BRIDAL BLISS: Floral Elegance at Chris & Jillian's Big Day

Like a lot of modern, millennial relationships, my friendship with bride Jillian began online. I had seen the Cosmo.Ph EIC @jillyqg looking her bright, bubbly self in a lot of my friends snaps, so much so that when I first met her, I couldn't help but feel like we were old friends. Consequently, and I believe upon the recommendation of Cosmopolitan Fashion Director Donna Cuna-Pita & Fashion Editor Happy Lopez, when it became time to plan her special day with beau Chris Cantada, she also found me on Instagram. Needless to say, I was extra excited to get to work with the couple, and am extremely grateful for their trust. 

Even before our first meeting, Jillian had already sent me photos of her girls, a short bio, and what silhouettes they wanted to wear, all packaged neatly in a PowerPoint. She had such clarity of vision, truly knowing what look she wanted for her entourage, and yet allowed me and her girls the artistic freedom to create unique ensembles that made each lady feel her prettiest. That, to bride Jill, was the most important part, that the special people in her life feel gorgeous as well.

MALEN, TIFFANY, JENNIFER, BRIDE JILLIAN, KARA & CHESKA 

THESE BRIDESMAIDS ARE GETTING FIRST DIBS ON THE BRIDE'S BOUQUET! 

Jillian wanted something fresh and blooming for their garden soiree, and ensembles her bridesmaids could wear again. Prompted by the floral pret-a-porter skirts I had been designing, we decided on formal separates for her entourage. It was indeed a challenge to find a botanical print that matched her color scheme of pink and pistachio, but I guess Cupid was on our side and we were able to find one with such a glorious old world feel that we all fell in love with. The Matron of Honor Jennifer, the bride's sister, opted for a floor length ball gown skirt paired with a halter top. The bridesmaids chose their own tops and skirts, everything from crop tops to cutouts to elegant three-quarter sleeved blouses. I really think we were able to showcase each girl's unique style whilst creating a cohesive and elegant look for the wedding.

Having had the privilege of working with such lovely ladies, I was able to make so many new friends. I am thankful for all the chats we had at fittings, the funny stories, the bloopers, the stuff I learned, and all the memories. Some parts of our journey were easy, some hard, but all worth it for the beautiful moment it all comes together and the individual pieces become greater as they become part of the whole.

TIFFANY, CHESKA, MALEN & KARA 

And of course, no wedding is complete without an adorable flower girl to sprinkle petals down the aisle. Meet my favourite new friend Ysabelle who looked like a little princess in a cloud of pink tulle. When I first met her, she was still a bit shy. But after our first fitting, after she got to try on her tutu dress, I can say that she really warmed up to me. She gave me the a biggest hug, and waved back to me all the way from my place to their car parked across the street. Being fairy godmother to little girls has its perks, I tell you. 

THE BRIDE & HER NIECE YSABELLE | RINGBEARER DAMIEN & YSABELLE

THE BRIDE'S SISTER & MATRON OF HONOR JENNIFER, WITH HER DAUGHTER YSABELLE

And to appease the romantic in me, I also consider it a true act of fate that I got to work  with Jillian. Obviously, we had worked in the same publishing company but at different times. But I also learned that Jillian had been studying in New York the exact same time I had been in school there. Furthermore, I would like to give a special shout out to the groom's sister Cat Cantada. I had heard so much about makeup artist extraordinaire Cat back when I was working in Preview, but in all that time, I never had the chance to work with her. People would book her for shoots before I could, and we always tried to work with different talents each month. I found out that Cat's just as silly as I was, and now I stalk her on Instagram. 

CAT, ANGELINA, TIFFANY, MALEN, CHESKA, KARA, THE COUPLE & THEIR DASHING GROOMSMEN 

I was equally impressed by our rockstar groom, who is none other than famous YouTuber and drummer Chris Cantada. During his Spongecola days, I learned that he had penned a love song named entitled Jillian. Guys, seriously, can you top that? The couple had been dating for more than 10 years, and sometimes long distance, before this momentous occasion that has brought two  beautiful, quirky souls together. Truly, any occasion to celebrate true love is something we each must cherish.

And with these lovely photos by Nice Print Photo taken at Angelfields in Tagaytay, I bid you adieu. I thank you Jillian and Chris for making me a part of your special day, and wish you all the best as you  both continue to pen the lyrics to your unique love story. 

THE BRIDE & HER ENTOURAGE 

THE RADIANT BRIDE & HER BRIDESMAIDS | JILLIAN SHARES A MOMENT WITH BIG SISTER JENNIFER

BRIDAL BLISS: My Best Friend's Wedding

It is a rare privilege for designers to become a part of the lives of their brides, as through loving hands they literally craft the last garment one wears as a single woman. It's a transformative piece, one sprinkled in fairy dust and bestowed on with such power and reverence that holds us all in its thrall. And if it's to be worn by your childhood bestie, then I do think it becomes all the more magical.

PHOTO BY JUN SONG

That is the story of me, and Karaine, my BFF from grade school who moved to Australia and met the love of her life Victor. I was in New York (studying at FIT and interning at Marchesa and Vera Wang) when she got engaged and given that we were continents apart, we weren't sure how to pull off making her princess wedding gown. But love can truly move mountains and I was so excited that I had to come back home to Manila to start making it! 

Like all crazy endeavours, we started off with a plan, a.k.a. a sketch. She ultimately chose this design, a drop waist lace bodice finished off with ruffles galore! 

She could only come to Manila once or twice for fittings before the big day, so we had to make it work. At this point, I would like to commend my friend's immense trust in me, that I would come up with something pretty for her special day. During the three months or so that we were crafting her gown, all she got were progress photos. We got so fond of the dress we've nicknamed her Ms. Fluffles (now, Mrs. Fluffles, naturally). With more than a hundred yards of organza (plus plus plus), I would say she's earned her moniker. 

I got to Perth two weeks before the wedding, and with bated breath, Karaine tried on her gown. Thankfully, it was a great fit and apart from a few length issues, it was perfect!!! More importantly, the bride-to-be was happy, and that's all a designer-friend could ever ask for!

The wedding was held on a gorgeously sunny day in Perth, Australia. The ceremony was in a quaint chapel in Fremantle filled with a lot of history, followed by a lovely reception of close family and friends at Caversham House in Swan Valley. The couple's adventurous photographer, Jun Song, took these photos around the port city of Fremantle and at the wedding reception venue. 

Aside from the wedding gowns, my other favourite thing to make are flower girl dresses! Who could resist all that cuteness, really?! Karaine wanted mini-mi gowns but she still wanted them to look like sweet little girls. The result, organza ball gowns with lovely pink sashes!

The two flower girls plus a third, honorary one who was smart enough to match the color scheme! 

This was us at flower girl Amelia's dress fitting in Perth. I also got her measurements via email so we were so happy the dress fit. Her little sister was equally excited and joined us for a nice, little cuddle on the floor. 

And finally, the bride and her entourage. It was like a mini-reunion as it had been me, another bosom buddy from grade school Stephanie, and the bride's cousin Wena. 

And so ends my little tale of love, rendered in cascading ruffles, beautiful bows, and sparkly lace. But as this bridal gown bids you adieu, for it's served its mission well, it does usher in a beautiful new life for the couple filled with a lifetime of bliss and a future of hope.