Dondon and Richelle Suppliers Ratings - 11/26/2011 - PART 2

Here's my the continuation....

3- Bravo! Highly recommended to the highest level

2 - Clap! Clap! Recommended

1 - Booo!! Think twice, thrice, uhmmm.. never mind

Disclaimer: The supplier's fee I put here will just be a range as I cannot remember exactly how much I paid and considering I booked most of my suppliers mid-year 2010.

CATERER - K BY CUNANAN CATERING

RATINGS: 3++++++++

FEE: around 185k for 150 persons plus crew meals

K by Cunanan Catering is one of my non-negotiables. They are my first and only choice. After reading a lot of very nice feedbacks from w@wies on how they performed on their wedding, I am sold! I sent them an email, asked if they are available on my wedding date, paid the reservation fee and that's it. I haven't met my AE, I haven't done my food tasting yet. For me, I don't need to taste their food to decide. I know its risky but I am that confident that they will exceed my expectations. The AE assigned to me was the gorgeous Macy Dy. She's so elitista but very accommodating. I think hindi ko na enumerate how they do their food tasting kasi I know for sure alam nyo na how they do it. Natuwa lang ako sa servings nila - - super dami and talagang nakakabusog. I had a customized menu since I chose menus from package a-c. Yung alam kong best sellers nila and alam kong "safe" especially sa mga oldies.  Here's our menu:

Cocktail hour:

hoisin chicken wrap

Crostinis with prawn thermidore

Vegetable samosa

Assorted bread with liver pate and creamy pesto spread

Roasted corn soup

Insalata Caprese, orange, walnuts, strawberry vinaigrette

Grilled red snapper, ratatouille, shaved parmesan

Honey nut prawns

Grilled pepper-crusted tenderloin steak, mashed potao cakes, creamed spinach

barbecued baby back ribs, corn with parsley butter

Lechon carving

Carrot rice

Pannacotta with kiwi, strawberry, mango

White chocolate cake

Macy is very detailed when it comes to reception set-up. When we were doing the final detailing, ako ang sumuko. hahaha. I told them na sila na bahala with the set-up and I trust them. But since they need my approval I don't have any choice but to listen to the meeting. I didn't know na ganun pala kadugo yun. I mean with them, they really have to make sure that every reception details is balanced with everything. Even the placement of the plates, the guests tables, the flowers, the buffet. Kahit yung mga design nila should coordinate with one another. All the elements should be harmonious talaga to achieve the perfect ambiance. No wonder why all of their set-up are classy and tastefully done. Talagang inuupuan and iniisip nila how to execute it the nice way. Ang biggest dilemma namin is since our theme is simple elegance/jewel theme, I want to have a Sheisha corner. Hubby is working in Middle East and parang its my way of recognizing where our bread and butter comes from.Since medyo off sha with the theme, Macy suggested na we cannot highlight both the couples table and the sheisha corner. Mejo contradicting. I told her na I am willing to pay for an upgrade para lang ma-execute yung desing na gusto ko but after Macy explained na we can still have the sheisha corner but need lang na minimalist yung design nya so that it will not overpower the stage. Good thing I listened to her.Everything in the reception, super well coordinated. With the food naman, as expected, the guests kept on raving how delicious the food is. My brother in law told me na busog na raw sha but he can't help going back to the buffet for more. Our guests din from abroad na-impress with the food parang pang hotel daw. One of my friend pa who is a vegetarian, napakain ng steak since parang yummy daw so she tried. Yun nagustuhan nya. Ang dami rin naming take-out na food. We were both able to divide the food among my inlaws and sa house namin. Another thing nga pala, the flowers used for our wedding, its not upgraded. When I told my guests na pwedeng iuwi yung mga flowers kesa iwan sa event hall at masayang, I think wala pang 5 mins., ubos na yung mga flowers. Ang mejo boo-boo lang during the reception which siguro naman is not the waiter's fault is when the head waiter told me they packed the excess food na, he told me na the ulo ng lechon is hindi pa nagagalaw and they also packed it. But its my mom who received all the food and I forgot to mention to her na meron pa dapat ulo ng lechon pero hindi sha nasama sa mga nabigay. Well, ok lang naman at least iwas cholesterol ang mga oldies. hehehe.

