A Wedding in Cebu

Crimson Beach Resort and Spa - Wedding Packages

2011-05-22T13:08:00.002+08:00

Crimson Beach Resort and Spa, one of the newest luxury beach destinations in Cebu, is also an ideal venue for a beach wedding or a wedding reception. They have three wedding packages, all of which are for a minimum of 100 persons.

Crimson Beach Resort and Spa Wedding Package A
- Php 4,500.00 net/person

Crimson Beach Resort and Spa Wedding Package B
- Php 3,500.00 net/person

Crimson Beach Resort and Spa Wedding Package C
- Php 2,500.00 net/person

The inclusions of their wedding packages are as follows:
• Dinner buffet with one round of soft-drinks
• Free use of the venue for four (4) hours
• Basic P/A sound system with microphone
• Violinist, Flute and Guitarist - A and B only
• Photo and Video Coverage - A and B only
• Wedding giveaways - A and B only
• Bridal car for maximum of four (4) hours w/ floral arrangement
.......... - A and B only
• Flower arrangement
• Place cards for the presidential table
• One (1) bottle of wine for toasting
• Cake
.......... A - Three (3) layered fondant cake and fifty (50) cupcakes
.......... B - Two (2) layered fondant cake and thirty (30) cupcakes
.......... C - Two (2) layered fondant cake
• Guest signature frame
• Thirty (30) butterflies - A and B only
• Thirty (30) pieces of flying lanterns for the finale - A only
• Welcome fruit basket for the couple
• Welcome drinks for the couple
• Lechon
.......... A - Complimentary 1 lechon
.......... .......... plus waived corkage for 2 additional lechons
.......... B - Complimentary 1 lechon
.......... .......... plus waived corkage for 1 additional lechon
.......... C - Complimentary 1 lechon
.......... .......... plus waived corkage for 1 additional lechon
• Wine
.......... A - Waived corkage for five (5) bottles of wine brought in
.......... B - Waived corkage for three (3) bottles of wine brought in
.......... C - Waived corkage for two (2) bottles of wine brought in
• Complimentary overnight accommodation for 2
.......... at the Garden Suite
• 50% discount on rack rates for couple's relatives booking rooms
.......... during the wedding day
• Complimentary buffet breakfast for two (2) at Saffron Cafe
• Complimentary signature massage for the bride and groom
.......... at AUM SPA
• 15% discount when dining in Crimson outlets

Marco Polo Plaza wedding packages

2011-04-02T12:52:00.002+08:00

I don't always know the answers to your questions or have the time to do the legwork, but I try. ^_^ Thanks everyone for dropping by! And extra hugs go out to people who take the time to shoot me an email. This one (and this other one) is for Boboh.

Marco Polo Plaza holds a special place in the hearts of Cebuanos. Back when it was still Cebu Plaza Hotel, it was the hotel in Cebu, the place to see and be seen in. The same prestige holds sway today, now that it is part of the Marco Polo group of hotels. Its Nivel Hills location gives guests a beautiful view of the city, and its posh interiors are just as breathtaking.

photo from the Marco Polo website

Here are the current (as of April 2011) Marco Polo Wedding Packages:

Tierra

PhP 1,026+ per person

Min. 100 persons, max. 150 persons

(minimum total P102,600)

Venue at Manila or Shanghai Rooms
Buffet menu
Overnight accommodation with breakfast for two in a Deluxe Seaview room
Welcome fruit platter
Two-layered wedding cake or lechon
One bottle of sparkling wine for toasting
A pair of doves
One guestbook
Standard PA system
Floral centerpieces per table
Place cards for the presidential table
One round of soft drinks
Bridal car for a maximum of two hours
One gift certificate for an overnight stay with breakfast for two in a Deluxe Seaview room

Oro

PhP 1,772+ per person

Min. 100 persons, max. 250 persons

(minimum total P177,200)

Venue at the Garden Terrace
Buffet menu
Overnight accommodation with breakfast for two in a Junior Suite
Welcome fruit platter
Three-layered wedding cake or lechon
One bottle of sparkling wine for toasting
A pair of doves
One guestbook
Standard PA system
Floral centerpieces per table
Place cards for the presidential table
One gift certificate for an overnight stay with breakfast for two in a Deluxe Seaview room
One round of soft drinks
Couple’s massage with herbal pack at the Wellness Zone
Bridal car for a maximum of two (2) hours

Fuego

PhP 1,772+ per person

Min. 200 persons, max. 300 persons

(minimum total P354,400)

Venue at the Grand Ballroom
Buffet menu
Overnight accommodation with breakfast for two in a Junior Suite
Welcome fruit platter
Three-layered wedding cake or lechon
One bottle of sparkling wine for toasting
A pair of doves
One guestbook
Standard PA system
Floral centerpieces per table
Place cards for the presidential table
One gift certificate for an overnight stay with breakfast for two in a Deluxe Seaview room
One round of soft drinks
Couple’s massage with herbal pack at the Wellness Zone
Bridal car for a maximum of two (2) hours

Viento

PhP 1,600+ per person

Min. 300 persons, max. 400 persons

(minimum total P480,000)

Venue at the Grand Ballroom
Buffet menu
Overnight accommodation with breakfast for two in a Junior Suite
Welcome fruit platter
Three-layered wedding cake or lechon
One bottle of sparkling wine for toasting
A pair of doves
One guestbook
Standard PA system
Floral centerpieces per table
Place cards for the presidential table
One gift certificate for an overnight stay with breakfast for two in a Deluxe Seaview room
One round of soft drinks
Couple’s massage with herbal pack at the Wellness Zone
Bridal car for a maximum of two (2) hours

Aqua

PhP 1,198+ per person

Min. 400 persons, max. 500 persons

(minimum total P479,200)

Venue at the Grand Ballroom
Buffet menu
Overnight accommodation with breakfast for two in a Junior Suite
Welcome fruit platter
Four-layered wedding cake or lechon
One bottle of sparkling wine for toasting
A pair of doves
One guestbook
Standard PA system
Floral centerpieces per table
Place cards for the presidential table
One gift certificate for an overnight stay with breakfast for two in a Deluxe Seaview room
One round of soft drinks
Bridal car for a maximum of two (2) hours

***

The menus for some of the wedding packages are different from the others, but if I listed everything here, this long post would be even longer, so just email me if you're interested in getting a copy. To the Marco Polo banquet sales executive who very promptly sent me their wedding package brochures just one day after I made an inquiry in behalf of a friend, thank you!

Radisson Blu wedding package

2011-04-02T11:55:00.004+08:00

Radisson Blu is one of the newest and swankiest hotels in Cebu. I must confess I haven't been there myself, but I've seen friends express their approval and post fab photos in Facebook. (I know. I really should go there one of these days.) The hotel is right beside SM City Cebu and is a short distance from most of the major churches in the city center.

photo from http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-cebu/dining/lobby

The Radisson Blu wedding package costs P170,000 for a minimum of 100 guests, plus P950 for each extra person. Their wedding package includes the following perks:

a 3-layered wedding cake
a special gift for the couple
a bridal car, maximum 3-hour use
a guestbook with pen
place cards for the presidential table
table centerpieces
iced tea or soft drink
coffee and tea
sparkling wine for the couple’s toast
2 nights stay in a suite room with buffet breakfast for two
a welcome fruit platter in the suite room
late check out at 2 p.m.
a gift certificate for a buffet lunch or dinner for 2 at FERIA
50% discount on a lunch or dinner buffet at FERIA for a group of 10 persons
50% off on a suite room on the couple's first wedding anniversary

All this is from the Radisson Blu wedding package brochure, which their Events Manager kindly sent me just one day after I inquired about their wedding packages in behalf of a friend. Prompt attention to customers, even just potential ones, is always a major plus for me. Cheers!

I used to email a copy of the Radisson Blu brochure to readers who asked for it, but it's been a little over 9 months since I obtained that brochure. Since I can't be sure that all the terms and conditions there are still valid, I would suggest that you guys get the brochure direct from Radisson Blu. ^_^

ideas for wedding giveaways (or favors) - idea # 1

2011-03-12T17:30:00.000+08:00

When the subject of wedding giveaways, or wedding favors, first came up during our wedding planning stage, my first thought was: I did not want giveaways like these. ----->

No offense to those of the traditional giveaways school of thought, of course. But -- and I hate to be the one to break the news to those who aren't already aware of it, but -- stuff like these do tend to end up in dusty shelves, get thrown away, or be given to the poorer relatives during Christmas. They look cute, and they were extremely popular in decades past, but sadly their charm has worn off.

A great wedding giveaway, for me, is something that is nice and useful, and ideally out of the ordinary. Easily sourced in Cebu? A definite plus. Something that immediately reminds the recipient of the couple? Brilliant. And inexpensive? Perfect!

Another thing is, I actually like the idea of having different wedding favors and letting each guest choose which one they'd like to take home. People who are always using pens at work might go for silver pens engraved with the couple's names, for example. Girls might go for cute stuff like candles and jewelry. And guys would be perfectly happy with food.

Some friends and I have been throwing around ideas for giveaways, and I thought I'd share them with you in the next couple of posts.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

IDEA # 1 - FASHION JEWELRY

Vintage-themed weddings are all the rage these days, so why not give away some "vintage" jewelry?

Having a garden wedding or a beach wedding? How about a necklace with a butterfly pendant, or a bracelet with silver dolphin charms?

Are you and your spouse more of the wooden-beads, music-loving, sand-in-feet, chillin' type? These will be perfect for your wedding then.

Want something with your wedding colors? How about these dreamcatcher earrings?

Do you prefer giveaways that are understated but pretty? These cord and metal bracelets should do the trick.

And, finally, nothing says "thank you for being my bridesmaid" or "thank you for being my friend" like a Swarovski bracelet, or earrings, or both.

Time for a little disclosure here: The reason why fashion jewelry is idea no. 1 is because I have ready photos of them. And the reason for that is because I'm actually selling some of this stuff. I don't make them myself, but I know where to get them for really low prices. This fashion-jewelry-as-wedding-giveaway idea actually came to me while I was out restocking my supplies. I know of a bride who actually bought Swarovksi bracelets to give away to her peer sponsors. And, yes, these accessories are all available in Cebu at prices less than P100.

Stay tuned for idea # 2.

Nupcias Cebuanas - February 12-27, 2011 - Parkmall

2011-02-25T16:49:00.000+08:00

There's a wedding expo going on at Parkmall right now. I don't have a full list of exhibitors, as my family and I were only passing through, on our way from grocery shopping the other Sunday, but we did see Wenwen Zaspa, Abbai Pila and Jingjing Zaspa, setting up the Make-up by Wenwen Zaspa booth.

The Nupcias Cebuanas fair will culminate in a bridal fashion show this Sunday, February 27, 2010, at 6 PM.

See you there. ^_^

2011 Wedding Packages

2011-02-04T16:57:00.000+08:00

I've been getting a lot of emails lately from brides-to-be, asking if the prices in my previous posts about wedding packages and wedding reception venues have changed. The simple answer to that was: I didn't know. I'd made my inquiries back in 2009, in preparation for my 2010 wedding.

As promised, though, I recently emailed all the people I'd emailed before and asked for their 2011 prices. I've only had a few responses so far, and I will put them up here, in the order that I received them. (This should give you an idea on which venues are the most responsive to their customers!)

City Sports Club Cebu

As always, Tea of City Sports was abtik, as we say in Cebu -- fast, friendly and thorough. She informed me that their wedding packages haven't changed yet. (You can read about them in my original City Sports post here.) She added that they did make some changes to their regular menus. If you are planning to hold an event there, you will find these useful:

For further inquiries, you can email Tea at salescscc@gmail.com.

Crown Regency Hotel & Towers

Ms. Mayet Belarmino has promised to have their banquet team send me their latest prices. I'm still waiting for them and I'll be posting them as soon as they arrive.

Back in 2009, their Sky Adventure wedding package cost P120,000. This included:

International Dinner Buffet at Sky
Menu is inclusive of One Round of softdrink
Use of the venue for a maximum of 5 hours
Sound System with microphone
Rostrum with microphone
Overnight stay for two in a Superior Room only.
Two (2) Layered Wedding Cake
Bridal car for a maximum of 3 hours use
Coaster for the guest with maximum of 3hrs. use
One guestbook
One bottle of sparkling wine for toasting
Floral centerpieces at the guest’s tables
Place cards for the presidential table
Pair of doves
Invitation Cards (50 pcs.)
Give aways (50pcs.)
Free Hair & Make-up for the Bride
Sky Walk Extreme or Edge Coaster Rides for the couple (for pre-nup or during the reception)
Digital Video Coverage -- 100pcs. copies 4r (digital picture), 1 copy 8x10 picture, 1 cd soft copy of printed pictures, 1 copy of DVD (edited video), additional Php2,500.00 for every 36 shoots of excess pictures
Waived corkage fee for the first 1 Lechon brought-in during the reception, succeeding will be charged at Php1,000.00/lechon
Waived corkage fee for the first 1 wine or hard drinks (750ml) brought in during the reception, succeeding will be charged at Php500.00/bottle
Charged Energy Fee at Php350.00 per equipments that consume electricity during the reception.
Waived Energy Fee for the Video Coverage
Waived Corkage Fee for the Additional Wedding Cake

***
I have yet to receive feedback from the other wedding venues, but I'll be updating this post when I do. Take care everyone! :)

make-up by Wenwen Zaspa

2010-11-28T11:53:00.000+08:00

Even beautiful girls need talented makeup artists to make them look absolutely stunning, whether they are posing for a magazine or prepping for a high-profile show. But if you are an ordinary-looking girl like myself, you probably dream of looking and feeling pretty even for just once in your life -- on your wedding day. And you're probably wondering how.

Luckily, there are extraordinary makeup artists who can make even the plainest Janes look pretty. They don't do it by camouflaging your face and painting an entirely new one over it. Their talent and experience enables them to bring out your best features so that you will look beautiful and still look natural at the same time. For my wedding, I was really lucky to have Wenwen Zaspa and his team.

I first heard of Wenwen from my girl friends Jet and Osita, who both got married in October 2009, just a couple of weeks apart. Images are worth a thousand words, so here is what my friends looked like on their respective wedding days:

photo of Jet by Dondon Colinares / photo of Osita by the Banana Book team

Now, if you're like me and you're not rolling in dough, one of your first questions would probably be: how much? Well, the best person to answer that would be Jingjing Zaspa (09205578432 / 09322334097), Wenwen's sister, who handles the business side of things. The rates vary, depending on what you have in mind. Let me just put it this way: for someone of Wenwen's caliber, his fees are fair and totally worth it.

