Happy new year, We-Heart-Wedding readers! Cynthia reporting for blogging duty as Marbee, Kitten and the rest of the Wedding Essentials crew are surely busy working on another awesome issue of the magazine.

Though I’ve been helping out with the backend stuff, I haven’t really been up to date with happenings in the local wedding industry since I work on my own design business from home (read: I rarely go out). To make up for the lack of entries, let me start off your week with a host of lovely websites that WE love and where you can find inspiration for your special day!

First up, are you itching to have a wedding that does away with stiff, dated wedding “rules” so you and your groom can be who you truly are? Meet the Rebellious Brides Kai and Mica, who can help you achieve the creative, not-so-traditional wedding of your dreams.

Rebellious Bride Mica, photos by Mango Red

From the girls:

Being a Rebellious Bride is not about defying convention per se, just so people would say “Shet ang cool mo!”. No. That’s not quite it. Being a Rebellious Bride, is about creating your own rules and your own traditions for YOUR OWN WEDDING because you feel it in your heart that this is what YOU and YOUR GROOM want and not what society, your parents, or the wedding magazines have carved out for you.

Rebellious Bride Kai, photos by Mango Red

From Kai:

The most rebellious thing we did for our wedding was our theme itself! “THE BORA HOP” — the wedding did not have a linear itinerary. No styling, no reception, no flowers whatsoever. We used the island itself to our advantage and shared our favorite places with our guests: Breakfast at Real Coffee / Spa and Preps at Mandala Spa / Beach Front Sunset Ceremony at the White House / Cocktails at The Tides Sun Deck Solstice / Indian Dinner at True Food / and Firedance, Hukas, Drinks at Bamboo Lounge

Kai and Mica themselves had beautiful, rebellious weddings that showcased each of their personalities which you can read about here (Kai’s) and here (Mica’s). They also offer wedding consultancy so if you’re feeling somekinduva rebellious yourself, go ahead and leave them a note.

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Everyone knows I love designer Tippi Ocampo, who not only designed my constellation-inspired wedding gown, she was my matron of honor too. (She even cut her US holiday short and flew on Dec. 25, Christmas day, just to attend my Dec. 27 wedding!). Tippi is currently taking a break from bridal design but if you visit her refurbished website Behind the Seams, you will find that she blogs about inspirational art and photos, fashion advice, travel memoirs, and a host of other interesting stuff where you may pick up an idea for your wedding or two.

Tippi’s book Not By The Book: Fashioning Design by Tippi Ocampo is available in all Powerbooks outlets, Fully Booked, select National Bookstores branches & all Best Sellers bookstores or you may order it online from order@notbythebook.net

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If you need help in putting together looks for your prenup photos and engagement shoots, do give Miss Match a try! Miss Match is the “baby” of my good friend Chinggay Labrador and it’s basically a website that allows you to be your own stylist! You can go through the clothes, accessories, jewelry, makeup,  offered by several brands that are locally available and come up with your very own outfits. If there are items you like, you can add them to your “closet” and get all the information you need about it.

It’s actually something that might make shopping (or window shopping) a little bit easier for everyone—and gives you the opportunity to share the items you want on a wish list. The best thing about it is that all the items are available here in the Philippines!

I blame Chinggay for getting me hooked on Coffee Prince and other Korean dramas sometime ago. The truth is she came up with this great idea when she was preparing for a trip to Seoul and couldn’t decide what to bring! Read all about it here. (While you’re at it, check out Chinggay’s super adorable K-pop-themed books Popped and Popped Too, available at bookstores nationwide)

’til next time,
Cynthia

Was invited to the spectacular launch last night of a shimmering, amber colored, rare, rare cognac that was made in the 19th century. Yup. You read it correctly. 19th century.

