Orj and Len: Hippie love

Let’s just think of this as the prequel to a box-office hit. Except that, well, it’s a pre-nup that’s being shown after this creative couple’s big project –  their 1920s flapper-themed wedding in Tagaytay on Jan. 2, 2010. Instead of going far, Orj and Len decided to bring their engagement shoot to Tagaytay as well.

This is, hands down, my favorite engagement shoot last year. Very happy and hippie and heartfelt! It didn’t look too composed or you know, themed. It’s just effortlessly gorgeous. See what two people in love and one photographer in love with his craft can do with a yellow van, a parking space, some balloons, hoops and signs. Oh and a lot of styling by Len, the bride.

If you say so…

I totally dig this van! The couple searched for a LONG time before they found this perfect little moving thing.

A kiss for luck and they’re on their way…

If, like me, you just want to stay a little longer with these two on their hippie shoot, head over here for more photos from Joey Boquiren

Dan and Zarah: Moulin Rouge!

He met Marmalade down in old Moulin Rouge

Struttin’ her stuff on the street

He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up
Boy drank all that Magnolia wine
On her black satin sheets suedes and dark greens.

Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya here (here ohooh yea yeah)
Mocha Choca lata ya ya (yea)
Creole lady Marmalade

Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir

Voulez vous coucher avec moi

But when he turns off to sleep memories creep,
More-more-more

Somebody pick up my jaw from the floor. It’s still there somewhere.

I am just. in. AWE. of this couple — Zarah Cabral and Dan Ruiz — for pulling off a Moulin Rouge-themed engagement shoot. It’s probably the most dramatic — and definitely the most seductive — pictorial I’ve ever seen. Kudos to Rene Gaviola for the amazing work! What can I say, the guy is king of themed/fashion pre-nups!

Zarah and Dan have nothing but praises for their photographer, who spent five whole hours with them at Victoria Court to shoot this wildly believable interpretation of the Nicole Kidman-Ewan McGregor hit (one of my and my fiance’s faves, too!). Of course it doesn’t hurt that the dresses were (borrowed) from Gerswin Qua and the make-up was done by Kris Bacani. The headpieces were courtesy of the Lucban Hat Factory, a real find for those who need hats and fascinators. Everything just worked out perfectly.

Now if you want this kind of pre-nup photos, stay tuned because the man behind the lens here is announcing a GREAT, IMPOSSIBLE-TO-RESIST DEAL here on moonsnjunes pretty soon. For now, its okay to drool. 8 )

Filmore and Margaux: Rockin' goth

Ready for this?

The first time I saw  these pre-nup pictures of Filmore and Margaux, I had goosebumps because they were really pretty goth! Margaux de los Reyes (now Rull) gushed over how great and talented their session photographer Joey Boquiren (of our Very Vintage wedding fame) was as he transformed the seemingly lifeless (no pun intended) La Loma Cemetery and dumpy Escolta into fabulous settings for a photo shoot.

Says Margaux, who works as an administrative associate in Makati:

There were really some beautiful sculptures and carvings there.  I loved that the photos at the cemetery turned out to look dark yet beautiful, sort of like a romantic goth, that it did not turn out to have some cultish, creepy feel to them.  I’d like to flatter myself into thinking that they even gave off some New-Orleans/Anne Rice vibe.

It was Margaux’s idea to have 1920s/flapper, bohemian and goth theme for the shoot but the location ideas came from their photographer. The couple’s initial plan was just to shoot around Intramuros with the old buildings as background but Joey instructed Filmore to drive around the area until they found this graffiti that rocked their ’20s theme.

Now, I’ve met Filmore a few times in gatherings with common friends, who like him were former military officers. He struck me as a shy person but with a huge and easy smile. But  I never thought there was a model inside him who could ham it up for the cameras!

Margaux says:

Aside from discovering na drama king and queen pala kami pareho ni Filmore, hehe, we felt at ease with Joey.  He was very gracious and soft-spoken, and his style was unobtrusive.  There were even moments when I didn’t know that he was shooting already.

The pre-nup photo shoot had little to do with the ‘nup’ part. It was, for me, an opportunity to get dressed, get dolled up and have fun in front of the camera! Lucky for me, the groom went along with my ideas and enjoyed being photographed as much as I did.

Obviously. 8 )

In case you’re wondering where Margaux got her get-up, the answer is — drum roll please — ukay-ukay!

And just when the couple thought they were wrapping up, Joey decides there’s one more place they had to visit — Escolta.Which got the bride thinking:

Ooookaaay, what’s good to see here?  A bunch of guys drinking in the lazy afternoon… street people sleeping by some old building… mess everywhere… stink everywhere…but, ta-da! The streets and Jones Bridge were transformed into a charming setting in Joey’s eyes.

If you find this couple’s pre-nup affair  fun and unusual, wait until you read about their wedding! (Hint: purple shoes!) Coming soon!

Nikko