Tuxedos!

So we finally decided on a tux accent color for the guys. Let me introduce you to "Cognac"

It's actually not as  bright as the picture. Its more of a warm/brighter chocolate.  This will be worn by the groomsmen, coin bearer, and ring bearer. 

Meanwhile, I chose a tie and vest for my dad in chocolate.

For those of you wondering why HIS dad doesn't get his own color, its because his dad is the best man, and therefore will have the same color as the groomsmen!

and of course we have Mr. Smallville in Ivory:


We chose very traditional one button black tuxedos with ivory shirts, and black patent leather round toe shoes. For cuff links, we chose black on gold for the guys, and black on silver for Mr. Smallville!

A review about Mens Wearhouse in Springfield, VA... though they were helpful, the reception was quite cold and because I didn't answer the gentleman's questions right away (I had to think of answers) he looked at me like i was stupid. And then he left us to work with others who walked in, and the girl he left us with didnt know how to smile. It was very awkward and after a while I just wanted to leave. I enjoyed talking to the bride that sat next to me than the sales people! If MW wasn't such a convenient chain that has locations everywhere (most of the guys in the bridal party dont live near by) I would've left! 

Otherwise, we can check off TUXEDOS from our list!

She Get It From Her Momma!

In honor of Mother's Day, I figured I'd post the mother of the groom and bride's dresses here.

First off, Mama Smallville's pick: Its Montage by Mon Cheri Bridals

Its like a shiney satin with a lace bodice and lace detail on the sleeve of the bolero. The inside (not pictured) is actually strapless. These were one of the dresses we got copied. So we went to manila and my mom came back with:

So what do you think? yea, i took it w/ my camera phone, so its blurry. I apologize for that. However, you can see that we also added some beading to the lace. I love the light gold. Its so pretty!

Now, lets take a look at the sketch Mr. Edward Teng drew for my mother:

Nice, isn't it? It was copied after a dress that an actress wore on a tele-drama in manila. the actress had close to the same body frame as my mom. I helped her pick out a nice shade of copper for her dress. She didnt want to look exactly like the bridesmaids, who are in the burnt sienna/rust orange color.

Here is the final result:

HOw do you like it? I ABOSOLUTELY Love it! its bronze w/ brown and gold crystal beading and floral applique! God, they're good!

Flower Girls, Check!

Flower girl dresses, CHECK!

My mom came up with the design for the dress. she sent me a few options, and then helped me narrow down the idea.

Original Image/Idea:

We got Ms. Josie, a friend and neighbor of my aunt in manila who is a great skilled Modista (seamstress manager i guess?) to do the FG dresses as well as Mr. Smallville's mom's dress.

Final Outcome:

I went with Josie to the market place and we got shiney organza for the skirt, and red/orange star satin for the accent. I picked out the lace and the lining i believe was charmuese. I'm really happy with it!

What do you think?

Edward Teng, Part II

As i mentioned in a previous post, i was going to visit Edward Teng's shop in Santa Mesa, Metro Manila. In fact, it was my first stop the first morning that i was there, because I knew my gown would be a rush job (they usually request about 1-2 months for the dress, and i was only going to give them 3 weeks).

I don't have any images yet of Edward sketching my gown, but my friend will send them to me soon (I didn't have a camera, she did).

However, i was able to take a quick shot of the final sketch and a detail of the gown myself.

So here's the sketch of the gown. Its a semi-A line/princess cut, strapless, sweetheart neckline, with a 1 yard train. They're using ecru colored mikado silk, and it contains a built in bra/corsette. It has embroidery, glass beading, and floral embellishments. For easy adjustements, we chose a drawstring laced back, much like dresses of the early 1900s (and much earlier).

I went in another three times there to try on the dress. they rushed the production of the dress (without beading) for the first fitting. Second fitting ahd more adjustments, but it was to finetune it for my final fitting just this past tuesday.

On my third fitting, they were able to provide a sample of the embellishments for me to see. I took a close-up shot w/ my phone below:

So this will be done by April 30, and my mom will arrive with it May 2nd. I can't wait to pick her up from the airport!

Back from manila!

I'm back! however, I'm suffering from jetlag so this post will be short! i got a lot done though!

here's a quick list of what I got done:

• Favors
• Flower Girl Dresses
• Wedding accessories (bearer pillows, cord, veil, coins, garter)
• Church Wedding Dress
• Bridal Shower Dress

Still being done (coming back with my mom next week):

• My Gown (to include the veil, petticoat, headpiece and matching pouch bag)
• My mom's Gown (matching clutch)
• Mr. Smallville's Mother's gown

i'll post everything in the next few days, so please stay tuned!

Edward Teng

So i'm leaving for the Philippines tomorrow at noon! I can't believe it's already here! If this is how fast time is flying, the day will come and go faster than I could expect!

So of course you know i'm going to Manila to get my dress custom made. I have arrangments to visit Edward Teng, a Couturier in Manila who specializes in Wedding gowns. Below are a few of my favorite works of his.

If you go to his website, you'll see he has a fair share of scary to lovely selections. I will of course keep it to the lovely. I won't point out which is my favorite for fear that Mr. Smallville is lurking, lol.

Manila, Here I come!

Tuxedos - What color?

I'm in the process of narrowing down the tuxedos for the groomsmen. In truth, mike should be the one to choose this, but here are their color options:

Truffle:

Chocolate:

Cognac:



Gold:

I'm not sure, I think the truffle may be too dark, but i've been told the gold looks too cheesy. So maybe Cognac? Or chocolate? i dont know.. what do you think?

Here's Mr. Smallville's color. Unfortunately, he gets no choice but to match my ivory dress, lol.

Oh, Monique

Monique Lhuillier

I love her stuff. I've admired it for about 4 years now.

i think maybe since i saw "Swan lake" in a "Who's Wedding is it Anyway" episode.

Swan lake isnt' my stee though. I wouldnt do a tulle skirt, esp a ballroom/princess cut. At least i think i'd never. However i love the lace bodice, with the ribbon sash and brooch in the middle. LOVE it.

She takes some classic, traditional, luxurious fabrics and mixes them with some modern, sophisticated cuts.

One problem?

My budget.

I can't afford her.

But man, do I love her.

This post is just a dream post.

If i were to buy a dress in the U.S...

I was always pretty much set that i'd get my dress done in Manila, because of cost, the opportunity to control the design, and well, i'm a funny-figured girl. Custom would be the only way to go.

This was the dress that I ended up "liking" at David's that I tried on, or a detail of it:

Its pretty. Its got bling. and Lace, and it looked nice on me. However, I wasn't in love with the dress.

I didn't come prepared that night, because I was really just trying things on for fun. However I did go back to their site and look at their other gowns. especially the new arrivals.

I found something... interesting. Pretty. Lovely.

For fear that Mr Smallville might be lurking, I've posted only a detail of the dress that I fell in love with at David's Bridal.

Unfortunately they don't stock this in my size. Naturally.

And naturally, it costs twice as much as the one above. Naturally.

So now... what do I do? Do I still consider Manila? Or this dress?

Hmm...