Styling tips and inspiration: Bouquet Charm

Your wedding is one of the most important milestones in life. If your mother is deceased, your wedding can rekindle or exacerbate the sense of loss that you feel. But there are ways to remember her during the wedding ceremony, both in your heart and publicly. 

My childhood bestfriend Therese, lost her mom years ago and in remembrance of her mother, I told her to have a photo charm attached to her bouquet featuring a favorite image of her mother.It looked beautiful and meant a lot to her.

In that way, her mom was with her in spirit when she walked down the aisle.
An important thing to remember is that your wedding is a joyful celebration and the loved ones you are missing on the day would want it to be nothing less than that.

Thank you to the lovely bride for letting me share this photo.

Theme: Greecian Inspired Wedding
Photo by :Coverlook Photography

A Romantic Country Wedding

Every time i manage and style weddings, I set a day-out with the couple, bond with them and concentrates on discovering their dreams as love birds, digging deep to find out the things that they love about one another. With Jomar and Kariza, together with the mother of the Groom , Mrs. Elenita vda. de Alzona we evaluated our know-how to get it done perfectly as well as how much time, patience, and creativity we have to bring to put our ideas together.

From there I made sure that everything about the wedding should reflect the couples true personal style, which is always important and making it a one-of-a-kind celebration.

 

 The Preparation

A lot of effort has gone into making this the special day.

It takes months and for some , years to choreograph all of these things into the perfect wedding. But in this case,it took us only 6 weeks to prepare.

Basically we had to work on with our budget so it was a huge DIY wedding. With a ton of help from the bride and grooms family and friends, we rallied and made everything from the ceiling swags to painting the pots for centerpiece to getting our flowers from the flower market the day before and making the arrangements to baking our own cupcakes, everything!

The Wedding Ceremony

Kariza and Jomar were married on Saturday, April 28 2012 in a beautiful church ceremony at Immaculate Concepcion Chapel .The bells rang, the choir sang and the bride was stunning. What a wonderful and romantic country wedding day it was.

The Theme

As for the reception, together with the couple, we decided a romantic country wedding.

But What is a country themed wedding? Generally speaking, when we talk of country wedding ideas, we are presented by different country escapes. Country weddings are not limited to barns and cowboys rescuing the lady in distress. It can be about the wildlife, gardens, farms, or any place that is relaxing and enjoyable like our venue Sentosa Private Hotspring Resort , an outdoor garden type resort that reflects the country life and owns by the grooms family.

Click here to check out their website.

My Style

For me, the elegance of a romantic country weddings is through its simplicity. It may be quite challenging but it was fun looking for grandeur on simple things.

I played with pots, woods hays and greens as it gives the couple and the guests a relaxing feeling. Setting the mood in country wedding is very important, so i made sure that all decors complements with each other. My personal favorite combination for a country wedding is: Wood and Ribbon – it’s feminine meets masculine, representing the joining of two.

It’s amazing how a Country themed wedding can be so picturesque even with the simple use of cheap wedding decorations. I guess It’s all about letting nature do the decorating for me. Do-it-yourself decorative decors is definitely the easiest way to add charm to the big day. 
Here are some of my favorite country decorations from Jomar and Kariza's Wedding:

Decorative Monogram

The creation of a monogram is symbolic of the bride and groom's joining their lives in matrimony. There are many beautiful ways you can use these letters to personalize various details of a wedding, from invitations to the wedding cake and reception decorations. Here, I created a country handpainted monogram that adorn our reception table.

Personalized eco friendly hand painted give aways and Country boxes by Country Belles

My idea for the give away is to give the guest an extraordinary and personalized wedding souvenirs that will be cherished. Jomar and Kariza asked me to personally paint these delightful and unique country favor boxes and spatulas that represent themselves. These favors comes with a personalized label designed tags to add a special touch that their guest all loved!

Cake topper

I personally painted and made this for the couple that's just country-at-heart , this romantically styled cake topper shows the bride gettin' her groom with a real lasso.

Ceiling draping

We used white tulle for our swags and draperies for the ceiling that created a cozy ,soft and romantic feel . Adorned with the chandeliers that completely transformed this space from drab to dreamy.

Clay Pots and Flowers

Flowers and wedding centerpieces are important as it is one of the most noticeable during weddings. For this event, We had country flowers on a hand painted clay pots. These comes flowers comes in different colors and our florist made some experimental designs that enhanced the ambiance of the country side. 

