Showing posts with label a dash of jamie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a dash of jamie. Show all posts

Jamie x Derrick: Marriage So Far


They say that nothing can test a relationship quite like when you are traveling together. It doesn't even necessarily apply to just married couples. It applies to family, friends, and even colleagues. That's why I am personally a firm believer that married couples should always make it a point to travel together. Even better if you could actually make time to travel before having kids or when you already have kids, try to travel at least once, without the kids--so that you can re-connect on a deeper level. This could even be a great time to just be young and carefree, forget the daily grind even for just a week or two--and maybe even discuss and resolve marital issues that you are unable to express at home.
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Golden Hour


I'll let you in on a secret. Personally the hardest part about blogging for me, is creating a title for a post. I dread it because I hate corny wedding blog titles and I want titles to be as simple as possible. I look at Jamie and Derrick's engagement set and I'm initially stumped. How do you create a Blog Title for something this intense?
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A Mockingjay Editorial Wedding


In just six more months, the Hunger Games movie series closes to an end with Mockingjay Part 2.
And we reckon that a proper tribute of the rebel kind is in order.

 If you have read the Mockingjay, you would know that the story of Katniss and Peeta sort of jumps into a Prologue that just kind of assumes that they got married and have a family of their own. This is our own attempt at filling-in the gap and giving our favorite tributes from District 12 a proper wedding.

 In this faux wedding, we thought it would be fitting of Katniss’ personality to keep it intimate—an elopement if you will. However, Katniss would have admitted to herself that she would need to enlist the help of Effie to plan and style the wedding. Only Effie would have been invited in the wedding which she would also gladly volunteer to officiate herself.

Watch the first of two wedding videos that we made. For better viewing, choose HD settings.


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Wedding Agency: How To Plan a Pretty & Rebellious 150k Wedding

Layout made from the Rhonna Designs app 
Updated (Year 2017): Hello guys! We are so surprised at how popular this post still is-- after 3 years! But please do keep in mind that this was written in 2014. While we still think that an affordable wedding is within arm's reach, do take our advise from this article with a grain of salt as prices have already increased by now.  And remember! Do not compromise on TASTE even if you are on a budget!

Is a pretty wedding under P150,000 REALLY possible? We are here to tell you that YES, it definitely is. At the end of the day, it's all just a matter of perspective and if you are rebelliously bold enough to go against the usual expenses to prioritize what really matters the most. But don't take it literally though. There's a thin line between a cheap wedding and a cost-efficient one. And never, EVER sacrifice taste and style just because you want to limit your wedding budget. 

 Take for example real-life couple, Melo & Gelo. Their first wedding 14 years ago was a civil wedding and so it was the first time that they were going to have a church one. To save on costs, here are some of Melo's rebellious ideas:

 1. Her ceremony and reception was at the same place. She had her wedding at the Adoration Chapel of St. James, Ayala Alabang (price: P5,000). Beside the chapel was a light & airy gazebo so she had her garden reception there. The cost? A donation to the church.

 2. Instead of bouquets, Melo asked the entourage and even the female guests to be in fun, floral dresses!

 3. Instead of a lunch or dinner reception, Melo had a mirienda reception for 60 guests.  The guests enjoyed the menu which included: Southern Fried Chicken, Pork Sliders, Mac n Cheese, Panacotta Shots, and Rainbow Cake! PLUS, the wooden tables and mason jars added a rustic chic vibe to the mirienda! She got Pumpkin Catering and spent around P25,000 only! 

 Here are some of the photos from their simple, intimate, but lovely wedding:
Photography Credits: RD Salacup and Christina Itchon 

Taking inspiration from Melo's wedding, here's a basic mood board + budget breakdown if you were also to do your wedding in St. James, Ayala Alabang:


 1. Ask the entourage to wear their own floral dresses so no more bouquet. Cost: P0.00

 2. Opt for a lacey white dress instead. Get it from Forever 21, H&M, Topshop, or in any of your favorite clothing brand for that matter. If you also have a way to order from the States, you can get a Monique Lhullier ML dress / Kate Spade Dress / Calvin Klein dress at Nordstrom's Rack at 60-80% off! Cost: Set a max. budget of P6,000. Use the same principle for your groom. Set a max. budget of P6,000 as well. To accessorize, borrow timeless jewelry from your mom or mother-in-law. That can be your "something borrowed."

