Silent Blabber

RATING:

1 = don’t you dare get them

2 = met expectations

3 = highly recommended

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COORDINATOR:   Ai Acosta

RATING: 3++++++++

PESO POWER: 35,000 ( partial to full coordination )

COMMENT:

I never really planned on getting a coordination service. I initially thought that it was not necessary and that I could do everything for my wedding. But since I was based abroad that time and Billy was the only one here in the Philippines, the pressure was on him. I would ask him to go to meet this person or take a look at this thing and he wouldn’t be able to do it because of his 7-7, 6 days a week working time. That caused a lot of rift between the two of us. We would fight about the small things. That made me interested in hiring some professional service.

Because I had booked other suppliers already ( photographer, videographer, couturier, string ensemble, flowers and souvenirs ), I was just looking for a partial coordination.

I’ve emailed several and some of which were quick in answering mails. But when it comes to the rates, well, I had to think twice. I remember one coordinator giving me her price range of almost close to a 100 thousand pesos! And that is only for partial coordination! WTF!

Anyways, while reading through the emails of fellow w@wies, I came upon this another overseas couple who got Ai Acosta as their full wedding coordinator. May ( the bride ) wrote about how efficient Ai was during their first meeting. I immediately, emailed Ai and within a few minutes, she replied back with her rates. I told her about the other suppliers that I had booked already. We worked on the rates and officially, I booked her as my coordinator that same day!

It just felt right getting her service and I was so happy when Billy finally met her because he immediately liked her as well. Coincidentally, Billy and Ai’s birthday is the same! September 18. That also cemented our relationship not only as clients but also as friends.

True to my instinct. She delivered well during our wedding. Way and beyond what we expected. I never worried about anything. Well, I wasn’t a very OC bride to start with. Some suppliers even commented that I don’t look like a bride because I was just cool. No sign of worrying about what to do with what. Well, Ai was my best kept secret!

CHURCH: St. Francis of Asissi

RATING: 3++

PESO POWER:

9,500 payable to Mt. Carmel

5,000 A/C

7,000 in-house florist ( Scenta Flora)

COMMENT:

The place, of course, is stunning! Magical if I could say so. The aisle is not as long as other churches but it felt like it’s the longest walk I ever took.

The flowers are lovely and colorful.

The priest? Well, I can advice you to get someone who really knows you personally. Period.

The only problem we encountered was with the requirements/documents because Mt. Carmel is very strict when it comes to requirements. Good thing, we hired a wedding coordinator.

RECEPTION VENUE: Fernwood Gardens Venue 1

RATING: 3++++

PESO POWER:

54,320 ( day wedding )

15,000 A/C

COMMENT:

Need I say more? Like the chapel, the place was magical especially with the table settings of Josiah’s catering and the stair flowers from Scenta Flora. Everyone enjoyed the beauty of the place. The only problem we encountered was the A/C. I think one of their unit was not working. Other than that, it was perfect!

CATERER: Josiah’s Catering

RATING: 3+++++

PESO POWER: 685/pax++ with some free upgrades

COMMENT:

I wasn’t able to eat very well during the wedding. But I guess, it’s not so very unusual because of the excitement. As far as our guests told me, they loved the food. The dessert bar ( crepe, assorted pastries, assorted pannacotta, creme brulee, chocolate fountain ) and the carving station ( burgundy beef roast ) was very popular.

The table set-up and the sound system was also very good.

I also love the wedding gift they gave us.

You can never go wrong with Josiah’s.

BRIDAL GOWN: Cecilio Abad ( who else?! )

RATING: 3+++++++++++++

PESO POWER: email me

COMMENT:

When I first saw Cecil’s multiply site c/o Redefine Weddings website, I already fell in love with his creations. I immediately texted him and we chatted via YM. As any other bride, I first asked how much it’ll cost me. He never gave a straight answer because he said it all depends on the fabric and design.

Anyways to cut the long story short, when he sent me a sketch of the gown, there’s no thinking twice. He was the one. My fairy godmother!

The day of the wedding, he wasn’t supposed to dress me up because another bride booked him ahead of me and her wedding was like 10am. But Cecil came all the way to Astoria to help me with my gown and then head straight to Manila Hotel for his other bride. I am truly touched with the time and effort he gave me.

All our guests loves and drools over my gown! 

I so particularly love the shrug because it covered my big arms! It was only made for the church ceremony but because I loved it so much, I just told Cecil, I’m not taking it off during the reception!

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jayson and Jo Anne Arquiza of Redefine Weddings.

RATING: 3+++++

PESO POWER: 48,000 ( 1k less because I’m a W@W member )

COMMENT:

I got hooked on their prenup pics of Rico and Emtee. So fresh and so natural. I immediately inquired and booked them!

I couldn’t have made a better choice. They love their craft and it shows in all the photos that they took during our wedding.

We got RW’s 3-photographer service and instead of 3, Jayson, Richard Buan and Jonathan ( never got his last name ), it felt like 4 photographers were there because Jo Anne was also there acting as the 4th photographer!

