Hair and Make-up by Realm HMU

So I've previously booked Realm HMU at a bridal fair in SMX Convention Center. Even before that though, I've been communicating with them because they're the most affordable HMU supplier I've come across in the many research and bridal fairs I've attended. I was just waiting for them to join another bridal fair so I can avail of their discounts.

About a month or so before I booked them, I've been telling H2B that I wanna book them already because they are the most affordable and I really don't need a fancy make-up. (Later I'll tell you about my not fancy wedding gown too) But he keeps on telling me that it's too early to book HMU yet. When I saw them again in the SMX bridal fair, I really had to push him to say "yes". Well, it's my money anyway but we have to be at the same page of course. So finally, he said yes maybe because our date, church and reception have been finalized during the time. I had my trial make up during the bridal fair but I know that whatever the outcome is, I'm still gonna book them anyway. Budget I think is my main driver... so different from H2B because his priority is the quality of the output.

before the magic happened

I was observing the people in the booth. I want a team that have a good heart because this will make the wedding day much easier when the time comes. I didn't notice anyone having an attitude even with this particular bride-to-be who is playing difficult (who in the end, didn't book them anyway. haha!)

When it's my turn to seat on the magic chair, I was excited. They took my before shoot (above. eeeewww!) Then the magic started to happen. I was made up by Ludy Fernandez. I like how gentle her hands are. Usually, when someone curls my lashes, I feel a bit uncomfortable but with her, I don't feel any bit of that discomfort. She wasn't afraid of using colors and was actually happy when I said that we will be having a rock-inspired reception - gives her permission to use colors other than brown and bronze for the au naturel usual look of brides.

can't find my dark circles anymore :)

Ludy advised that I research on a particular look that I want and she'll gladly do it. During the time, I don't have anything on my mind but a few weeks after our trial make up, I now know what my two looks would be. I'm so excited already! :)

with Ludy - my fairy godmother

lame post

This is actually a lame topic but, what the heck.

So I took some time off from work today to do a wedding-related errand. I went and see the live performance of Silver Blue Band. I came to the venue around 8PM and stayed for a little less than an hour. Went straight home afterwards because someone from work has been calling me. I texted that someone but she didn't reply and I decided not to open my office email so, I had time.

While I was deciding on whether to push through with booking the band or not, I kind of went through all my wedding-related stuff... my little red notebook, wedding magazines and piles of flyers from bridal fairs. Yes, I have been to several bridal fairs already but I have not booked any supplier from these fairs (except for that failed booking) But I have met some of my suppliers from bridal fairs so I continue to go to bridal fairs. I was told not to go to bridal fairs too often because I might have a change of heart with regards to my booked suppliers but I don't listen. For me, I'll go to as many bridal fairs as I want because I can handle it and I want to get inspirations. So brides to be, don't listen to what everyone is saying... you can be different. 

Anyhow, I realized I no longer need those flyers so I filtered those from vendors that I still need like mobile bar, OTD coordination, etc. Browsing through them, I realized I could have booked some of the high end suppliers given our budget. I should have not filtered them out during the selection process just because I thought they were pricey. But that's fine... I'm super happy with our booked suppliers. I know our wedding will be just fine because we choose them. So now, I'm done browsing and I decided to trash those that I no longer need. Now, I have more room for flyers on the bridal fair this weekend. Haha!

1st booking: FAIL!

I was at the Weddings and Debuts 2011 Bridal Fair in Megamall during the weekend and I booked a photo/video supplier. I think I got excited with the amount of discount that I got from this specific vendor so I called up H2B and asked for his sign off. Unfortunately, he was at the middle of his deep slumber so his decision to give the supplier a go was not at all rationale. I on the other hand, was not thinking too because I was charmed by the discount. I was also very eager to have my 1st booking and to finally convince myself that yes, I am getting married. All these factors helped in how my 1st wedding vendor booking failed.

Reality is, when you are in these discount fairs, you are easily swayed to sign a contract and give your downpayment. Why wouldn't you? Any savings that you could get is very important, most especially when you are spending big bucks for your wedding. On the bright side though, at least I learned my lesson on the early stage of my wedding planning. And that I wouldn't suck it up with the supplier just because its cheap.

Wish me luck in looking for that perfect balance between quality work and affordable rates.

almost booked!

614 days to go!!! It's still so far away but sometimes, I get so very much tempted to book suppliers already. I was at the Themes and Motifs wedding expo at the SMX convention last Saturday, September 25 and I almost book a video, photo and invites supplier. I couldn't help myself! Good thing, I remembered to consult things first with H2B since it's his money anyways.Haha!

I was ready to give the 10K downpayment to Phoeben Teocson videography. I actually had the chance to talk to him in the bridal fair. He seemed very humble and friendly. The rates are still the same as what he have in his website but he gives out more than 10K worth of freebies. As soon as I knew that a crane will be part of the freebies, I was sold. I saw his works online and both H2B and I are impressed! And the crane, oh the crane!!! Me likey!!! We we're actually quite sure that we want him to cover our wedding even if we haven't browsed all the other videographers out there so, why not give him 10K and lock the price and block the date?

I also almost booked Chito Vecina and Ramon Bautista as our photographers. Their are actually seasoned photographers and they both have worked for Inquirer and covered the weddings of celebrities like Claudine Barreto and Cheska Garcia. Chito's style is more on photojourn while Ramon's is more fashion-y. They actually have different teams but they have collaborated only for the expo. Their photo+video packages are also very affordable considering their talents and experience. I guess the drawback is that I haven't heard of their names in the wedding forums but they have explained to me that it's only recently that they are concentrating on wedding photography as a business; they we're inspired with the different celebrity weddings that they have covered. Plus, let's admit it. Wedding planning is becoming an industry already. *sigh

Even with all that pros for Chito  and Ramon, I'm actually half-hearted yet because I also like Paul Vincent. He was also recommended of my very close, photo-enthusiast friends. My friends actually regret getting NicePrint and not getting Paul Vincent instead. I trust my friends and I've seen the works of Paul Vincent and me and H2B both liked it so much! I also saw him in the expo and I have the same feelings when I saw Phoeben, I was starstruck. The person behind the pictures and videos I've been drooling on are actually right in front of my face! They are both very talented individuals and I as soon as I saw thier works, I'm already a big fan. I want to book him too!!! Haha!

As for the invites, I actually talked to Wingdingz and Printed Matter. Wingdingz have very fresh yet elegant invites and the girl I've been chatting was so chica! Their prices are also affordable but then, I am really not particular with the invites. I've made invites for my own debut, both my sisters debut and even for the debut of H2B's sisters so I was thinking of having the invites diy-ed by myself. Then I spotted Printed matter and they have invites for as low as 3K - 100 invites! WOW!!! Now, that's cheap. When I saw the actual P30-invite, it's not bad at all. Very simple yet not cheap-looking... exactly what I have in mind. I was also thinking that maybe I won't have the time to diy the invites later on and 3K for the invites is actually not bad at all! And Kerwin is very nice to talk to. Very straightforward, no BS rapport-building whatever.

So then come next day, H2B and I Skype-d to discuss what happened at the expo and unfortunately, he said no to all of the above. Actually, he said yes to Phoeben but took it back later on. He thinks that it's too early to book since we don't have the church and the reception yet. And what does a good wife-to-be do than to SUBMIT. *sigh   I really wanted to lock the price already but I just had to submit.