Another Moodboard

Because I couldn't decide on the flowers I want for the wedding, I made another moodboard that consists purely of photos of flowers I like (I used some of the same photos from my first moodboard).



I was hoping that after making it, inspiration would strike. But unfortunately, I'm still at a complete and utter loss!

Gown Fittings

To date, I’ve had two fittings for my gown, while the entourage (at least most of them) has had one.

I was a bit worried with how the entourage dresses would look because I chose a really dark color (aubergine) and I was thinking that it might look a bit dull. But when my sister (my MOH) fit her dress, all my worries disappeared. The dress was simply beautiful! I was really happy with the outcome (and to think that it was only the first fitting). I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the final product.

Now, if I was worried about the entourage dresses, try to imagine what I was feeling regarding MY gown. In between making the down payment and the first fitting, I was seriously having doubts about whether I chose the right gown or the right shade of white and other stuff.

My first fitting didn't quite help to alleviate my worries, since there really wasn't much to see. But I did get a bit of an idea of whether the shape of the dress suited me...and I was relieved that it did.

I had my second fitting two days ago. Before proceeding there, I wasn't really that excited because I still couldn't imagine what the gown would look like. Danz seemed to be even more excited than I was! But when I put on the gown and Veluz explained to me what she planned to do, I knew that I had made the right decision. She was giving me choices as to what to kind of cloth I preferred or whether I wanted lace or embroidery. But being the ever indecisive person, I just told her that I couldn't choose and that I trusted her.

I didn't take any pictures of my fitting because I want it to be a surprise to everyone. But I am a hundred percent confident that the gown would come out absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait for my next fitting!

Moodboard

We're mid-way through the preparations and we're getting down to the nitty-gritty details. I was starting to get a bit overwhelmed with all the ideas so I finally got around to creating this moodboard.:)

Our wedding has a Grecian theme, and it has been a bit difficult to tie this theme into ALL the details. So I decided that I don't have to keep everything in line with the theme - just the major stuff like the food, decor and dresses.

I chose a caterer that had some Mediterranean dishes (but nothing too exotic). I have yet to discuss the decor with her, but I want to use pillars and urns for the centerpieces, much like the ones shown in the moodboard.

The entourage dresses are Grecian-inspired because of the ruching details, but I had them "modernized" by choosing a bubble hem.

The gown I had designed does not have the ruching details or draping that is common with goddess gowns. Instead, I wanted the embroidery details to reflect the Greek theme - much like the designs of Reem Acra.

For the hair, I think the soft updo of Jessica Alba would tie in quite nicely with everything. She looks simply stunning!

Save the Date Cards

When we had our save-the-date magnets designed, the idea was to send them out to close friends. So we wanted something that was fun and cute - thus the caricature.

But we decided we should also give our relatives something to remind them of our wedding date and the magnets just didn't seem appropriate. I played around with Photoshop Elements and came up with this simple design:



When I had this printed out, the people at the shop were commenting that they liked my design!:) So I guess it was pretty good for a beginner.

Tea Party at New Yorker!

New Yorker is the designer I chose to make the entourage gowns based on the recommendation of fellow w@wie Mushi.:)

Tina (of New Yorker) threw a Tea Party for her brides last Saturday at their shop. Most of us have corresponded with each other through w@w, but we have never met. So Tina decided that this was the perfect opportunity to meet each other and share stories and a cup of tea.:)

I could tell that Tina went the extra mile to make the Tea Party special. The food was really good (I loved the poppy seed bread and spreads) and her decor was so pretty. I also loved her Tea Bag souvenirs!:) I don't actually drink tea, but the packaging was just really cute. She just has impeccable taste, and it reflects in everything she does. I found it hard to believe that the materials she used for her giveaways were from Divisoria!:)

One of the tips she gave us was to check out www.davidtutera.com for some decorating ideas. True enough, I found some wonderful centerpieces that I could have for my wedding.

