This is how this modern fairytale prenup was born. Its a story about two ordinary people who dreamt about making their own fairytales come true. But instead of searching for their prince and princess, they made the effort to be the “right person” for each other.

“I thought romantic love is not for me. But when I met Eugene, all my hesitations and discouragement were all taken away.”– Steph

“I didn’t expect that I’ll meet my dream girl. When I saw Steph, I prayed hard to God to give me a chance to be the right man for her.” – Eugene.

The Modern Fairytale Prenup

Fitting their love story and their theme, Eugene & Steph had their prenup at Fernwood Gardens, Tagaytay.

“We realized that Fernwood Gardens is the best place for our prenup because the place looks very nostalgic and royal! We also loved the ambience, the breezy weather (which was perfect for the shoot) and  the design of the whole place.”

Tips That Matter

Pulling off a modern fairytale prenup wasn’t easy for sure, but if you’re planning to achieve the whole look, here’s what Eugene & Steph had to say:

1. Be yourself.

Fairytale doesn’t mean only formality. Be natural. Laugh if you want. Just have fun.

2. Give preparation a lot of time.

Seriously, make sure to have ample time for the preparation of your modern fairytale themed because it is not easy to set up your outfits (gown & suit) for this kind of theme.

3. Believe in Magic.

The magic of your suppliers. They will definitely support your dream so just tell them what you want on your shoot. In Steph’s case, she decided to wear six different outfits, six different looks in each different locations in Fernwood.

“We are truly blessed that our photographer Liz Ranola , makeup artist Lei Ubaldo and Hairstylist Arjhay  were all very supportive and patient to us.”

“We personally talked to our wedding couturier/designers and they helped us achieve our desired look.  We wore a beautiful gown (Cecilio Bertumen) and suit (Francis Libiran) on the last set of our prenup/finale. That was our favorite shot!”

Here’s what we learned from Eugene & Steph’s story, heartbreaks and disappointments may always be present in the real world. But just because this isn’t a fairytale world, doesn’t mean people can’t live happily ever after. Right?

Supplier Spotlight: Photo by: Liz Rañola Photography | Gown: Cecilio Bertumen | Suit: Francis Libiran | MUA: Lei Ubaldo | Hair: Arjhay Asahan | Wedding Planner: Mika Alarcon

Would you like to share your story with us?

The post Modern Fairytale Prenup: Steph and Eugene appeared first on The Top Knotters.

Four years ago, Jessica ended her toxic and abusive marriage. After that dark period, she started to pick up the pieces of her life again. She faced her depression and finalized her divorce. And she mended her heart by learning to love herself again. She began to believe that there could be one more chance for her, if not to find love, then to be happy and free.

https://vimeo.com/215394395

One More Chance After Heartbreak

A year later, a friend of Jessica’s gave her a one year subscription to a dating website as a birthday gift.  But Jessica was more than hesitant to use it. She didn’t think she could find love again, and especially not online! She didn’t know then that though her heart had been broken, she had not been completely forsaken.

Eventually, Jessica finally tried dating online, but only as a sign of gratitude to her friend. It was new and made her uneasy, and there wasn’t anyone who interested her. But just when she was about to throw in the towel, her friend asked her to give it one more chance. So she did. Little did she know that online dating was just waiting to give her one more chance to find her soulmate too. And that was how Jessica and Jeremy first met.

(Want more online dating success stories? Read about Mitch and Paolo’s Friendster romance!)

Fast forward to 2017, this unconventional love story between Jessica and Jeremy took itself to another plain. They solidified their commitment to each other during a majestic ceremony in the white sand beaches of Palawan. Even though they had come all the way from Canada, the couple were surprised to have pulled off the solemn beach wedding that they had wanted. It was a dream come true for both of them.

Jessica and Jeremy’s Destination Wedding Tips

Many couples will attest that organizing a destination wedding is hella difficult. But it can be done! Each couple have their own say on what’s important during the planning phase. Here’s Jessica and Jeremy’s take on the process:

1.    Procrastinate Early

“We started planning the wedding a year in advance although it was also a very carefree planning process. And because of one year’s lead time, we felt like we didn’t miss anything.”

2.   Don’t know what to do? Trust your suppliers!

“We wanted to document our big day because we wanted our family members in Calgary to watch it.  Without any idea on what to do about it, we trusted David and his crew. And I was amazed at the outcome of the same-day edit video.  They gave us more than what we expected.”

Jessica and Jeremy went to great lengths to get the wedding of their dreams. But it was all worth the effort in the end, especially since they also went through a lot just to find each other in the first place. Their story, not just their wedding, is a beautiful testament to the fact that Love never truly abandons us. Love doesn’t just give us one more chance, but infinite chances. So what are you waiting for?

Supplier Spotlight: Photo/Video: David Garmsen | Venue/Catering: Stunning Republic | HMUA: Ryet Parino | Bridal Gown: Free People (Canada) | Groom’s Suit: J Crew 

The post One More Chance: Jeremy and Jessica’s Online Romance appeared first on The Top Knotters.

Classy. There’s no other way to describe it. Joyce and Nico’s understated and classy wedding in Tagaytay was chock-full of nothing but pure elegance, both in the wedding details as well as the intimate moments they shared with their family and friends.

The Beginning

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Nico and Joyce’s universes were aligned with the help of their common friends in social media. Later on, they even found out that they had been school mates from elementary all the way to college but had never had the chance to meet. Fate is strange and beautiful that way.

