Filipina Bridesonalities: What Should I Get?

A comprehensive guide to planning your wedding
H
izon’s Catering is an offpremise catering company that
specializes in weddings, private
parties and corporate events. It was
established in 1987 by Mrs. Baby Hizon,
a Kapampangan with a passion for good
food and gourmet cooking. What first
began as a small family business grew
into one of the best catering businesses in
the country today, boasting of a ratio of
up to 1, 588 weddings a year.
Insights from 1 ,588
Weddings a Year
Copyright © 2011
Hizon’s Catering Services, Inc.
Russel Mae Asmolo
Kerra Balabis
Ma. Arabelle Saturno
WRITERS
Raymond David
Judith Dayrit
Drew Menor
Grace Cawagas
Chesca Pineda
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
Karen Kate Pico
COPY EDITOR
Teng Asmolo
Arra Saturno
LAY-OUT ARTIST
Joseph Hizon
Baby Hizon
PROJECT HEAD
Taking care of your event down to the
tiniest details, taking the stress off of
your shoulders, and making sure that you
enjoy your wedding preparation are parts
of the mission that the company upholds.
A business established by the owner’s
love for merry occasions and sumptuous
dishes, the company has dedicated itself
in making sure that, from the planning
stage, every event will be an experience as
enjoyable as the celebration itself.
About The Company
The Team
What Makes A Perfect Wedding?
ng: Customs &Traditions)
I. Once Upon A Time (The Filipino Weddi
II. Bridesonality Quiz
III. When Forever Starts…
A. Your Wedding Date
Before The Wedding
B. Requirements And Documents Needed
C. Your Wedding Guest List
D. Your Wedding Venue
E. Your Wedding Theme And Motif
F. Your Wedding Flowers
G. Your Wedding Food
H. Your Wedding Look
H.1. Your Wedding Attire
H.2. Your Wedding Ring
H.3. Your Wedding Hair & Make-Up
I. Your Photo And Video Coverage
J. Your Invitations, And Stationeries
K. Your Wedding FaVors
Manpower
L. Your Wedding Coordinator And Other
M. Your Wedding Transportation
N. Your Wedding Program
IV. And They Lived Happily Ever After…
A. Your Honeymoon
Wedding
B. Updating Legal Documents After The
Acknowledgements
The Team
Insights is the brainchild of an experienced and multi-faceted team from Hizon’s Catering, bound
together with the same mission of helping every soon-to-wed couple go through their wedding
preparation with ease and enjoyment.
Teng Asmolo
Baby Hizon
Mrs. Hizon is the owner and CEO of Hizon’s Catering. Armed
with a passion for cooking, she established the company in 1987
with the goal of having a business without having to leave her
maternal duties. She’s graduated at the Adamson University
with a degree in Psychology. She studied culinary courses at the
California Culinary Academy and goes abroad from time to time
to research about new trends in the catering business.
Teng is a graduate of Journalism from the Polytechnic
University of the Philippines and has worked as a writer
for a BPO company and the Department of Science and
Technology’s Philippine Council for Health Research and
Development. She joined the company, as a writer, in July
2009 and is also currently one of the Marketing Officers
for Hizon’s Catering. She blogs, writes stories, and enjoys
photography.
The Writers
Kerra Balabis
A graduate of Broadcast Communication from the
Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Kerra is a jolly and
fun-loving person who joined the company in August 2009
as a writer. She is a Marketing Officer for Hizon’s Catering
who has passion for fashion and enjoys a good book, online
shopping, and hanging out with friends during her free time.
Joseph Hizon
Raymond Da
vid
La Salle
nomics at De s Degree in
co
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f
o
e
at
u
d
Joseph is a gra ila. He finished his Master’ ent and
em
an
University M e Asian Institute of Manag e company.
th
managing th
Economics at
her mother in ’s General Manager
ed
p
el
h
ce
n
has si
ering
y Hizon’s Cat
ovative
He is currentl e proponent of many inn king and
th
o
who has been the company. He enjoys co
projects within photography.
r
has passion fo
Raymond is th
e
of Hizon’s Cat Sales and Marketing Man
ager
ering. A grad
uate of Busin
Administratio
es
n
s
Tomas, he has from the University of San
to
been with the
Since then, he
company for
5
h
keeping the sa as played a significant par years.
t
le
in
operation run s and marketing departm
ent’s
ning effectivel
y.
he takes intere
st in photogra A “techie” person,
internet for n
phy, surfing th
ew
e
gadgets in the ideas, and scouting for th
e latest
market.
t
Judith Dayri
pervisor
ning Team’s su for
n
la
P
e
th
y
tl
g
en
Judith is curr ing, and has been workin otel
er
at
C
e of H
’s
n
o
iz
at H
rs. A graduat lacion
ea
y
r
u
fo
r
fo
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06 as a
nt
and Restaura ed the company in May 20 When
.
in
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College, she jo ecutive and events plann
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ex
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banquet sales dith loves to sing and pla
Ju
not working, daughter at home.
er
guitar with h
Arra Saturno
Arra is a graduate of Communication Arts from De La Salle University- Dasmarinas (DLSUD) and has worked
for GMA-7 before finally joining the company as a writer in 2009. At present, she is also a Marketing Officer for
Hizon’s Catering who has a passion for music, especially song writing. She also loves reading novels, movie
marathons, and good conversations.
The Planners
Drew Menor
Grace Cawagas
Franchesca Pineda
With a dream of becoming a movie
director, Drew went to Manila
seeking greener pasture. He entered
the company in February 2006 as
a Food Quality Assurance Officer.
With his knack for exquisite taste,
he went on to become one of the
top planners for Hizon’s Catering
with Love Radio’s Nicolehyala and
‘Ja-Boom Twins’ Kristine Gonzales
among his roster of satisfied clients.
During his past time, Drew loves
to watch films; keeping a wide
collection of movies at home.
A graduate of Hotel and Restaurant
Management at the Our Lady of
Fatima University, she has worked
for Hizon’s Catering for five years
and is currently an Events Planner
for the company. Her kikay and
friendly personality is what helps
her establish a good relationship
with her clients. She enjoys
shopping, collecting Winnie the
Pooh items, car shows and a night
out with friends after a long day’s
work.
Chesca is a graduate of Fine Arts,
major in Interior Design, from the
College of the Holy Spirit. She
has joined the roster of Hizon’s
Planners in February 2008. She has
been recognized as best planner by
her supervisors and has a roster
of satisfied clients to prove it. Her
sense of style is also reflected in
her hobbies such as collecting and
selling accessories, and decorating
her own home.
What makes a wedding perfect?
F
or more than twenty years of experience in helping people plan their wedding, Hizon’s
Catering has been lucky to be part of every client’s most important day. It is an opportunity
both challenging and rewarding. An average of 1,588 weddings per year gave us a play
ground for ideas and an open door for learning new things about this industry that we love.
If there’s one main thing that weddings have taught us, it’s that there is no standard formula
in wedding planning and preparation. And you can never gauge the importance of a wedding
by how small or big the guest list is, or how grand or simple the details are. Every wedding is a
unique experience, with unique needs. Every wedding is important.
In this book you will read random pieces of advice, bits of facts about the elements of a
wedding, and some wonderful quotes that hopefully would inspire you as much as it
had inspired us. You will also come across wedding personality guide, which we
called “bridesonality” that may help you determine your wedding persona and give
you a good grasp of how you will go about withyour preparations, and how you can
utilize your resources with the best possible options.
This book is made with the purpose of helping soon-to-wed couples gain a better
understanding of how weddings are planned and prepared here in the Philippines.
Based from actual wedding preparations witnessed by our team, we hope that you
will find every page useful to your own wedding preparation. And though this book
contains advices and suggestions, the final call is still up to you. Remember that there
is no standard formula, no “secret ingredient”. The very essence of your wedding is
in how each detail reflects who you are as a couple, and how you make every
moment count.
PHOTO BY: TENG ASMOLO
Every bride wants her wedding to be perfect; and though there is no such thing
as “the” perfect wedding, you have the power to create your own beautiful
memories that will last forever.
Hizon’s Catering Team
&
To our past clients,
who have been the very reason why we have made it this far,
This book is a sign of our gratitude for giving your invaluable trust
and support to the company.
To all the soon-to-wed couples,
May this book serve as your guide, as you make
PHOTO BY: TENG ASMOLO
the vital decisions for your most important day.
Once upon a time...
The Filipino Wedding Customs and Traditions
S
ome say fairytales are just
for kids, but almost everyone, whether they are aware
of it or not, wants their very
own happily-ever-after. And when
love proves its spell and makes lovers decide to take “the” journey, it’s
when the subject of wedding begins.
“Once in a while,
right in the middle of
an ordinary life, love
gives us a fairy tale.”
– Author Unknown
Many people get the wrong impression that wedding and marriage
are one and the same. When we talk
about marriage, it is the entirety of
your life together as husband and
wife. It is that “forever after” that
fairytales constantly speak of. And
the process and specifics of marriage
wouldn’t, and couldn’t be contained
in any single book.
Wedding on the other hand is a different and more concrete subject. If
marriage is the “forever after”, wedding is the grand ball at the castle.
It is the celebration that sets you for
that lifetime commitment of love to
your partner; and planning and preparing your wedding is what would
be discussed in the succeeding pages
of this book.
The Filipino Wedding
The Philippine’s rich culture and the
Filipino’s belief in the sacredness of
marriage make the Filipino wedding
a ceremonious and extensive
celebration. Filipino wedding
traditions make the wedding
much more exciting and beautiful.
Although some have already faded,
there are still many beliefs and
customs that the modern Filipino
couples follow.
The Proposal
In an overlooking hill with stars spread all over the sky, the man of your life suddenly
kneels in front of you, and from his jacket took out a small box with a ring on it. He
then utters the words: “Will you marry me?”
All women have their own version of a romantic proposal. However it is done, the
bottom line here is that this is the start of a lifetime commitment of two individuals
who will soon embark on a journey to oneness.
The Announcement
Filipinos, being family-oriented in nature, would love to see their loved ones on their
very special day. The announcement is telling the elder relatives of your intention to
marry as a sign of respect especially to those whose grandparents are in the province. It
is just like a courtesy call and introduction of your partner. This is also where you will
get your blessings from your elders and a chance to invite your prospect god parents
or principal sponsors.
Be ready to tell your love story to many people, your partner’s educational background
and work information over and over.
The Pamamanhikan
The pamamanhikan is where the groom and his parents pay a visit to the bride’s house
and formally ask for the hand of the bride from her parents. It is usually done over
lunch or dinner. The groom is expected to speak to the parents about his intentions of
marrying her bride, then his parents will also call on the bride’s parents to gain their
approval and to plan the wedding.
Nowadays, the pamamanhikan is more of a discussion of the details of the wedding. It
is where the first major wedding plans are made like who are going to pay what, how
many guests, and the suggested venues and churches.
This tradition can be very awkward and the couple may feel uneasy especially if it’s
the first time for their parents to meet. A way of breaking the ice for both parties is for
the groom and his parents to bring a gift or home-cooked specialty that they can share
during discussion.
This sounds so much of a hassle for any marrying couple. But at the end of the day, it
is all worth the effort because Filipinos would love to have the blessings of their loved
ones on the most important day of their lives.
Despedida de Soltera
It is the party organized by the bride’s family to show their approval and support of
the upcoming marriage. This happens usually a day before or days before the wedding
and is attended by the significant people who will be part of the wedding and also of
the relatives from both sides. It is the best time to introduce the two families to each
other and have a little bonding before the wedding itself.
PHOTO BY: JUN VALBUENA | LOCATION: SWEET HARMONY GARDENS
The BRIDEsonality
QUIZ
Before continuing on to the book. let us first
take a quick test to determine your
bridesonality. Each topics consists of five
(5) questions that you will have to answer.
Take note of it in a piece of paper. The letters
with the most answer determines what
kind of bride you are for each topic.
Your results may vary per
chapter, so it is best if you
take note of it. It will
be very useful as you go
through the chapters of
this book.
Good luck and have
fun on your preparations!
The Wedding Guest List
1.) You are:
The Wedding Transportation
1.) When choosing the perfect wedding venue for my wedding I will go for:
a. An introvert. You sometimes want to be alone and are much comfortable being
surrounded by your closest relatives and friends.
a. Somewhere that is easily accessible by public transport so that guests won’t be
having a hard time going to my wedding
b. An ambivert. You relish having an alone time with yourself as much as you are
comfortable with family and friends.
b. Somewhere perfectly romantic and accessible to my friends and probable guests
c. A social butterfly. You love to party and be in the company of family, friends and
colleagues.
2.) How would you like your wedding to be?
a. I want a small and simple wedding to share with close friends and families
b. I want a wedding enough to share with families and friends, and a few colleagues
c. I want to have a big and lavish wedding celebration to share with my families,
friends and colleagues
c. My dream wedding venue, preferably out-of-town
2.) How can I make sure that my guest will be on my wedding venue on the scheduled date
and time and according to plan
a. Look for the best means of transportation for my guests
b. Coordinate with them a month before my wedding and know their transportation
plans, ask for a friend who can lend or use her car for other friends who doesn’t
have one
c. Rent a vehicle for them especially for out-of-town venues, have them booked as
early as possible
3.) Upon entering your wedding reception venue you see...
a. Mom and Dad happily chatting with your fiancée’s parents
b. Your school and office friends mingle, talking to each other
c. Everyone from your office and your neighborhood enjoying a drink and the
sumptuous meal you’ve chosen for them
4.) In dealing with the wedding guest list, you:
3.) For my wedding car I will go for:
a. A simple wedding car that I can decorate to become my perfect wedding car
b. Something that suites my style and that is on the budget
c. My dream wedding car! Something that is unique and will be the talk of the town
4.) The best way to have a wedding car is:
a. Are intently listing the names of close families and friends, carefully omitting those
who are not familiar to both you and your fiancée
a. To borrow a car from relatives
b. Are checking the names in the guest list and are including some of the names your
parents want to invite
c. Call all possible suppliers until you find the one
c. Are working with your wedding planner in how to organize the seating
arrangements of your guests which include families, friends and colleagues
b. Look for a possible sponsors or wedding packages that includes the bridal car
5.) My dream wedding car is:
a. Our 1995 Toyota Corolla that’s been the family car ever since
5.) Day one in making your initial guest list. How many guests have you listed so far?
a. 20. Your immediate family and best friends.
b. 75. Your relatives and barkada.
c. Everyone!
b. A sleek Mercedes Benz Bug Eye that’s included in the catering package
c. A Ferrari Enzo sports car or a vintage Rolls Royce that will surely catch the eye of
everyone
Wedding Invitation and Stationeries
1.) My wedding Invitations and Stationeries will be....
a. Perfectly design and created by me and my husband to be
b. One that suites my style but still within the budget
c. Should be my personal brand, unique and with my wedding theme
The Wedding Photo and Video Coverage
1.) On your big day who is covering your wedding?
a. Creative friends and colleagues who has a knowledge in photography and has
gladly volunteered to help me
b. A wedding photographer who offered me a good package
c. Of course! The best wedding photographers and videographers
2.) A Pre-Nuptial Photo Shoot is:
2.) How will I make my wedding stationeries?
a. I will spend time doing the designs and letterings of my wedding stationeries
b. I’ll look for a friend who can help me with it. Probably ask them to sponsor the
stationeries as a wedding gift
c. I will have an artist put my ideas on paper and make sure that it will be printed
according to my preferred number of guests
a. Not really needed
b. A good way to collate photos that will be used for the invitation and the love story
video that will be presented on the reception
c. Something that should showcase my wedding theme and will excite my guests as
they have a glimpse of it
3.) When choosing the right team to cover my wedding I will go for:
3.) I can make sure that my Wedding Stationeries will reach my probable guests through...
a. Attending important gatherings where my probable guests will be present and
personally hand my wedding invitations
b. Delivering the invitation personally, going from one place to another to hand out the
invitations to my guests
c. A private courier will do
a. A friend or group of friends who has knowledge in photography and videography.
It’s more likely than they can take photos that I would like because they know what
I want and what will please me.
b. A wedding photographer who can offer a valuable package. A package with both
photo and video that is right on the budget for a good photographer is more than
enough.
c. Separate teams who specializes on wedding photography and videography. I will be
assured that this team will give me the best results.
4.) The best way to announce my forthcoming wedding...
a. Send an e-mail or text messages to my friends or probable guests regarding my
wedding several months before the date
b. A personal phone call will do. Or I can make a short video presentation regarding
my wedding
c. Make a unique Save-A-Date Card that will introduce my wedding theme
5.) Wedding stationeries are:
a. Invitations and Thank You cards that can be easily done with a little creativity and
with the help of friends and relatives
b. One of the most important things that should be done by professionals but in an
affordable price
c. Little helpers that will showcase the theme and organize my wedding from the
Save-the-Date cards to the place cards and food tags
4.) A good wedding album is:
a. A scrapbook consisting of snapshots of the wedding day. Nothing beats candid
pictures with a few formal ones to represent the real you.
b. A leather-bound album with the shots taken by your photographer.
c. A number of leather-bound Pre-Nuptial, Wedding Day, and Trash-the-Dress photo
albums custom-made by the team who covered the wedding.
5.) What would your wedding be like?
a. A one-on-one interview. You want it to be as solemn and intimate with friends and
family.
b. A press conference. You want friends and family to have a taste of the limelight, too!
c. A premiere night. You want everyone to rave about your wedding, from the food to
the smallest details. Reporters are more than welcome so that they may be awed by
the grand celebration you and your coordinating and planning team have devised.
The Wedding Flowers
The Wedding Venues
1.) Upon arriving at the venue, what’s the first question that would most likely come to your
mind?
a. How much does the venue cost?
b. Does it have clean comfort rooms?
c. Does it suit my wedding theme?
2.) One question that you would want to ask a venue sales representative
a. Do you give promos or discounts?
b. Who are your accredited caterers?
c. Can your venue accommodate 300 guests?
3) When you find a venue that you like what would your initial reaction be?
1) What’s one phrase that can best describe your wedding flowers?
a. affordable and simple
b. artistic and reasonable
c. elegant and one-of-a-kind
2) Where would you most likely go to look for your wedding flowers?
a. Dangwa or local market
b. Local wedding florist at your town
c. Wedding stylist
3) If your church offers free floral arrangement for your wedding ceremony what would your
reaction be?
a. Perfect! I wouldn’t have to worry about my ceremony flowers after all.
a. Can we afford it?
b. That’s great, but can I add a little extra design to it?
b. I really hope it’s worth the money?
c. We appreciate it, but we prefer a wedding stylist to arrange the ceremony flowers.
c. I hope it’s still available on our wedding date!
4) How hands on can you get in selecting and preparing your wedding flowers?
4) What is the most important factor that you consider in a wedding venue?
a. budget
b. comfort
c. ambience
a. I will personally go to Dangwa to scout for the best bargain and I will do my wedding
flowers with the help of my relatives or friends
b. I will go to Dangwa to look for a good Florist that can make elegant flowers that are still
easy on the pocket
c. I will hire a wedding florist or stylist and discuss with him/her how I want my wedding
flowers done
5) If you could sum up your wedding venue into one word, what would that word be?
a. decent
5) What’s the most important factor that you consider in choosing your wedding flowers?
b. convenient
a. budget
c. stylish
b. usefulness
c. aesthetics
The Wedding Food
1) What kind of food experience do you intend to give your guests?
a. a simple meal of familiar dishes which are easy on the budget
b. a feast of food with variety and choices
c. a unique gastronomic experience!
2) Aside from the taste, which factor is more important for you when it comes to your wedding
feast?
The Honeymoon
1) What type of accommodation would you prefer for your honeymoon?
a. a simple transient house or Inn
b. a classy hotel
c. a lavish private villa
2) What is the most important factor that you would consider when it comes to your honeymoon?
a. affordability
a. budget
b. variety
b. comfort
c. distinctiveness
c. luxury
3) How would you describe your wedding banquet set-up?
3) Which would you prefer?
a. simple and traditional
a. An adventure trip in Baguio or Tagaytay
b. artistic and durable
b. An island getaway in Boracay or Palawan
c. exceptional and memorable
c. A shopping spree in Paris and Italy
4) What type of service do you plan to have for your wedding banquet?
a. do-it-yourself buffet that offers self-service
b. catered buffet complete with waiters and food attendants
c. a service-style banquet that serves plated food
5) Which of these food selections would you most likely serve at your reception?
a. steamed rice, chicken barbeque, beef caldereta, buttered vegatables, juice
b. seafood fried rice, lengua, chicken pastel, fish fillet in lemon butter sauce, lumpia bar, iced
tea, softdrinks
c. paella, angus beef fillet mignon, grilled lemon halibut, chicken cordon bleu, sweet tea, red
wine
4) On your way to your honeymoon destination, which mode of transportation do you picture
yourself using?
a. bus
b. private van
c. plane
5) How much are you willing to spend for your honeymoon?
a. not too much, we prefer to spend the money for other future needs
b. fairly enough, we would like to have a memorable vacation within our means
c. all the way, beautiful memories are worth every centavo
The Wedding Dress
1. Take a closer look at how you walk.
a. Careless; walking is walking.
b. I am kinda nervous and I can’t confirm how do I walk.
c. I walk with elegance. My head is held up high, my back straight. I take firm,
confident strides.
2. How do you describe yourself?
a. Carefree and laid back, that’s me!
b. I am gorgeous and pretty.
c. I am beautiful and extraordinary.
3. Which celebrity wedding dress inspires you the most?
a. Rica Peralejo’s wedding dress
b. Judy Ann Santos’ wedding dress
c. Ruffa Guttierez’s wedding dress
4. What does your engagement ring look like?
a.
A simple yet classy silver ring.
b.
A two-toned ring with our names engraved on it.
c.
It is a beautiful ring with a huge piece of sparkling diamond.
5. What accessories would you like to wear on your wedding day?
a. A beautiful clip would be nice! The simpler, the better.
b. A necklace and earrings that will accentuate my dress.
c. A tiara and anything diamond.
The Wedding Ring & Accessories
1. Which describes your personality the most?
a. Carefree and spontaneous.
b. Proper and preppy.
c. Sleek and sophisticated.
2. How will you spend the weekend with your partner?
a. Stay at home, watch movies in DVD and order pizza.
b. Watch a movie in 3d and eat after.
c. Dine at a fine restaurant.
3. How much budget will you allot for your wedding rings?
a. We don’t think that an expensive ring is necessary.
b. A reasonable amount that any couple will spend for a wedding ring.
c. Any amount! As long as we are both happy.
4. What gem will you place in your wedding rings?
a. I don’t really want a stone in my ring.
b. My birthstone.
c. A sparkling diamond.
5. Who among these movie characters reflects your personality the most?
a. Drew Barrymore in “The Wedding singer”
b. Jennifer Lopez in “The Wedding Planner”
c. Sarah Jessica Parker of Sex and the City
The Wedding Coordination & Manpower
1. When it comes to planning things, you are:
The Wedding Hair & Make - Up
a. I love planning things especially and I am the organizer of our reunions.
1. What’s inside your kikay kit?
b. Average. I like to plan things but sometimes it stresses me out.
a. Loose powder, a blush on and a lipstick.
c. An epic fail. I am not good in organizing things.
b. Lipstick, eye shadow, concealer,
c. Foundation, moisturizer, make up base, concealer.. Basically everything!
2. How good are you in communicating with others?
a. I am not good at it. I am kind of shy.
2. Is an everyday make up important to you?
b. I am comfortable expressing myself with my family and friends only.
a. No, I don’t think it is “that” necessary.
c. I am a social butterfly. I love other people’s company.
b. Sometimes, when the occasion calls it.
c. Of course! It is a part of my daily routine.
3. What would you like your friends to do at your wedding?
a. I want them to be a part of the little details of my wedding, after all, they are
3. How much would you like to spend in your hair and make up?
a. As much as possible I don’t want to spend any money in my make up
volunteering!
b. I can ask for some assistance from them, but I prefer to trust the important aspects to the
professional s (wedding coordinators)
b. A reasonable enough amount that can make me blooming on my wedding.
c.. Whatever amount is needed to make me the most beautiful person on my special day!
c. Sit back, relax and enjoy every moment of the most important day of our lives.
4. Do you know the latest trends in make ups?
4. In planning your wedding, what is the role of your family?
a. I have no idea.
a. To be a part of every detail up to our wedding day.
b. I just hear it mentioning by my friends.
b. To help us all throughout the planning and preparation.
c. Of course! I am updated always.
c. To show support and to check every now and then if the planning is doing well.
5. What do you like to be in your wedding day?
5. What do you think about having a wedding coordinator in your wedding?
a. A carefree and spontaneous one.
a. It is unnecessary. I have lots of friends and family who can do the tasks for free.
b. A blooming and pretty bride.
b. It is helpful because coordinators will guide me during the preparation.
c. A princess and everybody in the church is staring at me as I walk down the aisle.
c. It will lessen my worries and will make me enjoy my day more.
BRIDESONALITIES TEST ANSWER KEY:
If your answers to a particular Chapter’s Bridesonality test are:
Mostly As
Then you are most
likely a “Penny-Wise
Bride”
Mostly Bs
Then you are most
likely a “Value-forMoney Bride”
Mostly Cs
Then you are most likely a “Splurge-on-thebest Bride”
P
Your Wedding Date
erhaps Harry was right; you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible once the subject of
wedding is placed on your doorstep. You start to take out wedding magazines and talk wedding receptions and all the wedding stuff, but before the preparation is directed elsewhere, you must first
remember to set your wedding date.
When we talk of weddings the first month that comes to mind is the marrying month of June. Well, that is
true for some people, especially those who lived in North America and Europe, because June is the time
between Spring and Summer and the start of summer vacation, and since we are greatly influenced by the
western culture we have come to accept this as a fact.
But here in the Philippines, December is considered more by many couples for their wedding date. It is a
perfect time to celebrate a wedding because of the right weather (not to hot, just enough coolness to make
your guests comfortable even on a garden wedding at noon) and the right atmosphere (December is the
Christmas season and most people would be enveloped by the Christmas spirit, thus they become more
generous in giving gifts and sincere in promising to attend your wedding). These reasons are practical and
convenient.
The country’s summer season (March to May) is also one of the best times to tie the knot. This is perfect for
beach and garden weddings where you will get plenty of sun and good weather. Be sure though, to bring
your sun block or have a venue with a good ventilation. Another solution to the heat problem is to set your
wedding early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
“When you realize you want to spend the rest of
your life with somebody, you want the rest of your
life to start as soon as possible.”
(From the Movie: ‘When Harry Met Sally’)
The rainy season (from June to October) is the off-peak season for weddings, especially on the months of
June to August which are the rainiest days in our country. This season is the best time to get discounts
from suppliers, though. To solve the rain problem you would have to opt for a covered venue with ample
parking space so that guests wouldn’t have to walk far under the rain to get to your reception.
From years of experience, the best recommended time to get married would be after the busy month of
December. January and February is a good time because the weather isn’t too hot, much like December
is, and it isn’t as busy as December. It is perfect for any type of wedding, be it on the beach, in a romantic
garden or in a covered venue.
Why It Matters
Choosing a wedding date matters because it is the day you decide to say “I do” to the person you want to
be with for the rest of your life. It has to be just right and perfect, customary to traditions, and favorable to
everyone involved.
The right date will also determine how many people can attend and which suppliers are available.
Although most suppliers are available in any date you choose, suppliers like your wedding photographer
and videographer, wedding singer or band, and wedding reception venue may already be fully booked.
You will learn later on, as you go through your planning, that your wedding date will be affected by a lot
of different factors, and you will have to decide which of these factors are on top of your list.
Your Traditions
The Philippines is a diverse country, not just in
the flora and fauna but also in the people living in
it. Our country is composed of various races and
enveloped by different cultures which made us
unique.
Traditions and cultures are big factors in
determining your wedding date. Since most
Filipinos are traditional by nature, we tend to base
most of our decisions with them.
Filipino Customs and Traditions that may
affect you in choosing your wedding date:
Since we are a country bounded by
Customs, Beliefs and Traditions, we are
going to tackle on how these can greatly
affect in choosing your preferred Wedding
Date.
Factors that Affect Your Wedding Date
The Wedding Budget
In choosing your wedding date you might want to consider this factor since it will determine how much
the entire thing will cost.
Most wedding suppliers have special rates for different seasons; that perfect wedding package advertised
on the website of one caterer last year might have a different price this year, and that special discount rate
offered for the wedding ring of your choice last June might not be available this December.
If you are on a tight budget you might want to consider the off-peak months of June to August for great
discounts offered by most suppliers
The Season
We all know that June is the start of the school year and the rainy season as well, so that definitely ruled
out the June Bride belief.
The four-season-a-year does not apply in a tropical country such as the Philippines. We only have two
seasons: rainy and summer. Most wedding suppliers do offer special discounted rates on the rainy months
of June to August, and most couples would avoid this month because of typhoons and unexpected rains.
Of course, if you want a garden or a beach wedding you would most certainly avoid the rainy season
and will most likely choose the months of January to May (less rain, more sun). But if August 2 is your
anniversary and you’ve decided to get married in that date, despite the coming storm, a good solution is
to find an indoor venue to incorporate the wedding ceremony venue to the reception venue so your guests
wouldn’t have to inconveniently travel from one place to another amidst the heavy rains.
Sukob
No, I will not be talking about the
blockbuster horror flick rather the
inspiration behind it.
We all know that in the movie the two
lead stars were estranged sisters who were
married on the same day of the same year.
After their weddings, things got a little
freaky until most of the characters died
of freak accidents because of the so-called
sukob.
If you and your sister decided to get married
on the same day of the same year, things
aren’t really going to be that morbid. No one
will die, I assure you. This superstition is
one of the many others that our elders have
lived by.
It is believed that if you and one of your
immediate relatives (especially sisters, or
cousins perhaps) are married on the same
year, better known as sukob sa kasal, one will
be lucky but one will have a bad luck.
Another version of this is that a soon-to-wed
person whose immediate relative had just
died cannot be married within the same year
of the dead relative’s death. It is called sukob
sa patay. This one can be explained logically.
Of course, we have to be respectful of the
death of a family member and should wait
until the babang luksa (a year after the death
date), because a happy celebration such
as a marriage would be too merry for the
mourners.
Like any other superstitions, the origins
of sukob is clearly unknown, but is strictly
followed by some families anyway. You
may, or may not follow this superstition;
it’s your choice because you are the one to
decide for your wedding, but if a relative
or one of your immediate families strongly
believes in these superstitions it wouldn’t
hurt to follow them. Or, well… everything
can be dealt with a good explanation.
Feng Shui
It is evident that Chinese culture plays a
major part in our countries’ way of life;
since there is a large population of ChineseFilipino community here in the Philippines.
One Chinese tradition that has become
influential for us Filipinos is the belief in
Feng Shui. Literally meaning wind-water,
feng shui is believed to use the laws of
astronomy and geography to help one
improve their life by receiving positive qi.
Generally, an auspicious wedding date
would be one that has the number 8 or 9,
or that adds up to one of these numbers
because according to ancient Chinese
traditions 8 means infinity or is a lucky
number for love, while 9 represents
fulfillment and eternity. These dates would
include the 8th, 9th, 17th, 26th, and 27th are
among the lucky dates to tie the knot. The
date 18th is considered most ideal because it
has the number 8 and it adds up to 9.
But the ultimate date to get married is on
the 8th of August (8/8), that’s why a lot of
Chinese people, or otherwise, got married
last August 8, 2008 because of the triple 8
found in the date.
There is also another way to find an auspicious
and personalized date for your wedding
with the help of feng shui. Most soon-to-wed
couples of Chinese blood or Chinese descent
consult a feng shui expert to help them
decide which date is favorable for them to
get married.
Your Parents
Given that most of us have great respect for our
parents, we tend to consider them when we make
big decisions. We seek our parents’ permission and
guidance in most endeavors we encounter in life,
and that includes our wedding planning.
Parents may want to get involved in deciding when
you’ll get married, especially when you belong to the
traditional clans, or if they are the ones paying for
the entire celebration.
You don’t have to get on a fight with them if you
cannot agree on a specific date. The best thing to
do is to hear out what they have to say and calmly
explain to them your side. Compromise is the key
and you’ll learn a lot of it as you go through with
your planning.
Suppliers’ Availability
If you want the best suppliers for your wedding,
chances are they are already booked in your preferred
date, especially if you’re planning just a few months
before the big day. So plan ahead and do your
research to avoid disappointments.
Availability of your Guests
Of course, in choosing your wedding date you’ll also
have to consider the availability of your guests. After
all, who would want a lavish wedding set in a 500capacity venue with only a hundred or less number
of guests?
Look at the majority of guests you wanted to invite.
If most of your guests are working, then you would
most likely think about a weekend wedding. If you
wanted to invite your nephews who are all still
studying, then summer might be a good day to
celebrate with them. If you wanted to invite most of
your families who are US-based, then July-September
would be the best months to do your wedding
because it is summer for them and they can easily
take a vacation from work and school.
Tips in Choosing Your Wedding Date
Here are some helpful tips based from more than a
thousand wedding experiences:
Getting a weekday wedding will trim your
wedding expenses because most suppliers
have few weekday bookings in any time of
the year, except December, because most
couples will opt for a weekend celebration so
that everyone will be available. Just be sure
that most of your guests will be available to
make adjustments if you decide to make it a
weekday affair.
Getting a supplier as early as possible or
booking them for more than a year ahead
gives you better deals than booking them in
less than a year, and doing so may exempt
you from any price increase that they may
implement. Of course one year before the
wedding date is the ideal time for booking
them; any more than that would seem silly
and impractical because of the various factors
that may affect your wedding planning,
especially in the changes of dates.
Avoid rainy months if you want a garden
reception. You wouldn’t want to risk your
once in a lifetime event with mud on your
shoes and rain on your face.
Choose a wedding reception that best fits the
season of your wedding date. Garden and
beach receptions are best for summer because
of the good weather, while covered venues
might be good for any other season, it is best
for rainy seasons because it can protect your
guests from getting soaked.
Avoid special holidays as much as possible.
If you think that it is convenient to set your
wedding on a holiday so that you wouldn’t
have to worry about your guests’ attendance,
think again. Special holidays often cause
unfavorable scenarios for your event like
traffic, increase in the price of commodities
like flowers for that matter. It is also very
much applicable for church occasions like
feasts of saints wherein your church of choice
may be busy preparing for other things aside
from your wedding.
When to Start Planning
Your Wedding?
Most people would
say that the best
and less stressful
time span in
planning your
wedding would
be a year or more
ahead,
while
some would say
that it is possible
even with just four
months of planning
and preparation.
Nine Months to One Year:
The Less Stressful Way
While planning a wedding can be possible with
even just a month of preparation, the best and less
stressful timeline to plan your big day would be nine
(9) months to a year because:
Most suppliers will be available if you book
a year ahead;
You will get discounts for “early bird”
bookings;
This is practical and beneficial to those who
are working and aren’t planning to hire a
wedding coordinator;
You’ll have plenty of time for your DIYs (like
invitations, table numbers, misalettes, etc.);
Most popular churches and grand venues
requires booking at least a year earlier;
You will be exempted from price increases.
With this time span you’ll have to:
 Research on the first two months. Use this
time to talk with your partner regarding your
preferences on how the wedding should look.
Decide on your wedding date, color motif
and the theme of your wedding and start
planning from there.
 Start planning your wedding DIYs. You’ve
already decided on the color motif and your
wedding theme, start doing the little things
such as table numbers and misalettes (ask a
copy from your parish) and design them
according to your wedding theme.
Make a template of the design so that
you’ll just have to insert the menu
(for the menu card) and names
of the invites (for the invitation)
later.
Pencil-book your chosen
church and venues. This way
you have reserved them without
paying the exact amount for the
down payment. Be sure to come
back and pay the full down payment
on the given deadline.
 Attend Wedding Fairs and
Exhibits. This is the best way to
get discounts so make it a point to
attend at least an exhibit or two.
Five to Eight Months: Possible with a Little Help
Planning a wedding in this time span can be a
little stressful but still possible because:
You still have time to book most of your
wedding suppliers without as much problem
with their availability;
You’ll have time for your wedding DIYs, just
organize your time well;
Your preferred church and venue will still
most likely be available but you have to decide
fast.
In the five to eight months time span for planning your wedding, you’ll have to need help by this time, but
it still is possible to be less stressful you’ll just have to:
 Research on the first month. Scout all possible suppliers, venues and churches to see if they
are still available;
 Organize your schedule, especially for those who are working;
 Hire a coordinator. Maybe not the best and highest paid in town, but the one that understands
what you want;
 Ask for help. Assign your closest relative or your best friend to answer queries related to the
wedding when you’re not available, let them work closely with your wedding planner. Make sure
that they are willing to help, too
Four Months and Below: Leave it to the Wedding Planner
This is the most stressful time span you can have in planning your wedding that even the best wedding
planner you’ll hire would be stressed out:
You’ll have little time to get a lot of things done on your own;
Your wedding DIY ideas will have to be shelved unless you’ll hire an army to get them done;
Your preferred church and venue will most likely be unavailable so don’t keep your hopes up and
always have more than one backup plan;
You’ll have to dedicate most of your time not just in the planning of your wedding but also in the
processing of the required documents;
You’ll have a hard time looking for suppliers especially if your wedding will be on peak seasons.
With this time span, you’ll have to:
 Hire a wedding planner. This is very important, especially for the working couples. Four months
or less will be an impossible timeline if you don’t.
 Tap all your connections. If you know a lot of people in the wedding industry then you’ll have to
personally talk with them. It’s time to use a little charm to get the best workforce for your wedding.
 Dedicate most of your time in planning. If you are working, ask for a leave or use your charm to
ask your boss to give you more time for the planning of your wedding. If you want to be as hands-on
in the wedding planning as possible then another option is for you to leave work—that is if you are
confident enough that you’ll find another one soon after the wedding.
 Advance notice. Inform most of the people you want to invite through text, email, or tag them on
Facebook, this way you’ll have a general idea of how many of your preferred guests can make it to the
wedding. Do inform your chosen principal sponsors in advance, too. Do not wait for the invitation to
come because it might be too late.
“Whether it is based on customs and traditions, your instinct,
whims or personal preference, choosing a wedding date is entirely
up to you and your partner. Don’t let others force you into getting
a date that you don’t like and has no significance to the two of you.
It’s your big day! Just take it easy, and let
your heart guide you.”
The Requirements Needed
Before the Wedding
K
nowing where to start and what to do first are the keys in having a smooth-sailing
wedding preparation. It is advisable to arrange the necessary papers first, so you will
have enough time to fix it if anything goes wrong.
A. Legal Requirements Before the
Wedding
Marriage License - For a marriage to be
considered valid, regardless of your religion, you
must obtain a marriage license. It is a certification
from the groom or bride’s local Civil Registrar’s
office giving you the permission to get married.
Marriage license expires after 4 months or 120
days, so you must secure marriage before the
paper is terminated.
Obtaining a Marriage License
To be able to obtain your Marriage License, you
have to get hold of the following requirements:
“Do what thou wilt shall be the
whole of the Law.
Love is the law, love under will.”
1. Birth Certificate – To be sure, get an
NSO copy of your Birth Certificate (some
government agencies don’t acknowledge
the old birth certificate). Fortunately,
you can apply for a copy of your NSO
Authenticated Birth Certificates online and
have it delivered at your door step in just a
few days.
a. Log on to: NSO BIRTH
CERTIFICATES DELIVERY http://
www.citizenservices.com.ph/nso/
b. Or call their office at (02) 737-1111
2. Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
– It is a certificate issued by National
Statistics Office that states the singleness of a
person who wishes to get married.