Inspired by a special order placed by the Russian Empress Maria Feodorovna in 1818 for a cognac of “excellent, very old, gold-coloured eau-de-vie of the very finest quality,” Paradis Imperial was crafted by Master Blender Yann Fillioux, who decided to recover the majestic character of the original order by drawing on the Hennessy reserves, carefully selecting from some of the finest eaux-de-vie of the 19th century.

via www.lifestylasia.com

The magnificent regal decor of the Hennessy Paradis Imperial launch in Manila was done superbly by Robert Blancaflor, who utilized the strengths of the colors red and violet in creating an ambiance that was very ‘Imperial Russia’. Every detail was considered for this Php 160k-a-bottle launch…

…and this was evident in the 7- course menu that commenced with a beautifully styled plate of fresh oyster with Beluga caviar,

Next was the most amazing ‘cube’ of foie gras and truffle filled, with salty dark chocolate for that extra indulgence. The next courses were as amazing!

But my favorite, even if it only plays a secondary role of cleansing the palate for the next course, is the Champagne and Lavender Sorbet.

Champagne as jelly and slush is unimaginable. It is surreal, but definitely, very, very nice. The coral bubbles are filled with lavender essence. And the combination of the three is fantastic to the taste. To the collaborators of this concoction- I say congratulations!

Event details:
Venue: Makati Shangri-la Rizal Ballroom
Event styling: Robert Blancaflor
Host: Johnny Litton
Entertainment: Manila Philharmonic Orchestra , Francheska Farr, Jed Madela and a young violinist who reminded me of internationally acclaimed techno-violinist Vanessa Mae.

Kudos to Moet Hennessy Philippines team headed by Ms. Olga Azarcon and her super fab team on the wonderful launch of a wonderful treasure!

Cheers!

Check out this video on the Hennessy Paradis Imperial. Music is one of my most favorite classical pieces by Vivaldi, the Violin Concerto No.2 In G Minor.

Out today is our feature on Kyla and Rich Alvarez‘s wedding. We had wanted to interview Kyla a little longer than the 1-minute given to us by her wedding coordinator, but they had to do their grand entrance already so we did the best we could and here it is folks! Hope you like what we got out of it and to friends and fans of Kyla and Rich, pasensya na it couldn’t have been longer. No need for a college education to tell you that you don’t stand in between the basketball players and their dinner buffet.

WE’re covering an interesting 50th wedding anniversary this weekend so come back to read about it here.

WE heart weddings!

Singer Kyla wed PBA player Rich Alvarez this afternoon at the Sanctuario de San Antonio Parish in Makati. Reception was held at the NBC Tent and finished just an hour ago.

Here is a nice picture of the couple minutes before they were ushered into the main reception hall. This is one of my favorite ‘celebrity’ wedding shots ever. Don’t you just love cheese in weddings? =P

When asked by Wedding Essentials‘ managing editor Kitten Zapata how she feels now that she’s married, Kyla said ‘I’m very very happy parang lumulutang ako sa saya, hindi ko ma explain ng maayos basta lumulutang ako sa saya, kasi natupad na yung pangarap ko na makasal sa mahal ko.

Ahhh, more cheese…. =) and how WE love cheese….

WE were also giddy to see the girls in the entourage (flower girls and bridesmaids) in ‘white’. In our January 2012 issue of Wedding Essentials magazine, you’ll know why we’re ‘giddy with white’.

Both Kitten and I were privileged to be sent to a wedding camp in the US where we discovered so many interesting wedding gems. But going back to Kyla and Rich‘s wedding, among Kyla‘s well-wishers in white were her friends from showbiz like…

Newlyweds Jolina Magdangal- Escueta and Mark Escueta. One of the nicest people in showbiz, I was so happy to see Jolina at Kyla‘s wedding, so beautiful and radiant in white.

Fresh from her successful Pan-Asian musical TV drama Kitchen Musical, Karylle was also so pretty as a bridesmaid in white.

Cesca Litton with PBA player Ali Peek who was dapper in white

Jessa Zaragoza with hubby Dingdong Avanzado

Christian Bautista, bridesmaid Rachel Ann Go and Erik Santos

Even though she wasn’t in white, Glaiza de Castro is a stunner in electric blue. Here she is with Sheree- also looking good in blue

Of all the artistas and basketbolistas we saw, Kitten only wanted a photo with one person. Champ Lui Pio. Champ reminds me of my dear friend Kris Lacaba. Kris, if you’re reading this, I want a pic with you!

