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Let’s keep the love alive, people!

The highly creative girl I “met” on w@w last year — and whose engagement session was the first I featured on moonsnjunes — has finally officially started creating. What, you ask? LOGOS, or in a more wedding-appropriate term — MONOGRAMS! 8D

What is a monogram?

You get the drift.

Anyway, Fozzy (a.k.a. dezphaire) launched Logoswithlove this June. For the record, she’s done a gazillion monograms pro bono for w@wies last year, when she was a member. The ones featured above were some of her work.

From Fozzy:

I got into the business because of my own wedding preps. I was designing our monogram (which turns out to be a non-monogram) and was dabbling into Adobe Illustrator.  I’ve always been fond of typography and graphic illustration and thought this was just the perfect marriage (okay, pun intended) for those two.

Like my teacher asked me in college: what is the point of all this? Simple — personalization. A monogram is like a theme on its own — it binds the wedding elements together.  Take it from the monogram maker:

I will take ANYTHING as a source of inspiration. Bride-to-be’s have sent me their gown sketches, entourage pegs, and some have downloaded mood boards or movie posters.  If they don’t have a theme in mind, some just give me a run-down of what they don’t like, which still helps me put together in my head a picture of who they are.

So really, the more you reveal about yourself to the designer, the more accurately “you” your monogram becomes.

Now for my “bragging” part: This is who we are, in Fozzy’s logo world.

Besides the beach, the bride and the letterpress invites (not necessarily in that order), our monogram was probably my husband’s favorite element of the wedding. We used it on our canvas totes and drawstrings giveaways, and as tags for wedding favors. See below (photo by Leilani Gallardo)

And because I absolutely loved our wedding monogram, I’ve asked Fozzy to do the moonsnjunes logo! I mean, after a year, I think my blog deserves a dainty little gift from me no? And you can’t get any more dainty than Logoswithlove.

]]> http://moonsnjunes.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/logos-with-love-from-fozzy/feed/ 0 moonsnjunes MONO1 A L logo Clint Apple logos 1 our monogram canvas bags http://moonsnjunes.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/who-wants-something-like-this/ http://moonsnjunes.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/who-wants-something-like-this/#comments Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:18:52 +0000 moonsnjunes http://moonsnjunes.wordpress.com/?p=1182 ]]>

Well, WHO DOESN’T??!

Find out where, how, who. Soon.

I always get lost. I do, I don’t even know how that happens so much but it does. I’m the worst person to ask for directions, I can name at least 50 people who will attest to that. But my then-fiance now-husband Rhoel, God bless him, is the man with a map and a compass. He loves reading them things and is probably the most frequent user of Google Earth.  So when we decided to shoot some more after our cowboy episode at El Kabayo last June 11, the spontaneously conceived concept was a no-brainer: we would pretend to be on a road trip. Well actually, we were on a road trip (Manila-Pampanga, hello!)! but to add a little twist to it, we decided we wanted to be lost.

Of course, we weren’t really lost (our fab photographer Paolo Feliciano is a local, remember) but technically, we were not not lost either because we didn’t know exactly where we were (somewhere in Clark with VERY few vehicles) or where we were going. Just following photographer’s orders was what we were doing. 8 )

And then we decided it would be more exciting if our reliable little white car, Snarf, conked out on us…

… which would force us to walk.

We’ll end up here, in this cozy English pub on a nice, warm afternoon.

And we’ll have some drinks and live happily ever after. Well, that’s the general idea. LOL.

– The End –

Again, this whole gig would not have been half as lovely without the intervention of our make-up artist Pia Reyes and hairstylist Dave Lopez. Cowboy hats off to you guys! 8 )

P.S. Yes our beach wedding photos will be up on the blog, too (Hey, it’s mine, right? Besides, how many times can one be so self-absorbed? Ok, don’t answer.)

Yep, I’m hoping that one line would explain everything. But because pictures paint a thousand words, I’m not going to waste any more time and space on nouns and verbs. Below,  please find evidence of my busy-ness a week before the big day.

