It’s summer! Beach time! It’s also a great season to have outdoor ceremonies.
So here are some tips you can check out if you’re raring to have that outdoor ceremony you’ve been thinking of for so long.
Remember that our summers are scorching hot. So avoid choosing to start the ceremony at 3PM. Invitation time should be at 3:30PM so that by the time you’re about to march at 4PM, it would be possible for people to sit down already on the seats and they can actually march without getting skin cancer. By the time you end, i.e. your recessional around 5:30PM, you will have enough time for pictorials as a couple.
It’s a kind gesture to have cold water bottles waiting for guests upon arrival at the ceremony area. You can add foldable fans as well or cardboard fans with your ceremony programme.
If you want to have an early ceremony, i.e. a 2:30PM invitation time, but you’d rather not have a tent or if you’re not sure if the heat will be bearable by the time you want to march, you can give umbrellas as giveaways. They will double up as protection from the sun.
Have lots of cold drinks available at the cocktail area after the ceremony. You can even have ice cream or canapés that have cold toppings so that the guests will feel refreshed while eating them.
If you can help it, avoid having both the ceremony and reception outdoors. That way, guests have a chance to cool down also. Since the reception is longer, I would suggest having it indoors, especially because insects tend to come out at night and if it’s summer, the weather won’t be comfortable even if the sun has set already. It will still be warm — difficult for guests wearing formal clothes.
Your invitation should clearly state the venue and have an illustration of suggested clothes and footwear that would be comfortable for the garden or beach ceremony you wish to have. You’d rather not have godmothers showing up wearing stilettos or super beaded dresses that would make them feel even more warm than it already is.
Your attires as bride, groom, and entourage should match the weather of the day. It’s going to be warm so light and airy clothes are best. Avoid heavy and dark fabrics that will make you sweat all throughout.
Have lots of industrial type coolers so that you can still feel comfortable while having the ceremony/reception outdoors. Four units, i.e. one for each corner, will not suffice.
Visit the venue a year before your big day and a few days before your big day so you are sure your area for ceremony would be the most comfortable area for the guests. I know venues like The Mango Farm give specific areas depending on the month you’re getting married but if yours is a venue that just gives you the freedom to choose without giving advice, then you should visit and really check which area has morning sun so that your afternoon event will not be too affected by the sun’s direct rays.
Avoid confetti blasts during the recessional. You don’t want to affect the grass or the sand with your confetti. Petals are biodegradable so they are fine for your petal shower after the ceremony and group pictorials. You can also use ribbon wands or bubble guns so you don’t end up causing the sand to look dirty after your recessional.
Mention your outdoor ceremony to your florist so he or she can choose flowers that can withstand the heat of the sun.
Do not forget to book a sound system supplier for your outdoor ceremony. Some take for granted that the sound system can just transfer from the ceremony to the reception area and vice versa. Lots of wires to deal with, so they can’t just transfer. You need a group for your ceremony and another one for your reception. Give your musicians’ needs to the sound system provider so that your musicians can be properly heard during the ceremony.
Aside from all the physical preparations, one must also prepare for the actual ceremony. Have the pastor’s programme printed for your coordinators and musicians so they can follow and anticipate what will happen next. Example: while pastor is giving his pieces of advice, the coordinators can already prepare the ring bearer because he will be called to bring the rings next according to the programme given by the pastor. Remember that pastors have the freedom to create their own ceremony programmes so this copy is so important for coordinators and musicians to be prepared for what will happen next. As a couple, you should also prepare for your personal vows and honouring of parents segment. That way, you won’t ramble and end up merely crying and crying there in front. You owe it to God and to these special people to prepare for the moments when you’d have control of the microphone.
Photo Credits: John Kenneth Alejo and Wynndee Penolio. Photography by We Are Seekers.
About Darlene Tan-Salazar, W@W Supplier of Year (2015):
Darlene started out as a Planner/Coordinator of Perfect 10 Weddings. Since she needed more time for family matters, she opted to focus on emceeing, and has since started “The Wedding Tip Sheet“, a Facebook page that tackles the practical points in planning a wedding.
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/WeddingTipSheet_OutdoorWedding1.jpg394700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2018-04-06 16:20:502018-05-10 19:30:51WaW Wedding Tip Sheet: Having an Outdoor Ceremony?
My 15-year stint as a wedding photographer has taken me around the world shooting different religions, cultures, and nationalities and this I can say “It is only in the Philippines where they have Principal Sponsors.” Are they really important? And if so, why do we have them?
Principal Sponsors are supposedly people in the couple’s lives whom they respect and listen to. They can be people who are popular, powerful, prominent or rich but not necessarily. Unfortunately, because too many people have chosen principal sponsors based on these traits, it has watered down the importance of the role as principal sponsors. Sponsors have said “yes” to becoming sponsors just for the sake of “Delikadeza” never to be seen again after the wedding.
I personally have attended weddings where, to my shock, there have been as many as 15 sets of principal sponsors. So many that it has been branded as “Business” because sponsors are expected to give “Gifts”. Two of the most memorable gifts I was able to witness comes from 2 presidents of the Philippines. First was Ramos who just gave a book on righteous living and the 2nd one comes from GMA when she was still president. She gave a huge heavy wooden box with a nice emblem of “The President of the Philippines” on top of it. Wondering what’s inside, I stayed until it got opened. We were all shocked at what’s inside — Fresh air! There was nothing except the box. I admired these two for giving the gifts they gave… they had the capacity to give more but they did not give in to pressure. The gifts were simple and yet deep.
Now that I officiate weddings as a pastor, I do stress the importance of getting the right Principal Sponsors. At one point in every marriage ceremony I solemnize, I actually spend a few minutes talking to them and making sure they know what they’re getting into and commit to it before the Lord.
Some downplay the role of the principal sponsors, but with all my heart I believe their roles are far more important than to be eye candies during the wedding. Choose the right ones and you never know if someday they’ll be the ones to come to your rescue. Here are my personal criteria for choosing them.
Relationship – No matter how great your sponsors are, if there is no relationship (or chemistry). Get sponsors who you will often see or at least reachable in case you need them. Not someone who you only see every 5 years. Do not let your parents dictate who you should get simply because they are partners in business or close friends. If they are truly their dear friends, or partners, then explain to them that they are doing them a favor by sparing them the trouble. Don’t get people who are so high in their status that you can’t contact them directly or you’d have to schedule a slot with their secretary to get an appointment. Either they won’t have time for you or won’t even remember who you are.
