Vintage Wedding (Part I)

Here are the photos of the vintage wedding that we coordinated last October 10, 2009. We prayed for sunshine and God didn't only gave us a perfect weather, but a smooth-flowing wedding as well.Her wedding gown was made by the young and talented designer from Project Runway Philippines Season 1, Veejay Floresca. 1920's hair and make-up done by Patrick Rosas.



Their wedding cake was included in the wedding package we got for them from Josaiah's catering.


Ms. Cookie Chua serenaded the guests throughout the evening. She also sang the bridal march, "Like a star" by Corrine Bailey Rae.


There's Raymond, the happy groom with his buddies....



and the gorgeous bride, Pam, with her girlfriends.

I'll reserve the other details of this wedding on the second part of this post. Polka-dot feathers and a lovely souvenir made of lahar!

Thanks to Mr. Norly Dizon for the photos. Norly hosted the wedding reception that evening and I must say he's good at this job. He sings well too!

Here are the photos of the vintage wedding that we coordinated last October 10, 2009. We prayed for sunshine and God didn't only gave us a perfect weather, but a smooth-flowing wedding as well.Her wedding gown was made by the young and talented designer from Project Runway Philippines Season 1, Veejay Floresca. 1920's hair and make-up done by Patrick Rosas.



Their wedding cake was included in the wedding package we got for them from Josaiah's catering.


Ms. Cookie Chua serenaded the guests throughout the evening. She also sang the bridal march, "Like a star" by Corrine Bailey Rae.


There's Raymond, the happy groom with his buddies....



and the gorgeous bride, Pam, with her girlfriends.

I'll reserve the other details of this wedding on the second part of this post. Polka-dot feathers and a lovely souvenir made of lahar!

Thanks to Mr. Norly Dizon for the photos. Norly hosted the wedding reception that evening and I must say he's good at this job. He sings well too!

Rainy Weddings

Its so hard to blog about weddings now that a lot of Filipinos have been victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

Last Saturday, September 26, 2009, when Typhoon Ondoy hit the Metro, one wedding was badly affected. Only 30 out of 250 guests came to the wedding ceremony because of the flood. Some suppliers didn't make it to the wedding at all. Wedding ceremony started very late, the priest just went to the bride & groom's hotel room to conduct the ceremony.

After the reception with 30 guests, the bride & groom decided to donate the food from reception to the typhoon victims.

After all the preparations, effort, and money dispensed for a grand wedding, a typhoon came to ruin everything. So sad.... well, not really. Because bottomlne, the bride, the groom, the priest and your witnesses are all that you need to push through with your wedding ceremony. And after every wedding, simple or grand, when you dig deep into your heart, all you really want is not a perfect wedding but to be married to the right person.

Its so hard to blog about weddings now that a lot of Filipinos have been victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

Last Saturday, September 26, 2009, when Typhoon Ondoy hit the Metro, one wedding was badly affected. Only 30 out of 250 guests came to the wedding ceremony because of the flood. Some suppliers didn't make it to the wedding at all. Wedding ceremony started very late, the priest just went to the bride & groom's hotel room to conduct the ceremony.

After the reception with 30 guests, the bride & groom decided to donate the food from reception to the typhoon victims.

After all the preparations, effort, and money dispensed for a grand wedding, a typhoon came to ruin everything. So sad.... well, not really. Because bottomlne, the bride, the groom, the priest and your witnesses are all that you need to push through with your wedding ceremony. And after every wedding, simple or grand, when you dig deep into your heart, all you really want is not a perfect wedding but to be married to the right person.

You Don't Have to Spend Too Much on Wedding Invitations

I just got the wedding invitation of my bride-client and boy was it stressful! (I'm a wedding planner, by the way). I was surprised by how much it costs! The wedding invite supplier was charging a lot. What pissed me more was that the white envelope, that is usually included in any wedding invite packages, was sold separately! Where can you ever find wedding invitation supplier more "taga!" like PRINT DIVAS?!?!

I'm sending a warning to all the brides-to-be... If you don't want to get unnecessary stress on your invites, stay away from PRINT DIVAS. Don't be enticed by their work or you'll fall into a trap, which you wouldn't get out of!

