VERBALIZED in retrospect: The Wedding Cake of Erwin and Annalisa

Erwin and Annalisa tied the knot on June 28, 2010 at the Shore of Bora de Lantaka, Lantaka Hotel by the Sea under Christian Rights (Alliance Evangelical Church), and reception banquet followed at the roof deck of the same hotel.

Annalisa wanted her wedding cake to be beautiful and unique, so I personally designed the cake and commissioned LIMTEL Collections for the execution.

The towering 5-tierred cake I designed was inspired from the architectural characteristics of Guggenheim Musem in Bilbao and New York, and artistic receptivity that of Antoni Gaudi. The colors were personal choice of the bride – matte gold, fuschia, lilac, and lavender that was in perfect collaboration.

The Bride desired her wedding cake to be accentuated with butterflies in assortment of sizes, so she bought several artificial butteflies made of stocking at Divisoria in Manila. I further enhanced each pieces with chalk pearls in pastel, crystals, and different sequins. It became a D-I-Y job for me.

With such association, the wedding cake came out to be awesome, a piece de resistance in wedding reception.

(photos courtesy of Seed Interactive Multimedia Productions)

ADAM and EVE Prenuptial Photography of Joseph and Anna Marie

Joseph and Anna Marie were the most enthusiastic couple I had this year. They were introduced to me by in-demand wedding hair/make-up artist Pio Hilario. For their prenuptial photography, we had Ryann Elumba of Seed Interactive Multimedia Productions, Jouie Tamse of Joe-Art Productions, and Donafel Chua as our photographers. They had six separate sessions for prenuptial shoot alone in a variety of concepts and themes which I creatively directed, and took place in unalike locations in the city like in Cross Mayor ,in a hardware, and as far as Sta. Cruz Island just to name a few.

But the most outstanding prenuptial shoot was the Adam and Eve concept taken by Jouie Tamse of Joe-Art Productions,wherein they held a Burmese albino python a friend bought in Davao in 2009.We gilded their naked bodies and cover some parts using foliage that I got from our backyard. The Couple were timid and hesitant at first, but they enjoyed it at the end of the day. The result was awesome, considerately wild and beautiful.

They got married on March 20,2010 at The Holy Trinity Parish Church in Pasonanca, and held a banquet at Rigodon Ballroom of Hacienda de Palmeras in Sta.Maria in Zamboanga City.

Annamarie Ucab-Ramirez will give birth sometime this month.

VERBALIZED in retrospect : My Penchant for Floral Design

Flowers are of my great interest. I love flowers, and certainly enjoy floral design. I did several flower arrangements but most of them are undocumented. It’s actually part of my academic subject in the College of Home Economics before, and I was even tasked to talk about or report about floristy which was a huge help to me. I researched a lot. After few months of the same year, I was tasked again to talk about floral design and to demonstrate different floral arrangements in one of my professional education subject. Well –equipped with technical skills and theoretical knowledge about flowers during the second time around.

After the next semester, I was asked to represent my school(Western Mindanao State University) along with my three other classmates for a pre-teachers summit participated by a large number of education students in Region 9.This time, I was again tasked to represent and join 2 different categories – Instructional Materials Making which I won first place, and Teaching Demonstration Competition which I landed third place among 15 participants in the summit. And my topic was again – Floral Design. My demonstrations caught the attention of the participants, and put me to the spot.

From then on, I would buy flowers in regular basis and arrange it in various styles and heights, or recycle flowers I got from the events that I managed and rearranged it. Doing it cyclically furthermore aroused my interest and hone my penchant. Then I started merchandising.I started with my friends, and i earned from it – fame and money.

That was the start of my floral design business engagement.

BRIDAL BOQUET.Rica Pilar Thamsey-Bustamante is one of my favorite muses during college days. We met in a theater guild at WMSU-were both actors then.I was doing the set and costumes too of our various productions.I provide her gowns and accessories during her hosting engagements using only just unseamed fabrics and pins.But during her wedding day at the shores of Bora de Lantaka,Lantaka Hotel by the Sea 3 years back, my job was different.Instead of providing her a wedding gown, i made her bouquet.This time i was trying my luck on Floral Design.For her bouquet, i used dozens of locally grown spray red roses that we bought at flower stalls along San Jose Road in Zamboanga City.It was a summer wedding and the theme was "Luau" so i incorporated dried raffia instead of foliage to make the bouquet unique. I let the dried raffia cascade down to the floor like mimicking a hawaiian grass skirt.And i added some miniature shells to compliment further to the theme.It was truly an exceptional bridal bouquet that truly delighted her and highlighted the wedding details.

