First, the AVP. I just want to show you our AVP (Audio-Visual Presentation) and growing-up pictures and I'm also blogging about it for safe-keeping by uploading it online. The AVP is something I did and which you can also do on your own (or have a family member do it for you) as it costs about Php 5,000 average to make one (so Php 15,000 worth was saved doing this for the three AVP's). You can download Movie Maker or Sony Vegas to create your own wedding AVP for free. I used Sony Vegas (trial) and if you aren't bothered by the Sony logo that appears in the video, (which is just really tiny), then you could easily save 15k here which you can use to spend on other things.
This is our Love Story captured in videos and photos.
And these are our growing up pictures AVP:
Church: St Peregrine de Laziosi, Tunasan, Muntinlupa.
This church is beautiful inside with fire trees outside, but it's not air-conditioned. There are big fans though everywhere. You have the option to have the mass in either Tagalog or English. I just didn't like that they would publish your full address, mother's name and other sensitive information on their website. Perhaps they can remove your contact details and just stick to your name and partial address (not the exact address with unit number ) as these are sensitive information which can be used against you by web criminals.
Fee: Php 15,000
You can pay a reservation fee of 2,500 and the remaining must be paid within a month before the wedding date. This includes the pre-cana seminar fee, flowers (I didn't take this as I chose my own flower supplier), candles, ostia, wine & choir.
Choir: Bryan Minstrels.
They're very good! While I was walking down the aisle, I thought it was an mp3, but the guests said it was someone from the choir singing beautifully. I don't remember the song though... but I give them 5 stars!
Pre-Cana Seminar: It was just one Saturday. It was fine, but there was one facilitator (an old lady) who came across as a bit disrespectful or a bit rude to the couples . I'm trying my best to be as nice in this review as possible so I won't go into details so as not to ruin anyone's day :-).
Family Planning Seminar: The facilitators are good and respectful. It's informative even for couples who already have a child/children like us.
The staff/manangs: You have to understand they don't get paid for this, they are church volunteers, so kudos to them. I would just appreciate it if they just waited at least 2 minutes for my other entourage so they can join. Their car was just right behind mine and my neice, Kylie cried because it's her first time to be a flower girl and didn't get to march. It was our bad, because we were 5 minutes late and they VERY STRICT on time, they don't care about your wedding day sentiments, so be very early.
Church: St Peregrine de Laziosi Parish Church
Address: 9198 National Road, Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
Phone number: (02) 842 - 2424
Website: http://www.stperegrineparish.org/
Email: office@stperegrineparish.org
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/stperegrine.ph/
Rating: 3 stars
Flowers: Dangwa Florist
Fee: Php 20,000
Phone number: 02 708- 9318 or 0926065775
Website: https://www.dangwaflorist.com/
Email: dangwaflorist@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Dangwaflorist/
Rating: 4.5 stars
I got a discounted price because I attended the wedding fair at SM Aura. So for Php 20,000 this includes the whole church set up, entourage & bride's bouquet, flower for the car (though the bridal car already has it's own flowers), boutonnieres, fans with flowers for the ninangs, flower baskets (with petals) and headdresses for the flower girls (but we have our own flower headdresses) and flower wand for my little daughter as she was the one who walked me down the aisle. The bridal bouquet could be prettier if they had my request for my favorite flowers hydrangeas, but I'm not complaining as they made up in other areas like in the church styling. Everyone was impressed by how they made the church really beautiful.
They were on time, their staff were nice and friendly. They know how to satisfy a customer. No wonder they always win in wedding fairs. Just look at how they made my wedding beautiful with cherry blossoms:
Bridal Car: Chealsey's Wheels
Fee: I don't know, my big sister paid for this :-)
Rating: 5 stars
Phone number: 0922 764 0103
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chealseys-wheels-bridal-car-service-1919573431600125/
Pleasant staff, clean, nice car. It was just a white Vios, but they dressed it up and it was pretty cute with a "happily every after" tag at the bumper with our names on it. They were early, and they even had water and snacks inside the car for us. I never got to thank them enough though. I was too stressed that day but the driver and one of their staff just helped me relax a bit in the car. They say you don't really remember what people say to you, but just how they made you feel... and it was just that. I don't remember what they said but they were such nice people who made an effort to personalize the car for us and made my day extra special. Then, they'd send you your pictures via Facebook (unfortunately, I didn't get to see it until months after because it was in my filtered messages). Anyway, their service is like chicharon on top of your favorite pancit! Good job guys! Below are the pictures:
Reception: Quido's Grill & Garden
Address: Quido's Garden, Lot 7, Block 13, Phase 2, St Irene,
Sto. Nino Village, Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
Fee: Around 90k (Upgraded styling, food for the guests and kids, lights, sound, projector, fog machine, desert, cake and lechon) for 110 guests.
Phone number: (02) 881 - 6647
Website: http://quidoscatering.com/
Email: quidosgrill@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quidoscatering/
Rating: 5 stars
The only thing I regret is not publishing sooner so I can remember all the good things I have to say to them. The owner, Ma'am Gina was so pleasant and calm to talk to. She even purchased some new furniture to complete my theme. The food was delicious and the place, they turned it into something amazing! There were other parts in my wedding that I wish went differently, but this one, oh boy we got this one right! You can see they put a bit of their heart into styling it. I could never thank them enough.
