prep talk

Three things should be considered by any bride in choosing her dream gown: the design (style, fabric, beadworks and craftsmanship), the designer (name/reputation, client-relation and service) and her budget. There are cases that the bride already has a designer in mind to do her wedding gown even before her boyfriend proposes. But reality checks in when planning starts and she finds out that the creations of her choice designer is more than what she and her fiancé could afford. For some, this could be one heartbreaking experience and a step back from her dream wedding.

Exactly how much are custom-made, designer bridal gowns cost nowadays? The price range may vary from P50,000 to P500,000 and beyond! It really depends on how elaborate the design is, the type of fabrics to be used and where they will be sourced from, and how big the name of its maker or the wearer. But a P20,000 designer wedding gown is out of the going price range and more of the exception rather than the rule in today's standards.

We invited five designers to take on the challenge of designing a bridal gown that's worth only 20k . Three of them are established names in the bridal fashion scene--one is known as the designer of choice of the Chinese set, the other gained prominence for his clean lines and creations donned by actresses in awards shows, while the other is the current favorite by the W@Wies (member brides of WeddingsAtWork.com community) for the perfect fit of her wonderful yet affordable creations. The other two in our lineup are the new breed of promising talents now breaking in this very competitive world of our local wedding fashion industry.

With such a diverse lineup of talent and artistry, it is our aim to prove that having a designer gown doesn't always have to come with a heavy price tag. Though we admit that rolling the dough just to get married nowadays isn't as easy as it used to be, we want to give the soon-to-weds some options that won't necessarily eat-up their hard-earned savings. We present here the creations of five talented designers in alphabetical order.

Joel Bautista Description: Spaghetti strapped duchess satin gown in princess cut design. The gown is overlayed with raw silk panel in front embellished on a sloped tiered pattern adorned with crystal cut beads, faux pearls and swarovski crystals. A detachable raw silk double paneled train contained by a knotted ribbon at the back completes the back detail of the gown. Contact info: 8845 Sampaloc St., San Antonio Village, Makati City 758.1353 | 0917.8173945 | 0919.6888096 inquiry@joelbautista.com www.joelbautista.com

Julius Tarog Description: A sleeveless Bateau-styled wedding gown in princess style line accentuated on the waist using cabbage rose with silk satin draped on the side. It is with court train using American satin in champagne color. Contact info: 308 Tomas Morato st, QC 923.0563 | 0917.5213104 juliustarog@yahoo.com

Edward Teng Description: Dutchess satin with crystal, glass beads, silver and Swarovski. Princess cut. Contact info: 500 Santol St., Sta. Mesa, Manila 716.5710/31 edwardgteng@yahoo.com www.edwardteng.com

Russel Torres Description: An empire cut gown with V-shape neckline made of stretch tulle accentuated with beads and crystals on both shoulders. This duchess satin-paneled bodice with cascading beadwork on both sides, are highlighted with bows and flowers at the back with flowing train. Contact info: 179 Pasig Blvd. Pasig City 671.5075 | 0920.8407796

Veluz Description: Gown in Gazar or Dull Satin with a short chapel train, bodice with sculpted panel continues to the back revealing a lace detail, empire line covered with satin trims accentuated with a vintage-like brooch. Contact info: 1311 Pres. Quirino ave., Manila 563.8692 | 0916.681.9432 veluz@veluz.biz www.veluz.biz

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