Here's why:

This is what I look like (L) on ordinary days, and (R) during my wedding.
(OK, I'm still no Anne Curtis, but I did love how I looked during the wedding.)

one of our prenup photos, by RockPaperScissors

My sister (in the yellow dress) also looked stunning.

In addition to making us look great, Wenwen and his team (which, at my wedding, consisted of Abbai Pila and Aries Baguio) had the priceless ability to make us laugh while getting prepped up. The few hours before your wedding can be the most tense moments you'll ever have -- all those months of preparation, after all, are about to converge in a single afternoon -- but their stories, jokes and verbal sparring had us laughing so hard, we simply forgot to worry.

Worth it? Definitely.

In the end, perhaps, beauty is only skin deep. The eye shadow washes off after the wedding; the blush fades. What's really important about looking good is its by-product: feeling good. It is the little kick that you get out of a dream come true. It is the self-assurance that enables you to walk on air as you walk down the aisle. It is the serenity that makes you forget about the crowds, the flashing cameras, the little details, and focus on what really matters: the person waiting for you at the altar, and the life you are about to have together.

Saberon-Solera Nuptials 10-20-2010

2010-11-04T17:04:00.000+08:00

Aivan and I got to work with some of the most amazing people during our wedding. Our love and gratitude go out to:

Hair and Makeup:
Wenwen Zaspa and team (Abbai Pila, Aries Baguio)

Photography:
RockPaper Scissors

Videography:
Wolfram Virtual Works

On The Day Coordination:
Jhune Jacaban

Hosting:
Romel Robinson Pareja

Bridesmaid hair and make-up:
James Canete

Dress-up:
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa

Church:
Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Reception:
Grand Convention Center Cebu

Photobooth:
baiCapture

:)

Readings for Catholic Weddings

2010-09-02T19:05:00.000+08:00

If you're preparing your own Misalette, you will find the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' For Your Marriage website helpful. I stumbled across it while searching for which readings would be appropriate to use in a Catholic wedding. The Readings portion has a list of Old Testament and New Testament readings, as well as a selection of Responsorial Psalms and Gospel readings. There is even a commentary after each reading, to help you reflect on the meaning of the verses, and guide your choice as to which reading would be best for you and your spouse-to-be.

First Reading

(Old Testament)

* Genesis 1:26-28, 31a
* Genesis 2:18-24
* Genesis 24:48-51, 58-67
* Tobit 7:6-14
* Tobit 8:4b-8
* Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
* Song of Songs 2:8-10, 14, 16a; 8:6-7a
* Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16
* Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a

Responsorial Psalm

(from the Book of Psalms)

* The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
VERSES: Ps 33:12 and 18, 20-21, 22

* I will bless the Lord at all times.
VERSES: Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

* Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
VERSES: Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

* The Lord is kind and merciful.
VERSES: Ps 103:1-2, 8 and 13, 17-18a

* The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear Him.
VERSES: Ps 103:1-2, 8 and 13, 17-18a

* Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord's commands.
VERSES: Ps 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7b-8, 9

* Alleluia.
VERSES: Ps 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7b-8, 9

* Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
VERSES: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

* See how the Lord blesses those who fear Him.
VERSES: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

* The Lord is compassionate toward all His works.
VERSES: Ps 145:8-9, 10 and 15, 17-18

* Let us all praise the name of the Lord.
VERSES: Ps 148:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-13a, 13c-14a

* Alleluia.
VERSES: Ps 148:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-13a, 13c-14a

Second Reading

(New Testament)

I believe this is optional. Some wedding masses don't include a Second Reading. If you do choose to have a Second Reading, make sure you coordinate with your priest. In fact, it would be best to have him go over your entire Misalette.

* Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39

* Romans 12:1-2, 9-18 OR Romans 12:1-2, 9-13

* Romans 15:1b-3a, 5-7, 13

* 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20

* 1 Corinthians 12:31–13:8a

* Ephesians 5:2a, 21-33 OR Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32

* Philippians 4:4-9

* Colossians 3:12-17

* Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b

* 1 Peter 3:1-9

* 1 John 3:18-24

* 1 John 4:7-12

* Revelation 19:1, 5-9a

Gospel

* Matthew 5:1-12a

* Matthew 5:13-16

* Matthew 7:21, 24-29

* Matthew 7:21, 24-25

* Matthew 19:3-6

* Matthew 22:35-40

* Mark 10:6-9

* John 2:1-11

* John 15:9-12

* John 15:12-16

* John 17:20-26

* John 17:20-23

I hope this list will help you put together a liturgy that is meaningful and close to your heart.
If you have time, though, do check out the USCCB's marriage website. It contains a whole lot of stuff -- such as Getting Married Catholic, Ceremony Options, FAQs, and even Budgeting for Your Wedding -- that will make you appreciate your Catholic wedding more. It has made me realize that a beach or a garden wedding might be prettier, but nothing beats a church wedding.

"Seasons: A Debutante and Bridal Fair" at Marco Polo

2010-08-19T19:31:00.000+08:00

Heads up everyone!

Marco Polo Plaza will be hosting "Seasons: A Debutante and Bridal Fair" this August 28 to 29, 2010 at their Grand Ballroom. (They're calling it a bridal fair, but I presume the grooms-to-be are welcome too.) According to yesterday's SunStar, the fair will feature designers, stylists, florists, photographers, and suppliers of giveaways and invitations. There will also be forums on all sorts of wedding-related stuff, as well as debutante and bridal fashion shows.

Admission? Totally free.

I probably won't be there, as I'm scheduled to go out of town next weekend, but the fair should be interesting. At the very least, it should give you ideas on what you want and don't want on your own wedding. Enjoy!

the countdown begins!

2010-08-11T20:00:00.000+08:00

My wedding is now less than three months away! I've had my engagement photo shoot, my prenup video shoot, meetings with suppliers, fights with the groom-to-be... You get the picture. It's been busy! Still, that doesn't justify the fact that my last real post was February. What's the point of keeping a wedding blog if you're not gonna write in it, right? My schedule has just gotten a liiiiiittle bit looser, so I'm gonna try to put up some posts real soon about the people I've been extremely lucky to work with for my wedding.

Here's what's coming up:
* RockPaperScissors, the current rock stars of Cebuano wedding photography
* The one and only Wenwen Zaspa (and team!), MUA plus entertainment showcase
* DIY invitation ideas

And. So. Much. More.

Rose Gold Makes for Elegant Engagement Rings

2010-06-04T17:16:00.000+08:00

Whenever the subject of marriage came up, I always told my then-boyfriend (now my fiance, of course) that I didn't really need an engagement ring. That's why I was more than a little surprised, flattered and touched that he gave me a really pretty ring when he proposed. More than just a nice piece of ice, it reminds me up to now of how hard my fiance worked to give me a symbol of all the good things he said I deserved.

I have to admit I don't really know that much about wedding jewelry, so I was excited when Pammy Rosen offered to write about rings for this blog. Here's her take on engagement rings...

* * *

Rose Gold Makes for Elegant Engagement Rings

by Pammy Rosen

Unalloyed gold is yellow in color, and it is also quite soft in texture, which makes it very flexible and versatile in designing jewelry. These characteristics, along with its inherent beauty, explain why gold has been very popular in creating rings and other items for centuries.

Something that may surprise you

Pure gold is really never used in creating jewelry because it fails to hold its shape since it is so malleable. As a result, intricate patterns that are etched on the surface of a ring can be rubbed away easily, and any precious or semi-precious stone that is used in the setting may be lost as well. Obviously, no one wants this to happen because many gemstones are both beautiful and expensive.

How rose gold is made

To remedy the situation and enhance gold’s durability, it is usually combined with one or more other metals used in manufacturing jewelry. When this is done, the specific characteristics of the alloy enhance the color and nature of the gold that is produced. For example, copper, which has a reddish-brown color, significantly adds to the beauty of gold, giving it a unique tint that varies from pink to red. (At times, rose gold is also referred to as “pink gold” or “red gold.”) The pinkish variety has a feminine appearance, which is ideal for making women's gold rings, and the darker tints are now used in making men's jewelry as well.

The amount of copper alloy is the determining factor in creating the various shades of rose gold, and the more copper a piece contains, the darker it will appear to be. This is the reason that 18k (lighter) rose gold consists of 18 karats of pure gold and 6 karats of alloy, and 10K (darker) rose gold consists of 10k of pure gold and 14k of alloy.

Buying matching rings

In addition, if silver or another alloy is included in the mix, the number of possible hues increases. The average customer likes to have a wide range of choices, but matching two different pieces of rose gold jewelry can be difficult when they are purchased in different places at different times. It is an excellent choice when you are looking for a stunning engagement ring, but since tints can vary, it is a good idea to purchase a wedding ring that matches it at the same time and have them designed together.

* * *

There, don't you feel so much smarter? At the very least, you'll have a better idea what to look for in an engagement and/or wedding ring. Thanks Pammy! :)

wedding planning reflections

2010-02-19T17:57:00.000+08:00

After the initial rush to book the church, the reception venue and the most important wedding suppliers, I'm finally at the point where I can sit back, take things slow, and reflect.

The actual wedding planning, I've found, is totally different from sporadically researching about it. The latter was what I was doing for more than a year before I got engaged. It was a hobby, more than anything else, and was pressure-free. I didn't have to fidget about being able to book my preferred supplier before anyone else did. I could dream big, and I didn't have to keep tabs on whether my net liabilities had already exceeded my net worth.

Then again, a real wedding coming up is always, always so much better than a nebulous concept in an unforeseeable future. :)

What have I learned in my 2 months of wedding planning?

Number one is probably the most important but is also the one that I probably have the most difficulty remembering. Wedding planning should be fun. I can't count how many times I've bit Aivan's head off for things that later on seem trivial. Whatever it is, it's never as important as it first seems.

Number two: you can't please everyone. There will be people you can't invite or make part of your entourage. There will be people who think you should get married next year instead of this year, or next century instead of this century. And you can't always please your vendors -- somewhere along the line, you'll have to say "no" to some of their ideas.

Another thing I've learned is to always have a plan B -- and budget for it! When the photographer I had intended to book begged off due to another assignment, I thought I would have to spend twice my photography budget on my next choice. Luckily, I found another photographer (photographers, actually) whose fees were comparable and whose portfolio was just terrific!

This next piece of wisdom comes from my sister: DON'T spend all your savings on the wedding. People will always tell you not to spend money that you don't have (i.e., get a loan) on your wedding, but go further and try not to spend all the money that you do have. This will probably not apply to people who have cash to burn, but to people like me, it's a way of setting a limit on on your wedding expenses.

Having said that, here's the other side of the coin: DO expect to spend much more than you intend. At this point I am watching my dream of a P150,000 wedding crumble to dust. Aivan and I used to think that once we had the money for the reception, we were good to go, that the other expenses would be trivial. How wrong we were! It's those other expenses, the little things, that can break the bank. The trouble with planning a wedding is that you have to strike that balance between budget-friendliness and quality that is worthy of a once-in-a-lifetime event. You don't want to regret, ten years along the line, not coughing up a few thousands (or, ouch, a few ten thousands) more for something that matters a lot after all.

fire lanterns for weddings

2010-02-08T11:12:00.000+08:00

My Facebook account has turned out to be an invaluable tool in organizing my wedding. Aside from using it to publish our Save The Date cards, tag our guests and point them to our wedding website, it was also through Facebook that I discovered today what would be a really, really, really, really, really, really, really cool touch to any wedding:

Flying fire lanterns!!

In Cebu, fire lanterns are available through Julie Ann Sio, who is also behind the Universal Fortune Trading company. Each lantern costs P270, for a minimum order of 5 pieces. However, you can get them at P250 each if you order 25 pieces or more, plus, Julie Ann will throw in a mini hot air balloon as a "gift" to the couple.

Julie Ann Sio is in Facebook. You can also get in touch with her by sending an email to universalfortunetrading@yahoo.com.

* Update: Prices have changed several times and I can't be sure where they're currently at, but last I heard they've gone down! So that's good news. Before you order fire lanterns, though, check with your venue. They might not let you use them at all! Ideally you're supposed to be releasing the lanterns from a wide open space. You're also not supposed to use them where the wind blows hard. As of this writing, Chateau de Busay has disallowed the use of fire lanterns (as my friend found out to her dismay). An alternative idea: use fire lanterns during your prenup shoot. :)

wedding flowers

2010-02-04T16:28:00.000+08:00

The wind was literally knocked out of me when I learned that wedding flowers nowadays cost upwards of P20,000. WHY??? Why would you want to spend that much on something that won't last and you can't even eat? I understand flowers look nice, and I understand that a wedding is simply not a wedding without flowers, but...P20,000 is a whole lotta overtime! :-P

Anyway. Here are the contact numbers of a few Freedom Park florists:

Belinda "Baby" Beleña
* Home: 272-4092
* Store: 253-6822
* Mobile: 0927-2256517
* P10,000 up

Jun Cañete
* 2550056
* 0920-8983375
* P10,000 up

Nang Bebe
* 4169346
* 5114014
* 0905-8563764

Before you get in touch with any of these florists (or any wedding supplier, for that matter), try to have a clear idea of how much you are willing to spend -- your ideal budget, and the absolute maximum beyond which you should walk away. As with everything wedding-related, the prices of wedding flowers are eye-popping, but a lot of florists are actually willing to work with your budget. You shouldn't, of course, expect tulips all around for an 8k budget. But in the bigger scheme of things, does it really matter whether it's local 'mums or calla lilies in the aisles? Focus on what's important. Everything else is dispensable.

And good luck with the florists. :D

weddings for women over 40

2010-01-28T10:43:00.000+08:00

"In the mid-1980s, a now infamous Newsweek article declared that a single, college-educated 40-year-old woman was more likely to die in a terrorist attack than ever walk down the aisle. The claim, repeated in movies and sitcoms, convinced generations of women that if they weren’t married by 40, it probably wasn’t going to happen.

The debate was revived again last week when a study from the Pew Research Center reported that high earning, college-educated women have a dwindling pool of like-minded marriage partners.
Now, a briefing paper from the Council on Contemporary Families is trying to set the record straight about marriage, education and women. For college-educated women who hope to marry someday, the news is good."

