Peso Power: 3,000.00

Rating: 5 (1-lowest, 5 – highest)

Inclusions:

• Meeting schedule (online or personal) to discuss program of activities, script, theme/motif and other consultations needed.
• On-the-day event hosting for 3 hours

The wedding host is the life of the program, well except for the bride and groom, of course. I believe they have the power to make or break your reception. Aside from the delicious foods (LOL), guests usually stay till the end of the program because of its energetic and “not-boring” host. Luckily, I got one for my own wedding.

Jonathan is also one of my OTD’s recommendations. Our transaction with him was smooth. I think around July or August when we started to scout for our emcee.  Kakaloka lang that most of those that I contacted are already booked for our date. Oh come on! Are we that late? Anyway, though some said that they are still available, I still didn’t get them because I don’t have the “this is it” feeling with them. I know w@wie brides will understand me on this part. So I got no choice but to ask Ryan for his recommendations.

After I got Jonathan’s contact #, I immediately texted him for his rates and his availability. He replied so fast even if I texted him around 10 or 11 pm His rates are the lowest among those whom I contacted. Honestly, when I first talked to him, I still didn’t get that “this is it feeling” that I am looking for; maybe because I want a girl emcee for my wedding. But since I running out of options already, I asked him if he can pencil book my date for me and he did.  Again, I just trusted the judgment of my coordinator with this.

It was September when I again contacted him after I pencil-booked my date with him. I was worried that someone has already got our slot since we didn’t give any DP to him. However, I was also relieved when Ryan told me that, if there will be instances that someone wants to reserve a pencil-booked date, Jonathan usually informs the first client. Good thing, when he replied to my text, he said that the date was still ours. That made me extra happy!  

September 26 was the first and only personal meeting we had. It was the day that we made our DP and also handed him the draft of my suggested flow of the program. He is very kind and very enthusiastic about our event. He has a lot of suggestions, from the program sequence up to the games we can put in-betweens, to make it more lively. He also sent me excel files like entourage name, list of songs to be played during the reception, which we need to fill-out so he could use them during program coordination. He also sent us a list of possible single games that we could use. With these I got more excited! From there, I knew I found my emcee already.

On the day of the wedding itself, everything was blurred for me. Maybe because I’m on a wedding high already at that time. But one thing is for sure, I am all-smile the whole day! The program went smoothly. He was a crowd pleaser. He can speak englih fluently but can still reach out to our guests without getting intimidating. Even though there are some glitches like when our AVP did not play, he handled it very well and I did not see him panic at that time. The guests were also all laughs during the program. For me, there was never a dull moment during that night. I did not regret getting him even if  I didn't get my "this is it" feeling with him. What's more important was he delivered very well during the one of the most important day of our lives. Two thumbs up for Sir Jonathan!

Jonathan Dionisio

0917-5651989

bigievents@gmail.com

http://bigievents.blogspot.com/

Peso Power: 8,000 (2014 rate)

Rating: 4.5 (1-lowest, 5 – highest)

Inclusions:

• Airbrush makeup and hairstyling for the bride
• Second look upgrade
• Grooming for the groom (If within the same location
• Traditional makeup and hairstyling for two (2) heads
• Free hair and makeup for two (2) flower girls

Makeup was not my priority before. In fact, at first, I planned to have my makeup done by a non-professional makeup artist just to cut our expenses. After all, with or without make, I know I’m beautiful (wala pong basagan sana ng trip.heheheh). However when I read some of the posts of my co-wawies, some said that aside from photos and rings, you should invest in your face.  It is because a good photographer/videographer may not be enough if you have an “espasol” or “nilublob sa mantika” face. That’s when I knew that I should adjust my budget just to have a good MUA (or fairy godmother) for my wedding.

Fortunately, Ryan, my OTD suggested Ms. Anne. He told that he had handled several weddings wherein Ms. Anne is also the MUA and he knows that she delivers very well. Since I trust his recommendations, I emailed her to ask for her existing packages.

