Maceda-Gascon Wedding (October 27, 2007)

I always love simple wedding. Simplicity still extrudes beauty. The Maceda-Gascon wedding is one of the weddings I can call simply beautiful. The wedding which took place in Chapel on the Hill in Batulao Batangas was very serene and solemn. I just love this Chapel. I love the fact that it is small, making it perfect for intimate wedding. Dessa, the bride who has been very exact on what she wants, just ensured that she will have perfect aisle, with the banig as her carpet. White calla lillies still look best as church decors.

There were just about 120 guests who attended the wedding but you know that it was a celebration spent with close family and friends. The reception followed at Sonya's Garden. It has always been a nice reception venue in Tagaytay. It's a real treat for those who went all the way to Tagaytay to attend the wedding. It's like a secret place where you can just relax and enjoy good and healthy food. Not very enticing though for those who are looking for plain meat! Sonya's did not need any decors at all. It's simplicity exemplifies the beauty of the place. It speaks for itself.

The couple's table...

The table setting...

I just love the chandeliers...It's even better at night...

The wedding reception program pretty much ended early. But some guests even stayed for small talks and drinking. I just love the food! Ok, I could also be a gourmet person at times.

I love this wedding, I enjoyed it too...Thanks to Raffy and Dessa for the wedding books you gave! I'll be sharing some of the tips from the books on this blog. Congratulations and Best Wishes! Cheers to a happy married life!

A Testimonial...

----- Original Message -----
From: <Elizabeth.Pascual@shell.com>
To: <inquiry@events-experts.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 9:44 PM
Subject: RE: Testimonial

Hi Jody, This is a long time coming, and it is one of the emails that have been buried but was just not sent.

Here goes, I hope it is not too late.

We have always wanted to have not just a beautiful wedding but a stress-free wedding. Often, these two requirements are contradictory. But it is possible to have both with Jody and her team. As an overseas couple, they provided us the right attention to translate our wedding plans into a reality. Jody was our best friend in the months leading up to our wedding. Through promptly answering our emails and calls, she made us very confident by updating us on what's happening and what needs to be done. By being proactive on the detailed preparation, we think she often went beyond the call of duty to provide an excellent service. We needed someone who was organized, trust worthy, dedicated and was more than a wedding organizer, but a friend.

We're thankful we got Jody and her team. Thanks again Jody. We wish you and your team more success. We hope that other couples, especially those overseas, would consider your service and friendship in making their dream weddings come true.

For pictures, please download them at:http://jutes1.multiply.com/photos/album/16/WEDDING....TAKE_2..._

Hope you're well.

Ingat parati, mail me if there is anything else I can do.

Regards,

ElizabethGlobal Commercial Fuels -

Strategy and Portfolio AnalystShell

Pajutan-Tanyag Wedding (October 20, 2007)

Don't I just love morning weddings? Yes I do. I myself was a morning wedding.

Lanie, the bride booked with us January of this year. I didn't even met her! We were only corresponding through email. At first, I thought, she was an overseas bride, but no, she is just from Laguna...can't even be called out-of-town cause it's very near Manila. But I was just suprised with the full trust and confidence she extended to me and my team. After corresponding with one or two emails, she was then requesting for a copy of our service agreement and asking for our bank account already. She booked us on the premise of referrals from weddingsatwork.com.

From then on, our main point of communication is text messages and emails. I felt that she's a very hands-on bride, knowing exactly what she wants. She had frets with her few concerns with the reception and music but she was able to manage it with my advise to just let go and move on. These were all during the preparations. She was then very organized as well. When we finally met about 2 months before the wedding, she had things kept in an envelope which she handed over to me. All photocopies of contracts from suppliers were there. From there I knew, that she had high expectations on how the day should go on their wedding day.

We arrived in Vivere Suite at 6am. She's about to go out of the room to grab her breakfast from the hotel. She just pointed us to the materials and I let her go. We then took care of checking the church and reception materials. Everything was labeled. What an easy task for us! When she went back, she was then ready for her make-up. Things were running smoothly until I already left to go to Palms and dropped my reception coordinators there and proceeded to the church afterwhich.

When I arrived in the church, the personnel was opening all the doors of the church keeping in his mind that their reservation was without airconditioning. I immediately approached the guy and cleared up with him. You see, the girl is so good in negotiation...hehehe, was able to pull things off for a parishioner rate, even if she's not in St. James Alabang for an airconditioned church. Talking about connections.

We started late actually cause entourage were still very few at 10am. We almost started around 10:15am. In the car, Lanie kept telling my coordinator, Sherlou that she wouldn't cry on her bridal march. But when the doors where opened for her, she can't barely walk...Tears were already falling on her cheers. On the other hand, I was stationed in the altar with the groom, Ninoy. Doors were still closed but there were tears ready to fall already under Ninoy's eyes. Those were captured in pictures by Nelwin Uy. And when the doors opened, Ninoy was like a little boy who was grabbed off of a candy by his playmate, read as "hagul-gul." Oh, I almost cried myself. You see, I really get emotional on this part. My own bridal march was a mess. I was literally crying, again read as "hagul-gul" when I was walking. Ninoy said to me, "I want to see my bride!" Cause the aisle was practically occupied by the photographers and videographers taking good shot of Lanie. I had to go to their area and asked them to make a small opening so that Ninoy can see Lanie walked down the aisle. When they finally met in the altar, it was a wonderful sight to see. Emotions were overflowing.

Since we started a bit late, homily were actually cut. Good thing, the officiating priest was their good friend so he just used the time after communion to tell some words for the couple. In fact, we covered eveything for the picture-taking so we finished on time as well. I can attest that their family and friends were all not camera-shy. A lot of their friends snagged pictures with them.

In the reception, everyone enjoyed a treat of photo magnet by Konsepto as their souvenirs upon entrance. Beautiful music were rendered by Anima Choir and Melissa Ferrer-Litao hosted the event. Oh, the couple's kissing game was a hit to the guests. There were lots of prizes in store for everyone. Stickers were put under the table/chairs and whoever catched it will win a prize. Of course, everyone also enjoyed the very delicious lunch prepared by Palms Country Club. This is one of my favorite venues, cause food was really so yummy! And my favorite, the locally made ice-cream, Arce Dairy Ice Cream was treat for dessert.

The day after, I received this text from Lanie...

"Hi girl! Wasn't able to thank u and ur team enough for making our
wedding perfect. Our guests were all raving how well coordinated it
was. U and ur team really made us feel special. Thank you, thank
you. I'll surely miss our kulitan sa text. :-) Again, our heartful
gratitude. - Ninoy and Lanie"

This is again an award that is PRICELESS!

Lanie and Ninoy, we are also very grateful to be part of your most important day of your lives...we are with you in praying for a blissful married life...

Cabuyao-Garcia Wedding (October 13, 2007)

It's been a while since the last time we did a wedding in their church, Nuestra Senora de Gracia. The church still stands on it's magnificent facade that dates hundred of years back. It still very perfect for pictures. Joan had a bridal preparation in Peninsula Manila. It was a refreshing site to see the renovated rooms of the hotel. It was a light atmosphere during the preparation as the suppliers were all friends...

Make up by Madge Lejano. I'm glad to see her again after her operation and I'm glad that she has recovered so fast. She did a very good job with Joan. The bride looks stunning.

