Pre-Nuptial Photoshoot Checklist

In these modern days, weddings have become more creative and artistic. Prenup Shoot has gained a lot of attention including setting up and styling a prenup pictorial session.

More and more couples take this chance to become their own celebrities and models in their engagement pictorial session. Sadly, most couples do not consider prenup stylists to assist them in their engagement photoshoot.

A prenup stylist is someone who is very creative in providing prenup props and ideas for pictorial shoot. He/she provides the couple with the props they want to incorporate in their photoshoot. Sometimes, photographers and videographers provide the props but wedding planners/coordinators are now becoming pre nup stylist themselves as their experience in weddings are great advantage in designing and styling prenup also. Wedding set up decorators are also experts in setting up a photoshoot concept.

When seeking the assistance of prenup/engagement stylists, you must bear to mind to have everything included in their package to cut the hassles of contacting too many suppliers.


PRENUP STYLING PACKAGE and SERVICES usually includes one or more of the following:

• - provide prenup concepts, ideas and location suggestions
• - provide prenup props and set arrangements according to agreed concepts
• - provide make-up artist during the day
• - provide prenup attires and apparel fitting suitable for the prenup theme
• - provide meals for the couple and crew
• - contact the transportation to be used 

When I was planning the wedding of Brett and Daisy, both are living in Australia, so I had to get creative on how they want their engagement photoshoot will look like. I produced everything you can see in the picture below including their attire.

During my sister's engagement shoot, she wanted to have an indoor set up with lots of balloons and so this was what we did with the photoshoot set up and the suspended balloons were a timing shoot while we, the coordinators, threw the balloons on the air and exited sideways to prevent ourselves from being captured on camera:

By hiring prenup stylists, you can free yourself from the stress of having to bring the props all by yourself and contacting the transpo and the photographers and providing meals for the team. You will only focus on your poses and your smiles during the entire photoshoot while the coordinators will take care of everything else.

Need more ideas for your prenup shoot? Contact me anytime at 0949 770 28 29

Wedding Planner Consultation Services ONLY

It's the last day of June 2017 and so our promo ends. Regular pricing is now up for those who want to avail the Full Wedding Planning Services. Thank you to all who viewed and was curious about the promotion.

Anyway, for the frugal brides and grooms, sometimes all they want is guidance on what to do with their wedding planning but don't know where to go or where to begin their planning process.

Good news for those who want to get professional wedding planning consult but not entirely letting the wedding planner do all the job, Leah Jacobe Weddings is now offering 

WEDDING PLANNING CONSULTATION SERVICES ONLY.

What benefits you can get from this?

• Full Wedding Planning Concepts
• - choosing a theme, color, motif
• - advice on the right bridal dress and groom outfit
• - what decoration to put in the church and reception
• - what are the best cake designs
• - how to choose souvenirs and giveaways
• - how to choose a photographer and videographer
• - things to do in specific timeline
• - advice on wedding day coordination
• - ideas on wedding honeymoon
• - program creation
• - wedding timeline
• - 24/7 online communication through text, email and social networks for two weeks time
• - many more...

Learn more about wedding planner consultation services by personally contacting the wedding planner, Leah Jacobe at leahjacobeweddings@gmail.com

Call or text 0949 770 28 29

=)

Greenleaf Hotel Gensan: An Experience of Luxurious Grandiose

General Santos City is rising. I have seen how this city is trying to cope with the changing times and how its people are becoming more and more attuned with the competition in progressing cities. Malls have been improving and I can truly say that in the two years since I decided to follow my heart in this sleeping dragon, it is gradually steaming off some heat. Soon enough, this dragon will unleash its fury and Gensan will be able to compete with other leading cities in the country, if not the world.

I can say this very positive outlook because I have seen how General Santos city has accommodated growth and expansion over the last decade. A healthy commerce is booming with SM, Robinsons, Gaisano and KCC malls constantly competing each other in the daily business arena. Moreso, the presence of grand hotels in Gensan and inns sprouting suddenly like mushroom is an indication of influx of people visiting and staying in Gensan.



