(via Business World) Bridal custom is much in demand in the Philippines and competition is all the more fierce with the proliferation of wedding venues that cater to the whimsical (or magic realist) fancies of a couple tying the knot.

Mandarin Oriental Manila has decided to step up its game by providing that extra little something that can’t be had elsewhere: two clothing designers are exclusively part of the preparations — Monique Lhuillier by way of a table collection for Royal Doulton, and Estien Quijano, who lends a hand with the themed banquet sets unique to the hotel.

As an added perk, an ongoing promo dubbed “Our Wedding Proposal” offers a couple registered at the hotel with the opportunity to win a free P500,000 wedding reception in a raffle draw, and an invitation to the hotel’s bridal fair on March 20 and 21. The promotion is open to all engaged couples who confirm their weddings with Mandarin on or before April 15 — even if the wedding is set for 2011.

“When the themed venues came in, 2008-2009, we really felt it. We worked at being accredited at these places — we do outside catering… But when you opt for a venue outside the hotel, you have to pay for the venue as well as the catering, the photographer, all this, but the hotel is a one-stop shop, the ballroom is dressed already. We give more, the clients get more,” said Cyndy Austriaco-Cuna, Director of Conferences and Banquets for Mandarin Oriental Manila. [READ MORE…]

- - - - - - - - - -

more about the bridal fair:

Guests can also sit in different talks held by Max Factor, Elizabeth Arden, and LuxAsia on bridal beauty; couples-to-be can also consult with Feng Shui master Joseph Chau on auspicious dates and compatibility.

Mandarin Oriental, Manila also announces a special raffle draw open to all engaged couples who attend the grand wedding fair and who book their wedding at the hotel. First prize is a voucher for a PHP500,000 banquet, to be applied to the couple’s wedding function. Also at stake is a weekend stay at the Mandarin Oriental Club, as well as a dinner for two at The Tivoli. The wedding banquet must be held from May 1, 2010 until December 31, 2011, and confirmation with the hotel should be on or before April 15, 2010.

Entrance to the bridal fair is free, but requires registration.

For inquiries, call 750 8888 or email momnl-socials@mohg.com. One can also visit the hotel’s Facebook microsite at www.facebook.com/MandarinOrientalManila.

(via PAWP) The Philippine Association of Wedding Planners, Inc. (PAWP) once again offers its 7th comprehensive two-day Basic Course on Wedding Planning and Coordination on March 27 & 28, 2010 at the EDSA Shangrila Hotel.

The seminar is replete with valuable information, tips and exercises. The topics and materials are aimed to equip the participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a professional wedding planner. The course was designed by event planning experts covering every aspect of a wedding, and each topic incorporates their years of experience in the wedding industry.

Fee is P12,000.00 which includes 2-day buffet lunch, AM/PM snacks, whole day coffee and tea, materials/handouts, and a Certificate of Attendance.

An EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT OF 10% for enrollees who give full payment on or before February 22, 2010. [READ MORE…]

RJ Ledesma sent an email about the launch of his book “I Do or I Die! RJ Ledesma’s Imaginary Guide to Getting Married and other Man-made Disasters (As Told to him by his Yaya)“ and he wants us to share with you.

- - - - - - - - - -

Dear friends,

Greetings! I hope you guys can make it to the launch of my newest humor book “I Do or I Die! RJ Ledesma’s Imaginary to Getting Married and other Man-made Disasters (As Told to him by his Yaya)” this coming THURSDAY (October 22) 6pm at National Bookstore, Glorietta 5 in Makati City. Please feel free to bring friends, buy a couple of signed copies to help me pay for my baby’s diapers. I’ll see you guys there!

BTW, if you are abroad and would like to order a copy of the book, you can pick it up from here. 

I would really appreciate the support and I look forward to seeing you there!

Cheers,
RJ Ledesma

ATTENTION W@WIES!

If you’re going to be in the Wedding Congress  at the Megatrade Hall (5th floor of Megamall) anytime this weekend (Fri to Sun | July 24, 25 & 26), kindly proceed to the booth of FotoLoco / Konsepto to claim your personalized W@Wie button pin and wear it with pride!  Mind you, it is NOT a badge to ask for discounts to participating suppliers in the event, but simply an ‘insignia’ for other W@Wies to identify you!

Konsepto — the company which specialized in onsite souvenirs for weddings — gamely agreed to do the for us.  Why?  Because it’s owned and managed by Meme & Marvin who are W@Wies-turned-suppliers and they’ve been very supportive of W@W ever since.

So how is the button personalized?  Your pin will be done onsite while you wait.  On the 3rd yellow bar will be your name & your fiance’s {e.g. Benz (ni John)} instead of the W@W url as seen in the sample layout here.  By the way, the button was designed by Pauline Aprieto, a W@Wie who also happens to be a very talented layout designer based in Singapore. You may see her portfolio here.

Do note there’s a minimal fee of P30. to cover the cost of each button pin.  The only thing you need to show our friends from Konsepto is a printout of the email which Benz sent today in the W@W eGroup so they could verify you’re indeed a W@Wie.

Kitakits!

While browsing the website of Celebrations! – the bridal show & special events expo happening this weekend in SMX — I’ve encountered this feature about this unique product for men who wants to add a few more inches in time for the honeymoon… er… wedding day pala!

It’s by Bradford Shoe Co. which is joining a wedding fair for the first time.  The company has developed  “height tech” shoes for men who want to look 3-4″ inches taller instantly and effortlessly.  The shoes look and feel no different from regular shoes.

Unlike elevator shoes, Bradford claims theirs are specially designed and engineered by not simply inserting additional insole into regular shoes.  They say doing this would make a regular shoe extremely uncomfortable, painful and may even injure your feet.  Below is a diagram of Bradford’s AddHeight-Technology.

This is especially worth considering for grooms who want to appear taller than his bride especially if she’s really keen on wearing high heels. As for me, I’ll go look for the Bradford booth in Celebrations! this weekend and try me a pair! Astig kaya matangkad!  hehehe.