Photos by Mimi and Karl. Of course, pictures were great. Though I haven't seen the pictures yet posted in the blog...where it is Mimi? I don't have anything to snag tuloy. Well, sorry cause I don't have pictures from this wedding. I'm the coordinator and not the photographer, hehehe. Mimi promised me she'll send me some.

Videos by Threelogy. Again, these boys lighten the mood during the preparations in the hotel. Just seeing them, natatawa na ako! Peace brothers! Gandahan nyo ang AVP ng anak ko ha!

Wedding Gown by Veluz Reyes. Oh, and she just came from Sydney pala...di man lang ako nakahingi ng pasalubong! But again, Veluz did a very nice gown for Joan. It's perfectly fit for her and the design is perfect for her personality.

It really very important that suppliers present during a wedding know each other or even friends with each other. Cause with it, everyone knows already what to do, what's next and even how to approach things. With just a blink of an eye, we can easily understand each other. Of course, this doesnt say that we can't work with those we haven't worked with yet and that we have preference. It only means that it is mostly an advantage if people in a room know each other.

In the church, we had some concerns re the spot coolers that the couple rented to be placed in the altar. Apparently, when the supplier arrived in the church in the morning, they weren't allowed to set-up yet as there was still another wedding before us. Also, it was brought to my attention that they won't be allowed to plug in for electricity in the church as the personnel would want us to bring our own generator set. Joan and John only rented 2 units but the supplier was generous enough to send 5 units just incase the church will allow. It could have been cooler if all 5 were placed but only two were allowed. I had to convince Allan of NSDG to allow us even for just 2 spot coolers and will just pay extra for the electricity. In the long run, he agreed. Just the same, I asked the couple if the spot coolers were a big help to ease the heat inside the church. They actually barely felt it. Well, it was practically humid also that day and with just 2 spot coolers, it may really be hard to compete with the temperature inside the church. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful wedding. We pretty much started and ended on time.

The reception was held at Blue Leaf in Mckinley. It was my first time to do an event there. Personnel were pretty accommodating during our meeting with them a week before the wedding. The place has a big potential. It was well-lit with high ceiling that could be perfect for drapings. The place is enclosed in a glass providing a view of the garden on the side. It was also my first time to work with the caterer. I had to tell the account manager from the caterer re my feedback for the slow service during the cocktails. I also have to call their attention re the quality of the tiffany chairs they provided. I had to talk to the operations manager of Blue Leaf, Mr. JC Sandejas to inform the caterer about it. Well, they said that the tiffany chairs are really due for repainting since there's a lot of chip offs already. I hope it's really gonna be soon. But their food is just great, very sumptuous.

The reception program was very light-hearted. Mallory Cosio hosted the entire program. All the traditionals were pulled up in the first part including first dance, cake-cutting and even the games for bouquet and garter game. Everyone roared when Mallory asked the groom to dance his way to Joan to get the garter. Good thing, John was so participative and didn't have any hint of shyness that time. Everyone had a great time. The game was a highlight even if it's just as a simple garter basketball and pass the bouquet games. There were lots of friends who participated.

The onsite AVP from Threelogy was indeed a highlight also. It captured the happiness in John and Joan's eyes from preparation and the overflowing emotions in the ceremony.

To John and Joan, cheers to a happy marriage...

For our December Weddings

To our clients for December,

Finish or not finish, pass your papers...lol

We are almost on the home run. Please complete all the checklists I emailed you and try to submit it to us already as soon as possible. We shall be calling for meetings already very very soon.

Please be ready for the following when we meet:

1. Photocopies of contracts and receipts from suppliers
2. Song selection for church and reception
3. Copy of invitation and missalette
4. Materials Checklist (please bring the one i emailed with your comments)
5. Reception Program (please bring the one i emailed with your comments)
6. Participants Checklist
7. Copy of Reception Layout and contract from caterer or hotel.

Looking for forward to the most important day of your lives...

See you soon!

Valdez-Limcaoco Wedding (August 31, 2007)

I know, this is an overdue post...nevertheless, here it is...



It was our first time to had a wedding in the new chapel called Madre De Dios of Tagaytay Highlands. The sight was refreshing and the weather was perfect. Although, it drizzled a bit while the ceremony was being held, the wedding was still a glimpse of a fairytale.

Mishy, the bride was very beautiful and stunning in Joel Bautista's creation. It takes one perfect body to be able to carry such wedding gown fabulously.

The groom, Peter, who is a pilot in PAL was of course very handsome in his well-fit suit. It didn't really look that every part of him was so nervous while everyone was waiting for the ceremony to start.

It was a well-attended wedding on a friday. All pews in the church were literally filled-up.

Mishy was the first one to get married in the family. After hearing the speeches of her siblings in the reception, I learned that she has been a very kind "big sister." Tears overflowed from the ceremony till the reception.

In the reception, there were challenges as half of the guests were covered in tent. There were several attempts in raining but thank goodness we really didn't experience downpour.

Wind was blowing vigorously that it literally smashed the very big projector screen that was positioned on the side. It was divided into three!

But ofcourse the cool weather added to the ambience of having a Tagaytay wedding.

All photos courtesy of Dino Lara

Jones-Uy Wedding (August 25, 2007)

I could only think of one thing about the wedding of Isis and Andy...DETAILS. But everything is BEAUTIFUL details. Isis married a very kind-hearted man, Andy. She deserves him.

Isis made careful planning for their wedding. At the onset, she already knew what she wanted. She's particular about details, things to make the whole picture complete, to make the wedding stunning.

Don't you just love the shoes? I do, I do...Shoes pa lang fabulous na!

My favorite details...

Floral Initials in Vintage Jaguar Bridal Car.


The aisle arrangement for the Christian ceremony done by Lala of Interplay.

Floral Centerpieces in Presidential Table by Lala of Interplay as well.

Guestcards, menu cards and programme carefully lined up in a pocket napkin fold.

Just married couple's chair.

Beautiful cake by Penk Ching

My favorite part of the program is when Isis and Andy entered the reception area and proceeded to their First Dance. They were like dancing in the middle of a snowy city of New York!

And again, don't you just love the shoes?

I have to admit, it is hard to coordinate detail-intensive weddings like this but I'm just proud we pulled it off. Isis has been a very nice bride to me. I would miss her constant questions, again about details...

To Isis and Andy, you had a wonderful wedding. Wishing you a more wonderful marriage.

All the above photos are taken by Terry Uy.

Unfortunately...

Finally, my emails are back and so as the website is viewable again. It was down since Sunday and was just restored yesterday at 4pm.

Ok, my "reliable" hosting service failed to renew my domain name. My account executive resigned last month so I guess it was not properly turned-over. Their technical people can't fix the problem since the time I called them last sunday. I checked my website yesterday and page comes out saying that the domain name has expired! I was furious. I called their technical again and that was the only time they realized that it could be the real problem.

Thank goodness they were able to restore it yesterday. But unfortunately, there could be lots of opportunities lost within it.

Ok, enough of my ranting...gotta move on!

Concerns and queries can again be directed to inquiry@events-experts.com or jody@events-experts.com

Website is clickable here.

Good Words...

I met four prospective clients last week.

I am meeting again all of them this week for contract signing.

It's good news.

But what is more of a good news is that all of them learned about us through good words from other people.