Read the story.

my wedding website

2010-01-18T10:33:00.000+08:00

A wedding website is a great way to keep your loved ones updated about your wedding plans. I first heard of it when my friends put one up the other year, and I even wrote a couple of posts about it. There are a lot of sites where you can build your own wedding website for a fee, but there are only several free wedding websites that have great features and beautiful templates.

What I love most about mywedding.com is that they have a lot of absolutely stunning themes to choose from. My favorites are:

blossom

chandelier

chandelier (yup, there are 2 of them)

claremont

sparrows

swirls

we do

I went with a floral swirls (pear and black) theme, and this is what it looks like.

Another great thing about mywedding.com is that it has great features. You are given a total of 19 pages all in all, including the Home Page. There are pre-set pages for such things as "Our Story" and "Wedding Party" that you can customize, and there are a total of 6 pages that you can use for whatever you want. There's even a blog page! The webpages are turned off by default, so you can work on each page when you have the time. When you think it's ready for publication, you can just turn it on. It's great fun, and it's a great wedding organizing tool.

cebu church directory

2010-01-09T12:58:00.001+08:00

If you've tried browsing through your directory, looking for the telephone numbers of churches in which to hold weddings, you'll know a lot of them aren't in there. I was beginning to think that I might have to go the actual churches, one by one, to inquire about requirements and so on, when by chance I Googled a church's name and ended up in the website of the Archdiocese of Cebu. But why do I say chance? God doesn't do coincidences. :)

Here's an alphabetical listing of some of the recognizable parishes in the Archdiocese's extensive, and surprisingly up-to-date, directory:

ALLIANCE OF TWO HEARTS (BANAWA) PARISH
Horseshoe Drive, Banawa, 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 255-3241

BASAK (FATIMA) PARISH
Basak, Mandaue City, 6014 Cebu
Tel. (032) 346-7542

BASILICA DEL STO. NINO
Osmeña Blvd., 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 255-6697, 255-6699

BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH
North Reclamation Area, 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 232-0078, 232-0077

CAPITOL PARISH
N. Escario St., 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 255-8516

CEBU METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL
P. Burgos St., 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 253-6422, 255-8823, 412-1335

GETHSEMANE PARISH
Casuntingan, Mandaue City 6014 Cebu
Tel. (032) 346-9560

GUADALUPE PARISH
Guadalupe, 6000 Cebu City
Tel. No. (032) 254-4593, 254-3065

HOLY FAMILY PARISH
Maguikay, Mandaue City, 6014 Cebu
Tel. (032) 346-2574, 344-3790

LOURDES PARISH
Punta Princesa, 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 261-5393

MINGLANILLA (IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY) PARISH
Minglanilla, 6046 Cebu
Tel. (032) 490-9635, 490-8021, 272-5807

NUESTRA SRA. VIRGEN DELA REGLA PARISH
Lapulapu City, 6015 Cebu
Tel. (032) 340-8081

PEDRO CALUNGSOD SHRINE
Archbishop's Residence Compound, D. Jakosalem St., 6000 Cebu City
Tel. No. 2552170

SACRED HEART PARISH
D. Jakosalem St., 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 253-6479, 255-6336

SAN ROQUE PARISH
Mambaling, 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 261-3060

ST. JOSEPH PARISH
Mabolo, 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 231-2378, 232-9669

ST. JOSEPH SHRINE
Mandaue City, 6014 Cebu
Tel. (032) 344-3354

ST. THERESE PARISH
Lahug, 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 233-4964, 231-4380

STO. ROSARIO PARISH
P. del Rosario St., 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 255-5570, 255-5579

TALAMBAN (SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR) PARISH
Talamban, 6000 Cebu City
Tel. (032) 344-3378

When I say recognizable, though, I mean recognizable by me, and that isn't saying much. For instance, the Redemptorist church is not in the list above because I have no idea what it's official name is. (Or it might actually be in the list above, and I just don't know it.) So, if the church you're eyeing for your wedding ceremony isn't in my list, head for the motherlode. The main directory page looks deceptively empty -- the actual directory is a drop-down list, so what you need to do is point your mouse over the word "Directory" in the red bar at the top of the page. Got it? Great.

Discovery Weekend Cebu 2010 schedule

2009-12-29T10:08:00.001+08:00

The Catholic Church requires couples to undergo a Pre-Cana before they can be wed. Most parishes organize their own Pre-Cana seminars. However, there are some alternatives to the traditional Pre-Cana. One of these is the Discovery Weekend.

"The Discovery Weekend is a weekend experience held in the Philippines for engaged couples or "steadies" who are seriously considering marriage. The purpose of the program are the following:

to assess each one's relationship to oneself, to each other, to God and the Christian community
to experience, develop and deepen their relationship through a method of communication and dialogue which they can bring into their marriage
to witness to the many dimensions of marriage openly, honestly and realistically through a team of three married couples and a priest
to be able to plan their marriage and not just their wedding."

Source: discoveryweekend.org

Cebu is scheduled to host two Discovery Weekends -- the first on March 5-7, 2010, and the second on September 3-5, 2010. The contact person for Cebu is Joyce Fernan, who may be contacted via email (joyce.j.fernan@gmail.com) or mobile phone (09176202020). The Discovery Weekend website actually has a registration form that you can print out and fill up ahead of time. You can then register at Plains & Prints boutique (Ayala Center Cebu or SM City Cebu branch).

Couples who have attended Discovery Weekends say that it's a great experience. The registration fee of P4,500 includes board, lodging, and materials for the whole weekend. Oh, yeah, by "Weekend" they really mean "weekend" -- the program starts Friday evening and ends Sunday night. So it's a bit time- and capital-intensive, but it's bound to be a whole lot more meaningful than the usual Pre-Cana. Whether it's worth the investment is up to you. :)

In the oh-for-goodness'-sake-who-knew-picking-a-motif-can-be-such-a-headache phase? This might help.

2009-12-28T14:28:00.000+08:00

Or not. Because picking a motif can really be a big headache, and my head's not done aching yet. But I have found some online resources that can help a bewildered bride-to-be.

Okay, before that. The first thing you should know about colors is that one person's teal may look nothing like another person's teal. And what someone calls sage may be what someone else calls greenstone (or as near as doesn't make a difference). So: saying your motif is "teal, mocha and sage" is fine, but provide swatches to the people who need to know what exactly you're talking about.

Fortunately, BHG's 20 Perfect Wedding Color Combos uses colors such as brown + green + orange. Their color combinations are illustrated with photos that assure you that the mix of colors works.

The Brides.Com Color Studio has a nifty color wheel that you can just click (or "spin") and you can generate color palettes such as jade+pearl+lime or tangerine+aqua+cream.

Seattle Style has beautiful photos of beautiful color combinations. (I'm still fighting the urge to go with red+white+black.)

And, finally, Colour Lovers has a thousand color palettes (and patterns) that make you wish you could use them all.

Now if I could just pick one...

a Waterfront wedding

2009-12-26T13:54:00.000+08:00

The Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino, with its castle-like spires and neon nightlights, is all things to all people. Aside from being, obviously, a hotel and a casino, it also plays host to all sorts of events, from concerts to proms to oathtaking ceremonies. And weddings, of course.

Its wedding packages are named after precious stones:

* Aquamarine - P800 / person (sit down or family style)
* Sapphire - P850 / person (sit down or family style)

* Amethyst - P900 / person (buffet style)
* Pearl - P960 / person (buffet style)
* Ruby - P1050 / person (buffet style)
* Diamond - P1200 / person (buffet style)

* Jade - P12,200 per table (lauriat style, good for 10 persons)
* Emerald - P13,500 per table (lauriat style, good for 10 persons)

These are for a minimum of 100 guests. Prices are exclusive of drinks.

Package inclusions are: (1) use pf the venue for a maximum of 6 hours, (2) public address system, (3) overnight stay for two in a Junior Suite, (4) breakfast in bed or breakfast buffet at Cafe Uno for two, (5) bridal car for a maximum of 2 hours use, (6) guestbook, (7) a bottle of sparkling wine for toasting, (8) floral centerpieces at the guests' tables, (9) place cards for the presidential table, and (10) an optional wedding bell with a pair of doves. In addition, Waterfront will waive the handling fee for 1 lechon and 1 roasted calf (leg only), the corkage fee for the first 2 bottles of wine or hard drinks, and the energy fee for the video coverage.

If you want them to provide the wedding cake, that will cost you P10,500, while opting for a Lincoln limo will cost you P7,000 for the first 2 hours (with driver) and P2,000 for each succeeding hour.

If you guarantee a minimum of 200 guests, your overnight stay will be in a Bridal Suite. The package will also include: (1) a gift certificate for an overnight stay for two on your first wedding anniversary, (2) a gift certificate for two at La Gondola or Mizu worth P1,000, (3) a three-layered wedding cake, and (4) an ice carving.

Weddings at Casino Espanol

2009-12-26T13:24:00.000+08:00

Casino Espanol de Cebu is a wedding reception favorite. You do have to shell out serious bucks, but not as much as you would expect. Their wedding packages range from P88,000 to P150,000 for a hundred guests. The package inclusions are:
* Buffet menu
* Free use of the venue
* Free use of the P/A system
* Place cards for the presidential table
* Guest book
* One bottle of sparkling wine
* One round of softdrink
* Free corkage for 2 lechon
* Free corkage for 2 bottles of wine or spirits
* Three-tiered fondant wedding cake
* Cream colored set covers
* Floral centerpieces per table
* Decors to match the motif
* Bridal car
* Hotel room accommodation for 1 night
* Free use of stage and dance floor
* Free use of a room or the garden area for studio
* Free use of LCD projector and white screen
* Free dinner for two at the La Terraza weekend buffet

Here are their mythology-inspired wedding packages:
Fates - Goddess of Destiny -- P87,888 -- P458 / person in excess of 100
Hestia - Goddess of Virgin of Heart -- P100,000 -- P488 / person in excess of 100
Aphrodite - Goddess of Love -- P110,000 -- P688 / person in excess of 100
Eros - God of Love -- P140,788 -- P988 / person in excess of 100
Hera - Goddess of Family & Marriage -- P150,000 -- P1,288 / person in excess of 100

Although I've attended a couple of weddings at Casino Espanol, my first CE experience was actually at the old casino, at a dinner hosted by the Kiwanis Club. It was in the mid-1990's, and I remember being amazed by the fact that they had couches inside the ladies' room. The ladies in their classy dresses and the gentlemen in their suits awed me even more. (Me = Fish Out Of Water.) It's that same sort of old-world class and elegance that makes Casino Espanol a great venue for a wedding celebration.

Grand Convention Center of Cebu

2009-12-15T16:15:00.000+08:00

The Grand Convention Center of Cebu, located at Archibishop Reyes Avenue, often plays host to all sorts of events, including weddings. While it does not have wedding packages, per se, Grand Con is still a beautiful and affordable place for holding a wedding reception.

There are 12 menus to choose from, all priced per table, which can hold a maximum of 12 persons each. Eight-course meals are priced at P2,700 / P3,200 / P3,700 per table. Nine-course meals, on the other hand, are priced at P4,700 / P6,500 / P6,700 per table. Drinks are not included in the price, so you have to order them separately. (You can not bring softdrinks from outside and just pay a corkage fee.) Softdrinks are P29/glass, P38/bottle or P59/can. A glass of iced tea costs P85, as does a glass of clamansi juice.

The lady who entertained our inquiries informed us that these prices are subject to change.

photo from this blog

Grand Con has two Grand Halls, which have a capacity of 200 to 300 people. A minimum of P50,000 is required for use of the halls.

Here are the most common extra fees applied to wedding receptions:
* Corkage for lechon - P300/piece
* Corkage for wine - P150/bottle
* LCD screen - P1,000 for the 7.5 x 10 ft screen, P500 for the 60 x 60 in screen
* Electricity charge for LCD - P500
* Electricity charge for an acoustic band - P500
* Electricity charge for a full band - P1,000

For inquiries, you may call any of these phone numbers: 231.5876 / 231.6982 / 231.9815 / 232.1103 / 232.0990 / 232.1267. Their fax number is 231.9815.

Cebu Churches: Sacred Heart Parish

2009-12-14T11:50:00.000+08:00

The Sacred Heart Parish Church is a favorite of couples tying the knot. If you're planning to take your vows there, here are some important information you need to know:

Sacred Heart Parish Church

* FEES - For the main church, the fee is P8,500 for weekdays, P10,000 for Saturdays and P25,000 for Sundays. If you want the air conditioning turned on, that will be an additional P25,000. The air-conditioned St. Francis Xavier chapel is also available for wedding ceremonies: P18,000 for weekdays and P20,000 for weekends. Down payment of 50% will be required upon reservation. The fee includes floral decorations and a wedding car.

* CELEBRANT -- You can invite a priest of your choice to officiate the wedding. His name, address, and the number of his Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriage should be submiited to the SHP office at least 1 week before the wedding.

* MUSIC -- All the songs played before, during and after the wedding should be live sacred music. No recorded music, no secular songs.

St. Francis Xavier Chapel

* ATTIRE -- The dresses of the bride and the entourage should cover the shoulders and back, extend below the knee, and have no slits.

* ENTOURAGE -- One pair of principal sponsors should be practicing Catholics. Additional sponsors are charged P100 each. The flower girls, ring bearer and arrhae bearer should have had the first Holy Communion already.

If the bride is not from Sacred Heart Parish, a written permission from her parish priest must be submitted to the SHP office.

For more information, you can go to the Sacred Heart Parish office, and they will give you a printout containing their Guidelines for Weddings. Both the church and the office are located at 242 D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City. Telephone numbers: 253.6479 / 254.3950. Fax number: 255.6336.

City Sports Club Cebu

2009-12-07T16:59:00.000+08:00

When I first inquired about the wedding packages offered by City Sports Club Cebu (CSCC), I was impressed by their quick and friendly reply. Tea, of the CSCC Sales Team, sent me copies of their available packages as well as their regular menus. She also told me that they were working on new packages and assured me that she would be informing me once the new ones were available. Great customer service...and I wasn't even a customer yet!

