Eloquente (Caterer)

Intro: Friends who just got married recommended eloquente. They were satisfied with the food, e. Eloquente also had good reviews in w@w so it wasn't difficult for us to decide in getting them.

Negative: Our AE doesn't seem to be professional. Everytime we'd call them, parang hindi nila kami kilala. They would always have to look for our contract. We didn't feel na inalagaan kami. Matino naman silang kausap, it's just that para silang at loss lagi pag kausap namin. We have to repeat the details pa to them. Tapos pa, despite our pangungulit, they brought the old contract! Sheesh! Tama naman yung food but still, diba? Yan tuloy, the couple's table flowers are not followed. We showed them a picture of what we wanted our table to look like, yet, they gave us a typical couple's table flower arrangement. Haaaay. Naubusan ng blue accent for the tables so other tables had white table cover lang. Lastly, they forgot to bring the table number stand. We so wanted our table numbers to stand out, we even created our personalized numbers…. But since hindi siya naka-angat, hindi tuloy kita ang table numbers. Nakasandal lang siya sa vase / centerpiece. Thus, nalito ang guests sa seating arrangement.

Positive: Masarap ang food. We were told na couples are not able to eat during their reception, but we were able to. We made it a point na kumain ng food namin and hindi lang tikim. In fact, Ron was able to finish the food na nasa plate niya!!! Madali din kausap ang head waiter and the waiters are attentive. There's always at least one waiter na naka-assign sa table namin. We also never heard of any negative feedback from our guests.

Rating:

Food: 5

Service: 4

Professionalism: 1 (AEs)  / 5 (waiters)

Presentation: 5

Overall rating: 3 (ok na sana, pero sorry, palpak lang talaga yung AE nila)

Mang Boy Mahusay (Flowers)

Intro: We decided to get mang boy because there were a lot a good reviews in w@w. when we first met him, nagisip ako if it's the right decision that I got him. But, were pleased, mang boy was able to deliver well.

Negative: He did seem to know what he was talking about… but we weren't sure if he understood what we wanted him to do the first time we met him. And let's face it, the way he conducts business is not that professional. My bouquet is not as big as I pictured it to be (but it's probably because we didn't specify it's size).

Positive: He was the first to arrive at the hotel, tamang tama sa calltime niya ~ earlier, even. I'm not that big into flowers, but I can say that the flowers are all pretty and fresh. Kumpleto naman ang bilang ~ there's the flower for the car, offertory, 4 ninangs, 2 bridesmaids, 3 secondary sponsons, throwing bouquet, loose petals, 2 moms, and my bouquet… wow… I just had roses and carnations but the colors were breathtaking. I just love my bouquet. Super nanghihinayang ako, it's difficult to preserve it. Waaaah.

Rating:

Flowers: 5

Service: 5

Professionalism: 4

Overall rating: 5 (We like Mang boy because he was able to deliver well and I sooo love my bouquet)

Nuestra Senora de Gracia (Church)

Intro: The first time I saw NSDG when I drove my sister there for a wedding years ago, nagandahan na talaga ako. I've always loved old stone churches and we wanted an intimate wedding lang so NSDG was at the top of our list when we were scouting for our church.

Negative: No aircon. I'm an OC when it comes to the English diction so let me say that the commentator needs a little improvement. But of course we're not taking that against them. Muntik na rin makalimutan ng pari yung Rite of Marriage part, Prayers of the Faithful agad. Hehe. But we're not taking that against them either.

Positive: We love the look. We love the ambiance. Allan and Inday are very easy to talk to ~ very accommodating and nice. The coordinators (manangs) were able to organize the entourage and the march without glitches. The flowers were fresh. Everything started and ended right on time. Meaning, organized silang lahat. We never had any problems with the church.

Overall rating: 5 (Bonus: We were under the impression that they will not close the door before my march but they did. Grand entrance tuloy ang lola mo.)

Makati Park and Garden (Reception Venue)

Intro: We never thought there's a park and garden like that in Makati. It was so near our church and ang ganda ng place. Garden siya and at the same time may covered and airconditioned venue.

Negative: Being a public place, we were not able to shoot in all the areas of the park. First because there were a lot of families and kids around. Second, may children's party  sa gazebo at that time. So were not able to maximize the scenery.

Positive: We never had any problems with makati park and garden. Mr. Rolly Medina sounds masungit on the phone but is nice naman pala in person. We just had to pay for the park and we're all set. The park is beautiful. Ang daming places for pictorial. And despite the other events at that time, Paul was able to find other nice areas and take wonderful shots naman. We reserved the place for 2 timeslots and we were allowed to stay until the end of our reservation kahit na the event ended way before the allotted time.

Overall rating: 5

Okasyon et al

Intro: Oetal was referred by our previous officemate, nagsa-sideline kasi siya dito before. When we first met Lynn, nagconnect naman kami agad. She is pleasant and easy to talk to so we instantly liked her.

Negative: It seemed like the other coordinators were not prepped properly ~ parang kulang sila sa explanation and discussion on the details of the reception. Mejo nalito rin ang guests where they were supposed to sit. Yeah, we didn't have seating arrangements, we specified na zoning lang ang gagawin namin, but it was their job to guide and arrange our guests sa tables nila. May ibang guests na naligaw sa ibang table. Magkahiwalay ang tables ng office friends namin.

