Ok, so this is an overdue post.  I owe the Birthday Kwento and Pictures from Bianca’s Great Grand Party last November 3, 2007.  Here are the stories and supplier’s list. 

We were very happy with all our suppliers.  I don’t need to rate them individually.  We were very glad with the outcome of the party.  Guests were telling us how much they enjoyed every part of it.  In fact, some even texted me and Dicky that it was the best party they ever attended.  This was so flattering!  I owe everything to my suppliers.  Being an events organizer, people were really expecting great parties from us.  But it was also a lot of pressure to begin with.  As I have said to one supplier while planning for Bianca’s party, I have given the best already during Margaux’s 1st Birthday Party.  I had to do all the details there. Then it was Bianca’s turn.  I must atleast equal the expectations of the guests.  This was not to show-off at all.  We just want to throw great parties and everything for our precious daughters.  We want them to remember how their daddy and I made sure that memories like this would always be for keeps.  It was something that we want them to be proud of.  Some people might say that since it’s 1st birthday, the celebrant won’t even remember it.  I don’t think this was true.  In fact, Margaux is so fond of looking at her 1st Birthday Pictures right now.  She would always say to me that she had a Barney theme party, eventhough she seemed clueless about everything during her party.  I’m sure a year after, Bianca would also love to look at her birthday pictures. 

The theme of the party was Disneyland.  It was Dicky who wanted it.  At first, I wanted to do Seasons (like winter, spring, summer and fall).  But Dicky said it was so wedding!  Bwahaha!  What can I do?  I’m a wedding planner.  Apparently, I just wanted to have four themes as what we had during Margaux’s party (adventure travel-city life, under the sea, forest and kingdom).  Ok, so the daddy won and I also got excited with the Disneyland theme.  He suggested to have minimal decors/backdrop so not to occupy much space in the venue.  And his only condition was to have fireworks at the end of the party to really relive Disneyland.  We had to think of ways to really incorporate nice details about the theme.   The following were some of it:

1.  The disney play money that were distributed per family in order for them to purchase from available food carts.  Two purpose for this, to really simulate buying food in Disneyland and also for me to control the goodies to make it available for everyone.  Each family were given $100 to spend for any food they want. 

2.   Disneyland Map – Disney maps were distributed per family.  The exact disneyworld map in Florida were copied and customized according to the layout of the venue which itemized all attractions they can see in the party. 

3.  Redemption Booth – a stamp meter was incorporated in the disney map for kids to collect stamps everytime they play in the game booths.  These stamps will be used to redeem disney toys and merchandising items.  The more they play, the more stamps they collect, the more toys or higher-priced toy they could get.  It was a hit to the guests.  It was just tedious to identify each and every toy for how many stamps should it have for redemption, which I did before the party.

 4.  Photo Booths – since in Disneyland, there were also a number of photobooths, we got two!  One was for the purpose of having the guests sign in the guestbook and the other one to produce a magnet souvenir.  Of course, a trip to disneyland won’t be complete without getting such kind of souvenir.  So the backdrop of the Photoloco booth even include disneyland icons. 5.  Disneyland Castle as backdrop right at the middle of the venue, like in Disneyland, it was the focal point. Now for the suppliers:1.  Valle Verde 6 Clubhouse – booked this venue right after Bianca’s baptism last March.  It was also the birthday paty venue during Margaux’s 1st party so kinda familiar with their rules and regulations already.  We like this venue cause it is just within Ortigas.  It also has a maximum capacity of 300 guests, which was very important to me.  We really need a big space cause para kaming nagpapakasal sa dami ng bisita!  Hahaha.

2.  Josiah’s Catering - It is always Josiah’s Catering for our family celebrations.  I chose a different menu this time from the previously favorite menu we were getting.  Decided not to get the mongolian barbeque as cooking inside the venue was not allowed.  We ordered lengua stew (champion!), roast porkloin, chicken barbeque, fish fillet, baked spaghetti (an all time favorite).   Got the choco fountain also from them, as always a hit to the guests and three kinds of dessert, which were creme brulee, mango crepe and buko pandan.  Didn’t have worries na mauubos ang food cause as usual, daming natira pa rin, despite the flow of our guests to 200plus.  We only booked 200 from them.  The set-up was good.  They followed what I have preferred for the linens.  Didn’t get na the tiffany chairs as it would still be bulky, need much space.  Nung kay Margaux kasi nakasikip ang tiffany chairs. 

3.  Yanple Party Organizer - From Jelly Bellies, I tried the service of Apple and I had no regrets.  Best deals!  Good price and quality.  I booked through her Wizzo, the magician.  I also got from her game booths (knockout, shoot that ball, hoop the loop).  The yummy treats in food carts were also from her (Hotdog, Popcorn, Mini Burger and Ice Cream).  I was happy with the customized disney food carts.  The decors are superb!  I love the Biancaland Entrance decor and the Mickey and Friends Standees.  I also got from her Bianca’s Standee for the entrance.  All mylar balloon centerpieces were done intricately.  I just love the variety.  The ceiling decors were also from her.  We had styro and balloons on top.  It was a breeze dealing with her not to mention the many ideas she actually shared with me.  Ultimate children’s party planner itong si Apple.  Aside from the above, also got Little Tykes See Saw and Slide, plus the Play house (as her gift in lieu of the merry-go-round which was broken the day before our party), Mickey and Minnie Mouse Mascots, Glitter Tattoo and Balloon Twister from her.  And for my mga last minute kakulitan she was able to pull it off.    She was also very helpful during the day of the party itself.  She was my party manager!