I’ve personally said “no” to many offers to be one of the principal sponsors because I want to be a responsible sponsor who will be there when my inaanaks need me.
Righteous living – Unfortunately, Rich is not one of the R’s. There are many more things that are far more important than money. Righteousness does not mean being right in man’s eyes. The righteousness I am talking about is being right before God! This criteria is good for Christians and non-Christians alike. If you read the bible, you’d know what I am talking about. A righteous man is indeed a sponsor you’d love to have.
Respected – At least enough for you to listen to him or her. If you don’t respect your sponsor, you won’t even bother talking to the person in case your marriage encounters bumps. I personally will respect a person who I know has wisdom and loves me enough to tell me the truth even when it hurts.
So, if you’ve gotten married years back and it’s now too late to get married, what must you do? Here are 2 things you can do. Reconnect with them even if you’ve not heard from each other since the wedding, which was 10 years ago. Give them a call and ask if you could visit them in your homes. I’m sure they’d appreciate that. If you had sponsors who did not fit the criteria I gave, then find a couple’s group whose leader lives a life worthy to be followed. Perhaps, in case you guys decide to renew your vows someday, you’d have a better chance to pick good sponsors.
John is a pastor at Revelation City Church, Scuba Diving instructor and owns Imagine Nation photo + Video. He is a graduate of business management at DLSU and took up Masteral in Marketing in the same school and is currently in the Pastoral counseling course at Asian Theological Seminary. Monique is a creative wife / help mate to John, a wedding hosts and heads Post Ad ventures (an Events Management company), a youth pastor in Revelation and writes in their blog called “an ounce of faith”. She took Tourism in UP Diliman.
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BeforeIDoChooseGodlySponsors1.jpg526700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2018-03-19 15:50:492018-05-10 19:32:11WaW Before I Do: Choose Godly Sponsors
When I was growing up, I thought that having the most grandiose cake on your wedding spells elegance, class, and it speaks utmost style. It was *that* decade when celebrities get several layers of cake decked with tons of florets, candy pearls, and whatnots because why not, it’s pretty! I know people who got married years and decades before me who had several layers of wedding cake, only they know how many are edible.
It’s fun to scroll ’round Pinterest and Instagram looking for #weddingcakegoals, with naked cakes and cupcakes are in vogue in the wedding industry, and fondant cakes are still rocking it with its new look and technique of making it. I also had my share of my ideal wedding cake because it will help set the mood of the wedding party. It’s also fun to go to bridal fairs and sample cakes from different suppliers and dream about how our first cake eating as a married couple will be like, amidst clinging glasses and cheering guests watching us go through one of the important wedding traditions. Aware of the price tags attached to these delectable wedding cakes, my husband and I chose to settle for a 12-inch, one-layer carrot cake decked with fresh fruits and cream cheese frosting from the country club deli where we had our reception.
In-season cakes are sooo pretty to look at, and I bet these are tasty, too. We may be able to afford to get a several layers, but we decided to get a simple one that’s only a fraction of a towering wedding cake. In fact, our reception venue had us choose between a three-layer cake and overnight suite accommodations at a nearby hotel, and we unanimously chose the suite because we love staycations! I personally think it’s too extravagant to have a towering wedding cake with just a small layer just enough to eat for the traditional cake-cutting and to share with a very few people.
Soon-to-weds, think about this: How important is it for you to have a nice wedding cake, with all the layers and beautiful embellishments? Would you rather spend your monies on other wedding-related expenses and get a simple, non-traditional cake just so you can abide with the cake-cutting traditions? The answers are up to you, darling.
About Kassy Pineda – Alba:
Kassy is a Digital Media Manager for a utilities company, and a budding homemaker who is crazy about Konmari, doing household chores and watching Netflix with her husband.
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BridalBlurbs_WeddingCake1.jpg467700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2018-01-08 14:20:132018-05-10 19:37:27Bridal Blurbs: My Two Cents on Wedding Cakes
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]It’s been roughly ten months since my husband and I got married. A lot has happened: our fun honeymoon, setting up our humble abode, and a handful of health issues. For this entry, I’d like to put emphasis on taking care of your health right now, while you still have a chance.
Many soon-to-wed couples put a premium on losing weight, following an effective skin regimen, or having their teeth straightened or whitened just so they would look good on their wedding day, most forget what lies underneath that beautiful shell that they will clad in intricately-designed wedding gowns and bespoke suits or barongs. For the sake of your overall health, now I ask you: How’s your blood pressure? How about your blood sugar? Have you had your teeth cleaned and checked by an able dentist? When was the last time you saw your OB, or have you ever seen one? Have you felt any suspicious lumps in your body?
It takes a lot of energy to prepare for one special day, and it’s especially tasking since you want every detail to be almost-perfect. Being at the prime of your health before and after the wedding is essential for your overall wellness. Why? You need the energy to deal with suppliers, DIYs, and errands, as well as family members, guests, and other people you will be in contact with in planning your wedding. I’ve mentioned in my previous BB blog that while there may have superstitions that tell soon-to-weds to avoid going out of the house before their wedding, it somehow makes sense because taking on exhausting trips, no matter the distance (because traffic, haha!) may take a toll on the body, so take heed not because of a few hokum but because you want to be at your tip-top shape on your big day.
Your reproductive health is another reason why you have to put your health in check before the big day. If you plan to conceive soon after the wedding or delay childbirth at a later time, it is important to keep your health in check in support of those plans. Taking certain medications, continuing an unhealthy lifestyle, or simply having pre-existing medical conditions may greatly affect your plans in building a family. I won’t go far anymore, I have irregular periods since I started working. Turns out, I have polycystic ovaries that turns my hormones out of whack, among other things. I started consulting with my OB-GYN and scheduled regular check-ups with my cardiologist a year before the wedding and underwent a battery of tests so that we could prevent possible problems when we finally conceive. I also have a friend who plans to have babies a few years after the wedding, so she asked her OB-GYN about options on how to plan for their future offspring.
Regardless if you want babies ASAP or months or years after, it is also best to have your vaccines updated. Get your mom or one of your parent or guardian dig your family baul and look for your immunization records from way back. This is also important especially if you’re planning a honeymoon getaway in areas that require certain inoculations prior to landing. Vaccines like the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR), diptheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTPv), chickenpox vaccine, dengue vaccine, and the annual flu vaccine will give you peace of mind not only during your trip, but also when you already plan on having kids. Ladies, make sure to have your cervical cancer vaccine as well as the MMR vaccine at least six months to a year before getting married to keep you protected!
