So, this is the part deux of our wedding supplier's review, enjoy reading! Please refer to this link for the first part of my supplier's review :)
Legend: 1- lowest, 5- highest
Wedding Videographer: VJ Matias of THEROCKINDUO
Rating: 5++++
We super duper over mega loooove our Wedding SDE video! whenever we watch it, Our wedding day flashes back, like it just happened yesterday! The guests also loved our video. It's very touching and you can really feel the solemnity of our wedding.
We got VJ way back June 2011, when he was just starting in the wedding industry. That time he only got several videos to show in his portfolio, but I saw his potential so on our first meeting, I booked him on the spot. I know someday he'll be one of the most successful videographers in the country (and yes he's getting there already).
He's polite and down to earth. If you meet him, he's just like your younger cousin or brother. He's easy to work with (parang naglalaro lang kayo, thesis project ang peg habang nagsho-shoot hehe).
Our Wedding SDE:
For the HD version, click this link: https://vimeo.com/54970355
Peso power: 10,000 pesos only- this was his old rate for a full wedding coverage with SDE and prenup video way back 2011, nice huh?!:) Lucky me!:D
Wedding HMUA: Val Villarin
Rating: 5+
I actually didn't scout lots of wedding makeup artist, because I'm too lazy to go and pay for makeup trials (It's a waste of money for me). I only had one trial session in a bridal fair with my friends. I liked my makeup and the supplier, but the package is too expensive for me, considering it only covers the bride with airbrush and retouch for the groom.
I knew Val from a former office mate because she booked him as her wedding hmua last December 2010. I checked her wedding pictures and yes she's glowing, even though it's just a traditional makeup. I also checked his past brides and got satisfied with his works, so I went to this bridal fair and booked him on the spot even without any trial makeup ( trial makeup was done on the day of our 2nd prenup shoot). I just added some amount to convert my non traditional makeup to airbrush because I have oily and semi-blemished skin.
Val's airbrush makeup didn't disappoint me, most specially during the ceremony wherein I cried a lot. I thought my eye makeup smudged and my blush on was ruined because of tears, but hubby said I still look gorgeous. I also didn't expect that he'll be the one doing my makeup retouch in the reception venue, maybe because that's his reward for not staying during our church ceremony.
Val's assistants also made my entourage very pretty. Val made my mom's hairdo and makeup and she looked like a "donya" hehe. What I just didn't like was during our hotel makeup preps, when my mom told me Val was kind of "masungit" . When my two other bridesmaids came in our hotel room (because they were late), my mom heard his two assistants telling him that there are still two bridesmaids lined up for makeup, and he replied in a somewhat rejecting tone. When my mom heard them she replied, " O, wala namang problema, magkano ba ang additional fee sa makeup?", then Val said " Ay si mother, andiyan pala...". I really don't know what happened because I was not in the scene, but whatever it was I just hope that awkward incident didn't really happened.
Overall, I still like his service and highly recommend him. My flower girl said I looked like a barbie doll on our wedding day :)
Entourage gown maker: Hazel Garcia
Rating: 3
I intensively researched online for names and contact numbers of gown makers in Divisoria. James and I visited each stall on my list, and we ended up getting Hazel Garcia's service. Aside from her affordable rates, a friend of mine also recommended her.
I showed her my bridesmaid and mothers' gown pegs, and she delivered the designs that I wanted. The only issue we had with her was the fitting of the gowns and suits. My sister and mother's gown were sent back to her twice for repair. She fixed the issue on my sister's gown, but not on my mom's gown. Thank God for my 80+ year old grandmother, who's still alive, healthy, and knows how to repair gowns. She became my mother's savior days before our wedding day. My mom bombarded Hazel with texts, but she kept replying the same thing. If my grandma didn't fix my mother's gown, we'll end up buying an RTW gown at the mall.
My father, father-in-law, and some of our groomsmen were also not satisfied with the fitting of their coats so we sent it all back for repair. Our best man's pants (my hubby's brother) was too short for him, so we ended up using James' prenup pants even though we paid for it. Actually, It was a fault on our end, because my brother-in-law was not present on the measurement day and he only asked his office mate to get his measurement ( d*mn office mate for giving the wrong figures).
