REAL WEDDING: { KARL & GLES }

---
This is our second wedding in a series of three towards the end of August 2010. Yesterday, the color motif was Maroon + Black. Today, Karl & Gles glow in their choice of Midnight Blue + Silver. It is true that this color motif has been used several times in the past, but the interpretation has been varied and methinks this particular wedding was able to pull it off with panache & their caterer, K. by Cunanan, was able to imbue it with so much elegance and freshness by way of using lampshades & white flowers in the reception.

For our part, we employed subtle hues of blue by using generous amounts of Hydrangeas in the ceremony setup, two-toned Purple Carnations for the entourage bouquets & pomanders, & Picasso mini callas for the bride - her personal choice.

We are likewise delighted to work with Henry Villanueva for the second time here at The Mango Farm. Nahiya pa ako na I didn't recognize him (this was our first time to meet!), but he was very gracious and promised to send me photos of my setup ("For your portfolio.", he says. Awww...)

Vatel Manila is proud to present the wedding photos of Karl & Gles. A blessed SUNday indeed for the Heavens gifted us with a sunny day despite the days of rain that preceded this weekend. To God be the Glory! :-)
---


---




---




---

---



---

---

---






---

---







---

---



---
All photos courtesy of

Henry Villanueva Photography

Dr. F. Santiago St.,
Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Bulacan
Office hours: Monday - Sunday except Thursday
9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Telephone #: 044.641.1152

Paseo del Congreso,
San Gabriel, Malolos City
Office hours: Monday - Sunday except Tuesday
8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Telephone #: 044.662.2681

Henry: 0918.3264652 0928.5050486
---

SUPPLIERS//

Preps: Seven Suites
Wedding: The Mango Farm
Cocktails / Reception: The Mango Farm
Photographer: Henry Villanueva
Caterer: K. by Cunanan Catering
Entourage Flowers: Vatel Manila
Ceremony Setup: Vatel Manila

REAL WEDDING: { ODIN & TINA }

Odin & Tina were already booked with another venue, but they've always wanted to have a garden wedding (and by 'garden' we mean an open-air venue). They discovered The Mango Farm and decided to transfer. Needless to say (but we're still saying it), Tina eventually became a Vatel Manila bride and we think the sunflowers really went well with their chosen theme! They're a beautiful couple, young, happy and very much in love! :-)

In this post, Tina talks about her preps, her favorite moments, & gives tips to future brides:
---


---
How did you two meet?
We were HS classmates.
---


---
Our favorite memory of the day was:

Exchange of vows, and the walk to the altar and seeing my guy in tears.
---

---
Our favorite detail(s) of the wedding was/were:

(This question's too hard!) The UP-inspired cake topper, the sunflowers, entourage flowers and petals for the recessional being delivered in baskets, the (to us) unconventional invitations, seating of the guests and VIPs (sponsors with their husband/wife, us with our parents), the couch on the stage/platform, the lanterns, black as the main color, short dresses, uniform shoes for the girls, my mom's jewelries, balloons instead of flowers on the cars, the food with hints of "Bicol" (our hometown): pili and coconut milk, mango in some of the dishes (our favorite and hey we're at The Mango Farm!).
---
Tell us about finding your wedding dress.
Had several gown inspirations and had a detail or two from each put into my own. Basta I didn't want a ball gown but with my built I couldn't be in a body-hugging or skin-clinging dress so [we] came up with the semi-mermaid semi-ball gown. The design was actually a work in progress up to the point when the gown was finished. Glad [that] I had such a patient couturier!
---

---
Anything D-I-Y for your wedding?

The misalettes.
---
Tell us about your photographer.
We had Kenneth and Jeff of Niceprint as photographers. Nice guys, very patient. Haven't seen the photos yet so we just hope they're as sharp about details and moments. They seemed to be as we watched them on the day of the wedding. Don't know if they were able to eat pa nga because we didn't miss them in any of the moments.
---


---
Tell us about your caterer.
To have K. by Cunanan as [our] caterer, we thought, was an impossibility because we thought we couldn't afford them, but they were nice enough to put together a beautiful and reasonably priced menu. The food was great! The guests complimented it a lot. The styling was fab!
---

---
What was the design inspiration for your wedding?

