Double Drop-Dead Deliciousness

November 17, 2010 / Posted by Janna Simpao in Real Weddings

What is better than having a drop-dead gorgeous wedding? Let me see… how about having two of them? Yup, that’s right! Most brides describe their wedding day as a blissful blur, leading to the the desire of having a do-over (yes, yes, I am one of those brides!). But Antoine and Shermaine hit the jackpot! The groom being Belgian and the bride being Filipina, dilemma dilemma on the wedding venue right? Wrong! Two bouquets, two wedding dresses and two drool-worthy celebrations–who wouldn’t say no to that?

Terrific trivia: Shermaine’s mom made her dresses for both weddings. I love how this dress has hints of blue, while that accent gold belt is probably one of my favorite details in this amazing affair. Dainty, ethereal and very midsummer night’s dream-ish! Good job MOB!

How cute is it that the cupcakes had a Belgian-Filipino mix? Beer and gumamela anyone?

Here are some snippets of Antoine and Shermaine’s Belgium wedding. Her coordinator, Ernest Pascual (who is also a supplier frequently featured in B&B), sent me these pictures. He fondly shares:

The first time Shermaine called me up, I instantly knew that I would plan her wedding. When I saw the pictures from her Belgium wedding, I was like, “I had to top what she had in Belgium for the wedding she will have in Manila.” And when she said (during her thank you speech), “Ernest, thank you for giving us a wedding which is more than what we expected” I knew I nailed it and kept my promise that she would have a beautiful Manila wedding.

Cheers A and S! Here’s to double goodness!

Manila Wedding Vendors – Photography: Jaja Samaniego , Toto Villaruel and Lianne Bacorro of Imagine Nation Photography / Video: Wang Videography / Gown and Entourage: Zenaida Mina (Shermaine’s mom) / Coordinator : Ernest Pascual of Events! Events! / Make-up: Samantha Gallardo / Flowers: Joey Mateo

Belgium Wedding Vendors- Coordinator: Monica Mina-Zamora / Photography: Vladimir Li

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Marry Me in Mactan

November 16, 2010 / Posted by Janna Simpao in Real Weddings

Let’s hop on a plane and travel for some wedding goodness. If yesterday we were in Vigan, today we visit Mactan. With one of the most beautifully designed Filipiniana gowns by Veluz, the dress had two… oh, wait! I meant three gorgeous looks! Hitting a conservative and traditional vibe for the ceremony, and a modern chic feel for the reception, Addi and Ginny’s wedding is a super example of why barongs and those butterfly sleeves still float our boat. Best part of it is that this was a very small and private wedding, consisting only of their closest family and friends (who were of course ready to dance the night away). So with everyone game to party, let’s get this show on the road!

Church: Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage (Mactan Airbase), Cebu / Reception: Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu / Coordination: Right Connect Weddings / Florist: Simple Wishes / Photographer: Nelwin Uy / Videographer: MG Digital Video / Gown: Veluz / Hair and Make-up: Jessie Glova

Very Vigan

November 15, 2010 / Posted by Janna Simpao in Celebrity, Video

Amidst the hype on modern and urban chic weddings, some couples still opt for the traditional-close-to-home theme. There is just something uniquely breathtaking about this Vigan wedding. For one, the reception area is unbelievable, table after table stretches out along the street of historic wonderland. A kalesa for a bridal car and getting hitched in the town’s famous St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral are among some things that make Ryan and Patch’s wedding about family, culture, and embracing their roots.

This wedding invite gets an A+ for its creativity, romantic-feel, and elegance.

One of my favorites for this wedding are the entourage gowns. The MOH gown = definitely divine. A nude-colored chiffon dress with an accent of a giant satin ribbon clasped by a gem brooch. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

The thing with Paul Cabral’s work is that if you’re familiar with it, you’ll definitely know it’s his even a mile away. There is just something about how it falls and fits that makes it worth every penny. Aaaahh… I can’t rave enough on how classy the gowns of the entourage are. From the color, the style, the details, and everything in between–this is why Paul Cabral is known for his impeccable fitting and elegant approach on design.

