The March edition of the country`s grandest and most prestigious bridal fair starts today at 10am.

Can`t get enough of Wedding Essentials magazines? Visit our booth for discounted copies of our back issues. =)

This is what the expo looks like during ingress. You`ll be surprised what it would look like tomorrow.
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See you at the expo- where we`ll be updating you of what`s happening semi-live. =)

Hi everyone, WE’re on our way to set-up our booth at the PICC Forum for the Wedding Expo, the Philippine’s BIGGEST bridal fair.

Come back later for our report on how bigger this year’s expo is, compared to last year’s.

And pls. check out our booth tomorrow-it’s a collaboration between WE and one of the best resorts in the country- Mactan Shangri-la. WE’re so excited already!

See you later here, and at the PICC Forum tomorrow!

=)

Red carpet inspiration for you brides-to-be:

America`s sweetheart Sandra Bullock in a gleaming Marchesa gown that made her shine even more. Winner!

Mama Mia! Amanda Seyfried`s all-white strapless Armani Prive gown with a structured bodice and pleats.

A sparkling Cameron Diaz in an equally glitzy Oscar de la Renta gown

`She-who-wanted-to-be-a wedding-planner` Miley Cyrus in a champagne colored Jenny Packham creation with a corset-like bust and beaded tulle skirt.

J.Lo also in a structured Armani Prive. What do you think?

Project Runway alumni Chris March designed Meryl Streep`s beautifully draped white gown. This is definitely one of my top favorites. Simple that isn`t plain.

Grand dame Helen Mirren looked damn good!

Sarah Jessica Parker`s couture Chanel gown is very Sex and the City, and perfect for the modern bride-to-be.

Anna Kendrick`s romantic blush colored Elie Saab gown is perfect for a garden wedding

Photo credits: http://oscars.movies.yahoo.com

Photo via Preview magazine`s Associate Fashion Editor Daryl Chang`s blog
Eye-popping design by a Pinoy, based in a beautiful island called Cebu, read on…

Last year, I was privileged to visit the world’s first store entirely dedicated to `Barbie` on Huai Hai Rd. in Shanghai, China, one of the busiest shopping streets in cosmopolitan downtown Shanghai.

In one of the six floors there, I marveled at Barbie dolls dressed in beautiful wedding gowns by…

…Monique Lhuillier

…Vera Wang

…Carolina Herrera

…Badgely and Mishka

and Reem Acra

I was so enamored with the collection that I forgot to take pictures (it was allowed) hence, these internet pics.

Then, last month, I heard about Ballet Philippines commissioning top local designers to create fashion pieces for Barbie for an auction to benefit 30 scholars of the dance company.

According to www.spot.ph, Ballet Philippines` new chairman, 1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran Floirendo asked several top designers to “create what they imagined as ballet costumes for Barbie dolls and for the royal and princess collections.”

The event on March 17 at the Peninsula Manila Hotel is “open to collectors and supporters of Ballet Philippines,” Floirendo said. ” I expect interest in an advanced auction on our website. We hope to raise a million pesos. I have seen some of the creations and they are absolutely stunning.” The idea for the auction came from both Floirendo and Myrna Yao of Richwell Trading, the exclusive developer and distributor of Barbie in the Philippines.

Designers were given no other parameters, causing their imagination and creativity to run free.

Louis Claparols drew inspiration from old sci-fci movies, James Reyes from the black swan in Swan Lake, JC Buendia from the First Lady, and Tippi Ocampo from the modern ballerina.

Vittorio Barba, Cary Santiago and Eric delos Santos dressed Barbie in clothes or versions of pieces from their past and present collections.

Dong Omaga-Diaz’s “Inday Barbies” wore “real and wearable clothes.”

There were multi-themed pieces as well: Len Nepomuceno Guiao did Opera, Disco, Cocktail, Red Carpet and Grecian, while Rajo Laurel did Fire, Wind, Water and Earth.

Jojie Lloren, who was among the designers who treated the project like a sculpture, collaborated with painters, artists and sculptors to create art pieces. Jewelry designer Hans Brumann created pieces for six Barbies.

Since we heart weddings, I so, so heart these laser cut wedding gown creations by Cebu designer Cary Santiago. I almost fell off my chair when I saw the pictures.

Photo via www.style.ph editor Isha Andaya`s blog

Photo via Preview magazine`s Associate Fashion Editor Daryl Chang`s blog

Photo via www.style.ph editor Isha Andaya`s blog

Amazing!

Read more about Cary Santiago`s Ballet Philippines gowns at Preview magazine`s Daryl Chang`s blog and www.style.ph editor Isha Andaya`s blog here.