BRIDAL GOWN - CECILIOA ABAD COUTURE

RATINGS: 3++++++++++++++++

FEE: won thru w@w 2010 auction

I have to thank w@w for this. I owe w@w maraming maraming thank you. If not for w@w I wouldn't be able to have my dream wedding gown. Just a little background, I am already booked with Joe San Antonio for my bridal gown. I have already paid the reservation fee and she already made a wonderful sketch of my gown based on what I want and what suits my body type. Actually, all is well between me and Joe. Pero ewan ko ba kung anong pwersa ang naghatak sa akin to join the w@w 2010 auction. I joined the auction since I want to score great deals especially with the unity coins and perhaps a trial make-up that I could use in one of our events sa office. Yun lang. I don;t have any plans na mag bid dun sa ibang items since that time I am already 70-80% booked with most of my wedding suppliers. Then while scouting the great deals listed,  I found that meron for auction si Tito Cecil. Ewan ko ba talaga at napa-bid ako. Actually, gown pala ni Veluz ang una kong bid pero na-outbid na ako and di ko na keri yung naka-outbid sa akin. hahaha. So ayun kay tito cecil ako nag-try. Ganun pala yun mga sis, kung talagang para sayo ang isang bagay, mafe-feel mo talaga sha. Hindi pa tapos ang bidding, I know deep in my heart mananalo ako sa bidding. After the makapigil hiningang last minute bidding and after Ms. Benz sent an email confirming that I won the auction for tito Cecil's gown, I'm supeeerr happy. I really can't believe it. I will wear one of the masterpiece of Cecilio Abad. God is really good. Ang naging problem ko n lang is how to tell Joe na I am cancelling the gown na with her. I  really prayed na sana she forgive me pero kung hindi, I am willing to let go na lang of the reservation fee. Buti na lang, my cousin told me they are getting married din. I thought baka pwede kong pakiusapan si Joe to use the reservation fee para magamit for my cousin's suit. We had a meeting and I would say Joe, is not only beautiful and talented. Napakabait pa and she understood my situation.  Grabe yung saya ko talaga. Everything is falling into place. Ilang gabi din akong di nakatulog dun.hehehe.

During the first meeting with tito Cecil, na star struck ako. hahaha. Tito Cecil is very nice. Kita mo yung dedication nya sa work nya and sa mga gowns na ginagawa nya. May passion talaga. He asked me what I want in my gown. I just told him two things - - a gown that will make me a little bit taller and one that will make me look slimmer.That's it. The rest sha na ang bahala. I put my full trust and confidence in him. He sketched my gown and made me fit the tela na super sikip. Fast forward sa mga second fitting and succeeding fittings, grabe lining pa lang perfect fit na for me. But for tito Cecil, hindi pa. May dapat pang iadjust. During the third and final fitting, I kept on losing weight. Natuwa si tito Cecil at first pero weeks before the wedding I kept on losing weight pa rin I don't know I can't help it. kakahiya nga kasi adjust ng adjust sina ate ikyat. Di rin pala maganda yun kasi nasisira yung design tapos nasisira yung tela. 3 days before the wedding lang nakuha yung talagang perfect fit. During the last fitting din, one mom super nagustuhan yung gown ko nagpa-picture pa talaga with tito Cecil. I am very pleased with my gown.

