An Early Birthday Gift: HMUA Booked!

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As the title states, this was an early birthday gift for me. Last Tuesday, two days short of my birthday, I learned of Val Villarin's Hair and Make-up Promo. Come Wednesday, he's officially our hair and make-up artist! 

He was my choice supplier from the start, being one of the top ten suppliers of W@W in 2011. I dreamily stared at his portfolio in the early months and wished to be one of his stunning brides. However, I still wanna be sure with my choice. So last June, I actively researched for HMUA suppliers. I was able to get in touch with 20 or so suppliers, and despite seeing other stunning portfolios or cheaper packages, I know deep inside that I still want to be a Val Villarin bride. Not only have I felt that "this is it" feeling, his rates are reasonable too! It’s right in the smack of our allotted budget.

We’re just waiting it out a bit before booking him, hoping that he’ll have a promo in the next few months, or that we’ll catch him in one of the upcoming bridal fairs. If we’re able to do that, that might save us a few thousand or get more free services. Who wouldn’t want that right?

And so, after learning of his weeklong promo, I immediately messaged him in Facebook and sent him a text message to inquire. A few hours had passed and still no reply from him. Given my impatience, I decided to give him a call. When I got to talk to him, right then I told him that we’ll get his services and I’ll deposit the downpayment as soon as possible to officially block off our date. Since that was around 5PM already, I told him that I’ll just head to the bank the next day. As soon as I’ve deposited our downpayment, I shoot him an email confirmation for our payment together with the deposit slip. Hours after that, I received the scanned copy of our official contract. Happiness! What a great birthday gift?!

Cheers!

DIY #2: Ruffly Wrist Corsage

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Making the most out of my work hiatus, I was able to tick off another item on the list. I bought the materials from Carolina's a few days ago, when I had my long overdue "me time". This wrist corsage made it to our DIY list after we decided with our theme. And one time that I was looking for inspirations, I came across the picture below. It was so cute and lovely! I just knew that our flower girls should have something like this.

Ruffly Corsage | Martha Stewart Weddings

So when I had the free time to scour for some eyelet trimmings, there's no way I'd let that opportunity pass. I first checked fabric shops in Glorietta 4, but not even a single shop sells what I was looking for. Luckily, the  lady in the last shop I went to was kind enough to refer me to Carolina’s at Glorietta 5. I treaded my way to the other building, looked for the said shop, and lo and behold, they have it! Apparently Carolina’s is a lace shop, so they have a wide array of lace and eyelet trimmings in different colors, sizes, and designs. I carefully scrutinized the items on display and bought 3 different types since I am not sure which among them will best look as a  flower.

I used the leftmost eyelet

Itching to finish this one, I started working as soon as I got home. Each trimming was used for a trial flower, and then I asked my family to pick which one looks best. The eyelet in nude won by a landslide, because it better complements our complexion compared the ones in stark white.  I was in production mode after that as  I so wanted to complete the corsages immediately. Excited much? Hihi.

Anyway, after crafting the 3 cute flowers, which I adorned with a yellow bead at the center, I was stuck because I did not buy any thin trimmings that will serve as wrist straps. Not wanting to give up and just continue on another day, I turned again to my trusty box of thingamajigs and found some cream satin ribbons. And they are just enough (as in no excess, not even a centimetre) to be placed as straps to my corsages. They’ve been in that box for ages (I think since my HS graduation! What a junkie?! Haha.), and finally I’ll be able to put them into good use. =P

I sew those ribbons at the back of the eyelet flowers, covered the stitches with some felt cloth for a clean finish, and voila, I now have 3 dainty and ruffly wrist corsages for our little girls. :)

Our Ruffly Corsages

Modeled by my young cousin :)

  

Carolina's Lace Shoppe

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Cheers!

DIY #1: Our Wedding Cord

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Finally, I'll be able to share to you our wedding cord. We bought the materials for our cord a few weeks ago and this time I’ll show you the step by step process as I crafted this thing that'll bind us, and of course the output. :)

First create a pattern you’d like. I created two patterns for our cord with the plan to pin these segments alternately. Since I prefer navy to stand out more than yellow, I used more navy beads in the patterns I arranged. Notice that I bought bigger navy beads too, so it would be more prominent than the yellow ones once the cord is finished.

String the first pattern of beads and bead caps into the eye pin. After inserting the last item, which is the bead cap for this segment, insert an eye pin. Once all the items were strung together, make a loop to close it.  In this segment, I cut the eye pin a bit before making the closing loop.

Using the eye pin included in the first segment, string the second pattern and insert another eye pin.Make a loop again to close this segment. Since I’ll just have these two patterns alternately, I just repeated the first section and continued on to do the rest.

After creating the two beaded loops that will be placed around me and Adrin, I designed the connector in the middle out of yellow beads (because I forgot to buy a brooch, so I improvised =P). This is the section where I attached our initials. Adrin didn't like the cursive letter A so we bought the block one. I, on the other hand, prefer the cursive letter K, so we decided to get our initials in different fonts. For the dangling section in the middle, I made a different pattern for it so you can easily set it apart from the two larger sections. Once this part was completed, I attached a blue St. Benedict's Crucifix at the end.

