Bridal Emergency Kit Raffle

Yes, I have a twin and Darlene is trying to locate two new homes for us! Join the raffle now! :) (details below) 

The bridal emergency kit raffle is open to all brides -- whether booked or not :) 

My #w@wlove journey :)

Stage 1:

I was a proud w@wie complete with w@w tag before I decided to become a supplier. The w@w tag reveals how active I was in posting my queries, comments, and suggestions... Hehe! :)

Stage 2:

I started Perfect 10 Weddings, our coordination team, via a post in w@w. I guess w@wies tend to trust fellow w@wies; thus, I got several bookings right away. Talk about w@wlove! (wala pang hashtag then)

Stage 3:

Ms. Benz organized a get-together of w@wies-turned-coordinators. I was in awe of Clarice, Queen, and Jody as they talked about their experiences and freely gave advice to us. #w@wlove ulit (this time, beyond the yahoogroup)

Stage 4:

Ms. Benz sent the proverbial late night text to the Top 10 Suppliers of 2010! When I woke up to see that message the following morning, I could not believe what I was reading... We had around 6 months of experience at that point, yet the w@wies were willing to give us that recognition already!!! w@wlove to the max! (but of course, with that recognition came the challenge of proving ourselves worthy of #w@wlove... :)

Stage 5:

Over the years, w@wies gave us the opportunity to handle their weddings -- even giving cards and gifts to let us know of how we were able to alleviate their stress and execute their plans. #w@wlove over and over... :)

Stage 6:

Another late night text from Ms. Benz!!! It felt so surreal that once again, I am being given #w@wlove via votes, albeit in a different category -- in 2010, it was for coordination, while this 2013, it's for emceeing. Thank you, dear w@wies, for this recognition. Let's continue personalizing programmes and trying our best to give your guests out-of-the-box experiences... :)

I would also like to say thank you to the great emcees I got to work with when I was still actively coordinating/planning weddings, especially Missy Ferrer - Litao, who is not only an inspiration but a friend as well. :) 

Congratulations to the Top 10 Awardees of 2013! 

- to my caterer of choice for our wedding, K by Cunanan Catering. Everything is always so nice with Kaye... even her waiters are all so well-trained and gracious. :) What's there not to love, huh?

- to Dylan, who, beyond all the creative ideas and picture-perfect flowers, is really first and foremost a good friend... :) So glad I had so many weddings with you and Kaye when I was still coordinating. Things are always easy and happy with you guys. :) 

- to Val, whose mere presence at my P10W-coordinated preps made me relax because I knew nothing could stop him from finishing ahead of time... :) Thank you for the trust even if we were new then... Thank you also for handling my make-up and hair during the shoot of 2010. :) 

- to Aisle 1401, thank you for always finishing your beautiful SDEs on time... It makes my life so much easier. (Sorry din po if in case I made you "ngarag"... :) 

- to Aira Franco and Manny and April, looking forward to working with you... :) I've seen a lot of your outputs and I know you guys are such a well-loved, talented lot. :) 

- to Moki, Tippy, and Kiko, for all the laughter and great conversations especially while planning for surprise events... :) Who knew one could have hilarious conversations -- lots of literal LOL moments -- while chatting? You guys are so gifted yet you are all so humble... :) I am really glad I found friends in all of you :) 

To guests who think it's ok to leave before the programme ends...

Just a little introduction: Some days back, I was chatting with a fellow supplier about a wedding they had, wherein very few guests were left right after eating. It was sad to say the least for the couple -- even if they expected it because they knew some of their invitees had an "eat and run" reputation. I think some of those who prefer to "eat and run" aren't aware of how weddings have changed; thus, they are missing out on a lot of things. In other words, sayang naman po -- you already spent time, effort, and resources to go to the wedding, why not stay on and finish it, especially because after eating, that's when you can win prizes and watch the on-site AVPs. :) 

Disclaimer: All photos used here are from real weddings -- to illustrate why guests should not leave early. They are not part of the wedding discussed in the previous paragraph. :)

Dear Guests, 

Weddings have become complicated through the years. More and more details are included; more and more plans are drawn up and executed. Most of these look good in pictures, that's true. However, couples do not only pay for these details for their own personal satisfaction. Most actually think of you, their guests, and what would make you feel happy and satisfied.

All photos were taken at real events.
This one was designed by Amante Fleurs.