4.  Photos by Ging Lorenzo - I got Ging also during the baptism of Bianca so decided to get her na rin for the Birthday.  I was happy with the shots.  I was very particular to her when she arrived in the party that I want her to take pictures of all the details.  Well, true enough she did.  She painstakingly took shots of all imaginable details of the party!  Hahaha.  I also love her selections of prints.  Though, I haven’t developed it yet, cause super dami…I’m sure I’m going to spend thousands for developing!  Can’t choose sa dami. 

5.  Video by John Aguas.  John has been a regular also to our family gatherings, well to almost all of my children’s parties/baptism even from Margaux.  A supplier that is so easy to deal with.  I don’t need to give any guidelines.  He knows his craft and I’m confident with it.  Still waiting for the video though but I’m sure it would be a great one to watch all over again. 

6.  Disneyland Castle and Dart the Balloon Game Booth from Balay Kandila.  Ofcourse, these were labor of love from Ronald and Tisha!  Such wonderful couple, friends from the industry.  Just sent to them a copy of the picture of the castle in Anaheim, California where we went last year and they were able to closely replicate it with matching lights!  The Dart the balloon game booth was also an improvised one from them but it was a hit to the guests.  Can’t wait for my daughters’ next party as I’m sure they will still do marvelous work again, now I’m thinking what could be the next theme?  Hehehe.

7.  Photoloco Booth by Konsepto – the booth was a hit to the guests, with matching backdrop of Disneyland icons.  I love it!  Each family went home with a magnet souvenir!  Parang galing talaga sa disneyland!  hahaha.  And I love the avp which they did and posted in their blog. Click here to view it. 

8.  Clique Booth – Even after booking Photoloco, I still would want to get Clique Booth.  I like the idea of the guestbook that they have.  I’m sure it would be such a keep for Bianca which she can go back to even after years to come.  Guests had a blast with different funny poses.  These were all posted here.

9.  Kiddie Salon by Kids Haus – I met Carrie and Judith of Kids Haus from a former client who got them for a bridal shower party.  Yes, they do that also.   After some chitchats, I told them about Bianca’s party.  I got interested with their Kiddie Salon.  I love the idea!  The kikay kids went to have their hair done!  The tiaras came from them.  I also got them to help me find the fantasmic music from Disneyland which was the exact music being played during the fireworks display.  They also gave me all disney songs in Cd which we were playing all throughout the party.  Glad to meet these two. 

10.  Audio Visual Presentation by Threelogy.  This is the advantage being on this business.  Another labor of love!  Thanks to these trio to openly accepting my request.  I love the outcome and even the song that they used there, it’s upbeat.  Lovely, of course. Its a must to have an AVP to all our parties.  Sayang ang connections!  Hehehe.

11.  Projector and Screen from Dennis Sy.  One phone call away.  Always ready to set-up and give me discount!  Hehehe.  Such a breeze to work with.

12.  Invites, Stickers for the Loot Pail by Adworks – As guests received their invites, they said that it’s definitely going to be a great party.  Well, I always believe that invitation is the first impression of guests to a party.  I’m a suki of Adworks already.  My requirement, it had to be pop-out again.  But this time, aside from pop-out, it was also a book-type!  Very creative.  I also love the special freebies I got like name tags and guestbook which was all design coordinated.  Will definitely book them again for my other printing needs. 

13.  PhotoMosaic, Design of the Disneymap from Melisse.  Another superwoman!  Can do great and creative designs even with her whole kaboodles.   I so love the disney map design she did.  Just gave her a book to copy the map and she was able to do a back and forth design for it.  Although, it was a number of revision, she never failed me with the deadline.  So easy to deal with. 

14.  Printing of the Disneymap by The Write Impression.  Again, used my connections.  Nicely printed in like a photo paper.  Great steal.  Syempre friendly rate again.  And they can do rush job!  Just gave it to them a week before the party.

15.  Prizes and Loot Items from Toy Kingdom, Rustan’s and Divisoria.  Accumulated a number of prizes, toys and even merchandising items like lunch box, school kit, watches for about 5 months already.  Can’t imagine how much I spent for these.  Good thing, I started early in buying. 

16.  Loot Pail – ordered through a friend of a friend.  Attended a friend’s party and it was the loot bag that she used.  Got her contact person.  The pails were with me about 5 months before pa.  Cause it has to be ordered together with the bulk order of a company.   It was just kinda hard to open but worth na mabali ang nails!  Dami ko atang nilagay na laman!  What’s good about it was that it can be reused to put small toys of kids.  

17.  Fireworks by Dragon Fireworks.  As I said above, it was the major preference of Dicky.  So I went ahead to book Dragon.  Hans was pretty familir with the venue cause he is from Valle Verde anyway.   I love the grand finale of the fireworks!   Magnificent!  As one mommy told me after the party…”grabe, lagot kami ngayon…my daughter said, mommy, i like this kind of party!, may fireworks din”  hehehe.  I was happy with the comment.  It only means that we were able to relive the Disneyland theme. 

18.  Our dresses from Sasha of Bumblebee and Company.  Mimi, one of the owners is my kumare.  I wanted us to be in color motif of chocolate brown and pink.  She suggested to me that we use crumpled tafetta silk as the fabric.  I love it!  Super like ko the designs she made for us three.  Aside from the color, the designs were coordinated.  Me, being in brown with pink sash, the birthday girl, Bianca being in pink top and brown skirt.  While Margaux was in brown top with pink skirt.  I love the bubbleskirt of Bianca, so princess!  Dicky has to get a brown polo as well.  We got it from Springfield ATC.  Yes, we went all the way to Alabang the day before the party cause that’s where he has the exact color and size!   Generally, it was really a great party.  And I’m proud of it!  

Click here to view the pictures!

Thanks for reading!