I was in the US during the early stages of our wedding preparations so I was only talking to her through emails. She sent me her sketches even without the assurance that I would book her. I sent inquiries to other designers but all of them insisted that I must need to drop by their shops first. During this time, I chanced upon a negative review written by a bride who wasn’t satisfied with Gretchen's work. But since I fell in love with Gretchen’s sketches, I was already convinced that she would be the one to make my wedding gown. Then all my doubts disappeared when I met her personally because she’s really passionate about her craft. During our first fitting, I even asked her if I could bring home my mock dress because it looks better than my other real dresses. Haha! :)
So imagine my bliss the moment I saw my wedding gown for the first time. I even pointed out, which she also agreed, that I look taller in that dress. And most of all, my side bulges were concealed! :p
Gretchen is more than a supplier to us. She’s so warm and accommodating in all our meetings. I remember shooting her a lot of emails and text messages whenever I think of something that I want for my wedding gown. She makes herself available anytime for her clients’ inquiries no matter how trivial they are. During the eve of my wedding, I called her in the middle of the night telling her that I could not zip my wedding gown when I put it in the mannequin. She giggled and told me that she already gave me her smallest mannequin so the best thing I could do at that moment is to simply let it go and take the beauty rest that I need.
She injects her own opinions and still values my own. I asked her why my gown has a very short train. She told me that a long train tends to make the wearer look shorter, something that would not complement a petite bride like me. So instead of giving in to my whim, she compromised by telling me that she would just give me a longer veil to achieve the drama as I walk down the aisle. She put beads in my veil which made it really look good in our wedding pictures. It was just a little heavy so tiis ganda talaga hahaha!
When I gave her the peg of the design I initially wanted for my wedding gown, I never imagined that she would deliver something that would exceed my expectations. Being a girl who is only comfortable wearing shirts and jeans, I didn’t plan of wearing something grandiose that would obscure my personality. Luckily, Gretchen created something elegant but still leaves some room for that little awkward girl who does not have a single clue how it feels like to be glamorous. I cannot imagine wearing anything else other than a Gretchen Pichay creation. :)
Photos courtesy of Ian Santillan Photography
Gretchen Pichay
Rating: 5+/5
i am super inlove with your dress! Perfect! :)
ReplyDeleteGusto ko ngang ipangtulog :p
ReplyDeleteThat last shot is beautiful! Galing nga ni Ian Santillan :) And yes, the dress is gorgeous! It looked so good on you! More wedding pics please?! ^^,
ReplyDeleteThanks Maudey! :)
ReplyDelete