Enjoy the Christmas Season! ♥

X.O.X.O.,

A Christmas Wedding Cord

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.

We Turn One

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}

Irene and Nestor: Wedding Cord and Unity Candle Set

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). :)}

Blanch & Jayfelson’s Bride and Groom Matching Rosary Set

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.

Julie and Rafael: Vineyard-inspired Wedding Cord and Candle Set

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:

September Inspiration Board: Autumn Wedding

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}

Project Preview: A Fairytale Wedding Cord

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

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.}

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

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}

Neil & Jean’s Black and Pink Wedding Monogram

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

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

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}

Project Preview: A Crucifix with Toile Accent

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

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 fabulous 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 (fabulous, I must add)-- authentic jade flower, lace, feathers, crystal beads and metal findings}

Wedding Colors: Light Blue and Purple

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

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}

July Inspiration Board: Old Hollywood

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}

Project Preview: A Wedding Cord inspired by…

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

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.

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

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.

Ruth & Jerald: Kids at Heart Wedding Cord

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}

Miles & Dado’s Lace-infused Rosary Wedding Cord

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."

Jerralyn and Frederick’s Modern Contemporary Wedding Cord

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.

Joan and Bobie’s Meant to Bee Wedding Cord

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…

Real Wedding: Tala & Japes’ Beautiful Rocker Chic Wedding

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

Bride & Groom Matching Rosary Set

"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.

Wedding Gowns Galore: CHRISTOS

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.

Tin & John’s Black & Gold Rosary Wedding Cord

“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.

The Royal Details: Highlights of the Royal Wedding

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)}

Ivette ♥ Audric's Offbeat Rosary Wedding Cord

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}

Happy Easter Sunday!

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

Rowie ♥ Marlowe: Plum & Green Heirloom Wedding Cord

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}

The Wedding Rosary

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}

Tips: Wedding Gown Storage

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:

Jeddah ♥ Josep’s Spanish-Vintage Wedding Cord

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:

a

PDW Makeover

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…

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

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?

Supplier’s Rating: Ma Del’s Cuisine

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.

Leah ♥ Allan’s Rosary Wedding Cord

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}

STD: Bonny Beauteous' Second Auction Night

X.O.X.O.,

Customized Wedding Cords for Fab B2Bs

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}

OT: Bonny Beauteous' First Ever Online Auction Night

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}

Photo Story: Our Valentine Trip to Mauritius

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.}

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

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).