Another Food Tasting Story...

Not too late for another round of Food Tasting

We have given ourselves a chance to search for new caterer in town although we have already booked one at the very early stage of our wedding preparations. But why we are doing this? Because we want to try new taste, we want to look for another beautiful styling, and we want to compare things and be 200% sure of what we have chosen.

Josiah's Catering is one of the best known caterer in the industry. We have talked to them before in one of the bridal fair we went but we did not considered them, because that time, hindi pa namin sila kilala, hehe! Good thing is that, I have attended a wedding na sila yung caterer. And I can say, the couple are very lucky to have them! I subscribed to their website to get some updates and found out that they have an upcoming mass food tasting near our place. I called them and registered.

During and after the food tasting, here are our thoughts:

www.josiahcatering.com/
1. Food - Heavenly! From welcome treats up to the dessert, very very tasty. Ang sarap ng foods nila, kumbaga walang tapon. Well served and well cooked. Also, hindi nila kami tinipid during the buffet serving. Actually hindi ko naubos yung sakin kasi I'm so full na. Pero I managed to taste everything in my plate para naman ma-experience ko ang lasa ng bawat food nila. Since si K ang mahilig sa dessert, sya ang nag-sample, dapat nga hindi na kami kukuha kasi busog na kami, pero sabi ko sayang naman, so why not try it? After tasting their dessert, kahit full na sya, gusto pa nya kumuha ulit. Hahah! As per Sales Banquet who assisted us, hindi super sweet ang desserts nila kaya no umay. Take note, ang naka-serve that time was "Luxe Package" only, which is we can say na yun yung standard package nila. Pero guess what, ang sarap na ng mga foods nila, how much more kung ang i-avail ng client is the "Grand Luxe Package" na almost all in. We are very happy with their food. :)

2. Styling / Table Set-up - Simple but elegant. Not overly decorated. Minimal centerpieces pero may dating. Many themes to choose from. Even from the set of their basic styling, maganda na talaga. We also loved their backdrops. 

3. Communication - One of the most important thing is the communication with the accounts executive / sales banquet. Assigned to us was Ms.Dale which is very accommodating. From phone calls palang masasabi ko na ang gaan ng loob ko sa kanya. The time we met her, mas lalo kami natuwa kasi very polite sya and very responsive sya sa lahat ng queries namin. She even secured a lot of freebies just in case na mag-book na kami sa kanila. I also like the fact na hindi sya nagmamadali for our reservation. Some AE kasi masyadong eager to the point kukulitin ka para ma-block na yung date.

4. Peso Power - They are not that expensive, I can say, but also they are not budget friendly. 

Our Verdict?

We are almost about to forfeit our reservation fee with our previously booked venue+caterer. Reason is that, we think mas yummy ang foods and taste ni Josiah's. And one of the biggest point is their styling services which we did not have with our previous one. For my very first heartbreak in this wedding preparations, we end up not booking Josiah's due to some factors. Number one reason is due to budget constraints, we don't want to go beyond our set budget and gusto sana namin is atleast mapantayan ng konti yung booked supplier namin. Second is the venue, nahihirapan kami maghanap ng venue kahit accredited naman sila sa halos lahat ng alam naming options.

If we will be given a lot of penny to splurge for our wedding, we will surely go for Josiah's Catering because we loved all the things they offered. Maybe it's like our first heartbreak, it is not really meant to be.

One of my GirlTalker friend said, "Be contented with what you have and stop searching for anything better because in reality there are a lot of better things around".

♥ M

Photo and Video Supplier

Photo/Video Supplier Hunting

One of the biggest supplier that needed to be booked at the early stage of preparations is, the Photo & Video Supplier. The fact that they are drastically increasing every year, since they are upgrading their gadgets, they are also very busy since they are very in demand in the traditional Filipino weddings nowadays. They are now part of the bandwagon. A wedding is incomplete without the photographers.

Yes it is, because after the wedding, all you can have as a treasure will be the photos & videos. :)

Some couples splurge on this supplier, they are booking the most popular in the industry, they are hiring the overrated teams, in able to capture the moments of the most important day of their lives. I agree, if I have all the means, why not book the best PVs in town? But since we will be having a budget wedding, I searched for a not mainstream PV teams. All I want is a photographer who delivers very well and matched with my preferences.

I've been a lurker of GirlTalk (FemaleNetwork). It really helps me a lot in this planning stage since a lot of the bride-to-be's were subscribed here to find feedback about the suppliers and asks for suggestions.

