The Romantic Rustic Woodsy Wedding of ROBIN & JAJA

Rustic, wood, forest, enchanted themed weddings are among the most popular designs for themed weddings. The magic of nature plays a vital role in creating romantic scenes with couples in love. Sometimes, nature would even heal hurting hearts and bring them back together. The power of nature may even be equal to the power of love. 

Jaja, the bride, was my friend's younger sister. She also went to the same class with my younger sister. Robin, the groom, was also a friend of my younger sister. So we were all connected in some way.


As for Robin and Jaja's wedding, they wanted a woodsy color of brown, beige and peaches with a touch of teal blue for a pop of color. We planned their entire wedding barely 3 months only. We met in August and hustled all throughout the 3 months until the final date of the event to be on the 9th of November. For the entire wedding planning, it was clear that they wanted a Rustic Themed wedding but the most challenging part of the wedding planning is the very tight budget. We had to scrimp on everything. But the results are as enchanting as the woodsy forests could be.


BRIDE

As the popular phrase goes, "blooming as a bride". It held true for JAJA, the bride. Despite the very short time to plan the wedding, she was hands on in everything. But stress didn't show in her face during the wedding day. She was truly beautiful in white.

Blooming Bride Portrait by Jefrey Casaol Photography

It is mandatory for every bride and groom to pose for the camera all the time, all throughout the entire wedding day.

THE GROOM

The only thing that the groom wanted was to make his bride happy. Whatever she desires for her wedding day, she must get it. The bride wanted a wood theme wedding and also a dashing groom, true enough she got a very dashing gallant groom.

The Groom Portrait

Groom and Groomsmen

WEDDING DETAILS

The flowers used in the wedding are a combination of pink wild flowers and peach roses to even out the strong pink colors of the aster cuts wild flowers.

Bridal Bouquet

Wedding Rings and The Engagement Ring

Wood theme Invitation Cards by Rex Ojaldon

THE CHURCH

The couple wanted to achieve a simple wedding with simple decorations in the church. Arrayed with white flowers and lighted pedestals, the church aisle welcomed the entourage for the wedding ceremony to take place. The wedding ceremony was held at Mother of Perpetual Help Parish popularly known as Redemtorist Parish. 

The Wedding Aisle

Ongoing Wedding Ceremony

Vintage Bridal Car

THE RECEPTION

The reception venue displayed a very welcoming ambiance with the woodsy theme designs on the tables and on stage. Wood panels served as main focal of the designs. The wedding feast was held at the Northcrest Resort Clubhouse in Cabantian, Davao City.

Bridal Stage

 

The Naked Cake stood tall on lighted risers. It was surrounded by decorated mason jars with cocoa slabs that served as souvenirs for the Very Important Persons in the wedding.

The tables were arrayed with wood slabs and decorated vintage wine bottles that served as table centerpieces for the VIP table.

The WEDDING PLANNER/EMCEE

I helped the couple plan their wedding since day one. My team did the decorations and set-up of the venue on the wedding day. I also did the hosting for the program. Behind the smiles and seemingly giddy disposition I portrayed, I must say this was the most challenging event in my entire career. Just the morning of the event, my body fell sick with bouts of nausea and body malaise due to high stomach acidity and probably stress reactions. I thought I would be hospitalized in morning. My mom and my team made everything work out, coupled with lots of prayers, and a whole lot more mind conditioning, I sure was very thankful to the Omniscient Omnipotent God who delivered me and the event to make it successful! I could have not done it on my own!

So here it is, at the end of the program, everything went well. As the saying goes, all is well that ends well!

CONGRATULATIONS MR. and MRS. ROBIN and JAJA ROJAS!!! May your tribe increase!

Some photo credits to Jefrey Casaol Photography. 

