The Artist Behind the Dress

I recently went to a wedding where two of our good friends got married. I was beaming with happiness that day not only because I felt God's overwhelming presence that day but also because I was wearing a dress that I absolutely felt beautiful in.

If you don't know me by now, I am these two things.

1) I love dressing up. When I unsure of a dress code, I prefer to be overdressed than look sloppy.
2) I will look for any excuse to wear a dress over a pair of jeans or shorts.

I think that is why Jo Rubio has become instant friends when we were classmates in high school. I didn't like Math very much, which allowed us to secretly "escape" during those boring trigonometry lessons by having him sketch fantasy dresses and I would dream of wearing them.



15 years later, he turned out doing what he has always been good at: designing and making beautiful dresses! He made a stunning creation on the most important day of my life: my wedding.







It is still my most favorite dress to this day!



He also created the wedding dresses of my girlfriends in high school. Here are a couple of them.

Irma.



Tammy.



Now back to the wedding I said I went to. I was part of the bridal party and naturally, I asked Jo to create my dress for that day. I am sharing this with you today because I was so proud of his work and I felt it every time someone asked who made it. It's about time you all knew the talented person behind it!










If you are based in Metro Manila and looking for someone really talented to make your dress, Jo is wonderful to work with! Not only is he talented, he is the most down-to-earth person you will ever meet. He knows how to listen and his goal is to make you feel like a million bucks.



Interested in connecting with him? Please leave a message in the Comments Section and I will make the personal introduction!

Our Best Man's Wedding

I have had the honor to witness beautiful weddings and I never get less excited in doing so. I love seeing couples step out in faith (trust me -- it takes a whole lot of faith to start a life with someone) and make a commitment to spend the rest of their lives together.

There is something more special, more wonderful seeing two great people I have grown to love as individuals meet, fall in love and join each other in marriage. There is something truly magnificent to see these two people honor God every step of the way.

The wedding of our best man Alex Compton and a friend who is like a sister to me, Michelle Astudillo, will be one of my favorites ever.

It is one of those weddings where I wish everyone I know was able to witness it because God showed Himself gloriously in every detail. (I hope to get a copy of the full wedding video when it comes out).

I can't do a full recap since there are just way too many memorable memorable moments! But today, I would like to share the highlights of our best man's wedding weekend.

• Jo Rubio, who is one of my best friends from high school and now a talented dress designer and event stylist, made the most gorgeous dress for me!
• After years of being apart, we are so happy to be finally reunited with the Castillos. It was just like old times but now there are kids who are actually joining along with the conversation. Love it!
• During preparations for the wedding day, I was able to spend time with another favorite family: the Panlilios. I was able to hang out in their suite and get ready. When it comes to practicing the gift of generous hospitality, I learn from them!
• The bride looked so stunning on her wedding day. I loved it that she stayed true to herself. She wore a simple dress sans elaborate jewelry. Her best accessory was an incredible glow that only comes from God and everyone saw it. She was radiant in every way.
• Alex's vows. WOW. I really hope I get to publish what he wrote in a future blog post!
• Pastor Joey Bonifacio spoke a powerful prayer of exhortation and prophecy over the couple. It ministered to me so much that I could not stop the tears and barely composed myself when I had to go up and take out the cord.
• Witnessing Michelle's first kiss. All of us have different stories on how we have reconciled with Jesus and a lot of us probably have made less than ideal choices when it comes to treating our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Michelle's covenant with God to keep herself pure from the get go is something I truly respect and would absolutely recommend to every girl out there. She honored God and God showed Himself gloriously through her. No money can ever buy the vision of someone who knew who she was in Christ.
• I also loved the fact that Alex was good steward of Michelle when God entrusted her to him. It says a lot about this man's love for God and how he will provide a loving leadership to their household.

If you want to get a glimpse of that glorious day, here is a video that highlights the wedding. (Video and photos are all by the talented Lito Sy).


Alex Campton and Michelle Astudillo Wedding 8-16-10 SDE from Lito Sy on Vimeo.

(I promise to post my own pictures soon! I am unable to do it today because of so much traveling.)

A Month of Beautiful Weddings!

I absolutely love weddings! I appreciate every little detail that goes into it -- even if the theme isn't my style.

I am fascinated on how I get to know the couple much better by how their wedding is styled. I am always an honored witness when I hear the vows, the Word, the kiss and the speeches!

For the month of March, Robert and I were so honored to have been invited to three weddings. All different but all equally beautiful!

Bubs and Marj Mohammad


Joe and Aina Powers


Gabe and Diane Gabriel


Congratulations to all these lovely couples!

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person” 
- Mignon McLaughlin