SUPPLIERS' REVIEW

I was a WAWIE subscriber and as every WAWIE bride should, I made my Suppliers’ Review for Future Brides. =) I believe ALL of my suppliers did really well that’s probably because I’m an OC bride, providing all the details, production notes and pictures for reference. I believe that is very important. You have to provide your vision and concrete theme in mind but the more important thing is: TRUST them and let them do their job. That’s one valuable lesson I want to share to future brides: Plan and obsess like a madwoman days BEFORE the wedding, then on the day itself: LET GO, SMILE and ENJOY.
Since all of the suppliers did really well, I will just be including the topnotchers. Just like in graduations, the best performers should be given the apt recognition. =) (Click picture for a better image).

VSF Catering c/o Val Jamora. We were very fortunate that we were provided the Sales and Promotions Manager as our account manager. Val is so detail-oriented and very cool even if I almost lost it a week before the wedding when they decided to change my contact person. We were originally expecting 230 guests but ended up with almost 300 on the day itself Still, everything was organized and provided.

Bob Nicolas Videography and Rupert Nicolas Photography- KUDOS TO RUPERT. He is a really excellent artist with a keen and quick eye for details. The on-site AVP was overwhelming. I believe it all boils down to the couple’s tastes but all I can say is: I WAS A VERY HAPPY BRIDE.

Flowers Unlimited- I was pleasantly surprised with their design at my reception. I was very particular with my flowers: light pink roses, light hydrangeas, tall calla lilies, NO mums, NO gerberas and definitely NO leaves and foliages; the concept I had in mind: softness, rom

ance, nostalgia, English garden. Although I saw a few bits of foliages creeping out, I must admit it was very pretty. I LOVED MY FLOWERS.

Love in Bloom- they provided the flowers for my entourage, my bridal bouquet and the flowers for the church. I believe they were the ones who set the mood for my wedding. I am a May baby and absolutely love flowers and I told myself when I get married, I would love to have pretty, romantic flowers. I had a concrete vision in mind when it came to my flowers: I didn't like architectural arrangements and dark nor too bright colors. I was awed immediately after I saw the large gold vases with the flowers that matched the design in our reception. Although they used more of pink carnations than pink roses I think everything worked out well. The flowers for my entourage were really pretty; I didn’t see any gerbera and mum which made me really happy. I particularly love the bridesmaids’ flowers and the bouquet of my matron of honor as well as the very shabby chic baskets used. My bridal bouquet was not exactly what I had pictured in mind but it went really well with my vintage Spanish Lace Oleg Cassini gown. As soon as I carried it, I knew I just have to have it preserved. I still have to see after a month if it’ll be worth it.

Sensitivity Lights and Sounds- LOVE my lighting and the very sheer drapes with beading.

Sentimental Groove- They sang all the songs I requested, even learning “SOMOS NOVIOS” a week before my wedding. Although I was hoping they followed the dress code. Nothing annoyed me more than seeing people dressed inappropriately for an event.

I was mortified to see some guests in JEANS! (not the TSG) you know who you are. Its the height of tastelessness and discourtesy..

Giveaways: personalized M&M's and candy bar

Bagcharms and Rosary by TheBeadBar, yours truly (plugging!), a labor of love.

Sammy Amante (entourage gowns)- I was very, very particular with the shade of pink that I like and I believe he was able to give it to me which I think was a difficult task. I designed the entourage gowns myself. I wanted very soft and flowy entourage dresses and he had to combine different sheer fabrics to come up with my shade. I love the softness and the lace as well as the little fascinator hats with birdcage veils, just as how I envisioned.
Ermenegildo Zegna- It’s Zegna. Period.

Wedding Rings- Paolo wanted Tungsten Carbide that looks all too male. I wanted diamonds, no less. 5 stones, 1 carat to represent our five years as bf-gf before getting married. Aida Macapagal is my wedding ring designer, I love my ring. I'm glad she talked me into getting something a bit more extravagant since it will be my most loved jewelry.

Danny Capistrano make-up- I am a fan! I love how he is so open with my suggestions unlike other make-up artists I know. I wanted a "messy" updo and he did it perfectly and stylishly muddled, very me. =) I also love the fact that he is very clean with his tools and only uses MAC, Chanel and Cinema Secrets.

Cakes by Angelie Tan- Ms. Tan is our most impersonal supplier. I think we were only able to talk for just a whopping 20 minutes. But when I saw my cake, I was impressed! It was all I ever imagined it to be. The 200 extra Swarovski Crsytals made the cake a lot pricier which didn’t really add much oomph to the whole effect but nevertheless I love the details. The crystals actually are like little secrets you only learn about when you pay more attention.

Bridal Fantasy- I interviewed five coordinators for our wedding. I was so frustrated that, months before the wedding, I asked Paolo to do the choosing. The wedding coordinator is one of the most important suppliers and it all boils down to a bride’s temperament, personality and preference whether she likes a more casual or formal relationship. I was in the States when I called Tita Marivic of Bridal Fantasy and talked to her for over an hour. I must admit I was a bit reluctant at first but I must say, I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. This is the fourth wedding in our family and we had worked with other wedding coordinators before (Bangs Zaldivar, Teddy Manuel) but this is the first time my sisters and I never had to lift a finger. I LOVE BRIDAL FANTASY and highly recommend them.

Oleg Cassini,My gown- What can I say? It is the most important dress in any woman’s life and I definitely love mine. I initially wanted a sleek gown since I was able to experience wearing a big gown already when I had my debut but I figured out I will only get married ONCE and I wanted to look like a bride! I’m very traditional and I’ve always loved Grace Kelly’s wedding gown. Oleg Cassini was a designer for Grace Kelly so I knew it’ll be one of the many reasons why I’m in love not only with the man I was to marry but also with dress I was going to get married in. =) I love the ruching at the back, the ivory duchess satin, the vintage lace and everything, absolutely everything about it. =D

I guess it is really true: the same formula in choosing your partner in life applies to choosing the elements in your wedding. Listen carefully to other people’s wisdom, assess and think things over many times, go with your guts and in the end, the most important thing: FOLLOW YOUR HEART. =)