Why not consider making your own wedding invitations instead? Not only would you save a lot of money, you will also have a freehand in making your wedding invites. Put anything you want on it to make it unique and special. Take for example Judy Ann Santos' wedding invite. It's just a piece of white paper in a shoe box with a rubber slipper and some clues to the wedding. How unique is that?

I found this video from youtube. It's a DIY Wedding Invite that is simple to make and is elegant looking.

I'm sure you'll be inspired in making your own invite because it's really easy to make. It's as simple as wrapping your christmas gifts! Besides, why spend too much on a wedding invite when your guests would only throw them away after your wedding (except of course if you've created an invitation that is useful to them). Sad truth. But tell me, how many wedding invitations of your friends and relatives are you still keeping in your card stash until today?

I've also found this Printing Press Invitation Software from Amazon.com. This would save you a lot of money because not only will you be able to make your own wedding invite, you can also print other invitations and gift cards which you will need in the future when you start a family. For only USD60 or Php3,000, you can print as much invitations as you wish. Unlike when you order from PRINT DIVAS, you'll pay at least Php10,000 for 100 pcs of wedding invitations plus the huge amount of stress you'll get in dealing with their staff! You choose.

I just got the wedding invitation of my bride-client and boy was it stressful! (I'm a wedding planner, by the way). I was surprised by how much it costs! The wedding invite supplier was charging a lot. What pissed me more was that the white envelope, that is usually included in any wedding invite packages, was sold separately! Where can you ever find wedding invitation supplier more "taga!" like PRINT DIVAS?!?!

I'm sending a warning to all the brides-to-be... If you don't want to get unnecessary stress on your invites, stay away from PRINT DIVAS. Don't be enticed by their work or you'll fall into a trap, which you wouldn't get out of!

Why not consider making your own wedding invitations instead? Not only would you save a lot of money, you will also have a freehand in making your wedding invites. Put anything you want on it to make it unique and special. Take for example Judy Ann Santos' wedding invite. It's just a piece of white paper in a shoe box with a rubber slipper and some clues to the wedding. How unique is that?

I found this video from youtube. It's a DIY Wedding Invite that is simple to make and is elegant looking.

I'm sure you'll be inspired in making your own invite because it's really easy to make. It's as simple as wrapping your christmas gifts! Besides, why spend too much on a wedding invite when your guests would only throw them away after your wedding (except of course if you've created an invitation that is useful to them). Sad truth. But tell me, how many wedding invitations of your friends and relatives are you still keeping in your card stash until today?

I've also found this Printing Press Invitation Software from Amazon.com. This would save you a lot of money because not only will you be able to make your own wedding invite, you can also print other invitations and gift cards which you will need in the future when you start a family. For only USD60 or Php3,000, you can print as much invitations as you wish. Unlike when you order from PRINT DIVAS, you'll pay at least Php10,000 for 100 pcs of wedding invitations plus the huge amount of stress you'll get in dealing with their staff! You choose.

DIY Pre-nup Photos

Aren't pre-nup photos supposed to look romantic?

Professional photographer? Not! These are homemade engagement photos taken from a lomo camera. I got these pictures from one of my favorite wedding websites, vintageglamblog.com. Seems so natural compared to those scripted pre-nup photos that I see here in Manila where the groom always looked awkward, stiff, and too shy to pose in front of professional photographers.

So, why not try to make your own pre-nup photos. Ask a close friend to take your pictures and LOOK NATURALLY ROMANTIC. :)

Aren't pre-nup photos supposed to look romantic?

Professional photographer? Not! These are homemade engagement photos taken from a lomo camera. I got these pictures from one of my favorite wedding websites, vintageglamblog.com. Seems so natural compared to those scripted pre-nup photos that I see here in Manila where the groom always looked awkward, stiff, and too shy to pose in front of professional photographers.

So, why not try to make your own pre-nup photos. Ask a close friend to take your pictures and LOOK NATURALLY ROMANTIC. :)

Divine Headpieces for Fashionista Brides

I want to get married again! Just to be able to wear these bold and sassy headpieces made of pearls and swarovski crystals:




































These are designed by my friend, Ms. Vanessa Ang, a fashion designer from New York who recently won Mega Magazine's Young Designers Competition. Vanessa also designs casualwear. Feel fabulous with her casualwear available at Myth in Greenbelt 5. Try them! You'll fall in love with her designs and fabric!