3. Parents’ Consent or Parental Advice – It is a
form from your Local Civil Registry for your
parents to fill-out and sign. Parent’s Consent
is for soon-to-wed couples that are 18-21
years old and Parental Advice is for those
who are 22-25 years old.
When these documents are ready, go to the City
Hall. If you are from different cities, you will just
have to choose one. Go to the Civil Registry and ask
where to file the Marriage Certificate. You will be
asked to fill-out the application form and be given a
list of requirements to be photocopied. Ensure extra
copies of all the documents.
Submit the documents in the same window.
You will be most likely asked by the municipal
representative to attend the Family Planning
seminar at the City Hall. You may choose your
preferred time to take the seminar depending on
your schedule. Usually, the duration of the seminar
is 4-5 hours.
After the seminar, you will be given a certificate
as proof that you finished the seminar. You will be
needing the certificate later when you pick up your
marriage license.
Now, all you have to do is wait for 10-11 working
days for the processing of your marriage license.
Eleven days is such a long time for soon-to-wed
couples like you, so make sure that you spend
it productively like preparing for your church
requirements.
B. Religious Requirements Before the
Wedding
Catholic Pre-wedding requirements
It is best to complete the following documents
before making the reservations for the church.
1. Baptismal and Confirmation Certificates –
These papers indicate that you are fittingly
baptized and confirmed Catholics. You can
secure copies from your respective parishes
where you were baptized and confirmed.
The papers must have a notation that says
“for marriage purposes only” and must have
been secured 3-6 months before the wedding
depending on your parishes.
2. Permission to Marry Outside The Parish –
This is a permit allowing the bride to be to
get married outside of the parish. You must
secure and present this to the parish where
you wish to get married.
3. Ecclesiastical Banns – These are
announcements that are being read and
posted on a particular parish signifying
your intent to get married. These are to be
announced and posted for three consecutive
weeks. Forms for these banns can be
obtained from the parish where you wish to
get married. You also have to prepare 2x2 or
1x1 pictures (depends on your parish). There
is also a fee ranging from 300 pesos and up.
4. List of Names and Addresses of Principal
Sponsors: At least two principal sponsors
are required by the law and also by the
church. They will serve as witnesses on the
ceremony and as well as the signing of the
marriage contract. The couple must submit
the list during their final interview.
5. Certificate of Attendance – From the Family
Planning seminar at the City Hall.
If the required documents are already
presented, there will be a series of interviews
and formation seminars required to discern
the couple’s capacity in getting married and
having a family.
 Initial Interview - Is done upon
registration in the Parish Office. This
is where the personal data of the
candidates for marriage are taken for the
publication of Ecclesiastical Banns.
 Canonical Interview – It is an interview
with the parish priest where you chose
to get married. This interview is to
be conducted one month before the
wedding.
 Pre-Cana and Pre-Sacrament SeminarDerived from Jesus’ first miracle at the
wedding in Cana, this is a seminar on
the Christian and religious aspect of the
sacrament of marriage that you must
embark on.
 Faith Catechesis – A faith-enriching
instruction required to all candidates for
marriage that serves as their spiritual
guide to family hood.
Christian Pre-wedding requirements
Christian weddings can be done in the church,
garden or in the venue itself. It is much simpler
than the Catholic wedding since it doesn’t have any
church requirements.
2. Pahintulot Mula Sa Magulang –
Marrying couple under 23 years old are obliged to present the permit to wed in the church.
3. Seminar – It is a pre-wedding seminar
conducted by the Minister of the Local. The duration of the seminar may vary depending on the
time of availability of the couple, but usually it
lasts for 10 days.
4. Marriage License – It is one of the most
important documents required by the church so
be sure to secure your marriage license first before
applying for a wedding permit in your Local.
5. Pagpapatotoo ng Pangulong Kalihim,
Kadiwa ng Ministro – It is a document given
by your local that you have completed all the
requirements and seminars for marriage. Basically,
it is your go signal that you have already arranged
all the legal and church requirements and you are
good to plan all the details of your wedding.
Islamic Pre-wedding requirements
Most Christian couples get their trusted Pastor to
officiate their wedding ceremony. Meaning the
Pastor already know the couple way back and vice
versa so they won’t be needing any initial interview
or the “getting-to-know each other” stage.
The only requirement for a Christian wedding is
the Marriage Counseling of the officiating Pastor to
the soon-to-wed couple. Here, the Pastor will brief
them about the married life. What to expect during
the first years of their married life, what are the
problems most newly weds encounter and what to
do during those situations.
Iglesia ni Cristo Pre-wedding requirements
1. Pansariling Tala – Or simply the
Baptismal Certificate of both the groom and bride.
The sole requirement in a Muslim wedding is to
secure a marriage contract. The marriage contract
contains all the information about monetary matters
like the amount that the groom’s family is bound
to give to the bride. In this process, the groom and
bride are typically placed in separate rooms. The
officiating officer will visit them individually to
ask for the consent and then sign the contract. It is
important that there are witnesses present during
this process.
Your Wedding Guest List
O
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-Dobb
ne very important wedding question that you will have to find answer to: Who to invite on your
wedding day?
A lot of soon-to-wed couples, especially those who are in a tight budget, encounter problems in making
their guest list. Many of our former clients experienced difficulty in deciding whether to stick with their
original digits. They would often call weeks before their wedding to add a few more extra to their number
of guests. Even so, there are couples who still experience food shortage or insufficient tables and chairs
during their wedding reception because of unexpected guests.
Determining the number of guests is helpful in finding out how much you’ll be spending for the wedding
itself. It will determine the cost of the food and the beverages, the number of souvenirs and invitations, and
even the transportation. All these can play a big factor in planning your budget as well.
Initially, a wedding guest list is simply a list of people which you plan to invite to your big day. This is
the list of the people you will provide an invitation, food, and souvenirs for, and the people that you will
arrange in the venue layout. It would be composed of all the people who you want to be witnesses of your
most special day, so basically this would be the most important people in your life.
Why It Matters
Not having a guest list would mean chaos! Just
imagine, like in the province or in the time of
our grandparents where wedding is a feast and
everyone can join your wedding celebration. Gatecrashing is a common thing in the rural areas
where even people from the next baranggay or the
relatives of your baranggay captain come to eat
at your wedding. Well, that would be okay in the
province because expenses aren’t that pricey and
your 50K could run a long way. But you are in the
city, and letting these uninvited guests come into
your wedding can spell disaster, not just in your
budget but particularly in the serenity of your
wedding, and that is a big no-no!
Having a wedding guest list will also give you an
idea of how many you have invited and who these
people are, to avoid being surprised that your ex
came, or worst, your partner’s ex attended without
your knowledge.
How to Determine Your Guest List
When making an initial guest list, sit down with
your partner and (in separate papers) list all the
names of the people you know and whom you
would like to be in your wedding. You’ll have to
include everyone in this list, and I mean everyone.
(Yes! That will include your best friend, her escort,
your cute niece’s yaya and your principal sponsor’s
driver.)
Start by listing the names of relatives you want to
invite in your wedding, close and extended families,
childhood friends, college friends, work friends,
colleagues and friends that you’ve made along
the way who didn’t fit in any of the mentioned
category. Include in this list the names of their
families, the children, and the drivers and yayas if
there are any.
But don’t fret, though! This is just an initial guest
list and this will be trimmed down with factors that
will affect and lead you to decide on the Final Guest
List.
Factors that Affect Your Guest List
After making the initial guest list where you,
your partner and both side’s parents have listed
the people that you want to see in your wedding
it’s now time to trim down this list based on the
following factors:
Budget
Perhaps the biggest factor that can determine your
guest list is how much you are willing to spend for
the entire thing. Budget is a big factor in making
and trimming your guest list because this will
determine most of the details in your wedding, the
venue and its capacity, the food, the invitations,
etc. After all, you don’t want to cut back on your
budget and exchange that dream designer wedding
dress you’ve saved up since high school for a less
expensive ready-made gown just because you have
committed a mistake of overextending your guest
list. The bottom line is: you can only invite as many
guests as you can afford to accommodate so think
twice and be vigilant if you have to.
Wedding Venue
Imagine yourself entering your wedding’s venue
all excited to see the happy faces of your family and
friends who are equally eager to greet you. You
heard the emcee announce your name, the door
finally opened and you walk hand-in-hand with the
person you have promised to spend the rest of your
life with, you look up and BAM! Everyone is closely
seated together; other guests are standing because
the venue couldn’t accommodate the additional
tables you’ve asked for; one waiter just spilled a
tray-full of iced tea to one of your VIPs because
he can’t easily walk through the narrow spaces of
each table, you turned to your coordinator and she
looked apologetic but you were too angry and you
rant out everything to her. After you’ve calmed
down you realized that you were the one who
insisted on fitting in 300 people in a venue that can
only accommodate a hundred.
Choosing a venue can be a big factor in deciding
how many to invite on your wedding. You neither
want a venue that looks too crowded, nor a
wedding reception that looks too big and empty
you can include 10 elephants and still have room for
your guests.
You don’t have to book at the NBC Tent if you only
have 100 guests; and think twice before getting your
village clubhouse as a reception venue if you have
500 guests.
The location and accessibility of your wedding
venue is another factor that will affect your guest
list. If a guest is coming from abroad, you would
have to make sure that she knows where exactly the
place is or arrange transportation for them to avoid
getting lost.
As with destination weddings, a guest list is
easier to handle because you’re sure enough that
you don’t have to invite those that aren’t needed
to come, like your nosy neighbor who has been
asking all questions regarding the details since day
one. Make sure though that this venue is easily
located and perhaps you may arrange for your
guests’ transportation and lodging to make them
comfortable.
Wedding Date
Another factor that will affect your guest list
is their availability on your chosen day to get
married. Most people opt for a weekend wedding
because most friends and families will be available
during those times. You don’t have to beg your best
friend to skip that important Monday meeting so
she can be your Maid of Honor; and you don’t have
to make your seven-year-old cousin miss his school
fieldtrip so he could be your bible bearer.
If most people in your guest list are working then
chances are they are most likely to be available on
the weekends without missing any other important
things regarding work and school activities.
Parents
You and your partner have already finalized the
guest list and you’ve started to write their names
on the invitations, then your future mother-in-law
comes and hands you a list of her own invitees for
your wedding.
You might want to consider your parents and your
partner’s parents in making the guest list and ask
them who they want to invite especially if they are
the ones paying for the wedding. Or you may have
to negotiate with your mom if she insists that your
neighbor and childhood friend, who also happens
to be your ex-boyfriend, should be invited to the big
day.
The best thing to do is to sit with them as you make
your initial list and politely discuss and defend why
and how you came up with the final guest list.
Who to Invite at your Wedding
After making the initial guest list and after
considering all the factors, especially the capacity of
your budget and the venue, you will now have an
actual number of how many guests you’re going to
invite. Then, it’s time to trim down that initial list
and decide who to send that invitation to.
When deciding how many to invite, you, your
groom, and both your parents should have your
definite shares, unless both your parents decided
not to muddle with the decision making. The
division can either be one of the following:
The couple chooses half and each set of
parents chooses a quarter. So if you decided
to invite 200 people in your wedding, you
and your partner will have the freedom to
choose 100 people to invite, your parents
will get 50 people to invite and your
partner’s parents will get to decide on the
other 50.
The couple and the parents each get one
third of the invitees. If you’re going to have
a wedding of 300 guests, you can invite 100,
your partner can invite another 100, your
parents and your partner’s parents can the
other 100 slots.
The bride’s family chooses half and the
Set some rules in inviting your guests to help you
cut your master list. Here are a few:
groom’s family chooses the
other half. If you’re going to invite
500 guests, each family can split the
number and will have 250 slots of
guests to fill in.
After deciding on the division of the number
of guests to invite compare your list with your
partner’s and your parents’ list and combine
it. With this you may be able to trim it as you
remove the duplicates, or count as one the
names of people that you all have written, thus
creating a master list.
Upon arriving at a master list, you may start to
cut it.
Think of including only the people you, your
partner and your families know really well,
this will be those people who truly mattered
and who have supported you all the way.
A wedding is a family affair; obviously, this
will include immediate family members, so
don’t erase your sister whom you’ve had a
fight with; and if they’re already married
then include the name of her husband, your
cute nieces (who’s going to be part of the
entourage), and their yaya.
Don’t cut out the people who are dearest and
nearest to your heart and you would want
to share that special day with. If you don’t
know a certain Fernando de los Reyes that
your future father-in-law included in the list,
you can remove him from the list even if he’s
your future father-in-law’s business associate.
Be ruthless, but be gracious. If your mother
insisted in inviting a certain Miranda dela
Cruz, hear her out before relentlessly cutting
out the name in the list, you might be able to
finally meet the best friend she’s been rambling
about for so long.
Don’t dig up old friends you haven’t seen
for quite some time. So what if Emily
Pascual was your best friend way back in
elementary, or Adrian Bautista once saved
you from being bitten by dogs when you
were six? The thing is, if you haven’t seen
them or heard from them for quite some
time then don’t spend extra time and effort
to dig them up. Chances are they would’ve
left their old address, or they might have
other priorities now, or they would barely
remember you. So it’s okay to just skip them.
Set an age limit or totally cut out the kids
whenever possible. If they aren’t part of the
entourage and if your reception is set at a
later time then just cut out the kids below
12 years old. Chances are they could be
sleeping even before you cut your cake. Sure
they are cute but inviting these kids would
mean extra, starting from the food you’ll
serve, to the tables, and not to mention the
materials you have to provide to keep them
occupied and avoid that ear-splitting cry
they would make every now and then. These
kids might also have nannies which could
mean extra guests.
Avoid the AND word. Be careful in who
you address that invitation to and avoid the
“and” word if you don’t mean it. Don’t put
Juan dela Cruz and Family if you just want
to invite Juan dela Cruz and not his family.
We Filipinos are accustomed to bringing our
families even if the invitation is addressed
to only one person, so you might want to
explain well this invitation rule to your
guests.
Your single friends may want to mingle.
Only include your single friend’s partner
if they have been in a relationship for at
least a year, or if they are serious about each
other. You’re going to get married and if
your friend’s partner isn’t your friend too,
then chances are he might just steal away
her attention from you. And ask those who
aren’t in a relationship to not bring escorts,
who knows? They might just find them
among your other guests.
Who to Invite from your Office
You see them every day, share your opinions with
them during lunch time and probably even ask for
their help every now and then, and they have heard
that you are getting married you probably even talk
about it at the office so why not just invite them all,
right?
Wrong!
You don’t have to invite all of them. Surely after
mingling with them for some time there are those
who’s truly been your friend and you’ve bonded
with beyond office hours, then include only them on
the list.
And when it comes to your boss? Don’t invite
him just to show off and score points; it will make
you look sipsip. Genuinely invite him if he means
something to you and you’ve been close to him. If
you look up to him as a mentor, then you can even
make him one of your principal sponsors.
The Importance of an RSVP
You’ve seen it all the time on invitation cards
and messages in our emails and the internet, in
fact you may have already written one before for
your sister’s debut party, but do you know what it
means?
RSVP is not just a style that we get accustomed
using on invitations. There is something more to
this four-letter inscription. RSVP is a French word
that stands for “répondez s’il vous plait”, which
literally asks the recipient of the invitation to
respond to the one who sent you the invitation. An
RSVP is usually written at the bottom or the last
page of the invitation and comes with a name and
contact number or return address of the senders,
so guests may know how to contact you to confirm
their attendance.
If you have sent the invitations and you haven’t
heard from anyone yet, chances are they don’t
understand what RSVP means. It wouldn’t hurt if
you’d do the RSVP yourself and ask or call them
one by one to confirm if they are coming or not.
With this strategy, you wouldn’t have to guess
whether you should still wait for your best friend to
confirm her invitation or if you would already have
to replace her with another guest.
Doing the RSVP can also cut your guest list,
especially if the people that are included in it have
sent their regrets. So other people that are on your
waiting list can now have the chance to be invited.
Set a deadline in receiving their responses. It is
best that you start giving your invitations early
on after you’ve set your wedding date and other
important wedding elements that should be placed
in the invitation. Your deadline for the RSVP should
provide you with enough time to adjust your head
count and make arrangements if many would not
be able to come or if you suddenly realize that you
really have to add extra food or tables and chairs.
It is recommended that you set a buffer in cases of
sudden changes in your headcount.
The B- List
After creating the initial guest list, you’ve now
determined the number of people that you are
going to invite to your wedding which is called the
master guest list or the A-List. These are names of
people that you, your partner and both parents have
decided to invite.
You’ve sent your invitation and almost a quarter of
them have sent their regrets, telling you that they
can’t make it on your big day because they have
other more important things to do, or they’re just
not available at that certain time. Now, where are
you going to look for their replacements? In the
B-List of course!
Certainly, after making the master guest list there
are some other people that are important to you too
who didn’t make the cut, and you’re hoping that
along the way you can squeeze them in, right? Well,
these are the people that are on your waiting list, or
in your B-List.
Creating a B-List is important and a less stressful
way of finding replacement for the guests that has
declined your invitation.
One way to organize these set of invitees is to put them in a table. An example of a Guest List looks like
this:
The Guest List Table
When creating a guest list it boils down to two
things: Family and Friends. All your guests will be
composed entirely of family and friends who you
want to share that special moment with.
Family
A wedding is a family affair; every bride and groom
share this very special day with their immediate
family. Some even go to the extent of inviting
relatives from abroad to witness this very special
day. This may even lead to a reunion of your
relatives especially when they are all coming from
the province or abroad.
So include in your guest list your immediate family
and those relatives that you really want to share the
moment with, and if you have an extra budget, you
might also want to consider inviting those long lost
Aunts and Uncles you wanted to reconnect with for
a long time now.
Friends
When deciding who to put in your entourage, you
will usually list the names of your closest friends
and get their cute children or nieces and nephews to
be a part of your entourage. Of course, these friends
are the ones who have been with you and have
been your closest confidants. Same goes with your
partner’s friends.
You may also want to include those friends who
you have lost touch with, but you have been
wanting to see for a long time. Be sure though
that you are not exceeding on the target number
of guests as you list them all away. Anyway, it’s
okay and practical to omit those who are not that
important to you.
Figure 1.1 The Wedding Guest List. This is a sample of a simple wedding guest list format.
Using MS Excel program will make it easy for you to calculate, manage, and finalize your head count.
Also, you may utilize this database for monitoring and assigning things to your guests such as seat and
table numbers, invitations, souvenirs, stationeries, etc.
Of course, this is not the standard way to make a guest list but rather a guide for soon-to-wed couples to
organize their wedding list. You may find other tables online, but here’s my take on creating a wedding
guest list.
Name
The first two columns will be the last and first name of the invitee. Remember to write their entire name,
and example of a written name in the invitation envelope would be:
Mr. & Mrs. Adriano Gatchalian
So it should appear as:
Figure 1.2 Filling out the guest list.
THE FILIPINA BRIDESONALITIES
YOU, YOUR GUEST LIST, AND YOUR BUDGET
Role
The Role column denotes the role of the person in the wedding as presented in figure 1.2; or the
relationship of the invitee to the couple, as in figure 1.3.
The Penny-Wise Bride
“I want a small and simple wedding to share with close friends and
families.”
Figure 1.3 Showing that the Role column can be filled out with what the
relation of the invitee to the couple is.
Address and Contact Number
The Address column may not contain the
entire address of the invitee because what’s
important is to know where he/she will
be coming from; chances are you will be
handing out the invitation personally so
you can fill it out with the city where the
invitee is located.
The Contact Number column on the other hand contains an updated contact number of your invitee. It will
be of great help especially in updating the RSVP.
RSVP
The RSVP column is where you will put the answer of each invitee. A simple
yes, if he’s coming; or no, if he is not.
Number of Seats and Comment
The last two columns include the number of seats the invitee has confirmed and the comment where you
can put who the invitee would be bringing in your
wedding celebration.
O
ne of the ways to save up with your
wedding is to be able to trim down your
guest list. Having a small and simple
wedding isn’t a sin! So what if you weren’t able to
invite all your childhood friends and neighbors?
You don’t have to show remorse for it, it isn’t a
fault. It’s your celebration and you have the right to
control it.
Having a small and simple reception is one way of
celebrating a wedding without spending too much.
For most people who doesn’t have enough budget,
this is the way to do it.
Trimming your guest list down to a hundred or less
involves really hard decisions. Soon-to-wed couples
who have a limited budget should really think
about this aspect because the number of guests
you have determines how big your total wedding
expenses are.
The ideal number of guests for small weddings is
about 100 to 120. Some can even be as small as 50
guests, though most weddings with this number are
usually civil weddings.
To be able to reach the 100 guest target from your
initial guest list, you must first take note of your
immediate families. These people should be the
first one on the list as they can be the one who will
help you from the wedding preparations to the
entertaining of your guests in the wedding day.
After listing both you and your partner’s immediate
families, include the people who are part of your
entourage. You may start with the best man, maid
of honor and the bride’s maids and groom’s men
because these people are your closest and dearest
friends, and they will be the ones who can help you
with all those DIY projects that you have in mind
for your wedding day.
The principal sponsors are, of course, also part of
your entourage. List
the people you look
up to that you actually
know and who actually
knows you. No, I don’t
advise asking the city mayor to be one of your
ninongs if you don’t know him personally. You have
to keep in mind that these principal sponsors (or
ninongs and ninangs as we call them) will be your
second parents, helping you in times of problems,
they will be the ones who can give you and your
partner some tips and advices that you can use in
your married life. So be sure to only invite those
people who know you or your partner well.
So you have listed your immediate families and
the people who are part of your entourage, but you
still have some slots left. It’s now time to include
those that are on the B-List. These will include
those people who can also help you with other
preparations of the wedding.
A former client solved her wedding expenses
problem by inviting the people who helped them
with creating the props for the reception and the
ceremony, and he and his wife’s common friends
who did the wedding photo and video coverage.
You can never go wrong with friends who have
experience in these areas because you are assured
that they actually know what they are doing. They
may not be professionals but you are assured that
they can deliver you good service, and what’s best
about it is it’s for free!
Here’s an example of trimming down your guest list
based on the previous discussions:
Let’s say it’s the wedding of Angela Inocencio and
Brad Vasquez. The first thing we do is to:
1) List you and your partner’s immediate family members
Now your guest list expanded from 9 to 20 people; this can mean you’ll be having 20 people to help you in
your wedding preparation.
2) List your friends and relatives who are part of your entourage
After listing down the names of your relatives the next step would be listing down the names of friends
who will be part of your entourage. Usually, the Catholic Church requires at the most three Secondary
Sponsors and three sets of bridesmaids and groomsmen.
In this case, there are already nine (9) people filling up your guest list because Angela has two (2) brothers
and her parents while Brad has three (3) siblings and his parents.
Since it is common among Filipinos to have a big family, with other relatives living in the same house or
compound, you may also include in this list the names of other relatives that may be living with you. It can
be your father’s single sister or your cousin who has been with your family since she was a child, or your
grandparents whom you’ve chosen to take care of after they retired. So the list will become like this:
Let’s now add these 20 people from the previous 20 immediate families. Take note that in this part both
Angela and Brad’s relatives (Angela’s brothers and cousin and Brad’s Sister) are part of the entourage so
we should omit them to avoid duplicates. With the duplicates omitted the 20 additional guests will now
become 11, plus the previous 20, so that fills 31 slots in our final 150 guest list.
3) List the names of your Principal Sponsors and their spouse
List down the people who will complete your wedding entourage; in this case these are the people who
you will consider as your second parents, your ninongs and ninangs. Churches in the country usually
requires at least three (3) sets of Principal Sponsors, of course you can make it more than three pairs but it
will also require you to give an additional charge. So, a set of three ninongs and ninangs is safer.
Of course, when listing these ninongs and ninangs you would have to consider their spouses, which they
usually bring with them.
Don’t forget to list everyone who has helped in your wedding. From the list that we’ve had, the total
number of helpers is 22 people. Add 22 from the previous 43 and we’ll get 65 people.
With 65 people off the guest list you now have 83 remaining open slots. You can divide this into four and
you’ll have 21 people each to fill in, plus one extra person. Give the first 21 slots to your parents, the other
21 slots to your partner’s parents, the next 20 slots to your partner and the last 20 slots is all yours to fill.
Your guest list tally will look like this:
Having six sets of principal sponsors would make our current guest list 37. But we should also take note
that these principal sponsors are most likely to bring their spouses so that would become 12, add 12 from
the previous 31 and we’ll get 43 people filling up the guest list.
Bride & Groom
Immediate Families
Members of the Entourage (without
duplicates)
Principal Sponsors
Wedding Helpers
Other Invitees
2
20
11
12
22
83
Total Number of Guests: 150
4) List the people who can help you with the expenses of the wedding
You now have 43 people filling in your guest list. Ones who are part of your family and the entourage…
but what about your photographer friend you’ve assigned to cover your wedding? Of course, you
wouldn’t put him in the list of groomsmen or in the secondary sponsors, because how can he roam around
taking pictures if he is part of the ceremony, right?
So, you’ll have to list these friends separately; your friends who have decided and have agreed to become
part of the frenzy and have promised to help you with your wedding in every way they can.
Of course, this will only apply to couples with 150 guests. If you plan to have less than 150 guests, let’s say
100 guests, then you shall divide the remaining open slots to four or you may want to talk it out with your
parents on whether they shall give you control over who you wanted to invite or that they may just want
to add five (5) or six (6) friends on the list, then you can have the rest.
With that said, you shouldn’t be disheartened if you can’t invite everyone on your wedding day. It’s
simply about sharing this special milestone with the people who are special to you.
The Value-for-Money Bride
“I want a wedding enough to share with our families and friends, and a few colleagues.”
O
n the average, soon-to-wed couples would want to invite
all the people that are special to them in their wedding.
This will include families, friends, colleagues and the
friends that they have made along the way that do not belong
to the previously mentioned groups.
If you’re one of these couples, your initial and ideal number of
guests would be around 150 to 250 people.
To be able to achieve this number, you must first list down the
names of immediate families, common friends and the people
who are part of your entourage.
1) List you and your partner’s immediate family and relatives
It is common among us Filipinos to have a big family because of the close family ties that we are all
accustomed with. This will include your immediate family and the aunts and uncles, grandparents, and
cousins you’ve lived closely with.
In creating the list of your family, you must include everyone, even your 8-month old niece or your twoyear-old cousin, especially if you really want them to be in your wedding.
An average Filipino family is composed of two to four siblings and the parents. If we are to fill out the list
with the exact number based on the average rate of Filipino families, it would become like this:
Take note that in the list some cousins and siblings are already married so you might also have to include
their spouse and children on the list. Add these family members and you’ll get a total number of 45 people
which will fill out your initial guest list.
2) List your friends and relatives who are part of your entourage
Second step is to go on and list the names of the people who are part of your entourage. These might not
necessarily be consisting of your families, but they can also be included.
We should take note that some of the names on the list are family members of the bride and groom so
before adding the entire list to the total guest list, we should remove the duplicates. The duplicates would
be eight (8), so we’ll have to remove them, and we will come up with the final number of 13. So, add 13 to
the previous number of 45 and we’ll have a total of 58 people.
3) List the names of your Principal Sponsors and their family
The next step would be to list the names of your Principal Sponsors and their families.
4) List the names of other friends and guests that you would want to have in your wedding but are not on
the entourage and family lists
Upon listing all the names of your family members and the people who are part of your entourage, it is
now time to list the names of friends who wasn’t included yet. This will include college friends, common
friends, childhood friends, and even work friends. But take note that you are limiting your guest list to 200,
so you can’t invite all your neighbors.
Oh, before you start to scribble away the names of all your friends you must first talk it out with your
partner. Of course, he may also want to invite his set of friends. And both your parents will have their own
set, too especially when they are paying for most of the expenses.
From our example, we already arrived at 80 guests plus you and your partner, so you still have 118 left if
you went for a wedding for 200 people. You have the choice to either divide the 118 slots into four (for you,
your partner and both your parents), or ask your parents who they wanted to invite and if it’s not so many,
you and your partner can split the remaining number of guests.
But if we stick to the plan of dividing the 118 into four, to be fair to everyone, two of you will have 30 slots
to fill and another two will have 29. I think that would be enough to include your closest friends, right?
Tallying the guest list, we will arrive at this:
Bride & Groom
Immediate Families
Members of the Entourage (without
duplicates)
Principal Sponsors
Other Invitees
Total Number of Guests: 200
2
45
13
22
118
Most catering companies in the metro do offer wedding packages for 200 guests, including free amenities
that will cost you if you acquire it separately, giving you value for your money. So, you might want to
consider this before anything else.
We have arrived with 22 people because we have included in the count the names of the spouses and the
children of the principal sponsors. Add this to the previous number and you’ll get a total number of 80
people.
The Splurge-on-the-best Bride
“I want to have a big and lavish wedding celebration to share with our families, friends and
colleagues.”
A big and lavish wedding
celebration is best with
celebrating it with all the
people you know and love.
Soon-to-wed Couples who
opt for this kind of celebration
usually has no wedding budget
problems and want the best for
their celebration that’s why they
invite everyone they know to
share their happiness with.
Most big and lavish weddings
(especially Chinese weddings)
would have guests from 300 to 500 guests, or even
as big as 800 or more, just like Ruffa Gutierrez’s
lavish wedding at the NBC Tent. These kinds of
weddings should be held on big tent or garden
venues enough to accommodate each of them. It
would be really foolish to fit 500 people in a venue
for 300, right? You’re holding a wedding reception,
not a circus.
But organizing a big crowd such as this can be
a tough job to handle even if you have your
coordinators to help you do the job.
To be able to do this, you must categorize each
name on your master list into different sections. One
way of grouping these would be: bride’s family,
groom’s family, entourage, bride’s friends, groom’s
friends, bride and groom’s common friends, bride’s
colleagues, groom’s colleagues , children, and so
on. With these different sections you can work with
your planner on how to properly seat these guests
in each table that you have assigned for them.
A sample grouping method would be like this:
1) You and your partner’s family and relatives
List the family members that you have invited to
attend your wedding celebration. This will include
relatives that have migrated to other countries.
In this list, the bride’s families included relatives (grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins) that have
migrated to other countries and are living out of town. Tallying the numbers from the list of the bride and
groom’s families, we filled 76 seats.
2) Your Entourage
List the members of your entourage, including who they will take in your wedding day.
The principal sponsors and wedding entourage includes the companions of the invitee. Adding 59
members of the wedding entourage and the 42 from the principal sponsors we get the number: 101. We
will then add the 101 to the previous number of guests then we’ll get 177 total number of guests so far.
3) Your Friends & Colleagues
The next part will include other friends that do not belong to the previous categories. This can be grouped
into five sections: high school friends, college friends, neighborhood/childhood friends, work friends, and
family friends of both the bride and groom and their parents.
It is your decision if you’d split the number of remaining vacant slots into two or four (two with you and
your partner, and four with you and your partner, and both your parents), whichever is convenient for
you.
4) Others
This list will include all the yayas and drivers of your guests who have decided to bring them along. You
have the option to provide food for them or include them in the number of guests for the catering.
If you want them all to be seated in a group so that they won’t feel awkward, or you may want to assign
them to tables with other people which you think they might make friends with, is entirely up to you.
Just make sure that in organizing a big group of guests you are able to determine where they are seated
and how the layout would be, so that if you will be entertaining each table you’d know exactly who are
there.
“The spell was broken. My Uncle learned to
laugh, and I learned to cry. The secret garden
is always open now. Open, and awake, and
alive. If you look the right way, you can see
that the whole world is a garden.”
Your Wedding Venue
- Mary, ‘The Secret Garden’
Y
ou have already decided on the date of your wedding and have made your guest list, now
would be the perfect time to look for your wedding venue or venues.
Your wedding venue can be divided into two parts: the ceremony venue and reception venue.
Here in the Philippines, the ceremony traditionally takes place at a church, or a place of worship and
the reception venue at a garden, clubhouse, hotel, or a rented reception place like the Oasis Pavilion in
Quezon City or Palacio de Maynila along Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Why It Matters
Your wedding venues are more than just places where you say your I DOs, set-up a buffet, or hold
a party. It is where you will try to create life-long memories of your first day as a couple. It is where
your wedding celebrations will take place. Years after your marriage you will look at your wedding
photographs and you will always have a glimpse of how your wedding venues looked like.
Before making any decisions, take a look at the factors you need to consider and evaluate whether
your allotted budget for your wedding venues is worth every centavo.
PHOTO BY: JUN VALBUENA
THINGS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING THE PERFECT
VENUE FOR YOUR WEDDING
One of the most crucial decisions you’ll ever
make before your wedding is finding just the
right venue. So grab your notepad and pen
and write down these important factors that
you need to consider. It will help you avoid
a lot of hassles and sudden mishaps on your
special day.
AVAILABILITY – It is best to begin the venue
search at least six months to one year prior to
your wedding. This will allow you plenty of
time to deal with possible conflicts. Also, bear
in mind that there are thousands of couples
getting married every day, so it’s best to start
early if you want to book the best venue that
fits your criteria. BUDGET – How much am I willing to spend
on the venue? You need to ask yourself and
your partner this question before making
any ocular visits. You should have at least
an estimated amount in mind, if not specific.
Also, be realistic on setting your wedding
budget. Don’t make a budget that is too low
from the actual venue fees or you’ll go home
frustrated and empty-handed. It is best to do
some research first on different price ranges
for wedding venues.
YOUR GUEST LIST – Before making a list
of your prospective venues, you first need to
make a list of all your wedding guests. This
need not be a detailed and final list yet. It can
be a rough estimate of how many guests you
expect to arrive at your wedding day. Aside
from the aesthetics, you would want to make
sure that your venue has enough space to
accommodate your guests comfortably.
THEME OR MOOD OF YOUR WEDDING
– Do you want a formal or informal gathering? Do
you have a specific theme in mind? Would your
venue compliment the mood of your celebration? If
you have a specific theme in mind, you may
opt for a venue that has the same look and feel.
For those on a tight budget it would also save
you a lot of money because you don’t need to
put too much decoration just to achieve the
look you want.
RULES AND REGULATIONS – How long can
you book the venue for your wedding? Is there a
corkage fee or catering charge? Is alcohol or loud
music allowed? Different venues have different
rules and regulations to follow. For instance
some churches have strict rules when it comes
to attire or wedding song choices. Before you
sign any contract, read it carefully. It’s okay to
ask as much questions regarding the policies
in order to avoid any problems during the
actual wedding day.
ACCESSIBILITY – In finding a venue,
consider the proximity of the place from where
your guests will be coming from. You need
to make sure that your guests have enough
means to go there in order to avoid delays
or any inconvenience both for you and your
guests. If your reception venue is different
from your ceremony venue, it is advisable to
have the two in close distance from each other.
FACILITIES – Do they have adequate rest rooms?
Is there enough space for a band or for dancing?
Is there a room for the bride and groom to change
and relax? Are there plenty of parking spaces for
your guests’ vehicles? If it’s an outdoor event, do
they have any backup plans for rainy days? You
need to know if the venue has the appropriate
facilities and services that you need for your
event.
WEDDING PICTURES – Venues with good
lighting will surely bring more life and beauty
to your wedding photographs. You may also
want to check if a venue has other spots that
are great for wedding pictorials such as a lush
garden, or a great seaside view.
When doing an ocular, bring a handy camera
with you. It would help you determine if the
place is photographable. Also, you could use
the pictures as reference for your venue design
planning, or you can give it to your wedding
stylist if you have one.
“Familiarizing
yourself with
the important
factors is one of
the best tools
that you can
use in order
to get the best
venue for your
wedding.”
THE FILIPINA BRIDESONALITIES: YOU, YOUR VENUE & YOUR BUDGET
It is true that your budget pretty much directs your decision making.
Church or ceremony venue fee varies in every location. In Metro Manila, Catholic churches usually charge
a fee which includes minor arrangements of flowers, carpets and the priests who will officiate in the
matrimonial ceremony. The price for this would range from P 2, 500 (for simple decorations, a carpet, and a
simple ceremony) to as much as P 45, 000 (for churches with elaborate flower decorations, carpets, and air
conditioning).
Prominent Catholic churches, such as those found in Major cities and are of great historical value, usually
cost much more than your local parish church. They may also require an additional fee for excess numbers
of principal sponsors, bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Garden weddings may be costly. A wedding in an exclusive garden or a private chapel may cost you
around P 15, 000 to P 40, 000 depending on the venue and location. But some reception venues include
in their amenities the usage of their gardens for the ceremony, which will save you a lot in the budget
department.
However, not all churches require a fee. Religions such as Iglesia ni Cristo and other Christian sects does not
require payment; some churches just ask for donations. You may also ask your local church regarding the
matter.
A Civil Wedding may be simpler and will cost a lot less than a church wedding, ideal for practical couples
who are on a tight budget. All you have to do is pay for the officiating judge and present witnesses on the
day of the wedding; this can either be done in the judge’s office or in a garden reception, depending on the
couple’s preference.
On the other hand, the rate of reception venues in and around Metro Manila and nearby provinces ranges
from P 3,000 to P 195,000, which does not include VAT and reservation fees of usually P 10,000. Quite
frankly, those are huge numbers.
You could have envisioned a perfect garden wedding or daydreamed about a walk down the long aisle of
a grand church cathedral, but come budget making, your heart suddenly broke into pieces having realized
that your dream wedding might just not make it to reality. On the contrary, you may have the biggest
budget to spend but because of wrong decisions, you still end up with a venue that screams disaster. Of
course who would want anything like that to happen?
May the succeeding discussions here help you mend your broken heart from a dream wedding that would
just remain that way: a dream – or better yet, save you from regrets and wrong choices.
To better aide you in planning, and finding the right venues that also fits your budget, let us take a look
once again into the three bridesonalities.
The Penny-Wise Bride
“I only have a limited budget, but I hope I can still get
decent venues for my wedding.”
This is the part where you begin to tell yourself that a
decent venue is enough and you start to put all your
dreams into a drawer and forget it ‘til forever after. But, I
certainly hope you haven’t thrown the drawer key yet.
Look Around your Neighborhood. Sometimes the solution
to your problem is right in front of you. Before looking
elsewhere, take a look around your neighborhood, see if
there’s a clubhouse that you can rent for a cheaper price
than your target venue. There are even clubhouses that
you can use for free or only ask for electricity
charge. A clubhouse is a great option for a
wedding venue because most clubhouses
already provide the amenities that an event
venue provides. And who knows, maybe you
can even find a clubhouse with a swimming
pool, and still achieve that outdoor, beach feel
that you want for your wedding.
If you can’t find any clubhouse, there may be
gardens or parks near your area that would
allow you to hold a wedding within their
premises. In Quezon City for instance, the
Lamesa Eco Park and Ninoy Aquino Parks
and Wildlife both allow some parts of their
park to be used as venues for weddings.
Gardens or Parks are also good options
because you don’t need to put a lot of
decorations or flowers because the place itself
is already a masterpiece on its own.
If you’re a Catholic, you may want to check
your local parish church if they have a
function hall that they allow to be used by
their parishioners. Like the clubhouses, you
can get these function halls for a budgetfriendly rate. And if you are also holding your
ceremony on the same church, you can even
save up on your transportation expense and
avoid the hassle from heavy traffic from the
church to your reception site.
