I Blog, Therefore I Am.: Weddings

In #Calligraffi, #WittAbbie

NEW WEDDING FINDS & IDEAS

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, by Abbie

In #WittAbbie, Bridesmaids

SWATCHES

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, by Abbie

In Bridal Fair, Photography

I went to SM Megamall last Sunday to check out the Wedding and Debut Fair at the Megatrade Hall. I am not expecting too much and I just want to have a feel check out new trends. I will not say that it's a waste of time but it was definitely not very productive for me. There were only 40-50 exhibitors and most of them are photographers and videographers. I did find a couple of leads and was able to book impulsively another "photographer".

Mobile Bar at the Bridal Fair. Should we get one?

PhotoMan

The fifth wedding supplier I was able to book was PhotoMan. It was, I must say, an impulsive move. My wedding planner asked me if I will still have photo booth and I answered yes. I know that it is very very usual nowadays to have photo booths but I still like them.

PhotoMan is technically not a photo booth. They are a group of 2-3 roving people who take photos and prints them through a portable laptop and printer that is being carried around backpack-style. I am familiar with Photoman's work since we already got them in 3 of our events last year.

My decision to book Photoman is a good one (I think). I was able to get them for only P7,800 (with an out of town fee of P1,500) for the whole duration of the wedding. The bridal fair promo is the use of PhotoMan for unlimited hours from church to reception as opposed to their usual 3 hour period. This will also guarantee me an unofficial second photographer with print outputs to boot.

Flowers

There's only one florist in the whole fair - Samantha's of Dangwa! I've been scouting for florists all week and I was hoping that I can get a good one in the fair. Flowers are actually in my "save" list. It's okay for me to just have "ok" flowers and I am planning not to splurge on it. Our church is very very nice so it doesn't need too much flowers; and our caterer will provide styling and flowers for the reception. I will only need a florist for my bridal bouquet, female entourage, and some asters for the church aisle.

I inquired with Samantha's Flowershop and they gave me very good rate. It's around 43% less than the usual range of florists' rates in the metro. The lady owner also offered a mock-up for my bridesmaids' bouquet at the bridal fair at the PICC Forum this coming weekend.

Here's a sample of their bridal bouquets (grabbed from their Facebook Page)

I am still scouting for florists and I am not yet sure if I'll be getting Samantha's. I haven't seen any reviews about them so far and I still have a few names on my list. If you're interested, you may inquire at their Facebook Page. Speaking of florists - I also met with Sampaguita Master Serge Igonia the other day at Fairmont and he has some very beautiful creations and pegs which I really like. More on this on my next post!

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, by Abbie

In #WittAbbie, Ayala Westgrove

ST. BENEDICT CHURCH IN SILANG

My preference changed over the years. If you read the archives of this blog, I probably mentioned in the past on wanting to marry in a big church with a long majestic aisle (think Manila Cathedral or my parents' San Agustin Church in Intramuros).

For our real and actual wedding next year - my simple ~~demand~~ wish is to get married in a small and 'unknown' chapel surrounded by greens outside the city. Caleruega and Chapel on The Hill in Nasugbu, San Antonio de Padua in Silang, and Madre de Dios Midlands Chapel in Tagaytay Highlands were good choices but countless friends and cousins already got married in those churches so it's not exactly 'unknown' in my book. I want a church where even Waze will get confused. Plus, I heard that Caleruega is now extremely popular and you have to book it 2-3 years in advance.

If there's one thing I did in the 4 months of non-wedding prep (post-engagement) is to research for possible churches for our wedding. An aunt suggested this small church near Ayala Westgrove. So one Sunday afternoon - my family and I checked St. Benedict Church in Silang, Cavite.

St. Benedict Church in Silang, Cavite

The church is very very nice. I fell in love with it immediately. I actually have a 'this is it' feeling the moment I entered it. But the fiance attributed that feeling to the nice air-conditioning and the nice set-up of the church in preparation for a wedding that afternoon.

We are (unfortunately) not getting hitched at St. Benedict Church in Silang since we stumbled upon another church/chapel to our liking at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Montecito, Nuvali. Plus - the only weekend afternoon dates available are November 14 and December 6, 2015, when we inquired. The next available Saturday is already for February 2016. It was quite surprising because we inquired a year and two weeks before our target date. It's now fast becoming a popular wedding church that follows a 2-wedding-only per day rule with an afternoon slot that strictly starts at 2:30 pm.

Here are the pros/cons of St. Benedict Church in Silang based on my observations:

The Good:

It's a nice little solemn church tucked away in the greens of Silang, Cavite.
Awesome church aisle which can give the grand entrance that the bride wants.
The church's secretary is very nice and accommodating.
They can pencil-book the date/s for you for a week. You can confirm after a week with P5,000 to reserve the date that you want.
There's a provision for air-con and non-air-con weddings.
There are many reception options if you choose this church. Angelfields in Tagaytay is less than 15 minutes away. There are also a lot of villages near the church with nice clubhouses.

The Not So Good:

Rates are quite high compared to other churches in nearby areas.
St. Benedict is very strict. They only allow the use of standard Marriage Ritual with no modification in the wedding missalette, and strictly no photographer/videographer allowed within the sanctuary within the wedding rites. They are only allowed to shoot on the sides. There are videographers and photographers who are banned and not allowed to shoot in St. Benedict. So check with them first if your supplier is in the "naughty list".

Other Details:

How to go to St. Benedict Church: The church is in Silang, Cavite near Nuvali but you have to enter Laguna Technopark via the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road to reach the road leading to the church. The church is just before Ayala Westgrove.
The church's office days are from Wednesdays to Sundays only.
No plunging necklines and revealing clothes even for your guests. Marshals may require guests to wear white shawls that they have in stock.