She'll be also joining a bazaar in Rockwell this weekend from August 28-30, 2009. So mark your calendars fashionistas! See you there! :)

I want to get married again! Just to be able to wear these bold and sassy headpieces made of pearls and swarovski crystals:




































These are designed by my friend, Ms. Vanessa Ang, a fashion designer from New York who recently won Mega Magazine's Young Designers Competition. Vanessa also designs casualwear. Feel fabulous with her casualwear available at Myth in Greenbelt 5. Try them! You'll fall in love with her designs and fabric!

She'll be also joining a bazaar in Rockwell this weekend from August 28-30, 2009. So mark your calendars fashionistas! See you there! :)

Latest Trend on Wedding Centerpiece

Looks like feathers are the new alternative material to flowers in wedding receptions. Check out this hot feather centerpiece:

These are ostrich feathers. Each centerpiece costs USD$100 (12 feathers per vase). Quite expensive huh? But the trick here is to re-sell them on EBay and make the next bride happy too. :)

Take a look at the bridesmaids' boquets below... They used feathers too as accent. Less flowers are used here. And in weddings, the lesser the flowers you use, the more money you save!

Flowers nowadays are becoming expensive and the sad part is that you can only use them on the day of your wedding. You can't keep them forever or re-sell them. I'm glad fresh ideas are coming out, giving future brides a unique wedding experience that is very practical for your budget.

Looks like feathers are the new alternative material to flowers in wedding receptions. Check out this hot feather centerpiece:

These are ostrich feathers. Each centerpiece costs USD$100 (12 feathers per vase). Quite expensive huh? But the trick here is to re-sell them on EBay and make the next bride happy too. :)

Take a look at the bridesmaids' boquets below... They used feathers too as accent. Less flowers are used here. And in weddings, the lesser the flowers you use, the more money you save!

Flowers nowadays are becoming expensive and the sad part is that you can only use them on the day of your wedding. You can't keep them forever or re-sell them. I'm glad fresh ideas are coming out, giving future brides a unique wedding experience that is very practical for your budget.

Wedding Favors

This next post took me a week to write as I still did some research on my favorite wedding topic, WEDDING FAVORS! Well, ok, I admit, I love everything about weddings! :)

Choosing wedding favors really thrills me! There's sooo many beautiful things to give away to your guests on your wedding day. And it's really hard to choose! As for me, I bought 3 different wedding favors (I kept seeing lots of stuff that I like before my wedding day came, that's why) I bought customized refrigerator magnets, penholders and chocolates. Aside from that, I bought special gifts for my entourage and the extremely kind friends who took time to participate at my wedding. (I couldn't thank you enough. I'll forever be grateful to your kind hearts.)

Now, for you not to have 3 different wedding favors like me, I suggest you pick your wedding favors carefully. Let me share to you what to look for when choosing your wedding favors:

1. Begin by shopping by seasonal favors or by theme.
2. Look for the "Cuteness factor" of the item. (We girls just can't help it.)
3. Usefulness/Functionality (your guests would surely appreciate getting a token that they can use. Be thoughtful in giving gifts.)
4. Must be within the budget (As what I always tell the brides-to-be, do not go beyond your budget just because you found something that you really really like. Save your money instead because a lot of unexpected expenses would still pop-out towards your wedding day. Take control of your spending.)

I've searched high and low. Even Martha Stewart's website did not satisfy my taste on wedding favors. I was loosing hope until I found this site: http://sgweddingfavors.multiply.com/

They have the most elegant, pretty and unique wedding favors in the net. Go ahead, take your time looking at these lovely items one by one:

Heart stirrers

Love is brewing tea pot timer

Wedding car coaster

A Slice of Love Pizza Cutter

If you're on a tight budget, you can opt to buy cute colorful boxes or packaging and fill them up with some sweet treats like chocolates or mint candies!