 3. Instead of hiring an event stylist, learn from awesome interior designers like Jonathan Adler and use what you have at home. Are you guys into books? Then stack it up and put mason jars on top of it. And there you go! You have a shabby chic centerpiece in an instant! Cost: P0.00

 4. Opt for Tungsten Rings. Not only are they more affordable, it is also the most durable metal in the world. It's anti-tarnish and anti-scratch. In fact, it has grown to be the symbol for unbreakable love. Buy from Amazon or SilverWorks Cost: P6,000 FOR TWO RINGS 

 5. Use calligraphy where possible! It's the surefire way to make any wedding look pretty and romantic! Commission Alexis of Ink Scribbler and set a budget of P5,000

 6. For some quirky details, go for huge golden balloons! It makes for awesome photo shoots and even whimsical table numbers! Assuming you get the jumbo letters L O V E -  Cost: P500 (search on Sulit)
What NOT to scrimp on:

 7. Good photography is KEY. We cannot stress this enough. Get Jamie Espadilla of A Dash of Jamie for a service only fee. Cost: P35,000

 8. Good food will never go out of style. Always, always make sure that your guests are not just well fed but also enjoying an unforgettable meal. We have a current exclusive deal with Q Provisions Catering which will give you 20% off on all catering packages! Get them for a brunch or a mirienda reception. Cost: P25,000 for 50 pax

 NOTE: At this rate, don't expect the usual wedding catering service that has VIP tables and couple's table, cocktails etc. etc. (those actually spike up the rates higher). Simply have a family style set-up and mingle with loved ones more intimately!


9. Go ahead and indulge yourself with good makeup. It's still your day so treat yourself and feel like a million bucks! Cost: Special rate from for The Makeup of Mica

Other details:
10. Chapel & Venue assuming St. Jame's, Ayala Alabang. Cost: P8,000 

 11. Since your chapel and your reception is at the same venue, there's no need to get a bridal car.

 12. Opt for an intimate wedding of about 50 pax and below

 13. Opt for thoughtful giveaways from Papemelroti with a budget of P50/pax Cost P2,000 (assuming 40 pax excluding principal sponsors) 

 14. No need for the usual reception program. Opt for meaningful speeches and that's all you'll ever need. 

 15. Do your preps in your home. No need for a hotel!

 16. Get a talented friend to sing at the ceremony and during the reception. But give him or her a decent gift with a budget of P2,500

 17. Even if you are on a budget, don't forget to get your principal sponsors a wonderful gift! Set aside a budget of around P5,000 for this. 

 18. Set aside a miscellaneous fund for processing of your requirements and other possible incidentals. P5,000 

 19. No need for lights and sounds. It's a peaceful, serene place and you might not be allowed to go loud anyway.

 20. No need for a coordinator, no need for a registration, no need for seating assignments . Ask friends and loved ones to basically help with gathering the entourage before walking down the aisle. It's a small wedding anyway and it's at the same venue. 

 Total so far: P118,000 -- You still have P32,000 to spend! What can you do with this money? Perhaps you can hire Woodstock Cinema (formerly Colors & Co.) as your videographer? We have a 20% deal with them as well! Or maybe after the wedding, you can treat your groom and yourself to a beautiful suite in a fancy hotel with spa treatments! 

DESTINATION WEDDING OPTION


Do you dream of a beach wedding but you think it's just going to be super expensive? Well, here's our affordable alternative to that dream! Why not rent a beach house instead? Everything is possible if you just keep an open mind! 



A beach house wedding sounds so exciting! In fact, we also considered that option when we were planning our wedding! Opt for #1 & #4 if you are into the whole beach house concept but you want to be in more familiar, relaxing, and luxe venue. #1 is a beach house rental at Tali Beach while #4 is a beach house rental at Punta Fuego. If you are on the more adventurous side, opt for #2 which is a house on a cliff at Surigao. #3 on the other hand is an intriguing island surrounded by a lake near Sierra Madre! Be ready to spend at least P32,000 for a 2 nights stay in any of these venues (reserve 1 room for your photogs) 
http://www.intimateweddings.com/
Apply the same ideas as above but with the following changes:

 - Instead of using props from your home, use candles inside jars. It's the most wonderful way to set the mood. But you'll have to spend on this though. Budget for at least P8,000

 - Limit the guests even further to just 30 pax

 - Catering will have out of town fees. Cost for Q Provisions Catering will change to P40,000

 - Instead of hiring a makeup artist, take makeup lessons from The Makeup of Mica or Toni Rodriguez. Learn a new hairstyle from Pinterest or Youtube! 

