Project Dream Wedding

Wedding Ceremony Accessories for Cathy and Jay-Ar

2012-01-27T21:53:00.004+08:00

Purple is one of the most popular wedding colors of the 20th century. When combined with gold, these two exudes luxury, royalty, wealth and romance. To further enhance this combination, Ms. Cathy and Jay-Ar will be hosting a vintage-themed wedding. Here are the unique ceremony accessories that I created especially for them to match their theme and motif:

{Their wedding cord is made of purple and gold crystal beads with matte gold trinkets and vintage brooch and pendant.}

{The main piece of the cord is the pendant, which is an ornate cross with faux crystals.}

{The Unity Candle Set was especially designed with lace, purple and gold ribbons, ornate brooch and trinkets that exudes a vintage feel.}

To view more photos of this project, you may visit our project hubs in facebook and multiply. To end this post, I do have one favor. Please respect our intellectual property rights. Do not copy or reproduce our original concepts and designs. Thank you. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

W@W Podcast: W@Wies Turned Suppliers

2012-01-05T15:53:00.003+08:00

Listen as we, Project Dream Wedding, together with Monogram Hub and Graphizar share our humble beginnings, tips, our life as W@Wie and whatnot about our business. Our heartfelt appreciation to Ms. Benz and Sir John of WeddingsatWork for inviting us. More power! (Click this link to visit and listen to the podcast.)

{from L to R: Angelo (ni Eyzel), John & Anna, Eyzel, Joy, Noel, and Ms. Benz}

X.O.X.O.,

Enjoy the Christmas Season! ♥

2011-12-24T13:30:00.000+08:00

X.O.X.O.,

A Christmas Wedding Cord

2011-12-23T09:42:00.006+08:00

In the spirit of Christmas, I would like to share with you all the customized detachable Rosary cord that I created for one of my brides, Ms. Joana. She and her H2B, Jared, will be hosting a Christmas-themed wedding this month. Their wedding cord is made of gold, green and red crystal beads with gold trinkets, which will add glamor to their very festive wedding theme.

I’m so excited for them. As they say, Christmas is all about celebrating quality time with family and loved ones as well as uniting two hearts that beat as one.

X.O.X.O.,

We Turn One

2011-11-10T13:00:00.013+08:00

Yes, we did! (Last October 23rd to be exact) *kilig*

I’ve been married to my husband for more than a year now and what better way to celebrate our love and life together than a blissful trip out of town. Simply put, we discovered the awesome beauty of Cebu, Philippines, regarded as the Queen City of the South.

As soon as we found ourselves at the Mactan International Airport, we knew we will have the time of our lives. Our itinerary started with discovering the Uptown Cebu, where we stayed at a hotel near Ayala Center located at the heart of the city. We visited the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, which was founded on April 28, 1565 by an Augustinian priest, Andrés de Urdaneta. As part of their tradition, Cebuanos (and tourists alike) wave their hands at the image of Senior Santo Niño as they enter or before they leave the church to give honor and respect.

{Basilica Minore del Santo Niño}

{Cebu's King of the road: An edited version of a van is the province's basic public utility vehicle}

We took a few minutes of leisure walk and we found the famed Magellan’s Cross, one of Cebu’s famous tourist attraction. It’s right in front of the city hall. We took tons of photos as souvenir :)

{Magellan's Cross}

After two days of discovering the city, we drove down the island and welcome ourselves to the captivating island of Mactan. We stayed at Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel where we enjoyed the bright and sunny weather, white sand beach, the Olango Island (too bad, we did not find migratory birds at the time of our visit), island hopping riding what the locals call “bangka” (outrigger canoe), crystal blue water of the resort’s swimming pool (hubby enjoyed the slides, too), fresh fruit shakes and drinks, their mouthwatering fresh-from-the-sea seafood just to name a few.

{The famous bridge connecting Uptown Cebu and Mactan Island}

{Hubby felt we went to guitar heaven upon entering Susing's, one of the most famous guitar stores in Cebu}

{Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel served as our home in Cebu}

{Dig in :)}

{Para-sailing, anyone? :)}

{I love white sand beaches...}

{... and chilling at the pool side :)}

{Costabella from afar}

{Hubby while we were riding the bangka going from one island to another.}

{Me holding our W@W tag :)}

{Hubby and I (left) and our wedding rings (and my engagement ring) :)}

Yes, we discovered Cebu and its beauty. But more importantly, we (re)discovered ourselves and our life together as husband and wife (and soon to be, a family). We had a great bonding time together away from our respective deadlines. We did not worry about anything else. Zero pressure. It’s just pure bliss together while reliving our wedding day and our love for each other. The place is so romantic, we can’t help but to renew our vows (it’s our little secret, but not anymore!) ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Wedding Ceremony Accessories for Irene and Nestor

2011-10-19T11:53:00.010+08:00

Like so many, Ms. Irene is a hands-on bride planning her wedding from abroad. She booked most of their wedding suppliers online, including Project Dream Wedding. She wants a simple yet elegant cord and candle set. I like that she knows what she want for her wedding (owing to the fact that she enumerate the specific trinkets and design:)). The good news is that she’s happy with what we were able to produce. Yey for that! Here are some of the photos:

{Adding the couple's initials to further personalize the cord is one of the unique qualities of Project Dream Wedding wedding cords. For the record, we're one of the first people who did this (see also, my DIY wedding cord). :)}

{This is the customized wedding cord for Ms. Irene and Nestor. It's made of crystal beads, silver trinkets and accentuated with violet hearts and jade white rose over a silver heart centerpiece.}

{Ms. Irene chose to accentuate their unity candle with their e-session photo, a great way to remember this special event even after the wedding. Their violet and gray wedding colors are evident on their candle set.}

{Offertory candle set designed base on the couple's wedding motif.}

{Tapers and matches, part of the unity candle set being offered by Project Dream Wedding.}

To see more photos of these projects, kindly visit our project hubs in Facebook or Multiply. Do not forget to like us on Facebook to receive the hottest update and be the first to view our latest projects and "innovation". Like most people know, "Iba pa rin po ang may sariling design at hindi nanggagaya." :) God bless, everyone.

PS:

It's our first wedding anniversary on 10/23/11. Yey! Hubby and I will be on a little trip out of town to celebrate. In this regard, Project Dream Wedding is going to be offline from 10/20/11 to 10/24/11. Cheers to beautiful weddings, couples in love and marriage!!! ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Blanch & Jayfelson’s Matching Rosaries

2011-09-25T13:19:00.004+08:00

As part of our culture, it is customary for the brides to hold a rosary during their wedding ceremony. It is a lovely way of honoring the holy mother of God. However, the grooms are not an exemption. They should have a rosary, too, yes? This is the main reason why we created our newest product – the bride and groom matching rosaries. Here’s the one I created for Ms. Blanch and Jayfelson, who will exchange “I Do’s” later today.

{Bride and Groom Matching Rosary Set for Blanch and Jayfelson}

Each handmade rosary is made of high quality semi-precious stones customized to match your wedding theme and motif. But what makes each rosary special is that it has the groom’s initials and the bride’s new initials, respectively. This is a great way to remember their wedding day by AND to guide their married life together. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Vineyard-themed Wedding Cord & Candle Set

2011-09-15T10:33:00.009+08:00

When Ms. Julie contacted me to create their wedding cord and candle set, I was ecstatic to know that they are going to have a vineyard-themed wedding. That's another chance for me to explore my creativity. The sweet aroma of a vineyard should be evident in the design aesthetic while using the couple’s wedding colors, which is a combination of purple, charcoal gray and light blue. Let’s see what I came up with:

{The candle set for Julie and Rafael}

{The Wedding cord that I created for Julie and Rafael}

What do you think? Did I capture the couple's wedding theme? I'm so glad that Ms. Julie thinks I did.

{Feedback from Julie :)}

You can view more photos of these projects by visiting our projects hubs in Facebook and Multiply. Meanwhile, hubby and I are so excited to celebrate our first year as husband and wife. It's be next month so I'm cooking up some surprises for our fab PDW clients, too. Will definitely keep you posted. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

September Inspiration Board: Autumn Wedding

2011-09-09T13:18:00.013+08:00

Autumn is one of the most popular themes for weddings (between September to November) primarily because it suggests a romantic and fabulous rich, exquisite palette. There’s so much to take inspiration from. You could consider the great outdoors and introduce rich autumn colors or you could spoil your guests with heart-warming food and drink to suit the cooler months. I mean, look just how breathtaking this piece of art is:

{Romantic Autumn Season}

Whether you want a formal, elegant, casual or somewhere in between, this theme has an immense variety of choices, it’s kind of overwhelming. Here’s the inspiration board that I have created with photos gathered from a random Google search:

{Autumn-themed wedding inspiration board: Autumn season; centerpiece ideas; wedding cake; wedding sign; favors; escort card; wedding cord by Project Dream Wedding; wedding gown; bridesmaid dress; bridal stilettos; bridal bouquet; autumn leaves and fruits. Photos from random Google search result.}

I love rich red, gold, copper, burnt orange, brown, crimson and forest green – everything you would associate with autumn. The idea is to compliment the season’s rich and warm palette. Like when decorating your wedding tables, you could incorporate hints of nature and organic centerpieces. You can easily incorporate autumn in your favors, wedding cake and other stationery, such as menus and invitation by adding autumn leaves and flowers. You surely will have the time of your life in planning your wedding palette. Although, I have to say, be very careful in using pumpkins as your décor so as not to look like Halloween-y (if you’re not into it). It is also important to choose a bridal gown (and gowns for your entourage) with simple silhouette. With all the richness of your wedding details, wearing a gown, with a simple silhouette (such as A-line and empire waist gowns without long train) will make you stand out. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Project Preview: A Fairytale Wedding Cord

2011-09-07T12:30:00.004+08:00

Fresh from the oven, I’m so (as in super) excited to share with you all, my lovely readers, the wedding cord that I’ve just finished churning. It’s one of the most unique pieces that I have created to date. I’ve sent the photos to the bride and I’m just as excited to learn her feedback. Here’s a sneak peek just for you:

{A unique fairytale-themed wedding cord only from Project Dream Wedding}

I promise to share more about this wedding cord soon. For the meantime, you may visit our project hubs on Facebook and Multiply to see more of our unique pieces. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Pinay stars Wear Fabulous Gowns

2011-09-05T16:49:00.011+08:00

It's the latest talk of the town. Star Magic Ball 2011 was held last Saturday, September 3 at the Peninsula Hotel, Makati City. Browsing through the photos of some of the brightest actors and actresses taken at the ball is like browsing through an international red carpet event. I can’t help but notice a handful of prospective wedding gown inspirations for you, fab brides. Let’s take a look:

{Jodi Sta. Maria personifies the Old-Hollywood glam.}

{Iya Villania embodies a classic and ethereal look.}

{Kaye Abad looks radiant in this halter gown.}

{Kathryn Bernardo wears a modern romantic gown...}

{... so does Angelica Panganiban. In this photo with her beau, Derek Ramsay.}

{Kim Chiu is very elegant in this Fit-N-Flare gown...}

{... so does Maja Salvador. A white version of this gown will be just as beautiful and regal.}

{KC Concepcion's gown is by far my favorite gown of them all (You'll know why if you looked at our wedding photos). KC and Piolo Pascual rocked the ball with style :)}

There you have it. These gowns are undoubtedly elegant and beautiful. I hope you love our eye candies for today. Happy preps, everyone! ♥

Photo Credit: Yahoo! OMG Philippines and Push

X.O.X.O.,

Real Wedding: Ritz and Jo’s Hot Pink and Gold Wedding

2011-08-24T09:14:00.007+08:00

Ritz is one of my lovely brides/clients who married her best friend and love of her life, Jo, last July 18th. It was a wedding with rich color palette. One would love how the hot pink and gold combination brighten the couple’s big day even more.

