The Events! Events! Blog: June 2008

Some couples have asked me what a prenuptial photo shoot is for. Firstly, this pictorial enables the photographer to know the couple before the wedding—particularly as far as their limitations and best angles in terms of poses are concerned—and basically to build rapport with them.

Secondly, there are many uses for the prenuptial photos. For one, they can be incorporated in a novel guestbook which affords guests the chance and space to leave messages for the newlyweds. Beautifully laid out, the guestbook comes in a book form which can easily be stored. It is a far cry from a traditional one which simply serves as a registry book.

Here’s a sample of a guestbook I personally laid out for Mandy and Janelle Real. To create a distressed look for the photos, I deliberately manipulated the colors—saturating them and adding a few brushes through Photoshop. The photos were wonderfully captured by master photographer, Dino Lara. Make-up was done by Jesi Alto by The Make Up Studio Team and hair was done by Steve Pagsanjan. Venue was the sprawling residence of Jona Atotubo.

Martin Lazo-Tetta Cañada
Our Lady of Lourdes
Taal Vista Hotel

The wedding of Martin and Tetta touched the heartstrings. The couple wanted a Baguio wedding but Martin’s family requested a venue near Manila, so they picked Tagaytay. Afterall, Tagaytay has always been one of Tetta’s favorite places to go, and Taal Vista Hotel satisfied their “destination” idea. The hotel itself was an amazing combination of elegance and picturesque beauty, from the cozy lobby to the commanding view of both the lake and the volcano.

Everything was all set for the big day when Martin’s dad passed away barely three weeks before the wedding. But the family of the groom gave their go-signal for the wedding just as how Martin’s father would have wanted it.

Despite the family tragedy, it was a happy occasion filled with warmth from family members and friends who traveled to Tagaytay to witness the union of the couple. It was surreal to us that Tetta, who has been emceeing for Events! Events! for the last four years was getting married. It took a moment for the fact that Tetta was really getting married to sink in. It was only after she was made up and had her gown on, that we finally realized that indeed, Tetta was our bride this time around.
Tetta carried a spectacular, all-white, textural bouquet of lisianthus, roses and carnations by Gina Galang of Royal Flower Shoppe while her entourage held elegant, earthy clusters of green and yellow flowers. Tetta’s bridesmaids wore pistachio green gossamer dresses all accentuated with champagne beadwork. During the ceremony, Tetta was every inch a bride in her Parrish Espritu Carlos white silk charemeuse gown as she walked down the aisle to meet her parents. The gown was off white with dolman sleeves and flowing skirt. It featured a detachable hand pleated layered overskirt and lace drimmed double width illusion tulle veil.The mass was officiated by a family friend who gave a good homily on what makes a happy marriage—interspersed with funny anecdotes. Cocktails were served in the sprawling greenery of Taal Vista Hotel. Guests enjoyed Charlie’s Pritson and the overflowing drinks provided by the couple. During the cocktails, guests were asked to look for their seats. To reflect the earthy tones of the reception’s setting, Tetta chose escort cards in green and white, which were actually two-wafer Kit-Kat Chocolates—something guests could munch on while waiting for their entrance to the main dining area. The program started with the newlyweds making their way to the cake table. Tetta and Martin cut a three-tiered cake covered in white chocolate bars, with a cornucopia of seasonal fruits topping each layer—another wonderful creation of Janet Madlangbayan of Recipes and Magic. A special game for married couples ensued right after dinner. The married couples were asked to kiss the most passionate way they could and then the newlyweds had to imitate how they kissed. (Some were carried away by the cool Tagaytay weather.) It was an evening filled with wonderful speeches of family members and friends—ranging from the hilarious to the tearjerker. But the most heartfelt (which made many an eye tearful) was delivered by the bride. It was the most beautiful speech we have heard for the longest time—poignant, real, hopeful, and heartwarming. Tetta and Martin, instead of giving away wedding souvenirs, made a donation on behalf of their wedding guests to Project: Brave Kids—a non-profit organization committed to assist children with cancer. A year had passed, but up to now, we could still recall the great time we had at Martin and Tetta’s nuptials. To you guys, happy first wedding anniversary! (All photographs taken by Mimi and Karl.) Some more photos:
Martin was a natural in front of the camera. Tetta strikes a pose. This time, as husband and wife.

Confetti shower during the recessional.

Principal sponsors’ gifts were individually labeled with personalized gift cards— reflective of the wedding’s motif and bearing the monogram of the wedding.