...Post Wedding Review Part 2 - The Palazzo Verde Experience...

After I proposed to Che, she already had a venue in mind – Enderun. However, we were penciled on the wait list of the venue for Saturday, November 28, 2015 despite inquiring on December 3^rd of 2014.The churches nearby also didn’t have an available slot for that day; Santuario De San Antonio had the rudest receptionist (she was probably having a bad day) who dismissed our inquiries (“Wala na. Wala nang schedule sa lahat ng Sabado ng 2015.”), St. Micheal the Archangel in Bayani Road had the nicest staff, but the person who went ahead of us already booked the date we wanted, and Makati was too far from the reception venue.

Kathleen, Che's sister, suggested Fernbrook Gardens. We know of the place, and it seemed perfect – a dreamy venue, a chapel where we could get married in, the reception venue already there, and a large parking area for our guests. The only setback would be the distance from where we lived.

We took our chance, and learned that unlike some of the churches we were looking at, Fernbrook could actually hold a wedding at their chapel on Sunday afternoons. It fit in perfectly with our preference to have our wedding day on our 11^th year anniversary, and it wouldn’t be much of a hassle for everyone attending since November 30 was a National Holiday in the Philippines.

Palazzo Verde visit, December 2014

We visited the place and all we could say was “wow.”

We booked our date and decided not to take their packages since Che and Pam, our wonderful planner from RP Weddings, had excellent negotiation skills (read: lakas tumawad) they could use to get favorable rates from the accredited suppliers. As we booked the venue that day, Aljoe Mix (sound system) and Bing of Scenta (flowers) were in the office, so we were able to talk and book them immediately.

Supplier hunting with Pam, January 2015

After Che left, Pam went with me to visit a couple of wedding fairs to look for a caterer. Funny how the caterers have a set of brochures available, but if they learn that your wedding is in Fernbrook, they will get something from their files, as Fernbrook has a different rate from the rest of the inquiries. After learning that suppliers can only go down to a certain rate, we seriously considered changing venues because of the possible expenses. However, after taking a step back and considering the initial payments we already made to some of the suppliers that we can’t get back anymore, we decided to push through, since the cost difference would be minimal. Besides, if we start from scratch again, there will be additional stress to prepare and we’ll also have to take traffic into consideration for our wedding day again.

Here's what we got through email on August 8, 2015.

Almost midway through the preparations, we found Kenneth Uy (invitations) in another wedding fair. After months of debating on the design of the invite, and after a couple of mock-ups, we received an email from Fernbrook Gardens that they will be known from then on as Palazzo Verde. We were still able to change the information on our invite, but of course people still know of Fernbrook Gardens more than Palazzo Verde.

If you are looking to get married in Fernbrook/Palazzo Verde, I strongly suggest that you consider their packages. Since you wouldn’t be able to save much when you negotiate with the suppliers themselves, why not just lessen your stress levels and take their ready-made packages? Looking for suppliers is fun though, and if you and your partner can do it together, it’s a nice experience to have. Tinka Alon took care of us, and isn’t it fun to have someone with a fun name to take care of you in such a dreamy venue? Our Tinkabell was fun to talk to, and she even entertained us when we saw her in a wedding fair.

Ms Louie of the parish office was a cool mix of suplada and nice. We were never sure what she was, but overall, she got things done. She was a real sweet person trapped in a suplada body. You will love her. The parish requirements could be done separately. Take note that the marriage license should be submitted to her three months before your actual wedding, because that is how long that license is valid from your respective municipal/city halls. Typically, it takes about a couple of weeks before you get your Marriage License. You would need two copies each of your NSO certified birth certificates and Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) – one to Ms Louie, and another to your respective municipal/city halls. Other requirements will be provided by Ms Louie, but I thought I needed to stress this because we had too many requests to the NSO due to incorrect information (e.g. wrong full name of Che’s dad, my birthplace, etc.).  

The Wedding Day

One year feels long, but when you’re three to four months away, you’d get the feeling that one year wasn’t enough time to prepare. A week before the wedding, Tinka advised that we will have Bridal Room 1 to retouch in between the wedding and the reception. She also advised that on our wedding day, the Tenko Nuptials will also be taking place. The Tenko Nuptials is a yearly event for the couple, Tinkabell said, as the groom promised his bride that he will marry her for the next ten years. They are on their seventh year this 2015.

The wedding day was amazing. Our ninangs were dressed in beautifully designed gowns, and our ninongs were dashing in their suits. Our guests looked awesome. The place was as dreamy as ever. However, when I got to the Bridal Room 1, it was already occupied by the Tenko crew. We were moved to Bridal Room 3, which smelled awful for reasons I don’t understand. I don’t know if I should blame Tinka for informing us we’ll be in Room 1, or should management be responsible for playing favorites?

I went back to greet our guests, as we were scheduled to enter the air conditioned chapel at around 2:30PM because the wedding march was scheduled to start at 3PM. However, the wedding before us hasn’t cleared the chapel yet, and we were forced to wait. Che had to wait for about an hour in the car, watching the earlier wedding do their photo shoot and whatnot right outside the church door. We couldn’t start. I went to the parish office for some last minute details, and met our presiding priest, who I will name once I remember him. He seemed nice, and I felt like everything will go on smoothly. Besides, there wasn’t a wedding after us, so we could take our time.

Finally, at 3PM we were allowed to enter, with Pam organizing the entourage. I didn’t have time to take in everything, as the lector suddenly started to speak. And then the band started playing. I was told to walk already. I didn’t look at anyone else, just straight ahead, because I didn’t know what I should feel. And then, I meet “That Guy.”