And so I present to you our wedding cord.

Easy process right? And lovely cord too! :)

Cheers,

Designer Meeting #3: Hana Saab-Tomacruz of Saab Fashion House

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This designer is another w@w find. I came across her name months into the wedding planning. And now that we’re into the designer hunt, I made sure to set a meeting with her.

It was a morning appointment at her shop in San Juan, and we got there right in time. Adrin and I were led by Hana’s husband to their small office and after a few minutes, Hana already joined us. She immediately struck me as very mahinhin and soft-spoken. I made my spiel about our purpose for the appointment, which is to consult with her and check if she can make a design for me similar to my preferences. I showed her the printouts of my gown pegs and that’s when she started to work.

First thing she did was to check my body type, after which she started sketching with a sign pen (take note,  sign pen, not pencil) in hand. Simultaneously, she is explaining the type of materials she plans to use for the dress as well as the appliques that’ll be carefully sewn on the fabric. I was surprised when she immediately outlined the back and side views once the front look was done. She was the only designer we met to care sketching the side view of her design. I was really happy she did that because for me it indicates that she has a 360 degree picture in her mind of something she might possibly create.

Hana was also very proactive to show to us her fabric swatches for the different layers of the gown, starting from the shell (innermost) to the outermost fabric. During the discussion, it was also shared to us that the petticoats they provide are custom made for each client. This is somewhat different from the usual practice of other designers which is providing store-bought ones. After showing us the fabrics and petticoats, we were also able to see some beads and appliques that she uses. And for us to better imagine how things will look once everything has been put together, she let us see a gown already for fitting by one of her clients.

After discussing details for the gown, we moved on to the (1) gown inclusions--veils, cord, pillows, and arrhae; (2) payment terms, and (3) on the day service provided. Aside from that, Adrin and I made sure to also check with her the rates and specifications for entourage dresses. At the end of the meeting, we agreed that we’ll think about things first and will instantly touch base with her once we decided to get her for my gown.

Just like before, as soon as we got into the car, Adrin and I shared our observations and take on the designer we’ve just met. I told him, I like the fact that she was soft-spoken and mahinhin because it makes me comfortable to share all my ideas and preferences. I also find her very organized, with all those carefully kept swatches; and into the details, because of the way she has planned in that instant the fabric layering that will be done. Not to mention the confidence I sensed behind the small soft voice, considering that she’s only been into bridal gown designing for 2 years.

Adrin, on the other hand, found her very structural -- meaning she works with a plan and carefully thought out steps in mind. He liked the fact that Hana’s first consideration before designing anything was my body type. To him, this means that Hana will only create something that will be flattering for me. It will also be very good for us that this designer even thinks our maximum budget for a bridal gown is more than enough for my preferred style. Makes us comfortable that we'll surely get our money's worth and won't be shortchanged should we decide to get her for the job. 

As of today, Hana of Saab Fashion House is the frontrunner couturier in our quest for the perfect dress. Sorry no sketch pictures this time. Her paper output contains much too much detail that I find it inappropriate to broadly share to the public.

Hana Saab-Tomacruz

Saab Fashion House

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Email: hycsaab@yahoo.com
Tel. No.: 0915-2596792

Cheers!

Designer Meeting #2: Von Lazaro of Carmen Lazaro Couture

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Carmen Lazaro Couture (CLC) was the first ever bridal gown designer that caught my attention. I came across the brand in one of the wedding blogs I followed way back in February. I must say, the dress of that bride is simple but very lovely. Next, I looked it up to view other works and price range, and that was when I seriously considered inquiring with them for my own gown.

Fast forward to July, after booking our major suppliers, I decided to start my hunt for my gown designer. Together with other designers that I noted, I inquired with CLC via email. Soon after, I requested for a consultation appointment to further discuss my preferences and gauge if I’ll be comfortable working with them.

Last Saturday, Adrin and I went to CLC’s shop in Manila to meet with Von Lazaro. He actually is the person behind CLC, and Carmen Lazaro is his mom who used to do the same business but already ventured out to other things. He used her name as his brand, probably to start his business off with equity five years ago. 

When we got to their shop, we were seated by one of the seamstress’ as Von was still entertaining a client. While waiting, we saw how the dressmakers do their stuff on some yet to be gowns in their dress-form and sewing machines. Once it was our turn, Von led us upstairs to his mini office and started our meeting. He checked my physique first and then provided inputs to the sample designs I like. He explained the logic of having gowns in normal waist and dropped waist, as well as ball gowns and A-lines. He’s quick to share what will fit me well, and Filipinas in general, and also those styles that will be quite a challenge.

I asked if he can design something for me that is similar to my pegs, and to this he obliged. After doing the sketches, he explained the fabrics that he’ll be using and showed me his fabric swatches. We discussed the inclusions of the gowns, fitting schedule and requirements, payment terms, and on the day service. Rates for entourage gowns were also discussed for our future reference.

