Make it real Julius

Last month, I designed an invitation and a monogram for my special friend. This is my very first design I made for an event like this. I normally design a birthday invitation for my daughters and friends. Got lots of compliments and appreciation on this design. But in fairness, the selection of colors and fonts are perfect. That made a classy look and feel ;) Here you go: Photograph by  Maik Dobiey

This is our first draft design which I created. Preferably, we want it very simple yet elegant. I also change the motif from turquoise and yellow to coral and mint combination. I think this looks more classy than the previous color combinations :) I am also willing to help you to design monogram for your wedding for FREE! Just shout me an email to mruthdayao@yahoo.com and will try my best to give you your personalize wedding monogram. I

Since I started to plan our Church wedding, the gown of the bride always got my interest. I actually become more familiar on the name of those famous couture designer than focusing on searching the major suppliers like church, venue, caterer etc. But when I started emailing them and saw their rates, then I realized one thing..... Wedding is not about the dress of the bride ... hahahaha. But it is about on how you and your partner together with your relatives and friends will glorify God on that day. I am not saying that choosing them as your couture means they are not worthy but  if the budget will matter, then do not push. Even my husband gave me a go signal to get Veejay or Cecilio, I am still thinking if I really need to wear a dress that will costs 150k above. I know there are lots of things we have to consider in preparation of our wedding. And I am afraid that most of our budget will put to my dress. Yes we actually spend a lot of budget to our PV, but you can call the...

I liked the idea of my cousin's wedding where they held the preparation, ceremony and reception in one place. But since I am a Catholic and my dream wedding is a Church wedding, I just looked for a place where my families and relatives will stay in a house before and after the wedding so it will be less hassle for all of them to travel from Bulacan. I tried to check Rosemont Garden and other good hotels along Tagaytay with a nice view of Taal Volcano. But non of them get my interest. Until I've searched this private house owned with a nice view of Taal, I fell in love in the picture. Got the quotation and the rate is actually almost the same with Rosemont. I also saw the portfolio of Paul Vincent where the preparation wedding is at T Chilline, I appreciate it after then. It's very private, classy and feels like you are close to heaven.You can find his posts here:  http://paulvincentphoto.com/blog/?p=13812 We booked it and now I am very excited to se...

At last, after lots of researched from forums, blogs and reviews, we finally decided who is our Photographer on our wedding. It's J Lucas Reyes! We liked him because the finishing of his works are all natural colors. Bright and no dark effects and no drama. I think this is what we want to keep the pictures as a memory on our special day. Rate of J Lucas as of April 2013: Php 70,000 Photo coverage of JLR & 2 photographers (10hrs) Box of 100 4R Filmtastic™ Prints (preselected) Optional Onsite Slideshow Hi-res print-ready raw images in discs 12x8 40-page SONOMA Book | 20,000 PHP Rates of other wedding best photographer in the Philippines:  1. OLY RUIZ (Metrophoto): Package rate starts from Php 135,000 up to Php 150,000 2. DINO LARA : Service only is Php 60,000. Package starts from Php 100,000 up to 135,000 3. NELWIN UY : Package Rate starts from Php 100,000 up to Php 120,000 4. PAUL VINCENT : Package rate starts from Php 95,000 up to Php 160,000 5. RYAN...

Choosing the best wedding photographers is a bit challenging too. We are looking for someone that will match on our personalities, the way how the edited images will look and lastly, the way how the photographer will put his unique concept on each shot. Matching our personalities: Me and my husband are not camera shy but we are not professional in facing camera too. We have some pictures together and I can say that it is only a simple posing with a simple smile. So in choosing the photographer, we are looking for someone which will improve the way we face in front of the camera. I like METROPHOTO by Oly Ruiz because when it comes to concept, he can turn each shots and personality in a model and magazine look. But his rate is too high and the editing is like an extra ordinary. I want a finishing that will show the natural colors and will show our personalities. Simple, fun (light) and effortless. Editing of images: I like Nelwin Uy , Dino Lara and Paul Vincent . Their r...

