I'll be sharing my honest Bacolod Wedding Suppliers review here based on personal experience and some tips that will hopefully make your planning easier. Finding the right supplier is one of the most daunting tasks in planning a wedding. So, I vowed that after I'm done with everything, I'll pay it forward and help the soon-to-be-wed Bacolod couples.

Bacolod Wedding Suppliers Review

💡 Pro Tip:

Create an Excel file. The file I created has different Sheets or Tabs, one for each supplier category (P/V or Photo Video, Wedding Cakes, Souvenirs, and so on).

I added a DON'T BOOK sheet in a glaring red tab color. Whenever I find a new supplier, I check them first on that list.
This category includes suppliers with 1-star reviews online and those NOT recommended by people I know based on their experience or a wedding they attended.

I kept adding names here based on my personal experience talking with the suppliers. If they're unresponsive, rude, or unprofessional, they automatically make my DON'T BOOK list.

Where to find Bacolod Wedding Suppliers

• Word of mouth 
• Facebook Search
• Facebook Group
• Google search

Word of mouth

First, I asked my married friends for referrals and advice. From florists to HMUA (hair and makeup artists) to event organizers to cake suppliers, I asked anyone who might know someone.

Facebook Search

I spent all my vacant hours every day utilizing the search bar on Facebook.

I will be forever thankful for technology. 

My florist, coordinator, photographer, and souvenirs were all from Suggestions that Facebook's Artificial Intelligence ever so conscientiously recommended in my Feed.

Facebook Group

Another heaven-sent is the Facebook group WAWIES. My (now also married) friend invited me to join the group while planning our weddings.

The tips, recommendations, supplier reviews, and lessons shared in the group helped me a lot throughout the wedding preparations.

It's like a support group for wedding preppers because, during this time, who else can understand what you're going through?

Google search

What suppliers I see on Facebook, I search on Google for reviews, and vice versa. Again, the internet is a life-saver.

Bridal Fairs

You can also visit Bridal Fairs. Check the mall events schedule.

Personally, though, I think none of my suppliers were from the wedding expo. These are all the flyers I got from the event I attended in SM:

Church - San Antonio Abad Parish

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What we wanted for our church:

1. Small
2. Air-conditioned
3. Well-maintained

Three days before the wedding, we discovered our officiating priest still needed to get a license. To avoid delays in processing papers, we looked for another. Unfortunately, most of the priests were in Manila for a conference.

Mandi, the parish secretary, helped us find a missionary priest fast.

Everything happens for a reason. Fr. Sanjib Pani, our officiating priest, was excellent.

He met with us and gave us a quick interview. He also agreed to do our confession the day before the wedding. I recommend him 100%.

• Price: Php 19,400 including use of AC, carpet, Canonical interview, paper works + choir + 2 principal sponsors
• Quality: They were really helpful and accommodating from day 1. Their choir was great, and the audio was clear. I like the simple but elegant interior of the church.
• Communication: We get answers to our questions right away.

What could be improved: They could use some re-painting. There were also some candy wrappers in the pews. This didn't show in the photos or videos, but it could be an eyesore for some.

Please note that we chose to have only one pair of Principal Sponsors. To inquire about their current charges, call their office at (034) 434 9391.

Reception and Catering - Sugarland Hotel

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We chose them because they're close to the church and known for serving good food.

• Price: 23,540 for 50 pax and 3 hours use of venue + 6 LED lights (LED lights are optional, but there's a corkage charge for each light if you bring your own)
• Quality: Although they served us cold food during the tasting, they assured us they'd serve it hot during the wedding. They delivered. The staff assisting us during the reception did an excellent job.
• Communication: MJ was our salesperson, and she was clear, concise, and professional.

Accommodation

Entourage dresses - Atet's
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I opted for an infinity dress for my entourage so I (and my bride squad) don't have to deal with the hassle of having the dresses made. Plus, they can wear it even after the wedding.

The infinity dresses were from Atet's. Someone from the Facebook group recommended them. Although they are Manila-based, they ship to Bacolod.

I don't know them personally.

You will realize that this whole wedding process requires a lot of faith. 😅

• Price: Php 550 + shipping fee (depends on the location)
• Quality: The fabric's quality was not compromised for the price. 👌
• Communication: Responsive, courteous, professional
• Delivery: Fast. They gave an ETA of 2-3 weeks, but as far as I can remember, it didn't take 3 weeks for my order to be delivered. They sent my orders via JRS Express.

