Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Good Words...
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.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Three Day Marathon 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!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
April Weddings
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!
Friday, January 12, 2007
The year that was...
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
Friday, January 13, 2006
Married on December...
My couples for December 2005
December 14 - Mara Ang and Edgar Cabrera
St. Francis of Assisi Chapel and Coral Tree, Fernwood Gardens
December 16 - Ruby Algarme and Mar Tanglao II
Saint James the Great and Palms Country Club
December 17 - Marose Valencia and Marion Pascual
San Sebastian Church and Peninsula Manila
December 18 - Sheryl Maglaya and Stephen Isidro
St. Francis of Assisi Chapel and Coral Tree, Fernwood Gardens
December 18 - Valerie Villamar and Mark Gemarino
Christ the King Church and Edsa Shangrila Hotel
Decemebr 19 - Gizelle Constantino and Larry De Cesare
San Agustin Church and Casa Manila
December 22 - Leah Decena and Joseph Epistola
Saint James the Great and Palms Country Club
Since I have joined this wedding industry, I had the least number of events on December 2005. Previously, it was 18 then down to 12 then 10 and 2005 was just 7! Whew, this speaks that I have learned my lesson to also enjoy a bit of the holidays!