someday we will be proud that Kath is a "Roxy bride". 

Anyway, Kath picked a cathedral train to go with the gown. There are also adjustments to be done on the bustline design. There's another fitting coming up in November for the final revisions, if required.

Shoes

We found a shoe manufacturer in Marikina who can possibly make our custom shoes (see our target designs in this blog entry). Together with a friend who knows Marikina like the back of his crafty hands (thanks, Romy Boo!) and after a quick chow at Bellini's - Marikina (Popoy at Basha ang peg), we went to the manufacturer to have our shoes done.

But first, konting chechebureche about the them.

Name: Roweliza Shoes and Bags Manufacturing
Location: 58 Sta. Ana Extension, Marikina East Subdivision, San Roque, Marikina

View Larger Map

Si Kath ang nakapag-research about Roweliza's (as usual) and their works, as we saw them online, are convincing enough for us to consider paying them a visit. Mura yung offer nilang price sa amin BUT that's because they already have a template or a mold that fits our feet (well, at least for Kath... sa mga lalake, no need for a custom mold). Kung wala kasi silang molde para sa paa mo, they will need to customize one for an extra charge.

Based sa mga gawa nilang sapatos na naka-display sa store, pulido naman ang yari at hindi mukang cheap. We have our own design anyway, kokopyahin na lang nila so there's no need to worry about the aesthetics. We opted for the synthetic material instead of leather, para mas maka-mura. We don't see wearing it too much after the wedding anyway. Lalo na ako! [obi]

They have a lot of affiliated suppliers for their raw materials. May swatches sila galing sa mga suppliers na yun. Kaya pinapili na lang kami ng gagamiting kulay at klase ng materyal para sila na ang bibili. They promised to have the shoes made by November first week. Halos one month. Mabilis na yun.

Barong Tagalog
Kinuha na namin yung barong at black pants ko sa Jacqueline's. Amazing! Dalawang linggo lang ang kelangan para matapos nila tahiin lahat. Ambilis.

wow kagalang-galang!

Perfect fit! 

Pinya silk works for Obi. Hindi as stiff as compared to using a pure pinya thread but not as glossy as using a pinya cocoon thread. Tama lang yung dark tone ng pinya silk kaya ito ang napili namin. Masyado na kasing madilim yung pagka brown kapag pure pinya. 

Gusto din namin yung ginamit na butones at sakto lang yung dami at design ng mga extra na burda (meron sa collar at cuffs).

Invitation
WINK (our invitation supplier) has already emailed their first mock layout to us and it needs a major revision on color combination. The colors used are totally different to what we picked when we last talked with Alma (the staff assigned to us).

So armed with Obi's old laptop and an outdated copy of Photoshop, we did our usual tambay night at the Coffee Bean - New Glorietta to outline all the changes needed, as in spoonfeeding na. Susundin na lang nila yung kulay at extra changes sa details.

sample layout

As usual, hirap na hirap kami tumimpla ng tamang color combination. Mabubulag na ata kami sa lahat ng violet at green hues na sinubukan namin. Nakakita naman kami ng tamang kulay eventually, at nabigay namin kay Alma yung mga revisions.

Nag-decide na din kami na sa WINK na magpa-print ng extra sheet for the map. Mas mura at hassle-free that way than our original plan to have it printed separately. Parang upgrade cost na lang ang binayaran namin sa WINK. Kami nga lang ang kelangang mag layout ng map. Nothing that Kath can't deal with her thriving Photoshop skills. LOL.

the map (screenshot distorts the correct colors.. boo!)

Update: As of this writing, WINK already submitted the revised layout and it's already perfect. So we gave the thumbs up to proceed with creating the mock up of the actual invitation. If it goes well, printing of the entire set will follow.

Wedding Ring

We went to the latest Themes and Motifs wedding fair last weekend to look for Miss Katrina of La Real Jewelries. We will have our ring engraved with our names and the wedding date. It sucks that, of all things, we forgot about it. Buti na lang sobrang bait ni Miss Katrina and she can still have the rings engraved with no extra charge.

She also agreed to have the color of our ring replicas to be changed from rose gold to silver. Kumukupas kasi yung rose gold. So we rather have them in silver na lang. Still for free. Ang galing!

Update: As of this writing, we've already met Miss Katrina and we got the rings. Binigyan niya pa kami ng Otap na ube flavor (violet!). Sweet! Thanks Miss Kat! It's awesome doing business with you.

Gifts from the Couple
The lamps from Red Clay Factory are already delivered right on our doorstep. Woot! Great service. Thanks kay Kuya Robert.

