Supplier Highlight: Carmie Locsin

I've always been a fan of the no makeup look.  While most may seem to be impressed with the extreme change in the before and after pics, I often look for pics where the "after" doesn't deviate much from the "before", but the subject just looks more fresh and still natural.  I want my fiance, my family and all my friends to still recognize me once I walk down that aisle.  Thus, this was my requirement when I searched high and low for the perfect makeup artist for me.

Cue in, my friend and one of my entourage, Dr. Kitty Kho. I complemented her makeup for a wedding she attended that was posted in her facebook page.  She was one of the secondary sponsor and I noticed that she had the no makeup look!  I asked who did the makeup and she recommended her friend and used-to-be ballet classmate, Carmie Locsin.  I checked her site and her facebook page.  And if God did give me a sign, I think this was it.  While I was browsing through her Brides section in facebook, my fiance looked over my shoulder and said, "Hey, I like that kind of makeup, it looks fresh!  Are you trying to book her?  Good choice!"  Well at that time, I was just browsing around and had no plans to book yet...but seeing the sparkle in my fiance's eyes, and the fact that he rarely requests for anything in our wedding plans, I decided that an omniscient being had a hand in this scenario and promptly emailed Carmie.

It was a surprise though that we were fellow Ilonggas. I, hailed from Iloilo and she, hailed from Bacolod.  I met her the next day and she was cute, softspoken and so fresh-looking that I thought, if this makeup artist looks like this, I must be in good hands, haha.  I gave her the downpayment immediately and she graciously said that the makeup trial will be waived.  She asked me my preferences, and gave me some helpful advices on skin care.  And the icing on the cake was when she said to me, "I make my brides still recognizable, they'll still look like themselves during their wedding day, only more fresh, more beautiful."  That got me sold.

I scheduled my trial on December 4, because I had this Tagaytay wedding to attend to.  She and her partner Alex Leyson were prompt, they were ready when I arrived at Carmie's cozy pad in Sapphire Residences in The Fort.  The whole experience was enjoyable!  It was nice to be cared for.  Both Carmie and Alex gave me tips on skin care and hair care.  That was so thoughtful of them...

I wasn't able to take a "before" pic, but this is what I look like sans the makeup and with my hair up.

I just woke up here, so no goo was put on my face.

Here is the first trial makeup...

With Camera Flash

Without the Cam Flash

The Up do

Over-all Look

10 hours after, still looking fresh, huh (albeit some shiny spots)

So, my makeup lasted for 10 hrs (and counting probably but I had to remove my makeup and sleep).  The only downs were the minute smudges under my eyes, and some cakey parts of the airbrush makeup on my oily face.  Carmie assured me though, that she'll correct those problems once we schedule our engagement session.

I was certainly OC though, I must admit. I wanted to correct things prior to the e-session that I scheduled another trial with Carmie & Alex, for the January 15 wedding I attended in Alabang.  And here goes the 2nd trial.

With flash

Without flash

The hair. I love this more than the 1st trial. :D

Overall look, side view

Overall look, front view

The second trial even went better than the first. For one, I tried on a new do I saw on the net, and I love it more than the first trial!  Second, Carmie corrected all the feedback that I gave her from our first trial, and there was no smudge or cakey part at all! :D

I love Carmie.  She's easy to talk to, even if you give her feedback, she'll come back and correct it for you. I can't wait for our prenup pictorials.  Carmie volunteered her service to be my stylist free of charge!  Judging from the way she dresses, I must say she's definitely a Rachel Zoe!  I can't wait!

Carmie Locsin:
http://www.carmielocsin.com
http://makeupcarmie .multiply. com/
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=585249441&aid=183418
carmielocsin@gmail.com

The Dream Team

CHURCH: St. Pancratius Chapel  

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 VENUE: La Castellana

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HOTEL PREPS: Diamond Hotel

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CATERER: K by Cunanan

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PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY (Main): Daniel Lei Studio

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PHOTOGRAPHY (Back-up): J Lucas Reyes
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FLORIST:  Vatel Manila

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COUTURIER (BRIDAL GOWN): Cecilio Abad

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 COUTURIER (ENTOURAGE): Gretchen Pichay

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HAIR AND MAKEUP: Carmie Locsin

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EVENT STYLIST: Angel of Hearts
     Contact Person: Lawrence de la Rosa
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EMCEE: Sweet Casuyon
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MUSIC: Manila Philharmonic Orchestra String Quartet

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INVITATIONS: Twenty-O-Four Letterpress Invites

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LIGHTS & SOUNDS: Elmer of RejectKrew