True to Tea's word, I received CSCC's latest wedding packages last week. Here are the details:

Rhapsody
Minimum of 50 persons - P46,000
Minimum of 100 persons - P70,000
Additional guests - P498/person
* Buffet menu
* 1 round of softdrink or iced tea
* Use of the venue for 4 hours
* Classic floral arrangements, including floral centerpieces
* Venue for pictorial: garden, poolside or lobby
* Holding room for 1 hour
* PA system and microphones
* LCD projector and screen
* Stage, dance floor and registration table
* Chair covers and bows
* Table numbers, place cards and menu cards
* Signature frame
* Personalized guest book
* Massage for the couple
* Executive meal for two at Mayi
* Waived corkage fee for 2 lechons or 1 roasted leg of calf
* Waived corkage fee for 2 bottles of wine or spirits

Bliss
Minimum of 50 persons - P62,000
Minimum of 100 persons - P90,000
Additional guests - P568/person
* Buffet menu
* 1 round of softdrink or iced tea
* Two-tiered wedding cake
* Chocolate fountain
* Bottle of sparkling wine for the toast
* Use of the venue for 4 hours
* Long aisle runners
* Classic floral arrangements, including floral centerpieces
* Venue for pictorial: garden, poolside or lobby
* Holding room for 1 hour
* PA system and microphones
* LCD projector and screen
* Stage, dance floor and registration table
* Chair covers and bows
* Table numbers, place cards and menu cards
* Overnight stay in a deluxe room at Marriott
* Signature frame
* Personalized guest book
* Massage for the couple
* Executive meal for two at Mayi
* Waived corkage fee for 2 lechons or 1 roasted leg of calf
* Waived corkage fee for 2 bottles of wine or spirits

Enchantment
Minimum of 50 persons - P78,000
Minimum of 100 persons - P108,000
Additional guests - P598/person
* Buffet menu
* 1 round of softdrink or iced tea
* Two-tiered wedding cake
* Chocolate fountain
* Bottle of sparkling wine for the toast
* Use of the venue for 4 hours
* Long aisle runners
* Elegant floral arrangements, including floral centerpieces and stage/staircase arrangements
* Gazebo draped in fabric and floral accents
* Canopy of ceiling decorations
* Venue for pictorial: garden, poolside or lobby
* Holding room for 1 hour
* PA system and microphones
* LCD projector and screen
* Stage, dance floor and registration table
* Chair covers and bows
* Table numbers, place cards and menu cards
* Overnight stay in a deluxe room at Marriott
* Signature frame
* Personalized guest book
* Massage for the couple
* Executive meal for two at Mayi
* Waived corkage fee for 2 lechons or 1 roasted leg of calf
* Waived corkage fee for 2 bottles of wine or spirits
* Choice of a bubble machine or smoke machine

Euphoria
Minimum of 50 persons - P98,000
Minimum of 100 persons - P135,000
Additional guests - P668/person
* Buffet menu
* 1 round of softdrink or iced tea
* Three-tiered wedding cake
* Chocolate fountain
* Bottle of sparkling wine for the toast
* Use of the venue for 4 hours
* Long aisle runners
* Vibrant floral arrangements, including floral centerpieces and stage/staircase arrangements
* Gazebo draped in fabric and floral accents
* Canopy of ceiling decorations
* Venue for pictorial: garden, poolside or lobby
* Holding room for 1 hour
* PA system and microphones (+ something...I can't quite decipher it hehe)
* LCD projector and screen
* Stage, dance floor and registration table
* Chair covers and bows
* Table numbers, place cards and menu cards
* Wedding reception host
* Overnight stay in a deluxe room at Marriott
* Signature frame
* Personalized guest book
* Massage for the couple
* Executive meal for two at Mayi
* Waived corkage fee for 2 lechons or 1 roasted leg of calf
* Waived corkage fee for 2 bottles of wine or spirits
* Choice of a bubble machine or smoke machine

Everafter
Minimum of 50 persons - P118,000
Minimum of 100 persons - P155,000
Additional guests - P698/person
* Buffet menu
* 1 round of softdrink or iced tea
* Three-tiered wedding cake
* Chocolate fountain
* Bottle of sparkling wine for the toast
* Use of the venue for 4 hours
* Long aisle runners
* Vibrant floral arrangements, including floral centerpieces and stage/staircase arrangements
* Gazebo draped in fabric and floral accents
* Canopy of ceiling decorations
* Venue for pictorial: garden, poolside or lobby
* Holding room for 1 hour
* PA system and microphones (+ something...I can't quite decipher it hehe)
* LCD projector and screen
* Stage, dance floor and registration table
* Chair covers and bows
* Table numbers, place cards and menu cards
* Wedding reception host
* Photo and video coverage
* Bridal shower party venue with 2 pitchers of Strawberry Margarita
* Bachelor's party venue with 2 pitchers of Screwdriver
* Overnight stay in a deluxe room at Marriott
* Signature frame
* Personalized guest book
* Massage for the couple
* Executive meal for two at Mayi
* Waived corkage fee for 2 lechons or 1 roasted leg of calf
* Waived corkage fee for 2 bottles of wine or spirits
* Choice of a bubble machine or smoke machine

Got questions? Contact:
Tea
CSCC Sales Team
0917.3248773
415.8604 - 05

wedding lessons

2009-12-07T00:20:00.000+08:00

Three friends have already gotten married this year, and a fourth will be taking his vows this Saturday. I may not have been writing much lately, but I sure have learned a lot and will be sharing everything in the next few days. Meanwhile, here are the lessons I've gathered from attending my friends' weddings:

1. Get your family involved. One of my friends comes from a musically-inclined family, and she had an aunt who works in theater. The result: one big production number! The reception started with song-and-dance routines from the entourage that everyone just loved and set the tone for the rest of the program. Not only did it have entertainment value, it also highlighted the important truth that, while a wedding is most importantly about two people getting married, it is also the union of two families. The bride and groom's families may come from totally different backgrounds and have different values, but what's important is that they can come together and throw their full support behind the couple.

2. Get your family involved some more. Aside from getting your loved ones involved in the event, you can get them to do work too! Got a brother who's good at design? Get him to do the invitations. Got a sister who owns a dress shop? Get her to outfit your entourage. This is what one of my friends did. Is your family totally talentless? (Okay, no one's family is talentless, but some talents don't come in useful for weddings, or your family may not have enough time on their hands.) Tap your friends' talents. Your officemate might be an amateur photographer who would love the opportunity to take your prenuptial photos. Just remember: being a good friend goes both ways!

2. If being part of your entourage means more than showing up for the wedding, you might consider choosing people who aren't crazy busy. I was an awful entourage member for one of my friends because I couldn't show up for rehearsals. My schedule then was crazy, and whenever I had time, I just wanted to rest! If your closest friends are also your busiest friends, and you simply must have them in your entourage, you could give them roles that don't take up a lot of pre-wedding time. And for busy and not-so-busy loved ones alike, be sure to tell them exactly what a role in your entourage would mean, so they could check their calendars before saying yes. They love you and would do almost anything for you, but a person can only do so much in 24 hours.

3. Planning a wedding doesn't have to take 18 months. Or even six. Really. One of my friends planned her wedding in maybe 2 months. And, yes, it went well.

4. If you like to be involved in the smallest details of your wedding, you might as well not get a wedding planner. Planners are good for giving you advice and doing the actual legwork, but one of my friends was so hands-on, she ended up doing most of the work. You might also consider just hiring on-the-day planners. Contrary to the term, a lot of on-the-day services actually stretch back to one week before the wedding day. Your on-the-day planner can re-confirm bookings with vendors and attend to last-minute details, aside from being there on the actual day and coordinating the flow of the entire event.

5. Get a good master of ceremonies. Have you been to wedding receptions where you're just itching to make a graceful exit? One of the ways to make sure your guests don't feel that way is by getting a host who can make them laugh and entertain them throughout the night. We were still talking about how much fun we had at a friend's reception weeks after the event, simply because the host was just fabulous.

ONE CEBU EXPO at the CICC from Aug. 7-16, 2009

2009-08-09T14:35:00.000+08:00

The One Cebu Expo, which runs from August 7 to 16, 2009 at the Cebu International Convention Center, includes wedding suppliers such as:

PHOTOGRAPHY
- Rolando Pascua
- Dondon Colinares

VIDEOGRAPHY
- Digital Minds

PHOTO BOOTHS
- Partypics
- Foto-Booth
- Red Cube

CAKES
- Cake Couture by Trina Ang

MUSICIANS
- Stringed Ensemble

This is by no means a complete list, just one based on the flyers and cards that I collected. Anyway, do check out the One Cebu Expo for yourself. Aside from the wedding suppliers, there are beautiful bags, fashion jewelry, furniture, items for the house, and all sorts of trinkets that you might even consider turning into wedding favors. ^_^

a sumilon wedding

2009-07-29T17:10:00.000+08:00

A prenuptial shoot.

A beach wedding.

A honeymoon.

Whatever your excuse, you really have to visit Sumilon Island.

HOW TO GET THERE:

1. Board a bus to Bangcogon, Oslob, where the mainland office of the Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort is located.

2. The resort's pumpboat will bring you to the island.

................................ BOAT SCHEDULES ................................

........... Mainland - Sumilon ........... Sumilon - Mainland ......

....................... 9 AM ................................... 10 AM .................

....................... 11 AM ................................. 12 NN ..................

....................... 1 PM ................................... 3 PM ....................

....................... 4 PM ................................... 5 PM ....................

For inquiries / reservations, you can email jin@bluewater.com.ph or sumilon@bluewater.com.ph or reservations@sumilonbluewater.com.ph.

--------------------

DAY TOUR

Weekdays - P1500

Weekends - P2000

INCLUSIONS

--------------------

1. Set lunch

2. Roundtrip boat transfer (Bangcogon-Sumilon VV)

3. Island activities (kayaking, snorkeling, trekking)

4. 15 minutes use of sail boat

5. Afternoon snacks (weekends only)

* For kids age 4-11, you only pay half the regular price.

---------------------

OVERNIGHT STAY

P8,500 / room / night (twin sharing)

INCLUSIONS

---------------------

1. Overnight accommodation in a deluxe room

2. Fullboard meals for 2 (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

3. Roundtrip Boat Transfers

4. Island activities (kayaking, trekking and snorkeling)

* The room can accommodate up to 4 adults.

* Children can stay overnight for free but will not be given an extra bed / meals.

choosing a motif

2009-07-26T10:55:00.000+08:00

*
When I was a kid, I had a box of Crayola with 64 colors -- the one with the sharpener in the bottom -- and that's how I learned of such colors as periwinkle and cornflower and raw sienna. Now their crayons even have such crazy (and may I say, ridiculous) names as Fuzzy Wuzzy, Piggy Pink and Unmellow Yellow.

photo by asterisco

The wide variety of colors from which to choose a motif can sometimes be overwhelming. And sometimes you have a color in mind but you have no idea what it's called. After all, there's a thin line separating, say, lilac from lavender, or saffron from tangerine yellow.

So if you need help with your colors, do check out Wikipedia's List of Colors. Colors are sorted both alphabetically and by shades. There's even a Tagalog version -- you'll be amazed that there are such colors as patay-patayan (caput mortuum) and mahiyaing-rosas (carnation pink) and bughaw-sanggol (I mean, seriously!).

photo by rippe

Before, you could ask a bride-to-be what her motif was, and she would give such simple answers as "pink" or "green." Now we live in a world of Mountbatten pink and asparagus. Still, it should make wedding planning a bit more fun.

Just remember, if you do decide on something like wisteria, send a swatch with your invitations!

wedding photography -- from the perspective of the one behind the lens

2009-07-14T08:04:00.001+08:00

A photographer shares his insights on choosing the right photographer.

"Finding the right wedding photographer for your big day is an important part of your wedding and preparation. A wedding photographer will work closely with the bride and groom before and especially during the wedding day. For this reason, it’s important to feel comfortable and confident with your photographer so he/she can capture your special moments."

READ THE FULL STORY

dream invites, letterpress style

2009-07-10T14:19:00.000+08:00

Wedding invitations create an important first impression on your guests. They are glimpses into the coming wedding -- will it be formal, fun, classic, contemporary? -- as well as glimpses into the couple's tastes and preferences.

The trend in invitations these days is letterpress printing, made popular by such suppliers as Bella Figura and Elum. Here are samples of their to-die-for works of art:

Printemps by Bella Figura

Garland by Elum

Urbanity by Bella Figura

Clearly, invitations of this quality don't come cheap. Ordering a hundred sets at Bella Figura, for example, will cost as much as an entire wedding here in the Philippines -- and that doesn't include shipping!

Luckily, we have our own letterpress invitations supplier right here in Cebu. Lynn Mitzi Tan and her sister are creating beautiful invitations of their own, and their prices are a lot friendlier too. Although pricing generally depends on a lot of stuff -- like the number of colors used, the size of the invite, the number of inclusions, et cetera -- Ms. Tan says 1 set would generally cost P130. That includes: 1 main invite, 1 entourage, 1 rsvp, and 1 envelope.

Here's a sample of the Tans' work:

For orders and/or inquiries, you can drop them a line at mitzitan1025@yahoo.com.

An alternative letterpress invitations supplier is Craft Master Invitations, a printer based in Manila, who made the invitations for prominent wedding photographers Mimi + Karl.

Again, prices vary, but according to one of their representatives, a set will cost P178 each if you order 1oo sets of invites, which will consist of a 5"x7" 2-color letterpress main invitation and an envelope. They will accommodate orders for less than a hundred sets, but a premium will be added on the price. Be sure to order the invites at least a month before you will need them: layout proofing will generally take one week, and production will take around 3 weeks. Craft Master Invitations' contact information can be found here.

invest in your wedding photos and video

2009-07-09T12:37:00.000+08:00

If you must splurge on your wedding, they say, splurge on a great photographer and videographer. The food will disappear in a flash, and the flowers won't stay fresh forever, but capturing those precious wedding moments on film will enable you to relive them over and over again.

Photographers

A list of photographers with impressive online portfolios appears in a previous post, and I even did a feature on Jacob Maentz, whose amazing nature photos made me want to be a jellyfish. Jacob covered Sheryllyn and Obet's wedding and did a great job. Clive's prenup photos were brilliant, thanks to Rolando Pascua.

Videographers

But what really got me itching to write this post was my latest discovery: the coolest, most heartbreakingly beautiful wedding videos by Mayad Studios. Among the many wedding videos that they posted in their website, my favorite has to be this one:

Rachelle and Johnwin from Mayad Studios on Vimeo.