I initially budgeted 10,000 for MUA since I know it is the lowest price offered when we attended our first bridal fair. However, I was shock when she sent me her rates and saw that her lowest was 7k for a traditional makeup. I was thrilled! And then I started to check her FB page to see her works. Malay ko, baka kaya mura eh chaka db? But I was wrong! Her works are superb. She usually posts before and after pics of her models and you will really be amazed with their transformations.  Also, the brands that she usually uses are also not cheap so you know that she also invests to satisfy her clients. Ms. Anne used to hold free trial makeup for future brides (I don’t know lang ngaun) I grab that opportunity para makita ko kung magclick kami.

March 1, 2014 was my schedule with her. First kita ko pa lang sa kanya, ang gaan agad ng feeling ko sa kanya. She is so cool and I did not feel any awkwardness towards her. During the time when she is doing my make-up, all the time, naka face mask sya, maybe for sanitation purposes?  Also, I don’t think she used her bare hands to touch my face. She cleaned up the excess makeup on my face with tissue or cotton buds. After the trial, I asked my fiancé (now my husband) for some comments. Si husband kasi ang mas maarte sa kin pagdating sa makeup. Ayaw nya ng hindi pantay ang kulay ng mukha ko sa leeg ko.Hahahha. He said na ok daw yung makeup kasi hindi sya makapal and yet maganda yung register nung face ko sa camera. (BTW, we just used ipad to take the pic, no filter LOL). So dahil approve na sa kanya, right there and then, we deposited 2k to reserve our date with her. Yes, that was my first and last trial makeup ever. I was satisfied with what I experienced and ayoko ng mamroblema pa.

My trial makeup

Come wedding day, Ms. Anne was one of the first to arrive at the hotel (together with her husband). She started right away with my make-up and super chinika nya ko para marelax. Natawa lang sya sa kin nung bigla akong napaluha during our conversation. Kala nya, napuwing ako dun sa mascara. Pero totoo nyan, naiyak ako kasi naremind akong almost 10 years na kami ni husband as bf/gf and eto na yung araw na we’re both waiting for. O db ang drama? Again, after nya ko makeupan, natuwa na naman ako sa mukha ko as always. I think I look radiant on that day (sariling buhat ng bangko..hehhehe). Even my mother, Hubs’ mother and grandmother were all satisfied with their makeups. They all look younger. I was also happy that she was there in the church for my retouch before the photo ops. Super init kasi sa church na feeling ko hulas na makeup  ko sa pawis and napunta na lahat sa tissue na hawak ko. But when I asked my husband if ok pa makeup ko, he said, ok pa naman.She also stayed until the start of the reception for my 2^nd look.

Before and after pic (pic c/o Anne Garcia)

Backview of my hairdo for the ceremony

My 2nd look

The .5 deduction was for my hair during the ceremony. Don’t get me wrong, ok naman sya for me. Pasaway lang siguro talaga yung hair ko kaya nde nya napasunod. Hehehe. So sa ibang pics, may mga nakikitang panget na anggulo sa hair ko. But all in all, she is still a recommended supplier for me.

Anne Garcia

09328885082

annegarciamua@gmail.com

Anne Garcia's Face Art

Peso Power: Cannot Disclose

Inclusions:

• Bridal Gown (tulle with lace appliqué)
• Bridal Accessories
• Groom’s suit
• Mothers' gown (2)
• Grandmother’s gown 
• Fathers' Barong (2)
• Male Entou’s Barong (7) – first-wear rent
• MOH long gown (1)
• Female Entou’s Cocktail Dress (6)
• Flower Girls (6)

Rating: 5

I will be slightly biased on my ratings here since he is one of the closest friends of my brother. Even before we decided to get married, I knew that my gown will be made by Ryan Chris.  So I think as early as July 2013, I have been a lurker in his FB page to see his creations.