They want pretty venues so that they could make traveling worth your while. They provide several activities as well as food and drink choices during cocktail time so that you won't get bored or hungry while waiting for them to finish their pictorials. They go to great lengths to plan for their programmes -- sing, dance, prepare games, and buy prizes -- just so they can see you smiling and cheering. They spend time and effort going through food tasting sessions and drawing up their menus because they want to make sure you will like the food and drink choices.

So yes, when you stand and leave right after eating or while games are going on, it is really heartbreaking for the couple -- even more so when you stand and disturb them as they are enjoying their on-site AVPs. The on-site photo slideshow and the same day edit are supposed to show them all that transpired and what they may have missed because they are floating on cloud 9. Please don't burst their bubble. Let them watch. Enjoy it with them. Anyway, after these AVPs are played, it's usually time for the final speech anyway.

I am writing this because I want you to know that we literally spend hours exchanging e-mails and ideas to plan for programmes. We work on making sure we will finish within the usual 2-hour attention span of most polite guests. We have you in mind while planning the programme. Please also have in mind the bride and groom who want to spend the biggest day of their journey together with you. Know that while they will most likely recall your gift later on, they will remember more your presence and how you did your best to be truly and fully present on their wedding day.

Wouldn't you want to feel so loved on your big day? Give them that gift. Make them remember you with much fondness for staying, laughing, and crying tears of joy with them.

Yours truly,
All Concerned Emcees
___________

I don't think I'm the only emcee whose heart breaks when they see couples saddened by guests who leave earlier than the end of the programme -- or worse, do not attend at all after confirming that they are coming. I know I am one with all those who spend a lot of time and effort planning programmes with their couples. Let's make the bride and groom happy. It's their big day, after all. :)

These pictures are proof of how couples spend so much time, effort, and resources to make their big day special not only for them but for their guests. :)

They make the guest table centrepieces works of art so that they can make you feel
they thought of you while planning what you would see at the centre of your table
for the whole duration of the event.
{Styled by K by Cunanan Catering}

This couple spent so much time thinking of how they want their backdrop to look.
Why? Because they know the pictorial with the guests would be done in this area.
{Styled by Josiah's Catering}

Talk about giving the guests a welcome treat! This
couple thought it best to greet the guests at the cocktail
area with apples -- thematic and satisfying. :)
{Area styled by K by Cunanan Catering}

This couple literally prepared a 1:1 type of souvenir
so all guests who have something to take home
(or eat on the way home).  

Guests knew the theme of this couple upon entering the area, because this was what
greeted them at the registration area. If this doesn't tell guests that the couple truly prepared for their big day,
I don't know what else a couple can do to give guests that message.
{Area prepared by Amante Fleurs}

This couple made sure their programme would be
super entertaining -- lots of lively dances!!!
{kudos to Jeni, Rocky, and their ento}

(Photo grabbed from Infinite Events by Mr. and Mrs.)
This activity kept guests busy during cocktail time -- as they
planned for their scenario shot with the couple
before going to the buffet. They literally brought props
and acted their hearts out upon the photographer's signal.
Letter for each table prepared by the emcee. Explanations
and distribution ℅ Infinite Events by Mr. and Mrs.

To those who are asking if the emceeing promo is still ongoing... please click on the link below. Deadline of bookings for the discount is on November 12, 2013. It will also be the date I would announce the raffle winners. :) 

Join the raffle and/or get the discount :) 

Of stress and trucks... :)

While trucks are big and suppliers seem to be heroes who can troubleshoot through every sticky situation, couples can do their part to lessen on-the-day stress by having detailed, final contracts -- no matter how trivial it sounds, couples should inform suppliers concerned about their details and changes. (After all, what if it just sounds trivial but it is actually major? You will never know until you see on the day that there's a problem caused by the seemingly trivial matter, right? Why wait till the day then? Why not resolve it prior to the big day?)

CATERER: 
a) The truck of your caterer usually does not carry extra tables and chairs, floral arrangements and linen. So be prudent. Inform your caterer of the real number of people who responded during your confirmation period.

If for instance, you reserved for 150 and you got 160 responses, the more prudent response would be to  inform your caterer of the added heads. That way, if you have guests who bring in companions, their companions will not need to wait too long at the registration area for seats.