We vow to take care of our partners “in sickness and in health, till death do we part,” so take initiative in keeping sickness at bay so that you may fully enjoy married life together, forever. Pay attention to every changes in your body, from your eyesight, skin pigmentation, minor aches, period regularity, and even the color of your finger and toe nails, sans polish (yes, this matters!) and have these checked ASAP before it’s too late. Brides and grooms, take charge of your health NOW. I guarantee you, one day of taking time off from wedding planning to attend to your health and wellness will be so worth it not only for the sake of your wedding, but also for the rest of your lives.
Kassy is a Digital Media Manager for a utilities company, and a budding homemaker who is crazy about Konmari, doing household chores and watching Netflix with her husband.[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 2″][/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/BridalBlurbs_CheckUps1.jpg525700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2017-10-09 13:11:022017-10-09 13:11:02Bridal Blurbs: Why You Need to Check on Your Health Before Tying the Knot
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]I’m saddened that some churches actually do not allow vows. Think about it… What’s the point of not allowing it? Does it make the wedding too long? Are we doubting the couple’s capability to know exactly what to say? Does it make the wedding too dramatic? Whatever the reason is for not allowing, I think the reason for why we should outweighs by far why we shouldn’t. For me, vows are sacred therefore is the most important part of the ceremony. I always tell the photographers that I train – there are 2 parts of the wedding where you can anticipate the most tears – the bride’s entrance and the personal vows. I don’t think I need to expound on why.
It was a touching moment when a friend of mine actually asked me to help him organize a surprise renewal of vows in Boracay. One of the things that he said for his vows was “I have to admit, when we first got married, I was merely repeating what the priest said but did not mean any of it. Now I want to give you my real vow.” Everyone was in tears specially the fact that all those around them knew this couple was in the brink of separating few months prior.
Now here is why I want to push you to do your personal vows:
“I ….” – Vows are real! It is about you and what’s inside your heart. Your vows are your commitment. As the couple gets into this new and lifelong phase, they are usually troubled by so much doubt or the “what if’s”. A vow can remove these fears and replace them with hope that these promises brings.
“I will…” – Vows are what marriage is all about! Marriage is not just a ceremony but it is union of 2 separate people. This union should be covered by an agreement about what changes this new life brings. A stated vow tells everyone they know what they’re getting into — specially with regard to their boundaries and behaviors. The words “I will” are strong active words that tell your partner “You can count on me to do this”.
“I vow not to” – Vows sets boundaries. As you enter this new life, what do you agree to change? Is it to let go of some of the things, habits and people in your life? Is it a commitment never to leave no matter what? Is it not to sleep when the other person is still angry? Vows set parameters and boundaries of what can’t be done.
Last and the least, Vows make SDE’s better – Though this is not the main reason why we should do our vows, it is a prize that comes with doing your responsibility. Personal vows make your videos special because then it becomes personal. Someday when your video is played back, you wouldn’t own up to a vow that you were required to repeat would you? But a personal vow would resonate down your soul and make you want to own up to it.
So what if your church does not allow you to make a vow? Here are some of my suggestions:
a. Say it in your video – either as a surprise to the other party (so shoot individually) or go to a remote place and have your videographer video it (shoot as a couple). b. Do it at your wedding reception – If your program is too long, then its better to cut out the less important traditionals like games and AVPs. I think this is more important. You don’t need a priest or pastor for God to hear and bless your vows. c. Write it to out each other / put it in your website – Vows are like goals. If you don’t set it in stone, tendency is it moves and changes.
So that’s my personal opinion on vows. It’s sad that most couples wait until the last minute to do it. And as I end my vows, may I have a request for those people who do. I pray that your vows will always be real and genuine. Not memorized… Not commercialized…. It doesn’t have to be memorized word for word but my final advice to you is to simply just say what you mean and mean what you say, remembering that the vow you make is not just to your spouse but also to God. I hope this article blessed you.
Read more of John and Monique Ong’s WaW Before I Do articles at weddingsatwork.com/category/waw-before-i-do/.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_block_grid type=”two-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 1″]About John & Monique Ong:
John is a pastor at Revelation City Church, Scuba Diving instructor and owns Imagine Nation photo + Video. He is a graduate of business management at DLSU and took up Masteral in Marketing in the same school and is currently in the Pastoral counseling course at Asian Theological Seminary. Monique is a creative wife / help mate to John, a wedding hosts and heads Post Ad ventures (an Events Management company), a youth pastor in Revelation and writes in their blog called “an ounce of faith”. She took Tourism in UP Diliman.[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 2″][/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
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As a member of the female entourage, you are expected to be available for the designated measurement and fitting schedule of the designer (as agreed with the bride). Please avoid being late, asking for a last-minute change in schedule (unless there’s a major emergency), or forcing changes in the styles of the clothes assigned to you. Dress the part. You’re not the bride, you’re a member of the entourage so you shouldn’t have a dress that steals the scene from the bride. Otherwise, you’ll have a stressed out bride cursing the day she thought of including you in her entourage.
It is becoming common for brides to ask their entourage to share in the cost or to shoulder the cost of their gowns. If budget is too tight, let the bride know so she can make adjustments in her entourage list. Giving her the cold shoulder or putting her in your “seenzone” list just makes the bride anxious. She doesn’t know if you still want in or out. So better to say so as soon as you’re told you need to shell out for your dress as your gift to the couple.
Another item in the list for the female entourage would be make-up and hair. The bride may volunteer to source a supplier who charges less. If you have someone else in mind to handle your own make up and hair, do tell the bride right away so she won’t get stuck with paying for the hair and make-up of 6 heads when in fact, only 5 will be present on the day. Also, please follow the designated hair style — if everyone has been asked to go “hair down”, please don’t request your hair stylist to give you an updo. The bride is the star of the show; no one should steal her thunder.
As a member of the male entourage, you may either be expected to produce your own suit/barong or to be available for measurement-taking and fitting. Don’t take the fitting schedule lightly, unless, you want a suit/barong that looks like it was made for someone else – too loose or too tight.
