Joelene is one bride I will never ever forget – not just for her beautiful face, her wit and candor, her American Idol worthy voice, her handsome groom (haaay…), her dyosa mom, her fabulous wedding, but because she made me cry and laugh at the same time when she sent me this —

To the best couturier in the universe, the wonderful and talented Ms. V

It’s been over a month since our special day. The flowers are wilted, the food long gone, and we are back to our daily life here in the States. But seriously, not a day goes by when Remar and I don’t reminisce about our beautiful wedding and our amazing suppliers. On this year’s Valentine’s Day card, Remar wrote to me, “You looked so beautiful in your dress. That was the proudest moment of my life.” He could not have said it any better.

The dress was stunning. Our guests would later tell me that they gasped and cried tears of joy when the church doors opened and they saw me standing there. Everyone could not stop talking about the dramatic bolero and long train. They kept repeating over and over how it truly matched the feel of the ancient church. How it was traditional, yet cutting edge in its design. How it truly enhanced me on our special day.

Perhaps more important than how it looked is the way it made me feel. Ms. V, I felt incredible in the dress! How is it possible that this dress flushed away all of my insecurities about my figure and my body? How is it possible that the dress was ULTRA comfortable, despite all of its embellishments and kakikayans? As soon as I put it on that day, all of my worries faded away. I relaxed. For I knew that I looked amazing. The pictures don’t lie. The dress and I look great from every angle. Not an easy thing to do, considering my, er, “voluptuous” proportions. I’m not ashamed. I’m 170 lbs. Did I look it at all? No. Like I said, the dress is nothing short of miraculous and amazing. =)

I knew I was right to trust you completely. People don’t believe me when I tell them that I only met my dressmaker one week before the wedding. Thank you for all the laughter! Thank you for going above and beyond your duties with the flower girl dresses! Thank you for not stealing my groom! You are a worthy opponent, and Remar had a hard choice to make! Please tell Niko and Ate Lempot thank you as well. They were so much fun, and I’m glad you changed your mind at the last minute and decided to come to Bohol! Thank you for creating boobs for me! Remar had to have been disappointed when he took the dress off and realized it was all an illusion!

I keep hoping and praying for an opportunity to wear the dress again! Thank you talaga Ms. V. From the bottom of my heart. The dress reminded me of when you first fall in love. The butterflies, anxiety, daydreams, sweetness, excitement intermingled with passion and longing. And what’s better than that? =)

With much love always,
Joelene Balatero

nothing joelene, nothing is better than that! 🙂
thank you! you made me twitterpat again.

here are pictures from the destination wedding spelled F-U-N!
made me want to go to more 🙂

awesome pictures from the original Guy and Pip of the wedding industry 😉


here’s Jason’s best video ever! find out why ….. hihihi 😉

Joelene and Remar from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

perfect planning and coordination by Ernest Diva
elegant smoky eyes by Madge Lejano and The Make Up Studio