Poignant. Priceless. Perfect.

Five years ago, I signed off from Weddings at Work to put up a wedding planning company with my friends from W@W. A lot has happened since then: our team has been named three times as one of the Top Ten Wedding Suppliers; I  was asked to help in The Wedding Primer, eventually becoming its Editor-at-Large; our team was given the opportunity to coordinate W@W events, including W@W10; and we were named as one of the most reliable wedding coordinators by Metro Weddings. From An Event to Remember to Events by Clarice, it has been five awesome-although-sometimes-anxiety-inducing-but-always-so-wonderful years!

Throughout all these (read: throughout all my toxic moments… hahaha!), my brides have been always, always been there for me. Even during my super delicate pregnancy, my brides have been so supportive. All these wonderful blessings happened because of the support and help and prayers of our families and friends.

And for this, and for everything good and fabulous that happened during the past five years, our team would like to thank all our friends. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Also, to spice things up, we’re giving Php5,000.00 off to the first five brides-to-be who will book through our website.

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you.

*group hug*

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Below are our promo mechanics:

1. Go to Events by Clarice website.  Copy the quote about love (after all, weddings are all about love). *TIP: If you find the quote too long, just wait a few seconds and another quote will come up.*

2. Click Contact Us.

3. Click “click here” in the line “For inquiries, please click here.”

4. The Inquiry Form will appear.

5. Fill up the form and in the Note part, type the love quote from the main page.

6. Send.

Tadah! *haha! may sound effects pa!*

Please wait for our feedback regarding our availability.

Terms:

1. EBC team must be available on the date of the wedding.

2. An entry is considered a firm reservation, hence, a 50% downpayment is expected within seven working days after the confirmation email has been sent.

Thank you so much. Just message me for any questions.

Happy one month and five days after the New Year!!! Hahaha!

Whew! It was one tough peak season. Will try to make kwento about the weddings we’ve had. Super dami ko gusto i-blog… as in even while driving I’d think of topics I can blog about!

For now, let me share with you an email from Jhing, our December 28 bride.

Love you, Jhing! Mwah!

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january 9, 2010

clarice!!!!!

alam mo ba, until now, we feel overjoyed on how our wedding celebration turned out.

and i don’t know how i can ever thank you and your amazing team! i don’t even know how to start.

hehe…medyo drama no. pero sobrang happy talaga kami. hanggang ngayon, our relatives and friends keep on telling
us how much they enjoyed our wedding.

my mother has nothing, but praises for you and your team. she is impressed on how organized you are. we’re all worry-free
because of your very efficient and reliable team!

my friends say na walang silang masabi sa pag asikaso nyo sa amin. they all say how courteous and friendly you all are. kakatuwa talga marinig. syempre sobrang binida and ni recommend namin kayo sa kanila.

we are so blessed to have you in one of the most special days in our lives. we felt we have angels assisting us and assuring us that everything’s gonna be alright. we are forever thankful of you!

i just hope we didn’t cause you too much stress. hehe. i know it’s a tough job, but, you excel on it.

dahil din sa compliments na narinig ko sa inyo, feeling ko lalo akong nagfeeling pretty that day. hehe.

pano na lang talaga ang wedding namin kung wala kayo.

clarice, thank you so much again ha! big hugs!! >:D< please extend our thank yous to all our “ates” that day. pakiramdam talaga namin mga ate lang na nag aasikaso sa amin.

we love you and your team sooo much!

we pray for more success for you!

God bless.

luv,
jhing & ron

Sorry for the lack of post. As my friend Pazette said, a blog is like a pet. It should be taken cared of. Soooo guilty of being a bad blogger!

I have a meeting with a bride today in Shang Mall. We had no definite place for a meeting. Sabi ko kasi text text na lang (rush meeting, last night lang na-set).  I went to the 6th floor Starbucks and messaged her. I said:

“Hi! See you in a bit! Starbucks 6th floor na lang po. I’m seated beside the condiments table. White top. Curly hair. Super pretty! Hahaha! ”

She replied:

“okay! anticipate me… brown top, straight hair, as pretty! ”

I love her already! Hahaha!!

