TO OUR W@W BRIDES

Dear W@W brides:

First of all, I wish to thank you for inquiring with us to avail of our services. We really wish we could accommodate you all, but our work ethic requires that we only do one (1) event per day and that we prioritize events that happen in our home base, which is The Mango Farm. We wish to focus on YOUR event alone, and not split the team into two (or three) for the sake of raking in more revenue. We wish to earn your goodwill and be worthy of your kind and generous words by making sure we give you our full and undivided attention.

To all the brides whom we've worked with in the past and continue to recommend us to their friends and W@W sisters, thank you, thank you very much!

To brides whom we've turned down because we're already booked on the dates they wanted, please accept our sincerest apologies. We can always refer you to our reliable friends in the industry if you so wish. As always, we wish everyone all the best in their wedding preparations!

Please know that we continue to be your reliable partner. :-)

Cheers,

Dylan Yap Gozum
for Vatel Manila

WELCOME! BIENVENIDO! MABUHAY!

Bienvenido a VATEL Manila! Established in 2005, we are an events production company servicing design needs for weddings, debuts and other gatherings. Our business ethic leans towards need-satisfaction that is why we personally guide you through your every concern regarding the event you're planning. Needless to say (but we're still saying it), going the extra mile is second nature to VATEL Manila.

Because Vatel Manila takes its inspiration from the legendary 17th-century Chef de Cuisine, François Vatel, we guarantee delightful and memorable celebrations.

OUR SERVICES
1.) Venue: The Mango Farm in Antipolo City is home to VATEL Manila.
2.) Garden Wedding Styling: This service is exclusive to The Mango Farm only.
3.) Entourage Flowers: We deliver to events within Metro Manila. One Event Per Day Only.
4.) Church & Reception Styling: Over-all styling according to your specifications. We will work closely with your coordinators. One Event Per Day Only.

TO SET A MEETING OR GET A FREE QUOTATION, CONTACT US!
Dylan Yap Gozum
Mobile: + 63.915.383.8803
Landline: +632.645.6993 (The Mango Farm)
vatelmanila@gmail.com
By Appointment Only.

Once again, a warm welcome to VATEL Manila!

QUALITY ASSURANCE: VATEL MANILA uses Mokuba Ribbons

GETTING MARRIED? WHY NOT SAY "I DO!" IN THE PHILIPPINES?

Getting married in the Philippines has its perks. For one, your money goes a long, long way in making your dream wedding come true. From charming garden setups to delightful receptions (with great party music from the world's best musicians) and, of course, memorable beach honeymoon getaways, there's always something - and someone - to fulfill your every wish! So, if a tropical wedding and honeymoon comes to mind and you happen to set your sights on us, just let us know how we can be of help.

Email us your queries at info@themangofarm.com

CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF VATEL MANILA: THE 100 BOUQUETS PROJECT

As we near our 5th anniversary in February of 2010, we're working on something we have entitled as THE 100 BOUQUETS PROJECT featuring 100 bridal bouquets and wedding floral arrangements made by yours truly. This will be compiled in a coffeetable book and will form part of our catalogue. We hope your bouquet finds its way in this book's pages. :-)

CHOLO AYUYAO: COSTUME JEWELER PAR EXCELLENCE

Clarence Benedict Ayuyao, or Cholo for short, has been a very good friend of mine for some years now. I think he's one of the most talented persons I've ever met in the wedding industry. Wedding Essentials has featured - and continues to feature - his works. One look at his recent creations reminded me of Rose Anne de Pampelonne's, but Cholo's works are a little less structured ergo more visual, festive and full of character. The two pieces below, for example, took my breath away. The marriage of brute force and undeniable femininity attest to the brilliance of Cholo's sense of style and design ethic.

Beginning 2010, Cholo's works will now be part of Vatel Manila's offerings. Our partnership will, at the beginning, center on smaller pieces for the entourage members like embellished fabric corsages and wristers which are gifts in themselves (say goodbye to flowers which we throw away anyway after the event is done!). Vatel Manila, however, will continue making unique bouquets and other arrangements using fresh flowers as required by clients.