Tin Favor Pails


The Pink Plaid Purse Favor Box

Lovely! Aren't they? There's still more in their site. Enjoy! :)

PS. I am also currently taking orders for these cute chocolate Sanrio souvenirs. It's a great souvenir not only for weddings but also for baby shower and children's parties:

For orders, send me an email at weddingwebsiteaddict@gmail.com :)

This next post took me a week to write as I still did some research on my favorite wedding topic, WEDDING FAVORS! Well, ok, I admit, I love everything about weddings! :)

Choosing wedding favors really thrills me! There's sooo many beautiful things to give away to your guests on your wedding day. And it's really hard to choose! As for me, I bought 3 different wedding favors (I kept seeing lots of stuff that I like before my wedding day came, that's why) I bought customized refrigerator magnets, penholders and chocolates. Aside from that, I bought special gifts for my entourage and the extremely kind friends who took time to participate at my wedding. (I couldn't thank you enough. I'll forever be grateful to your kind hearts.)

Now, for you not to have 3 different wedding favors like me, I suggest you pick your wedding favors carefully. Let me share to you what to look for when choosing your wedding favors:

1. Begin by shopping by seasonal favors or by theme.
2. Look for the "Cuteness factor" of the item. (We girls just can't help it.)
3. Usefulness/Functionality (your guests would surely appreciate getting a token that they can use. Be thoughtful in giving gifts.)
4. Must be within the budget (As what I always tell the brides-to-be, do not go beyond your budget just because you found something that you really really like. Save your money instead because a lot of unexpected expenses would still pop-out towards your wedding day. Take control of your spending.)

I've searched high and low. Even Martha Stewart's website did not satisfy my taste on wedding favors. I was loosing hope until I found this site: http://sgweddingfavors.multiply.com/

They have the most elegant, pretty and unique wedding favors in the net. Go ahead, take your time looking at these lovely items one by one:

Heart stirrers

Love is brewing tea pot timer

Wedding car coaster

A Slice of Love Pizza Cutter

If you're on a tight budget, you can opt to buy cute colorful boxes or packaging and fill them up with some sweet treats like chocolates or mint candies!

Tin Favor Pails


The Pink Plaid Purse Favor Box

Lovely! Aren't they? There's still more in their site. Enjoy! :)

PS. I am also currently taking orders for these cute chocolate Sanrio souvenirs. It's a great souvenir not only for weddings but also for baby shower and children's parties:

For orders, send me an email at weddingwebsiteaddict@gmail.com :)

My Opinion on Buying Wedding Cakes

Aside from you, the newly wedded couple, the next thing that people will look at in a wedding reception is the wedding cake!

Just like the wedding gown, there are a sea of wedding cake designs coming out in the market that are not just a feast to the eyes but also to your palette. I partidularly like those that are featured in Martha Stewart website because of the simple and elgant look. I'm sure they taste good too. Just today, they featured the less conventional wedding cakes.... Chocolate Wedding Cakes! My favorite is the Chocolate Petal Wedding Cake:

Ms. Gel Colet, a Filipino cake artist, did a similar design a couple of years ago for the wedding of the editor of OK! Philippines Magazine, Ms. Frances Sales:

It was a chocolate butter cream wedding cake. When I read it in her blog, I got curious on how it tastes like (because Ms. Frances said that the guests were asking about it for 1 week after her wedding) so I texted Ms. Gel right away to order cupcakes of the same flavor. True enough, the chocolate butter cream cake was the best chocolate cake I've ever tasted!

View other cake photos here: Chocolate Wedding Cake photos

Now, for some tips:

1. Know what size of cake to choose based on the no. of your guests.

The rule is if the no. of your guests is:
a) 300 and below ---- 3-layered cake
b) more than 300 to 500 guests ----- 5-layer cake
c) if more than 500 ----- 5 feet tall cake

2. Set your budget.

3. Check on the length of time required for you in ordering your wedding cake.

4. Verify the details of the cake and its cost.

5. Tell your cake artist about the details of your wedding.

In today’s modern world, weddings are not just done in the church. A lot of ideas had come up in terms of wedding venues. Therefore, if ever you have any plans of having your wedding by the beach or anywhere else where it is open, it would be better to inform your cake artist about this.

In most cases, icings are vulnerable to environmental hazards. So, if your cake artist knows that your wedding will be a garden wedding or a wedding by the beach, he or she could make such arrangements with your cake in order to endure the environmental conditions where it will be placed.