After lots of inquiries to different overlooking venue in Tagaytay, we end up in booking Tagaytay Pacific Heights due to the following reasons: - very near to the Church - we prefer an indoor venue since there are lots of insects in Tagaytay flying at night and to avoid additional expenses on the tent, stage (props) and more lighting are needed. - we found it cheaper than other venues in Tagaytay maybe because there's no view of Taal volcano. But what's the use of Taal view if our wedding will start at 6pm? The most important on that day is our guests. How they will appreciate our wedding because of the location, accessibility and food (of course)! So it is official! Finding a venue in Tagaytay is really hard because there are lots of things you need to consider. Glad I've found Tagaytay Pacific Heights just right on our requirements even I haven't visit it in person, I just feel we made a right decision! We have 11 more months to go and here are the 4 Maj...

When I've found that Passion Cooks is no longer available on the adjusted date of our wedding which is on March 29, 2014, I've started to feel I made the wrong decision to change the date from March 8 (reserved date with PC) due to the availability of Caleruega Church. So I searched on forum (femalenetwork) and the next name which most of the brides recommended after PC is Purpledish. I've searched information about them and with the help of blogs and forums, these gave me an idea to turn my heart to them and move on with PC. I emailed them and got reply from Chef Velmor promptly and OH! they are cheaper than PC and have lots of desserts (8 number of different desserts!). Since I cannot attend food tasting because I am an overseas bride, I just read the reviews during food tasting and I can say that all of them are happy and foods are superb! Although, I still prefers Maja's taste when it comes to styling but I think when it comes to food quality and value for mon...

It's really feels good once you pay the reservation fee to your supplier. It's a feeling that "it's really happening!". Today, I booked one of our major supplier and that's our Videographer, Bob Nicolas. Yehey! I am excited and looking forward on his creativity and talent on how he can apply it on our dream day! So far, we only have 2 suppliers booked and it's 11 months left. I don't want to pressure myself because this will lead me to a stressful preparation.

Finally! I've got this 'this is it' feeling for our wedding reception. We loved Clear Water Resthouse two days ago but this fickle mind cannot stop searching for internet to keeping looking for the best venue that will suit all our needs and for the comfort of our guests. Tagaytay Pacific Heights - Entrance Tagaytay Pacific Heights - Pool Tagaytay Pacific Heights - Clubhouse Tagaytay Pacific Heights - Toilets Tagaytay Pacific Heights - Wedding Venue Here are the reasons why we loved Tagaytay Pacific Heights than Clear Water Resthouse: No. 1 - Accessibility from Caleruega Church to the Venue. TPH is 5 to 10 minutes away while CWR is 30 minutes away. No. 2 - Since our wedding ceremony starts at 6:00pm which will end up to 7:00pm plus extra time for the pictorial at the church so approximately 7:30pm, at this time there's no more view of taal. So choosing a venue which have a panoramic view of Taal is no sense at all. ...

Searching for wedding venue is the most hardest decision for us because we are basing our decision on below criteria: 1. Near Caleruega Church - preferably 10 to 15 minutes away from church since our wedding starts at 6pm and will end at 7pm. Guests normally starving during this time and travelling for 30 minutes will make them feel that the venue is too far. So we want to choose a venue where they will gives them comfort and accessibility from Church. 2. Budget. As much as we want to held our venue in a very nice reception like Ville Sommet & Balai Taal we are still considering a venue which will not cut our budget. We prefer to put extra budget for food, upgrades like carvery, mobile bar and candy bar so both kids and adults will enjoy. Our budget in venue is at least 50k. 3. View of Taal Volcano - One of the reason why couples chooses Tagaytay for their  wedding is to have a pictorial background of the taal. I've found this Clear Water Resthouse, emailed the...

Last March 29, 2014, I emailed Caleruega Church if it's possible to change the date from March 22 to March 29 since our preferred venue ClearWater House, an overlooking taal volcano in Tagaytay was booked on March 22. Luckily, got a response from Caleruega and said that this is our final date since I also emailed them to change the time, date etc. hehe kulit lang! So this is it! We might not get married on the exact day of our 8th year of marriage life (March 8, 2014) but still we will get married to the place that I want. I am so excited!