For the record, we’re not a pose-y couple, so we never really considered doing themed shoots. We mentioned this to our photographer Paolo Feliciano and asked instead for places in Pampanga (where he is based) that are not yet gasgas as pre-nup locations. We ended up at the El Kabayo Ranch because we thought it would be fun and easy enough to dress up as cowboys. Who’d have guessed it wasn’t meant to be thematic? 8 )

TRIVIA: My white horse is named Marica, a Polo horse and their “artista” because she is often used in films; Rhoel’s horse is called Majesty, a retired champion racehorse. Cool dudes.

The ranch charges P350 for 30 minutes of horse-riding (or P650 for an hour), with a guide. It also rents out cowboy hats, vests, boots and scarves for P250/set.  We rented only the vests and hats and worked with our own get-up. Special thanks to our make-up artist Pia Reyes and hairstylist Dave Lopez for turning us into pretty little Western things.

The ranch recreated an old Western town, complete with a courthouse, bar, post office, etc. It was surprisingly original. Kudos to Paolo for finding the place (what can we say, he’s a local!).

Man, that was fun! Part 2 coming up. Change costumes 8 )

FREE TRASH-THE-DRESS SHOOT goes to Jen and Es, who are tying the knot on Dec. 11 at the Manila Cathedral. Jen proposed a trash-the-dress shoot at the Candaba Swamp in Pampanga, famous as a stop-over for migrating birds. Their theme board really took flight!

FREE ENGAGEMENT SHOOT goes to Bob and Elay who are getting married this June 5 at the San Antonio de Padua Parish in Antipolo City. Their shoot will involve playing traditional Pinoy games that Elay missed while growing up in Saudi Arabia. What’s even nicer is that they will actually be playing with streetkids.

FREE WEDDING BACK-UP COVERAGE goes to Ardee and Shy, who are traveling all the way to Baguio for their big day on May 18. Shy’s jewelry-inspired wedding cord (as well as the wedding rosary and invite) got A for effort and creativity.

Now, will the winners please get in touch with Joey B. through his e-mail — botchok_817@yahoo.com — for your photo shoot arrangements.

BIG THANKS to everyone who joined! As I said, there were a number of really fab entries, especially in the DIY category, but the weddings had conflicts with Joey B.’s schedule so… Still it’s a good day when you can make something you can be proud of, right? 8 ) Cheers everyone!

Now this here is what I call a themed wedding, and I mean really themed wedding. Abbie and Earl’s union was a major production. In fact, it probably had a bigger budget than most indie films. Right, Abbie? LOL. Production design (and some photos) by 4th wall (former Balay Kandila).

You need a ticket, er, escort card, to get through…

Abbie and Earl’s wedding revolved around their four favorite movies. Check these table numbers. Let’s see how well you know your films:

From Movie # 1.

From Movie # 2:

From Movie # 3

From Movie # 4

Sirit? Let’s hear from from Abbie:

Gone with the Wind

My ultimate favorite movie — saw it when I was kid, saw it when UP theater played it and I have the DVD. I love the dialogues and acting (very theatrical). I love the era; I know it’s weird but the civil war is my favorite part of  American history (Feeling ko I was there, Hehe) and because Earl loves history, he learned to love the movie na rin. But come to think of it, it’s Gone with the Wind, won eight Oscars! And because I have selective OCD (is there such a thing?) the movie became my “power movie” I watch it whenever I feel extremely happy, sad and vindictive.

The couple poses at the photobooth inspired by Gone with the Wind.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Been trying to see the movie for ages so after I saw the movie, I cried, literally cried. Next to Scarlet O’hara, I honestly think Holly Golightly is a formidable character (or maybe it’s just me) — very independent. I remember Earl was writing a paper when this was being played on TV. He took a break muna so we could watch it together and he said, “Kaya pala sabi nila maganda to, maganda pala talaga.”

