All of us at the Filipino Bride & Groom have been busy working to provide you some tips and tricks of the trade to make your wedding day that much more special.

Whether you’re in a rush to find that perfect dress, deciding to have a big or small wedding, or whether you’re lost on how to stick to your budget, we’ve tried to answer questions that any bride or groom will have.

We sincerely hope that you enjoy this issue and that you’ll find some key nuggets of information to take along with you on your special day.

Happy planning!

Meryl Kaye De Leon
Editor

“No one wants to look at their pictures and say Oh my God, I look fat!” says Marie Olave about her motivation to lose some weight before her wedding date.

“Those pictures last a lifetime,” she adds. For couples planning a wedding, some may say the weight of wedding preparations is enough to keep them from lifting the weight in the gym. But the benefit of being in shape transcends looking immaculate on that special date.

“I would love to live to see our future children grow up and have children of their own. We don’t want to have to deal with medical bills or have to take medication for the rest of our  lives,” says Kimberly Galupe, a pharmacy technician who is engaged to marry Philip Lacap on May 28, 2011.

“In order to have a happy and healthy life together, you need to be healthy individuals from start to finish,” says Paul Taylor, owner and head trainer of the Brickhouse Gym.

Taylor adds that having a fitness routine before a couple decides to get married sets a standard on how they’re going to live for the rest of their lives.

“It doesn’t have to be extreme, it could be small things. Nobody says you have to give up your favourite food. Just don’t have it all the time,” says Olave.

Rewards are something Olave and her then fiancé, Tony Lospe, used to motivate each other.

“Whoever loses the most weight gets a reward.” Olave and Lospe set a friendly competition, with the winner being the one who lost the most weight.

Both dedicated one year to get in shape for their August 1, 2010 wedding date. They reached their goals six months later and maintained their weight for the rest of the year until the date  of their wedding. Olave lost 23 pounds and Lospe 50, making him the challenge winner.

Olave confesses and laughs, “I still owe him a snowboard.”

√ 2. Makes subtle substitutes. Choose brown or multi-grain for your bread choice and opt for a salad insteadof fries.

√ 3. It’s about teamwork. Encourage each other and celebrate each other’s successes, and exercise together when your schedule permits it.

√ 4. Don’t forget to hydrate. Make water your number one beverage of choice. Carry your own water container and be eco-friendly.

√ 5. Have smaller portions for you and your partner. There’s an argument that men think they can burn fat quicker than women. They’re still arguing about that…

√ 6. Go on a date to treat yourselves. If you want ice cream, go out to an ice cream parlour. But don’t buy a tub of ice cream to take home or it will be hard to resist the temptation.

√ 7. Mix it up. It doesn’t have to be all weight training or on the bike. You can also do yoga or join a dodge ball team with your friends.

√ 8. Cheat on your would-be spouse – just kidding. If you can’t be with the person you’re going to marry, invite a friend or family member to join you at the gym. A partner can spot you and keep you accountable for making it there, which some say is half the battle.

√ 9. Start a friendly competition between you and your sweetheart. The prize could make for a nice prewedding present.

√ 10. One size fits soon. Cliché, but buying a piece of clothing one size smaller will encourage you to lose the pounds, and you’ll have something new to show off your rockin’ bod in.

Canad Inns Destination Centre Garden City provides a one-stop-shop for all your wedding destination needs.

Banquet Space Made to Fit Your Event
No matter what you envision, we can make it happen. Whether you’d like an intimate gathering of 50 or a gala event of up to 360 people, Canad Inns Destination  Centre Garden City has banquet spaces that will work  for your wedding. We have options for linens and table settings that will suit your wedding look or theme, and our wedding teams will work with you to  perfect the look of the room.

Menu Selections
Our chefs and kitchen staff have developed a series of delicious, reasonably priced banquet menu selections. We can also work with you to customize your meal to  include cultural and themed cuisine. Let us know what you’re looking for, and our chefs  would be happy to provide a free wedding meal tasting for you and a few selected guests.

Beverage Service
We offer flexible beverage service options, and can provide everything right down to your special champagne toast.

Audio-Visual
We have on-site audio-visual options available to help make your wedding special. There is no need to use valuable space for projector and screen – we have builtin  screens that are strategically placed to provide ideal sightlines for all guests.

Rooms & Packages
Guest room packages are available for you and your special guests upon confirmation of your wedding booking. Ask us about a group rate when confirming dates for your wedding. Upon request we can provide a group booking code or prepare group rate cards that can be mailed out with your invitations. Our Canad Inns Destination Centre features 72 deluxe guest  rooms, including King Suites with separate living rooms, King Rooms with fireplaces, and Kids Theme Rooms. Families can enjoy time at Splasher’s of  the South Seas Indoor Pool and  Waterslide, and adults can enjoy an evening at Playmaker’s Gaming Lounge. A restaurant, a pub, a nightclub, and a beer vendor are also located within the hotel grounds.

