Getting Measurements

One of the hardest tasks I had to do was getting measurements from my entourage. Most of them are based abroad and were expected to arrive just a few days before the wedding.

Here's a list of the measurements I had to get:

Shoulder - measure from tip to tip

Bust - place tape measure under the arms, take tape around the back and get measurement at fullest part of the bust.

Bust point - shoulder tip to middle of bust.

Bust distance - distance based on the two bust middles

Waist line - this is easy ;)

Figure - start at shoulder, have tape go over middle of bust and end at navel

Arm hole - have tape go around the armpit

Hips 1 - have tape go around about 3" below your waist

Hips 2 - have tape go around approximately 7" below your waist (middle of your behind)

Front deep - shoulder tip to waist line (just straight down)

Back deep - should tip to waist line from the back (just straight down)

Round under bust - have tape go around under the bust

Round under arm - have tape go around the arm (at the armpit area)

From shoulder to under bust - measure from shoulder tip to under the bust (go over middle of bust)

Full length - shoulder tip to heel

So these terms came from our mananahi.

Here's another guide you can use -

http://www.ehow.com/how_2259388_basic-body-measurements-sewing.html

Also, here are some videos on how to take measurements -

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=A618038BDE16A900&search_query=how+to+get+body+measurements

Are you looking for a wedding gown/entourage gown designer? Inquire here.

Ordering Wedding Gowns from Divisoria

So far there is no way online you can order wedding gowns/entourage gowns from Divisoria. You have to do it the old fashioned way -- go there!

Here are tips though to make things easy:

1. Make a list of all the gowns and barongs you need to have done. Bring several copies of this list so it would be easy to have the store keeper give you a quote.

2. Bring the design of the gowns you want made. They won't design it for you and will likely make you choose from a magazine.

3. Know what kind of clothe you want to use for the gowns and barongs.

4. Get their phone numbers, fax and email. (Note that they may have email addys, but they don't really check it). List down the name of the person you spoke with so it would be easy to call them back.

5. Measurements. It would be hard to haul your whole entourage to Divisoria, but you can request the store to send somebody to your home to do measurements. It would cost you an additional PhP500 per home visit.

6. For those with entourage based in other countries/regions, request them to send you their measurements (will make a how-to measure post soon).

For a short list of Divisoria wedding gown makers please refer to this post -
http://twistedweddingplanner.blogspot.com/2009/05/braving-divisoria-for-wedding-garments.html

Are you looking for a wedding gown/entourage gown designer? Inquire here.

Custom Made Wedding Gowns

I cut down costs for my wedding and entourage gowns (and barongs) by more than 50% by having them custom made. I originally planned to spend 20% of our wedding budget on my wedding gown alone, but I couldn't seem to convince myself to to spend so much for a dress. I then decided to get the services of a designer and chose to have a simple wedding gown made.

It was my niece who designed all the entourage gowns. She's based in Jakarta and has been designing gowns as a hobby (she's an awesome artist too) and eagerly sent me some sketches via email. We just told her that our motif was blue and gold and that it was an early morning wedding.

Here's one of the sketches she made:

And the finished product:

Comparison of costs:
Designers/RTW Gowns: PhP2,500-3,000 per dress/gown
Custom Made (Patahi): PhP750-PhP1,200 per dress/gown

Divisoria dress shops do not design gowns. You can either bring a sketch, choose from their catalogue (magazines) or bring a print-out of any design you find online.

Are you looking for a wedding gown/entourage gown designer? Inquire here.

Wedding Gowns in Divisoria

Since I had my entourage gowns sewn in Divisoria I had the chance to chat with the owner of the shop I got when I picked up the gowns. He was doing some bead work on a gown and shared quite a bit about their business. He said that prior to having the shop he did odd jobs (i.e. driver/kargador) and that sewing was actually much easier and would earn you more money.

He also shared that aside from walk-ins they get a lot of orders from designers (take note of this!). They just get the design and have this done in their factory located at the outskirts of Metro Manila. Here's a short video I took while I was in Divisoria (I just used my phone), in case you haven't gone there.



Take note though that Divisoria shops do not design wedding gowns. There are two ways you can get your gown from Divi:

1. Buy ready made. There are so many different designs to choose from and they usually have it in different sizes. You can also have it adjusted at the shop, but you will have to go back for it a few days after.