Having said this, just this afternoon, I roamed the city and went grazing to the direction of the newest and grandest hotel in General Santos City, The Greenleaf Hotel Gensan, which is still in completion process and will have its soft opening on the first week of July 2013. Being a wedding planner, I have this habit of checking out best places for wedding in Gensan and function halls for great events and truly I have set foot in one grand luxurious hotel in the heart of General Santos City.




So I walked towards the guard  who was stationed outside the building and courteously greeted and accompanied me to the main entrance of the hotel. Upon entering I was greeted with this modern stylish information desk with its mirror mural wall. The staff spoke fluent English, friendly and courteous attitude with clear diction and intonation. hmmmm.... My first impression, wow, am I still in Gensan?

I was told by the receptionist that I will be entertained by one of the sales staff and there she was a few seconds after, I was introduced to Miss Rhea and she gave me a detailed and well explained tour in the lavish rooms and functions of the hotel.

Facing the front desk area, you will notice on your left this grand cascading royal carpeted stairs that will make you imagine a princess or a bride in full ball gown gloriously descending on the stairs. Such a fancy thought! Surely, this can be one of the best places for wedding in Gensan.

Then just a few steps from the grand stairs is the lounge area where you can have a small chit chat meeting with your business associates or friends. They have a small pantry section by the far end that serves coffee, snacks, and healthy treats.

This is the Delux Twin Room. In this picture, I was given a chance to have a glimpse in their showroom where people are allowed to enter for a tour to see what's inside. From the name itself, TWIN, they have two beds that is large enough to fit for two persons and still has a spacious area for the make up artist photographer and video coverage during wedding day preparations.

 They covered the bed with white sheets to protect the bed from dusts and debris since it is just a showroom at the moment.

Their flat screen wifi ready tv hung steadily on the mirrored walls.

 Their toilet has all the amenities you need: towels, soap, shampoo, and many more.

 The walls have art and built in ref you couldn't see from the photo. Just beside the closet is the ref with lots of finger foods to indulge of course with a price.

 These led lights in the shower room changes color. It turns red when its already warm in temperature, said Miss Rhea.

The toilet with its bathroom wall bamboo designed tiles.











Let's skip to the part where events happen. The photo below is their function room that can accommodate upto 60 persons. It is great for small group seminars and presentations.

 This photo is a snapshot of their grand ballroom that can accommodate upto 500 guests. The very thing that caught my eye is the spiraling design of ceiling led light chandelier crystals! It has so grand effect that you will truly feel very rich and famous being inside the hall and I should say indeed this is one of the best places for wedding in Gensan.

The black rectangular portion is where a very huge LED screen will be installed. It's so huge that it can be used as a backdrop by itself.









Well, as of now, this is all I am going to write about this fabulous hotel. I should say I was one lucky astray wedding planner in Gensan to have stumbled into an experience of luxury hotel grandiose in this tuna capital city. There are still more amenities they offer that I have not mentioned here. Maybe in the future when they professionally ask me to feature them, then I will gladly oblige. I just know that Greenleaf Hotel Gensan will be part of the best places for wedding in Gensan.

You can visit their facebook page here.  You may also get information in their official website here.


I would like to personally thank Miss Rhea for the wonderful, very detailed, very well explained tour inside this luxurious world class hotel. It was such a pleasure to talk to her as she was very easy to understand and very friendly too. I also met other hotel staff that are very professional and courteous too. Indeed, they have been trained well to greet everyone they meet.

I would love to be there for their opening ceremony as I have personally loved the concept of mirror inspired hotel! I sincerely hope I can hold a wedding here soon. Greenleaf Hotel had me at hello earlier today!

How to Pull Off a 60th Birthday Party with Limited Budget

A year has passed before I was able to update my blog about the events I have handled in the past three years. I realized I have stopped featuring my clients events and instead shifted my blog topics to wedding planner advice and tips on weddings. 

