Flowers: Rudy and Ding Zaragoza

I had a hard time finding a florist. I'd always research online, on W@W forums and even on Sulit. I couldn't choose so we tried to go personally to Dangwa and canvass. We went to, I think 4 stalls there. I gave the list of my entourage. All 4 had prices ranging from 5-6.5k (ALL BOUQUET) so I was kinda wondering why do they give me super cheap price when all the rates I read from wedding blogs are 10k up. So we didn't book that day. I needed few more research. 

The next meeting we had with our coordinator, she suggested the florist supplier she was tied up with, Full Blooms. She gave my number to Rachel(daughter of the owner). She contacted me and agreed to have a meet up so they can present some of their works. Came our meeting. I printed some samples I wanted for my bouquet and my entourage's flowers. Showed it to them and showed me some bouquets they did, similar to what I wanted. They're pretty! She also suggested what looks nice, better than what I wanted. After I have laid down my entourage's list, she gave me the price. Sadly, it was over the budget. 15k. So we tried replacing the ninang's mini bouquet with 3 pcs of Calla lily made into a bouquet. Honestly, I didn't like the idea that they'll be holding a Calla lily. I want bouquets for them. But just to trim down the price, I said yes. And the flower girls' won't be having a metal pail but just basket instead to make the rate lower. But still, it's pricey. 10k this time. So we told them we're gonna think it over and call them back if we made up our minds. We didn't call back. Hehehe

So for the last time, we went back to Dangwa to negotiate to the last florist we talked to the last time we were there. We chose Rudy and Ding Zaragosa. Ate Ding was easy to talk to. I gave my list to them, still 6.5k ang rate nila. I asked why their price are cheaper compared to those of Full Blooms and the like. She was honest enough to admit that they are not BIR registered etc. That expalins it. Well, I care less if they're not registered just as long as their works are good, it's fine with us. :)

Here are the particulars:

1 Bridal bouquet

1 Maid of Honor - Bouquet

4 Bridesmaids - Bouquet

3 Secondary Sponsor - Wrist corsage

3 Flower girls - Pomander Balls

8 Primary Sponsors - Bouquet

2 Mothers - Bouquet

18 Male Bouttonaires

1 Groom's Bouttonaire

Plus loose petals, car bouquet, throwing bouquet and FREE delivery

All for 6,500. Isn't that a good deal? After all, I'm not that precise with flowers. I don't mind if I won't be holding imported flowers during the wedding day.  :)

NSO Birth Certificate & CENOMAR Request: Done

Last Aug 24, 2012, Friday, we went to NSO Serbilis Center in Muntinlupa to request for our birth certificate(Php195) and CENOMAR(Php270). Yes, just exactly 3 months before the wedding. I can't believe I don't feel THAT stressed(just yet) when it comes to the preparation. Based on what I read from blogs, legal requirements are known to be seriously time-taking.

We went there after lunch. I didn't know it would be that fast. I thought it would take us half day to file but nooo, it took us only an hour and a half from filing to claiming. Or perhaps because it was on weekday? Easy breezy. No long lines. Their air conditioners are working, too. The CENOMAR though, is to be released 5 working days after the request. I'm going to claim it tomorrow.

Photobooth: Pose and Print

We booked them last June 26 Bridal Fair at World Trade Center. There were only few photobooths to choose from. We got their promo package of 2 hours + 1 hour FREE of Photo Magnets for 8k. Free customized tarpaulin plus the usual amenities. We paid in full so less pa ng 200 pesos. 7,800 total. :)

Here are their sample photos:

Caterer: Queensland Catering

Finally! We had our caterer booked yesterday. From hundreds of choices, we came down to one -- Queensland Catering.

They offer good food and elegant setup for a low price. Their wedding packages start from P350++. Of course we're not just after the food but the setup must also stand out. We'll be having 200 guests and being honest to myself, we cannot afford a 200k+ food budget for Josiah's or K by Cunanan. They were our top choices, in dreams I suppose. But Queensland's food isn't that far from those caterers. When we had our initial food tasting at Ysable's Garden las January, their Baked Norwegian Salmon in Parmesan Cheese and Chicken Flambe were my top picks. They got my taste buds all giddy. 

Their setup for a Children's Party 

Videographer: BlackTie Project

The reason why we choose them was because we wanted the best Same-Day edit video. Siyempre, minsan ka lang ikakasal. Photos and videos are the only ones that will be left after the wedding so they better be worth it.

What we did was to note the shots that we want to be taken during the wedding. Some part of their videos kasi medyo di ko gusto. Like yung may voice over ng priest. I want it to be just the music that you'll hear. 

I don't know if couples who book Black Tie really request for specific shots or they just leave everything to the Video guys. To tell you the truth, I'm directing my own Same-Day edit in my head. I think it's good. Haha! So I want our videos to be something like what I have in my head. :)

Photographer: Benjie Tiongco

I was actually eyeing for Imagine Nation. I ask for their rates and they emailed it to me with the list of their photographers classified according to their rates. I found Benjie Tiongco and searched for his website. He's so good. And he improves in every new album he posts. I asked for his rate. A good one with Free Pre-nup pa. He's so nice. We paid our DP last Dec '11 para maprice lock if ever he would come up with updated rates. Whenever I have questions, I would just FB message him and he would reply. 

Venue: Palacio de Maynila

Our 1st choice was Ramon Magsaysay hall. I tried to compute our budget. RMH lang talaga ang alam kong pasok. Just 20k for a venue. I always searched for catering setup at RMH and collected pictures. After having further assessment on the budget, I got all giddy to know that we can have a better venue. 

We checked 1 Esplanade. Ang ganda. Lalo pag naayusan. The only problem is I think their halls look small for me. And accredited caterers lang ang pwede. We couldn't afford the caterers on their list. Some naman are cheaper but I read a few bad feedbacks on them. They could allow naman daw our caterer but we have to write a letter pa and for approval din within 2 weeks or less. They were not even sure if it could be granted or not. So we gave up our Esplanade dream. 

Last stop was Palacio de Maynila. When we got there, there was the feeling of "This is it!". Better staff, more flexible rules, space larger than Esplanade(Parang 2 halls na siya ng Esplanade), and tent venue na rin. No ceiling drapes needed na. Mas tipid compared to getting Esplanade where we have to add drapes pa. With caterers naman, allowed kahit ano, just pay the 20% corkage fee for non-accredited caterers. 

It's nice! With bridal lounge and spacious cocktail area na. Our AE was Ms. Joy Calimag. Funny and easy to deal with. She gave narin the LCD and Projector for FREE.