Below is our wedding supplier review. You may want to refer to this page when planning a wedding but want to save (or scrimp?hehe) on some wedding stuff. I made a lot of DIY (do-it-yourself). Happy preps!

Invitations, Tarpaulin, Thank You Cards: SIGN TECH: 10

DIY kaya merong personal touch! We designed our invitations, tarp and thank you cards.
Just the way we want it.
Envelopes and ribbons were made beautifully by my mother.

Photographers: IMAGINEER DIGITAL:7

We liked most of their shots. Maraming artistic shots. Then why 7 lang? -they weren’t able to catch the *magic* that night. I can’t seemed to explain this, but that night looked so much like it was enchanted. Mailaw at madaming flowers. Di ko alam pero parang bitin yung mga kuha nya. Feeling ko hindi nya nakuhanan mga ibang important shots. Wala nga din sya kuha ng confetti (paglabas ng church) at saka nung mga flowergirls na magkakasama (cute kasi ng gowns nila, yellow, orange and green—motif namin); at saka close-up shots nung teddy bears(cute cute nun eh). Buti na lang meron ang video, ki-napture ko na lang sa PC then pina-print ko sa Kodak. -nakaharang sila lagi sa videographer. Grabe, pati yung walk down the aisle ko, yung sa harap, kita yung isang photographer naglalakad sa likod. Yung kuha ko naman sa likod, kumukuha sa gitna sa harap yung isa.

Bakit 7 pa din? -kasi magaling naman. Maraming shots you wouldn’t expect to turn out great but did. -kahit gabi ang wedding, they took advantage of this. Magaganda yung shots na tinatamaan ng ilaw ang camera. Good lighting and angles.

PART II

Hello again. To continue with the review, we received our digital album. Maganda ang material na ginamit. Mdaming nagandahan. May MALI sa album…The photographer used to call me by a different nickname. Even though, i don’t like anyone calling me by that nick i didn’t tell this to him kasi nmn i didn’t mind. Kala ko it has no effect nmn or whatsoever. But then, pagdating ng album, yung nick na yun ang nakalagay! Hay, our friends make fun of me tuloy… The good thing is, he promised to exchange albums, since gagawa nmn tlga sya ng another copy nung album nmn which he would use for his exhibits. O ayan ha…kaya 7 tlga sya. D ko binaba ng 6…kc papalitan nmn dw nya…in fact, yung CD copy na binigay nya, edited na ang nakalagay (yung mga inupload ko sa webshots, galing sa CD na yun)

PART III

about October 2006, he was asking me why i rated him that low. then i explained my side. he said that even if our wedding was 2005, he would like to make it up to us and will give a free album na lang in december 2006. hmm, 2008 na, wala pa ding album. oh well.

Videographers: DV-POST:9

Wala akong masabi sa grupong ito. Very talented, very artistic

Picture AVP:

Ang ganda ng AVP namin! Ako, I like yung sa mga pictures ko. Kaya lang d nagustuhan ni hubby yung song na ginamit for his pictures. We weren’t able to watch this kasi for editing sana, kasi we were so busy na that time, d na kme nakapunta. But then, nakabawi naman talaga dun sa mga pictures namin together. Ang galing galing ni Nice (tama ba spelling?).

On-site:

Wala din talaga akong masabi. Captured every moment. Yung mga flowers, preparations nmin sa hotel, pati mga bungisngisan namin during the wedding, naipalabas na agad nung reception. Ang galing galing nila Omar at Olga!

Wedding MTV:

Captured precious moments din! (Syempre, preho lang nmn ang ginamit na raw footage para sa on-site) This time, our videographers were able to catch the *magic* na sinasabi ko. Maliwanag (madaming luminaries that night eh) saka madaming flowers sa paligid. O di ba enchanted ang dating?

Bad news: disbanded na ata sila.

Barong and Pants: 8

Hubby’s barong and pants are good. With free camiso chino..kaya lang d ko lam business name nila eh. Meron ding bad side, nagpagawa ako ng dress pambihis sana sa hotel. Para naman ndi ako naka-robe lang sa video while having my make-up on …Kaya lang late ng dumating yung dress sa hotel at pagsukat ko, yikes! ang luwag…so, nagrobe na lng ako…deadma!

Hair and Make-Up: RHEA MERCADO: 9

I liked my hair and make-up. I got Rhea because he (yes, he’s gay) was the one who did my hair and make-up everytime. Since my prom days. Ok, ok, I had make up trials with other artists pero si Rhea pa din talaga ang gusto ko. Plus, cheaper fee than most artists.

