COUTURIER: Boy Kastner Santos Couture
Peso Value: Php XX,XXX (January 2013)
Ratings: 4/5
Inclusions:
We booked Boy Kastner Santos (BKS) Couture on the spot. When Roan and I have completed our big three major suppliers (i.e., church, reception venue, and photographers/videographers), the next vendor on our checklist was my wedding gown designer.
Peso Value: Php XX,XXX (January 2013)
Ratings: 4/5
Inclusions:
- Bridal Gown
- Primary Veil
- Secondary Veil
- Cord
- Ring/Bible Pillow
- Arrhae Pillow
- Garter
- Bridal Pouch/Hand Bag
We booked Boy Kastner Santos (BKS) Couture on the spot. When Roan and I have completed our big three major suppliers (i.e., church, reception venue, and photographers/videographers), the next vendor on our checklist was my wedding gown designer.
I have been a member of a wedding online community, Weddings@Work, since July 2012, and that is where I found a variety of dressmakers. I came up with a list of three designers, but since BKS’ shop is only 30-45 minutes drive from where we live, we decided to check him out first. It took us a while longer to get to his shop because we missed our turn. Apparently, I got the old address from the web. Good thing he guided us when we called for directions.
There were clients when we came in to his shop. We allowed ourselves to wait as they are being accommodated. His shop was pretty modest with enough space to make room for more clients. We were called in when the couple before us was done with their business. I introduced ourselves, and mentioned that we found out about him from Weddings@Work as I take out photos of wedding gown designs to serve as inspiration. I told him what my reservations are when it comes to the design of my dress, then without saying a word, he grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil, and began sketching. He even asked me to stand away from him, so he’d get a better look of my body shape. When he was done, the sight filled me with awe. I looked at Roan with almost teary-eyed because it was exactly how I imagined my wedding dress to be like.
BKS gave us a quote for my dress, and I was thrilled that it’s within our budget. I know we haven’t been to any other couturier, but I had what they call the ‘this is it’ feeling. Roan and I haven’t taken lunch then, so we told BKS that we’d think it over late lunch, and be back soon. I even showed photos of the sketches to my matron-of-honor, and her reaction even strengthened my decision towards going for it. An hour later, we returned to his shop, and he was quite surprised. After all, who really expects someone to come again when it’s typical that they won’t? I tried to haggle with the price, and he generously gave me 10% discount. Right then and there, we booked BKS on the spot.
Because we’re having our wedding in December, BKS had my measurements taken in May. Things can get pretty crazy during the last quarter of the year, so it is important that they give enough lead time for the production of my wedding dress. My succeeding fittings were in July, August, and September. My final fitting was in October, and it was quite challenging to maintain my figure/weight in order to avoid any further adjustments to my dress. With proper diet and exercise, my dress fit me exactly as it did in October on the day of our wedding.
Apart from wedding gown, the two mothers, one Principal Sponsor, a Junior Bridesmaid, and a Flower Girl had their dresses made by BKS, too. My mother had her measurements taken in August, while the rest had theirs in September/October. Their dresses turned out really great on them. What’s most impressive is that all other dresses except my Mom’s fit them very well despite the lack of fittings since they live abroad.
Wedding Day
BKS arrived early at the hotel with his assistant, Vilma. That was our agreement since I booked him first for 07 December, he will be there at my wedding to dress me. I’m glad he came because not only did he dress me; he also assisted my mother wear her dress. He was pretty hands-on from the beginning until I walked down the aisle.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that BKS can be pretty frank with everything. If you were the kind of person who’d get offended by tactless remarks, you would see him differently. He calls me Jai (as in pie) instead of Jae (as in jay) which can be frustrating sometimes. Well, this is partly my fault because my real name in their records is ‘Jayvin’ which can be confusing. There was only one time that Mom and I came to his shop for our dress-fitting, but he wasn’t around. According to his niece/secretary, Ate Cha, he had other commitments. I always set an appointment in advance, so that kind of brushed me off a bit. Other than these, he is a reliable friend and designer.
Contact Details:
Boy Kastner Santos Couture
Unit 13 Cuevas Commercial Bldg.,
Cuevasville Subd., Daang Hari Road,
Muntinlupa City
0923 725 9160 / 0917 551 3864
[email protected]
www.kastnercouture.com
There were clients when we came in to his shop. We allowed ourselves to wait as they are being accommodated. His shop was pretty modest with enough space to make room for more clients. We were called in when the couple before us was done with their business. I introduced ourselves, and mentioned that we found out about him from Weddings@Work as I take out photos of wedding gown designs to serve as inspiration. I told him what my reservations are when it comes to the design of my dress, then without saying a word, he grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil, and began sketching. He even asked me to stand away from him, so he’d get a better look of my body shape. When he was done, the sight filled me with awe. I looked at Roan with almost teary-eyed because it was exactly how I imagined my wedding dress to be like.
BKS gave us a quote for my dress, and I was thrilled that it’s within our budget. I know we haven’t been to any other couturier, but I had what they call the ‘this is it’ feeling. Roan and I haven’t taken lunch then, so we told BKS that we’d think it over late lunch, and be back soon. I even showed photos of the sketches to my matron-of-honor, and her reaction even strengthened my decision towards going for it. An hour later, we returned to his shop, and he was quite surprised. After all, who really expects someone to come again when it’s typical that they won’t? I tried to haggle with the price, and he generously gave me 10% discount. Right then and there, we booked BKS on the spot.
Because we’re having our wedding in December, BKS had my measurements taken in May. Things can get pretty crazy during the last quarter of the year, so it is important that they give enough lead time for the production of my wedding dress. My succeeding fittings were in July, August, and September. My final fitting was in October, and it was quite challenging to maintain my figure/weight in order to avoid any further adjustments to my dress. With proper diet and exercise, my dress fit me exactly as it did in October on the day of our wedding.
Apart from wedding gown, the two mothers, one Principal Sponsor, a Junior Bridesmaid, and a Flower Girl had their dresses made by BKS, too. My mother had her measurements taken in August, while the rest had theirs in September/October. Their dresses turned out really great on them. What’s most impressive is that all other dresses except my Mom’s fit them very well despite the lack of fittings since they live abroad.
Wedding Day
BKS arrived early at the hotel with his assistant, Vilma. That was our agreement since I booked him first for 07 December, he will be there at my wedding to dress me. I’m glad he came because not only did he dress me; he also assisted my mother wear her dress. He was pretty hands-on from the beginning until I walked down the aisle.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that BKS can be pretty frank with everything. If you were the kind of person who’d get offended by tactless remarks, you would see him differently. He calls me Jai (as in pie) instead of Jae (as in jay) which can be frustrating sometimes. Well, this is partly my fault because my real name in their records is ‘Jayvin’ which can be confusing. There was only one time that Mom and I came to his shop for our dress-fitting, but he wasn’t around. According to his niece/secretary, Ate Cha, he had other commitments. I always set an appointment in advance, so that kind of brushed me off a bit. Other than these, he is a reliable friend and designer.
Contact Details:
Boy Kastner Santos Couture
Unit 13 Cuevas Commercial Bldg.,
Cuevasville Subd., Daang Hari Road,
Muntinlupa City
0923 725 9160 / 0917 551 3864
[email protected]
www.kastnercouture.com