One is a a sister of my former bride. Her sister said "You can't go wrong with Jody and her team."

The other one is referred by her sister who attended a wedding we did last month. Her sister said "It was a very organized wedding."

Next, the other one is referred by my existing client. Her friend said "Jody is very organized and I feel comfortable that she is handling my wedding."

And the last one is a referral from a co-wedding supplier. The wedding supplier said "Jody is easy to work with. I'm sure you will be in good hands."

These are all praises.

Ok, fine, I'm lifting my chair now.

But I think it is worth blogging and sharing.

I'm just glad that good words spread so naturally.

We are just doing our job.

We are just perfecting our craft.

I'm just glad that I don't even need to join bridal fairs to get clients (read: I've got nothing against bridal fairs)

Word-of-mouth is the cheapest form of advertising.

But yet it is the most effective.

A walk to remember...(wedding shoes!)

Shoes are perhaps one of the most important purchases you will make. You're going to be on your feet practically all day, so invest in a pair of shoes that will be comfortable for hours. A shaped, low or medium heel will provide enough of lift to create an attractive line yet to be low enough so that your feet don't get too tired.

In addition to the comfort factor of the shoe, you'll want to go with a shoe that offers some "toe cleavage" if you will. It looks dressier, and it will make your feet and legs look slimmer.

Usually, leather shoes aren't fancy enough to go with an elaborate wedding gown. So select a shoe that is made of satin or silk shantunglike fabric. However, if your dress is superornate, keep your shoe simple. Conversely, if you're wearing a simpler dress, you can go with a more elaborate shoe. Remind bridesmaids to keep the same advice when selecting their shoes.

(Taken from the book, The Portable Wedding Consultant by Leah Ingram)

It's also a good Sunday...

After waking up this morning, I got this text from Cat, my July 20 bride...

"Jody, thx a lot 4 all the help 2 make our wedding a perfect one. We're very pleased how everything turned out. Let us know of your vacation plans 4 sanfo on oct so we can hang out together :-) cat n karl"

Our couples/brides who are all based abroad, always have a standing offer to take me out whenever or just in case I'll be in their area. There's lots in US, some in Hongkong, Singapore, Dubai, Italy and London. It is just so good to note their warm welcomes. Keep it coming...

I just love this job!

It's a good friday...

Woke up this morning in a good friday...

There's a mail from my July 22 bride, sitting in my inbox...


----- Original Message -----
From: Minette Caceres
To: Events Experts
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 11:20 PM
Subject: Thanks Jody!
Hi Jody!

Just want to thank you and your team for all the help! Our wedding would not have been possible without your assistance & expertise...

It was great working hand in hand with you & I really appreciate the consultation & correspondences that were made through our phone calls & emails...

Again, Long & I would like to thank you sincerely for making this important event of our life,
a reality!

Wishing you and your team all the BEST!!

Much love,
Minette

Been the "official" coordinator of Minette's family. Well, there's only two of them..(siblings). Also did her younger brother's wedding, (Allan Jay and Jayce Lampa) few years back in Fernwood Gardens.

This email made my day. Thanks Minette!

How to Trim the Guest List?

I mostly find from my existing clients having a hard time trimming down their guestlist. First meeting with the bride and groom, they are having 150 guests. Second meeting comes to 200 guests. Third meeting is at 230 guests. And most of the time, they end up a hundred more from what they initially told me.

Ok, reading from "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Weddings" by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht, and Sarah Jordan, these are some qualified and witty tips. Find humor into it.

1. Determine your budget

Decide the maximum amount of guests you can afford to invite or who will fit at the wedding site.

2. Make lists.

The bride, groom, and respective parents each should make a list of people to invite.

3. Strike as many people as you can from your own list.

4. Remove unnecessary names from someone else's list.

Take turns striking one name at a time from the list of the person sitting to your right. If that person objects to the removal of the potential invitee, invoke the "two strikes" rule and find an ally to vote againts the would-be guest. Remove contested names that have two votes against them. (There are variations on the rule that grant people paying for the entire wedding greater voting power: Their vote for removal counts as three votes, and the names on their list are untouchable.)

5. Compile a master list.

Combine the names and organize them by category: wedding party, work contacts, relations, friends, parents' friends, college friends, others. Rank each person within a category by importance, as determined by the answers of the following questions:

• How often have we seen this person in the last year?
• Did he really seem glad to see us?
• If I invite this person, will I be obliged to invite his spouse or friends?
• How much power does this person hold over me?
• How rich is he and will he use his wealth for good gifts? (hehehe)
• Will he seem impressive to my friends?
• Is he good looking? Will he improve my wedding photos or video?
• Can I handle the fallout if I do not invite him?

6. Agree in advance what the cut-off level will be.

Remove entire categories. Decide no kids, no work-related people, no relations beyond first cousins, no dates for singles, no redheads.

7. Remove people below a certain rank.

8. Create barriers to attendance.

Make it impossible for large numbers of people to attend.

• Hold the wedding in the middle of the week.
• Hold the wedding at a distant location.
• Require formal attire or elaborate, expensive costumes.
• Hold the wedding at an inconvenient time (6am).

9. Recalculate the list.

Estimate how many people each barrier will knock out. If your list is still too large for your budget, continue to Step 10.

10. Alternate knocking people off the list.

Only the bride and groom (advice from parents is acceptable) take turns removing individual names from the master list until they reach the desired number of guests. If this process becomes too heated, proceed to the next step.

11. Play Rock, Paper, Scissors.

The winner of each round can eliminate a name or add someone back onto the list.

Be Aware.

• Send out the invitation six to eight weeks before the event. As you get negative responses, send out your "B list" invitations to people who didn't make the cut. Stop sending invitations out a month before the wedding date; last-minute invitees will realize their status and be insulted.
• Manage expectations among potential guests. Let it be known that you plan on a small wedding so that no one is really expecting to be invited. If an invitation arrives, the invitee will be deeply flattered, but those who are not invited will not be hurt--at least that's the theory.
• You are expected to include spouses, fiances or long-term live-in companions of your guests. If a guest is only casually dating, you are not obliged to extend an invitation to his date.
• If you forget to invite someone,the next time you see them act annoyed with them for not sending back the RSVP card.

Hope the above tips can help somehow...

Yu-Dela Cruz Wedding (June 1, 2007)

Yes, it was my birthday...my first-time to accept a wedding during my birthday. It was a well-spent birthday with a very nice couple (thanks for the gift, Shannie and Jeff!) with good friends in the industry, as suppliers as well of this wedding.

Shannie and Jeff called their wedding suppliers as "Team Unity"

Both based abroad, Jeff and Shannie are also both doctors. They went home few weeks before the wedding to run around all the specific details of their wedding, which was previously planned with me by Shannie's mom, (a very-hands on mother of the bride, that is!)

Ceremony was held at Santuario de San Jose and cocktails and reception followed at William J. Shaw Pavillion in Wack-Wack Country Club. It was a well-attended wedding with 350 guests who celebrated with them on a friday evening. The venue was beautifully decorated according to Shannie and Jeff's specifications by Flowers Unlimited. Paolo Clemente hosted the reception event and rendered few songs for the couple.

Shannie and Jeff opened the program with a very gracefully choreographed first dance to the song of "Panalangin" by Apo Hiking Society. Roars of cheers were rushing to the entire venue as their guests was all suprised to see them perform such a very beautiful number.

