Jumpstart Your Own Wedding Season

A wedding is always dreamed to be perfect. Without photography, catering, gowns and dress entourage, invitations and stationers, venue, music, flowers, cake, or rings, a wedding ceremony will be deemed incomplete. Surely, any future bride feels anxious with preparing for their special day. But no worries, a wedding resource center is available just around the corner to help Bride-To-BEs.

In celebration of yet another wedding season, Themes & Motiffs, with participations of Pan Pacific Hotel and the Wedding Essentials Magazine, conducted a wonderful night of gathering accredited wedding events experts and suppliers for an evening of food, drinks, and collaboration.

The “Bridal Kick-off Party,” which I’m lucky to attend last Tuesday, September 06, 2011, at the Pacific Lounge in the Pan Pacific Hotel in Manila, is very stately and dashing. Many guests, including Palamuti by PJ Valenciano, have attended the event and I have seen numerous bridal and wedding business professionals exchanging ideas and discussions about the bridal events industry.

A wedding preparation is generally not quick and easy. That's why we have experts to help us fine-tune every detail of our special day. Thanks to them, our dream weddings are just a few arrangements away.

So for all soon-to-wed brides out there, you may start checking out the best bridal packages with the help of these experts. You may come in contact with them by reaching Themes and Motiffs Wedding Resource Center in Makati Shangri-La and explore great possible wedding arrangements you could find. Just a heads up, you could also find us there as one of their accredited supplier.

the Vinta: Filipina Heritage

The vinta is a traditional boat found in Mindanao.  To the locals, it is also known as lepa-lepa or sakayan. These boats are made by the Badjaos and Moros living in the Sulu Archipelago.  A typical vinta is characterized by its sail, the design of which comprises of assorted vertical colors which represent the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community who makes and uses them. These boats are used for inter-island transport of people and goods and can be found easiest in Zamboanga City.  

The vinta is also the inspiration behind the latest wearable art piece from local artisan PJ Valenciano.  While browsing through the internet, she came across a photo of a dark man inside a boat, with corals and huge conch shells on the floor of the craft surrounding him.  It was, however the colorful geometric patterns on the sail of the boat, a vinta, that she found most striking.  What sets this piece apart from other bib necklaces that have saturated the market today is the craftsmanship behind it and, most importantly, the distinctly Filipino look and feel that it exudes.  One glance and you can definitely see the resemblance to the Muslim vinta!

Vinta-inspired necklace for any occasion

This work of art was made with the features of the Filipina in mind.  Rich and opulent without overpowering, the Vinta-inspired necklace re-interpets our local heritage and translates it into the new millennium.  The play of colors, from citrusy lemon, mandarin, lime, and apricot, to cooler greens and purples is balanced enough that you can wear it regardless of time of day or season or even the wearer's skin tone.  And the piece itself, though more eye-catching and hefty than the usual chain necklace, is versatile enough to be worn with a white shirt on a simple lunch out with friends, or with a white gown on your special wedding day.

The Vinta-inspired necklace from Palamuti is truly a must-have this season, and for the years to come.  After all, showing off your heritage is never passe.  Given the intricate details of the piece (which took three days to make) and the artisan's philosophy on creating only one piece per design, I'd get my hands on one as soon as I could if I were you ;)  Contact PJ Valenciano for customized versions of this featured piece or to visit her showroom.

Also, watch out for more wearable art pieces inspired by the colorful and lively patterns unique in Philippine cultural artifacts!

In the Neck of It

If you’re reading this blog right now, chances are, you’re also aware of the changing trends in weddings the past few years.  Weddings, regardless of whether they are big spectacles or intimate affairs, have really become much more stylized.  From themes, to outfits, to prenuptial photos and the wedding video itself—it’s as if girls are orchestrating their own fairytales come true!!!  Heck, even the wedding bands aren’t placed in the traditional satin pillow anymore!

What girl doesn’t love a good wedding?  And who among us doesn’t feel a thrill when getting dressed up for them.  You ever felt like it’s your chance to participate in some sort of romantic comedy film, even just an unknown extra?  But this time, that isn’t gonna happen.  Because it’s your big day, and today, you are the most beautiful woman on the earth.

