The Philippines’ grandest wedding expo returns on September 9-10 at SMX.

The grandest celebration of love and creativity makes a comeback this year as renowned events and wedding planning company Themes & Motifs proudly presents the Wedding Expo Philippines 41st Edition, The Best Bridal Fair of 2023.

A weekend event that is set to dazzle and inspire soon-to-wed couples, the Wedding Expo will take place on September 9 and 10, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at SMX Convention Center Manila in the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

“This Wedding Expo will feature over 100 exhibitors, gown ateliers, and a one-of-a-kind culinary showcase spread across 3,000 sqm of space, covering everything needed to help make your dream weddings come true”, says Sharon Fabian, Managing Director of Themes and Motifs.

As part of the expo, Themes & Motifs will host Wedding Banquets Showcase: Grand Food Tasting Festival, unveiling delectable culinary creations from the country's finest caterers such as Hizon’s Catering, Josiah Catering, and Richgold Weddings. Indulge in exquisite flavors and impeccable service from trusted experts in the wedding banquet service.

This event will showcase the following:

• Inspirational Exhibits: Walk through the awe-inspiring landscape of wedding themes and concepts designed by industry-leading event stylists and designers.
• Supplier Showcase: Immerse in the best of the wedding industry, meeting over 150 premier wedding suppliers, including photographers, videographers, caterers, florists, bridal gown designers, and more.
• Fashion Extravaganza: Witness the latest bridal fashion trends as celebrated designers unveil their breathtaking wedding gown collections.
• Exclusive Offers: Take advantage of exclusive discounts and promotions available solely during the event.

Attendees will also have the chance to win a Pre-Nup Photoshoot Session with the renowned celebrity photographer Nice Print Photography & Exige Weddings. That's not all – by booking onsite, you'll also be eligible to win a range of fantastic prizes including a 2-night stay for two at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria with daily breakfast, a 2-night stay for two at Sheraton Manila Hotel with daily breakfast, exquisite Elegant Wedding Rings from Goldenhills Jewelry, and the ultimate pairing: His and Hers iPhone 14.

Guests are encouraged to pre-register for the event on or before September 7 to enjoy a seamless entry process and receive exclusive offers.

To pre-register at the Wedding Expo Philippines 41st edition, visit: 

https://bit.ly/WEPS23RegisterHere 

To register at The Grand Food Tasting Festival, visit:

https://bit.ly/REGISTERGrandFoodTastingFestival

Moreover, celebrity couple Anthony & Maricel Laxa- Pangilinan will be launching their new marriage book "Marriage Is a Marathon: Run it One Step at a Time". Anthony & Maricel celebrate 30 years of blessings by co-authoring this must-read book for couples.

Wedding Expo Philippines 41st Edition is supported by Aquila Crystal Palace Tagaytay The Events Place; Goldenhills Jewelry; Nice Print Photo; Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Sheraton Manila Hotel, the official partner hotels; Tei Endencia, the official event stylist; and official media & events partners Inspirations.ph and Sound Level Production Equipment Rental.

For more information and updates, please visit www.themesnmotifs.com

Fashion Pulse | Peacock Feathers.

Peacocks are some of the most colorful and beautiful animals in the world. Everyone has witnessed the marvelous show of feathers at the zoo or in a wild environment. Every feather has an "eye" designed to scare off predators, and in the modern world, women like to wear peacock feathers in their hats or on their clothes for decoration.

The peacock bird continues to be highly celebrated and decorative in all ancient and modern societies. The following is a guide that helps you make the best use of these beautiful peacock feathers.

Photo credit: Hairbowswonderworld.

Hats and Hair Accessories
People often buy bird and peacock feathers to place in hats. Girls and women love to place these feathers in their hair wreaths and bands, too. Placing these plumes in clips and barrettes is more difficult, but certainly possible. These feathers are the most visible and scenic items found on costumes, so it is always good for decoration.

Wedding Decorations
Peacock feathers are some of the most colorful and unique elements to any wedding, too. You may want to include a peacock flower in a bouquet of wedding flowers on the table, around a pillar or anyplace else where decorations are found. The beautiful green, gold and blue color stands out well among the flower petals. Also, place the feathers in the centerpieces for the reception tables for a unique look, or you can even attach them to wedding invitations, pens or bridal dresses.

Photo credit: French Novelty.

Dresses
For many fashion designers, peacock feathers are always good accessories to have. Many of the designers have attached the feathers to create colorful green and blue bustiers and tops for dresses. The dresses are so bright and decorative that they get stares as soon as they walk into a room. You can be sure, if you are wearing a dress with peacock feathers, it will be noticed.

Invest in Peacock Plumage
There are certain things in nature that are good for decorative purposes. Animal fur coats, leopard skin prints and peacock feathers are only a few items to consider for fashion reasons. These plumes are found on some of the most beautiful birds in the world, and the colors are bright and almost metallic as the feathers shimmer in the light.