Me, myself, as a very frustrated dreamer of being a photographer, here are my photo output preferences that I consider in choosing our PV team -- Natural. Fresh. Bright. Candid. Details. 

So here it is. Here are my GirlTalk finds and I shortlisted some Photo & Video suppliers:

1. Myio Okamoto Photography

www.myiookamoto.com
I like his styles, it suits my preferences, very natural and bright. I also loved his watermark since it has infinity sign. He was also featured in some of the wedding inspirational sites. His rates are very reasonable. But the downside was, he only offers photo services. Although he recommended several videographers that he have worked with, we don't want to book a separate supplier for this.

2. Cupcake Cinema
https://www.facebook.com/cupcake.cinematic

I liked the person behind this team, Er. He was very approachable and very pleasant to talk to. The plus point was he offered me a very affordable rate. He even gave me a discount even though I am not that sure of getting him. We checked the photos posted online and watched their SDE. I could comment that their photos were okay and they offers cinematic highlights which is very good but they have a very lengthy SDEs which made us think twice.

3. God's Grace Productions

https://www.facebook.com/godsgraceproductions

They are very popular in GT and I don't know why at first. I checked their fb page, and yes, I like their style, they have a number of very talented photographers that caught my attention. I like the story they create in their SDEs and their photos deliver emotions. They have a very affordable rates that can be customized according to your budget. Raisa, the owner is very responsive to my queries which is plus points to us.

4. Brilliant Bum Photography

http://www.brilliantbumphoto.com/

I discovered this team because of GGP, I favorited their photographer named Serg. I found out that he owns this Brilliant Bum and he was a freelancer. I really really loved his shots, I fell in love with his talent. He is also very nice to talk to. His rates are also affordable but a bit higher than GGP. He is also positive to the point of customizing their packages.

What we have booked?

And the winner is... God's Grace Productions! :)

Yes, we chose GGP over the 3. Why? I felt comfortable with Raisa. And they have the most "sulit" package I've ever seen. We had a meeting with them and we able to meet Raisa & Dave (one of the photogs). Wala kaming ginawa sa meeting kundi ang tumawa ng tumawa which I think a good start. The most exciting part, we have blocked the date with Serg! So we have booked them on a win-win situation, we got an all-in sulit package and we're also assured that Serg will be one of our main photographers! Yeay! :)

-- More bookings & reservations to come! :) ♥

♥ M

Events Planner & Coordinator

Wedding Coordinator

Event Coordinators plays an important role on your wedding planning up to your big day.
They are the ones who will do all the planning, organizing over wedding suppliers, details and the whole day wedding tasks. It is also important that you have a good communication and connection with the coordinator assigned to you.

At first, I am planning to hire an "On-The-Day" coordinator only since I am decided to be a very hands on bride-to-be. As I am lurking through the wedding and engagement forums, I found out that the planning stage is the most stressful part in wedding, and I don't want to be too much stressed with this stuff.

Luckily, my husband-to-be, K, really wants a coordinator since he wanted to seek a professional advice with this wedding thingy. So we agreed to book at least a "Semi-Full Coordination" package.

Our search for this supplier is not that difficult. We have seen a lot of coordinators in several bridal fairs but we did not tried to reach any one of them since we think we can book this on the mid part of our preparations.

But then one of my married friend referred their wedding coordinator. She vouched for the service of this team, she even said, "Hindi nila kami pinabayaan simula palang nung preparations up to our wedding day dahil sobra silang maalaga", and I trust her judgement for being a very hands on bride back then.

FYI Events Planning & Coordination
https://www.facebook.com/pages/FYI-Events/191061177604724

First, I sent a private message via FB for inquiries, about their rates and some basic terms and conditions. Plus point is that she replies eagerly and very prompt.

As we received their wedding packages, boom! We already liked it! They have a very reasonable rates which is not that far with other suppliers. So we set up a meeting with the Events Manager, Ms.Ruby Collado.
Our first meeting went very well. I did not expect that Ms.Ruby is very pleasant to talk to. She explained all the basic tasks that they will cover (which is almost all). She also made kwento of their good and bad encounters with their clients. I really really loved her because she is so approachable and sobrang magaan loob ko.

I want to highlight some of the things I think worth sharing with regards to their package inclusion without extra charges:
- Unlimited personal meetings & consultation
- Prenup Shoot assistance
- DIYs for prenup styling or event styling

So far, I can really feel that this team will be a big big help to have a successful, happy and lovely wedding as we always wish for.