THAT GUY. And our presiding priest whose name I chose to forget, much like how he chose not to let our choir sing and chose not to have a homily on our special day.

See, we were never really formally introduced, and I never knew him even before the wedding. But he was the first guy who greeted me as I arrived at the altar. He guided me to the seats in front of the groom’s entourage and asked “Best man sir?”

That guy.

They said he was the Church coordinator. He was the one “directing” everyone to where they were supposed to be. I assume he’s handled a lot of weddings already. This is my first time to get married, but I knew that the groom would be the first in line. He had to ask me. I needed to introduce myself. Emotions are replaced with frustration.

Then again, it was my wedding day. I did not want anyone to spoil it. I gathered myself and prepared to see my bride. The camera guys kept guiding me to a spot where I could narrowly see the door, but I still had a clear view of it. Finally, the door opened. Standing there behind it was my beautiful wife. Before the door fully opened for her to start her walk, THAT GUY just stood in the way of my view. He was too far for me to tap, and whatever emotions and tears that welled up suddenly went back in. THAT GUY.

Later on, I learned from Che that as she moved closer to me, THAT GUY decided to step in front of her and guided her to where she already knew she was going. 

THAT GUY.

As we were telling friends about THAT GUY days after the wedding, our Matron of Honor and Best Woman told us that THAT GUY guided them to the seats right behind us. You know, the seats reserved for our parents? My mom noticed that they were awkwardly seated in front of our godmothers, and the godmothers agreed that the parents should be the ones seated in front. Steph, one of our bridesmaids, called Pam's attention to make the switch. 

THAT GUY. 

Anyway, we chose to not get bothered by him. The mass started and we put ourselves in the presence of God. We hired a choir from UST’s College of Architecture, where Che’s sister studied – Arkipella. They dressed nice, and looked ready to sing. However, Father decided not to go with the songs. After the Holy Gospel, we were prepared to hear what our priest had to say before we got married. Father decided to skip the Homily. Apparently, he needed to hurry up because we started late. At the end of the event, a person from Palazzo Verde debated with Che, saying it was our group's fault that we didn't start on time (bridesmaids got lost), but we were both there and I personally knew what time I went inside the chapel with everyone.  I was getting married;  naturally, I was looking at my watch.

When Arkipella was able to sing, they were angelic. Just don’t ask them to sing songs not sang in masses.

Che and her two-page vow. 

Father was nice enough to have us recite our personal vows, but I realized that if we didn’t have those, our wedding would have been a really short mass with no personal touch whatsoever as there wasn’t a message from our priest during the Homily. Quick note to couples with personal vows getting married – if you want to say something, write it down. It’s difficult to have a writer’s block right before the wedding and on the day itself. Not everyone can be creative on the spot.

From Kuya Jeff's camera phone. It was an iPhone so photo is extra nice.

Overall, Palazzo Verde was aesthetically what we hoped it would be. It didn’t matter if you had a shitty camera or not, you will get awesome pictures in the venue. Josiah’s (catering) and Scenta (flowers) did a great job at making the venue look even more dreamy as it is. The chapel was picture perfect, save for all the photos ruined by THAT GUY. The wedding experience was a bit lacking because our priest decided to forgo his homily and he didn’t allow our choir to sing. I expected tears throughout the wedding, but none fell down. I blame the emotion-killers in the chapel.

Scenta's backdrop design was great! And Josiah's was no slouch on the design part either. 

If you’re going to have your wedding at the Notre Dame De Vie, remember to get your coordinator to tie THAT GUY on a chair or something. Even if you don’t have a wedding rehearsal, your coordinator should brief everyone where they should be, so that you won’t need the presence of THAT GUY to guide you later. Do not let your priest not have a homily - make sure you or your coordinator communicates that to the parish office. Palazzo Verde can do no wrong with the reception venue, as that is all about the catering services, which I will review in my next blog.

Although we bought a lot of snacks on top of the cocktails prior to dinner, the guests still got hungry. But hey, everyone got great photos throughout the venue, so at least they were occupied with something while waiting.

Finally, if you’re reading this, you’re either a friend or someone who’s looking to get married in Fernbrook/Palazzo Verde. If you are the latter, here is a summary of pros and cons for Palazzo Verde that may help you out:

Pros:

• Picture-perfect venue – no filter, no problem. Even cheap camera phones can take great shots.

• No travel time from church to reception – you only need to give directions once for everyone.

• Ample parking space – there’s plenty for everyone.

• Air-conditioned venues – the chapel and reception hall is air-conditioned, so you can have no worries on a wedding theme with everyone wearing five-piece suits or something.

Cons:

• THAT GUY – whoever he is, he made my wedding day less emotional.

• Venue is far from the metro – it takes about 15 minutes from the nearest hotel (Alabang) to the venue.

• Expensive as hell – You pay a large sum for the venue, and can only choose from a limited number of suppliers who in turn will need to charge you extra for having your wedding there.

• Gondola is practically useless – You can choose to have photos taken on their small river while riding a gondola, but the water looks like Milo.  

  And here is a summary of on-the-day tips from my perspective:

•    Write vows early - I was a bit disappointed with how my vows went, knowing my own style of writing, and knowing I have so much to say.
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•    Eat something! - you will forget that you're hungry, but trust me, you are. Your body will agree once you get food on your mouth. Make sure your coordinator prepares food for you because you will not have time to eat at the reception.
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•    Schedule accordingly - you will not be able to hang out with everyone unless they decide to stay until way after the wedding. Best to hang out with them before your wedding day so that you and your wife/husband can have the company of each other exclusively on your wedding day. 
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•    Get your guests to bring snacks - no matter how much you buffer snacks, your guests will go hungry. We don't want our guests to go hungry.