While the reception is not as formal as the ceremony, you do need to remember that there’s usually an entrance for the entourage. So before changing your clothes, removing your tie, or crumpling up your barong, do ask the coordinators if you need to be in your prescribed attire ’til a certain point in the reception programme.
You will be part of a lot of pictorials – first, at the preps venue; second, at the church/ceremony venue, and if still needed, a third time at the reception venue before the programme starts. So get ready to wake up early, to come on time, and to smile. No need to stress out the bride and groom by complaining about your make-up, your hair, your attire, and the food. No need to also stress out the coordinators by being a bigger baby than the bride or groom. They are there to take care of the bride, the groom, and the wedding plans. They didn’t sign up to be yayas of the entourage. Do not ask them to iron your attire, get your shoes in the car, etc. Do not leave as well and make them hunt for you after you’ve been specifically told of the schedule of the day.
6. You might be asked to give a message/speech. Prepare for it. Don’t just wing it on the day. You will sound like you’re rambling and you might even cause people to leave. Instead, write your outline. Think of what should be in the message. Is it an inside joke? No need to include it. Is it a story that will make the other side appreciate the bride/groom, by all means include it. When you make an outline and write your speech, you will have time to edit and make sure your message contains only what is necessary and it will be delivered in the most understandable (and perhaps, the most entertaining) way possible.
7. You might be asked to take on some tasks like distributing favors, inviting others to partake in the activities prepared by the couple, dancing during the entrance, or joining a game. Do participate. Don’t be that one person who, because of being a kill joy, destroys the happiness of others. (Note to couples though, please don’t ask your entourage to dance if you yourselves won’t dance an upbeat number.)
8. You’re expected to be present all throughout. It will never sit well with anyone if you will leave right after ceremony or you will leave right after eating at the reception. Tell the bride and groom honestly if you have work on their wedding day or if you can’t come home or you’re planning to go abroad. That way they can take you out of the list early on – with time to spare for preparing the right attire. Let the couple know as well, if for religious reasons, you are not allowed to participate in their ceremony.
9. Be on time for the ceremony and know your tasks if you’ve been assigned as candle, veil, or cord sponsor. Don’t look like a lost kid in the middle of the aisle or at the altar area. Ask the coordinators if you’re not sure of what you’re supposed to do. Listen as well to their instructions. The best man and maid of honor will receive instructions as well especially if the church admin is strict or the pastor wants them to take on roles. Listen, listen, listen so there will be no mistakes during the ceremony.
10. You will be sent messages to remind you of schedules or instructions regarding what to do on the day, please respond. Nothing is more impolite than reading the message yet avoiding a response. If you can’t handle the tasks at hand, say so. It’s more difficult for the bride/groom to ask you straight if you’d rather not be part of the entourage (after you initially said yes). Better to say “no” earlier than later.
Here’s something else to ponder: What if you haven’t been asked to be part of the entourage? In all honesty, you feel you should be in the list because you’re a relative, you’re close to either the bride/groom, or your parents are best friends. Please don’t talk to the bride/groom or their parents to volunteer to be part of the entourage or to have your child as one of the flower girls/bearers. They are the ones getting married, so they have the prerogative to choose.
It’s not easy being part of the entourage. The expectation goes beyond just looking pretty or handsome on the day. There are tasks to be done, requests to heed, and sacrifices to undertake. If you’re not willing to be under the sun on the day for pictorials, to wake up early and be one time, or to be present all throughout, please do tell the bride and groom to give the role to someone else who is more deserving of the title. They would appreciate your honesty, believe me. ☺
Read more of Darlene Tan – Salazar’s WaW Wedding Tip Sheet articles at weddingsatwork.com/category/waw-wedding-tip-sheet/.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_block_grid type=”two-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 1″ class=”aligncenter”]About Darlene Tan-Salazar, W@W Supplier of Year (2015):
Darlene started out as a Planner/Coordinator of Perfect 10 Weddings. Since she needed more time for family matters, she opted to focus on emceeing, and has since started “The Wedding Tip Sheet“, a Facebook page that tackles the practical points in planning a wedding.[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 2″][/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
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My mom woke me up at 6:30 AM. I had time to take a bath and eat a very hearty meal, thank goodness for breakfast buffets!
The very first supplier to arrive was my HMUA team. I was still having breakfast when she called, and it was just 30 minutes before the 8:00 AM call time. After breakfast, we went upstairs to my room and set up the make-up stations for the female entourage. I have already changed to my blue romper, and everything was happening in a blur. We started primping up at 8:30 AM, and just in time, my lovely coordinator arrived, then my florist, who came with my beautiful tulip-and-rose bouquet. My room was abuzz with people coming in for styling, taking footage and photos, so I sat back and just enjoyed the moment. After all, I have properly turned over our things to our very efficient and reliable coordination team.
Come lunch time, we ordered food from the fast food chain just across the hotel. My bridal assistant handled it well, from coordinating its entry to distributing it to my family. However, there were miscommunications with the fast food crew because the hotline ordered our food from another branch far from the hotel; and by the time the delivery guy arrived, the hotel security did not allow him in. We were only able to eat about two hours before we leave.
Because we were running out of time, my bridal assistant gave me her lunch pack. It was similar to what I ordered anyway so I ate. All flat surfaces were being used by the HMUA team so some of my female entourage propped up the ironing board for me so I can eat lunch. Bawal ang maarte!
At this time, I have no idea what is happening in the groom’s suit a few floors down, but one of his groomsmen’s fiancée posted a photo on our barkada group about one of the male entourage’s ripped pants. Thankfully, another one of the groomsmen’s wife-to-be has mad sewing skills, so yay for that!
After lunch, my couturier and bridal manager helped me with my gown. Ah, this is it! My documentations team took photos and videos thereafter, with my female entourage, and with each people that brought me gifts from my then-fiancé and a note that he cannot wait to see me. Aww. I also had a moment with each of my family members, and had photos taken with them.
And it was time to leave. Dun dun duuuun.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/BridalBlurbs_Aug2017.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”” class=”aligncenter”][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]I was told that the groom’s party already left for church so we prepared to leave. I rode the bridal car with my sister, niece, and my bridal manager. We were all just laughing and taking Instagram stories on the way to church, while I complain how hot and heavy my gown was. Tiis-ganda! Oh well. Few more hours left until I take it off.