For the first time since I started coordinating, all my three meetings yesterday were food tasting sessions!

First meeting at was 11am at Hizon’s office. It’s for my January 5 wedding. After the food tasting, the couple, Dan and Tessa, and Dan’s uncle, Doc Jaime, were able to finalize the menu so we procceded with the mock up. Super nice the centerpieces made by Teddy Manuel!! Ang ganda! Two kinds of centerpieces para alternate. Venue is Glass Garden so mataas so kelangan may height yung centerpieces. I love the centerpieces! Very simple but very elegant.

Next meeting was at the Josiah’s office in Marikina. This was for my December 27 wedding. Since I was quite hungry na by the time we finished the meeting (I didn’t eat kasi during the food tasting), I stopped by to eat at Ilokos Empanada along Katipunan, capped by Starbucks’ Peppermint Mocha (weird na combination no?). I was taking my time kasi it was still early. By the time I called Mherlyn, my Josiah’s AE, at 230pm, andun na pala yung groom sa office nila! Ay juice ko! Anyway, I arrived a few minutes before 3pm (our meeting time… hahaha! defensive na hindi late!) and this time I ate with the groom, Dindo, and his sister (Karen, the bride, is Canada-based).  Their menu is what I called the Josiah’s best-seller list. Braised ox tongue in Red Wine with Mushroom Sauce, Grilled Chicken Teriyaki, Pan Fried Sole Fillet with Lemon Butter and Crispy Garlic, Roast Porkloin with Oyster Garlic Sauce, and Josiah’s Signature Mongolian Barbecue. Niloloko nga ako ni Mherlyn an bagong-bago daw lahat ng napili na dishes. Hahaha! For me naman, tried and tested so super okay. (Tsaka I had Josiah’s for two of my personal events and super hit these dishes!). After finalizing the details like centerpieces, linen color, layout, etc., Dindo and his sister left na. I stayed awhile to make chika with Tita Jet and Fresh (owners of Josiah’s). Fresh said that they’re coming up with new dishes next year and I’m excited kasi I saw a couple of the new dishes for the hot entree — Herbed Crusted Roasted Lamb and an Osso Buco dish.  By the way, Fresh is Tita Jet’s only daughter and is a pastry chef. Sarap her pastries! Her pastry line naman is called Amande – French word for “almond”.

Last food tasting was with Kay of K by Cunanan. This one is with my October 16 couple. We were supposed to meet Kay at 6pm but we were late. Charmaine and Jonathan came pa from Manila and super na-traffic. We arrived at Kay’s house around 645pm, almost 7pm. Kakahiya!

Appetizer was Chicken Hoisin Wrap. Soup was Broccoli and Cheese. Salad was Watermelon with Feta (This was my first time to try this. The sweetness of the watermelon combined with the tanginess of the vinaigrette, and then topped with Feta cheese and nuts, was interesting.). Hot entrees were Tenderloin steak with Mashed Potato and Roasted Vegetables, Sesame encrusted Salmon with Wasabi Mashed Potato (This one was another interesting dish. As Kay said, mejo boring yung salmon but the Wasabi Mashed Potato, mas sipa yung lasa), and Prawns with Honeyed Nuts (this one I loved!). Desserts were Strawberry Panacotta and Dark Chocolate Banana Fritters (Or at least I think yun yung pangalan ng dessert. Hehe!). The couple, with Jym (niece of the groom whose debut we coordinated 3 years ago) enjoyed the food tasting. We said goodbye to Kay super full.

After, we went to Starbucks to talk more about the wedding. Charmaine recently fell in love with damask so we searched for damask inspirations online.  Ang ganda talaga ng pattern na ito! Super kaka-in love. (I remember Jeng, one of my December brides, also emailing me several months ago na na in-love siya sa damask. I laughed when she said that kasi I could feel the emotions sa email eh.)

We parted ways super happy that we now have a definite pattern to use for the wedding.

I went home after that meeting. When I got home, Jojie and I feasted on Charmaine’s birthday gift of Diamond Hotel Ensaymadas. Hay! A productive day capped by ensaymada, heaven!