To see more of Vigan and our gorgeous couple, this video is a must-watch!

http://vimeo.com/10048236

Videography: MG Digital / Photographer: Philip Sison and Eddie Boy Escudero / Ceremony: St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral / Reception: Vigan Heritage Village / Gown: Inno Sotto / Groom’s Barong: Paul Cabral / Entourage: Paul Cabral / Flowers: Francis Flores of Hidden Garden and Zenas Pineda / Coordinator: Bride’s Maid and Co. / Catering: Nick of Candon Bistro and Chef Red of I Am Chef Catering / Cake: Heny Sison

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Bears and I Do’s

November 11, 2010 / Posted by Janna Simpao in Real Weddings

This terrific Thai wedding is all about being cozy, cuddly and charming. Kenny (0ne of the friendliest grooms I’ve spoken to) shares heartwarming and totally cute stories behind their dream wedding. Being part of a wedding cinematography company, Kenny had high standards in making sure each moment is captured perfectly. So with Rainbow Fish Cinema at the helm of the video and Oly of Metrophoto behind the lens, Kenny and Nikko knew they were in good hands.

Charming groom? Check! Gorgeous bride? Check! Apple the elephant? CHECK!!!

Before we move on to this next photo. I think a little background on this bear headpiece is in order. Kenny shares:

We’re called the “Bears.” We basically had a bear wedding. Bear invitations, bear table names (care bears, gummi bears etc.), and a bear ice statue. I even wore the same bear hat that I wore to propose to her the previous year, for some snapshots. Her dad and mom calls me bear and all my friends call my mom “mamabear.” You get the point.

Nikko looked simply exquisite in her traditional Thai dress. Love!

From the groom:

My wife Nikko is Thai and heavily cultured in her roots, and it has always been a dream of hers to get married on home ground. 41 of our friends from the US came and more than 65 family members from Thailand and the Philippines made it to the wedding. We weren’t expecting 100+ attendance, and it was amazing.
We decided on a beach wedding because we LOVE the ocean and sunsets. Our colors were teal and gold. Teal was so fitting for our venue, while gold has a traditional value in both Thai and Chinese culture. I’m also an avid surfer–I remember before Nikko tried surfing a few times but her love for dolphins only resulted in her mainly participating in “dolphin watching” on her surfboard.
Mercure Resort was an easy pick because of their Thai architectural bungalows–it was the perfect fit. But let me tell you about our favorite part. The elephant is Thailand’s best-known national symbol, and when the opportunity arose to arrive on one we just had to do it. It was a complete surprise, even to our wedding court. Approaching our wedding site on Apple, our wedding elephant, was the most memorable experience for the both of us.

Ceremony and Reception: Mercure Samui Buri Resort – Koh Samui, Thailand / Wedding Coordinator: Astrid Hebert / Dress: Custom from Los Angeles, CA / Groom’s Outfit: Banana Republic and H&M / Videographer: Rainbowfish Cinema / Photography: Metrophoto

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Hola Mexico!

November 8, 2010 / Posted by Janna Simpao in Real Weddings

I’m not really a beach gal, BUT if I were to have a beach wedding, I wouldn’t mind having something like this! Jonathan and Rose decided to get hitched in the beautiful seaside of Cancun, Mexico. And boy, oh boy, this wedding is all about casual chicness and style fabulosity.

Color can sometimes be overbearing but with a brilliant and balanced mix of purple, magenta, pink and red, this celebration exuded vibrance–effortlessly and tastefully, I might add. And by golly gungers, this is one of the best work I’ve seen of Pat Dy (I can’t stop gushing over it)! So here’s to celebrating adventure, passion and romance… Mexican style!

Rose chose the perfect dress for a beach wedding. It looked light and feminine but it still had that “OOMPH” factor to it. I love how she went for the elegantly simple and fresh look.