We arrive fifteen minutes before our set time. I was left with my funny bridal car driver and bridal manager, and we were poking fun at how tiring the day was, even if we haven’t started the main event yet. I impatiently sat in my bridal car, naka-de-kwatro na sa inip. Ten minutes left. How could time suddenly slow down, I thought.
I see one of my suppliers furiously walking towards the church entrance. I asked, why the face? And the he said something, to which I said, “Relax lang!” He laughed at the irony, saying that he should be the one telling me that. When I closed the window, my driver told me the same thing, and that I was the first relaxed bride he ever encountered. Hindi niya alam na inip na inip na ako.
Alas, my bridal manager asked me to alight the vehicle. My photo-video team instructed me to get off the vehicle slowly, with finesse, at least for the photos, and smile. Ooookay. Pagod na ako ngumiti, to be honest, pero kaya pa, besh.
While my bridal manager briefed me with what to do, the P/V team snapping shots, with the Canon in D in the background. My chest was pounding. I then whispered to my bridal manager:
“Teh, painom.”
She hands me my bottle of water, and I sip through the straw. A moment after:
“Teh, yung tumbler?”
It was THE tumbler. The tumbler that holds all the magic, the strength to keep it together. Well, it was a vodka-spiked ice-cold peach juice, okaaay.
And a few moments after sipping almost half of the tumbler, my bridal manager instructed me to look down. The doors creaked open. Here we go.
I saw the altar. Familiar faces. My parents waiting for me midway to the aisle. A few camera phones capturing the moment, yet careful not to steal the show. I see our friends and family happy-crying.
As I got closer to my parents, my mom was already crying, my dad smiling. I laughed and joined them. Oh, boy, so this is it, right?
And then I see my groom crying. He must be as overwhelmed as me. A lump of air blocked my throat, but I caught it fast and swallowed it, and let out a nervous chuckle. Thank you, vodka!
I kissed my parents, and my dad handed his youngest daughter to the boy she met 12 years ago and loved “illegally” for three months until she cannot hide it anymore, despite the parents’ prodding to not get into a relationship until after college. I also took a moment to hug my groom’s parents, as a way of showing my gratitude for raising the man I prayed for, dreamed of, and I wished on New Year’s Day of 2004, five months before meeting my future husband.
I did not cry, but my groom did. I said my vows with my voice breaking up at one point, but still managed to keep it together. My groom said an impromptu vow, shedding some more happy tears. Everything happened so fast, but we made sure we remember most of it. We sang the communion song with the choir, recalling how we said many years before getting married that we will use that song on our wedding day. We sealed our union with a kiss. It was a happy day.
And our reception? Oh, we had tons of fun, especially because I already changed to my lace sneakers to get ready for our grand entrance as Mr. and Mrs. All our bellies our full and so are our hearts. Seeing people who matter in our lives in one room is enough for our hearts to swell.
I guess the main takeaway from our wedding is that we thought of what my husband and I think we can enjoy with our guests, like we know that it is okay to veer away from the usual, like we didn’t have a dove release because kawawa naman the birds, or a tall cake because the price is too exuberant for us, and we thought it would be practical to have a 12-inch square carrot cake decked with lots of fruits so that we can also share it with our families and friend after the wedding. For the wedding programme, most people think that couple games are already passé, so we had games per table that had almost everyone compete with each other. Also, having two brilliant stand-up comedians perform their sets and team up with the best wedding coordinator-slash-wedding host brought the house down. And the food. The foooood! Even until now, our guests are still raving about our sumptuous spread, that I now realize that taking time to discuss with the banquet for details and taking the food tasting seriously makes a whole lot of difference.
I would also like to emphasize on getting a reliable wedding coordinator. We had THE BEST team! Save for some minor glitches during our hotel preps, which is beyond our control already, they ran our weddings very smoothly, and they barely bothered us for questions. This is why it’s so important to nit-pick every detail with your coordinator every face-to-face meeting, and to turn over COMPLETE and DETAILED deliverables before the set deadline so both parties may still have room to discuss and clarify. We enjoyed our wedding, the company of our guests, and the good food because our OTD coordinator took charge well and good, and even beyond our expectations.
Looking back now, my husband and I are proud that we did most things right during our wedding, and it warms our heart knowing that family and friends still remembers how they enjoyed our very special day.
Kassy is a Digital Media Manager for a utilities company, and a budding homemaker who is crazy about Konmari, doing household chores and watching Netflix with her husband.
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/BridalBlurbs_Aug2017.jpg467700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2017-08-17 22:54:522018-11-08 21:52:33Bridal Blurbs: Learning and Musings from our Wedding Day (The Big Day)
Before my husband asked me to marry him, I have been daydreaming about how I want our wedding to be. From saving the nice to haves and filtering it down to the bare essentials, the only thing constant to MY own wedding bubble is to finally spend forever with the love of my life.
For 18 months since the proposal to the wedding day, we sat down, discussed, pencil pushed, and brainstormed to make the best days of our lives happen. See? Some couples plan for their wedding for one and half years, some even shorter or longer, only for the actual event to happen in just a matter of hours! Wedding planning is reaaaaally a tedious process, and it involves time, money, blood, sweat and lots of tears; and wedding planning will not only involve you and your partner, but also the whole family as well, whether you like it or else.
Okay, so you may be reading this entry because you want to know what happens before couples walk down the aisle. I am writing this based on my experience, timeline, and length of preps, which will enormously vary per couple. Are you ready to bring me back to memory lane? Let’s do this.
A MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING:
Except for a few, everything was set a month before our big day. We finished booking all suppliers in September, and most of the gowns have been collected at this point. A few details, like the missalettes, table numbers, and place cards were being produced and ready for printing. Invitations have been distributed and diligent guests have already responded to our invitation.
We decided on a December wedding because it is the perfect time for relatives overseas to fly home and celebrate Christmas with the family. As they say, iba talaga ang Pasko dito sa Pilipinas, so we took advantage of this thought and booked our wedding during the Yuletide season. Last Christmas was the busiest because we were polishing details for our wedding, and at the same time joining the holiday merriments.
[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text style=”margin-top:30%;margin-bottom:30%;”]
Last minute DIY for our ring box
[/cs_text][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/BridalBlurbsJune2017_4.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]I filed my vacation leave two weeks before the wedding so I can have ample time to attend to wedding matters. My then-fiancé still had no leave credits then because he was just four months on the job before the wedding. We still had a lot to do, buy, and settle just when we thought we’re ready for the big day, but because I am on leave, I had a lot of time to do it all. Both my husband and I also delegated tasks to some family members and a few friends.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/BridalBlurbsJune2017_3.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text style=”margin-top:50%;margin-bottom:50%;”]
Time to say goodbye to my old room.
