The White Dress Party

There is one party that every girl wants to attend before she can even fit into kitten heels, and it isn’t prom or her debut; it’s the one where she gets to wear a white dress. Weddings are the stuff of little girls’ happy endings. Some weddings seem to have been planned for years because, in most cases, that’s how it’s been – ever since they fell in love with their flower girl dresses or learned about the idea of Prince Charming. (Never mind that it takes a couple of frog-kissing to get to Prince Charming!)

Not all weddings turn out like the fairytales, though, because – you have to admit – life can sometimes suck. There’s the weather, and there’s the weather of the people around you, and these are things you can’t control. Here are some pieces of advice from brides who knew better than to fight against these odds and, instead, let the wind carry their dream wedding to reality.

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1. Rhea Llamas-Matute

This chill, beach-loving couple had a wedding fit for their personalities. Friends and loved ones went on a road trip to join Rhea and Miggy at their sun, surf, and sand wedding!

“Miggy was a hands-on groom,” says the bride.

Wed on: January 8, 2010

Church: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Punta Fuego, Batangas

Reception: Lower Beach Club, Punta Fuego, Batangas

During the reception, the guests were asked to float their prayer-candles into the pool, adding a solemn and romantic vibe to the wedding.

What did you love most about planning your wedding? The time I spent with Miggy and our loved ones. We did everything together from going to a sucky wedding fair (if you don't want to dissolve into a fluffy pink cloud of tooth-aching sweetness, don't go!), to all the oculars, to bridal registry, to printing the gum labels for our wedding invites. Our family and friends were also heavily involved so there was always an excuse to hook up to brainstorm, plan or do things.

What do you realize was an important part of the planning process? Planning ahead. I think as a bride I was too chill, not detail-oriented and a bit of a crammer! I also now realize that it's okay to not do everything on your own -- delegate tasks and welcome all the help that is being offered.

What do you wish you knew back then? I wish I knew that places that don’t charge corkage do exist! We knew that there was corkage [at our venue] which is why we couldn’t bring all the booze we wanted.

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2. Pamela Antig-Aportadera

The lawyer couple flew back to their hometown, where they met, to commemorate the day that they would spend the rest of their lives together in a strawberry-colored dream of a wedding!

The bride says, “I wanted a classic, romantic theme with a touch of vintage, and I think I pretty much achieved it!”

Wed on: April 2, 2011

Church: St. Paul Parish, Davao City

Reception: Marco Polo Grand Ballroom, Davao City

Upon entering the ballroom and seeing the explosion of pink and red, the groom announced, “I had nothing to do with this.”

What did you love most about planning your wedding? I'd say conceptualizing and shopping! I had fun trying to picture how my wedding would turn out, despite having to make crucial decisions. I also loved going to our suppliers for the materials of the dresses, decorations, etc.

What did you realize was an important part of the planning process? I should have screened the coordinators/organizers. I should've met up with them in person prior to the day itself, but it wasn't possible since I was in Manila the whole time. I should've gotten coordinators who can really deliver.

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What do you wish you knew back then? I wish I knew there were going to be flakers! There were people who didn't even have the courtesy to inform us. A little consideration would've been really helpful. But at least that made me realize who my real friends are, and made me discover those who really know proper etiquette.

3. Kai Palileo-Cruz

Some brides are lucky enough to have the dream come true once, so why not live through it again? This couple didn’t only do it twice, but they’re even going to do it a third time to celebrate their first anniversary – Elvis style, in Las Vegas next year!

The bride says, “Our wedding in Boracay was uniquely us, in every sense of the word. It has always been my dream to have my wedding in Boracay--for that to finally happen, and with the right guy, was all I can ever ask for.”

The Bora Hop on February 15, 2011

Breakfast at Real Coffee

Spa treatments at Mandala Spa

Beach front ceremony at the White House

Happy Hour at The Tides

Dinner at True Food

After-dinner drinks/fire dance show at Bamboo Lounge

What did you love the most about planning your wedding? I loved the conceptualization process -- brainstorming for ideas and looking for ways on how to execute it. All the wedding vendors that we got are people my husband and I admire so having meetings with them, working with them, gave us the feeling of "rubbing elbows with a favorite celebrity," a natural high -- it's just one of those dorky things about me and Cy. Also, Cy and I did everything TOGETHER--even my gown fittings. So that was also a great time for us. Wedding planning, especially if you have the liberty to control every aspect of it without relatives or family members trying to dictate things for you -- can be really fun. All my friends who used to be ex-brides miss planning a wedding.

Gown by Hindy Weber Tantoco, Make-up by Mica Tuano, Photo by Mango Red

What do you realize was an important part of the planning process? Know what you want, be assertive, fight for your own beliefs and ideas. But always give your wedding vendors, enough room for their own creativity to flourish--you hired them because they are good at what they do so let them do their job. Also, NEVER, EVER scrimp on your photos and videos--get the BEST in the industry and PRIORITIZE them---if you have to adjust your wedding date just to get Jason Magbanua and the like--do it. Because other wedding elements such as gowns, flowers, invites, etc. are "one-time" expenses but after everything has faded and long gone, your photos and videos are all you will ever have to really immortalize your big day.

Gown by Tadashi Shoji, Hair and Make-Up by Grace & Mica Tuano, Photo by J Lucas Reyes

Sunshine, Tea-Time, Hats, and Pearls on June 4, 2011

Pre-wedding brunch shoot at Cafe 1771

Church ceremony at Our Lady of Pentecost Parish, Katipunan

Tea-Time Reception at Ayala Hillside Social Hall

Reception Table Set-Up by K by Cunanan

What do you wish you knew back then? That you also pay a price for having a wedding and getting married in general. You find your real friends when you are planning a wedding. This may sound very cryptic but you will understand this when it is your time.

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