Cornucopia-inspired Bridal Bouquet

I wish to share to you one of the strangest and beautiful bridal bouquet i did earlier this year.I really love the way i arranged holland blue hycinths, cymbidium orchid,local berries and local weed blossoms.

The theme of the wedding was midsummer nights dream, and the bouquet was inspired from a cornucopia.

Vintage Love

This is the bouquet i made for my client earlier. I used blue holland hycinths, white carnations, and million stars. I love the handle - metal bracelets with cameo.

Love it!

Mark and Chin

It was attended by numerous guests from different places in the county as well as relatives abroad. June 1, 2012 was a memorable day for Chin and Mark for they will be bonded forever. The wedding was  romantic and memorable for all of the guests attending the Civil Wedding under military rites at Astoria Regency Convention Center.

Navy blue and silver was a couple’s choice and the garden set-up was my idea.

Prenuptial Photography was done in different places in Bongao, Tawi-tawi – the birthplace of Chin ,and the cradle of their love story. Mark  is from Tuguegarao, Northern Luzon.

Event  Management/Event Styling : Joe Harris Kari Events and Event Styling

Videography : TreborZ Audivisuals 

Photography : CWORKS Photography

Hair/MUA : Pio Hilario

Couture : Al-Shamer Abdul

Floral Design : Pattimae Flowershop

Cake : LIMTEL Collections

Lights and Sounds Reinforcement : Wildbluez Mobile System

Landscape : Gardens by Roger Miang

Musician/Wedding Singers : La Vocce Rytmus

Indoor/Outdoor Fireworks : NEXTSTEP by Jojie Chua

My Cognitive Investment

The custom of reading, fully guarantees your success in several walks of life. Learning the magnitude of reading books will definitely prove favorable for all your cognitive skills and open directions for you to think, realize and fully comprehend those concepts of your interests. Realizing the significance of books and making them an essential part of your life will improve your craft - wedding planning, event styling and floral design in my case.

My recent trips to Davao City and Cebu City for advance wedding planning course with the country’s top name in Event Management Business – Ms. Rita Neri made me realize that reading books aside from travelling ,googling the internet, and looking around for ideas will help me perk up my craft.

Going back to Zamboanga City with me were books authored by celebrated event planner David Tutera and Ms. Rita Neri , and I enjoy reading it.

So read, read ,and read.

10 Biggest Wedding Mistakes and How to Avoid The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Planning Their Wedding

I was browsing the internet earlier and accidently engrossed to the article of Nina Callaway of About.com Guide.

This article will surely help brides-to-be.

Top 10 Biggest Wedding Mistakes

How to Avoid The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Planning Their Wedding

A Lack of Personality
The number one biggest mistake I see is a wedding devoid of the couple's own personalities. Now, I'm not saying everyone has to have a theme wedding, but if I see one more wedding with the standard "Love is patient" reading, or where it doesn't seem as if the couple had a hand in the décor, menu, or music, I'm gonna scream. This is the most important day of your life - it should reflect your life.

Wasting Money
The wedding industry is just that - an industry. So while there is a lot of good advice out there, there is also advice from people who'll profit from it. Be careful you're not spending money where you don't need to - whether it's being talked into a more expensive wedding dress, or having a limousine when your wedding and reception are at the same location. Make sure you know your budget, what's important to you - and what isn't.

Forgetting What a Wedding Really Is
The wedding ceremony is the main event - the reception is just a celebration of it. Make sure you've put enough thought into the music, readings, and vows that will make your wedding ceremony memorable.

Not Knowing the Master of Ceremonies
There are two people whose personalities are almost as important as the couple getting married - they are the MC of the ceremony (often the officiant) and the MC of the reception (often the DJ or band leader.) Let's face it, if your officiant is boring and dry, your wedding ceremony is going to be boring and dry. And if your DJ is super cheesy, you're going to be doing the chicken dance. Make sure that your personalities mesh well with these two people, and that you feel listened to and respected.

