After months and months of hassling Ariel Javelosa Photography, finally the wedding album is ready for my review. Just took them about 7 mos to put together.
Here it is but slight editing will be made for a couple of pages.
Taal Volcano - Tagaytay
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wedding album
Taal Volcano - Tagaytay
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wedding Digital Presentation
Hi folks, FYI this is not the actual wedding video, just photo clips on a video.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Supplier Feedback
As mentioned on previous blogs, they did not deliver as promised. The finished product is not the same as the proofs I have reviewed.
The arc of flowers that was displayed on the church is not as expected. It has lesser flowers than requested. And also the left side of the arc do not have flowers on it. It was obviously uneven. It bothered me.
Where, where, where is that pineapple arrangement of mine?
The pineapple floral arrangement made with palm and sunflowers by the buffet table in the reception is smaller that expected. It hardly even made a statement since it is not that visible.
Otherwise, my bouquet was gorgeous. I do not think it would have been any better. Floral centerpieces at the reception where also great. I noticed the resourcefulness of the florist on creating a candelabra for me.
Rachel did a great job on my hair. Better than expected.
Ebony was paid to come back for touch-ups after the ceremony and during the reception. He never came back. He also double charged 3 persons who were already paid for and included in the package.
I also received complaints that one of his staff stole Dexter's sister's Dolce and Gabbana perfume.
The cake color was suppose to be lilac. I think the color came out weird. But the carrot cake is excellent. If I can only take my wedding cake home....
BCC did a great job on putting together my wedding cake, with the trunk and the hydrangeas. Well done! Thanks Jonathan Borromeo for making it possible!
Awful job on the bridemaids gown which did not have the same length as the rest. If the bridesmaid was available at that time, I could have had her measured for a new gown next door. Coming from Dexter, he said that Mary Grace Gown had horrible service so he went next door to have the grooms men suits made. Mary Grace did regret that they lost the sale on the suits after letting them know we got it else where.
My wedding gown alterations were all last minute. If it was done promptly I could have had enough rest, slept more and spent less time in their boutique watching their every move making sure they get things done. They have to be micro managed so you could get the results you want.
The bridal march! Ah, they killed the mood. They did not play my requested song. They were singing some song I never heard off. I was walking down the aisle wondering, what the hell are they singing?! So frustrated thinking, why they did not inform me on the change of songs for the processional.
I am sure my entourage did not get their Canon in D by Pachelbel either. I cannot believe they just killed the mood.
Excellent sound system, excellent lighting. Great job overall but they forgot to play " the key" music for special parts of the reception. Like the proper music for the bouquet toss game and the pulling of the garter. The music was a mess, mostly not the best choice of songs.
Thanks to Aded, nice pre-nuptial pictures. Thanks to Kuya Ben for the excellent wedding pictures! The pictures are way beyond my expectations. It couldn't have been any better.
Hope the final album will turn out excellent as well.
I was expecting a 1934 Ford Super Deluxe Fordor. When the car arrived I was so surprised that it is not the car I booked for. It was a little frustrating that they did not inform me they will be changing the model. I later on found out that the 1934 is not able to go the distance of the church and the Country Club, but the 1948 can.
What we were expecting to get:
What we got a PT Cruiser looking Ford:
Now tell me which one looks sexier! Or should I say cooler!
No regrets though, we had lots of admirers as we got stuck in traffic. Tons of people were waving at us and taking our picture. We felt like celebrities. It was fun and awesome. It's all because of the car. I guess it was not that bad after all.
The Precious Moments dolls are adorable as is but they were suppose to be custom made to make it look like each and every one in the bridal entourage. My groom has a red head. Dexter clearly have black hair. The dolls arrived on the 27th, 2 days before the wedding. Too late to ship it back for replacement. The quality of the product is excellent but over all they performed way below my expectations. Not happy at all.
Always last minute. They deliver but always to the least of my expectations.
* My bridal procession for the church ceremony could have been better. Where are my coordinators when my ring bearer did not want to walk down the aisle and started stripping his clothes?