Only downside I experience was one of their hosts who was rude (it was supposedly part of the whole package). But he was late and also requested to reschedule our meeting twice and used profanity on me. So I asked Ms Gina to take him out of our deal. Thank goodness I forgot his name. If I include him to my rating with Quidos, it's definitely going down, but I don't think it will be fair because he is just contractor at Quido's and Ms Gina and her team went all out in making sure everything is taken cared of. Anyway, here are some pictures:
More pictures from Quido's can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/quidoscatering/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1179442808753286
Host: Nadine Smith
Fee: Pm me for this as her fees may have changed and is relative to the event
Phone number: I left this out blank, please send her a message at her Facebook page instead
Website: http://scenesfromnadine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsnadinesmith
Rating: 5 stars
Nadine was referred to me by a friend and I booked her on the last minute because I was so disappointed by the host that was supposed to be included in my package with the reception. She was like sent from above and it feels like I've known for so long. She is a warm & vibrant person and it's no wonder her calendar is always full. I'm just very lucky to have a spot in her very busy schedule. Despite this, she would make you feel like you are her only client. She didn't just host it, she planned the whole program! I am very thankful to her coz I didn't have a wedding planner and for her to plan the whole reception program was like half of my worries scraped off my plate.
Nadine does voice-over for commercials and hosts not just weddings, baby showers, company events among many others. One of the events she hosted was Bossing/Vic Sotto and Pauline Luna's baby shower: http://scenesfromnadine.com/pauleen-luna-baby-shower/
Bridal Gown: Bonaobra Couture
Cost: 9,500 (on sale) + 1500 on the flower pin for the back = Php 11,000
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bonaobracouture/
Location: Lower Ground Floor, Stall LGG-08, Phase 5 (Soler Wing) 168 Shopping Mall
Manila
I'm not exactly the type who would obsess on a wedding gown as I don't believe on spending on something I'd only be wearing once. My sister and I went to Divisoria to get one for this. The pin for the flower brooch at the back was missing and didn't notice until I'm at home, but for it's worth, it was beautiful and hides my mommy pouch.
Entourage & Flower Girls Gowns: RG Sebastian
Cost: Php 8,200 for 4 bohemian inspired tulle skirts and 2 tops for the bridesmaids & 4 flower girl gowns
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rgsebastian168/
Phone number: 0998 976 7868
Location: 168 Shopping Mall, Manila
Rating: 4 stars
I just had the skirts made and let my bridesmaids buy their own blouses of their choice as long as it's white. It's made of blue satin with grey tulle. It turned out pretty nice. The flower girl gowns weren't exactly what I hope it would be, but still it's cute when worn by the flower girls. I give them 4 stars because for it's value, it was rather good, but the customer service sucks. I literally had to chase them to follow up. They don't exactly stick to date agreed and was ready for pick up only within a week before the wedding. It was rather quite stressful. My suggestion is if you would go there and they ask for the date, give them a false date that's about 1 month earlier than your real wedding date.
Here goes the picture of the flower girl dress and my entourage:
Photographer: Perfect Grey
Cost: Php 25,000
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theperfectgrey/
Website: http://www.theperfectgreyphotography.com/
Rating: 5 stars
Perfect Grey isn't exactly cheap. We only had a cheaper rate because we just booked the basic package without AVP, same-day edit nor pre-nup pictorial. We only went for the pictures and with two photographers. There will be at least 3 of them , one would be the assistant to carry the equipment. The pictures can speak for themselves, they are beautiful. Our photographer was Jasper Jouse and his assistant photographer then, James Valenzuela. They are fun to work with and the shots are lovely. Furthermore, for some wedding photographers, the prints come much later like a month or even longer, but for Perfect Grey they came within a week. I was so surprised! The pictures came in a beautiful wooden box.
I think Jasper has since started his own photography business. If you would like to check him out, this is his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/josuejasper. The impression Jasper and his team left on me (whether or not they are from Perfect Grey) is that they are a crazy bunch. Can crack a smile on a tensed, shy and stressed out bride. You can see they love what they do, especially Jasper, and he is really good at it.
Videograher: Jayday
Cost: Php 8,500 for the videos + 5,000 for editing
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jaydayphotography/
Website: https://jaydayphotography.wordpress.com/
Rating: 4.5 stars
We didn't have the videos edited so I can't really say how it would turn out, maybe 5 stars if we went with them to see the output. But I'm giving the stars, for price value, professionalism and the quality of the videos I've seen. He also uses unique soundtracks which I love they're kind of cheerful.