Shannie sent this testimonial recently...

----- Original Message -----
From: shannie dela cruz
To: Events Experts
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 1:04 PM
Subject: hi jody!

hey jody!how are you na?...i was looking through my address book here in yahoo and saw your email add...just thought i should make you a testimonial (dunno lang where i should send it, hehe!) so everyone will know what great skills you have! ...

jody, thank you again for doing a great great job on our wedding...i swear i would've gone crazy (and i mean it!) if it weren't for all your help...i was telling jeff that you really must love your job to put up with all the wedding madness...when i didnt know what to do, i'd ask you and you'd have the answer, from the minutest detail to the most major suppliers...truly an "events expert", haha!...what amazed me the most was that on the day itself, you were so busy and tired from all the running around, and yet you managed to stop and ask how we were with a big smile on your face...it just made me feel less nervous and more confident that everything will be right on track...true enough, we were so oblivious to what was going around and still, a lot of friends and family commented that it was a beautiful wedding and very organized...i'd have to say that it was what it was mostly because of you and your team...(ok, im getting a bit sentimental now)...i wish that you would never get tired of what youre doing...continue to help clueless brides like me and makulit grooms like jeff...oh, and dont wipe that smile off your face because for that alone, choosing you over the rest was well worth it:)...

dont hesitate to email us for any medical questions ok! hehe! jeff is starting residency na here in vegas and im taking my sweet time reviewing for my last exam...haha!...see you in jan for kuya and sunshine's wedding!

take care and God bless!

shannie and jeff

Tadle-Tuazon Wedding (May 18, 2007)

Here's a letter from Joanne...

----- Original Message -----
From: joanne tuazon
To: jody liwanag
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 1:42 PM
Subject: Thank you so much Jody and the rest of the Events Experts Team

Hi Jody,

Words cannot express how much I value the service of your team from day one of our wedding preparation till the last minute of the reception. It was such a big help. The day was so worry free. Everything was taken cared of. It was such a beautiful wedding. Everyone enjoyed the day including the suppliers. We will remember it for the rest of our lives. It was so meaningful and so special. I always say I owe it to my suppliers too because everyone did their best. More power to Events Experts. Thank you so much for helping us to make our wedding day the day we envisioned it to be.


P.S.
You have a cute picture at our picture gallery by Fotogra.
Joanne and Rene Tadle May 18, 2007Caleruega/Antonio's

The wedding was SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL as what Joanne described her wedding in her blog. and i definitely attest to that. She was a stunning bride that day, so beautiful that her glow radiates from her within to everthing about the wedding.

Joanne booked with me a year and a half before her wedding. We clicked right away from our initial meeting that made her decide also quickly to get us for Full Management Coordination of her wedding. I must say that she was a very hands-on bride that even we were miles away, her presence to decision-making about her wedding preparation was closely felt because of our continuous email correspondences. I have counted when I cleaned my inbox recently that she had 218 email messages to me sitting there. And I practically responded to each and every email she sent me.

It had put a smile on my face...I suddenly miss her. You see, I get to be attached to my brides sometimes. They have become my friends already. In fact, a number had been very close to my heart and we still communicate up to this time. Can you imagine, I was even a "ninang sa binyag" for my two former couples' babies?

I just love this job...makes me meet good friends indeed...and Joanne is one of them...

Behind the Weddings Scenes...(recently!)

So we have survived the three-day marathon. There were few behind the scenes along the way from that three-day events....

1. I rode a motorcycle! (read as: nakasakay ako sa likod ng security guard of caleruega chapel). Reason: To look for an alternate priest. We can't contact the officiating priest whom we assume was on the way already. At 3:30pm, my bride was in panic. Have to look for measure to ease her worries and anxiety.

2. I owe Jason Magbanua an extension cord which I left in Caleruega Chapel. I ought to replace it!

3. Have to run (literally run) to Megamall to buy a bridal bouquet. (read as: bride just wasn't so happy with her bridal bouquet). Good thing, one flower shop there has white ecuadorian roses to come out as a very beautiful bridal bouquet.

Weddings can't be perfect but there are still reasons to make it a happy occasion. The three weddings ended up successfully. I cannot ask for more. Our couples were very happy and sincere in thanking us for a coordinating the most important day in their lives.

Three Day Marathon Again...

We are doing it again...

We have three weddings to coordinate this weekend. Last time we did it was April.

July 20 - Ocaya and Ocasiones Wedding
Caleruega Chapel and Taal Vista Hotel

July 21 - Basco and Caballes Wedding
Manila Cathedral and Casa Marinero, Intramuros

July 22 - Caceres and Lampa Wedding
Santuario de San Jose and Discovery Suites.

All set for these three weddings.

I'm getting ready for this. I will have a scheduled "footspa" tonight and my "swedish massage" tomorrow. Hahaha! Talking about pampering yourself days before the wedding day. This is my usual advice to my bride. But it doesn't apply only to the brides, could also be for the coordinator!

Llamzon-Reyes Wedding (July 5, 2007)

The photo on the side is courtesy of Johann Espiritu.

(Quoting what Bong of Threelogy have put in their blog, "The wedding of the two of the brightest young minds in our country today."

Ginny and Louie are both lawyers. But as any bride and groom getting married, they are also very keen with what they want for their wedding. They pay attention to details. Our regular (read as: almost daily) email correspondences proved it as they are both based overseas (Louie in the US, while Ginny in Singapore).

They hired us for our Full Management Coordination Package. Literally, we had to arrange everything for them from start to finish. From scratch, when the only thing they have then was the wedding date of July 5. After doing occular visits to venues in Tagaytay with them (during their brief visit in Manila), the couple decided to hold their wedding in Caleruega Chapel and Splendido Taal Golf and Country Club.

The whole wedding preparation took about 7-8 months. It was a well-planned wedding.

I particularly love the bride's venue preparation, The Boutique Bed and Breakfast. Although the rooms are quite small, the interiors are superb. They were joined by their foreign guests from Yale and Columbia Universities in the hotel who all stayed also the night before the wedding. My day started early as I was already in Tagaytay the night before. It was a sunny morning and I was pretty confident that the weather forecast I got from the internet wouldn't fail me. But apparently, there were drizzles already as early as 10am and it rained throughout the ceremony. Ginny was just relaxed preparing, while Louie as more relaxed as he was, even went out for a facial that morning.

Pictures were captured by a good friend of the couple...the part-time lawyer, full-time photographer Johann Espiritu. The beautiful gown was made by Veluz Reyes. Noel Jimenez (make-up artist) made sure that Ginny was stunning during the day. All floral arrangements were executed by Tropical Blooms. String Quartet were provided by Bernie Pasamba.

A good friend of the couple, Ali Figueroa who was very creative and talented (actually sang the responsorial psalm beautifully) contributed greatly to the conceptualization of Ginny and Louie's invitation, which were then printed by Printsonalities. The bench on the invitation was a unifying icon all throughout the designs of all their printed materials. This bench was also incorporated by Karla Magbanua of Claycakes as part of their cake topper.

A very useful bookmark was perfectly illustrated by Pepper Roxas of Studio Roxas and were given to each and every guest upon registration.

