BRIDAL GOWN, GROOM’S SUIT, MOTHERS’ GOWNS
Frederick Peralta
1960 Leon Guinto St.
Malate, Manila
Contact Person:
Ruby
Tel # 521-34-63
Email: frederickperalta@yahoo.com
Rating: A++++++++++

Before:
When we were starting with the preps, I never really thought that Frederick Peralta will be doing my gown. I didn’t have illusions that we’ll have a big budget dahil wala naman talaga.

So I browsed through all the messages at w@w. I read all suppliers’ ratings. I was able to come up with a shortlist of designers. However, when I saw my friend’s gown which was designed by Frederick, I said to myself , “What if?” No harm in trying, right?

Luckily, my friend, who was based in Cebu, was spending the holidays in Manila. She promised me that she’ll accompany me to Frederick’s shop. Nakakahiya because we were 1 hour late from our appointment. My friend who was to accompany us came in later pa! She called me up and told me to go inside the shop because she’ll be super late due to the traffic. E ayaw naming pareho ni Clarence. First of all, we were both intimidated. Second, we were late!

Anyway, we got inside the shop because we were afraid to be bumped off from our appointment. Once inside, we felt relaxed. Frederick’s staff was so accommodating. We waited for my friend before we met with Frederick. I think he was attending to another client at that time. I was so excited when we were called to go to Frederick’s office.

Frederick asked me if I already had a design in mind. I told him I want a simple and classic design for my gown. He gave me a pen and paper asked me to draw my dream gown. I drew a tube, princess cut gown. He asked me where the ceremony and the reception will be held and at what time. He took a good look at me then started sketching. I loved his first sketch right away.

Then, the subject came to budgets. How much? He asked me what my budget was. I couldn’t tell him. I was fidgeting. Sobrang dyahe. So it was my friend who told Frederick our budget. Then Frederick said, ok. Nasa fabric naman yan. Honestly, I didn’t care what fabric he’d use. As long as he’s doing my gown, ok na sa akin.

What we loved about Frederick is the fact that he has stayed humble through the years. (Side comment: Kaya nga I feel sad when I hear stories of upcoming designers with big egos. Designers who still have to prove themselves and yet charge an arm and a leg.) He was so accommodating all throughout our fitting sessions with him. We were late most of the time during our appointments but he would still be very friendly. He will really entertain you with his stories. He also told us to text him if we needed advise on certain suppliers. He was very generous with his tips.

We got all the gowns and dresses a week before the wedding. The night before the wedding, Frederick’s assistants came to my hotel room to bring the bodyform and set up the gown and accessories.

To see the development of my wedding gown, click here.

The Groom’s Suit.

In the initial stages of our wedding preparation, I asked Clarence what he’d like to wear. He told me he would like to wear a suit to our wedding. I was caught off guard. I thought that he’ll want to wear a barong. Forever tactless, I told him that getting a suit for him is expensive. Besides, it means that we’ll also have to provide suits for the entourage as well. During that time, we haven’t started scouting for suppliers yet but I knew that a suit would easily cost us P 10,000.00.

After my tactless remark, Clarence immediately said, sige magbabarong na lang ako. I saw the sadness in his eyes. I felt so sorry and told him that it’s ok to wear a suit and I am sure that a suit will fit him well. I felt so guilty that I’ll be wearing my dream gown and he’ll be stuck with something that he wasn’t happy about. But no amount of convincing can make him change his mind. He has decided to wear a barong.

It was a good thing that when I was having my measurements taken, Frederick asked him what he’ll be wearing and where he’s having it made. Since Frederick was very friendly, Clarence was very at ease with him. He told Frederick that he wanted a suit and Frederick told him that he’s also doing suits. They talked about the price and when I came back I think that Clarence was already thinking about having Frederick design his suit as well. I joined the conversation and asked Frederick if it was ok if the rest of the entourage will be in barong. He said that it was acceptable and besides, the groom needs to stand out. So after our meeting, we agreed that Clarence will be wearing a suit. My groom was so happy!

Mothers’ Gowns.

Again, we didn’t think of getting Frederick Peralta for our moms’ gowns. Actually, we had already canvassed for our entourage gown supplier. However, during one of our visits with Frederick, we asked him how much his minimum is if we asked him to design our moms’ gowns. Since the price he quoted was acceptable to us, we decided to book him for the mothers’ gowns as well.

Clarence and I felt that since the wedding is like some sort of tribute to our parents, we felt that they needed to feel just as special. And since this is a once-in-a-lifetime affair, we decided to pay a little extra for our moms’ outfits as our gifts to them.

Sabi nga ni Frederick, next to the bride, yun moms ang tinitingnan ng guests.

During:
We knew that Frederick had 3 weddings that day. But on our last fitting, while making chika with Ate Ruby, I asked her if Frederick’s coming to help me dress up. She then told Frederick about my concerns. Frederick jokingly said that he’ll wear his giant wings and go to the preps of his 3 brides. Lilipad daw siya. Anyway, I didn’t expect him to visit me anymore since the other 2 brides got their entire entourage package from him. In short, small time lang kami so I thought nasa bottom kami ng priority list. So imagine my surprise when he was at the hotel really early! His ever polite assistant, Jun, even requested permission from me if Frederick can use the bathroom to change into his suit. Of course, I said yes.

Frederick was there while my make up was being done by Peps. He even helped Peps put on my hair piece (which also came from Frederick).

