Rai and Marc

Posts Tagged ‘garden’

Preparation Venue: Rosemont Garden

Package Deal: 2 nights house rental good for 12 pax (3 rooms with 3 T/B, a bathtub, free use of kitchen, refrigerator and stove with gas)
Package Price: Php10,000/night (Price subject to change)

The Good

Rosemont Garden is well-situated along Aguinaldo Highway, a ten minute ride from Caleruega. The place has a very nice view of Taal Lake perfect for picture-taking and the early morning breeze is so very Tagaytay that I have to wear my jacket during preps because I get chills whenever the cold breeze hits my face and back.

We were also allowed to use the kitchen and gas stove for breakfast so it was convenient for us to buy in nearby Mendez market and have home-style meals.

Another big plus is the backyard which is also great for picture-taking.

The Bad

Pets are not allowed in the house. Liane has to suffer the harsh cold air because she had to stay outside and Liane is never at ease when we are not around so I guess that’s why she was barking all the time. I admit she was very annoying that time but it was their (Karla’s) policy not to let pets in.

The Ugly

This is when things turned very, very ugly. At around 8PM of the wedding eve, I decided to fill the tub with water for a warm bath to relax. I figured that I have to be in bed by 9PM so I can have a six-hour sleep since I have to be up by 3AM. However, I noticed that the water is yellowish and smelled like rust. So I thought that the house must have been unused for a few days, the yellow water must have been stagnant in the pipes so I drained the water, cleaned the tub, and started filling it up again. It was almost 9PM but I thought that I can still manage to lose an hour of sleep. When I came back to check the tub, the water is still yellowish and the water had stopped running. So I checked the sink and all the other bathrooms and to my horror, all bathrooms are waterless! Just imagine my horror at that time.

At 9:30PM, I went outside and woke up the caretaker and told him that we don’t have water in the house. I think he just checked the pump or something, but never came back to me to inform me what happened. At around 10:15, I texted Karla to inform her of the situation. At this point, I am already in tears and starting to panic. I have to be up by 3AM and it’s 10:30PM already! So at around 11PM, I called my hubby because he was at Yellow Coco that time, and asked him to pick me up and told him we need to immediately find another place to stay. Fortunately, there are still vacant villas in Yellow Coco so we booked one more villa.

I think it was already 12:30 midnight when I slept, and woke up at 3:30AM. By 4AM, we were back in Rosemont for the preps, and there’s still no water. When hubby asked the caretaker to check, he turned on the pump and the water is back.

In fairness to Karla, she did not know that there was no water reserved that time because there was supposedly water delivery scheduled that day. She apologized but I was so freaked out that time, I felt so bad for this unfortunate event. I didn’t have time to get angry or complain. I think it was Karla’s best effort to help me find another place because she texted me and said that she can offer a new place for us.

One more ugly thing that I should mention is when Liane was at the basement, she pooped. I was expecting the caretakers to help me cleanup (good thing it was a solid poop) but they just watched me. Didn’t even offered newspapers to wrap the poop in, I have to ask. I know this is my responsibility as Liane’s mommy but at least I expected them to offer something I can use to cleanup. Guess they do not like pets at all. So if you are bringing pets to the house, make sure you bring warm clothing for them because they have to stay outside. In the cold.

Heart Ratings

Service (how we were entertained during our stay): (3/10)

Service (how we were entertained before our stay): (10/10)

Product (the house and facilities): (5/10)

Bang for the Buck: (9/10)

Overall Satisfaction: (6/10)

Rai and Marc’s recommendation: The water issue might be an isolated case, but all in all, Rosemont Garden is very well kept house and offers excellent view of the Taal Lake.

Chocolate Cake and Choco Beans Supplier: Theo Broma Belgian Chocolates

Package Deal: 12 pcs. 3.5″ Perfection Minicakes (Primary Sponsor Gifts), 30 pcs. Chocolate Beans (Supplier Gifts)
Package Price: Php165/pc for Perfection Minicakes, Php70/box for Chocolate Beans

The Good

We booked this supplier because we love their chocolates! Rich, velvety smooth – it’s a sin on a plate (naks!) and lovely packaging. Plus it’s free delivery within Metro Manila.

The Bad

The gift tags used were cheap paper with ink. I could have used our “thank you cards” instead if Val Bunao provided them before the wedding. And methinks that the choco beans are a bit over-priced but not the cake.

The Ugly

Beware of diabetes.