Two good friends of Ginny and Louie, also lawyers hosted the reception program. Atty. Michelle Juan and Atty. Louie Ogsimer was a good tandem. I actually told them their a pro for a wedding reception hosting. They approached the program with funny anecdotes regarding rivalry of UP Law School (where Ginny was from) and Ateneo Law School (where Louie was from). It was hilarious. Everyone can relate, as most of the guests were lawyers as well.

Some behind the scene situations:

1. It was drizzling already in the morning that made Splendido Taal Golf and Country Club's Account Manager, Jonna Rodriguez decided to put up the tents outside.

2. The Montblanc pen for contract signing stained my hand when I opened it. (Kakahiya the palm of my left hand cause it was all black). Couldn't go right away to the comfort room in Caleruega cause it was all the way down to the office area and we are about to start. Can't use my left hand cause I might stain anything that I may hold.

3. It rained very hard during the ceremony, that Emma, my coordinator assigned in the reception was calling me to inform me that they did some rearrangements with the tables to ensure that it will all be enclosed in the tent and the restaurant area. Layout was actually not followed but we tried to stick to the zoning of groups.

4. Some guests didn't really follow seating assignments based on groupings. There was one particular table. These guests occupied the table assigned to the Yale and Columbia friends (read: the foreigners were standing!). We resorted by approching Ginny's mom to ask if these were her guests and requested her to assist us so we can politely request them to move to the respective tables assigned to them. Gladly, the guests obliged. What a relief!

5. The cannon popper during the grand entrance popped right infront of my face! I was astonished! The waiter was having a hard time operating it, actually, he was holding it incorrectly so I have to correct. Ang bibong ako...trying to show him, was shocked when it actually popped already. I asked the waiter after..."Buo pa ba ang mukha ko?" Glad it was all complete and no bruises for that matter!

The wedding was all beautiful. They are both loved by their family and friends with 250 guests attending the wedding on a thursday evening in Tagaytay.

Ginny and Louie's wedding was really something to be remembered! Not to mention, that I have gained friends with these two great individuals!

To Ginny and Louie, you deserve the best and you've got the best during your wedding! Cheers to both of you...hope to catch you again in HongKong...I will take your standing offer when I visit HK again.

6 months after...a testimonial!

I have just to blog about this...

I became close to this couple. They became my friends already. Their wedding was extraordinary...brought Boracay in Rockwell Loft. We prepared the whole thing in less than 6 months. I was already 4months pregnant for our 2nd child when I met them. In between that 6 months, I was even gone for a month for a trip to US. I gave birth a month and a half before their wedding day. There were a lot of pulling strings back and forth but at the end of it all, it was a very beautiful wedding. It was a challenge to fit 350 guests (in their beach outfits) in the venue but we managed. Balay Kandila did a very great job!

As of this writing, Steph texted me that she's already 5 weeks pregnant. Take extra care girl!

Miss you guys! Hope we can get together again...

Stephanie Lim Uy-Niles and Pierre Niles

December 22, 2006

National Shrine of Sacred Heart

Rockwell Loft

----- Original Message -----
From: Steph Lim Uy-Niles
To: jody@events-experts.com
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 10:22 AM
Subject: 6 months in the making! :)

Hi, Jody!How are you?? :)I'm really really sorry for the delay...

From Pierre and Me...

It has taken half a year for me to write this testimonial... And together with this, we still owe our photographer the list of pictures that we will be using for our album AND the list of songs for our wedding video! :p

Nevertheless, I feel that I have done something greatly amiss. They have helped us so much with our wedding that I feel as if I've let them down with the delay of our testimonial to them...

It's not every day that a girl gets married. And to be honest, I never thought that the day would come when I'd be facing my own Prince Charming (whom I had turned magically from a frog, of course!). Yet, I've always dreamed of having kids, marching down the aisle in my beautiful white gown, with all eyes looking at me.

I've had visions on how my wedding day was supposed to be, what I would wear, what the flower girls would wear, what theme I'd use, etc...

But of course, nothing ever measured up to the real thing...

For one, I didn't realize how difficult it would be to organize everything. My husband and I are both worry warts... We had no idea how to unify everything that we planned to do, but all these details would crop up in our head one by one.. You know, looking back, it's a wonder that Jody didn't strangle us before our wedding day, given the number of texts and phone calls she got from us! :)

Our wedding coordinator, Jody of Events Experts, was very meticulous and organized. She was very patient with our questions, and she had infinite patience with us. Although we had less time to prepare than the average wedding (only 6 months) and there were a lot of things that had to be crammed and prepared perfectly before the Big Day. She never faltered. She didn't even break stride when we decided to move our wedding day a few weeks early, even if she was tasked to perform the difficult job of looking for both a new church and a reception venue!

Needless to say, our wedding was everything we could have hoped for and more... Jody hooked us up with a lot of terrific suppliers... Not only are they some of the best in their craft but they were able to transform our visions of what we wanted everything to look like into reality.

WE don't know how to thank Jody and her team enough for making our wedding day happen... Because of their efficiency, we were able to enjoy our wedding day with no worries. Our guests also appreciated the organized service, and we heard high praises from our family and friends.

I am sure that they have all heard everything that I've had to say, and that they have heard it a hundred times... But it doesn't lessen the fact that it takes some special guardian angels to make such a special day come true.. To us, Jody and her team have been those angels... :) Thank you for making our wedding day unforgettable...

http://gummybearsandgreenmango.blogspot.com/

-- 'S Rioghal Mo Dhream,

Steph Lim Uy-Niles

Brand Manager

Beach Hut Clear Spray Sunblock

Nakakairita...

Last saturday, I received a phone call from one of my July brides asking me as to when did I attend the seminar in the church where she will get married. Told her, it was like almost close to two years already. I already signed her endorsement form the last time we met and told her that it is ok already cause the church will just check their records in the computer and they can find na my name there. Apparently, my name is no longer listed cause the church made new rules...

I was asked by my bride to talk to the church personnel. She handed over her cellphone to a lady.

Lady: Kailan ka ba nagseminar?
Me: Medyo matagal na po eh, mga more than a year na. (actually mga 2 years na nga ata, but didn't tell her that)
Lady: May certificate ka ba?
Me: Wala naman pong binibigay na certificate nun eh. Kinuha lang po ang names namin.
Lady: Ay, bago na ang policy ngayon. Valid na lang yung seminar for 6 months tsaka nagbibigay na kami ng certificate.
Me: So ibig sabihin po, kailangan ko po ulit mag-seminar?
Lady: Oo
Me: Hay! (buntung-hininga!) Tuwing kailan po yan?
Lady: Every friday, 2pm.
Me: Pareho po ba yung idi-discuss dun sa seminar sa dating na-attend ko?
Lady: Oo, pero kailangang magseminar ka pa rin every 6 months para marenew mo yung certificate mo.
Me: (it doesn't make sense to me, why i have to attend the seminar every 6 months kung pare-pareho naman ang idi-discuss!) So anong oras nga po ulit?
Lady: 2pm
Me: Up to what time po?
Lady: Hanggang 230pm lang.
Me: (sus ko! Have to travel all the way to Manila from Pasig just to attend the seminar for 30mins! Di ata makatarungan ito?!) Ho? Ganun lang ka-short? Di po ba puedeng sa phone na lang? (baka makalusot lang?!)
Lady: Hindi puede.
Me: (OK FINE!) Sige po, sa friday na lang.
Lady: Sige, punta ka na lang dito.