What could be improved:

• Payment mode is only through Palawan Express, LBC, and Cebuana. I wish they had bank transfer or PayPal options so it's more convenient and safer. 
• They don't allow meet-ups, so even if you're in the Manila area, you must pay an additional shipping fee. 

Wedding dress - South Shores

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We were walking in a mall when I saw a long white dress inside a shop in a hanger and transparent garment bag.

My then fiancé suggested that since we're already there, I might as well try it. I was hesitant. I didn't get the feeling of THIS IS IT! when I saw it.

Only when they took it out of the bag, and I tried it, did I realize how pretty it was. I bought it right away.

• Price: If you're a 'budgetarian' bride, you'll love it. I was amazed by how budget-friendly it was despite how elegant it looked. 
• Quality: It looks expensive. 😅 I love the details, too, especially the beads and laces.
• Communication: The salesladies at the store helped assist me while I changed. 

So why only 4 stars out of a perfect 5?

What could be improved: Unlike traditional bridal boutiques, I only got...the dress. No free veil, gloves, free use of mannequin for wedding day pictorial and other accessories. Not even a free hanger or a proper box or bag.

My husband helped them pack it in two large eco bags and wrap it securely so it wouldn't get dirty or damaged. They didn't have a bag large enough to fit the gown.

They told us that the dress was from Hong Kong. When we adjusted the length in a dress shop, the woman assisting me said it was made locally based on the quality of the beadwork. She's been in the dressmaking industry for 20 years, so she said she can tell. 🤷

South Shores is located at 3/f SM City Bacolod.

I bought my veil at Jimmy's Textile at Bacolod Plaza Mart for less than 100 Php.

We rented a mannequin at Fit & Curves Lopue's East for Php 500 for one day.

Bridal Makeup - Ms. Marie of David's Salon

Rating:⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We booked Ms. Marie right after our trial makeup. She's easy to work with as she's a pro, and we like the no-makeup makeup she did during the trial.

• Price: Their policy is that the price is double if the makeup is done outside the salon. Plus, you pay for their transportation. In total, we paid Php 3,300 on the day of the wedding. They don't offer a bridal package.
• Quality: This is the sad part. We were both pleased and satisfied with the hair and makeup during the trial. Unfortunately, on the wedding day, the bridal suite lighting was too low, so she applied more makeup than intended.
• Communication: Ms. Marie (and Jessa, who did my hair) were both pleasant to work with and well-trained.

What could be improved:

• The call time was 5 am, but they arrived around 5:20 am. 
• It's not their fault that the room was dimly lit and the call time was before sunrise. But I think the makeup didn't turn out as well as expected because they rushed as they started late, and the room was not adequately illuminated. Had they requested it, we could have moved next to the window and opened the curtains so it was brighter.
• Maybe David's Salon can also change its policy. My HMUA still had to report and work total hours on that day despite working a good four hours on our wedding. 

Entourage's makeup - BeautyLove by Stef

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I've known Stef since she was taking makeup lessons, so I'm confident she gives 110% to her work.

She's done makeup for celebrities, ramp models, and beauty queens.

• Price: Php 4k for the bride's mother and maid of honor. This may be a special price, so asking her for a quote is better.
• Quality: According to my sister, she didn't want to wash her face after the wedding because she loved her makeup so much. Everyone called at 5 am, but Stef was ready at 3 am. The night before, she had already prepared her things in my room.
• Communication: Straightforward and professional 

My husband didn't like his makeup in some pictures, but I do. I think it's a man's thing not to want to see themselves with makeup.

Florist and Event Stylist - Sweet 25 Flowers and Decors by Gilbert Taguines

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Couple Gilbert and Jinky Taguines were the 6th florists we talked to.

We have had apprehensions with other florists. Either something needs to be fixed in their contract, they need a permit, their offer is too good to be true, or they kept rescheduling our meeting and giving us excuses because we asked them to adjust the price.

• Price: See the price list they sent us below. 
• Quality: The day before the wedding, Cebu Pacific flights were delayed (as usual). So the flowers they ordered were stuck at the Manila airport. The airline promised to send the cargo first thing in the morning.
  
  They went to the airport at 5 am, even though the wedding was at 10 am. Jinky had already handed me my bouquet while they were doing my makeup.
  
  The church was how we wanted it: simple and elegant.
  
  We were amazed by how they arranged the venue for the reception. A small blank room transformed into a romantic, lovely scene.
  
  Flowers, tables, and backdrop were arranged in a pretty way.
  