Thinking "It Could Never Rain on MY Wedding Day"
So many couples forget to plan for things going wrong. If you're having an outdoor wedding, make sure that you have an alternate location in case of rain. Give a trusted person a list of vendors, phone numbers, and expected time of arrival so that you won't be caught 10 minutes before the wedding without the bouquets. Bring a bridal emergency kit for last minute snafus.

Forgetting the Meaning of the Word "Budget"
You started off well, figuring how much you could save, how much parents would give, and what you already had in your bank account. But before you knew it, you spent twice what you budgeted for apparel on shoes alone, and the caterers laughed at you when you told them the food budget. At this point, a lot of couples would just throw costs out the window, and wind up starting a new life together thousands of dollars in debt. Instead, use the budget as a tool to figure out what you can cut, what you can save and where other income might come from. Not only will budgeting help you afford your wedding, but it's an important skill for your married life.

Getting Trashed the Night Before the Wedding

Whether your friends have mistakenly planned the bachelor/bachelorette parties for the night before the wedding, or you plan to drink through the rehearsal dinner, the last thing you need is to wake up with a headache, puffy skin, fuzzy head, or worse, an upset stomach. Do yourself a favor, skip drinking the night before.

Being Inconsiderate
Yes, it's your wedding, and your special day. But you need to take other people into consideration as well. After all, a good host puts others needs front and center. Think about what you are asking. Is what you need the wedding party to do fair? Have you been clear about your expectations about level of commitment? Will your guests be forced to stand around for over an hour while you take pictures? Will they be comfortable in the weather or have you thought to provide bottles of water, fans, and/or wraps and heaters? Do guests know what to expect? Are you planning your wedding for a holiday weekend when most of your in-town guests wish they could get out of town?

Not Involving Your Better Half
It is 21st century. Wedding planning can and should be the domain of both people, rather than just de facto delegated to the bride. I suggest setting aside a regular weekly meeting time to talk about new ideas, research that you've done, and set wedding-related goals for the next week.

Losing Perspective
Don't forget to keep your eye on what's really important to you. Don't get bogged down in so many small details that you don't spend enough time on what's important. If something goes wrong, try your best to take deep breaths and think about the big picture. Above all, keep your sense of humor!

Application for a Philippine Marriage License and Parish Office or Church Requirement

APPLICATION FOR A PHILIPPINE MARRIAGE LICENSE

Marriage License: a requirement for either a Civil or Church wedding to be held in the Philippines. The Application Form for a marriage license must be secured at the Local Civil Registrar from the city, town or municipality where either the bride or the groom habitually resides. The personal appearance of those getting married is required in applying for a marriage license.

Each of the contracting parties shall file separately a sworn application for each license with the proper local civil registrar. Philippine law prescribes a ten-day waiting period from the filing of the Application to the issuance of the marriage license. The license is valid for 120 days from date of issuance and may be used anywhere in the Philippines.

At the time the contracting parties appear to file their application for a Marriage License to the local civil registrar, he or she must also submit the following supporting documents:


Birth Certificate: Certified True Copy required of each the contracting parties with the respective registry number. This document is issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

NOTE: NSO now provides a web service which accepts online application for copies of birth and marriage certificates. It is called the e-Census, a web facility aimed to provide Filipinos within and outside the country an alternative means in applying for copies of their civil registry documents. It also has a 24-7 hotline called the NSO Helpline Plus with telephone no. (632)737.1111. You could also reach them via email through: e-census.L.Hufana@mail.census.gov.ph

PARISH OFFICE OR CHURCH REQUIREMENT

1. Baptismal and Confirmation Certificates: These relates to both the bride's and the groom's. These must be new copies and must have an annotation: "FOR MARRIAGE PURPOSES ONLY" and must have been secured not more than three (3) months before the date of marriage.
FOR MIXED MARRIAGE (different religions or Disparitas Cultas): a dispensation must be secured from the Archdiocesan ChanGeneral Church Wedding Requirements

2. Marriage License: This can be secured from the city or municipality hall where either the bride or the groom currently resides.
For those who are civilly married, a certified true photocopy of the Marriage Contract with the registry number of the city or town where the marriage was performed must be submitted one week before the wedding date.