Another typical option would be to hold the
wedding reception at your own place. But this
option is laborious and you need to really do
a lot of planning in order to execute it well. If
you have plenty of space in your backyard,
or if your garage is big enough to host all of
your guests, then this is a good option for you
because it will cut down on the cost of your
venue. BUT be careful, on choosing this option
because sometimes it can cost you bigger
expense and even more hassle. You need to
consider if your place can provide enough
space for your guests’ vehicles and if you have
sufficient lighting and ventilation. You also
have to think about whether you have enough
help when it comes to cleaning up your place
after the party. The good thing though about
having your reception at your own place is
that you have the freedom as to how long you
would like to hold your reception. If your
place is also situated near your relatives and
friends then the cost for transportation will
be saved and you can add a few more peso
to your budget. You can also add whatever
design you want because there are no rules
that may restrict you from doing so. This
option really requires a lot of effort on your
part but if you have enough manpower and
with the proper coordination and planning,
it can turn out to be a win-win game between
your budget and the dream wedding you
want to achieve.
Never Underestimate the Power of Friendship.
If your dream wedding venue suddenly
turned into a pumpkin patch because of
limited budget, then maybe you need to seek
the help of a “fairy-god-mother” in the form
of friends. When your own place is only big
enough for a candlelit dinner for two, and
your neighborhood doesn’t have a clubhouse
or park, it would be really helpful if you
have friends who can refer you to their own
village’s clubhouse or can offer you their own
place for a very friendly rate.
Tune in to Your Inner Creativity. Having
a limited budget is not reason enough to
settle for plain and boring. Let your creative
side come out! Each person has the ability
to come up with good ideas, especially if it
is for something that is of great importance
to them. Now, you may say that you’re not
the artsy type – that’s okay! You just have to
use a little imagination. For example, if you
don’t have the budget to pursue the Spanishinspired venue that you want, then maybe you
can do it in a function hall just behind your
parish church. Ask the help of your relatives
and friends to decorate the hall with Spanish
accents. Find old portraits and antique pieces
from you and your partner’s place and use it
as ornaments to elevate the Hispanic look!
Cut Down on Your Guest List. The number
of guests plays an important role in your
reception budget because venues’ rates also
adjust to it. Trimming your guest list will
also help you find a more affordable rate
for a venue without sacrificing much of the
aesthetics and amenities that you need your
reception venue to have.
Be Flexible. Do not limit yourself to few
options. Be open-minded. Once you realize
that your budget cannot accommodate
your desired plans for your wedding, like
the kind of venue you like, then it’s time to
evaluate which part of your wedding is of
better importance. After evaluating, you will
then have a clearer view on what particular
elements of your wedding you need to stick
with and what parts you can adjust.
For your ceremony venue for instance, if you
dream of walking down a long aisle but can’t afford
a grand cathedral wedding, then look for other
churches that has the same ambience and structure
as that of a grand cathedral, but for a cheaper price.
The important key here is knowing the factors that
make up your dream venue and using it to look for
other options that will work well with your budget.
It is the same for your reception venue – being
flexible means that you don’t just settle for less than
what you deserve. It means that you try to bend
your plans in such a way that you still get a venue
that is close or similar to what you have initially
planned – but for a cheaper rate.
reception: the pool side, big function room and small
function room, with a price that can work well with your
budget.
Fr. Mark Horan Hall (Mt. Carmel Social Hall) – P
4,000 – P 15,000
This wedding venue is located just inside the premises
of the Mt. Carmel Church at Broadway Avenue, New
Manila, Quezon City. It is ideal for those who do not
want to travel far from the church and risk traffic.
UP Balay Kalinaw – P 3,080 (non-aircon) – P 6,125
(aircon)
If you can’t afford a Boracay wedding, there are
beaches around Bolinao which also offer white
sand, or you can try Nasugbu, Batangas. If your
budget cannot give you a Tagaytay wedding overlooking the Taal volcano, try looking for gardens or
private resorts around Antipolo area, the scenery
there at night over-looking the Metro Manila lights
is just as breath taking.
Balay Kalinaw is perfect for a traditional-themed
wedding celebration of up to 200 guests. With its
Hispanic structure and affordable rate, you can achieve a
Spanish-themed wedding without emptying your pocket.
Also part of being flexible is considering the time
of day and the date of your wedding. Venues have
different rates for their daytime and evening events.
Daytime events are cheaper than the latter. Also
avoid wedding peak seasons like the month of
December (here in the Philippines). If you want to
save a lot of money, be flexible on the date and time
of your wedding.
St. John Marrie-Vianney Parish
Plan Ahead. Give you and your partner enough
time to scout for affordable venues. Don’t fall into
the trap of “shot-gun” decisions just because your
wedding is only a few months away. Plan ahead
of time and you’ll definitely have a great chance of
saving a lot of money.
Here’s a list of churches that you can also put on your
list:
Address: Marcos Highway, Mambugan, Antipolo
City
Rate: P 5, 000 – with flowers and carpet / P2, 000 –
ordinary wedding
St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Address: Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City
Rate: Standard Rate: P 5,500 / Aircon rental: P1,000
per hour
Sanctuario de San Pedro Bautista
Below are examples of reception venues that can work
well with your budget:
Address: 69 San Pedro St., San Francisco Del Monte,
Quezon City
Makati Park & Garden – P 3,000 – P 8,000
Rate: P 1,500 – P 8,000
For those who wish to have an affordable venue that is
close to nature and has a lovely surrounding, this is a
venue that you can add to your list.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
Casa Milan – P 10,000
Situated at the north of Quezon City, Casa Milan
features a lovely main hall, alongside a pool, offering
tranquility to wedding guests and the couple alike for a
budget-friendly rate.
Palladium Clubhouse – P 3,500 – P 10,000
This Greek-inspired venue is sited inside the posh
neighborhood of Palladium Subdivision in Mandaluyong
City. It offers three venues ideal for a beautiful wedding
PHOTO BY: TENG ASMOLO
Address: 124 13th Avenue, Murphy, Cubao, Quezon
City
Rate: P 2,500 – P 8,000
Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish
Address: C. Raymundo Avenue, Caniogan, Pasig
City
Rate: P3,500 – wedding rite with mass only / P
10,000 – with flowers, carpet, soloist/organist, mass
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The criteria on your own comparative table
would depend on the features of a venue that are
important to you and your partner.
The Value-for-Money Bride
“I have just the right budget and I want to make sure I get the best value for my venues.”
Defining what gives value for you when it comes
to your wedding venue…
There’s a quote by Ludwig
Wittgenstein, an AustrianBritish philosopher, which
says: “The aspects of things
that are most important for
us are hidden because of their
simplicity and familiarity”.
And I think it is true for
most of us. We are often
focused on the big stuff, and
the bigger picture that we often
forget the very essence of why
we are doing it in the first place.
We are unique individuals and we have
different views on what is and what is not
valuable for us. Even you and your partner can
have varying opinions on this matter. So it is best if
you talk about it and write down all your thoughts.
While doing so, here are some tips which may come
handy in scouting for your venues.
Make a list. Sit down and talk with your partner.
Make a list of all the things you want your venue
to have and find a common ground. Some of the
factors which you may want to consider are the
following: ample parking space, clean wash rooms,
great ambience, good lighting (for your wedding
pictures and video), proximity of your ceremony
venue to your reception venue, proximity to
where your guests will be coming from, and good
acoustics.
Having a list will also save you a lot of time and
energy because then you would know exactly
where to look and what to look for.
Research, Research, Research. Nothing beats good
research. May it be online like forums and wedding
blogs, through print materials such as wedding
magazines, or even through interviews of people
who have experienced planning their own wedding.
A good research is a powerful tool in getting the
best value for your venue.
Don’t get too excited and impulsive in choosing
your venues. Yes it’s true that you should also
consider your gut feeling but hey, it would make
a whole bunch of difference if you support it with
good research.
For your reception venue, equip yourself of useful
information before visiting or talking to a
venue’s sales representative. Their
intentions may be good and
there are a lot out there who
are really sincere in helping
you out but let’s face it,
their opinions are not that
objective and of course
they would highlight the
positive features of their
venue. I’m not saying
that you shouldn’t believe
them, because what they
will tell you are also useful,
but you shouldn’t rely on it
alone. And most importantly
don’t make decisions based on
pressure. That’s why it is advisable to
give yourself and your partner enough time to
prepare for your wedding. That way you will have
the time you need to do research.
Make a checklist of all the important questions you
would like to be answered regarding the venue. One
bride told me that it would really help a lot if you
write every question that pops out of your mind.
That way you don’t have to keep calling the venue
for information that you could have asked when
you and your partner did the ocular. She shared
that she usually remembers a good question to ask
before she goes to bed, and she writes it down and
compiles all the questions before calling the venue
or doing an ocular visit.
Make a comparative table of venues. This will help
you when you have several venues that you like
and you and your partner can’t decide. Write all
the pros and cons of the venues you are eyeing and
compare them with the others.
Here is an example of a comparative table.
Parking
Space
Venue
50 slots
A
Ambience
w/ aircon
Capacity
100pax
Time
Frame
6 hrs
Quality of Service is also an important deciding
factor in choosing the venue. Good customer service
is always worth the money because it is one of
the things that you and your guests will always
remember about your wedding.
Ask for venue packages, like a ceremony package
that includes the use of their red carpet, choir,
sound system, entourage coordination, and free
floral arrangement for the church, or a reception
venue package that includes the catering and other
amenities like bridal car, and bridal suite. Packages
are great ways to cut cost and stress on your part
because you don’t have to scout individually for
the things that are already included in the package.
But of course, before choosing a package, evaluate
carefully if the package fits your needs.
Below are examples of reception venues that may work
well with your budget:
Oasis Manila – Lounge P25,000 / Gallery P35,000 /
Pavilion AM (4hrs) / PM (5hrs) Weekday: P50,000 /
P60,000 ; Weekend: P55,000 / 65,000
Gazebo Royale - Weekdays(AM; PM) / Weekends
(AM; PM) Champagne Hall P80,000; P90,000 /
P85,000; P98,500 // Phoenix Avenue P50,000;
P60,000 / P55,000; P65,000 // Bamboo Grove
P18,000; P20,000 / P20,000; P22,000
Gazebo Royale is a special events venue located
along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City that features
3 venues that can suit your individual taste and
needs. Their venues have spacious floor areas
perfect for dancing. And the surroundings are
adorned with pretty lights and garden landscapes
for photo opportunities after the party.
Here’s a list of churches that you can also put on your
list:
St. John Bosco Parish
Address: A. Arnaiz Avenue corner Amorsolo Street
Barangay San Lorenzo Makati City
Perfect for a garden wedding, as well as a beautiful
indoor reception, Oasis Manila offers ample parking
space, stylish structure, accessibility, and good
customer service that will give you your money’s
worth.
Rate: With aircon: P17,000 / Without aircon: P15,000
Palacio de Maynila - P224,000 for 150 pax /
P265,440 for 200 pax / P334,880 for 300 pax
Rate: P 15,000
This wedding venue is strategically located along
Roxas Blvd., easily accessible through public
transportation. Spacious and fully air-conditioned,
this venue also offers a great view facing the Manila
Bay.
Light of Love - Love P50,000; P8,000 / Integrity
P40,000; P6,000 / Atrium P50,000; P8,000 / Trust
P100,000; P16,000 / Loyalty P80,000; P12,000 /
Cherish P40,000; P6,000
For those who seek a private venue with a great
garden, Light of Love has six venues that you can
choose from depending on your preference and
budget.
Venue
100 slots
B
w/o aircon 200pax
4 hrs
La Castellana – Standard Rate for 4hrs: Weekday
Rate (Mon-Thu) P55,000.00 / Weekend Rate (FriSun) P 65,000.00
Venue
60 slots
C
w/ aircon
6 hrs
A promise of exclusivity through celebrating one
event at a time is what sets La Castellana apart
from other special events venue. Located inside the
150 pax
historic walled-city of Intramuros, its traditional
wooden doors open up to a chic Spanish inspired
architecture, which is a tribute to heritage, history
and architecture.
Binondo Church (Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo
Ruiz)
Address: Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo
St. Pancratius Chapel (Paco park)
Address: 959 San Marcelino St. Paco, Manila
Rate: P 15,000
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
Address: Mahinhin St., UP Village, Diliman
Quezon City
Rate: P 8,500 (inclusive of flowers on the altar, red
carpet, candles, organist and singers and priest to
provide the rites.)
Nuestra Senora de Gracia Parish
Address: 7440 Bernardino St., Guadalupe Viejo,
Makati City
Rate: P 13, 000
The Splurge-on-the-Best Bride
“I have a great deal of budget and I am willing to spend it for the best venue there is.”
The fully air-conditioned tent can comfortably
house up to 500 guests in a lavish sit down
dinner, and the spacious tent can be a
playground for the ever imaginative bride-to-be
as she makes her dream wedding come to life.
One of the wedding elements that really eat out a
large part of your budget is your wedding venue or
venues. And you are really blessed if you have a big
budget to spend on it.
NBC Tent - Standard Rate (Whole Day): P
195,000 + 12% VAT
If you already have specific venues in mind, then
the next most important thing that you have to
make sure is the availability of the venue on your
wedding day. Even with a big budget, there is still a
big possibility that you won’t get your dream venue
if you don’t book it early. Six months to one year
is an ideal timeframe to book the venues of your
choice, both for the ceremony and reception.
For a wedding like no other, the tent can
comfortably house 800 guests in a sit-down
dinner, with its look and feel designed according
to the couple’s liking. It features a kitchen mess
hall, spacious comfort rooms with an adjoining
powder room for the ladies, spacious reception
area and ample parking spaces for guests at the
Fort Strip.
Now if you don’t have target venues yet, here are
some tips that may help you in choosing the right
venue that will give you your money’s worth.
If you wish to splurge, splurge on the ambience.
If there’s one element of a venue that could be a
deciding factor, it’s the over-all ambience of the
place. A venue with a good ambience will make
you and your guests feel comfortable and your
celebration even more memorable. One good
example would be Fernbrook Gardens in Portofino
South, Daang Reyna, Las Pinas. The whole place
makes you feel as if you’re in a grand palace. They
also have a chapel inside the venue and a manmade river with gondola that can add a special touch
to your celebration.
Make a check list as well. Just because you have
more freedom and choices because of big budget, it
doesn’t mean that you would not be meticulous in
your venue search. Write down all the things you
want to achieve in terms of your wedding venue
and check if the venue fits your criteria.
If you have a specific theme in mind and you want
to create a unique ambience for your wedding then
renting a big air-conditioned tent is your best bet. A
tent is like a blank canvass and would be perfect if
you want to put your creativity and imagination
to the test. You can put swags and other designs
and make it appear like your very own venue that
no other couple has ever used before. For a choice
like this, it would be best to hire a stylist to help
you achieve the look you want. Examples of airconditioned tent venues are the NBC Tent in the
Fort Taguig, and Rockwell Tent in Makati City.
Be Hands-On. You may have your own coordinator,
but even with your busy schedule, find time to
personally visit the venue. You may have hired the
best coordinator out there but still it would make
a big difference if you put your time and effort in
Fernbrook Gardens – P 130, 000 - P160, 000 +
VAT
checking
out the place to see if
it
really is ‘the one’ place where you’d like your most
important day to happen.
Also, don’t rely on online pictures from venues’
websites. Most of what you see in the pictures is
computer edited or not updated. Seeing the actual
and updated look of the venue is still the best way
to evaluate if the venue will give you your money’s
worth.
If you are planning to invite prominent people
on your wedding, then consider the security of
the venue as well. Also check if they have enough
parking spaces especially if you are going to have a
big guest list.
If you wish to make your guests really comfortable
all throughout your wedding, pick an airconditioned church as well. They may be a bit pricey
compared to non air-conditioned churches, but if
there’s one thing that you can splurge a little extra
on, it would be the comfort that you and your guest
would feel during your most important day.
Below are examples of reception venues that can work
well with your budget:
Rockwell tent - Standard Rate (Whole Day) P 125,
000 + VAT
Fernbrook Gardens is a European-inspired
wedding venue that lets you experience a
magical and dramatic ambiance making your
fairytale dreams come to life.
Blue Leaf - Standard Rates: AM(5hrs) /
PM(5hrs) Jade Day: P70,000 / Evening: P90,000
Silk Day: P80,000 / Evening: P100,000 Banyan
Day: P90,000 / Evening: P110,000 Jade and
Banyan Day: P140,000 / Evening: P185,000
Located at the posh neighborhood of Bonifacio
Global City’s McKinley Hills, the Blue Leaf has
three contemporary Asian-inspired pavilions
designed with spacious interiors against a
backdrop of luscious greeneries. The pavilions
are fully air-conditioned, has a sound system,
a lounge, caterer’s area, an LCD projector with
8’x8’ screen, spacious parking area, and security,
engineering and maintenance staff during the
event.
Fernwood Gardens - Fernwood 1: P50,000++;
P86,000++ / Courtyard: P45,000++; P74,000++
/ Cycad Garden: P46,000++; P79,000++ / Coral
Tree: P50,000++; P86,000++
You don’t have to go out of the metropolis to
find the perfect venue for a garden wedding.
Fernwood Gardens give you the beauty of the
out-of-town scenery within the immediate reach.
In the midst of Fernwood Gardens’ exquisite
nature-inspired landscape stands a quaint nature
chapel and baroque-styled gazebo both splendid
for wedding ceremonies.
Here’s a list of churches that you can also put on
your list:
National Shrine of St. Therese of the Child
Jesus
Adress: 8002 Manlunas St., Villamor Airbase,
Pasay City
Rate: Wedding with aircon: P 40, 500 / Wedding
without aircon: P 27, 000
Sanctuario de San Antonio
Adress: McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati
City
Rate: Standard rate parishioners/nonparishioners P20,000 / P25,000 reservation
deposit: P5,000
San Agustin Church
Adress: Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila
Rate: P22,000 / Video Electricity: P1,000
Christ the King Parish
Address: Greenmeadows Ave., White Plains,
Quezon City
Rate: P 25,000
Shrine of Jesus: The Way, The Truth and The
Life
Address: SM Central Business Park, Reclamation
Area, Pasay City
Rate: P25,000 for 1 1/2hour wedding
Your Wedding Theme and Motif
H
ave you ever experienced attending a wedding
where as you stand in line at the buffet area,
waiting for your turn to get food, your eyes can’t
help but wander around? What were the things that you
have noticed?
Flowers, table arrangements, drapery, ribbons, candles,
colors – all these are components of your wedding design.
Commonly, the design is patterned to an over-all motif or
theme of a wedding. It is an element usually overlooked
especially by those with a tight budget. But your wedding
design could also be as important as what you feed your
guests. It is what appears on your video and wedding
pictures. It is what sets the vibe of your celebration. A good
design is not totally dependent on how much money you
have, but on how much effort you exert on planning – or
for some, finding the right people to do it.
Selecting colors or themes can either be a fun activity for
you and your partner, or a source of headache if you can’t
decide on what you would like to use.
When planning for your wedding design goes from
exciting to excruciating, it would help if you would first
explore and familiarize yourself with the wide range of
options before making any decisions.
“In our life there is a single
color, as on an artist’s
palette, which provides the
meaning of life and art. It is
the color of love.”
~ Marc Chagall
Wedding Motif
Have you already decided on what your wedding motif would
be?
Here in the Philippines, many Filipinos still can’t get over
the concept of a single color motif. But with the many
colors to choose from, a multiple color motif can add
more life and style to your wedding design. You just
have to find the right combinations that will match
your personal style.
But if you are still hesitant and confused on what
colors to use for your motif, familiarizing yourself
with the COLOR WHEEL may just be the trick you
need.
A color wheel is a graphical representation of the
relationship of colors in a circular form. It shows the 3
basic levels of colors: primary, secondary, and tertiary;
and how they interact or affect each other. Using a color
wheel to determine your wedding motif or theme may seem
hard or geeky but actually it provides a lot of help. And you’ll
be surprised at just how easy it can to blend and pair colors if
you understand their nature.
You have seen the color wheel before, your grade
school art teacher may have taught this to you
already, but let me just refresh your memory and
insert a few tips to help you decide on what colors
to choose.
Analogous
Analogous colors are colors that are next to each
other on the color wheel.
This type of scheme creates
a group of colors that have
one main hue. Examples
of this color scheme are
green, yellow green, and
yellow.
The Analogous color
scheme is easy to work
with. But avoid using
to many hues in this
scheme as it may ruin the
harmony of your design.
For example, you can
either choose to make
green the main motif
of your wedding, and
use yellow and yellow
green as supporting accents.
A perfect way to use complementary colors is at
themed weddings. You can use purple and yellow
accented with gold and create a magical ‘Arabian
Nights’ inspired celebration.
be careful in choosing which colors to use for this
kind of scheme. It should be done beautifully and
with creativity, otherwise it has the tendency to be
plain and boring.
Triadic
A Monochromatic scheme is perfect for those
traditional couples who doesn’t want to experiment
much on their color motif but still wants to achieve
dynamism in their design.
This scheme involves
three colors from the
color wheel. Each
color is equally spaced
around the color wheel.
Examples of this type of
scheme are: red, blue, &
yellow (primary colors)
and orange, violet,
& green (secondary
colors)
Triadic color scheme
offers contrast while
maintaining the
harmony and balance
of colors at the same
time.
Tip: Avoid using all
three colors of a triadic color in the
same amount as it may appear to be overboard.
Pick a main color from the triadic scheme of
your choice and use the two remaining colors to
accentuate the main color.
Complimentary
Neutral Color Scheme
This type of scheme is composed of colors not found
on the color wheel:
black, white, grey.
These are neutral
colors that are
used to add light
or remove light
from other colors.
For example, by
adding white the
design becomes
illuminated, and
lighter colors will
advance towards
the eye. Darker
colors on the other
hand will create a
feeling of distance.
A perfect way
to use a neutral
color scheme is in a
traditional black tie wedding. Classic and elegant,
you can never go wrong with this type of scheme.
Monochromatic
Complementary
colors are opposite of each other on the color wheel.
These color hues would greatly complement each
other. Examples are yellow and purple, red and
green, blue and orange
This type of color scheme offers more contrast
than other color schemes. Complementary colors,
if used well, can create a vibrant atmosphere to a
celebration. For best results, combine cool colors
with warm ones like blue and orange.
Monochromatic colors have a common hue
but have different
shades or intensities
of that particular
hue. Examples of
a monochromatic
color scheme are the
combination of light
blue, blue, and dark
blue, as well as pink,
red, and dark red.
This type of color
scheme is quite safe
and easy to achieve.
It gives a classic and
elegant feel that is
perfect for a solemn
celebration. But
couples should still
Accented Neutral
This type of
color scheme
can be achieved
by pairing
neutral colors
and one or
more small
doses of
other colors.
Examples of
this type of
combinations
are: (brown &
beige w/ blue)
and (grey &
black w/red)
Warm Color Scheme
This scheme uses warm
colors such as orange,
yellow, and red. They
are vibrant and exude
energy which can add
liveliness to your event.
Just be careful in using
these colors because
too much of it can
turn your wedding to
eyesore rather than
accent.
A warm color scheme
of yellow and orange is perfect for an
outdoor morning wedding.
Cool Color Scheme
Cool color scheme
makes use of “colder”
colors such as blue,
violet, green and other
colors with the same
hues. These colors create
a calm feeling.
A combination of blue
and violet is perfect
for an elegant evening
celebration.
Familiarizing yourself with the color wheel and the
different color schemes will help you understand
the basic principles of combining colors. Once you
understand these basic color combinations, there
are many variants you can experiment with in
your wedding motif. And don’t forget to let your
personality reflect on the colors you choose.
Garden Theme
Colors: Shades of Green, Yellow, Pink, Brown
Venue: Botanical Gardens, Parks, Spacious backyard with a nice
landscape
Centerpieces: Flowers and Fruits in a basket, Hand-tied fresh flowers in
a cute vase, Potted flowers
Souvenirs: Plant seedlings, potted herbs
Wedding Theme
When mere colors aren’t enough to explain or describe the ambience you want for your celebration,
wedding themes can help you make it happen.
A wedding theme pertains to a specific idea or concept that you want for your wedding. It can be
inspired by a favorite movie, a particular era, your sense of style, or something that you really love to
do – like travel.
Choosing your wedding theme need not be a complicated task. One important thing you may want
to ask yourself though is this: “Does our wedding theme reflect our personality as a couple?”
3 Popular Wedding Themes
Beach Theme
Winter Wonderland Theme
Colors: Dark Blue, Silver, White
Venue: An air-conditioned venue
with crystal chandeliers or spacious
white interiors.
Centerpieces: White and Silver
Twigs in a cylinder vase with
hanging crystals, Ice sculptures for
the banquet table,
Souvenirs: Snowflake-shaped key
holders, champagne glass filled
with chocolate balls wrapped in
metallic blue and silver foils.
Colors: Aqua Blue, Cream, Shades of Orange,
Light Brown
Venue: Seaside, Poolside
Centerpieces: fishbowl filled with seashells, a
nicely painted sand bucket filled with sand and
big seashells and starfish, small bamboo tiki
torch with hand-tied ribbons
Souvenirs: message-in-a-bottle, cupcakes with
starfish toppers, shell-shaped chocolates
PHOTO BY: ALAN MERCADO
Organizing Your Ideas through a Wedding Concept Board
Have you experienced scanning through wedding magazines or the internet
and seeing random elements that you want to have for your wedding? Are
you having difficulty discussing your wedding theme to your designer or
your family and friends? Then I suggest that you make a wedding concept
board.
A wedding concept board is a collage, a collection of pictures that may
come from magazines, newspapers, internet, or even from your own closet.
The things that you include in your concept board are elements that you
would most likely want to achieve in your wedding. It may include the color
combinations, flowers, dress, cake, and other little details that may help you
arrive at your desired theme.
A wedding concept board is also a perfect tool if you and your partner have
different preferences when it comes to your wedding motif or theme. Make it
a fun activity for you and your partner. Get all the magazines that you have
at home, scan through all of it together and pick all the things that you will
find interesting. After doing so, go through all the elements that you have
picked, maybe with your designer present if you hired one, and think of a
way that you can incorporate these elements in your wedding theme.
My Dream Wedding List
If you don’t have the time or luxury of scanning though magazines or the
internet, just grab a piece of paper and a pen and take a couple of minutes to
think about your dream wedding. Write down all the aspects that you can
think of. Don’t hesitate; don’t think of your budget yet. Just write it all down.
Same goes with your partner.
You can also write about your likes, hobbies, or your favorite activities or
trips together. You can get a lot of inspiration by doing this. Remember that
the main essence of your wedding celebration is to show who you are as a
couple and share it with the people you love. So you need to think of how
you can make that happen.
Your Wedding Flowers
Y
ou’ve finally settled on the wedding date.
The wedding venue and caterer is already
booked. You’ve decided on your wedding
theme and maybe on the style of your wedding
dress. The next big question that you need to ask
yourself is “What flowers should I have for my big
day?”
Why It Matters
Flowers are essential part of every wedding. Some
couples have a tendency to make a quick decision
about their wedding flowers not knowing that it
can make or break the entire celebration. Wedding
flowers are not merely ornaments to a banquet
table or a bride’s fashion accessory. Flowers can set
the romantic mood, liven up the ambiance, and it
can even make a statement about who you are as a
couple.
Choosing the right flowers for your wedding can be
really challenging, and often confusing, especially
if you have no definite idea on what you really
want or if you just can’t tell the difference between
a carnation and a chrysanthemum. With so many
varieties to choose from, a simple bouquet can be a
bride’s headache. So aside from the floral design, it
would be helpful to also put into consideration the
color, the availability, the price, the function, and
the type of flowers that’s there on the market.
Things to consider in choosing the right flowers
for your wedding
 The Theme of your wedding – The theme or
motif of your wedding would pretty much
direct what flowers and colors you would
need.
“Flowers are love’s truest language”
- Park Benjamin
 The Type and Season of Flowers – There
are flowers which are perfect for bouquets
and those that aren’t. Also consider the
season of flowers so that you won’t have
a problem if it would be available on your
wedding day. It would also help a lot if
you’re on a tight budget.
 The Color and Design of the Attire – you
should consider the color and design of you
and your entourage’s attire in choosing what
type of flowers and style of arrangement you
will use.
 The venue’s facilities and ambience –
When you do the ocular visit of the church
and reception venue, it can also be a good
time to think and observe what type of
flowers and arrangements are best for the
look of the place. If you’re having problems
thinking it all by yourself, bring a camera
and take a snap shot of the place for a florist
or stylist to see.
 The Price of flowers - Tulips, orchids,
star gazers, and roses are top choices for
beautiful floral arrangements, first-class
bridal bouquets, boutonnières and corsages,
and decoration for the church and the
reception. But bear in mind that these
imported flowers are expensive. For couples
who are on a tight budget it is best to use
flowers that are produced locally.
 Imported vs. Local Flowers – this factor
would have a bearing on the price and
availability of your floral selections, so it’s
better if you do a little research or even just
familiarize yourself on the flowers that are
grown locally and those that need to be
imported abroad.
Your Wedding Flower Checklist:
WEDDING ENTOURAGE FLOWERS
ARRANGEMENT
Bride’s Bouquet
Maid of Honor’s
Bouquet
PURPOSE
The main entourage bouquet held by the
bride during the entire wedding
the bouquet held by the maid of honor
Bridesmaids’ Bouquets
floral bouquets for the bridesmaids
Secondary sponsors
Bouquets
floral bouquets for the female veil, cord, and
candle sponsors
Flower girls’ headpieces
flowers used to accentuate the flower girl’s
hair style
Flower girls’ baskets
flowers placed in little baskets held by the
flower girls. They usually contain lose flower
petals that flower girls spread on the aisle as
they walk toward the altar
Groom’s boutonierre
small flower pinned at the left side of the
groom’s coat or barong
Best man’s,
Groomsmen’s, and
symbol bearers’
boutonierres
small flower pinned at the left side of the
Groomsmen and best man’s coats or barongs
Mothers’ corsages or
bouquets
flowers carried by the mothers of the bride
and groom. It can either be a bouquet or
corsage.
Fathers’ boutonierres
small flower pinned at the left side of the
father’s coat or barong
Male Principal sponsors’
boutonierres
small flower pinned at the left side of the
male principal sponsor’s coat or barong
Female Principal
sponsors’ corsages or
bouquets
flowers carried by the female principal
sponsors. It can either be a bouquet or
corsage.
Bouquet for Bouquet
Toss
secondary bouquet for the bride used for the
bouquet toss during the reception program
(sometimes florists give this for free with
their entourage package)
SAMPLE PICTURE
Bridal Car Flowers
Floral arrangement placed on top of the
bridal car (most of the time it is included in
the entourage package of suppliers)
Presidential Table
centerpiece
floral centerpiece for the presidential
tables
Guest Table centerpiece
floral centerpieces for the guests’ tables
Buffet Table centerpiece
floral centerpiece to accentuate the buffet
table
Cake table arrangement
flowers to accentuate the cake table
Dove Cage arrangement
floral arrangement to accentuate the dove
cage
WEDDING CEREMONY FLOWERS
Entrance Décor
Aisle Décor
Altar Arrangements
flowers used to design the entrance of the
church or ceremony venue
flower arrangements placed at the
ceremony aisle
floral arrangements used for the altar
design
WEDDING RECEPTION FLOWERS
Entryway arrangement
flowers used to design the entrance of the
reception venue
Couple’s Table
arrangement
floral arrangement used for the couple’s
table and it’s backdrop
Flower arrangements courtesy of Hizon’s Catering (reception), Andrea’s Flowershop by
Hizon’s (entourage), amd April and Karen Yu Flowers (entourage & ceremony). Cake Design by
Ms. Gel Colet of Swell Sweets.
Exploring the Options for your
Wedding Flowers
BUDGET is one very important aspect that is always
considered when it comes to choosing the flowers
for your wedding. A large chunk of the wedding
budget will most likely be allotted
for the ceremony & venue rental,
or for the food expense. Often,
the budget for wedding flowers
is compromised and couples
resort to do-it-yourself floral
arrangements. It may work out
to your advantage if you have
the skills or if you have relatives
or friends who are capable of
making beautiful arrangements
for you. But if you are new
at this field it would be best
to know your options before
making hasty decisions. A trip to
Dangwa may just be the solution
you need. Or maybe hiring a
professional wedding florist
may work out well to your
advantage. Flowers may not be
the most essential part of your
big day, but it is still important.
After all, it would show up in
almost all of your wedding
pictures.
wide array of choices displayed before your eyes,
you will know first hand how the flowers look
like and what would suit your taste and your
budget. You can choose to buy the flowers and the
accessories and arrange them yourself, but if you
don’t have the extra hand or time to do so, there
are a lot of available local florists
in Dangwa to help you with
your arrangements. Just ask
the sellers, most of them are
equipped with the basics of
wedding floral arrangement.
“Exploring the
many possibilities
when it comes
to your wedding
flowers will help you
come up with perfect
floral arrangements
without exhausting
your wedding
budget. All
you need is
determination and
lots of creativity.”
A TRIP TO DANGWA
Here in the Philippines, there are a lot of options
when it comes to wedding
flowers. The most popular
ones, though, are roses,
tulips, chrysanthemums,
gerberas, and carnations.
Majority of these flowers
are available locally, except
for a few like tulips and
Ecuador roses. Most of
the flower supply here
in the Philippines comes
from Baguio, which is
considered the country’s
flower capital. But the most
popular destination for
buying flowers is Dangwa,
in Manila. The flowers
there are sold at relatively
lower prices compared
to other markets because
their supply comes directly
from Baguio. With the
Price Range (Wedding Flowers
in Dangwa)
Entourage Flowers – (consisting
of bride’s bouquet, principal and
secondary sponsor’s flowers,
flower girl’s baskets and
headdress) *Prices range from
P 5,000 – P 10,000 depending on
the flowers used.
Church Flowers – (consisting
of pedestal aisle arrangement,
spray arrangement for altar,
candle holder arrangements,
and topiaries) *Prices range
from P 7, 000 – P 15,000
depending on the flowers used.
Reception Flowers – (consisting of table
centerpieces, pillars for backdrop and entrance, and
dove cage arrangement) *Prices range from P 10,000
– P 20,000 depending on the flowers used.
WEDDING FLORIST FOR HIRE
To hire or not to hire – is the usual dilemma of
most couples when it comes to the topic of hiring
a professional wedding florist. Some still have that
notion that hiring one is impractical and a waste of
money. If you are on a tight budget, do-it-yourself
arrangements may be your best bet. But if you’re
still not sure about it, you may want to know why
a florist may just be the “fairy-god mother” you’ve
been waiting for.
Why do I need a wedding florist?
It may seem easy to arrange flowers. All you
need to do is buy your supplies in Dangwa or at
your preferred flower shop or market and get
your relatives or friends to help you make the
arrangements. But there are lots of factors that need
to be considered that you are unaware of.
1) Proper care of flowers - Flowers in general are
delicate and require proper handling. And though
you are making all the necessary measures to
ensure that your flowers will be at its best form
during the wedding, there may still be a big
possibility that you will end up with unattractive
flowers on your celebration. It’s because different
flowers require different ways of handling. There
are those that need to be put in water, other flowers
should not be exposed in too much light; tulips in
particular should be kept in a cool place. Florists are
well-informed about this field. You can be assured
that your flowers will be at its best shape for your
most special day.
2) The Right flowers for your wedding - You may
already have your favorite flowers in mind to use
for your wedding but sometimes they may not
work well with one another. There are flowers that
would make a great bouquet but may not be the
perfect centerpiece for your banquet table. It is best
to have someone who knows the what and whatnots of floral arrangement. You can even have a big
chance of saving a lot of money just by hiring the
right person to do the job.
3) Creative/Artistic touch - If you have a specific
theme in mind, you should really book a florist. If
you can turn your own concepts into reality or you
have a relative or friend who can do that then you
can go about with your do-it-yourself plans. But
florists are florists because they have the expertise
and the capability to put magic in your wedding
flowers.
4) Stress - The most important purpose of having a
florist is to
“Keeping yourself opentake away
minded with every option
the burden
for your wedding flowers
off of your
will help you achieve the
shoulders.
It is your
perfect floral arrangements
big day and
without compromising your
the idea of
budget. What you need to
standing in
front of a
do is prepare ahead of time
huge crowd
and find the right people
is already
that you would be most
nerve
comfortable working with”
wracking.
If you want
a worryfree day for
you and your soon-to-be partner, you need people
who know their job and would help you achieve the
memorable event you wish to have.
How much would it cost to book a florist?
Most florists have ready packages that you can
choose from, but these packages are often flexible
and would depend on what the couples want for
their wedding. Don’t hesitate to talk to as many
florists so that you would know who has the best
packages that can fit your budget.
Ms. April Yu of April and Karen Yu Flowers said
that the prices for every floral arrangement vary,
depending on some factors like: guest size, season
(Christmas, Valentines Day, and All Saint’s Day), type
of flowers used, and other materials and extra
details that needs to be incorporated on the design.
Couples these days already have the chance to
customize their own floral packages to suit both
their taste and their budget.
At present, the price of flower arrangements done
by professional florists range from Php30, 000 –
Php100, 000 depending on the factors mentioned
above.
How early should I book a florist?
After booking your ceremony and reception venues,
you can already start planning your wedding theme
and booking a florist. As early as 6 months to 1 year
in advance is the ideal time to look for a florist. This
would ensure that you’d get all the flower supplies
you need and you may even get discounts and other
freebies. Wedding fairs often showcase different
florists and you may want to try attending one to
get a good start.
FILIPINA BRIDESONALITIES
YOU, YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS, AND YOUR BUDGET
C
ost of flowers for your big day may be
categorized into three: the entourage, the
church decoration and the reception/venue
decoration.
The church’s decoration can be included in the
payment for the church or the church may require
a certain supplier for this which may range from
a simple decoration of P 4, 500 up to P 15, 000 if
it includes imported, rare and off season flowers.
Ceremony flowers are usually composed of the altar
flowers, aisle arrangement, candle holder flowers,
and topiaries.
The reception/venue decoration on the other hand
is mostly covered by the caterer if you are hiring
one, so it is best to coordinate with them the kinds
of flowers that you want to have in your reception.
The reception flowers are mostly table centerpieces
for the couple’s table, presidential table, and guests’
tables. Also included are the floral arrangement for
the couple’s backdrop, and buffet centerpieces.
Entourage flowers are usually composed of the
bridal bouquet and the bouquets of the maid of
honor and bridesmaids, flower girls’ accessories,
corsage, and boutonnières; price for a package
of these items range from P 5,000 to P 20, 000,
depending on the flowers used.
Looking through the perspective of the three
bridesonalities will give you a better idea of what
you can do with your budget.
The Penny-Wise Bride
“I only have a limited budget; I want to keep my wedding flowers simple and easy-on- thepocket.”
Buy your flowers from
Dangwa and ask the help of
your family and friends
who are skilled in floral
arrangement to do the
arrangements for you.
It is advisable to have a
vehicle that you can use
to pick up the flowers
from Dangwa. Provide
sufficient amount of
time to pick-up and
put together all your
arrangements.
Learn how to make your own floral arrangements
online and include your relatives or friends in the
project. If you plan on making your own floral
arrangements for your wedding, there are a lot of
do-it-yourself guides on the internet that can help
you learn it. Include your relatives and/or friends
on the project so that they can take over the task
during your wedding day and relieve you from
stress of arranging your flowers.