VERBALIZED in retrospect : ELLAH's BRIDAL BOQUET

My proclivity for Floral Design continues. On September 25, 2010 I was commissioned by Ella Pancho –Galon to do the Floral Design of her Wedding. I used mums and roses, carnations, gerbera daisies, alstroemerias and calla lilies that I ordered from my flower supplier in DANGWA Flower Market in Sampaloc, Metro Manila. Per order of fresh flowers including shipment fee costs me around fifteen thousand pesos up to twenty five thousand pesos through Philippine Airlines.

For her bridal bouquet , I combined several imported flowers. I used dozens of light yellow and pink carnations, three canary yellow Ecuadorian roses, and three yellow huge cymbidium orchids which I loved so much. I added some gold, amber and blue crystals as accents held by wires and hand-tied the boquet using beautiful turquoise ribbon with glittery gold linear prints.

The bridal bouquet was truly adorable.

ADVANTAGES OF HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER

INSIGHTS

The demands for Wedding Planners nowadays in any parts of the world especially in highly urbanized cities is skyrocketing, and I can say you so because there are lot of couples locally and abroad (70% of my clients) wish to hire my services. I had several weddings in the past so it means the demand is high.I really never thought that I would reach this far, that there are brides who wants me to do their weddings, and who trusts my creativity. Thank God for the skill and talent, Joe Harris Kari Events and Event Styling is humbly soaring high. It’s overwhelming indeed.

As a wedding planner, I am accountable for contacting dissimilar vendors, ordering wedding items, keeping on budget, choosing the right motif for the wedding, right flowers for the floral design, musical score to be used for the church or during the reception program, right bridal gown that flatters the figure of the bride, distinctive details of theme, and just about every other part of a wedding that called for to be planned. I do most of the legworks, it’s my job as a wedding planner and I certainly enjoy it.

Wedding planners have personal knowledge in finding great wedding deals for every couple considering their individual wants and their financial abilities. Wedding planner is your library. We explain every details and we share ideas and gives necessary information. We study every wedding traditions.

The advantages of hiring a wedding planner are briefly enumerated below.

1.) Plans and organize your wedding

2.) Personal Consultant

3.) Gets the best deal for your money

4.) Gets everything you want for your wedding without having to do much of the work.

5.) Connections with the local wedding services like wedding suppliers, service providers, and vendors

6.) Special deals with suppliers, service providers and, vendors and they might also get you a discount for these services.

7.) Access for great discounts

8.) Troubleshooter

9.) Saves you a lot of time

As a quality, knowledgeable, and creative wedding planner my job is to help the couple and alleviate the stress of the planning process.

VERBALIZED in retrospect : PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY. Look Your Best. MAKING MEMORIES. Unknown Contributor.(Metro WeddingsVolume 8 No.2 Special Double Couple Issue p.99) When you hire a photographer, make sure to sit down with him on what photos should take for your wedding. This way you can be assured of photos that will reflect the mood and ambiance of your wedding. You’ve worked so hard in planning this event, the only way to keep these memories intact are through videos and photos. Make sure to let your photographer know to also to take spontaneous photos of you laughing, crying, hugging your parents, etc. This way, he can be on his toes when situations arise. Having these types of photos on hand will always stir up the emotions when you look back on your wedding day. Taking portraits should be a standard requirement.

MY THOUGHTS: Wedding Photography is the photography of activities relating to weddings. It encompasses photographs of the couple before marriage (for announcements, portrait displays, or thank you cards) as well as coverage of the wedding and reception It is a major commercial endeavor that supports the bulk of the efforts for many photography studios or independent photographers (WIKIPEDIA).It also includes pre-nuptial photography as well as post-nuptial photography.

Photography is important in weddings and in any other events.Wedding photography is the best way to immortalize your special day aside from videography. Always have in mind that you only get one chance of capturing your wedding day, so it is wise to hire a professional wedding photographer for this vital task.

It is fine and normal to have family and friends bring a camera and take photos of their own during the wedding day, but at the end of the day having professional quality photos taken using professional equipments will produce results that you will be able to treasure for a long time and even share with future generations.

When it comes to wedding photography it is important to choose the best photographer for your wedding. Photographers are individuals just like everyone else. Every couple has their own style, and financial capabilities. Choose wedding photographers that suits your taste, preference and budget but not affecting the quality of output or pictures.

There are lot of photographers that offers wedding photography. A referral from the past brides will help you,or check local photographers who have websites or online portfolios before meeting them up.Be Honest.Let them know what you want and what you expect, as long as the photographer and yourselves get along and see eye to eye on style, you are probably going to get beautiful images that you expect on your big day.

Establishing friendly relationship or rapport with your wedding photographer is important to bring out what you want and keep away inhibitions. Couple should establish a fine compatibility and an unenclosed working relation with your selected photographer and jointly with his character and attainments, you will both get the wonderful output that you want.