We are very proud and happy to work with Cholo Ayuyao, and thankful for allowing us to bask in his talent that never fails to surprise. To reach Cholo directly, you can send your inquiries or appointment requests to: d_jeweler@yahoo.com

Click on advert to enlarge.

FLOWER FOCUS: THE CYMBIDIUM

Created for Ms. Anne Gatdula (now Solis) in January 2008

The Cymbidium is the most used orchid for entourage flower arrangements in the Philippines. The rise in its popularity stems from its resilience (no need to keep it in water), its size (10 pieces can already make a smashing bouquet), colors (chartreuse, white, pink, fuchsia, yellow, etc.)and the availability (a perennial; blooms even during winter).

It is very popular for use in bouquets, corsages, and has even found its way in reception centerpieces as single accents or as complete stems, but are rarely mixed with other flowers. Because of its all-year-round availability and the presence of greenhouses in their port of origin (i.e. China), the trading price has not really changed in the last 3-4 years (still at P150/flower; cheaper if you get more). Unlike the Phalaenopsis however, these are almost never used in cascading arrangements because the Cymbidium's main stem isn't as pliable.

TANRIOSA - APUN (March 13, 2010)

SUPPLIERS//

Entourage Flowers//


Caterer//

K by Cunanan Catering
c/o Kaye Cunanan
Tel. Nos. 711.0940 (look for Meg)

NANA - MORAN (February 6, 2010)

SUPPLIERS//

Entourage Flowers//


Caterer//

K by Cunanan Catering
c/o Kaye Cunanan
Tel. Nos. 711.0940 (look for Meg)

SYQUIMSIAM - MANLAPAZ (January 3, 2010)

SUPPLIERS//

Ceremony Setup//


Entourage Flowers//


Caterer//

K by Cunanan Catering
c/o Kaye Cunanan
Tel. Nos. 711.0940 (look for Meg)

CRUZ - BINAG (December 20, 2009)

SUPPLIERS//

Ceremony Setup//


Entourage Flowers//


Caterer//


Josiah's Catering
34 East Drive, Marikina Heights, Marikina City
934.2163 / 941.7032 / 942.5378

PATAPAT - JUANSON (December 19, 2009)

GISBERT - AGUIRRE (December 14, 2009)

SUPPLIERS//

Ceremony Setup//


Entourage Flowers//


Caterer//


LIKHA Events & Catering
1800-5 Eastwood Avenue
Bagumbayan, Quezon City
Tel. Nos. 706.5421 / 706.5775

CO - TY (December 13, 2009)

SUPPLIERS//

Ceremony Setup//


Entourage Flowers//


Caterer//

K by Cunanan Catering
c/o Kaye Cunanan
Tel. Nos. 711.0940 (look for Meg)

SINGUI - CARREON (December 8, 2009)

SUPPLIERS LIST//

Event Styling//


Entourage Flowers//


Caterer//

Hizon's Catering

TAN - GONZALES (December 6, 2009)

PREPARATIONS FOR THIS WEDDING NOW ONGOING.

Rustic-themed weddings are so the rave these days. This is because American-centric that we mostly are, the same trend is going on in the United States most especially in Southern California (check out this über fab one at Joshua Tree National Park) and in Utah (I almost died at how simple this wedding was, but the details! The d-e-t-a-i-l-s!). This should be a lesson to everyone to please drop the nouveau riche look (sorry for this term, but seriously!), and go back to the basic elements of what garden weddings (or weddings in general) should be: it's all about the subtlest of details, the location, and you and the people you love. Yes, you did have a grand wedding and even broke the piggy bank in the process, but how about the after? *smiles*

SUPPLIERS//

Ceremony Setup//


Entourage Flowers//


Caterer//

K by Cunanan Catering
c/o Kaye Cunanan
Tel. Nos. 711.0940 (look for Meg)

