Vintage loveliness:: Ena + Gen

How do I begin telling the story of this loveliness? It started with a lovely couple, Architects Ena and Gen, blocking our date, sending pegs and two meetings. Like the other weddings we do, I get butterflies in my tumnmy. This one though is different, it was upped a few notches. This would be the first time we work for architects. It is universal that architects are very keen to details. And this wedding we only had 8 hours to ingress, that would include draping, stage building, styling and doing the flowers for the church and reception for 250 guests. 

We started before the sun rose, with three truckloads filled with flowers, ghosts, and lovely lovely props. We made a memory corner where guests were requested to thumb mark in the canvas Ena and Gen did and type messages of love for the couple. We also displayed their photos in a balawbaw (antique bed frame)  borrowed from Casa Andres. 

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Trunks filled with lovely blooms in pretty pretty shades.

See the laced jars? Staff did those in one day.. all 120 of those loveliness. Sigh!

Vintage looking perfume dispensers

Their well dressed guests were so sweet. Dropping kind words about what they were seeing. Sigh! Everyone was taking photos of the couple and the lovely details the wedding has. And from a source, the stage was "nasulit" - guests in line to have their photos with the couple or their families. Sigh! Music to my ears.

That's it for the month! Ena and Gen, you are one of our most sweetest and stylish couples. May your days filled with loveliness. Much love from me, the mister and the rest of the team. 

Cake and cupcakes:: Ava's Cakes
Floral and Event Styling:: Kit + Ace of Ava's Cakes & Events
Ceremony Venue:: St. Augustine Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Reception Venue:: Sierra Madre Ballroom, Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel
HMUA:: Audrey Co Adora
Music:: Synergy
Audio and Lighting:: Avalanche
Coordinated by:: Ms. Sugar and Ms. Mara Manuel of Belladita Events
Photo/Video :: Blacktie Project

Rustic elegance :: Jem + Dane

Before I ran off to my 1st of three wedding meetings today, a quick post.. which nonetheless is still filled with loveliness. Feel very honored that Dane and her sister were so insistent on having us do their wedding.  Yes, I understand you  find me incoherent with the Dane and her sister thing. Well, admit it, the prettifying is usually handled by the bride, and with a very persuasive sister, Coco, Jem has to, you know,  obey. Teehee! Don't you just feel like that if you learn that you are their non-negotiable? Sigh!

And so even when they insisted that they move their wedding reception to the second floor of Arabella's Events Place, which is not yet finished as of this writing, I could only agree and pray to the heavens that we do not disappoint. The walls had only one coat of paint yet, an unpainted ceiling, un-tiled floor. Our foolproof plan was to hide what needs to be hidden and make sure to do loveliness, that will be feast for the eyes.

And I always say this, nothing pleases me more after working than having a satisfied couple, guests who could not contain their love to what they see... by taking non stop photos, and heavens, we could only thank who invented the digital camera that we need not pay so much for clicking away.

Congratulations Jem and Dane! Much love from our team.

Cake :: Ava's Cakes
Floral and Event styling :: Kit + Ace of Ava's Cakes
Venue:: Arabella's Events Place
Photography :: Ferina Albano with Shayne Lauricio and Cesar Lauricio
Photobooth:: Purple Pixel
Lights and Sounds:: Audio Mix
Caterer:: Bolusan
Bridal Gown :: Loejai L. Lopez
Host:: Marijane Pascual Leaño

5000 and counting

I make milestones, be it minute or otherwise, BIG. 

A few days ago, we just hit the 5000 LIKES mark in our Facebook page, Ava's Cakes . And I felt it is just fitting that we say thank you for that with a mini raffle where we gave away a P5000 worth of cake of any design at any time the winner would need. I asked folks to post their reasons why they'd want us to do an Ava's cake or party for them on their next event, lo and behold, the post became crazy.

Believe me for every LIKE we get, for every kind word you shower us, my heart swells. The appreciations you give is far more priceless than the monetary rewards we get from doing your cakes and parties. 

I'm sure those who follow our page would know that my vocabulary is already limited to lovely and loveliness... and at times, I do a self check if does my posts really merit such words. When I hit post, and you guys, hit LIKE... then that's the only way I can justify that in a way, in my eyes, and your eyes, that they are truly lovely. 

I captured some of comments of those who joined the raffle. Truly touched my heart.

