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THE POWER
WEDDING SUPPLIERS
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Book Concept / Project Head Editor
JOCELYN ALBERTO-HENARES
MYRA DOROTHY LORREDO
Layout Editor
TATUM ANCHETA
Writers:
ANA SANTOS, NIKKA SARTHOU & NIÑA TEROL-ZIALCITA (Writer’s Block Philippines)
PHILIPPINE COPYRIGHT 2011 BY THUNDERBIRD RESORTS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Any unauthorized reprint or use of the materials in this book is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without expressed written permission from the author / publisher. Front cover photo by OLY RUIZ of Metrophoto
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CONTENTS
08
ERNEST PASCUAL - WEDDING COORDINATOR
44
DINO LARA - WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
64
OLY RUIZ - WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
84
VELUZ PUNO-REYES- WEDDING COUTURIER
120
KAYE CUNANAN - WEDDING STYLIST
138
TEDDY MANUEL - FLORIST & EVENT STYLIST
156
JASON MAGBANUA - WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER
192
WORKING WITH THUNDERBIRD RESORTS PORO POINT
204
WORKING WITH THUNDERBIRD RESORTS RIZAL
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(TOP) Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point (BELOW) Thunderbird Resorts Rizal
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FOREWORD
W
eddings are extraordinary experiences. The exhilaration of wearing the dress of one’s dreams; the pleasure of cradling a bouquet in one’s hands; the poignant and unguarded
moments captured in photos; the delight in seeing an elegantly
set table; the teary walk down the aisle and exchange of vows
caught on video; and the flawless execution of the couple’s
vision for their special day -- all of these, when done right, are
threads that create a wonderful tapestry of memories.
Working round the clock to make such an event possible are the wedding suppliers. These are the individuals standing behind the camera, crouching behind the bride and fixing her gown, coordinating, barking orders, and running around—all taking care not to draw attention to themselves. They usually play production crew to the stars of the show: the bride and the groom. For the first time ever, Thunderbird Resorts is privileged to focus the spotlight on seven of the Philippines’ most renowned and in-demand wedding suppliers. The “Power 7” represent the growing number of creative individuals that are setting the trends not only in the local scene but in the global and online sphere as well. They strive to be as good as their last work, to raise the bar, and to make standards – some that they themselves might have set – obsolete.
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The term “supplier” does not actually do them justice, as these talented individuals are nothing short of visionaries who tirelessly and passionately craft works of art that intimately touch the lives of their clients. Ernest Pascual ensures that the couple’s vision for their day is executed flawlessly and that the couple’s personality and love story is reflected even in the smallest details. Photographers Dino Lara and Oly Ruiz represent opposite ends of the wedding photography spectrum. Dino narrates the stories of the couple and their loved ones through his natural, photojournalistic style, while Oly creates dramatic, structured photos that marry love and emotion with symmetry and architecture. Veluz Puno-Reyes, who specializes in bridal couture, fashions feminine wedding gowns that make brides glow and grooms proud and teary-eyed. Stylists Kaye Cunanan and Teddy Manuel offer complementary visions of romance and beauty. Kaye evokes elegance with her chic and streamlined styling while Teddy brings opulence and drama to the table with his signature flair. Jason Magbanua continues to redefine the global wedding videography industry through his dynamic cinematography and impeccable storytelling skills. This book hopes to give its readers a glimpse of not only these suppliers’ works but also their starts, struggles, and successes. It also gives a hint of the creative and often laborious process that go into planning, conceptualizing, implementing, and refining a wedding. Moreover, its aim is to give readers a picture of what can be made possible when the some of the country’s most talented wedding personalities converge and collaborate. Thunderbird Resorts cordially invites everyone to open these pages and be inspired by the artistry and hard work that go into creating an extraordinary experience.