That wedding videos are no longer corny and typical is the good news. The flip side of the coin: wedding videos such as the one above can carry a hefty price tag. Here are Mayad Studio's rates:

[take a deep breath]

High Definition:
Two (2) Camera Coverage
Same Day Edit video (standard definition)
Two (2) Fully Authored Blu-ray disks of edited video (20 - 30 mins final output)
Three (3) DVD copies of edited video
DVD copy of raw footage
Php 105,000.00

Standard Definition:
Two (2) Camera Coverage
Same Day Edit video
Three (3) Fully Authored DVDs of edited video (20 - 30 mins final output)
DVD copy of raw footage
Php 70,000.00

Add-ons:
Prenuptial Shoot (scenes to be included in your onsite video)
Php 15,000.00
Out of town fees for prenup:
+3,000.00 - outside iloilo city
+5,000.00 - overnight stays / outside panay

Audio Visual Presentation
Your love story told in any way you like, through location shoots, pictures, music, interviews, etc etc….
Php 50,000.00 (+25k for upgrade to HD)

Worth it?

That's something you'll have to decide for yourself.

Guess what those piggy banks are for.

* OTHER WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHERS IN THE SAME LEAGUE INCLUDE: JASON MAGBANUA, THREELOGY, BOB NICOLAS AND WOLFRAM VIRTUALWORKS.

the Family Park -- a pocket-friendly wedding reception alternative

2009-07-06T04:23:00.000+08:00

The Family Park is a public park located inside the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) grounds in Nasipit, just a few meters past the Talamban campus of the University of San Carlos. On most days, visitors are charged a minimal entrance fee, but this is waived every first Saturday and first Sunday of the month. Yesterday, as we strolled through the park, we spotted an area beside the "lake" that would make a good wedding reception venue.

The area is actually the spot where delegates to the ASEAN summit "planted" a sculpture of 10 bamboo stems, representing the 10 member countries.

This is the view of the area across the water.

Here's a closer view.

The area is separated from the main park area by a small bridge.

From the bridge, there is a covered walkway leading to the gazebo...

...which is still under construction.

Still, you can add your own finishing touches, such as, hmmm, white drapes to compensate for the gazebo's current lack of a roof.

There is even ample parking space in the grove behind the area.

The water in the manmade lake is a murky sort of green and wouldn't be as lovely to look at as, say, the beach, or even a swimming pool.

But, all things considered, Family Park is a good alternative for people who want an outdoors feel to their reception but who have 3 million cousins and a trillion friends -- like some people I know. Let's face it, the reception is just a couple of hours, and the big bucks you will spend in a more expensive venue could go a long way into your car or house payments. ^_^ Just saying.

IT BEING SUNDAY, THERE WAS NO ONE TO ASK REGARDING CHARGES, AND WHETHER YOUR GUESTS WOULD BE CHARGED ADMISSION AND PARKING FEES, AND WHETHER YOU COULD GET THE ENTIRE PARK MADE EXCLUSIVE FOR YOUR WEDDING. WHEN I FIND OUT, I'LL POST IT HERE. ^_^

the 1st Cebu Wedding and Debut Fair at SM this May 9 & 10

2009-05-06T11:50:00.000+08:00

This May 9 and 10, 2009, SM City Cebu Trade Hall 3 will play host to the 1st Cebu Wedding & Debut Fair. The exhibitors are as follows:

Alegre Beach Resort

ASWPC

Avon

Backspace Studio

Business Mirror

Cakes R' Us

Cebu City Marriott Hotel

Cebu Paradise Spa

Cebu White Sands

Debuts and I Do's

Devcom

Doc's Candles

DYAR Sunshine Radio

Hanz Flowers and Balloons

Heavenly Weddings

Hudyaka

Light Matters

LMG Pastry Chef

Love Radio 97.9

Microtel Inn and Suites

MLhuiller Trading Inc.

PartyPics Inc.

PLDT-SME

Power 89.1 Word Broadcasting

Pyroworks

RCTV

San Remegio Beach Club

Santander Pebble Beach Resort

Scented Petals

Shanghaian Catering

Smart Telecom

Steal Shots

Stickerworld

Sunstar

Vangail Perfect Union

Wedding ABC.com

Apparently, there will be prizes and incentives for on-site bookings, so attendance is a must for everyone who is planning to be wed this year or next. :)

wedding proposal ideas

2009-04-28T08:00:00.000+08:00

I confess: I was actually just surfing for fun activities to do this summer. But then I came across this activity by Islands Banca Cruises:

And then I thought: wouldn't that be a perfect spot for a wedding proposal? (And wouldn't that, in turn, be a great idea for a blog post?) (Or, you know, not.)

I was reminded of Plantation Bay's welcome kit, which includes a brochure giving guests ideas on where, among its many romantic spots, to pop the question.

But romantic dinners can be a bit boring. How cool would it be to say (squeak, more like it), "Will you marry me?" while both of you are hanging by a zipline?

The Danao Adventure Park in Bohol also offers root climbing, river trekking, river tubing, river kayaking, wall climbing, bird watching, rock climbing, rappelling and spelunking (caving).

But, you know, the proposal setting doesn't have to cost as much as the ring itself. The month of May is coming up -- the month of fiestas -- and there should be lots of carnivals setting up around town. The top of the Ferris wheel should be as good a place as any for proposing. :-P

After all, it's the thought that counts, right? :-)

weddings: who pays for what?

2009-04-25T08:53:00.000+08:00

Weddings can be really, really (really) costly affairs. Since the worst thing that can happen is for the bride and groom (or their families) to squabble over who pays for what, here is the traditional breakdown and assignment of wedding expenses.* Of course, nothing beats sitting down and coming to a mutual agreement, but a rough guide such as this can come in pretty handy even then.

* Bride's engagement ring - GROOM (obviously)
* Engagement party - BRIDE / BRIDE'S FAMILY
(the Groom's family can host another)
* Stationery (save-the-date cards, invitations, wedding programs)
- BRIDE / BRIDE'S FAMILY
* Wedding consultants - BRIDE / BRIDE'S FAMILY
* Bridal shower - Maid of Honor
* Bachelor party - Groomsmen / Ushers
* Bachelorette party - Bridesmaids
* Rehearsal dinner - GROOM / GROOM'S FAMILY
* Fee for the marriage license - GROOM / GROOM'S FAMILY
* Fee for the priest / officiant - GROOM / GROOM'S FAMILY

* Fee for the church / wedding venue - BRIDE / BRIDE'S FAMILY

* Flowers - BRIDE / BRIDE'S FAMILY
* Photo and video coverage - BRIDE / BRIDE'S FAMILY
* Attire of the bride, her family, bridesmaids and flower girls
- BRIDE / BRIDE'S FAMILY
* Attire of the groom, his family, groomsmen and ushers
- GROOM / GROOM'S FAMILY
* Reception (including caterer and musicians) - BRIDE / BRIDE'S FAMILY

If I do get married, my enormous family will probably make up three-quarters of the guest list, so having to shoulder the expenses for the reception sounds just about right. Other brides-to-be, however, can take comfort in this last assignment of expense:

* Honeymoon - GROOM / GROOM'S FAMILY
*

Hehehe...

all about bridal showers

2009-04-19T13:29:00.000+08:00

A bridal shower, first of all, is defined (by Wikipedia) as a "gift-giving party given for a bride before her wedding." Although a lot of emphasis is placed on the giving of gifts, a bridal shower is of course more than that. It is an opportunity for the bride's closest female friends and family to celebrate her happiness.

Who, When, Where

The task of hosting the bridal shower traditionally falls on the maid of honor, and she is also expected to shoulder its expenses. However, if the maid of honor cannot take on this responsibility -- for example, if she lives out of town -- the other bridesmaids can get together and decide on who should host the shower. Anyone else, for that matter, can host a bridal shower, provided that she check with the maid of honor first. The only "ironclad rule" when it comes to hosting a bridal shower is that the couple should not do it themselves.

A bride-to-be can have more than one bridal shower. For example, the bride's family can organize one, her friends another, and her co-workers still another. Guests can be invited to more than one shower, but it should be emphasized that they don't have to give more than one present.

Ideally, the bridal shower is held 4-6 weeks before the wedding itself. This is because, as the wedding date draws closer, the bride might become busier and busier and would find it hard to fit the shower into her schedule. However, if the guests come from out of town, it would be more practical to hold the shower closer to the wedding date -- maybe even two days before the wedding -- provided that the bride agrees.

The maid of honor can hold the shower at her house, or the bride's house, or at another venue altogether. A restaurant function room provides convenience, with no clean-up after. A hotel room is ideal if the shower is held at night, with the celebrations expected to last till the early hours of the morning.

The Guest List

A bridal shower is typically intimate, with only 10-20 guests, including:

1. the wedding party
2. the mothers of the bride and groom
3. the sisters of the bride and groom
4. the bride's closest family and friends

It is considered poor manners to invite someone to a bridal shower when she is not invited to the wedding itself. However, not every female on the wedding guest list needs to be invited to the bridal shower.

Invitations

The invitation to the bridal shower can be as informal as a simple phone call to each of the guests. If formal invitations are used, these should be mailed about a month before the shower. Each guest should be given her own invitation, even if two or more of them live in the same household. Whether the invitation is formal or informal, it should include the following information:

1. the bride's name
2. the date and time (start & end) of the bridal shower
3. the complete address of the venue (including directions)
4. the theme of the shower
5. the name and contact information of the hostess
6. the RSVP deadline (usually 2 weeks prior to the shower)

If the couple signed up for a wedding registry, the registry information may be written on a separate piece of paper and sent with the invitation, to guide the guests on what gifts they may choose to bring.

Bridal Shower Themes

There are a lot of themes to choose from -- the trick is finding one that will appeal to all of the guests.

One theme that can't go wrong (hopefully!) is the spa bridal shower. All of you can go to a spa, or, if you're holding the shower at home, you can get a manicurista and a masseuse to come over. You can buy different colors of nail polish, lotions, oils, face masks and foot soaks, and ask the guests to wear pajamas. You can decorate the house with candles and play soothing music.

With just a bit of research and imagination, a bridal shower can have an overall theme that everyone can enjoy.

Bridal Shower Games

Again, there are a lot of bridal shower games that can be fun for everyone. Favorites include:

Design the Bride's Gown -- The guests are formed into teams, and each team chooses one teammate to be the "bride." They are then given several rolls of toilet paper, with which they are to create a "gown" to be worn by the "bride." At the end of a time limit, the bride (the real one!) chooses which "gown" she likes best.

I Want You To -- Each guest is given a piece of paper, and they are asked to write down what they would want the bride to do, as a dare. Once all the papers have been submitted, however, the guests are told that the rules of the game will be changed. They will have to do the dare they wrote down for the bride. This should lead to a lot of fun and laughs.

Memory Lane -- A blank note card is sent to each guest along with her invitation, and she is asked to write her favorite memory of the bride, the groom, or both of them as a couple. The guest then brings the card to the shower. The hostess collects all the cards then reads each memory, and the bride has to guess which guest wrote it.

The Gifts

A gift can be:

1. chosen from the couple's wedding registry
2. based on the theme of the bridal shower
3. something the guests knows the couple would really love

The gifts are typically opened after the refreshments have been served. The bride opens the gifts one by one, and someone should take charge of listing down who gave what, so that each gift can be properly acknowledged later.

Thank You's

During the shower, the bride (or the couple) should give a thank you gift to the hostess, to be followed by a thank you note a few days later. Each guest should also be sent a thank you note, properly acknowledging her gift, ideally within 2 weeks after the shower, before the wedding.

"Weddings at the Marco Polo Plaza" today

2009-04-19T03:27:00.000+08:00

(And yesterday, but it's no use crying over spilled milk.)

Marco Polo Plaza (Cebu) is hosting "New Beginnings," the third edition of its "Weddings at the Marco Polo Plaza," this April 18 and 19, 2009.

According to The Freeman, "Couples planning their wedding will get a chance to meet the best designers, stylists, florists, and photographers, as well as makers of jewelry, giveaways and invitation cards in one place, at one time."

A pre-marriage seminar for select couples who applied for a marriage license this March and April, short lectures on wedding planning and etiquette, and even speed dating games are also in store for participants.

(Thanks and hugs go out to Jet for telling me about this -- in the middle of the night! Hahaha!)

making marriage work

2009-03-25T07:47:00.000+08:00

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It's been exactly 2 months since my last post. The truth is I haven't really had the time -- or the reasons, hehe -- to do more wedding research. But this Ateneo philosophy paper that fellow TBR blogger Doc Harry published in his blog seems worth re-posting here. With the excitement of wearing a wedding gown usually also comes a small seed of doubt: will this wedding be the biggest mistake of my life?

====================
PARTNERS AND MARRIAGE
by Eduardo Jose E. Calasanz

I have never met a man who didn’t want to be loved. But I have seldom met a man who didn’t fear marriage. Something about the closure seems constricting, not enabling. Marriage seems easier to understand for what it cuts out of our lives than for what it makes possible within our lives.

When I was younger this fear immobilized me. I did not want to make a mistake. I saw my friends get married for reasons of social acceptability, or sexual fever, or just because they thought it was the logical thing to do. Then I watched, as they and their partners became embittered and petty intheir dealings with each other. I looked at older couples and saw, at best, mutual toleration of each other. I imagined a lifetime of loveless nights and bickering and could not imagine subjecting myself or someone else to such a fate.

And yet, on rare occasions, I would see old couples who somehow seemed to glow in each other’s presence. They seemed really in love, not just dependent upon each other and tolerant of each other’s foibles. It was an astounding sight, and it seemed impossible. How, I asked myself, can they have survived so many years of sameness, so much irritation at the other’s habits?

READ MORE.

award-winning travel/nature photographer covers weddings too!

2009-01-25T16:12:00.000+08:00

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Wouldn't it be great if the photographer who took these shots could cover your wedding?

Actually...he can!

Jacob Maentz specializes in travel and nature photography. One of his photos -- Singing of the Bato Balani sa Gugma -- just recently won an Honorable Mention in a contest sponsored by National Geographic Traveler Magazine and InterContinental Hotels and Resorts. The photo at the upper half of the screenshot above -- Turtle Eating A Jellyfish -- won an Honorable Mention at the same contest last year. There's no doubt, therefore, that this guy has got some photography chops.

Jacob is currently based in Cebu and he also covers weddings. According to him, "I have a slightly different style than most wedding photographers here in Cebu. I like to place emphasis on candid shots as well as tell a story about the day in a 'photojournalistic' manner. I also do all the traditional formal shots and some posed shots as well. It's always nice, however, to sit down with the couple and see what their expectations are for the photographer and get a better feel for the types of images they are looking for."