3. Canonical Interview: This interview with the bride and the groom will be done one month before the wedding date and will be conducted by the parish priest or his assistant. The schedule of the interview will be given upon the signing of the application form. Failure to report on the interview date or failure to notify the office of any change in the schedule will mean cancellation of the application and reservation of the church for the upcoming wedding.

4. Pre-Marriage Seminar: Both the bride and the groom have to attend this. The schedule for the seminar will be given during the canonical interview or you may inquire at the parish office. Some churches may allow attendance in other pre-wedding seminars such as the Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) or Discovery Weekend (DW) as a suitable substitute (if you have already attended either one of these, inquire at the parish office if they recognize either CEE or DW in lieu of their Pre-Marriage Seminar.)

5. Permission from bride's parish: a permit from the parish of the bride-to-be must be secured and presented to the parish office of the couple's chosen ceremony venue. The form will be provided by the parish office of your chosen church.
6. Marriage Banns: These will be provided during the canonical interview and have to be immediately brought to the respective parishes of the bride and the groom for posting. These have to be returned to the office after three Sundays. (Note: the respective parishes may ask some requirements for the posting of the banns [i.e. a ID picture from the bride and the groom])

7. List of names and addresses of principal sponsors (Ninongs & Ninangs): This has to be submitted to the parish office one week before the wedding date. Church policy requires at least a pair of sponsors and, ideally, a maximum of six sponsors.
Additional Requirements for Specific Cases
for widows or widowers: A copy of the death certificate of the former spouse must be presented to the parish office.

Renewal of Vows: remember to bring a copy of the Catholic Marriage Contract.

AMAYA - inspired Engagement Shoot

I am amused by the way the set and costumes for AMAYA (GMA's Historical Fiction Primetime Soap) are being made and styled..It shows us the rich material culture of early filipinos during the pre-spanish Philippines.

As a big fan of the primetime soap, i chose it as one of the inspiration in one of the engagement shoot for my client (Leila and Mark) who got married last month.

Garbed with ethnic clothing and accessories that resembled like of the accessories used for the primetime, it resulted a very beautiful photographs that the couple verily enjoyed.

Antonio Pigafetta will surely agree.

Photography : Joe-Art Productions

Creative Director : Joe Harris Kari

Costumes and Styling : Joe Harris Kari

Hair/MUA : Goyang Fernandez & Odessa Alos

Location : Abong-abong Eco-park

ROYAL BLUE WEDDING

Mark Lluisma and Leila Jundam will get married on August 21,2011. Nikah or Pagkawin Ceremony will be done in the morning of the said date and Walimah/Pajamu (Reception Banquet) will be celebrated at 5 pm at Astoria Regency Convention Center.

Photography : Joe-art Productions

Videography : TreborZ Audiovisuals

Floral Design : Pattimae Flower Shop

Couture : Donald Green Lim

Hair/MUA : Goyang Fernandez

Invitations : Inkpressive

Cake : LIMTEL Collection

Lights and Sounds : Wildbluez Mobile System

195Os Paris en NOIR et ROUGE

Grace Urmanita and Karl Delos Reyes will exchange vows on October 08,2011 at St.Joseph Parish Church and will hold banquet at Rigodon Ballroom, Hacienda Palmeras with the theme " 1950s Paris en Noir et Rouge".

Paris was considered the artistic center of Western culture.At that time, Paris still bore the scars of World War II. But the city leaders worked hard to re-establish Paris as Europe's premiere cultural center and soon attracted a new wave of expatriate writers and artists who brought a new excitement to their classic and modern culture.Paris remained to be a destination and a wonderful city.

Wealthy Parisian women wore the latest designer fashions. In 1950, no clothes designer was more famous than Christian Dior, whose dresses and footwear were a throwback to the glamour days of the 1920s. The "New Look" was introduced,and Coco Chanel rose again.

