Friday, August 20, 2010

Wedding Photographer - BA. Studio

B.A. Studio - Our Official Wedding Photographer 

Before we chose our official photographer for our wedding, I had to search online, attend bridal fairs and ask friends around. I attended the bridal fair at Megamall's Trade Center and that's where I met an account officer of B.A. Studio. Her name was Rechel. She was very accomodating. I asked if they had a website and B.A. Studio has one. I asked my fiance when I got home to view B.A. Studio's website and he liked it. He's fond of unique shots and that's what B.A. Studio is known for.  Here is  a link to their website http://www.bastudio.net/.

What I like about B.A. Studio is they have a very beautiful studio where you can shoot different concept photos for the prenup. This prenup photos which is then converted to guest book is free together with the costumes. The only thing not free is the make up. I arranged to have our makeup artist do our trial make up to coincide with the prenup photo shoot to save cost.

By the way, their package includes the unlimited shots, album for the bride and groom, prenup pictorial, blow up frame and a whole lot more. It's really value for money!




Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Reception Venue for our Wedding


I must admit, this was the hardest decision to make and most time consuming. I first thought of Fernbrook Gardens. But then it was too pricey and too far from San Agustin Church in Manila. So, beautiful as the venue may seem, this venue was dropped off from our list.
Fernbrook Garden, Colonial Ballroom


Fernbrook Garden, Victorian inspired gazebo


Next choice was Tamayo's Villa Imaculada in Intramuros, Manila because an office mate held their wedding there and it was within Intramuros vicinity and thus near San Agustin Church.  I inquired and was invited to the food tasting and got my mom to tag along. Gosh, my mom enjoyed the food. Of course, who wouldn't? It was free.  To me though, it was okay but not really mouth watering or unique. But the package was reasonable. However, the venue was small for what we initially planned to have which was about 250 guests. I called my fiance about the price and he told me to have further discussions about it. We ended up not taking it.
Villa Immaculada, Intramuros

Finally, I stumbled upon the website of Patio Victoria.  This was the venue owned by celebrity Cristina Gonzales. She named the gardens located in Patio Victoria after her daughters Sofia and Diana.  I love  Diana Garden because of this beautiful picture.  I got this picture from their website. I sent the pix to my fiance and he liked it!  


Patio Victoria, Diana Garden

Due to its proximity to San Agustin Church and beautiful garden,we chose Patio Victoria's Diana Garden to be our wedding venue. The account officer also gave us lots of freebies like free bubble machine, over flowing coffee, free sound system, and free bridal car, free flower arrangement, menu a lot more.  The price is quite reasonable. I cannot divulge it but it's more or less similar to Tamayo's quotation.  (I can send it to you via email, just leave your request at the comment portion). Anyway, we paid the reservation of Php 10,000.00 initially to reserve the venue. Then, we  have to pay 3 months before the wedding the 60% downpayment which was exclusive of the reservation fee and then the rest of the balance to be paid at least a month before the wedding.

I have been searching for food reviews about Patio Victoria and so far so good. I'm looking forward to our food tasting this coming October 2010. Our  motifff is vintage, romantic and this venue would be perfect for our dream wedding!

Click for Patio Victori'a's website 







Tuesday, August 17, 2010


San Agustin Church and Museum



THE CHURCH
  
There were many churches we deliberated upon before finally deciding to finalize our reservation with  San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila. There was Manila Cathedral, Malate chruch, Paco Park, San Sebastian Church --no doubt, all these were very beautiful churches but  since we wanted the wedding in Intramuros Manila, the most beautiful church and less strict and accomodating by far is San Agustin church. Just look at the chandeliers, really picture perfect.  It's also considered a UNESCO world heritage site. So culture, history, timelessness made us decide that San Agustin Church  will be the chuch where we'll say our vows.