{The customized wedding cord from Project Dream Wedding, their bible and wedding rings}

{The rich color palette is evident on their accessories and blooms}

{The wedding cord in action}

{The lovely couple - Ritz and Jo (photo credit: Raymond Fortun Photography)}

You may view Project Dream Wedding's past and present projects by visiting our project hubs on Facebook and Multiply. To Ritz and Jo, may God bless you more. Have a blissful marriage! ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Neil & Jean’s Black and Pink Wedding Monogram

2011-08-18T08:23:00.007+08:00

It’s always nice to know that grooms take (serious) part on wedding preparation and planning. Neil is one of them. He contacted me through our project hub to order a couple of wedding accessories. I’m amaze how detail oriented and how involved he is, given the fact that he is from outside the country.

Neil and Jean have a fabulous wedding theme – an Award’s Night special with glitz and glamour on the side. They are going to use hot pink and shades of pink with black for contrast. It’s going to be a bold wedding. To get the feel of their wedding, I have created two monograms for them. Here they are:

{Wedding monograms for Neil and Jean}

Can you tell which of these cuties did Neil and Jean selected? See more of our past and present works by visiting our project hubs in Facebook or Multiply. Do enjoy your preps because it’ll be one of the wonderful experiences that you’ll be telling your kids about someday. *wink

X.O.X.O.,

August Inspiration Board: Emerald Green and Gold

2011-08-16T11:40:00.009+08:00

Emerald green is a popular wedding color of choice among a handful of jewel tones. It will go fabulously with gold. In fact when looking for jewelry, it is very hard to find the emerald gemstone set in any other metal color other than yellow gold because they're a match made in heaven. This elegant wedding color combination is best for December or mid-summer weddings to warm up the cold (summer night or holiday) breeze.

{Emerald Green and Gold Inspiration Board (clockwise from left): bridesmaid dress, bridal bouquet, bridal gown, wedding cord, ring pillow, bridal shoes, wedding cake, fascinator, earrings (random images from google search result)}

X.O.X.O.,

The Unity Candle Ceremony

2011-08-12T16:08:00.007+08:00

The lighting of a unity candle is a relatively recent addition to the traditional wedding ceremony. It is performed to symbolize the pledge of unity between the bride and groom and the joining together of two families.

{The Unity Candle Set: unity candle, two taper candles and two matches}

The Unity candle ceremony uses two taper candles with a large pillar candle (called the "unity candle") in the center. At the beginning of the wedding ceremony, a representative from each family, usually the mothers of the bride and groom, light the two taper candles before taking their seats. This is to symbolize the love and allegiance that each family has for either the bride or the groom. Later in the ceremony, usually after the exchanging of rings and before the couple is pronounced husband and wife, the bride and groom use the two taper candles to light the unity candle together. They either take a few minutes up by the altar to exchange a few words or they can take a flower that was placed by the candle and present it to their mothers. This symbolizes that the bride and groom bring the love of both families together.

{The Unity Candle Set being offered by Project Dream Wedding: Unity Candle, two tapers, two Secondary Sponsors candles, two offertory candles and two matches-- all customized to match your wedding theme and motif}

Generally, the two tapers are left burning and replaced in their holders (because each family's love for their own will continue). However, in some ceremonies they may blow out their individual candles to indicate that the two lives have been permanently merged. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Project Preview: A Crucifix with Toile Accent

2011-08-10T15:41:00.004+08:00

I'm currently working on another fab wedding cord, this time, for a Victorian-themed wedding. The bride contacted me through our inquiry form a couple of weeks ago and asked if we will be able to create a unique cord for their wedding. The wedding motif is straight-forward with a little twist. They added a black and white toile accent, which inspired me to do this:

{A toile-infused crucifix}

I got a positive feedback from the bride when I showed this to her, which is so great. I will be posting the rest of the photos soon so if you love this, do not forget to visit our project hubs in Facebook or Multiply. Happy preps, everyone! ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Old Hollywood Wedding Cord

2011-08-06T13:04:00.012+08:00

Not so long ago, I posted here an inspiration board for a wedding with an Old Hollywood theme. It was actually created to help me design a wedding cord ordered by a fab B2B. The bride inspired me to create a wedding cord which will match this exquisite and very elegant theme. It was a challenge to me as the theme is full of intricate, elegant details but I stand by PDW’s mission of creating a unique cord for every client-bride.

Without further ado, here are some of the photos of the cord that I churned to match this theme:

{The customized centerpiece was created with a bit of everything (fab, I must add)-- authentic jade flower, lace, feathers, crystal beads and metal findings}

{I added a glam crucifix to put everything together}

{An Old Hollywood-themed wedding cord for Ms. Gayz and her H2B}

There you go. Another one-of-a-kind wedding cord for our happy client. I was so ecstatic when I received this email from her :

{Thank you so much, Ms. Gayz!:)}

Kindly visit our project hubs in Facebook or Multiply to view more photos of this cord and all our past and present projects.

X.O.X.O.,

Wedding Colors: Light Blue and Purple

2011-08-02T14:45:00.001+08:00

Light blue and purple is one of my favorite color combinations especially for weddings. Purple represents mystery, dignity, creativity, royalty and wisdom. Light Blue signifies truth, loyalty, trust and sincerity. When these two colors are combined, you’ll get a rich yet fun palette. Together, these colors can create a feeling of romance and tranquility. ♥

{Light blue and Purple Inspiration board (Note: Random photo snippets by Ms. Cecil, one of my clients, posted with her consent).}

X.O.X.O.,

Fifty Rosaries With Love

2011-07-31T19:38:00.006+08:00

The Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within it lies the awesome story of our salvation. By praying the Rosary, we meditate the mysteries of joy, of sorrow and the glory of Jesus and Mary. This is one of the main reasons why a rosary is a great gift to someone special to you, or to the people who witnessed your wedding. It is also considered as a great way of sharing your blessings to your love ones.

This may well be one of the reasons why Ms. Miles and her H2B chose the rosaries as (some of) their wedding favors for their wedding. They ordered 50 rosaries - all hand-made to match their wedding theme and created with love.

{The 50 rosaries made of crystal beads}

{With individual pouch to match the couple's wedding motif}

You may visit our project hubs - Facebook or Multiply to view the rest of the photos of these 50 wonderful rosaries for sis Miles and all our present and past projects. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

July Inspiration Board: Old Hollywood

2011-07-26T17:33:00.001+08:00

Old Hollywood is one of the most common wedding themes because it is glamorous, elegant and full of character. A couple with a red and black wedding motif can easily choose an Old Hollywood theme, which is usually accentuated with feathers and pearls. The wedding aesthetic is popularly based on Audrey Hepburn’s fashion trend in Breakfast at Tiffany’s film (1961).

{Random photos from google search (clockwise from left) : A gown inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's movie; bridal fascinator (a must for this wedding theme); a statement piece; make up and hairstyle; a floral bouquet with feathers; table centerpiece --- all Old Hollywood-inspired}

Are you planning an Old Hollywood-themed wedding? I bet this post gave you a lot to think about. There's one thing (actually, make it two things) you should keep in mind to make this theme work -- glamor and feathers. Almost burlesque but in a very subtle and appropriate way. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Project Preview: A Wedding Cord inspired by…

2011-07-20T15:19:00.004+08:00

I’ve been so busy designing, creating and researching about a couple of wedding accessory projects (yes, multi-tasking is what it is!) for a couple of months now, I barely have time doing what a normal wife would do (lolz, what? I meant cooking, FYI). Not that I am complaining, though. I’m thankful for all these blessings, a.k.a. all these fab brides and grooms who put their trust on me. HUGE HUGZ & BIG THANK YOU! You're all my inspiration. :)

I’m a pile of happiness today so I decided to give a preview of what I’m currently working on. I thought it’ll be fun (you think it’ll be fun, too, right?). Anyway, here’s a sneak peek of a wedding cord inspired by a head dress made of crystals and gold trinkets. When I saw the inspiration photo, I said to myself, it’s so divine. I’d like to think that I made the cord just as divine.

{An original ( and uniquely designed, I must add) wedding cord for a lovely couple}

The rest of the photos will soon be posted on our project hubs so please do not fail to like us on Facebook or visit our Multiply site. That's all for now and happy preps!!! <3

X.O.X.O.,

Lino & Vhan’s Butterfly-themed Wedding Monogram

2011-07-12T22:09:00.006+08:00

One of the popular ways of customizing a wedding is by using a monogram specially made for the couple. A wedding monogram is sort of the couple’s trademark of their own wedding and we’re no exemption. We designed our own wedding monogram, which we used on our invites (and other stationeries) and favors.

For Ms. Vhan, I created two monogram studies for their butterfly-themed wedding. The design is pretty simple and true to form, which were highlighted by their purple and pink wedding colors.

{Monogram studies for Ms. Vhan and Lino.}

One of these monograms is going to be used to accentuate the couple’s unity candle set (work in progress). Can you guess the monogram that Ms. Vhan chose to be their wedding trademark? Your guess is as good as mine. To see more of PDW’s past and present work, do not forget to visit our project hubs, Facebook and Multiply. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Wedding Traditions: The Veil, the Lighting of the Candles and the Cord

2011-07-05T12:11:00.008+08:00

The veil, lighted candles and cord -- they are all traditional symbolisms in weddings and represent the couple’s readiness to become one with God and life. The Secondary Sponsors, typically close friends or relatives who were chosen by the couple, are the ones who will carry out the ceremony. There are three pairs of secondary sponsors (one for each symbol):

The Candle Sponsors is the pair who will light the candles on the altar.