Table numbers 

These hand-painted DIY table numbers added warmth and romantic ambiance to the guest table.

Decorative Country Wedding Signages

Designed and handpainted for the perfect outdoor country wedding. Made out of cardboards tied with satin ribbon or ropes.

Eye catching photo booth statement signs that the guest all loved!

 

Id like to thank these people (Friends I Love) for making the dream wedding possible for Jomar and Kariza.The rest of the J&K cast deserves recognition for a job well done!

Shaz Event Management and Styling team

Event Manager , Script Writer and Wedding Stylist: Shaz Gonzales

.Technical Director and Musial Scoring: Vince Gonzales

On-site coordinators: JP Pardo Ariel, Dhoy and Girlie

Host: Ditch Donato

Usherettes:Jojie delos Santos and Quek Jayari

The people who brought out the bride's classic and elegant beauty and features

Make up Artist: Kim Paolo B. Palacol with Assistant Badz

The amazing artist that highlights the couple’s personality through their work of art..

Photos by George Frederick Gabales and Dal Letaban

Video by Jeff Ramos

LIGHT PALETTE PHOTOGRAPHY

Event Photography & Photo Booth Services

Tel. # 2 - 8825150

Cell. # 09174712744/ 09198483845

Email Ad: lightpaletteph@gmail.com

To George, Dal and Jeffrey you did such an amazing job capturing all the beautiful moments of the wedding. I knew you would do a wonderful job, but I’m truly blown away by the shots you got. Thank you so much for all the work and detail you put into capturing the wedding and my styling as well. I feel like you made these pics into works of art. These pictures make the couple so happy – thank you so very, very much! Cant wait to see the rest of the photos.

Delicious catering by DADS Makati

Unique and decorative floral styling by Tito Ferdie

A princess like Gown by Tito Gregg

Yummy cupcakes by Joselle dela Rosa,the grooms sister.

Stylist note:

Most of the time, couple spends fortunes for their weddings. Some just spend a portion while others spend their whole savings for the ceremony. It is important that you will not end up broke after the ceremony. If you think there is no way to make your wedding simple, go for the country wedding. There are a lot of country wedding ideas that can help you save for the future. After all, simple is elegant.

To Jomar and Kariza,, its been a pleasure working with you.   thank you very much for making us  a part of your wedding celebration. =)

Pen and Ink

In the last 3 months, my hobbies have flourished more than I could possibly imagine. I love to paint and draw, its now my obsession.

I draw everytime I feel like printing a picture from my head. Mostly i get ideas while walking, waking up in the morning or by just hearing a good story within a song. I draw whenever I want to remember the feeling or quality of the environment when I sketched it. When I look back on a sketch it brings back the feelings I had. Though I am no artist of true depth ,I can't help truly feeling proud after I've completed something, just like anything worth doing. I do it for the love of the hobby and to clear my mind of stressful worry and clutter.


Here are a few sketches I have so far......... Will sketch more ,i just have to find some more inspirations:)

My work? My calling.

After my traumatic experience  with the fire. My thoughts today lead me again  to realize how blessed I truly am!  God has been so good to me and I want to give something back and allow Him to work through me . I know I was  saved to serve, not to sit around and wait for heaven! I don't hear God whispering in my ear, “Do this or do that.” What I do have is His word. If I'm in it regularly, I see more clearly. It's in the word that God shows what His desire is. It's there for anyone who is willing to pick it up.


I have been working really hard these past few months and decided to give myself a break  in doing events. After the holiday stress, --i feel that January is  the right time to relax. Isn't good to just take some time to relax, clear the schedule, and just appreciate having no where to be, and nothing to do? Yes, i have to make time for that!
But my vacation planning suddenly changed when i received  a call last January 8 from Ms. Joy Ibuna -Leoy  and asked my help to organize the grand alumni homecoming and healing mass with Rev. Fr. Fernando Suarez as celebration for their 25th grand alumni homecoming.. " We  only have weeks to go, i need your help Shaz! " she anxiously said with a worried trembling voice. At that moment everything was spontaneous and without hesitation, i awed and said "Let's do the Healing mass, Ms Joy!".So  I met up with her on the same day to plan and polished the event. I know I've been called for a holy and noble purpose....I knew in my heart i was placed on this event for a special assignment and to make a contribution.
  