“High quality output is the most important thing to me" ,according to Lee Llamas- one of the top wedding photographers of the country today. Verily, high quality output is the result of high quality equipments or with better resolutions. Remember that more pixels means more resolution, which should mean more detail, which should yield a better picture.

The Wedding Photography Checklist below helps your wedding photographer capture the best and essential details of your big day.Provide your wedding photographer with this list of "must-take" wedding photography shots before your wedding.(wedding photography checklist courtesy of Nina Callaway, About.com : Weddings)

Wedding Photography Shots Before the Ceremony

___ Wedding dress lying over a chair
___ Zipping up or buttoning the wedding dress
___ Mother of the bride fastening the bride's necklace
___ The bride's garter
___ The bride's veil
___ A close up of the bride's shoes peeking out from under the dress
___ Bride looking into a mirror
___ Bride looking out window
___ Bride and bridesmaids putting on makeup
___ Bride pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
___ Bride hugging parents
___ Bride touching up
___ Bride and parents leaving for ceremony
___ Groom tying tie
___ Groom looking into mirror
___ Bride looking out window
___ Groom pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
___ Groom hugging parents
___ Bride and parents leaving for ceremony

Wedding Photography Shots At the Ceremony

___ Outside of ceremony site
___ Guests walking into ceremony site
___ Bride and father entering ceremony site
___ Parents being seated
___ Grandparents being seated
___ Maid of honor walking down the aisle
___ Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
___ Flower girl and ring bearer walking down aisle
___ Groom waiting for bride
___ Ceremony musicians
___ Officiant
___ Altar or canopy during ceremony
___ Close up of bride, just before she makes her entrance
___ Bride and father walking down aisle
___ Groom seeing bride for first time
___ The back of bride and father walking down the aisle – with the groom waiting in the distance
___ Bride's father and Bride hugging at end of aisle
___ Shot of the audience from the bride and groom's point of view
___ The unity ceremony
___ Close up of bride and groom saying the vows
___ Wide shot of bride and groom saying the vows
___ Exchanging the rings
___ Close up of hands
___ The kiss
___ Bride & Groom walking up the aisle
___ Receiving line
___ Bride & Groom outside on steps
___ Guests throwing confetti/rose petals/birdseed
___ Bride & Groom hugging guests, laughing, getting congratulations
___ Bride & Groom getting in car
___ Bride & Groom in back seat

Posed Wedding Photography Before the Reception (These can also be taken before the ceremony)

___ Bride alone (full length)
___ Bride with Maid of Honor
___ Bride with bridesmaids
___ Groom with bridesmaids
___ Bride with parents
___ Bride & Groom together
___ Bride & Groom with parents
___ Bride & Groom with families
___ Bride & Groom with entire wedding party
___ Bride & Groom with flower girl and ringbearer
___ Groom with parents
___ Groom with best man
___ Groom with groomsmen
___ Bride with groomsmen

During the Reception (to help your photographer, you may wish to list these shots in the order they will happen at your reception)

___ Outside of reception site
___ Bride & Groom arriving
___ Bride & Groom greeting guests
___ Table centerpieces
___ Table setting
___ Bride & Groom's table (head table)
___ Musicians or DJ
___ Guest book
___ Place card table
___ Closeup of bride and groom's place card
___ Wedding cake
___ Groom's cake
___ Gift table
___ Decorations (specify which _________________________)
___ A shot of bride & groom with guests at each table
___ Bride with college alums
___ Groom with college alums
___ The buffet or, if having table service, a dinner serving
___ Bride & Groom's first dance
___ Bride & Father dancing
___ Groom & Mother dancing
___ Guests dancing
___ Bride & Groom cutting the cake
___ Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
___ Toasts (specify who is giving them: ____________________)
___ Bride & Groom drinking champagne
___ Signing the marriage license
___ Bride throwing bouquet
___ Groom retrieving garter
___ Groom tossing garter
___ Garter/Bouquet dance
___ The getaway car
___ Bride & Groom leaving party
___ Bride & Groom driving away

Guests the photographer shouldn't miss: (provide your photographer with a seating chart so that he can easily identify them)
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
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An-Nikah The Marriage

“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts). Verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.”

(Surah Ar Rum: 21)

The abovementioned verse in the Quran is the basis of the importance of Marriage in Islam. Marriage is a religious duty and is consequently a moral safeguard as well as a social necessity.

Most of my clients are muslims because we share the same beliefs and culture. I have clear understanding about marriage in Islam so it is always easy for me to plan and organize their weddings.

