Supplier Rating 5: Paul Rex Mateo

Bridal, Mothers’ and Entourage’s Gown: Paul Rex Mateo

Peso Power = 35, 000 for Bridal and Mothers’ Gowns

             3, 000 each for the Entourage Gowns

             2, 500 each for the Flower Girls’ Gowns

Rating: 9

Paul was my first choice when it came down to my bridal gown because of two things: (1) His creations are affordable, and (2) we have a good history as designer and client – he made my Senior Prom Dress in high school and my dreamy Debutante’s Ball Gown (as I have mentioned in my previous posts).

Week to Look Forward To

We're down to our last week before the big day! Wohoooo! :)

I still have the below check list to be done:
- Submit all documents required by the Church
- Schedule final fitting for wedding gown
- Pick up wedding gown, and gowns for everyone
- Buy a reception dress, not for the reception, but for the simple after-party at home
- Finish the guest souvenirs - this one needs to be done real quick!
- Print other statios
- Meet with KTG for our last and final detailing
- Make full payment to our caterer, and confirm set up requested
- Make sure the florist, wedding car, and van for the family had been set
- And other things I could not remember as of now - :P

Above all these, I'm just so excited to be wed!!! :)

Feeling giddily excited,

Fitting: Succes! :)

I still can't believe it! I sooooo love my gown! :))

Okay, brief background. When this was designed, I loved the design from the start, but was unsure of the fabric and color to be used and keeping in mind the quoted amount was. I tell you, my gown is almost Paul's basic gown price.

But today, WOW! I was star struck! I loved the details, even the color (to which I almost raised an eyebrow when initially mentioned) looked good on me. And may I say, the back and how it looked if I am walking down the aisle - well, speechless! :)) I'll need to make sure the photographer catches one good photo (or even more photos) of this! :))

I can't wait to walk down the aisle wearing that and showing you all the amazing budget friendly gown. ;)

PS: Sorry, no pictures to show... Let's all wait for June! :)

Happiness!

120 Day Countdown Begins

At last, we begin our 120 day countdown. :)

I must say, I actually thought I'll be all calm and collected having booked most of our suppliers ahead, even having done with our prenup... yet I actually feel pressured! Haha!

As a control freak that I am, you may understand how this countdown set me in a panic mode. We still need to book the following:

(a) Lights and sounds - to which we already spoke to and pencil booked. Just need to pay the DP and sign the contract.

(b) Entourage gown maker - though we decided not to pay for the entourage gowns, we still need to find one for them for uniformity. This is already pre-set to be my mom's friend, but we still haven't booked her cause I want my mom to tag along so we coudk avail of "friendly" rates. ;)

(c) Wedding Rings - Okay, so we bought a voucher already months ago. However, we decided no to go with it anymore. My Tita has a jeweller friend and we could have ours custom made by them at a much reasonable cost. So we decided to go ahead with this and completely set aside the voucher. Plus, my mom will be paying for these so we are, again, waiting for her to tag along.

(d) Florist - This is pre-set to another friend of my mom, who happened to be the same florist during my debutant's ball. So going with her is also a walk in the park choice. However, since he is a mom's friend, we need her to tag along with us.

(e) Invite drafts and printouts - So we're done with the STD, however I have not yet started anything - not even a dot for our DIY invitations. :| This is the major pressure I have as of now since work had been hectic and demanding of my time even on weekends.

(f) Musicians - We are still yet to find one! We liked SJT Strings, however they are a bit over our budget. So we need to look for others, and book them soon. I wouldn't want you to hear me sing on my own wedding - you might all go home! Haha!

(g) Ron's confirmation - We are needing to have this settled SOON! The thing was, Ron sort of remember that he received the Sacrament of Confirmation, however, he could not remember when or where! So to avoid anymore hassles, we just decided for him to go through it again - to which in my opinion, he needs a "re-confirmation". Hahaha!

So there... I do hope we do get to settle all of these this month of February till March. I just want a detailing schedule by April! Fingers crossed! :)

120 days and counting,

I Have THE DRESS! :)

It's been months since I first started emailing the only designer I had in mind - Paul Rex Mateo for my wedding gown designs. He made my Senior Prom Dress and my Debutant's Ball Gown, both of which I really loved! So of course, choosing him was a no brainer. :)

But as any bride-to-be, I also scouted for other options, though I never had any meet ups with other designers, I was able to check others' works and rates. In the end of every inquiry, I somehow feel that Paul wins over the others - by design, workmanship or rates. Hehe.

Today, we were able to set an appointment with him even with his busy schedule. By the time we got to his shop, there was a bride-to-be fitting her gown and it was really pretty! I hope she won't mind that I had this photo attached to my blog, as it gave me a first-hand preview of what a wedding gown from Paul would be like. Also, honestly, I was so envious of how thin she is! Haha! Wish I could be like that in 6 months time - fingers and toes crossed. Haha! Looking at her fitting her gown and seeing how happy she is and how excited she is - I imagined myself in her shoes, and felt really really excited - super!

One of Paul's many creations

Right after they left, Paul and I started discussing my wedding pegs. He showed me a couple of designs he had sketched which were lovely, and both had its own ups and downs for my taste.

The first one is a v-neck haltered top, and the second one is a tube top with a bolero, both of which I liked, but somehow did not suite my wedding gown preference because I'm not comfortable to wear such necklines. I feel a bit short on the "upper" area, so I may not be able to do it justice.

First sketch

Second sketch

The third sketch he made was the one I fell in love with. It is simple and has the neckline that I wanted, and would feel comfortable wearing which was important since I did not ask for a second gown/look design. I'm really excited to discuss swatches for this, attend to the fittings (if my mom would allow), and of course, wear THE DRESS! But for now, all I can do is look at the photo of the sketch and dream away.. Hehe.. Oh, but sorry folks, I won't be showing this yet, and will keep this a surprise. So you'll have to patiently wait with me. ;)

PS: My mom had hers sketched and we had already picked swatches for her. My dad was also able to have his measurements taken and choose the design for his barong suit. Next in line will be fiance's side. :)

Eight Supplier Booked: The Wedding Day by Paul Rex Mateo

Happy bride-to-be,