True enough, I super love my gown! I think I got more than what I paid for. You see, I don’t want to splurge so much on my gown since we all know that I will wear it for just one day. However, I still want to have my own gown which is customized for me. And Ryan Chris turned these 2 dreams into reality.  I was not worried with the quality of the gown even if he gave me a huge discount (as in). in fact, during our first fitting, napansin kong medyo manipis yung tulle na ginamit nya for the skirt nung  gown and I told him right away about it.  Di ako nakarinig ng reklamo but instead, he insisted that he will replace the whole gown even if I said that he can just add another layer of the tulle.  From then on, alam kong hindi nya ko titipirin! I know he always wants the best for his client. Thru his initiative also, He added some Swarovski crystals in my gown for free. Para raw mas maganda.

I also did not experience horror stories on late gown fittings. I had 4 gown fittings since my first measurement taking in July. Imagine, in 3 months they finished all our entou gowns without hassle. Ikaw pa magsasawa ng kakasukat ng damit mo. Minimum alterations were made in my gown. Gulat lang kami nung mismong wedding, medyo lumuwag sya. Oh well, I think most brides would agree with me that  wedding preps is a good fat reducer. Hehehe

Groom’s suit was also perfectly done. Medyo maarte si hubby pagdating sa mga damit nya but luckily, I did not hear any complaints from him.  He looks dashing, BTW, when he wore the creations of Ryan Chris.

My entourage were also all praises to him. As in tuwang-tuwa sila sa gowns nila dahil pumayat daw sila ng bongga. Again, minimum alterations were made with their dresses and we did not hear any complaints about gowns that did not fit or gowns/barongs na hindi maganda ang tahi.

Ryan Chris Baylen

Ryan Chris House of Fashion

2950 F. Manalo St.

Punta Sta. Ana, Manila

966-4282; 09178009915 ; 09228009915

ryanchrisbaylen@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/ryanchrisbaylen?ref=ts&fref=ts

Peso Power: 104,250 plus 12%vat

Inclusions:

• Venue
• Standard Menu 3
• 3-layered fondant cake
• Well-designed floral centerpieces for presidential, buffet and table guests
• Table setting and physical arrangements of the area
• Pair of doves in a decorated cage
•  2 hours photobooth
• Guestbook and pen
• Full Bottle of Sparkling Wine for Ceremonial Toast
• Free use of tiffany chairs
• Complimentary Food tasting for two(2) persons
• Basic Sound system for public address & background music
• Use of red carpet
• Cake table, gift and registration tables
• Sword Parade during entrance

Freebies (booked during bridal fair)

• Welcome Drinks
• Mobile Bar - 3-hour unlimited shots within contracted time
• Overnight stay at Lotus Garden or City Garden with Buffet

Rating: 

Food - 5 / Styling 3 / Communication - 3

Their package is so “sulit” since it already includes rental of the venue. Ibarra’s garden is an airconditioned, indoor-garden place that is perfect for a classy yet with homey-feeling wedding. It also offers lots of freebies like the cake, bridal car, use of tiffany chairs & photobooth.that you can use to cut down your expenses I think the most sulit freebie that we got was the mobile bar. Imagine, we saved at least 10,000 for this. And the guests really enjoyed it. Worth it ang pagpunta naming sa fair just to book them right away.

Food was great; as in our guests are raving about it. As in naubos sya kahit yung buffer! Patok na patok sya esp yung pasta nila and the pork (Hickory Pork Spareribs BBQ). Cake lang natira sa min. Here are some of the pics nung food that were served to our guests. sorry medyo konti lang nakuha namin.

Their styling for me is ok but without “wow factor”.  As in super simple lang talaga. Though I did not mind it because I am more concern with the food they will serve.  Also, I think it is partly my fault since I rely so much on them that I did not bother to send them my pegs for the styling. Anyway, our guests love the place that  they say that it looks elegant and classy.


