Prenup Supplier Rating #5: Pan de Amerikana Katipunan

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Happy holidays! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break. As for me, it's the usual downtime of the year filled with get togethers and catching-up and, much to my chagrin, eating!!! Bingeing and over indulgence this season is not for me, as I must exert effort not to add to my poundage to avoid any rework and panic dieting weeks before the wedding. Hoho!

For today, I'll be sharing our experience with Pan de Amerikana when we decided last minute to have our prenup in their Katipunan branch. This humble bread shop, with its main branch located in Marikina, is noted for its quirky upside down shop.

Original location for our pictorial is at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife, but we had to change locations due to the gloomy weather that greeted our morning. Good thing Pan de Amerikana Katipunan was available that day.       

Photo Credit: Panoramio

Rating Scale: 1 - 10 (10 being the highest)

Service: Prenup Venue

Peso Power: Free (You must eat at their place though)

Rating: 7

Pros:

• Highly accommodating. We checked with the shop just freaking 2 hours before the shoot and we were so lucky that they don't have a scheduled shoot that day and so we were approved with our request. 
• Budget friendly. No fees to pay for a shoot. They just request the couple and suppliers to dine at their shop.
• Affordable food. Yes this is counted because this is part of the requirement for any pictorial request.
• Interesting outdoor structure. This will be a good backdrop for a shot from across the street. Sadly we weren't able to do that since it was raining that day.

Cons:

• Katipunan branch is small and limited. This is quite a disadvantage because it directly affects any photo shoot. 
• Quirkiness indoors is not so apparent and hard to capture in photos as most of it (the quirkiness) are hanging from the ceiling -- or should I say floor? Hehe.
• The place is quite dark for a pictorial.

Despite all these, Pan de Amerikana still saved us from rescheduling the shoot once more.

Prenup Supplier Rating #2: Jardin de Miramar

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Many are asking why we held our prenup at Jardin de Miramar. There's no specific personal reason. It just so happened that it on the auction list of w@w auction last year. I researched about it, took my chances, and  won it. 

Rating Scale: 1 - 10 (10 being the highest)

Service: Photo and Video Shoot Venue

Peso Power: Php 4,600 (auction = 2,500; OTD = 2,100)

Rating: 8

Pros:

• Contact person (Daisy) is easy to talk to. The package we got from the auction is for 2hrs photoshoot only, but when I requested for an additional free hour, Daisy agreed and that's what has been specified in our contract.
• All communications done via email. Sometimes Daisy would even call me for some clarifications.
• Adrin didn't have a hard time rescheduling our shoot with them.
• The lounge we used was clean and spacious. Aircon was cold too.
• They let us use their props for free. Our picnic set wouldn't have been possible if not for them. They also setup the native hammock just for our use.
• Then lent steel ladder to our P/V team which was used to climb trees and get some good top shots.
• When it started raining, the staff immediately brought us big golf umbrellas. This is well appreciated since we didn't have enough umbrellas for our party.
• We ran past the allotted hours and stayed in the premises for 4.5 hours but they did not charge us of extra fees anymore. 
• They sought feedback (through a survey form) after the shoot. This is a plus for me as it signifies that they would like to know the opportunity areas in their venue and service. I just hope that the survey results are taken seriously and they take actions on noted improvement areas.

Cons:

• We had to pay additional Php 2,100 on the day of the shoot because they they charge higher if you'll also do video shoot. Plus they only allow 5pax for the normal package, we were 7. 
• The wooden ship at Galera area is a restricted area due to safety reasons. It was old looking and was not well maintained. The swings in the same area were also taken down. 
• The gardens doesn't look very well maintained. The place would be a lot nicer if they can keep the plants and grass well-trimmed.
• When we were shooting for our last layout, they did not turn on the electricity switch for the indoor hall despite the request of our photographer. Reason they gave is because we're already over time. They did not even ask if we're willing to pay over time charges. 

To summarize, dealing with Jardin de Miramar was a good experience. We didn't have any hard time caused by the venue or the staff. They were even attentive to our needs and we really appreciated them lending us props. I just hope they take my feedback seriously and renovate Galera area and dutifully maintain the gardens. =)

Cheers!