Here is a list of sites that provide do-it-yourself
guides for floral arrangements:
 http://budget-bride.com/DIY-WeddingFlowers.htm
 http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com/
You can also try searching videos on www.
youtube.com:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV_
slWig7us
 http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=4yHC4udQKsA
 http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=AKA5BTGLknE&feature=fvw
Use the same flowers to decorate your ceremony
and reception venue. Choose flowers and
arrangements that will compliment both your
ceremony and reception venues. After the
ceremony, transfer the flowers to the reception site
to be used as buffet and table centerpieces. You
can add little trinkets that you can buy in bulk
from Quiapo. Try going to Well Manson beads and
accessories store near the Quiapo church, along
Villalobos street. Adding a little extra touch to
your wedding flowers will make even the simplest
and cheapest flowers come to life and give a better
meaning and color to your event.
Instead of using too much flowers, you can add
candles and other centerpieces that would also
compliment the theme of your wedding. To avoid
spending too much on your flowers, save up by
using candles, ribbons, and other centerpieces
like lamps and lanterns. That way you can have
the choice of cutting your wedding flower budget
in half. Centerpieces and candles need not be
expensive. If you are living in the metro, try visiting
Dapitan Arcade in Dapitan Street, Quezon City,
Quiapo, and Divisoria. You’ll have a wide variety
of choices for a cheaper price. Avoid buying items
from the mall. You can buy Japanese lanterns, and
candles in Divisoria for half the price as compared
to those that you see in the malls. It is also best to
buy supplies in bulk to get discounts and great
deals.
Choose flowers with abundant supply and are in
season. Hard to find flowers and those with limited
supply are for-a-fact more expensive than those
with abundant supply. If you want to save-up,
choose flowers which are in season on the date of
your wedding, ask the local sellers about it. Another
option is to choose flowers that are always available
whole year round and are locally grown here in the
Philippines. Mums and local roses for example are
common choices and are always available in the
market any time of the year.
The Value-for-Money Bride
“I have enough budget; I want to make sure I get the best value for my wedding flowers.”
Get your floral supply from
Dangwa and hire a good local
Dangwa florist to do the
arrangements for you. If you have
enough budget but still want to
get the best value and deals, you
may try our local Dangwa florists.
Getting one will take the hassle
and stress of preparation from
you with just a little additional
spending from your wedding
budget. When you visit Dangwa
you can also try to ask for
packages and quotations from the lined-up
stores so that you can make comparisons.
One Dangwa Florist that is making waves in the
wedding flower industry is Mang Boy Mahusay
of Jarielle’s Flowershop in Dos Castillas, famously
known as Dangwa. A lot of brides attest to the
skill and charm of this unassuming tattooed man.
The first time you’ll meet him, you might feel
skeptical as to whether he can really achieve the
arrangements you want, but worry not because he
really has the skill to make elegant arrangements,
which are at par to other florists in the market at
a cheaper rate. Be careful though because there
are many who are pretending to be Mang Boy
Mahusay. To be sure, look for the rosary tattoo
found on his upper body.
Here are his contact details:
JARIELLE’S FLOWERSHOP
Stall no. 16, Dos Castillas St., Sampaloc, Manila
(Dangwa)
Tel #: 3145737
Mobile No: 0917.387.1910
(Assistant) Kuya Jon– 0916.321.1303
Look for caterer’s that includes
floral arrangement in their
packages, and discuss with them
the style you want to achieve. Most
of the caterer’s nowadays offer
floral arrangement as an amenity
together with their catering service.
Hizon’s Catering, for instance,
provides style and design which are at par with
other florists because of the in-house designer and
events planner who will help you in the preparation
of your reception. Hizon’s Catering also provides
a selection of entourage flowers through Andrea’s
Flowershop by Hizon’s. You’ll have the convenience
of having a centralized supplier for the different
elements (food, design, planning, and flowers) of
your wedding.
Choose flowers that are not only in season but
also has a longer ‘life span’. If you want to make
the most out of your wedding flowers choose
the type that can last for a long while even after
your celebration ends. A good example is using
carnations instead of the usual local roses. It’s a
little more expensive than roses, but you can be sure
that its form and appearance will last ‘til after the
wedding as compared to roses. You can even take
home your table centerpieces and offer it to your
local church as a decoration or use it as ornament to
you new house’s dining table.
The Splurge-on-the-Best Bride
“I have a great deal of budget and I am willing to spend it for the most gorgeous flowers for my
wedding.”
Hire a good wedding
stylist. If you have
plenty of budget
to spend on your
wedding flowers
then hiring the
experts would be
the best choice for
you. All you need to
do is provide them
with the necessary
information about
your ideas, the
theme of your
wedding, and the
color motif. If you
have very specific
designs that you
found in magazines
or online, let the
wedding stylist see it and discuss with them how
you can make it happen for your own wedding.
It would also help a lot if you make an ‘inspiration
board’ or a collage that you can present to your
stylist to give them a good grasp of what you really
want to achieve on your floral design. You may seek
the help of well-regarded wedding stylists Robert
Blancaflor or Henry Pascual.
Choose the most elegant and unique flowers.
If you wish to create a great impact in terms of
your wedding flowers, splurge on flowers that
exude elegance. If you have the resources, you
can try incorporating lots of tulips, star gazers,
and Ecuadorian roses not only for your wedding
bouquet but also for your table and buffet
centerpieces.
Accentuate your flowers with personalized
accessories. Add pearls or Swarovski crystals
to your wedding bouquet to make it look more
exquisite. Make your flower girls’ baskets a little
more exciting by placing little teddy bears together
with the flowers. Give your bride’s maids a little
treat by replacing the typical hand-tied bouquets
with chic evening bags filled with different colors of
hydrangeas.
I
Your Wedding Food
n almost every country and culture, a celebration would not be complete without
food. It is a sign of abundance and prosperity. A wedding celebration for that matter
always includes a feast of good food. Even the Bible has stories that tell about wedding banquets, like the story of the wedding at Cana (John 1: 1-12) wherein Jesus performed a miracle by turning water into wine.
Filipinos by nature love to eat and a wedding wouldn’t be complete without a delicious,
mouth-watering feast. And a Filipino feast is composed of a wide selection of foods that
usually includes soup, various meats, seafood, vegetables, sweets, and of course rice.
Aside from the bride and groom, food is one of the stars of the wedding reception. Almost all the guests anticipate what the couple has prepared for them.
Why it Matters
If there is one element of your wedding that you would really want to think carefully
and maybe spend some extra peso on, it would be on your wedding feast. You can add
some little extra ornaments and candles on a simple venue and make it look stylish. But
bland food is something that is hard to make-over on the day of your wedding. Surely
you want to make your most important day a memorable one; but let’s hope it’s not a
memory that would spell disaster.
Below are some important factors that you may want to take a look on:
Things You Should Consider In Planning Your Wedding Feast
1. Budget – If you’re thinking of skimping on your wedding food budget, think
again. You may have limited money on your wedding pocket, but it doesn’t
mean that you would sacrifice the quality of your food. Just like with any
other meals, you just have to find the best that is out there, which would work
well with your budget.
2. Time of the wedding – If you’re already certain on your wedding date and
have already booked a venue, then it’s important to consider the time of day
in which your wedding banquet will take place. If you haven’t settled on the
date and time yet, determine that first before planning your wedding menu. It
is important to consider this factor in your planning so that you can offer the
right kind of food. If it’s a wedding that would take place 11am in the morning, then a lunch menu is what you need. You may also include the season
or climate during the month of your wedding. If it’s a December wedding in
Tagaytay, you may opt for warm and hearty meals including a delicious soup.
If it’s a Boracay wedding on April, then cocktail drinks and fresh fruits should
be included on your menu items.
3. Menu – What type of food would you like to serve at your wedding? Planning your
menu can be affected by various factors such as the theme, time of day, and
your budget. In choosing your menu selection, bear in mind the different
parts of your menu and consider if your choices for each part compliments
one another.
“This
much I
knew: If
you are
what you
eat, then I
only wanna
eat the good
stuff.”
- Ratatouille
Banquet Menu Terms
Appetizer – food that is served prior to the
main course that helps stimulate the desire to
eat.
 Ex. Nachos w/ Salsa Dip, Crispy
Spinach
w/
Dip,
Assorted
International Cold Cuts
Soup – food that is in liquid form that is
achieved through the boiling of meat, fish, or
vegetables
 Ex. Cream of Mushroom Soup, Cream
of Asparagus Soup, Creamy Pumpkin
Soup
Salad – commonly prepared as cold dish
that is composed of mostly fresh vegetables
& fruits, and little portions of meat, cheese,
or egg. It is also served with a dressing that
compliments the salad.
 Ex. International Salad Bar w/ Thousand Island Dressing & Caesar’s
Dressing, Macaroni Salad, Russian
Salad
Pasta – usually made of dough that is sliced
thinly into strands or small portions and
cooked in boiling water. It is served with
sauces in various tastes and forms.
 Ex. Fettuccine Italiano, Cheesy
Lasagna, Baked Chicken Macaroni
Main Course – it is the principal dish of a
meal. Beef, pork, chicken, and fish are basically the main ingredient of the main course
 Ex. Lengua Royale, Chicken Pastel,
Grilled Fish in Lemon Butter sauce
Starch – source of carbohydrates that is served
as part of the main meal
 Ex. Plain Rice, Herbed Rice, Mashed
Potato
Dessert – food that is served after a hearty
meal to balance out the savory flavors of the
dishes that were previously served.
 Ex. Buco Lychee, Leche Flan, Assorted
Pastries
Drinks – any liquid that is consumed to
quench thirst
 Ex. Iced Tea, Soft drinks, Punch
Royale
4. Banquet Service Style – Your Banquet service style is a big factor on how formal your
reception banquet would be. It will also be a
determinant of your wedding food budget.
A Sit Down service is more expensive basically because of the extra service charge
for the waiters that will be preparing and
serving food to your guests. It is difficult to
achieve this kind of style for your wedding
banquet if you are planning on doing the
preparation on your own and only with the
help of your family and friends. It would be
safer to hire people who are trained for this
task to avoid problems during your wedding. Also, the choice of food on the menu
will affect the cost. But what you are mainly
paying for with this type of service is the
convenience that your guests would feel on
not having to stand-in-line to get food, and
the elegance that it reflects to the totality of
your event.
A Buffet banquet is quite cheaper than a sit
down style. You can also give your guest
more freedom to choose what food they
want to put on their plates. The downside of
a buffet though is that it can be a hassle to
your guests, especially to the elderly, if lines
become long and they have to stand-in-line
for a couple of minutes to get some food.
The key here is to anticipate this scenario
and provide enough buffet areas where your
guest can get food. For example, if you have
200 expected guests, have a two-way buffet
instead of just one. It will help avoid the formation of long lines in the buffet area.
Lauriat style on the other hand is like a
combination of the Sit down and buffet services. With this type of service, your guests
will also have the option to choose the food
they would like to put on their plates and
at the same time they won’t experience the
hassle of standing-in-line to get the food. A
possible problem that may occur with this
type of service is that the food per table may
not be enough for the guests if not properly
monitored by the waiters. Make sure that the
waiters in-charge per table will be attentive
to the needs of the guests.
Cocktail style is the cheapest of all the banquet services because it only serves cocktail
or bite-size food items. If your event falls
on a lunch or dinner, this option may not
be your best bet. But if you should insist on
this, make sure that you advise your guests
beforehand so that they will not expect a
heavy meal during your reception.
Sit Down - a more formal banquet service style
where in meals are served by waiters at the guests
while they are comfortably seated
Appetizer
Nachos with Salsa
Salad
Caesar’s Salad w/ Grilled Chicken, Greek Salad w/
Candied Walnuts & Sun Dried
Tomatoes & Feta Cheese
First Course
Cream Dory stuffed w/ Spinach and Sun-Dried
Tomatoes served with Linguine Noodles
Second Course
Grilled French Rack of Lamb in Red Wine Sauce
served with Mushroom Rice Sautéed Spinach w/
Bread & Butter
Desserts
Tiramisu
Drinks
Iced Tea, Softdrinks
Soup
Cream of Chicken Soup
Buffet Menu
Plated Menu
Soup
Creamy Potato & Leek Soup, Creamy Spinach
Soup
Salad Bar
Iceberg lettuce, Turnips, Carrots, Cucumber, Sweet
Onions served with Caesars’ Dressing, Thousand
Island dressing, Italian Dressing
Hot Buffet
Pasta Neopolitana and Fettuccine with Sea Foods
Cream Beef Mushroom Calamata
Roast Porkloin with Apple Raisin Sauce
Hawaiian Barbeque Chicken
Grilled Fish with Crispy Garlic and Lemon Butter Sauce
Lumpia Bar with Peanut Sauce
Steamed Rice
Dessert
Fruit Campote, Vanilla Mousse, Chocolate Mousse,
Panacota, Almond Jelly, Leche Flan, Buco Pandan
Drinks
Iced Tea
Buffet - the food
items are arranged
and presented in long
tables and guests have
the option of choosing
the food that they
would like to put on
their plate
Plated
Service meal courses
are served
in separate
plates,
arranged
beautifully,
and are served
in a sequence
Russian
Service - in
this type
of seated
service,
waiters carry
the platters
of food and
go around
the tables to
offer it to the
guests
French
Service like Russian
service, food
items are
offered by
waiters to
the table per
guest. The
difference is
in the number
of waiters
who serve the
food. French
service uses
two waiters
- one to hold
the platter and
one to serve
the food.
Lauriat - a
traditional Chinesestyle banquet service
wherein food items
are served in large
platters, and placed
in the center of
each table. It makes
use of a lazy susan
so that guests can
alternately get the
food conveniently.
Cocktail - A more
informal service
style wherein
food selections are
passed around by
waiters and are
served on bite-size
pieces. Drinks
are also passed
around in the same
manner.
5. Number of Guests – The number of
guests is an important factor in planning
your wedding feast. Without a number in
mind, you may end up short of food during
your event or waste a lot because of miscalculation. An estimated number is okay for a
buffet style banquet. If you’re expecting 150
guests, add an allowance of 15pax or 10%
of your number of pax. In a plated banquet
though, having a specific number of guests is
important.
6. The theme of the wedding – The theme
of your wedding can also help you in planning your menu, especially if it’s a very specific theme. For example, if you plan to have
a Japanese or Zen-inspired celebration, then
go for food that best describes that theme
like tempura, sushi, sashimi, and some Japanese tea instead of the typical juice or soda.
If it’s a classic Filipino wedding, then focusing on Filipino cuisine is the best way to help
keep the mood of your celebration.
7. Catered vs. Do-It-Yourself – Here in the
Philippines, we are used to preparing delicious feasts and inviting guests to come over
at our house. This is typical during fiestas
and birthday celebrations. You may have
experienced attending such, or maybe even
practicing this at your own home. This is because of our natural Filipino trait of hospitality. At present, catering your own wedding is
still practiced especially in the provinces. If
you have enough resources, cooking equipment, and people to help you prepare the
food then this may work for you. But if not,
then it is best that you consider getting some
professional help.
“Hiring someone to cater for you is a good decision.
Whether it’s a catering company, or your friend’s mother
who does catering services for small events, it’s all in the
idea of taking away the stress of food preparation from
your hands. A wedding is more stressful than a fiesta or
a birthday because it will only happen once and you also
need to look your best during the celebration. Your family
should also be fully present during the wedding that’s why
they too should not be inconvenienced by the errands that
food preparation entails.
When hiring a caterer, make sure that you attend one of
their food tasting events or make an appointment for a private food tasting. That way, you will have the chance to
taste their menu and see if it fits your criteria.”
Selecting the Right Caterer for your Reception
1. Secure your reception venue first – It
would be best if you secure your wedding
reception venue first before determining who
your caterer would be. Most of the venues
here in the Philippines, especially in NCR
require a caterer’s fee to caterers that are not
accredited to their venue. To avoid giving out
extra cash for the caterer’s fee, it is recommended that you determine your venue first
and then ask for their list of accredited caterers so that you’ll have a head start when it
comes to finding your caterer.
2. Ask for referrals – Aside from venue
referrals, you can also ask other wedding
suppliers like your cake or flowers provider.
They may give you a tip or two on the best
deals when it comes to your caterer. You may
also try asking your relatives or friends if
they’ve already experienced hiring a caterer
or have attended an event that is catered.
Ask them about their experience and from
there you’ll have plenty of insights on where
to start and what to look for.
3. Browse through caterer’s websites
– (a. research about company’s bg,
b. contact them through phone or by
leaving a message to their online inquiry box if there is) Use the power of
technology. Well-established caterer’s have
websites where you can learn more about
what they offer and how to contact them.
They may also have galleries of their food
photos and events that they’ve catered that
you can use to evaluate if it fits your criteria.
But It’s recommended that you don’t just
rely on the website alone, get their contact
information and call them and set a schedule
for a meeting.
4. Attend Food Tasting Events –When
choosing your caterer, one of the most important things that you need to do is to attend at least one of their food tasting events.
There’s no better way to find out if their food
selection fits your taste than to have a food
tasting. It can either be a grand food tasting
event or a private one that is scheduled espe-
cially for you and your partner.
Hizon’s Catering for instance holds regular
grand food tasting events where you can try
the food and talk personally with a banquet
sales representative about matters concerning your wedding food requirements. All you
need to do is to call the office or register online through the website.
5. Variety of Food – People have different
tastes when it comes to food, and your guest
would really appreciate it if you would be
able to give them options. For instance,
instead of just putting one option for dessert, have a dessert buffet that includes fruit
salad, chocolate mousse, panacota, and coffee jelly.
Lechon, for instance, is a popular food
that you will see in a Filipino wedding
banquet. Lechon is either roasted pig
(baboy) or calf (baka). It is typically
chopped and served into bite size portions together with a lechon sauce or
sarsa that uses pork liver as its main ingredient. It’s a treat for almost all guests,
especially Filipinos, if you serve lechon
during your wedding.
Dietary or Cultural restrictions –
After making your guest list, check if
your guests have any dietary or cultural
restrictions so that you can make adjustments on your menu. For example if you
have a group of friends who are vegetarians, then you may want to include a good
vegetable dish in your menu. If you also
happen to have guests that don’t eat pork
or beef because of their cultural or religious orientations, then include options
like chicken and fish. It is not just on how
you present the food that your guests will
appreciate your event; it is also on the
sincerity of the planning. So take time to
research on this to make your guests feel
extra special.
Food safety – It is very crucial that
food is guaranteed safe and clean. You
wouldn’t want to be responsible for any
case of upset stomach or food poisoning
because of the food you serve. Think of
the welfare of your guests and be critical
about this.
plement the food you will serve during
your event.
If you plan on catering your own wedding, make sure that cleanliness is observed all throughout the preparation
and serving process to avoid any food
contamination. Keep hot foods hot and
cold foods cold to avoid serving spoiled
food during your event. Acquiring proper tools and equipment are also necessary like food pans and food warmers.
Check out this website for a guide on
wine and food pairing: http://www.
winewebcentral.com/winepairing/
If you are hiring a caterer, it wouldn’t
hurt to check if your caterer has the necessary permits and facilities to really perform the service for you. You may also
want to request a tour of their facilities if
you really want to be sure that they are
properly sanitized. The good thing about
well-established catering companies is
that they have the right equipment, and
facilities fit for production of large quantities of food. They also have the experience in proper handling of food so you
don’t have to worry so much about that
area.
Beverage – Your beverage should com-
Also consider the time of day and the
weather. If it’s an early morning celebration, strong liquors are not so appropriate. Serving coffee on the side as an
option for guests may be a good thing.
If your wedding is a dinner event, make
sure that you limit your alcoholic beverages. Consider the condition of your
guests upon living your party. Some of
them will have to drive and it is not a
good idea to get them drunk.
If you are catering your own event,
please don’t forget to buy an ample supply of ice for your drinks. You wouldn’t
want to serve warm juice or soda to your
wedding attendees.
If you are hiring a caterer, ask for their
beverage selections, it’s better to have at
least two options for your beverage to
cater to your guests’ personal preference.
FILIPINA BRIDESONALITIES
YOU, YOUR WEDDING BANQUET, AND YOUR BUDGET
The Penny-Wise Bride
“I only have a limited budget, but I hope I can still have a memorable and delicious wedding feast.”
When hiring a caterer is not really feasible for your
budget, catering your own wedding may just be the
best choice for you. If you plan to do so, here are
some helpful tips that you may want to take note of.
Manpower – You may be able to help during the planning, but it would be best to let
someone else take over at least 2 days before
your wedding. That way you can give yourself time to relax before your big day. You
have to really find someone whom you can
rely on to do all the dirty work for you. That
someone shouldn’t be your parents, or anyone who’s part of your entourage.
In the provinces, the culture of bayanihan
is still very evident even up to now. It is a
great Filipino value that we should be proud
of. Gather your family & friends, and utilize their skills in cooking. If you have an
aunt who makes excellent viands, ask her
if she can give you her recipes. You will be
amazed at just how much your loved ones
can help you. They are Fairy-God-Mothers
just waiting for us to make the call.
Menu – If you plan on catering your own
wedding, go for simple yet tasty dishes that
almost all your guests will like. Is it easy
to make? Are the ingredients reasonable?
Will majority/all of our guests like it? Ask
yourself these questions while choosing the
menu for your wedding. It will also help if
you ask the opinion of the people who will
do all the cooking and preparation.
Equipment & Utensils – Make sure you
have the right equipment and utensils for
cooking large quantities of food. You can
borrow your relative’s kawa or large saucepans. There are caterers who also offer
the rental of their service and equipments.
Hizon’s catering for instance offers a service
rental package that includes the use of their
tables, chairs, food warmers, utensils, linens,
and manpower. A service rental package
for 100pax will more or less amount to only
P25,000 to P30, 000.
Amount of Food – This can be a tricky one.
If you’re not used to cooking for a large
number of guests, or if you don’t have
enough cooking experience at all, estimating
the amount of food to prepare for your wedding can be a source of stress.
 Below is a simple food ratio guide
to give you an idea regarding how
much food you can prepare for your
wedding. This ratio is based from
actual standards used by caterers.
All amounts listed below are good for fifty
(50) people. If you have more than 50 guests,
just adjust it according to your numbers.
 Meat dishes (per dish) – 4kilos (if
you have 4 viands) / 4.5 kilos (if you
have 3 viands)
 Fish Fillet with breading (for frying)3 – 3.5 kilos
 Fish (for grilling) - 4.5 kilos
 Salad / Dessert – 1 gallon
 Soup – 3 gallons
 Vegetable dishes – 4 kilos
 Drinks (powdered) – 2 packs
(500gms each pack)
 Drinks (soda)– 8 bottles (1.5 liters
each)
Space – Where will you do all the cooking
and preparation? You have to consider if
you have appropriate space for your food
preparation. It can be on either the groom
or the bride’s place or a relative’s backyard.
The important thing is that it can provide a
good space for the preparation of food and
that it is close to the reception area as much
as possible.
Catering to your own big day can be an
overwhelming option, you must have enough
planning and preparation to make it work to your
advantage. The most important thing is to enjoy the
experience because it can only happen once in your
lifetime.
The Value-for-Money Bride
“I have enough resources and I want to make sure I will get good value for my wedding feast.”
For instance, Hizon’s Catering includes tables
and chairs, linens, and floral arrangements in the
wedding packages. Also included are the amenities
such as bridal car, hotel accommodation, event
hosting, and a lot more.
Choose a buffet style banquet instead of a plated
or service style. A buffet style can give your guests
more freedom to choose what they put in their
plates, and it can also save you money because a
buffet is at a cheaper rate as compare to service
style.
If you have just the right budget to spend for your
wedding food, then hiring a good caterer is what
will give you the best value for your money. As
mentioned on the earlier parts of this article, what
you are basically paying for, when you hire a
professional to do your wedding food preparation,
is the convenience that it will give you, your family
and your guests, during your entire wedding
celebration.
Here in the Philippines, caterers are not limited to
just preparing the food for you. Aside from your
menu, they also offer their event planners to help
you in the preparation of your wedding reception.
They also provide packages that include amenities
that you need other than just the food.
Attend grand food tasting events when scouting
for a good caterer. You may either call the caterer
to ask for their food tasting schedules or visit their
website for information. A food tasting is a great
way to find out first hand if the caterer can really do
the job for you. It is also the perfect time to talk to
their account executives about what they can offer
for your wedding.
Determine the things that you need for your
reception before attending a food tasting or talking
to an account executive. That way, you won’t miss
out on important information that you may want to
clarify or ask the caterer.
Also, choose food that everyone will love. If you
want to get the best value for your wedding food
budget, don’t serve something that you know barely
a few of your guests would appreciate. Otherwise,
you will just spend money on food that will only
end up in the garbage bag after your celebration.
The Splurge-on-the-Best Bride
“I have plenty of budget, and I want to make sure I get the best and most delectable wedding feast that my
guests will truly remember.”
When you have the money to spend, how do you
do the spending? Here are options that can turn
your wedding budget into a memory that you and
your guests will surely never forget:
Choose a service style banquet – A service-style
or plated banquet service is something that not
everyone gets to experience in a typical day.
Shedding some extra cash for this kind of service is
worth the costs considering the impact that it would
create to your guests. It will also provide a feeling
of elegance and exclusivity, making your wedding
extra special.
Customize your menu – Instead of settling for the
usual dishes that caterer’s have, ask if they can
customize dishes for you that they don’t usually
serve on other weddings they have catered before.
If you and your partner have specific dishes that
have significance to both of you, ask if they can
incorporate it to your menu selection.
Customizing your menu is also a great option if you
have a specific theme for your party. For example,
you’re planning on European inspired wedding
feast you can customize a menu that serves a variety
of delectable European dishes from the soup all the
way down to your dessert.
Splurge on variety – You can also splurge on the
variety of food you will serve your guests. Aside
from the usual entrees, include other food stations
such as: dessert bar, pasta
bar, cocktail
drinks bar,
coffee bar,
and on-thespot meat
carving station. You can
even request
that the chef
be present
on one of the
stations to
elevate the
luxurious feel
of your wedding banquet.
Make your
wedding a
whole day celebration – If a grand dinner is not
enough, then maybe you can consider a whole day
celebration that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Doing so would mean a wedding food budget
that is 3 times bigger than the usual. But if planned
and executed properly, it will also make your wedding not just three but even a thousand times more
memorable than the typical ones.
Your Wedding Cake
Carrot cake – Carrots are mixed with cake
batter to make this soft and healthy cake. At
present, carrot cakes are becoming a popular
choice for couples who wish to go beyond the
typical white cake.
Cheesecake – Cheesecake is made with
a top layer of cream cheese and a bottom
layer that is made of either: a pastry crust, a
biscuit or sponge cake. It can be topped with
fresh fruits or even chocolates and cookies.
Fruit Cake – This cake is made with dried
or candied fruits, spice, and nuts. It is a
perfect wedding cake for those who wish to
have a lovely keepsake of their wedding. It is
because fruitcakes can lasts for a very long
time because of the alcohol content that is
in the cake. A well-prepared fruitcake can
be kept even years after the wedding and
then served during your 10th or even 25th
anniversary.
Ice cream cake – This kind of cake is
either ice cream that is shaped into a cake
form or cake and ice cream put together to
form a delicious and unique wedding treat.
T
he appearance of cakes during weddings
dates back even during the ancient times.
In Rome for instance, wealthy families use
a special cake during a wedding ceremony. It is a
tradition during those times that the cake be broken above the bride’s head by guests as a symbol
of a prosperous and happy life for the couple.
The guests would then get a piece of the cake’s
crumble afterwards and keep it, also to bring
them good luck.
In our present time, breaking a piece of cake
above the bride’s head is not something you
would normally see in wedding celebrations, but
wedding cakes have evolved from more than a
symbol of wealth and prosperity, but also a reflection of the couple’s personality and even their
love story.
Here in the Philippines, the wedding cake is
traditionally used during the wedding reception
wherein the bride and groom would slice the
cake at the same time using one knife. Afterwards, they would feed each other with a piece
of the cake, followed by the wine or champagne
toast. Some couple’s serve their wedding cakes as
part of their dessert selection, but others prefer
to keep it or give it to their parents o principal
sponsors.
B. Common Kinds of Icing:
Things to Consider in Choosing Your
Wedding Cake:
Butter Cream Icing – Easy to spread, this
is the most commonly used icing. It is made
of butter and sugar and has a light and sweet
taste.
Type of Cake: What type of cake would you
like for your wedding? What icing would you
want to use? Will you have a single tier or a
multi-tiered cake?
Fondant Icing – a popular choice of icing
for “art cakes” with elaborate designs. This
type of icing that’s made of sugar, water,
and either cream of tartar or glucose can last
longer than other icings.
Tier – It is a term used for one level
of cake. Wedding cakes can vary from
a single level or tier, to a grand multilayered or multi-tiered cake.
A. Common Kinds of Cake:
Foam cake – a cake that uses very little
or no fatty ingredients such as butter,
shortening, or oil. They are leavened by
beating air into the egg whites. Chiffon
cake, angel food cake, and meringue are
examples of foam cakes.
Butter cake - The key ingredients of this
kind of cake are sugar, eggs, flour, baking
powder, and of course butter. It is one of
the most popular kinds of cake because of
its creamy and rich taste.
Foam Icing – It is fluffy and has a soft
texture. An example of this is a meringue
that’s made of egg white and sugar or syrup
that’s whisked until it becomes thick and
foamy.
Fudge Icing – is made of chocolate,
sugar, corn syrup, and a variety of other
ingredients. It has a thick and rich texture
that is delectable and can easily be stored for
future use.
Royal Icing - It is made of egg white,
powdered sugar, and water. It is used mostly
for wedding cake decorations because it
hardens when dried.
2. Purpose – Will your cake be served as a
dessert to all of your guests? Or will it be only
for the cake cutting during the reception?
Will you use it as souvenirs to give away to
your principal sponsors after the wedding?
Determine what the purpose of your wedding
cake is so that you will know exactly how you
would want it made.
If you have a limited budget you may opt for
a single tier wedding cake or if you still want to
achieve a multi-tiered cake, you can have the
option of having only one tier with edible cake
and the other tiers with just Styrofoam covered
with fondant icing.
If you want to give your wedding cake as a
souvenir or a take-home gift to your guests, you
can opt for wedding cupcakes. It is a unique
and convenient way of distributing your cake
without the hassle of cutting it into small pieces
for your guests.
3. Theme or Motif of your wedding – The
typical wedding cake is made of white icing and
decorations, but nowadays you can put it up a
notch by incorporating your theme, your motif,
or even the style of your wedding dress.
4. Wedding Cake Decorations – The typical
decorations for wedding cakes are flowers made
with royal icing and a miniature statue of a bride
and groom on top of the cake. Other options are
fresh flowers or fruits. But nowadays, wedding
cake making has turned into an art similar to
sculpture. Current wedding cake decorations
make use of fondant icing that creates elaborate
and one-of-a-kind designs.
5. Taste – Aside from the aesthetics, of course the
taste of the cake is important especially if you
plan to serve it during your wedding reception.
Make sure that your wedding cake supplier can
give you a sample of the cake during one of your
meetings.
A wedding cake, just like your wedding theme, or
your wedding flowers, can either be just a decorative
element of your wedding or an expression of who
you are as couple. The decision is really up to you
and your partner. It doesn’t matter if you know
much or little when it comes to the type of cakes or
icings to use, the most important thing here is that
you know what its purpose is and what it signifies
during your wedding celebration.
A
lmost every women dreamt of being a
princess when they we’re young, and even
Your
Wedding
Attire
Most probably you already have a picture of
how everything is going to be, from your flowers to
the food but nothing comes close to the importance
of the wedding dress. The wedding dress is what
you have been picturing yourself in for all these
years and finally the time has come for you to
put it in and walk down the aisle. No wonder the
wedding attire is the 4th most important wedding
element among Filipino brides.
Looking for a wedding dress is not an easy task.
You may actually find that this will be one of the
most difficult things you have encountered so far.
The reason for this can be because no other symbol
is closely associated to both self-expression and the
style of your wedding other than your gown.
CHOOSING YOUR GOWN
Before making an important decision in choosing
your wedding gown, you have to go over these
pointers to help in your selections.
“And now the bird
threw down to her
a dress which was
more splendid and
magnificent than
any she had yet had,
and the slippers
were golden. And
when she went to
the festival in the
dress, no one knew
how to speak for
astonishment. The
King’s son danced
with her only, and if
any one invited her
to dance, he said:
She is my partner.”
- Cinderella by The Grimm
Brothers
Body Type - You can look ravishing on your
wedding day no matter what your body type is.
You just have to determine what style complements
your body best.
Time of the Wedding – The time of the day when
you are getting married reflects the formality or
informality of your wedding. It is a general rule
that evening affairs dictate a more formal look. So
if you’re going to set your wedding on afternoon,
your gown must have lighter and airier materials.
After all, you wouldn’t want to carry that lavish,
fully-embroidered, heavily beaded gown when the
sun is scorching hot.
Location – Just like the time of your wedding,
where your ceremony will be plays a vital role in
choosing your perfect wedding gown. For example,
you are planning to have a beach wedding, heavy
fabrics like velvet and silk wouldn’t really work
with that kind of set-up. Outdoor weddings require
lighter fabric so that you don’t have to drag your
gown when you want to enjoy the breathtaking
scenery your ceremony venue has to offer.
Comfortability – You really want to look good on
your wedding day, yes, but you also want to feel
comfortable wearing it. After all, you’ll be wearing
it for the whole day! Will you be able to laugh
hard or dance or roam around your reception (not
to mention posing for all those photographers)
without tugging your dress or have you bones
jutting into your ribs?
Budget - In your romantic pursuit of a perfect
wedding dress, do not forget about mundane
aspects like money! Once you have decided on the
type of wedding dress that you want, remember to
stick to your budget (otherwise, what’s the point?).
How To Find The Perfect
Wedding Dress
Your wedding dress might be the most important
attire you purchase in your entire life. You will only
wear it once, yes. But, will you ever wear another
dress more anticipated and more talked about?
And if by now you are still having a dilemma
in purchasing until now, here are the tips I have
rounded up to get you started on your way to
walking down the aisle in the dress of your dreams.
Plan Early – Always remember that time is of the
essence that’s why you have to plan it the soonest.
This can prevent you from making rush decision
on what to wear on your big day. You need time.
Not only do you need time to shop, but keep in
mind that you will also need time to wait for your
dress to arrive and time for fittings. Try to start
looking for your perfect wedding dress right after
you are engaged. You should aim to purchase
your wedding gown at least 6 months before your
wedding date, as this will ensure enough time to
wait for your gown to be finished.
Research - Before stepping foot into a bridal shop,
try to look for the terms most commonly used in
wedding dresses. There can be the terms for gown
silhouette (the basic shape of the gown), neckline,
bodice, sleeves, trains etc and other jargons used in
the preparation. It is also best to familiarize yourself
with clothes and fabric used in wedding dresses
(chiffon, tulle, satin etc.). Learn the basics and try to
list down which options you prefer and which ones
best suit your figure.
Envision - Bridal shops ask you a few questions
about your wedding and your overall style that you
would want on your big day. They will not just give
you a brochure or bring out ready-made gowns for
you to choose from. Thus, it’s best to have an idea
of what you want before you shop. After you have
researched on the various elements of wedding
dresses, think about what wedding dress style suits
you. Always dreamed of being a princess? A ball
gown silhouette is probably your best bet. Dream of
showing off a figure sculpted by hard work at the
gym? A sheath dress may be perfect for you. Keep
in mind that your dress, while suiting your personal
style, should also suit your wedding venue.
Know Where to Shop – Fortunately, nowadays,
there is a wide array of choices for your wedding gown so consider yourself one lucky bride! From
the high end couturiers, bridal shops that do wedding gown packages, Ready To Wear gowns from
department stores, to cheap wedding gowns in Divisoria and Quiapo and even Wedding Gown Rental in
Marikina! So do not fret, there is a perfect gown for you somewhere out there. You can also check out our
Suppliers’ Directory *link*.
Know Your Budget - It’s best to have an idea of what you would like to spend before looking for your
wedding gown. This will save you the hassle of going to bridal shops out of your price range or allowing
them to bring you dresses you cannot afford.
Have A Wedding Gown Worksheet – You can jot down notes and ideas you have in mind with the
worksheet. It can also contain your vision, trends and styles, what cloth would you want for your gown
and your prospect bridal shops. Having a worksheet not only serves as a reference but it will also help you
in managing the budget you allot in your attire.
Here is an example of a wedding gown worksheet.
Supplier
Style
Fabric
Price
Comments
Contact Details
Juan Dela Cruz
A-Line
Satin
20,000
♥
925-0107
Almaceda Couture
Halter
Tulle and
Satin
45,000
Pricey
925-0103
Lebumfacil
Dresses
Bodycon
Satin with
Chiffon
15,000
Too tight
417-6553
THE ACCESSORIES
Though you look perfectly beautiful in your wedding gown, it is still necessary to add some bridal
accessories. These will serve as accents in your over all look and would make you look more beautiful.
Here are the basic accessories for a Filipino bride.
Headpiece – This can be a tiara, a garland of flowers, pins,
headband or a jeweled comb put on top of your crowning glory.
You may want to keep it simple and complementary with your
gown to prevent it from overpowering your entire look. You
wouldn’t want everyone to just focus on your head, eh?
Veil – Your veil is one of the most defining aspects of your
bridal appearance. There are many types of veils according to
their length and width. You need to consider how it will work
with your dress, face shape, body shape, hairstyle and wedding
location.
Jewellery – Aside from the wedding ring that you will be
wearing after your ceremony, you still have to wear necklaces
and earring for added accent. Choosing your necklace
depends on the neckline of your gown. Meanwhile, choose a
pair of earrings that do not compete with your headpiece or
veil, thus, dangling earrings are no-no. Always remember that
the main attraction is you and your wedding gown, not the
jewellery.
Lingerie – Lingerie is still an essential part of your wedding attire because it provides you
support in the body areas where you needed it, creating a clean and smooth line under your
dress. Make sure you fit your lingerie in your gown fittings!
Shoes – To complete your attire, you’d have to invest in good and comfortable shoes as you
will be wearing them from the ceremony to the reception. Being a bride who needs to walk
down the aisle and walk around the reception to greet guests, you have to have comfortable
shoes. Choose shoes
that have sturdy heels
and would look great
on your ensemble. You
can prepare two kinds
of footwear for your
wedding day. One for
the ceremony which
is a formal and heeled
shoe and one for the
reception which is
can be slip-on sandals
that will allow you
to walk comfortable
during your banquet.
Oh, bridal shoes can be
customized too!
GROOM’s WEAR
For sure, you will look stunning on the day so it is important that your groom look his best.
So wedding preparation shouldn’t just be left up to you, the belle of the ball, but also to the
groom. He should also make sure that he looks handsome on his big day.
Mind you, looking good doesn’t mean that your groom just has to have a new haircut and a
fresh shave. Just like you, there are accents in your soon-to-be husband’s attire that will make
him the prince during your big day.
Morning Suit –Morning Suit is very essential as this is the attire that your groom will be
caught by your Photographers and Videographers as a part of their documentation. Your
groom should choose an outfit that compliments what you will be wearing and one that he
is comfortable with.
Belt - the Grooms belt may seem a rather insignificant accessory for his wedding attire, but
choose the wrong one and it could seriously compromise an otherwise fantastic wedding
outfit.
Shoes – A well-polished black shoes should be worn to complement your groom’s suit. They
should look smart with no scuffs or marks.
The time of the wedding is a big factor in choosing your groom’s attire. Here are some
ideas on what to wear during what time of the day.