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(L-R) Teddy Manuel, Jason Magbanua, Kaye Cunanan, Oly Ruiz, Veluz Puno-Reyes, Ernest Pascual, and Dino Lara
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CAPTION HERE PLS
WEDDING COORDINATOR
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ERNEST PASCUAL WEDDING COORDINATOR
V
IEWING PHOTOS OF ERNEST PASCUAL-COORDINATED WEDDINGS IS LIKE OPENING NOT JUST ONE, NOT JUST TWO, BUT HUNDREDS
OF BOXES OF THE PROVERBIAL FORREST GUMP CHOCOLATES. EACH
PIECE HAS A SURPRISING FILLING THAT IS DISTINCT FROM THE NEXT
AND LEAVES A SWEET TASTE IN THE MOUTH THAT MAKES ONE CRAVE
FOR MORE.
WEDDING COORDINATOR
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There is Patrick and Angela Reyes’s rich red Paris-themed
“They are expected to be knowledgeable about the ins and
wedding that reminded the bride of her French-Canadian
outs of staging a wedding these days and should be able
hometown of Quebec and transported the wedding party, if
to lend their expertise should the couple find themselves in a
only for a day, to the marvelous landmarks and monuments
cobweb of ideas.”
of the City of Lights. Then there is Christian and Erin Tanglao’s lush purple-and-plum-themed wedding set at the Santuario de
And a “cobweb of ideas” it is sure to become! In choosing
San Antonio in Forbes Park and the Manila Peninsula Hotel in
the color and theme of the big event, preparing the guest
Makati City. It was embellished with rich details of lace, the
list, tasting samples and booking suppliers, taking care of the
couple’s monogram on the invite, purple beads, Swarovski-
wedding stationery, getting prepped for the big day, and—
studded butterflies, and silver raindrop curtains for a luxurious
let’s not forget—planning the rest of their lives together, the
ambience that looked and felt as intoxicating as the deep
couple is sure to be faced with a million paralyzing choices
red wines that shared its color. It is also delightful to see
and overwhelming details. Although a wedding is ultimately
photos of Mike and Donna Soriano’s wedding with its clever
a celebration of love, the fact that, generally, it happens
embellishments of dice, playing cards, and penguin jokers
only once in a woman’s life creates intense pressure that can
that clearly reflected the groom’s love for poker and the heart-
transform even the sweetest girls into Bridezillas shortly before
stopping games of risk and chance that ultimately allowed
their big day.
him to win back his lady love’s heart and hand. Fortunately for brides—and their grooms—Ernest is one of Such are the trademarks of an “Ernest Pascual wedding”—
the most credible names in the wedding industry who can
the minutest details are meticulously considered and taken
effectively troubleshoot, allowing the couple to focus on the
care of, making everyone gasp, swoon, and gape in awe.
excitement of their life ahead.
Even the matchbox carrying the matches for lighting the unity candle and the notepad that the soon-to-be-missus might use to
READY FOR EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING
dispense some last-minute instructions are tastefully designed
A wedding is probably one of the biggest decisions—and
and cleverly coordinated with the rest of the wedding favors.
investments—that anyone will have to make in his or her
With Ernest, every detail is in, and never out of, context.
lifetime. Thus, hiring the wrong wedding planner can turn the most important day of one’s life into a total disaster.
“Coordinators are hired to make sure that the plans for the
Ernest warns, “Weddings are planned, but there would
wedding are carried out,” Ernest says in a separate interview.
be instances when something goes awry and you need
WEDDING COORDINATOR
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PATRICK AND ANGELA REYES (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) Stylist Jo Claravall filled heart-shaped urns with red rose petals. Tables were decorated with red floral arrangements, personalized place cards, and candles. The couple’s monogram featured the letter “P”—which stands for Paris and Patrick, and the Eiffel Tower that resembled the letter “A”—which stands for Angela. The newlyweds kiss in front of family and friends. Gold invitations were printed by Amis Print. PHOTOS BY MANGORED
WEDDING COORDINATOR