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!

Favors Finalized!

My favors are done!

As I told you in a previous post about my favors, one of them were filigree/cut-work ceramic candle holders. Pictured is the original prototype that we had copied (the original vendor had shut down). My aunt found a shop that makes something like this, but stoneware instead of porcelain. Its rather lovely and the cutouts will illuminate beautifully w/ a candle inside!

There was some issues with the bulkiness, weight, and fragility of the items. Apparently my mom and I didn't think this through, in regards to packing these into our luggage and getting them safely to the U.S. Luckily I was able to get about 52 of them into my 2 large suitcases. We're sending 12-18 with other family friends that are currently there and are coming to the states. My mom can't pack many because she'll be taking my gown and hers with her, and thats enough to cover one piece of luggage itself!

anyway, so, i can check off the box next to half of my favors now!

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!

A Visit to Manila

Going to Manila in April from the 8th to the 22nd.

I haven't been there since 2006, for my grandmother's funeral.

Happy to go back for a more joyful occasion.

Things I plan to do there:

Favors:

Ceramic Filigree Lace Candle holders, like i mentioned in a previous post. I plan on giving away about 90, but we're ordering 120-130 of them incase some break during our flight back.

Attire:

Labor and Fabric are cheap in the Philippines, so I am going there to get a bunch of gowns made for the wedding party and a few choice outfits for myself. Below are the things we're getting done

• Gown for Mother of The Bride
• Gown For Mother of the Groom
• Dresses For Flower Girls
• My Dress for the Catholic Ceremony (which will double for my rehearsal dinner dress)
• My Bridal Shower Dress

And last, but most important,

• MY WEDDING GOWN!

Decorations:

Colored Table Runners, because I dont feel like paying $12-20 per orange table clothes to rent them, when we can get them made for half of that price, and I'd OWN them, lol.

Invites?:

Well, I probably wont get them printed there, but i was contemplating getting my Folio Pockets done there with our Monogram embossed on the inner pocket. Maybe. I don't know.

And most important, I get to see my family. I have a slew of extended family in Manila, of all which I treasure dearly, and can't wait to see again!

One of a Kind Favors

Ceramic Lace/Filigree Candle/Votive Holders!

Different, elegant, and something classy for a wedding!

I'm going "home" to Manila in April to get a hundred or so of these beauties. They're very cost effective if ordered from there.

Now, pictured above are examples of it. Mine will be square or round candle holders that are no larger than 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches.

They will be packaged in a 4x4 inch tuck top box I got from papermart.com.

It will then be wrapped in a sleeve that matches the sleeve that will wrap around my Folio Pocket for my invitation.

It will be placed at the table setting, every other seat, alternating with the M&M Bags that I began creating during the storm.

More to come soon...