Total cost so far: P150,000  If you have additional budget to spare, get an on-the-day coordinator since destination weddings are quite difficult to execute. A basic sound system might also be needed so you can do a little bit of sound trippin' to set the mood. 

The possibilities are actually quite endless. Apart from these suggestions you can also get beach house rentals in Palawan, Boracay, Cebu and other places. 

More, more, more ideas!

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A Thanksgiving Backyard Wedding - A Rebel Love, Captured


Rebellious Brides + Ian Cruz Films "REBEL LOVE" 
from Ian Cruz Films on Vimeo.

 Melancholy. Reflective. Hopeful. But playful and imaginative as a child. Ian Cruz Films nailed it in this Rebellious Brides Tribute Video. We barely even gave directions. And THAT rebels, is why you hire a pro. 

 Ian's visual representation of Rebellious Brides made me go back to the time when RB Mica and I were writing to our would-be, future readers back in 2011.

RB Mica wrote: 

 We dedicate this blog to all the brides who have the guts to say, "I don't care what other people say." Because of you, we will work our asses off to find inspirations beyond the cookie-cutter weddings. We applaud you for even looking at this site and embracing being a Rebellious Bride.  Think of this as an Alcoholic Anonymous for Brides where you realize you're not alone in this world. Our dear Rebellious Bride...we are here for you--you and your creative *topak!  (Source: http://www.rebelliousbrides.com/p/defintion.html)

I on the other hand wrote: 

 I want to create a community for Rebellious Brides because I love weddings, I am a fan of the Philippine wedding industry and the innovators behind it, and I want to help you create your own wedding. Let me tell you this, and I hope it sticks to your mind: I have heard of COUNTLESS TALES of former brides who wish to get married again--5 or 10 years from now. You know why? To carry out their dream weddings, because their first one wasn't what they wanted, rather, it was what THEIR PARENTS WANTED. It's our culture. It's just "the way it is". But it's time to make a stand. So here's to you, Rebellious Bride.Let's fight for your own dream wedding. 
( Source: http://www.rebelliousbrides.com/p/about-blog.html)


 Yes, this 4-part series was all about a concept shoot to show you pretty rebellious things and new ideas but if you go deeper than that, it is quite a reflection of how we've all collaborated to keep our little community alive--you as the reader, and us as its champion, and the talented wedding artists we support. All coming together as one passion group, with one twisted perspective on love and how to celebrate it meaningfully. 
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A Thanksgiving Backyard Wedding - The One On Foodie, Food, Food!

Photography and Styling by A Dash of Jamie / Jamie Espadilla

“There is no sincerer love 
than the love of food.” –George Bernard Shaw
There are a lot of ways to interpret a fall-themed wedding. It could be based on the turning of the leaves, corn mazes, hay rides, to name a few. But when A Dash of Jamie & Jacqs Floral Design Studio approached us for this collaboration shoot, we wanted to be unique in our own way of course! And that's why we thought of Thanksgiving--not just because we have been feeling very grateful right now (Back track HERE), but also because when you think of Fall, it immediately takes you to Thanksgiving and plus, the family-style food spread.


This wedding concept shoot therefore, brings back one of the main wedding elements that has been ironically overshadowed by reception styling -- the food itself. We've seen many, many wedding photos and catering portfolios a hundred times over--and don't you find it curious as to why there are very minimal food shots? You see everything else though, right? The huge floral arrangements, the overwhelmingly themed decors, the shabby chic dessert table--but no food in sight. And then when you do see the food, it's gotta be the fancy kind--fillet Mignon this, baked salmon that. However, guests secretly get hungry after and go for a burger (at the end of the day, guests, especially guys just want fuss-free and generously portioned food). READ ON! >>>

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