Clayton arrived the night before the wedding and when my mom saw my gown (she has never seen it before) ang ganda daw talaga. Hindi mukhang wedding gown. hahaha. Parang magde-debut lang daw na isang princess. I was so surprised pa because I thought since I won this sa auction, gown lang talaga. When I opened the box, meron din complete set ng unitu candles, pillows, bridal bag. Grabe super tuwa ko talaga muntik na akong maiyak.  During the wedding naman, I think this was one of the highlights. When I was in the lobby for the bridal pictorials, nandun ang mga Ms. Earth 2011 candidates waiting for their service. They commented how pretty I am daw. If I remember it correctly, it was Ms. Columbia na nagpa-picture pa kasama ko using her own camera para daw when its her time to get married, papagaya nya gown ko.  Hahaha. These beauty queens, made me feel na  pwede rin akong lumevel sa beauty nila even if its just for one day. Super nakaka-touch. They even had a cameo role pa in our onsite video. My gown was really one of the highlights of our wedding. Super ganda ko raw.  I believe them. Kahit mga co-suppliers like Dylan and Jesy told me na ang ganda raw ng gown ko. The gown didn't outshine me. It complemented my whole bridal look.

FEMALE ENTOURAGE GOWNS (no PS) - JHEFF FASHION HOUSE

RATINGS:3++

FEE: around 27k

I found Jheff Fashion House through my coordinator pero I have read na rin sa w@w archives some reviews about them. I decided to give them a try since their shop is in Cainta e most of my entourage are from Rizal area so mas convenient for them. Ate Anna is very nice. She's straightforward and she knows what she is talking about. When I presented her the pictures of the gowns na gusto ko for my entourage, we immediately talked about the kind of tela. Since wala akong alam sa mga fabrics, inisa-isa nya s akin possible fabrics na bagay sa design na gown. Though in the end we decided to use chiffon. I think my package with them is already a steal considering lahat long gowns and chiffon yung materials plus some gowns may intricate beadings pa. Tito Jheff naman on the other hand is super  mabait. Pulido silang magtrabaho. First fitting pa lang almost lahat ng entourage ko, wala ng adjustments. My mom's gown naman has this tela na may embroidery and talagang pinagtyagaan hanapin ni ate Ana kung anong bagay.All I can say is my girls looked elegant in their respective gowns.

HAIR AND MAKE-UP - JESY ALTO

RATINGS: 3++

FEE: 18k

I made an entry of my first trial make up with Jesy. And until the wedding day itself, hindi nagbago yung quality ng work nya. She made me one blushing bride. She knows how  to highlight a bride's feature without making it look heavy sa make-up. I just let them do their job and the moms were both satisfied with their look during the wedding. I will let the photos speak for itself.

WEDDING RINGS - MATUS JEWELLERY

RATINGS: 3+++

FEE: around 65k

Matus made my engagement ring so its just right to choose them to make our wedding rings. Proven ko na yung quality ng rings nila, the craftsmanship, the diamonds used and the customer service. belle is my contact person and mas naging madali ang transaction ko sa kanila when they moved their shop from Glorietta to Megamall. We had free mock rings that we used during the bridal march and the original ones we gave to the bestman for safekeeping. At first hindi mo ma-identify which is the fake and which is the original one. Very timely din yung delivery nung mga rings namin. Although they are more expensive than the other ring suppliers pero for me, sulit na yung rates nila given all the fact that I mentioned before. Since preggy lang ako ngaun, di na magkasya yung wedding ring ko. hehehe.

WEDDING CAKE -  ALEX FRANCO CAKES

RATINGS: 3+++

FEE: 25K

Alex Franco Cakes is my non-negotiable. I told hubby I want Alex to do our wedding cake. Pumayag naman sha. I booked sir Alex to do our wedding cake but before that, tuturuan ka muna nya the proper way to cut the cake. With matching tools pa yun ha? He doesn't accept reservation fee. Payment will be done on the day itself. We ordered the five layer all edible cake para ma serve namin sa guests and para may take home din kami (takaw ko kasi). The cake was one of the highlights of our wedding reception. It was placed in the middle - - between the VIP table and between the guests table. The cake is huge and beautiful. it was elegantly arranged and talagang nakakaagaw ng pansin. Some might say mahal for a cake but come to think of it, you will be spending almost the same amount of money for a 5 layer fondant cake and only the base layer is the edible one. With their cakes, alex's team will be the one to set-up the cake table. Somebody will assist during the cake cutting and alex's staff will be the one serving the cakes to all of your guests. Not to mention the additional freebies such as 30 pcs brownies (which in our case we made as additional guests favors), the chocolate cake as alex's gift to the couples and of course, the yummy goodness of the cake. A lot of our guests kept on raving how yummy the cake daw. We were able to bring home the third to fifth layer and we're able to feed our entire guests. Hubby who doesn't eat sweets naubos yung cake that I served after the wedding na. Super masarap daw.

