One worry away

Venue is still available!! Yehey!!

We’ll go there tomorrow to make our down payment!

So happy and relieved!!!

The Central United Methodist Church

Ever since I learned about this church I have always wanted to get married here.

For the reasons…

1. It’s the Central Church of UMC in Manila – it’s like the Manila Cathedral of the Catholic churches.

2. It’s the biggest UMC church – I wanted to walk down in a long aisle.

3. It’s the first and oldest UMC in the Philippines – indeed a church with rich history that stood the test of time including WWII and the Japanese occupation.

Having said the above reasons, who wouldn’t want to get married and be part of the colorful history of that church? 😉

Bonus: We won’t be having a hard time looking for the pastor who administered the wedding of my parents because he’s the administrative pastor in CUMC.

Side kwento: I wanted to wear the same gown my mother wore when she got married but it’s already gone. So plan B have the parent’s officiating pastor do their ceremony. Case closed!

 

Interior of the Central UMC

It is 113 years old, based on my calculation from it’s foundation day on 1899.

Click this link to learn more about the colorful history of this church.

Members of UMC will get BIG discount. We got ours! Yipee!!!

 

Exterior of the church

When we visited this church we talked to one member and said that she admires me coz I want to have a wedding on October specially in this church. Why? Ang sabi niya bumabaha raw dun!!! She even told a horror story where a scheduled wedding ceremony was called-off there because of the flood outside – ceremony was done in the hotel instead.

Hmmmm..that reminded me of my parent’s wedding…

My mom being carried because it’s flooded outside the church

Panalo ang bridal carry dba? 😀

My dad carrying my mom up to their reception. Take a closer look, visitors are carrying their shoes.haha

bigat na bigat na si Daddy. haha

By the way, here’s their officiating pastor…Pastor Cerri(right)

parang di sila masaya. haha

So going back to the flood issue, I believe that it won’t rain on our wedding day. But if it does, will that stop us from saying I do? 🙂

P.S. For some reason, I have to re-do and re-do this post coz wordpress is not updating and deleting everything. Argh!

The Search for the Swak na Venue

Since The Church is located in T.M. Kalaw, Manila, we are bounded in this city and the nearby Pasay City.

Below are the the venues we have visited:

• The Pergola

Restaurant Row, BOOM Grounds, CCP Complex

Roxas Blvd. corner Gil J Puyat Ave., Pasay City

Peso power:

P 60,000.00 for weekdays

P65,000.00 for weekends

I first saw this place in the net but didn’t pay attention to it until we attended the Themes & Motif bridal fair @ WTC on June. We noticed the booth because we were invited by Hizon’s to attend their food tasting in this place thus we got curious. We inquired about the place and at the moment the AE said that the draping are fixed I got excited. Right then and there I said “this is it!” (without seeing the place).

Weeks after, we were invited by Center Table for their food tasting event at The Pergola . At walang patumpik-tumpik we grabbed the opportunity.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

 

Notice the venue’s irregular shape? Actually the place is octagon.

Photo courtesy of my brother. Wala lang ang ganda ng shot eh.

Yes it’s raining! We went there one week before the Habagat.

The Trellis

• Park Metro (now called Le Parc)

EDSA cor. Roxas Boulevard,

Metropolitan Park, Bay Area CBD, Pasay

Peso Power:

P50,000.00 for the Main Hall

P40,000.00 for the Carpeted Hall

Learned about the place when I inquired at Le Pavilion. The place is quite new, I think it’s a subsidiary or affiliate (whatever you call it) of Le Pav. Basta iisa sila ng developer. They are on promo so we paid it a visit.

The carpeted hall good for 100 pax.

The Main Hall good for 150 pax.

malaki to nasa loob lang ako ng carpeted hall at may divider

The Suite Room

So syempre ang nanay ko eh masyadong particular sa CR at yung talaga ang unang pinupuntahan. Medyo mapanghi siya pero sabi ng guard wala kasing nagmamaintain pero pag may event meron naman daw.

• Marc 2000 Tower, penthouse

1973 Taft Ave., cor. San Andres St.,
Malate, Manila 1004

Peso power: P15,000.00

Searched this thru the net but again didn’t paid attention. We just decided to visit the place when we had our food tasting with Julio’s Catering since they recommended it and it’s within the vicinity. It’s the penthouse so expect it to be on the top of the building. Muntik pa namin di makita yung place dahil Sunday buti na lang nagamitan namin ng charm yung guard dun. hihi

The entrance to the hall.

May event nung gabi before kami pumunta kaya may balloons.

