Dindi got married in New York City last month to her long-time friend Eric Mills and the wedding reminded me of an old Hollywood picture indeed. It looked like time stood still and all you can see were these two people in love. I found the vintage chic theme so beautiful, the glowing bride and groom played the role so effortlessly and well.

(Thanks to Mrs. Dindi Gallardo-Mills for the pictures!)

” I never thought a wedding could be so easy, stress-free and extremely affordable! Everything was certainly made out of love… Eric and I wanted a very simple & intimate wedding ceremony — no big production, no bridezillas and nothing outside our budget. We got what we wanted and so much more, ” the radiant bride intimated.

In classic New York fashion, there were just a couple of friends who witnessed their exchange of vows at the city clerk’s office, followed by a simple reception and a visit to Chinatown. The bride accented her long legs by wearing a vintage-style mini dress which she bought on sale for $45 and topped her look with a 1940s birdcage veil found in a vintage shop for $25. The vintage purse she carried around was purchased on Etsy and she made her own $6 baby’s breath bouquet. Their wedding rings were bought online from Bario-Neal which offers jewelry handcrafted in Philadelphia. They didn’t hire a photographer as well and just relied on their cameras.

We liked the little touches like this “Got Hitched” sign posted on the groom’s bike.

From the looks of it, the wedding came so beautifully. It proves to us once again that when it comes to your special day, it’s not really all about the costly fireworks but the L-O-V-E. Our congratulations from miles away, Eric & Dindi!

At the just concluded Martha Stewart Bridal Fair, the audience had a chance to listen to the talk of Rajo Laurel, one of Manila’s in-demand designers. Would-be brides learned a lot about what wedding gown styles would flatter them the most, with the prime consideration being knowledge about one’s body type.

In the latter part of the talk, Rajo was asked about wedding trends for 2009 and his answer opened up our eyes to reality. We can’t disagree with these trends because they’re good!

The shift to “non-colors” for the wedding motif. Whereas in the previous years, motif colors were sunny and bright (think about lime green or even fuschchia), this year it’s going to be all tame. Gray and champagne, here you go!

Metallics rule! Different shades of silver will make your wedding up-to-date, with a touch of shimmer or without. Gold is more last season’s.

It is okay to wear your mom’s or grandma’s wedding dress! Vintage makes a resurgence and doing so is a welcome challenge. It’s just a matter of finding a good couturier or gown maker to make alterations, if needed. We are reminded of presidential daughter Luli Macapagal-Arroyo who wore her grandmother’s old gown for her wedding to Luigu Bernas last year. That spoke of the kind of simplicity we admire.

The ‘eco trend, and being “environmentally-friendly.” A recycled paper gown, anyone? By this we mean going back to nature, and eschewing materials that harm Mother Earth. Recycling is simply the way to go!