The candles symbolize the Light of Christ, the same light they received at Baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new life as a couple. Some couples choose to have their mothers or fathers light the candles in this ritual, which usually takes place before the readings. The candles may also be lit at the beginning of the ceremony.

The Veil Sponsors is the pair who will place a white veil over the shoulder of the couple.

The Couple's Veil (white) has come to be a symbol of purity. Its original meaning was the symbol of the presence of the Lord, as the cloud was a symbol of His presence. It is placed over the shoulders of the couple as they kneel side-by-side to symbolize their union and being "clothed as one" in unity. This is usually done immediately after the exchange of arrhae and before the General Intercession.

The Cord Sponsors is the pair who will place a figure “8” cord over the heads of the couple, to lie on their shoulders.

The Cord is a symbol of the couple's bond; that indeed they are no longer two but one in their new life as a couple. The placing of the Cord follows after the veil is in place.

X.O.X.O.,

Ruth & Jerald: Kids at Heart Wedding Cord

2011-06-22T12:47:00.005+08:00

When we were little kids, everything in the world is simple. All we know is play, eat, learn, love our parents (and pets, for that matter) and have fun. We like basic objects and beautiful things never cease to amuse us.

That’s exactly what I wanted to execute in creating this cord for sis Ruth and her H2B, Jerald. Their unique wedding theme, which is Kids at Heart, needs a unique wedding cord. Here's what I came up for them (which the bride loves so much, I must add):

{freestyle wedding cord for sis Ruth & Jerald}

Their wedding theme calls for contemporary and basic designs. The combination of acrylic and glass beads is a good choice as these types of beads have a wide range of color and (fun) design. I used basic shapes -- square blocks, round and flowers -- the very first few shapes that we knew as a kid.

{the beads}

The cord wouldn't be complete without a centerpiece that will make the cord unique. As kids, our favorite subjects may be art and play time. Our art class wouldn't be complete without learning how to draw a boy and a girl. That's where the fun begun. I couldn't think of anything else that will make this cord complete other than the boy and girl metal trinkets.

{the centerpiece}

There you go. I hope you like the cord as much as I do. You can catch up with my latest creations by visiting Project Dream Wedding on Facebook or Multiply sites. Please do not forget to send an Inquiry Form if you'd like to send in your order or inquire about our creations.

Until next time! :)

X.O.X.O.,

Miles & Dado’s Lace-infused Rosary Wedding Cord

2011-05-31T09:16:00.004+08:00

I first met sis Miles last year via W@W e-group, an online community exclusively for brides to help them plan their dream wedding. I’ve been very vocal about how helpful this community was in planning our wedding last year and I would never cease on recommending this community to every bride.

Anyhow, when sis Miles contacted me not so long ago, she mentioned that she didn’t know I started my humble business until one of the W@Wies (brides who are part of the W@W e-group) posted that she had their wedding cord made by me and so she also wants a unique wedding cord.

After a couple of email exchanges, I learned that creating this particular wedding cord is like a déjà vu only because we almost have the same wedding motif – teal, lime green and gold. If you’re a follower/reader of this blog, you’ll know that our original motif is a combination of these three colors. Furthermore, as part of satisfying the bride’s request, I asked sis Miles about what she wants for a wedding cord and here’s her only, yet intriguing (I must add), response:

"Go crazy with it."

Since she gave me the go-signal, I did get crazy with it (at least I’d like to think I did). Here's what I created for this fab couple:

{I used gold trinkets and metal findings with intricate details to highlight the crystal beads}

{I designed this crucifix with lace to incorporate sis Miles and Dado's wedding theme -- a first, only from PDW}

{The overall aesthetic of sis Miles and Dado's wedding cord -- refreshing, elegant, lace-infused}

I wish I knew all these techniques when I was just planning our wedding. However, receiving recommendation from these fab brides are enough to make my day brighter:

{Screengrab from our PDW Facebook page: Thanks sis Miles! :)}

Sis Miles, being a blogging bride, posted a review about the cord on her own preps blog. Isn't it fabulous?

If you would like to view more of this unique wedding cord and other wedding projects by PDW, simply go to our facebook page and LIKE us or visit our multiply site. Do not forget to fill up our inquiry form if you have questions about a particular cord or if you would like a unique wedding cord that you can call your own. We'll be glad to create one for you, too. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Jerralyn and Frederick’s Modern Contemporary Wedding Cord

2011-05-29T21:12:00.005+08:00

Bold and Beautiful.

That’s what I think of immediately after browsing through this couple’s wedding website. They’re one of those young couples who are brave enough to use black as one of their very special day’s motif. Why not? Afterall, their motif, which is a bold mix of black and hot pink spells f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s.

To match their character, I created this modern contemporary cord for them:

{This contemporary wedding cord especially made for Ms. Jerralyn and Frederick is made of acrylic and crystal beads with silver trinkets and metal findings.}

To view more of our past and present projects, visit and LIKE us on Facebook or Multiply now. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Joan and Bobie’s Meant to Bee Wedding Cord

2011-05-25T23:11:00.006+08:00

Oh, how I l-o-v-e working on accessories with a wedding theme! My so called “creative juices” overflow whenever I have to work on an accessory to match with the couple’s wedding theme. I’d like to think that that’s exactly what happened when I created the fab wedding cord of sis Joan and Bobie.

Browsing through this fab couple’s wedding website and reading their sort of cat-and-mouse-chase love story is awe-inspiring. I can’t help but fall in love with their chosen theme, which is “Meant to Bee” (flowers and bees). Their wedding monogram created by sis Joy (a fellow W@Wie) inspired me the most. See for yourself…

{Joan and Bobie's monogram by sis Joy (left) and my own interpretation of their wedding theme (right)}

{of bees [in love] and flowers}

{I arranged the beads to look like a swarm of bees flying and buzzing in 2 different directions}

{A Meant to Bee Freestyle Wedding Cord exclusively for fab couple Joan and Bobie}

It's rewarding to know that sis Joan, as one of my client-brides, posted a love note on our PDW Facebook page to let us know their verdict:

{sis Joan's comment on our PDW page on Facebook}

Thank you so much, sis Joan, for putting your trust on me. It’s an honor to create the cord that will lovingly bind you and Bobie together. ♥

Do you want to see more? You may visit Project Dream Wedding on Facebook or Multiply. Do not forget to LIKE US on Facebook to get exclusive discounts and promos. :)

X.O.X.O.,

Real Wedding: Tala & Japes’ Beautiful Rocker Chic Wedding

2011-05-18T03:29:00.006+08:00

I was under the weather and having a pretty rough day when these beautiful photos came to my inbox:

{Tala & Japes' Wedding, April 30, 2011:: Photo Credit: Ms. Tala De Vera-Gesmundo & Fotogra Weddings}

These eye candies are more than enough to make my day. Many thanks to sis Tala for sharing their beautiful wedding photos. She’s indeed one beautiful rocker bride. Cheers, err, should I say--- Rock on! ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Bride & Groom Matching Rosary Set

2011-05-14T22:13:00.006+08:00

"Rosary is one of the most eloquent signs of love that the young generation nourishes for Jesus and his Mother." ~ Benedict XVI

To Pope Benedict XVI, the rosary is a meditation on all important moments of salvation history. Furthermore, the Blessed Virgin Mary, through Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan de Rupe, made 15 promises to Christians who pray the rosary. The Fifteen rosary promises range from protection from misfortune to meriting a high degree of glory in heaven.

I have noted here that rosary is a popular and traditional Catholic devotion, which many wish to keep during their wedding. We discussed the beauty and importance of brides carrying a rosary while walking down the aisle. Now, what about the groom? It’s important for him to do the same, right?

This is the main reason why Project Dream Wedding started creating a bride and groom matching rosary set. Each rosary will be created with semi-precious stones (ready to face the test of time), the groom’s initials and the bride’s new initials. It is something unique and undeniably, it is a great way to start a new chapter of your life together. Here's our matching rosaries:

{Angelo & Eyzel's Matching Rosary Set}

To learn more about these items, visit Project Dream Wedding on Facebook or Multiply and fill up our inquiry form. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Wedding Gowns Galore: CHRISTOS

2011-05-09T11:05:00.006+08:00

Amsale took over Christos when the Cyprus-born designer Christos Yiannakou decided to retire in 2005 after heading his collection for 20 solid years. After taking over the helm, Amsale has upheld Christos legacy for tradition while infusing a touch of her own modern sensibility into the collection. Amsale’s Christos gowns have long stood out for their impeccable heirloom quality.

{Photo Credit: http://www.christosbridal.com/}

We’ve seen Christos gowns in several Hollywood movie flicks such as 27 Dresses (starring Katherine Heigl), The Accidental Husband (starring Uma Thurman) and My Best Friend's Girl (starring Kate Hudson). So if you’re a classic-romantic bride, a Christos gown might just be the gown for you. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Tin & John’s Black & Gold Rosary Wedding Cord

2011-05-04T14:24:00.005+08:00

“Early bird gets the worm.”

This famous quote reminds me of sis Tin. She’ll be walking down the aisle on December 2012 but they have started preparing for their wedding late last year. Love it.

When sis Tin contacted me, she immediately mentioned that she wanted a rosary cord that will incorporate their wedding theme – travel and photography. Their love for each other and these two hobbies are very apparent on her blog. The real challenge for me, however, is that their wedding motif is a combination of black and gold. I never worked with these colors before so I spent a lot of time researching for a great and elegant design. I do not want to hit and miss.

Browsing through the websites I found on the net, these two colors clearly evoke classy timeless pieces and elegance. The next thing I know is that I was (literally) running to my trusted supplier in order to gather the materials that I need. To my surprise, the amount of possible designs is endless BUT I need to practice holding back so as not to overdo the design and overpower what the bride wants – classy and elegant. Here’s what I created for sis Tin and John:

{This Rosary wedding cord for sis Tin and John is made of black and gold crystal beads in different shapes and sizes with gold and silver trinkets.}

It feels great when every client fell in love with what you have created and sis Tin went extra mile in making sure that I know how much she appreciates my creation:

{"Thank you, sis Tin.♥"}

If you want something like this, kindly visit and like our PDW page on Facebook and fill up the Inquiry Form to learn more about the latest promo and discounts. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

The Royal Details: Highlights of the Royal Wedding

2011-05-02T23:17:00.007+08:00

Prince William and Kate Middleton, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge exchanged royal vows and sacrament of marriage inside the enormous and historical Westminster Abbey last April 29, 2011.

