THE BRIDE AND GROOM

I personally prefer grooms to wear tuxedos and was happy to know that J also prefers a tux than the traditional barong. The next step was "where" to find a suit of J. We were hoping to look for a good quality ready-made suit. Feeling that our options were limited in Iloilo, we looked for suits in Manila. Every shops J would checked out would make any regular worn-out wallet cry. 80,000?? Really? Until he stumbled into this shop in Glorietta, MERGER, that makes customized suits for men. It is even promoted by model, Victor Basa in his blog. We ordered a suit in MERGER in a price even lesser than our projected budget. It was such a steal! They measured J and discussed with him what kind of design he wants. Then they added their suggestions based on their expertise. They send the measurements to China where the suits are made. When it is done, it will be shipped back in Manila. Several fittings are done in a case there are revisions. MERGER did a great job in making my husband look hot, hot, hot!

Ok so this wasn't original. This inspiration was taken from Veejay Floresca's designed tuxedo for blogger, Patty Laurel's husband on their wedding. This patch was sewn in J right breast pocket of the suit by his mom.

As for me, it was hard for me to think of what kind of gown would befitting for a diminutive gal like me. I was tossing back and forth if I should have my gown long or short. I wanted to feel like a Disney princess with that white long gown though I could easily pass off as Tinkerbell or the green fairy in Moulin Rouge than a real long slim princess. So the option of a short gown is playing into my mind to fit my vertically-challenged deficiency. But I know what I don't want in my gown is that I don't want too much 'burloloy' on my gown. No need for bling-blings or god-forbid, sequins. I also know that I dont want the traditional viel on my face. My poor vision is already aided by a high-degree contact lenses, I wouldn't want to feel like I missed out of my wedding because half of the time I have a blurry vision of my own wedding and half of the time , I am struggling from the humidity of a lacey materiel on the nose and mouth. I wanted a bird cage veil for easier breathing, bigger holes to witness my wedding and for that modern-vintage feel that I wanted for our wedding.

There were so many talented bridal designers in Iloilo, some of which are my friends and acquaintances. It was hard to choose. But J's supervisor mentioned   to us Claire Jarantilla, one of the best couturier in Iloilo, who did her wedding gown also. So we arranged a meeting with her. In our first meeting, J and I know we have find the designer for my bridal gown. She listened to what kind of gown I was going for, she was attentive to what inspires me and she gave her creative spin of I wanted for my gown. She was so pleasant to talk to and it was a joy to have her make my bridal gown. She also solved my dilemma of the long-or-short gown and she said, "Lets do both!" I  got a transformer gown! Weee! I wore my long gown during the ceremony and it transforms into a short mullet gown during reception time.  My friend were surprised how it became short during reception program without me changing gowns. She also made my lovely bird cage. It was so me! i love it! I matched my pretty gown with a bright green Charles & Keith stilletos.

The Gown By Claire Jarantilla

The Bride & The Gown

The Fascinator

Transformer Mullet Reception Gown

Photo Credits by Bordoy Viterbo and Maam Tonette 

Thank you Merger and Claire Jarantilla for making us dashing  (groom) and radiant (bride) on our wedding day. 

Love, 

The Groom & Bride 

MERGER MEN
Ground Floor Glorietta lll Ayala Center, 
Makati 1200, Manila
Tel: 27866424

CLAIRE JARANTILLA ATELIER
Residence Hotel
Ground Floor, General Luna
Iloilo City