Kyla wore a beautiful gown with a long and grand train made by her friend Cocoy Lizaso

Mr. and Mrs. Rich Alvarez enters their wedding reception hall to celebrate with their family and friends. KC Montero was one of the hosts and seen also at the wedding were Vicki Belo, Hayden Kho, Gary Valenciano and quite a few tall men who look like they play basketball =P.

Check out Manila Bulletin Celebrations this Thursday for more on Kyla and Rich’s wedding with much, much better pictures taken by the NICE PRINT Photography team. I already saw some fantastic ceremony and post-ceremony shots and can’t wait to see the rest.

Here’s the Same Day Edit from Rich and Kyla’s wedding courtesy of Nice Print

rich and kyla SDE from niceprint photo on Vimeo.

One of Korea’s biggest stars- singer and actress Eugene wears her own Monique Lhuillier gown on the cover of In Style Weddings Korea Winter 2011 issue.

Soompi, a Korean celebrity blog reported…

On Saturday July 23rd, Eugene and Ki Tae Young tied the knot at a small church just outside of Seoul. Aside from the beautiful couple, fans could not take off their eyes off of Eugene’s gorgeous dress. The wedding dress was designed by famous designer Monique Lhuillier, a Hollywood celebrity favorite for both wedding and red carpet event dresses. She’s dressed stars like Britney Spears and Reese Witherspoon at their weddings. Her long list of clientele includes Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Stewart, and others.

The couple’s wedding planner Yuna Kim revealed, “Many famous wedding dress designers wanted to dress the original idol fairy Eugene, so the competition was fierce. Eugene decided on a elegant, gorgeous dress by Monique Lhuillier.”

My Daughter’s Wedding, the company that imports foreign designers like Monique Lhuillier and others, stated, “Eugene’s dress was created after months and months of hard work. Her veil was custom-designed for her.”

To read more about Eugene’s wedding on Soompi, click here!

To brides-to-be who are fans of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, this Twilight: Breaking Dawn film-inspired mermaid wedding gown is an official replica by Alfred Angelo and is now available in Alfred Angelo stores in the US for $799.

Photos via www.alfredangelo.com

The original design was by Carolina Herrera and was what Bella (Kirsten Stewart) wore when she wed Edward (Robert Pattinson) in a beautiful all-white ceremony.

In an interview of Carolina Herrera by Rob Markman for www.mtv.com…

Though she made the dress for Stewart, a big-time actress in one of the highest-grossing films of the year, Herrera approached the design just as she would any other bride.

“Wedding dresses are different, because you have to know that it’s the most important day in the life of a woman,” she said. “You have to please the bride first of all, and it has to be a secret. I cannot talk about the dress before the groom sees it.

“I treated [Kristen Stewart's Bella] like every other bride,” she admitted. “I think [Stewart] was very moved when she tried it on. And that means a lot, because she felt that it was the right one.”

To read Rob Markman’s entire story on www.mtv.com, cut and paste the link below: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1674816/breaking-dawn-bella-swan-wedding-dress.

Interested in Bella’s wedding gown? Visit www.alfredangelo.com

Sorry about the cut and paste process, learning WordPress’ blog functions is like teaching an old dog new tricks.
Anyway, hello again everyone, =)

Here’s a short video documentation of Wedding Library’s photo shoot with Maja Salvador for Weddings & Debuts 2012 Bridal Fair.

For FREE Entrance to this Bridal Fair, register at http://www.weddingsanddebuts.com.ph/register.php

The Eastwood Mall- Wedding Essentials Bridal Bash 2011 opened last Monday, June 20.

Beautiful gowns by Veluz (gold terno) and Mitzi Quilendrino on the left and on the right are gowns by Edwin Tan (w/veil) Mitzi Quilendrino and Popo Go (grey).

The arc entrance

Top production house 4th Wall was commissioned by Wedding Essentials magazine to create this ‘entrance-to-the-exhibit’ arc. Lighting design is by Juancho Fondevilla of Sensitivity. Both Ronald Correos of 4th Wall and Juancho are our dear friends who know what WE want, and yet, still managed to surprise us with their interpretation of our arc entrance. Thank you Ronald and Juanch.