* They said when the wedding party is not available or are swamped with other assigned tasks, the coordinators suppose to assist. My guestbook was not filled because the coordinators did not do anything about it. I bought a polaroid camera, 120 polaroid film for 170 guests expiring the month of January. The task was to take the picture of guests and tape it to a scrap book sheet which the guests will sign. Half of the film was not used. Three quarters of the guestbook was not signed. So sad. So sad.
* We have 17 tables, 17 centerpieces and 17 trivia questions about Dexter and I with which the prize for every correct answer is a centerpiece. The MC complained that 17 is too much questions to ask. They only asked 8. Nobody took home the flowers. Initially my goal was not to worry about flowers going to waste so the trivia questions is the answer. Someone is taking them home. After spending $1000 in flowers, I hassled during the reception running after people leaving to get them to take home the flowers. At the end of the night, tons of them are still there. What a waste. Shame to you Affairs Et Al.
They complain about too much work!
I have three layers of wedding cake plus three more smaller cakes called satellite cakes. They were not served during the reception. Everybody was already leaving and my cake is still where it is. The wedding coordinators already left and my cake was still untouched. I was the one who even asked the servers to pack them all separately in 6 boxes.
I am sure there's more things to say. It is just frustrating to have them. Pure frustration.
What's wrong with them? I booked them to play 20 songs from 6pm - 12AM as agreed on contract. And they do not have to play constantly since I have a DJ as well. They are allowed to rest in between performances but they went MIA (missing in action) just before 10pm. The MC have to announce over the microphone looking for the band. Alas! They have gone home. Too soon before the party even started.
December 29: The Wedding Day
I hardly slept since I have been hearing weird noises like horses running across the golf course and some sounded like horses with carriages. I hear knocking on the doors at times I thought there was some one walking in the living room. I hear heavy foot steps like one who is wearing boots. I was wondering why people are not asleep, I checked the time it was about 3:30AM. But I try to ignore the noises and get some rest. I am not surprised if the Country Club is haunted. After all it has been more than 100 years and it is still standing.
I prayed I will feel better today. I conditioned my brain to think that I am not sick. I still have a little bit of runny nose in the morning. But I stepped out of the room around 6AM and watch the sunrise. Only a few clouds in the sky, I see mostly blue. I know I will feel better today and I feel that today will be a warmer day than usual. And it did, I am glad it did otherwise I will be freezing on my wedding gown.
Like Rene Descartes said: "I think therefore I am."
December 28: Final fitting, gown pickup, finalizing of wedding plans
First thing in the morning Harry, Daphne, Hershel and I went to North Haven Spa in Baguio City. They served us hot lemongrass tea. The ambiance is really very nice. The quality of service is excellent! The best I have ever had.
Hershel, Sarah and Daphne by the entrance of North Haven
Hershel, Sarah and Daphne by the entrance of North Haven
Hershel and Harry, chilling at North Haven before their massageThat was the best part of the day before the wedding. Afterwards....
They said my gown should fit perfectly fine that I do not need to fit it. I was so doubtful about their work that I needed to fit my gown. It fit well but the bow that was suppose to be behind me is now on the side. I sit and wait as they alter it. 2 hours later, seem like my gown is ready to go.
I collected all items needed for the wedding day. Pack my belongings and ready to check in to the Country Club. After checking in I made sure the venue, reception setup, food, transportation for guests are all setup and finalized. I called room service to have my wedding gown pressed for the next day. I also met with my wedding coordinator to finalize on all wedding items needed for the church and reception. Met with the MC one last time to finalize the flow of the reception program. After everything was said and done, it was almost 9PM and I was starving.
I have not had my manicure and pedicure done so I rushed to the mall, grab something to eat in the food court then run to have my nails done. All 3 salons in the mall book their last appointments at 8pm. As of the moment it is 9:45pm though the mall closes at 10:30.
I thought of doing my own nails but since I have not had any sleep more than 4 hours since I have arrived in the Philippines, I do not thing I have enough energy to stay focused and paint my nails with French tip. Plus I still have that flu in my system, I feel worse today than yesterday. I just want to go to bed and rest but no, I need to have my nails done. Where can I have my nails done?
I remembered my grandmother have a manicurist living next door to her. They were able to get in touch with her and meet her at the mall. By 11:30pm we met the manicurist and drove back to the Country Club. By 12:45AM all my nails are done, I just have to make sure they dry up before going to bed otherwise my morning will be another nightmare.