A few elements from the movie:

Pride and Prejudice

I bought the movie (HBO demand) and I watched it for the entire Christmas break. I memorized every line, I didn’t just love it, I was in love with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. So for Christmas, my brother gave me a brand new book, DVD and soundtrack. He even changed my name in his cellphone to Ms. Elizabeth. Talk about obsession!

West Side Story

Earl didn’t like it, very flambuoyant interpretation of a gang war daw (frat guy kasi) but what he liked was the fight scene, minus the dancing. Ako, I’ve seen it when i was a kid too; my family loves musicals kasi. But why did the movie make it to our weeding? It’s all because of Buhay –  he loves it!!!! He likes musicals (nakuuuuu!) Nuf said.

And um, the (toy) gun was actually part of the centerpiece:

Now lest you think it was all a movie (or four movies to be precise), here are snapshots from St. James the Great where Abbie and Earl solemnly exchanged vows on Aug. 1, 2009 with their son Buhay as the most important witness.

To Earl and Abbie, you seem like a great team. May the theme of your life be everlasting love. 8 )

To those who want more inspiration from this themed wedding, click here.

Now this is the truth and nothing but the truth so help me God: I almost, almost ditched Dangwa for this florist. Who wouldn’t be tempted by the fact that Vatel Manila NEVER does the same bouquet twice — and they’ve been doing weddings for five years! But I did a not-so-quick math and realized I had already spent my extra on a surprise gift for our guests, so there goes my NFF (new favorite florist)  and there goes bride to old reliable Dangwa.

That doesn’t mean though that I can’t share some beauty with you from my NFF, right? I mean, if you can’t have them, drool over them. So I asked Dylan Gozum of Vatel Manila to send me his favorite bouquets to date. And here are MY favorites from his favorites:

Top 1: How stunning is this black and red bouquet? A.K.A. the bouquet that made the florist cry, God knows why, but if those tears can produce this kind of output, then cry me a river.

Top 2: An autumn-themed bouquet. If I could choose only one season to last the whole year, it would be autumn. In fact, if only people in this country didn’t have a hard time pronouncing it, I’d name a daughter Autumn. But this is about bouquets. From Dylan:

We had to wait for three hours as (the flowers) cleared customs at the NAIA and were finally delivered to Dangwa. This bouquet was particularly huge and heavy because of the many things that went into making it: two-toned Holland tulips (red/yellow), Molucella (a.k.a bells of Ireland), Leucandendron, Leucospermum (both endemic to South Africa & Zimbabwe), mokara orchids from Bangkok, and red Hypericum berries. Hands down, this bouquet must have had the highest carbon footprint of them all!

Top 3:  I like succulents! They dare to be different (like they have any choice. LOL). For this, Vatel Manila used Echeveria elegans (common name for us common people: rose cactus), Haworthia attenuata & Craspedia, which according to Dylan himself, is “terribly expensive, given their diminutive size.” So be forewarned. But hey, you get what you pay for.

Top 4: Ah, million stars (scientific name for scientific people: Gypsophila). This is the closest you will get to holding the stars in your hand… I want one, I do, I do! (I wonder when the flower-cum-coffee shop idea birthed by a dialogue between florists — one of whom is the mother of the groom — open?)

Top 5: And I’m suddenly a fan of roses…

Dylan explains how the ordinary can become extraordinarily beautiful, and I can only say, Amen!:

For this bouquet, we used all-white roses interspersed with white rice flowers, rendering what otherwise could have been a very simple arrangement into something airy and feminine. Bear in mind that there are grand events that call for the simplest of arrangements (the bride’s gown was already heavily ornamented); no need to break the bank to acquire the feel that you want. It’s how the whole look is pulled together that counts.

Top 6: Another white; in fact four great whites as Dylan calls it: Lilac, snapdragon, matthiola and tulips. Love, love, love how the bouquet looks with the gown, too! Some things just go together PERFECTLY.

