On Budgets, Bridal Gowns and Veluz

I just can’t resist commenting on the abovementioned subjects after much has been posted here regarding it. Maybe, my own experience might add to the wealth of information already found in this little bridal heaven that is w@w.

When h2b and I decided to get married, we immediately mapped out who will pay for what. It was tough trying keep things within our budget as we went along canvassing for suppliers. I had my must haves and nice to haves in mind too. I know what I will splurge on and things that are okay not to be fussed about… or so I thought.

While going about booking one supplier after the other, I found myself (and my h2b included) agreeing on things that we at first thought would not be getting. Like the P5,000.00 flower upgrade at the reception. After booking my florist, she told me that she could transfer the floral arch, and other floral decorations at the reception. Eh di I don’t need the upgrade na pala. Hmp!

The same thing almost happened sa bridal gown ko. Just imagine, my first gown designer was charging me an amount starting at P30,000.00 when my bridal attire budget was just P20,000.00! Pano to? I don’t know where to get the money anymore considering that I already decided not to get an OTD Coord so that I could pay for the over budget items. The thing is, my h2b wants me to wear pina which would cost us an extra 10,000.00. Diyoskopo! At kung magpapagawa ako ng buong entou ko sa kanya a whooping P90,000.00 just for the gowns (wala pang boys dun).

Okay lang sana if I really wanted her design so badly, the thing is medyo hindi ko feel yung designer. I don’t know ha. Pero, tama yung sinabi ni Ms. Benz, mafifeel mo kasi if this is it eh. Parang there was something not right about her. My sister loves this designer so dearly pero ako talaga parang wala kaming koneksyon.

So, I was thinking of going to my sister-in-law’s designer at Binondo. She made a really nice gown for her and super mura at P25,000, kasama na dun yung tuxedo ng brother ko. Okay na di ba? But si h2b ayaw kasi he does not want daw to risk the money sa hindi siya sure na magdedeliver ng maayos. Medyo may konti din kasing palpak tong designer na to pero di naman kasi attributable lahat sa designer kaya okay lang.

Dumaan din ako kay Rosalyn Lagdameo who made the ento and wedding gown of my friend. She told me outright that she can’t make a bridal gown under P25,000. Okay lang, kasi my h2b was not at home with her anyway. Hay! Saan kaya matatapos to!???

So, one afternoon, right after lunch. I decided to text Veluz. All or nothing na ‘to. Luckily, she was free that afternoon. Ang galing! Nagkita kami agad sa Proj. 8 house niya. It was great! Totoo yung sinasabi nila ditto. She is like a good friend who will make you feel right at home. She asked me what I wanted and if I had some design ideas in mind. She immediately sketched three (3) gowns. I chose one with the shrag kasi nga malaki ang arms ko. My h2b was also so at home with her and told her what he wanted in his barong. Veluz commented “Aba, fashionista itong groom na to!” hehehe…

Regarding the budget, I have to admit, Veluz still exceeded ours. But, I decided to give it a go considering that wala kaming kaba sa designer na ito. Besides, the shoes is already included in the package. Sa iba, at 30k wala pang shoes and bag. So halos ganon din ang ending if ever we got somebody else to do it for us. Pwede rin ako ang magprovide ng materials para mas makatipid. Madali siyang kausapin if ever nagtitipid ka. Like, di ko talaga afford mag-pina, besides parang mabigat at stiff for me ang pina. Pero si h2b kasi magpipina so dapat may pina look ang gown ko. Solution: She designed a chiffon gown with a shrag made of pina. Oh di ba! Panalo! Yung unang designer kasi parang di pa nga bumubuka bibig ko na bridal gown ko lang ipapagawa ko sa kanya nag-compute na ng para sa buong entourage.

Just my two cents worth.