Picture this: 150 guests + 10 buffer seats = 160 seats

*You think, it's ok then, it matches.

*But what if, what if on the off chance you get more than the 160 on the day? Where will they sit?

*Moreover, what if, what if your guests like to take more than what they can finish -- what will the last table eat?

*While some are no-shows on the day, it's still a lot less stressful to have a few extra seats. The no-shows do not usually belong to one table anyway, usually, they are one or two seats of certain tables.

Decided to use this picture taken at a K by Cunanan reception to illustrate
the point that a table has so many elements; thus, it's really more prudent to inform
the caterer of added heads and the need for an additional table set-up. 

SOUND SYSTEM
b) The truck of your sound system provider will carry the equipment you booked. It will not magically turn up equipment you didn't book.

What do you do then?

*Give your sound system supplier the list of equipment needed by your musicians. That way, your sound system supplier can let you know if the package you booked with them matches the needs of your musicians.

*If the sound system supplier quotes you a different package after seeing you have a full band set-up, please do not think your sound system supplier is being greedy. Even if you and I are "laymen" in terms of technical sound details, we must consider the difference between the instruments of a quartet and a band. The difference in the way they sound alone should already tell us that there is indeed a major difference in the equipment the sound system provider should bring.

*Yup, that is also the reason why some venue packages give you the following inclusions "basic sound system" + "a quartet". No venue will give you the following: "basic sound system + a full band" as an inclusion.

*In the same vein, the lead musician who chooses to give the bride/groom an upgrade, i.e. more instrumentalists, should first inform the couple about it since it does entail extra costs. If the couple disagrees with your upgrade, then so be it -- take away the upgrade, stick to the package, everyone happy.

STYLIST
c) The truck of your stylist is not limitless in space. Make sure you have a detailed contract stating what you agreed on so that there would be no stress on the day.

*If in case you added to the VIPs, inform the stylist as well so that the length of the new VIP table would be taken into consideration when planning the styling of the table. Moreover, the place cards would have to be prepared as well.

*If you added to the number of guests, inform the stylist, too. An additional table means an additional centerpiece. While yes, they can thin down the number of flowers per centerpiece to give the added table the needed flowers, what about the vase/s?

Thank you is not overrated... :)

I had seven events from Oct. 12 to 20, and yes, I felt that indeed, peak season has begun for me. I just want to thank the couples who gave me their trust and confidence. I will be blogging about your extra special weddings... :) Thank you also to the ones who sent in super touching messages of thanks, I will include those in my blog entries, for sure... :)

You see, thank you is never overrated. It's something that truly makes every supplier's effort to give 101% of himself/herself so much more worth it. While we are professionals and we'd do our jobs and so much more every time we have a booking, we do have feelings and yes, we get overwhelmed and super inspired to work harder every time we receive words and notes of thanks. When you do say thank you, remember that you are not only making the supplier happy, you are actually inspiring that supplier to work harder for others so definitely, you are also helping other couples receive the same level of service and dedication. :)

I also want to thank my other couples for their patience since I am not able to respond as quickly. Thank you for understanding that just like a mom, I had to give more attention to the kids, who needed me more the past days. You are the best! :)

For those who are still asking about the promo, yes, it's still ongoing... Please note it would not be possible without all the inspiring brides and grooms I had :) Below are the mechanics:

What's good for kids can be good for weddings, too!

Oct. 6, 2013
New World Hotel
Jensen and Hsin Ru

I just want to commend Thoffy and team for coming up with an inviting registration area. It made the guests feel right away that they are in for a well thought-out wedding programme. :)

Noteworthy parts of the programme: 

a) When we were ready to start, the entourage decided to spice up their march in by wearing props from Baicapture... :) 

b) Jensen and Hsin Ru wanted to ensure the enjoyment of guests -- including the younger members of invited families -- so they thought of having a "name that kiddie movie" contest. 

In order to pull this off, I had to enlist the assistance of my tech-savvy dad again. He downloaded the clips for me and converted them into a format I could use. Then, I took over, cut the clips such that I had only the parts that I really needed for the game (i.e. those without mention of the title in the dialogue). 

True enough, the guests enjoyed guessing the movies... They actually thought they would all win, until we hit them with a movie that wasn't such a big hit. I also made sure the dialogue would not be obvious. (We had video for the first 5, and just audio for the next 5.) 