And that's the end of my suppliers ratings. To all the brides, just enjoy the preps. Don't fret on small things. Let go and Let GOD!

Flower centerpiece.. Can't decide

I'll be having my mock setup this week with K by Cunanan Catering and right now, I am browsing for some centerpiece ideas which I would like to use for both the VIP table and the guest tables. I've downloaded a couple of pictures of different table centerpieces. I must say, choosing which one is really tough. Here are my choices:

Honestly speaking, I want tall centerpieces for all the tables. I just find tall centerpieces more elegant and appropriate for a high ceiling like Glass Garden. I just really hope and pray that I won't get charged for all the kaartehan I have in mind. hahahaa. One more advantage of having a tall centerpiece is, I think it won't occupy much space in the table so the guests will not get cramped up when they place their plates and whatnots.

I will finalize this before Wednesday so that I could forward my pegs to Macy. I'm really excited. Aside from this, I will be having another food tasting for the two menus in my list which I did not get to taste during the initial food tasting. I need to decide if I need to change menu or not. Got to go now, brown-out dito sa amin and my laptop is running out of battery.

Initial Food Tasting at K By Cunanan Catering

This is the continuation of the previous post about my food tasting experience with K by Cunanan catering. This time around, I will concentrate on the food. Sort of mini-food review na rin. hehehe.

Macy told me that for the initial food tasting, they will let the clients try their best sellers to help them decide which menu to choose. I was glad that almost the food that was served to me are all part of my initial list.

Appetizer: Hoisin Pork Wrap ( on my list )

 Sheng's comment: This one verified that I made the right decision to book K as our caterer. Super sarap grabe. I can't even describe the taste., Basta naghalo yung sweetness of the hoisin sauce and the mayonnaise. I am a fan of shawarma influenced by years of living in Dubai and I can attest that this one is at par with those authentic shawarma from middle east yet something that Pinoys will love. I know my guests will love this. I just asked Macy to remove the coriander since I know not all of my guests are adventurous when it comes to spices. But overall, its a hit for me.

Soup: Roasted Corn Soup ( on my list)

Sheng's comment: Sorry if mejo messy the bowl. I forgot to take a picture and immediately started eating. hehehe. The soup is very tasty. I initally thought that when you say corn soup its the typical white colored soup (Knorr Corn soup. hahaha.) that is locally sold in the market. Well I was wrong.. You can actually taste the roasted corn kasi kapit na kapit yung lasa nya dun sa soup. Its very creamy as well. When I finished this bowl, super busog na ako I don't know how will I be able to finish the entire course. Ang mejo di ko lang type sa panlasa ko is parang meron shang spice. I don't know if its cumin or what. Since out ang mga food na meron kakaibang spice sa menu ko, I might have to consider other soup na lang. Macy suggested brocolli and cheese.

Salad:Insalata caprese,orange,walnut,strawberry vinaigrette ( barbecued chicken salad is my choice)

 

Sheng's comment: I am not a veggie-kind of salad fan (I am more of a macaroni & fruit salad type) but I was able to finish this one. Super right combination of sweetness from the walnut, sweet sour taste coming from the orange, the crisp lettuce and tomatoes and the feta cheese.Plus the fact na ang ganda nya tingnan sa pics. hehehe. I would recommend this dish to those who have vegetarian guests. Its just that for me, I really prefer the barbecue chicken salad which I think is becoming one of Kaye's signature dish. :)

Main Course: Grilled lapu-lapu, ratatouille, shaved parmesan ( my original dish but switched to the red snapper with mango salsa)

