Last week Thursday (October 13), EJ and I arrived early morning at Cebu for our engagement shoot. We were excited and confident that everything will turn out as planned because we booked highly recommended suppliers. We have Ms. Liz Cinco for Hair and Make-up, Sir Marlon Capuyan our wedding photographer and Geof Lagria Styling as our stylist. We admire their portfolio and were really excited to work with them.
I’m writing this post to share our experienced with Geof Lagria Styling.
BOOKING GEOF LAGRIA
At first, I was hesitant to hire a Stylist. I opened up to EJ that we need help from professional stylist to execute our ideal photo shoot session in Cebu (this place is close to our heart, EJ proposed in Sumilon Island Cebu last December 2014). We don’t have a fashionable collection of clothes and accessories plus the time to scout props can be a time consuming. After searching online, we shortlisted three amazing stylists in Cebu and for us, Geof Lagria’s portfolio stands out.
I immediately messaged him on Facebook and he replies promptly. I told him the date of our prenup and he said we’re lucky he was still available. I sent him the pegs for the concept and requested two locations to quote us – Montebello Villa Hotel and Temple of Leah.
His styling package rate starts at Php 15,000. Inclusions are Outfits, Accessories, Concept, Location Scout, Creative Direction, Props, Arrangements, and Itinerary. To minimize the cost, I tried to ask if he could give us a discount considering our pegs are simple but he refused and explained why and we understood.
We have decided to book Geof Lagria Styling.
Last August 31, since we are both overseas, we asked help from my sister to deposit PHP 5,000 to Geof Lagria’s bank account. After he confirmed our booking, I asked him to send us his Contract to review his Inclusions, Services, Terms and Conditions but he didn’t send me any. He just promised to send me but he didn’t do. I didn’t receive any new email from him but it’s okay, he confirmed on Viber and Facebook. I understand him with regards to this, maybe he was occupied and no time to send us the contract. I am also busy with my work and other things related to our wedding so I didn’t bother to keep on asking him every other day for the black and white. Since he posts his works/updates on Facebook and Instagram frequently, he looks very legit (not to worry), I just told myself “Trust your suppliers”.
From the day we booked him, I always checked his updates on Facebook and stalked his Instagram account. Every day he has a new Story to share and photos to post. I watched all his activity on Instagram and all excites me. Yes. I was so excited to work with him, sometimes I replied on his Instagram Story.
(October 20 – Update: Now, I am blocked on his Instagram account and can’t see any of his shared photos/videos anymore).
One month before our prenup session, I asked what time to start and he assured me that he got everything noted and will update me soon.
BOOKING THE HOTEL
We booked our hotel last July, we chose Montebello Villa Hotel because it matches our wedding theme and motif. It displays the richness and charm of Cebu’s Hispanic heritage and it has a beautiful terrace, garden, etc. The location is also good, Gaisano Country Mall is just walking distance and is not very far from the Temple of Leah.
OUR ITINERARY
VAN SERVICE
October 10, Geof Lagria asked me if I will be arranging a service van for the team on the day of our engagement shoot. I was surprised, I have no idea that we need to provide one. Since this was our first time to shoot, it didn’t crossed our mind. I was not informed earlier, we have three days left to look for a van. I ask Geof if he can help me to find one, he told me he will check.
The next day, I checked with my cousin who’s in Cebu if he knows someone who offers a service van rental. Our Kuya offered us help to cut the cost of renting. I asked Geof if kasya kami sa Montero and he explained we need a van to standby if in case there’s things we missed. I understood. My cousin arranged the booking for us. The rental cost is Php 3,500 for 8 hours, with driver included.
HOTEL ENGAGEMENT SHOOTS FEE
While reviewing our itinerary, I suddenly got curious if our hotel, Montebello, requires a shooting fee. I asked Geof and he told me he will ask the hotel and update me. I emailed the hotel since Geof hasn’t come back to me yet to prepare our budget.
Here’s what the hotel staff replied to me:
Montebello Villa Hotel Engagement Shoot fee is Php 5,000 for the maximum of 4 hours. For in-house guest, Php 2,500 and fully consumable at La Terraza restaurant
TEMPLE OF LEAH ENGAGEMENT SHOOT FEE
The management charges Php 2,500 for the engagement shoot.
October 12, 2016
After work, Geof Lagria messaged me if I can bring some outfit for EJ, he sends me some pictures. I told him we will bring some.
October 13, 2016
Our flight from Singapore to Cebu was 3:30 in the morning. We landed in Mactan Airport at 7:15AM. We immediately bought sim cards with free data so we can contact our suppliers. I’m glad, I received a message from Geof checking how’s our sleep. We are so excited and looking forward to a stress-free engagement shoot.
We arrived at Montebello Villa Hotel around 10AM because we first had breakfast and waited for Metrobank to open to settle our cash payment for our suppliers. Our make-up artist, Ms. Liz Cinco was already there waiting for us in the hotel lobby.
We requested for an early check-in and informed the front desk clerk that we will have an engagement shoot and they asked us to pay Php 2,500 plus a security deposit of Php 1,500. They advised us to inform them at least two hours before the shoot so they can prepare the hotel vicinity.
Almost 10:30 when the staff gave us available room. Ms. Liz Cinco immediately started my hair and make-up. After I messaged Geof Lagria our room number I did not get a reply from him. Geof Lagria and his team were nowhere to be seen.
