For our wedding, I liked working on the budget given me by my then-groom-to-be. I was very much challenged with stretching every peso, without sacrificing the quality of the outcome. If we had all the money in the world to spend, it would have been so easy to scout for the most expensive wedding venue, priciest wedding videographer, or the tallest cake, but it wasn’t meant to be that way. We wanted a small, intimate wedding, and we had to be “creative” with the people who would work behind the scenes to make our dream wedding come true.

As a non-OC bride, it also paid to put my complete trust on our wedding suppliers . Our choices were a “leap in the dark” since we either just researched them or were referred to us by other people. Still, am very happy that they were able to deliver exceptionally well, and this post is our little salute to them. I hope this would also help would-be brides in scouting for their suppliers.

First, the sponsors:

Vintage Bridal Car by Danny Maramba of 249 Motors. Call or text: 0917-8100249

Danny was my colleague when I was still with Rotary and am glad he did me the favor of lending a vintage Benz from his collection. Actually, it was supposed to be a 1951 Oldsmobile, but at the last minute he proposed using the 33-year old red Benz 450 SL convertible instead. Using the topdown meant that I had to melt under the heat, as the vehicle drove me from the hotel to the church. It also meant that Mr. Z had to drive, instead of being driven, from the church to the reception.It turned out to be FUN, FUN, FUN. ’twas nice to see the happy faces of people on the streets as they gawked, waved and smiled at us. For a moment, we felt like movie stars, hehe. Mah groom looked handsome in his RayBan and I had a kick wearing my Rudy’s

WPD motorcycle escorts: PM me for details

Riding a top down car in the heart of Manila meant safety was our primary concern. So I contacted my “hagad” (police escort) contact who I dealt with in my previous work assignment. They were available and didn’t ask me for anything. They were more than happy to assist me. Right there, my impression of rogue cops was changed The escorts proved to be very useful in negotiating traffic from Binondo to Quirino Grandstand on that busy Friday afternoon!

The Wedding Emcee, Spanky Enriquez Call or text: 09285035137

Am glad this fellow blogger made it to our wedding, coz it seems he’s always fully-booked. Aside from being in-demand in the emceeing circuit, Spanx also shares his foodie bent in the group called Ultimate Philippines Tours where he shares stellar billing with travel aficionados Anton Diaz, Ivan Henares and Ivan Man Dy. Okay girls, he’s also an eligible bachelor, hehe. Once again, maraming salamat Spanx!

And the rest of the suppliers:

Church Venue, Bridal Entourage Flowers & Doves: Basilica Minore de San Lorenzo Ruiz ( Binondo Church) Call 242-4850

This church was highly recommended to me by someone for its no-fuss policy on weddings, unlike other Catholic Churches. Am glad we made the choice, because we were pressed for time. It was a plus that the parish priest is the Judicial Vicar of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila which decides on weddings of foreigners to Filipinos. Even a greater plus that the church is simply beautiful and has historical value. It was first erected in 1596 and its ceiling has been likened to the Sistine Chapel in Rome. We’re proud to be married in its hallowed halls.

The church staff is very nice and helpful, especially Lizel, the girl who assisted us. Their package of 21K already included the priest, soloist, coordinators, the flowers used in the church and all bridal entourage flowers. One can opt to have a simple wedding for a much lower price. I loved my bouquet of yellow calla lillies. Liked it so much that I opted not to throw it!

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