I believe as Muslim, it is my duty and purpose as destined to serve other fellow Muslims by guiding and educating them about An-Nikah. I read a lot about Muslim Wedding Traditions, as i did with other traditions known to man.

Mohammad Mazhar Hussaini – a known writer in Islamic World is a prolific writer that tackles about the way of life every Muslim should follow. His published Islamic Literatures are one of the best guides known to every Muslims of the modern world.

His article below guides me in my Islamic Weddings.

Mutual Agreement of Bride and Groom
Marriage (nikah) is a solemn and sacred social contract between bride and groom. This contract is a strong covenant (mithaqun Ghalithun) as expressed in Quran 4:21). The marriage contract in Islam is not a sacrament. It is revocable.

Both parties mutually agree and enter into this contract. Both bride and groom have the liberty to define various terms and conditions of their liking and make them a part of this contract.

Mahr
The marriage-gift (Mahr) is a divine injunction. The giving of mahr to the bride by the groom is an essential part of the contract.

'And give the women (on marriage) their mahr as a (nikah) free gift" (Quran 4:4)

Mahr is a token commitment of the husband's responsibility and may be paid in cash, property or movable objects to the bride herself. The amount of mahr is not legally specified, however, moderation according to the existing social norm is recommended. The mahr may be paid immediately to the bride at the time of marriage, or deferred to a later date, or a combination of both. The deferred mahr however, falls due in case of death or divorce.

One matrimonial party expresses 'ijab" willing consent to enter into marriage and the other party expresses 'qubul" acceptance of the responsibility in the assembly of marriage ceremony. The contract is written and signed by the bride and the groom and their two respective witnesses. This written marriage contract ("Aqd-Nikah) is then announced publicly.

Sermon
The assembly of nikah is addressed with a marriage sermon (khutba-tun-nikah) by the Muslim officiating the marriage. In marriage societies, customarily, a state appointed Muslim judge (Qadi) officiates the nikah ceremony and keeps the record of the marriage contract. However any trust worthy practicing Muslim can conduct the nikah ceremony, as Islam does not advocate priesthood. The documents of marriage contract/certificate are filed with the mosque (masjid) and local government for record.

Prophet Muhammad (S) made it his tradition (sunnah) to have marriage sermon delivered in the assembly to solemnize the marriage. The sermon invites the bride and the groom, as well as the participating guests in the assembly to a life of piety, mutual love, kindness, and social responsibility.

The Khutbah-tun-Nikah begins with the praise of Allah. His help and guidance is sought. The Muslim confession of faith that 'There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His servant and messenger" is declared. The three Quranic verses (Quran 4:1, 3:102, 33:70-71) and one Prophetic saying (hadith) form the main text of the marriage. This hadith is:

'By Allah! Among all of you I am the most God-fearing, and among you all, I am the supermost to save myself from the wrath of Allah, yet my state is that I observe prayer and sleep too. I observe fast and suspend observing them; I marry woman also. And he who turns away from my Sunnah has no relation with me". (Bukhari)

The Muslim officiating the marriage ceremony concludes the ceremony with prayer (Dua) for bride, groom, their respective families, the local Muslim community, and the Muslim community at large (Ummah)

Marriage (nikah) is considered as an act of worship (ibadah). It is virtuous to conduct it in a Mosque keeping the ceremony simple. The marriage ceremony is a social as well as a religious activity. Islam advocates simplicity in ceremonies and celebrations.

Prophet Muhammad (S) considered simple weddings the best weddings:

'The best wedding is that upon which the least trouble and expense is bestowed".
(Mishkat)

Primary Requirements
1) Mutual agreement (Ijab-O-Qubul) by the bride and the groom
2) Two adult and sane witnesses
3) Mahr (marriage-gift) to be paid by the groom to the bride either immediately (muajjal) or deferred (muakhkhar), or a combination of both

Secondary Requirements
1) Legal guardian (wakeel) representing the bride
2) Written marriage contract ("Aqd-Nikah) signed by the bride and the groom and witnesses by two adult and sane witnesses
3) Qadi (State appointed Muslim judge) or Ma'zoon (a responsible person officiating the marriage ceremony)
4) Khutba-tun-Nikah to solemnize the marriage

The Marriage Banquet (Walima)
After the consummation of the marriage, the groom holds a banquet called a walima. The relatives, neighbors, and friends are invited in order to make them aware of the marriage. Both rich and poor of the family and community are invited to the marriage feasts.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said:

'The worst of the feasts are those marriage feasts to which the rich are invited and the poor are left out". (Mishkat)

It is recommended that Muslims attend marriage ceremonies and marriage feasts upon invitation.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said:

"...and he who refuses to accept an invitation to a marriage feast, verily disobeys Allah and His Prophet". (Ahmad & Abu Dawood)