Sheng's comment: I never tasted anything like this dish before. Or well, lets just say I eat fish and chicken more than I eat pork and beef so super panalo sa akin to dish na to. Sorry ha? I really cannot describe the taste ( I need second serving before I could tell the exact taste.. hahahah)All I know is its delicious, the lapu-lapu is not matigas nor overcooked. just right lang. All the juices were really absorbed by the fish so very tasty talaga. As you can see in the pic above, the juice is coming out of the fish so that means sobrang kapit ng lasa nya in lapu-lapu. I think napadami ang kuha ko ng carrot rice when this dish was served.I am so full by the time I finished my last bite of this one. I am already thinking of switching back again to this dish although I have yet to try the red snapper before making any final decision. But based on my initial food taste, I might choose this for my fish dish.

Seafood dish: Honey nut prawns ( on my list)

Sheng's comment: It is indeed one of Kaye's best seller dish. As I have mentioned before, I am more of fish/seafood/chicken babe so anything seafood really entices my tastebuds. The shrimp is crunchy, not overcooked. The combination of the mayo and sweetness of the walnut plus the grapes are just heavenly. I am not exaggerating. This is based on how I tasted the dish at that moment. Super sarap nya. Though others say its just an ordinary prawns covered with mayo, I would say this is really different from those. I usually cook the prawns with mayo during christmas season but its nothing compared to this dish. Or perhaps di ko ma-distinguish what exactly made this dish different from others since busog na ako by the time I tried this. Perhaps on my second food tasting (hoping na meron) I could determine what sets this one apart from the ordinary prawn dishes out there. Overall, I like the honey nut prawns and will be serving this on my wedding.

Pasta: Mixed seafood pasta, chopped fresh tomatoes, pesto drizzle ( not on my list but the chicken parmigiano, pomoddoro pasta)

Sheng's comment: Its good. The pasta is not soggy nor matigas. The shrimp is firm and the clam is malasa and top it off with pesto drizzle (I love pesto!).Again, it has seafood which I like but then I again I think I already had enough seafood that day considering I had a fish dish, a honey nut prawns na and I am really busog na. Di ko na nga sha naubos eh because if I remembered correctly, this was the time when Macy joined me in the table where I was having my lunch so mega chika na ako with her. Pinilit ko na lang ubusin kahit the shrimps and the clams para naman di sayang. This was part of my original menu but after discussing the menu I have chosen with Rhona, she suggested that I should think it over since not all guests are fond of eating seafood pasta. She made sense especially with my guests na when you say pasta, the default sauce is red and it should be sweet (pinoy spaghetti style) so I have to be on the safe side since after all I want pasta dish to be included in my menu and I want the guests na mae-enjoy the food that we will serve. So I guess I will have to stick to my revised menu which is the chicken parmigiano so that the kids can enjoy this dish na rin.

Dessert: Crepes with strawberries and bananas and Pannacota with Kiwi (on my list)

Sheng's comment: See how lovely the colors are in the pics? hehehe. Ok. going back I looooooveee these two desserts. I love sweets and I am highly critical when it comes to desserts kasi feeling ko yun lang ang nakaka-complete sa meal ko even if I eat a lot during dinner, I always make it a point to eat sweets (of any kind) so that I could feel I am really busog. Kaye's pannacota is really the best. I have tasted different pannacota here and abroad and this is by far, the number 1 pannacota for me. Just the right sweetness, di sha nakakaumay for me. and if hindi nga lang nakakahiya I will really request for another round of the pannacota. hahaha. As for the crepe naman, this one is masarap din. I think ang naka-balance sa kanya is the crepe wrapper(?? not sure anong tawag dun) so kahit natatamisan ka na sa syrup and all, di pa rin sha nakakasawa.

Drink: Raspberry Iced tea (on my list)

Sheng's comment: Masarap. Very refreshing and kahit raspberry iced tea sha hindi sha lasang gamot na pang-kids like what we can associate with berries. nakailang refill yata ako nito from the time I was waiting for my food tasting sched up until I finished the desserts. 