Since his website does not publish his rates, I suppose I really shouldn't publish them here either. What I did was, I emailed him and asked him. In contrast to most other wedding photographers who offer packages, Jacob's services can be enlisted a la carte, and I assure you his prices are totally reasonable. They're a bargain even, considering his talent.

You can email Jacob Maentz at jacob@jacobimages.com. His website, Jacob Images, also contains beautiful stock photos that you can purchase, and 15% of what you pay will go to charity. Before you decide on a wedding photographer, you really must check out his work.

honeymoon ideas: be a volunteer!

2009-01-20T16:12:00.000+08:00

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Days of idyll in the beaches of Phuket or a lesiurely stroll around the temples of Cambodia sound just about perfect for a honeymoon, right? But if you would like to infuse your getaway with an experience that is fresh, fun and unique, here's an idea.

Be a volunteer!

Globalteer is a UK charity that offers volunteers an opportunity to spend a week or more doing something worthwhile in a developing country. Before anything else, let me tell you the one catch in their program: you have to pay to be a volunteer. In their website, Globalteer explains:

The projects receive little or no governmental support and rely hugely on donations and fund raising. Volunteers are required to make a donation to ensure the continual existence of the projects. Basically, the projects would not last long without regular funding and assistance from volunteers. By donating money, the volunteers also allow the projects to employ local staff to help ensure the volunteers do not replace much needed local job opportunities. Your money also covers our small administration costs, your accommodation and in country support from our project co-ordinators. Globalteer is a registered charity in the UK (registration number 1119706). As a registered charity, Globalteer is legally required to ensure that 100% of all monies received is used to promote the charitable objectives.

The good news is: their programs are great! You can choose to work with animals or kids. Here are the programs featured in their website.

Thailand Animal Rescue
- $1010 for 3 weeks (includes meals and accommodations)
- preparing food and activities for tigers, bears, mouse deer, etc.

Thailand Elephant Project
- $630 for 1 week (includes meals and accommodations)
- walking the elephants, bathing them with hose pipes, etc.

Cambodia Elephant Forest Conservation
- $800 for 1 week (includes meals and accommodations)
- walking the elephants, collecting orchids, etc.

Cambodia Kids
- $850 for 1 week (includes accommodations and town tour)
- teaching and organizing fun activities for kids at Siem Reap

For those who want to go farther, Globalteer also has programs for Colombia Kids and Peru Kids.

I actually stumbled upon this idea while researching on wedding photographers -- a Google Ad for Globalteer appeared on one photographer's website. I do realize that this honeymoon idea is not for everyone. The less adventurous out there might just want to stay in a beach, period. But for those who have a passion for service, kids or animals, this is one way to have a great honeymoon and save the world. :-)

Sinulog bride

2009-01-19T22:55:00.000+08:00

This photo of a "higante" bride was taken during yesterday's Sinulog parade. A Sinulog-themed wedding, anyone?

(The obvious advantage is that you won't have to spend for your own fireworks. Haha!)

budget weddings: photos for just P10,000

2009-01-16T18:22:00.000+08:00

*
My current mission is to put together a theoretical budget wedding. Of course, one of the things that you can do to pull down cost is to go DIY (do it yourself). This would work for things like invitations and wedding favors. However, something you obviously can't do yourself is to take your own wedding photos.

With that in mind, I searched the Web for the wedding photographer in Cebu who offered a decent wedding documentation package for the least cost. The package should be comparable in content with those offered by other photographers, sample photos must be viewable online, and the photographer must be prompt to reply when contacted. And the winner is...

Backspace Studio

Main Photographer: Sean Sabado

Backspace offers several wedding documentation packages that stand out because of their low prices. Photo coverage costs only P10,000, video coverage can be obtained for P13,500, and photo-and-video coverage will only cost P20,000. These are the cheapest packages for their respective categories; the studio also offers more expensive packages that offer more features.

The Backspace portfolio can be viewed HERE, with wedding photos featured HERE.

Upon inquiry, Sean Sabado told me that he uses state-of-the-art Nikon equipment. He has actually been doing advertising photography for around 5 years but decided to also go into wedding photography a year ago. When asked why his wedding package prices are so low, he replied that wedding photography is more of a hobby for him than anything else, and he agreed with me that the wedding industry is a "happy business." He assured me that he wouldn't at all be offended if a couple enlisted his services but presented with him a list of classic shots that they would want taken (I asked because of that classic-shots list that I mentioned in previous posts). He said that his clients often impose such rules as "no pictures of anybody eating" or "no candid photos," with all of which he said he would be happy to comply. Photos are delivered within 3-5 days.

If you have questions of your own, this budget photographer can be contacted via backspacestudio@gmail.com.

budget weddings

2009-01-12T00:21:00.000+08:00

Sometimes I think I could just throw up if I hear the word "budget" associated with "weddings" one more time.

How do you manage to have the wedding of your dreams without having to file for bankruptcy the following day?

All right, so there are several possible answers to this.
1. Be really rich.
2. Dream within your means.

Since the second option sounds a lot more feasible than the first -- for a majority of us, at least -- let's make that our starting point.

Obviously, you've got to start by agreeing on the amount that you are willing to spend for your wedding. A ballpark figure will do; you wouldn't want to be inflexible at this point of the planning. Next, break it down. The RealSimple.com budget worksheet that I mentioned a post ago divides the expenses into the following suggested percentages (again, nothing inflexible at this point):

Reception - 50%
Attire - 10%
Flowers and Decorations - 10%
Music - 10%
Photographs and Video - 10%
Favors and Gifts - 3%
Ceremony - 2%
Stationery (Inv., Etc.) - 2%
Wedding Rings - 2%
Transportation - 1%

That ought to give you some idea on how much to spend for what, right?

Next, set your priorities. For which aspect of your wedding would you be willing to spend more? Which one isn't as important to you as the rest? As one wedding professional once said, "Flowers will no longer be fresh the next day, but photos are forever." (Admittedly, his profession is photography, but the fellow does have a point.)

"But I want nice flowers!"

Fine. I would too, actually. One way or the other, you really should decide for yourself. (And by "you," I do mean the two of you. And if someone else is paying for it, then all of you. Whatever.)

Priorities having been set, what would be nice to know is: exactly how low can you go on your budget without ending up with crap?

More to come. Photo by beate. :-)

helpful wedding checklists and worksheets

2009-01-10T11:00:00.000+08:00

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When it comes to organizing a wedding (or organizing anything, for that matter), checklists and worksheets always come in handy. That 16-month wedding planning calendar that I shared in previous posts, for example, ought to give you at least an idea of how much you should have accomplished by now and what you should be doing next. Staying organized helps stave off panic attacks!

Real Simple.com offers other helpful worksheets to help you with your:

Wedding Budget

Guest List

Wedding Party Contact Details

Wedding Vendor Contact Details

Actually, you can make your own worksheets, but the ones above can save you time (the time you would have spent making your own) and look really pretty. :-)

The website also contains checklists such as Questions to Ask Your Wedding Planner and even a list of classic shots (you know, your mom buttoning your dress and so on) that you wouldn't want your photographer to miss. Download away!

a newlywed couple shares their wedding experience

2009-01-03T21:02:00.000+08:00

Off and on for the past couple of months, I've been planning on how to plan a wedding, hoping to accumulate wedding smarts before I actually have to do it. Smarts can't hold a candle to wisdom, however, and the latter only comes with experience. My friends Bingbing and Francis got married last October and they graciously agreed to share their experience -- and wisdom -- with the rest of the world. (Or at least the tiny fraction of it that reads this!)

Here is their account of the events and decisions that led to that beautiful October day:

* * *

how we came up with a wedding

which moved not a few people to let us know it was nice

At the outset, I need to set some things straight.

First, the use of plural person in the title and occasionally in the text is not typo. I am writing not on my own perspective but with Francis’ too. As my sister-in-law made it clear to us from the start, “it’s not just my wedding; it’s also his.” Fran and I made every decision with this in mind. You figure out we’re actually writing this.

Second, this piece isn’t about details of our wedding. If you’re reading this looking for figures and specific answers to pecuniary questions, it would be better if you stop right here. You won’t get any. Francis and I are of the opinion that recounting the numbers and particulars might seem a bit show-off to some, so we dispense with it altogether. Besides, who would want a “copycat” wedding anyway? In our case, we decided to make the details as uniquely ours as possible. We presume other wed-to-be’s are of that mindset too.

Third, we operated on the premise that the feedbacks that our wedding was nice are accurate and deserve faith. We believe that it is, even before we heard the nice comments and even though we realize that no one would dare tell us that it isn’t. Fact is, when we meticulously decided on every detail, we minded less of other people’s reactions. Fran said that people will always have something good and bad to say after the wedding and that we cannot help it. So we decided to have our personal take as our sole standard. After all, it is our moment, our day.

Fourth, I did not feel obliged to write just for the sake of doing it. I realized there are some lessons that need to be passed on to the genuinely interested. Likewise, Gay has done me and Fran a great favor by taking part in our entourage and, without our consent but we condoned just the same, through the compliments in her blogs. This is the least I can do to return the favor.

The last straw that egged me to write was the speculation on costs. Right on, I categorically deny my friends’ game estimate, since Francis told me this can be one of those times when silence may be used in evidence. I could have written along the title: “Preparing for something that’s worth twenty thousand bucks but actually spending way much less.” I did not. I thought focusing your thoughts on the price deprives you of many things. (Wasn’t it written somewhere that you can never quantify happiness?). But, hey, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should forget your budget. It’s just that another lesson I learned from my experience is that: after you make up your mind on one thing, there’s always another that later turns out to be cheaper, even better.

Out of it all, I crafted a few philosophies that proved beneficial in my situation.

My foremost philosophy: be patient.

Take your time. In our case, we had 10 months between the betrothal and the day of the wedding. Except for the church and the venue, we did not enter into any contract until after maybe two or three months. In the interim, we bought or borrowed any material on weddings we could get our hands into, canvassed as many potential products and services as we could, attended as many wedding exhibits as there were available, and aggressively sought advices, sometimes referrals, from officemates and friends who recently tied the knot.

My next top philosophy: ask the right questions. As much as practicable, avoid questions answerable with yes or no since they confine you to the probability of getting a rejection half the time. If you really want a particular product or service, let the source know you like it. Instead of asking how much will it cost you, ask how can you possibly have it or another of the same quality. If you feel like it costs more than it’s worth, or that its price far exceeds the amount you have in mind willing to spare, then leave it at that for the moment. Who knows when you return after a month or two it will be sold for a bargain or by then you already have the means? Better yet, you shall have then found a better alternative that costs way cheaper. Never for a moment think that the product or service will be gone forever that you need to rush into buying it right then and there. Engage the seller and let him/her feel as part of your wedding. Letting him/her feel involved can open up some leniency for you, especially on your next visit/s. This particularly worked in booking our priest.

Another helpful philosophy: keep on dreaming and imagining what you want for your big day and, as you do, try to sketch a vivid outline of it that can be revealed to other people. We did not have to do it on purpose but, I believe, this helped us bring in some cash and, therefore, gave us reasonable allowance to budget. Perhaps when people notice that you are serious with your “dream” and they see direction and, most specially, results, they are eager to get involved, invest, and dream with you. Of course, it helps if a relative asks you how he/she may be of help and you have a ready outline to walk him/her through. Meanwhile, keep on dreaming. Consider that we did not even think of putting up a website until the last week of September (for free pa), that we never imagined booking family rooms that rightly satisfied all our fancies until less than a week into our wedding (at discounted rates), and that we decided on our honeymoon only after all our guests had left. Never underestimate God’s timing and providence!

Speaking of God's providence, it is as important a philosophy not to expect much. This will keep you grounded in your preparations, which is okay so that your judgment will not be clouded. It seemed to us too that one’s level of expectation is inversely proportional to his/her experience of happiness.
Finally, invest on right priorities. We invested on people, more than on material things. This explains why we put premium on our priest, our gowns and suits, and the pictures and videos to capture everyone. This explains likewise, perhaps, why we get some people to invest with us, which explains further how we were able to put up something that looked grand but actually cost us not as grand, and which explains furthermore, perhaps, how we came up with a wedding which moved not a few people to let us know it was nice.

* * *

The article is so nice, I really shouldn't be adding anything after that last line. But I just have to say, that phrase "since Francis told me this can be one of those times when silence may be used in evidence" just cracks me up! It's a line that could have come from Atticus had he any occasion to say it. (To those who don't know, Francis is a lawyer -- obviously! -- while Bingbing is a nurse. Both also have degrees in Psychology. They are currently based in their hometown of Dalaguete.) Oh, and "pecuniary" means "relating to or involving money" (I plead guilty to having to look it up, hehe).

Seriously, though, I really, truly learned a lot. For one, you can get carried away counting your coins and appropriating them as stingily as possible, but in the end, you should have more than just the satisfaction of being able to say you had a cost-effective wedding. What's truly important is that you can look back on your wedding day and say that that was really what you wanted and dreamed of. One of my aunts puts it this way, "Makit-an ra bitaw na ang kwarta." Obviously, you shouldn't be spending like there's no tomorrow, either (unless you're a manic-depressive in a manic state and you can't help it). Just, you know, as Bingbing and Francis say, decide on what's really important to you and invest on that.

Thank you very much, Bing and Fran!

a few more budget-saving tips

2008-12-31T13:01:00.000+08:00

The day after Sheryllyn and Obet announced their engagement, I met with a few college friends and -- since 3 of them got married just this year or last -- the talk eventually turned to weddings. Bingbing resolutely kept mum on how much she and Francis spent on theirs, so we jokingly added up all their expenses and came up with an estimate of half a million pesos. Wisa's and Eunice's budgets were more modest but were still way over what I would want to pay for my own.

I've managed to give up the dream of spending less than a $1,000 -- although it definitely is possible for someone who does not have as many relatives as I do. With wedding talk thus back on the table, I checked out the iVillage Weddings site and came across a few budget-saving tips that are well-supported from my friends' experiences (and my own observations).

1. Do-it-yourself invitations. If you've got the time and a fair amount of creativity, why not? I decided to go DIY the moment I heard Bingbing say their invitation was a bargain at P60/piece. (That's a bargain?! Hu hu...)

2. Favors...? A lot of wedding packages include favors/giveaways/souvenirs that invariably turn out to be those cute little things that are only good for taking up space and accumulating dirt. (Um, no offense. But you know what I mean.) I end up hiding them in a closed shelf so I wouldn't have to dust them, in which case those brides-and-grooms of the past might as well not have given them to me. Some people in the wedding business are actually proposing to do away with favors, but for those couples who just have to give away something, make it something useful.

