Involved in Accident - A unique prenuptial photoshoot at the MMDA impounding site

I'm always fascinated by unique prenuptial photoshoots thought of by my clients and executed and captured well by their photo/video supplier.

Just like in the case of my July 14, 2012 couple Engr Reymar &Dra Joyce Ann Mercado whose theme was "Involved in Accident" and what a great way to choose the MMDA's impounding site as their prenuptial venue.

Their creative juices paid off with the beautiful moments and poses captured by Studio 1 Photography.  The secret here is number 1 choose your prenuptial them, number 2 choose your prenuptial venue, number 3 leave all your worries behind, number 4 enjoy the day - after all once the photos are made it will be yours forever to see and lastly just smile and let your photographers capture those perfect shots!

Sharing with you "pictures" that the couple sent me that I also used for their customized guestbook.

Best,

Cel
www.yourevents.multiply.com

Smart Shot's Zandro Quimson

Meet Smart Shot's Zandro Quimson - I've worked with him many times and as always he was a great company, has an eye for details and down to earth. 


I can't remember the many times we've worked together, few couples came to mind - he was there during Gerry and Mars Ilagan Wedding at Calaruega - Taal Vista, Francis and Alerie Andres' Wedding at Mount Carmel - Lights of Love, Joseph and Junel Balon's Wedding at St. James Alabang-Portofino Heights and most recently with Jeffrey and Magan Redulla's Wedding at St. Peregrine-Portofino Heights (just to mention a few).


He's got a strong personality but I believe behind that strong persona is one person who's burning with PASSION and DEDICATION to his craft!  Indeed, it is truly a privilege working with Kuya Zandro!

(P.S.  You may also visit his portfolio at www.smartshotstudio.com)

Best,

Cel

Duties of a Maid of Honor in a Wedding

The most popular Maid of Honor I know in my entire wedding coordinator career would be Pippa Middleton - Kate's equally beautiful sister.  She best exemplifies what a Maid of Honor in a Wedding should be - helpful, attentive to the bride, elegant, supportive, committed to her duties and assertive.

And since Maid of Honor (also the Bestman) are the second most important person in the Bridal Entourage thus I've decided to list here the duties of a Maid of Honor (or Matron of Honor if she's already married).


I have here a sample picture of my bride Monette and her sister who is also her Maid of Honor:

my bride-client Monette at Plaza Ibarra Timog and below is her sister/Maid of Honor who performed her duties well as Maid of Honor

Pre Wedding Duties:

Ask the bride if she needs in help in looking at different locations/suppliers for the wedding especially if the Bride is a "hands-on" bride;  You can act as her "Full Time Event Coordinator".   

Help the bride choose her wedding invitations as well as possibly address the invitations if she needs your support.
Your opinion will be a great help for the bride if she needs help in ordering/choosing an Event Stylist or wedding souvenir suppliers.
It would be helpful for you to attend the Bride's multiple gown fitting so you can give her feedback;  again Filipina Bride's given their nature would not ask you for this but do make the effort to come with her and she will be ever thankful with your gesture.
Help the bride to register for their wedding gifts, this would be a very fun and bonding experience for both of you as grooms don't usually help brides in doing this during their wedding preps.
Help the bride in the seating arrangement. This can be a very difficult process as definitely on the wedding day itself you'll be the point person just in case there are any mix-ups, but this I guarantee, you will definitely save the day!
Host and Plan the bridal shower.  It would be an honor for you to be there.  Also, suggest games and partake in the expenses-sharing.
Help keep order and organization with the other bridesmaids.
Attend and help out during the wedding  rehearsal (if there are any).  If there's no wedding rehearsal, make sure that you are at the church venue at least an hour before the ceremony to organize other things, receive the guests and entourage while they are waiting for the couple
Field messages for the bride and her family to make sure you are up on any changes (especially if they are last minute changes that affect the other guests). 

Attend all bridal fairs with the bride as well as cake and catering tasting. 

Wedding Day

Wedding Day Duties:

Make sure the bride arrives to the ceremony and that she has everything on herself as well as inside her pouch;  I suggest create a Maid of Honor Checklist for yourself to make your duties easier.
Assist the bride in getting into her dress and makeup - that's why it would be helpful if you're at the hotel/dressing venue;  Bride's may have a bride's assistant (if they have wedding coordinators) but it would be a rewarding experience if she has someone beside her that she has trusted for so many years other than a bride's assistant.
Be the messenger if the bride wants to communicate messages to the family or groom so you are always up on what is going on;  I would suggest you get the bride's mobile phone so that the bride won't feel the stress during her wedding day with all the incoming text messages or incoming calls.
Help make sure the bride has privacy if she needs some quiet time before the ceremony.
Be the witness in the signing of the marriage license which is an honor!  Together with the Bestman, you'll be facilitating in this ceremony so all Principal Sponsors would sign at the marriage contract.  Churches/Priests/Pastors would often provide pens but it would be helpful if you also have a pen with you just in case there is none available.
Help the bride with her veil and train (if she has one). Be like PIPPA MIDDLETON, who was always there for her bride/sister in carrying the train/veil.  You'll never know how heavy wedding gowns are especially with the veil and train that's why some brides would actually trip on their train.  Be proactive!
Be your friend's "right-hand-woman" at the altar. She may be very nervous and you can be the calming source with your presence.   If there's a need to get her pouch and carry it, do so!  If there's a need to hold her bridal bouquet first while she is signing the marriage contract, do so!
Remember that one of your duty is to be Keeper of the brides bouquet during the ceremony. Make sure you have a free hand.
Remember that one of your duty is to make sure that the bride's train is well laid at the center aisle while the ceremony is on-going.  You'll never know when the photographer will make a shot of the bride's train, so better be ready than be sorry.   