And the lady handed back the cellphone to my client.

My client apologized for the hassle. It wasn't my bride's fault and she has nothing to do with it. But yes, it is a definite HASSLE.

IRITA! Yun lang!

April Weddings

Remember my posting about a silent month of April, which happens not to be silent at all?

These were our couples from the last three days of that month...




The dentists, Dr. Ronald Cabrera (who happens to be the brother of our clients before, Dr. Edgar and Dr. Mara Ang-Cabrera) and Dr. Mae Fajardo united in marriage last 28th of April, 2007 at Shrine of Jesus and reception was at Coconut Palace. I became the commentator in the church on this wedding as no one from their families and friends would like to take the role. And who would forget the spectacular fireworks during their first dance? It was carefully timed with the song. Which actually was a coincidence...there's really magic during weddings.

The model looking Ethel Borcena was our bride last 29th of April, 2007. Obviously, the groom, Dennis Sy was MIA (missing-in-action, was busy with his guests). It was an early 8 o'clock in the morning ceremony at Caleruega Chapel in Tagaytay. Yes, we went straight to Tagaytay after our wedding in Coconut Palace. We barely slept, about 4 hours only cause calltime was at 4am. We don't mind the lack of sleep...it doesn't show in the picture right? The guests were greeted with delicious breakfast upon reaching the chapel. Bizu macaroons, pastries were served with a choice of coffee or tea in Caleruegas' gazebos. It was a very light reception, as Michael Lim hosted the event. I can't forget what Dennis said to Ethel as he was asked by Michael Lim for a message. Dennis said while giggling "I'm the man of the house!" Ethel replied by saying "You are only joking!" Everyone laughed. The couple was a sight to see during this time. Weddings can also be funny!

This time, the singers, Miles Samonte and Ricky Mariano exchanged wedding vows at Santuario de San Antonio and reception was at Oasis Manila last 30th of April, 2007. It was a monday and who thought that a monday wedding is a flop. Miles and Ricky proved it wrong. They were truly loved by their families and friends because there were about 250 guests who arrived. Miles and Ricky were part of Trumpets so one can imagine that they would have prepared for their wedding reception very well. A number of good song numbers happened from friends of the couple. Of course, there's a segment when the couple sang to each other. The festivities were capped by a fireworks. Coming from this wedding, I can say...weddings can also be musical!

Weddings can happen everyday but there are distinct characters on each. We proved it from these three wedding.

Cheers to the three couples!

Bautista-Musngi Wedding (March 20, 2007)

This is the only wedding we had last March. But it won't be any lesser with the other weddings we have coordinated in the past.

Meeting the couple just a week before the wedding, our planning expertise were tested. The couple are based from the US. This kind of scenario was really not new to us. As a matter of fact, 60%of our clients are based overseas. Thanks to internet technology, preparing for a wedding from the other side of the globe is now more comprehensible.

The wedding transpired at Santuario de San Jose Church in Greenhills and Reception follows in Oasis Manila. It was a Tuesday and I was color coding! My husband's car was also color-coding! I ended up renting another vehicle for the event.

One thing worth remembering from this wedding is that the newlyweds were serenaded by all their nephews and nieces during the reception. The kids even danced after singing "You" by the carpenters.

To Maricar and Levi, we wish you both the best of love and life in your marriage.

Villacorta-Sioson Wedding (February 24, 2007)

A.C. Villacorta and Fritzie Sioson are two very successful career individuals. AC being in Globe Telecom and Fritzie working in San Miguel Corporation (Exports). Since both are working in big corporations, you can see their work ethics being carried out even to their wedding preparations. They have probably used their experience in corporate planning in managing and arranging for all details for the most important day of their lives. Their love story is a a tale to keep. Blind date is still acceptable on this time and age. Their wedding is a beautiful product of such.

Fritzie prepared in the presidential suite of Vivere Suites Alabang. It was such a spacious suite that made it very comfortable not only for the bride and her family but to the rest of the suppliers there. A.C. on the other hand prepared in his house in Alabang so there was no excuse for him to come in late in St James the Great Church. True enough, A.C. arrived as early as 2:00pm in the church. He was quite tensed coming in the church. It's always been the feeling of most brides and grooms on the day of their wedding, and I'm used to that. Upon seeing him, I immediately approached him and told him that everything is fine and that he should just make courtesy greetings to their Principal Sponsors.



We started on time at 3:00pm. Tears were shed as Fritzie walked down the aisle. The bridal march is always a sight to see and I'm always moved by the emotions of people around me, since I am the coordinator in front of the altar, in-charge of seating all the entourage in their respective pews.

St. James the Great in Alabang has always been magnificent with its decors. The interior in itself is beautiful. After the solemn ceremony, everyone proceeded to Alabang Country Club for a festive wedding reception. The couple was greeted with colorful poppers as they entered the ballroom. And what a good way to start the celebration by having their first dance.

I was moved by the maid of honor's speech, which happens to be Fritzie's elder sister. At the side of the ballroom, while listening...some flashes of the future came right through me. My daughters would have the same fate as Fritzie and her sister. One will get married ahead and the other one professing how wonderful their sisterhood is. I always pray for my daughters' future. I hope my husband and I can still witness the moments in their lives.

Weddings make me really emotional...

Trying To Break-In...

After my last post of A silent April...Business has not been silent at all since then.

There could be two reasons of my non-posting on this blog. One is that there were no events to blog and the other one is that there were many events that had happened and I'm left with no time to write. I'm choosing the latter.

I'm just not talking about weddings as events but also my personal events in life...but that goes to the other side of my blog, which are not due for posting here.

Catching up is such a big word for me now. There are really a number of things to write about, beautiful weddings we have coordinated...details I would like to share. Hope I can get myself to blogging again. It's a project I need to prioritize as a number of clients and non-clients alike are reading this blog.

Give me time please...need your patience!

A silent April...

It's a hot April and it's been silent for weddings recently...

I never thought we could ever get a booking for April but I was suprised that confirmations poured recently and the three weddings we are coordinating for April converged in the last three days of the month.

April 28-Cabrera and Fajardo Wedding
Shrine of Jesus - Coconut Palace

April 29 - Sy-Borcena Wedding
Caleruega Chapel - Caleruega Hall

April 30 - Mariano-Samonte Wedding
Santuario de San Antonio Church - Oasis Manila

We're getting ready for this three-day straight events. Anyway, we have regained all the rest the first few weeks of April.

There's always a first time...(wedding of Nicole and Earl)

There’s always a first time…

“There’s always a first time for everything” as what Msgr. Bauson said in our wedding last Saturday, February 10 in Caleruega Chapel.

We have started the processional even without the officiating priest yet! There was a miscommunication between me and the sacristan of Caleruega Chapel. When I arrived in the church at 8:20am, I immediately put the missalettes in the pews of the chapel and then I saw the sacristan fixing the altar already. I approached him and asked if the priest is already there. He answered me yes. All along, I was thinking that the priest might just be inside the sacristy at the back of the chapel.

