Glad to be a W@W member

When we started planning for our wedding, Keith and I were loopy on this. We did not know where to start! We were blessed when Cookie's sister recommended us to join Weddings at Work.

Weddings at Work (W@W) is a yahoo group where soon-to-weds like us gets to share thoughts, supplier reviews even our high's and low's in our wedding preps.

We are thankful for their generous help in answering concerns, specially to Mr. Abet and Benz Rana who created the group.For us, if we meet soon-to-be wed couples, we instantly recommend that they join W@W.

Its already a habit for us to check out topics and messages everyday and it's a happy feeling to be able to share our own inputs on their concerns too. Even my W@W Wedding Primer is like a Bible to us.  hehe. Let this also be our credit that most of my blogs here may have special reference to a section from the W@W primer or inspired from another blog/post from another W@Wie.

We are certified !

Splendid Indeed - Booking our Dream Venue

When Keith and I looked for our reception venue in Tagaytay, we wanted a venue that will have a breathtaking view of Taal, can hold an intimate reception of about 100-120pax, elegant landscape and of course affordable.

We researched for possible venues in Tagaytay from wedding magazines, wedding blogs, our ever helpful group W@W and wedding forums like Girl Talk. We listed all possible venues, route that we are going and sending out emails inquiring venue rates and one early Saturday morning we drove to Tagaytay for an occular.  After a day's work and 5 venues we went to.. we felt we found our venue.

Our initital venue choice was Le Jardin Rosella. We looked in to Paradiso, the biggest among their gardens. It's gardens where beautifully arranged and kept. However it did not have a view of Taal. It can hold upto 150pax or more but it is a little costly for us. But we decided then that maybe we can manage. We gave ourselves a week to think about it.

A week after our occular, we attended a bridal fair in Megamall. Keith and I met Ms. Evelyn Legaspi of Flowers of May. We hit off instantly and gave our ideas for our wedding. We asked her for venues in Tagaytay. She asked us if we have already looked in Splendido and asked their rates. We said that we always saw Splendido ads in Magazines and even passed by it when we were going to one of our possible venues, but we never really looked at it or agreed to take a peak  because we thought it will be too costly for us, but we were suprised when she mentioned that Splendido's venue rate fits our budget.

We spoke to Caren Gatdula of Ladera. They are the exclusive caterer for Splendido. Credits for these lovely picture she emailed to us.

Splendido Golf Club Venue 

I love the Tuscan / Mediterranean design of the venue. It has a homey feel fit for our intimate wedding idea.

Splendido Golf Club Fountain Area

   This picture is from our friend who went with us to Splendido for a visit.

The Spledido Gold Club Tower

Their venue rate for Golf Club is Php 40,000.00 (exclusive of food per pax). They have an upgraded packages which includes the venue from Php 100k to Php 140k. These packages include cakes, floral designs and so on, depending on which package you choose. You can opt for Venue and food only.

We booked Splendido during a Bridal Fair in SMX. They gave us discounts and freebies. They'll be joining another bridal fair by September.

For more info you may contact

Ms. Maricar "CAREN" Gatdula 

Junior Sales & Marketing AssistantLadera Culinary Services, Inc.
Splendido Taal Golf & Country Club
via Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road
Brgy. Dayap Itaas, Laurel, Batangas
mobile # 0917-2461463
tel # (02) 542-5756

email ad: caren_gatdula@yahoo.com

weddingsbyladera@yahoo.com

Booking the Dream Church -- Caleruega

When Keith and I decided where we would like to be wed. Initially, we wanted the event to be done here in Manila. Logistically, it will be easier for our families and friends to attend.

But Tagaytay has a special 'umpf' in our hearts. For us, it is the nearest vacation destination that both families and lovers have cone to enjoy

And the first church that comes to mind when we say wedding in Tagaytay is Caleruega

The Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega in Nasugbu, Batangas is an intimate and picturesque chapel in Tagaytay. It's well known for being a Retreat Center by the Dominican Fathers in Batangas.

Why we love Caleruega?

1. Intimate -- we wanted a church not too big because we want to see our church full of our guests. I usually attend weddings done in huge churches but most of the time it's sad to see that most guests do not attend the wedding ceremony and go straight to the reception. With Caleruega, Keith and I dreams of filling it up with our family and friends closest to our hearts.

2. Picturesque -- any angle of Caleruega is breathtaking. Period. Hehe

3. Holy -- when you are in Caleruega, you feel God's love through nature. Bro. Bo Sanchez once explained in his talks that 'The Transfiguration' of Jesus (Luke 9:28-36) in the mountain was a symbol of hope for the apostles because days after that Jesus will be suffering for our salvation because that is how He loves us.

Keith and I believe in that same hope and love. We are grateful to celebrate our wedding with that blessing, knowing that our marriage will be full of hope, intimacy and love.

Next Step. Are We Ready?

6 years of being together have taken us to different episodes of our life. Some days we had our rough ends and happy days when we just love being together. But through it all, our families, friends and our God has helped us to see through it all.

Many times we were asked, "Kelan kayo magpapakasal?" (When are you getting married?)

To be honest, most of the times we don't know how to answer them. Because all we know is now, we are just enjoying what we have together.

As we journey through a new adventure of planning our dream wedding and continuously discerning God's will for our relationship..we are blessed to enjoy each other company in each step we take.

Are we ready? Only God knows really.. but in our hearts we are now committed to take the leap of faith.