This time I am going to write about my mother's 60th Surprise Birthday Party of July 21, 2012.

April 2012

The idea of throwing a party was far fetch since our family has been into a lot of financial struggles and a birthday party with a limited budget was impossible to pull off. So the conversation about mom's 60th birthday was just random and we talked about eating out just with the family.

May 2012

With very few pennies in my pocket, I wanted to give my mother a decent birthday bash and did not know how to come up with a budget. I was still penniless because of my heavy investments in my very infant events and wedding business. So I drafted a budget: Fifteen thousand Philippine Pesos (P15,000). 

June 2012

I didn't exactly know what happened with the world this month, GOD moved the people to seek out for my services. Luckily, I got two events for this month. I saved my salary from my Writing job and my Events business to hit the budget. I planned for a semi-surprise party since I already mentioned to my mom before that I'd take care of everything and did not divulge any information about it anymore.

July 2012

The beginning of this month was all miraculous. I was contacted by a Manila-based Corporate Events specialist, Preconcept Design and Display Works, for a 3 day hosting job for a product launch. I gave them my rate and they agreed immediately. I was so humbled before GOD who provided in such perfect timing with the amount I needed to buy stuff for the party. The event was held on July 17, 18 and 19, 2012 and my mother's birthday fell on a Friday, July 20, so I told her that we'd celebrate it on a Saturday so there'd be no work or class.

July 20

Relatives from afar arrived and they stayed at my uncles house. My mother kept asking me where to get the money, what will happen, how many people are coming and how to throw a birthday party with a limited budget . I just stayed mum about it all.

July 21 - THE 60th BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

8am - I contacted my friends who worked in a restaurant to cook  the food. 

10am - My assistants helped me put up the balloons and decors. My cousins and relatives also helped. My mom also helped in preparing the house. I think she already had an idea that there was going to be a program of some sort. But I kept preparing and told her to relax and not to worry about anything.

5pm - I told my brother to take mom to the hair and make up artist. While mom was with the artist, I instructed him to pick up the Lechon which was also a secret.

6pm -  I contacted mom's coworker to lend us some food warmers and also to be part of the program. The cake from my event cake supplier, Mam Gloria of Sweet Advocate, personally delivered the cake and cupcakes. She had magically stretched out my very little budget for cake and her chocolate moist cake was awesomely tasting good!

7pm - All set. The program I prepared started rolling. So here are some pic mementos of that very Divinely intervened event of the year:

It was a fun-filled love-abode semi-surprise event with family and friends from all over Mindanao to take part in this very special occasion. I must say truly GOD PROVIDES indeed! Before the event, I didn't know where or how I could come up with the funds to spend for a birthday party with a limited budget ! 

Our guest count was 60 guests. I will be breaking the budget accordingly as follows:

• Food and Chef: 3,500
• Lechon: 3,500
• Cake: 1,500
• Tables and Chairs Rental: 200
• Flying Balloons: 300
• Decors: 1,700
• Mom's Dress and Hair and Make-up: 500
• Souvenirs: 800
• Transportation: 200
• Logistics: 300
• Miscellaneous: 1500

TOTAL: 14,000

 The biggest cost cut was the venue. The party was held in our house so there was no venue rental fees. I also did not opt for invitations since it was supposed to be a surprise. I really gave priority to the food since people enjoy a good party because primarily of the food next to program.

But of course, I also sought for sponsors to really trim down the costing:

Tarpaulin - My Brother-in-law
Big Cake - My Cousins
Softdrinks - My Aunt and Uncle
AVP Presentation - Norman James Lindo
Projector - My Friends
Manning and Assist - My Relatives
Transportation - My brother's car
Logistics - My Sister
Food Tray - Mom's Friend

I guess the part where you can save much from throwing an event really boils down to your resources. For the limited budget birthday party like I had, I had to really do the foot work to find ways and means to come up with alternative plan in case the original plan didn't work out. All in all, I should say it was a very successful event because everyone went home happy. That's the measure of a successful event - happy clients and happy guests!