The place is actually big. Not to mention the rental is affordable.

The conference room that can be used as make up room.

The c.r.. Mabango naman daw sabi ni Mommy.

• Ramon Magsaysay Center

1680 Roxas Boulevard,
Manila

Peso power: P20,000.00

The place is very popular sa w@w and girl talk. Most likely if all the venues we did an ocular will not pass our requirements, we’ll end up here.

The facade and the fountain. It’s beside Diamond Hotel.

fountain will be opened for a fee

The hall with lights on

may event daw kaya makalat

Of course eh ano pa nga ba…this will also serve as the make up room for the bride.

yes, that’s my mom inspecting the wash room. hehe

• CCP Silangan Hall

Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

We braved of inquiring at the place because I heard that the place is affordable. After our ocular in Ramon Magsaysay Center, we went straight here. Unfortunately, no ocular is allowed on Sundays. Even if we pleaded and said that we came from a far place the guard still didn’t allow us. Oh well. So no pictures, sorry.

• Aliw Theater

Sotto Street, CCP Complex, Pasay City

Peso Power: P15,000 (Elizalde Hall)

Who would have thought that this place can be an events venue? Well, we were surprised too. We learned about it when we had our FT with Centertable and the moment we knew it I got very excited to visit the place. After our unfortunate visit in CCP Silangan Hall, we went straight here since it is just at the back of CCP. Again, we don’t have any pictures of the place coz there’s an ongoing renovation and the manager didn’t allow us to at least sneak in at the hall because he said it’s “maalikabok”. Yet we were able to discuss things. When we’re settled to get the place because of its affordability, the manager checked our date and sadly there’s an event on that day. 😦

• The Venue at Prism Plaza

4th Level Prism Plaza, Two Ecom Bldg., Ocean Drive,

MOA Complex, Pasay

Peso power:

P25,000.oo (weekday), P30,000.00 (weekend) for Hall 1

P20,000.00 (weekday), P25,000.00 (weekend) for Hall 2

A fellow w@wie suggested this place when we are looking for a venue. I got so excited knowing that the place is new and it is developed by SM not to mention that it’s near MOA. One more thing that excites me is that it’s overlooking Manila Bay.

When I inquired with them and told me that they have open house and food taste with Hizon’s we grabbed the opportunity to visit the place. As of this writing, I’m biased with this place. Just refer to this post.

The walkway going to the prism plaza.

 

ang ganda lang

The mesmerizing outdoor of The Venue. Overlooking Manila Bay, just what I wanted.

The Venue hall 1 &2 good for 200 pax. Hall 1 can accomodate 150 pax while Hall 2 for 100 pax (sabi nila). The place looks small just imagine the divider right after the pillar is there.

set up by Hizon’s

The Suite for Hall 1. There’s a separate suite for each hall.

The pantry.

The E-commerce building. Maganda raw siya sa gabi because of changing lights of the building.

• 1Esplanade

SM Central Business Park Seaside Corner

Bay Boulevard, Pasay

Peso power:

P90,000.00 (Mon to Thurs), P100,000.00 (Fri to Sun) for Coral A & B

P80,000.00 (Mon to Thurs), P90,000.00 (Fri to Sun) for The Pearl Hall

One of my top choices. I really loooooove the Pearl Hall coz it’s outdoor and beside Manila Bay! When Hizon’s invited us for their food tasting and we learned that it will be held at 1Esplanade we grabbed the opportunity.

Coral Hall A with Hizon’s set up.

 

hanapin niyo ko. 😀

The Pearl Hall.

got a little disappointed with Pearl Hall kasi it’s beside the road

Manila Bay view of the Pearl Hall.

sorry wasn’t able to get a nice shot of the hall

• Palacio de Maynila

1809 – 1813 M. H. Del Pilar Street, Malate, Manila

Peso power:

P123,200.00 for 6 hours

P134,400.00 for whole day

Another top choice. Love the place coz it’s along the Bay Walk. And the venue is reeeaaaalllllyyyyy nice!! And the swags are fixed.

The Pantry

The Hall. Sorry sa madilim na kuha. Yung centerpiece raw sa ceiling pinapalitan every year.

 

ang nice noh? and it’s big. 😀

The entrance to the hall. Ang ganda talaga!

pwede mag set up ng cocktail tables dito. parang pwede na rin tong venue noh?

The Holding Room.

The Comfort Room.

Manila Bay view.

