Filipiniana Wedding

We were inspired by the Philippines' National Flower, the Sampaguita, in making these accessories for the Tan-Asinas wedding. Their theme was a celebration of their roots: Filipiniana; with a motif of silver, brown, and sapphire.

We first met the soon to weds during a Bridal Exposition two years ago. A brief chat with the bride, Marx, revealed that she booked us as their primary supplier for their wedding. This truly warmed our hearts. She ordered a complete set of accessories for her entourage, including her own bridal hairpiece. Each hair piece came with its very own customized pouch, customized specifically in detail, to match their wedding theme.

Bridal hairpiece; final sketch

We used rhinestones and Swarovski crystals as features of our wiring technique. 

Hairpieces for Flower Girls, using craft beads and acrylic crystals.

Hairpieces for the female entourage

Two different designs for the mothers of the bride and groom.

All accessories were based on the Sampaguita hairpiece, for the sake of consistency.

Wedding Belles are Blinging

For the blushing bride, dreaming of the perfect ensemble for her big day would probably count as the most exciting part of planning a wedding; princess fantasies have never left the 'little girl' in her. Every girl dreams of looking like a queen, and that one special day certainly gives her the opportunity to fulfill that worldly fantasy.

Detail is key: from the dress, down to the jewelry, hair, and makeup; every little feature is crucial when orchestrating that final look. Add a little 'frosting' to your fashion-cake and you're good to go. Shopping for the appropriate jewelry can too be a challenge; one thing I want every bride to know is it need not break the bank! The fashion world has had its democratic transformation. Fashion no longer equates itself to labels; creativity has triggered the burgeoning of indie style and D.I.Y. Palamuti has attracted a wide range of admirers by using an assorted mix of mediums to craft its jewelry, as the brand ably caters to a variety of style personas- which includes the blushing bride.

Fashion awakens the artist in every woman, more so the dreamy belle.

Beach Wedding Al Fresco

Go 'au naturel' with your makeup

while you balance it off with a sweet and pretty statement necklace!

Bold and Beautiful

Paint a red lip

and dare to wear an art piece.

Whether you're a classic princess or a queen sophisticate,

you decide your fashion fate.

Palamuti Storytelling Jewels

There's something for everyone. :)

Both jewelry pieces are available at the Themes and Motifs Store located at the Makati Shangrila Hotel.

Photo Credits:

Photography and Make-up by Palamuti's very own fashion blogger- Nikki Valenzuela

A National Gem

Diamonds may be a woman’s bestfriend, but pearls can always be the second-best, for they are simply classy and very timeless. Pearls are always a staple part of every woman’s closet. It’s such an exquisite fashion accent that exudes a taste of prime elegance. I actually have been keeping a couple of pearl sets myself because they are perfect accessories for formal and smart casuals.

For a very long time, numerous pearls are retrieved by divers in many parts of the world. The catching of these sea treasures are popularly done in Japan and China. Before, Many oysters, mussels and other types of mullusks are being hunted in order to gather pearls ut today pearls are reproduced through cultured pear farming.

In the Philippines, very large pearls are found especially around the Sulu Archipelago. Some call our own pearls the “finest of the world.” Because of this popularity, the Philippine pearl was declared a “National Gem” on October 15, 1996 through Proclamation No. 905 in order to promote the cultural heritage of the country and support its national development efforts.

In the global scene, a different variety called “fresh water pearls” are rapidly gaining its appeal because they appear in a wide range of shapes and natural colors, plus, they are less expensive than the saltwater pearls. In addition, they are more solid and resist chipping and degeneration.

To add this variety to my collection, I’m considering getting one for myself. Take a look at Palamuti’s piece which is made of fresh water pearls. This is the very first wedding pice they have made for a bridal collection and by the looks of it, this piece is just stunning. Crafted by local artisa PJ Valenciano, this artwork exudes with class and elegance. Perfect for formal gatherings and parties.

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.

Why go Bridal?

Doing a Bridal Collection for Palamuti was a concept pitched by my friend Shiela Dugan- Pascua, the first bride, who ordered a neckpiece from me. According to Shiela, when she and now husband, James, were looking for suppliers by attending several wedding expos, she only saw one exhibitor showing off costume jewelry for brides. I said to myself, “Hmmmmm, why not?”. Plus, doing wedding pieces would be so much more fun! Oh yes, like every other girl, I have my own fairytale wedding… and yes, I’d like to be part of making others’ fairytale come true.

Shiela wearing Palamuti Necklace made of mother of pearls and german crystals.

True enough, most wedding accessories are limited to hair pieces, bags and shoes. Rare do you find suppliers offering costume jewelry to complete the whole ensemble; and jewelries are confined to wedding bands. As Katrina Martin mentioned in a previous blog, In the Neck of It, wedding trends are changing, gearing away from the traditional. More and more brides have the freedom to make their dream wedding into reality! If in the past, black or red gowns were out of the question, behold today. And if you choose a white gown, you can add more glamour without spending much on fine jewelry!
My bridal collection for 2011 is called Songs to Satine inspired by the fictional character Satine of Moulin Rouge which I will displaying at the 18th Wedding Expo Philippines by Themes and Motifs on March 12 and 13, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. We are giving a special discount to brides who will book on the mentioned dates. Freebies wait soon to weds so do visit our booth in Hall 4, J28.

Valerie Tan, TV Correspondent for GMA 7 models for Palamuti. Make-up by sister, Donna Valenciano. Valerie is also using Glambox Airbrush Cosmetics' Mink Lash

To all brides to be, I encourage you to think out of the box!

P.S. I will be sharing the booth with my sister Donna Valenciano, a make- up artist who will be offering traditional and airbrush make up for brides so do check her work as well. Palamuti and Tala Bridal Packages are now available, email pjvalenciano@palamutishop.com or talabydonna@gmail.com.

Hair Accessory by PJ Valenciano, Make up using Airbrush by Donna Valenciano

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.

 

Songs to Satine

" AS THE DAY OF HER WEDDING DRAWS NEAR, SHE BATHES IN SILENCE."




Model: Valerie Tan
Photography: Benjie Jongaya
Makeup: Donna Valenciano
Hair: Vanessa Quiroz

Mink Lash by Glambox Airbrush Cosmetics
http://glamboxcosmetics.multiply.com/

Songs to Satine Bridal Collection 2011

Palamuti will be joining Themes and Motifs' Bridal Fair on March 12 and 13, 2011, hoping to be part of your ever after.