Our AE is Ms. Almira. She is kind and accommodating.  In fact, she gave in to some of our requests like the waiving of  50% corkage fee for their non-accredited suppliers . She also did not charge us for the extra guests that are in excess of our guaranteed 150 pax reservation. This is just as long as they will not prepare additional food for those guests. We’re ok with this since the menu includes 10% buffer or food for additional 15 pax (assuming our guests will not go back to the buffet table for their second plate..hehehe)

Yun lang, medyo may mga hindi nacoordinate sa min agad like yung layout ng photobooth which is 3 days before the event lang sa min nasend if hindi ko pa pinakulit ng bongga sa OTD ko. Also yung reservation dun sa free room namin sa City Gardens, hindi rin kami nainform kaya medyo nagkagulo kami nung mismong kasal. Will elaborate on this sa Preps Section.


Contact Details:

Ibarra’s Garden
525 Padre Faura St.
Ermita, Manila
522-9999; 254-9088 ; 09164041218

http://www.ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph/venues/?id=5

Last Christmas, one of my friends gave me this kraft poster (c/o Papemelroti) which talks about tips on how to have a happy marriage.



As a newlywed myself, I believe that this list is really great! In fact, I put it infront of our clothes cabinet so that we can read it once in a while.

Anyway, I just want to share a little fact about my new life. So far, for three months, I can proudly say that we have a blissful married life. Not that I am saying that we have a perfect one and everyone knows that there will never be one.  But I know this one is for forever. We might have our own share of problems as a couple but we face them together. We also fight and we know that it’s normal. But we make sure that after every quarrel we have, we say sorry to each other. Do I nag? All the time. But still, my husband has the patience to listen to all my “unlimited” sometimes “non-sense” naggings. With these, I can say that my husband is my bestfriend. In fact I believe that all the wives out there should have the same feelings also. As Father Benito told us during our wedding, “Hindi lang dapat kayo mag-asawa, dapat magbestfriend din kayo” 

Before I end this entry, I want to leave the list to you. BTW, my personal favorite is #3.

10 Sterling Tips for a Happy Marriage: 

1. Love each other. Say “I love you” often and in different ways. Surprise each other with gifts of praise to show your love. Remember the love grows in an atmosphere of freedom and trust, not from restraint and obligation. Do things to keep your love and romance new and alive. Don’t take love for granted, ever.
2. Listen objectively to each other as you would do to a friend. Give each other the right to disagree. You don’t want anyone to control your feelings so don’t try to own the feelings of the one you love.
3. Never stop treating each other like sweethearts. Always do things to make the other one feel loved. Share the chores around the house. Work together in achieving your goals.
4. Take care of each other. Put the other one first, but don’t neglect your own needs either. Do the things that show your interest in your partner’s needs, desires and problems.
5. Look to each other for help. Don’t let your problems or concerns get out of hand and make you go opposite directions. You’re in this life together. Be thankful.
6. Talk about things together the way you would talk to a friend. Absolutely refuse to say anything negative about your partner. Share your most important secrets and never betray the secrets of your partner. Don’t ever give up on your love.
7. Settle the fact that you’ve made your choice and you’re no longer looking for anyone else. Don’t flirt. Think of the consequences. Don’t consider it.
8. Be in agreement about how your money is spent. Talk about how to manage your finances.
9. When in doubt, ask yourself how you would want to be treated and then act accordingly. If you’ve argued, never go to sleep without a resolution.
10. Add humor into your daily life. Have fun!

--Mrs. Chubs--

Hurray! I got my new coin bank for this year. For weeks I have bugging my husband to buy me a new one since I left mine in my parent’s house. I told him that it is better that somebody will give it as a gift rather than to buy it for myself. I have this belief since I was a kid that I should not buy a coin bank for myself for good luck. Also, I don’t accept empty bank so I also asked my husband to put at least 3 5-peso coins before giving it to me. Why 3 5-peso? Wala lang. Trip ko lang. hehehe.. No superstition or belief is relevant to this. Actually, any amount will do just as long as it is not empty when given.

