REAL WEDDING: CYRUS + KATIE

First, an admission (don't laugh, okay?). When Cyrus and Katie first visited the Farm, we didn't know who Cyrus was. So there, ha ha! It was only after the gardener asked me if they were booking the Farm did I realize who he was. In fact, everyone at the Farm knew who he was. Everyone except us. Boy, that was embarrassing. I only have the TV - or the lack of one - to blame for this.

Anyhow, methinks it was a good start because we didn't need to be starstruck or anything of the sort and it helped loads that Cyrus and Katie (and Katie's Mom, who was there every step of the way) were down-to-earth kind, quiet but will speak when they need to, and were really nice and warm: traits that are hardly seen in this day and age, especially from those used to the limelight.

We thank our lucky stars that we were able to work for and with them, as well as with awesome friends in the wedding industry. This is definitely one wedding for the books (or the magazines, for that matter. *hint, hint*). :-)

Jesy Alto-Ocampo hard at work despite an accident a week prior. Way to go, Jesy!

When Vatel Manila opened {etc} Handmade Goodness early this year, the aim was to provide Manila the US wedding experience of having things customized for each and every celebration, and that has been very evident in this wedding. Mishi Tolentino-Santos of {etc} created three sets of boutonnieres for the male entourage members. From left to right, the bout for the Groom's Men, the bout for the Dads & Ninongs (center) and finally, the boutonniere for Groom Cyrus: a miniature lifebuoy with buttons (also customized, not bought as is). How pretty is that? Customized items make weddings all the more special. It also speaks volumes, not just of your good taste, but of your keen attention to the details of your wedding.

It's obvious that we're totally absorbed with the preps when we end up buying totally unnecessary yet related stuff like this vintage-looking Beetle car model that not only came in the right color, it also sported two surf boards on top of it! How awesome is that! We immediately notified Erron that we found the perfect prop for the rings shot. :-)

Left: The pretty dress by the design twins, John & Paul Herrera. Right: To match the nautical theme, we used Lisianthus, cobalt Eryngium, pink Hyacinths (pink was Bride Katie's fave color), and Wax Flowers. Our signature brooch and lace applique adorned the handle. The bouquet was later flown out of Manila after the wedding to be lain on the grave of Katie's grandfather. Awww... :-)




Groom Cyrus looking dapper in a white Zara suit. The lifebuoy boutonniere was just perfect for this getup: it was thematic, yet remained masculine.






The wedding ceremony was held at the new Shrine of St. Thérèse along Marcos Highway in Antipolo City. It's just right across the spanking new SM Masinag and just five minutes away from the Farm by car.








We displayed their e-session photos (also by Erron Ocampo) in the Farm gardens using jute twine and wooden clothes pins. This is a service that we provide for free to Vatel Manila couples who are booked at The Mango Farm. :-)

Due to work restrictions (yes, we have a day job!), we are not able to do reception styling work as much as we wish we could but nonetheless, when the chance comes up, we make sure it'd be something people will remember for a long, long time.

The Hamptons concept in weddings is not a very popular option in Manila despite the presence of beaches around because we do not have that kind of lifestyle here: the Manila Yacht Club, for example, is such a small enterprise compared to that of other countries'. The beach theme, for most, is exactly that: sun and sand. That is why doing this wedding reception has fulfilled a dream for us; we've always wanted to do this! We're very happy, too, that bride Katie left it all to us to execute the concept.