I normally do not get to listen to reception speeches.  Once I am sure that the person slated to speak is already in front, I shift focus to the next program sequence. Tsaka after so many weddings, pare-pareho na rin naman yung sinasabi. Marriage is about compromise. Marriage is about giving. Marriage is a commitment to God and to each other. Don’t end the day mad at each other. Always think of the other person.

But sometimes, there are speeches that I remember even after a long time.

A ninong in one wedding said, “Ang buhay mag-asawa sa umpisa lang yan mahirap. Tapos pahirap na yan nang pahirap nang pahirap.” I laughed out loud. Being married, I can so relate to what he said.

In another wedding, the elder sister of the bride, after the normal opening lines,  said “When people ask me if we’re happily married, I reply, I am married and my husband is happy.” I was, I think, talking to a supplier then but I laughed when I heard her. The sister went on to say that kidding aside, she and her husband were happily married and that she wished that her sisterm, the bride, would be able to say years from then that she’s also happy with her marriage.

It got me asking myself if I was happily married. And I was actually surprised to realize that yes, I was. When I got home that night, I asked Jojie if he thought we were happily married and after pondering for a few seconds (first time kasi kami natanong pareho kaya kelangan mag-isip), he said that we were. I think nagulat din siya. It got us to realize that we were blessed to be happy with each other.

This happened around three years ago. Fast forward to the present. We now have a baby and our life is crazier than ever, with trying to juggle our crazy work sched and spending lots of time with Jia and with each other. I admit, there was a time when Jojie and I were alarmed because we realized that we were not as happy anymore. Not naman na ayaw na namin ang isa’t-isa or ayaw kami ng away, kasi hindi naman. In a way, though, what was happening to us was worse kasi we were not anymore talking kasi super lang kami busy. Parang you’re so used to a routine that you forget to sit down and really talk. Mabuti na lang we were able to notice that we were heading to indifference and we were able to commit to do something about it. Na-realize namin na nakakaloka pala talaga ang may anak kasi may tendency talaga na makalimutan niyo ang isa’t-isa.

So we went on dates. We talked. We had dinners together. We watched movies. And I am so proud to say that we were able to regain the connection.

A couple of months ago, my friend Grace emailed me this:

I also wanted to mention, when we were in Sentro and you were telling a story, I caught a glimpse of Bernard lovingly gaze at you when you were talking, he had this look in his eyes and his face that was undoubtedly showing love and fondness for you as you were sharing a story. I thought it was so nice to see that, to capture that moment because its so rare that you see couples really still like and love each other after many years of being together. Its so nice to see that.  Im sure he wasnt even aware of it and moreso, he wasnt aware that I saw that too. That to me made it really so touching and genuine.

I was so touched with her email and para akong may boyfriend na kinikilig kasi nasabihan na gustong-gusto siya. Hahaha!

We will be celebrating our 5th year anniversary in December. Alam ko ang dami pa naming pagdadaanan. Sbai nga pahirap nang pahirap nang pahirap. But I also know that whatever happens, as long as we’re commited to each other, then we can always work things out. Hahaha! Ang cheesy!

Many might not know that mistakes in invitations are my pet peeves (See Nuptial vs. Nuptials), so much so that when I’m driving or waiting for a client, I actually think of or write down common invite mistakes that I want to blog abot (o di ba, mabait naman ako na blogger kasi madami naman ako blog entries eh… yun nga lang lahat nasa isip ko lang! hahaha!).

Common mistake No. 1: The term “Doktora” is not in the English language so even if you’re referring to a female doctor, please use “Dr.” [This is weird actually since English is normally gender-specific while Pinoy is not (e.g., sister or brother pero kapatid lang sa Filipino di ba?).]

Common mistake No. 2: Indicating  a deceased parent’s name as a host. I know this is such a touchy subject. I know of so many couples who would want to honor a deceased parent by putting his/her name on the invite. Okay lang naman. Just please don’t use: With the blessing of <<deceased parent>> or <<Deceased parent>> invites you to... What’s proper is to use “With thanksgiving to <<deceased parent>>”

Common mistake No. 3: Not putting an RSVP deadline or putting a too-early RSVP deadline. Deadline for the RSVP should be 2 weeks prior to the wedding. Earlier than that, joke lang talaga kasi marami pang guests na hindi sigurado kung pupunta sila or hindi (ewan ko din po  kung bakit hindi pa sila sure). Not putting naman an RSVP deadline will result to guests calling in the day before (imagine going through the guest list again!).