Socials, Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties, Rehearsal Dinners and More
Our nightclubs provide the perfect night out for your wedding social and bachelor/bachelorette parties. Host your party at our newest venue, Essence, or choose from venues located throughout the city.

Banquet facilities and private restaurant dining rooms are also available for wedding-related events such as gift openings, rehearsal dinners, showers, send-off brunches with your   out-of-town family and friends, and more.

Whatever your wedding vision, we will work with you to make it happen. Contact our Catering Manager at 204-697-6754 for more information or to book a tour today.

As a special offer for readers of Filipino Bride & Groom, bring in our ad from this publication and receive a complimentary upgrade package for the bride and groom, including   sparkling wine, flowers, chocolate dipped strawberries and a delicious brunch for two.

Canad Inns Destination Centre Garden City 2100 McPhillips Street at Jefferson Avenue Winnipeg, MB 204-697-6754

Buying your wedding dress can be the single most stressful aspect of your wedding, because there is so much pressure for it to be perfect. So we’ve decided to help you out and ease off  that dress stress with some tips before you purchase that wedding dress.

1. Have an idea of what style you want and be open to trying different styles. Trust your bridal consultant since they have a good idea of what type of dresses look good on body types.

2. Know what the tone of your wedding will be. Will it take place outside, inside, or will it be casual, or formal? This will determine what style of dress you should keep your eye on. Also,   take in to account what your groom will be wearing. If he is casual, you should be too.

3. Don’t bring a large group of people along with you to the bridal salon. The more people you bring along, the more stress you’ll feel because too many opinions can confuse you and stray you away from what you actually want. Make sure everyone you choose to bring is aware of what you want  and will help you find that. Your bridal party and parents should be there for support and encouragement.

4. Figure out your budget ahead of time and don’t try anything on that you can’t afford. By doing this, you’ll save yourself from a broken heart, and a  broken bank account. If you’re  paying for the dress, tell the sales person your budget, and that there are no exceptions. If your parents or someone else is  paying for your dress, make sure you find out their budget so  you don’t get your heart set on a dress that is too expensive.

5. Know what bridal salons you want to go to before you take everyone with you. Call each salon and make appointments, because they all have varying hours. This way, you’ll get the  consultant’s full attention, making your shopping experience a little smoother. The most important thing to remember before going shopping for your dress is to be prepared and know what you want. Doing that will make your experience wonderful and you will feel confident and relaxed.

By: Janis Schellenberg

For over 25 years, many Winnipeg grooms have been getting married in custom tailored tuxedos and suits rented from  Aldo Formal Wear located at 310 Notre Dame Ave. Aldo Formal   Wear specializes in rentals, carrying top designers like Perry Ellis, Jean Yves, Oscar de la Renta,  Geoffrey Beene, and more. They also provide top-notch made-to-measure tailoring    services that guarantee for any groom to look great, but also feel comfortable on his  special day. “We’re tailors that concentrate on rentals,” says owner Reynaldo Lozano of the shop he  opened over 27 years ago.

Aldo Formal Wear is a one-stop-shop for a groom, his groomsmen, and even little boys in the wedding party. They offer tuxedos, suits, shirts, shoes, and accessories.  “We do the whole nine-yards,” says Lozano as he points at the selection of dress shoes he carries in-store.

When Lozano first opened his business in 1983, he received a lot of support from the Filipino community, and while this is still the case today, Lozano says Aldo Formal Wear is also gaining a lot of recognition in other communities throughout the city.

On an average summer week, Lozano says he caters to the needs of up to a dozen grooms and their entourages. However, this doesn’t affect the degree of service Lozano strives to provide for his customers.

Wayne Santos, who tied the knot with his wife Christine last July in a tuxedo rented from Aldo Formal Wear says, “I was looking for a specific color and style and they did a great job  finding the right one.”

“Service is number one,” says Lozano, and that’s why he believes it’s important to set himself apart from his competitors. Aldo Formal Wear is currently the only  store to carry  inventory in-house, whereas competitors order from catalogues. Add the fact that Aldo Formal Wear also provides tailors on site, it’s easy for any groom to be fitted and suited to perfection.

“I really enjoyed the tuxedo,” Santos says “It was very contemporary, it had amazing quality, and the most obvious and most important thing to me was that it was comfortable. There  as never a part of my wedding day that I thought about my tux and was worried about how it looked or how it felt.”

For Lozano, it’s all part of the job. “I love to dress people, and enjoy servicing the community at the same time.”

By: Brian Bulos

Budgeting for your upcoming wedding can appear to be a daunting task, but if you take your time and have patience, your wedding will not only be on budget, but also look fabulous and impress all your guests.

Here are four important tips to keep in mind while planning your wedding on a budget.

1. Time
The more time you have between the engagement proposal and actual wedding date, the easier it will be to stay on budget. With more time, you can spend a longer period searching for  the right caterer, photographer, decorations, etc. for your wedding. If you’re on a short  time line, you’re limiting who is available on your special day and will have to settle on their price.