[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Everything was set and packed on Christmas Eve, but there was a problem: I was hacking a bad case of dry cough since a week before Christmas. That was the time when we were transferring things to our new home. It was drizzling the whole week. One time, I forgot to bring an umbrella nor put on a hat or a towel to protect my back from the moisture, and I thought I will be able to get away with it since I believed that a few doses of Vitamin C after being exposed to the elements can shield me from getting sick. I was very wroooong. I got too tired enjoying what my friends prepared to honor me on my last days of being single, and it also didn’t help that I was losing sleep worrying about one of my suppliers!
[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text style=”margin-top:50%;margin-bottom:50%;”]Got my bridal nails did 6 days before the wedding. It has to be gel polish for durability![/cs_text][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/BridalBlurbsJune2017_1.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Lesson learned: Take care of yourself! While I am not superstitious at all, I now realize why ye olde peoples tell soon-to-weds to stay at home prior to the wedding. Take multivitamins religiously every day to supplement energy loss and to protect yourself from viruses, and it would be healthy to note not to take or overdose yourself post-exposure because the vitamins won’t be able to protect your already-compromised immunity at this point. It would also help to carry a handy bottle of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer wherever you go; and no matter how inconvenient it is to carry an umbrella or a light jacket, just bring one just in case the weather gets nippy or moist.
My then-fiancé and I checked in to the hotel a day before the wedding with our families. It was our last day being single, so we spent the rest of the day hanging out with our folks and siblings. It was—to put it in the vernacular—nakaka-senti.
I was still coughing a day before the wedding, so even if we’re already set, I wasn’t able to sleep until 12 MN. Good thing I remembered that video I watched on Facebook about a Vicks life hack to suppress coughing, so I slathered a huge dollop of it on my feet and put on socks, and then everything was okay after.
What happened on the big day? Late lunch delivery, the bride’s pre-walk drink, and the crying groom! Wait for the PART 2 of this entry!
Kassy is a Digital Media Manager for a utilities company, and a budding homemaker who is crazy about Konmari, doing household chores and watching Netflix with her husband.
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/BridalBlurbsJune2017_5.jpg1050700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2017-07-03 19:23:372018-11-08 22:04:16Bridal Blurbs: Learning and Musings from our Wedding, Part 1
One of the most difficult tasks of wedding preparations is preparing the guest list. Why is it difficult?
First, there’s the RSVP conundrum — some don’t know it’s a requirement to respond, while others simply ignore the need to respond. A few cultures also dictate that RSVP call outs/text blasts are rude and should not be done.
Second, the guest list is a combination of so many individuals, emotions, and cultures. So there will be people asking to include others when you specifically gave a seat allotment already. There will be individuals who need to be seated as far apart as possible. Moreover, there will be people who need to be seated in front even if everyone knows they will leave right after eating.
Third, the parents usually make their opinions felt when it comes to drafting the guest list. Stress comes in when space & budget constraints come into play.
I’m sure you can think of other reasons. But let’s talk about possible solutions to stressors, shall we?
Solution #1: Come to an agreement with your parents regarding the number of guests your space and budget can accommodate. Do this early on so that you won’t feel stressed when the big day is looming and you’re arguing over the number of guests they can invite. (Please note that this part is applicable for those who are paying for their own wedding. Definitely, one cannot restrict the number of guests a parent can invite if the parent is paying for the reception.)
Solution #2: Write the RSVP part of your invitation with the intent to receive answers. Instead of saying you have already reserved a number of seats, encode the ff:
To reserve ___ seat/s, please send your name/s
on or before (date that’s 2 weeks prior to your wedding date)
to (name, number, and e-mail address of your coordinator if it’s included in your package, if not, you may use your name and details).
This isn’t originally mine. I got this idea from the magazine, “Martha Stewart Weddings Philippines”. I just tweaked it a bit. Based on experience, it does get people to respond a bit more than the usual “We have reserved ____ seat/s for you”. Note that this sentence connotes a reservation has been made; thus, no need to respond.
Solution #3: Do your RSVP text blasts and call outs right after the RSVP deadline. Here’s a possible schedule:
13 days before your big day, send this message: Good am, this is (name of coordinator), the coordinator of (first and last name of the groom & first and last name of the bride). Their wedding is on (date), in (ceremony venue) at (time indicated in the invite). We are confirming attendance to their wedding. Kindly send your name/s and either “attending” or “regrets”. Thank you in advance for your kind understanding and consideration.
11 days before your big day, send the same message only to those who didn’t respond during your first text blast
9 days before your big day, you may call those who didn’t respond
You may not get a 100% response rate, but at least you will have a pretty good idea of who is going and who isn’t. You can already plot names & table numbers based on the layout of the caterer/hotel, and finally confirm with the caterer if you truly need to add seats or you can stick to your original booking.
Solution #4: Start drafting the guest list with table numbers after you’ve gotten around 80 to 90% of your guests’ responses. Remember to separate the columns:
Column A – Table number per row (do not group/merge because you need to alphabetize later and you can’t sort it if there are merged cells)
Column B – Surnames of the guests
Column C – First names of guests
Optional but advisable, Column D – designations of the guests/their relationship to you (parent, relative, entourage, godparent, etc.)
*This will help coordinators give the right seats to those who will come in without having sent in their responses. If the person says she’s an office mate, then the coordinators will just look for the table with such designation.
Show your parents where you’re seating their friends and relatives. As much as possible have the same position for both sides — if the relatives of the bride are seated close to the front, then the relatives of the groom should ideally be in the same position on the other side of the ballroom.
Know the position of your speakers so that you can avoid seating the elderly close to these sound boxes. Also, make sure your participative friends/relatives are seated close to the center, so that there will be reactions to your program and people will be more interested in what’s going on.
Solution #5: Have a table with no guests — this is your buffer table. It should be free so that the coordinators can seat those who didn’t RSVP right away. This will avoid tension at the registration area especially if there are a lot of people who are also trying to get their table numbers. (Yes, you read it right, solution #5 is for the small percentage who will never respond or give a definite response no matter how many messages are sent and no matter how many calls are made.)
