Planning for my wedding in 2005 was one of the most exciting, challenging and meticulous tasks I’ve ever accomplished. I didn’t realize just how much needs to be done until I started reading on “wedding preps” two days after my then fiancé proposed to me. It was a roller-coaster ride – today happy, stressed the next. But the “high” I experienced each moment was incomparable. Pride and joy filled me all throughout the ride. I felt happy each time I get to cross out an item from my long list. And this list I am glad to share in the hope that I could now be of help to someone as clueless as I was then.
1. Date and Time. In the Philippines, being a June bride is not that big a deal as it is in other countries. Due to the very unpredictable weather, quite a number of couples I know try to wed on the colder months, e.i. September, October, November, December, January and February.
2. Venue. Again, the weather being a huge factor in decision-making, most opt for indoor weddings. A couple I know booked a garden wedding with an understanding with the venue administration that in case the weather does not cooperate, they can move the set-up to one of the air conditioned halls within the compound.
Popular Wedding Venues: Oasis http://www.oasismanila.com/contact.html,
The Mango Farm http://www.themangofarm.com,
Manila Cathedral, Christ The King Church, and the various choices within Intramuros
3. Motif. I have yet to meet a bride whose mind is set on a motif from day one. I personally changed my motif 5 times before coming up with Fuschia and Green.
Popular Wedding Motifs: Pink and Chocolate Brown, Citrus, Red and Gold
4. Theme. Having a themed wedding isn’t very popular to the more traditional Pinoy couples. But the more daring ones can be very creative. Mine was Precious Moments. A good friend of mine’s reception was Lord of the Rings-inspired. She and her husband wore Arwen and Aragorn costumes, and souvenirs were inspired by the leaf on Aragorn’s outfit.
Some suggestions: Movies-inspired, Fairyland, Cinderella; or a mix of cultures e.g. Pinoy-Jewish, Pinoy-Japanese. Or to make it true-blue Pinoy, include a money dance.
5. Prayer List. This, for me is non-negotiable. I wrote down all the concerns my then-groom and I had regarding the preparation, including prayers for finances and emailed copies to our prayer warriors. Just make sure you inform them once an item has been answered and unless you have a very tight budget and can only accommodate a small guest list, make sure they’re invited!
6. Officiating Minister/Priest/Pastor. Opt for someone who knows you and your partner well. Someone who will do it wholeheartedly and not just out of duty. Pastor Julius Fabregas took the time to meet with me and my then husband-to-be weeks before even though he already knows me for years and has worked with me on countless projects. My personal tip aside from those already mentioned, choose someone who can deliver a timely, appropriate message without alienating the guests.
7. Ceremony Script. Discuss with your priest/pastor if the script will be coming from him or if he expects you to come up with one. If you have suggestions or requests, make sure you make it clear to him days, even weeks before the wedding.
8. Coordinator. A wedding coordinator is not a must-have, though I must admit I am all-yes when a bride asks me if she should hire one. Weddings can be very stressful and to have someone you trust to take over the goings-on on THE day can be very comforting, if not liberating.
Personal recommendation: http://www.facebook.com/l/;aneventtorememberonline.com
9. NSO-Certified Birth Certificate
10. Marriage License. Check out this link as to how to secure a marriage license:
http://www.pinoy-everything.com/debuts-weddings/requirements-for-application-of-marriage-license-in-the-philippines.html
11. Marriage Certificate. I strongly suggest you assign a relative or a friend who’ll be in charge of having your principal sponsors sign the certificates after the ceremony. Believe me, you’d be so busy and high-strung to even remember to sit them down to sign. It’s going to be a hassle to have to go to their house/office after the wedding for their signature when you should already be honeymooning by then. For the same reason, my husband had the foresight and wisdom and saw to it that his Best Man took charge in bringing the copies to the City Hall (of the town/province where you got married).
12. Engagement Seminar. Call, visit your municipal hall for their schedules. The seminar usually lasts one day. Although ours started at around 8am and we were done by lunch time.
13. Family Planning Seminar. Being one of the segments discussed in the Engagement Seminar, you do not need to attend a separate one. But since we also attended the SEC-registered Discovery Weekend seminar http://www.discoveryweekend.org/contact.html, we were able to get a more insightful, practical and Christian approach to planning a family.
14. Invites. The number of guests does not have to coincide with the number of invites you should be ordering. Also, there a lot of new and exciting designs out there so I suggest you browse the internet or the printer’s folio first for ideas. Invites nowadays need not be on stock paper. Others print them on fans, CDs, frames, etc.
Sure winner: Pop-up Invites!
And unless your guest will be coming from another country, please please try not to invite via text or email. Set aside a week or two in delivering the invites personally or by snail-mailing them.
15. Thank You Tags. For the souvenirs you’d be giving away towards the end of the reception. Nice if they’re design-coordinated with your invites.
16. Hotel/House for on-the-day preparation. The bigger the room, the better. Think of all the people who’d be coming in - Make Up Artist, Hair Stylist, Photographer, Videographer, On-the-day Coordinators, your mom! Cramped space = Stress = Harassed Bride.
17. Caterer. Research! Ask around. Insist on a food-tasting session. Ask questions. Jot down notes. Jot down deals. Jot down requirements. Jot down agreements. Make them sign. Confirm. The caterer is one of the most important, if not the most expensive suppliers in a wedding so make sure you get what you want and what you pay for.