  Our guests loved the reception decorations, and so did we.
• Communication: Although there were some delays in their responses because they were also busy with other events, they were easy to communicate with, respectful, and patient.
• Delivery: They were late only for a few minutes during the first meeting. Despite the delay, they finished the flowers and styling before the ceremony and program started.

What could be improved:

• I wanted a stargazer for the center of my bridal bouquet. Unfortunately, because of the airport delay, it stayed in cargo for 48 hours. This kind of flower wilts fast when not kept in a cool place.
  
  Before going to church, the edges of the stargazer were already starting to brown. The delay is obviously not their fault, so I'm not taking a star off the perfect 5 rating.
  
• LED lights in the room change in color, and some photos are too pink or dark.

On the Day Coordination - Jinky Taguines

Rating:⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We were happy to find out that Jinky also does coordination. So we booked them for the flowers and she for coordination.

I opted for OTD Coordination because I wanted to be hands-on in choosing other suppliers instead of letting another person decide.

• Price: 10k
• Quality: I didn't want to give Jinky 3 stars because we saw how organized and good she was. The problem was that on the wedding day, she hired freelance coordinators to help focus on the flowers and decor. Unfortunately, they weren't as good as her.
  
  They're called 6 Angels. Instead of helping dissipate the stress, they were adding to it. I saw them frowning because they were in a hurry, as the makeup and photo shoot started later than expected. According to my entourage, they were rude and unprofessional while rushing everyone.
  
  I think they were also pissed because they asked my then fiancé for the rings, which will be used for the documentation on P/V, but he refused. You won't give rings to people you only saw that day.
  
  Jinky didn't introduce us to them because she had to rush to the airport before 5 am.
  
  I tried to ignore their unhappy faces and negative vibes the whole time because I wanted to be happy on my wedding day.
  
  But even the guests weren't happy with how they were doing their job.
  
  My husband guided the guests where to sit because he saw them do nothing about it. Jinky and I discussed the seating arrangement.
  
  A photographer not part of the team we hired kept snapping photos, and they did nothing about it. We requested this from Jinky and even sent a copy of the Couple's request, and she acknowledged it. Maybe she didn't pass on the message.
  
  My mother asked one of them to give the female sponsor's fan to my friend, who stood there as the sponsor didn't make it. They didn't do as she said. It's only a tiny fan with flowers, but it's part of the package we paid for. I don't know where it went. I only saw it in the photo.
  
  The prizes I prepared for the games were not given to the right winners. I got an excess prize back, so I wonder who didn't get the right prize and what they gave instead. I had a table games file sent, which they printed and gave to the MC.
  
• Communication: Jinky was okay, but 6 Angels weren't. It appears that they are unhappy with their job, which is to ensure the bride's happiness on her special day. They have failed in this regard.
• Delivery: Our guests and entourage were annoyed by them. We didn't like how they handled the pressure.

What could be improved: If you decide to hire Jinky for coordination because, again, she's good, ask her to hire a different assistant.

We paid (for both Sweet 25 flowers, decors, and coordination down payment during the contract signing. We transferred the second payment a week before the wedding and paid for the balance after the wedding via mobile banking.

Photo and Video - Rocket Lab Photography

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

While searching for P/V, I would send links to their works to my photographer friend abroad. Out of many, he liked their job best. In his words, it's more raw and not filtered. You can see the person's character and candidness in the shots.

Watch our wedding video here.

• Price: Photo + Video (full and highlights) = Php 20k. This is way cheaper compared to other well-known photo/video suppliers.
• Quality: Some shots are perfect, others just okay. I counted 36 shots that were almost a duplicate of another shot, off-centered, eyes closed, or those that didn't have to be included. Maybe they just forgot to remove it from the file.
  
  They're young and dynamic. They helped lighten the mood so we could be more relaxed and have fun during the shoot.
  
• Communication: Responsive, courteous, and easy to communicate with. 
• Delivery: The call time was 5 am, but they started working around 5:30 am. Thus, there was a delay and rush. However, the photos and videos were delivered fast. Photos were uploaded on their page four days after the wedding. The video was uploaded 21 days later, and we got the copies on USB the next day. They also gave us printed copies of the uploaded photos.

What could be improved: 

They could be more punctual next time.

I was expecting the moment my husband and I met at the altar to be included in the full coverage, but it was not. It was a sweet moment when he said, "You look beautiful, honey."

Unfortunately, the cameraman had to change spot at that moment.

Also, I thought full coverage meant the games and other program parts would be included. They cut to the speeches and some highlights.