Photo credits:
Vera Wang Barbie, Monique Lhuillier Barbie, Badgely & Mishka Barbie,
Reema Barbie

Some people believe a wedding is best remembered by the food that is served. And the Chinese take that belief seriously- er, maybe a little too seriously.

Ever wondered why the Chinese insist on lauriat receptions for weddings?

Mandarin Oriental`s Platinum Chinese package- comes with a Hong Kong honeymoon, inclusive of a round trip ticket for 2 persons, as well as a complimentary two night stay at The Excelsior, Hong Kong- to find out more, read on, =P

The dishes commonly served at Chinese banquets have special symbolisms, and usually carry wishes of happiness, prosperity, longevity or fertility. Below is a list of dishes you`ll usually be served with in a Chinese wedding banquet.

1. I`m sure environmentalists don`t agree, but old Chinese believe that shark`s fin soup symbolizes wealth and should therefore be on the banquet table at weddings. Because shark’s fin is a very expensive delicacy, the soup indicates wealth.

2. Abalone served with superior sauce is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.

3. Chicken represents the groom as a man of energy and power, and is usually served with salad and fruits.

4. Scallops symbolize children, and a serving of this wishes the newlyweds lots of happy children.

5. Fish means abundance, it is served in the hope that the couple will experience a life together with abundance.

6. Vegetables are a sign of selflessness, to avoid conflicts between the newlyweds. A variety of vegetables is served with sea cucumber – which is also a sign of selflessness – because sea cucumber in Chinese sounds like “good heart,” and the hope is that this dish will encourage the couple to avoid conflict by embodying a good heart.

7. Roast suckling pig is usually served whole, a symbol of the bride’s purity (virginity).

8. Pigeon implies peaceful future. It is said the pigeon has tender meat, symbolizing peace. Most often, two pigeons are served to wish the newlyweds peace in their new life.

You’ll usually find tea, alcohol, and believe it or not, 7-Up at a Chinese wedding banquet. Tea is a sign of respect, alcohol celebrates the occasion, and in Chinese, 7-Up sounds like “seven happiness.”

7x of double happiness = a whole lot of happiness, =) No wonder this is the couples` and their family`s wedding drink of choice

Clearly, all the symbols are not ancient, but like “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue,” Chinese wedding symbols supposedly give the newly married couple a meaningful start in life.

Thinking of a lauriat banquet for your wedding?

Check out Mandarin Oriental`s customized Oriental theme and three other customized themes at their bridal fair on March 20 to 21.

The Oriental theme focuses on elegant Chinese traditions, using gold toned linens with Asian fans for accent. The themed table arrangements start at 18,000++ for a table of ten persons.

Going back to the free HK honeymoon- yes, it`s true!
So apart from the ff:
1. 2 roundtrip tickets to HK
2. 2 nights at The Excelsior in Causeway Bay, HK

You also get the ff:, for every minimum spend of 325,888+++ (for sit-down menus) and 346,888+++ (for buffet menus- minimum of 150pax)

3. Overnight stay in a deluxe room

4. 3-hr use of a bridal car
5. An ice carving with a floral arrangement
6. A string quartet by Bernie Pasamba or a mobile disco with mood lights
7. A bottle of Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial
8. One round of iced tea or soft drinks (7-Up?!)
9. 2-hr photo booth services by Bai Capture
10. A set dinner for 2 persons on the couple`s 1st anniversary.

Now those 10 freebies above are but pluses to the one important reason why Mandarin Oriental Manila should be in your list if you`re considering a lauriat reception- and that is what this post is about.

Food oh, glorious food- which is what Mandarin Oriental Manila is consistently known for.

A memorable banquet with delicious food, happy memories and freebies
that count.

Double happiness indeed!

For inquiries, call 750.8888 or email momnl-socials@mohg.com

Content sourced from www.buzzle.com and Wedding Essentials magazine

One of the country’s most brilliant minds and our good friend Gang Badoy, founder and head honcho of Rock Ed Philippines, got married to her longtime beau Jay Capati on Wednesday evening. My husband and I had the most fun we’ve had in years at their memorable rock and roll wedding. It was held at the Ramon Magsaysay Center on Roxas Boulevard, overlooking the Manila Bay, the very same place where the couple first met.  Here’s a peek at what went on.

The couple chose to have their ceremony at the exact same spot where they first met several years ago.

The lovely bride, dressed in a black and white Rajo Laurel creation, is escorted by her father, Justice Anacleto Badoy, Jr.

Rock Ed Philippines is a volunteer group working to provide venues and events for alternative education via the arts so the guest list included an eclectic mix of people in the music, design, and film industries – among others. Here are some VIPs at the ceremony: writer couple Luis Katigbak and Yvette Tan flanked by photographers Juan Caguicla and Tammy David. All the guests were requested to wear various shades of blue.