All in all it was a good meeting; we surely learned a thing or two. Von was really nice to talk to and also very generous to share his inputs. Our only concern is that designing may not be his best card. We noticed when he was sketching that it was not as free flowing as it should be for a designer. He appeared to be struggling with his pencil and paper that he took quite a long time to draw a simple design.  Sure Carmen Lazaro Couture can produce such lovely gowns, but it seems that their best is at copying each and every detail of a design that you show them. They would be a good choice for brides out there who already had their hearts set to a specific gown design and nothing else.

Here are the two sketches he made for me. 

Carmen Lazaro Couture

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Tel No.: 0917-5130082

Cheers!

Trip to Beads Heaven: Wellmanson

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August has come and the hustle and bustle of work is slowly dwindling down. Folks in our office have already planned for their leaves to recharge and refresh before work takes an uphill climb again. Of course I’m also taking this lean time to hibernate from the corporate life and turn my attention to our wedding planning.

I can use this time to work on some DIYs, and at the top of my list is our wedding cord made out of beads. But before I can proceed with this new activity, we must source out the materials first. I haven't tried bead work before and just followed the advice of some former brides out there to check out Wellmanson. According to them, it is the best place for beading supplies. Since we’re not available on the upcoming weekends, we decided to buy the materials on a weekday before going to the office. We intend to go to their bigger outlet which is in Quiapo (the other one is in Divisoria), and ensured to check that the flooding in that area from last week’s bad weather has already subsided.

And so, last Friday, Adrin picked me up from Roxas Blvd. around 10am and went straight to SM City Manila to park his car. It is not recommended to drive it all the way to Quiapo without a sure parking. From SM, we walked towards Manila City Hall where we rode a jeep going to Quiapo/Espana area. We alighted right across the church, and took the underpass to get to Plaza Miranda just outside the Basilica of the Black Nazarene. From there, we instantly saw the street where Wellmanson is located.

Setting foot into the store, I was in awe with all the trinkets, supplies, materials, and what-nots that I saw. We found various types of materials for fancy personal effects like necklace, bracelets, and even earrings. They have the strings of beads hung on the wall, while the small wires, eyepins, etc. were carefully packed and stored in the shelves. Not to mention the ready-made accessories (keychains, necklace, bangles, bracelets, rings, etc.) that will surely brighten any fashionista’s day. Rosary materials and religious artifacts are also up for grabs together with some interesting day-to-day items (mugs, tumblers, japanese dolls, vases, etc.).

We carefully picked out our necessary materials out of the varied bead types, colors, and sizes. After which, I stashed into our basket a couple packs of eye pins and bead crowns based on the beaded cord I pictured in my mind. Naks, imaginative. Haha! Of course I did not forget to buy my beading tools, as well  as letter pendants of our initials that I plan to attach to the cord to make it more personalized. After more than an hour, we paid for all our finds and happily traced our way back to SM City Manila. Gosh, I’m so excited to start this project. :)

Here are some pictures of our wedding cord materials.

I'll update you on my progress with our wedding cord soon. If you're also interested to visit Wellmanson, you can refer to their address and contact numbers below.

Wellmanson Sewing Notion Inc.

Address: 229 Villalobos St., Quiapo, Manila

Tel. Number: (02) 733-6270 /  (02) 734-4475

Fax Number: (02) 733-6269

Cheers!

International Coins for our Wedding Arrhae

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Keeping up with a set budget is one of the struggles of wedding planning. It tests your creativity and flexibility. DIY-ing and improvising are two skills that one would like to have at this point. It can save you a generous amount of moolah, while keeping your wedding unique and personal at the same time.

During the early months of our preps, I learned of Unity Coins. These are minted coins specifically used for the wedding arrhae, where each coin is inscribed with a virtue that is essential for a successful marriage (i.e. love, respect, commitment, etc.). I made a mental note then to of course have Unity Coins for our wedding.

Unity Coins [Source]

As we go along though, we get familiar with all the costs that we need to consider and the going rate for each item to tick off. This is where you instinctively find ways to minimize the expenses. And so, as much as I want us to have our set of Unity Coins, I’m letting it go. I opened to Adrin the idea of having coins from different countries for our wedding arrhae in lieu of my initial plan. I think it’s just fitting to represent our love for travel this way and may this be a reminder for us to strive hard and manage our finances well so we can continue travelling the world together. Being the thrifty him, it’s a no brainer for him to favour my suggestion.

Knowing that we need 13 coins, we had a rundown of the coins we already have and we’re able to gather 8 different currencies from our personal vacations and business trips. Today, I was able to get 4 more from my travel-loving aunt, so that makes it 12 already. To complete the lot, I took a 10-peso coin from my mom’s purse. Making sure that our own Peso will make it in the collection. Hihi.

Here are our coins as of today, in various colors and sizes. I don’t intend to have them plated since it will alter their natural color.  I simply love how diverse they look like so I’m keeping them that way. They just need to be cleaned and polished to bring back some luster. :)

Our Wedding Arrhae Coins

Cheers!