Hershe's company markets all sorts of food, including the Ferrero Rocher and the Tango chocolates, and they've been approached by several brides-to-be who want to give away chocolates as favors. You can get a Tango bar from them at P17 each, so that's just P1,700 for a hundred guests. (I love Tango chocolates because they taste great and aren't sickeningly sweet, and I'm not just saying this because Hershe's my friend. To be fair, I must say I also really, really love the Goya dark mint chocolates.) Chocolates drive away hunger and depression, which makes them useful. Hehe.

3. Breakfast weddings. Eunice had one. Schedule yours at Christmas time and serve puto at tsokolate. Have your reception at your local silog place and let your guests order whatever they want. Go to a place somewhere in the mountains and watch the sun rise as you partake of a hearty breakfast. Whatever your style (and excuse), scrambled eggs and corned beef ought to cost less -- combined -- than beef stroganoff.

4. Find a free reception venue and an inexpensive caterer. Ever since Cathy had her wedding reception at Chateau de Busay, I've always thought that, when I get married, I would have mine there, too. However, one of my cousins recently had his reception at the OAD in Talamban. I wasn't there, but my mother said the building was on top of a mountain, so the view was nice as well. Someone also told her that the venue was actually free, and that you can just make a donation to the Augustinians if you want. (I haven't confirmed this, though, so please don't just take my word for it. Call them up or go there yourself. It's near North General Hospital. Just go to Talamban and ask the locals for directions.)

As for caterers, there's Ma. Lina Catering Services. I've always loved their food, and their buffet style service is only P200/person (plus a free lechon for every 60 guests). That's almost half of the cheapest Chateau reception-only package. So...we'll see.

5. Borrow a friend's white car. Wedding transpo usually comes with wedding packages, but if you've decided not to get a package, borrowing a car (instead of renting one) can save you a bit of money. People actually used to borrow our white VW beetle (before it started to decompose). Anyway, who cares if you don't come out of a Mercedes? In fact, who cares if it isn't a white car? (Well, obviously, I don't.) If you care, however, skip this tip.

6. Buy your own flowers and decorate-it-yourself. Not necessarily you, personally. But, definitely, one of the advantages of having a lot of relatives (or friends) is that someone can do this for you. I am actually thinking of having no flowers at all, as a lot of churches already have floral arrangements of their own, for their daily Masses and stuff. But I know flowers are important to a lot of people. Just, you know, remember that it isn't the most important thing in the world.

7. Forget the band. Sure, it would be great to have a band, or an all-boys choir, or a string quartet, play your favorite wedding songs. Cheaper alternatives:

- Ask a relative or friend to give you the gift of their musical talent (instead of a set of plates that someone else will surely get for you anyway).
- The next time a harpist knocks on your door and plays some tunes in exchange for your coins, note down his number and have him play at your wedding for a handful of notes instead.
- If you're really on a budget, surely no one will hate you for plugging your iPod (genuine or otherwise) into the venue's sound system. Think of it this way: if Kenny Rogers calls you up and offers to sing Through the Years during your reception, with the sole condition that he will be singing backstage instead of in front of everybody, wouldn't you accept?

"in sickness and in health"

2008-12-07T16:52:00.001+08:00

I've taken a break from thinking about weddings.

But a post by a friend reminded me what they really are all about.

Deciding on a motif, putting together an entourage, taste tests with caterers... All these make organizing weddings fun. But the thing is, you can have a very simple wedding -- with just your immediate family present, no flowers lining the aisle, no rehearsal dinners, your wedding rings may have just been borrowed -- but it can still be the best wedding in the world. Because what counts is after. When the glow fades from the bride's face, when the groom grows a potbelly, when it's hard to make ends meet... When all you've got is each other, and still you have all that you need to get by, that's a marriage. That is love, and that is what weddings are about.

Check out Brian's "In Sickness and In Health."

my friends' wedding

2008-11-01T15:07:00.000+08:00

After eleven years of being a couple (eleven ba? did I count right?), Francis and Bingbing got married last Thursday in a beautiful wedding ceremony at Sacred Heart. I've invited Bingbing to share tales of their wedding planning (and I'm crossing my fingers that she'll accept), so I won't spoil her [possible] insider account by giving all the details of their big day. But I absolutely loved it, especially:

* the choice of venue
* the music (good idea!)
* school-age kids doubling as bridesmaids and ring/coin bearers
* the priest (great choice, loved the homily)
* everyone's quiet elegance

Everything was formal and personal at the same time, which I thought was very appropriate. I've been to weddings that ran on adrenaline, where everyone's all smiles, and the people on the pews are talking to each other and are having a grand time just being there, and everything goes by so fast, and it feels like an event more than anything else, and that's probably fine. But what I liked about Fran and Bing's wedding was that -- I'm not sure how to put it -- it was like they reserved space for God to be involved. It wasn't just about the magic of love but also about the solemn gaiety of marriage vows. (Or maybe that's just the effect of all the lawyers there? Haha! With the size of my own family, my own wedding would probably have the feel of a free clinic!)

* * * * * * *

More about Bingbing and Francis' wedding at their website, hosted by Momentville. Go through all their links -- I personally enjoyed their Personal Notes section:

Even though I've known them for years -- Bingbing is a college friend; I don't know Francis as well but I utterly trust Bingbing's judgment -- I still learned a whole lot about them from their website. For example, I discovered that Fran's favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird (which explains the career path; it's also one of my favorite books; and there is something of Atticus in Francis), and that Bingbing wouldn't want to be Kris Aquino (yes, you do seem to be worlds apart, Bing, and I would also rather be you).

Anyway, if you guys are looking for a free wedding website -- and if, like me, you're a sucker for appearances -- here's a sample of themes available at different websites. I forgot to copy the links, and I'm being lazy and refusing to open those websites again just to get their links, but they all come out on the first page of Google's search results for "free wedding website." Or you can just look real closely at the pictures (they're screen shots) and note the address at the top.

Cheers!

line up the piggy banks

2008-10-20T09:07:00.000+08:00

"So you've said 'yes' to each other, to marriage, to a lifetime together. A moment like that can spill right into joyful wedding planning, but there is some other planning a couple needs to do before focusing on a ceremony and a day of celebration. Money planning -- not for one day but for your life together as a couple."

Read more in "Fiances & Finances: Questions to ask each other before you say 'I do'" by Dory Devlin.

a collection of moments

2008-10-01T17:06:00.000+08:00

My friend Bingbing (Verbena Llanos) is getting married this October 30 to her long-time boyfriend, Francis (Navarete). Both are fellow alumni of the UP Cebu Psychology program, and Bing was one of my closest friends in college. Just this morning, I received a text message from the bride-to-be directing me to their wedding website.

Those of you who are also planning to tie the knot can create your own wedding website at MomentVille. They have beautiful themes, and the website never expires. MomentVille offers a free wedding website, which can store up to 50 MB of photos, and you can choose to upgrade -- for $35 -- to a page with a 500 MB storage capacity, optional password protection, optional private RSVPs, optional visit counter and page view stats. (This is not a paid ad, by the way. Haha!)

More on wedding websites and Bingbing's wedding in future posts. Have a great day!

unveil 3: philippine wedding expo 2008

2008-09-20T09:47:00.000+08:00

The turnout of wedding suppliers at the wedding expo in SM was quite small -- definitely less than the organizers had hoped it would be, based on their proposed floor plan. However, there were still exhibitors enough to be useful to anyone planning a wedding, whether it's your own or someone else's. And an exhibitor I didn't expect but probably should have seen coming: real estate!

I wandered through the booths and purposely waited for a representative of the exhibitor to approach me and, well, state their case. I did this on the logic, however valid or not, that eagerness to recruit clients would correlate to eagerness to please the clients thus recruited. The wedding industry is a service-oriented one, and I was interested only in those providers whose people had initiative.

The ones who passed the test:

Joyful Weddings

The organizer of the whole expo, Joyful Weddings had two booths, both with friendly reps who approached interested passers-by. They have 4 wedding packages:

Intimate - P68,000

Magical - P148,000

Whimsical - P288,000

Grandiose - P368,000

Details may be found in their website. What's nice about these packages is that they are willing to remove those features that you don't need and subtract from the package price accordingly. They also have WEDDING SERVICES that you can engage, and if you book them during the expo, you can avail of a P2,000 discount on coordination/planning services. They also offer a 15% discount for ready made gowns and 10% discount on all individual products or services availed in the duration of the expo.

What I like most is the flexibility of their offers. Their staff was also helpful with details. If you're interested, you may contact Julie at 09202112373.

Chateau de Busay

photo from http://flickr.com/photos/22027954@N03/2364747251/in/photostream/

From being just a reception venue, Chateau de Busay has invaded the wedding industry with packages of their own. They do have a website, but they haven't uploaded the details of their wedding packages yet, so I'll do my best:

Premium Package 1 - P120,500

reception and all its props

50 pcs invitation cards

50 pcs souvenir gifts

4-layer wedding cake

bridal car and shuttle for 27 guests

overnight stay

floral arrangement

video and photography

on-the-day coordinator

fireworks

Premium Package 2 - P124,600

all of the above

-plus-

appetizer and salad in the menu

Premium Package 3 - P131,000

all of the above

-plus-

an extra main entree

an extra vegetable dish

If you just want to book a reception venue, they also have packages for 100 people. Depending on the menu you want, these packages cost P38,000, P42,000 or P48,000.

They also have add-ons available: another shuttle for P3,000, projector and widescreen for P5,000, additional fireworks, floral arrangement upgrades, photo/video upgrades, etc.

The good thing about Chateau de Busay is that they have a 0% interest Easy Payment Scheme: you can pay 50% on booking and pay the rest in 12 months, or you can hand in a 30% downpayment and pay the rest in 6 months. And, of course, the venue is heavenly.

Papicture

They didn't have staff when I was there, but I will include them anyway because one of their photographers is a high school friend (hehe). They have samples of their work -- photos, storybooks -- in their booth, or you can visit their website. To engage their services, you can call (032) 346-3662 or (032) 412-8778. You can also email them at papicturephotographers@yahoo.com.

*
They are not exactly wedding suppliers, but their presence in the expo makes sense, if you stretch your imagination. Real estate agents enthusiastically presented house-and-lot options in Bayswater (Mactan), Montserrat (Mactan) and Riverdale (Talamban), among others. These aren't related to weddings, but if you want to learn more, post a comment or email me at ligaya.solera@gmail.com and I'll put you in touch with the agents I met.

Have a great weekend everyone!

bridal bargains

2008-09-12T13:46:00.000+08:00

Denise and Alan Fields, authors of the book Bridal Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget, went online at the Washington Post the other day (September 10) and answered questions from readers. Although their tips apply mostly to weddings in America, I picked up a few that anyone, anywhere, can apply. Read on.

photo by woodsy

PLANNING. It takes around 100 hours to plan a wedding. Don't let the planning stretch out -- the less time you have to plan the wedding, the simpler and less expensive it will tend to be.

THE BUDGET. Set a budget and tell the wedding vendor up front what you are willing to pay (and no more!). The Fieldses break down the typical wedding budget as follows:

Reception 46%
Photo/Video 12%
Attire 10%
Flowers/Décor 8%
Music 6%
Tips/Taxes/Overages 5%
Ceremony 3%
Stationery 3%
Wedding Rings 3%
Gifts 2%
Transportation 2%

RINGS. Rings don't have to be gold or silver or platinum, the latter being the more fashionable these days. The Fieldses suggested a palladium ring, which looks similar to but is definitely less expensive than a platinum ring. One reader said that her fiance bought a tungsten carbide ring online for less than $100; this type of ring, apparently, is good for people whose hands keep getting dirty. Another reader suggested a moissanite ring, which looks like a diamond but doesn't cost as much. Only gemologists can tell the difference, and how many of us actually have a gemologist for a friend?

SHOPPING. I'm not sure how applicable this will be in the Philippine setting, but it's part of wedding smarts to compare prices of things you'll need online, then print them out, and show them to local retailers. Try to get them to match or even beat the price. And always ask, "What's your best (or last) price?" Shop at places that do not have "wedding" in their names -- these tend to offer better prices. The Fieldses suggested Costco and Wal-Mart. I guess, translated to Cebuano, these could be SM and Gaisano.

photo from sxc.hu.ac

RECEPTION. If you have a buffet at the reception, have servers so that the guests get served near equal portions and no one empties the entire chafing dish at one go. The Fieldses also suggest "ethnic" dinners -- dinners with "Italian" or "Asian" themes -- because these tend to be cheaper than trying to please all possible palates. Consider a brunch reception, or a midafternoon one, which will be cheaper than full-course meals. You can search for an alternative reception site in your locale (like the Family Park in Talamban, or someone's garden) where you can bring your own caterer and pay less than what you would if you held your reception at a high-end hotel. If you have it in a garden, you won't have to pay for flower decorations.

MUSICIANS. If you live near a university or college, you can contact the music department (if they have one) for student musicians. They can moonlight at weddings and other special events, and you pay less than what you would a professional.

PHOTOS. Don't pay extra to have the photographer make you a professional album. With all the photo editing resources out there and online, you can make your own (providing you have the time). I like this idea!

REGISTRIES. The more common type of wedding registry (though it isn't a very, very widespread practice here yet) is the gift registry, where you pick out what things you'd like to receive and your guests can choose from those. Many stores offer gift registries; I know Metro Ayala has one. The new trend these days (in America, at least) is the honeymoon registry, which works in a similar way. Be sure to tell your guests that you've signed up for a registry, or there won't be much point in it! The advantage is that you get things you like, and you avoid duplication.

THE WEDDING INDUSTRY. The Fieldses say, "Think about the weddings that you have attended recently. Which were the best? And why? Most likely it was the music (a great band or DJ) or just simple touches (like a special part of the ceremony). Think about it folks: does it really matter if your names are printed on the napkins? Or that the knife you cut the cake with is decorated with a corsage (a true suggestion from florists)? Cut out the fluff. We know, it all seems so important! But take a stand and make it simpler to save. We agree -- avoid looking at the bridal media (800-pound gorilla, the Knot) to keep from getting sucked in!"

* The full transcript of the Q&A is available here.

How about an anti-wedding?

2008-09-08T10:25:00.000+08:00

For a different take on weddings, check out The Anti-Wedding at the Washington Post website.