More VIPs at the reception: Ronnie Lazaro, Erwin Romulo, and Kidlat de Guia. Cibo was the couple’s caterer of choice.

Best Man Lourd de Veyra dishing out some words of wisdom for the couple.

The couple dancing to a live performance of “Beer” by the Itchyworms. Other performers for the night included Noel Cabangon, Radioactive Sago Project, Up Dharma Down and Juan Pablo Dream.

One of the reception’s highlights was a collision of the super-bands. Lourd de Veyra and Radioactive Sago Project performed the Eraserheads hit “Alkohol” with two former members of the Eraserheads themselves, Buddy Zabala and Raymund Marasigan. What more can a local rock music fan ask for?

A photo booth always makes for great fun at weddings. Theirs was provided by Photobot Manila.

Actor John Lloyd Cruz, a good friend of the couples’, was also on hand to provide… er… eye candy for the female guests. He gamely posed with almost everyone who wanted a photo with him! In the photo with him above is Uno Magazine’s managing editor Denise Mallabo.

More rock stars in the house: film director/musician Marie Jamora, Yan Yuzon of Pupil, and Jason Caballa of Pedicab.

My husband Arnold Arre with Gang and musician Rico Blanco . The happy guy behind them is filmmaker Kidlat de Guia.

Gang of course proved that she’s got some serious singing chops too!

Filmmaker Quark Henares lent the couple his Rockeoke Band for the night so guests who stayed on sang and danced to their hearts’ delight ’til the wee hours of the morning.

It was a fantastic wedding and everyone had a lot of fun! “Thumbs up!”, says Ramon de Veyra, Ramon Bautista, Erwin Romulo and Arnold Arre.

Congrats again, Gang & Jay! We wish you a lifetime of happiness and good times!

(This last photo is by Gabby Cantero, nicked from Gang’s Tumblr.)

~ Cyn

Hello brides-to-be!
Want your very own wedding inspiration/style/mood board like this?

WE believe talking to your suppliers with an inspiration/style/mood board like this would cut explanation time to about half as we Pinoys understand better with visuals, don`t we?

Check out this site for easy-to-do-by-yourself color/inspiration/mood boards like these for FREE! …

Sweet!

Eco chic la la lavender

…reminds me of these WE did for the current issue of Wedding Essentials…

Classic Filipiniana inspiration/mood board

Romantic Filipiniana inspiration/mood board

…and Rica Peralejo`s style board c/o Polyvore

Sample boards from www.dessy.com

Having single color/type of blooms for the reception tables is a great idea for the stylishly practical bride-to-be as it is a concept in itself, and will save you precious wedding moolah.

Check out these pretty, pretty table set-ups WE found on www.stylemepretty.com

Blue that won`t make you feel so.

Eco-chic green in in!

All white: Simple but definitely, not plain

Canon Ixus 200IS comes in 4 delicious colors. Mine`s a gold.

So here`s an impromptu set-up done by talented event stylist Badang Rueda using hydrangeas to show single color/type of blooms could really work even locally. Of course, the stunning location was also a key that made the set-up work.

WE like! According to Badang, such single color/type of blooms set-up would work in any place with a neutral background, such as a garden, a tent, etc.

Event stylist Badang Rueda, who styled the wedding of Roselle Nava and the prom-themed despedida de soltera of Rica Peralejo- demonstrates a set-up using single color/type blooms, and utilizing simple vases, plates, etc from Bellarocca Resort's stock room.

I know we have many readers from overseas so if you are planning your wedding and are living anywhere near Vancouver,  I would like to invite you to check out Pelaez Photography. Rico and Gracci Pelaez are a husband and wife team who take unobtrusive, observant and gorgeous photographs.

Side note: I actually first met Gracci at an online wedding community when we were both planning for our wedding receptions at Edsa Shangri-la in the early 0’s. I’m glad we kept in touch through the years or else I would’ve missed out on discovering her and her hubby’s wonderful craft!

Here are a few samples of their beautiful photography.

They do fantastic prenup shots too. See more photos on Pelaez Photography’s website or follow their tracks on their photo journal.

You may leave a note for Rico and Gracci by clicking here.

Hi everyone! Greetings from Bellarocca Resort in Marinduque.

Photo by Aldwin Aspillera

If you`ve seen photos of this beautiful Santorini, Greece- inspired resort in magazines and newspapers, and are wondering if the resort really is as nice as it looks- take it from us- it`s even more beautiful!

Here are some photos of the resort

The villa where our event stylists stayed in

Every villa has an infinity pool. Taken at 530pm, just before sunset.
Photo by Aldwin Aspillera

To be continued…