“Falling in love is like being the first to discover the most beautiful thing in the world and to find someone to share it with. It’s like glimpsing the first evening star or the rainbow that unexpectedly appears in the midst of a storm. Love often starts in little ways. It comes quietly with a smile a glance or a touch, but you know it’s there because suddenly you‘re not alone and the sadness inside you is gone. Love means finally finding a soulmate of your own, someone to share your dreams and grow old with..”

It rained and it poured, but the exhibitors and guests in the first mini bridal fair in Bella Vista in Tagaytay stayed on and on. We all were having so much fun talking about wedding bells, marriage, and love, no one minded crowding inside the house and terrace!

When the sun came out again, and the cool breezes lifted the cotton-candy mists over Taal Lake, we went out to the garden to check on how the displays fared. To our delight and amazement, the table settings of caterers Via Mare, Kusina ni Kambal, Town’s Delight, Tamayo’s, Aramico’s, and K by Cunanan were wet, but each little detail, each goblet, napkin, and silverware remained in place.

Joy’s Birdhouse products and the flower display and decorated arch by Anna Corpus Say of The Flower Shop Around the Corner remained as fresh as ever, but Mary Kay Cosmetics and Events Pals had to take cover inside the covered lanai.

MasterPiece Events Management planners Eileen Paragas and her mom Mildred also took shelter inside the house. Bridal fashions by Toni Galang were positioned near the fireplace, but Malu Veloso’s gowns stayed safely out on the terrace with Anna Go of Tourist Cakes (at last, a real bakeshop with gorgeous cakes for all occasions in Tagaytay on Mahogany Road), The Orange Garden‘s delicious dips, and Pinky Ramos’ dessert buffet with over three dozen kinds of pastries, and a chocolate fountain from Fernando’s Bakeshop of Baliuag, Bulacan.

Gathering our favorite caterers and wedding suppliers to set up shop in our garden for a day had its anxious moments, but we enjoyed it immensely, rain, and all! Would we do it again?

Well, why not? Our bridal couple including Selle and Jocks Diokno, who were married last year in our garden, had fun checking out menus and package prices with the caterers who to me, represented the best, in price, food, services, and amenities. They discussed flavors, designs, and prices of wedding cakes that ranged from traditional fondants by Pinky and Rose Ramos of Fernando’s to their innovative (and affordable) multi-layered cakes made out of “pianonos” or rolled pastries and Bulacan’s “inipit”. Pinky used lots of fresh fruits on her cakes and everyone just loved her setup of a dessert buffet spread that complements any caterer for any-occasion parties. Anna Go of the “Tourist Cakes” had several cake designs and had the brides happily sampling their delicious banana cakes and other pastries.

While waiting for the rain to stop, we had time to chat with the affable Noel Paguia of Aramico’s, Mila Tamayo of Tamayo’s Catering, Andrew Pacumio of Town’s Delight (on his many native “kakanins” like “Lihim ni Lola,” Aguinaldo’s favorite) and theme resto in Trece Martires, the Republic of Cavite, Irma San Miguel of Kusina ni Kambal (who created an intimate presidential table “cocooned” by tall grasses in elegant glass vases), and Kay of K by Cunanan, a favorite of young engaged couples. For Glenda Baretto’s Via Mare, her stalwarts led by “Boy” and Joel created magic for their table setting set against our brick wall overlooking the lake with votive candles and ferns.

It was very interesting to watch the caterers set up their tables way before the bridal fair opened. The “crews” were very professional, putting up their tables, decorating them and their chairs with beautiful linens, cushions, elegant glass and silverware, flowers and in Via Mare’s case, a huge fresh leaf at the back of each chairs and tied with tulle.

They all worked swiftly and quietly, each doing their pre-assigned tasks. Their table settings were all masterpieces and any one of them would be fantastic for any wedding or social occasion. I learned a lot from having several professional caterers and suppliers in one gathering…nothing beats teamwork, expertise, and devotion to their craft.

Wedding invitations by Events Pal were so unique and very personalized; how I wished I had them around when Hubby and I got married…and I would have given away Joy’s birdhouses for souvenirs! Anyway, thank you everyone! Till the next fair!

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/960/wedding-dreams-begin-with-love