Time and Nature of Wedding
What to Wear
Informal Weddding
White dress shirt and tie
Semi formal Daytime
Formal suit, White dress shirt with vest four-in-hand or
bow tie
Formal Daytime
Cutaway jacket, Waistcoat, Striped trousers
Collared shirt, Striped tie
Formal Evening
Black dinner jacket, Matching trousers, Waistcoat
White tuxedo shirt, Bow tie,
Cummerbund or vest
Very Formal Daytime
Coat, Wing-collared shirt,
Striped trousers, Gloves
Very Formal Evening
Black tailcoat, Matching striped trousers
White wing-collared shirt, Waistcoat
Patent leather shoes, Studs and gloves
The Entourage
The members of your wedding entourage play very
important roles in your wedding. Your entourage’s
duties are mainly to assist you in all aspects related
to your wedding to ensure that everything goes
smoothly. Thus, your entourage is also entitled to
wear gowns and suits that will complement your
theme, motif, your wedding gown and of course
you.
Here are the basic members of the entourage in a
Filipino wedding:
Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor
She is considered the equivalent of your groom’s
best man. She is usually your sister, cousin or BFF.
She joins you in making plans and arrangements,
gives you moral support and accompanies you in
your shopping.
Best Man
The best man is the chief male assistant to your
groom during the wedding. He can be your
brother-in-law, cousin-in-law or he is your groom’s
bestfriend since childhood.
Bridesmaids
Your other sisters, close cousins and friends
take this role. There is no limit in the number of
bridesmaids you can have, as long as they are
committed to make your wedding hassle-free for
you.
Groomsmen
They are usually your
groom’s barkada
or close relatives.
Their main purpose
is to escort your
bridesmaids and help
in ushering the guests
before the ceremony.
Flower Girl
A young girl not
usually more than
6 years old. Her
primary role is to
walk ahead of you,
to shower your way
with fresh flower
petals for you to
walk on. Flowers
girls can also be
more than one!
Coin, Bible & Ring Bearers
Boys who are not usually more than 6 years old.
Their role is to carry the coin, bible and rings until it
is needed during your ceremony.
Primary Sponsors
A typical Filipino Wedding has a long list of
“ninongs” and “ninangs”, or Godparents. Ninongs
and Ninangs stand as principal sponsors and
witnesses in the ceremony. They are expected to
provide guidance and counsel to you during their
married life.
Secondary Sponsors
Composed of 3 pairs: the Candle Sponsors to light
up the wedding candles during your ceremony;
the Veil Sponsors to drape and pin the veil on the
groom’s shoulder and over the bride’s head; the
Cord Sponsors, and the Cord Sponsors to tie the
cord around the shoulder-area of the bride and
groom.
All in all, the basic number for your entourage is
more or less 26 people. These people are required
to wear gowns or suits but it doesn’t necessarily
mean that you have to provide for them all. You can
ask them to supply their own attire or you can just
simply trim down your entourage.
FILIPINA Bridesonalities
The Penny-Wise Bride
“I only have a limited budget, but I hope I can still find a fine wedding dress for my
wedding.”
When your
practical side
is kicking and
says no to
extravagant
budget, here
are several
ideas you can
do to cut down
the cost when
it comes to
your wedding
gown:
Hand me down – “Something old, something
new, something borrowed and something blue.”
Does this ring a bell to you? Why not try the
wedding dress of your mother, with her blessings
and the sentimental value of the gown, no doubt you
will feel very happy wearing it on your big day. You
can just tweak some minor detail if you wish.
Wedding Gown Rental – Because many Filipino
soon-to-wed couples realize that they’re on a
tight budget, many brides rent a suitable wedding
dress of the big day. It won’t only flatter you on
your wedding day, but it will save up a lot on your
wedding budget. Popular Bridal Rental shops can
be found in Quiapo and Marikina. Prices are from
P3,000-P5,000.
Let your entourage provide their own attire
– It is becoming a trend for all attendants provide
their own attire. You can assign a uniform style and
color for the entourage to complement your motif
and gown albeit they’ll be providing it on their own.
Divisoria Ready Made – Aside from the very
creative couturiers in Divi, bridal shops also offer
readymade gowns made of silk fabric. It usually
costs from P2,500 – P8,000 and this gown is as
good as the ones in magazine already. It’s like a
price of a gown rental but the cool thing is, it’s
already the selling price.
Here are the prices for the Divisoria Wedding Attire
that you can buy on the shops above.
Bridal Gowns - P3,500 and up
Maid of Honor - P700 and up
Bridesmaid - P600 to PhP1,200
Flower Girl - P600 to PhP800
Barongs - P600 and up
Barongs for Grooms
- P800 and up
Barongs for Fathers – P800 and up
Mothers Gowns
- P1,300 and up
Resell after the wedding – In this way, you can
recoup with your expenses for the attire. Yes you
want to keep your dress and pass it on to your
daughter for her own wedding, but when that time
comes, your gown already went out of style. And
as for sentimental sake, you can keep your veil and
ring for the memory and this you can pass to your
daughter.
The Value-for-Money Bride
“I have enough budget, and I want to get the best value when it comes to my wedding dress”
“Elegance doesn’t need to be expensive because there are
ways to get your money’s worth in every cent that you
spend.”
Get a package from a reliable couturier. - There
are designers who offer wedding gown packages
that includes your groom, the parents and your
entourage. The price is based from the design, fabric
and motif. These packages also include wedding
accessories
such as
arrhae,
headpiece,
garters,
cords,
pouch bags,
pillows, first
veil and
second veil. This saves you the hassle of shopping
for your accessories separately.
Edwin Uy
Price Range: P75,000-P100,000
537 Boni Avenue Ext,
Mandaluyong City
info@edwinfuy.com
Telephone Number: 532-9369
www.ewinfuy.com
Edward Teng
G/F Columbian Int’l Tower
500 Santol St., Sta. Mesa, Manila
edwardteng@yahoo.com
Telephone Number: 716-5710
www.edwardteng.com
Mitch Desunia Haute Couture
2nd Flr., Bldg. 23, Unit 3, URSI Townhomes,
Alabang-Zapote Rd., Pamplon III, Las Piñas
City
mitch_desunia@yahoo.com; the designer@
mitchdesunia.com
Telephone Number: 517-6910
www.mitchdesunia.multiply.com
Trim down your wedding entourage. – Instead
of getting 5 bridesmaids and groomsmen, why
not trim down to 3? Roles of bridesmaids roles
can be done by 2-3 persons only. Also, you can
choose to have only 1 flower girl, instead of 3.
After all, all she has to do is to sprinkle the aisle
as you walk to the altar.
Divisoria Couturiers – Divisoria is a haven for
all your wedding needs, be it the wedding gown,
props, souvenirs… name it! And the fact that it is
Divisoria doesn’t really mean that it’s low class,
in fact there are many local couturiers who do
handmade wedding gowns. Divisoria people also
receive orders from the designers themselves.
They just do the design and have it tailored at Divi.
Usually, the price of a Divisoria couturier ranges
from P15,000 up depending on the detail and fabric
to be used. They also offer packages for your whole
entourage and bridal accessories.
Lomentigar Bridal Boutique & Souvenir
Collections
Tessie D. Lomentigar
Pasilio B-17
Galvan Building, Ilaya Street, Binondo, Manila
Arlaine +63 (920) 627-9326
Ronaleen Bridal & Barong Shoppe
Sollie and Ramon Santos
Galvan Cabrera Building
Pasilio E. No. 78-81
Email ronaleen_bridal (at) yahoo.com
Tel + (632) 309-3133
Paul & Lyn’s Bridal Haus
Salve A. Pitalbo
Stall No. 29, 35 Pasilio B-C
Galvan Building, Ilaya St.
Binondo, Manila
Tel + (632) 710-9471
Res. + (632) 237-1327 or 254-5622
The Splurge-on-the-best Bride
“I have plenty of budget and I want to spend it for my dream wedding dress.”
“People will eat their heart
out because you, the true
belle of the ball, is about to
make your presence known
to all who gathered on your
special day.”
Hire renowned designers
- If you have P200,000
for your wedding attire,
you can hire a wedding
couturier that will work
with you to precisely fit
and design the wedding
gown around your
body. They are pricier
because custom-made gowns are sewn and cut by
hand. Designers like Rajo Laurel and Paul Cabral
has a starting price of P100,000. The gown depends
on the materials that will be used (crystals, pearls,
beads etc.)
Looking for a world class wedding gown? Try
international designers like Monique Lhuillier and
Vera Wang.
Monique Lhuillier
Price Range: $1,500 - $3,000 or above
Monique Lhuillier Inc.
1201 S. Grand Ave. 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: 877.659.9801
www.moniquelhuillier.com
Vera Wang
Price Range: $2,000 - $7,000
www.verawang.com
Since the Philippines is a home of many talented
designers and artists, it is not hard to make a very
elegant gown by a famous wedding gown designer.
To name a few are:
Inno Sotto
innosotto@yahoo.com
Telephone Number: 521-81-95
Rajo Laurel
6013 Villena cor. Mañalac St.,
Poblacion Makati City PH 1210 • Email: •
info@rajolaurel.com
Telephone Number: 895 5688
www.rajolaurel.com
If you really want to have the wedding gown of
your dreams then have your fairy godmother wave
her needle and cotton to make the dress. If he/she is
notably known then you can benefit from his or her
experience on any advice given related to materials
designs and styles.
Just make sure to set an appointment with your
couturier 6 months before your wedding date or
earlier, to give you and your designer sufficient
time for conceptualizing, fitting and altering your
gown.
Get a Trash the Dress Photoshoot After The
Wedding – Trash the dress is a photography
style that features a very elegant clothing with
an out of place environment like garbage dumps,
abandoned building, muddy lawn or in the
beach. Usually Trash the Dress is done as the pre-
nuptial photoshoot but this can also be done after
the wedding as a symbol of affirmation that the
wedding already took place and the bride will no
longer wear the dress.
There are many Filipino Wedding Photographers
who do superb Trash the Dress Photoshoot and the
following are just a few:
• Mango Red Photography
Studio Address #28A General Capinpin
Street San Antonio Village
Pasig City, Philippines 1600
info@mangored.com
Telephone Number: 631 3060
Mobile Number: 0921 485 0838
www.mangored.com
• Smart Shots Studio by Lito Genilo
64C Cenacle Drive, Sanville Sudvision,
Project 6, Quezon City
Telephone Number: 9267571
www.smartshotsstudio.com
• Dino Lara
9186 Balagtas St., Guadalupe,
Makati City, Metro Manila
dinolaraphotography@gmail.com
Telephone Number: 883-4408
Mobile Number: 0920-912-5069
www.dinolara.com
Have a Reception Dress – Loose a little during your
reception with a sophisticated dress that is shorter
and is made from light materials. This will enable
you to walk around the reception hall or dance all
your way without worrying about getting tripped.
Just remember to make your Reception Dress have a
resemblance with your wedding gown.
Your Wedding Ring
BEFORE BUYING YOUR WEDDING
RING
Before shopping for your wedding ring, it’s good to
know a few pieces of vital information about what
makes for a wonderful wedding ring that is perfect
for you and your partner.
Start in advance. Shop for your wedding
rings at least 6 months before your wedding.
This will guarantee that you have enough
time if you decided to have it customized
or if you want to tweak it a little bit. Some
couples fail on this part thus obliging them
to have alternate rings during their wedding
while their actual rings are still not finished.
You wouldn’t what to have the same sad
scenario in your big day, would you?
Why It Matters
O
f course, one of the most important
parts of any engagement or
marriage is the ring. This will be
the symbol of your union even after the
wedding and as you go on your everyday
married life. A friend once shared that
wedding rings are worn on the ring finger
because an artery in that finger leads
directly to the heart. Whether it is true or
just a myth, it is a very lovely and romantic
outlook.
Wedding Rings symbolizes not only your
eternal bond of marriage but also your
commitment, your personality & lifestyle
as well as your fashion sense. Since your
wedding rings will be the most lasting
piece from your wedding, you have to
choose a jewelry that is of high quality
so you have to decide wisely without
breaking your wedding budget. You have
to be an educated soon-to-wed consumer
just so you know what to get with every
peso you spend.
Find out your partner’s taste. Get to know
what design or style your partner prefer
when it comes to jewelry. Since that you’re
going through this decision together,
determine what elements would you like to
have in your wedding bands. If you already
have an engagement ring, you have to
mull over its design and color since you’ll
be wearing it together with your wedding
bands. One important thing to consider is
that you and your groom will wear these
rings every day, so rings that you feel
comfortable with. Don’t forget to take the
sizes of your hands, too.
Research. Know what to look for in a perfect
wedding ring. Window shop in jewelry
stores and browse through their catalogue
for some ideas. Inquire if you preferred
style or design can be incorporated with
their present designs. Try some rings that
are close to your preferences and evaluate it
base on appearance and comfort.
Decide on your budget. Though it is the
most frustrating part of the planning, it is
always necessary to check on your budget
and have a firm allotment for your wedding
rings. Traditionally, weddings rings must be
2 months worth of your salary. But of course
this is just a tradition and it is your option to
buy what ring would you and and what ring
suits your budget.
Now that you have familiarized yourself with some
designs and samples of wedding bands, it’s time
to decide on what would you want your wedding
ring to look like. Aside from the style, you have to
determine what type of material you would like
your rings to be created from. Weddings rings are
designed from materials such as color, cut, clarity
and carat.
Things to consider in choosing your
Wedding Ring
Color – There are two parts of the wedding rings
that color has to be considered. The metal and the
gem. For the metal, this is the base or the main color
of your wedding ring. The color is the deciding
factor of what metal are you going to use for your
bands, or vice versa. Here are the metals commonly
used in wedding rings and their corresponding
color.
Metal
Gold
Color
Yellow Gold
Silver
White Gold
Silver
Silver
Platinum
Silver
Titanium
Silver – Grayish
The gem is like the cherry of the ice cream or star
of the Christmas tree. People will have their eyes
on the gem first as it is the sparkling part of your
wedding ring. The usual gem used in wedding
rings is the diamond. This girl’s best friend is the
hardest substance known and perhaps the reason
why it is place on the wedding rings is because you
can pass it to younger generations and for sure, they
will elicit appreciation for this during those years.
The colors of the diamond are:
 White
 Finest Blue –White
 Slightly Off-white
 Yellowish-white
Aside from diamonds, other gems like Ruby (Red),
Emerald (Green), Topaz (Blue/Yellow) can be used
in your wedding rings. You can even follow the
gemstone that corresponds with your birthdays or
your wedding date. This will add value to the most
symbolic thing on your wedding day.
Remember that gems have their hardness level it is
advisable to check the resistance of your stone first.
If you and your husband-to-be are people who do
a lot of activities with your hands, it is advisable to
limit your selection to the top 3 hardest stones.
Gem
Diamond
Sapphire
Ruby
Emerald & Topaz
Amethyst
Garnet
Opal
10
9.5
9
8
7
6.5
5
Hardness
Cut & Shape – It is how you want your gem to
be cut and polished in order to sparkle and reflect
light. Brilliant The cut is the most important
aesthetic factor of the stone. The most popular
cut are the Princess cut, Oval Diamond, Asscher,
Emerald, Pear-shaped cut, Heart-shaped and
Marquis.
Carat – The carat is the weight of the jewelry and is
one factor that determines its value. The higher the
carat, the bigger the value of your wedding rings.
The standard weight of a carat is 1/3 gram.
Clarity – Most gems especially diamonds have
major flaws like scratches, air bubbles and other
minerals inside it. The less flaws a gem has, the
more expensive it is. Here is the scale to classify a
gem’s quality.
F Flawless
No scratches, inclusions
and air bubbles or other
flaws.
IF Internally Flawless
It is clear internally,
but with flaws outside
the gem.
Slight flaws that are
hardly
seen
even
VVS1-VVS2 Very Very
by an professional
Slightly Included
grader
under
10x
magnification.
Slight flaws that are not
seen with the naked eye
VS1-VS2 Very Slightly but can be seen with
Included
slight difficulty under
10x magnification by a
professional grader.
SI1-SI2
Included
Flaws that are not
seen with the naked
Slightly eye but can be easily
seen by a professional
grader
under
10x
magnification.
I1-I3 Included
Flaws that are obvious
and can be seen with
the naked eye.
Jeweler – Of course, the reputation of the jeweler
still matters in choosing your wedding bands. You
and your soon-to-be husband must have the trust
that he’ll do the perfect ring for your wedding and
the confidence that your bands will last for a long
time.
Engagement Ring - If your husband to be already
surprised you with a stunning engagement ring,
you must match it with an element of your wedding
ring. Be it the tone, metal, cut, stone, shape or style.
It will be much easier for you to pick the perfect
rings since it is a rule that wedding and engagement
rings are match.
wed couples buy the wedding ring together from
their total wedding budget. So in this case, it is
still the couple’s prerogative whether to follow the
tradition or just be practical.
Wedding Day
Most brides are confused on what to do with their
engagement rings during the wedding day because
traditionally, both wedding and engagement rings
are placed on the left hand ring finger.
You can remove you engagement ring and put it on
the other hand during the ceremony and put it back
on top of the wedding ring after the ceremony of
during your reception.
What some brides do is to keep their engagement
ring on its usual place during the ceremony until it
Wedding Ring Etiquette
The tradition begins with the engagement; the
man picks the engagement ring for his bride to be.
Generally, an engagement ring costs one-month
salary but of course each couple has their own
financial priorities to date. Some engagement
rings are the ones passed on from generation to
generation. In this case, the man must have the ring
alter to suit his bride-to-be.
One hindrance a bride must face is when she has
gloves as a part of her wedding attire. On this
situation, she can remove her gloves first before the
exchange of rings and hand it to her maid of honor.
Or better yet to avoid too much inconvenience, she
can buy a custom-made glove that has a special slit
for her wedding ring.
The ring bearer must be a little boy age 3 – 6 years
old. He is a part of the entourage and will walk in
the aisle with a pillow that bears your wedding ring.
FILIPINA BRIDESONALITIES
Before The Wedding Day
Because weddings are hallmarked with so many
customs, it is not surprising that wedding rings
have their own tradition so that the newly-weds
and their families can celebrate it in a happy and
meaningful way.
is time to exchange rings with his husband to be. At
that time, the bride removes her engagement ring
and put it back after the wedding ring is placed on
her finger. But this could be a disadvantage since it
can cause distractions and inconvenience of having
it remove and putting it back again during the
ceremony.
The Penny-Wise Bride
Saving a lot of money is important nowadays, especially now, that it costs you a fortune just to get married
with the one you love. Here are tips on how to trim down your wedding ring budget.
Choose a ring with lesser gold composition. The lesser the gold in the ring, the more metal
composition there will be, making your ring harder and more durable. Who says a 14k gold metal
doesn’t have any advantage with a 21k gold metal?
Search at antique shops and pawnshops. You can find a number of good rings at very affordable
price. Just have a jeweler to polish it for a newer look.
The Value-for-Money Bride
Look at online retailers. You could find closeouts and other discounts by eliminating the middleman
by purchasing online.
When the woman accepts the proposal, she can
give her fiancé a ring complementary with the
engagement ring as this is the woman’s chance to
give her man a similar gift. The engaged couple
should also start the search for their perfect
wedding ring. Traditional says that wedding rings
should cost two-month salary of the couple.
Shop for synthetics or other stones. If a diamond is not in your budget, you shop for stones that
are a diamond synthetic. You will be able to get a diamond look for a fraction of the cost. Or look
into buying a ring that has a different precious stone and is only accented by diamonds. Is your
birthstone a sapphire? Look for a beautiful sapphire ring that you will both love.
The Splurge-on-the-Best Bride
Who Pays For The Wedding Rings?
Traditionally, it is the groom who pays for the
bride’s wedding and engagement rings while the
bride pays for the groom’s wedding ring. Of course,
this saying is such a passé since nowadays soon-to-
Have your ring customized down to the littlest details. How many carats would you like? You want a
titanium or platinum metal? What cut do you prefer?
Your Wedding Hair & Make-Up
W
hile this element of a wedding is mostly the ladies’
concern, it is still a fact that everyone would want to
look good on their most special day – men included.
And when beauty rest may not be enough, maybe a wave of a
make-up artist’s brushes would do the trick.
Why it Matters
Does the saying, “A woman without make-up is like a
food without salt” ring a bell to you? Make up
put emphasis on your best features and cover some
flaws, like scars, pimples and eyebags. You can’t
just walk down the aisle with bare face and no make
up at all. With all the excitement, drama and all
the camera lights during your wedding, it is important
not to look haggard and wasted, after all, this is
your wedding and you should be the most
beautiful girl at the ball.
THINGS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING
THE RIGHT MAKE UP
Skin Tone – I must say that this is the most
important factor to consider in choosing what
look would you like on your very special
day. Make ups like foundations are ought
to hide the imperfections and texture so it
is a must that its color go together
with yours.
Darker and deeper colors work best in brides
with chocolate or dark skin tone, while the
pale-skinned brides should select lighter shades
of make up. Filipina brides are in between of the
chocolate and pale-skinned, and usually, nude or skin
tone colors works best for a Filipina bride like you.
Skin sensitivity – Different skin kinds reacts towards the
chemicals inside the cosmetics. Sometimes, if the brand
works for your lips doesn’t really mean that the exact
same brand works for your eyes or face.
Pores & Skin – Oily or dry skin can determine what time
of make up suits you best on your wedding day. For oily
skin, it is best to use matte base and finish so you won’t
be shiny in your actual wedding day and pictures.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A MAKE UP ARTIST?
Selecting the perfect make up artist for you is quite a hard
stuff. Just like any other wedding supplier, you have to search
high and low and try a few samples before you find the make
up artist that will do your face during your biggest day. Here
are the few tips to help you out in picking the best
make up artist for you:
Professionalism – A make up artist’s job
looks like an easy task compared to the job
of the caterer or your wedding coordinator.
But nonetheless, the stylist is still your
wedding supplier. If the stylist is not on
time during your meetings and has done
mistakes during your trial make-up, what
more during your wedding day?
Experience – You can tell how long the
make up artist has been through his
expertise in the photography elements that
are related in the make up like lighting,
exposure and tone. A stylist must have
knowledge in the art of photographic make
up since you can only say that you have a
perfect make up through the pictures and
videos. He must know if your make up can
work in a black & white, sepia or true color
photo.
Brand of Make-up – Knowing what kind of
make up a stylist is using is very important,
especially when you have a sensitive skin.
It’s also an advantage if you know what
chemicals your skin is sensitive from, so you
can discern if the artist is the perfect one for
you.
Talent & Skills – See the make-up artist
portfolio, look at the images and observe
if he’s creative and innovative when it
comes to bridal make-up. Imagine if he
can complement the style of your wedding
gown, your theme and your motif.
If you want your hair and make up done
by the same artist, look for a portfolio that
shows his works on both areas. Remember
that not all make up artists are proficient on
both areas.
Compatibility – It is important that you
are at ease with the person that will do
your look on the most important day in
your life. You can be confident and really
feel beautiful if the stylist’s attitude and
personality complement yours during your
make up session.
KINDS OF MAKE UP
Traditional Make Up – Traditional make
ups are the most commonly used make up
by the stylists. This type of make up can
be used in anytime and is easy to apply
whether you are at home or rushing on the
streets outside. You can also experiment
on different ways of applying it since it is
available everywhere.
Mineral Make Up – Mineral-based make
up is taking its place in the market at the
present time. It is made of ingredients that
contains anti-inflammatory propeties and
doesn’t irritate the skin. It is best used for
people who gets acne and pimples easily.
Airbrush Make Up – Airbrush make
up uses an small air compressor that is
sprayed as a mist of color that covers the
face gently. It gives an appearance of a
flawless complexion because air brush make
up is light and it looks more natural. It is
very convenient too since it doesn’t need
retouching for a long period of time.
Having a hard time choosing what type of makeup you would like on your big day? Here are
the pros and cons of each kind written by the
expert, Fairytalehairmakeup.com: http://www.
fairytalehairmakeup.com/Makeupcomparison.html
DEALING WITH YOUR MAKE UP ARTIST
1. Have a portfolio or picture selection
available for brides-to-be to view along with
the bridal makeup used. Often, it is difficult
for a bride to express into words the look
she is going for. Photographs can help you
communicate.
2. Set up consultation. This should be done
a few weeks ahead of time. During the
consultation, note the time of day the
wedding will take place, flowers, dress
style and color, hair color, bridal hair style,
eye color, time of year, and personality. If
possible, communicate with the stylist to
discuss the hair style.
3. It may also be a good idea to ask to see some
of the makeup products that the bride is
already using. This will give you a good
insight as to what the bride is accustomed to
wearing.
4. Discuss different bridal hair and makeup
trends. Allow the bride to get a visual by
seeing the photos. Then follow by setting up
a second appointment.
5. It is at the second meeting that you can
unveil your plans for makeup. Demonstrate
your selection for the bride-to-be.
Demonstrate more than one bridal makeup
style and photograph the results.
General Make Up Tips
Here are some steps you need to take before you
wedding and I strongly suggest that you give it
time. In beauty and skin care long preparations
are always better, it doesn’t matter if you were
born with a pretty face or not, as said beauty is
the summary of what is delightful to the eyes and
pleasing features. They will only not look upon
what they see aesthetically, but also, from what they
hear from you. And coordination is a must. You
can’t just walk there with a pretty face and floating
thoughts, you need to be there, and after all it is
your wedding.
plenty of beauty sleep is the secret to
not only how you will look on your wedding
day, but how you will feel. This is not done
overnight but months before your wedding
will be great.
relax - Your mind may be racing awaiting
and preparing for your wedding , so keep a
notepad on your nightstand so you can jot
down ideas and to-dos, so it won’t keep you
awake at night.
eat right, Eat healthy and choose your
foods carefully in the days leading up to
your wedding. Avoid any foods known to
cause bloating and gas. Remember that you
are what you eat.
DRINK PLENTY OF water, the most
wonderful skin care treatments is easily
available to everyone, has side benefits that
affects not just your rosy glow but your
whole body, and is utterly painless to use,
and you drink it.
BRIDAL HAIR
Cherish the opportunity to look delicately
spectacular in the eyes of your groom and your
guests. Choosing the right make up, dress and
accessories should harmonize with the hairstyle.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF BRIDAL HAIR STYLES
There are numerous bridal hairstyles, classic and
new, that are fit for each person. Bridal hairstyles
can be any style from updos to flowing down. To
name a few are:
1. Long Smooth Curls - This style is very
simple but attractive with extra long layers
that have been curled loosely all through
the hair. For beach weddings, this hairstyle
should be considered.
2. Short and Sassy Wedding Cut - Short
wedding styles are just as stylish and this
one gives brides with shorter locks a sassy,
fun alternative with a coronet for an refined
finish.
3. Polished Updo - A hairstyle that proves
how elegant updos can be, this one is
manageable and not too bulky with a strong,
swept fringe and a cute bun below the
crown and allows jewelry to be displayed.
4. Loose Messy Updo - Brides do not have
to have a bundled chignon and this updo
styled with unrestrained tresses offers a
optional selection for different personalities
and really brings the face to the forefront.
5. Long Flowing Hair With Curls - This simple
down do hairstyle presents a plain mid-part
with curls towards the end of the hair. The
tiara is the perfect way to enhance a simple
style and brides with healthy shiny hair will
look gorgeous.
6. Bridal Side Ponytail - For brides not
wanting an updo and want something
flashier than a simple down do, the side
ponytail is definitely a fine choice that is
both relaxed and highly elegant.
GENERAL TIPS FOR YOUR BRIDAL
HAIRSTYLE
1. Select a bridal hairstyle first before selecting
accessories. Remember that you are putting
accessories just to accentuate your over-all
look. Do not go overboard on accessories.
2. Try a hairstyle to see how it looks with all
accessories
3. Schedule hair salon sessions early and keep
good care hair.
4. Wear a button shirt for your final bridal
hairstyling so taking it off will not mess up
your hair
Filipina Bridesonalities
The Penny-Wise Bride
Have your friends do your hair and make
up – Of course, all of us have kikay or gay
friends who loves accessories, dressing up
and putting color to their faces! Why not
have them do your look for your special
day?
Buy generic make up – If your skin is not
sensitive, you can slash a big chunk of your
budget off your hair and make up. You don’t
need to buy branded cosmetics such as Mac,
Shu Eumura, Maybelline or Loreal. Just stay
with the local ones since you’re only going
to use it once.
The Value-for-Money Bride
Get a package for your hair and make up –
Filipino make up artists are very versatile
and multi-talented. Rest assured that neither
of the two are being compromised when you
pick only 1 stylist to do your hair and make
up. They also offer packages that come with
hair & make up styling of you, your mothers
and the bridesmaids and a free trail make up
for you and your entourage too.
The packages may include:
Hair and Make up For the Bride
Groom’s Grooming
Trial Make Up
Pre-nuptial Make Up
Female Entourage
Flower Girl
Mothers of the soon-to-weds
Here is a list of affordable yet talented make
up artists around Metro Manila:
Faye Young
Price Range: P15,000-P25,000
Tierra Pura, Tangang Sora, Quezon City
www.makeupbyfayeyoung.multiply.com
Keon Salon Make Up Studio
1 Conggressional Ave. Bahay Toro, Quezon
City
982.0729; 441.0494; 0917.8225366;
0922.8835366
keonsalon@gmail.com
The Splurge-on-the-Best Bride
Have a separate artist for you hair and
make up – Having a stylist for your make
up and another one for your hairstyle
assures you that you can have the best of
the expertise of both artist. It is best to get
a make up artist who are trained and an
educated professional with his field, same
with the hair stylist.
Diana Kwong Make Up Design & Studio
Location: Unit G-3 Ground Floor Westgate
Plaza Condominium, 120 H.V. dela Costa St.
www.dianakwong.com
Make Up by Madge
Madge Lejano
madgelejano@yahoo.com
www.makeupbymage.com
Use Airbrush Make Up – Airbrush make
up has higher cost than traditional or
mineral make up since its longevity is really
extraordinary.
The Art of Make Up Team
Joey Miguel
www.theartofmakeupteam.com
Your Wedding Photo
& Video Coverage
P
hotos and videos are important keepsakes of your wedding day, and these are the documentation of
what took place on your big day that you can share and enjoy with the people that you love.
You would want to spend a lot more to make these lasting memories.
Wedding coverage, as we know it today, started in the 1970s where portable cameras and compact
flash bulbs became commercially available. Photographers then would usually use black and white
or colored films producing low quality photos. As you may have noticed, most wedding photographs
of our grandparents are in black and white or in poor quality colored prints that are taken inside the
photographer’s studio.
Prior to the 1980s, wedding videography was a luxury only the rich and the famous can afford. The
commercial introduction of the first consumer camcorders gave way to wedding video documentation as
something for the masses. These videographers use consumer video cameras, thus producing low quality
audio and video with bulky equipments which most clients would see as interference to the celebration.
But as competition grew and technology moved forward, these staged wedding photos and low quality
videos evolved into what we know today as the wedding coverage.
“Above all, I craved to
seize the whole essence, in
the confines of one single
photograph, of some
situation that was in the
process of unrolling itself
before my eyes.”
– Henri Cartier-Bresson
Why it Matters
factors that can affect it.
Covering a wedding celebration is very important
because these are one of the best memories that
will happen in your life. As the great Henri CartierBresson puts it, “Memory is very important, the
memory of each photo taken, flowing at the same
speed as the event. During the work, you have to
be sure that you haven’t left any holes, that you’ve
captured everything, because afterwards it will be
too late.”
Budget
Your wedding only happens once in a lifetime, and
these decisive moments can only happen once and
no other forces in the world could make it happen
again.
You want to capture these moments to preserve
it so you can share it to families and friends, and
children and grandchildren so that they may be
inspired by it. These keepsakes are the memories
you will have left long after the cake has been
eaten and the last bottle of wine has been poured
as you go on and start your life as a married man
and woman. These albums and videos will take
you back to that special day when you said your
promises of everlasting love to the one person you
chose to be with for the rest of your life… You
would want it to be very special as you look back,
wouldn’t you?
How to Determine Your Wedding
Photographer and Videographer
Scouting for the right people to cover your wedding
is just like looking for the right clique to hang out
with back in high school. Just as this clique will
determine how you will live your high school life,
these wedding photographers and videographers
will also make or break a good wedding keepsake.
Choosing an expensive package or hiring the most
high-end photographer and videographer doesn’t
guarantee you the best; neither will it guarantee that
you will like what they offer so you have to choose
the perfect team for you.
Factors in choosing your wedding
photographer and videographer
Choosing the team to cover your wedding
celebration can be a hefty task and these are the
When looking for the right people to cover one of
your most special days, the first thing to consider is
your budget. How much are you willing to spend
for a nice photo album and a nice keepsake video
that you can treasure for the rest of your life? Of
course, you would want the best for your special
day, but getting the best service can sometimes
come with a heavy price. People who can afford
services of the best wedding photographers and
videographers in the country often belong to the
elite members of the society.
Having a budget is the first thing to consider in
hiring the right photographer and videographer
for your wedding. With the rise of the wedding
coverage industry these suppliers can be pricier
with their contemporary and avant-garde styles
than the classic wedding albums and videos, way
back to the time our parents and grandparents were
wed. But it doesn’t always have to be expensive,
right? If you really do your research you can find
the right photographer and videographer for you
without spending too much.
Wedding Location
You saw the wedding photographer of your dreams
offer a very affordable wedding coverage package
complete with the leather albums, videos and onsite
AVPs in a bridal fair and you’re dying to hire them
because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime offer! You walked
right up and got their service only to find out later
that they charge extra if you are going to hold
the wedding in the province and you will have to
provide for the transportation and lodging of the
three photographers and their two staffs which
somehow doubles the amount you have paid for!
Where would you get the extra cash?
Keep in mind that all wedding suppliers have
extra charges for destination weddings, or for
those weddings held outside their “home base”.
Most suppliers will usually charge 10-20% outof-town charges, and with photographers and
videographers you would also have to provide for
them a place to stay for two or three days to at least
three to five crews.
If you’re really dying to have a certain team of
wedding photographers and videographers then
you might want to consider your wedding location
because it will chunk out a large part of your
budget, especially for those who are on a tight
budget.
Wedding Date
In November 2009, renowned wedding
videographer Jason Magbanua has announced that
he’s already opening his booking schedule for the
year 2011 because his 2010 calendar was already
full!
With the rise of out-of-the-box wedding coverage
industry more and more soon-to-wed couples
are looking into this direction, and with only
a few people who’ve mastered this kind of
craft, the supply isn’t enough, leading clients to
disappointment especially if their preferred date is
already booked.
One soon-to-wed friend, who’s wanted the service
of Mr. Magbanua and even saved up for it, was
devastated to read of the news because their
planned date is November 2010. She was a moment
too late.
Your wedding date is crucial in hiring the service
that you want, especially if you plan to wed on the
busy month of December. December weddings are
events of multiple celebrations. It can be a wedding,
Christmas and reunion all placed in one big fiesta.
Be sure to check out your supplier’s schedule before
hiring them. Their services might be to die for but
your wedding date is important, too! It’s your big
day, be sure to prepare longer for it if you have
to, or have three to five list of preferred wedding
photographer and videographer so that you will
have other choices just in case No.1 isn’t available.
But if you really prefer Jason Magbanua then better
make sure that you’re planned wedding date isn’t
blocked off in his calendar yet, or (if you’re really
desperate) pray for a miracle that the couple who
was scheduled in that date would back out (but that
would be too dirty, right?).
Picking the Right Team for You
Having someone you don’t know roam around
your big day taking pictures and videos of you,
your partner, your closest friends and relatives is
somewhat odd as all of your guests will be really
conscious with their presence. This feeling of
awkwardness can be resolved with a few tweaks
here and there, and by making sure that you’ll find
the right team for you. But singling a team among
hundreds of others can be a big job, so here are a
few easy steps to help you how.
1. Pick one that which suits your style
Most soon-to-wed couples have been
browsing through magazines and attending
bridal fairs scouting the right suppliers
for them. You would be printing materials
and addresses you’ve gathered online and
collecting brochures and leaflets that were
handed out on fairs.
Before even deciding on the right
photographer and videographer for you,
the first thing to do is assess yourself. In
browsing photo albums (online and those
leather-bound displays), which style do you
prefer?
Do you want the classic romantic pictures of
you and your partner ogling each other like
you’re the only people in the world in your
pre-nuptial shots, and that portrait shot at
the altar of the whole family with the groom
and bride in between?
Perhaps you prefer those black-and-white
action and candid shots in your friend’s
wedding album; with the decisive moments
captured in every shot that hasn’t escaped
the keen eye of your photographer and
videographer’s, just like a photojournalist on
an assignment.
Or, maybe you want both classical and
journalistic pictures harmoniously blending
in your leather-bound album; a perfect
keepsake of the actions and happenings of
your special day.
Be it classically romantic or candidly
photojournalistic (or even both), you must
first choose which style you prefer to
easily narrow down the list of potential
photographers and videographers you want
wandering around your wedding day. Don’t
choose the most sought-after and the most
popular style. Remember, photography and
videography is like fashion, it has trends and
will present styles that are only good for the
moment and will be engulfed by another
new style. Choose the style that you think
will BEST suit you, that will make you feel
nostalgic and you think you’ll never get
tired of staring at fifty or sixty years from
now.
2. Research, research, research!
Nothing beats good old research! People
may have discovered fire, gravity, and
electricity accidentally but these things were
improved through intensive research.
You too, may stumble upon a truly good
wedding photographer and videographer
when you were out socializing in a benefit
concert or in browsing rigorously online but
this will take up a big piece of your time.
You don’t have all day to spend it online and
you don’t go out on concerts all night and
neither will a photographer or videographer.
Researching may eat up a lot of your
time but this will be of value because
you’ve dedicated in on reading and finding
out which team are recommended by
recently wed couples and wedding-based
organizations.
3. Browse Locally
If you’re looking for the perfect supplier, the
best thing to do is to browse locally. Find
wedding photographers and videographers
that are in your area first before venturing
out because this will save you time and
money for initial meetings and eventually in
briefing them when you have finally chosen
the right team.
If you are from Cebu, you must first
collate all wedding photographers and
videographers from your area before looking
out for suppliers that are Manila-based.
Most TV features, wedding magazines and
internet directories advertise Manila-based
studios so make sure that what you have
in your list of possible suppliers are within
your area to easily come and screen them,
who knows you might rub it off better with
them?
Unless you really are convinced and firm in
the decision that you want a specific team
who is not based in your area to handle
your wedding coverage, then you better
start looking for local photographers and
videographers who have mastered their
crafts.
4. Be Smart
Good wedding pictures and cinematic
wedding videos are mostly displayed on
photographers and videographers’ websites
and on wedding fairs and exhibits. In this
industry, to be able to gain more sales you
have to put your best foot forward.
You have to be smart in choosing your team.
Review references and view their portfolios,
ask them a lot of questions on how they
work. Tip to those who are doubtful: Ask
a photographer or a videographer if you
can see some samples of their work that
are still raw and unedited and compare
how much difference the two has. A good
wedding photographer is going to need a
little tweaking from the original photos,
while a good videographer can turn a boring
wedding video into a cinematic masterpiece.
Do not be afraid to ask them a lot of
questions, it is part of your probing. But
avoid asking them in an accusatory tone, it
won’t do you good and these people work
on a very small world, you might gain a
reputation you wouldn’t like.