I hope you got something out of this post! For more inquiries on how to plan an event without budget drain, email me at leahjacobeweddings@gmail.com

Happy thoughts only!

Best Wedding Venues in Gensan (Airconditioned Halls)

General Santos City is best known because of the globally famous boxing fighter Manny Pacquiao who has always promoted the 'capital city of tuna'.

For most people who have no time to travel but are curious of what General Santos City has to offer when it comes to wedding venues, here are some of the best wedding venues in Gensan according to my own opinion as wedding planner catering clients to this place.

This is just a random listing and NOT according to ranking. So here goes...

Best Wedding Venues in Gensan 

Phela Grande Convention Center

This marvelous huge convention hall can accommodate a very huge crowd of probably 500 or more guests. I had a first-hand experience working with Phela Grande staff and here are my observations:

Positive:

- They have very friendly and quick to understand waiters. 

- Their marketing officer, Mam Luz is very accommodating even if I contact her at the wee hours of the night or morning. She never fails to return call or update you with details.

- They have very good tasting food.

Negative:

- They have double bookings. During the day of my event with Phela Grande which was held at 3pm, there was another wedding reception in the morning that lasted to almost 3pm which pressured my partner florist Sir Rolly Jagonob and his team to set up everything in less than one hour!!! So it was really unfortunate that there was very little time to set up according to what we have planned. 

- According to other past wedding suppliers, they have a terrible sound system, so during our event here, we have rented a separate lights and sounds to meet the quality sound system that the couple wanted.

Venue 88

This is a compound of function halls. Each function hall has distinct number of guests accommodate inside it. 

I have also a first-hand experience working with them and here are my insights:

Positive:

- The venue is equipped with fantastic lights and sounds equipment and they have electric trees that create a cherry blossom effect when used to accentuate the stage.

- They have built-in, in-house ceiling draping that could save a lot of decorator and florist efforts in setting up the place. With it, it can also be a money saver for couples to offset ceiling treatment for their reception decorations.

- They have a very bubbly and friendly Sales and Marketing Manager Mandy, who takes pride in his promotion of the place.

Negative:

- I am not sure if the catering was part of the function hall because it was the choice of the client as per recommendation of the management or if it was entirely a different catering services. Me and my team observed that the waiters of that particular catering were not so professional in terms of etiquette. I wont divulge any more details about it. I just had a negative observation on the catering services.

- The location is slightly off the main highway but it can be manageable.

Paseo Del Sol

This is a prestigious place to conduct affairs in Gensan because of its fame to prominent people in the area. They have a Renaissance feel with a mix of dreamy garden setting, it is best for weddings with Nature inspired motif. It is an intimate place so it can probably accommodate around 200-400 guests. If you include outside setting, then it would probably cater up to 500 guests.

- The place is really nice for a quintessential styling. Great for royal themes and Cinderella story effects because the structure of the place is a mix of vintage elegance and romantic moldings.

I still have to write the Positive and Negative observations of this function place as I will be having an upcoming event to be held here soon. So I will just leave it at that. More details to follow.

I know there are still a lot of best wedding venues in Gensan but these three venues I have elaborated here are within the city and very accessible to transportation that's why I think they are best places. Your guests wont be having a hard time to locate them even if they are from out of town.

You may also want to check out garden wedding venues in Gensan as follows:

• Mt. Sabrina Resort
• Sarangani Highlands
• Yolach's Venue

Click the link and you will be redirected to their respective online accounts. 

I hope you have learned a bit more about destination weddings to Gensan. For more personalized attention to you inquiries about conducting weddings and best wedding venues in Gensan (General Santos City), don't hesitate to contact me:

Leah Jacobe

Wedding Planner

leahjacobeweddings@gmail.com

0949-770-28-29

Thanks for reading my post! Happy Wedding Planning!