It was such a solemn and elegant wedding so let us take a look at some royal wedding details and highlights:

{The royal wedding cakes made by Fiona Cairns (designed using the Joseph Lambeth technique) and McVitie's Cake Company (a chocolate biscuit cake for the reception at Buckingham Palace), respectively.}

{Kate Middleton wore two different gowns for the evening reception at the palace (left) and for the wedding service (right)}

{Kate Middleton waves to the crowd as she arrived at the Westminster Abbey. She's being assisted by her sister and maid of honor, Pippa Middleton.}

{Kate flashes a nervous smile just before walking down the aisle.}

{I can't help but adore the nice trees inside the Westminster Abbey as the bridal march begun.}

{Shortly after Kate started walking down the aisle, Prince William marches to the altar with his brother, Prince Harry.}

{Lovely fascinators! It is customary to British Royalty women to wear fascinators and hats when attending a wedding service.}

{The altar of Westminster Abbey is breath-taking.}

{I love how Prince William and Kate exchange looks while exchanging vows.}

{The simple wedding ring.}

{Prince William and Kate lead the parade to Buckingham Palace after the wedding service.}

{While we (some couple) normally end their wedding with fireworks, the newly wed couple and the whole royal family watch the Royal Air force flypast at the balcony of the Buckingham Palace.}

That's the Royal wedding madness. I hope that you gained inspiration for your own wedding.
Photo credits: www.officialroyalwedding2011.org

X.O.X.O.,

Ivette ♥ Audric's Offbeat Rosary Wedding Cord

2011-04-28T16:36:00.007+08:00

Ivette and Audric will be getting married (again) on May 7th. They are both overseas but their good (and Üver sweet) friend (I must add), Pay, contacted me so we could create a unique wedding cord for Ivette.

Ultimately, Pay became the communication bridge between Ivette and me in terms of what she wanted for a wedding cord -- a simple, not over-the-top Rosary wedding cord. Ivette (through Pay), requested to separate the colors of their wedding, turquoise and chocolate brown. Sometimes, making simple things is hard but here’s what I created for Ivette and Audric:

{Ivette & Audric's own offbeat Rosary wedding cord}

{Trinkets and Centerpiece: Close-up shot}

Their rosary wedding cord is made of acrylic and glass beads with silver trinkets -- just the way they like it. Pay shared that the cord was sent overseas, ready for the fab couple's upcoming wedding. She also mentioned that the couple likes the cord. :)

Thank you for trusting me, fab couple Ivette and Audric. Of course, it was nice doing business with you, Ms. Pay. Until next time. :)

Want to see more? Click here to view more photos of Ivette and Audric's Rosary wedding cord.

X.O.X.O.,

Happy Easter Sunday!

2011-04-24T16:14:00.004+08:00

Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...
~ 1 Peter 1:3

Holy Week has been a memorable experience for me and hubby (as compared to previous years) and oh I am so glad that Jesus our Christ and Savior has risen, which many considered as the greatest miracle of our lives.

What better way to celebrate this special day than to pray and offer our thanks-giving to Jesus Christ for saving us. Have a meaningful Sunday, everyone. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Rowie ♥ Marlowe: Plum & Green Heirloom Wedding Cord

2011-04-18T20:41:00.003+08:00

The lovely hue of purple plum, considered as one of the most majestic wedding colors, gives an aura of elegance and richness. Sis Rowie brought a modern edge to this lovely color by accentuating a bright green hue. Lovely, isn't it? Thus, these traits should be reflected to the wedding cord that I created especially for them:

{Rowie ♥ Marlowe's Wedding Cord made of semi-precious stones}

Sis Rowie, being an OC-bride, described everything that she wanted for her (their) wedding cord -- it should be a rosary cord and it should have their initials, she doesn't want a chunky crucifix, the two main colors should be separated on each chain ("just like your cord", she said) and it should be good enough to be a heirloom. So, here's a detailed view:

{The oval trinkets are small lockets. I added these four cuties to accessorize the cord. I also asked sis Rowie to put their photos inside one of the lockets and pass it to the next generation. The next bride/groom from their family can add their respective photos inside one of the other lockets. To be more efficient, the initials are removable, too.}

What's so special about these lockets? When I showed the photos to sis Rowie, she exclaimed that she has three siblings and she's the first to get married. Turns out, the cord is destined to be a heirloom. :)

{Purple plum crystal beads are on one side, while the bright green beads are on the other side. The centerpiece unites the two colors (and all the other trinkets).}

It was a breeze dealing with sis Rowie. I like that our communication is open. We talked (read: update each other about the cord) mostly via Facebook. Indeed, she's a fab client-bride.

View more photos of sis Rowie and Marlowe's wedding cord by visiting our website on facebook or multiply (yes, we're on multiply, too!). Happy preps! :)

PS:
Project Dream Wedding will be offline from April 19th to April 24th in observance of the Holy Week. We will be back on business on April 25th. Have a meaningful Holy Week, everyone!

X.O.X.O.,

The Wedding Rosary

2011-04-15T14:46:00.004+08:00

The Rosary (from the Latin word "rosarium", meaning "rose garden" or "garland of roses") is a popular and traditional Catholic devotion. It is also one of the most beautiful heirloom pieces one can carry during weddings. It is a sign of faith and hope for the future.

{I was holding a bridal rosary & a bouquet of fresh Ecuadorian Roses while walking down the aisle}

Project Dream Wedding creates handcrafted Wedding Rosary made of crystals and semi-precious stones custom-made especially for you and your groom. On your wedding day, wouldn't it be so awesome to carry something meaningful and would last longer than your bridal bouquet? Visit our Facebook page to see more of our handcrafted works. :)

X.O.X.O.,

Tips: Wedding Gown Storage

2011-04-14T11:05:00.004+08:00

After the wedding is over, almost all brides (including me) want to keep that perfect wedding gown as a remembrance or to pass it to their daughter. However, stains will set, it may turn yellow, and the fabric could be damaged over time so proper care and storage is very important.

Here are some tips I gathered online in making sure that we store our precious wedding gown properly:

1. Make sure your gown is professionally cleaned. Just because your gown looked clean to you when you took it off doesn't mean this is the case. Further examination may unearth dirt, sweat and stains. These stains can darken and become permanent if not dealt with quickly. Take your wedding gown to the dry cleaner or wedding dress preservation specialist within one week after the wedding. They will know exactly what to look for and which chemicals and solvents work best for particular fabric.

2. Never store your wedding gown in a plastic bag (or box). When plastic breaks down it emits chemicals that can react with your dress and cause permanent damage. Choose between “acid-free” box and hanger storage. Keeping the gown in a box may prove to be more practical, but hanging the garment in a closet is the best way to prevent difficult-to-remove creases.

3. Before packing the wedding gown, wrap it in acid free tissue paper for extra protection. Don't use colored tissue paper as it can eventually bleed onto the fabric.

4. Store your wedding gown in a cool, dry place. Basements aren't ideal because they're damp and can encourage mold. Storing wedding gown where it's exposed to heat or sunlight will cause it to turn yellow. Your best bet is to store it in a closet.

5. Don't use a wire hanger to hang your wedding gown. Not only can it rust, but it can cause the fabric to tear. If you must hang your gown, hang it by the loops. Keep in mind that if a heavy gown hangs for too long, the fabric can tear under the weight of it all.

6. Every now and then you should remove your wedding gown from storage and hang it in the fresh air. This will allow the fabric to breathe, making it less susceptible to mildew.

One wedding professional said that if brides don’t properly care for their wedding dress, it’s almost as if they’re throwing it away. As for me, I had my gown dry cleaned, packed it inside the hanger storage provided by Marc Rancy and put it safely inside my closet. Will have to invest on an acid-free tissue paper. So, how did you (do you plan to) store your wedding gown?

{My wedding gown carefully stored inside the hanger storage}

X.O.X.O.,

Jeddah ♥ Josep’s Spanish-Vintage Wedding Cord

2011-04-11T14:23:00.005+08:00

Sis Jeddah is one of the first W@Wies who contacted me when I started my mini-biz. She wants a Spanish-inspired wedding cord with a touch of vintage feel. Their wedding website inspired me to create this for her and her H2B, Josep:

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{Jeddah & Josep's Spanish-inspired Wedding Cord with a touch of Vintage feel in Champagne and Brown Beads with Gold Trinkets}

Kindly visit Project Dream Wedding on Facebook or Multiply.com to see more of our wedding cord collection and other projects. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

PDW Makeover

2011-04-09T17:25:00.000+08:00

Hello dear readers. Our blog’s mini-makeover has been completed! I hope you’ll continue to read our post and be comfy with everything that we have to offer.

First to grace our blog (after the makeover, that is) is the wedding cord that we created for Ms. Jeddah – coming to you very soon!

X.O.X.O.,

Project Dream Wedding Overhaul…

2011-04-04T23:22:00.003+08:00

You read it right, my dear diary (and readers). Our wedding blog is currently undergoing major changes. This blog will still contain wedding things but the main focus will not be about us and our wedding. Now that I’ve shared (and completed) our supplier’s ratings, it’s high time to focus on YOU -- what’s hot on wedding industry and whatnot. I’d like to think that this blog is going to be your mini-wedding insider, so to speak.

So, I hope that you’ll continue to read our post and be updated. Speaking of which, it’s no secret that I started accepting made to order wedding cords and other wedding accessories through our facebook page. Just a couple of days ago, we created our page via multiply.com to reach more brides like you who want timeless and unforgettable wedding pieces within your budget. Our rates aren’t as high as skyscrapers so you can guarantee that all our handcrafted items are affordable BUT high quality. For the meantime, kindly visit these two websites to view our previous and present works (of art) including those that we used on our wedding.

Quite exciting, isn’t it? Will surely keep you posted. :)

X.O.X.O.,

Tala ♥ Jape’s Freestyle Wedding Cord

2011-03-31T13:39:00.006+08:00

It was exciting to read sis Tala’s PM-slash-inquiry via my facebook account. Apparently, they already have a wedding cord but she wanted their cord to—let’s just say--- pop. :)

While exchanging messages, I learned that she’s one of the detailed (read: OC) brides that I know (and I love her for that!). They do not have a particular wedding theme but browsing through their wedding website, I sensed that their upcoming wedding speaks about elegance and romance. Lovely, isn’t?

Moving forward, she gave me the freedom to create whatever I feel like doing (in terms of style) but she requested to incorporate a heart with the crucifix and their motif (navy blue & marigold yellow). So here’s what I came up with for sis Tala and her H2B, Japes:

{Tala ♥ Jape’s Freestyle Wedding Cord}

Oh I'm so excited to see sis Tala walk down the aisle next month. I know it's going to be awesome! :)

Visit and like http://www.facebook.com/projectdreamwedding to see more of sis Tala & Jape's wedding cord and more.