Heart Ratings

Service: (10/10)

Product (taste and presentation, packaging): (10/10)

Bang for the Buck: (8/10)

Overall Satisfaction: (10/10)

Rai and Marc’s recommendation: If you love chocolates then book them. Buy in bulk then re-pack to save more.

Here is our video same day edit (SDE). Actually, a different version of the song was used here – very different from the one we watched during the reception.

Video: Val Bunao
Music: Stolen by Dashboard Confessional

Our pre-nup pictures that we received post-nup. Tragic but good photos nonetheless. Same photos displayed in the reception on cheap illustration boards as photo gallery. We thought they are going to be on tarps but can’t complain – it’s free.

Photos by: Val Bunao
Location: UP Bonsai Garden, Diliman, Quezon City
Costumes from: Sinag Arts Foundation (Rental Fee: Php1,500/set)

Bridal Car: Beetle Limo

Package Deal: Rental of Black Volkswagen Beetle Limousine for 6 hours including driver and gas
Package Price: Php17,000 – 10% Discount

The Good

The Beetle Limo is one of the suppliers I want to take off the list. First, it was expensssssiiiiiveee. The price we paid for 6 hours rent of limo is twice the price we paid for 3 days rent of Nissan Urvan. It was not practical, and we can do without it. Heck, Don Robert’s cars are half the price, and still we can use the extra money for other stuff.

So why get it in the first place? For the sake of tradition. Marc’s parents used a VW Beetle for their bridal car. And we want the same too. When we saw the beetle limo in a wedding fair, we just knew we had to get it even if it means stretching the budget (wedding budgets are meant to be stretched, anyway). Come to think of it, this is the day when we can indulge ourselves and have a reason to ride a limousine. A modified Volkswagen Beetle Limousine!

A little bit of trivia: Beetle Limo is the only company that offers beetle limo in the Philippines.

Kuya Jimmy is the driver assigned to us. He is very nice, wears proper chauffeur uniform, very polite and on time. He makes a lot of kwento while I was waiting in the car before the bridal march, which is good so I won’t get nervous. We even asked our photographers to take Kuya Jimmy’s photo with us and the car so we will have a souvenir. We might not get a chance to ride a limousine again.

The Bad

There are no flowers included with the package because according them, out of town wedding packages do not include flower arrangement. Though I am not sure why. If you want your bridal car to have flowers, you might need to get your florist to do it.

The Ugly

The air conditioning feels like it does not exist. It was so hot inside the limo when we got in after the church ceremony that I keep adjusting the aircon knob so the air hits my face. Unfortunately, it won’t move. The temperature seems to be a little better when we arrived at the reception waiting for our grand entrance.

One more ugly worth mentioning: We forgot to use the sun roof and have picture taken inside the limo.  This is our fault. *pouts*

Heart Ratings

Service: (10/10)

Product (meaning the car itself): (7/10)

Bang for the Buck: (4/10)

Overall Satisfaction: (8/10)

Rai and Marc’s recommendation: If your budget will allow, take the limo. If you are not part of the alta sociedad like us, this is the only chance you will get to ride this expensive car.

Mobile Bar: Shakers Big Punch 808
Contact Person: Ryan M. Rano
Contact Numbers: 0927-3063-290 / 0923-5925-633 / 930-8671

Package Deal: Free flowing (unlimited) cocktails for 5 hours for 75-100pax + 5 bar games
Package Price: Php11,000 + Php 1,000 (Out of Town Charge)

The Good

I think that SBP808 serves the usual cocktails, but they gave them slightly different names. I was not able to drink a lot because of the stuff we have to take care of, but the two shots I managed to taste is good.

My direct contact is the bar owner, Ryan Rano. He is very easy to deal with, very easy to talk to and flexible with the payment terms. I booked them the last minute but they were able to schedule our party. The bar crew is so accommodating.  After the party, I asked them if a lot of guests were able to enjoy the bar and they said that mostly the guests near the bar were able to. They even offered some of the guests to bring home the mixed drinks, and offered me the drinks as well. The bad news is I can’t find empty bottles to hold the drinks so I had to let go. Note to self: bring Tupperware stuff to parties.

The price is very affordable too. Compared to other mobile bars, they offer almost half the price for unlimited drinks. According to Ryan, they don’t join much on bridal fairs because they might have to increase their price if they do so. I even attempted to get discount but again, their prices are already very affordable.