(I remember I had one makeup trial, then attended a wedding. Sus! Di nila ako makilala sa kapal ng makeup)

Kay Rhea kasi, sakto lang ang pagiging light/heavy ng make-up. Kitang kita pa rin ang tunay kong mukha. No pretentions. Kunsabagay, pagdating sa make-up, kanya-kanya lang naman ng hiyang yan.

Gowns(Bride and Entourage): EDMUND GALIAS: 4

Ay, he was the only supplier that gave me so much headache! So stay away from him. (Kunsabagay hindi naman sya sikat) Very unprofessional! We gave him the downpayment on August 4 (2004) and yet, he didn’t want to get my measurements muna. He got my measurements September 4 na, a month after the downpayment, at kinulit ko pa sya nun para kuhanin na nya! It was stated in our contract that I can get my gown on December 4 (more than a month away from my wedding) kasi nga I know late magdeliver mga designers. It was also stated in the contract the my gown will have a detachable train.

Ay grabe, I had my final fitting on December 4 (hindi pa tapos eh!!! Grrr!!!) !
Que Horror!

Ang panget sobra ng gown! At walang train, ang sagot ba naman sa akin eh, “Maganda naman ang gown kahit walang train!” Kakainis talaga! Ay pina-hold ko nga yung cheque sa bangko, sinabi ko sa kanya, hindi ko sya babayaran kung hindi nya lalagyan ng train, at yun naman nakalagay sa contract.

So he made the train, kaso, wala man lang beadwork?!?! Worst nightmare talaga sya!

Plus, one week before the wedding, wala pa sakin ang gown ko. Imagine? Dapat eh nag beauty rest na ko nun, na-stressed pa lalo kaka-worry kung meron akong isusuot na gown?

Nakabawi lang sya kasi ok naman lumabas lahat ng gowns.

Did I mention na on their final fitting eh, ang mga gowns ng entourage eh 5 inches ang sikip sa kanila at di nila maisarado ang zipper?

Buti naayos nya before the wedding. Yes, que horror!

Customized Bridal Shoes: ABBYLYN:10

Maganda, very comfortable and very cheap. (Eh isang beses mo lang naman gagamitin.) You may want to bring a magazine/photo of the bridal shoes you like. They’ll tell you naman kung kaya nilang gayahin or not. Stores located at Marikina Shoe Expo.

Flowers: 10

Flowers were just so beautiful. They arrived on time. Other brides/wives warned me to better make it clear with the florists the certain kind or quantity of flowers. Minsan kasi, ibang flowers, or sobrang konti unlike ng pinakita sayo sa package ang dine-deliver on your wedding day. But I was busy with a lot of things that I forgot to instruct them of all my expectations. I just told them our motif is orange, lemon and lime; and the number of people in my entourage; and gave them three teddy bears for the flowergirls. Guess we were so lucky with our florists (actually the cousin of one of our ninangs). Everything was complete. From the hotel (free petals), to church (offering) and reception (free bouquet for the throwing, so I could keep mine). The colors are buhay na buhay. I especially loved (I forgot what they call it) the flowers along the pathway, which in fact, they transferred from the church (after the wedding) to the reception venue. Our flowers were far more gorgeous than I expected!

CHURCH MATERIALS: 10

Wedding Ring Tray
Unity Coins Tray
Unity Candles and Ceremonial Candles
Match

DIY. Candles from Dapitan Arcade. Photo Sticker by Signtech. Wraps and ribbons from leftover from souvenir materials.

CHURCH: SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH: 9

For one, a lot of people (from other weddings) complained that the manangs at this church are always in a hurry, especially during picture taking. But we asked for one more picture to shot, for our friends, they let us do it. Plus, we really don’t have any idea what to do on our wedding (e.g. it’s time to kneel, to approach the altar, etc.) but they were very courteous and our wedding ended up well choreographed. 9 lang, hindi 10 kasi meron pa din restrictions. But of course, the church was just splendid!

Priest: Rev. Fr. Rommel Par, OSa: 10

tama bang pati sya may rating? sorry. but i just want to share.

My hubby used to be a Sakristan when he was young and Fr. Rommel was one of the many priests that he used to assist. Father Rommel was even the one who called/arranged with the church personnel regarding non in-house priests officiating the wedding. We had our last confession (separately of course) minutes before our wedding. And the sermon was very personalized because he really knows who we are. I guess Father Rommel is another reason that made the wedding ceremony very special.

Choir: MAGNIFICAT: 8

They were good. Kaya nga lang, pumiyok nung (of all naman!) bridal march ko na. Sa first line pa lang naman so they started the song all over again. I actually didn’t notice, my friend told me about this. So I asked around, and the others confirmed at natatawa sila while they were narrating it to me. Pero maganda naman daw ang boses (para bang wala ako dun? Yup, wala sa sarili), plus I liked the coordinated clothes.