5. Look for the Connection
As I have mentioned earlier, looking for
the right team to cover your wedding is
like looking for a clique that you will hang
out with throughout your high school
life. Though you wouldn’t be trying one
photographer and videographer to another
(because that would seem silly), you have
to learn to trust your instinct. How did
you find your best friend in high school?
She may not be the one you’ve first talked
to, and she might have even become your
enemy because she was so brutally honest
that it irritated you. But when she became
your lab partner, you learned that she is
well afraid of rats and cockroaches too. You
hit it off and you’ve learned that you have
a lot of things is common and you became
inseparable since then.
Just like how you’ve come to know your best
friend, you also have to do the same with
the team that will cover your wedding. You
have to find that connection, the common
thing that you and your chosen wedding
photographer and videographer has. Be
it adoration for rock music or the love
to travel, having this common thing will
become that catalyst that will ignite your
bond with them during the briefing period,
easing the feeling of awkwardness during
the wedding day.
6. Talk to the right person
Wedding coverage has become a lucrative
career for most people because it has become
a necessity (if not a requirement) that you’ll
have a wedding album for everyone to see.
While Manong Pedro has been the only
person you’ve remember to see that covered
your aunt’s wedding twenty years ago, that
isn’t the case for most wedding coverage
companies today. It isn’t a one-man team
anymore, even for those who are just
starting in the field.
Big wedding coverage companies hire
different photographers to cover their
bookings of more than 100 weddings
per month. And if a wedding coverage
company has more than 100 bookings per
month but is named on a certain head
photographer it will be most likely that Mr.
Head Photographer won’t be covering your
wedding, especially if you got the budget
package.
That is understandable, but be sure that
during one of your meetings and briefing
you are talking to the person who will cover
your wedding. If his staff will say that he’s
busy with other assignments, re-schedule
the meeting and make sure that you’ve met
and talked to him at least twice before the
wedding day.
Photo-Video Package or Not?
Ask your local wedding photographers and videographers and they will show you that (for your
convenience) they have both wedding photo and video coverage in one package that will surely fit your
budget.
While this might be convenient, it could be that your chosen photographer isn’t an effective wedding
videographer, or you just like the style of the other videographer you’ve seen in a wedding exhibit.
Wedding photographers and videographers have different styles that may or may not suite your taste, so
getting a photo and video package isn’t much of a convenience.
But before you decide to drop of that photo-video package contract you’re about to sign, let us first
compare each.
PHOTO & VIDEO PACKAGE
SEPARATE
You conveniently get a photo and video coverage in
one package
You have the change to pick out the best
photographer and the videographer of your
choice
You’ll be working with one team from the same
company who knows each other well and are
familiar with each other’s working style
These wedding photographers and wedding
videographers have worked together, too.
And some have been partners and friends
The price is cheaper than getting separate people
to cover the wedding photographer and
videographer
The price might be a bit high, but you are assured
of photographers and videographers who
have specialized their fields
You’ll be meeting with one team working for the
same company so you’ll save time and money
coordinating with them and to brief them of
what you exactly want
Coordinating with photographers and
videographers who are from different
companies can be a little tasky and time
consuming and will depend on their
availability
You’ll be working with a team which will compose
of 3-5 people who will cover your wedding
day so you’ll only have to provide food and
accommodation (for out-of-town weddings) for
one team
You’ll be working with two teams, one
team of photographers and one team of
videographers, they will usually be 2-4 people
in a team for each so you’ll have to provide
food and accommodation (for out-of-town
weddings) for two instead of one
Basically, it boils down to the price and how much time it will consume in meeting and coordinating with
each team, especially for the budget-conscious couple. But if you really do want to hire a separate team for
each then you might want to save up and allot more budget for the wedding photo and video coverage.
What are the different parts of wedding
photography & videography?
Twenty years ago, when they say wedding
photography they are talking about a hired
photographer who is taking pictures at someone’s
wedding. These photographers are usually found in
the church as they take a snap shot of everyone who
walked the aisle from the entourage to the bride
herself.
Upon browsing my parent’s wedding album—an
old maroon-colored photo album filled with their
wedding pictures—I have noticed that most of the
pictures in the album are the ones from the church,
taken by photographers in their film cameras.
Pictures of the wedding reception, which was held
at my mother’s parent’s house, were mostly taken
by a drunken uncle or an aunt who is busy talking
to her kumare than take pictures of what’s going on
in the reception.
But in this generation, the wedding coverage
industry has evolved into different forms. The
wedding photography section itself has more
than three forms, while wedding videography has
had its time of experimentation. Listed below are
categorized types of the wedding coverage industry
based on what is popular and mostly seen.
Familiarizing yourself with the different types of
Wedding Photography
These are the types of wedding photography that
are popular today among soon-to-wed couples and
promoted by wedding photographers themselves:
Pre-Nuptial Photo Shoot
Pre-nuptial photo shoots is basically you and your
partner trying to be rock stars or supermodels in
a photo session with a professional photographer
where you showcase yourselves as the soon-towed couple. This may have evolved from those
pre-nuptial photo shoot where a couple would hire
a photographer to take their photos so that these
pictures can be used on invitations, souvenirs and
other printed things to be used in the wedding
day. From a photographer’s studio, the setting has
changed outdoors to fill in the sense of reality and
informality which shows a human’s emotion well.
Photographers, being the business-minded that they
are, may have
noticed that
these pictures
would just go
to waste if the
couple would
just be given
printed copies
so instead,
they played
it up a little
and decided
to put it in a
hardbound
and
customized
album which
greatly
appeals to the
couples.
popular for bride-to-be, your adventurous partner
may try it, too!
The purpose of Boudoir Photography is to showcase
the bride’s femininity and sensuality. It is printed
on a customized album given as a gift to the groom,
giving him a glimpse of what he will have come the
honeymoon.
Pre-nuptial photos tend to be creative and
depends heavily on the couple’s personality.
Necessity-wise, a pre-nuptial photo shoot is
important for soon-to-wed couples because it is
where you can get ideas and prints for the invitation
and save-the-date cards and the souvenirs instead
of those candid shots taken at a party where you
both don’t look that presentable.
Price range for such service may vary from one
photographer to another; while some may include a
pre-nuptial photo shoot in the package, others offer
this as a stand-alone service which will cost you at
about P35,000 on the average, complete with the
editing and the album.
A pre-nuptial photo shoot gives a very wide room
for creativity. From the classic studio shots and
stroll-around-the-park shots, this has evolved into
the more surrealistic and avant-garde approach.
Photography studios who have mastered these
dream-like, fantasy pre-nups are MangoRED,
Mimi+Karl, Cherry Blocks, Dino Lara, and Pat Dy
among others.
Boudoir Photography
Boudoir Photography is one of the newest concepts
of the wedding photography industry. It is the
answer of photographers to artistic nude paintings.
This can be a pre- or a post-nuptial shoot FHM
style! Clad in a sexy lingerie (for the bride-to-be) or
half-naked (for the much more adventurous groomto-be), or for those bold enough to bare everything,
the bride (or the groom), poses sensually, showing
their sexy and wild side. While this is mostly
While it may be a unique wedding gift to your
groom, boudoir photography isn’t so much
necessary because you can get it even after the
wedding ceremony is over. Practically speaking,
this will not do any good to your budget, so you
might want to wait until your first or fifth wedding
anniversary after getting this service to rekindle the
flame. Just be sure to take care of your body though,
you don’t want to wear a lingerie with bulges
hanging from left and right of your used-to-be-sexy
abs, right?
For a service as such, it is a bit pricey as it is
unnecessary especially for couples on a limited
budget.
Boudoir Photography is creative and unique in its
own way, but you can hardly apply other creative
styles because the “traditional” outfit in a Boudoir
Photography is the different styles of sexy lingerie;
unless, of course, you want to dress-up and go as
much as design your own photography set.
Photographers who offer this service in Metro
Manila are: (list names).
On-the-Day Wedding Coverage
Perhaps this is the most important keepsake that
you will be treasuring long after the last love song
has been played in your wedding reception. Your
wedding album is as much important as your
wedding ring, because every time you will look at
it you will always remember that great day where
your choose to live with the one person you love
for the rest of your life. In this album, you will be
seeing the happy faces of everyone who celebrated
that fateful day with you.
For decades we have been recording this important
little event of our lives, from the one-shot-tooexpensive wedding pictures of the 1900s, to the
36-shots-per-roll instamatic film cameras of the
20th century, up to the point-and-shoot-until-youconsumed-your-memory digital cameras of our
generation. It is important and a necessity because
you will be keeping this souvenir of your wedding
day, and look at it with great joy and nostalgia
50 years from now. You grandchildren and their
grandchildren will surely enjoy looking at them,
poking fun at how “cool” Lolo and Lola was when
they were young.
The price range for such service will depend
on who you will hire to cover your wedding. A
package of the country’s tried-and-tested wedding
photographers starts at P40,000 complete with raw
pictures in a DVD and the customized leatherbound album.
Your creativity in this section will depend on
what kind of wedding photographer you will hire.
Should you hire a traditional photographer who
happens to be great at classically-romantic-but-maylook-scripted shots of the whole celebration, then
the creativity that you crave for may not be there.
If you happen to hire the journalistic photographer
who happens to capture all the right moment and
is great at taking candid-and-creative-but-tooinformal pictures, then you’ll be getting creatively
unique pictures. Be sure to hire a team who are
good at both styles if you want each style (the
classic and journalistic) to be captured and included
in your album.
Photographers who have mastered this craft are
Dino Lara, Wally Gonzales, Edwin Tuyay, and Jun
Valbuena among others.
Post-Nuptial Photo Shoot
A Post-Nuptial Photo Shoot is just like a Pre-Nup
but is reversed. While a pre-nuptial’s pictures are
used to decorate the invitation and souvenirs, the
post-nuptial pictures can be used in the Thank You
cards that you are going to be sending out to your
principal sponsors and guests. This can either be
done right after the wedding ceremony before the
couple goes to the reception, or can be scheduled for
another date.
A post-nuptial shoot right after the wedding is part
the wedding photography package, so scheduling
for a post-nuptial on another date after the wedding
is a little too impractical especially if you already
have a pre-nup album.
It is as much pricier as getting a pre-nup, so that’s
another reason for it to be tagged as impractical.
This can be recommended though for couples who
has not had a pre-nup photo shoot, an additional
to their keepsake albums. This can also be done a
year after the wedding, or together with the new
additional to the family so that you’ll not only have
a post-nup album but a family album as well.
Let your creativity run wild during the shoot, may
it be after the wedding ceremony where you’ll scout
for unlikely locations such as a vacant lot or an
on-going construction site of a condo or building
near the church, or set a date after the wedding day
and sport some costumes from your favorite anime
shows.
Fashion photographers such as Jay Alonzo and
Keith Dador are perfect for this job. Some other
photographers include MangoRED and Cherry
Blocks are among others.
Trash-the-Dress Shoot
This can be a part of the post-nuptial photo shoot
where the bride and groom trashes the dress
by getting it wet, dirty or even reaching the
circumstance of tearing and destroying the wedding
dress. This is symbolic because a wedding dress
can only be worn once (except if you’ve rented or
borrowed it from someone else) and by trashing
the dress will symbolically mean that the wedding
is over and that the dress won’t be used again,
an alternative solution that the Westerners have
instead of storing it away.
Symbolic as it may have meant for others, I don’t
see how you can afford to trash a Vera Wang
wedding dress just because you’ll find no use for it
after. There are other more practical alternative such
as bridal gown and bouquet preservation offered by
suppliers such as Precious Memories and The Bridal
Conservatory among others. Other couples do get a
little creative just to try out this new trend: they buy
a ball gown or a cheaper alternative wedding dress
to trash.
If you’re deciding to include this in your postnuptial shoot then do save up for the cost and
get the best photographers that you know. This
wouldn’t work out if you’ll ask a traditional
wedding photographer so you would have to
hire wedding photographers who specialize on
contemporary and fashionably bold styles.
Wedding Videography
These are the types of wedding videography that
are popular today among soon-to-wed couples and
promoted by wedding videographers themselves:
Save-the-Date Video
Save-the-date videos are the latest alternative to
save-thedate cards
sent to an
engaged
couple’s
friends and
relatives to
announce
their
wedding
date. This
is usually
followed by a formal invitation a few weeks after
the save-the-date was sent.
One of the latest trends in wedding videos, the
Save-the-Date video is patterned like movie trailers
showing couples in different video clips, or it
can be a parody of the couple’s favorite movie, to
announce their wedding date.
A Save-the-Date video is trendy and it’s a unique
way to announce the date to the people you want
to invite to your big day. But doing so can be quite
pricey especially if you’re going to hire the best
people to do the job. This hasn’t been included in
wedding video package, unlike the Same-Day Edits
(SDEs), so you’ll have to ask and pay specifically for
this service.
A good way to save up and still do this is to make it
your wedding invitation. You’ll have the option to
burn it in a CD and give them away to the people in
your guest list, or just post it Facebook and tag all
the people you want to invite.
Couple’s Love Story
A couple’s love story is a good way to tell your
intrigued guests the story of how you met and
fell in love in your own words. This is shown
during the wedding reception to give time for your
wedding entertainers (MC, wedding singers, etc.) to
rest, or while everyone eats.
Shot on location (at the bride/groom’s house, or
their favorite place), this is in interview format
and the couple tells the story of how they met, the
courting period, their first date, what gifts they
first gave each other, and everything about their
love story. This may include a cameo of friends
and parents who’ve witnessed the ups and downs
of their relationship; a wedding videographer’s
version of a pre-nuptial photo album.
This is a fun way to entertain your guests and
you can also treasure it as a part of the wedding
coverage. Your kids might get interested on the
story of how their parents met and they might enjoy
this as much as everyone in your reception did a
few years back.
A Couple’s Love Story Video may be included in
the package of some wedding videographers. To
save up on the budget for the wedding films, you
may want to get the clips in this project to create
your Save-the-Date video. That’s hitting two birds
in one stone!
This will definitely need all your creative juices.
The wedding videographer is only as good as how
much material you give him to work on. Don’t be
afraid to say your objections and suggestions for a
fun shoot and a creative output.
Same-Day Edits
Same-Day Edits (SDEs) was introduced as an
answer to soon-to-wed couples who are looking for
fresh and out-of-the-box ideas, a new gimmick to
entertain their guests on the wedding reception.
Same-Day Edits are basically the wedding
preparation and ceremony videos weaved into
a beautiful video with the music of the couple’s
choice. This usually contains footages of the
preparation, the wedding entourage and the vows.
Most wedding videographers vie for customized
wedding vows because these promises spoken
from the heart in perfect emotion is the best way to
present a superb video.
This is important for the couple and the
videographer himself. For the couple, it’s to
show their guests how specially entertaining and
memorable their wedding is; for the videographer,
it shows how creatively good he is in capturing
all that decisive moments and weaving it into
place all in a matter of hours. As famous wedding
videographer Jason Magbanua would say: “A
wedding day has enough drama, humor and
romance by itself”, all they have to do is capture the
right moment and show the guests how in love the
couple is.
Same-day edits are usually part of the wedding
video package so it’s not that pricey. And it’s
creativity lies on the videographer himself. So,
you’ll just have to get a very good wedding
videographer. And wedding videographers are
usually judged for their same-day edits.
Wedding Video Coverage
The wedding video coverage is perhaps the soul of
the whole wedding
video package. This
is one of the most
important keepsakes
that you’ll be keeping
for the rest of your
life. Wedding
video coverage has
been introduced
since the 80s and
now is popularized in the country by wedding
videographers.
This is the reason why you hire a wedding
videographer to cover your wedding so it is
important. While it can be pricey, especially for
those who specialize only on wedding videography
you may also get it through packages that are
offered by wedding photographers who also
produce very good wedding videos.
The creativity of each video lies on the
videographer’s hands, on how he’ll weave each
clips into a beautiful masterpiece called ‘Your
Wedding.’ Be sure to ask a videographer questions
and see samples of his work before hiring him to do
the job, so you don’t regret in hiring one in the first
place.
Some of the country’s best wedding videographers
include Jason Magbanua, the Mayad Studios, and
Threelogy among others.
Filipina Bridesonalities: What should I get with my budget?
The Penny-Wise Bride - “I want a wedding coverage but my budget isn’t enough to hire the best of the
best.”
Ask your friends for help. Ask your friends and I’m sure they know a thing or two about
photography and video editing, or they might know somebody who can help you do it for free.
With their help you can actually have a pre- and post-nup, a love story and save-the-date videos,
and even the boudoir photo album!
A photo and video coverage is important to every wedding so you will very
much be torn between getting Jason Magbanua and MangoRed or just follow
your Mom’s advice and get your community’s official wedding photographer
because he’s also been the one to cover your parent’s wedding.
Be creative. Use your imagination and let your creativity run wild, especially if you’re doing DIY
pre-nup albums and save-the-date videos. Get all the props you can use from your house or from
your friends and have fun.
Of course you can’t get JMag or the MangoRed with the kind of budget you’re
having; as my friend would joke: “if you really want them, let’s hire them… but
the wedding would have to wait for another few years.”
Find a sponsor. Yes! You can actually ask one of your principal sponsors if they can pay for your
wedding coverage as gift.
There are solutions to avoid your Mom’s recommendation though, so don’t freak out
much yet. The thing you’d have to do first is to sort out which of the things you’ll need.
Yes
No
Pre-Nuptial Photo Shoot – This is one of the things you can do without, but if you must
insist then the solution would be to get your friend who knows a thing or two about
photography and have them take pictures of you and your groom on location. This can
be in a park or a vacant lot, let your imagination run wild. Be sure to check out sample
works of wedding photographers online to get an idea of what you can do.
X
Boudoir Photography – This is one of the unnecessary things for a wedding budget.
Though it’s a good wedding gift, you can give it to your husband on your fifth year
anniversary. That way you can rekindle the fire and also save up for the cost if you
want to hire a professional photographer to do the job.
X
On-the-Day Wedding Coverage – This is a necessity! You can ask around and get
wedding photographers to do the job for you in a cost much less than what the top
wedding photographers offer.
X
X
Trash-the-Dress Shoot – Though it might be symbolic in other countries, you’ll have to
say pass on this one especially if you’re just renting or borrowing the wedding gown of
your mother! A wedding dress is too important a keepsake that you don’t want to ruin
it, right?
X
Yes
No
Save-the-Date Video – This is unique, in an expensive kind of way, so just shun off the
idea of getting one. It’s really not that important, anyway.
X
Couple’s Love Story – While this is a very cool way of entertaining your guests, you
don’t have to hire a videographer to do this for you. It’s too expensive!
X
Same-Day Edit – These are mostly offered by high-end videographers, but small
players on the industry are giving it a try, too. Though it is unnecessary for you it
wouldn’t hurt to try it if the guys you hired to cover the wedding include this in the
package.
X
Get the service only package. You can get a photographer and videographer’s Service Only
package if you really are tight on the budget. Then you can ask someone to edit the raw files for
you or you might want to challenge yourself into doing it.
Whether it is MangoRed and Jason Magbanua or your friends experimenting on the cameras, the most
important thing is that you don’t worry too much and have fun. A good wedding picture shows how
much fun you, your partner and your guests had during your special day, so better show that camera your
biggest smile.
The Value-for-Money Bride: “I do have a budget for a full wedding photo and video coverage but it is
not enough to hire the ‘masters’.”
You have the resources but it is not enough to hire the best of the best in the
wedding photo and video coverage industry. That is not a problem. Most
caterers and wedding coordinators can recommend a team they think you’ll
like.
Post-Nuptial Photo Shoot – This is costly as much as it is unnecessary.
Wedding Videography
X
The key is, as long as it’s not necessary you don’t have to strain your budget just to get it. But there are
ways you can do to be able to get them if you really want to, what you just have to do is:
Being a budget bride is really tough because you have to work around your
budget and fit everything that you want to include in your wedding.
Wedding Photography
Wedding Video Coverage – This is one thing you can do without. It is not as important
as a wedding album because people wouldn’t be as much interested to view it as they
are to see the prints on your wedding.
Let’s face it! You don’t have enough resources to pay for the services of highend wedding photographers and wedding videographers. There are other
suppliers who may not be exactly them but are as good as them.
First, let us figure out the services that you’re going to need.
Wedding Photography
Pre-Nuptial Photo Shoot – This can be done with the help of a few friends and a lot
of conceptualization. Search for online concepts, and base your shoot entirely on the
wedding theme as you can use these pictures for the invitation and the love story video.
Yes
X
Boudoir Photography – This is one of the unnecessary things for a wedding budget. It
can wait a few more years.
On-the-Day Wedding Coverage – This is a necessity! You can ask around and get
wedding photographers to do the job for you in a price that is just right.
No
X
X
Post-Nuptial Photo Shoot – This is costly as much as it is unnecessary.
Trash-the-Dress Shoot – Though it might be symbolic in other countries, you’ll have to
say pass on this one using your wedding dress! What you can do is to buy an alternate
white dress in Divisoria, which will cost about P500 or less, and use it for your Trashthe-Dress shoot.
Wedding Videography
Save-the-Date Video – You can make this as an alternate to your wedding invitation. It
doesn’t have to be the fancy wedding trailer type; you can actually do this by yourself
using a hand-held camcorder just like what this couple (http://vimeo.com/8233634)
did.
X
X
Yes
No
X
Couple’s Love Story – This is too expensive if done by a professional. What you can
do is to upload all the pictures that you and your partner have from the beginning of
your friendship to the time you’re both planning for the wedding. Compile each picture
and make a video out of it, be sure to add text to tell the story. There are a lot of sites
online that allows you to compile these such as One True Media and Stupeflix. For the
more patient ones you can download or acquire a copy of video editing softwares, or
use your Windows Movie Maker to make the video. There are a lot of tutorials online
that can teach you how to operate these complex video editing softwares; you’ll not
only have a DIY love story video, you also gain knowledge that you can use for future
celebrations.
X
Same-Day Edit – Most wedding photo and video coverage teams include this in the
package, some may offer an early-recorded AVP instead.
X
Wedding Video Coverage – This is the essence of hiring a videographer in the first
place. Do get someone who can provide you a video of good quality.
X
Here are some ways you can do to get the services that you want:
Research! This is the best way to go, especially of you and your friends decided to DIY the prenup photo shoot. There are tons of references online. You can get ideas from the different wedding
photographers, you can even get superb quality images using your point and shoot camera.
Be practical, don’t strain your budget. So what if you can’t afford the best? You can still hire people
who are as good as those who have already established themselves in the industry. Look up those
photographers who are just starting yet are promising, or get to know other photographers through
their credentials.
Choose the package. This is the best way to get the complete photo and video coverage without
spending too much. Most wedding photographers do offer this package, making it economical and
practical.
Raise Funds. If you really want a particular team to cover your wedding but they are way above
your budget, don’t fret! There is a way, and what better way it is than to raise the fund yourself?
Though this might be a little tricky and will need a lot of work you can ask your friends for help.
You can start by collecting the things that you don’t use anymore and do a garage sale. You can
even ask your friends to donate some of their stuffs for the fund-raising, I’m sure they’ll be glad to
help in any little way they can.
The Splurge-on-the-Best Bride: “I want the best of the best to cover my wedding
and I want good results.”
Your wedding is fast approaching and you are choosing between which
photographers and videographers to choose to cover your once-in-a-lifetime
wedding. Choosing the perfect team to cover your wedding is crucial because
this will determine how good the album and videos you’ll show your kids and
grandkids be.
After you’ve determined which team you’ll get, it’s now time to see which service
you will have to get and how to make them work for you:
Wedding Photography
Yes
Pre-Nuptial Photo Shoot – A pre-nuptial photo album is a good remembrance and
keepsake aside from the wedding album. You can do this by going all the way as
designing your photo shoot to coincide with your wedding theme, whether be it
Victorian, or based on your favorite children’s book, or a sketchy scene right out from
your dreams, you can make it with the right team and a lot of imagination.
X
Boudoir Photography – This is a good gift to give your husband on your wedding day.
It’s the best way to show your sexy and playful side, so why not try it out? Anyway, it
would exclusively be just for him, right?
X
On-the-Day Wedding Coverage – This is the most crucial thing. Be sure to hire who
you think is the best team/teams to cover your wedding. The best thing to do is to hire
both traditional- and photojournalistic-styled wedding photographers so everything
will be covered—from the formal portraiture of you and your husband to the candid
shots of your best friends had too much to drink.
X
Post-Nuptial Photo Shoot – You can do without this, especially if you are planning on
getting the Trash-the-Dress Shoot.
Trash-the-Dress Shoot – This is something new and fun, but you don’t have to trash
that Vera Wang dress. The secret is to get a local designer make the same dress for you
and use that for the trash the dress, or buy a whole new wedding dress for the shoot
itself.
Wedding Videography
No
X
X
Yes
Save-the-Date Video – This is a cool way to announce to everyone on your guest list
the good news before the invitation is done so they can block off the date to attend
your wedding. Some couples do save the dates in their own way while some get really
creative and make a trailer for their wedding film.
X
Couple’s Love Story – A couple’s love story is a romantic way to show your guests
well… your love story. It can be in a form of an interview with the people that have
witnessed your relationship through the years, or in the form of a short film just like this
one by Jason Magbanua (http://jasonmagbanua.com/blog/2010/01/26/a-horny-storyhan-gaisano-and-oliver-gans-short-film/).
X
Same-Day Edit – This is the way to WOW your audience. A good wedding
videographer is known for his short, but fun with the right kind of romance, music
video straight from the coverage of the preparation and ceremony.
X
No
Wedding Video Coverage – A wedding video coverage has been ringing a buzz since
the development of technology, providing the public with high-end camcorders to
record those sweet moments. The latest trend in wedding video coverage is creating the
Wedding Film, which is as good as a wedding album. Be sure to hire the one you think
can give you a good wedding film you and your grandkids will enjoy several years
from now.
X
You don’t really have to get everything just because it’s good. You just have to get what you think is
necessary for you and what you think you will treasure for the rest of your married life. Here are some tips
to remember:
Your Wedding Invitation
& Stationeries
Get the best. It’s your wedding day and you should have the best of the best.
Book ahead. Booking ahead the photographers and videographers that you want for your wedding
is the right thing to do unless of course you want to move your own wedding date just to wait for
your chosen supplier because someone already got them just a few weeks earlier than you did.
Keep in mind that these photographers and videographers have hectic schedules, too.
Find the connection. Just what I’ve said earlier, you have to find the connection. A good
videographer and photographer can only give you good videos and photographs if you connect
with them.
Here’s another question that haunts or will haunt you: “How many photographers should I get?” The best
thing to do is to get two teams of photographers to cover your entire wedding; one team who specializes
on candid photos and one who specializes on the formal portrait-type pictures.
You would want the entire thing covered but you don’t want it to be a circus, so just limit the team to two,
or three including the videographer.
A
fter settling on your guest list, and the date and venue for your wedding, are you now ready to
formally invite your guests?
A proper announcement together with an invitation card has been a tradition practiced not only
here in the Philippines but in other countries as well. Almost all celebrations, not just weddings, make use
of invitation cards to have a more formal and courteous way of inviting the guests.
But in a wedding, there are more wedding stationeries than just the invitation. This will include the Savethe-Date cards, the program copy, and thank you cards to hand out to guests who have graced your
occasion with their presence.
If you thought that the only printed material a wedding will need is the invitation, think again. Read on
and find out more.
Why It Matters
Budget
Through time, people have been communicating
through speech and writing, especially in inviting
them to special occasions. A written letter for an
invitation will give more formality and importance
than that of a spoken invitation which seemed
to be informal and will much likely be the cause
of gatecrashers to just walk right in. Wedding
invitations and stationeries are important in a
wedding.
The budget is the biggest factor that has to do with
all the things related to your wedding. For most
soon-to-wed couples the budget for the invitation
and other wedding stationeries is around 3-5% of
the entire wedding cost. But that doesn’t mean that
you’ll have to sacrifice this category.
Stationeries that are given before the wedding day,
like Save-the-Date cards and an invitation, plays an
important role of not just letting people know when
and where you are getting married. Potential guests
who have RSVP on your invitation will consist of
the final headcount and will give you an idea of
who will be coming to your wedding.
Other stationeries given on the day of the wedding,
such as misallettes, program copy, menu cards, and
escort cards among others, will guide your guests
on the flow of the entire wedding, the list of food
that they will be eating, and their assigned seats.
This will help ease the organization of your guests,
and will give your wedding a much more placid
flow.
A Thank You note given after the wedding will let
your guests know that you are delighted by their
presence.
How to Determine Your Wedding Invitation
and Stationeries
Wedding invitation and stationeries are the little
helpers of your wedding organizers. They help
manage the details of your wedding, such as a
guide of the wedding flow through the misallettes
and program copies, and the total number of guests.
This will also help you know who each guest are,
where they will be seating, and it will be your
guests guides on what they will be eating and what
they have to do.
You have to keep in mind that by giving your
potential guests Save-the-Date cards and a copy of
your wedding invitation you are letting them see a
glimpse of what your entire wedding is going to be
because this will clearly show your color motif and
the theme of your wedding. You wouldn’t want to
show them a second-rate invitation and make them
think that the entire thing will be as mediocre as the
invitation is, would you?
Every wedding has the right to look lavish, and
being lavish doesn’t have to mean that you’ll be
spending too much for everything. With a little
research you’ll be surprised to know that having
an elegant invitation or a thank you card isn’t as
expensive as you think.
Wedding Date
Determining the wedding date is one of the first
things that you’re going to have to do after he’s
asked you to marry him. And when you did decide
on the date, that’s when you start to tell people that
you want to invite.
In giving out Save-the-Date cards, you’ll have to
know the wedding date. This way people will know
ahead how much time they have left in deciding to
go to your wedding or not, and which gift to bring
on that day that they think you would appreciate
most.
The wedding date is one of the most important
information that guests would want to know
about your wedding day as this will be prominent
on all questions they’re going to ask and almost all
wedding stationeries. So you better make sure to
decide on that date as soon as you can.
Wedding Location
Factors that Affect your Wedding Invitation
and Stationeries
Here are the factors that may affect you in choosing
your wedding invitation and stationeries:
Scouting for a favorable wedding location, be it the
church or the venue, is on the priority list you’ll do
for your wedding. Drafting an invitation for your
potential guests is also going to need information
such as the wedding date and the location.
Wedding stationeries, particularly the wedding
invitation, is going to need the information
regarding your wedding location because this is
how your guests will know where and when they
will go to attend your wedding.
Whether be it a destination wedding, or just within
Metro Manila, you will have to put the exact
address and even give them a sketch and direction
on how to get to the church and the reception venue
for their convenience.
Number of Guests
Your guests are the reason why you’ll need an
invitation and the rest of the wedding stationeries
because they will be the one who will be receiving
and will be making use of these. You will provide
the stationeries as their guide to the details of your
wedding, from the date, location, and even their
assigned seats and type of souvenirs they are going
to get.
The number of guests is a great factor because
this will determine how many invitations and
stationeries you’re going to produce for them.
But it’s not necessary to provide each and every
guest an invitation especially if you’re going to
invite the whole family. That would be wasting
your money.
Through Mail vs. Personally Handed
In the country, most invitations are handed
personally by the bride, the groom, or their parents
to the guests, but there are some cases that these
invitations would have to be mailed to the invitees
especially if your preferred guests are coming from
out of town, or are living out of the country. In
other countries though, they have been accustomed
to sending their invitations through courier mail.
Let us compare the pros and cons of personally
handed invitations than through mail and
determine which one is better:
Through Mail
Personally Handed
Your invitations are easily
mailed, and it is convenient
because you’ll have the
post office or your local
courier branch take care of
everything for you.
You have to deliver
the invitation
personally, going
from one place to
another to hand out
the invitations to your
guests.
It’s expensive to send
each mail through the
courier.
It’s cheaper to do
this especially if your
preferred guests live
near your house.
It is convenient and won’t
take up most of the time,
which you can use in going
through the other details of
the wedding.
It’s time consuming.
You’ll lose the personal
touch.
You’ll be able to chat
with your preferred
guests and they would
greatly appreciate your
thoughtfulness.
Be it personally handed or through a courier,
invitations are given to special people that you
want to celebrate the wedding with you. Choose
whatever is convenient with you.
For couples who are both working, it might be best
to send the invitation through mail, if most of your
invitees are from out of town or out of the country.
For those who have all the spare time, you can
personally hand your invitations.
Professionally Made vs. DIY
Wedding stationeries are usually the last things on
the budget list because it’s either cheap or can be
done by the bride and groom themselves. These
have been often neglected and sometimes the ones
produced are the invitation, the rest of the DIY
projects forgotten because of the lack of time. Some
couples rely on the suppliers and coordinators to do
these things for them.
But which is really better, the professionally made
ones or the ones that you did yourself?
DIY Stationeries
It has your personal
touch.
Professionally-Made
Stationeries
Most printing
companies have
machines to do
the job for them.
Calligraphers do give
your stationeries their
personal touch.
It would require much
of your time.
You are assured that
each invitation met your
standards.
You, your family and
friends can bond as they
help you make these
stationeries.
It would only require a
little of your time; you’d
only have to give the
printer your specifications
and wait for the final
checking.
Not most printers
adhere to your
standards and some
may not meet your
expectation.
You can give your
friends and family more
time to prepare for your
wedding.
While some brides do rely on their suppliers, other
more patient brides take it upon themselves into
doing the invitation themselves and with the help of
some friends, adding their own personal touch.
If you do have time to make your own invitations
and thank you cards, and you’re ready to let the
creative juices flowing, then do make it. Just make
sure that you’ll allot time for it.
friends and family the news, this is the way to go.
A Save the Date Card contains the most important
detail about your wedding: the wedding date! This
card simply asks the receiver to save the date (hence
the name) that is written in the card so that he/
she can attend your special day. This gives possible
guests a sneak peak on the upcoming wedding.
A save-the-date card is not much necessary
especially if you will be having a short engagement
and wedding planning time. With five months or
less left for the wedding planning and preparation
you’ll just have to give your guests invitations, or
you can even send them emails and text messages to
let them know, if the invitation is still unavailable.
You might need it if you’re planning for a wedding
that will fall on the busy months (summer and
December), a holiday wedding, or a destination
wedding to give your guests time to prepare and
reserve hotels and flights to get to your wedding.
This may also contain information such as a list of
hotels and inns that you’ve reserved for them.
Invitation
Save the Date
Save the Date Cards are usually given out one year
to six months before the wedding. With the details
still unclear but a very excited bride eager to tell her
Missalettes are copies of the wedding mass
celebration handed out to the attendees and used
as a guide for the entire thing. While these can
be provided by your local parish church, it has
been a trend to also customize your missalette to
complement with the theme of your wedding.
Providing a customized missalette is not really
necessary especially if your wedding church is
willing to provide them for you. And if most of
your guests are Catholic then, most likely, they
would know what to say and how to respond on a
mass, and they would be busy looking at you and
your groom, anyway.
It is a guide, and if you are planning to customize
the songs or if most of your guests are foreign to
a traditional Filipino wedding ceremony then you
might want to provide them a missalette.
The wedding program is another guide that gives
guests an idea of the flow of the program in the
reception. This booklet may contain the list of
principal sponsors, the entourage and the special
guests who will be a part of your program. You
can include your favorite poem or a copy of your
wedding vows, and this will also be a good chance
to thank your guests through writing them a
message in the first or last pages of the program
booklet. This may be a booklet type adorned with
your pictures from your pre-nuptial photo shoot
making it more personalized.
There is a lot more to it that just the wedding
invitation. Other wedding stationeries are often
neglected as the allotted budget for it is merely
3-5% of the entire thing.
Not most Filipinos understand the use of all the
wedding stationeries that are available. So listed
below are the types of wedding stationeries and
what they do to make your wedding organized.
Missalettes
Program
What are the different types of wedding
stationeries?
In the country, not many people know that the
wedding stationeries are not only the invitation.
Most may have heard of Thank You cards but
these are usually forgotten or not considered at all
because they would think that’s what a souvenir
is for. These little helpers are often neglected and
taken for granted because no one bothers to even
appreciate them and what they can do.
time and place of the wedding written at the back.
Do include an RSVP and, since we Filipinos don’t
really do RSVP, keep track of the people you’ve
given the invitation to by calling or texting them to
follow up on their response.
The invitation is where you put the details of your
wedding that is not included in the Save the Date,
details such as the church, reception venue, and
time. This is also sent out to invitees to collect
RSVPs and confirm the final guest list of your
wedding. It is usually given two months before the
wedding.
You need an invitation even if you’re just having
an intimate wedding for 50 people, even if it’s just
a postcard-type, one-side printed invitation or a
simple photo of you and your partner with the date,
For us Filipinos, a wedding program copy is
included in the invitation and handed out among
guests a month or two before the wedding.
A copy of the program is unnecessary especially
if you’re going to have an intimate wedding
celebration for family and close friends of 50 to 80
guests, or if you’re going to have a civil wedding
and a salo-salo reception at home that doesn’t have a
program at all. It would be a little too costly if you’ll
push through it, right?
You’re having a lavish wedding with up to 700
guests, a program copy is a good way to welcome
all of them at once from the message you’ve
written in it for them. This will also guide them
on the flow of your wedding and would explain
customs and traditions that you’re going to do in
the wedding and the reception so they would be
appreciating everything instead of gawking at you
and wondering what you’re about to do.
Menu Cards
Menu cards are usually placed on top of each
guest’s plates which contain the list of entrées and
dishes that will be served during the course of the
wedding reception.
If you’re having a buffet, which most of the
weddings in the country do, then you won’t need
the menu cards. You can simply ask your caterer to
display a customized menu tags on each buffet.
Menu cards are best displayed for a multicourse
plated dinner so that guests won’t be wondering
what they’re going to chow down. If you’re having
a lavish wedding of more than 400 guests then it
would be impractical
to provide each
and every guest a
copy of the menu
especially if you’re
going to customize
it.
The best way to
solve this problem
is to provide one
menu card for each
table. Display this card
inside a picture frame that matches your wedding
theme in the middle of the table, thus enhancing the
design of your centerpiece.
Escort/Seating Cards
Escort cards are popularly used on western
weddings. This serves as a seating arrangement
guide for your guests that enables him to find his
own seat even if the coordinator is not available.
A seating/escort card is a good helper in organizing
your wedding, this way you can avoid gatecrashers
and tending to the guests with only a few minutes
before the program starts will go smoothly. Not
many people may realize but these seating cards are
like Santa’s Happy Elves making the organization
of your wedding reception a
breeze even if it is a celebration for
as little as 50 people.
especially if you’re not as particular on the design
and just choose the available ones from a printing
company’s portfolio.
Table Names/Numbers
Not many may notice that wedding stationeries are
as important as everything else in your wedding
because these are the little helpers who organize,
collect, and thank your guests for celebrating with
you. These pieces of papers also give your guests
little clues and sneak peeks of the entire wedding
celebration.
Table names or table numbers are
labels of each guest tables in the
reception. Like the seating cards,
they act like the little red pointer in
the Google Maps, telling your guests
which tables they are assigned.
If you’re going to have a small wedding celebration
with 50 guests or less a table name/number isn’t
that necessary because you’re only going to have
five ten-seater tables.
A table number is useful if you are having a big
wedding celebration so that it will be easier for
guests to find their tables. This comes along with
the escort/seating card. If you are going to use table
names be sure to arrange them in alphabetical order
or make sure that they are readable enough so that
guests won’t have a hard time finding them.
Thank You Cards
A Thank You Card is given to a guest a week or
two after the wedding day. It contains a message
thanking all of your guests who’ve made it to your
special day.
