Once Upon a Time at Casa Marikit


 
Come daydream with us as we go through Jaimee and Mikko's breathtaking wedding. 


 
If you are an OG reader of our blog, you might recognize this sublime venue from Jaimee and Mikko's wedding. This is because our Maleficent editorial was shot here. Casa Marikit is one of our favorite Italian restaurants in the country, and we couldn't be happier to discover that J+M saw the potential of this beautiful place for their dream wedding. A place that feels like it's straight out of a fairy tale. And yes, it is not a traditional wedding venue. It's a restaurant.  We've been pushing for "anti-reception" wedding venues and intimate weddings like a broken record for 10 years now. And if there's one thing that this pandemic did, is to really push couples out of their comfort zones. 

Rebellious Bride Jaimee shared so many wonderful insights on their wedding. And our wish is that their story gives you hope and inspiration that a wonderful and meaningful wedding is still possible at this time.
When was your wedding and how was it affected by the pandemic? How did you overcome the challenges? 
 
We held our wedding last June 12, 2021, during our second year anniversary. Mikko and I really wanted an intimate wedding even before the pandemic struck so cutting the guest list wasn't much of a big deal for us. The challenge came in when our close family and friends— mostly those who live in other countries and the elderlies— could not come because of the restrictions. It sure did give us a bit of a heartache but we just had to move on from it. We were able to overcome issues by first classifying if it was under our control or not. One big issue that was out of our control during this period was the unexpected change in quarantine schedules. We didn’t dwell on it as much but we sure did arm ourselves with back-up plans. On the other hand, the guest list kept on changing because each person had their own issues with their work or health. I would say that this caused me the biggest heartache but I still classified it as something that I can control because it gave me a chance to invite other friends or relatives to the wedding
 What advice can you give to brides who may have felt defeated in planning their wedding during the pandemic?
 
 
Wedding planning, especially in the time of pandemic, is a true test of your partnership. It may seem as a task or a stressor but try to refrain to see it as such. Always remember that this is your day. You are not hosting a party or directing a show. You are inviting people to celebrate this milestone with you as a couple. 
 
Try to stay on the safe side and think ahead. I cannot suggest people to invite x number of people but it would be great if you could stay close within restrictions. Be mindful of the high-risk people in your guest list and consider having everyone tested, for your own peace of mind.  

Most of all, if you really are feeling defeated, try to step back a bit and remember the very reason why you are getting married and start from there again. Weddings shouldn't be all about the spectacle but I have to admit that it’s easy to get caught in that rabbit hole. So just try to step back and think of this beautiful union that you are about to have with your partner and try to stick within the essentials
We already know that the pandemic created some negative effects to weddings but what do you think were the POSITIVE side or silver linings if any? 
 
Having an intimate wedding felt so beautiful and sacred. We were able to celebrate with the people who were truly a part of our relationship. They didn't just know us by name but they know the hardships and challenges that we had to go through to reach our wedding day. Everyone cheered for us, cried with us and felt the love that we shared on that special day. It was truly a blessing.  
  "As with many things in life, always be mindful of your perspective in planning a wedding. The pandemic may have made it difficult but try to consider the positive things that you could gain from it, ie, going to easy and traffic-free zoom meetings, less cost, having more time  plan with your fiancé, going online shopping for souvenirs and more."  
 
Please share credits to your wedding suppliers and special shoutouts to MVPs that really helped you execute during this hard times 
 
I’d like to thank our video and photog team, Lula and Pearl, I am such a fan of their works and talent. I would say that a big chunk of the wedding day is spent in front of the camera and I am so grateful because the team was able to make me feel comfortable and they were very mindful of my energy during that day.
 We are also very grateful for Mishi and TJ of Casa Marikit. Thank you so much for granting our wish and opening your beautiful restaurant and hotel for our wedding. We cannot thank you enough and we wish you all the best in you business! Also to their GM, Ms. Bambi, thank you for accommodating our requests and for being so approachable. 
 
To Mark, our main man, the wedding coordinator, thank you for being a friend during this stressful times. Thank you for listening to my whims and taking note of my numerous requests! The combination of your assertiveness and bubbly attitude made us trust you and enjoy your company at the same time. 
 
Of course, it goes without saying that Gideon Hermosa made this day extra special for us and our guests. I've always thought that Gideon is the bride of brides because every girl dreams of him as their wedding florist. But I would like to take this space and thank Gideon, again, not just for his talent but for being such a beautiful person. He didn't just design the venue, he lessened our stress by showing us that he is in control of the situation (mainly because we had rain scares during that day). He is such a calm and down to earth person which made us admire and trust him more. Ms. Angelica, our account manager from House of Hermosa was also a delight to deal with. She accepted and replied to my every request with a smile and Gideon didn't fail to execute my wishes and more. House of Hermosa is more than just Gideon’s talent, they have so many VIP clients but they didn't make us feel any less. They make each wedding as beautiful and grand on its own.
 
I would also recommend being hands-on on your detailing and planning. It’s true that this day will go on so fast so make sure to savor every planning day. Know what you want and don't be shy to voice it our to your suppliers. They are there to help you attain that design or peg that you want however unique you want it to be. Be particular with your requests and communicate it properly with them.
 
CREDITS
Venue: Casa Marikit
Coordinator: White Ribbons PH
Event Stylist: Gideon Hermosa
Photographer: Pearl Studio
Videographer: Lula Films
HMUA: Katch Mejias
Gown: Rosa Clara
Second dress: Martin Bautista via Vestido Manila
Earrings: Sepa Cebu
Suit: Caballero
Cake: Petite Patty PH
Prints: Kasali.ph
Quartet: Manila String Machine
 
 
 
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