Top 7: I am NOT a fan of orange (reminds me of my previous company’s tacky jacket. LOL), but you have to hand it to this one. NOT irritating at all…

A sound advice from Dylan:

Orange or tangerine is a particularly tricky color especially in a tropical setting where there’s too much sun/light. Orange, if used heavily, can actually border on the tacky. It has to be tempered by another dark color (in this case, yellow) and another light (in this case, white). Here’s a really pretty & robust-looking bouquet in rust and canary yellow with lots and lots of wax flowers in between. Hypericum berries, eucalyptus leaves, a brooch and a wisp of ostrich feather completed the look.

So, there… sigh… why can’t I have everything??! Anyway, for more lovely bouquets, head over here. Just don’t forget to wipe that bridal drool off your face.

So what’s the deal?

1) If you want a FREE ENGAGEMENT or TRASH-THE-DRESS SESSION, send us a theme board of your concept/inspiration and tell us how you plan to execute it, i.e. venue, props, even dresses, etc. The contest is open to couples whose weddings fall between April 1 and Dec. 31, 2010. We will pick the most interesting boards (one for TTD and one for engagement), so get creative. It doesn’t have to be a whole elaborate and expensive production (in fact, I’d personally prefer one that’s practical, too). Here’s some inspiration from a pre-nup shoot in a Zapote perya.

2) If you prefer FREE BACK-UP WEDDING COVERAGE, like what Mark and Gina won last year, send us your best DIY wedding project, complete with photos and instructions. Make it short and sweet, please. Only weddings slated on April 30 to July 15, 2010 may be covered (because Joey B. will be in the U.S. this July with Rene Gaviola).

Okay, the floor is now open for nominations (first-time features will be given priority). E-mail your entries to seemeinparis@yahoo.com with the couple’s complete names and wedding website (or if you don’t have one, please put your venue, wedding date and contact information).  If your theme board or DIY project is already on your website, you may simply send us the link and other details you want to share.

We close at midnight on April 15. Go, go, go!!!

Need flowers, will go to Dangwa.

And so I did what every other practical bride does:  I went to the famous flower market in Manila for my bouquets. No. 1 advice when going to places like this is KNOW WHAT YOU WANT/NEED because, simply put, clueless people can die there from flower overload (well at least you get buried in carnations, yeah? LOL).

Now I’m not flower-savvy but I went there armed with pegs of bouquets I liked (It’s good to have several options so you can compare prices and availability of flowers). Besides my long-time preference for carnations, I was not particular about bouquets. All I knew was that I didn’t want the usual flowers, so I instead kept an eye out for lovely fillers — and ended up fancying what Ver Flower Shop told me were called rice flowers (Excuse the blurry pictures, I took them with my mobile phone amid a throng of flower shoppers).

Anyway, I loved the pretty little things so I asked for a mock-up bouquet for my bridesmaids. This what they came up with:

A closer look…

I’m not a fan of the ribbon they used so I’ll provide my own pretty pink lace to tie our bouquets but otherwise, this ain’t bad for P200 ($4). Yep, two hundred pesos only. Sold!

Those who are on the lookout for a different bouquet, try getting creative with fillers. They are usually cheaper and can make a surprisingly pretty bunch for your entourage. Like these statice flowers:

I forget now what these fillers are called but they’re bright and potentially lovely too, from Dangwa. (NOTE: They’re called Sweet William, according to Dylan Gozum of Vatel Manila. Thank you God for brilliant florists like him!  8P)

As for my bouquet, this is what I asked them to copy:

Again, according to Dylan, the flowers are not peonies but English roses… Hmm… I’ll have to ask the flower shop again if they have that and how much. I initially suggested that the flowers be replaced with white carnations (after the girl told me they were a certain kind of peonies, which are P350/stem) — and anyway I’ve always thought of myself as a carnations kind of girl (I’m a lot more playful than roses or calla lilies). Cost of my bridal bouquet? P800 ($15). Is that happiness or what?!

Now I’m crossing my fingers that Dangwa will deliver on the big day, literally.

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