Wedding Suppliers at Work on Holidays

[x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]Since the holidays had just passed, we couldn’t help but wonder what it’s like for wedding suppliers to work on Christmas or New Year’s eve/day?

You might be surprised to find out that some weddings are held on these most important dates of the holiday season but it’s not common, that’s why we were curious how it was for them.

So we asked. And we received some really interesting answers from them too. Let us share with you a glimpse of a wedding supplier’s life during the holidays!
[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]Different stories from different folks

The ones we talked to each had a different take on their experiences. Photographer Mimi Abesamis said that everyone at the wedding was so relaxed even when it was raining hard that day, including the bride who wasn’t worried about her wedding being delayed by an hour. “She was the only one getting married in the chapel that day anyway,” she said.

Noel Salazar, a photographers, also said that although he missed joining his family’s Christmas Eve dinner, the couple who got married made them all feel welcome and fed them well.

He also pointed out that there was no traffic going home from Tagaytay where the wedding was held. “As we were on our way home, there was no traffic, no toll fees…things that normally happen only during Christmas Eve.”

But not all weddings during the holiday season turn out to be as pleasant. One coordinator felt the pressure from wedding guests who kept asking what time the ceremony was going to end. “(From the) point of view of the couple, it was just an ordinary day given they belong to a religious denomination that does not celebrate Christmas, but sa point of view of the guests, you see they are reluctant and just wanted to be with their families. They kept asking if the program was going to be long.”
[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/3.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]The Family Factor

What about their families? Did they mind being away from their families?

“I felt frustrated and remorseful that I accepted what was supposed to be time spent for family,” coordinator Berlyn Yap admits about her experience. From thereon, she had been declining work from December 20 and only resumes on January 5 so she can celebrate the season with her family.

Liza Alviedo, also a wedding coordinator, shares the same sentiment. “Felt guilty sa family, because we still had so many family gatherings and activities that was cut short because I needed to be in Manila… Felt inggit (envious) also seeing families together sa lobby lounge Ng Manila Pen (where the event was).”

She continues, “I will never do it again… Family muna talaga, young pa ang kids, they need to feel the importance of choosing family first.”

On the other hand, photographer Noel Salazar says that he wasn’t married when he accepted work on New Year’s Eve. “I lived in Ortigas that time, and the wedding was in EDSA Shang, so lapit lang (the venue was near my place). Pero kung medyo malayo, maybe magsecond thoughts ako (But if it’s far, I will have second thoughts about accepting). Tsaka hindi na ako papayagan ng asawa ko (Also, my wife will not allow me),” he laughs.

Photographer Ayvih Delos Reyes said they didn’t mind accepting work on Christmas day of 2011 because they didn’t miss anything anyway.

She explains, “We didn’t miss any of the festivities naman the night before so okay lang and our staff are not drinkers so no one’s hung over. Puyat lang (We lacked sleep).”

Noel Salazar agrees that it depends on the time of the wedding. “I wouldn’t mind, IF say, it was a morning wedding of Dec. 24.”

Others think otherwise.

“Thinking about it,” says wedding coordinator Teena Barretto, “December 24, 25, 31, January 1 lang ang pahinga ‘pag December (December 24, 25, 31, January 1 are the only rest days). I’d give those days to myself. Now that I have a family, I really limit December bookings na.”[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/4.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]Do wedding suppliers charge extra on holidays?

Mimi Abesamis said that their Christmas day experience was unplanned. They did not expect their client to agree to them charging extra when a fellow supplier asked them if they were willing to cover a wedding on Christmas day. “The client was willing, so there, our first Christmas Day wedding booking.”

According to Teena Barretto, “At that time, (the standard was) base rate plus out-of-town fee plus holiday surcharge. I wasn’t able to do double rate because of the affinity.”

Teena’s client, the mother of the bride, was referred to her by a very good friend of hers.

Ayvih Delos Reyes said that their client doubled their rate.

Berlyn Yap, though, didn’t charge a higher rate. Neither did Noel Salazar. “For me walang logic to charge more just ‘cause it’s peak season or Christmas. It’s the supplier’s choice naman to accept or not. Although syempre, kung mamimigay ng pamasko yung client, hindi naman ako tatanggi, haha (but of course, if the client is generous, I will not refuse)!”

“I was actually blindsided. Client booked na blank day pa in January, according to her she has yet to finalize but she just wants to book me na para sure (to be sure),” Liza Alviedo reasons. “I actually charged extra when client revealed na January 1, kasi double pay ang staff (the staff was paid double).”

Mimi Abesamis experienced her Christmas day work at a time she didn’t have kids yet. “We probably won’t be doing it again now, unless the price is right, haha!” she jokes.

[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/5.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_blockquote cite=”Noel Salazar, Photographer” type=”left”]“As we were on our way home, there was no traffic, no toll fees…things that normally happen only during Christmas Eve.”[/x_blockquote][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/6.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]More than the fee

We asked our suppliers the difference between covering a wedding on Christmas or New Year compared to regular days and most of them didn’t think anything was particularly different.

“We didn’t feel like the couple or the guests minded that it was New Year. It was just like a “normal” wedding day. It was a Chinese wedding of around 500 guests, maybe more and the ballroom was full,” says Ayvih Delos Reyes.

For Teena Barretto however, “Well, guests either attended to party the night away or for attendance checking only then fly na. I had guests coming in and out. There were guests arriving for the countdown party, and other guests leaving right after dinner to make it to their family gathering.”

“The groom specifically wanted a photo with the Christmas tree,” says Noel Salazar, then adds, “What’s nice is that I think I was able to have a bond with the other members of the team, because parang just for that one night, kami-kami lang ang “magpamilya” na magkakasama pauwi sa van (For one night, we were like a family sharing the same van on our way home).”[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]All photos by Paul Vincent Photography.[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section]