Here are excerpts:

"It starts with a couple of young women talking about weddings.

"Only we aren't fawning over centerpieces or debating roses versus lilies or scrutinizing every hemline of the perfect pastel bridesmaid dress. In fact, we are talking about how centerpieces and pastel bridesmaid dresses make us want to puke all over those dyed-to-match satin shoes."

"We are convinced that there is no justification for wedding insanity. We feel qualified to make this judgment as single women who have never been married or engaged, and have never planned an event more complicated than happy hour. But we have seen what happens to some intelligent, strong women when confronted by the multibillion-dollar Wedding Industrial Complex: Those few unattractive tendencies, weaknesses generally kept under control -- bossiness, melodramatic romanticism, obsession with looks, agony over superficial details -- coalesce into a toxic distillate. What chance does anyone have against an industry that seduces the rampaging feminine id? The masses need to be liberated.

"What if . . . we become Anti-Wedding Planners? What if we find a couple who shares our opinion and lets us plan their unorthodox, fabulously cheap anti-wedding, located -- we dream -- in a bus depot or a Laundromat? We envision the glorious reversal of typical wedding cliches: the symbolic release of dirty city pigeons in lieu of doves, bouquets of dead leaves, a buffet of peanut butter or grilled-cheese sandwiches. The wedding itself would be a statement, a metaphorical loogie aimed right at the wispy veil of wedding-obsessed America. It must be anti-industry, but pro-romance, because real love means knowing, This is my soul mate, even if (s)he's wearing a garbage bag.

"So, we run an ad in Express, the Post-owned commuter freebie, looking for couples. It begins like this:

We hate weddings. Let us plan yours (free)."

Read the full story HERE.

wedding planning workshop on september 13 and 14

2008-09-01T22:36:00.000+08:00

thanks to Hershe for the heads-up

General [Catholic] Church Wedding Requirements

2008-08-30T16:01:00.000+08:00

adapted from Weddings At Work

1. Baptismal and confirmation certificates -- both the bride’s and the groom’s. These must be new copies, must have an annotation: “FOR MARRIAGE PURPOSES ONLY,” and must have been secured not more than three (3) months before the date of marriage.

For MIXED MARRIAGES (bride/groom comes from a different religion), a dispensation must be secured from the Archdiocesan Chancery Office at the Arzobispado de Manila, 121 Arzobispo St., Intramuros, Manila. These have to be submitted one week before the wedding. You may inquire from your local Parish office regarding the necessary forms.

2. Marriage License -- can be secured from the city or municipality hall where the bride or the groom currently resides. For those who have had a civil wedding, a certified true photocopy of the Marriage Contract (with the registry number of the city or town where the marriage was performed) must be submitted one week before the wedding date.

3. Canonical Interview -- an interview with the bride and the groom, to be conducted by the parish priest one month before the wedding date. The schedule of the interview will be given upon the signing of the application form.

4. Pre-Marriage Seminar (Pre-Cana) -- should be attended by both the bride and the groom. Many parishes schedule regular pre-Cana seminars; you may inquire at the parish office for the available schedules. Some churches also allow attendance in other pre-wedding seminars such as the Catholic Engaged Encounter or Discovery Weekend as a suitable substitute.

5. If the wedding is to be done in a church other than the parish church to which the bride or groom belongs, a permit from the parish of origin must be secured and presented to the parish office of the couple’s chosen ceremony venue. The form will be provided by the parish office of your chosen church.

6. Marriage banns -- will be provided during the canonical interview and have to be immediately brought to the respective parishes of the bride and the groom for posting. These have to be returned to the office after three Sundays. [Some parishes may ask for some requirements for the posting of the banns (i.e. an ID picture from the bride and the groom).]

7. A list of names and addresses of principal sponsors has to be submitted to the parish office one week before the wedding date. Church policy requires at least a pair of sponsors and, ideally, a maximum of six sponsors.

* These are the general requirements of the Catholic Church. Since some parishes may require other documents and/or seminars, it will be best if you also make inquiries at the parish office of the church in which you plan to be married.

wedding essential no. 1: a brilliant photographer

2008-08-21T17:06:00.000+08:00

If there's one thing I've learned during my initial research into planning a perfect wedding, it is this: if you must invest in something, invest in a good photographer.

I don't like weddings where it seems like it's the photographer and the videographer, along with the wedding planner, who are running the show. All those wires, and all those lights, and all those people pausing what would have been solemn or sweet moments just to capture them on film leave me with a bitter taste in the mouth. That was why, before I started doing all this research about weddings, I was thinking of just asking a friend or a relative to take pictures when my turn comes to walk down the aisle.

I did an about-turn when, in the course of my research, I came across to-die-for photos such as these (courtesy of weddingswithromel):

Admit it... You kinda need professional photographers for stuff of that caliber.

Here are links to the men and women behind some of the best wedding and pre-nuptial photos I've seen so far.

Cebu Wedding Channel tells us what we need to know about Wedding Photography Styles.

Finally, a well-known wedding photographer in Manila, John Mateos Ong, offers some insider advice for choosing whose services to engage. Since his tips are in Word format, I will just summarize them here:

1. Before you set your budget, find out what the average rates for photographers are. The best place to do this --and check out their work too -- is during a wedding fair.

2. When you check a photographer's work, check out complete albums. Some photographers shoot lots of pictures and hope that at least some of them would come out well. Demand to see full wedding coverages.

3. Different photographers offer different packages. Decide on what you really need and determine which packages come closest to your requirements. Blow-ups and other freebies can be added on later.

4. The 3P's of photographer selection:

a) PRICE - No matter how good a photographer is, if you can't afford him, forget about him. (Sigh!) If you really like his work, ask if he has a labor-only package. You can work on doing the album once you have the budget. For the meantime, raw photos would do just fine.

b) PERSONALITY - Will you feel comfortable working with him for one whole day? Aside from the wedding coordinator, among all suppliers, the one you will work with the most is the photographer.

c) PHOTOS - At the end of the day, a photographer is judged not by how his jokes made you laugh but by his photos.

I hope this has enlightened you as it has me.

sixteen to nine months before your wedding, you can...

2008-08-10T21:56:00.000+08:00

If you've downloaded the 16-month wedding checklist featured in the last post, you must have at least some idea now on where to start planning.

"Start a wedding folder or binder. Tear out pages that inspire you from bridal, lifestyle, fashion, gardening, design and food magazines."

A clearbook will easily do the trick. You will find one in most bookstores and department stores' school supplies section, while wedding-oriented magazines are sold in the same places, or even in drug stores and grocery counters. You can also do some browsing in the Internet. (IVillage, for example, offers helpful tips and even has a nifty feature that enables you to Build Your Dream Wedding Dress.) However, a hard copy of nice gowns, cakes, invitations, floral arrangements, etc. will come in handy for describing what you want to your suppliers.

(image being uploaded)

"Build your wedding party. As soon as you're engaged, people will start wondering who's in and who's out."

This one I like doing, even though I'm not headed for the altar yet. Planning the entourage can be tricky, though. Your husband-to-be (or wife-to-be, if there are any guys out there reading this) might not particularly mind if all the secondary sponsors come from your side, but his (or her) family might notice and have something to say about that. Choose prudently.

"Settle on a headcount. Construct a guest-list database with columns for contact info, RSVPs, gifts, and any other relevant information. Remember that the best way to cut costs is to reduce your guest list."

Reducing your guest list might not be a walk in the park, either. If you come from a typical Filipino family, your extended relatives will likely number by the dozens. Your mom will have friends she'll want to invite, your cousins will be bringing their boyfriends, and of course you'll have to add "And Guest" to your friends' invitations.

Most people will say: it's your wedding, and you should get to choose who to invite, not least because extra guests will mean extra expense. Suggestions? You should definitely ask your invited guests to RSVP. Some wedding invitations include TICKETS to the Reception, and some SPECIFY, "We have reserved [a specified number of] seats for you and [your family, or your guest]." And you've known your mom for years; you'll know how best to ask her nicely not to invite her whole high school batch to witness your vows.

My not-so-usual take, though: if you can afford it, or if you can figure out a way to save on something other than your guest list, it won't hurt too much to invite a lot of people. A wedding is always a good reason for families to come together and bond and get kids to acquaint themselves with their nth-degree cousins. But you don't have to take my word for it. Both of my parents come from huge families, and I've long since surrendered to the idea of what might be a Guest List of 200.

a 16-month wedding checklist

2008-08-07T15:49:00.000+08:00

I wanted to write a wedding blog, and fill it with all the things a bride-to-be or a wedding planner would need to know, because I knew I myself would need the information someday. Why not share my discoveries with everyone else? The posts haven't been as abundant as I would have wanted, however, because preparing for the boards (which will, incidentally, start 2 days from now) has kept me busy, busy, busy.

But in this world of multi-tasking and multiple careers, who isn't busy?

Most girls have at least some idea of how they want their wedding day to play out. But in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a bride-to-be needs all the help she can get. That's why I was delighted to discover a 16-month wedding checklist, which you can view and download here.

Potential reader reaction: "Sixteen months! Do I really have to be preparing for my wedding that early?!"

Sixteen months before the wedding, I'm sure most guys wouldn't have even thought yet of proposing. ;-) The point is that, once you're fairly certain there is going to be a wedding in the near future, you CAN start preparing as early as...well, now.

However, don't lose hope. In weddings, as in board exams, there's always hope for the crammers and procrastinators (like me!). We'll tackle THAT next post.

Upcoming Wedding Expo in SM

2008-07-23T09:44:00.000+08:00

If you're interested in weddings -- whether you're the lucky bride-to-be, or you're thinking of becoming a professional organizer, or you just like the thought of weddings -- there's an upcoming wedding industry exhibit that you shouldn't miss.

This September 17-23, SM City Cebu (Atrium A, B and C, Lower Ground Floor) will host "Unveil 3: Philippine Wedding Expo 2008." They're still on the stage of accepting exhibitors, but it's bound to be interesting. For those who can't make it, I'll be posting my finds in this space, so you won't be missing much.

Have a great day!

A Pick of Wedding Planners

2008-07-19T16:45:00.000+08:00

The Weddings At Work website contains a directory of Cebu-based wedding planners, all of whom I e-mailed. Two replied. I also checked out websites, where available, especially the testimonials given by former clients. Based on such initial reconnaissance, I've come up with this initial short-list of wedding organizers.

On the premise that I would want a tasteful organizer who is quick to respond to simple queries and panic attacks alike, I recommend:

1. Koncepts and More. They don't have wedding packages but "come up with costings per wedding element requirement." Its Managing Director, Mr. Bong Abela, promptly replied to my e-mail, detailed what services they offer, and told me that if I intend to get married 2-3 years from now, I could avail of their services for P60,000. It's honestly a bit steep for coordinating services only, BUT, based on the testimonials he's getting, Bong seems to be worth it. Former clients describe him as detail-oriented, professional, enthusiastic, with a good sense of style and taste.

2. Joyful Weddings. What I like about them, aside from their quick response, was the flexibility of what they offer. Five wedding packages are available from P50,800 to P380,800, but Ms. Esmie Yap assured me that if there are things in the package that I don't want, they can take it out and subtract a proportionate amount from the package cost. They also offer services-only, from Full (P35,000), Partial (P25,000), and On The Day Coordination (P15,000). For the tihik out there (like me!), you'll be glad to know that the On The Day Coordination actually starts 2 weeks before the wedding and includes things like planning the ceremony and the reception and checking with vendors to confirm arrangements for the wedding day.

Other wedding planners listed on the Weddings At Work directory who haven't replied to my e-mail but who have promising Multiply sites include A Dream Wedding in Cebu and Weddings & More. Some friends have also made several suggestions, which I will follow up when I have the time. ;-) I hope this post has been helpful.

cebu weddings

2008-07-19T06:22:00.000+08:00

I typed "cebu weddings" in Google, in the off-chance (well, in the hope) that I might spot this blog in the results. No such luck! Hehe! I did come across some websites that might be useful to those who are planning on getting married in Cebu sometime soon and can't wait for my own tips: ;-)

1. Wedding Planner Cebu will, obviously, plan your wedding for you if you want them to. They have packages that range from $7,000 to $12,000 (yes, seriously).

2. Heavenly Weddings also offers its inestimable services. They have packages with really cute names: Splendid Beginnings (P78,000), Heavenly Match (P128,000), Wedding Bliss (P168,000), and Cherished Moments (P238,000).

3. Weddings-Cebu is a bit confusing (you might as well know: the links on top just bring you back to the Home Page) and you'll have a field day if you consider yourself a member of the grammar police ("as farther as I understand they have pleasant beach so it is also beatific to have your Cebu beach wedding to the said resort"). But if you patiently click, click, click, you're bound to come across some useful information. Or not.

4. Kalidades House of Flowers has a directory of wedding suppliers, but I think they're still inviting advertisers to be part of their directory. A link to the shop's wedding packages just says "blooming soon." Not so useful a website just yet.

5. Living In The Philippines has a page called Wedding in the Philippines. Hehe. Aforementioned page contains a Dutch expat's tale of getting married in the Philippines. If you're a divorced expat wanting to get married to a local beauty, this is the place to go. ;-)

Okay, that's it, I'm done surfing. The websites get less useful the farther you go down Google's results page. I'd stick with WPC and HW, if packages were my thing. Of course, I'm sure there are other wedding planners offering other wedding packages that just haven't found their way yet to Google's Page 1.

Wedding packages aren't my thing, though, because I don't really think I would (if I were a bride-to-be, which I am not, yet) want everything they're offering. For one, the usual giveaways don't appeal to me. And I have this thing against releasing a pair of hapless doves.

Girls. ;-) We have Favorite Things as well as Pet Peeves, and we want our weddings to go Just Right.

Well. As I've said, stay tuned.

the sign of the white butterfly

2008-07-18T11:01:00.000+08:00

A white butterfly landed on me today as I was taking my dog Jiggy out for a walk. One Filipino tradition holds that white butterflies are harbingers of weddings. I interpreted it as signal to go ahead with this blog (which, actually, I was determined to go ahead with anyway).

I had this idea of doing a blog on organizing a wedding here in Cebu. Just as soon as I have the time, I'll scout around the city for anything and everything related to weddings, from competent wedding planners to lovely reception venues to church fees and so on. I'll post each discovery as I make it, and, hopefully, we'll all get the weddings we want.

Still gotta study for the boards, though. Stay tuned. ;-)