Category Archives: venues and locations

Rainy Summer?

Posted on by

I had to show Hubbie the Church we’re getting married in and our reception venue. Hence when we went to Tagaytay-Batangas for our interviews, we had to squeeze in the visits in our schedule.

And i’m glad we did. The place was even more beautiful that day, January 4. There was a clear blue sky and yet it wasn’t hot. It felt like Japan in early May. And in the afternoon as we saw the sunset when we got out of Ville Sommet, it felt like early autumn.

When we went to Caleruega at past 4, there was a wedding so we couldn’t get inside the church. Hence we just roamed around the premises enjoying the scenery. The fine blue sky coupled with the cold weather created an effect that when you look out the horizon, it doesn’t look like a tropical place. It definitely reminded me yet again of breathtaking Tuscany (I wonder when can I get to visit the place again).

We liked it so much we had difficulty leaving the place in that we had to make a stopover by the roadside to take some snapshots.

Anyway, Hubbie and I think the couple who were having their wedding that day was very lucky to have such a beautiful day for their wedding day. Then Hubbie said, “Let’s pray for good weather on our wedding day. Let’s start praying now, everyday”.

And I totally agree with Hubbie. Never underestimate the power of prayer. I really think starting the praying now is a great idea especially with the news below that it’s gonna be a rainy summer this year.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ann/20110120/tph-it-s-going-to-be-a-rainy-summer-no-d-fb8bb4f.html

Wishlist: Hacienda Isabella

Posted on by

Hacienda Isabella is one really beautiful place. It’s one place that would be perfect for photoshoots and dreamy honeymoons (considering the bedrooms! hehe). I fell in love with the place more and more as I come across pictures of it every now and then in my research for wedding details. Hubbie shares my feelings and views on the place as well. Beautiful.

Yet, we had to forego the place. We were almost about to make a go for the place until we’ve decided to set aside a weekend day to check out the place and see it for ourselves. And as we drove on and on, my heart got sadder because even when we haven’t seen the place yet, I know that we have to forego it simply because of its distance from Caleruega. To top it off, our wedding is in the evening hence the long and winding and tricky road to Hacienda Isabella might leave a lasting (and negative) impression on our guests. We presume the guests are real hungry already by the time they’re on their way to the ceremony.

Of course, foremost to us is the comfort of our guests.

But without a doubt. Hacienda Isabella is a beautiful place for a wedding. Perhaps, if your wedding is early in the morning, then, perchance, the Hacienda can be a perfect location for your reception.

Do check out below some of our photos. Courtesy of my friend Rezza Flauta-Chua. Our thanks to Rezza and her hubbie JJ and their really smart niece Maki for setting aside time to accompany me to Hacienda Isabella despite their busy schedule.

After visiting Hacienda Isabella, we drove to Ville Sommet as well just to check out the place again. This time, I felt the “this is it” moment with Ville Sommet. This time, i’m settled. Albeit at the back of mind is the thought that the place sure is really expensive (considering the minimum amount 900 php per head they require for the catering).

Oh yeah. I asked uber smart 5-yr old Maki to help me in judging whether to select Hacienda Isabella or Ville Sommet. After we did our rounds, Maki confidently selected Ville Sommet. That made me smile. Sometimes, kids’ judgment has to be trusted. ^_^

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Another thing I have to let go with Hacienda Isabella is that a lot of my favorite Dino Lara pictures were taken from this place.

Hacienda Isabella are renting out rooms though for honeymooners and out-of-towners so you just might want to consider the place for your stay.

One happy note: Yey, I was finally able to know how to make a slideshow in wordpress. I really love wordpress!!!

wifey’s note: all posts with “wishlist” are not what we hope to receive on our wedding. Rather, they are stuff that we would love to have but we’ve found we cannot have for our wedding anymore owing primarily to practicality.

Moving in

Posted on by
Hubby has just moved in to our new place! Piles and piles of boxes for now; with a box or two somewhere for my books and coats that I brought with me last month.
When we were house-hunting a month ago, we looked for a sunny place. And indeed we got one! Both the living room and dining area have access to the veranda which faces the east. The sun also comes streaming in on our bedroom window. Lovely. The library on the other hand faces the west and it might be lovely in the afternoons. (I think, haha. we didn’t get to see it during sunset) Although probably it might not be as sunny as the other rooms which is just as good since it would house all our books.

bedroom!

library!

living room!

dining area!; and beyond the counter, kitchen!

Kudos Hubby, good work! =)

Couture and Reception Venue

Posted on by

Yey! Two other major suppliers booked yesterday and today. By booked meaning not just pencil-booked anymore but that we were able to make the necessary downpayments already.

Happy with Ville Sommet, for our reception. This place was Hubby’s first choice (because of the very nice scenery, he says) and my second choice. My first choice was Splendido for three reasons: it’s cheaper, less hassle because the caterer is in-house (I don’t have to go about food tasting with accredited suppliers) and I heard that food is good. However, Splendido is already booked for our wedding date. Thankfully though Ville Sommet is still open for our wedding date, so, hurray! I laughed out loud as Kat commented “Para kang reyna dito Marj on your day”. The weather on the day we made our ocular visit was quite gloomy. Yet still we were charmed with the place! The pictures we took didn’t quite give the place justice though.

pathway to Glasshouse, passing by the Trellis

And this afternoon, I visited Patricia (Richie) Ortega-Torres’  workshop where I was entertained by her very accommodating assistant, even giving me swatches so that I’ll have some idea of the fabric that Richie will use on my gown. Got my measurements as well. Diet na to!!! =D

Caleruega

Posted on by

Choosing the best wedding church location was quite a challenge for us. Atsushi’s family will come from Japan and mine from Davao hence we want a venue that would be most convenient for our guests. Fernbrooks was originally considered but my choice reception room was already booked and our company will be having our Christmas party there so somehow, the place has lost its magic for me. I was already considering some churches in Makati and Quezon City and Manila. But if truth be told, for safety reasons, I hesitate to have our wedding in the thick of Metro Manila.

When Maha and I met during my Japan visit last September, I told her about my dream wedding locations – beach wedding in an Island in Bohol and a solemn one in Caleruega – both of which I considered impossible because of the travel. But then Maha pointed out that Caleruega is actually the practical choice since guests can just directly drive from the airport to Tagaytay. Plus, it’s safer as compared to Manila area. The idea then got stuck on my imagination. Hence, when Hubby agreed, I was really happy!

Last Saturday, Kat, Rey and I then went to Tagaytay to do our ocular visits of the place as well as other possible reception venues and guests’ accommodations. The day started out as a rainy one hence the mist and fog were so thick we had difficulty seeing the car ahead of us. It was quite a dangerous drive and so I am really grateful to Rey and Kat for still pushing through with our trip.

When we got to Caleruega, it was like being in heaven after that foggy and dangerous trip haha.

Suffice it to say, I fell in love with the place.

(the back of the church)

(church grounds)

(the church front)

(the church altar)

(wifey by the church door)

Contact details:

Caleruega Philippines, caleruega_philippines@yahoo.com, +63921.270.9890 ; +63921.830.4226;  (+6343)706.0348