We still have more in our list – like  Coconut Palace, Patio de Manila, Oceana, SMX, Le Pav, Museong Pambata, Ibarra’s Garden, White Space, Intamuros venues – Teatrillo, Casa de Manila, La Castellana, Villa Imaculada, Clamshell, etc. But we already found “the one” so stop na kami sa ocular. Tsaka magastos ang mag-ocular. haha… But masarap mag-ocular!

So there…I’ll update once we have booked our “napupusuan at fit sa budget” na venue. Pa-secret effect muna though w@wies already know kung saan kami leaning. 🙂

Note: The rates posted here are 2012 rates. Some venues charge VAT.

Another reason to attend bridal fairs

Of course, it’s obvious why couples attend bridal fairs – to find a perfect deal with suppliers.

Yet now, I found another reason to attend it.

Look at the pictures below, you’ll know. 🙂

Before I do fair @ Megamall

Happy to see them enjoying while accompanying me on my wed preps. Nahuli ko rin ang kiliti nila para di sila mainip! In fact, when we’re about to exit the fair my father requested for one more shot. Kaya pala ayaw niya pa lumakad. haha

So sinama ko ulit sila sa bridal fair.

Wala pa ring sawa! 🙂

Themes & Motif @ SMX

Brought along my din brother kasi I know mas mageenjoy siya.

kokonti pics niya kasi sinisingitan namin siya. hihi

Some group pics.

sorry for the disturbing prints of my pillow. 😀

Of course, pwede bang mawala ang couple’s pic? 🙂 We’re not a fan of photobooth coz mahiyain kami mag-pose. But I told Rey na dapat mag-practice na kami ng pag-pose at not to be shy in front of the camera.

Before I do fair @ Megamall

Themes & Motif @ SMX

So there…till next photobooth fair ay este bridal fair pala! 😀

Whose fault is it? An experience with a famous caterer.

Just sharing a bad experience from a venue ocular and food tasting with a caterer.

I have already shared this to my fellow w@wies so I’ll just copy and paste everything.

====================================================

Hi w@wies,

Share ko lang experience ko last Sunday with Hizon’s FT at The Venue Plaza.
First and foremost, hindi ko alam kung kaninong fault yung nangyari kung Hizons ba, or kung sa The Venue, or sakin (sige na isasali ko na rin ang sarili ko).

Ganito kasi ang nangyari nun. Ininvite kami ng The Venue Prism Plaza para sa
ocular (“We would like to invite you the first open house on Sunday Sept 9 at
the VENUE so you can check out the place and have a sample of food tasting of
Hizon’s Catering.” – eto ang exact email nila). Tapos nag-confirm ako and then
tinanong kung ilan ang kasama ko. So ang sinabi ko naman eh tentative 5 kami.
Pero ang sabi ko hindi ko alam ang magiging arrangement kasi meron na kaming FT with Hizons ng Saturday sa ibang venue. So ang sabi ng kausap ko “Dont worry, We can still include you to our guest list for food tasting even if you already have different schedule with them on saturday.” Yan ang exact email sakin.

So come Sunday heto na punta naman kami sa The Venue. Hinanap ko si Chella (yung kausap ko) ang sabi sandali lang daw. May lumapit samin sabi wala raw si Chella lumabas lang sandali. So kinausap na rin namin yung girl regarding sa venue etc. And then nung parang napansin ko na gusto na kaming paalisin tinanong ko kung mag-sasample ba kami ng food nila. Umalis siya sandali then maya-maya may lumapit na samin. Nagulat ako kasi yung AE na kausap namin sa Hizons nung Saturday eh siya yung humarap samin. Sinabi samin na since nakapag-FT na kami nung Saturday eh hindi na kami pwede mag-FT ulit. Kung gusto raw namin eh magbayad kami. So syempre hindi pumayag ang lola niyo. Kasi in the first place we were invited by The Venue and wala naman sinabi na may charge yun. Todo explain naman ako. And buti na lang ready ako at pinrint ko yung email sakin pinakita ko yung sa kanya and then umalis saglit tapos pagbalik sabi seservan na lang daw kami ng food, maghati-hati na lang daw kami.

Nahiya ako sa parents ko at brother ko kasi excited pa naman sila mag-FT. Para
sakin ok lang naman na hindi na ako makakain kasi oo nga natikman na naman namin yung food nila. And kaya ko sila sinama kasi gusto ko ma-experience nila. Although sinervan nga kami ng food pero plated. They never let us experience the buffet. And ang sinerve lang talaga eh 3 plates! Take note 3 plates and plated pa! So nagmukha naman kaming kawawa nun diba. Hindi na kami pinag-buffet yung parents ko plated pa hindi pa kami talaga sinama ni h2b sa serving considering na plated na nga yun. I hope you get my sentiments.