Grace and Karl will reminisce 1950s Paris in black and red.

Tour de Monde

I always enjoy prenuptial photography with my clients conceptualizing a theme,providing them costumes and styling and directing it creatively.With the collaborative ideas of cunning photographers, multimedia designers,stylists,and hair/make-up artists - we could tour around the world without jet lag and enjoy the beauty across the borders.

Vicente and Verly in a Safari Gateaway

Zhaid and Nookie revel in Malaysian Ecotourism Park

Eric and Realiza in French Polynesia

Ton and Bea in South American cattle ranch

Peter and Claudine at the Oriental Palace in Beijing,China

Jack and Iyah as Muslim Emperor Shah Jahan and Empress Mumtaz Mahal in their Royal Palace in Agra,India

Bojo and Sugar in the romantic City of Canals - Venice,Italy

RAMADAN and MARRIAGE

Aisha asked her husband Muhammad (pbuh), "How strong is your love for me?" He replied, " like a KNOT."

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

Ramadan Kareem!

Ramadan is a holy month in Muslim World. The rewards from Almighty Allah are great. Being a good spouse is an act of worship and the rewards are greatly increased .

Here is to make your married life strengthened and last forever by the grace of the omnipotent in the month of Ramadan, Inshallah!

1. PATIENCE/SABAR. Be patient with your spouse. Be more mindful of how you treat your significant others and know he/she is going through the same thing as you. So be nice to each other especially while you are fasting. Increase your patience. Seek refuge to Allah most of the time.

2. PRAY TOGETHER. Spend time praying or making Du’a (invocation or prayer) together. Join together in supplication because it will bring your hearts closer.

3. SUPPLICATION. Remember Allah and do Salawat (salutations)on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It will calm your hearts.

4. MASJID. Encourage your husband to pray as many prayers of the day in the mosque including the Fard (obligatory) prayers and Salaat ut - tarawih (extra prayer). He will bring the Barakah (blessing) back into the house and you will receive the reward. Many times we expect them to stay home for Iftar (breaking fast) and dinner and miss Maghrib (sunset prayer) in the Masjid (place of worship). Push for him to break fast and pray Maghrib, then come home to eat dinner with you. Also, encourage him to go for Ithikaf (private devotion in masjid) during the last 10 days.

5. FOOD. The way to a man’s heart is definitely his stomach. Cook your husband’s favourite food or dish.

6. QUR’AN. Read the Qur’an and listen to Suratul Quran (verses from the Quran).

7. TAHAJJUD and SUHOOR. Wake up early and pray Tahajjud (night vigil prayer)together and enjoy Suhoor (predawn meal) together with the family.

8. QUALITY TIME. Reconnect and make time for each other. Intimacy among the couple is also an Ibadah (act of worship). Always remember your spouse as you remember the Almighty.

9. EXEMPLAR. Utilize this month for behavioral improvements and spiritual development.

10. ABSTINENCE. Abstain from doing wrong.

Reception Program

In order for the Reception Program to be smooth sailing or problem-free, it must be planned carefully. A premeditated Reception Program gives surety of delight to the guests. Here is a typical example of my Reception Program. COCKTAIL HOUR. On arrival, the drinks waiter offers your wedding guests a choice of beverages and hors d'oeuvres/light snacks in separate room or space adjacent to the reception area. USHERING/GUEST REGISTRATION .Your guests arrive at the wedding reception, they are greeted by a wedding reception usher and/or the reception manager. Guests are either given their table numbers or escorted to their tables. In some cases the guest can look up their own table number and seat themselves.Prelude music is played.

