Monthly Wedding Updates: JANUARY!

Hello, hello!

So here's the rundown of what we have accomplished for the wedding:

Crooo.. crooo...

Kidding!

1. The fiance and I opened a joint savings account wherein we can put funds for the wedding. So far, we have S$2,000 inside the account. S$18,000 to go! We accept donations for the wedding. Just PM me for more details. Thank you!
2. We already booked our caterer. Our top choice for the caterers are K by Cunanan, Passion Cooks, and Purple Dish. The reason why we chose them as our top choices is because of the good reviews we had read. We haven't had our initial food tasting yet. Initially, we liked to get Passion Cooks as our caterer because the AE I talked with seems nice and very accommodating. The reviews I read are also all praises for the caterer. However, we decided to choose K by Cunanan because the fiance already had a taste of their food and he liked the food in K by Cunanan. Also, the designs of their stylists are also very nice. After booking them, I had my sister attend the initial food tasting. She said the food all taste good and the AE assigned to us, Bea, is also very nice. So, I think we had a good choice. As for the third caterer, I guess I will expound on it on another blog post.
3. We don't have a venue yet. We will go to the Philippines to look for venue on Feb. 12. The venues we will take a look at are:
• The Mango Farm
• La Huerta Estate
• Pinto Art Museum
• Alpadi Estate
4. Photographer! Initially, we wanted to get the service of Bliss and Berries. However, they are too soft for my taste. They take very nice photos and videos, though. I prefer them than Nice Photography (which I actually think are very overrated). We also considered getting Randolf Evans Photography or ProudRad. However, we chose ProudRad because I think they suit our personality more. The hindi-cheesy-puro-asaran couple that we are. Also, I think their style is very unique. Medyo may sipa. Ganun. Pak! ProudRad style is more leaning on the dark side. Of the force. Kidding aside. Their style is very dramatic yet colorful. Opposed to the sweet, soft styles of the usual wedding photographers most brides are looking at.
5. Videographer! Pending. We haven't talked to any videographer yet. I just inquired at Woodstock Cinema. I liked their style also. The cinematography is very nice. If we have lots of budget for the wedding, I will asked the fiance to book Red Sheep Cinema. But we as much as possible, want to have a value for money wedding. Other choices are: Ghie Consolacion, Vidlens, and Dan Mendiola.
6. Couturier! Pending. Since we are based overseas, we are considering to have the suit and bridal gown made here in Singapore. We still have to consider the expenses. Although, I asked several designers in the Philippines for their rate for the peg that I want. I will still think about it. I think I still have time for that.
7. Coordinator! We are decided to get the service of 7ten5 events because of the good reviews they have online. I also watched a video of their host, the main coordinator, Sir Lowell. His hosting is really good and very lively. He also promptly replies on my emails and viber messages. We are going to meet him on Feb. 14 to discuss about the wedding plans and his services.

So that's all for now. I will update this blog on the weekend, hopefully, because it'll be long weekend here in Singapore. IT life is very hectic and stressful. Most of my idle time, I would just like to stare on the ceiling thinking of nothing instead of planning the wedding and the future. Wedding planning is kind of stressful when you are overseas. As much as possible, I want to be hands on with it but then it is not really that possible. I'm quite of a lazy perfectionist, you see. I'm very OC with the schedule but then most of the suppliers cannot meet us on the day that we will be in the Philippines. When dilemmas with schedule happen, I'm losing my energy with the preparations. Also, I don't want to stress the fiance driving around Manila just to go from Point A to Point B to Point C. So hopefully things will get better on 3 day trip to Manila just to assist the wedding preps and the engagement dinner.

Hayyy kastress!!!

Venue Hunting: The hardest part of being an overseas couple 1

This is the most difficult part as the both of us are based in Singapore. There are several options for venues but I want to see them myself first before booking. As for the caterers, I only want two options. I will expound more about the caterer later.

Since we are decided to have a Christian ceremony, we are looking for a garden venue or somewhere overlooking a beautiful scenery. I already crossed out Tagaytay from the list for personal reasons. However, I considered Club Balai Isabel as one of our venues. Our main choice for the venue would be at Antipolo, Rizal. Firstly, it is cheaper than Tagaytay. We are on a tight budget so we have to look for an equally good option. Second, it is a destination wedding yet near my hometown, Project 4, Quezon City. Third, not much traffic compared to Tagaytay. But I do believe there will still be traffic as Manila is really congested.

We haven’t done any ocular yet but below are the chosen venues in Antipolo where we would do our viewing. I just chose them based on the photos I have seen and the reviews from other brides.

1. The Mango Farm

It is located inside Kingscourt Village, Antipolo City. It is one of our main choice because fiance and I love the lush green garden good for the ceremony. And also, there is closed pavilion for the reception. It is exactly what I was looking for yet I haven’t seen it. I love the fact that they don’t do simultaneous event in one day. So, if we rent the place, it is ours the whole day. 

http://www.theweddingscoop.com/entry/ray-an-and-marinelle-s-beautifully-crafted-wedding-at-the-mango-farm

http://thecurrays.blogspot.sg/2013/02/suppliers-review-mango-farm.html

http://mangofarm101.blogspot.sg/2013/04/the-mango-farm-is-also-indoor-reception.html

2. La Huerta Estate

This was my first choice before I discovered The Mango Farm. La Huerta Estate is a 100% family owned vacation house. I liked it because of the Tipolo Deck where you can view the whole city. I think it would be great to have a sunset ceremony in that overlooking part of the estate. Here are the pictures taken from their website: La Huerta Estate

3. Alpadi Estate

I haven't researched much about the Alpadi Estate. What made me decide to include it in my list was this website: Woodland Wonderland

I love the Spanish rustic charm of the estate. Based on the photos, it has lots of staircases which is good if you like the classic staircase shots. I will update this more once I have done my ocular. As for now, you can click the link above for the photos.

4. Pinto Art Museum

Pinto Art Museum is museum located in Antipolo, Rizal which showcases modern and contemporary arts, and indigenous arts. I haven't been in the museum yet hopefully, it is one of the top 4 venues I would want the wedding to be held. I didn't thought they held weddings until our photographer told us that Pinto Art Museum actually held weddings. I actually fantasize getting married in a museum.

Photo credit to Pinto Art Museum Facebook Page

5. The Dome Antipolo

The Dome is located inside Valley Golf subdivision. What catches my attention was that there is no corkage fee for caterers. Haha! Anyway, the venue consists of an air-conditioned indoor area, and an outdoor area. Also, the second floor has a balcony overlooking the city of Manila. I will update this once I visit the place. I'm so tamad to steal pics anymore. :p

6. Velada Estate

Comparable to The Mango Farm. I will update once I visit the place. But you can check out their website for the photos of the ceremony and reception.

So, I'm really quite bias between TMF and La Huerta. Those are our only choices honestly. But I'm quite flexible with Alpadi Estate because of it's rustic charms. So that's all for now. I'm so tamad na to blog. :p