Actually, nung pagkasabi pa lang na magbayad kami eh ready na kaming umalis
hindi na kami kakain kasi nabad trip na rin ako. Ayaw na rin ng Daddy ko tska
kapatid ko. Yung Mommy ko lang ang mapilit kasi ang point naman niya ibang tao ang kausap ko sa event na yun bakit yung AE raw ng Hizons ang humarap sakin. And ang bastos naman daw ng dating kung aalis na lang kami bigla. Ayun nung nagpaalam na kami na aalis na kami at hindi na mag-FT sabay naiserve yung food kaya wala na kaming choice kundi kainin kasi nakakahiya rin naman dun sa waiter at nangusap na yung tao na taga The Venue na kainin na namin yung food. If you could picture it, we are 5 sharing 3 small plates of food. O diba sana nandyan na lang yung batang may dala ng 5 loaves and 2 fishes at nagdasal kami para dumami yung food. Hindi na kami kumain ng Mommy ko binigay na lang namin sa boys tutal gutom na rin sila. Galing pa din kami Bulacan nyan ah.

Ayun, so sobrang sama talaga ng loob ko sa kanila pero kineber ko na lang tinurn to positive ko na lang. Inisip ko na lang at least pinakain kami kahit plated. At hindi naman namin sila kukunin.Hehe.. Grabe lang ang poor customer service nila. So ngayon hindi ko alam kung kaninong fault yun. Gusto ko sana eemail yung The Venue sa nangyari kaso sabi ni Rey wag na raw bayaan ko na lang yun kasi hindi raw lahat ng bagay dapat patulan. Kaya sabi ko sa kanya sige sa w@w na lang ako mag-shashare. Everytime na naiisip ko nakakasama talaga ng loob, para kaming nilimusan ng pagkain. And my sentiments are more for my parents naawa ako sa kanila at the same time napahiya ako sa kanila. Bakit yung ibang caterer pumapayag ng hanggang 5 ang guests. Hay ayan na naman ako.

Sorry girls kung medyo napahaba. Stop na ako dito kasi baka humaba pa lalo at
mag-rant ako nang mag-rant.

Thanks mga sis for reading!

Jenel 🙂

=====================================================

I’ve received different kinds of reactions from my sissies. Some were angry, some were pitiful, some were disappointed, etc. But nonetheless, it helped me move on knowing that these people were at my side.

Now whose fault is it? I don’t care anymore. Well, “quits na kami” coz I’m not getting any from them.

Themes and Motif at SMX Convention

We don’t have plans of booking tomorrow but we’re coming. I am so addicted in attending bridal fairs even if we don’t have agenda. Well, at least for tomorrow we have.

First we’ll look for more photog/videog supplier. We already have chosen our P/V but to cut the long story short we’re still undecided with them. Boo!!!

Second, I’ll have trial hair and makeup. I’ll do this as early as now so i could have more choices.

By the way, don’t you know that attending bridal fairs means more “kalat” for me? haha

P.S. We’ll have our food tasting first at The 1Esplanade before going to the fair so we’ll be recharged! 😉

Trying hard blogger

This is my third blog and I admit it’s not easy for a first timer. I said yesterday that I will finish all my pending blog posts (ideas are just in my mind) today since it’s a holiday. But “katamaran” striked again.  The day has ended and I’m hitting the sack but have done only two including this one. How was that?

Well, I’m just thinking of regret (refer to my first post on this) as my motivator.

There’s still tomorrow I guess? Aja!!!

The Perfect Number

Maybe some of you would ask why 10-19-13…

Well…

It’s simple as A-B-C…

It’s our fifth anniversary of being together!!!

Extra special huh? 🙂

Blog for what?

I have always wanted to have a blog since friendster launched it or should I say since I discovered it from friendster. I had tried doing some and I was so proud that I am able to, considering that I am having a hard time expressing myself in English even in Tagalog. Maybe it’s because my thoughts are not organized – I have so many ideas in my mind and so much I wanted to say, my mind works fast that I am not able to put it down into wordings so is “katamaran” strikes…

So much of the kwento… the purpose of this blog is just simple –  A big day is coming up and I don’t want all the memories to just remain in my mind. I want it to be documented so I won’t forget a single detail of it. Yeah I am so tamad to blog but I will try not to. I know this is something na babalik-balikan ko. So ayoko magsisi!

So without further adieu..

I am now officially…

 

photo courtesy of blogcymru (google image)

P.S. Just feel free to drop me a message. I am open to justifiable critic much more of an appreciation. 🙂