For most themed receptions, the mood begins at the Registration Table but since the weather has not cooperated and the Cocktail Hour was already cancelled, we decided to use the glass doors instead to announce what is to be expected for the evening. Here (above), cut-out decoupage letters to represent Cyrus and Katie's initials were made (wrapped in nautical fabric with gold conch shell & fish accents). Both Glass Pavilion doors were decorated with these letters. Inside, the violet-pink mood light beckoned. :-)

The star of any reception setup are the VIP tables. Most florists pour their energy into making sure VIP tables not only look different, but stand out as well. For this wedding, we opted for 12-seater square tables. Because of their size, they easily drew attention because of the extensive use of striped fabric, as well as the choice of Phalaenopsis orchids as centerpieces. We also used royal blue fabric as the base tablecloth to complete the desired look. The icing on the cake is the mood lighting which was provided with the use of 12 LED lamps that were installed from the balcony of the Mango Farm's Glass Pavilion. This made the Glass Pavilion, already made freezing by the rains and air-conditioning, feel warm and cozy. :-)

When we were doing our planning with bride Katie, she said that she wanted a beach theme and the Hamptons look came up quite easily (read more about The Hamptons here. Another trivia: Jacqueline Bouvier, later Kennedy, then Onassis, was born here!). The Hamptons, when applied to wedding receptions, simply means 'elegant beach' and this is what we've aimed for since the time we started sourcing our materials. The checklist included striped fabric (specifically the royal blue-white combination), white ceramic pitchers, lamps, conch shells (originally dried starfishes, but it wasn't an environment-friendly option), aqua blue Hydrangeas. As we kept looking at pegs, other things got added like rope balls, lifebuoys, and such. Shopping for & making props can be so much fun!

Left: Table tags were made of cardboard and jute and the numbers were written using correction fluid. The white lamps, resembling little gazebos, were just perfect for the theme! Right: We found a real lifebuoy (also known as Kisby Ring, named after British naval officer, Thomas Kisbee) in Divisoria where the shop owner was forcing us to buy 10 pieces (as if we were buying it for a ship!). Originally orange, blue fabric was hand-sewn over the orange parts to make it match the fabric of the couple's table.

Left: Adding interest to the guest tables were these ceramic balls that came in varying shades of white and blue, sizes, and patterns. We were very careful to choose only the ones with lines as a nod to the groom, who is a professional basketball player. Right: Although we used only two kinds of flowers, we made sure they were abundant in that they helped achieve the planned overall look. We used two-tone pink Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) which are currently in season, and large bunches of aqua blue Hydrangeas and arranged these neatly in white pitchers of varying sizes. They just popped out rather nicely against the striped runners.


The couple's table was made pretty by the marriage of details starting with the Hydrangeas and Sweet William in white pitchers, ceramic balls, lamps, a single conch shell, and a backdrop of frames and a single chandelier. We chose to use a different fabric to differentiate the area from the rest of the reception.


Right: Acrylic chairs for the couple. Jute was used to cover the stage platform to mimic sand. Below: A blackboard with a handwritten "All Aboard!" was used to decorate the cake table.


For the VIP tables, we used pots of Phalaeonopsis & pitchers of Hydrangea. Special wooden frames with that weathered look were used for the table tags. Conch shells on paper doilies, ceramic balls, and lamps added to the decor. Completing the setup were handmade rope balls, normally used in ships as part of heave lines. The kind of knot that creates this ball is called the Monkey Fist. 32 pieces of these were hand-made by the team for the place cards.




Thank you so much, Cyrus & Katie, for making us a member of your awesome wedding team! May you enjoy the love that "...comforteth like sunshine after rain." (Shakespeare)!


My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
- Romeo and Juliet

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SUPPLIERS//

Preps: Richmonde Eastwood
Ceremony: Shrine of St. Thérèse, Masinag
Cocktails & Reception: The Mango Farm
Main Photographer: Erron Ocampo
Videographer: Rommerson
Wedding Dress: John & Paul Herrera
Make Up: Jesy Alto-Ocampo
Food: Josiah's Catering
Coordinator: Majr Dizon for A Magical Event
Lights: Segue Lights & Sounds
Band: Islakustika
Entourage Flowers: Dylan Gozum for Vatel Manila
Reception Styling: Vatel Manila (with Mishi Santos & Cecile Padecio)
Customized Boutonnieres: Mishi Santos for {etc} Handmade Goodness