Back to styling though, there really are a multitude of options available.  Some girls go all out with the ball skirt and the fully beaded bodice.  Others prefer a simple yet elegant column, while some hover in between.  That’s okay! It’s your day, you ought to have fun! If you want, you can up the ante with the perfect accessories to match your look.  Today, we’ll talk necklaces.

Depending on the style of your gown, you want to use a neckpiece (or any accessory, for that matter) that complements it instead of distracting or overpowering.  Most especially, all the pieces need to come together to allow your inner princess to shine.  Here’s a tip: USE YOUR NECKLINE AS A POINT OF REFERENCE.  If you’re showing off a large portion of your neck and shoulder, you can wear a statement necklace.  This can also go with the opposite, which is a round neckline close to the base of your neck.  If it’s in between the two, you might consider a simpler or slightly less ornate neckpiece, or even skip it altogether and substitute with earrings or a belt instead (more on that in another article).  

Also, KEEP YOUR THEME and VENUE IN MIND.  Make sure the style of the necklaces, especially if it's a statement piece, is in line with the theme of your wedding.  It could take from the color scheme to a more literal translation even.  Vintage theme? Try an ornate cameo neckpiece.  Fun and playful wedding?  Now might be a good time to use a kooky neckpiece.  Traditional wedding?  You can't go wrong if you're dripping in pearls or diamonds.  Take note of the venue of the wedding too.  Beach wedding?  Something with pearls or shells would be nice. 

And of course, ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR PERSONALITY! Comfort is key.  If you're the type of person who finds necklaces itchy, don't overdo the necklace--your grimace might be caught on cam!  Just go with whatever makes you happy.  Yes, in spite of the rules! Because in the end, if it feels right to you, then that's the best choice! It’s your day and you can do whatever you want ;)

the loveliest bride of all

Magpakatotoo tayo. What girl hasn’t fantasized about her wedding day?  Most of us grew up watching Disney classics such as Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, and we have all spent an almost exorbitant amount of our girlhood daydreaming time on the moment when our very own Prince Charming will sweep us off our feet.  Some of us may have focused our energies on visualizing the man of our dreams himself (mine has thankfully progressed from Nick Carter to Johnny Depp or Ryan Gosling).  Others have scoured the pages of travel magazines to determine where they would like to get married (white sand beach or a century-old church?).  But I think my guess is right on the money when I say that most of us have scrutinized every magazine and website to perfect one image of our wedding day—that of ourselves.

Maybe celebrities are used to prancing around in fancy ball gowns and 5-inch jeweled stilettos, but most of us regular people don’t have the occasion or pockets deep enough to do that.  If we’re blessed enough, we get our one chance to do that. Oh and yes, we get to marry the Prince too!  Of course, we have to wake up from Lala land and return to the reality of the situation, at some point.

Knight in shining armor? Check. 

Bride-to-be with a million and one things on her mind? Check. 

400-strong family and friends? Check. 

Bank vaults unhinging due to a scandalous amount of wealth hidden behind the doors? Uhmmmm…

Well the good news is that you don’t have to sell your farm and 6 carabaos, or all the items in your closet and library, just to pay for your dream wedding.  There are so many options out there from wedding invitations to party favors to flowers and all that jazz—and your outfit is most definitely not an exemption!

Of course, we usually envisage ourselves in our versions of our dream wedding gowns.  There are various styles to suit each and every unique personality.  But oftentimes, brides have neglected a key item that would have otherwise helped elevate their special look—bridal accessories.  As in daily life, accessories can make or break your outfit, which is why it will be good to take special note of this as you get ready to walk down the aisle.  Over the next few days, I’ll be giving you some tips and ideas on how to channel your inner princess for the big day with the help of some magical bling.  Fairy Godmother and pumpkin optional.

 

First Wedding Piece

Phoemela Barranda (Model and TV Personality)

My first wedding piece last 2010. I actually made this piece in class which eventually found its way to a fashion show with the help of my friend Angel Bustamante. It still is my favorite piece. ~ PJ Valenciano