Common mistake No. 4: “Blessings” instead of “blessing”. The term “blessing” is both singular and plural. No S needed.

Common mistake No. 5: Indicating the table/seat number of the guests in the invitation. Awa ng Diyos wala pang gumagawa na bride ko nito. Imagine the trouble of assigning seats/tables to guests before invite distribution and then have bungi-bunging tables when some guests send their regrets. Chances are, your waitlist guests cannot naman just be seated sa mga bungi-bungi.

Common mistake No. 6: Relying in other people for the spelling/correct name of an entourage member/principal sponsor. This  one is quite common. Tito Bert’s real name pala is not Robert but Albert or Tito Joey is not Jose but Joey lang talaga.  Please do check with the person himself. Do not rely on other people, not even your parents.

So there. Isip pa ako uli (or hanapin ko yung mga nasulat ko dati) and then I’ll update.

Our team is currently looking for new coordinators. Prior experience in wedding coordination is not needed. In fact, we prefer those who do not have formal experience in event coordination.

We’re looking for pretty (hahaha!) girls who love weddings and handling events, who are team players, who are efficient and organized, who can work under pressure, who do not mind standing for long hours, who can smile in spite of everything, and who can still laugh after a long, difficult, and tiring day. It will be a super plus if you’re available on weekdays.

If you think you fit the above qualifications, shoot me an email at clarice@eventsbyclarice.com.

On Sept 15, 2009, I received an SMS inquiry for a Day Management for October 10, 2009. Super lapit na nun kasi less than one month to go. And although I have decided to accept just one October wedding (since October was supposed to be my rest month, to gear up for the December peak season), I still met up with Kats (ni Harvey), the bride, kasi ang lapit na ng wedding niya and I was pretty sure she was already panicking.

When we met, I learned that she “came” from another coordinator and that she was really OC! As in! When we met, she already made photocopies of all the files, contracts, and receipts for me, put inside a brown envelope printed with my name!!! As in yung brown envelope may monogram nila and may pangalan ko! Printed!!! Nakakaloka! Hahaha! The files contained pictures of all her entourage members, pictures of her principal sponsors, layout of the ceremony and reception venues, pictures of the centerpiece mockups, pictures of the personalized pens for the signing of the Principal Sponsors, etc! Talk about being OC-OC to the highest level! And although I promised myself that I would just get one wedding for October, I ended up doing their wedding.

During the course of the just one month-long preps, I have come to know her more than a bride. We were able to discuss things beyond wedding planning and after one particularly “conversation-ful” meeting, she sent me this SMS (some parts were cut our for brevity’s sake).

Dear Clarice, i hope you don’t feel pressured to meet our expectations i just thought you might be when you asked me this afternoon if i’m ok with how things are going. I understand that ours is a special case i hope you don’t take my peculiarities too seriously and think of me as a walking bundy clock. And i don’t feel that it’s merely an oc behavior. maybe in between the behavior and the disorder. joke. i just want you to know that i am happy. i’m glad that i met you. i mean where else can you find a coordinator / counselor? <SNIP> but you know what if i’m to thank you for just one thing, its not because you agreed to salvage our wedding, its not your delightful curly hair, or your bubliness. i want to thank you for bringing me back to the true essence of a wedding. i got so carried away by all the glitz and glamour that i totally forgot what this is all about. <SNIP> And you know what, with the stories you told me, about your other brides, about your life, about things, i realized i’ve forgotten that i’m doing this because i’m finally marrying God’s gift to me. and that’s what i’m thanking you. for bringing back the “human”ity to your wedding. and because of the principles you were able to impart to me, i’ve finally learned to let go. You know what Clarice, i believe you come on time not because you feel pressured to. Our first meeting proved that. You come on time and do what’s proper because those are your principles and I salute you for that. I don’t really care so much anymore how oct. 10 would turn our to be. I gained friendships. I learned a lesson. I grew up. I realized what a wedding is. I guess that’s more than enough for me. And you taught me that. It doesn’t really matter anymore how our wedding will turn out, I’m thankful enough for the things i’ve learned and what God has given me. As i’ve told you, i feel being a coordinator is one of the hardest professions around and with your brain and credentials, i believe its your love for the craft that enables you to endure the headahces that brides should be the ones undergoing. and that for me is what passion is. <SNIP> from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. regardless if the wedding is perfect, regular, or zzzzz. knowing you is enough. how you changed my views is priceless. thank you.