Discovering that  unique gift
Each event I manage and style is truly a joy to work on. I treat every client’s event as if it’s my own and most of the time I add an extra touch just to set the event apart from the next.I personally and emotionally invested myself in every single event  that I do and I think that type of caring conveys to my clients. Unlike any other event, this Healing Mass is the Closest to my heart for  it is not every day that you can be a part of such a significant moment in a school or city's history but It is a special event of praise, worship and healing .This event is for the Lord and it gives me even more motivation to use my time and talents to His glory. 
When i accepted this work i knew in my heart that im a a step closer in discovering myself spiritually and my purpose. I am in the right place in life now because it is all part of God's plan. I am accomplishing the things I am because God wants me to. 
Then it finally hit me.

A Test of Faith

Week before our healing mass event and I have been experiencing some sort of  emotional situations before this event and was very distressed over it. As if there's a negative spirit that dries up my energy and weakens my system. The traumatic experience with the fire, there are wicked and deceitful mouths too who've been taking advantage and wanting to knock me down by circumstance outside my control. My laptop crashed.I accidentally broke my eyeglasses in the middle of editing the souvenir program and prayer book...i encountered proplems with printing suppliers, i even had an argument with my assistant project manager and director. Everything was negative and critical, depressed ,down in the dumps and discouraged. No doubt, i was tempted on giving up this project. How can I continue this project with enthusiasm?How do you expect me to get up and say this is going to be okay ,when i have a big mess on my hands?
How could this be? Whats happening?

"  This is just one of those distractions and oppressors because the enemy knows we are doing something for the Lord. but we know that goodness will always prevail. God is always on our side"

Attitude of Faith

I've got goosebumps all over me after reading that text message from Ms Dianne, a wonderfully effective and hardworking member of the healing mass committee.
I closed my eyes and prayed so hard  to God to renew the right spirit in me. i guess thats what faith is all about.You have to start believing that good things will come and justice will prevail because God will be at your side. I told myself that i am not allowing any circumstances or feelings to dull my enthusiasm and imprison me in a negative frame of mind.
Suddenly, My phone rang and it was Ms. Joy on the other line..I told her sadly that giving up the project crossed my mind. She replied " Its time to move on, let go of the failures and dillemas and pains.Today is a new day, keep your mind moving in the right direction and stay focus .It doesnt matter how big are obstacles are, for God is with us."
Within a matter of minutes,the situation began to turn around.First, i got my joy back. Then my energy and vitality returned. Most importantly, i got my faith back.I will never be able to fully explain what happened to me after talking to Ms. Joy, but I am completely sure the enormous power of the Holy Spirit hit me like a lightning bolt. I felt something run through my entire body and a liberating peace overcame me. I had such joy in me and it is a  heavenly feeling.I still get tears in my eyes everytime I think of that divine experience.I may not understand it but I know He is in control and all things will work together for my own good.


It suddenly crystalized what I was trying to do. It was one of those moments when “inspiration" as your failures suddenly makes sense.But that makes it sound like one flash of light and ta-da! It's all sorted out. It blinded me for awhile but now i can clearly see the picture. Enemies are attacking us because we are doing something for the Lord.


Many of you didnt know that my friend and my client, Ms Joy Ibuna-Leoy as the head of the Mass committee has also been experiencing trials prior to our Healing Mass event. She just lost someone dear to her and some people in her life are saying things about her that arent true, telling lies ,trying to ruin her reputation ...others even betrayed her. Nothing is more frustrating than being accused of something you didnt do and Yes, I all witnessed those painful false allegation and left indelible scars and until now is hurting her. It would be logical for her to seek revenge. I even encouraged her to do so to set the record straight. But she kept her silence, and focused herself to the Healing mass. She didnt even bother to sink down to her offenders' level , nor gets into an argument for she said it will just make matters worst.Instead, She leave it all to the Lord, took the high road and responded in love. Instead of paying back, she trusted GOD's timing and kept a good attitude of faith and thats what i admired about her.
Although she was heartbroken, Ms Joy remained a person of prayer. She kept close to god to overcome this battle through prayers. During our pre-event production, We always start a day of work with a prayer ,thanking the Father for this beautiful blessing , to keep our Mass Committe strong in the Lord and the power of His might, for us to be well on what He have called us to do, aligning our thoughts and Words with His 

God is her vindicator and just trusted His timing to settle her case,make the wrong rights because sooner or later God will bring justice into her life and one touch of God's favor can bring the right person in your life.