After the make up and some pictorials, I was told to change into my wedding gown. Frederick and his assistants helped me into my gown. The gown was really heavy with all the beadworks. There were layers and layers of petticoat! Kaya pala kailangan talaga ng assistants to dress you up. I’ve always wondered about why they still need to go to the hotel and help the bride dress. Di pala madali and di talaga kakayanin mag-isa. When Dino and Threelogy asked me to step backwards and lean on the wall, I couldn’t move. Someone had to assist me. But after a few minutes, I got used to the weight of the gown and was more comfortable moving around.

Anyway, after being dressed up, a little pictorial pa ulit. Frederick coached me on how to smile and relax for the cameras. After my pictorial, Frederick left for his other brides. His assistants stayed with me until the wedding ceremony started.

After:
A lot of people complimented the gown. The fit was perfect. I felt super slim and sexy!
The beadworks were tastefully done. I had apprehensions about having beadwork on my gown but since it was Frederick who was doing it, I knew that it would turn out beautiful. I was right! I really loved the details of my gown. The gown registered so well especially in the evening shots taken by Dino and Threelogy.

After the wedding, the gown was so dirty. We brought it to a dry cleaner’s in Megamall but they wouldn’t accept it because they feared that they might damage the gown. I texted Frederick and asked for his recommendation. He told me to bring the gown to his office. At his office, we met Ate Ruby. She asked one of their staff to accompany us to Manila Steam Laundry to have the gown dry cleaned there.

Others:
I got my shoes from Frederick too. He wanted me to wear a 3-inch bridal shoes. He said that it would improve my posture. He also told me that I need to wear really high heels because my groom is tall.

I loved the shoes. My feet didn’t hurt at all.

HAIR AND MAKE UP
Peps Silvestre
PEPS SILVESTRE SALON
30 Sgt. Esguerra Ave. 2nd floor Autosource Bldg. QC
Cell# +63917-8156875
Rating: A++++++++++

Before:
I have been going to Peps for my haircut for more than 7 years now. He’s also such a good makeup artist so even for my makeup, I go to him. He’s like my personal stylist! He takes care of my hair. Every time I want a make over, I just go to his salon and have my hair done. I think that the texture of my hair has improved since I started going to him. It is only Peps that I trust when it comes to hair coloring. That’s how much faith I have in him.

It is only when I started going to Peps that people started complimenting my hair. Strangers would come up to me and ask me about my hair. When I had my hair permed (Yun flyaway style though once lang yun kasi ayaw ni Peps kinukulot ang hair ko.), people would ask me how I style my hair. When I had my hair colored, people would approach me and ask what color I used for my hair. One time, when I had my hot oil at a popular salon, the attendant said: “Ma’am, ang galing ng naggupit sa inyo. Mahal siguro yan ‘no?” Puzzled, I asked her why. She replied, “Kasi, ang ayos ng pagka-section e. Kahit di ka magblower, maganda pa rin.“

I have referred several of my friends to Peps and they have also become regular clients of his. Clarence also like having Peps do his haircut. Hiyang daw sya kay Peps.

When we had our prenups with Dino Lara, of course, we went to Peps. He was still with Salon West at that time. Peps said that he’ll experiment with my eyes and put false eyelashes. After the make up was done, I felt, makapal ata. Like all b2b, I wanted the blushing bride look. Anyway, I didn’t complain. However, after Dino showed us the prenup pictures, I was so happy. The make up was perfect! Peps really knows his stuff! I shouldn’t have doubted him.

More prenup pictures here.

During:
Peps was the earliest supplier to arrive. He was at the hotel before 10 am. It was a good thing because I asked him to do the make up of my two jr. bridesmaid who flew in from Hong Kong the day before.

Since we started early, the make up was done before 2:00pm. We had enough time for pictorials. Actually, we had a few extra minutes so we just stayed in the room and chatted. Everyone was so relaxed.

I don’t know if I just got used to the make up but I felt the make up during my wedding was lighter. But it stayed on till the end of the reception with minimal touch ups. Peps brought along an assistant to do my hair but it was him who supervised.

One of my frustrations is not having good skin. The week of the wedding, I had a few breakouts. I went to the dermatologist (Dermclinic) a few days before the wedding to have the pimples pricked. I told the dermatologist that my wedding is in a few days so that she won’t apply any peeling solution. Anyway, I think that Peps was able to cover the blemishes pretty well.

Peps and I.

Peps did the make up of my mom, 2 jr. bridesmaids, and my mother-in-law.

By the way, Peps doesn’t stay until the reception. He usually leaves when the pictorial at the hotel starts. But even with minimal touch ups (pressed powder lang before the start of the reception), the make up still stayed on till after the reception.

After:
Got a lot of compliments for my make up. Of course, when we watched the photoslideshow of Dino and the on-site of Threelogy during the reception, I knew that Peps did it again.

I was so relieved to see that even if Peps wasn’t there during the reception to do the retouch, my face didn’t turn oily as I feared. It even blended very well with my skin.

Side note: Peps does the make up at ASAP and other ABS-CBN shows. He also does make up for commercials and fashion shoots. He’s also the hairstylist of Piolo among others. The last time we were at Sir George, nakasabay pa namin sina Piolo and Carlos Agassi having their haircut. Carlos was even joking around and told Peps, “Hanggang labas ata ang pila!” There were alot of people that time and most were clients of Peps. In fact, our appointment was at 4:00pm but Peps got to attend to us at around 6:00pm. I was just surprised when I saw both Piolo and Carlos paying at the cashier. All the while, I thought that ex-deal yun. Anyway, it just shows that they really like Peps enough that they’re even willing to pay for their haircuts. Carlos even patiently waited for his turn.

If you would like to have a trial make up or haircut with Peps, better make an appointment first because Peps is out most of the time. It’s also best to schedule your appointments before lunch or a little after lunch since people usually come in in the afternoon.