Audrey manages the wedding catering arm of her family’s business - Bizu Pattiserie.  Being part of the industry, she’s seen it all.

And she’s kinda sick of what she’s seen.

Instead, she wanted to give homage to the people who help build the event - the florist, photographer, planners, umm, ehem, the videographer.

Of course special attention was to be devoted to her chefs who labored long and hard hours to make everything perfect.

And so I excused myself from the bridal prep and instead headed directly to kitchen headquarters where dinner and dessert were being prepared.  I also shot the reception setup and planners assisting the guests.  It was more like a behind the scenes take of a wedding.

Enjoy this feast:

Audrey and Rich: Same Day Edit from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

I saw how the food was being prepped so I couldn’t help myself during dinnertime.  I had to partake of the Angus and seabass.  Burp!

Cast of Characters:
Chef Ronnie, Alex and Philippe for Bizu
Rita Neri Event Planners
Jing Tanada of Palamuti (who didnt want to be on cam)
Pat Dy - Photography
And that guy in the grey Varvatos sportcoat - he’s the videographer.

Shrine of St. Therese
Shangri-la Makati
Wedding Planner:  Nenita Zagala (Celebrations and Co.)
Couture:  Ceremony gown - Carolina Herrera/Reception gown - Vera Wang
Flowers and Styling: Jing Tanada
Music: Manila Philharmonic Orchestra (30 piece)
Photography: Pat Dy
___

We were asked to go a full hour earlier than the usual call time to capture the groom’s surprise to his bride.  Richard wrote a letter to Maribel to be read by four of her friends.  The letter recounted the three years they’ve been together, how they’re relationship flourished and how expectant he was of their wedding here in the Philippines.

This became the crux of the Same Day Edit.  (How can in not be?)

Same Day Edit from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

The edit was very complex and the execution brutal.  But as always, we couldn’t deliver anything less.

Many words were spoken in the video, but what takes the cake for me?  - “Look at my lashes! I look like a drag queen!”

Cheers to the newlyweds!

I’ve been crushing on Winona Rider the past couple of weeks.  I just watched Dracula for the nth time and then Marc requested this song from the Reality Bites soundtrack.

“Stop acting like a jealous boyfriend ;-)!”

Majoy and Marc from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

_____

Got to shoot again with Dino and Madge and Veluz and everything was one big get-together.  Got a bit of help from Dondi Narciso too!

It was a rainy Friday.

You do not bitch because it’s rainy and you can’t get the shots you want. You think of ways to utilize and work with what is given you.

The drear and grey would not let Rio’s spirits down, why should it with us?

Rio and Sonnie from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

There are extremely few themed weddings we shoot nowadays.  Rarer still are the themed ones pulled out with aplomb and panache.

And it has to be said that shooting Issa and Tiger’s wedding was an experience unlike any other.

The invitation was just a sampling.

Princess Leia buns of course for the flower girls.

Issa’s gown, rather, “breastplate” (by Michi Calica), was fabricated from fiberglass mined from the deepest caverns of Naboo.

Couldn’t imagine anybody else pulling this off.

The 501st Legion: The Philippine Outpost were there to escort our dear Jedis of course.

And what is Star Wars without the Death Star?

(Death Star cake courtesy of Bizu)

Your wedding was awesome Issa and Tiger!

Check out the same day edit “scored” by John Williams no less.

Issa and Tiger from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

May the force be with you!

(this is also for Loyd, the biggest fan I know).

OK so I walk into the bride’s suite and everybody was busy preparing for the big day and yet warm as can be. The very first thing I noticed was the flowers. Never, as in never, have I seen such workmanship, such beauty in bouquets and corsages. I proceeded to chat with the kind Florist …

“You’re also from Bacolod?” - “My roots are.”

“These flowers are just utterly beautiful” - “Why thank you“. (said in the most unassuming and polite manner).

After some time, flipping through the pages of Philippine Tattler, a familiar face came up in a full page photo.

A Homer Simpson moment enveloped me - Doh! The unassuming florist turned out to be Margarita Fores - premiere Filipina restaurateur (Cibo, Pepato, Cafe Bola). Turns out she has so much art in her she’s now doing flowers, - Fiori Di M.

We had so much fun in this wedding as face after familiar face turned up (past couples, friends of couples, future couples). And of course, nothing beats working with friends as Chinkie Uy coordianted the wedding and Dino Lara shot the stills (you’ll see cameos of him and me in the video).

Here’s their Same Day Edit. Enjoy!

Jaraiza and Ked from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

Generals may be tough as nails and eat bullets for breakfast. But this General couldn’t contain himself while his first-born was walking down the aisle.

Everything about this wedding was “grand” (like Marlon’s name). 50++ people in the entourage, 3 cakes (Bizu, Pastry Bin, Alex Franco), 2 gowns, a 15 piece musical ensemble and 2 photographers (Mangored and Wally G). I swear, the cake was fifty feet tall!

Ok you’ve seen Jaguars, Rolls, Horse Carriages, Beetles and maybe even trains as backdrops to portraits. But have you seen a plane taking off the tarmac just a hundred metres behind a newlywed?

But despite the majesty, it was the quiet moments that counted.

Here’s their Same Day Edit.