My father's coat was repaired, she made two coats for my father-in-law so he could choose, but the coat of my sister's boyfriend (also one of our groomsmen) still doesn't fit him. So what we did, we borrowed the other coat sent to my father-in-law, and didn't get the coat repaired for my sister's bf and deducted it from the original price package. We just returned the spare coat after the wedding.
The gown and coat repairs were a huge hassle on our part. On the lighter side, the gowns and coats look stunning on our wedding pictures, they were photogenic. So even though we've been through a lot of hardships during the repairs, I thank God it paid off.
I just wrote my experience regarding this supplier, it's up to you if you will still get her services.On the other hand, she's nice in person and easy to talk to. Just inquire, maybe what happened to me, won't happen to you.
My MOH and bridesmaids gown photo by Paolo Feliciano:
Rating: 5
Ka Mario was recommended to us by my mom's friend. Aside from his affordable rates, he's also the in house floral supplier of our ceremony church so we didn't had a hard time communicating with him.
We upgraded our package because I wanted a specific design for the aisle flowers and the tribunal flower design. Come wedding day, I love our aisle flowers (In white pomander ball with crystals and glass stand) but I was expecting more on our tribunal flower arc design. I thought he'll use thicker pillars but he didn't, maybe he just rented the pillars from a 3rd party supplier.
The bridesmaids and mothers' bouquets were colorful. As for my bouquet I find it a bit small though, but I love its color combination, it's pretty in pictures.
I still highly recommend him because he's down to earth and very approachable. Even with some imperfections, he still delivered well and on-time. He also caters to non-INC clients.
Me and my bouquet photo by Paolo Feliciano:
Photobooth supplier: Snaps N' Inks Photobooth
Rating: 5++++
I found Snaps N' Inks Photobooth promo in CashCashPinoy. Their original 3 hour Photobooth package is 7,000 pesos but we got them for 3,500 pesos only. Before I availed the voucher, I researched first about them and asked if our wedding date is still open, and they said yes.
Their team delivered well even before the wedding day. I had 3 revision requests for our photobooth strip layout and Ms. Amy executed it very well. I love the design and colors it really suits our A Touch Of Paris reception theme.During our wedding reception, they were really strict with the stop time, so I'm glad all our guests were inside the reception venue during the program. I know there were some guests who got impatient with the stop time, but Ms. Amy and his assistant were really eager their rules. I consider them as one of our good finds :)
Below is our photobooth pic:
Peso power: 3,500 pesos only through CashCashpinoy site:)
Bridal car supplier: Jamie Lim
Rating: 5++++
Our catering package includes a free bridal car,but unfortunately, we didn't like the car's model because it's kinda old and rusty.We felt it won't arrive on time for the church ceremony hehe. At first,We opted for a Chrysler 300c but it was too expensive, see my blog here. So once again, I researched for an affordable bridal car, and with a w@wie's help and recommendation I found Sir Jamie.
The bridal car was clean and smelled fresh, BTW it's a white BMW 2006 model. It arrived on time for my pick up at the hotel and manong driver was nice and quiet. If you don't ask him questions, he won't talk at all. Our wedding is 4:00 pm, we left the hotel ( Our hotel is in Eastwood) around 2:00 pm and we arrived at the church around 2:30 pm LOL (Our church is along Commonwealth Ave.), no traffic at all! I just waited inside the bridal car, take note the aircon is running until 4:00pm hehe.
Manong driver was so nice, that during our reception he got shy to ask for his packed dinner from my coordinator ( that's another story and actually my coordinator's fault they should have given them his meal). In return, we just gave him a tip after the wedding.
I highly recommend sir Jamie for his car and good service. I just hope he's still renting his car, because the last time I checked, his Sulit.com ad is already inactive.
Peso power: 7,500 pesos for 10 hours! from 2:00pm to 12:00 am ( the bridal car brought us back to the hotel). :) This is a 2012 rate.
Bridal car supplier: My Perfect Match Shoes
Rating: 5+++
I really wanted to have a unique and comfy bridal shoes, so I decided to customize mine. I don't like the usual glittery, silvery shoes so I chose to have a peach bridal shoes. Ms. Marie got the design I showed her, but unfortunately the design I chose lacks support in front. When I'm wearing it, it's slowly slipping off my feet! I got worried and returned the shoes to Ms. Mari for revision. She suggested to add a clear strap in front to prevent from sliding off. The clear straps were attached to the shoes using rugby, honestly I have doubts with the rugby, but I just let go of the idea to prevent stress. I also requested to add some Swarovski crystals to my shoes to give it some accent.