PHOTOGRAPHER FOCUS: BRYAN YAP

Here's a pleasant blast from the past (well, a not quite-so-distant past, he he!). Swiped these photos from Bryan Yap's Wordpress (see the rest of his amazing photos here). You have to give it to him for coming out with these super wonderful pictures. I totally loved the patina - I always love anything with a vintage feel to it. Great composition and the colors are outstanding. It reminds me so much of what Albert Camus said,"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." All the best to you, sir Bryan! Hope to work with you again soon! :-)




FOR INQUIRIES

BRYAN YAP
Email: yaparazzi@gmail.com
Landline: +632 9404765
Mobile : +63919 8043777

FLOWER FOCUS: THE PHALAENOPSIS

Photo by D. Gozum, 2007
Taken at the National Orchid Garden of Singapore

Despite the fact that Vatel Manila uses a lot of Cymbidium, Mokara and Dendrobium orchids in our arrangements, one specie of orchids remain to be our favorite: the Phalaenopsis.

My Mom was so fond of orchids and I remember, as a kid, how she tended to her Cattleyas & Vandas and how, when they are in bloom, she reveled in these amazing orchids' beauty. We even used to sell per Cattleya flower at P50.00 (now it's P300-400 per). That was way back in the late 1990s. We were in Bukidnon then where I spent most of my summers, and every house in that area had tons of flowering orchid plants in their front yard.

How I came to love Phalaenopsis is now lost to me. Suffice to say that whenever I get hospitalized (which, thank God, is not often), friends would send me potted white Phalaenopsis. Very sweet of them! :-) If you think florists don't like receiving flowers, you're wrong!

For bridal bouquets, Phalaenopsis can be used alone or in conjunction with certain flowers. In Manila, the availability is pretty much all year-round provided you order at least a month ahead. They come in white and pink, although hybrids abound abroad.

These orchids are perfect for cascading arrangements since the stems are quite long, or twisted into a round bouquet with fillers of grasses and different flowers like white, violet or green Hydrangeas, roses, berries, and other voluminous flowers with small details (you wouldn't want to draw the attention away from the Phalaenopsis). They are also perfect for dramatic aisle arrangements or reception centerpieces. For now, it's really the cost that's making them unpopular choices for use in Philippine weddings, but who says that would stop you from dreaming of them? :-)

BOUQUET FOCUS: AUTUMN THEME

Theme: Autumn
Location:
Preps: Richmonde Hotel, Ortigas Center
Wedding / Reception: The Mango Farm, Antipolo City
Photos: Bryan Yap Photography

FLOWER GUIDE: Two-toned tulips (red / yellow), Leucospermum, Leucadendron, Mollucella, Hypericum Berries, Mokara Orchids, orange Calla Lilies. Save for the Calla Lilies (which was sourced locally), everything else came from Ecuador / Chile (ordered two months ahead of event date).

On the handle, Mokuba brown moiré ribbon and diamond brooch for accent.

I'M DREAMING OF ...

... sunny days! I usually catch the sunbeams when I go to work early. At 6AM, there's this shower of sun beams being filtered through the trees. The Farm looks like Middle Earth from where I stand.

BAYARCAL - AñONUEVO (November 7, 2009)

Here's an event that was seasonally-correct. Autumn usually happens early September to late November and although we do not experience this season here, who says we can't recreate it? Left: Plastic maple leaves for the floral centerpieces at the reception. Right: Nice peach-y Alstromeria arranged on the tin pails for the aisle. Oh, by the way, here are the couple's pre-nup photos by the amazing Bryan Yap. The slideshow of the preps & wedding photos are here. I don't like wedding videos. They make me cry. :-(

THE WEDDING CEREMONY AT THE ROJO GARDEN


I like this particular garden wedding because compared to the others I've done which were really structured, this really brought back the charm of real garden weddings. Even though it was humid, at least it didn't rain! Really thanking the heavens for this gift. Anyhow, I always believe that every event should capture the couple's personalities. It's the only way to make your wedding special and memorable - being surrounded by things (and people) familiar and loved, and this is what Melo & Karel did for their day. :-)

Thanks to the Farm's senior staff, Tony, the dried-up tree that was destroyed during Santi is now back, having been reconstructed from dozens of small pieces of branches. Of course it's nothing like the original, but where the heck do I look for an appropriate dried-up tree in a week's time? Here, it is dressed up with items that have traveled from halfway around the world. These nice green Amaranthus arrived the night before from Ecuador. The Mokara orchids are from Bangkok. Crystals from Landmark (LOL! Now you know where I shop for my thingamajigs).

