My now husband Marcelino and I, Anna Cecilia met through our closest friends in April 2008 – (his best friend who happens to be the husband of one of my girlfriends). In August 2008, we became a couple. August 2009, engaged and on March 12, 2010, we got married.

We started off by booking a church, the Basilica of San Sebastian and reception venue, Oceana. Our theme was vintage and classic, motif was silver, black & white. Our wedding was tagged as “Marcelino and Anna Cecilia”

Marc and I wanted to make sure that our wedding would be different, here are some of the highlights:

1. Instead of getting an wedding stylist, we chose to get an event director instead, Juno Oebanda, who teamed-up with wedding coordinator, Chinkie Uy-Agregado

2. In the church, I had some of the members of the former San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and Master Chorale perform. And since my ultimate idol is Sharon Cuneta , the bridal entourage march was a Sharon Cuneta medley, and my bridal march was the song `Iniibig Kita` by Ryan Cayabyab. We distributed vintage looking fans since there was no air-conditioning in the Church

3. During the reception, we had 2 stage set-ups – indoor and outdoor plus 3-band set-ups. During cocktails (outdoor), we had a 9-piece brass ensemble play jazz classics. During dinner (indoor), we had Skarlet and her band play standards.And for the after party (back to outdoor), we had an 80′s show band entertain all our guests.

4. To be totally unique, Marc and I designed an envelope made out of zesto doy scrap materials c/o Gawad Kalinga – this became the envelope of our invites and our giveaway to all our guests as well. Inside, our invite was a story of us – a booklet containg 5 black and white photos of our most memorable places – as follows:

a. Capone’s – where we first met.
b. Laudico – where we had our first date.
c. BF Intersection – where we first held hands.
d. Dusit Thani Hotel – where I was proposed to.
e. San Sebastian – where we were to get married.

Kindly click on this link to see the explanation of the invite photos – LoveStory AVP by Bob Nicolas

Moving forward, the GK invite envelope gave us more ideas – since we liked the thought of us spending for the wedding but also knowing that the proceeds of it will go to the less fortunate – we asked GK to do the following as well:

a. Frames for all our plasma TV’s during the reception
b. Centerpieces for all the tables
c. Placemats & coasters for the principal sponsors
d. Ladies` clutch for the female entourage
e. Laptop sleeves for the male entourage
f. Small pouches for the liturgical & offertory entourage

Photos by Rockstar Photography

Tips for soon-to-weds:
1. THINK – CANVASS – THINK – CHOOSE

2. No fighting with the groom-to-be or bride-to-be!! Small arguments here and there should be okay but there should always be a mutual decision at the end of the day.

3. Respect your suppliers and your contracts with them.

Related posts:

1. WE Cover Proposal: Vote for your favorite wedding, week 2
2. Real & Beautiful Weddings: Christine Caspe and Jim Lam
3. Real & Beautiful Weddings: Jemps Gallegos and Jason Yuvienco

…for the opening of the….

The Wedding Lounge is a full-service wedding boutique composed of some of the country`s most sought after wedding suppliers like Printsonalities (social invitations and fine stationaries), Judy Uson (Cake Artist), Bai Capture (photobooth), Wink (budget invitations) Metro Photo, Chocolate Confections, Carina Canlas- Villaluz (designer) and wedding planners Chinkie Uy- Agregado (Metro Eventscape Planners) and Nina Aseron (Shindig Unveiled).

The Wedding Lounge team also introduced their newest member,
the amiable Jackie Mitra of Plum Gifts (whom WE met at the last Wedding Expo).

Jackie creates cute wedding souvenirs and gifts under the Plum brand.

…and also designed the cool interiors of the Wedding Lounge.

Seen at the scene were:

Cake Artist Judy Uson with husband Batch beside her lovely cake (the middle part is made of sugar `buttons`)

The dynamic Dungo sisters Chiw D. Bailon and Noky D. Gatmaitan (Printsonalities and Wink) with Wedding Essentials magazine`s managing editor Kitten Zapata

Cute couple Jackie Mitra (Plum Gifts) and John Bailon (BaiCapture)

Event stylist Joyce Aguilar, PAWP (Philippine Association of Wedding Planners) president JP Montilla, John Santos, Noky Gatmaitan and Mary Dungo

Congratulations again to the Wedding Lounge team. Cheers!

Related posts:

1. Wedding Essentials` Bridal Bash 2010 at the Eastwood Mall: Pls. share with your soon-to-wed friends!
2. Celebrations Bridal Fair at the SMX this Weekend!
3. March 13 Wedding Expo Discovery