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BRIDAL SHOES (CUSTOMIZED): Perfect Match Shoes

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The Motif

Dark Teal

Silver

Color Combinations

The Bridal Entourage

The Groom and The Bride

Bestman: Atty. Oliver Gil Beltran

Maid of Honor: Maria Rowena Baliday

Groomsman: Aureo Alavazo

Bridesmaid: Ma. Lovelia Baliday

THE SECONDARY SPONSORS

Candle

Engr. Isagani Dagdag

Dr. Jennifer Abengana

Veil

Dr. Jojo Nalumen

Dr. Kitty Kho

Cord

Dr. Michael Cabato

Heiress Charm Pama

K by Cunanan Catering: A Dissertation of Some Sort

     I've always been a fan of rustic table settings. They're tasteful, simple and elegant. I've attended a lot of weddings already, and everytime I arrive at our reception table, the first thing that I look for are the table centerpieces. Sadly, I've never found one that really imprinted in my mind. This prompted me to really concentrate on this particular detail and look for a caterer/event stylist to produce what I had in mind. Unfortunately though, I have to cut back on my budget so I have to scrap the event stylist and find a caterer with a flair for style but without sacrificing the food.

     For this part, I had to research first on what I wanted for my centerpieces and I scoured bridal magazines after bridal magazines and websites after websites to help me envision my table details. I am appalled by the sheer rabidness of how Filipino weddings tend to go for flair, grandeur, fiesta, "bongga" and some even border on funereal! Overkill is such an understatement to describe these real weddings I've seen. Lavish doesn't always mean overwhelm us with details...

     Through Weddings at Work (W@W), I was introduced to the wonderful works of K by Cunanan Catering. They're centerpieces are minimalist, tasteful, elegant and the word "overkill" was never in their dictionary. :) I also love the fact that they include uniform placecards for the VIP, table numbers, menu cards and note cards. I don't have to worry about wedding stationery anymore. Also, they usually don't put drapes in their tiffany chairs! I must admit that the chair is already beautiful by itself so it doesn't need those drapings in the couple's motifs that people usually put in their guests' tiffany chairs. Some of these chairs are, aah que horror! I wouldn't be caught dead sitting in those chairs! Lastly, their food is not your usual Filipino/fiesta food. This is indeed a special occasion after all, and I need to put all stops to make the eating experience of my guests rival those fine dining menus in those posh restos.

     I was so impressed with their set-up that I booked them even before having a food tasting with them. I didn't even book them in the bridal fairs. As soon as I confirmed from Macy that they were available on my date, I immediately put a downpayment to block it. I trust them that much. And now, I can't contain myself til the day of our food tasting. :) I'm so looking forward to it. Food tasting details will be put here of course, but until then, the following pictures are reason enough why I got them...

La Castellana: An Impulsive Decision

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     I must admit that when I first saw La Castellana while attending a co-resident's wedding reception, I was positively ecstatic at the thought of dressing the whole venue for my wedding. Budget-wise of course, I couldn't afford the damn place...so I shoved it up the back of my mind. For our budget, we wanted to book Ramon Magsaysay Hall because it was the only venue where our budget fits and convenience-wise, it was just near St. Pancratius. Any other possible venues I scrapped from my mind because, honestly, we couldn't afford it.

     The day before I was to book RMH, I was able to chat with my Aunt Elsa (my Mom's sister in Australia) and...out of nowhere, she offered a b-i-g monetary help for my wedding. Our previous decision months ago which we thought was cast in stone already, was thrown out of the window. There and then, I called La Castellana and inquired about their availability on my wedding day. They said somebody pencil-booked the place on our date. *Thud. I thought everything was over then. However, they told me that the first to pay the downpayment gets the venue! La Castellana is actually a popular venue in Intramuros and since I don't want the regret of not having to hold my reception there, I immediately asked for their account number and deposited the downpayment 30 mins after talking to them...after asking my fiance of course, to which he said yes because he also liked the place when we attended our co-resident's reception. Yes, it was an impulsive decision, but one that I would never regret...
 
     What I liked about La Castellana is that the place is all-white (unlike RMH where it's so bare and brown and we definitely need to hire a stylist) which is apt to our theme, Minimalist Ethereal. It is an ethereal place, with minimal but tasteful embellishments. The chandelier is absolutely lovely and because of that, I can put less decorations and floral arrangements in the venue because it is beautiful already. Best impulsive decision ever made!!!

The Foyer

El Jardin de la Luz, The Courtyard

Salon de Joaquin Ballroom

The Bridal Suite

Entrance Foyer

Gazebo, with mini-waterfalls