sa mga B2B just like me, share ko lang my experience while preparing for our wedding next year (march 2012).. What i did was i started preparing 1 year ahead, at first promise hindi ko alam kung saan ko uumpisahan, kung venue ba,caterer etc ang una kong hahanapin.. we decided na march ang wedding from our original plan na Feb 08, 2012 kasi of course we need to consider yung mga family na uuwi from abroad lalo na kung importante talaga.. So unang ginawa ko was, i bought a notebook, listed all the things that i want for our wedding and ano ba yung mga primary needs. Then nung natapos ko na yun, without deciding pa sa date, i started to search for coordinator kasi from abroad ako, though ako ang talagang tumatawag at nkikipag-usap sa suppliers, then next is look for venue, though the date is not final yet, get quotations from different suppliers, caterer, etc.. i compared the prices, [textspeak!] freebies, [textspeak!] food and of course I reviewed feedbacks from previous wedding na sila [textspeak!] supplier, then nung we're decided na sa date, i choose na yung suppliers na gusto ko for the venue and caterer, since this is a garden wedding hindi na ako nahirapan to look for a church na.. Nung nakapili na ako ng supplier lalo na yung coordinator, i contacted them, signed the contract and paid [textspeak!] downpayment, so minus 3 na ako agad sa what to do's ko.. since i have coordinator, venue and caterer na, kelangan ko pa ng invitations, photographer/videographer.. in short all my suppliers nakita ko lang through internet research and pag gusto ko yung supplier siyempre i need to make sure na hindi sila scam, then the coordinator pumapasok na dito, sila ..At least 5 months to go pa, i kumpleto na ng supplier, i have lists of songs na from prelude to reception, [textspeak!] reception program,[textspeak!] missallete, on going na yung pagpapatahi ng gowns, ang kulang na lang is [textspeak!] shoes ko, suit ni groom, then [textspeak!] ring, ginagawa pa kasi.. For now i have all the suppliers that i need. Here's the lists:
venue- nurture spa, tagaytay
caterer- josiah's catering
Photo and video- nice print photography
invitation- print divas
make-up- cheryl cabanos
lights- sound plus
giveaways- personalized.. since i am here in riyadh, i bought cute bottle and kukuha na lang ako ng red sand, put ribbon and ngorder ako ng gift tag sa print divas, then giveaways all set..
coordinator- boda buddies
Suit for groomsmen - Gardini fashion
Wedding gown- dito ko na ipapatahi sa riyadh, kasi fabric is much cheaper dito same with gowns for the parents and bridesmaids. Naghanap ako ng murang bilihan ng tela dito [textspeak!] tipong 150 riyals (1600 pesos) one roll ng chiffon and silk pero with good quality..
Rings- dito ko namin bibilhin
Shoes- december bibili na kami
Target date namin is december tapos na lahat.. waiting na lang for the date and coordination sa february.. Para hindi masyado stress sissies, kelangan mejo maaga talaga ang start ng planning lalo na sa mga working abroad na mga brides, kasi we need to communicate talaga most of the time sa mga suppliers and coordinator para kahit wala ka sa pilipinas, hands-on ka pa rin and very detailed..
hope it will help a little para sa mga kaparehas akong bride-to-be..