During the program, we used their bar games instead of the traditional bouquet and garter toss. The single gents had Tower 808, where they have to finish 8 shots of different drinks (strawberry juice as chaser, then the rest are mix of kamikaze, gin, vodka,  etc.). The last to finish is the guy who ‘caught’ the garter.

For the ladies, they had Flaming Shots, and the last to finish represents those who ‘caught’ the bouquet. The two are then asked to play the game where they had to sit on the guy’s lap. I really don’t remember much on this part of the program, I was dying of envy – I want my cocktails!

I think the guests loved the bar based on the photos posted on their Multiply website. I can see why Francis is wasted that night, hehehe. Though I have yet to ask them what they think of their service.

The Bad

I did not see anyone having bar games, except the games we included in the wedding program, the Tower 808 for the single gents and Flaming Shots for the single ladies. I think the games were not offered.  That or I just did not see them enjoying the games.

The Ugly

None. I do not see anything that may cause nightmares.

Heart Ratings

Service: (10/10)
Product: (10/10)
Bang for the Buck: (10/10)
Overall Satisfaction: (10/10)

Rai and Marc’s recommendation: Get Shaker’s Big Punch 808 on your next party. Your guests will sure have a blast.

Hay. I’m really, really confused right now. A week before our wedding and still working on the reception layout. For the goodness’s sake, I have to get this OC thing under wraps or it’ll drive me crazy.

Here’s the deal: I have to think a layout that does not require us to be on a platform, on a stage or isolated from the rest of the crowd. The guests also will have to have a good view of the projector so they can see the SDE video.

With help of handy dandy MS Visio, I drafted these layouts so I can get to choose the best.

Layout #1:
Pro: Long table setup, spacious dance floor
Cons: B&G are at the back

Colossian Garden Reception Layout Plan A

Layout #2:
Pro: Spacious floor area for the guests for dancing and games
Cons: We are isolated from the rest of the guests, will have to up and down the stairs for cake-cutting, first dance, etc., the projector is at the back some guests might not be able to see the SDE video during playback

Colossian Garden Reception Layout Plan C

Layout #3:
Pro: Long table setup, more spacious dance floor compared to Layout #1
Cons: Might be a little cramped on the sides, B&G still at the back

Colossian Garden Reception Layout Plan D

Layout #4:
Pro: Long table setup, more spacious dance floor compared to Layout #1, B&G are front and center
Cons: Stairs at the back (hope it’s not bad luck!), will have to walk behind the VIP guests to get to the cake or dance floor

Colossian Garden Reception Layout Plan E

Help me pick the best layout, please!

I super, duper, major, major love our invitations! I just hope that I had time (money) to add a little something extra to it just as I had originally planned, like adding an obi belt touch to it. In any case, it is as Japanese as it can get =)

We had a very nice trip to Tagaytay yesterday with my bestfriend Roy, and of course Liane. Supposedly, my Maid of Honor is to join us but, oh well…

Anyway, we dropped by Rosemont Garden and Yellow Coco to see our preparation venues before the wedding. Bom and I have finally decided that we will both stay at the Rosemont Garden for the preparation and the rest of his family members and entourage will have to stay at the Yellow Coco. Rosemont Garden also has a good view of Mt. Taal from the balcony, and has a cool breeze coming from the lake side of the house. Each room has a bathroom, but only one has a bathtub, which I like because I plan to submerge myself in a relaxing bath the night before the wedding. But the TV, oh, the TV, it is missing! Luckily, Yellow Coco offers an LCD TV with DVD player, in place of a bathtub. Both places are value for money and provides a very relaxing place, exactly what we need to balance the huff and puff of our wedding =)

We also took Roy and Liane to Caleruega for a quick look to what this beautiful place has to offer. Roy immediately noticed the unpaved road going to Caleruega, and I assured him that his car can take it. Liane also crossed the hanging bridge for the first time with Roy holding her leash so she won’t run after the dogs we saw at the park.

Before heading home, we also stopped by to see if the flowers had bloomed at Colossian Garden, but unfortunately the plants are still recuperating from the summer heat. Though we noticed that they placed more lanterns and the net-like decoration looks like it is cleaner. Then there was a chicken running for its dear life, and it was when we discovered that Liane was chasing it! Bad, Liane! But very funny. =)

So, without much ado, here are the photos from our trip (I apologize for the lousy pics, we have to rush going places because Liane cannot stand waiting for mommy Rai to finish her photoshoot).