The Truth will prevail

As for me, i guess its the time to share, even in it’s incomplete form.This Healing Mass event isnt just a work but a CALLING.
I knew in my heart that God made me an instrument and has made a way for me to be a voice to the hearts of His People. As you can see in my past blogs,i write about every event and inspirations that i handle . I talk about all the experiences i had with each and every event.
Long story. To shorten it......
We’re going to go behind the scenes as it were, maybe just a short step back from the pulpit...

As the scripture says, "No weapon formed against you is going to prosper". We didnt go under, but we went through! We kept on standing strong, showed the enemies and negative forces that we are more determined than they are. We kept on praying, kept on believing, kept singing songs of praise,kept fighting the good fight of faith and as promised, God gave us victory!We thank you Father that You faught the battles for us! The Homecoming Healing Mass was a huge success!!!!
Thank You Lord Jesus, You are a miracle working God!

I’m grateful to say the below are all people I’ve met, spent time around,worked with, and touched each others lives in one way or another along the journey. We became good friends and they're the "ates" i never had...

There have literally been hundreds of ‘defining’ moments that have helped shape my life with this Healing Mass event but one of the most important was the day I created “ the ultimate test" for myself. Through this simple process I discovered and committed principles for guiding my life — I created my ‘mission’ as some may say. I think of these as my North Stars. They’re always there helping me navigate but the clarity I have on how I live my life is always in front, calling me forward and guiding my decisions.

My stand is this...

There may be a lot of issues and conflicts with this event right now, but at the end of the day,there are only so many battles one can fight in life.And that we have to move into something that will make us a better person. This is also the right time to stop wasting time with the boneheads who continioulsy makes false accusation. Now you've heard the real score. If you didnt get it then its your loss. Lets be frank BEFORE YOU MAKE ANOTHER ACCUSATION , Ms Joy didnt pay nor commanded nor instructed me to write about this.... I wont keep my silence because the Lord can use the power of my tongue and this Testimony can change lives and open your eyes... but if that's opened your eyes then I guess my blog has done its purpose.. 

Now the ball is now in your court, You cant put question mark where God has put a period.Quit living in a negative frame of mind stewing something that is over and done.The bottomline is The healing mass was a huge succes and healed thousands of sick people. Take your scars and turn them into stars. But understand,wether you will experience all those good things in the future depends to a large extent on your willingness to let go of the bitterrness of the past. like the bible says " Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come, You must live for today. START RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE. You cant do Anything about what's gone, but you can do a great deal about what it remains'. 

The JOY of Giving
To Ms. joy Ibuna - Leoy, you are a woman of  strength. You've inspired me so much.
Whether you know it or not, you've shed light on my path I could not have walked alone.I believe that God will restore everything that the enemy has stolen from you. Even if the enemy hits you with her best shot,her best will be never good enough. She may knock you down, but cannot knock you out....When its all said and done, when the smoke clears and dust settles, you are going to be standing strong for the LORD will be your shield. NO ONE can ever steal your JOY.
May you continue to be a blessing and an inspiration to others.


 So why have I agreed to publish this article? For personal reasons? Probably. For completion of a turbulent chapter in my life? Hopefully. To try in some way to set the record straight? Absolutely!
Have a blessed day to all!

God saved us from fire..

I want to thank God yesterday morning for sparing my family and my home. My neighbors house burnt down..nothing was left and houses were completely destroyed..my husband and I  were deeply asleep  when the fire struck. Our housemaid saw the smoke so she yelled, and we woke up. I  opened the window and  there before my eyes is a tower of flame on my neighbors roof , just 2 houses away from my home! It was a terrifying scenario --We heard a loud bang and 15 minutes later there were sounds of sirens then I found myself praying so hard  for us to be saved. I was shaking. GOD, SAVE MY HOUSE! ...

neighbors house

after the fire

The 2nd alarm fire was under control by 9 am after the firefighters fought the fire for about two hours.

When I was certain that the fire was fully stopped, I felt myself trembling and exhausted. I laid on my bed  imagining what could have happened. That peaceful morning could have turned into a really tragic one. I would never knew how tragic it could be but God did not allow it to happen.He saved my family and  house from being burned down. He really is a miracle -working God. =)