Cake topper by Doddled Works

Our Abu Dhabi couple, Christian and Michelle, were happy planning their wedding with us. Too happy that they were confident enough to refer us to their friends, Rodel and Joy (also based in Abu Dhabi), in 2012 even if we were still in the planning stage of their own wedding.

After my “online interview” via Skype call, Rodel and Joy decided to get us for Full Planning and Coordination for their 2014 wedding. Yes, they’re that excited to plan their wedding. Actually, it was a blessing that I got to plan their wedding ahead of time. Why? Because it took me some time to bounce back to work after my grandfather died. Good thing almost everything were in place and I was able to mourn without worrying about their wedding. Truly, God planned this to happen and I am happy with His plan. You won’t see the reason why things happen in your life right away… It will be revealed to you months and even years after and you will realize that He is truly in control and has you in mind. So yes, it was not a coincidence that Rodel and Joy got me be part of their wedding and I thank God for that.     

Let’s go back to happy thoughts before I start crying again…

Since photography is their shared passion, they decided to make this their wedding theme. Their wedding is our first photography themed wedding and I had to come up with a “storyboard” to serve as a guide on what wonderful things they can do to make their wedding extra special. After all, we have all the time in the world. I enjoyed doing my research. Mind you, it was not easy sourcing items to complement their theme. I was just lucky that almost everywhere I go I found novelty items that were really cute – camera keychains, camera coin bank, film tissue holders, etc.. Every trip to the mall was like a scavenger hunt for me and it was fun! It didn’t take me long to send them their “storyboard” that got them more excited for their wedding day. 

These two lovebirds are so into each other that they both have their own surprises (take note of the “s”) for each other and it was almost hard for me to keep. Rodel was really surprised with all the preparations and thought that Joy placed in making him feel special and appreciated. Kudos to their guests who were game and made it an event to remember. Too bad that Rodel wasn’t able to give his surprise – his wedding vow in an elegant frame. That would really be a great souvenir for Joy to keep.  They even made a tribute to their parents which was very touching (I cried) and at the end, their parents got to bring home framed gifts from the newly weds. 

With their parents and their gifts
Special number from the couple
Flash mob
Rodel joined Joy in singing their favorite song after snapping out of shock when he realized that he just got flash mobbed

I am happy that I was able to make things happen for two couples who are bonded by love, friendship and passion for photography. As Joy would say, “Isa na lang!”. The middle photo was taken at Christian and Michelle’s wedding and of course the bottom was at Rodel and Joy’s wedding… just one more to go and everyone’s excited for Rio and Chrismar.  

Introducing “Teambits”
My souvenir with Teambits

For all of you planning your wedding, Rodel and Joy sent us some tips that can help you plan your own special day. Read on..

We all know that during a wedding, the bride is the main attraction of the event. Our advice is that, include your husband-to-be in your wedding preparations, consider his crazy ideas and trust us, it will be fun. Always remember that a wedding does not have to be perfect, anything could go wrong. But then, all is possible with a good teamwork and good communication between the bride, the groom and your professional suppliers. 

The best thing that happened during our preparations? Sharing ideas with your partner to come up with a good plan and decision and the chance to get to know your suppliers personally is an overwhelming experience.

Rodel and his family
Joy and her parents
The couple and their parents
With the whole entourage
With the secondary sponsors

The best thing that happened during the wedding? The event was well executed according to plan, suppliers in action during the day was an awe-inspiring working their way to give us the best moment in our wedding day. Things such as seeing your families and loved ones from various places arrived to witness the wedding and performed the much awaited Flash Mob. We kept our wedding vows a secret from each other. We were amazed on how our vows turned out – looking back on how we met and fell in love with each other and sharing it to our family and friends is the sweetest “awww” moment of the day. 

On wedding budget, we splurged in these three suppliers:

  • Venue – we wanted a good venue that will happily accommodate us and the guests
  • Catering – we wanted our families and guests to feel as much love as they do for us by providing them a hearty meal. We believe that a happy tummy is a happy guest.
  • Photo / video – having the best and good quality of photos and videos are very important to us. Our best moments will be captured in their photos and videos, and then our story will be told. This story will stay with us for the rest of our lives and it is worth to be captured in color.

Savings… we happen to save on invitations because we wanted to keep it simple, yet bring the surprise out on the day of the event.  

Invitation and rings
Couple’s area with hanging photo frames 

Through the wedding preparations, we learned that a wedding:

  • is a one day event only. It is more than just a celebration, but your decision to share your life fully and wholeheartedly with another person. Focus more on your marriage. Celebrate it every day.
  • is not just about the couple getting married but a wedding wouldn’t be a wedding without the guests. Always look for was to incorporate your family and friends. Make them feel special and included.
  • is the most exciting research project we ever had. Finding the best ideas on the internet with the advices from married friends, learning from fellow brides and grooms, support from loved ones, and 100% execution of our best suppliers. 
  • a planning process and learning opportunity. Make sure to enjoy every single second and always expect the unexpected.
Crazy pose after the entourage parade

For us, married life is composed of two individual identities having never ending quest of knowing each other. Always put God first in your life and relationship. Allow Him to be the center of your marriage. Remember that the closer you move toward God, the closer you move toward each other.

Hiring our wedding dream team was the best decision we ever made. Trusting them to make our once in a lifetime event memorable and unforgettable.

Couple with Lea (host)
Couple with Joanne and Jason

If you’re a couple based abroad, don’t ever think twice on hiring a Wedding Coordinator. They keep you organized and on tract with planning tasks and supplier payments. They have the ability to make extraordinary things happy with one SMS, phone call or email like a super hero. They have a lot of connections within the industry which allows you to access the best suppliers available in the area. They make your vision a reality and they will make your wedding run smooth and stress-free. 

With some angels 😀

We wish that our wedding would be memorable for our families and guests and for the suppliers we met. We wish that we could keep and enjoy the friendship we all started. We hope that our wedding would portray a good example for the rest of your clients.

Hands down to our wedding suppliers:

Full Planning & Coordination: Simply Beautiful Events
Prep site: Acacia Hotel Manila
Supplier meals: CCME Homemade Foodstuff
Ceremony: Fernbrook Gardens 
Officiating Minister: Rev. Joel Valdehueza of Pasig Baptist Church Buenmar
Reception: Byzantine 1, Fernbrook Gardens
Caterer: Josiah’s Catering, Inc.
Video: Four Thirty Films
Photo: Jason and Joanne Arquiza Wedding Photographers
Bridal Make up: Michelle Anolin-Pascual
Hair Stylist: Salon de Poseur
Gowns: Mazuona, Eura Yuste
Barong: Reynaldo Casedo
Invitations: Concepts and Technology
Entourage flowers: Scenta Creations and Event Styling 
Entertainment: Tales of Music Ensemble
Lights and Sound System: ALJOE Mix Lights and Sounds
Host: Lea Cabugos
Bag Souvenirs: Arleen Suarez Molinos
Photobooth: SmartPrint Photo Booth
Cake topper: Doodled Works  

We are blessed to have you as part of our wedding. We want to thank you and your team for all your hard work. You are all incredibly gifted and talented. We wish you all the best. You all certainly come with the highest recommendation from both of us. God bless all of you. 

Rodel and Joy

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