For three straight years, I have been using two coin banks where I do my saving. One coin bank contains 5-peso coins and the other is for the 10-peso coins. So what’s my strategy in saving? Well, everytime I got 5 pesos or 10 pesos as change, I segregate it from my other coins so I can easily account for what is to be put in the coin bank and what I can still spend (e.g. for jeepney fare.) I usually put those in a separate pocket in my bag and when I feel that my bag is getting heavier because of these coins, that is the time that I put them in my coin bank. Feeling ko kasi pag mas marami akong nalalagay, mas namomotivate pa kong mag-ipon. So kaya ayoko ng paisa-isang lagay. I know, I know! I have these weird thoughts sometimes. Oh, let me correct myself on that, most of the time pala, not sometimes. Hahaha

Then, every December, I will open them and ask the cashier in our office to replace them with bills so it is easy for me to deposit the amount in my account if ever. Actually, on my first year of saving, I have tried to deposit all the coins directly to bank and I never want to experience that again ever since.  Imagine, counting 3,000 pesos worth of 5 pesos and 10 pesos for 30 minutes with long queue at your back. I was really embarrassed during that time.  Feeling ko ang sama na ng tingin ng mga tao sa kin.

If I remembered it correctly, the biggest amount that I got doing this was around 4,000 pesos. It might be small for some, but for me it is so much since I put a lot of effort in controling myself from buying dirty ice cream just to save a 10-peso coin..(talk about katakawan) That time I gave the half of it my parents as one of my gifts to them and the other half was used in buying my Christmas gifts for my friends. For this year, I don’t have a plan for it yet but I intend to think of one. Malas daw kasi pag napuno yung alkansya mo pero wala ka namang paggagamitan. An emergency might happen daw. Oh well, another superstition.

I hope that this year I will have more savings, not just in my coin bank but also in my bank account. It has been ages already that I deposited a generous amount in my savings account.  I guess, I need discipline in budgeting my money to be able to save more in the future. (note to myself: no to impulse buying!)

BTW, this is my cute new coin bank (in my favorite color!). Thanks hon! Even though hiyang-hiya ka sa pagbayad sa cashier dahil sa naghuhumiyaw na pink eh binili mo pa rin..heheheh

Anyway, all I can say for now is, Good luck to me! kelan ko kaya to mapupuno(^_^)

--Mrs. Chubs--

You are currently reading Mrs. Chubs Diary but did you wonder where the name “chubs” was from? Well, it is the combination of my nickname (Chu) and the nickname of my then suitor turned boyfriend turned husband (Hubs). Ewan ko ba, medyo nauso nung college kami ng pagcombine ng names. Marichubert, Chubert were also among the names that have been used to tag our “loveteam” back then. (o db, Kathniel lang ang peg.hehehe). Anyway, I personally like the name “chubs” because it sounds cute for me. Feeling ko super jologs na nung ibang name na naisip namin dati eh.

Incidentally, it was also the name that I gave to the first stuffed toy given to me by Hubs. You see, I have this habit of giving names to all the stuffed toys that Hubert gave me. Most of them, I still know their names but unfortunately, yung iba nakalimutan ko na.hehehe (sign of aging?) Anyhow, we will think of other names for them in the coming days. 

Back to Chubs, actually, it was not really his gift since it just so happened that it is the bear attached to the flowers he gave me (check Designer Blooms for this) during Valentines day. So technically, it is only a “gift by accident” However, I find it cute so I kept it.  From then on, we considered Chubs as our first baby.

Chubs reminds me of how time really flies so fast. In less than 1 month, it will be Chubs’ 10^th Birthday already. I can’t believe a decade has already passed. Grabe, ang lakas makatanda!hahahaha. And yes, malapit na rin ang 10th year namin as a couple😜. Actually, today is our 118th month.

Just to reminisce, here is the pic of Chubs, wrapped with the original ribbon of the flowers that Hubs gave me 10 years ago


Ang cute di ba?



-Mrs. Chubs-