Wedding Planner vs Wedding Stylist

If you are planning your wedding day and you don't know whether to hire a wedding planner or not, find out more about the roles of wedding planner in wedding events here.

A lot of people have interchanged the meaning of a 'Wedding Planner' and 'Wedding Stylist'. Well here's a quick comparison on the functions of these two very distinct occupation:

The Wedding Planner (which I do) is the master creator of ideas for the clients' vision wedding or if they don't have any idea yet. Here's a list of functions of the wedding planner:

•  During the initial meeting, it is the wedding planner's task to ask about the couple's dream wedding. 

• If they have no clue what they want, the wedding planner will further probe on the personality of the client, of their likes and dislikes and many more. From there, the wedding planner drafts a scenario, a vision of the wedding fit to the couple's personalities.
• Then, the wedding planner creates a vision board for the couple. It must be presented so as to get the reactions of the client if they have suggestions of their own.
• After getting the approval, the wedding planner will suggest and recommend wedding suppliers that will effectively deliver the vision board.
• The Wedding Planner will coordinate for costing, design, delivery of the following suppliers:
• Invitation Cards
• Souvenir Makers
• Florist and Set-up Decorators
• Photography including Prenup or Engagement Pictorials Scheduling and concepts
• Videography including direction concepts and costume
• Bridal Car and Entourage Transportation
• Church coordination with priest/pastor and staff
• Venue coordination with hotel manager and staff
• Sounds and Lights coordination
• Cake Maker and design concepts
• Hair and Make-up Artist
•  Bridal gown and accessories
• Groom Tux/Barong and accessories
• Program Sequence, Emcee, Wedding Timeline and Crowd Control
• and many more depending on the concepts....
• It is the job of the wedding planner to update the progress of the planning to the mentioned suppliers above.
• At the wedding week, the wedding planner is responsible to get everyone together and to deliver the products and services on time.
• During the wedding day, the wedding planner together with his/her team will make the event smooth flowing by taking care of the bridal needs..

The Wedding Stylist is the master decorator and florist. In some countries, a florist is different from a decorator but in the Philippines, the stage decor, flower set up, and event stylist are all rolled into one entity or person. Here are the functions of the Wedding Stylist:

• The Wedding Stylist must talk with the Wedding Planner and clients for creation of a vision board. 
• If the vision wedding has been created, then it is the job of the Wedding Stylist to estimate the materials to be used and costing to achieve that dream wedding.
• The Wedding Stylist then executes the vision by gathering the flowers, chandeliers, ceiling draping, candles and many more to become bridal flowers, centerpieces and church and venue beautification...
• It is the responsibility of the wedding stylist/decorator/florist to transform a dull function hall into a magical place of elegant designs.

 

So generally a Wedding Planner has a wider job description in context and  can be a wedding stylist if he/she also knows how to put flowers and arrangements together. Meanwhile, a Wedding Stylist is someone who designs the physical arrangements of church and venue to make it elegant and grand.

These days, wedding planners, stylists, decorators and florists are forming a team so the clients will have a one stop shop for everything they need. However, there are still other couples who would want different wedding suppliers, that's where the wedding planner is most beneficial because the wedding planner has a lot of connections and surprisingly, they can even help you achieve a dream wedding without the budget drain.

June 15% PROMO

I have done it before and I'm doing it again this year! Don't miss out another outrageous discounted full wedding planning, coordination and hosting services for the Half-of-the-year, almost half of the price promo.

Book your weddings with us within June 15-30, 2013 and let us begin planning your wedding for the next year or six months after!

This promo is happening just once a year, so if you are thinking of having a stress fee wedding day, Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings will be here to assist you from start to scram!

For more personalized inquiries, email me at leahjacobe@gmail.com

Or drop a text message to 0923-943-11-99.

All the best in your wedding planning!
(^_^)