Pre-Cana Seminar
We are done with our pre-cana seminar held on a gazebo near the St. Ignatius Cathedral, together with five other couples (?). The speaker is from Obi's hometown of Villamor Air Base and we're quite sure his parents would know her.

because we have the road for ourselves

Interesting naman yung seminar. Obi not dozing off during the talk despite the breezy, sleep-inducing weather says a lot. We are also able to finally meet Vanene and her husband-to-be who are scheduled to be wed on the same day as ours! Sa umaga kami tapos sa hapon naman sila.

Nangako si Obi na hindi kami masyadong mag-dudumi sa simbahan. LOL.

Sige maglinis ka after ng kasal! [kat]

Canonical Interview 
A canonical interview, also known as a "dulog", is a prenuptial interview conducted by the church, usually by the parish priest, to know if the couple is ready for the marriage.

A week after our pre-cana, we attended our canonical interview. It's scheduled every Thursdays, 8AM to 11AM at the St. Ignatius Cathedral office. Our interview was conducted by Reverend Father and Lieutenant Colonel Beleno (yes, a military priest... astig!).

It was brief but very insightful. I like how he explained that a lasting marriage is not all about compatibility but how couples are connected through mutual support of each other. He also introduced us to the concept of a "unity candle", where during the wedding the couple will light a single candle using the two candles that the secondary sponsors lighted for them.

They will then keep that candle and light it every anniversary. Cuteness! Now, we have to ask our florist for an extra candle stand.

Facebook Event
We opened a Facebook event page for the wedding. That should help us facilitate our RSVP and provide information to guests.

Please respond to the invitation if you haven't yet. We understand it if you have can't be there.
 

Wedding Coordinator
We did our first major meeting with our coordinator, Ayie of Imbitado Events. We discussed a lot about the wedding progress so far, all the suppliers we've booked, and the wedding program, itself. We also asked all the questions we can think of at syempre, madaming chika in between. A lot! LOL.

Naging instant tambay na din siya at relax after a day of grueling wedding chores (that is attending the canonical interview, claiming the barong, and getting the rings).

Barong Tagalog

It pays to have a good researcher but it's another thing to have a good researcher AND a resourceful fiancée rolled into one. Kat has always been the workhorse when it comes to snooping around for wedding suppliers and pertinent information about them. She frequented wedding forums like W@W and Girl Talk and they proved to be a HUGE help for us to know who to sign up and have a sense of what to expect about their work. 

*end segue, start transition to main article*

Pero para sa barong ni Obi, we picked a different approach. We just followed our instincts. 

Early on, we have a lineup of prospective tailors but as we get constrained by budget due to more priority expenses, the list got thinner. Then we heard about Jacqueline's and scrapped the list altogether. 

Aside from a blog entry where we read about them, wala na kaming ibang info about Jacqueline's. Most couples from online forums don't know about them. Web searches did not come up with anything substantial. We communicated with the blog's author but the information she provided us is not unknown to us as it's the same thing she'd written.

So just knowing that they can work on Obi's barong within our budget, sumugod kami ng QC para mag-imbestiga. Tiwa-tiwala na lang!


View Larger Map

Hindi kami nahirapan makita sila. Eto yung address.

Jacqueline's Textile Store
Stall 166, Kamuning Market
Quezon City

different textile options for the pants

Pag dating ng Kamuning Market, we went straight to the textile section (nasa pinaka kaliwang part, kung nakaharap sa palengke) and asked for Jacqueline's. We expected a tailoring shop kaya nagulat kami na tindahan pala ito ng tela. Bale sa kanila ka lang pipili ng tela or pre-woven barong material tapos ipapayari nila sa affiliated nilang sastre.

pinipilit kong hindi makiliti

Nung pinakita nila sa amin yung mga designs ng burda ng mga barong nila, maganda naman ang yari. Madaming pagpipilian at ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, mura! It's easily twice as cheap from the usual custom-made barongs that we inquired from in the past, including the labor fee.

the barong design we picked

We looked at their past works and they're not bad at all. Kaya itinuloy na ni Obi na dito magpagawa. We opted to have it made from pinya silk material with additional embroideries on the sleeves and collar. Gusto din ni Obi na siya lang ang naka Chinese-collared barong (kahit hindi siya Chinese) sa entourage. 

Sa kanila na din kami nagpagawa ng black pants. Andami pa palang klase ng tela na pagpipilian para dun (see earlier photo). In the end, the total cost for the barong material, textile for the pants, and the labor fee is way cheaper than we expected. It's worth our travel all the way North from Las Pinas just to check out the place based only on hearsay.

Sometimes it also pays to just believe.

*****

• Updated the "Bookmarks" section with a link to our shoe supplier.
• Updated the "Wedding Updates" page with recent information about our wedding.