The rite was entirely in Filipino, the couple being former students of the UPIS where most of the subjects are taught in Filipino.




Details, too, make the event: Curly willow cuttings freshly delivered from China and our white Moroccan lamps as luminaries to line the pathways to the reception area.

"Panalangin ko sa habang buhay / Makapiling ka Makasama ka / Yan ang panalangin ko..." (from PANALANGIN by the Apo Hiking Society)



THE RECEPTION AT THE GLASS PAVILION


Because of weather unpredictability (lately, more so), the couple decided to move the reception into the air-conditioned Glass Pavilion. Methinks the setup was prettier when it was done here - guests actually feel transported to an autumn evening in the US. The warm orange tones and the homey feel of brown make for a delightful way of celebrating special moments like this.

Yes Virginia, there are other uses for Martini glasses!

Once again, K. by Cunanan Catering exceeded all expectations with this setup that blows the mind away. I would never use plastic flowers even if you put a blade to my throat, but wow! These plastic maple leaves really made the setup! Now I appreciate brown + tangerine tandem more. Great idea, Ms. Kaye! :-)


The cake is part of the Cunanan package with the Farm and the bride chose to get an all-white cake and left it to me to decorate. I didn't have any idea what to do with a white cake until an hour before it was to be taken inside the reception hall. I decided to make use of strips of brown moiré Mokuba ribbon (the same one used for the bride's bouquet), orange Mokara orchids, ivy (the kind that grows on walls) and dead branches from the manzanita tree. Methinks it looks delectable enough to eat! :-) This is such a great way of injecting personality into your cake. Go D-I-Y!



The Farm is abloom with hyacinths and tiny wild sunflowers - a tribute to love that have been blessed and sealed on these hallowed grounds. To Melo & Karel, all the best to you! A happy life, lots of kids, more travels to Coron and beyond! :-)

THE ENTOURAGE FLOWERS


The bride's bouquet is autumn at its best: warm yellows, oranges, & greens that seem almost edible (bring in the feta cheese, olives, & the salad dressing!). For this project, we used Leucospermum, Leucadendron, Hypericum berries, Mokara orchids, Mollucela, Calla Lilies (sadly, the only local component!), and two-toned tulips. I was waiting until 8PM for them beauties to arrive from the airport (flown from Ecuador via Hong Kong; buti pa sila!). Anyhow, the handle is tied with a brown moiré Mokuba ribbon & accented with a diamond brooch.

Left: The rest of the entourage flowers are familiar because I keep repeating this arrangement but really, how can one go wrong with sturdy and happy flowers like the Alstromeria, rice flowers, and Snapdragons? They go well with any kind of wedding - be it rustic or formal. This is our way of supporting local flower farms - the lower costs, of course, is translated into savings for couples. Right: A green tin pail goes rustic with different shades of Alstromeria and rice flowers (yellow, pink) and accented with a dried vine.


SUPPLIERS//

Ceremony Setup//

Entourage Flowers//

Caterer//

K by Cunanan Catering
c/o Kaye Cunanan
Tel. Nos. 711.0940 (look for Meg)

Coordination//
by Eden. events. gifts. flowers
Eden Ilagan, General Manager
Tel. Nos. 408.4230, 0917.531.8514
Email: eden.ilagan@gmail.com

Photographer//
Bryan Yap
http://bryanyap.net/
4215 Buffalo St. Rancho Estate IV-East, Marikina City
940.4765 / 0919.8043777

Music//
BLUESUB Music Assembly

FAVORITE SITES

We are huge fans of weddings but garden weddings, more so. For those who will be having or are thinking of doing garden weddings, you can get fresh ideas from our favorite sites:

Green Wedding Shoes

Visit the site here!
Add Green Wedding Shoes via Facebook!