Show your guests your gratitude when they
celebrated with you on your wedding day by
sending them a personally written Thank You card.
Do this during the wedding planning stage. Start
with the ones who’ve given you pre-wedding gifts
during the bridal shower or the bachelor’s party.
This is a good bonding activity with your husbandto-be; a good escape from the stress of planning the
wedding.
This is particularly helpful for those who have
a large wedding and you didn’t get to talk to
everyone much. It’s your chance to thank them now
in your own words.
Tips in Making Your Wedding Stationeries
Deciding on which stationeries to get and what
design would fit your wedding theme is a task that
most might not consider putting a great effort to,
Here are some tips you have to consider in making
your wedding stationeries:
Save the Dates are sent out to announce
your wedding, do send them out as soon as
you determine the date of your wedding,
ideally a year to six months ahead, so that
your preferred guests will have the time to
prepare.
Save the Dates doesn’t necessarily have to
be printed in a stationery, it can be as simple
as a text message, an email, or a home video
posted on social networking sites to let your
friends know.
Order the invitation at least three months
before the wedding day so that you’ll have
enough time for some changes and proofing.
Send out the formal invitation at least a
month before the wedding, and at least two
months before the wedding day for guests
who will be coming from abroad.
If you only have at least a month left for the
wedding and you haven’t sent the formal
invitations yet, don’t include the program
copy. Just send out a one-page invitation
stating the details of your wedding and the
contact number where they could RSVP.
You can give away the program copy on the
day of the wedding itself.
Filipinos don’t usually fill up reply cards
or do an RSVP so you have to check on
them every once in a while to confirm their
attendance.
Since most Filipinos today use the popular
networking site Facebook, you can use it,
too! Fill out the Events form with the details
of your wedding and send them out to
friends you’ve sent the formal invitation
to. This is a faster way of getting their
confirmation.
If you decided to DIY your wedding
stationeries then you have to allot a certain
time for it and start doing it when you’ve
completed your materials. DIYs are perfect
for brides who have about a year before the
wedding day.
Buy materials to be used for DIY stationeries
in bulk, this way you can save and won’t be
making short stops to the accessories shop
for just a piece of string every now and then.
It’s hard to look for the same type or color
of beads and buttons especially if you’ve
only bought them in a sidewalk vendor in
Divisoria.
Caterers can provide specialized table names
and menu cards or food tags, just ask your
planner or the one who handles the details
of your wedding and they’ll gladly make it
for you.
Do send a Thank You card to all the guests
who have made it on your wedding day.
Though these can be printed out on cards,
it is better to write them down yourself to
better express your gratitude and make it
look more personalized.
Filipina Bridesonalities: What Should I Get?
Determining what you should get from the entire list of wedding stationeries depends on your budget and
how you plan to make them: DIY or printed by your invitation supplier.
For the Penny-Wise Brides: “I don’t have enough budget, but I still want to
make my invitations special.”
Even if you can’t afford to get every Wedding Stationery on print you can
still have them by doing it yourself. But let us first determine which of the
stationeries is essential:
Wedding Stationeries
Yes
Save the Date Card – You can have your Save the Dates even if you don’t do it on print.
You can send your Save the Date through email, text, or Facebook.
Invitation – This is the most essential one among the wedding stationery because you’ll
be handing this one to your guests and principal sponsors. If you don’t have enough
budget for the bulky invitation you can DIY it or print it in a photo paper and put it in
an envelope and send them out.
No
X
X
Missalettes – This is unnecessary. You can ask the church where you’ll get married if
they have copies and they will most likely give you some for free. Besides, your guests
won’t even be reading them since they’d be busy looking at you and your groom on
your wedding day.
X
Program – This is also unnecessary, especially if you’re going to have an intimate
wedding without a program at all. Most of the copies would even be forgotten and
easily discarded, anyway.
X
Menu Card – This won’t be needed if you’ll be serving common home-cooked dishes,
and most caterers will provide food tags.
X
Escort/Seating Card – For a wedding with as little as 100 guests with no wedding
coordinator but your sister and mom, you can help them organize the guests in as little
as 20 minutes with the help of seating cards. Simply print as much copy that you can
squeeze in a bond paper, print them out and they can be handed to guests so they’ll
know which table they should sit.
X
Table Name/Number – It is unnecessary to provide for table numbers. Your caterer will
provide them for you.
Thank You Card – Even if it’s a cardboard paper you folded and wrote a thank you
message to guests, a thank you card is also essential. Show your gratitude by personally
writing down the messages and DIY the cards.
Table Name/Number – This will be provided by your caterer. Just ask them to
personalize the design to harmonize with your wedding theme, or specify the design
and they’ll gladly do it for you.
Thank You Card – You can buy a box of ready-made cards on bookstores and write or
print on them your Thank You messages.
X
X
Research and make a draft of the design that you want making it a master copy that your little helpers
can copy. Choose materials, like beads and buttons for the design that are of the same color but different
shapes or are distorted. You’ll be surprised at how unique these imperfections will turn out to be.
Provide a copy of the invitation only for the principal invitees, like the parents of your family friends or
your barkada in one invitation, this way you can have 50 invitations for 200 people.
The Splurge-on-the Best Bride: “I want the best and the most unique
wedding invitation that will perfectly harmonize with my wedding
motif and theme.”
Don’t be afraid that it won’t turn out as beautiful as those that were professionally made. What you will
create is a simple and personalized stationery that will truly reflect you and your groom’s personality.
You are as excited to announce to the world that you are getting
married the day he popped the question. Be sure to announce it with
a blast that exudes your excitement in the preparation, planning, the
wedding day, and the start of your married life. This can be reflected
on the wedding stationeries that you’ll be handing out to your guests
before and after the wedding.
The Value for Money Bride: “I want my wedding stationeries to work
well with the theme of our wedding, but I hope it still falls right for the
budget we’ve allocated for it.”
Let’s find out which one you should get and how you’ll let your
excitement engraved in the stationeries.
Maximize the budget for your wedding stationeries by getting a package
of invitations with Thank You Cards or Save the Date Cards. But before
you ask your supplier if they offer these packages, let us first determine
what you really need in the list of wedding stationeries.
Yes
Save the Date Card – Save on the cost by making a home video that you can post
on YouTube or Facebook and tag your friends, or send your friends and family text
messages to announce the good news.
Invitation – There are beautiful sets of affordable invitations you can choose from in
Recto; you can choose a design on the internet and ask them to copy it for you and they
gladly will for a cheaper price. Other printing companies also offer discounted prices on
Bridal Fairs and Exhibits, and during off peak seasons.
Missalettes – 95% of Filipinos are Christians and most Christian wedding ceremonies
will most likely be the same. Besides, let your guests’ attention draw to you because it is
your wedding day!
Program – Most wedding invitation packages may include the program, which will
include the list of your entourage and the flow of the wedding ceremony and reception.
Menu Card – This will be provided by your caterer for your VIP guests, as well as the
food tags for all the other guests.
Escort/Seating Card – There are computer software that help you design seating cards.
Print them on a white board paper with the design or simply put a border around the
details written in the card and print it on a board paper with a design, cut it and hand
them away to help your coordinators arrange your guests.
No
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Hunting for the right supplier in Recto or a printing shop near you is part of the game. Be sure that before
you book them they can offer you what you really need and want and that they can give you your money’s
worth.
DIY Wedding Stationeries is a project that you and your partner, and friends will enjoy. Be sure to have
enough time for it or assign a specific time to make them with the help of your family and friends.
Wedding Stationeries
X
Wedding Stationeries
Yes
Save the Date Card – Make your upcoming wedding the talk of the town by
providing them a Save the Date card that encloses a trailer of your wedding film.
You can hire a professional wedding videographer to film the trailer, burn it on a
DVD, personalize the DVD by designing it with a “movie poster” from your PreNuptial photo shoot and send it to friends and relatives. Be sure to burn it on a
DVD so that your friends and family can enjoy the teaser trailer in HD.
X
Invitation – Personalize your wedding invitation by following the theme of your
wedding. If you’re planning to have a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party theme inspired
by Alice in Wonderland, you can send out your invitations with hats of different
shapes, sizes and designs that your guests will wear on your wedding day. By
doing so you are assured that your guests will surely follow the dress code as
they will choose a dress that will compliment their hat. And they can use and
keep these hats as a keepsake.
X
Missalettes – Following the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party theme, you can customize
your missalettes and hand them out for your guests to follow the ceremony. This
is extremely helpful to foreign guests who’re not accustomed to the replies and
flow of the ceremony.
X
Program – This can be included in your wedding invitation.
X
Menu Card – Menu Cards, especially for plated dinners, can be printed on a Mad
Hatter’s Tea Party decorated theme placed in each plates. You can put cakes with
an “Eat Me” design on top of the Menu Card.
X
No
Escort/Seating Card – Escort/Seating Cards handed out to guests upon arriving
to the reception area can be decorated with a key necktie pin for the gentlemen
and key pendant for the ladies following the wedding theme. Just like how Alice
went to Wonderland, by using the seating card with the key, your guests can
enter your Wonderland and find their place/seat.
X
Table Name/Number – Table tags can be decorated with an Alice in Wonderland
theme and each tables can be named according to the characters in the story.
VIP guests can sit on the Mad Hatter’s table, while other guests can sit on tables
named Cheshire Cat, Tweedledee, and Tweedledum.
X
Thank You Card – These are sent a week to a month after the wedding and
should still follow the wedding theme. You can burn on a DVD the copy of your
onsite MTV with a message of thanks at the end of the video and send them with
a red wine placed on potion bottles labeled “Drink Me”, a final toast to the end of
your single life.
X
Indulge in your childhood and let your imagination run wild in thinking of ways to create better and
much more unique ideas that you can incorporate in your wedding.
Don’t just go for the traditional prints-on-paper stationeries. Give your guests treats by providing useful
items together with your wedding stationeries like hats, and pendants, and this way you can share with
them the fun and excitement you feel for your special day.
Your Wedding Favors
A
ttending your wedding are the most important people
in your life. Now that they have graced your celebration,
it’s your time to return the favour by giving them
something that will remind them of your special day.
Wedding favors, or souvenirs as we call it, are keepsakes that
newlyweds give to our guests as a sign of gratitude for attending
their wedding. This can be in a form of a trinket, a small figurine,
or something to eat that is given out before you leave the reception
party.
Why It Matters?
This is important and should be given enough attention because
through this simple gesture you’re sure to let your guests know
how special they are to you. If you don’t have the time to send a
Thank You card because of your busy schedule then providing a
souvenir/wedding favor is more important.
Factors that Determine Your Wedding Favor
Here are some of the essential factors you may want to consider in
choosing which wedding favor is right for you:
Budget
The budget is the first thing to consider in determining what kind
of souvenir you are going to give your guests. Because a wedding
souvenir is sometimes the last one in your wedding priority list you
will have to work around your remaining budget.
Number of Guests
If you are going for the small and intimate wedding, you most likely
can provide your guests with a wedding favor that is nonspecific.
For example, you may give your family a CD copy of your wedding
photos, a good quality pen with engraved names for your principal
sponsors, and some little charms and trinkets for your closest
friends.
If you are to have a big wedding, where you may actually not be
familiar with some of your guest because they are relatives you will
be meeting for the first time, or your parent’s friends, then you may
opt for nonspecific favors that may suit anyone.
Theme of your wedding
If you have a specific wedding theme, your wedding favors should
also compliment that theme. If you are planning a traditional
Filipino-themed wedding, you may give your guests abanicos or
bayong stuffed with Filipino goodies.
There are really no exact
rules to follow when
choosing your wedding
favors. You just have to be
resourceful and creative
especially if you are on a
tight budget. And always
keep in mind that expressing
your gratitude need not
always be extravagant. It
only has to reflect your
sincerity.
FILIPINA BRIDESONALITIES: YOU,
YOUR WEDDING FAVORS, AND
YOUR BUDGET
The Penny-Wise Bride – “I only have a limited
budget; I want to keep my wedding favors
simple and easy-on- the- pocket.”
Tight budget? It’s okay! Who says wedding favors
need to be extravagant. You just have to think of the
resources you have and make use of it. If you are an
artsy person, or if you have a sister or brother who
can do art wonders, you can go for DIY souvenirs.
http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com/
homemade-wedding-favors.html
http://www.beau-coup.com/do-it-yourselfwedding-favors-to-save-money.htm
The Value-for-Money Bride – “I have enough
budget; I want to make sure I get the best value
for my wedding favors.”
If you are looking for value and quality in your
wedding favors, then you could go for goodies or
treats that you are sure everyone would love. Opt for
a good quality red wine for your principal sponsors
and a box of dainty chocolates or biscuits for the
other guests.
It is also popular nowadays to rent a wedding photo
booth where your guests can have their pictures
taken with a personalized border designed for your
wedding. They can take their pictures home as
souvenir of your wedding day.
The Splurge-on-the-Best Bride – “I have a great
deal of budget and I am willing to spend it for
the best wedding favors.”
If you want to splurge a little more on your
wedding favors go for something that is beyond
the usual souvenirs. You can give gift certificates
for a massage or spa to your friends and family, or
miniature versions of wedding cake that they can
take home after the party.
“To hire or not to hire?” would be the big question. A lot of
Filipino soon-to-wed couples encounter this dilemma.
A
Your Wedding Coordinator & Manpower
Filipino wedding is traditionally family-oriented in nature and
majority of the preparation and planning involves the opinions,
suggestions, and the aid of the family members and other relatives.
So when talking about the subject of Filipino wedding manpower, a typical
soon-to-wed couple would most likely resort to their families for help.
You may have thought of doing the same, but you somehow also feel that
some things are beyond your capabilities. Well, it would be best to explore
your options first.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A WEDDING COORDINATOR
1. Composed and Calm - An ideal wedding coordinator always acts on a
cool and calm manner. The success of your wedding and reception mainly
lies on how well it is coordinated. If something goes out of the way, your
wedding coordinator should be able to act quickly on it with a ready
alternative plan on hand while staying composed along the way.
2. Effective – A wedding coordinator should not just be good in giving out
ideas but also in making these ideas happen.
3. Experienced – Expertise and experience is very important especially in
an industry that is not usually encountered on a day-to-day basis. Having
someone experienced in the industry to help you out gives good advantage
especially in scouting for best deals and discounts from suppliers. Your
wedding coordinator should be able to give you a good grasp of what you
will eventually spend and what works well with your budget.
4. Organized – One function of a wedding coordinator is to safe keep
important documents, contracts, receipts, contact information, and even
payments, for you. So it is necessary that they’d be organized.
5. Knowlegeable - A great wedding planner must be geared up with useful
information that may be of great use to your wedding, like themes and
colors, music, fashion, current trends or even fads, traditional and modern
wedding etiquette and even great deals for honeymoon destinations.
6. Resourceful – Even when everything is well-planned, sudden mishaps
may still arise. When things just couldn’t or wouldn’t go as planned, a
wedding coordinator should be able to look or prepare for alternatives.
VARIOUS TYPES OF WEDDING COORDINATION SERVICES
Full Wedding COORDINATION – If you and your partner are
too busy, out-of-the-country, or are too overwhelmed by the things
you need to prepare for your wedding, a full wedding coordination
may be your best bet. A full wedding coordination guarantees
assistance to every step of the preparation down to the organization
and coordination of the wedding day itself. Just make sure you have
sufficient budget to afford this type of service.
SEMI-FULL WEDDING COORDINATION - This service is ideal
for you if you have made initial bookings with some suppliers
already but need help in continuing the preparations and finalizing
the wedding details. The inclusions are the same as Full Wedding
coordination service except that the timetable covers only 3-6
months of preparations, and the consultation starts 6 months before
the wedding day.
ON-THE-DAY COORDINATION – A coordinator can be hired for the wedding day alone. If
you have done all supplier bookings and wedding preparations tasks already, all you need is an
on-the-day coordinator who will make a Wedding Day Schedule for you which states what time
you should wake up, the time your supplier arrives, start of make-up and who goes first, time
and sequence of pictorial at the hotel room, call time for your family and entourage members for
pictorial, time you leave the hotel, arrive church, start reception and so on.
They will also coordinate with your suppliers to ensure that they comply with the requirements on
time.
Consultation only - This is like a mini wedding planning course, best taken at the
beginning of your planning. The coordinator won’t be at your wedding but will teach you the skills
to planning your own day. Some will charge by the hour, others by the meeting. You can book one
meeting only or go back as many times as you like.
WEDDING COORDINATOR’S CONTRACT
If ever you decide to see a wedding coordinator for your wedding, then you must secure the contract
immediately. It is impossible to have all details on a coordinator’s contract, for the simple fact that they are
dealing with all aspects of your wedding day and have many duties.
The contract should at least have the following:
The coordinator charges. Some packages for the wedding coordination exclude transportation,
communication and out of town charges/
How many meetings will there be for you and all of your wedding suppliers.
A service description and the inclusions or freebies (if there’s any) of your package.
The total cost of their services including other fees.
The wedding coordinator’s contact information.
The amount you deposited as down payment and the amount you still owe.
Cancellation policy if ever the wedding is cancelled and no show policy if ever the consultant failed to
meet you in your planning.
OTHER WEDDING MANPOWER
Some coordinators offer packages that include sound system and wedding host. Aside from the
coordinators, the manpower plays a very important role in your wedding.
Host/ Master of Ceremony – The Master of Ceremony will basically hold control in the entire program of
your reception. She or she will be responsible with the flow and the continuity of your program. Not to
mention keeping your guests entertained.
Sound System & Lights - They are to provide quality sound and mood effects all throughout your
wedding. They will provide enough microphones, speakers, equalizer, cd or dvd player and lights. Some
wedding venues here in the Metro has their own installed sound system, so be sure to check it first before
you are double-charged.
FILIPINA BRIDESONALITIES: YOU, YOUR WEDDING
MANPOWER, AND YOUR BUDGET
The Penny-Wise Bride – “I have a limited budget but I want to make sure that I’ll have my dream
wedding and won’t worry too much about anything on my wedding day.”
Ask people closest to you to do your coordination – Be it in a form of cousins, BFFs or sisters, request them
to do the coordination with you. It’ll be memorable to do your wedding preparation with the people you
most love. And since they will be doing it for free, you know that they’ll do it because they love you and
they want you to have that dream wedding you ever wanted.
Hire on the day coordination – As much as you like your closest friends to do the littlest things on your
wedding, put into consideration that they are still your guests and you would want them to enjoy your
wedding as much as you and your other guests do. Appoint an on the day coordinator to do the jobs on
your actual wedding ceremony and reception, just so you are sure that you’ve enjoyed preparing for your
wedding with your friends but still, you didn’t worry too much on your big day.
On the day coordination usually ranges from P5,000 – P 10,000. What a bargain!
The Value-for-Money Bride – “I have enough budget ; I want to make sure that I get the best value in
hiring a coordinator.”
Go for the semi-full wedding coordination – Wedding planning is really a hard task, but it is there for you
to experience and enjoy at the same time. Semi-full wedding coordination will be your guide for a handson wedding preparation. Your coordinators will be working with you if you need advise regarding any
element of your wedding.
Here is a list of the wedding coordinators that you
may want to try:
Ms. Bleu Events Management
Geraldine Linchangco-Marabut
www.msbleu.multiply.com
weddings here in the Philippines. Take for example
the weddings of Ruffa Guttierez, Rica Peralejo
and Judy Ann Santos. Almost everything seems to
be perfect and properly coordinated, I’m sure you
would want your wedding to be like that.
Here are the two of the celebrity wedding
coordinators in town:
Eventus Wedding Planners & Coordinators
Mr. Noel and Edith Reyes
0906-2926873
eventuswedding@yahoo.com
www.eventus.multiply.com
Teena Barretto
Hitched Weddings & Events
0920-9284609
http://www.hitchedweddings.com
hitched_events@yahoo.com
The Splurge-on-the-best Bride – “I have enough
budget and I want to make sure that I won’t stress
myself during the preparation and my wedding
day.”
Hire well-known wedding coordinators. Famous
wedding coordinators are sure to know how to
give you your perfect dream wedding because they
have seen the grandest, superb and most costly
Rita Neri
Rita Neri Event Planners
info@ritanerieventplanners.com
ritaneri.events@gmail.com
ritaneri_events@yahoo.com
0920-920-9615
Why It Matters?
While it is essential for a couple to have a bridal car
(be it a lavish stretched hummer or a white sedan
borrowed from one of the principal sponsors), you
should also provide a transportation for the guests
if you’re having an out-of-town wedding. Of course,
you wouldn’t want your guests to have a hard time
finding the church and the reception, would you?
“The Fairy Godmother touched the
pumpkin with her golden wand. There
was a puff of smoke and suddenly, the
pumpkin turned into a fabulous coach
gilded all over with gold.” –Cinderella
Your Wedding Transportation
Perhaps, like Cinderella, it is every little girl’s dream to be married to her Prince Charming, and ride off
with the white horses and carriage, and live happily ever after. Because of story books, little girls have
fantasized to become a princess in a beautiful blue dress, wearing a pair of glass slippers, and wishing to
find her Prince Charming before it’s too late. And almost all of these fairy tales ends with the couple riding
away into their happy endings.
Of course, we would also want our happy endings especially when we’ve found our Prince Charming,
the one who’s bound himself to be with you for the rest of your life. We may not be like those fairy tale
princesses who’s rode away with the carriage towards the setting sun, but we dreamed of the beginning of
our happily ever after to be as romantic as that.
Horse drawn carriages became the ultimate wedding vehicle for the bride especially when Prince Charles
was married to Princess Diana. But since horse drawn carriages are hard to find these days, it evolved into
limousines, vintage cars, and white sedans.
But wedding transportation doesn’t just cover the bride and groom’s ride, especially for out-of-town
weddings. You may want to hire a bus or a jeepney to provide your guests a ride so that you don’t have to
worry about them making it to your venue.
Also, you can also do a favor for your guests when
you provide a ride for them. It is not just for their
convenience but for your peace of mind as well.
You are assured that they will be attending your
wedding ceremony and the reception without being
late, especially your bridal entourage. Who would
want a wedding without the maid of honor? They
don’t need to worry about transportation because it
will be awkward for the bridesmaid donned in her
gown with complete make-up and accessories to
ride a tricycle in order to get to your venue.
How to determine your Wedding Transportation
When we talk about wedding transportation,
it doesn’t only mean the bridal car. While it is
not essential, providing transportation for your
wedding guests should also be considered to avoid
delays and possible reasons for them not to attend
your wedding.
Factors in Choosing Wedding Transportation
Now that you realized that your guests may need
transportation for your out-of-town wedding, hold
your horses because we need to consider some
factors before you start scouting for possible rental
companies.
Budget
The first thing you have to ask yourself before even
thinking of renting a van for your guests is, “Do I
have the money for it?”
Of course you want everything to be as convenient
as possible for you and your guests, but you have
to check your budget first. If you don’t have the
money to rent a vehicle then don’t push it. You can
have other alternatives for this one like carpooling,
asking someone to sponsor it, or maybe some
of your friends and relatives can lend you their
passenger jeepney enough to fill in 20 people.
Make sure that you’ll arrange everything before the
wedding starts, especially if you have decided on
carpooling.
Wedding Location
You have already prepared everything for the
wedding of your dreams somewhere in Tagaytay
-- the ceremony at the beautiful Caleruega Church
and the reception at the Tagaytay Highlands. The
ceremony went well and you’re elated because at
that moment you are now one with your partner.
You rode together in the 1952 R Type Bentley to the
reception. Upon arriving, you heard your guests
talking about how they had a hard time getting
to the reception from the church, and how your
best friend almost got lost on the way because
she wasn’t familiar with the place. The wedding
location is an essential factor in deciding to either
get transportation for most of your guests or not,
because having a reception that’s unfamiliar
to them and are not accessible through public
transportation can create problems because you’ll
be thinking about how your guests can reach the
place without getting lost.
Picking the Right Bridal Car for You
Picking the right transportation for your wedding is
like choosing which flight to book for an important
business trip. You have to think of options which
will answer questions like, “
Would it get me there on time?”, “Wouldn’t I be late
for the event if I choose this flight?” And, “Would I
feel comfortable?” You have to ensure comfort and
convenience not just for you but also for everyone.
Here are a few steps to help you decide which
bridal car is right for you.
1. Choose one that suits your style
As a bride-to-be you have this instinct that
tells you that everything should be ‘perfect’
for you on your wedding day -- from the
caterer down of your choice to the last
details. Use this for picking out the bridal car
that you want, be it a luxury coach, a vintage
Rolls Royce or your dad’s old white car.
If you’re the bride who’s always loved
fairy tales and fairy godmothers then you
may want to ride a carriage. If you’re the
traditional bride who loves classic styles,
then a 1952 R Type Bentley might be the
car for you. Modern brides may prefer
luxury vehicles and sports cars, and for
the unconventional bride who loves to be
unique and one-of-a-kind then you might
want to try out the Vespa scooter or a pair of
rollerblades.
Choose one that really suits you and your
partner’s personality, especially if you have
the option to do so.
2. Do your research
Research is one of the most powerful tools
in finding something, and a resourceful and
noble bride does her research to ensure that
she’d be getting the best for her special day
even if she didn’t spend that much money
for it.
And researching doesn’t just mean sitting
down on a couch with your laptop and
rigorously browsing online all day, looking
for the right bridal car. It includes personally
asking your friends if they can recommend
a good company that lends bridal cars. Who
knows? One of your friends might actually
have that vintage-looking Beetle Stretch
sitting at his garage that you fell in love with
a few years back.
3. Be smart
Choosing a bridal car, or planning to borrow
one, isn’t as critical as choosing the right
style of wedding dress. You don’t have to
stress yourself over it. Be practical about it.
Ask yourself, “Do I really need that vintage
R-Type Bentley that I’m willing to spend
much more than I allotted for my bridal car
budget? Or would my father’s sad excuse
of a vehicle enough because it’s white and it
can still run?”
You don’t have to be overly practical about
things. Be smart enough to notice that even
the car’s engine is loudly protesting about
your decision, even your father wouldn’t
like the idea of your stinginess. It doesn’t
mean that you would go for the vintage
Bentley even if the distance from your house
to the church and reception is just a few
steps away! Try walking from your house
to the church for a more adventurous and
dramatic bridal march.
4. Let your groom handle it
When we talk about bridal cars, your girl
friends might have something to say about
it, but do they really know what you’re
talking about or are they just blabbering
about their dream weddings?
Perhaps your partner has some suggestions?
Why not let him handle this thing? Besides,
he knows more about makes and models
than you do about make ups. Give him
something to do, and he might really enjoy
discussing this with the rental companies.
Arranging the Guests’ Transportation
Your guests also deserve the convenience you have
with regards to their transportation especially if
you’re having an out-of-town wedding that’s not
easily accessible through public transportation.
Here are some things you can do to ease their worry
on how to get to and fro your wedding.
1. Give them a good direction
You may include a
customized map and a
detailed direction in your
invitation so that you
wouldn’t have to worry
about special guests
having a hard time to find
your wedding reception
venue.
Giving them a good
direction is like doing
them a favor, because
you’re showing them that
you truly care by going
out of your way and
giving them a detailed
direction even if they
knew that you easily get
lost even in your own
neighborhood.
2. Rent a vehicle for them
When one of my best friends got married
in Batangas last January, she eagerly
urged us to go to the wedding and went
as far as threatening us that she’d never
speak to anyone who won’t come. She was
accommodating and even asked her little
brother to pick us up at the bus station,
while already provided with detailed
direction on how to reach their place. Plus
she had constantly monitored our trip by
texting us every hour just to check on us.
Come wedding day, she was so elated that
everyone came, and we were happy too
except when the whole thing was over and
most of the guests (who were from their
province) left for the second celebration
at their house. We almost got left behind
because she failed to arrange a ride for us.
We were cramped up in her uncle’s Fierra
together with the equipments they brought
to the reception.
You wouldn’t want this to happen, would
you?
If you are not sure that most of your guests
will not have a ride to get to your wedding,
then why not arrange one for them? Do this
if the place is inaccessible to taxis and other
public vehicles.
3. Carpooling
If you don’t have the money to rent a ride
for them then you can organize the carpool.
Ask your friends who among them who
will bring a car and if they can squeeze in a
couple more in going to the venue.
Your friends can talk about this all on
their own, but show them that you want
everything to work out and personally
organize the carpool. It’s your chance at
redeeming yourself for failing to arrange a
vehicle for them.
4. Make arrangement with a taxi company
If you’re planning to marry in a secluded
area in the metro that is inaccessible to
public vehicles, you can call a taxi company
and ask for their service. Ask them if they
can assign a few units in the area at the time
of your wedding so that your guests won’t
be worrying how to get one in such area.
Arranging the Guests’ Transportation
Your guests also deserve the convenience you have
with regards to their transportation especially if
you’re having an out-of-town wedding that’s not
easily accessible through public transportation.
Here are some things you can do to ease their worry
on how to get to and fro your wedding.
1. Give them a good direction
You may include a customized map and a
detailed direction in your invitation so that
you wouldn’t have to worry about special
guests having a hard time to find your
wedding reception venue.
Giving them a good direction is like doing
them a favor, because you’re showing them
that you truly care by going out of your way
and giving them a detailed direction even
if they knew that you easily get lost even in
your own neighborhood.
2. Rent a vehicle for them
When one of my best friends got married
in Batangas last January, she eagerly
urged us to go to the wedding and went
as far as threatening us that she’d never
speak to anyone who won’t come. She was
accommodating and even asked her little
brother to pick us up at the bus
station, while already provided
with detailed direction on how
to reach their place. Plus she had
constantly monitored our trip
by texting us every hour just to
check on us.
Come wedding day, she was so
elated that everyone came, and
we were happy too except when
the whole thing was over and
most of the guests (who were
from their province) left for
the second celebration at their
house. We almost got left behind
because she failed to arrange a
ride for us. We were cramped up
in her uncle’s Fierra together with
the equipments they brought to
the reception.
FILIPINA BRIDESONALITIES
You wouldn’t want this to happen, would
you?
If you are not sure that most of your guests
will not have a ride to get to your wedding,
then why not arrange one for them? Do this
if the place is inaccessible to taxis and other
public vehicles.
3. Carpooling
If you don’t have the money to rent a ride
for them then you can organize the carpool.
Ask your friends who among them who
will bring a car and if they can squeeze in a
couple more in going to the venue.
Your friends can talk about this all on
their own, but show them that you want
everything to work out and personally
organize the carpool. It’s your chance at
redeeming yourself for failing to arrange a
vehicle for them.
4. Make arrangement with a taxi company
If you’re planning to marry in a secluded
area in the metro that is inaccessible to
public vehicles, you can call a taxi company
and ask for their service. Ask them if they
can assign a few units in the area at the time
of your wedding so that your guests won’t
be worrying how to get one in such area.
What are your options in wedding transportation?
As I’ve stated earlier, wedding transportation doesn’t just include the bridal car. If you choose to provide
vehicles for your wedding guests, there are options, depending on your budget and the location.
The following are your different options for wedding transportation.
For the Couple
1. Horse Drawn Carriage
Horse drawn carriages are the ultimate
romance vehicles popularized by fairytales,
such as Cinderella, and the wedding of
Princess Diana to Prince Charles in the early
80s.
Though it is associated with royalty, these
horse-drawn carriages won’t be necessary
if your ceremony and wedding reception
venue are kilometers apart. I’m afraid that
carriages aren’t allowed to run around
Metro Manila except for places like Binondo
and Intramuros.
It’s perfect for a Victorian-themed wedding,
and if you really want a themed wedding
through and through, these carriages are
lavishly decorated turning your childhood
fairytale princess fantasies into reality. This
is perfect if you’re planning your wedding
ceremony and reception in close proximity
(within one special events venue), or if your
wedding will be held in Intramuros.
Two venues in the Metro offer a horse
drawn carriage as an alternative to the
bridal car—these are Fernbrook Gardens in
Alabang, and Fernwood Gardens in Quezon
City.
2. Vintage Cars
Vintage cars were made in the early 20th
century for the wealthy, as an alternative to
the horse drawn carriage which paved way
to modern society.
These cars are unnecessarily expensive and
are hard to find especially in Metro Manila.
It wouldn’t be ideal for long travels and
the rainy months because these cars are old
and just restored. They may not stand those
circumstances.
Vintage cars exude sophistication and
glamour. It is well-liked because of their
class and elegance, perfect for the classic
bride. And because classic is always in,
vintage cars will make your event timeless
and it looks good on photos, too.
3. Town Cars
The Town Car that we know today isn’t
the historic vehicle that has a unique body
design (front seats were top down, while
the back seat is covered). The Lincoln Town
Car, which was designed by Ford’s upscale
brand, is a luxury car build for the elite
members of the society. It has a stretched
body, much like a limousine but shorter, and
has all the comfort and luxury inside.
The Lincoln Town Car famously became
the Bridal Car for Filipinos because of
our fondness of traditions and the classic
style. This is evident in most Bridal Car
companies, because most of their available
units are town cars.
These are famous because they’re
comfortable and chic without stashing too
much out of your budget, and it is even
included in bridal packages offered by your
caterer.
4. Limousine
Limousines have been branded as the
ultimate posh vehicle as it is often used
for red carpet events and transporting
celebrities in style on the best events in
town.
Perfect for the posh-loving bride --be in style
and celebrity-like, alighting from a Limo
to the church. Most models do have audio
players and some have stocked bars and
mini refrigerators stocked with wine or a
bubbly champagne.
To save up on the cost, you can let your
best girl friends ride with you going to the
church and enjoy a pre-wedding toast to get
rid of pre-wedding jitters.
5. Sporting Cars
Sporting cars are famous for their sleek style
and modern features and are considered
as favorite rides of Hollywood celebrities.
These include supercars from BMW,
Mercedes Benz, Ferrari, Lamborghini and
the like.
This is fast becoming the modern woman’s
choice for a unique bridal car. This will
make you classy and elegant in a non-toogirly kind of way.
It is expensive and hard to find in the
country. While some cars are loanable, if
you’re looking for a specific sporting car
then you might want to give a little extra
time in finding this, unless you’ll buy it for
your wedding.
6. Bridal SUV
Sports Utility Vehicles, commonly known
as SUVs, are light trucks geared for on- and
off-road terrains. Some of the common
SUVs in the country are models such as
Nissan Patrol, Toyota’s Land Cruiser, Ford’s
Everest, the Pajero, a Jeep Wrangler, the
Range Rover, and the Hummer.
These SUVs are recently introduced as an
alternative to the Town Car as a bridal car
for couples who want to be unique. These
cars are perfect for couples who want an
alternative to the common sedans and
limousines.
While the Nissan, Toyota, Ford and
Mitsubishi brand SUVs are common and
not that expensive, luxury SUVs such as the
Hummer, Jeep Wrangler and Range Rover
would cost you a little more than the usual
rental fee.
7. Borrowed Vehicles
White cars are the traditional vehicle used
as a bridal car. In provinces and couples
who have a lot lesser budget, a white car
borrowed from a relative or one of the
principal sponsors is the way to go, be it a
sedan or an SUV.
You would want to borrow a car from a
relative or friend if you want to save up on
rental costs, and this way you can have the
car without having to worry if you’re way
over the rental hours.
This is usually convenient because you also
won’t have to worry about how the car will
get to your house without getting lost on
the way, especially if it’s hard to find, and
it’s easier to contact the owner in case of an
emergency.
8. Other Options
To be unique, soon-to-wed couples are
looking out to other options such as using a
Vespa scooter, mountain bikes, a skateboard,
and even a gondola!
Well, wanting to go for a Vespa scooter or
a mountain bike instead of a town car is a
lot extraordinary especially if it has a big
significance in your relationship, like, you
rode his Vespa scooter the first time you
went out on a date, or you’re both mountain
bikers.
This is very convenient because you don’t
have to worry about the booking and the
cost of the rental because these ordinary,
everyday vehicles are readily available
anytime.
But these are restricted by the distance
of the venue and the church or other
circumstances. For example, a gondola is
restricted to waterways so it is impossible
that you’ll do your ceremony and reception
in dry land.
For the Guests
1. Carpool
Carpooling is one way to save up on the
cost in transporting your guests from the
ceremony to the reception. In this manner,
your guests who didn’t bring a car can hitch
a ride with other guests who have brought
theirs, and you can save up on the rental fee.
While guests can arrange for
carpools on their own, it is
best that you organize this
on or before your wedding.
Talk to your friends who
have a van, an SUV or a
jeepney who can possibly
bring these vehicles on your
wedding day. Ask them
personally if they could help
you transport your guests
on that day and assign the
people who could ride with
them. Call up your guests
and ask them if they’re
bringing a car or not, and list
the names of the people who
won’t bringing a car. This
way you’ll easily find out
how many guests will need
transportation and how many vehicles you’ll
need to transport them all.
Organize the names and assign them on
a vehicle until you’ve made sure that all
names are assigned a vehicle. Be sure to
inform your guests about this beforehand to
avoid confusion and disorganization on the
day of the wedding.
2. Vehicle Rentals
If you’re having a wedding in a secluded
place or isn’t accessible by public vehicles,
one easy way to transport your guests from
the ceremony to the reception is by renting a
vehicle for them, if most of your guests will
be coming from out-of-the-country or from
provinces. Vehicles such as jeepneys, vans,
minibus, buses are some of the vehicles you
can choose from. In choosing which vehicle
to use, you must consider the location and
comfort of your guests.
A jeepney is the cheapest of the vehicles
stated above. This is also effective for
weddings with a Filipiniana theme. But in
renting such be sure that your guests will
be comfortable enough, and ready to face
smoke, dust, and the metro’s polluted roads.
This is recommended for Filipino-themed
weddings held in Tagaytay, Laguna or
Bulacan where the air is much cleaner than
in Metro Manila.
A van is another cheaper alternative that
can comfortably sit 18 people. It is airconditioned and runs smoothly, perfect
for transporting guests around the Metro.
This is recommended for couples who are
planning to transport their immediate family
from the ceremony to the reception.
A minibus, popularly known in the country
as a coaster, is a small bus that can seat up
to 30 people. The Toyota Coaster is one of
the more popular minibuses available in the
country. This is an air-conditioned mini-bus
that can comfortably sit up to 30 guests of
your wedding. It is also less intimidating,
as it is not as big as the typical bus, and can
easily maneuver in small streets and alleys
common in Metro Manila.
A bus is a good way to transport all of your
guests. Though it is a bit costly, it has a
capacity of up to 60 people so you’ll need
lesser buses than that of the other options
available.
What Should I Get?
Determining which option you should consider
for your bridal car and your guests’ transportation
depends on your budget and how much comfort
you want for yourself and your guests.
The Penny-Wise Bride: “I want to be as comfortable as possible, and make sure my guests do feel
the same as well, without worrying too much about the cost.”
The Value-for-Money Bride: “I want to have a beautiful bridal car that’s right for the whole
wedding and that will not strain the budget.”
Deciding on which bridal car to get and what
vehicle to hire for the guests’ transportation is one
of the things a practical bride wouldn’t give much
thought to, especially if budget permits them to
choose one. But being resourceful is one of the
qualities a practical bride is required to have, letting
her make something out of the things she has.
Bridal cars are usually offered
on wedding packages by most
caterers, this way it is both
convenient and affordable
because you wouldn’t have
to strain yourself to look for
a bridal car supplier and it’s
inclusive of the package!
The Practical Bride would usually prefer a
borrowed vehicle for their bridal car and the guests’
transportation. Here are some tips on how you to
choose and how you can personalize these vehicles
even if they’re initially borrowed.
