The Caterer: Josiah's Catering

This is an easy one. Since Fernbrook Garden has only five accredited caterers it was easy to decide which to eliminate. Plus, we've received a lot of good feedbacks with Josiah's food and reception styling. 

Last September 4, 2010, Josiah's held an exclusive food tasting in Fernbrook Gardens for Fernbrook clients. Both Marvin and I's parents were there plus Marvin's Achie and my sister Joyce. 

We were surprised with the abundance of food prepared and good thing we were starving that we had an empty stomach space for everything. They're buffet setup was very nice and elegant. 

The food they serve includes: the mushroom soup, Pan-seared sole fish with roasted garlic in lemon butter sauce or pesto cream sauce, Grilled tender chicken glazed in teriyaki sauce, Braised Ox tongue in red wine and mushroom, Rosated US Hanging Beef Tender with Roasted Vegetables and a shrimp viand which I forgot the name. Aside from that, they had a Salad Bar, a Mongolian Barbecue set up, a Pasta Bar, and of course, the Dessert bar with lots of sweet delicious delights such as cakes, pastries, mousses and chocolate fondue. (too bad, I didn't have a camera with me! ). But the pasta bar and dessert bar are upgrades from the basic package.

Marvin and I, didn't even think twice and booked Josiah's right there and then. We didn't need to try the other caterer's since we are already familiar with what they could offer. But for Josiah's, this was the first time we got to taste their food and saw their styling, and yet we were convinced.

Josiah's package has lots of inclusion as well. A pre-dinner cocktail & welcome drinks is included, nice buffet table setups with centerpieces, couple's background design, 3 layer cake (separate post), program emcee (separate post as well), and more. The freebies we got include a sushi bar, pasta bar, coffee bar, dessert bar, additional supplier's meal, and an additional hot viand dish.

Our AE, Maui Constantino, was very easy to talk with and she was very honest in terms of what can and cannot be included. But she helped us out to haggle for more freebies and additional discount. She is also quick to reply with our inquiries and concerns. 

We were yet to finalize the food for the reception. I'll post a separate entry for the food tasting.
You may check out their site here: http://josiahcatering.com/

PS: Just a tidbit, we actually had a food tasting first before we actually had a "pamamanhikan". Haha! It was just funny that things happened so fast and we appreciate that both our parents agreed to come with us despite of not yet discussing the formalities of the wedding.

The Venue: Part 2

Since I concealed the venue in my first post, I will reveal it now. the invites has been sent out so many who do not know about it should have researched about it already.

So... tada!!! it's Fernbrook Gardens in Alabang. 

To those who are familiar with Fernwood Garden in QC, Fernbrook Garden is also a collaboration of the same people who developed Fernwood. But, unlike, Fernwood, Fernbrook has a more Victorian feel. With it's architecture and interiors, one would imagine being in Venice, especially with its indoor river where in one can have a romantic Gondola cruise. I wonder if the Gondoliers also sing? hmm...

We would be having both our ceremony and reception here. Fernbrook Gardens has a Mini Basilica, the Notre Dame De Vie, that is allowed to hold wedding ceremonies. It can accommodate upto 250 persons, making the ceremony very intimate. It has a short aisle which I definitely approve of since I don't want to have a long, dramatic march.

The ceremony will start at 2:30 in the afternoon of June 12 and will end approximately at 4:00pm. Cocktails will then be served in the Classical Dome.

We will have photo booth by Click D' Fun Photobooth (I'll have a separate feature for this) and gondola ride for our guests so they would have something to do while waiting for the reception.

Reception will follow at around 6:00 in the evening in the Victorian 2 Gardens which can accommodate a maximum of 400 persons (I'll soon make a separate post on guest list).  The venue itself need no more additional styling since it is already very beautiful.

In dealing with the respective person in charge n the church and reception venue, both King Emmanuel of Fernbrook and Brother Rein of Notre Dame De Vie (Notre Dame De Vie is under Madonna del Divino Amore Quasi Parish-Diocese of Paranaque), are very reliable and easy to talk to.

Fernbrook has a "worry-free" package and it was tempting. But we decided not to avail this since we wanted different suppliers. Their venue package includes air condition for venue, bridal preparation room, free use of venue for prenuptial photo, and basic sound system. The rest like gondola ride and dance panels are add ons. They have five accredited caterers, two accredited florists and one accredited sound system and mobile bar. If you prefer to have different supplier you'll have to pay for corkage fees.

King, our AE, is very kind and accommodating. She replies to my queries fast and she addresses my concerns right away. She even suggests suppliers and she gives us tips. The downside is the venue is really quite expensive, of course, its beauty has a price. But fortunately, King was able to haggle more for us. 

The chapel has a different fee and the air condition has separate charge also.
As for Brother Rein, though he is quite difficult to contact through phone, since his carrying a wireless landline, he can easily be approached to whenever his around Fernbrook. He is also very helpful in all our queries regarding the requirements that we needed to acquire and submit.

So far, our experience with Fernbrook is smooth. Aside from the Bentley car, that we were supposed to use, that needs repair and was replaced, but was informed to us early on. We have not encounter any problem yet.

here's the link to Fernbrook Garden's website if you need more information,
http://www.fernbrookgardens.com/

25 days left and my blog post has just resumed...

At the start of the wedding preps, I told myself that I will make a blog and document every detail of the preps. But as you can see, I haven't touched this blog since September. haha! The lazy me just couldn't find the time to continue.

Anyway, 25 days to go, and with the guest list and table planning hullabaloo, I decided that I'd do at least one post each day, all wedding related. *good luck to me!!!*

So... I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I know I can do this! hehe Aja!!!