Gaudette Santigo-bautista Avas cakes and event styling brings you to another place.. With their exquisite designs you know that their work is done with great love and passion...and also if your working your project with Avas its gonna be a faultproof event surely...Pick me pls 

The last wedding we did with Ms. Gaudette as the coordinator was not a walk in the park. Imagine this scenario, Friday- I sent staff to bring 2 truckloads of wedding paraphernalia at the hotel. Saturday, we we're advised we cannot do flower arrangements at the work area at the hotel's ballroom. We had to bring down all our birdcages, and old wooden logs (which I did weigh, and it averages at about 5kgs per piece) - about 50 of those from the supposed to be work area to the area we were assigned to. Imagine 50-75 meters of walking to and fro, while carrying those heavy logs. I shudder. And I say with that scenario, all I could do is keep my cool and tell the staff that there is no other way than that way. Because, we are not one who would leave anything by chance, or do things halfhearted and if we have to do it the hard way just so we get the loveliness, we want, we would. And if that is great love and passion to what we do, then heck, we really have that. 

Divine Delos Santos i want an AVA cake and party arrangement by the talented team of THE Mr&Ms M because i know that even if the food and my make up "fails", my guests will go home smiling because of the beautiful cake and awesome table centerpiece. no bs.

This remark made me let go of a laugh, because I am sure the family of Ms. Divine will never allow mediocre food to serve to their guests. Teehee! Taking flattery to a higher level. Sigh! But of course, we shall try not to fail you with the beautiful cake and awesome table centerpiece. 

Zaida Balicanta Because you listen to what your clients want and implement every detail the best you can and exceed every expectation there is. I Love the way you make it simple but SASSY!

I always say that the event is basically not ours to begin with. We just try to own it after plans have been drawn. Everything we do must be aligned with what the client envisions their event or cake to look like. There's a difference between making decisions for the clients to making decisions with the client. I prefer the latter. 

Apple Ann Valenciano Ulep-Esteban a genuine ilocano work of art na pang international ang datingan' cake , who wouldn't want to have that? Nakakaproud maging Ilocano dahil sa masterpieces ng ava's cake. Its really a heaven's gift ang mga kamay at ideas ni Mr. & Mrs. M. ang galing!!

I have never found it a disability to be an Ilocano. Quite loving how we amuse those who are in the metro, when they learn that we come from the province. Truly, genuine Ilocano.  

Nnyna Eighrys Nadyns Because you really love what you do and it reflects on your work. Every creation is a masterpiece.From the smallest details to the biggest ,were perfectly and meticulously done. Every creation is purely work of love, love and love!!! 

Katya S. Tarrayo Your cakes are very different from the others. Even if the cakes look simple, it still looks elegant and stunning. It's like you're putting the impression to people that the cakes that you are making, whether simple or not, is the centerpiece of the event. 

Sigh! To think that we picked a winner for this mini raffle... yet the real winner is us, when you folks, took the time to drop a few lines and let us know how you love what we do. Much love folks. 

Love on the 8th:: Mylene + Clarence

So what's your wedding theme?
Lovebirds.

And when is this again?
June 8.
Where would it be?
Fort Ilocandia.

My heart skips a beat. I remember ours years ago.

And since we are working on that theme, it was time to bring out my lovely birdcages once more.And of all craziness, I told the bride I want to hang at least 1500 pieces of paper cranes at the ballroom's ceiling. She said yes. When we started folding last March, I regretted suggesting it. It ate up all our free hours, including the house-helps, just to reach that number. And would you believe, when they were done, they've actually mastered it and wanted me to show them other origami pieces. Excuse me! Not in the next few years! Teehee!

I love how it blended all together. Old wood logs, old and new birdcages, white, black, rustic looking ones, paper cranes for the ceiling, everything was cohesive. If I am not mistaken, we used at least 12 different designs of birdcages, at least 40 in total. I'm glad though that I have these lovely weddings as an excuse whenever I become crazy and buy stuff on the spot. The mister would raise his brows as I would nonchalantly tell him, its not for us, for our events. And with that I am sure, he is preparing for my raids to the home stores and thrift shops next month. I'm also sure, that the feeling of having mini heart attacks is mutual for the two of us. Yay!

Lovely tablescape

Perched in a log

My rustic birdcages

Hello little bird!

Centerpieces for the night

 

Cascading tulips, hydrangeas, roses and paper roses

Even the birdcage is lovely edible

Cranes everywhere

Honestly didn't mind working on our anniversary just for this wedding. And next year, as we remember ours, I will remember Mylene and Clarence too. Congratulations, lovebirds!