2. Have it custom made. You can choose a design from the multitude of catalogs they have in the shop or bring a copy of the design you want to have done. They will give you advise on what kind of cloth to use or you can request.

Cost: PhP3,500 and up (ready made/custom made)

Choosing Your Wedding Gown

Last weekend I got the chance to interview wedding gown designer Amonn Velasco. In this video he gives three tips for brides on how to look stunning on your wedding day.

Amonn Velasco

http://amonnvelasco.multiply.com

call or text 7117140 / 0917-5751604

Braving Divisoria for Wedding Garments

Sweetie and I braved Divisoria to check out Divisoria for wedding garments. The last time I was there was about a year ago when my niece asked if we could buy her a terno for her Filipino org activities (she's based in the US). I also accompanied my friend to buy her wedding and entourage gown a few years ago (we got it RTW!).

Anyway, we also did the rounds of couturiers and the costs were just too high. We've pegged a budget for the wedding and would like to stick to that budget, so we thought we should check out Divisoria.

Here's a rundown of costs:

Bridal Gowns - PhP3,500 and up (includes accessories)

Maid of Honor/Bridesmaid gowns - PhP600 to PhP1,200 (satin is cheaper than taffeta/chiffon)

Flower Girl gowns - PhP600 to PhP800

Barongs - PhP600 and up

Barongs for Grooms/Fathers - PhP800 and up

Mothers gowns - PHP1,300 and up

*they can also do suits

The rates for patahi are the same as well. All you need to do is bring your design or choose from their catalog (catalog means, bridal magazines). The rates are the same whether or not you ask them to place beads.

Here's a few I got cards from:

Julao Wedding Gown

Maylen V. Julao (look for Iday)

Pasilio-E Stall #71-72

Galvan Building, Ilaya St.

Binondo Manila

Tel +(632) 309-3051

Cel. 63 (921) 5554450

Paul & Lyn's Bridal Haus

Salve A. Pitalbo

Stall No. 29, 35 Pasilio B-C

Galvan Building, Ilaya St.

Binondo, Manila

Tel + (632) 710-9471

Res. + (632) 237-1327 or 254-5622

Lomentigar Bridal Boutique & Souvenir Collections

Tessie D. Lomentigar

Pasilio B-17

Galvan Building, Ilaya Street

Binondo, Manila

Arlaine +63 (920) 627-9326

Jean +63 (923) 535-5357

Ronaleen Bridal & Barong Shoppe

Sollie and Ramon Santos

Galvan Cabrera Building

Pasilio E. No. 78-81

Email ronaleen_bridal (at) yahoo.com

Tel + (632) 309-3133

Aiza's Personal Touch

Galvan, Divisoria

Stall No. 46, Pasilio G

Cel. +63 (915) 202-2809

More about Divisoria gowns here. 

Weddings at Divisoria: Inexpensive but Glamorous Wedding Attire

You've probably heard time and time again that you can complete your and your entourage's wedding attire for less than PhP10,000 at Divisoria.

Is it for real?

Yes it is! The Twisted Wedding Planner went on a trip to Divisoria once again last weekend in search for cheap and inexpensive wedding clothes and we saw these -

Wedding Entourage Gowns great for flower girls, bridesmaids, secondary sponsors, maid of honor (barongs for men and kids also available). Price range: PhP400 to PhP1,000.



Bridal Gowns complete with accessories like the veil, cord, pillow for the rings and arrhae. Price range: PhP2,500 and up.


When I helped organize my friend's wedding we went around Divisoria and found this quaint shop. We got her gown and the groom's attire for just PhP5,000 and bought gowns for the entourage at Php550 per set. My friend didn't even need to have the gown altered since it fit her perfectly, but you can also have one customized for you.

C.A.L. Bridal Boutique
Contact: Caying Lopez, Proprietress
Yangco Market
Pas. X-40, 42 cor. Paz Z
814 Tabora St., Binondo, Manila
Tel. 632-244-2761

Another shop around the corner is:

Hi-Ico Commercial
Contact: Cathie I. Uy
50-52 Pas. W cor. Pas Z Yangco Marketi
Ilaya St. Divisoria, Manila
Tel. 632-244-5956
Email: cathieuy @ gmail . com