Happy preps! ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Supplier’s Rating: Ma Del’s Cuisine

2011-03-28T15:30:00.006+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Oh gosh, this might come in a bit too late now but hey, everyone knows how I love Ms. Anj and Ma Del’s Cuisine. I've shared it on W@W & GT long before I write this. :)

I’m so grateful that Ms. Anj worked around our budget, even worked on our preferred style and reception details. She took time and “owned” the styling of our reception venue. I can’t ask for more.

Now, how did they fair on the Big day? Everything was awesome! People always say that nothing’s perfect (and I do agree) but the service and food that Ma Del's Cuisine have provided to us and our guests were superb. They are one of the best suppliers that we hired.

Here are some of our fave photos from the wedding reception (set up by Ma Del’s Cuisine):

{set up & styling}

{chocolate fountain}

{our centerpieces: yellow blooms + green fruits}

{our fave, buko pandan jell-o & our sparkling non-alcoholic wine}

{our DIY Table Number & stick-O (for the choco fountain)}

{the stage set-up}

{shy-type! :)}

In summary, here's our rating:
Supplier: Ma De’s Cuisine
Stress level: It was blissful. No stress at all! :))
Customer Service and Satisfaction: Extremely Satisfied. Ms. Anj can be reached almost everytime and very assuring.
Food: We loved everything! Chicken Flambe & Buko Pandan Jell-O are our favorites.
Styling: Very personalized. They were able to follow what we laid on the table. We think it was exceptional.
Overall: Highly (super duper) Recommended

X.O.X.O.,

Leah ♥ Allan’s Rosary Wedding Cord

2011-03-22T18:09:00.012+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

It's always gratifying to deal with a co-W@Wie (or a co-GTalker, for that matter). :)

Sis Leah’s message, for one, made me smile. I love her energy on planning their wedding. She’s very specific, she knows what she wants and I (super) love her for that. I'm very excited to share with you the wedding cord that I have created for her and her H2B, Allan, so here are some snapshots:

{Leah & Allan's Rosary Wedding Cord}

{sis Leah's requirements: choco brown & pistachio green beads for the mysteries, clear beads for the Hail Mary's, & metal trinkets for spacers, cross & their initials}

{I can't wait to see them use the cord on their wedding *Don't forget the wedding photos, sis Leah! :)*}

Now, here's the fun part -- to my delight, sis Leah blogged about us (& our adventure into creating her wedding cord)! Thank you, sis Leah for all the kind words. It was truly an honor to create one for you. :)

{sis Leah's blog: Read and follow her own wedding preps adventure here}

To view more of these and other wedding cords that I have created, visit my facebook page by clicking this link (do not forget to like the page). Happy preps! :)

X.O.X.O.,

STD: Bonny Beauteous' Second Auction Night

2011-03-09T22:25:00.001+08:00

X.O.X.O.,

Customized Wedding Cords for Fab B2Bs

2011-03-07T11:18:00.012+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Hello everyone! I’m currently having so much fun running my own li’l business and because of that, allow me to share the latest updates and whatnot.

As what the title suggests, I’ve started accepting orders of customized wedding cord through my online shop's Facebook page. Two of my first few clients are sis Mau, a dear friend-slash-co-W@Wie and sis Jackie, a fab bride-slash-reader of this blog. Let’s take a look at their wedding cords, shall we?

Sis Mau requested to have a simple yet conceptual cord. She wanted a cross for a pendant but, I do not want to give her an ordinary cross pendant. Luckily, I found a locket with cross (much like a bible). I asked her to cut a photo of her and Carlo (her H2B) and put it inside the locket. After the wedding, she could get a matching necklace for the pendant and wear it to keep their wedding memory close to her heart. I thought it’s perfect (and a bit dreamy, don't you think?). She gets what she wants with a twist of individuality.

{Mau ♥ Carlo (12/10/2011): Wedding Cord Packaging}

{Mau ♥ Carlo (12/10/2011): Wedding Cord Beads & Trinkets}

{Mau ♥ Carlo (12/10/2011): Finished Product}

On the other hand, sis Jackie wanted a wedding cord just like ours. She requested to separate the two main theme colors of their wedding, red and tangerine. Since my vision is to create a whole different wedding cord for each of my client-bride, I did what she wants BUT I added a bit of surprise:

{Jackie ♥ Julius (5/21/2011): Wedding Cord Packaging}

{Jackie ♥ Julius (5/21/2011): Wedding Cord Beads & Trinkets}

{Jackie ♥ Julius (5/21/2011): Finished Product}

And here’s the fun part: their feedbacks made my day! You'll find sis Jackie's feedback below. I wanted to post sis Mau's but it contains personal info that I would rather keep private :) Anyhow, now I understand what our suppliers feel whenever their clients commend them for a job well done – happiness.

{sis Jackie's feedback upon receiving the wedding cord :)}

There you have it, B2Bs. If you want a unique, personalized wedding cord, you can always contact me by sending me an email or through my online shop's facebook page by going to this link.

Happy preps!

X.O.X.O.,

OT: Bonny Beauteous' First Ever Online Auction Night

2011-02-24T19:08:00.012+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

My online shop, Bonny Beauteous, will be holding it's first ever online auction night hosted by Sanggunian ng mga Online Sellers. If you're available on the night of February 25 2011, please browse through the items. You might find something you like for you, your friend, best friend or someone special. I promise that some of the items up for bidding are rare and limited edition.

{official poster}

{teaser: these items (and more) are up for bidding}

HERE'S HOW TO GET STARTED:

1. Like the page by clicking on this link: http://www.facebook.com/sosfunpage

2. Go to the page's photo albums by clicking this link: http://www.facebook.com/sosfunpage?sk=photos

3. Look for the album entitled "AUCTION by Bonny Beauteous" or click this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=68710&id=193492644000684

That's easy as 1,2,3, right? Kindly read the auction rules. Shipping fee will be shouldered by the winning bidders.

HOW TO BID:

1. Browse through the photos to see the items up for bidding. Keep in mind the starting bid and the minimum increment. These two will guide you on how much you can bid for the item.

2. Place your bid by typing it as a comment on the photo (this is the reason why you have to like the page). You can repeat this method as long as it is not yet 12MN and if you were outbid by another bidder.

3. When 12MN strikes, the highest bidder wins the item.

Sounds fun, right? Come on and join us. As gratitude, all winners will receive a special prize to be shipped with their item.

Hope to see you there! ♥

X.O.X.O.,

Photo Story: Our Valentine Trip to Mauritius

2011-02-23T23:47:00.010+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Wanna have a glimpse on what went through with our honeymoon err Valentine trip to Mauritius? Read on:

On February 14th, we drove to NAIA, left the Philippine territory aboard a Cebu Pacific aircraft. A few hours later, we found ourselves in Hongkong International Airport, considered as one of the largest airports in Asia...

{A section of HKIA. It has over 100 gates and a few hundred shops & restaurants.}

{Trolleys: Hubby had a lot of fun pushing one around the airport}

{HKIA: Because of it's size, it may appear deserted especially during the wee hours (our flight to Mauritius was rescheduled on February 15th, 3:00 AM)}

{Ajisen Ramen's Spicy beef: Officially hubby's favorite noodles. We're planning to grab a bowl sometime this week at it's local branch}

There's a four hours time difference between Hong Kong and Mauritius. Despite the grueling 8-hour flight, we managed to enjoy Mauritius' scenic spots...

{We arrived at Mauritius at around 11:00 AM}

{Air Mauritius' breakfast meal: Their food is acceptable. Doesn't taste like paper (as some other airlines' food does). Lunch/Dinner were served, too. Additionally, they have the finest and friendliest crew ever!}

{Aerial view of the Mauritius Island}

{The Mauritius Airport perfectly defines the Mauritian's way of life -- simple yet splendid (as what the billboard suggests)}

{Mauritians speak French and English. I'd like to think that the island is best known as European's summer vacation destination.}

After about an hour and a half drive from the airport (courtesy of White Sand Tour), we arrived at Beau Rivage, our home in Mauritius...

{Beau Rivage: one of the luxury beach hotels at Belle Mare, in the eastern part of the island}

We were greeted, rather warmly, by the majestic and spacious lobby, a large pool with turquoise mosaics opening onto the delicate lines of the crystal-clear swimming pool and the aquamarine lagoon. Thatched roofs give all the buildings an authentic charm. Almost immediately, we felt at home.

{The majestic turquoise pool just outside the reception area}

{The floating gazebo is very popular among the Europeans at the hotel. Large and healthy Koi fishes and a turtle lives at this pond}

{The inviting white sand and clean shoreline}

{Water sports ready: Which is which?}

{It's past 7:00 in the evening and the sky's signaling a romantic night (say hello to the moon!)}

{Mauritian Greeting: locals perform a traditional dance to welcome their guests}

{Beau Rivage serves European and Mediterranean cuisines. Perfect for food adventurers like hubby.}

{Lunch gourmet served at Mediterranni, one of the hotel's restaurant}

{Scenic Breakfast & Dinner in front of the pool: We enjoyed our breakfasts & dinners served by Rive Gauche}

{This is the kind of life anyone wants to enjoy...}

{... with their lifetime partner and love.}

The trip not only gave us the opportunity to discover another country's culture and way of life, but it also gave us the freedom, time and the chance to reflect on our own life together, our relationship and what's next. We have Air Mauritius, The Wedding Library, Beau Rivage management and White Sand Tours to thank for. More power to each and everyone of you. I'm not sure if this is not illegal but you guys actually saved our marriage. We can't thank you enough. ♥

X.O.X.O.,

A Pre-Valentine Update: Love is in the Air (literally!)

2011-02-09T08:35:00.004+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Hello, everyone! I haven’t been able to blog for a while so let me express my sentiments – “I miss doing DIY projects… I miss my W@W sisses… my co-Girltalkers… and most of all, I miss blogging!!!!”

There, I said it. That’s better.

Hey, it’s February – the so called “love” month. In 5 days, we are going to celebrate Valentine’s Day. How’s your plan going? While we're all wishing that our H2B and hubby’s going to be Mr. Valentino 2011 for even just this one night (or at least I know I am), let's do something special for them (for a change, I must add).