Southern Weddings Magazine

Visit their site here!

I really wish I could recreate some of the weddings in these sites here in the Philippines, but not many brides are as adventurous. :-(

VATEL MANILA TAKES A BREAK

BLAST FROM THE PAST: SYDNEY & RENETTE

Came across Studio A Photography's coverage of this wedding. I was teary eyed with the song, WHEN GOD MADE YOU by Newsong, feat. Natalie Grant. One of the best non-mainstream love song I've ever heard. It made me feel sad, too, about being in the wedding industry where couples come and go. Nakaka-miss din pala the e-mail exchanges, the bantering, the interminable SMS kulitan. *sighs*

BLAST FROM THE PAST: GINO & IVY

I have long waited for these photos to be posted at Andy Samaniego's blog and here they are at last! I recall with fondness this September 12 wedding. One of Vatel Manila's favourite in recent memory. Oh, if it only weren't raining! :-)




More photos here: Andy Samaniego's Blog

EXPERIENCE K. BY CUNANAN AT THE MANGO FARM

Right click on the photo to enlarge.

MONPONBANUA - REGINO (September 12, 2009)

Long preps finally ended today with this beautiful and moving wedding at the Farm. Despite two low depression areas present in the country which saw seemingly interminable rainfall for more than 40 hours (as of this writing, it is still raining), the couple's joie de vivre saw the event through with class and panache. Our favorite parts of the wedding were the vows, but what got us teary eyed were the couple's messages to their fathers.Vatel Manila sends its warmest greetings to our couple! May you be blessed abundantly and may God grant the wishes of your hearts. :-)

Left: The mixture of white & yellow Liliums with a background of Dancing Lady orchids (Oncidium sp.) gave the all-white chiffon altar the life it needed. Right: We also received delivery of our new couple's chairs in black and white damask and Philippine mahogany (otherwise known as 'lauan') in matte black finish. Technically, 'lauan' is not a mahogany, but enough of this botanical discussion. Suffice to say that the chairs are very plush and comfortable, thanks to our craftsmen from Betis, Pampanga.

Left: Last touches by the make-up artist. This wonderful Grecian-inspired gown was by Mitzi Quilendrino Bustos, a friend of the couple. Right: The beautiful bride with her father as they approach the altar. We used abaca for our carpet.

Aisle flowers were white Alstromeria & succulent roses in tin pails. Our new candle stand (white, in the middle) is carved wood patterned after silver candle stands in old Philippine churches. Made by the same craftsmen who made my new chairs.


..."A future wherein I promise to always give my best for you. A future where I will always stand by you." - excerpt from the groom's wedding vow


THE RECEPTION AT THE GLASS PAVILION


Left: VIP table setup by Hizon's Catering. Right: A view of the couple's stage.

Left: A beef steak carving station is always a nice add-on in every buffet setup. Right: Signature desserts that were developed when my first cousin was pastry chef at Hizon's Catering. Hizon's is known for their dessert buffets. Well, among other things, but their dessert buffets are really sought after.

Left: Good friends really make for great event hosts! Right: Enjoying the AVP.

THE ENTOURAGE FLOWERS


The bridal bouquet is composed of vanilla-white Calla Lilies with dainty Queen Anne's Lace & crystals in between. Completing the look is a belt of fine ostrich feathers, a fully beaded ribbon, and a diamond brooch. The lilies also come in other colors like pink, yellow, & burgundy. TIP: Order at least 1-2 months ahead!

For the entourage, we made use of bright colors to brighten up the silver-gray color scheme. Left: Orange & peach roses went well with tiny elder flowers & yellow snapdragons (one-sided only). Right: Happy Alstromeria baskets for the girls.

