Abby initially had second thoughts of availing of our services. Lace Tan said,"Just ask!" or something to that effect. Needless to say, that started our email relationship with Abby that culminated in this wonderful, wonderful old-Manila wedding on an unusually sunny day of June.
My excitement about this wedding stemmed from many things. First, that we were able to import the bride's flowers of choice - peonies. Although peonies aren't strictly Spring flowers, they are not in bloom all year round either. In fact, they are available in late Spring until early Summer only (from Holland). We updated ourselves with the seasons by reading London-based online newspapers (I was a regular reader of the International Herald Tribune, truth be told, before it was bought by the New York Times). Second, it was important that we'd be able to bring in thistles because this was a very important symbol for Billy, the groom, who is a Scot. Although the Eryngium is not the exact the Scottish thistle, it was the closest we can get to the real thing in Manila. The metallic blue of the thistle was so striking in the photos! We wrapped the stems with jute string for that rustic effect. Third, we were ecstatic to find out that Puy Talde of Really Awesome Weddings (RAW) was shooting! Happy, happy day! :-)
Below, we present the photos of RAW, as well as Abby's thoughts on her wedding. Happy reading! :-)
---
---
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding?
I work offshore (VM Note: Abby is a physician based on one of the Malampaya oil rigs in Palawan) and my groom is based overseas. When I'm not offshore, I live in the province yet our wedding was to be held in Manila. A proper logistical nightmare! The fact that we had a relatively short engagement also added to the challenge. We had to find great (and budget-friendly) suppliers who communicate via email and we had to find them ASAP!
---
---
How did you two meet?
We met on a Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Course in Brunei. He chose the seat beside me and the rest, as they say, is history. :-)
---
---
Tell us about finding your wedding dress.
I didn't want to splurge on my dress but Billy knew what my heart desired. He insisted I get Cecilio Abad (madali akong pilitin , hehe) and boy, was it money well spent! I trusted him with the design and he did not disappoint. I felt like a princess in my off-white, pearl-beaded lace and organza gown. :-)
In CA's words, my gown had a "transformer drama eklavu". I was conservative and appropriately dressed in the church with the high-neckline for the first look and fresh and sexy (daw) in a sweetheart neckline gown for the second look. The gown suited my personality perfectly. CA is a genius!
---
---
My favorite detail(s) of the wedding was/were:
It's so hard to choose just a few! Definitely my bouquet of peonies. Also my gown, the boys and men in their kilts and the colorful set-up at the reception.
---
---
How does it feel getting wed in a European-inspired National Historical Landmark?
The San Sebastian Basilica is a breath-taking piece of architecture. Although our guest list wasn't large enough to fill it, the love we felt for each other and our family and friends was abundant and enormous. By the way, the aisle was soooo long! I couldn't get to Billy's side fast enough. :-)
---
---
My favorite memory of the day was:
...finally standing beside Billy at the church. He looked at me and I could have just melted :-)
---
---
What was the design inspiration for your wedding?
We didn't really have a theme and Billy is allergic to matching stuff, ha ha! I fell in love with a color palette on one of the wedding sites and that dictated the details of our wedding. Pink, orange, and yellow may be tricky to put together but I loved the over-all look of our wedding. Billy's family tartan was a combination of green and blue shades, but they didn't clash with our colors at all.
---
---
What was your biggest splurge?
Food. I wanted our guests to have a delicious and bountiful meal. K. by Cunanan delivered that and more.
---
---
Anything D-I-Y for your wedding?
The jordan almond favors were a DIY project of myself, Billy, and my sister, Ada. We had a proper assembly line going. :-) We also personalized the fans given out at the church. I addressed all the invites in pseudo-calligraphy style myself. The misalettes were also a DIY project.
---
---
Tell us about your caterer.
I first heard about K. by Cunanan from my friend, Chandra, who got them also for her December wedding. At W@W, they had great feedbacks as well. So I sent them an email and Lace Tan answered. On our first food-tasting, they had me at Hoisin Chicken Wrap, ha ha! No turning back after that. Simply put,their food is delicious. All our guests said so, too! Their menu is fresh and not your usual handaan (party) fare. It's just a bonus that they do elegant and tasteful set-ups as well.
---
---
Tell us about your photographer.
I got the RAW (Really Awesome Weddings Photography) team for our wedding per my friend Nina's urging. I just love them! Puy and his team made us very comfortable in front of the camera. They don't make you do awkward camera poses. The photos they took from our wedding were simply stunning! Crisp, fresh and colorful. Like you, Dylan, I was floored when I saw their Facebook post. :-) My female guests also commented that my photo team members are cuties, ha ha ha!
---
---
Tips to brides-to-be?
Research, research, research! Join weddings@work. Get an On-The-Day, at least. And there's such a thing as 'false economy'. In the end, you get what you pay for.
Follow your instincts. No matter how overwhelming the wedding preps get, never lose sight of why you're doing what you're doing. You are getting married to the man who sets your heart aflutter, the man you want to grow old with, the man you will build a life and family with. That's the prize.
Sure, we all want the perfect gown, flowers, make-up, venue, weather, and what have you but when things don't go your way, remember you are still going home after all the festivities with the man you love and who loves you. So chill! Nothing is worth the wrinkles.
---
Enjoy the rest of the photos here.
---
Thank you, Puy Talde, for allowing us to post your amazing photos. :-)
---
---
really awesome weddings (inspired by RedSheep)
mobile: +63.917.807.6534
landline: +632.425.3917
email: askme@reallyawesomeweddings.com
3 comments:
more blessings vatel manila! -puy :)
Dylan!
I initially had second thoughts because I was told by a florist peonies would definitely not be available for our June wedding. So I thought if I'm not gonna have peonies anyway, I'll just get a regular florist to use regular flower arrangements and use the savings elsewhere. But you know I was already in love with your creations so I really only needed a nudge from Lace to cave in hahaha. The extra monies spent were so worth it! :-)
Dylan!
I initially had second thoughts because I was told by a florist peonies would definitely not be available for our June wedding. So I thought if I'm not gonna have peonies anyway, I'll just get a regular florist to use regular flower arrangements and use the savings elsewhere. But you know I was already in love with your creations so I really only needed a nudge from Lace to cave in hahaha. The extra monies spent were so worth it! :-)
Post a Comment