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What is a prenup pictorial for?

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.

Real Weddings: Heartfelt

Martin Lazo-Tetta Cañada
Our Lady of Lourdes
Taal Vista Hotel
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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. A candid moment during the reception. Martin and Tetta with friends—Tony-tony, King DJ Logan and Slick Rick. The newlyweds with Martin's family.The newlyweds’ first dance.

A Tasteful Tagaytay Wedding

Jonathan Pangilinan-Hannah Atotubo
Our Lady of Lourdes
Ville Sommet

The wedding of businessman Jonathan Pangilinan and nursing graduate Hannah Atotubo capped their two-year relationship. The day started rainy with close-to-zero visibility all over Tagaytay. Nevertheless, neither the rains nor the fog could dampen the event since the couple’s family members and closest friends were there to provide warmth throughout the day.

Using the palette of turquoise and brown to match the lush greenery of the reception site, the couple sent their 300 guests invitations in turquoise board featuring a customized paisley design which appeared on all the printed wedding paraphernalia—invitations, program cards, escort cards and the misalettes. First to arrive at Hotel Kimberly for the preparations was Aaron Lejarde of The Make Up Studio. Hannah’s hair was pulled up to create an illusion of height. An antique brooch was the core of the bride’s headpiece. The off white Mikado Silk wedding gown was another Parrish Espritu Carlos creation – Castillan wedding gown embroidered with paisley motif and encrusted with crystals and payettes. The gown has a peacock train featuring layers and layers of balloon ruffles complimented by an embroidered split train from the gown’s upper back. The wedding ensemble is finished off with 9 meters of double width illusion tulle embroidered in the same paisley motif. Hannah’s look was completed with a quaint bouquet of assorted flowers in white to match the bouquets handed to the members of the female entourage. The bridesmaids wore ethereal gowns in turquoise accentuated with a brown sash. This brown sash became the common, distinctive feature of the gowns individually designed for the female entourage. The mothers of the bride and groom are of turquoise pure silk taffeta and gold embroidered tulle with organdy cutwork appliqués in various shades of royal blues to turquoise and aqua. In anticipation, all eyes turned toward the massive door of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in time for the bridal march. Hannah glided her way to meet her parents halfway down the aisle. Happy tears welled from the eyes of both the bride and groom for this was the moment they had waited for so long—being in a long-distance relationship during most of the time after they got engaged. The homily was done by the couple’s family friend, Rev. Fr. Gerry Fortunato. As the newlyweds left for the reception, guests tossed flower petals with gold coins to wish them a prosperous and bountiful married life.About one hour from Manila, Ville Sommet’s glass house, the focal point of the half-hectare gated property, was the venue of the wedding reception. While waiting for the bride and the groom, guests were served delectable appetizers. Tables covered with espresso brown linens and adorned with white calla lilies and roses were arranged surrounding the dance floor. The Tiffany chairs featured an antique gold sash to soften the look. Hannah and Jonathan made a grand entrance and took their first spin on the dance floor as a married couple to Stevie Wonder’s “You are the Sunshine of my Life.” The two didn’t have time to rehearse but Jonathan was a natural comedian especially at the point in the dance when he knelt before his lady love.
The slide show presentation featuring the pictures of master wedding photographer, Dino Lara, was much talked about while guests enjoyed the scrumptious dinner provided by Josiah’s Catering. Dino’s photojournalistic shots, portraits and product photos make him one of Manila’s premier photographers. (Click here to view Dino Lara’s Slideshow.)

Heartwarming speeches by Mr. Pelagio Pangilinan (father of the groom), Mrs. Marissa Atotubo (mother of the bride), Michael Labastida (best man) and Michelle Sanchez (maid of honor) ensued after the fun games for the single men and women. A surprise audio-visual presentation prepared by the brothers and sisters of Jonathan and Hannah was introduced by JP, the brother of the groom.

Jason Magbanua’s onsite avp was the highlight of the evening’s festivities. Using as background the instrumental music by Es Posthumus from their album Cartographer, the presentation was filled with touching scenes—an unabashedly emotional groom, tears of joy from family and friends during the bridal march, the unrehearsed yet entertaining first dance, and other unforgettable episodes. Indeed, Jason proved why he is the Philippine’s lone rockstar of wedding videography. (Click here to view Jason Magbanua’s On site AVP.)

To Jonathan and Hannah, thank you for making us a part of your most glorious day.

Some more pictures:

Parrish Carlos Espiritu, the bride’s uncle and designer, attaches an heirloom brooch at the back part of the gown. Escort cards using wrought iron shaped as chairs doubled as candle holders. Aaron does his magic once more. The paisley icon used in all the printed materials—invitations, misalettes and even on the embroidery found on the veil and the barong of the groom. Small details like matches, candles, bridal bouquet, etc. had touches of the wedding color.
The picturesque Our Lady of Lourdes Church provided a great backdrop for the couple’s portraits. The family of the groom – five brothers all in all. Who’s the handsomest of them all?

A quiet time for the bride and groom in their bridal suite.The chalets in Ville Sommet are simply beautiful.

The bride let her hair down for the reception.

The newlyweds with videographer Jason Magbanua, coordinator Ernest Pascual and photographer Dino Lara.