I thoroughly enjoyed the small party - meeting fellow w@wies (one of whom was the fiancee of a friend) and just getting great ideas from other people. Already I'm looking forward to the next one!:)

Save the Date Magnets

One of the things I really wanted to make myself was our save the dates. My original idea was to come up with a wire memo holder with pearls and beads in my motif, but I just couldn't find the right materials. So I asked Mimi (the sister of Danz) to design something for us instead.

She came up with this:

The caricature was made by her sister-in-law, Steph.

I just made a few changes to the details and then had the design printed on photo paper (10 pieces per page). I then used spray adhesive to stick the photo paper to magnetic sheets. Just to make sure that everything won't fall apart, I placed the magnetic sheets under some heavy objects for about an hour.

Probably the hardest part was cutting the magnets - it would be best if you invest in a great paper cutter for this task. I used a sliding one because I find this easier to use.Now I just have to package my magnets (I will probably make lined envelopes) and then they're ready for sending out, hopefully by mid-May.

Project Costs:
Magnetic Sheets A4 Size (P56.00/sheet, Goodwill Bookstore, Glorietta)
Printing A4 Photo Paper (P30.00/page, Netopia, Mall of Asia)
Spray Adhesive (P357.00/can, National Bookstore, Glorietta)
Envelopes (P8.00/pack of 5, National Bookstore, Glorietta)

The magnets come out to around P11 each (I didn't include the cost of the spray adhesive because there's no way to allocate the cost to an individual magnet). But even with the cost of the adhesive, I still saved a lot by making my own magnets.

Gown Dilemma

I had my first appointment with Veluz Reyes last Saturday. I was excited and also a bit nervous because I really had no idea what I wanted. I was there alone (as usual), which added to my apprehension, because I really am not good at talking to absolute strangers.

I arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule (despite getting lost again), but I still had to wait because there were two other brides ahead of me. Another bride came in while I was waiting to have the members of her entourage measured. When my turn came to talk to Veluz, everything had settled down and the place was empty apart from me and her staff. Because I didn’t know what I wanted in my gown, I just started off by telling her what I didn’t want – long trains, tube styles and an ivory white gown. I tried to explain the styles that appealed to me – lacy and romantic gowns (ala Monique Lhuillier) – which were very simple and classy.

I explained my theme to Veluz, although I don’t think she quite agreed on it. She did say that the pearl portion of the theme fit me perfectly, but was a bit doubtful with the Aphrodite part of everything. As we were talking and she started sketching, I did feel that she got my personality. She really wanted to make me a Grace Kelly kind of gown (the kind with long sleeved lace), but I didn’t feel that I could pull it off. I think she had a hard time with me, because she wanted to be able to accentuate my shoulders and neck, but still follow my wish to not have it tube style.

Anyway, after finishing three sketches, she was still thinking about what kind of gown would suit me. She felt that the gowns by Melissa Sweet would be perfect for me, and that was when I mentioned that I liked the designs of Reem Acra. She laughed and showed me her second sketch, saying that was the kind of design of Reem Acra. It wasn’t exactly simple, because the lace and beading detail of the bodice seemed to be intricate (which already worried Niko, her assistant). She gave me her quote on the gowns, and I tried not to faint when she said it would cost me at least P50,000!

I loved her designs and it was really great talking to her! I was so excited to tell Danz about it, although I knew exactly what he was going to say. Of course, he laughed when I told him how much it would cost. I told him that I would just meet with other designers and compare prices and everything.

Here are the sketches she made for me (click to enlarge):


Which of these do you think is the best? (I personally love Gown B!)

I’m wondering…would the P50,000 be worth it? I mean, I’m just going to wear this gown once in my life. But then again, might as well go all out…Especially since what I wear will be immortalized in all of our photos and videos. I mean, I would really hate it if I wore a gown I didn’t like (and I’m sure my disappointment will show in the pictures).

Anyway, Danz was really nice and told me I could go and get that gown. But I still want to check out other designers and see what they have to offer.