Thank you to these awesome Davao City Wedding Suppliers:

Wedding Planner and Emcee: Leah Jacobe
Flowers, Stage and Church Design, Souvenirs: Leah Jacobe Weddings
Photo and Video: Jefrey Casaol Photography
Cake and cupcakes: Twirl Cupcakes
Sounds and Lights: Audio Man

Invitations: Rex Ojaldon

Hair & Makeup: Georgina Acular

Queen Mama Nene's Royal Themed 80th Birthday Party

"The only thing that comes to you without effort is old age." 


My grand mother just turned 80 years old last October 31, 2016 and we celebrated it the day before her birthday, October 30 because it was a Sunday and Sundays are for families to gather. My grandma and grandpa has 12 children, my father was second among the twelve children. Most of my aunts and uncles and their families went home in Plaridel Misamis Occidental for my grandmother's celebration of her 80th  birthday this year.


Age doesn't really matter but getting to 80 years old is a milestone to celebrate. It is a sign of God's blessing on you to enjoy more time with your loved ones here on earth. Too few people are given this privilege. So as my grandmother celebrates her 80th birthday, we all made sure we give her a party fit for a queen. She is our queen mother who will forever be dear in our hearts.


The Planning Aspect

Thanks to the ease that technology brings, we were able to pull off the 80th birthday of our queen mother through constant communication in social media and mobile phones. We all lived in different parts of the Philippines thousand miles away from each other but we talk everyday through our mobiles. We all wanted to honor our queen because she has been through a lot in her life and now is the best time to give back to her at least half of what she truly deserves. Royal theme birthday was fit for her. Since red and gold are the two most predominant colors in royalty, we all decided we go for gold and red motif too. The birthday budget was initially 50k. And we all worked around it to pull off a meaningful celebration for our dear Queen Mother Mama Nene.


Thanksgiving Birthday Mass

The celebration started with a special birthday thanksgiving mass where the majority of the family attended. It was the most important aspect in the celebration of my grand mother's birthday because it was our way of thanksgiving to God who is the giver of life and providence and sustenance of all things and all life forms including the life of our queen grandma.

The Birthday Reception

The backdrop was minimal and simple but royal and queenly. I brought about 3 luggage of event decors through an 18-hour bus ride from Davao City to Plaridel Misamis Occidental just to create this very simple backdrop, flowers, projector and presentations. I could have created a more elegant and grand backdrop but the challenge of transportation was so great, I had to stay minimal in the decors.

A cake design fit for the queen

Queen Mother poses with her 3layer cake, flowers and the flower crown

The Royal Dance of Queen Grandma and King Grandpa

Food and Catering

Lechon or Roasted Pig is a staple delicacy in every Filipino celebration. It is the epitome of any event or birthday. Without the lechon, it is just a very sad meal. There was an array of food, viands, desserts but the highlight would always be the roasted pig. That is a filipino trademark.

Catering and Home cooked food line up the very long buffet table

Program Flow

Since this is the time for honoring our queen grandma, we have chosen key people to give their messages for her.

 Aside from the messages, there were special dance and song presentations all dedicated to our Queen Mama Nene.

Video greetings from Ante Bebe in India

Dance Presentation from Mama Nene's grandchildren, Dave and John

Two of Mama Nene's grandchildren recorded a song presentation for her, Nikolai and Sofia

Family Pictorials

 Of course we had to have compulsory family pictorials.

The children of Papa Isaac and Mama Nene

The grandchildren of Papa Isaac and Mama Nene

Parlor Games 

To spice things up, I was able to simulate the "Minute-To-Win-It" games. Everyone participated! It was so much fun seeing everyone hyped up with the games and the props that came with it!

Cookie Face Game

Nuts and Sticks Game

Spaghetti and Macaroni Game

The After Party

We all love to sing, splash and swim so we did all three! There was a videoke, swimming pool and a lot of hyper energetic family members waiting to unleash their talents and skills creating their own spotlight.


Ohana means Family

The love of family is tender and sweet. We all have differences but no one gets left behind in a family. We are one big very happy giddy family indeed. Our grandparents serve as the stronghold for which glues us all together.

Happy Birthday Queen Mother Mama Nene! Long live the Queen!