Ask around. Ask your friends and relatives
if they have a car that you could borrow as
a bridal car and as transport vehicles for
guests. They will most likely extend their
help as a favor to the soon-to-wed couples
as we Filipinos are generally known to be
accommodating and easy to ask a favor to.
Choose the right vehicle. Even if you’re just
going to borrow a car, you must choose the
one that will better represent you or make
you look more elegant. If you’ve been eyeing
your Uncle’s classic Aston Martin Vantage,
then now is the time to ask him to lend it
to you. Chances are he’ll be glad to allow
you and would even drive the car himself.
Besides, what could possibly go wrong if
he’ll lend it to you for a few hours?
It’s okay even if it’s not white. White is the
traditionally required color for bridal cars,
but nowadays it doesn’t have to be white to
be considered as a bridal car. The first color
to have “broken” the barrier is the elegance
that black delivers in most stretched cars
such as limousines and Hummers. Other
colors like silver, green, and dark blue,
may be used as a bridal car. The secret is
to choose a dark color (black, blue, green),
or something that is close to white (gold,
cream, silver). While you can go for a pink
car, it would be too bold and wouldn’t
exactly match your bridal gown or the
wedding’s theme.
Omit if unnecessary. You don’t have to
provide for a bridal car or transportation
for the guests if there’s really no need
for it. How will you possibly know this?
Assess your situation. If the ceremony and
reception venue is near your house then
you don’t have to provide one them. If the
church you choose is just around the corner
of your house, and the reception is at home
then consider walking the distance from
your doorstep to the church. This will make
a more dramatic and memorable bridal
entourage.
Organize. Do exert an effort to organize
your carpool plans for your benefit and
your guests. Talk to the people who have
volunteered to lend their vehicles and assign
who gets to ride with who. This will avoid
confusion in their part and will save you
from stress and headaches.
Be bold. Who says you have to have a car
for the bridal car? If you’d have no other
choice, then you can use the scooter you’ve
used on your first date. It is very unique,
and you’ll be part of a very memorable ride,
plus it will look good on the pictures!
If you and your friends have scooters as means of
transportation then why not consider the whole
entourage riding in them as you go to the church
and the reception. This will make for a unique
parade of scooters that will surely catch everyone’s
attention, and it will make for good photos, too!
However, if you are not a fan
of the town car, which most
bridal car companies can
offer, there are other options
that you can choose from.
Luxury cars and buses are mostly rented, although
you can ask your best friend if she can lend you
their family’s Jaguar to do the job and be your
dream bridal car. You can make any car your bridal
car, provided that it will serve its purpose --to give
you comfort and that the service is right for the
price that you paid for. Let’s see if these cars will
fit you right. Here are tips to determine if they’re a
value for your money.
Research. Research is the foundation of
finding things, be it as simple as finding the
right bridal car for your special wedding
day. By researching you can also find ways
on how you can save up on the rental costs
and where to get the best deals for bridal car
and guests transportation rentals.
Maximize your deals. If you’ve always
wanted to have a limousine for a bridal
car then maximize its use by
letting some of your friends
ride with you from the hotel to
the ceremony. This will shred
off pre-wedding jitters. And
when deciding what to rent
for your guests, choose one
that has a maximum capacity
so that guests will be much
comfortable.

Opt for something bigger.
For the guests’ transportation,
choose the bigger one. If you
have more than 40 people who don’t have a
ride, the bus is better than a van. This way,
your guests will be much comfortable and
you’ll have to just rent one vehicle instead of
renting three which will basically amount to
the same cost. Be sure to have extra legroom
of two to four vacant seats to avoid being too
cramped in a tiny space.
Organize your carpool. Be sure to follow
up on carpool plans and organize them as
early as possible. Call up guests and let them
know about your plan. Ask your coordinator
to give them guides on which cars they will
be riding in.
Be smart. When negotiating with your
supplier make sure that you’ll be getting the
best deals. Don’t just say yes to everything
they say. You can also visit bridal fairs
where these suppliers will give rental
discounts and better packages.
The Splurge on the Best Bride: “I want to be as comfortable as possible in
my bridal car, and I want my guests to feel the same as well.”
Choosing the right car to be in harmony with your
wedding theme is an easy task, but finding these
cars will take up a lot of time especially if you’re
looking for a specific kind of car. Most vehicles
available in the country are either dysfunctional
or replicas, which is the next best thing. Wanting a
specific make and model will require more time and
effort to find.
You can easily decide what is available but would
you really risk it? One option is to find a car that
will easily fit almost all wedding theme. Cars
like limousines and
town cars are widely
available for rent all
over the metro. But for
those who are looking
for more specific
types then here’s
what you can do.
Ask around.
Your friends
might know
of someone who can help you look for that
red Enzo Ferrari you’ve wanted, or one of
them might even have one and would be
more than willing to lend you.
Choose one that’s right for you. Choose
something that harmonizes with your
wedding theme. If you’re having a
Filipiniana wedding go for the horse drawn
carriage, a cream 1953 R Type Bentley for
that authentic 50s wedding look, or a Ferrari
430 Spider for the modern couple.
Don’t sacrifice comfort for style. Sure a
Hummer may look very cool and stylish on
the pictures, but think about the wedding
dress. Do you really think you can maneuver
in and out of a Hummer easily with that
elaborate dress? Sure you don’t have to rush
into getting in and out of the car but will it
really make you comfortable? Perhaps you
can save the Hummer for your post nuptial
photo shoot, and save yourself the stress and
get a more comfortable car.
Be different. Don’t be afraid to go way off
course. If you’re bored of the usual town
cars and limousines, go out of your way and
find a car that you think would fit you and
your partner’s personality. If your first car,
an old Mini Cooper that was handed down
by your brother played a significant role in
your relationship then use it as a bridal car.
If your partner is an avid motorcycle fan,
then a sleek Harley will do the trick.
Why don’t you try a Beetle parade? Rent out
different styles and models of Volkswagen’s
cute bug and let your whole entourage
ride in it to the ceremony and the reception
venue. It will look pretty good on the
wedding coverage and you’ll definitely be in
style.
Of course you can do it with any other
vehicles, too. Try a Vespa Scooter, a sports
car, or go way overboard in a skateboard for
skateboard enthusiasts.
It’s your day, you can do whatever you want and
enjoy every bit of it.
Your Wedding Program
“When the bride comes
in and she makes her
giant grand entrance,
I like to glance back at
the poor bastard getting
married. Cause even
though I think he’s
an idiot for willingly
entering into the last
legal form of slavery,
he always looks really,
really happy.”
– Kevin (from the movie ’27 Dresses’)
Why It Matters
V
enue, wedding attire, flowers, cake, accessories, motif, theme, design, food, transportation - all these
elements, when put together, gives you the “body” of your wedding. But when it comes to the
“soul” of your celebration, the wedding program comes in.
Wedding program is made up of series of events that takes place during your entire wedding, from the
ceremony all the way to your reception.
WEDDING CEREMONY
It covers the first part of your wedding where most of the wedding rituals are performed. A wedding
ceremony is the solemn and intimate part of a wedding wherein the couple exchanges their vows.
The parts and order of the ceremony varies from different religions and cultures. Below is a summary of
the different parts of a wedding ceremony based from some of the various types of wedding that you can
observe in the Philippine setting.
Christian wedding ceremony
 In a Christian wedding, vows are usually
written by the couple themselves
 There is no definite standard as to what
and what should not be included in the
ceremony but it is of great importance
that your wedding ceremony be a solemn
reflection of your commitment to live a
Christian life together as man & wife
1. Processional - (entrance of the entourage)
2. Opening Remarks - (the call to worship)
3. Opening Prayer
4. Giving Away of the Bride - (the parents or
the closest authority gives the bride away to the
groom)
5. Worship Song
6. The Charge to the Bride & Groom - (it is the
time when the minister or pastor gives advise to
the couple about their roles and responsibilities as
husband and wife)
7. The Pledge – (the couple’s declaration to their
witnesses of their own free will to be married to
one another)
8. Wedding Vows – (the couple makes their own
promise of love & devotion to each other, before
their witnesses and God)
9. Exchanging of the rings – (in this part of the
ceremony the couple exchange rings as a symbol
of their eternal commitment to each other from
that point forward)
10. Lighting of the unity candle
11. Pronouncement – (the minister or pastor declares that the Bride & Groom are officially Husband & Wife)
12. Closing Prayer
13. The Kiss – (the first kiss shared by the couple as
Husband & Wife)
14. Presentation of the Couple – (the minister or
pastor introduces the newlywed to all the witnesses)
15. Recessional – (the newlywed, wedding entourage and guests exit the ceremony venue, and the
wedding ceremony ends )
Iglesia Ni Cristo Wedding Ceremony
 Traditional Music is played during the entire
wedding ceremony
 Wedding symbols such as wedding candle,
wedding cord, and wedding arrhae are not
used for their ceremony
1. Processional – (entrance of the entourage)
2. Opening Prayer
3. Homily – (includes the bible readings and exchanging of vows by the couple)
4. Ring Ceremony – (the couple exchanges rings
as a symbol their commitment to each other)
5. Prayer
6. Doxology – (hymn of praises)
7. Benediction – (prayer asking for guidance and
blessing done at the end of the worship service)
8. Signing of Marriage Contract – (in this part
of the ceremony, the couple signs the marriage
contract)
9. Recessional – (the couple and the entourage exit
the ceremony venue)
Islam wedding ceremony
 Wali - The immediate male relative of the
bride, he will represent her in the fulfillment of the contract. Ideally the father of the
bride becomes the wali, but in his absence,
the closest male relative will take the part. A
prominent leader of the Muslim community
can also take the place of a wali if there is no
male relative.
A woman relative cannot act as a wali for
the bride.
The role of a wali is important in a Muslim
wedding ceremony because a marriage
contract will not be valid without a wali.
 The Bride should agree to be represented by
her wali and to all other conditions before
the marriage
 There must be atleast 2 male Muslim witnesses or 1 male and 2 female witnesses. The
witnesses should have reached puberty and
posesses good moral character.
 Sadaq or dower in the form of money must
be given by the groom to his bride during
the fulfillment of the marriage contract. It is
a symbol of the man’s commitment to take
good care of his wife and their future family.
Parts of the wedding ceremony:
1. The witnesses and guests take their
seats.
2. The wali of the bride and the groom sit
facing each other.
3. Short ceremonial speech by a learned
man is delivered
4. The wali of the bride addresses the
groom - (In this part of the ceremony, the
wali sends off the bride in accordance
with the Islamic laws. Afterwards, the
groom will answer and accept his bride
before all the witnesses and Allah)
5. The witnesses and guests congratulate
the newlywed by saying “May Allah make
it a blessing for you and a blessing to you together with all that is good.”
Protestant Wedding Ceremony
 The wedding ceremony of the Protestants
varies depending on their specific denominations, but what is evident is their principle
that the relationship between husband and
wife is similar to the relationship of Christ to
the church.
Basic parts of the ceremony:
1. The Processional – (entrance of the entourage)
2. The Proclamation of the church’s
teachings regarding Holy Matrimony
3. The Declaration of Consent – (during
this part of the ceremony, the celebrant asks
the bride and groom if they will accept the
other and make a promise of commitment.
The celebrant will also ask the consent of all
the guests present, and the guests will then
give their consent saying “we will” in unison)
4. The Ministry of the Word – (at this part
one or more passages from the Holy Scripture is read.)
5. The Marriage – (the vows and exchange
of rings take place at this part of the ceremony)
6. The Blessing of the Marriage – (this
part includes the blessing of the couple by the
celebrant, and after which the recessional will
take place)
Roman Catholic Wedding Ceremony
 The parish priest or officiating priest presides the ceremony
 Wedding ceremony traditions such as the
giving or arrhae, and the placement of veil
and cord to the couple are practiced
1. Processional or Entrance Rite – (en-
trance of the wedding entourage)
2. Opening Prayer by the Officiating
Priest
3. First Reading
4. Responsorial Psalm
5. Second Reading
6. Gospel Reading
7. Homily
8. Exchanging of Vows – (wedding vows
are usually in traditional or standard form)
9. Blessing and Exchanging of Rings and
arrhae
10. Lighting of the Unity Candle
11. Placing of the Veil
12. Placing of the cord
13. Prayers of the Faithful
14. Sign of Peace – (the couples, priest, and
all the guests wish each other peace as they
say ‘peace be with you’)
15. Communion –
16. Removal of the veil and cord
17. Final Blessing and declaration
18. Signing of the Marriage Contract
19. Recessional
Civil Wedding Ceremony
 A civil wedding ceremony is presided by a
judge, a municipal authority (e.g. Mayor), or
other civil authorities.
 Usually, a civil wedding takes place in the
town’s city hall, or the judge’s office, but you
can also choose to have a civil wedding in
your own reception venue.
1. Guests are seated
2. Welcoming the family and guests by the
Officiant
3. Exchanging of vows
4. Exchanging of rings
5. Pronouncement - (the officiant declares
the bride & groom as official husband &
wife)
6. First Kiss as Husband & Wife
7. Signing of wedding contract
Ramil Apa-ap and Weng Raquiño
Date: Saturday, 13 September 2008
Venue: Oasis, Manila
Time: 5:00pm
A Couple’s “Expression of Love” (Christian Rites)
RAMIL:
Weng, this is it – the end of my search! I have been openly telling you that you filled a big space in my
heart. I can hardly explain how this is so but I know that you complete me. We have had been through
ups and downs as a couple. But through it all my love for you prevailed especially. I love you because you
loved me when I’m at my worst. And this simply showed me that your love will raise me up no matter
what happens. Our engagement period is just an appetizer of my love for you. And I promise you that the
love I have for you will get even stronger and it will never falter as time goes by.
WENG:
I feel that I am the most beautiful & most important woman alive today! Mahal, you are perfectly aware
that I prayed for you to be my husband. And I just can’t thank God enough for you truly are an answered
prayer! Our friends can attest to that. This very day made me believe even more that we were created
for each other. I pray that your weakness will be my strength so we would complement each other. I
pray that our relationship will always be blest as we keep God at the center of it. I promise to be here for
you; to be a good wife, one who would treat you (very) significantly at all times. I promise to support you
through everything, most especially in goals you want to achieve yet. And I’d like to vouch on the same
promise you just made – the promise of a stronger and unwavering love each passing day – whatever it
takes. I love you so much!
WRITING YOUR OWN WEDDING VOWS
One of the most important parts of a wedding ceremony is the exchange of vows by the bride and groom.
It can be considered not only the very heart of your wedding ceremony but of the whole wedding itself.
Your vows to each other are what the wedding is all about in the first place. A lot of couple’s get caught
up on the external aspects of their wedding that they fail to concentrate on what’s more important – their
promise of commitment to each other.
There are no standard formulas and rules for wedding vows. Although there are some factors that may
affect the structure and manner of your vows like your religion, customs, and culture; the main thing that
you should remember is that it is YOUR OWN VOW to THE ONLY ONE YOU LOVE. Forget about how
the words rhyme, or how your guests may react to it. Just think of your partner and what your heart wants
to truly say. Easier said than done right? Well, if you are having some difficulty on writing or deciding
on your own vows, here is an example of a couple’s wedding vows shared by one of our gracious clients
during their wedding rites. May it inspire you and give you a head start as you make yours.
WEDDING RECEPTION
In a reception, a wedding program script is like a checklist that will help you and your MC (Master of the
Ceremony) keep the reception in order, avoiding
any unwanted gaps or chaos during the event.
Do not fall into the wrong thought that it’s your
MC’s job to arrange and prepare the program for
you. Keep in mind that it is your own wedding
and who knows what should and what-shouldnot-be included in your program but you. Would
it be a formal event? Or do you want a laid-back
and relaxed program proper? Have a meeting or
two with your MC to discuss how you want your
program to be executed.
Here is a sample order of events during a wedding
reception:
1. Arrival of guests at the wedding reception
venue
2. Serving of beverage & cocktail food (optional)
3. Welcoming of guests by the Master of the
ceremony
4. Entrance of the Entourage (optional)
5. Entrance of the newlywed Couple
6. Prayer of thanksgiving before meals
7. Food Serving Time
8. Intermission Numbers (photo opportunity)
9. Wedding Traditions (cake cutting, wine
toast, releasing of doves)
10. Messages of the couple’s parents
11. Bouquet Toss
12. Garter Toss
13. Father & daughter dance
14. Couple’s first dance
15. Couple’s Message
16. Opening of presents (optional)
UNIQUE IDEAS FOR YOUR WEDDING
RECEPTION PROGRAM:
Last Couple Standing – This activity will make
your principal sponsors and older guests have
participation during your wedding reception. The
MC will call the attention of all the married couples
present and have them stand on the dance floor.
Waltz or slow music will be played and one-by-one
the MC will eliminate a couple based on the years
of their marriage. The couple who has the longest
years of marriage wins. The winner couple may be
asked to give an inspirational message to the newly
wed on how to make their marriage last.
they walk down the aisle.
2) Teach your guests how to waltz – Another
way to make your event memorable, especially if
your venue has a big dance floor, is to hire a dance
instructor and teach all your guests how to waltz,
before you know it all your guests are dancing and
enjoying your wedding party.
Principal Sponsors – In the Philippines, the
principal sponsors are also called “ninongs” and
“ninangs. Filipinos have this tradition of having
as many principal sponsors as possible but the
decision as to how many you will have is still
up to you and your partner. Keep in mind that
these principal sponsors will play as second
parents to you and your partner and will give
you support and guidance as you enter the
married life. Choose carefully and wisely.
3) Look under your chairs – One way of thanking
your guests and having a little twist to your
celebration is to place notes under some of the
chairs on your reception venue and have your
guests look under their chairs. Those who will find
notes will get a gift or token from the bride and
groom.
IMPORTANT ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER IN
CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING PROGRAM
Wedding Entourage – The wedding entourage
consists of the couple’s family members, relatives,
and friends, who usually have close relationship
with the bride or the groom. In selecting your
wedding entourage bear in mind that these people
will be the one to help you before, during, and even
after your wedding so choose carefully. Do not be
distracted by outside suggestions from family and
friends – you wouldn’t want to end up with an
entourage that is composed of strangers.
Ring Bearer – Like with the flower girl, this
role is given to a young boy not more than eight
years old. He will be the one to carry the satin
pillow where the wedding rings are placed.
Coin Bearer – After the ring bearer is the coin
bearer, a young boy who carries the satin pillow
where the arrhae of coins is placed.
Bridesmaid – A bridesmaid acts as the aide
of the bride in the wedding errands that need
to be accomplished before and during the
wedding like making
sure that the wedding
guestbook will be
signed by the guests
and the souvenirs be
distributed during
the reception. There
is usually more than
one bridesmaid and
often coming from the
couple’s relatives of
close friends.
Best Man – This role is usually given to the
closest friend or relative of the groom (ex.
Brother or best friend). The role of the best man
is to assist the groom as he prepare before the
wedding, and make sure that the groom gets
to the wedding venue on time. He may also
take charge in organizing the stag party for the
groom & give a wedding speech.
Groomsman – The
groomsman is
the bridesmaid’s
counterpart and is
responsible for helping
the groom with any
errands before and
during the wedding.
He will also serve
as the bridesmaid’s
escort during the
wedding ceremony
processional.
Flower Girl – This is a role given to young girls
who are usually not more than eight years old.
Traditionally, they carry small baskets that
contain flower petals which they will scatter as
Secondary Sponsors –
In tradition, secondary
sponsors are
composed of 3 pairs
for the following roles: Candle sponsors who
are responsible for lighting the unity candle,
veil sponsors who will place the veil on the
couple during the wedding ceremony, and cord
sponsor who will then place the cord on top of
the veil.
Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor – A very
crucial role in the wedding ceremony is given
to the maid of honor. She is often the bride’s
sister or best friend, and is responsible for
organizing the bridal shower, and in assisting
the bride making sure that the bride looks good
and the bridal dress is always in place. During
the exchanging of rings, the maid of honor also
holds the bridal bouquet for the bride.
A Matron of Honor is similar to a maid of
honor. The only difference is that a maid of
honor is single while the matron of honor is
already married. So if you’ve decided to make
your married sister or best friend play this part,
a more fitting term to use for her is matron of
honor instead of maid of honor.
M
usic is an integral part of both your wedding ceremony and reception. As
how music brings color and life to a movie, a stage play, or a TV commercial,
the same goes with your wedding. The music that you will select will define
the mood and the personality of your event.
Wedding music options:
1) Live Band – It can be the most costly of all the three options, but it can certainly
give life to your celebration. There are various kinds of bands depending on the
genre, so it’s important that you consider the kind of mood that you want for your
celebration. If you plan to party all night you can hire a show band; if you want a
relaxing atmosphere for your wedding a jazz or classical band is what you need.
Just remember that a live band will take up more space in your venue so you
should consider that in choosing a venue.
2) DJ – This is the most common option for wedding music and is also more
convenient. You don’t have to do much work and preparation except to determine
your song playlist for your wedding. This option will also give you more variety
in terms of song choices; perfect for those who would like to get as much value
from their money.
3) Do-it-yourself – If you want to cut down on cost you can make a do-it-yourself
DJ in the form of a CD or MP3 player. All you need is a good speaker that you can
attach to your player and a good playlist of the songs that you and you partner
want.
Lighting – Just like with music, lighting is very important in keeping the ambience
of your celebration. It helps create just the right mood and it also helps make your
pictures look more beautiful.
Master of the Ceremony/Program – Either it’s a professional MC or your closest
friend, the master of the ceremony will serve as the “director” of your own movie,
which is your wedding celebration. Choose an MC with a personality that suites
the mood of your event. It is also very important that you have a rapport with your
chosen MC so that everything will go smoothly during the preparation and the
wedding day itself.
Wedding Script / Flow of Events – It is not enough to just hire or assign someone
to take care of your wedding program. Take time to arrange and organize the flow
of events for your wedding and put it into writing. Having a printed wedding
programme will help you, your MC, and your guests become aware of how the
celebration will transpire.
Traditions – Religious and cultural traditions is also one element of your wedding
program that needs to be considered. Familiarize yourself with the different traditions
and determine whether or not you will include those traditions in your own wedding.
“I opened my eyes and
found his open, too,
staring at my face. It made
no sense when he looked
at me that way - like I
was the prize rather than
the outrageously lucky
winner.” – Bella, “Breaking Dawn”
If we look back in history, the oldest and earliest
account that talks about honeymoon, which we can
refer to, is the Bible. In Deuteronomy 24:5 it states
that “If a man has recently married, he must not be sent
to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year
he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the
wife he has married.” The tradition has been passed
on from generation to generation and from one
culture to another. There may be varying practices
and beliefs about why or how to celebrate the
honeymoon, but in its simplest essence, the reason
for doing this is for the couple to relax and enjoy
their being together as man and wife, and make
beautiful and romantic memories that they will
carry as inspiration as they enter a new chapter in
their lives.
So, if you haven’t decided on having a honeymoon
yet, or if you are still looking for the perfect place to
go to that would fit your budget, here are some tips
that will help you plan the romantic trip that is just
right for you and your partner:
1) Plan Early – Just like with your wedding
preparations, it is also better to plan your
honeymoon early on to get a head start in scouting
for the perfect location. It would also help you save
a lot of money because you have plenty of time to
look for discounts and promos that travel agencies
or accommodations offer.
Your Honeymoon
A
fter months of preparation and a whole day of celebration with your family and friends, happily
ever after comes next.
Here in the Philippines, not all couples give much importance to planning their honeymoon. Filipinos are,
by nature, practical people and most would prefer to spend their budget on building their own house, or to
save it for future expenses that a married life entails.
But before settling for forever after, it’s actually important to spend a honeymoon with your partner. It
need not be an extravagant vacation; in fact, your honeymoon is not about money or luxury.
2) Communicate with your spouse – You may
have envisioned your own perfect honeymoon
getaway even before you met the love of your life,
but remember that you and your partner may have
different preferences. Take time to talk about it, so
that you’ll both enjoy the trip.
trips won’t be feasible for you, don’t lose hope.
Look around your town or area. There may be
beautiful resorts, or hotel accommodations that
offer packages fit for your honeymoon needs.
If you have the budget but don’t want to splurge
much, you may opt for out-of-town trips where
you don’t need to shell out too much for the
transportation. Travel packages and airfare promos
are also available nowadays for those couple who
would really wish to spend a day or two far away
from their hometowns.
If money is not a problem at all, you may try highend resorts or hotels that really offer the best service
and facilities. A honeymoon cruise is a romantic
way of celebrating your first days and weeks as a
couple.
4) Consider the season – If you have a tight
budget, don’t schedule your honeymoon on peak
season weeks or months as much as possible. Or
if you really cannot avoid the peak season months
of December – January, and March – May, then
it’s best that you book your accommodation and
transportation means early on.
5) Make a checklist – A checklist is a must-have
because it keeps you organized in your planning
and preparation.
Here is a sample checklist of things that you may
need to prepare for your honeymoon:
HONEYMOON PREPARATION CHECKLIST
Try this exercise: Get two pieces of paper (one for
you and one for your partner), and write down
what your dream honeymoon would be like. After
writing it all down, look at each other’s notes and
see how you can compromise and incorporate what
you have written. It will be a good guide or basis for
your planning.
Date / Schedule
3) Determine your target budget – Would you rather
save or splurge on your honeymoon?
Wardrobe requirements
If you don’t have as much resources to spend,
there are still a lot of ways and means to enjoy a
honeymoon. If out-of-town or out-of-the-country
Accommodation
Transportations
Itinerary
Meals
Important Documents
HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS FOR EVERY
FILIPINA BRIDESONALITY:
Aside from random tips and advices on how you can have a memorable honeymoon that works well with
your budget, I’ve also compiled here a random list of honeymoon destinations (5 for each bridesonality).
Each couple has unique personalities and likings, and it is now up to you to determine how you can make
it memorable. Remember that beautiful and unforgettable memories are priceless and are worth the effort.
The Penny-Wise Bride – “I only have a limited budget but I hope I could still find a great
honeymoon destination for me and my partner.”
1) Tagaytay
Stay for a night or two at one of their famous
Bed & Breakfast places
Enjoy the cool breeze as you tour their famous spots like Palace in the Sky and the
famous Taal Volcano
Have a picnic-for-two at Tagaytay’s Picnic
Grove while waiting for the sunset
Coffee lovers can enjoy a caffeine indulgence
at Bag of Beans store
Experience the romantic adventure at Tagaytay Ridge zipline and cable car
Links:
www.tagaytay.com
www.tagaytayzipline.com
http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/
roadtrip/22/overnight-options-tagaytay
2) Baguio
Stroll all around Baguio and visit their various parks
Take a romantic boat ride at Burnham park
Enjoy picking strawberries at La Trinidad
Strawberry farm
Experience a lovely dinner for two at a cozy
restaurant along Session Road
Make a wish a you climb the 252 steps of
Lourdes grotto
Links:
www.baguio.gov.ph
www.gobaguio.com
http://www.baguiodirectory.com
3) Batangas
Go to their wide array of beaches and enjoy
a breath taking sunset while holding hands
along the sea shore
Visit historical sites like the shrine of General Miguel Malvar in Sto. Tomas Batangas, and Jose P. Laurel memorial library in
Tanauan City
For those adventurous couple, take a hiking
trip at Mt. Makulot and enjoy the breathtaking view of the surrounding towns
Take a glimpse of the South China Sea
through the Punta de Santiago Lighthouse in
Calatagan Batangas
Links:
http://www.batangas-philippines.com/
things-to-do.html
www.batangascity.gov.ph
4) Subic
Be one with nature when you go trekking
down the Pamulaklakin forest trail and learn
jungle survival 101 from the local settlers
called aetas
Experience the thrill and excitement of being
in close contact with tigers at zoobic safari
Go to Ocean Adventure theme park and
observe the marine life as you watch the
dolphin and sea lion shows, and maybe even
get to swim with their dolphins
Indulge yourself with imported goods when
you visit their Duty Free center
Links:
www.subic.com
http://www.visitsubic.com
5) Laguna
Relax and rejuvenate with your partner at
Pansol Laguna’s famous hot spring resorts
Go on a road trip and scout for the local food
specialties such as: Buko Pie from Los Banos,
and Monay bread from Bay Laguna
Visit the house of our national hero Jose
Rizal at Calamba Laguna
Spoil the kid in you by spending a day at
Enchanted Kingdom Theme Park in Sta.
Rosa Laguna
Links:
http://www.lagunatourism.com.ph
http://tourism-philippines.com/laguna
www.laguna-hotspring.com
Baguio City at twilight
The Value-for-Money Bride – “I have enough budget and I want to get the best value
for our honeymoon.”
1) Boracay’s White Sand Beaches
Create a replica of your dream house, or
better yet castle, with Boracay’s white
sand
Go swimming and snorkeling in their
crystal clear water
Shed off some extra pounds as you play
Frisbee or beach volleyball
Have a romantic underwater walk with
the sea creatures as you go reef walking
Relax those tired muscles with a massage or spa service while watching the
sunset
Links:
http://www.boracayisland.org/
http://www.myboracayguide.com
http://www.boracayph.com
2) Bohol’s Chocolate Hills
Witness the majestic view of the infamous chocolate hills
Get up close and personal with the
charming tarsiers
Have lunch at a floating boat while traversing the Loboc River
Visit the Baclayon church and take a
glimpse of the Hispanic-Christian era
Frolic under the sun with their selection
of beach resorts
Links:
www.bohol.ph
www.bohol.gov.ph
3) Ilocos Norte
Travel back in time with Vigan’s array
of antique Spanish architecture
Visit one of the most beautiful churches
in the Philippines, the Paoay Church
Go to Batac and take a look at the Marcos Mansion and Mausoleum where lies
the glass- encased, embalmed body of
one of the most controversial presidents
in Philippine History, Ferdinand Marcos
Take lots of pictures along the stretch
Bangui Windmills, Bangui, Ilocos Norte
of Bangui Bay where you will see the
gigantic wind turbines of the first wind
farm in South East Asia
Enjoy swimming at the little lagoons of
Currimao where you will also see their
famous rock formations
Links:
http://tourism-philippines.com/ilocosnorte
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/
Asia/Philippines/Province_of_Ilocos_
Norte/Things_To_Do-Province_of_Ilocos_Norte-BR-1.html
4) Palawan
Go snorkeling at Honda bay, which
prides itself of its rich marine life
If you’re up for adventure, go kayaking
with your spouse and enjoy a day under
the sun and sea breeze
Go island hopping to Palawan’s beautiful islands and have a taste of paradise
Visit the crocodile farm and Mitra’s
ranch as you tour around the city of
Puerto Princesa
Links:
http://www.palawan.com
http://www.palawantrips.com
5) Sagada
Experience riding on top of a jeepney on
your way to Sagada
Have a healthy date and try out their
fresh yoghurt at yoghurt house
Go trekking to Bomod-ok falls and pass
through the beautiful rice terraces
Familiarize yourself with pottery craftsmanship at their Pottery workshop
Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere that will
surely give you the tranquility to calm
your senses
Links:
http://www.travel-philippines.com/
locations/central-luzon/4-sagada.htm
www.visitsagada.com
The Splurge-on-the-best Bride - “I have plenty of budget to work with and I want to
have the best and most memorable honeymoon one can have.”
Reminder: If you are planning to take an out-of-the-country honeymoon don’t forget to secure and
arrange all the necessary documents like passport & visa to avoid any hassle
1) Amanpulo
Enjoy the powder white beaches with
the promise of exclusivity
Learn windsurfing with their top-of
–the-line equipment and gentle beach
waves perfect for an outdoor adventure
Go bottom fishing for snappers and
groupers at Amanpulo’s fishing spots
Pamper yourself with a luxurious spa
in the privacy of your own casita
Explore the beauty of Pamalican island in a romantic moonlight cruise
Links:
http://www.amanresorts.com/amanpulo/home.aspx
2) Bella Roca
Experience a Mediterranean ambience
at the heart of the Philippines with
their greek-inspired architectural design
Reserve a private dinner at the tea
room while waiting for the sun to set
An early morning breakfast treat at
the terrace area is also a good way to
start a romantic date with your spouse
Go kayaking around the island of Bellarocca and take as much picture with
the island’s spectacular view on the
background
Links:
http://www.bellaroccaresorts.
com/?file=kop1.php
3) Hongkong
Shop in hongkong-style as you scout
for the best finds for you and your
spouse with their three interconnected
malls in Kowloon
Go to the largest entertainment complex and themepark in Hongkong
- the Ocean Park where you will
experience riding a cable car on the
way there and see the world’s largest
aquarium reef
Opt for an evening stroll in the romantic Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade in
Kowloon
 Visit the Lantau island to see the giant
Buddha on the mountain and experience a picturesque cable car ride
Links:
www.discoverhongkong.com
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/hong-kong
4) Disney European Cruise
Take a tour of Europe the Disney way
Reminisce your childhood days while
watching high caliber Disney liveshows in their Walt Disney theater,
while on-board
Visit the different Disney locations
and enjoy the fun and thrilling rides
Enjoy shopping at their various shops
while sailing with Disney cruise line
Links:
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com
5) Asian Cruise
Explore the beauty of Asia as you get
on-board for an Asian cruise
Participate in their evening dance
classes and learn a step or two
Enjoy the theme night parties that the
cruise staff prepares for everyone onboard
Satisfy your gastronomic cravings
with their various top-of-the-line cuisines
Links:
http://www.starcruises.com
Updating Legal Documents
After Your Wedding
N
ow that the jitters and the party mode has toned down, your happily ever after starts. Here
is the list of things that you may have to consider. All the hard work in the planning and
preparation for your special day may have ended on that perfect day, but after the last bottle of
wine has been drunk, the honeymoon trip made, and the Thank You cards sent to your guests there are
still a few things you have to do:
Organize Legal Matters
This is the most important thing that should be
first on your checklist. Organizing legal matters
after the wedding will include:
Getting a copy of the marriage license
You’re going to need this especially if you’re going
to update all other important documents for the
name change. Usually, a duplicate copy is given to
the couple after the ceremony but you can also go
to the NSO to obtain a copy.
There are four ways to get a copy from the
National Statistics Office:
1. In Person. Go to your nearest Census
Serbilis Centers. In Metro Manila there are
six of these which are found in NSO East
Ave. in Quezon City, Makati City, Pasay
City, Caloocan City, Muntinlupa City, and
Pasig City.
2. By Postal Service System. You can request
a copy of your marriage license through
couriers like LBC, or ask your local travel
agency if they can get the copy for you,
though this may be a little more expensive.
3. Through Teleserv. In partnership with
Pilipinas Teleserv, Inc., a call center based
service designed to provide convenience
to customers built by the government,
you may now ask for a copy of various
documents such as birth, marriage and
death certificates, and passports through
this hotline by contacting (02) 737-1111 for
NSO Documents Delivery, and (02) 7371000 for the DFA Passport Appointment
System.
4. Through the web. Recent developments have
made it possible for us to obtain copies of
legal documents through the internet in
NSO’s E-Census website (http://www.ecensus.com.ph).
In getting a copy you have to provide the
following:
- Complete name of your husband
- Complete name of your wife
- Date of marriage
- Place of marriage
- Complete name and address of the
requesting party
- Number of copies needed
- Purpose for the certification
You can also check the NSO website (http://www.
census.gov.ph) for payment details and other
concerns.
Update your SSS
To update your SSS status you may need to go to
your nearest SSS office. Changes in the member’s
record should immediately be reported by
accomplishing the SSS Form E-4 or the Member’s
Data Amendment. You’ll need to provide a
certified true copy of your marriage certificate for
the change of civil status.
From the SSS Website:
In the absence of the above-mentioned documents,
submit a Certificate of Loss or Non-availability of the
documents from the Local Civil Registrar of the place
where the member was baptized and any two (2) of
the following secondary documents, one of which with
recent photo and date of birth, are acceptable:
• Record of Employment
• GSIS member’s Record
• Certificate from the National Archives
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)
Birth Certificate of Children
Certificate of Naturalization issued by the
Bureau of Immigration
Marriage Contract
Driver’s License issued by LTO
School records
Voter’s ID Card or Affidavit duly authenticated
by COMELEC
TIN card
Life Insurance Policy
NBI Clearance
Pag-ibig Member’s Data Form
PHIC Member’s Record
Permit to carry firearms issued by the Fire &
Explosives Unit, Camp Crame
Certification from the Office of the Cultural
Minorities (Aetas, Negritoes, Mangyans,
Manobos, Etc.)
For Muslim members, a certificate form the Sharia
Court should always be attached to the supporting
documents for the following member’s data change
requests:
1. marriage certificate for change of civil status;
2. certificate of divorce for divorce
3. certificate of conversion for conversion
The original or certified true copies of the documents
should be represented to the SSS for authentication
purposes.
Update your Driver’s License
Your Driver’s License is one of the documents
that needed to be changed. To report the change
in your marital status, proceed to the Customer
Service Counter of a Land Transportation Office
(LTO) branch near you and secure a Driver’s
License Application Form. Upon accomplishing the
form you will need to present your:
- Current/Expired Driver’s License
- Copy of your Marriage Contract
- TIN (Tax Identification Number)
The Driver’s License Application Form maybe
downloaded online at the LTO website (http://
www.lto.gov.ph), as well as payment details and
other concerns.
Update your BIR Records
Updating your BIR Records is another important
thing that you need to do after the wedding. To do
this you may need to fill up a BIR Form 2305 which
can be downloaded online or acquired from an
RDO (Regional District Office) near you. This form
may also be available in your office, ask your HRD
for the details.
After filling out the form, attach a copy of your
Marriage Contract and pass it on the RDO.
Changes will be made accordingly.
Update your NBI Clearance
An NBI Clearance is needed for your passport
renewal. NBI Clearance renewal is easily done
by going to your nearest NBI Clearance Satellite
Branch. You may need to bring a Valid ID and
payment of 165Php for Change of Name.
Update your Company Documents
Ask your HRD and the Accounting department
regarding the details that you have to change and
update for their records.
Update your Passport
Your current passport, which bears your maiden
name, can still be used until it expires. In updating
your passport (changing your name and marital
status) set an appointment with the Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) through phone or in their
website for passport renewal.
You may need your Marriage Certificate (on
NSO security paper) among the other IDs and
documents needed.
Log on to: http://www.telephoneexpresspassport.
com/ for details and other concerns.
Bank Accounts and Credit Cards
Go to your branch and inquire about the
requirements, details and process in updating your
accounts. This is crucial especially if you constantly
make bank transactions. Do this soon after the
wedding.
Your Signature
This may not be too much important, but if you
wish to include your new last name in your
signature you should also do this upon updating
your records. Changing your signature isn’t really
required because this isn’t really required by the
law. Your signature is your personal thumb mark
and you may or may not change it according to
your will.
Acknowledgements
• Jamie Lihan of Imagine Nation
• Imagine Nation Photography (www.imaginenationphoto.com)
• Jun Valbuena Photography (junvalbuena@yahoo.com)
• Raymond Vince Cruz Photography (http://www.rvcphotography.net/)
• Ariel Javelosa Photography (for Vina Mobeuis’ wedding pics) (http://
www.arieljavelosa.ph)
• George Putong
• Karen Kate Pico
• Rose Jade Asmolo
• Ms. April and Karen Yu (April and Karen Yu Flowers)
• Mr. &Mrs. Ramil and Weng Apa-ap
• Mr. & Mrs. Andre and Vina Mobeuis
• Mr. & Mrs. Vincent and Venelyn San Pedro
• Mr. & Mrs. Jerico and Khristina Ramirez