The Wedding Edition: Please Respond

Author's note: I apologize for the long time it takes me to update my blog. Rest assured that I will try to post an entry as often as I can to give you, my dear readers, and outsider's insight to planning an event. I do hope you understand. Once I get my schedule up and running, there's going to be more posts.

Enjoy reading! XOXO, jet

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Please Respond

You're already months into your wedding plans, and of course you want to let your family and friends know that you're getting married! What's a wedding without guests, right? So another important task for you (as if you don't have enough!) is to ensure that your invitations get done right and on time.

The Save the Date Card

Many couples opt to have a save the date card to distribute to their guests prior to sending invitations. The Save the Date card usually just features the date of your wedding together with a picture of the couple. While I think that this is a wise move for couples to ensure their wedding guest list is complete, I am not a big fan of spending more money to just tell people to save my wedding date. For the more budget conscious, an email blast is more up your alley. I personally did an email blast to friends and family to let them know of the date of my wedding -- plainly, I might add (no pictures whatsoever). With my budget already bursting at the seams, spending a couple thousand pesos to just print a card with our picture and a date on it just didn't appeal to me. If you're very adept with Adobe PhotoShop, you might want to print your Save the Date cards yourself.

The Invitations

Ideally, sending out invitations should be done at least 3 weeks to a month before your wedding date. Sadly, I didn't know that printing invitations took so long, so I ended up sending them a week later. I initially thought that invitations would take about 2-3 weeks to process, so I was just dawdling about, putting it least of my priorities. I later found out that normally, the printing process takes about a month, give or take a few days more. You also need to provide all the details by then, so you should have completed your entourage by now.

The Details

What is, then, in an invitation? Well, it varies depending on the design of your invitation. But the basic details of course include YOUR names, the date, venue and time of your wedding and reception. Then the bridal and principal entourage is also included. Most of the time a map is included, as well as an RSVP number and seat number for the reception. Some invitations provide some basic information about the couple, like birthdates and birthplaces, especially when your design resembles a passport (like what mine was ^_^).

Répondez S'il Vous Plaît

The RSVP section is probably the next most important information in your invitation. Simply meaning "please reply", it is important to let your guests know that they need to confirm their "slot" at your wedding. Most people do not bother with courtesy of replying, so at this point, it is up to you to let them know that you NEED to know if they're coming or not.

There are a lot of invitation printers out in the market. I got mine done with Paper Flair / Adwors Graphix. I liked my final invitation, but I wasn't too pleased with the process. They were delayed in delivering my invitations by two days and we had a set schedule to begin with. They have their moments, but I suggest that if you're going with them too, give a little bit more allowance for delays. Better safe than sorry, I always say.

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Adworks Graphix / Paper Flair

GF Greenwich Condominium, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center

Paper Flair Kiosk, SM Megamall Atrium Level 4

The Wedding Edition: Looking Good

**Author's Note: I do apologize for posting my experiences super late. My wedding day has come and gone, and I've just been darn busy with the responsibilities a married woman suddenly accepts. I will try to post more often about my experiences -- better late than never, I might add -- so that you, my dear reader, will have another person's view of preparing to get married. :) **

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As I've mentioned in my first blog, one of the other more important things that you would need to handle early on is your attire. It's the most important day of your life, naturally, you want to be as beautiful as a princess or goddess and stop people in their tracks for a couple of hours, right? Since you've got your event planner/coordinator now, this is the one other thing that you need to look at the fine details. What design would you like your gown to look like? Do you have a theme? What is your color motif? Will you be dressing your entourage or would you have a design for them and let them have their dresses done by someone else? Who would do your hair and make-up? How about your entourage's? All those details need to be planned and decided upon, depending on your budget.

Your gown

There are a lot of designs for bridal gowns in the market, ranging from simple ones to really outrageous and unique ones.

For me, I chose a simple Grecian design -- I wanted something classy and elegant but at the same time, allows me to move and it's not too heavy. I also didn't want to have the princess balloon type because it'll emphasize my heavy hips =D. I decided that to avoid an entourage having different styles and colors, I would have their dresses made with mine (and yes, even the ninangs). This way, I was avoiding the "pabonggahan" between ninangs and the possibility that different couturiers will use different materials.

It's also important to know your body type when discussing your design options with your couturier. That way, if there are parts that are less than ideal for you, your designer can come up with designs that will flatter and enhance your body.

Usually these couturiers also take care of the accessories needed such as the veil, cord and candles.

I went with a nearby fashion place named Premiere Center for Fashion and Design, owned and operated by Ms. Stella Santos Salcedo. They did an excellent job with my entourage, the fittings were usually spot on, and they did everything -- my shoes, my cathedral veil, the veil, cord and candle for the ceremony, even the pillows for the rings and arrahae, as well as the cover for the bible. Their prices were very affordable, with the gowns for the bridal entourage (complete with head dress and pouch) ranged from Php 3,000 to 4,000.

Your hair and make-up

Of course, what would a very nice bridal gown look like if you're not all made up? There are a lot of hair and make up artists and salons who offer their services at an affordable price. Before committing, though, be sure that you get a trial make up so you can see if you'd be comfy with the type of make up to be done, and what kind of hairstyle would suit your face shape and type.

I went with Jesse Otero of Fabio Salsa Salon (Powerplant Mall), who is my go-to hair & make-up person since I was in college. He did a bang-up job with my hair and make up, as well as for my mom and entourage. We all looked like grecian goddesses, and it lasted the entire day! :)

Needless to say, you need to look for couturiers and hair and make-up artists that would be reasonable to you and that they will listen to what YOU want. It is, after all, your wedding day. :)

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Get in touch with them:

Premiere Center for Fashion & Design

Ligaya corner Buenconsejo Streets, Mandaluyong City

Look for: Stella or Jenny

Fabio Salsa Salon

Shop 312, 4th floor

Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center

Tel. No. : 898-1431 to 32

look for Mr. Jessie Otero