For a big occasion like a wedding or party, you may want to buy bulk peacock feathers from a reliable source like Zucker Feather. Find dozens or hundreds of them for your use in hats, hair accessories, wedding decorations, and more. Your use of peacock feathers is only limited by your imagination.

Wordless Wednesday #57 | Wedding Fair.

The little man checking out the exhibits at last weekend's wedding fair.

To Have and to Hold | Top Wedding Photography Trends of 2013.

'Twas one of those days when I miss the husband immensely and as I flipped through our wedding album, it made me realize how different wedding pictures looked like five years ago. (Yes, we're celebrating our fifth anniversary this June.) Not surprising since wedding trends move really fast; and portraits missisauga are no exception.

With June fast approaching, I'm pretty sure the photography business will again be at its busiest. If you're one of those June brides (or grooms, for that matter), here are some wedding photography trends that you can expect:

Turning five. :)

Color - lots and lots of color
Bright, natural colors are one of the hottest wedding photography missisauga trends these days. Super saturated photos are ideal for pre-nuptial and engagement photos as they make colors pop, and add a whimsical feel to the images.

Vintage glam
Washed out photos reminiscent of the Casablanca era are all the rage right now. If nostalgia is right up your alley and suits your style, then vintage edits are the way to go.

Bokeh love
Bokeh is one of my personal favorites. In Nihonggo, the word means “blurred” or “hazy” and in terms of photography, it means part of the image is aesthetically blurred such that objects in focus stand out beautifully.

Now remember, whatever trend you follow or whatever style you choose, your wedding photos should focus primarily on you, your spouse, and the emotions of this momentous occasion. Take your time and  have fun with putting your own personal touch on  these trends to make your wedding photos truly unique.

The must-have 2013 wedding flowers.

When it comes to the wedding flower trends for 2013, it looks like there will be two distinct decisions to make – either go traditional and opt for the country garden style that has been so popular across the globe for a number of years, or be more daring by going for bright, bold rainbow colours, neon accessories, big blooms and supersized accessories. Whether your flower choices are safe, tried and tested ideas, or that little bit more adventurous, it’s easy to achieve a beautiful look.

Colour me beautiful 
For 2013, the big idea among all flower delivery and bridal design experts is that one main flower colour will be paired up with a single strong accent colour. Good examples touted by florists include a daring lemon and grey, stylish peach and emerald or bright coral and turquoise.

There’s more to it than colour though, with the use of stripes and spots bang on trend – to go with stylised fonts on other wedding bits and bobs such as stationery. Accessories matter too – pinwheels add a big burst of fun, not to mention a retro feel. You could say modern meets retro in 2013’s most fashionable weddings.

Think Downton Abbey
Downton abbey has, pretty much single-handedly taken fashion, interior design and, of course, weddings, back to the elegance and luxury of the 1920s. However, there’ll be no period drama if you choose to match old-style gold, beautiful pearls and oh so in-demand antique mirrors with velvet fabrics, brocade, beading and lots and lots of texture with rich colours. Big blooms create a sense of theatre, with dahlias, hydrangeas, ranunculus, tulips and anemones absolutely spot on.

Fresh and clean
This idea has been touted for a number of years now, without ever taking off, but 2013 is definitely the year when fresh, clean lines will come to the fore at contemporary wedding celebrations. Dark vases should be combined with pure white blooms such as anemones, hydrangeas and ranunculus.

Viva vintage
As mentioned earlier, vintage will be big once again this year. Blush pinks, pale peaches and washed- out foliage are in, as are blowsy roses, papery blooms and unusual foliage.

Get creative
Of course, with the world still in economic meltdown, many brides will be opting for a DIY approach. Good advice here is to opt for loosely-styled flowers as it’s an easier look for an amateur to achieve, with lots of smaller containers used. Herb plants in small galvanized containers are a fun table centre that can also be used as favors.

This blog was written for The Rebel Sweetheart by Austin Clark, freelance flower, travel and retail writer.

Throwback Thursday | Our Love Story.

This morning, I woke up with the realization that my husband and I have been together for a decade.

We first met in the summer of 2003, through my brother, who was his classmate in college. He was in his senior year and was looking for an on-the-job trainee stint in the company that I was working at. I, on the other hand, was fresh out of college, a fairly new employee at the said company, and on the rebound after calling it quits with my boyfriend from college.

He didn't get hired as an on-the-job trainee in my office. But he did get my number, and the next thing I knew we were constantly texting each other, talking on the phone for hours, and going out on the dates. On the sixth of June 2003, we officially became a couple. Five years later, on that exact same day, we got married.

Bliss. :)

I know this sounds cliche, but I still remember everything as if it was yesterday. How he proposed (more like how he told me, "Let's get married"), how we prepared hands-on for the wedding (from the invitations, the wedding favors, the rings, my wedding gown, down to the background music as I walked down the aisle), and how our garden wedding pushed through despite all the mishaps we had along the way.

My husband may not be the most romantic person in the world, but he sure would go through hell and high water for me. And I would, too, for him. I love him to bits. And for many more decades to come.