Celebrities For A Day: The Engagement Shoot

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Last Friday, despite the erratic and unpredictable weather, we were able to finally complete our engagement pictorial. Two months of preparation all culminated in a single day. Somehow it’s a glimpse of how our wedding day will pass by in a span of 24 hours after years of preparing for it. Haha.

We started preparing for our shoot around March 2013. Back then, I was already pulling together our suppliers. We already have a venue (Jardin de Miramar), and photographer (Ariel Javelosa) but I was also able to convince Adrin that we hire Aira Franco for a styling and HMUA package. The date was set with all of them for May 27.

Weeks leading to our date, we worked hard to complete our wardrobe so we’ll not cram for it. I also created our itinerary and shared it to all our suppliers to ensure that we are all on the same page. And with a sudden twist, the plan was changed. 3 days before our original schedule I received an urgent message from Aira which led us to rescheduling our shoot (more details on my supplier rating).

New date was set for June 14 and we’re prepared 2 weeks before that. I tweaked our itinerary a bit and sent it again to everyone.

Our Prenup Itinerary

The days leading to our schedule were all gloomy and wet, due to a low pressure area. I was even worried that we might need to reschedule again because of the bad weather so I asked for Aira’s inputs. She told me not to worry as she trusts that the clouds will all clear up on our shoot. With that, we proceeded as planned.

Since Adrin took a day off last Thursday, he took charge of our food for Antipolo. Not wanting our suppliers to get hungry, thirsty, and grumpy, we agreed to bring the following:

• Red Ribbon Ensaymada (10pcs.) and Mamon (10pcs.) 
• 1 pack Lemon Square Cupcakes
• 1 pack Nagaraya Peanuts
• 2 jars of Stik-O
• 1 pack of Mentos
• 1 pack of another candy brand
• 6 bottles of water
• 6 bottles of Gatorade
• 12 can of assorted soda
• 3 bottles of Cobra energy drink (yes, energy drink! Haha!)
• Small ice box and tube ice to cool our bottled drinks :P

Our June 14 started really early. We went straight to Aira’s place for my hair and make-up. Fritz started working on me as soon as we got there. After an hour or so on me and a few minutes on Adrin, we’re set all set for our studio shoot.

We got lucky that our drive to Ariel Javelosa’s studio was quite fast so we’re able to catch up a bit on our planned schedule. Sir Mel’s team, our requested photographer, arrived shortly after we finished dressing up. We found out that 3 folks were shooting us that day – 2 photographers and 1 videographer. They started the work immediately and took some portraits of me first. Next were Adrin’s solo shots, and after that came our pictures together. At first it was awkward doing the poses we’re directed to do, but soon got the hang of it and became more comfortable in front of their lenses. Time was unnoticeable already, we just realized that we were shooting for quite some time when Sir Mel said that we can already proceed to our outdoor location. 

Quick lunch with our P/V was spent at Yangchow Dimsum and Tea Place along Marcos Hi-way, then we went straight to the venue. Aira decided that we don't have to return to her place and we'll just meet at the venue. They were still parking when we got there so we're all right on time. I went to Jardin de Miramar's office so they can prepare the lounge for us. As soon as the lounge was ready, Aira, Fritz, Adrin and I immediately settled in while our photographers surveyed the location.

Our first wardrobe were pastels as decided by Aira. Fritz retouched my make-up and styled my hair. During this set, we were informed by Sir Mel that our venue offered some props. Aira clarified it in the office and not long after, a picnic set up with matching guitar was already laid out under a big tree. The props were not something we expected, nonetheless the gesture was much appreciated.

Outtake by Aira Franco

It started to drizzle and that prompted us to change into our 2nd layout. By the time we were safely in the lounge, the drizzle turned into a heavy downpour. We kept our hopes up that it would abate soon and true enough, it was just a passing  heavy cloud. Our 2nd layout started off with Adrin and I sharing an umbrella. Next we moved to Galera area where a huge wooden ship was the main attraction. Jardin also setup a native hammock for our use. Silhouette shots were taken in a nearby restroom -- It was so creative for our photographer to make the best use of a restroom. Haha.

Outtake by Aira Franco

Since we're already running late of our target schedule, we quickly changed to our 3rd layout and braved the outdoors again so we can still get a lot of pics for our formal set. Despite the light showers and rapid approach of dusk, our P/V did not give up. We were even the ones who called it a day since all of us were getting wet already. We also went past our allowed time frame at Jardin already and we might incur additional charges already. Haha.