♥ M

Venue + Caterer

Venue & Caterer Hunting

Since we are now preparing for our big day, we started our search for the most important supplier -- Venue & Caterer. Mas prefer namin ang reception with in-house or accredited caterers, reason? We think we can save a penny if tie-up itong dalawang 'to. Less hassle din in terms of booking, we don't want it to be separate.

Our peg is an indoor garden type venue. We really wanted a garden wedding in the city, but we do not want to risk our big day since we are living in a tropical country. Luckily, madami namang indoor garden reception here in Metro Manila.

Here are the venues that we have shortlisted:

1. Hanging Gardens Events

http://hanginggardensevents.com/

Initially, gusto na namin dito dahil gusto talaga namin ang reception within Quezon City lang.

We didn't have a chance for ocular visit but based on the pictures in their website, maganda itong venue and very accessible. Plus points is dahil newly opened lang sila last 2014, sure na lahat ng facilities ay bago. Also, as per AE we met during bridal fair, meron silang mga flexible wedding packages and so many caterers to choose from.

Reason why we did not booked them? Lagpas ng konti sa budget namin. :P

2. Light of Love Events Place

http://lightoflove.com.ph/

This is the first venue we have visited. Before that, I have exchanged emails first with their AE named Steph who is veeeerrryyy approachable and sobrang bilis din magreply. Plus points kasi madali siyang kausap. Steph discussed to us the package inclusions and also the accredited caterers, good thing madami din pagpipilian and then she gave us a tour around the place. Masasabi namin? This is it! Eto na talaga yung place na gusto namin. As early as that time, we already know what venue we will be going to book for our event. Malawak yung place and I think it will fit naman with our target number of guests which is 150 persons. 

Ang negative lang dito is yung place, medyo hindi accessible, medyo nahirapan kami hanapin and mukang hindi madali mag-commute, also, their payment terms which is medyo mabigat.

3. Ibarra's Party Venues & Catering Specialist

http://www.ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph/

We considered this venue since the bridal fair. Why? They have wedding packages and it was also almost complete. Madaming inclusions and freebies which is plus points para yung mga minor details for our wedding hindi na namin iisipin pa. We have also talked to their AE during the bridal fair, dun namin nalaman lahat ng basic details regarding their packages. Another plus point is that, they have a very flexible payment terms. Only 1 caterer to choose, only their in-house caterer which is themselves. Based sa mga reviews, masarap naman ang food nila.

For caterers:

1. RichGold Weddings

http://richgoldweddings.com/

We attended their Grand Food Tasting at 55 Events Place. I love their table set-up, basic palang maganda na and it depends on your theme. About the food, they have a very tasteful & presentable plates. We love every dish they served. Also, mabait yung AE na nakausap namin.

Napag-usapan namin ni fiance na kung makakita man kami ng venue na accredited ang RichGold, sila na talaga ang kukunin namin.

2. Hizon's Catering

http://www.hizonscatering.com/

Again, we went to their GFT at 38 Valencia Events Place. About the place, maganda, elegant ang feel, well-maintained. Madaming tao during the GFT, so I have an impression na sikat nga talaga sila and baka nga masarap yung food nila. Dahil madami ngang tao, hindi  kami agad na-assist ng AE. Ang gusto ko lang i-comment, I won't recommend them. We really didn't liked the taste and the flavors of their food. I can't comment more. No more further explanation.

3. Ibarra's Catering

http://www.ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph/

We attended their GFT in Ibarra's Garden. About the food, thumbs up! Masarap ang food nila and so many to choose from. Plus point kasi isa to sa shortlisted reception namin.

What we have booked?

Finally!!! We have booked Ibarra's Garden in Ermita. :)

We booked them during their Grand Food Tasting. Madaming freebies and may mga raffle draws pa which we have won. :)

Reasons why we booked them? The Events Manager & Accounts Executive assigned to us were very accommodating, from phone calls, emails & esp. personally, which is very important in preparation stage. The food is great and they have an almost complete flexible packages. Fiance and I both felt the "this is it!" feeling with the venue & food. We're both happy that we booked them and we can actually picture out the looks of our wedding day! :)

-- So one down! More reservations to come! This is only the start! :)

♥ M

Road to Infinity & Beyond

I believe that happy ever after is not a fairy tale -- it's always a CHOICE.
Bear that in love, affection is just an ideal thing, marriage is a real thing.

With this, I don't marry the person I can live with, I will say "I do" to the person I can't live without. ♥

Count down to our road to infinity and beyond.

♥ M