The bride, Nicole really wanted to start the processional at 845am so we can start the ceremony proper at 9am. We were running a bit late then since not everyone was there at 845am. Nicole arrived in the church at exactly 5 minutes before 9am. With the long walk upstairs to the chapel, we started the processional a little past 9:10am. While waiting for Nicole and my other coordinator, was helping her to get up together with Veluz and her staff, I immediately called on the whole entourage and asked them to line-up outside the chapel. I was so focused on the time and ensured only that everyone is complete, like the entourage, readers and offerors except that I didn’t double check the priest in the sacristy. I really thought it was a fault at my hand.

We have started the processional and I was in front assisting the entourage for their seating arrangement while my other coordinator was at the back cueing them when to walk. It was a short processional as Nicole and Earl have a very small entourage.

In the middle of it all, the sacristan told me that the priest wasn’t there yet! I was astonished! My mind was rumbling on what to do. I immediately asked Earl (groom) if he saw the priest and he said no. Oh no! Earl told me to ask her mom about his whereabouts. Dra. Arceno told me that he was checked-in already in Caleruega. I ran to the sacristan again and told him that he is probably still in his room. I then figured out that he actually told me earlier that the priest was there already so I went back to him and cleared things with him. And yes, he knows that the priest was already checked in caleruega so when I asked him earlier if he’s there already, he answered me yes but he didn’t mention to me that he was still in his room.

My other coordinator, Sherlou ran to the security guard to ask Msgr. Bauson’s room number. Sherlou ran to room1 to check on Msgr Bauson and he was there, not yet prepared. He said he thought the wedding was at 930am. He immediately changed and ran up to the church. That time, Nicole was already in front of the altar with Earl.

I have to coach Tracy, the commentator to ask the guests first to take their seats as we waited for like a little close to 2 minutes (I really checked my watch!) for Msgr. Bauson.

Msgr Bauson marched in the middle of the church saying “there’s always a first time for everything” He pulled it off actually and there’s a gush of laughter inside the church. He apologized to the couple before starting the ceremony. He even explained that he was there in the chapel earlier which was true because when we were unloading the materials for the church, I saw him going down the stairs but I didn’t know that he was the officiating priest. I just recognized him when he was running up the stairs after we have called him.

Indeed, this was also a first for us, a first time that we started the processional even without the priest.

Lesson learned: do not rely on what you cannot see. It is better to double check everything.

Nicole was a very organized bride. She gave me a whole folder of the photocopies of her contracts and receipts from suppliers with annotation of all her instructions. She’s wishing that the flowers from the church can be transferred to Sonya’s Garden. But apparently, her florist cannot do so since they have another function the same time. I then decided that we removed the clipped floral arrangement during pictorial and we ourselves brought it to the reception. We just designed the calla lilies in the benches, entrance of Sonya’s greenhouse as accent floral arrangement.

It was almost 12nn but we haven’t started the reception since Nicole and Earl are still having their pictorial. As instructed, Pritson should be offered to the guests upon their entry so that guests can have pre-lunch snacks. But the priston supplier almost arrived at 11am so they were pretty late in offering the pritson. There was a long cue of guests lined-up in the pritson table. Nicole’s mom have asked me if some of the guests in front, esp the old ones can be served with pritson already instead of them lining up. I have actually asked the waiters of Sonya’s to do so but they just cannot do it since very few pieces were left in the pritson table and a lot of guests are still lining up.

People were a bit weary because they might be starving already. Ana, the captain server of Sonya’s have asked me if they can already serve the salad since a lot of guests are asking them about it. She explained to me that it would be better for them to serve it since their serving style can be longer. They do refill the salad bowls actually as long as the guests want more. With some thought, guests have come all the way from Manila for a 9am wedding, they might have left Manila at 730am, most of there could probably be up by 6am or before, others might not have taken their breakfast at all, I then decided on it and gave a go signal to Ana to serve the salads as I think it’s the best possible solution since most of the guests might be starving already.

Serving at Sonya’s was quite long not because the waiters are slow but because they really make sure that guests get to enjoy the food. In fact, before they do serve the 2nd course, guests must at least have asked them to do so because some are really enjoying eating the refillable bowls of greens/salad.

Nicole was upset about it because it didn’t happen according to her plan but I explained to her that I’m taking responsibility for that since I know it’s the best option. She actually agreed eventually to serve to everyone the salad before their grand entrance.

She mentioned to me in the middle of the reception that what happened turned out fine since the program just finished in time for everyone’s lunch. What we really don’t want to happen is that people start leaving without finishing program because they just have finished eating. Most of the guests stayed until the end of the program, some even stayed even after and enjoyed the mocha sans rival wedding cake that were offered to the guests by the bride herself.

We got a number of compliments from friends as how the wedding went. There were a number of guests who actually asked for our calling card. After a days work, we enjoyed the sumptuous meal from Sonya’s. Nicole and Earl were generous in providing meals for their suppliers. It is worth the wait to just eat after the end of all our works since we get to relish and relax more with the good food from Sonya’s.

To Nicole and Earl, wishing you the best of married life...God bless you both!

Maielle and Mark

Maielle and Mark did a great job of preparing for their wedding in just 3 months time. They have started the preparation literally just November of last year. The couple got us for on-the-day wedding coordination since they took all the efforts to canvass and book their suppliers.

The wedding happened last February 3, at San Sebastian Church and they have reserved it for 2 hours. Reception followed at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila. The ballroom was decorated beautifully by Maielle’s good friend and florist Gibeth of Floral Fauna.

It is our first time to work with Gibeth but we were very impressed on how she transformed the ballroom of Hyatt Hotel and Casino to be a very formal and romantic reception venue.

Cocktails were served before the start of the reception. Guests enjoyed already the overflowing wines that were served during that time.

During the registration, a number of guests were not listed in the seating plan. We have to politely tell them that we will be informing them of their table number later on, before we open the ballroom. We immediately informed Maielle’s mom about the situation and recommended to add 2 more tables for those guests who are not listed. She agreed then so we quickly requested Hyatt’s banquet service to set up two more tables at the back. Good thing, space still allowed the two tables.

It is very seldom that we do handle weddings that there was an overflow of guests. It is usually an underflow but Maielle and Mark’s wedding was an exception.

Most of the guests stayed for an after program/dinner party while the band, Real Groove continue to play music. Guests enjoyed dancing the night away.

When we were packing already all their materials and listing everything down for turnover, one of our coordinators noticed that the special pen they used during contract signing in the church wasn't in the box. But we do remember retrieving it from the sacristan of San Sebastian and putting it in the church box together with all her materials. The box was placed at the back of the registration table and we have noticed that things have been rearranged not according to how we have left it. We explained to Maielle the lost of the pen and since we were responsible for such, we decided to pay for it. Maielle didn't actually want us to pay for it but we insisted.

Maielle and Mark were very happy during their wedding. From the church, the reception till the end of the program and when we have said our goodbyes to them, they have been thanking us for all the help we have extended. They have been a very nice couple to us.

Some of the pictures we have taken...

Their beautiful wedding cake by Penk Ching


Their very own toasting flutes


Swarovski Monogram in their wedding cake

Abby and Andy

The two actually met through a sports hobby…badminton! Previously, they were partners in court, eventually became partners in life!

Atty Abby Santillan is the legal director of National Telecommunications Commission. Our initial meeting was set in her office in Quezon City. From the onset, she had made things clear to me what type of guests would they really have. Most of them are from the telecommunication industry where she belongs. She was very particular on how to handle her guests, even on how she wants the wedding to be. She gave me some detailed instructions and reminders for all the suppliers.