By 1:30AM, finally nails are dry and ready for bed. Need to be up by 5AM. That leaves me 3 - 4 hours of sleep.
December 27: Catechism and interview with priest
As part of the requirements of the Catholic church in the Philippines, we are required to attend a catechism class that is offered by the church in which we are about to be wed.
It is a 9AM class and we were there at 8:45AM skipping breakfast. Dexter and I were the only persons in the room by 9AM so we decided to step out and grab a quick breakfast from the 7-11 next to the church. We were back by 9:10AM, still an empty classroom. By 9:30AM, we have finished our breakfast and finally a couple arrived. We got company. The couple who just walked in told us that they saw our photos posted on the bulletin board. We never knew what they're talking about so we are curious to find out where our photos are posted. When we finally found the bulletin board and found our photos there, it displays the information of everyone who is to be wed on that church within a 2 month period.
The instructor finally arrived at 10:30AM. This wasted an hour and 45 minutes of our time, which I could have spend being more productive. At 12:45pm, she asked us to take a 45 minute lunch break and must be back by 1:30pm so we may continue the class. The closest place to eat is the mall. So Dexter and I walked to the mall, which was so packed with people perhaps returning their presents or exchanging it with something else. It was not even easy looking for a place to sit in the food court. When we finally got the chance to enjoy our food, we knew we will be late for class.
We were 15 mins. late but to no surprise the instructor is also late. The instructor then arrived around 2:30pm, an hour late than promised but we had to step our for an interview with the local priest.
Fr. Jean Iglicki from Poland interviewed Dexter and I. We are required to have an interview to make sure that all required papers and certificates that were submitted are all true and valid. he also want to make sure that both of us have no doubts within us about marrying each other.
The interview felt forever, he asked us about the capital of Wyoming, the 3 prairie islands of Canada, the number of kids of Erap Estrada, the percentage of Filipinos leaving for abroad every year, the love life of Laura Bush before George, the religion of Mel Gibson, if George Bush have twins, etc. his questions goes on and on and on that it is making me sicker and sicker by the minute.
I have been experiencing flu like symptoms since yesterday and today I feel worse. During the interview I felt like I was about to faint and have been blowing my nose constantly. My nose felt so runny like the Niagara Falls. The used tissue was piled up on the priest's desk since there's no trash can in sight. Fr. Iglicki even is making fun of me that I might have to blow my nose as I walk down the aisle, or I might look like Rudolph on my wedding photos. He thinks it was funny but that was such a horrible joke. I certainly do not want to look sick and awful on my wedding pictures. Certainly not with a big red swollen shiny nose.
The interview ended after 3 hours. I have only half hour before the bridal shower in Country Club. I have to bundle up since I really am not feeling well. So I went back home, wore a thick sweater with a long sleeve shirt underneath, then wrapped my head and neck with a knitted scarf.
Arrived 8pm for my bridal shower, 2 hours late but made it.
December 26: 2nd Gown Fitting, Rehearsal
So I went back to fit on my wedding gown for the second time. It seem that it was never altered from the first fitting. It was still as loose. I am not happy with their services and it is taking for them longer than it should. It has almost been a week and they have not even touched my gown. I have also checked on the bridesmaids gown, 1 of them is shorter than the other 2. I told them that brides maids gowns should all be identical and I complained about one being shorter than the rest. They just said that they have no time to make that change since it takes too much time to alter the length to make it ankle length instead of knee length.
I requested all females of my bridal party to join me with the fitting so I may also assess on how their gowns look on them. All 3 bridesmaids did not show up. Only the 2 maids of honor showed up. My sister, who had alterations on her gown as well, and Tesa, who already took care of the alterations ahead of time. Minor fixes needs to be done on Tesa's gown, which the dress maker don't seem to comprehend. It is something a double sided tape can fix, so I told Tesa that I will take care of it.
Rehearsal was at 6pm at the Baguio Cathedral. Almost everyone showed up except for the grooms parents, 2 of the secondary sponsors and the readers, lectors and commentator.
Rehearsal dinner follow right after. Seem like everyone had a great time at the Obusan's residence. But you can see that everyone have been really tired with the traveling, time change, etc.
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