If you read today’s Manila Bulletin feature of the Bridal Bash (Lifestyle Section), you’ll recall how we told Tricia, the writer about what the Bridal Bash is about- and that is, a showcase of the works of some of the best talents we’ve worked with over the years, to do their own interpretation of a ‘couple’s table’ fit for today’s modern Pinoy couple.

To say that we are amazed of the outcome is an understatement. Sure, we expected to be amazed with the collective showcase. But more important, we realized yet again, that the favorites we chose were those that were significant to us- one way or another. So the question to ask when you visit the exhibit, as when you choose your event stylist- is not who is the best among the batch, but essentially, whose design sense appeals to you the most.

We at WE (Wedding Essentials) have our own personal favorites in this year’s batch. They may not be perfect to others, but they’re perfect in our own individual lists.

Which one are you?

Blue Barn

Inspired by love letters

Pat Pastelero

Paper trail leads to a happy ever after

Justine Bumanlag

Vintage romance

Gideon Hermosa

Bume-Bellarocca =). A mediterranean inspired tablescape

Teddy Manuel

A re-creation of Roxanne Guinoo’s wedding reception table

Beth & Meg Amat

A re-creation of John Estrada and Priscilla Mereilles’ wedding reception table

Joyce Aguilar

Eco-friendly set-up that doubles as a wedding keepsake

Charo Sy

Hollywood-glam set-up

Gina Galang

Reminds me of the passion of a true Flamenco dancer

Badang Rueda

Re-creation of the Ogie Alcasid- Regine Velasquez wedding table

These are just some of the amazing things you’ll see at the exhibit.

The Eastwood Mall- Wedding Essentials Bridal Bash 2011 is ongoing at the Atrium of the new Eastwood Mall in Libis until June 26, 2011

Visit us this weekend for talks by:
Edwin Tan ( Saturday, June 25 at 2pm on finding the right gown silhouette for your body type)
Charlene Bobis ( Saturday, June 25 at 3pm on writing your own wedding vows)

Oli Ruiz of Metrophoto ( Sunday, June 26 at 2pm on planning for your pre-nup photography)

And on Sunday, June 26, be treated to an afternoon of beautiful music by Bernie Pasamba and his 10-pc. orchestra.

Greetings from sunny (and windy at the same time) Boracay!
WE’ve been invited by the biggest resort on the island (as well as the biggest spa) to see their newest venue for events.
Here it is folks- a sneak peek at the fully-airconditioned beachfront tent of Boracay Regency Resort

Three sides of the tent are covered with transparent tarpaulin, giving guests an unobstructed view of the sea while the beach walk side is covered with white tarpaulin to seclude your celebration from curious onlookers, as well as to provide a romantic atmosphere away from the elements like wind, sand and noise pollution.

A nice view of the beach despite this time of the year being habagat season.

The tent is 10 meters wide, 60 meters in length and 4 meters in height covering a total area of 600 sq. meters. In simple terms, it can comfortably accommodate 120 people, =).

Beachfront parties can now be easily conducted as the resort also installed a revolutionary modular based stereo system suspended from the tent ceiling. With the speaker system’s state of the art ‘plane wave’ technology, sound is drastically reduced to around 20 decibels without any partition within the area. This environmental move is in response to the sound pollution ordinance being implemented by the local government of Boracay. So truly, rain or shine, tuloy ang event, =)

I can’t wait for dinner tonight inside this tent.

Woohoo!!! Our billboard on EDSA is up! Thank you Teddy Manuel for this pic.

See you all at this year’s Bridal Bash 2011 presented by Eastwood Mall and Wedding Essentials magazine, where else but at the hip Eastwood Mall at Libis.

But before that, pls. do drop by the Wedding Summit at the PICC Forum. I’m so excited to see our booth decorated by Patricia Pastelero, whose creativity you will see on the pages of Wedding Essentials soon. Soon as in like less than a month. =)

This is going to be a busy and tiring week for us at Wedding Essentials with the Wedding Summit this weekend and the Bridal Bash from Monday till Sunday.

But we love WE, and WE loves you.

WE hope you guys drop by both events we’ve so lovingly prepared for brides-to-be and generally anyone who adores weddings.

Ok. Off to PICC now.