We had one table winning the game, and of course, it was a young girl who provided the correct answer! Hurray for her! :) 

c) We also had a fun couple's game. At first, they were all solid and no one was getting taken out. The question that caused some to lose: "Who holds the remote control?"

d) Of course, great onsite AVPs were shown that night from c/o Osep and Mimi as well as Alt-x.

e) At the end of the programme, the couple requested for a group shot. Really nice of them to think of having a remembrance of the people who worked with them to achieve their big day plans. :)

In case you would like to find out more about my emceeing packages and the current promo, do check out the following link: Raffle and Discount up to Nov 12, 2013 :)

Dance the night away!

Rocky and Jeni

Oct 5, 2013

Le Parc

Jeni wanted a memorable programme not just for her and her groom, Rocky, but more so for her guests. That's why she pulled out all the stops to make it happen. Aside from our frequent chats on Facebook wherein she asked me about all her wedding-related questions, she dutifully answered the workbook, and rehearsed with Rocky for their epic entrance and first dance. :) 

Why epic? First, they couldn't agree on what to do -- Jeni wanted to dance while Rocky wanted to sing. So the best resolution to the impasse was to have a combination of singing and dancing... :) 

They sang "Grow Old with You" coming into the venue. Of course, the guests cheered and clapped, but when they started dancing, we thought the whole venue would collapse because there was so much more cheering, clapping, and even dancing with the couple. Yup, some guests were dancing in their respective areas as well! :) 

Please forgive the pictures I took. I have links to their onsite AVPs below... :) 

After the first dance, Jeni was treated to a surprise by Rocky and his friends. They danced several hits of the 90's and the current era and even asked Jeni to join them while dancing "Gentleman". :) 

After so much energy from the first dance and the surprise dance number of the boys, their dear ninang quipped during her speech, "Eto na ang pinaka-masayang wedding na napuntahan ko..." :) 

This is the photo backdrop I made for them.

Because it is a celebration, they made sure it would be obvious upon entrance with the registration styling of Moki Gray. 

Below are pictures of other details: their VIP table, menu card, game card, and thank you card. :) Needless to say, everyone enjoyed the food from Josiah's Catering :)

They also had another letter for the guests which I helped them prepare. This was to encourage them to prepare for their themed group shot (in lieu of the usual wacky shot). Below is the picture of the group that won! :)

grabbed with permission from Jeni's FB account

Other noteworthy parts of the programme: 

a) name that tune contest: Everyone got into the groove of the game, even the VIPs. Oh, and yes, they won as well! :) 

b) beat the groom challenge: a drinking contest using drinks from their mobile bar :) I believe it was the best man who won this challenge because he came closest to beating the groom as he finished the drinks laid out before him. :) 

c) the entourage entrance where they did their best to dance and pose; they also took charge of the sparklers (with the guidance of the team of Infinite Events by Mr. and Mrs.) 

d) the instagram contest: When Di Anne showed me the winning entry, I told her to flash it using the live feed... Thus, people looked at the screen with bated breath.. hoping they would be declared the winner! :) 

e) the scavenger hunt: the winner was declared through raffle (based on all the cards of those who finished the tasks) 

f) the couples' game: pop the balloon challenge (which had all couples scampering to pop their balloons as fast as possible in order to avoid the consequence, i.e. the garter ceremony) 

g) great music from Rejectkrew

h) efficient projector and live feed services from Metrotech

Check out the following links: 

Superb onsite photo slideshow by Jayson and Joanne Arquiza: http://vimeo.com/76671596

Look for the photos of the entourage with the R Love J letters... super duper nice! :)

Great mix of serious and funny moments in the onsite video of Aisle 1401: http://vimeo.com/76365346
Look for the part where Jeni and Rocky are dancing, with Ninang dancing in the background... :)

They also had a behind the scenes shoot with Joanna Eduardo: http://vimeo.com/72824662
The actual prenup pictorial was done by Jayson and Joanne Arquiza. :)

So many people contributed to the success of this event including Dylan Gozum of Vatel Manila, for her vibrant bouquet; Mayone Bakunawa-Balbarin, her beautiful make-up artist; Chef Kiko, who made the cake, Bonbon Taffy, who prepared the candy buffet, and Flipbooks, which was such a box office hit among the guests. :)

Jeni booked me during promo time; thus, let me share as well the link to my current emceeing promo which ends on November 12, 2013. It's a discount promo as well as a raffle promo :)

Emceeing Discount and Raffle

Simplified: Raffle + Discount Process

Over the weekend, I had weddings and yes, I was busy, but I also received feedback:

- first, that the raffle and discount process seems to have been complicated by the application I used
and
- second, that people are hoping that I could open the raffle and discounts to more wedding months.