Everything has been coordinated with her caterer re the set-up of the reception venue that she wanted. The caterer really took the effort to painstakingly follow each and every rule she has. But during the bridal preparation, her account manager from the caterer called me up re some issues with the staff of the reception venue. Ceiling drapes has been agreed upon before hand. Apparently, a staff from the reception venue has stopped them to put on the ceiling drapes. Atty. Abby have informed me prior to advise her right away for any issues like this, so I had to tell it to her after I received the call. She made one phone call to a good friend of hers and mentioned the scenario. After 10 minutes, the objection of the reception venue staff has been over ruled. Now I realize, how powerful lawyers can be! Hehehe.

Since it was an evening wedding (7pm), we have to make sure to keep the reception program short and spontaneous. We practically started around 9pm already and ended the entire reception at around 1030pm. We were happy that most of the guests actually stayed until the end of the program.

Sigrid and Jon

These both doctors actually prepared for their wedding from overseas. I met them while they were doing occular in Coconut Palace last year, very timely as I was hosting (emcee) a wedding there at the same time. What a small world as my mother-in-law is a good friend of Jon's mom. They are ballroom buddies in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

It was a beautiful day last January 18, 2007. We were a bit concerned in the early afternoon as the clouds are starting to cover the whole of Coconut Palace. When our team arrived in the venue, it started to drizzle! And oh, the caterer's (Josiah's Catering) waiters have to pull out all their linens from the set-up.

At 330pm, the clouds started to clear, up until the end of the reception. The couple were able to have their picture taken capturing the sunset.


We started the wedding a bit later than expected of 430pm because of the sun that is pretty pain on the skin. I would never forget the wedding vows they professed to each other. That made all the guests in ceremony teary-eyed (even me!). It is never written, nor just memorized...you will know, it both came from their hearts. Time and distance can really not separate these two beautiful people.

After a week of their wedding, we got this message from the bride...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sigrid Formantes" <sigrid.formantes@gmail.com>
To: <jody@events-experts.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2007 1:25 PM
Subject: 4 pictures for you
hello jody! thank you again for making our wedding organized, you did such a good job! jon and i as well as our families were able to enjoy the festivities, and my sisters commented that they felt the difference with our hiring an organizer (and an efficient one at that!) as compared to the previous weddings that our families have had. more power to you and your team! keep in touch!

sig

As the start of the year...

What a good way to start the year with a receipt of a testimonial from a previous client. The wedding happened over a year now but we are so glad to receive an appreciation up until this time. It is indeed a boost of our confidence, to make every wedding special. Thank you so much Ian and Von Dizon!

----- Original Message -----
From: von salongadizon
To: jody@events-experts.com
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 7:03 PM
Subject: Thank You
Dear Jody,

Firstly, sorry for this very late message. It's been a year since our wedding but a lot of things have happened since! Among these, found out I was pregnant in September and had since been advised to take bedrest until December. It's been a delicate pregnancy but we're happy now that I and the baby (girl!:) have recovered.

Anyway, it's better late than never....don't want to let this chance slip away....

"We would like you to know how sincerely we appreciated what Events Experts (and of course, you!) had done for us on our wedding day. You and your team made it a worry-free day for us -- indeed a very memorable occasion in our life as a couple! We remembered how we happily chatted after the reception - about what happened that day. The unavoidable glitches you told us came out as a big surprise since we didn't have the slightest idea they even happened! Thank you very much for being on top of things and for handling them well. You helped made those tiny glitches 'disappear' when they happened letting us savor each second of our wedding - trouble-free! We got to focus and enjoy what really mattered! We can't thank you enough for making it the perfect wedding for us: you helped turn our dream wedding into reality - such a perfect day we will relive in our memories again and again in the coming years. This, for us, is simply priceless!

God bless and more power! We hope many more couples would also get to experience your indispensable services so they too, can have their perfect weddings!"

Best regards,


Ian and Von Salonga-Dizon
January 7, 2006
San Agustin Church/Fr. Blanco's Garden

Our Christmas Party...

Our team deserves a Christmas Party...



We had a simple celebration last December 29 at Italiannis, Megamall.

(ahh, never mind the plates!)

The year that was...

2006 is a great year for Events Experts.

We ended up with 52 events.

1 debut and 51 weddings, 2 of which were 50th wedding anniversary.

13 of which were out of the country brides/couple.

January started on the 5th. It was a heavy month with 6 weddings in a row.

February was still full with 5 weddings, 2 of which were out of town (Baguio and Batangas) and both were overseas couple.

March was a bit light with 3 weddings. (Glad I was able to prepare for my daughter's 1st bday)

April was Holy Week and had only 2 weddings. (Learned also that I was pregnant for our 2nd child)

May took its toll on me as we had 7 weddings.

June was still overwhelming with 6 weddings. 2 of which were big ones...high profile weddings.

July was calm at 4. (I was preparing for a trip!)

August was a vacation in US. On the side, joined the first Filipino bridal fair in San Francisco. Tina took over all the preparations.

September was more relaxed at 2 weddings. One 50th wedding anniversary and one "forgettable" wedding. It was a bad experience for us. We through it out in the window already.

October was becoming popular with 5 weddings.

November was only 1 purposely because I gave birth. Tina handled the event.

December, I was back on my knees. We had it at max of 10.

It was one great year...great people, great experiences, great moments...we're so glad we made it through!

To all our 2006 clients, we are so grateful to be part of the most important day in your lives. We will never forget the smiles on your faces, the heartwarming appreciation of our work and the friendships we have built with you. Thank you very much and we wish you all a happy marriage!

Bonus: There were some very FEW ("i cannot be a photographer and coordinator at the same time) fortunate times that I was able to bring my camera and did not forget to have pictures with our clients...



Mark Mosqueda and Cindy Bernal
St Pancratius Chapel, Paco Park and Ilustrado
January 28, 2006







Michael Feliciano and Erlyn Rose Orenza
Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, Fernwood Gardens 1
February 5, 2006








Bey Distrajo and Ma-am Espiritu
Nuestra Senora de Gracia and Peninsula Manila
February 11, 2006










Jay Alcala and Joy Pinaroc
Caleruega Chapel and Colossians Garden
March 18, 2006








William Cabelin and Haydee Calingo (with soul siren-Nina)
Christ the King Church and Edsa Shangrila Hotel
March 26, 2006







Mato Salientes and Li Anne Quianzon
Nuestra Senora de Gracia and Edsa Shangrila Hotel
May 14, 2006





Andrew Ang and Marivic Tan
Santuario de San Antonio Church and Peninsula Manila
June 14, 2006

(*this was the wedding were I was featured in "US GIRLS Show of Studio 23. Interview was made by Cheska Garcia about a day's life of a wedding coordinator.)





Allan Cacpal and Jo Ann Coronel
St. James the Great Alabang and Palms Country Club
December 8, 2006







Jeremy Gallardo and Catherine Cruz
Manila Cathedral and Coconut Palace
December 9, 2006





Edward Guinto and Melissa Deveza
San Sebastian Church and Peninsula Manila
December 17, 2006







Pierre Niles and Stephanie Lim Uy
National Shrine of Sacred Heart and Rockwell Loft
December 22, 2006