Hair & Make Up: Make Up Artistry by Addy Masabio
Cost: Php 13,200 (amount doesn't include the hotel guests who thought that it's free if they asked to have their hair and make up done, but you couldn't decline, it's additional Php 800 per head)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/artistrybyaddym/
Phone number: 0916 444 3270
Website: none
Rating: 5 stars
I found Addy by joining a make-up artist group in the Philippines via Facebook. I posted my budget range and then I let them send me a bid and portfolio. This way I could get to choose the best and most affordable. Just be aware that some may have a cheaper fee but the service isn't good so best to still do a background check of the reviews of the ones you shortlisted. Addy was among those 3 of the best, but she wasn't my first choice initially because she was outbid by someone with a lower fee. However, two months before the wedding, when I checked in my initial choice, it turns out she has an appointment with ABS-CBN for a shoot with Bella Padilla. I was happy for her and wouldn't take it against her to take this break that came to her. Good thing, I still have 2 more. The second one, had a bit of an attitude. She was late in replying to my messages and I didn't like her vibe so I just made up an excuse to not book her. Finally, as luck would have it, Addy still has a lot. Please note that she is always fully booked so if you want to book her, you have to do it months in advance.
Addy has great attitude, a real pro and is on time. Even after the wedding, my guests and entourage are still asking me about her for their events because she was really good at what she does. The way she does her make-up is just right. I attended a wedding once where I was a bridesmaid and I felt I looked like a drag queen but I couldn't complain to lessen the stress of the bride. Totally not the case with Addy, I felt like a beauty queen and all my bridesmaids looked amazing! You can see it in the picture above. I was so grateful to her I made her a youtube video showing how she works:
Below is a breakdown of the hair and make-up fee:
| Airbrush Make Up for the Bride: | 4500 |
| 5 Bridesmaids @800/head | 4000 |
| Flower girls (4) | 1400 |
| 1 Mother of the Groom | 800 |
| 1 Ninang & 1 my sister (no hairstyle, make up only) | 1000 |
| Retouch at the reception and second hair style: | 1000 |
| Make up Trial | 500 |
| TOTAL | 13200 |
Inclusions: Hairstyle, Eyebrow
grooming and shaping
|
|
| False eyelash application, grooming for groom if same hotel | |
| Retouch at the
reception/second look |
|
Wedding Prep: Crimson Hotel
Cost: Php 23,360 (2 nights each for a 1 bedroom suite and a deluxe room, the 1 bedroom suite has breakfast included). The price here is updated, back in 2016 it was only Php 20,000 with 1 extra bed already included.
Phone number: (+63 2) 863-2222
Address: Entrata Urban Complex, 2609 Civic Drive, Filinvest City
Website: https://www.crimsonhotel.com/manila/
Rating: 5 stars
We only had 2 choices for the hotel, Bellevue Manila or Crimson Hotel. After checking out both hotels, we went with Crimson Hotel. The price is just about the same, but Crimson Hotel is the obvious choice between the two. It's beautiful and contemporary, whereas during the time we went to visit Bellevue Manila, I was disappointed. Their elevators looked old, shaky and cheap. It was also hard to get a ride in the elevator in Bellevue as it's always full. We also got complimentary drinks at Crimson Hotel to the bar, but as with the free breakfast, because of the schedule we didn't get to use our stubs. Perhaps next time on our anniversary?
Below is a picture of the 1 bedroom suite taken from their website. This is the same room we booked and a picture of the groom in the lobby.
Invitation: Invitation Queen by Paul Reufir and Anne Oria
Cost: Php 2,700 for 30 pcs (3 page each) with laser cut envelope and embossed letters but they sent free 20 pcs as complimentary because they were late in delivering them
Phone number: 0955 658 2850
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/invitationqueencavite/
Rating: 3 stars
The invitations were affordable and really beautiful, however, I contacted them 6 months before the wedding and yet they only delivered it 2 weeks before my wedding. It was very stressful following up with them. They were apologetic and gave us extra 20 pieces complimentary (appreciated but unnecessary as we only have 100 guests and the 30 pcs invitation I ordered was more than enough). I gave them a good feedback in their Facebook page despite this. Today, I'm only giving them 3 stars because they also did the same thing to a friend I referred and I was embarrassed because the bride had to go through the same stress I went through. Apparently, even if you order 6 months in advance they would only do it around a month before your wedding. They don't understand that you still have to mail them out and get a response from guests. I do not recommend this supplier.
As for the give-away and souvenirs, to save some money you can just ask a close family member to shoulder it for you. In our case, we are thankful to my sister-in-law, Ate Nice who bought this for us from Davao.
Desert Table: Phoebecakes
Cost: Php 8,000 (doesn't include the delivery fee, I think only Php 500 at that time)
Phone number: 09178370932
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PhoebeBakesCakes/
Rating: 5 stars
Phoebe is our favorite baker. She's from Quezon City but since she's been doing the cakes for every event or party in our family, there's just no other choice but her. For our wedding though she didn't bake our cake because it was part of the reception package. She makes the best baked goodies and one of a kind cakes! You should check her IG page too: phoebebakescakes. She has always amazed us no matter what the occasion is. You would also love her warm smile. She knows how to take care of her clients.
So there you go. I have been so busy that this blog had been sitting in my draft for two and a half years! Please note that the price here may have changed since my wedding was in 2016. I still hope though that this helps future brides and grooms who are planning a stylish wedding in Muntinlupa without having to break the million dollar mark. Cheers!