Here's one for the book. I slip notes into the pockets of his bag or pants before he go to work. I slip notes into his laptop when he decides to bring it to work with him as well. I post an i-love-you note onto his home computer so that he'll see my little note when he took the cover off. At first, I thought he didn't like it because he rarely say something about it but when the notes are not slipped inside his bag, pockets or laptop, he start asking if there's something wrong or if I'm upset. Until he told me that my little notes help him get through the day at work. I also notice that hubby's loosing a bit and happier eversince. Writing a note every morning is such an easy thing to do, and it makes me happy and I know hubby's happy to receive them, too. It's such a small way to say how much I love him but I'm surprised how he responded. I just started doing this and so far, it's bringing all the positive energy into our married life. :)

{... or you could write it on a wall, graffiti-style.}

Speaking of surprises, let’s take a trip down the memory lane and read how we celebrated the love day last year, which includes two bridal fairs, a bunch of roses and a blessing from above. Click here to read the whole story.

A year after, our Valentine’s Day will be a bit more special because-- A. It’s our first time to celebrate the love day as husband and wife; and B. because we are scheduled to fly to Mauritius!

Yes, dear B2B sisses. We will go on a 3D/2N trip to the island paradise of Mauritius (courtesy of The Wedding Library and Air Mauritius) on Valentine's Day. We’re grateful to Ms. Chel of Air Mauritius and Ms. Winnie of The Wedding Library for assisting us with all the requirements and itinerary. We sure hope to tell you more about the trip when we get back. For the meantime, enjoy your wedding and Valentine’s Day planning and oh, see you at the Weddings & Debuts 2011 bridal fair (incidentally, their 2010 edition is where we won the Mauritius trip) happening on February 18th to 20th at SM Megamall.♥

X.O.X.O.,

Happy Christmas From Our Home to Yours

2010-12-25T15:13:00.009+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I can’t believe we’re actually celebrating our very first Christmas as husband and wife. Christmas eve was superb yet simple. We cooked our own dinner (yes, DIY Christmas eve dinner) and decorated our home in time for this special day.

{Christmas Eve Dinner involves inihaw na liempo, barbecue, hamon, chicken sopas, graham cake, blue chocolate roses (from Sophia's Chocolat) and a sparkling wine plus a movie date}

But as they say, today is not only about us, it is about our family bond, the children of the clan (oh we have tons!) and Jesus Christ. We have preferred gifts (I did enjoy wrapping gifts!) and special belgian chocolate treats for our little cousins and young at heart. We ordered the chocolates from Sophia’s Chocolat (thanks, Ms. Michelle, you’re such a doll!) and have the cards printed at a Photoline shop. Here’s the final product:

{Our Christmas Day giveaway}

Again, dear readers and happy B2Bs, Merry Christmas and have a blessed 2011 to all of us!

X.O.X.O.,

Atty. RF: The Lawyer con Master Photographer

2010-12-17T15:49:00.014+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Professional. Creative. Witty. Cowboy.

That’s how we can describe Atty. Raymond Fortun upon meeting and working with him for the first time.

Almost two years ago, I never dreamt of getting him as our photographer. W@Wies were (and still are) raving about his works on our W@W e-forum. Later, I found myself dumbfounded as I browse his creative works via his multiply site. To make the story short, we were one of the lucky couples who were able to book him. Big hurray!

On the day, he’s one of those who arrived early at the hotel. He proceeded to the bedroom (not without the “ooohhss” and “aaahhhss” and “si Atty. Fortun oh!” of the people inside the suite), quickly scanned our wedding details, flashed a big smile upon seeing all my DIY projects and presented the bride and groom badges that we won via his raffle last October (Thanks, Atty RF. They’re adorable!).

{Our couple bears proudly show the "I am an RF Bride" and "I am an RF Groom" badges from Atty. RF}

I like how he works. He’s not the silent type. He’s BIG in comment. He made it a point to show me some of the photos he took after every frame. He’s directive, but in a nice, professional way. The kind where you will easily feel at ease.

{Atty RF at work}

Are you ready to see some of the photos he took? If only I can post all of 'em, I surely will. :)) Here are some of our favorite photos from Atty. Raymond Fortun:

{Some of our fave wedding photos from Atty. RF}

Now, here's our rating:
Supplier: Raymond Fortun Photography
Stress Level: No stress at all. It was a bliss! :))
Customer Service and Satisfaction: Very satisfied. He's just an "FB away".
Overall: Highly recommended

X.O.X.O.,

Hey Friend, It’s Been Awhile

2010-12-14T09:57:00.017+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

It’s 11 days before Christmas and I have yet to finish my supplier’s ratings and kwento. My apologies, lovely readers and brides but I’ve been working on a new venture that may well be part of the new chapter of our lives. :)

Still, it cheers me when people send me private messages just to tell me that they like my blog and ask questions about our DIY projects. Thanks, sisses for reading my blog and my supplier reviews. Don't hesitate to shoot me an email whenever you have questions to ask or just to say hi. :)

How’s married life so far?

Well, I’ve been trying to learn how to cook. As they say, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Although there's no need to fave the way much harder as I already conquered his heart (and mind), haven't I? Alright, alright. I'm going to say it --- Hubby L-O-V-E-S to eat. Those who know him will definitely doubt this reality because of hubby's physical built. Here's what I have to say--- Don't let your eyes deceive you.

As of today, I learned how to cook Chicken Sopas (one of his favorites), Pinakbet (his ultimate favorite) and… That’s it! hihihihi. Pardon me for not knowing how to cook. When I was part of the call center industry, I was the chicken-noodle-soup-girl. I cook instant noodles (or simply fry chicken, pork, hotdog and such), sleep most of the day and work when the moon and stars shone brightly. However, cooking for my hardworking husband can be very inspiring and fun so just give me some time and I can cook more dishes than I could ever imagine.

{My first Attempt: Chicken Sopas}

Our nest somehow needs designing and styling. I mean, it has plain white walls, a small kitchen, a living room, a washroom and a bedroom. You see, we want our home to reflect our personalities in every aspect. So aside from improving my cooking ability, I’m currently researching about all aspects of interior designing. Real Living is a big help, mind you.

{Our Humble Christmas Tree: Let's not forget that it's our first Christmas as Husband and Wife}

The adjustment period does not end there. As part of our marriage contract, I whispered goodbye to my so-called call center life and (hubby gave me the option to) be a plain housewife or a businesswoman. The first option is not really an option for me so I chose to run my own business. More on that later as it’s a work in progress. For now, all I have to do is finish the ratings of our remaining fab suppliers. Will post them tomorrow. That’s a promise! :))

X.O.X.O.,

Supplier’s Rating: Special Events by the Planner

2010-11-22T15:59:00.007+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Before we met Ms. Love and Ms. Beth, I’ve been reading a lot of not-so-good feedback from their previous W@Wie and GTalker brides. Thanks to their valuable suggestions and payo, we were able to design an all important game plan.

On the day of our first meeting, Ms. Beth went ahead and explained their OTD package – the inclusion, the freebies, the plan, requirements et al. I like the inclusion. It seemed promising especially since both of our families aren’t too wedding savvy. We will need their expertise on the day (since I’m pretty much ok on being a hands-on bride, I need trusted people to execute our wedding vision).

After the meeting, Ms. Beth sent a handful of wedding planning excel files for me to complete and send back to them. The files are structured and I can’t figure out how to complete most of them. Eventually, I only sent the Guestbook file back to Ms. Love (sorry, I did not care about the other files, hehehe).

How did they fair? Let’s see… Before the wedding and after the files were sent, there was no initiative coming from their end. I was told that Ms. Beth went back to Singapore so Ms. Love will handle my concerns there after. I was a bit of insecure especially because I read posts of other brides sharing about how helpful their OTD coordinators are, even if their weddings will be a couple of months or a year after. I wished they are like that.

There was an instance that I sent an email to Ms. Love requesting for a meeting a month before our wedding but my request was denied because according to her, they have a busy schedule but she offered to help me via email. That was it. I sent another request two weeks prior to our wedding and this time, I asked them to prioritize me as well since our wedding is fast approaching and they haven’t had a single clue what I want for a wedding. Well, it worked since we were able to set a meeting with Ms. Love (Ms. Beth was still out-of-the country by that time). Simply put, the contracts and wedding-related information were endorsed to Ms. Love less than two weeks before the wedding. This is partly my fault because I also have a busy schedule. :)

Fast forward to our wedding day…

As soon as we checked-in to the hotel, I sent our hotel room numbers to Ms. Love via text message so she could inform all our suppliers. Unfortunately, not everyone was informed because two of our major suppliers sent a text message that morning asking for our hotel room numbers. Medyo nakakahiya so I texted Ms. Love about it. She assured me naman that she will resend the information to the concern suppliers.

Going further, they arrived at the hotel next to Mama Val’s team. I sighed with relief as soon as I saw Ms. Beth and Ms. Love (since most of their previous brides suggested that the wedding will turn out great if both Ms. Beth and Ms. Love will lead their team) and immediately endorsed all our DIY projects and wedding items.

Ms. Kaye was assigned to be my assistant. I only have good praises to her because she’s hard-working, patient and talagang mabait. She did a great job being my assistant even when she was under the weather – she was always ready to hand a tissue whenever needed. She kept me calm the whole time we were traveling from the hotel to the church especially when I was waiting inside the bridal van and everyone else was inside the church minutes before I walk down the aisle. Believe me, it was nerve-wracking but she has this "calming aura" I just can’t explain. She also dressed up my mom (aka "momzilla"), who was very frantic about her gown. I know you've heard about brides turning bridezilla. Our case is different, for all the good reasons (no thanks to that good-for-nothing mananahi in divi). I’m really thankful to Ms. Kaye for being patient with my mom. :)

Ms. Beth and Ms. Love are the team to beat. Ms. Beth was not feeling well but she showed up, which we truly appreciate. Together, they managed our wedding pretty well. I practically felt zero stress the whole time (save for some things that they have no control).

{Special Events by the Planner at work}

However, there are a couple of not-so-good things worth sharing. Aside from Ms. Kaye, Ms. Beth and Ms. Love, the team is pretty much inexperienced. Hubby said he and his family weren’t happy at the hotel preps because no one was looking after them or at least update them of what to do.

At the church, Ms. Kaye was the only one left to manage everything so she had to leave me unattended to check on something.

At the reception, the seating arrangement weren’t followed accordingly. Upon reviewing the photos, I saw that some people were not with the proper group. Too bad, we plan to send copies to each families and group of people as gratitude for attending our wedding.

Here's our rating:
Supplier: Special Events by the Planner
Stress Level: tama lang
Customer Service and Satisfaction: tama lang. You can always reach Ms. Love through her mobile number. They are hardworking on the day of the wedding. Just short of experience (for some team members) and no initiative to follow up on me during the planning.
Overall: Still recommended (just like what their previous brides mentioned, make sure you'll have Ms. Love and/or Ms. Beth on your wedding) :)

X.O.X.O.,

Hotel Preps Review: G Hotel

2010-11-19T14:22:00.001+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

We first heard G Hotel from W@Wies who were raving about the hotel’s affordability and amenities so we took time and checked it out.

