Sunday, October 28, 2007

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

Monday, October 22, 2007

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...

Friday, October 19, 2007

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!

Monday, October 08, 2007

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