18. Cake Supplier. If the caterer does not supply the cake, or if their cakes do not pass your standards, you have to scout for a cake supplier. I was lucky to find a cake maker who not only make yummy cakes, but is also talented in designing them. She can follow instructions even if I just describe them over the phone!
19. Cake Topper. Since I wanted a Precious Moments wedding, I bought a Precious Moments Cake Topper.
20. Photographer. Never be hasty in booking a particular photographer. Take time to browse his portfolio/website. Know his artistic style, his work attitude, his rapport with previous clients. Go not only for the talent, but also for the personality. A photographer with no rapport with the subject is a no-no. Who would want to smile at the camera of a photographer who’s masungit and mataray, anyway?
Highly Recommended: Paul Vincent Delos Reyes - 410.5126; 0928.5006912 www.paulvincentphoto.com
21. Videographer. Same guidelines as those mentioned above. Check if your chosen photographer has a partner videographer. Sometimes, it’s cheaper if you book them together.
22. Florist. Look at their portfolio. Ask where they get their flowers. Ask previous clients about their punctuality and creativity. One plus factor of my florist was that she was willing to scout for cheaper alternatives for the expensive breeds I’ve been coveting.
23. Bride’s Gown. Whether you go for store-bought gowns or something that’s especially sewn for you, make sure you get something that fits well and flatters your figure.
My personal shouldn’t have: shouldn’t have decided on an expensive gown. Now it’s tucked away in our stock room and the huge box is eating up space!
24. Bride’s Shoes. Most Pinays have small feet. My personal experience was that those being sold at the malls were either too huge or not too formal. Try Marikina Shoe Expo or if you have enough time, go to Marikina City and check out all the little shoe boutiques there.
25. Bride’s Hair and Make-up. Ask for a THMU or a trial hair and make-up session. This isn’t free, though. If I remember it correctly, I paid P500 for the session because my dear HMU Artists who were from Bulacan had to go all the way to Cainta.
26. Wedding Accessories (veil, second veil, tiara/clip/headband, pillows, cord, pouch). These usually come as a package from the gown couturier.
27. Bride’s Jewelries. A pair of simple earrings would do, and your engagement ring if you have one.
28. Groom’s Barong/Suit. And don’t forget the undershirt!
29. Groom’s Shoes. Easier to find. The malls have them!
30. Groom’s Trousers. Again, hit the malls. Or have them made by your local sastre.
31. Entourage Gowns. Depends upon your agreement with your groom/bride, but nowadays, the engaged couple is no longer expected to shoulder the expenses of the ento gowns. In our case, we only paid for the gowns of the mother of the bride and of the groom.
32. Entourage’s Hair and Make-up. Same suggestion as mentioned above.
33. Holy Bible. For a more personal touch, why not use your own Bible and not one that’s been recently purchased in the bookstore.
34. Wedding Rings. Jewelry shops in malls, your suking alahera, the jewelry havens in Manila are good sources.
35. Arrhae
36. Unity Candles and matches
37. Bridal Car
38. Emcee. Choose one who has a track record of being punctual, lively, has rapport with the guests, can adjust to the guests’ mood, age and background, someone who respects the client’s wishes and won’t insist on his/her own programme.
39. Reception Script/Programme. Keep it short, sweet and personal. Sample scripts abound in the net and it’s convenient to download and use them, but if they do not fit your and your partner’s personality, or if it’s something that will most likely bore the guests, better to just come up with your own.
40. Musicians, Singers/Band. Better if you meet with them weeks before the wedding and discuss your choice of songs and music to be played. If you have a list of “must-nots”, make sure you tell them ahead of time. Like maybe a particular song reminds you of an ex, or is associated with a misunderstanding you and your groom had in the past, or is from a soundtrack of a tragic movie, tell them so.
41. Sound system. Request for more than 3 microphones and an excellent system. What’s the use of a wonderful program if only those in front can hear what’s going on.
42. Playlist –for Ceremony and Reception. My playlist was divided into the following categories: 1.) While guests are arriving 2.) Entourage March 3.) Bridal March 4.) Ceremony Proper 5.) Picture Taking Music After Ceremony 6.) Before Reception 7.) During Reception 8.) After Reception
43. Doves and Cage. This is usually included in the package with the caterer, though in my wedding, we decided we won’t have this portion any more.
44. Safety Pins. If you’re having a money dance.
45. Gift Table. Situate this far from the entrance/exit points and assign a trusted friend/relative to take charge so as to avoid missing gifts and envelopes.
46. Cake Table
47. Signature Frame
48. Guest Book/Wish Sheets
49. Principal Sponsors Gift
50. Entourage Souvenirs
51. Guests Souvenirs
52. Bridal Registry. Most popular choices are Rustan’s and Play and Display.
53. Guest Seat Plan
54. Floor Plan
55. Place to stay on night after the wedding
56. Honeymoon
Miscellaneous:
Mannequin. To “wear” your bridal gown while your hair and make-up are being done.
Misalettes
Save-the-date cards
Fans. To avoid oily-faced guests.
Party poppers.
Envelopes for full payment for suppliers.
Baskets for souvenirs
Easels. To display your pre-wedding photos.
Luminaries. To light the path going to the ceremony venue, if you’re having a late afternoon-evening wedding.
Lanterns. For a more dramatic effect.
LCD. For audio-visual presentations.
… and the list goes on and on...
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