SUPPLIERS LIST//

Ceremony//


Entourage Flowers//


Caterer//

Hizon's Catering

Photo & Video//
ANDY SAMANIEGO & FRANCIS REYES
Visit: http://www.andysamaniego.blogspot.com/
Contact Details Pending

IMAGINE NATION PHOTOGRAPHY
c/o John Mateos Ong
G/F Oasis Manila
169 Aurora Boulevard, San Juan
Metro Manila
Tel Nos. 727.6295

Photo Booth//
BaiCapture
Unit 1 Southway Condominium, Mayapis corner Bakawan Streets
San Antonio Village 1203, Makati City, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 894.1500
Fax: + 63 2 894 3590
Mobile: +63 917 899.9710

Bridal Gown//
MITZI QUILENDRINO BUSTOS
The MANILA ATELIER: 836 F. Cayco St. Manila 1008.
MAUD the STORE: Archaeology, R2 Level, Power Plant Mall, Makati.
Tel: 896-8526.
Fax: 731-5778.
Mobile: 0917-8996437.
Email: Mitziquilendrino@yahoo.com.
By appointment only

Hair & Arm Accessories//
CIARA MARASIGAN-SERUMGARD
Email: artist@ciaracreates.com
Mobile: +63 (918) 922-0795
US Mobile: +1 (818) 730-6825
Telefax: +63 (2) 899-4080
Landline: +63 (2) 896-5450

Shoes//
JANILYN
Designed by the bride herself, executed by Janilyn

LIVING ESSENTIALS* COMING SOON

Our own furniture line. Coming very soon. :-)

ACOB - VICTORIANO (September 9, 2009)

This wedding proves that you can hatch an event like this with only less than six (6) months to go. Oh, to be sure others have been shorter, but if you're all alone doing the bridal duties while the groom is in Honolulu, expect the stress levels to shoot through the roof. Au contraire, the bride was all grace and poise until the very day, so hats off to you! :-) Also, because everyone deserves a break, the good Lord allowed the sun to come out - a welcome break from three weeks of continuous rain. I can't wait for the dry season which is expected to begin this last week of September.

Left: Our tree finds new life in this wedding as a "cherry tree" with white Dendrobium orchids as "cherry blossoms". Each orchid was taped individually to the branches making this a total time-eater, but the end product is so worth the effort. Right: A young girl blossoms on her own - quite literally. Roses on the dress, Mokara orchids on the head!

Heavyweights from government (left) discuss conspiracy theories as the flower girls (right) have more mundane things to take care off like loose floral crowns.

Principal sponsors socialize as they wait for their turn to walk down the aisle.

The bride gets off the Benz and moves nearer to the red carpet.

Together at last! :-)

I am happy that I made the decision to put this tree off-center. First, my idea is to put the focus on the couple by providing them a bare background (covered only by this sheer curtain), but the tree does finds its place in the scheme of things - it provides the balance needed to this very simple altar setup yet it gives cheers and warmth because of its flowers and lit candles.

ENTOURAGE FLOWERS by Dylan Gozum

The bridal bouquet is one of my recent favorites - the marriage of yellow & rust orange Ecuadorian roses gives off that warm & comfortable feeling, especially in this times of really sad weather. Giving it character are white wax flowers (Chamelaucium uncinatum) & red Hypericum berries. Completing the look is a wrap of eucalyptus leaves, satin ribbon, and a diamond brooch with a white ostrich feather.

Going with the motif of warm & cozy are the rest of the entourage flowers. Left: The bouquets for the mothers are made of yellow & white Alstromeria, white wax flowers, and white snapdragon. Right: The baskets for the flowers girls are full of lush white Altromeria and yellow-orange berries. For the crowns, they had orange Mokara orchids (not in the photos).