Reception Venue: PUERTA REAL GARDENS: 10

Intramuros is one of my favorite places. In fact, we had our prenuptial pictures taken in Intramuros. When I was in college (Mapua), I dreamt of getting married in Intramuros. I’m really happy that we got married in San Agustin. But holding the reception in Puerta Real made me really happy, especially on our wedding day. I know some may find it very plain. Lalo na during the day, kasi mga walls lang. Actually, yun ang gusto ko, yung walls, and greens (trees and grass) then add a lot of flowers and luminaries, perfect! Saka ang laki-laki ng garden. It had a very magical effect, luminaries, flowers, lots of food and drinks, with your families and friends in one gathering, just perfect

Caterer: BLUE PETALS CATERING: 10

The food was great daw sabi ng mga guests. But they especially enjoyed the Lechong Baka (not from the caterer though). I wasn’t able to eat kasi that night, ewan ko ba. Isa lang masasabi ko, very courteous ang mga waiters, especially the head waiter. I was looking for him sana kasi, to inform the guests na merong beer. Hindi pa ko lumilingon, nandun na sya sa tabi ko, “yes ma’am?” Ang galing noh? Very sensitive to the needs of their customers.Plus the set-up was just great! Ang ganda ng mga centerpieces. Maganda pla yung napili nmin ni hubby na centerpiece. Sa picture lang kasi nmin nakita. Malaki pla sa personal, sakto sa Puerta Real. Saka, nagbigay lang kme ng mga grapes at kiatkiat sa kanila earlier, sila na ang nag-set-up sa mga tables. Ang galing! Very grand ang dating.Nakakabilib talaga si Tita Eres (owner). Wait, did I tell you sobrang mura ang magpa-cater sa knila?

Wedding Cake: ALEX FRANCO CAKES: 10

Maganda at engrande ang set-up, sobrang sarap, all edible at maasikaso ang mga tao nya (his brother and wife was there). And they assisted in distributing cake to the guests. At meron pa libreng cake sa amin! (sa five-layered lang ata merong libre)Pati fruits sa cake (and table), masarap. Mdami pa nga natirang cake. We used one cake for the after-the-wedding pictorial at the hotel.Sobrang sarap! Sobrang sulit!

Sound and Lighting System: SOUND SYNDROME: 8

Hmm, ok ang sound system that night. Meron nga lang “delay” between sa mic at sa speakers. Kya sobrang bagal kong magsalita during my speech kasi I was sort of listening to myself to finish.But I have to commend their lighting. Another factor that added magic that night. Madilim kasi ang Puerta Real. Klangan ng magandang Lighting system, and Sound Syndrome was able to provide that.

Strings: LEGGIERO STRINGS: 8

Very talented. Some of our guests didn’t know we had strings, all the while they thought CDs were being played. Kasi nga ang galing ng strings, kala mo talaga CD, kasi perfect.Eh bkit 8 lang? they gave us a list of what songs we wanted to be played that night. Siguro 4 lang ang nasunod. At least, the important ones. Like the bridal march on the reception venue, our grand entrance, cake cutting and our first ceremonial dance. 4 nga lang!But still, very talented group of people.

PERFORMERS: 10

My brother and hubby’s brother rendered their own version of “I’ll be”. Both guys were, er, good, and both can’t wait for the song to finish. Hehehe. I was the one who insisted that they sing and play the guitars together. Sarap lang kasi ng feeling, magkasama magpeperform brothers nyo. Kahit pumiyok pa. =)

Hubby’s cousin played the violin. Iba talaga pag relatives or friends mo ang nagperform. Mas maappreciate mo talaga.

HOSTS: 10

Bimbo is a friend and a former officemate. We used to host together during office programs. This was why I entrusted him the reception program. I was confident, that if ever Maniya commits a blunder, Bimbo will be able to make up for it, quick! I know this, based on several occasions. Hehehe.As expected, the program was very lively. Very entertaining. Thanks to Bimbo. He has a way of keeping the attention. It’s the voice, I guess. Very empowering. Pwedeng maging announcer sa karera ng kabayo. Hahaha!Maniya is quite shy that night, but then, she and Bimbo looked good together hosting the program.

SOUVENIRS & WEDDING FAVORS: 10

Lamps
Coin Purses (for the ladies)
Bottle Openers (for the guys)

10, DIY din kasi eh. Materials bought from Divisoria. Pinagpuyatan namin ng buong pamilya ni hubby.

Luminaries: 10

DIY din. Pinagpuyatan ko ng matagal. For about 8 months? Tumulong na din ang buong family ni hubby. But some luminaries got burned on the actual reception. Probably because it was windy that night (it rained the previous night), eh garden yun so open air.But then, it was still worth it. Yung pagod and all doing the luminaries. Added magic that night, of course.