Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m Jam Noblezada-Favis, I am an Assistant Unit Manager for Pru Life UK. I’ve been in the insurance and financial services industry for almost three years already. Prior to this, I used to work for an educational social enterprise called TULA where I met my husband! I am the eldest of three girls and a loving fur-mom to a smart Shih Tzu!
Where was your wedding held and what made you decide to choose the location?
Our wedding was held at North Forbes Park Pavilion. Since my husband and I both grew up in Makati, we wanted to get married somewhere within the Central Business District (CBD) of Makati but wished for a venue away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We were very blessed to have our wedding at the Pavilion, in a quiet part of Makati, surrounded with lots of trees with a view of a park that made the ambiance very serene.
Our ceremony was held at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart. The church is very meaningful since I grew up hearing Sunday mass there. More than that, the aisle length was just right for a bridal walk and the size was just perfect for an intimate wedding since I wanted to see everyone’s beautiful faces as I walked down the aisle!
What’s the inspiration behind your wedding look?
My inspiration for my wedding look was how I wanted my wedding to be – simple yet classy and elegant. My husband also wanted me to be sexy, so we tried to tastefully incorporate that in my look!
“The challenge in doing your makeup was the restraint to not put too much.”
Who designed your wedding gown, and how did you come up with the style? How long did it take to create or find the perfect wedding dress?
My wedding gown designer is a childhood friend, the talented Aoui Regala. It took me a while to find the style I wanted until I came across Monique Lhuillier’s collection! The laces, the sexy classy silhouettes, and the minimalist look really appealed to me! After which, I visited Aoui’s atelier to show my pegs. She gave her expert opinion to develop my idea further and we conceptualized my dress together. It was such great collaboration.
My first visit was May 2017 so the whole process took around nine months. Every fitting, my dress kept evolving and it was so exciting! Until the very end, we were tweaking parts of my dress! Aoui wanted to make everything perfect but at the same time comfortable for me to wear and I super appreciated it!
How did you choose your hair and makeup artist? Did you have any hair and makeup pegs?
For my other suppliers, it was easy because I chose to work with supplier friends. However, I didn’t have any HMUA friends so to find one, I had to visit a bridal fair. I am very fortunate to have had my trial makeup done when I walked in Joyce Regala-Seludo’s booth. She had a no-frills booth, was very charming, and her helpful daughter who was with her was equally accommodating. I felt an inexplicable ease when I talked to her. When she told me that “the challenge in doing your makeup was the restraint to not put too much,” I knew that she knew what my concern was without saying it. What I wanted a natural look for the wedding and not an overdone makeup, which would be too harsh with my chinita eyes! Loved the trial so I booked her right away!
I did have pegs for my hair which was recommended by my designer, Aoui, to create a streamlined look for my gown. I showed it to the hair stylist, JM Martinez, who advised me to have my hair layered. Since I have never dyed my hair, he didn’t insist on me getting one, so I just got my regular cellophane treatment done. For brides who like a bit of shade for their hair, I recommend a cellophane treatment as it is a temporary one that usually washes off after six months! It’s perfect for daytime shoots as the light brings out your hair color, and personally it doesn’t dry my hair!
What lip color did you choose for the wedding day?
My lip color was chosen by my makeup artist which was MAC Twig. It was a lovely pinky-brown color that I think really complemented my morena skin!
What was in your wedding day makeup kit/pouch?
I was so dependent on my makeup artist! The only thing I had inside my wedding pouch (that my sister ended up carrying!) was my phone, my handwritten prayer for the reception, and my go-to True Match foundation!
What were the preparations you did for your skin prior to the wedding day? Did you go to a skin care center regularly? What kind of services did you have done? Is this something you would recommend to other brides-to-be?
I was a regular user of this organic skin care line based in Australia called Sukin. However, two months before the wedding, I knew I needed to put in some extra work to take care of my skin. I used Shu Uemura’s Ultimate Sublime8 regimen! People noticed and told me that my skin was glowing! Wedding preparations can be a bit stressful, so I really recommend brides-to-be to level up their skin care game months before the wedding! Aside from that, I did not forget my regular facial at my trusted derma and my staple daily sunblock!
“If you’re eating healthy and exercising, the beauty glow will show!”
“Wedding preparations can be a bit stressful, so I really recommend brides-to-be to level up their skin care game months before the wedding!”
What was the best beauty advice you received that helped you prepare for your wedding?
The best beauty advice that I got was to take care of my health as we were preparing for the wedding. If you’re eating healthy and exercising, the beauty glow will show!
How about in terms of fitness? What did you do months before the wedding to stay in shape and make sure your wedding dress fit perfectly? Did you enroll in a gym or fitness center? What was your diet like?
I’ve been a member of Fitness First since 2011 so going to the gym has been in my system. The challenge was having the TIME to go to the gym! Since I had to balance work and wedding preps, I was not able to visit the gym as much as I wanted to before the wedding. When my dress felt tighter during my second fitting, I knew I had to do something about it. Good thing my friend recommended Pure Nectar’s Green Supreme Juice which was a lifesaver. I used it as part of my breakfast or a snack. I felt energized and full after and helped maintain my weight in a healthy way.
Did you have your nails done? If so, where? Would you recommend this nail salon to others?
I had my gel nails done at Go Barefoot in BF Paranaque. It was far from where I lived but my sister who worked in the area insisted that we have our sister date there! All three of us went to get pampered – we even had a massage! I really recommend this nail salon because it’s just so extra, as they have a café and you can order some pasta or sandwich while enjoying the laidback interiors! They even closed off a section of the salon for us to be more comfortable! Their service was superb! And their food was yummy too!
What was your biggest takeaway from your wedding day? Do you have any beauty-related tips you’d like to share to upcoming brides?
I was told by a good friend that your wedding day will fly by so fast. Knowing this, I did my best to savor everything with a smile – my makeup being done, welcoming my entourage in the hotel room, the travel to the church, the speeches during the reception, all of it! I had some champagne for the toasting, but I didn’t have alcohol until the after party! Since I was mindful of everything and I was really in the moment, I felt the love from everyone who was there to support our union! I think that really radiated all throughout! I just wanted to give back all the love I felt that day by receiving guests, catching up with them, and thanking them for celebrating with us!
Believe it or not, I did not have sleep the night before the wedding day. My body was asleep but my mind was so excited (so for brides-to-be out there, do not forget to do your tried-and-tested sleep rituals the night before the wedding)! Early morning, I was so worried about my eyes being puffy and my skin looking bad that day. I prayed for strength and instantly had a sense of calm that everything will be just fine. And everything did work out more than fine. That entire day was perfect! I enjoyed every minute of it and felt like a radiant bride! Beauty will really come from within if you just let go and let God, trust your well-chosen suppliers, and ask help from your supportive family!
“Beauty will really come from within if you just let go and let God.”
Wedding Team
Photographer: Chapter One Studios
Videographer: Vidlens
MUA: Joyce Regala-Seludo
Hair: JM Martinez
Gown by: Aoui Regala