Make a toast or speech or lead the Invocation Prayer during the wedding party since it is tradition and most people love hearing these friendship stories! 

Last, but not least, provide moral support and be a great listener throughout the process since it is a very wonderful and "positively" stressful time for your friend. You can really make the difference! 

Too often, the duty of "straightening/fluffing" the Bride's dress is overlooked. If the Bride is staying on a level, straight path, then this can be done before her descent down the aisle. However, if she is turning, or stepping up steps and/or turning to reach her destination, then the Maid/Matron of Honor should first adjust her train before accepting the bouquet to hold. This is most easily done by holding the train at points about (2) feet apart, and gently "shaking" the train (as if shaking a rug!) one good time, and it will fall beautifully in place.

Again, Bride's would always wanted their entourage specifically their Maid of Honor to enjoy their wedding day but Maids of Honor play a vital role in the wedding so it is essential that while enjoying the day itself they should still be attentive and be of assistance to the Bride whenever the need arises.  


So there!  Enjoy and justify your role as Maid of Honor and I guarantee you it's not just the bride but the Groom as well as their families, friends and relatives who will be so proud and thankful that you are the Maid of Honor.  

Best, 
Cel

Wedding Trend in the Philippines for 2011

Being in the wedding coordination business since 2007, I've seen different wedding trends emerging, revolutionizing every year.  When I got married in 2006, miniature cakes and cupcakes were becoming a big hit as souvenirs for couple and guests; 2007 was the year of the DIY souvenirs;  then in 2008 the photobooth revolution started, in 2009 I've seen the rise of the Onsite Video as well as photobooth, wine and chocolates as souvenir and in 2010 the couple's unique wedding dances...


Although, every year gives us a snapshot of newest trend, this trend would then be carried on to the following year and so on and so forth .. one example would be photobooth.  I've seen it make a BANNER HEADLINES in 2008 but until now you can see it's one of the major supplier every couple is eyeing into as souvenirs for their guests.


And now 2011, I've made my research/observations/survey as to what was the year's biggest WEDDING TREND here in the Philippines, so here goes my list in random order:


(Disclaimer:  This is just my honest opinion and observation, wink, wink!)


1.   Modern Choices

• Brides are now opting for the non-traditional dress choices for them, for their entourage etc.

(just like my bride Pebbles' modern and beautiful wedding gown c/o Frankie De Leon)

(the uber-unique and uber-comfortable choice of the ENTOURAGE'S dress from Jennifer's wedding - look at those sexy-skinny pants, cool right!)

• The cool backdrop and couple's chair so perfect for couple's pictorial during dinner

 - so the traditional couple's table is out

• Couple's steering away from the customary round table but would opt to mix table shapes and sizes like this elegant long table set up

• choosing cupcake and a small wedding cake for cake cutting instead of the traditional 3 or 5 layer wedding cake)

2.  DIY Weddings

• This started long, long time ago and now 2011it's still a big hit (and I guess in the coming years as well) so definitely this will forever be part of the wedding trend
• And also now, couple's are getting wiser and making use of their creative juices to make their wedding as unique, affordable and as cool as possible with the DIY stuff

DIY Couple's Welcome Banner

DIY wedding matches

DIY Stuff Toy to represent the couple in the wedding

DIY coloring books and kid's play pen in the wedding reception

3.  PHOTOBOOTH

• This I have to say PHOTOBOOTH is definitely here to stay in the Philippines and there will be more and more photobooth suppliers

4.  Couple's Unique Grand Entrance segue to their Unique Couple's Dance

• Well, thanks to the power of YOU TUBE as many couples are now learning the ropes of doing their unique dance; this is one way for the guests to show THE DIFFERENT SIDE OF THE COUPLE;  definitely this will continue on to 2012 and so on...

(This is one of my favorite couple Eric and Michelle doing their couple's dance in a very unique, creative and cool way, good job!)

5.  SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE and WEDDING WEBSITES

• Definitely, we'll get to see social media play a big part in the wedding planning process. Many of my couples nowadays would keep guests informed through their wedding websites and post updates or shout-outs about their plans/accomplishment on Facebook, Twitter, Blogs etc.  

6.  UNIQUE PRENUPTIAL VENUES

• Gone are the days that couple together with their photo/video would have their prenuptial shoot at La Mesa Eco Park as couples nowadays are thinking of unique ways where they can  have their prenuptial shoot (although La Mesa Eco Park still continues to be the No.1 prenuptial venue and most affordable place to be)

(this couple of mine Jennifer and Mark had their unique prenuptial shoot at the beautiful kitchen of one of the prominent political figure in the Phils. - Photo shot by Icebox Imaging)

(this couple of mine Dom and Roni had a flair for coffee specifically at The Coffee Bean so they've had their prenuptial shoot at one of the TCB branches - Photo was shot by Nice Print)

So there, I hope all of you enjoyed and agreed with what I have to say about 2011 Wedding Trend in the Philippines.

Best,

Cel