Una, yup, this was a text message. Her next message, in fact, was. “Sorry for the long text. Wala ako dsl.”

I was SUPER touched by her message. Except for one time (from Kay ni Arlo), I get thank you’s like this after the wedding. So super ko talaga na-appreciate her message. Made me remember again that coordination is not just planning the wedding per se but getting to know the couple and bring part of their lives. I have brides I have ended up being real friends with. Lunch or dinner pag my time, email-email, text-text. Nakakatuwa to know that the relationship does not end when the wedding is done.

Kats’ wedding is done. It was not glitch-free.  Because of things beyond our control, it was the pinaka-na-late na wedding ceremony ko na ever. But in spite that, I was happy with their ceremony and reception. And Kats and Harvey were very happy. After the wedding, Harvey actually took time out to talk to Bernard (who went to the hotel to pick me up) to thank him. So in spite the stress to the highest levels, I went home real happy, knowing that I have made another friend in Kats.

During a wedding, we try to be in the church 2 hours before the scheduled ceremony time. If the church is one which allows lagare weddings (i.e., sunod-sunod without much time allowance in between), we would normally see the wedding before us.

Last Saturday, we had a wedding in Barasoain Church in Malolos. The ceremony (i.e., processional) was scheduled at 3:40pm.  We arrived around 130pm and learned that there was a 2pm wedding  so we just stayed in the pew nearest to the church doors and observed the other wedding’s preps.

When I saw the groom, I noticed that his boutonniere was pinned on his breast pocket! Syempre hindi ko napigilan ung sarili ko and I went up to him. I introduced myself then I unpinned the boutonniere from the pocket and pinned it on his coat’s lapel.

Around 210pm, the lineup has not been started yet. Wala kasing coordinator. Late naman yung coordinator ng church. Natatakot na kami kasi we knew kami ang maiipit. Eksakto, the church coordinator arrived. I went up to him and offered him help. He declined. We could hear the entourage asking themselves what was going to happen. Nakarinig pa ako ng isang ninang na nagsabi, “Aayusin nila yan.”

The coordinator then started the lineup. Sigaw siya, “Best Man, Groom, Magulang ng Groom, pila na dito.” Then “Mga ninong at ninang, pila na.” And, in our horror, nagpuntahan lang sa carpet yung mga ninong at ninang, not knowing what to do, and kung sino yung katabi nila, yun na!

The next 10 minutes went by so fast, parang military operation kasi ready lahat…  I asked for a copy of the invitation from an entourage member and proceeded to line them up, according to the invitation. After that, I ran to the start of the line and saw Au guiding the Principal Sponsors. I asked her to conduct the processional (church policy says the processional should be quick, the people marching should just be 4 pews apart so ang bilis bilis talaga!).  I instructed Jane to go to the bridal car to assist the bride in going down. Syempre ang Jane tinanong pa ako, “Ms. Clarice, hihintayin ko ba yung photographer o ibaba na yung bride?” Hahaha! Hindi na namin bride, concern pa rin namin ang pictures! So I ran to the front of the line again and asked the photog. Hindi naman daw siya magpapadala ng rep sa bridal car. By the time I got back to Jane, natapos niya nang ma-brief yung parents sa closed-door entrance. Lucre and Michael were in charge of the doors. Jane assisted the bride in going down and we laid out her train. When the bride’s parents were already in their place, halfway down the aisle, the music changed and Lucre and Michael slowly opened the doors.

We had a perfect bridal entrance!!!