SUPPLIERS//

Ceremony Setup//

Entourage Flowers//

Caterer//

Hizon's Catering

Photo & Video//

EXTREME DETAILS Photography

Arch Edu Cortez

Mobile:0921.2611005

Landline: Office: 02.382.7659

E-mail: arch_escortez19376@yahoo.com

Office Add: 14A, 2nd floor, Unit 2, Hon. B. Soliven Avenue,

Cainta Greenpark (Near Sta. Lucia East, Grand Mall)

Site: http://extremedetails.multiply.com/

MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS SHOOT AT THE FARM

The event today was covered by Martha Stewart Weddings Philippines, the magazine’s only other franchise outside the US mainland. For propriety reasons, I am not mentioning the name of the couple as Vatel Manila isn’t part of their suppliers list, but I am working on this shoot as the Farm’s Operations Manager. The setup today is K. by Cunanan Catering, one of our accredited caterers.

Left: Luggage bag tags to go. Useful giveaways are so in! Right: Cunanan's floral centerpieces.

Subtlety is the best policy. The centerpieces are composed of pretty whites: tiny elder flowers, lush roses, and button mums with touches of carnations. Paper doilies were spray painted black to go with the theme.

Here's a great idea! Instead of the usual long & tepid introduction of the principal sponsors, honor them by providing these B&W photos with short descriptions. These were taped to an accordion-like cardboard and placed on every table. For this event, the couple used the sponsors' wedding photos which pretty much gave special meaning to the occassion and the act of marriage itself.

Left: These 'photo albums' also have the table numbers, which are printed in the middle. Right: Banquet tables were used in the Glass Pavilion, but this is not the usual arrangement. Instead, alternating opposites was the order of the day. This is for a 250-seater affair.

The tables sported black fabric borders which gave them a really distinct look. The gifts (right) also followed the black, white & green motif.

Vatel Manila's contribution to this shoot was via a Eureka! moment. Faced with the sight of a single black side table lamp as the only backdrop of the couple, we asked permission from Ms. Kaye Cunanan if we can introduce a design feature - a dried-up calamansi tree that I found lying on an empty lot in the village where I live. I was saving this for a wedding in December, but at that moment I felt that it will go perfectly well with the entire setup. So, here it is. :-)

Left: The use of dry branches for receptions is all the rage now in the United States. And by dry branches I do not mean those that are painted white or the stems sold on Manila's streets during the Christmas season and then nailed to a single large branch. Those kind of branch treatments are so two years ago (made popular by Katherine Heigl's winter wedding in December 2007). The look we are after is the feel of a real tree - sans leaves. The light effects cast a really nice shadow on the ceiling, which adds character. You can also add crystals to this tree if you want. Right: Weddings are not just solemn occasions, they are also parties so having a bar like this one - with a really good bartender - will spell the difference between fun and boring. Besides, you only get married once (we hope!).

Left: The wedding cake against the tree. White Moroccan lamps from yours truly. I had to replace the flowers I used for the tree with something. Right: Details of the table for the principal sponsors. Tables do not have to be as wide as airport runways where the guests won't be able to talk to each other. The more important things are ease of movement - wide elbow rooms, for example. If you must insist on tall centerpieces, make sure there's space beneath for people to see each other and put the jars far in between.

Left: Setting up the buffet table at the gallery portion of the Pavilion allows guests to move freely as well as to enjoy the outdoors (a break from the chilly air-conditioning, if you must, or have that quick yosi break). Right: Top view of the principal table.

My favorite part of the shoot was styling the cake. If your venue + catering package comes with a cake and you only have 8-10 choices to choose from with the most usual of designs, this shouldn’t stop you from making the cake reflect your personality. Black lace was all it took to make this plain white cake as elegant as the one in the next photo (yes, it's the same cake!). This was the bride’s idea; she bought the lace and the silk flowers, Ms. Kaye cut the tape and we arranged the lace around the white bows and fixed the black silk flowers at the bottom, too. Fab, ano? In November, we will be doing this again for an Autumn theme where we'd be sticking dried branches into the brown-and-orange cake to give it that country look. Can't wait! Anyhow, that's it for now, folks! :-)

(Special thanks to the couple for making this shoot at the Farm possible.)