My "VELUZ" Dream Come True

Our wedding occurred 5 months ago. But I vowed that if I ever found the time, I would pay tribute to my favorite suppliers by writing about my personal experiences with them. It’s also a way for me to remember this once-in-a-lifetime event and the many people who came together to make everything perfect for our big day. Since the wedding gown is perhaps the most important thing for a bride on this special occasion, I thought I’d start with my designer, Veluz Reyes. I know she writes about her brides in her blog and I think it’s a bride’s turn now to write about her.

 

I only have admiration and love for Ms. Veluz or "Ms. V." as most people like to call her. From the very first meeting, she already made me feel that she knew who I was. How she does that....I have no idea, but it must be a gift. I can remember her telling me that I was dainty and feminine, and she drew inspiration from there to make a sketch for me. A few strokes of her hand and I was in love.

 

Ms. V gives you that feeling of warmth, giddiness, and basically just everything good inside. The only downside was finding out that I was not her first bride for December 18, 2011. I was aware that she maintains a rule that she will go to the wedding of the bride who books her first for a particular date. And I was so disappointed that I was a little too late in that department. I felt so envious of whoever that first bride was! To be able to have Ms. Veluz Reyes dress you for your big day and be included in your once-in-a-lifetime photos will have been an honor. However, she immediately went on to comfort me that HER TEAM is better than her when it comes to dressing up the bride and resolving issues that may occur at the last minute Her exact words were, "Mas magaling pa sila sa akin!" Coming from someone who has achieved so much success in her field, I was astounded by her humility and I respected her all the more for that.

Fast forward to the fittings one year later, Ms. V and her team never failed to make me feel so secure and well taken care of during my visits to Benitez St. in Malate. It was like I was among friends and they were doing everything in their power to make my dress a masterpiece. Every visit has a new surprise in store. Each time my dress evolved. But more than delivering the perfect gown, they all made me feel that they cared about me as a bride and from that stemmed a very personal relationship. What I love most about Ms. V is that she takes the time to get to know you throughout the fittings. It wasn’t just about delivering a gown for your wedding – any designer can do that….but it’s about creating a work of art that is an extension of who you are. That’s how I felt about my gown…it perfectly captured who I am as a girl. (I still find it weird to call myself a woman) The garment was nothing extravagant or gaudy…  it’s simply sweet and romantic…yet truly BREATHTAKING.

First Fitting

Second Fitting (with the lovely Veluz staff)

Third Fitting

 

You can tell that her work is indeed her passion and that even if she’s probably already made hundreds of dresses, each new bride is a new inspiration to her. It’s obvious from the way her eyes light up when she’s describing her vision to the enthusiastic manner she presents you with the fabrics she’s going to use. Yes, there’s no denying that her HEART was truly in it. With Ms. V, there are no shortcuts, no “pwede na yan” or “this will do” in order to make things easier. I say that because of my own experience… 

Before my final fitting about 2 weeks up to the wedding day, I was counting the days until I can go in and try my dress on in all its glory. I was very happy with our previous fitting and I was just so excited to see the finished product after all these months of anticipation. And then I get a call from Ms. Gerz, the very popular and charming secretary of Ms. V, saying that there’s going to be a delay on the gown and we have to reschedule the fitting. That was unexpected. Of course, as any bride would be in my position, I was starting to feel a little bit concerned. And she continued by saying that, “may binago kasi si Ms. V.” or that she’s changing something with the gown. Because of my paranoid personality, I was beginning to think of all the worst case scenarios about my gown and why it needed to be changed at the last minute. Did it get destroyed by accident? But of course, I obliged by saying okay, we’ll just reschedule when it’s ready.