Overall, my first food tasting experience with K by Cunanan catering is super ok. I am satisfied with the food, the setup, the customer service. Kaye's nice and cozy house. I am definitely looking forward for my final food tasting and detailing na rin. At least for now I don't have to worry about the food. :)

Sheng's Day Out Part 2: Food Tasting @ K by Cunanan Catering

This is the part two of my so called "day out" last November 25,2010. I finally had my initial food tasting with my caterer, K by Cunanan Catering. Way before we started planning the wedding I was already choosing between Josiah's and K by Cunanan but in my heart I am already eyeing K. I searched the w@w archives for suppliers ratings/feedbacks from previous brides and have read praises of how great the food is, how classy the styling is. etc. That backed up my decision to book K even without the initial food tasting. I emailed Macy and paid the reservation fee so just I could block the date since they hold a limited number of events lang. 

K by Cunanan have a unique way of letting their prospect clients and current clients experience the food tasting. It's really personalized. Macy scheduled me for a 12pm meeting. Since I am not familiar with Ayala Heights, inagahan ko ang punta. I thought if I leave Cubao at around 10am, I'll arrive mga 11am so ok lang if I wait. Little did I know that malapit lang pala ang Ayala Heights. Hahaha. Even if I don't know Kaye's house and hinanap pa namin ni manong taxi driver, ang aga ko pa rin dumating. I think I arrived at around 10:30am. Super aga.Kakahiya talaga. But pinapasok pa rin ako ng mga kasama ni K sa house. Even offered raspberry iced tea while I wait.  I waited in the sala and I super felt comfortable. Kaye's house is super cozy. Muntik n nga ako makatulog eh. hehehe. (if its violation to post a picture of Kaye's house, kindly let me know ha?) 

Kaye's house

I also met Kaye but hindi kami mashado nakapag-usap ng maayos coz she has a meeting that morning and she has to leave early. She's so nice and from the way she talks, alam mo na elitista. hehehe. Nag-cam whoring pa ako inside Kaye's house out of boredom na rin hehee while waiting for Macy. Its my fault din naman e. Ang schedule is 12pm I was there ng maaga. Anyways I don't regret it naman kasi di nakakainip especially dun sa parang nook area where they accommodate clients for food tasting. 

 

Sad lang ako that time kasi wala akong kasama mag-food tasting.My mom had another appointment and told me she'll just join the next time were having another food tasting.Anyway, I met Macy and like Kaye, you can sense that she's eilitista rin from the way she talks. Pretty rin sha. I experienced first class service from the waiter. Hehehe. Feeling ko reyna ako. Here's the list of the food I have tasted: 

Hoisin pork wrap
Roasted corn
Insalata caprese,orange,walnut,strawberry vinaigrette
Grilled lapu-lapu, ratatouille, shaved parmesan
Carrot Rice
Honey nut prawns
Mixed seafood pasta, chopped fresh tomatoes, pesto drizzle
Crepes with strawberries and bananas
Pannacota with kiwi

Pics of the actual food and its review will be my next post. 

Side note: I lost internet connection for almost two weeks so this is a super delayed post..:( ) 

Caterer - Check!

Yey! At last. I am a K by Cunanan bride. Booking early really pays off as I know that this caterer gets booked kaagad because of their personalized service. yummy food and with them, you don't need to hire an event stylist as their "basic" styling is already equivalent to upgraded styling with other caterers. So me, happy!

I was choosing between K and Josiah's but after much thorough research, I decided it will be practical if I book K by Cunanan since my wedding theme is simple elegance/jewels. Add to that, the menu is really kakaiba so I want to treat my guests na rin of something different yet satisfying food that they will remember. Here are some of K by Cunanan's menu taken from different websites and food tasting experience of other brides na rin... Can't remember which sites though..:)

Hoisin Chicken Wrap

Carrot Rice

 Haay.. can't wait for my food tasting this Thursday. Hopefully my menu choices are all masarap so that I won't change anymore. One thing is for sure, non negotiable ko ang Grilled pepper-crusted tenderloin steak, mashed potato cakes, creamed spinach. :)

Will post another food entry once we're done with the initial food tasting with K.