CALL TO ORDER. The Master of Ceremony convokes and commands everyone to sit down and to be comfortable in their respective seats. CALL FOR ASSEMBLY . Bridal party congregates at the foyer area or at the entrance of the banquet hall. OPENING PRAYER. Master of Ceremonies say an introductory prayer WORDS OF WELCOME. A short speech that welcomes everyone to the wedding reception and thanks everyone for coming

INTRODUCTION OF THE BRIDAL PARTY. The Master of Ceremonies introduces the bridal party. Firstly the couple’s parents, the principal sponsors/witnesses/the secondary sponsors/the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the maid of honour and best man, then the bearers and flower girls.

OPENING AVP. Prenuptial Shoot of the couple ,MTV, or slideshow through audiovisual presentation (AVP) will be shown.

GRAND ENTRANCE OF THE COUPLE. Master of Ceremonies introduces the Bride and Groom.

CHITCHAT. The Couple and the Masters of Ceremony usually have a casual conversation or small talk about the couple’s love story and about marriage.

FIRST DANCE/BRIDAL WALTZ. The couple’s first dance

FATHER AND DAUGHTER DANCE. Father dance with his daughter

PROSPERITY DANCE. Guest pins paper bills on the couple’s clothes.

CAKE CUTTING. Couple cut and eat the cake. They feed each other and sip wine right after. Other guests may then partake of the cake.

WINE PARADE AND ENTERTAINMENT. Waiters dance in a choreographed movement and distribute wine to the guests after.

CEREMONIAL WINE TOAST. The Best Man or the Bridegroom’s attendant makes a toast for the newly married couple. GRACE BEFORE MEALS. Mealtime blessing before eating. GROWING – UP AVP. Old and recent photographs of the couple will be shown. WELL –WISHERS/WORDS OF INSPIRATION. A pair of principal sponsors, closest friend of the couple and their parents will talk about the couple and express their wishes. SAME DAY EDIT. (optional) The highlights of the wedding from preparation, church ceremony, parts of the reception program will be shown.

WORDS OF GRATITUDE. The newlywed thanks their wedding guests and say their goodbyes. BOUQUET/GARTER TOSS/FUNGAMES. The bride’s throws a bouquet, usually a bridesmaids bouquet or a mock bouquet. The groom removes and throws the wedding garter.Games to pick the next it-groom and it-bride. OPENING OF SMALLEST AND BIGGEST GIFT. The couple opens the smallest and biggest gift given to them.

BEAUTIFUL and WILD

The bride is the center of attention in the course of a wedding party. Everybody keeps all eyes on her. Right soon after wedding ceremony, individuals would talk about her outfit, how happy she is and other matters like the Bouquet that she is holding .Indeed, bouquet is an essential part of the Wedding

The bridal bouquet should also compliment the bridal outfit and also the whole wedding design. These bouquets need to also attract the interest of the wedding guests and make sure that all of them would praise the bride’s beauty.

Bridal Bouquet should be beautiful and wild sometimes, so i introduced eccentric elements in some of the Bridal Bouquets that i made.

Ilham Al-Hindawi -Ismael is holding a Morrocan-inspired Bridal Bouquet of fuschia pink roses combined with weed blossoms and intertwined with white lace foliage.Multi-colored cystals,pearls,and trinkets engrossed the bouquet.

Karen Satorre-Atienza's red gala rose Bridal Bouquet is nestled in springy twigs i found in the backyard. As for Tonirose Marquez-Arroyo's Bridal Bouquet, the blooms were enveloped with sturdy yet pliable crawling twigs.

Madrona - Ramos Nuptials (12.29.10)

Madrazo-Ramos Nuptials (12.29.10.) is in partnership with MONDO EVENTS of Dale Lagonera Borja and Jerry Cinco Abierra. Church : Holy Trinity Church Reception : Astoria Plaza, Grand Astoria Hotel Photography : Cworks by Clint Sanchez Videography : Cworks by Clint Sanchez Floral Design : Buds and Blooms and Melanie Lim Cake : LIMTEL Collections Lights and Sounds : Sure Audio by Donjie Almadro Wedding Singers/Entertaiments : KM6 Souvenir : Funstudio by Fotospeed Host : Ritchie Ruste