2. Be realistic
Before you set your budget, determine how many guests you will have and write down each name. Don’t just say “about 200 people”  because that number is not realistic once you start  breaking down  your guests. Also, shop around and price items out before you set a hard and fast budget. Look into photographers; venues; dresses;  and tuxes; then see if your taste  matches your budget. If you find it doesn’t, then you either need to adjust your budget or spend more  time finding what you want in your price range.

3. Be creative
Being creative doesn’t mean you have to be crafty or artsy, it means looking in non-traditional places for items for your wedding. Antique  shops might house the perfect decorations, online retailers could  have the perfect bridesmaid dresses or local shops could have just  the right thing too. One of the best resources for stylish, unique  and well-priced items for your wedding can be found on Etsy.com.  Etsy is perfect for finding great jewelry, shoes, dresses, decorations and wedding favours. Another way to be creative is with your photography. Most couples often end up paying upwards of $3,000 for photographs, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Many brides  are turning to “hobby photographers” – photographers who take photographs as their hobby and they may have taken a class or two.  These photographers are goldmines because they are great at what they do, and are often free during peak wedding  season. But before you book them, make sure their photography style matches your taste  and that you like their work.

4. Decide what is important to you
You and your fiancé need to sit down and discuss what is most important to you on your wedding day. Do you want amazing food and non-stop wine? Do you want a show stopping dress and  accessories? How important is the venue? By doing this you will know what most of your money should be spent on.

As Manitoba’s only bulk wine facility, the Bottle & Cork can help. Located in the Madison Square Liquor  Mart, the Bottle & Cork offers quality wines from Australia, Argentina and  California all at a great price. The expert staff at the Bottle & Cork will work with you to ensure that your experience is seamless. And fun.  “We find that most brides and grooms come in together to bottle their wine,” says Jack Ackland, one of the Bottle & Cork experts. “But if they’re purchasing six to eight cases,  sometimes the family and wedding party helps out. Everyone has fun”.

If you’re not sure what kind of wine you might like for your wedding, you can sample our five varietals to narrow down your options. Once you have made your selections, you can mix  and match your cases. And since there is only a minimum of 12 bottles, the Bottle & Cork can help with both small and large weddings.

Tracy Jones, another Bottle & Cork expert says the free customized labels are a big draw. “While you are filling your bottles, we will custom print labels for your wedding. Brides love it. It  adds a nice little touch to the table and the event”. With several designs to choose from, there are plenty of label options for the happy couple.

The Bottle & Cork staff can also help you determine just the right amount of wine required for the big day. “It varies by customer,” says Jack. “Some folks have larger receptions that  require several cases and some that only require one. And since the wines are a great price, there is a solution for everyone’s budget.”

The bottles, corks, labels and wine are all in one central area. It’s fun, fast and rewarding.

Here’s our Bottle & Cork checklist.
You’ll agree that it’s easier than you thought.

Step 1
Clean the bottles at the rinsing station
Step 2
Tell your future spouse how beautiful handsome they are
Step 3
Fill your wine bottles up at the varietal casks (careful to slow down near the top of the bottle)
Step 4
Cork your bottles at the cork kiosk (the corks are free)
Step 5
Tell your future spouse how much you love them
Step 6
Place your newly filled bottles in the supplied case
Step 7
Offer to carry the wine to the car
Step 8
Enjoy

For more information about the Bottle & Cork, visit us at www.liquormartsonline.com or call 987-4060

It all started by what they call “love at first sight”, by attending our  friends debut 6 years ago. And until now, (thank God)  we are still together after we face so many obstacles in our life.   Going through thicks and thins, ups and downs, and with happiness and sorrows.

At an early age, I have dreams already of having a  big happy family. A family that is bound by love,  happiness, respect, and fear of God. And with thesedreams, I am blessed with a  wonderful lady, Rosciel,  that continuous to support and believe in me. She brings out the best in me and  understands me despite of my imperfections and love me unconditionally.

I could not ask for more. I can’t wait any longer to be with her, to live our life to the fullest as we go through our ventures as husband and wife.

So to make it short, I planned my proposal to happen in “Top in the World” Tower in Las Vegas while we are in business conference. At first I was nervous as I don’t know what will be the end result as every proposing man wants it to be all perfect. Good thing, everything fell into place. As we were having our dinner at the “Top of the World” Restaurant, while over viewing  the wonderful Las Vegas Strip, with the diamond ring that I am proud off- I popped the question, “WILL YOU MARRY ME?”. Tears of happiness suddenly overwhelmed us. And the rest of the night was simply unforgettable.

I am sure that these memories of us two will be pass to our children, grand children, and who knows, even to our great grand children.

So to my honey- Rosciel, I love you so much. Excited on our wedding next year.

- Submitted by Derick