Around 11:30AM, Kim, Geof Lagria’s assistant showed up. He looks so uncomfortable and late to introduced himself. Kim seems very worried and restless. After a few minutes, we heard him called a clothing boutique asking about their operating hours. Based on their conversation, the boutique closes at 11:00AM then resumes at 1:00PM. He then told us that he need to take EJ to the boutique to rent some outfits and prepare atleast Php 4,000 for the rental fee. We were again surprised! EJ rented his own suit at Kolosas Boutique a total of Php 1,500.
Geof Lagria did not mention anything about this when he gave me our itinerary. We thought that Geof Lagria and his team will bring some outfits to the hotel and we will just need to fit them but to our surprise, they (or Kim in this case because he’s the only one who’s there) did not bring anything at all. We thought all will be ready.
Kim stayed in our room for about an hour just checking his phone, watching TV. We didn’t know what’s their plan to us, we just wait. We asked him about Geof Lagria’s whereabout. He said that Geof Lagria will catch up with us so we just said: “ok, at least he will still show himself up”.
My hair and make-up were done around 12 noon. At around 12:30PM, EJ, Sheryl (my cousin) and Kim went down, we are also talking about the lunch we said please take out. They meet the service van driver we booked and ask the driver to send them to the boutique.
While they’re gone, my cousin Michelle arrived at the Montebello hotel. EJ and I continued texting each other. EJ told me that the boutique’s place is too far from our hotel. They also went to the other boutique to pick up the gowns that I will wear with Ate Rizza, also Geof Lagria’s assistant. It took them more than two hours to get back to the hotel.
Our photographer, Sir Marlon Capuyan message me that he will join us at around 1PM but Geof Lagria advised him that the shoot will start later at 2PM. Sir Marlon arrived before 2PM but after an hour of waiting at the lobby, he and his wife Ate Mildred went to our room already. Sir Marlon looked for EJ so we can start casual shoot atleast at Montebello (we prepared some casual outfits) but I told him that EJ was on the road getting his own suits. Sir Marlon told me that he has not been replying to his messages as well. ?
We cancelled our planned shoot at Montebello Villa Hotel
While EJ and others were still on their way back to the hotel, heavy rain starts falling and so we decided to cancel our garden shoot at the hotel.
We decided to prioritize Temple of Leah because we don’t have time in Montebello Hotel already. I know I wanted to have prenup here but I need to let it go. Our top 1 is the Temple. My cousin Michelle and I went down to the hotel’s front desk clerk to inform them that we can’t shoot already and they refunded our engagement shoot fee immediately. They advised us that we can get our security deposit after we check out.
It is around 3PM when EJ and the others arrived at the hotel. We ride into the van to go to the Temple of Leah even though it is raining very hard. All of us were so hungry because we haven’t had lunch yet. We asked the driver to drive us thru McDonalds to get some food.
We didn’t thought that the van we rented as service for the team will be used papunta sa rerentahan ng suit ni EJ and for picking my gowns. I thought it will be ready.
Everyone was so quiet, were losing hope because of the delays and the bad weather. I was not expecting this. ? Tears fell down my cheeks. ? Not enough sleep, no proper lunch, disappointed, hopeless, and stressed. My heart sank. ?
Reached Temple of Leah
We arrived at the Temple of Leah around 4:30PM but still, Geof Lagria was nowhere to be seen. We asked his assistants again and they told us they don’t know, we therefore conclude, that he will not be able to join us anymore. He left us without a stylist.
Thanks God, the rain stopped and we started preparing for the shoot. Geof Lagria’s assistant Ate Rizza handled me my dress. Good thing it fits me. I didn’t choose any gown to select. Ate Rizza and Kim assisted us nicely throughout the photo shoot.
We had to show our sweetest smile on the camera even though we really felt bad for what happened.
Sir Marlon and his wife Ate Mildred, made our photo shoot smooth and easy for us. We followed their instructions. They guide us very well on how to pose which we thought to be Geof Lagria’s work on creative direction.
We managed to finish the shoot before it rained again. We are thankful, we had an engagement shoot at Temple of Leah. Despite what happened, we handed our balance (minus EJ’s outfit rentals) to Geof Lagria’s assistants. By right, we know that we should not pay him in full but money is not an issue for us because we have prepared this payment and marunong kami tumupad sa napagkasunduan but we were waiting for his action that evening to settle his damaged to us. Inuwian at pinaghandaan namin ang shoot, hindi ko akalaing mauuwi ito sa ganito. If his honest and sincere alam kong alam niya na ang dapat niyang gawin. Afterall, I still hope and trust his professionalism.
The driver drove us back to the hotel, Ate Rizza and Kim left at the van.
We had our dinner at Lantaw SRP with our cousins and we had a really good time, I didn’t rant about my disappointment and heartache – I give him time to reconcile. ?? But, before going to sleep, EJ posted a status on his Facebook to released the stress Geof Lagria brought to us. I remained silent to post. I’m tired, I just prayed and sleep.
Bottomline, our engagement shoot ended without stylist Geof Lagria. I was still expecting his call after he will receive our balance handed to his assistant. We paid total of Php 15,000. I wanted him to talk and confront us what happened to him. If he thinks he didn’t deserve the payment, I still believe he has a good heart and will decide to refund the damaged he has caused.?
Thank you for listening.
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