Mel the Model bride

“Mel” is short for Melissa.. =) And she found my blog somewhere, and booked my services in a bridal fair last May, and I wasn’t even there!!

(eto na Mel, bina-blog na kita! heheheh)

First time I saw Mel was after the fair… I also met William, her husband to be.. and their daughter Aisha.. who at that time, I didn’t believe to be 1 year old.

What can I say about her? She’s OC but very polite. And what I like about Mel (aside from the fact that she has a barbie doll type of figure and beautiful Filipina-Morena Skin) she is very responsible, upfront and vocal about her thoughts, decisive and trusting. Kung may award na MODEL bride, (kasi, dakilang bride talaga sya.. very responsible.. ayaw ka nya naiistress.. so he does her notes, pays on time and ahead, attends her fitting on time etc., hindi sa dahil mala model ang katawan nya, pero pwede rin.. hehe..) pwede ko siya inominate! hehehe…

Now let’s talk about her gown..

She initially loved the the gown I made for Jennifer. And for our first meeting, she showed me a picture of a gown she liked in one of the covers of Wedding Essential Magazine. But at that time, her wedding was still far off.. so when I finally designed a gown for her, i asked her, “okay lang ba, ibahin ko yung gown design na gusto mo?” I knew for sure, that the gown she initially liked will not be able to flaunt her best assets…

So I patterned the silhouette to the gown she liked in W.E. Magazine. It was a semi-ball gown. During our first fitting, medyo maluwag yung fitting garment. So i checked her measurements again, naggawa pa nya to lose about 2 inches sa waistline! GRABE. from 26 to 24!

So we adjusted it.. and then the 2nd fitting came.. this time, ready na yung ball skirt.. Medyo nashock sya!! I had her wear the petticoat kasi.. sabi nya.. KASAMA YAN?? and i told her, yah.. yan yung nasa sketch ku! And that time finit nya.. gandara ng lola.. barbie doll talaga.. hehe… ganda pa ng shoes nya.. hehe… love ko rin!

Hindi ko lang alam that time, hindi pala sya mapakali, until i got a call from her… she was bothered about the petticoat. Coz she liked how my gown didn’t have one coz it looked very comfy…. and so she was probably expecting the same thing. sabi nya.. “para akong robot nung suot ko yung petticoat, hindi ako makagalaw!”

So that’s Mel, in a nut shell… she really knows what she wants and after really thinking about it really well, she comes up with a decision. In this case, she wanted NOT to wear the petticoat.

No problem I said. So during her 3rd fitting… she was already relieved.. to see her gown without the petticoat… and she felt comfortable. And another one of her concerns was the X design. sabi nya.. “Hindi ba ko magmukhang X-bride nyan sa kasal ko?” sabi ko.. lola.. HINDE! pramis.. ako bahala…

so like i said, very vocal.. pero that’s good. Kasi we know what you think and we know how to do our job better. If not, hindi namin kaya hulaan concerns ng mga clients.

And so, finally, 1 week before her wedding.. ready na gown nya.. kita na rin nya yung X design… and natuwa naman sya.. at hindi sya mukhang X-bride.. hahahah…. binawasan pa namin ulit yung length nung skirt nya… YUN PA PALA.. si Mel, matindi ang INSTINCT.. sobrang daming instances na BUTI NA LANG naisip nyang gawin… winner talaga… Kaya swerte sobra ni William.. hehehe..

So on her wedding.. meron syang transformations.. Elegant lang actually.. konting change, pero fun din.

This sunday lang yung wedding.. March 1, 2009.

So first is her Pictorial before going sa church…

Effortless… nagkakamot lang daw siya nyan.. hehe..

and this is my favorite shot of her (mukha tuloy pro-shot.. hahah..)

A detailed shot. Her gown is made of Duchess Satin, 2 layers and 2 kinds of chiffon, corded lace, glass beads and Swarovski crystal accents.

Back shot…. Low back, chapel train..

Here are some shots naman before Mel walked the aisle.

We have attached the “detachable” train this time..
It’s around 4-5 yards long if I remember it correctly.

Her veil was a little longer than the train.. its hem was embroidered with little vines and flowers.

here’s a colored version… (click to enlarge)

Mel after the ceremony, having her retouch..

Mel without the detachable train….
And here’s William in their traditional Scottish Formal.

And for the start of reception..

we removed the beaded halter strap..

And also bustled the skirt…

and syempre, may change outfit sya for her dance! This was her last look for the day!

This one, i enjoyed making… medyo yung cocktail dress na ito, elegant, pero effort gawin… and sort of “patikim” ng future designs ko… hehe…

Coctail dress, in layers of wide bias cuts of georgette - fitted top and straight cut skirt with high slits and beaded waist accent - inspired by medieval patterns.

Mel and William in their reception look.. with the best accessories ever.. =P

Mel, peace tayo sa mga hirit! hahahaha… sarap ka lang talaga kakulitan. =P And hindi pa nagtatapos ang blog entry ko dito… meron pang part 2!

More pics and stories to come!