On the day of final fitting, I came in to their office and was greeted by Ms. Gerz. I then inquired about the changes to the gown. She told me that Ms. V changed everything down to the lining and did something to it that’s “parang bata” or childlike. I was thinking, WOW, then this is going to be an entirely different gown from what I fitted before. I didn’t know what to expect! My number one concern has always been whether I could pull it off knowing the intricacies of a VELUZ gown. Would I be able to give justice to a VELUZ creation? Finally I went into the fitting room and wore my petticoat…I’m just waiting for Ms. V now to come in and sweep me off my feet! The door finally opened and I heard her voice. The first words she uttered were of worry and trepidation about whether I’d like it because she made some changes.  It was as if she was hiding behind my dress because she didn’t know how I was going to take it. But when I finally saw the gown in its entirety, I was floored. It was even more beautiful than I expected and definitely DIFFERENT from the last one I tried on. The color of even the lining was not the same because, as she explained, she took the time to soak it in tea. She felt that with my fair skin, the color would suit me better and it will give layers to my dress. The details and materials were also changed…they became more feminine, romantic, fairytale inspired …and the skirt, well, it got more poofy than before and I loved it! It gave it more of a princess feel. But what I thought was the best touch were the little flower petals scattered in different parts of my skirt. It didn’t have a specific pattern so it looked like I just rolled over a garden and the flowers just naturally fell into place on my dress. So this was what Ms. Gerz was talking about that was childlike. It was so subtle but it made me feel more attuned to the wedding gown.


When I put on the dress, I got so emotional from appreciation for her hard work and extra effort. I was able to hold back the tears but inside I truly felt as if I was crying…in a good way. And Ms. V, well, she said that THIS WAS IT! She’s finally satisfied. She told me that she gets that feeling of "THIS IS THE ONE" when a bride puts on her gown. Imagine…I was already content with the old design but apparently SHE WAS NOT. She didn’t have to change it at all, but what she did for me was truly heartwarming.

Final Fitting

Class Picture with EVERYBODY!

 

On the wedding day, Ms. V’s staff were indeed so helpful in dressing me up and making sure that my gown and wedding accessories were all complete and perfect. I appreciated Ate Weng and Ate Delmar's presence…yet I was still hoping that somehow Ms. V will make an appearance. Call it blind optimism, I always hope for the best. Maybe her first wedding was in the morning….maybe she finished early? Soon after the photographer came, I started getting lost in the pictorials and other preparations. 

  

When the bridal car arrived at the Santuario De San Antonio Parish a little before 2 PM, I was sitting alone in the car and praying for everything to go well…specifically for the aircon of the church to start working. Apparently this was the first time that this happened according to my coordinator. It was only minutes away from the entourage processional and the aircon wasn’t working! I was so worried about our guests inside the church, they must be complaining about the heat and perhaps sweating in their suits and gowns. Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door and when I opened it, I saw Ms. V!!! I couldn’t believe it! I remember her words being, “Ikaw na ang maganda!” But I don’t remember what I said because I think I was just rendered speechless by her surprise. I got so emotional that I started to tear up at that moment…from overwhelming gratitude, appreciation, and just plain giddiness that she made it! When she saw that I was starting to cry, she said a few words to calm me down. I think I asked her to get inside the car with me where it’s cooler but she declined and waited for me outside. A few moments later, Jarvis’ cousins finally gave me signals from outside the car that the aircon was working…right before I had to walk down the aisle! Talk about perfect timing! I think Ms. V was my lucky charm. ;) Everything just went without a hitch after that. She stayed with me to fix my veil and to make sure that everything was perfect before the doors open and I finally take my first steps toward my husband. And guess what?! I was able to get that coveted picture with her and that’s going down in our wedding album as one of the most memorable moments of the day. 

 

Guests were in awe of Ms. V’s creation as I was walking down the aisle. My husband thought it was STUNNING. A lot of people came up to me raving about the details, the skirt, the sexy back of the dress, everything! And I was so proud to say that it’s by VELUZ. I may just be one bride to her and my gown is only one of hundreds in her book, but this experience will stay with me forever. I’m so lucky to have been blessed by her presence and talent. If you ever wanted to be a princess in your life, Ms. V is your best bet as a fairy godmother.

The three words I drew inspiration from for the entire wedding were DREAMY, ETHEREAL, ROMANTIC... and she captured all of that in one beautiful dress that made me feel like a true princess.

 See the dress in motion on our ONSITE VIDEO by Lito Sy:  LIM-CHING ONSITE VIDEO