Venue:: Sierra Madre Ballroom, Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel

Floral and event styling:: Kit + Ace of Ava's Cakes

Cake:: Ava's Cakes

Music:: Audrey Adora of Synergy

Emcee:: Krisburt Ballesteros and Lhily Juan

Coordinator:: Gaudette Santiago Bautista

Gown:: Amor Albano

My Dream Team

Almost eight years ago, I still remember vividly how my Mother attended our wedding like I am about to be guillotined. Ha! Ha! Days before the 8th she was already inconsolable, at the church she was crying like a mad man, at the reception she still was. Quite funny to look back now, but I'm sure her feeling of her only daughter getting married to someone she at that time doesn't approve of was understandable. Teehee! At that time she just couldn't see what I saw. I'm sure it wasn't dark all the time. Ha!Ha!

So yeah, we got crazy. I got married at 23 and Ace at 26. In some points of the universe, it was too early to marry at that age, but folks, in this side of the universe... And seriously, if I knew that what my life is now, would be the life I have to live with the Mister, if it was possible to marry him right after college graduation, I would have.

With this here, there and everywhere loveliness everyday, I have a shortlist of suppliers Manila based and Ilocos based which I think would  have made working on our wedding easier and of course lovelier. That is, if our pockets could have had afforded them before. 

1. Bridal gown - a Veluz or Lani Pineda of HIS if it really has to be Ilocos based, but then is she still here? Last I heard she is rocking Switzerland with her gowns.

Bithia gown by Veluz photo by Mimi and Karl
(which I grabbed athttp://veluzreyes.blogspot.com/2013/03/veluz-rtw.html )

The Ms. Veluz is such an amazing gown designer. Beyond words.

2. Bridesmaids gowns - an off the rack Vera Wang, yeah off tangent right there, neither Manila nor Ilocos based.

3. Groom's and groomsmen suit - a HIS barong or a suit.

4. Venue- Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel (indoor) or Sitio Remedios (outdoor) or Playa Tropical (covered outdoor)

Sitio Remedios

Playa Tropical Resort Hotel

Sierra Madre Ballroom, Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel

5. Caterer - Chef Nick of Bistro Candon or Tita Pam of La Preciosa
6. Photographer - Metro Photo, Pat Dy/Francis Perez/Caliber King or my favorite lovely redhead, Ferina Albano

My friend's wedding in SanFo taken by Pat Dy

A wedding we styled and the lovely red head covered it.

7. Videographer - Threelogy or Mayad would be really really divine. 

8. Invites - Write Impression, Printsonalities, or a collaboration with Ms. Jules of Printnook

9. Calligrapher - of course, the Fozzybook

10. Event Stylist - even if it will drive everyone nuts, we shall have to do it ourselves

11. Cake - right! even if it will drive everyone nuts, to oblivion, we shall still do it ourselves

12. Music - 3rd Avenue or Audrey Adora of Synergy... I remember though we had Mark Taylan serenading us and our guests, with his violin, all throughout the reception. And Ace insists still that the Tennis Club choir sing at the church.
13. Emcee - it would still be my good friend Mavelle... who impromptu emceed our wedding... a short meeting in the morning, telling me the reception will start with the dinner. I was so adamant telling her if she did that, we'd have all our guests fleeing right after a filled tummy and with just a handful left for the program. But she told me to trust her. And yeah, we did it her way. The guests, stayed with us and I had to force them to go home after the program was over since we were so poor to pay for extra hour at the Sierra Madre Ballroom. Teehee!

14. Church - a small chapel like the one we have here in Vira (which I would insist on a make-over) or Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat.

Sta Monica Church, Sarrat Ilocos Norte

15. Lighting - Music Match or Avalanche would do.

16. MUA - Mara Manuel 

17. Coordination - Christine Ong Te Events (sigh!)

Ms. Christine Ong Te and the other lovelies in action

There goes my dream team. Don't get mad for I got lazy linking everybody to their sites. Google them please?

And let's not be overly sentimental on things like, well it went perfect, why wish for other things or so... believe me, and I am sure, that there are things we would have wanted done differently if the situation permits. The only non negotiable is the mister, it still has to be Ace who shall wait for me at the altar singing With You by Martin Nievera.

And now the time has come to say 
How much I do
How much I love you;
Be beside you through and through
Let every moment
We share together
Be precious moments
That will last the end of time

So take my hands and walk
This road of ups and downs
And wear this ring and hear
My heart sing of love I've found
A million questions
We'll find the answers
I want to spend my life
Just holding you and loving you

With you
I touch the sky
You give me wings so I can fly,
I fly with you
You turn dark skies into blue
I know our love is true
My every morning's not the same 
If I'm not with you.