Of course, we still need to see the output of our wedding album. Our guestbook is perfect already. I hope our wedding album will be as much, if not more. I hope Billy and I will find some time to choose among the 2 thousand raw shots for our wedding album before next year.

Anyways, they deserve all the blessings and success that they have right now. Good people inside and out. Highly recommended.

VIDEOGRAPHER: Jezreel

RATING: to follow

PESO POWER: 25,000 ( 2-cam set-up )

COMMENT:

I really cannot say anything except that during our wedding, he came on time. I haven’t seen the output so it’s not fair to give any ratings as of the moment.

HAIR AND MAKE-UP: Angie Cruz and Ogie Rayel

RATING: 3++++

PESO POWER:

10,000 ( bride + 2 heads )

1,300 ( trial HMU )

1,000 ( additional head during the wedding )

COMMENT:

I never really had any contact with them because all dealings was made thru Ai. I first met them for my trial HMU at Cecil’s shop in Manila. Angie was the quiet one. Ogie was more outspoken.

When I showed the picture of my trial HMU to Billy, he’s reaction was not good. He said that I looked like a different person. So on the wedding day, I requested a more natural look. Billy’s reaction when he saw me on our wedding day? PRICELESS.

The make-up lasted until we reached home. No crying nor perspiration was able to remove it! Well, except the lipstick.

BRIDAL BOUQUET and ENTOU FLOWERS: Angel of Hearts

RATING: 2

PESO POWER: 8,000

My bridal bouquet was 20 pcs. of pink tulips. During the wedding day, it looked like purplish color. Maybe that’s the shade of pink of tulips. I was just expecting a bit more.

Other than that, everything looks great.

STRING/MUSIC: Velvet Mood by Edwin Silangcruz

RATING: 2

PESO POWER: 11,000 ( quartet )

COMMENT:

There was no problem with booking them. Mr. Edwin was not demanding a certain amount for DP. The only problem was during our first and only meeting. They were late for over 2 hours! Billy was already fuming mad. He’s very particular with punctuality. Good thing, Ai was with us to pacify my hubby.

During the wedding, they played well.

BRIDAL CAR: MB Bugs Eye c/o Ai Acosta

RATE: 2

PESO POWER: 5,000

COMMENT:

Manong was just there to drive. That’s it.

HOTEL PREPS: Astoria Plaza ( two 1-bedroom suite )

RATING: 3

PESO POWER: 5,270 nett per room

COMMENT:

I was placed in a 2-bedroom suite instead of 1-bedroom suite for the same rate. I forgot the reason. Billy was still checked-in in a 1-bedroom suite.

The suites are nice, comfy and large. Good for wedding preps.

Only stayed for 1 night.

INVITATIONS: Printed Matter

RATING: 3

PESO POWER: 5,000 ( 60 pcs )

COMMENT:

Cute and Simple. Just like us.

SOUVENIRS: Pixie Wedding Couple Magnet by Papemelroti

RATING: 3

PESO POWER: 3,920 ( 100 pcs )

COMMENT:

I’ve always wanted a refrigerator magnet as wedding tokens for our guests. Not only is it practical but Papemelroti’s pixie wedding couple looks unique!

GIFT FOR PRINCIPAL SPONSOR: Last Supper and Holy Family Desk Standee

RATING: 3

PESO POWER: email me

COMMENT:

Got this from Paete, Laguna.

MOTHERS AND ENTOURAGE GOWNS (except Matron of Honor’s) :

Jojo Manalo from Marilao, Bulacan

RATING: 2

PESO POWER:

4,000/gown ( Mother’s )

3,000/gown ( Entourage and Secondary Sponsors )

1,700/gown ( Flower girls )

COMMENT:

We were supposed to book another supplier from Bulacan but unprofessionalism gave us up on him so Billy ended up looking for another one and found Jojo.

Good price. I had everyone choose their own gown design. I want everyone to feel comfortable with what they were wearing.

Jojo was easy to deal with.

BRIDAL CAKE: Yummy Piece of Cake

RATING: 3++++++++

PESO POWER: my sister’s wedding gift

COMMENT:

One word. YUMMY!

HONEYMOON DESTINATION: Amorita Resort in Bohol

RATING: 3++++++++++++++

PESO POWER: 32,700 ( Bohol TOURific Package – Ocean Villa ) for 3D/2N

COMMENT:

Oh my gosh! We both love this place! Super duper highly recommended for honeymoon!

The package includes:

• complimentary breakfast ( buffet style with many choices everyday )
• countryside tour
• welcome drink and cold towel
• complimentary bottle of sparkling wine or 1 hour full body massage
• complimentary roundtrip seaport/airport transfers (tagbilaran-amorita-tagbilaran)
• VAT and local gov’t taxes

So worth every penny!

 

 

 

PRENUP LOCATION: Villa Escudero

RATING: 3+++++

PESO POWER: 1,105/person (day tour)

COMMENT:

For those who love the scenery of nature, this is the place to be. No additional prenuptial rates. Inclusive of lunch, which it totally yum yum.

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Whew!

Never thought that making a supplier’s rating will give me nose bleed!

Hope I was able to help with my ratings…