Of course, as with all tips, these aren’t fool-proof, but they are based on experience and there is much hope that these tips will keep you from going crazy while preparing your guest list.
Please don’t give up and resort to “free seating” mode. This will cause problems on the day with family members having seats so far away from the program area, guests getting mad at coordinators because they can’t find a table with the right number of seats for their group, and coordinators being unable to find people assigned to speak, perform, and the like.
But what if it’s really next to impossible to give everyone designated seats?
Bonus Solution: You may resort to zoning. But this is only if you’ve tried and you really can’t determine the grouping of people by 10’s (assuming 10 chairs per table).
How?
Step 1: Determine the major groupings.
Step 2: Assign a set of tables to each group, make sure your parents and your immediate family members have specific seats/tables.
example: relatives of the bride (tables 20 to 25), office mates of the bride (tables 26 and 27)
Step 3: Prepare table cards to help coordinator track how many seats are left per table and to make sure guests won’t get tables which aren’t assigned to them; you may also have a sign up sheet per table although this seems less elegant in terms of tracking if there are still seats left per table
So for instance, a group comes in and says they are relatives of the bride and there are 15 of them, the coordinator can give them 15 cards bearing tables 20 and 21. That means there are still 5 more seats at table 21 that can be given away later. If another big group comes in but the coordinators have given away almost all cards, they can easily give this group seats because they know which tables have remaining extra seats. No need to go inside the hall and check. No need then to make these guests wait too long to get seats.
Choose the strategy which works for you and for your family dynamics. That way, there will be less stress on the day for those who are giving the table numbers and for those on the receiving end.
About Darlene Tan-Salazar, W@W Supplier of Year (2015):
Darlene started out as a Planner/Coordinator of Perfect 10 Weddings. Since she needed more time for family matters, she opted to focus on emceeing, and has since started “The Wedding Tip Sheet“, a Facebook page that tackles the practical points in planning a wedding.
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WeddingTipSheet_GuestList.jpg467700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2017-05-30 09:50:392018-11-08 21:30:23WaW Wedding Tip Sheet: Guest List? RSVP? I am stressed!
When my husband and I got engaged, we knew more or less what we want done on our wedding day. We just needed someone to help us put these ideas together to make our big day uniquely our own in an organized manner. Not only did we ask around for recommendations, we also researched and considered our preferences in searching for THE dream team.
Prior to meeting our coordinator, my husband and I sat down and discussed our non-negotiables as a couple, and individual preferences for our big day. We also pooled ideas from family members, friends, and previous weddings we attended to know what we like (and we don’t like) for our wedding and the after party. As soon as we were settled, we discussed our inputs with our wedding coordinator.
We booked an on-the-day coordination because we took charge in booking and dealing with all our suppliers. Yes, we planned our wedding during lunch breaks, down times in the office, after work, and during the weekend, and had the coordinator run the show. It was tiring but it was all worth it! I know a couple who opted to hire a coordinator to help them with some of the planning, and there’s this one friend who hired a full-time planner because they are based overseas.
Still debating whether to get a wedding coordinator? Let me convince you:
Experienced coords know what’s good for you
An experienced wedding coordinator will talk sense to you. He/she will throw you no BS and will not sugarcoat their opinions simply because they’ve done a million weddings and have seen the best and the worst. When I wanted a certain type of game on our wedding day, she discouraged me because it will not engage the crowd. Instead, she suggested another game that is a whole lot better and much more fun!
They will help you to get things done
Because they have done a hundred weddings, efficient wedding coordinators have a very detailed checklist of essentials you need months before your wedding. They will even have a laundry list of items you need to prepare come actual day like things to bring in the church and reception. Sometimes all you and your fiance should do is to comply to these lists so that your wedding will run smoothly—and this is important, by the way, because even the most veteran coordinator may not be able to execute what you want for your big day if you don’t help the team, so do your part, coordinate early and efficiently with them months before the wedding!
Their bridal resource network are vast
Still lack suppliers? Maybe they can recommend. Five months into the preps, my then-fiance and I were starting to worry because we still cannot find a budget-friendly tailor to make my groom’s suit. I asked our coordinator for leads, and she reverted with a few names. And because they have worked with a lot of suppliers already, they will not have a hard time dealing with them!
They know what to do come wedding day
During our wedding day, our events team ran the show like how we discussed on our pre-event meetings. We didn’t need to worry about anything at all! My husband and I also dispel the myth that newlyweds aren’t able to enjoy their first meal because they are busy with things that need to be done during the reception. Efficient coordinators also know how to handle crisis come D-day. I have a friend who left their garter in their hotel room, good thing their coordinator has an extra one on his kit. Another friend and her husband got stuck in traffic on the way to the reception. Their coordinator brought out the bride’s flip flops so they could sprint to the hotel. I brought a tumbler with a cold drink because I knew I would get thirsty before walking down the aisle, and I completely forgot that sipping direct on my tumbler will ruin my perfectly-shaped lips! My bridal manager pulled out a straw from her kit and assisted me while drinking from my tumbler—life saver!
Why you should make your coordinator your wedding best friend
Next to your groom, family, entourage, and close friends, your coordinator will never, ever, want your wedding to fail! But as I have addressed it a few paragraphs back, your event’s success will also rely on how timely you and your fiance(e) will turn over things and update your team so your wedding will run smoothly. Some things may not turn out the way you and your partner want it, but know that your dream team will be on top on things so you can enjoy your first few hours as Mr. and Mrs.!
About Kassy Pineda – Alba:
Kassy is a Digital Media Manager for a utilities company, and a budding homemaker who is crazy about Konmari, doing household chores and watching Netflix with her husband.
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/BridalBlurbs_Coordinator.jpg467700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2017-04-28 10:40:122018-11-08 21:36:22Bridal Blurbs: Why You Need an Efficient Wedding Coordinator for Your Wedding
I have attended a few weddings as a child; almost all of these were as a flower girl. There was one wedding I remember every bit of detail—shiny, puffy-sleeved bridal gown with colorful trimmings, teased bridal hair, and the grand entrance of the couple with swords and flames and, uh, a marching band? My flower girl attire was a beautiful satin gown with semi-puffed sleeves and little flowers on my chest, and oh boy that dress made me itch so much!
That’s ’90s wedding for you, from a six-year-old flower girl’s perspective.I never thought about how my wedding will look, how I want my wedding dress, or what decors to have until I opened a Pinterest account in 2011. All I knew about weddings back then were the traditions that came with it and its significance in legally binding a relationship between a man and a woman, and more recently, between two individuals regardless of gender.