Weeks before my wedding, I tried my shoes on for break-in. While walking around our house, the clear strap got loose, so my father applied again some rugby. I got worried again, thinking that on wedding day, it might get off my feet but lo and behold! from the hotel up to the reception it remained still! I even danced during our couple's reception number wearing those shoes!
The shoes were very comfy and dainty. I wore it for more than 10 hours and no pain at all! Take note it has 3.5 inch heels. I highly recommend Perfect Match for bridal shoes :)
Picture of my bridal shoes by Paolo Feliciano:
Peso power: 4,750 pesos this is a 2012 rate.
Hotel for preparations: Eastwood Richmonde Hotel
Rating: 2.5
We decided to book this hotel because of its classy and elegant interiors plus their affordable room rates. The first Account Executive ( AE) we inquired through my company was very accommodating, but unfortunately he resigned so our office admin told me that a girl replaced him. I like The first AE (by the way, was really polite and good-looking hehe) than the new one (his looks is not included in my preference).
On the day of our wedding day, we haven't got the chance to extend our stay in my suite until 2pm because they said it was peak season, another guest already booked our room. My coordinator called our hotel AE to request for extension, but unfortunately it was not granted. Instead we were transferred to the room where James and I will check-in after the wedding.
For the hotel premises pictorial, I was kinda sad because the GMA 7 crew was there to shoot around ERH premises. We only got some few shots around the lobby and staircase because of them (I only knew this after my wedding, my coordinator doesn't want me to get stressed that day so they kept it a secret) If my mom only knew it, for sure she will get angry with the ERH staff and of course the GMA 7 crew.
For my husband's side, their departure from the hotel was delayed because the ERH staff blamed them for losing/getting 2 bathroom towels and told them they should pay it. They searched the room for the towels, but James said, when they got there the CR only has 4 towels, not 6. Otep, my sister's bf and one of our groomsmen told the hotel concierge to check their towel inventory first before blaming them. My hubby told them, " Ang dami naming towels sa bahay, bakit namin kukunin mga yun? mga professionals kami!" On our last day in the hotel, the ERH staff didn't even bother to apologize to us for the false accusation, LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED! >.<
Wedding Coordinator: The Allianz Sisters
Rating: I don't want to rate them, because my head wedding coordinator became my close friend and we are their last client (they are not active anymore). I admit not all happened as planned, there were some flaws but unnoticeable. At the end of the day, I'm still happy it turned out to be the wedding I always dreamed of and the praises we got from guests were overwhelming. I want to thank Ayeth and the whole team for playing a major part on our wedding day :)
Emcee: Jem Santiago
Rating: 5++++
I almost forgot to rate her! Ms. Jem was soo nice, she's fluent in english and very prim and proper during our wedding reception. James told her in one of our meetings that he doesn't like a "boxing ring" style of program flow ( ayaw niya kasi ng maingay na parang palengke ang reception hehe). So that's what Ms. Jem did. She really delivered very well on our wedding reception, I super duper highly recommend her!
Peso power: None, her fee was already included in our catering package. I know she accepts outside clients so if you want to contact her, just leave a message here and I'll give you her number :)
Wedding rings: Tolosa's Jewelry
Rating: 5++++
Last but not the least, I forgot to rate our affordable but very beautiful rings made by Mr. Kris Tolosa of Tolosa's Jewelry. I knew him from sis Ilene also a w@wie and an INC bride. When I posted in the forum asking for affordable wedding ring suppliers in Ongpin area, she emailed me about it. At first, she didn't told me that the wedding ring maker was her fiance! we only knew it when Ka Kris told us during our wedding ring quotation. We love our wedding rings, we got it in a very friendly price. I know if we bought it in a bridal fair or in a well-known jewelry store it will cost us a hand and a leg.
His shop is located in Ongpin, 2nd floor of a building ( I forgot the name of the building hehe). If you want his contact details, just PM me :)
That's the end of our supplier's review. I hope my reviews will help soon-to-be brides on their wedding preparations. Now, reality check, baby preps here we go! :)