{G Hotel: from outside to the lobby}

G Hotel offers an array of amenities– relaxing suite, complete line of bath essentials and robe, wireless internet connectivity, awesome view of the manila bay (from suites), in-room pantry area, daily breakfast, et al.

{Hotel's common dinning area}

{Our suite's in-room pantry}

{our suite's in-room lounge}

{our suite's bedroom}

{View of manila bay from our suite}

What we like about the hotel's management is that they are familiar with wedding preparation activities. They let us (and other couples for that matter) bring in food for our suppliers and allow visitors on the day of our wedding without additional charges or corkage fees (most hotels do not allow/charge additional fees for bringing-in take out meals).

Now, for the not-so-good part: They have hidden charges pala that we're not fully aware until we checked out and the rooms aren’t noise-proof. On our first night of stay, my sister and I couldn’t sleep because there were noises (moving furniture, whatsoever) coming from the room above us. It was two o'clock in the morning, mind you. I called the reception area/customer service to no avail. Some staffs aren’t courteous and a bit snotty (especially the girls assigned at the breakfast buffet).

Other than that, we loved our stay at the hotel. Everything went well on our second night.

Here's our rating:
Supplier: G Hotel
Stress level: It was a bit stressful, especially on the first night.
Customer Service and Satisfaction: tama lang.
Rooms and Amenities: It’s not a five star hotel but they offer a lot of amenities for their guests. Yun lang, hopefully, they can manage the noise coming from outside the room especially during wee hours.
Overall: Still Recommended (just take note of the things mentioned above)

X.O.X.O.,

Skywalker: A Big No, no!

2010-11-19T13:40:00.006+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

We got in-touched with Skywalker through Ronnie, the person behind Flytomanila, whom we first heard from W@W e-group.

When we called Ronnie to rent a van for our out-of-town trip early this year, he said he’ll give us the driver’s contact details the night before the scheduled trip, which is not ok but, fine. We can’t do anything about it. Eventually, the driver gave me a call to collect all the information about the trip and so on.

The transaction turned out great. We also learned from this particular driver that Ronnie works as an "agent" and if we want to rent again, we can call them directly (handing out their calling card) instead of contacting Ronnie. Since we like their van, the driver’s attitude and their service, we called them directly and rented a van for another out-of-town gig. This is when I asked them if they could also provide a car and/or vans for our wedding. A couple of days after that, I received a call from Arnel, the owner of Skywalker. I gave him our budget and requirements, to which he promised to provide a bridal car (8 hours) and a van (12 hours) for our wedding. This was about four months before the wedding.

Fast forward…

A week before the wedding, Arnel did not return any of my calls/messages until two nights before the wedding (even with the help of our OTD). He requested to meet us next thing in the morning so we could talk about our requirements. Despite our hectic schedule, we decided to meet him (we have to!). Turned out, he can’t give us a bridal car for 8 hours (he can only provide it for 3 hours) so I asked for alternatives. Since he can only provide vans, hubby and I agreed to just rent two vans for us and the entourage. We asked him if it’s ok and if we need to make additional payments but he said we don’t need to. To quote him: “Regalo ko na lang sa kasal nyo.”

So, we ended up with two vans – the first van was rented from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM (service of entourage and family members) and the second van was rented from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM (used as the bridal van). He even made note of it.

{Skywalker vans}

Here’s the issue – the first van was late for an hour so our families arrived at the hotel past 10:00 AM. That's ok, but we have reservations regarding that. After the celebration and when we were about to go home, Ms. Beth (out OTD) came to me and gave me the bomb – the drivers do not want to accept our payment and they were asking for additional cash. She can’t tell me the reason why so I talked to driver#1 (while hubby talked to driver#2). He said their boss (referring to Arnel) asked them to do so. I told him we (Arnel, hubby and I) had an agreement and if they could just tell us what the additional cash is for, we’ll give it to them. But driver#1 can’t even tell what is so he called Arnel on his mobile phone. Here’s what transpired:

Driver#1: Tol, eto si ma’am. Kausapin mo na. (silence... seems like he’s trying to listen to Arnel from the other line)… Eto na nga, kausapin mo na si ma’am! (showing signs of annoyance)
He then gave me the phone…
Me: (I can hear him talking from the other line but I can’t get a hold of whatever he’s saying) “Hello po…”
Arnel: “Hello...”
Me: “Hello, kuya Arnel, para saan po yung additional na hinihingi...”
I did not finish my sentence because...
Arnel: “Ay pu…” (the line went dead)

I gave the phone to driver#1 and told him that the line was cut. He called Arnel again. They talked for a while (it looks like they are in some kind of argument) and gave the phone to me. After I said “hello”, the line went dead, yet again. On our third attempt, same thing happened. Driver#1 called him again, this time, he did not give the phone to me but they talked for a good 10 min. To me, I felt that he doesn’t want to talk to me but he’s asking the drivers to deal with us. The problem is, the drivers can’t tell what the additional payment is for (or they didn't dare to say so).

We asked the drivers if meals were provided (at the hotel, only for the driver of the first van because the second van arrived at 2:00 PM) and if they went inside to eat during the reception dinner. The drivers said yes, they did eat. It’s not yet past 9:00PM so it’s a big puzzle, especially after what Arnel did to me. What he did was unethical and plain rude.

After knowing what Arnel did, hubby asked driver#2 to call Arnel so they could talk. I was very disappointed to know that this Arnel shouted “Sige na, ok na!” then disconnected the call. Imagine our frustration to this (foul, rude and bad-mannered) person.

After what happened, driver#2 said he’ll talk to Arnel so we could (finally) go home and drive away.

The next day, I sent a text message to Arnel asking what happened and told him he didn’t need to degrade anyone. Hubby and I did not appreciate what he did and that he has no right to act that way since we are (were) his clients. He then sent foul text messages one after another. The only information I could relay here is that the drivers told him that meals were not provided and “wala man lang kaming malasakit sa drivers nya”. I replied explaining that our OTD gave them meals, the same set of meal we (hubby, our families and other suppliers) ate at the hotel preps. One of our OTDs asked them to go inside and eat, another one saw them do what they were told. We gave a big chunk of cake to driver#2 (for his family since we came to know him, being our driver on previous occasions) and cash to driver#1. Is that what he called “walang malasakit”? I also told him to verify the information with his drivers and stop texting foul words. Instead of stopping, well, you know what he did.

Evaluating the issue, I think there’s an internal problem going on between Arnel and the drivers. Driver#1 (the driver assigned to drive us back to the hotel) said awful things about Arnel and his (mis)management. I understand why he had to deny saying such, it might just cost his job. I do not understand why Arnel reasoned out that his drivers weren’t “fed” despite us asking the drivers more than enough if they ate and they always said “yes”. We did not know who’s telling the truth. Sila-sila na lang ang naglolokohan at nagsisiraan.

More importantly, I didn’t understand what this Arnel showed to us – his clients. Simply put, he’s the most bad-mannered, rude, foul, ill-educated, unprofessional person we’ve encountered. Believe me, you do not want to have anything to do with this person (people) unless they change their attitude toward their clients and co-workers. Good luck to that.

Here’s our rating:
Supplier: Skywalker
Stress level: Stress to the highest level
Customer Service and Satisfaction: Super dissatisfied
Overall: Horrible. Highly NOT recommended.

X.O.X.O.,

A Little Bit of Sunshine: Rocky Blooms Flower Shop

2010-11-18T19:53:00.009+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Our floral requirements are simple. We’re ok with locally grown blooms as long as they will be fresh and vibrant on our wedding.

Ms. Rona and Sir Marlon are the husband-and-wife tandem behind Rocky Blooms. He’s the florist and she’s, well, the manager. :)) They are fairly new in the business but I can honestly say that they are very promising.

We first met them at a bridal fair. I stopped by their booth when I saw the pretty aster arrangement. We gave them our budget and asked if they could provide us with what we need (and want). Gladly, they were able to work around our budget so we booked them on the spot.

They were one of the closest suppliers to us because we have witnessed how dedicated they were just to fulfill their commitment to us and our wedding. Did I mention that I’m fickle-minded? I think I’ve requested to change something in the package inclusion that we availed more than thrice and I’m thankful for their patience. :))

The night before the wedding, Ms. Rona sent a text message advising me that there was a problem with some of the bouquets. I did understand their crisis since a super typhoon devastated the country days before that, leaving them with few choices. Simply put, some of my preferred flowers weren’t available. Maybe because they knew that I’m one of their OC brides, they wanted me to choose from the available flowers rather than making the decision for me. I really appreciate that. Even if some of my choices weren’t available, they compensated by providing more aster arrangements at the church. Here are some of their vibrant and fresh floral arrangements:

{The lush candle holder arrangements}

{The church looks more inviting with the aster arrangements}

{for our teen bridesmaids}

{That's my piece of sunlight :)}

{That's hubby's boutonniere}

{I, truly, am holding a piece of sunlight while walking down the aisle}

I’m happy to know that Sir Marlon continues on perfecting his craft by attending floral arrangement classes for their business. This paid way to more satisfied customers and happy couples, including us. With their positive attitude toward their business and customers as well as their hard work, I hope to see them at the top of the heap.

In summary, here's our rating:
Supplier: Rocky Blooms Flower shop
Stress level: It was blissful. No stress at all! :))
Customer Service and Satisfaction: Extremely Satisfied. We were graciously thankful that they let us borrow eight floral stands. They even stayed until the end of the ceremony.
Flowers: I love the arrangements they did for the church and of course my bridal bouquet. I didn’t get green berries as much as I wanted but that’s because of the typhoon. Even with just the Equadorian roses, it’s something to rave about.
Overall: Highly (super duper) Recommended

X.O.X.O.,

Supplier’s Review: Sweet Affair

2010-11-18T17:15:00.004+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Everybody loves chocolates (and candies). Chocolate fountain was one of our nice-to-haves but because of W@W Auction last year, we were able to get a chocolate fountain package for our guests.

{Yummy dessert from Sweet Affair}

Sweet Affair’s owner, Ms. Van, was very patient into following up on us. We never had the chance to meet in person but we continued our communication via email. It’s a major plus that they are familiar with our venue. We did not expect so much but we truly appreciate that they provided two chocolate fountains and loads of candies and fruits for our dessert table (we had three choco fountains in total, another fountain courtesy of Ma Del's). Thank you, Sweet Affair!