So yes, because the promo is about giving love and sharing, your wishes are my command. Please check out the picture below... :)

Once you e-mail, unless you specifically state that you are only joining the raffle for the bridal emergency kit, you will receive the new emceeing packages (so you will be informed of the inclusions). If you wish to join the raffle for the bridal emergency kit and you do win it, you don't need to book me in order to claim it. I really bought those in the US to give them away to brides who might need them. :) 

Keeping it bright and sunny!

Ben and Ehmie

Blue Leaf Filipinas 

Oct 5, 2013

When Ehmie called me, she made me feel right away that I was part of her team -- something I truly, truly appreciated. She already had a program draft, but I still sent her the workbook so she could choose from the games. She went one step further though because she personalized the games as well -- adding her own twist to the ones I had :)

It was a family affair with her tita-ninang and brother serving as wedding coordinators. Aside from the sunlight pouring in through the glass doors and wall panels of the venue, they also brought the sun in by having lots of balloons :) 

Balloon arcs and decor from myaps greeted guests as they entered. Who wouldn't be jolly upon seeing all these balloons right? :) 

They had a black and rainbow motif so they made sure people still saw black elements like these black balloons. Later on Bizu transferred the cake to the stage. 

VIPs were also treated to bursts of color (and good food, of course) as they sat on their respective seats. They had colorful place cards as well -- impossible to miss... :) 

Guests had plain white flowers but they had colorful menu cards, lollipops, and other sweets on their tables. Love that Bizu has chargers, bread plates, separate soup spoons and butter knives even on guest tables. :) Tables were also labelled by color, not by number :) 

So what were the unique program elements? 

A) all the speakers cried -- they had so much emotion, so much love, and so much joy, they could not contain it 

B) the end of the couple's dance with the entourage had a burst of around 100 balloons... Super duper festive!!! (I'm sure the guys from Niceprint have really great photos and footage.) 

C) the bride was able to surprise her mom by ending the program with a birthday celebration for her -- the brothers and sisters even had dances and flowers for her mom... Really sweet! 

Indeed, this was one wedding with so many bursts of color -- from the decor down to the speeches and games. Congratulations and best wishes again, Ben and Ehmie :) 

P.S. Don't forget to check out my pre-Christmas emceeing promo. It's right before this particular entry :) 

From Maggie and Gelo

Brides and grooms have their own ways of letting suppliers know of their appreciation. Thank you, Maggie and Gelo, for taking time to write an e-mail. This is truly a touching gesture :)

In all truth, yours was a straightforward planning session -- we had 2 or 3 email exchanges regarding the program and one or two calls, then we were all set :) If I were to put a hashtag, I would use #stress-freebride :) 

Nonetheless, thank you for putting a premium on my efforts to help out that day. Your e-mail makes me feel it is always worth it to give 101% of myself to every event :)

Welcome to the Family

Oct 3, 2013

Bayanihan Center

Maggie and Gelo

It was a fairly simple program, but I was moved right away upon their entrance because when I asked them the question that I had asked so many other couples, Gelo ended by asking his whole side to love and accept his bride just as he loves her. Wow! I've never had a groom openly mention that as a response to my first question :) 

Other touching points included the quotable quotes from the speeches, especially that which Sen. Honasan, their godfather, uttered, "Often 80% of what we worry about never happens". While it is not originally his, I think it was great he mentioned it -- a reminder to everyone to strive to be happy and worry less :) 

Beautiful set up from K by Cunanan catering, with the team headed by the very proactive Capt. Bong. Just as noteworthy is Lougen of Rejectkrew who made sure music would be played on-the-dot, Sandy and the rest of the musicians whose beautiful voices and impeccable playing made lunch so much more enjoyable, Chef Kiko of Toy Cakes who had a cute set up on cakes, cupcakes, and cake pops, Tippy Dee who made the bride even more beautiful with his make up artistry, and Mezarc Buslon and team who captured the couple as they are -- laidback and happy :)