As I mentioned before, I booked Passion Cooks to cater my wedding and to style on my events. I do really love their taste in designing. It's not purely table arrangement and flowers, but it's full of creativity, dedication and love to their clients. If you will also try to search on forums about the feedbacks during the food tasting, I feel that I really chose the best decision to hire them. However, there' a conflict! A BIG Conflict between Caleruega and PC and A BIG decision to make! March 8, 2014, our preferred date for our wedding is FULLY BOOKED on the said church, so we have to choose other dates and let go of our exact 8th year anniversary on the 8th of March. I actually tried to search other church in Tagaytay but when my hubby asked me so many times, what is more important for you, Caleruega Church or 'March 8'? Preferably I want our wedding anniversaries to celebrate it in one date which is March 8. But when I started to figure out myself walking in the...

So The Greenery Bulacan is out. Now I am searching for wedding venues in Tagaytay which is the best destination wedding in Luzon because of the cool weather, taal lake view and greenery effect. Actually the reason why I planned Tagaytay wedding it is all because of Calaruega Church. For me this is the best highlight of my wedding because I am sure that our guests will enjoy the view but not to mention the road how steep it was. I am emailing them with regards to the date availability last February. When I asked them if I can deposit the money to their bank to reserve the slot, unfortunately they can only book me in person and it's a first come first save basis. So I asked my sister-in-law to check the place, send her the money and rent a van. I emailed them once again to inform them that there is someone who will come to their office to pay for the reservation fee. But unfortunately, they are FULLY BOOKED on my chosen date. I even check other Saturdays and they are boo...

On my last post, my heart is with The Greenery Bulacan for the wedding venue. But when I googled and searched again, I found lots and lots of wedding venues in Tagaytay which is actually cheaper compare to the Greenery. I am also considering to get outside caterers which is I know this will spend us too much money because of the corkage fee. Besides, the package I got from The Greenery is too much compare to Passion Cooks which is for me the best catering set-up I saw in most wedding. They are doing a personalized and themed designs for the venue and ceremony. So here are the lists of the wedding venues I've got and their rates: 1. FERNWOOD (as of August 2010) Venue Rental Only I. MORNING FUNCTION (9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) Venue 1- P60,000.00 + VAT Venue 2- P55,000.00 + VAT Venue 3- P56,000.00 + VAT Venue 4- P60,000.00 + VAT II. PM FUNCTION (6:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m.) Venue 1- P97,000.00 + VAT Venue 2- P84,000.00 + VAT Venue 3- P89,500.00 + VAT Venue 4-P97,000.00 + VAT ...

Our Theme is Fairy-Garden Wedding where I want to look like a Fairy on that day. I also want to see little butterflies so all of my flower girls will turn into a butterfly fairy. My bridesmaid and maid of honors which are mostly the friend of my husband too will be our "love fairy". Love fairies are those who bring the love in our life. Our motif is a combination of yellow and gray. It is the combination of cheerful and a dull color. A bright sunny yellow is the easiest to see and is full of creative and intellectual energy. It symbolizes wisdom, joy, and happiness. While the gray looks sadness , repentance and loneliness. But it gives of a sense of responsibility and conservative practically. It has a cooling effect when teamed with other colors especially more vibrant shades like yellow.  I can say that this is the personality of me and my husband. We are a combination of 2 different personality yet we made it ...

Choosing your wedding venue is not easy. You need to consider the (1) budget, if this will match on your (2)theme and the location if this is (3)accessible by your guests. FERWOOD GARDENS - Two years ago when I am searching over the internet to find a place where should I want to gather our wedding reception and ceremony, I was deeply in love with Fernwood Gardens. I inquired and got response immediately. But the costs is too much considering that this is only for the venue. Although the place is really breathtaking and will 100% match on my Fairy-Garden wedding theme . FERNWOOD GARDEN Now, after looking on the rate that was sent to me 2 years ago, I decided to find another place because I can see more potential on other venues which is near our place Bulacan. We just decided to invest more on Photography and Videography because for us, this is the only souvenir we can keep until we get old. Also, I have to consider my guests who are mostly coming from provinces that I need ...