6. If your in a budget, you may opt to decorate your own wedding cake.

It is not so uncommon nowadays to find somebody decorating his or her own wedding cake. In fact, it is a feasible idea especially to those who have a very tight budget. All you have to do is to order a plain wedding cake and buy the decorations from the retail stores. Or ask for some free fresh flowers from your florist to put on the cake.

So, set aside some special decisive moment when it comes to your wedding cake because one of the ways to glamorize your wedding is to have a perfectly made wedding cake.

Aside from you, the newly wedded couple, the next thing that people will look at in a wedding reception is the wedding cake!

Just like the wedding gown, there are a sea of wedding cake designs coming out in the market that are not just a feast to the eyes but also to your palette. I partidularly like those that are featured in Martha Stewart website because of the simple and elgant look. I'm sure they taste good too. Just today, they featured the less conventional wedding cakes.... Chocolate Wedding Cakes! My favorite is the Chocolate Petal Wedding Cake:

Ms. Gel Colet, a Filipino cake artist, did a similar design a couple of years ago for the wedding of the editor of OK! Philippines Magazine, Ms. Frances Sales:

It was a chocolate butter cream wedding cake. When I read it in her blog, I got curious on how it tastes like (because Ms. Frances said that the guests were asking about it for 1 week after her wedding) so I texted Ms. Gel right away to order cupcakes of the same flavor. True enough, the chocolate butter cream cake was the best chocolate cake I've ever tasted!

View other cake photos here: Chocolate Wedding Cake photos

Now, for some tips:

1. Know what size of cake to choose based on the no. of your guests.

The rule is if the no. of your guests is:
a) 300 and below ---- 3-layered cake
b) more than 300 to 500 guests ----- 5-layer cake
c) if more than 500 ----- 5 feet tall cake

2. Set your budget.

3. Check on the length of time required for you in ordering your wedding cake.

4. Verify the details of the cake and its cost.

5. Tell your cake artist about the details of your wedding.

In today’s modern world, weddings are not just done in the church. A lot of ideas had come up in terms of wedding venues. Therefore, if ever you have any plans of having your wedding by the beach or anywhere else where it is open, it would be better to inform your cake artist about this.

In most cases, icings are vulnerable to environmental hazards. So, if your cake artist knows that your wedding will be a garden wedding or a wedding by the beach, he or she could make such arrangements with your cake in order to endure the environmental conditions where it will be placed.

6. If your in a budget, you may opt to decorate your own wedding cake.

It is not so uncommon nowadays to find somebody decorating his or her own wedding cake. In fact, it is a feasible idea especially to those who have a very tight budget. All you have to do is to order a plain wedding cake and buy the decorations from the retail stores. Or ask for some free fresh flowers from your florist to put on the cake.

So, set aside some special decisive moment when it comes to your wedding cake because one of the ways to glamorize your wedding is to have a perfectly made wedding cake.

How to Select the Perfect Wedding Dress

The first thing that I asked myself when the wedding proposal already sunk into my system was "What will be the perfect wedding dress for me?" I was not like other girls who have ready answers to this important question (yes! important!). Because after reaching the age of 30, and still not having a boyfriend, I already told myself: "Okay, so i'm reeeeeally destined to be single. (sigh)" Unlike them, I don't have dream weddings in my mind. Never imagined myself wearing a wedding dress... until true love came knocking at my door! (yihee!). Yes, I am a fan of true love. I made a rule for myself that I won't marry for any other reasons. I should be truly, madly, deeply in love with the person that I decide to be with for the rest of my life. Okay, so much for that....

Being fickle-minded human beings that we women are, we find it hard to choose the perfect wedding dress for our big day. There are a lot of divine wedding dresses out there and it's really hard to decide which is the best for us. In my case, I made a decision by asking myself only 2 questions: (1) What do I want to feel like on my wedding day? As for me, I wanted to feel like a princess off to my wedding feast in a castle just like in the Disney films. Others would say, they want to feel like attending the Oscars; and (2) Will it flaunt my assets? A lot of people I meet, tell me I have great shoulders. Thus, the halter top wedding dress!