The movie, UP. Being about going after a lovers' dreams, the colors and feel: light, playful, fun but full of charming, even profound sentiments.
---

---
Why a garden wedding?

To us it's dreamy and laid back; we wanted an informal setting for the guests.
---

---
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding?
Sticking to the budget. =p---

---
Tips to brides-to-be?

1. Let things go.
2. Choose the best suppliers.
3. Don't hesitate to elaborate and repeat your likes and dislike to suppliers.
4. List down every shot (photos) you want taken, discuss them with your photographers, show samples.
5. Make your reception program short; make sure there'd be audience participation; have prizes for games.
6. Don't fear having frienemies together. Who knows, your wedding could be the avenue for reconciliation, but make sure guests are seated where they'd be have the most fun.
7. Remember that it's not what you have; it's who you know. One of my Ninangs lent us a Benz for the bridal car and my Tito, being in the military, even had a lieutenant drive me to the wedding! One of yours could give you the same favor or more.
8. Trust God for funny miracles, always =)

---
All photos courtesy of Ms. Charisse Santillan-Tinio of Nice Print Photography.
---

SUPPLIERS//

Preps: Legend Villas
Wedding / Reception: The Mango Farm
Photographer: Nice Print Photography
Caterer: K. by Cunanan Catering
Cake: Cake Concepts by Maite Gregorio
Entourage Flowers: Vatel Manila
Ceremony Setup: Vatel Manila

PHOTOGRAPHER FOCUS: { JAJA SAMANIEGO }

It was one of those dreary rainy afternoons, but Jaja Samaniego's coverage of our August 22 wedding was like sunshine coming through the gray clouds.

Vatel Manila chats with Ms. Samaniego on her style & thoughts as a photographer:

---


---
What led you to a life pursuing images?

Part of growing up is my fondness for film, fashion magazines and MTV. I love looking at how colors, textures, shapes and other elements combine together to create meaningful images. As a visual person, I wanted to create a concrete image of my ideas. I tried drawing and painting but unfortunately I wasn't good at it.

The idea of photography came to me when I wanted my drawings to look as realistic as possible. Back in college, I had my very first black-and-white photography class. From then on, I was hooked. I started borrowing my friend's camera every time I go home to my province just so I can take pictures of the locals. My Dad finally got me my first dLSR and I just wanted to make the most of it. So that was the start.
---

---
Tell us about your nature as a photographer.

My take on photography is daring. I greatly rely on my female instincts especially when shooting weddings in particular. I like elegant, subtle, candid and intimate images - the style that I'm constantly refining and discovering every time I shoot. Knowing that the wedding day is considered a woman’s (the bride's) most special day, I use a good blend of my heart and head when shooting in order for me to capture a myriad of feelings as it happens really fast, and at the same time produce eye-catching portraits that would define the true emotions of people at that point in time.
---


---
What to you is a successful shoot?

It’s a successful shoot if: there’s great people, great food, great weather, great details and most importantly, if I’m able to capture great images!
---


---
Does being female make a difference?

I would say that woman/female instincts could be very helpful when capturing images especially in intimate ceremonies such as weddings and engagements. Love, patience, warmth, care and calmness are just a few characteristics that define our nature as a woman. I find it an edge to be naturally inclined to these emotions for it reflects in my images, too.

With regards to the details and capturing emotions, I think I know a lot of male photographers who are really good at this. Well, there’s a popular saying that says, "Behind every man's success is a woman".
---



---
What tips can you give aspiring photographers?

It’s important to know your camera’s mechanism. Spend time learning exposure and lighting so you won’t rely on Photoshop. It’s also important to have a mentor or someone that can critic and motivate you at the same time.
---


---
What are you looking forward to?
Since I started shooting for Imagine Nation Photography, I’ve met a lot of wonderful people, been to new places and learned a lot of things. I’m really looking forward to discover the world and just do what I love the most which is shooting.
---



---
Tips to couples on their wedding day.

a. Eat before the ceremony.
b. Pray with all the suppliers.
c. Enjoy every minute of it.

---
Shot for Imagine Nation Photography with Jay jay Lucas, Carlo Cecilio and Lai De Guzman.


Contact Jaja Samaniego
Email: jaja_samaniego@yahoo.com