Outtake by Aira Franco

We were surprised to find out things neatly packed already when we got back to the lounge. Fritz did all the packing and tidying so we just have to change to our normal clothes and load our stuff in the car.

All in all, Adrin and I had fun working with our suppliers and executing a light and fun shoot. It was very us! The downpour did not hinder us from continuing on and we're even thankful that we were given windows to shoot outdoors. Never mention the hassles of walking on wet grass and the sprinkles of water we had to take. We actually did not mind that it was gloomy as we cannot imagine shooting for hours under the scorching sun. :) 

Weeee! Another achievement unlocked for us in this game called wedding preps. =D


Cheers!

Countdown: 12 months!

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Reality check, it’s year 2013 and next is our wedding year already. Actually exactly 1 year from today, Adrin and I will walk that nave and get hitched. Weeee!

Since I consider this whole wedding preparations a project, here’s another checkpoint. First, let’s revisit my to-do list 6 months ago and see what we were able to tick-off.

• Bridal Gown Designer > Hana Saab Tomacruz
• Groom’s Attire
• Blueprint for DIY Invitations
• Hair & Make-up Artist > Val Villarin
• Flowers Supplier > Scenta Creations
• Engagement Shoot Moodboard
• DIY Accessories (Wedding Cord-DONE, Prenup Accessories and Props)

Aside from the wedding cord, I was also able to finish some other DIYs  –

• Coins for our arrhae
• Wrist corsage for the Flower Girls
• Rosaries for our Principal Sponsors
• Bible makeover

And book several more suppliers:

• Prenup Venue: Jardin de Miramar (c/o W@W auction)
• Roving Photographer: Studio on Wheels (c/o W@W auction)
• Wedding Rings: Goldenhills Jewelry
• Auxiliary Photographer: Manny and April Photography
• Mobile Bar: GQ Mobile Bar

So, what can you say? Though we missed almost half of the planned list, it was replaced by quite a few other items, and more importantly, some of them are DIYs. Hooray! We're successful in injecting selected personalized elements into our wedding! And we plan to do MORE! Whew, another fruitful phase of our wedding planning. :)

For the next 6 months, this is our to-do list:

1. Groom’s Attire
2. Parents' and Entourage's Attire
3. DIY Invitations and Stationery
4. Engagement Shoot Moodboard
5. Actual Engagement Shoot
6. Initial Food Tasting and Detailing
7. More DIY Accessories

May we have the time and energy to accomplish them all. 'Til the next checkpoint!

Cheers!

We Won at W@W Auction 2012!

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Yes, another winning for us! It's in an auction this time though. This is a yearly auction activity organized by W@W for its members wherein great deals from an array of very good and reputable suppliers are up for grabs. You just have to make sure that you bid the highest for the item that caught your fancy.

Anyway, this is my first time to participate in the said activity and at first I was quite confused regarding the mechanics despite the really really long email that was sent by Ms. Benz (auction organizer and w@w  co-founder). Good thing Ms. Benz was very accommodating to answer any other queries boggling her beloved w@wies.

And so, after the week-long anticipation, the auction culminated to an emotionally and physically exhausting all-nighter. It was really amazing to see w@wies up and active until dawn just to make sure that the items they long for won’t slip their grips. Watching participants outbidding one another was not only entertaining, it was also helpful to keep sleepiness at bay. Each one was employing his own technique or strategy to keep up with the fast-changing bids. I’m sure most of us experienced the emotional roll-coaster as we battle for our dream items.

After the crazy, exciting, and fun-filled night, I was very lucky to have won the two items I wanted.

First is Prenup/E-session Venue which is Jardin de Miramar.

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I like this venue because it has several thematic spots already within the whole property. Since we're gunning for the classic elegant look for our wedding, the nooks in this garden will help us achieve a similar look for the prenup.

Next we got a Roving Photographer from Studio On Wheels. 

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The roving photographer can and will take pictures of the guests as they wish and will be printing the photo on the spot. This will serve as our souvenirs/giveaways in lieu of the usual photobooth. I hope our guests maximizes the roving photographer. :)

Thanks again to W@W and its founders for putting up such an activity which really benefits a lot of its members. I’m so looking forward to next year’s auction! =)

Cheers!