Positive: The reception program was well-organized. Maraming guests ang natuwa dahil maayos ang reception. The PS gifts and ento gifts are given out and guests were given souvenirs. Our guest cards were distributed properly so nakasulat naman halos lahat ng guests namin. Lynn is very professional. She knows what she's doing. We never saw her panicky ~ laging cool ang itsura, always smiling pa nga e. Discreet din siyang gumalaw. She never hinted kung may problem with the food or whatever. She made us feel that everything is a-ok. She never interrupted us for any problem. Kaya naman super enjoy ang guests namin, pati na rin kaming mag-asawa nung reception.

Rating:

Service: 3

Professionalism: 5

Overall Rating: 4 (Recommended pa rin ang Oetal, especially si Lynn, because they can deliver well, yun nga lang dapat madiscuss sa other coordinators ang smallest details of the program).

Discovery suites (bridal preps)

Intro: We were not particular about our preparation venue. As long as it's clean and presentable, it's easily accessible, and the area is not busy and crowded. Coincidentally, Camille, Ron's friend, work in Discovery Suites. She gave us a good discount on the rooms ~ a 3-bedroom suite and 2 1-bedroom suites.

Negative:  No grand staircase and no picturesque lobby. They were using a new booking system when we checked in. It was a first time they were using it so mejo matagal kaming naghintay sa room namin even though they were all reserved already.

Positive: Assistance were ready at all times. When we wanted extra towels, nabigay naman agad. When we asked for maintenance since we can't make the a/c work, dumating naman agad. There was nothing special about the breakfast buffet but we were satisfied with the food and service. The 1-bedroom suite was able to accommodate all of us during the preparation ~ 3 photographers, 2 videographers, 2 hmu artists, a coordinator, me, and 5 family members. They were not strict nung nagakyat kami ng food. And on our second night, when they transferred us to another room as requested, they surprised us with a 3-bedroom suite (instead of 1-bedroom) and they had complimentary wine and canapes pagdating namin.

Rating:

Ambiance: 5

Service: 4

Interiors: 4

Overall Rating: 4.5 (ok na sana kaya lang sobrang tagal namin naghintay nung pagcheck-in namin)

Claycakes (cake)

Intro: The first time I came across Claycakes was when my cousin got one for her wedding last year. Their cake was sooo cute! Turns out, Karla is a close friend of my cousin.

Negative: Mejo malayo sa amin ang place ni Karla.

Positive: Karla is so accommodating and easy to talk to. She is nice and pleasant and listens to requests. She's also willing to adjust to our budget. She's also very talented. Ang galing ng design ni Karla sa cake namin that even if its above our budget, kinuha pa rin namin siya. Everyone loved our cake including us! Now namomroblama kami coz we want to preserve our cake topper! Hahaha. Also, Karla is so generous, dinamihan niya yung buffer ng cake namin ~ alam kasi niya na matakaw kami!

Rating: 5

Iba 'di ba? (Souvenirs)

Intro: We used to go to this store in Greenbelt1 basement to look for Nightmare Before Christmas stuff. And when we were thinking for a unique giveaway, we thought of dreamcatchers (which we both love and believe in). Good thing the owner of the store, Pam, was kind enough to accommodate our request to have a hundred plus dreamcatchers made.

Negative: Nothing, really. Nadelay lang for a couple of days yung delivery ng souvenirs.

Positive: Madaling kausap si Pam. She's really nice. She also gave us a nice price. Also, ang gaganda ng dreamcatchers, we love it sooooo much.

Rating: 5

Paul Vincent delos reyes (Photo)

Intro: This supplier needs no introduction, really. When I was looking for a photographer, his work (in photonski site) is the very I saw. I fell in love with his work instantly. What more can I say…. He's the supplier of the year, right?

Negative: Nothing.

Positive: He and Ivy are so easy to work with. He's funny and makes you feel at ease to pose. He's the best!

Rating: 5, of course!

Dan pamintuan (Video)

Intro: Since our wedding was on a budget, we looked for a videographer who was easy in the pocket. Fortunately, we found him! We so looove his unconventional work ~ MTV style ang dating.

Negative: Wala rin.

Positive: Like Paul, he's easy to work with. Para siyang may stealth setting na hindi mo alam na he's filming you na pala. We discovered na ang tahimik pala niya magtrabaho. But he's really funny din, mahilig magpatawa.

Rating: 5

Salon de Orient / Ton-g & Rissa (HMU)

Intro: The owner is my MIL's close friend so naturally, sa kanila kami nagpaayos. They have a reasonable package naman, considering may kasama siyang makeup service for 2 more (other than the bride) and manicure, pedicure, and hair spa.

Negative: They don't come with you to the church and reception for a retouch.

Positive: I found Ton-g a little detached initially. Pero nagconnect naman kami nung wedding day. He's fun to talk to naman pala. He did a good job on me too! Kahit walang retouch, his makeup stuck! Ni hindi ako nagre-apply ng powder, maayos parin itsura ko. I received a lot of compliments on my look on my wedding day.

Rating: 4.5 (wala kasi silang re-touch)