In summary, here's our rating:
Supplier: Sweet Affair
Stress level: No stress at all! :))
Customer Service and Satisfaction: Satisfied. They were able to provide what they promised (and more). Ms. Van is one of our nicest suppliers. :)
Overall: Recommended

X.O.X.O.,

Supplier’s Review: Excellent Audio

2010-11-18T16:55:00.002+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

As lights and sound system isn’t one of our priorities, we looked for a supplier who can provide just what we needed. And then we found Excellent Audio.

{Lighting effects by Excellent Audio}

Their packages are complete but aren’t sky rocketing high. They followed up on us a couple of weeks before the wedding, which we truly appreciate. We love how the songs came out (not too loud) and how their lighting equipments add drama to our venue throughout the program. I love their bubble machine and all other freebies. Kudos, Excellent Audio! :))

In summary, here's our rating:
Supplier: Excellent Audio
Stress level: No stress at all! :))
Customer Service and Satisfaction: Satisfied. They were able to provide what they promised. They followed everything in the contract. They are not yet at the top of the industry, but they are expert on what they do.
Overall: Recommended

X.O.X.O.,

Supplier’s Rating: Photobot Manila

2010-11-16T15:33:00.005+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Photobot Manila was the first photo booth we have ever tried. During preps, Ms. Aggie was easy to deal with, she follows up on us even through email and almost always, answers our inquiry in a timely manner. We booked them during one of the bridal fairs that we attended because their prints are of high quality, they offer affordable packages and we like their slim photo booth machine plus other amenities (soft and hard copies of photos, props, stop time, et. al.).

We also appreciate that Ms. Aggie and Sir Nards customized our layout and did their best to come up with a tarpaulin printed with turquoise and white damask (for our photo background). Unfortunately, the background did not resemble well on photos. When browsing through our photo booth pictures, it looked like we have a white background (possibly because of the camera flash) instead of damask. Prior to our wedding, we were not informed that they are not going to use a photo booth machine. They set up a camera stand and attached a screen just below the camera where we can preview our photo for each take. I was actually hoping to see the slim photo booth because that’s one of the reasons why we booked them.

{A screenshot of a video by Photobot Manila: Supposedly, that's the photo booth (encircled)}

{Here's what we have on our wedding, the skeleton version (encircled)}

Other than that, we had the best photo booth moment with our family and friends. Thanks to Photobot Manila.

{Photo booth moments: Fun, comical and sweet}

Here’s our rating:
Supplier: Photobot Manila
Stress level: tama lang
Customer Service and Satisfaction: Satisfied, but it would have been perfect if the "skeleton photo booth" was communicated accordingly.
Photo booth and photos: We're not happy with the booth. As for the photos, yun nga, the background is washed out for most of the photos but overall, the print quality is acceptable.
Overall: Still recommended because we had so much fun. Just take note of the things mentioned above. :)

X.O.X.O.,

The MC Come to Town: Bien Rivera

2010-11-16T13:25:00.005+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

I’m been out and about but I’m decided to finish my supplier’s rating. Who’s our next fab supplier?

{Bien Rivera: Seasoned host and comedian}

We got Bien from attending Before I Do a year ago and met him (with his friend, Martin King aka our almost MC) just a couple of weeks before the wedding. He’s fun, spontaneous and personable– the three magic qualities that a professional MC should possess.

It was in FB when I saw a little video about his hosting antics, which undeniably add up to our excitement. True enough, He did a hell of a job in keeping our reception program alive, fun and in order.

{Bien Rivera at work}

Why we adore him?

He’s easy to talk to, spontaneous, personable and fun to be with.
He made our reception program lively and fun.
He took control of the program flow.
He has a great singing voice.
He can think on his feet. During the program, he invented a different fun game which we and our friends enjoyed.
He asked for our suggestions and he reviewed my blog just to know us better and research the kind of wedding that we want.
There’s no dull moment with him.

Here's our rating:
Supplier: Bien Rivera
Stress level: No stress at all! :))
Customer Service and Satisfaction: Very satisfied
Overall: Recommended

X.O.X.O.,

When Boredom Strikes: Meet Bridezilla and Groomkong

2010-11-13T20:57:00.005+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

Are you familiar with Diner Dash? I used to play it on my sweet ol' PSP but earlier today, I encountered another version of this game – Wedding Dash 4Ever. It’s a strategy game much like the Diner Dash where the player has to satisfy each guest’s request and make the couple happy in order to win the game. Out of curiosity, I installed it and have a go. Before I knew it, I've been playing it for about four hours. It's quite addicting. :))

What excites me more than the game was a discovery. I’ve heard about brides becoming Bridezilla when stress gets the best of them. What I never knew before now is that stressed out grooms (mainly because of their brides) are called –Groomkong!

{Wedding Dash 4Ever Tutorial screenshot}

Oh, here comes my Groom(kong). I better get going *evil grin*. PDW will be back to regular programming on Monday. Have a great weekend! :))

X.O.X.O.,

Fondant Cakes by Mavic: Minimalist yet a Work of Art

2010-11-12T20:25:00.008+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

We initially wanted a cupcake tower and a separate mini cake for cake cutting ceremony but it just doesn’t make sense that the cupcake tower rental fee costs 20% of the total price. Most of the credible suppliers that we found are from QC, all of which ask for not less than a thousand bucks just for delivery charge (I totally get this because cakes are fragile). If my calculations are accurate, the fees alone are more or less a quarter of our cake budget. These factors prompted me to look for a supplier from the southern part of the metro.

Ms. Mavic is another, shall we call, “Multiply.com wonder”. I was searching for an affordable cake supplier over at the multiply site when I spotted some of her beautiful cakes – minimalist, simple yet a work of art. That’s exactly what we want. When I sent an email inquiry, I was also hoping that she can work around our budget.

After a couple of days, I was happy to receive an email from her. The next thing I knew, I was YM-ing with Ms. Mavic about our cake details, our wedding, her previous creations et al. At the end of the day, I was happy to know that she could create our wedding cake so we booked her even without taste test.

Now, let’s talk about the details. We do not want a simple white cake so I gathered a couple of cake designs that would best describe what I want for our cake. It should clearly represent our wedding theme. Simply put, it should have two butterflies (that’s hubby and I), flowers/florets (which represents our budding love) and green grass. I wanted it in 3D and most importantly, we want a chocolate cake (hubby’s request).

After reading through this, I guess we can say that the cake design was more important to us (read: me, only because hubby gave me the freedom to decide on this matter) than the taste. It doesn’t have to be heavenly good. As long as it’s edible, we’re good to go but we did not say these things to Ms. Mavic for obvious reasons. :))

Given these specs, here’s what Ms. Mavic created/baked/designed for us (Photos by Raymond Fortun Photography and Photoline):

{Who wouldn't have guessed that our theme is about nature when they looked at our cake? Truly, a work of art}

{Our awesome teal butterflies and yellow flowers}

Side kwento: When we were prompted to start the cake cutting ceremony, hubby was insisting to slice the top layer of the cake. He has no idea that only the bottom layer is edible. I was laughing the whole time because I was imagining his reaction (especially the look on his face) if I let him cut it and see Styrofoam instead of chocolate cake (I know, I'm bad). :))

{That's the remnants of our first task as husband and wife :)}

{Beautiful at 360 degrees: Another angle of our wedding cake}

Here’s my rating:
Supplier: Fondant Cakes by Mavic
Stress level: No stress at all! :))
Customer Service and Satisfaction: Very Satisfied. She clearly followed what we agreed upon. She's true to her words and knows her craft.
Cake: It's not as moist as I want it to be but we were very happy with how the design turned out. It's one of the things that caught my attention when we were walking toward the stage. Looking at the cake photos, we knew that Ms. Mavic worked really hard to achieve our vision. It’s our kind of cake – minimalist yet a work of art. Kudos, Ms. Mavic! :)
Overall: Recommended (especially to southern metro brides who do not want to pay a thousand bucks just to cover the delivery fee)

X.O.X.O.,

Supplier’s Rating: FG Rose Pastillas Basket from Sweet Blooms

2010-11-12T13:36:00.006+08:00

Dear Online Diary,

I first saw these rose pastillas at a bridal fair that we attended. I love it's milky taste and it's fun to eat. Furthermore, it's edible yet it's not made of chocolate so it's something new to me.

Since we already booked a photo booth service as our wedding favor, we did the next best thing – get the flower girl basket arrangement for our little girls. I was so excited about the idea that we ordered on the spot especially when we saw this:

{Sweet Bloom's sample arrangements at the bridal fair}

Or maybe I was way too excited. Hmm… it pains me to tell this, the communication between us was not satisfying. There were instances that I sent my requests for changes and updates but did not receive a reply/confirmation. It was only a week before the scheduled pick up when I finally received a call from one of their associates confirming our order description and specification, which I highly appreciated.

When we picked it up, I was (a bit) disappointed. The specific colors of rose pastillas that I requested (and confirmed via phone call) weren’t followed correctly. I thought the bears and the rose pastillas were smaller than what we saw at the fair (I understand that the roses come in two sizes – regular and large). Unfortunately, the mini bears are a lot smaller than what they are in photos. The baskets were mediocre for my taste. To add it up, I asked the person-in-charge of their booth if that’s the only arrangements that they created for us because I’m not happy with it, considering the cost of each basket. She was kind of lost for words and mumbled something, to which, hubby said to just let it go. Oh well.

{One of the baskets they did for us}

The following day, I was interested to get their explanation about the wrong color (roses), the size of the roses and bears as well as the arrangement. I sent them a message through text—but did not receive anything in return (until now). Dedma na lang sila. :(

Anyhow, since I love the rose pastillas but not the arrangement, I improvised. I bought a set of stuff toys and baskets then I worked with what I have. I can’t say that the baskets were perfectly beautiful (given the time that we have then) but I was happy with the final product. I regret that we ordered the basket arrangements instead of per piece (speaking of value for money).

{ one of the semi-DIY Flower Girl Baskets (photo by: Ms. Thet of RTJ Photography)}

Our little miss flower girls, on the other hand, enjoyed the rose pastillas so much. Here's what they were doing during the ceremony (caught on cam):

{Our flower girls while eating rose pastillas during the ceremony}

I can never complain, the pastillas are too tempting to eat. :))

Here’s my rating:
Supplier: Sweet Blooms (Rose Pastillas)
Stress level: a bit of stressful especially after we got the baskets
Customer Service and Satisfaction: Not Satisfied. Certainly, improvements can be made especially in communicating with the customers and answering their inquiries/status updates.
Rose Pastillas Flower Girl Basket: I’m happy with the rose pastillas but not with the arrangement and the final product.
Overall: If you want something out of the ordinary, it’s better to order per piece and arrange it the way you want it because when they made your order, it’s kind of final (at least that's what happened to us). The basket arrangement was nothing special for my taste, considering it costs around Php500 per basket.

X.O.X.O.,