Here are more details of St. Benedict Church for those who are considering this as their church:

Wedding Package/Rates 2015:

Php 28,000 - With Air-Conditioning
Php 23,000 - Without Air-Conditioning
Additional Php 2,000 if Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation

Terms - Php 5,000 non-refundable downpayment to book the date, another Php 5,000 right after the Canonical Interview, remaining balance to be paid 30 days before the wedding.

The package includes the following:

Officiating Resident Priest
Two (2) hours of church use including pictorials
Church's lighting and audio and video systems
Wedding chairs and kneelers for the couple
Marriage certificate
Use of red carpet
Two (2) wedding candles at the altar

The Canonical Interview with the Resident Priest is also required.

The altar at St. Benedict

St. Benedict Church in Silang
Diocese of Imus
Resident Priest - Fr. Isagani Avinante
Secretary - Ms. Myra L. Romabiles
(046) 511-1005
(0915) 414-3785
E-mail - st.benedictchurchawh@yahoo.com

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, by Abbie

In Church, Events

IN PHOTOS: PAUL & CINDY'S WEDDING

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, by Abbie

In Celebrity Wedding, Chelsea Clinton

THE CHELSEA CLINTON WEDDING

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, by Abbie

In Civil Wedding, Events

CJ & AILEEN'S CIVIL WEDDING

We were having one of our "catch-up" dinners at our new-favorite, Jaemark's Tuna Grille, when Aileen casually mentioned that she's getting married to CJ soon. We were surprised yet very happy about her news. It was supposed to be a strictly family-only wedding affair but Tin, Charu and I self-invited ourselves and insisted that we will skip work and witness one of the most important events of her life.

The civil wedding was held at the Regional Trial Court Branch 66 of Makati City Hall last March 24, 2010. It was a small event attended only by immediate family, relatives and US. Aileen wore a simple white dress with violet shoes, accents, and accessories. She got the simple white civil wedding dress from one of the stores in Glorietta. It was very Carrie Bradshaw at the Sex & The City Movie.

It was my first time to go to the City Hall of Makati and I was really impressed by its grandeur. I also can't help but take a shot of the overlooking view of the Makati Business District. "Ganito Kami Sa Makati".

The wedding was officiated by Judge Joselito Villarosa who kept us all entertained by his candid questions to Aileen & CJ and their parents. The supposed 30-mins. rites turned hour-long because of his questions and commentaries.

Here are more photos of the wedding rites which include the ring & arrhae ceremonies and the signing of marriage certificates:

Aileen giving the ring to CJ

CJ giving the arrhae

The first kiss of the married couple was repeated several times because the "photographers" (Tita, Ate Chinky, Jako, me) cannot get it right. Here's my version:

Photos of family and friends who attended and witnessed CJ & Aileen's big day:

The post-wedding celebration was held in Italianni's Greenbelt 2, Aileen's favorite. Good thing Tin was able to catch up and join us. She even asked me and Charu to make a side trip to the mall to buy the bride a basket (sorry, private joke).

Congratulations and Best Wishes, Madamme & CJ! Cheers!

More pictures of the wedding at my Flickr site.

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, by Abbie

In 52 Weeks, Events

WEEK 1: A HIGHLANDS WEDDING

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, by Abbie

In Alabang, Baicapture

THINGS I LOVE AT JAKO & CHARU'S WEDDING

Jako & Charu. FINALLY! What a great way to go back to blogging by posting about the very nice and super fun wedding of my dear friends, Jako and Charu. Friends and readers of my blog are sure familiar with this duo who are very often featured and pictured here at my blog.

Jako and Charu are my friends from highschool. They first met in Kindergarten (!!!) but only got together as a couple five years ago. It really made me happy that they finally sealed the deal last December 12, Saturday, at St. Jerome Emiliani in Alabang. They've always been one of my favorite couples and I am really happy that I was part of the beginning of their happily ever after.

Here are some of the things I love about the wedding:

The ~~Crying~~ Sentimental Bride
Charu cried throughout her bridal march and we find it really really heart-felt. We can't help but shed a tear or two as we watch her all beautiful and regal yet crying her heart out as she walks to the love of her life.

The ~~Crying~~ Groom
Jako's moment came when he was reading and reciting his self-made vows to Charu.

We were part of it!
Tintin, Aileen and I were part of the entourage as Bridesmaids and Veil Sponsors. We are so happy and delighted that the couple chose us to be part of their wedding. We are honored! :)

"Swerte Ako!"
Wong & Kaloy, friends from Highschool, put a sign of "Swerte Ako!" (I'm Lucky!) on Charu's side of the chair after their Secondary Sponsors duties. Charu's mom asked the camera people and the female entourage members to put it on Jako instead. The sign kept on switching from Jako's side to Charu's side throughout the ceremony!

Blue & The Cambe Gowns
Junjun Cambe outdid himself with Charu's tube gown and its intricate bead work. Our blue bridesmaids gown were also cool! The boys also look nice with their Lumban Barongs.

The Baicapture Booth
Photo booths are all rage now and Baicapture is the most popular! We had around 10 snaps at the booth! Talk about sulit!

Cologne Fountain
This is probably one of the most unique wedding give-aways I've ever seen. There was a fountain of cologne and guests can get their share through the bottle sprays that were provided! Cool!

Jako & Charu's First Dance
The couple's first dance was slow and sweet but they shifted midway to a choreographed dance move which got collective cheers from their guests.

Elation and the After-Party!
Jako & Charu really knows how to throw a party! We had unlimited shots, cocktails and mocktails because of the Elation Mobile Bar. There were non-stop dancing and partying at the dance floor, even the parents and the godparents joined the celebration!