“It is true that you would know immediately when God finally gives you the blessing He has been preparing you for because of that flutter in your heart, the certainty in your mind, and the whisper in your soul saying, ‘It is you I’ve been waiting for all this time.’” – Joyce said.

Nico and Joyce were engaged in 2015 and, two years later, had the understated and classy wedding of their dreams at Antonio’s Fine Dining in Tagaytay. It was an event made possible by the Divine Being, and supported by their family, friends, and even their team of Top Knotters who aimed for nothing but the best for the couple.

From Joyce’s wedding gown to the ambiance of Antonio’s Fine Dining, the event dripped with simple elegance. It perfectly captured their Nico and Joyce’s journey as a couple. Despite the hurdles life threw at them, they were able to rise above it all with grace because of their strong foundations, in both their faith and their relationship.

Wedding Planning with Grace

To maintain grace under pressure while planning for your big day, Nico and Joyce share the following advice:

1.    It Takes Two

Always consider each other’s preferences before deciding on anything, and keep each other informed during the planning stages.

2.   Find your Center

Guard yourselves from thinking too much about what other people’s opinions would be about your wedding. Instead of worrying about pleasing guests, focus on the sacrament of marriage, on your thanksgiving celebration for the relationship, and on making the wedding meaningful for both of you and your loved ones.

3.   Cherish your Top Knotters

Trust your suppliers and treat them with respect. Be professional, in the same way that you expect them to be. Most importantly, make sure they are cared for on your wedding day too! Feed them well and settle your balances as agreed upon in your contract.

Supplier Spotlight: Photo: Team Benitez Photo | Video: Director Lambert Pangilinan | Coordinator: Mint Events | Preps: Hotel Montecillo | Ceremony/Reception Venue: Antonio’s Fine Dining | HMUA: Soleil Capulong | Flowers : Il Fiore Flower Boutique |  Bridal Gown: Religioso | Groom’s Suit: Indochino | Event Host: Antonette Yee-Vitrucio | Band/Lights & Sounds: Digivision Star Entertainment | Cake: CynfullySweets

If you follow the couples’ tips above, you can be sure to pull off a classy wedding, no matter what your theme or motif! Want more ideas for an understated and classy wedding? Check out Jody and Dicky’s super intimate Batanes renewal of vows!

The post Classy Wedding at Antonio’s: Nico and Joyce appeared first on The Top Knotters.

Kenneth and Aren were classmates at their high school in Batangas, nothing more. Although they did share a weird scenario during Physics wherein Aren asked Kenneth to hold an ice cube that wasn’t connected to their class experiment at all. You’d think this quirky moment would’ve led to some sparks. But it wasn’t until they became classmates again in college when they actually became close friends. And slowly, their friendship developed into a something that looked and felt a lot like love.

Ten years into their relationship, on February 5, 2017, Kenneth proposed to Aren and made a promise of forever.  But it wasn’t just the proposal he had been preparing for all those years.

“I promised myself and my parents I would become a full-fledged lawyer before entering marriage… Aren and I have been through a lot of experiences, good and bad. And I believe that we’ve grown enough to take the next step in our relationship.”

After asking Aren’s parents for their blessings, Kenneth gathered all their close friends and family for this intimate celebration of love. He brought them to his and Aren’s favorite hangout—Hot and Cold Cafe—for the simple cafe proposal he had been planning.

The Simple Cafe Proposal: What Went Down

It happened on a Sunday, a laidback day for Aren but a busy one for Kenneth.  There weren’t any special plans, and there was nothing happening out of the ordinary. Well, nothing much.

“Clara, one of my closest friends, told me there was a dinner buffet at Hot and Cold Café. But when I checked their Facebook page, there was no such event that day. Clara constantly asked about my whereabouts, which was not normal. Also, all the members of my family went out that day which was unusual because Arcole, my youngest brother, doesn’t usually leave our house.”

So it’s safe to say that Aren had a hunch. But she enjoyed every bit of it and just let Ken follow his plan so they could have the perfect yet simple cafe proposal that they did.  To help them relive the irrepeatable moment, Kenneth brought on Anthony Co to take photos, and Christian Andaya to shoot the proposal film.

Proposal Dos and Don’ts

Kenneth and Aren share the following tips for couples who are about to enter this stage of their relationship:

“For the guys, don’t proceed with the proposal without the blessing of your respective parents even though you are both of marrying age. Your parents will become members of your family after the marriage. Also, you don’t need to make the proposal extravagant.  Focus on how you can make your girlfriend the happiest lady on that day (and all the days after). “

“For the ladies, let your guys do their part in surprising you. Don’t be makulit and pressure your guy. Don’t automatically assume his acts are pertaining to the proposal because it will be stressful for both of you. Just let it flow and enjoy the moment when it finally arrives.”

From their ice cube-holding days to their simple cafe proposal at Hot and Cold Cafe, it seems temperature plays some part in Kenneth and Aren’s relationship. Maybe, just maybe, it means that no matter if they’re feeling hot or cold towards each other, they’ll love each other no matter what—in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.  Call us cheesy, but that’s exactly the kind of love we want. *sigh*

Supplier Spotlight: Video: Christian Andaya Wedding Films | Photo: Anthony Co Photography | Engagement Ring: Goldenhills Jewelry | Venue: The Hot & Cold Cafe

QUESTION: What do you think of fuss-free engagements such as this simple cafe proposal? Yay or Nay?

The post Simple Cafe Proposal: Kenneth and Aren appeared first on The Top Knotters.