Now, if you still find it hard to decide, I'd like to refer you to this beautiful article about choosing the perfect wedding dress. I'm sure this will help you a lot! :)

"How to Select the Perfect Wedding Dress"


kelly chan
weddingwebsitesaddict@gmail.com

The first thing that I asked myself when the wedding proposal already sunk into my system was "What will be the perfect wedding dress for me?" I was not like other girls who have ready answers to this important question (yes! important!). Because after reaching the age of 30, and still not having a boyfriend, I already told myself: "Okay, so i'm reeeeeally destined to be single. (sigh)" Unlike them, I don't have dream weddings in my mind. Never imagined myself wearing a wedding dress... until true love came knocking at my door! (yihee!). Yes, I am a fan of true love. I made a rule for myself that I won't marry for any other reasons. I should be truly, madly, deeply in love with the person that I decide to be with for the rest of my life. Okay, so much for that....

Being fickle-minded human beings that we women are, we find it hard to choose the perfect wedding dress for our big day. There are a lot of divine wedding dresses out there and it's really hard to decide which is the best for us. In my case, I made a decision by asking myself only 2 questions: (1) What do I want to feel like on my wedding day? As for me, I wanted to feel like a princess off to my wedding feast in a castle just like in the Disney films. Others would say, they want to feel like attending the Oscars; and (2) Will it flaunt my assets? A lot of people I meet, tell me I have great shoulders. Thus, the halter top wedding dress!

Now, if you still find it hard to decide, I'd like to refer you to this beautiful article about choosing the perfect wedding dress. I'm sure this will help you a lot! :)

"How to Select the Perfect Wedding Dress"


kelly chan
weddingwebsitesaddict@gmail.com

I luv weddings!

Although I am already 6 months married, I am still a fan of "happily ever afters". My wedding day was a day after Valentine's Day (so cheesy huh?), February 15, 2009. I wanted it to be on Valentine's Day really. If not only for our fear of getting high-priced flowers because of the "day of luv" occassion...

Anyway, my husband and I were "hands-on" in our wedding preparations eventhough we both are working (thank God we were in the same company, we did some planning during our lunch breaks and we get out of the office together at 5:30pm to fulfill our other wedding to do's). We were so hands-on that we almost made our own wedding souvenir (packaging only, actually.).

Going through the all the preparations, I have become addicted to surfing WEDDING WEBSITES, thus the blog title, and learned a lot of things like how to be organized, how to stay within your wedding budget, where to find the right suppliers, how to negotiate with your suppliers, etc. etc. its a long list, which I will share with you, bride-to-be! So, put up that smile on your face and avoid worrying. Because you don't have to go to all the wedding websites that i've visited. I will feature here ALL THE TIPS or articles that I've compiled IN PLANNING A WEDDING. Let's just say, I already did all the research. All you have to do is go to this blog and read the articles that I'll feature.

Oooh! I'm sooo excited! I can't wait to share with you my journey as a bride-to-be and all the things that I've learned from wedding websites!

kelly chan
weddingwebsitesaddict@gmail.com

Although I am already 6 months married, I am still a fan of "happily ever afters". My wedding day was a day after Valentine's Day (so cheesy huh?), February 15, 2009. I wanted it to be on Valentine's Day really. If not only for our fear of getting high-priced flowers because of the "day of luv" occassion...

Anyway, my husband and I were "hands-on" in our wedding preparations eventhough we both are working (thank God we were in the same company, we did some planning during our lunch breaks and we get out of the office together at 5:30pm to fulfill our other wedding to do's). We were so hands-on that we almost made our own wedding souvenir (packaging only, actually.).

Going through the all the preparations, I have become addicted to surfing WEDDING WEBSITES, thus the blog title, and learned a lot of things like how to be organized, how to stay within your wedding budget, where to find the right suppliers, how to negotiate with your suppliers, etc. etc. its a long list, which I will share with you, bride-to-be! So, put up that smile on your face and avoid worrying. Because you don't have to go to all the wedding websites that i've visited. I will feature here ALL THE TIPS or articles that I've compiled IN PLANNING A WEDDING. Let's just say, I already did all the research. All you have to do is go to this blog and read the articles that I'll feature.

Oooh! I'm sooo excited! I can't wait to share with you my journey as a bride-to-be and all the things that I've learned from wedding websites!

kelly chan
weddingwebsitesaddict@gmail.com