It would be fitting to call our wedding a millennial wedding. I would like to define it as a wedding custom-fit for the couple, cutting out “unnecessary” traditions and keeping ones that matter, and adding a touch of technology, current trends, and the personalities of the bride and groom.
Wedding planning is crazy, and it’s more cray to arrange a millennial wedding around Filipino wedding traditions most people are accustomed to. Sure, there will always be couples who will opt for a cookie-cutter type of wedding, but there are a number of couples who will veer away from traditions, or at the very least, will only pick the relevant ones to respect the culture they are in as homage to history and tradition, whether it’s a family or a cultural thing. Some couples may even describe it as a tug-of-war between them and their very traditional parents and/or relatives who may insist on doing things the way they did it in the past because it worked for them and it should work for the couple as well.
What makes a millennial wedding? Is it really required nowadays to subscribe to the modern way of planning a wedding, or do we just go the traditional way of doing things? Let’s break it down, shall we?
Traditional Invites vs. E-Invites
It is customary that couple who are planning to wed to send our invites at least three weeks before the wedding. Those who have been invited to weddings in the past years may have received physical invitations with embossed flowers and actual ribbons on shiny, scented paper, with quotes from the bride and groom printed somewhere on the invite. That would be enough back then, but nowadays, engaged couples have the option to send out save-the-date cards a year before the wedding, followed by the formal invite. The formal invite, depending on the couple’s preference or budget, may be printed out or sent digitally through e-mail or posted on the couple’s preferred events page platform. Some couples, on the other hand, opt to just send soft copies of their wedding invites online, saving on printing and mailing costs.
Wedding Communications
Phone calls and broadsheet publications are still the best way to announce a couple’s engagement. I still remember when I was younger, I would check my parents’ favorite newspaper for newly-married and affianced couples and I thought it was cool to have your wedding announced through that medium. But you know, as I grew older, my plans changed with what’s #trending, so I announced our engagement on Facebook and Instagram just hours after I was given the ring—well, that’s because both our families knew my then-boyfriend-now-husband was going to propose on that day!
Apart from our Facebook event page, we also made a website that contained maps, venue information, and some more details that will help them get around and be comfortable on our wedding. Digital media is a very effective tool to communicate with guests, entourage, and even suppliers, and relay important messages that may be useful on the wedding day.
Because of technological advancements, couples will not have a hard time collecting photos from friends and family post-event. Couples can get extra creative by utilizing hashtags for their event. Say, if a couple named Joey and Doris are getting married this year, they may use the hashtags #JoeyMayNowKissDoris2017, or something more witty or catchy. Hashtags included in the caption make it easy for newlyweds to see moments captured on their special day by friends.
Bespoke wedding
My husband and I made do with very few traditions. We made sure that we had the pamamanhikan before everything was cast in stone. I followed the customary something blue, something new, something borrowed, and something old, no pearl earrings on wedding day, and to have flowers in church no matter how bloody expensive it was to get from the lone accredited supplier! Despite those, we did not have a dove release ceremony because we thought it was cheesy. No bouquet and garter throwing because we don’t want only the single guests to have fun; instead, we had a Minute-to-Win-it inspired game so that everyone, including married and very young guests can enjoy! I also wore a champagne-colored gown instead of a labang-Tide white because I feel that it doesn’t fit my personality and body type!
Some people may say that you won’t lose anything if you follow traditions or superstitions, but if practicality or your personal values reigns over it, by all means, go against it. For example, brides are told not to wear their wedding gown prior to their wedding. What if the bride booked a couturier with zero professional background and receives a gown that doesn’t fit? What if the bride suddenly contracts an illness that may cause her to bloat or lose a tremendous amount of weight? Consider the risks you will be taking should you decide to follow such pamahiins, and know your options before submitting yourself to or against it.
But in every wedding–be it a very traditional one or a modern-day millennial wedding–we should not forget the love between us and our respective partners, and the beautiful lives we are to live together, for better and for worse, forever and ever.
About Kassy Pineda:
When not engrossed with her day job as a Digital Media Manager for a utilities company, Kassy muses about her thoughts on wedding preparations and her future married life with her fiance.
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/BridalBlurbs_MillennialWedding1.jpg471700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2017-03-15 14:01:592018-11-08 21:21:51Bridal Blurbs: Planning a Millennial Wedding in a Traditional Environment
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Before they marry, specially in the few days prior, couples are often faced by multitudes of questions. Some of these questions are ok to be left unanswered as they are not as toxic or as harmful as some. These are questions that are just part of the wedding jitters but there are some that should never ever be brushed aside because these are supposed to trigger warning signs should you be not ready.
I know it’s been said before to almost all people getting married that “any sign of doubt, you should put off the wedding” but out of every 100 weddings, how many do you think gets set aside until smoke clears out? One or maybe not even. Usually, we pay more attention to the stronger feeling of (1) Shame – what will people say? We’ve already sent out invites, (2) Waste – we’ve already spent so much and (3) Confidence – maybe its just part of getting married and we’ll just sort it out once we are there.
Well, do me a favor and keep the questions that I mention… dwell on it and be sure of your answers.
Am I really ready? – Did I give this decision enough thought and prayer? Being ready is not just to receive but to let go. Like what? Hobbies, friends, lifestyle & relatives! I am not saying ignore them totally but to fix your priorities and make your spouse #2 in your life.
Do I really know my partner? – There are different levels of knowing… sometimes, people use their hearts too much and leave so much to be risked. Did you give the relationship enough time for you to know not only the good points but the bad points. Realize that just like a car, problems don’t usually manifest or show up early on. Many traits are triggered by situations and so to know each other truly you should have gone through different situations in life. These are recessed characteristics that are rarely triggered but must be known. How is your partner during these situations (there are more actually)?:
He loses money
There is conflict of ideas
drunk?
Made to wait
Irritated
Do I really trust my partner? – Is he what he says he is or are there kept secrets? How do you know? Have you met the future in-laws and the best friends? Have you pointed out your person of peace?
Are we ready in all aspects? – all means ALL!
Financially – Are there debts that need to be settled? Have we actually done financial planning on how income and expenses would look once we live together?
Physically – Any Sickness I need to be aware of? I know some people who after a year of marriage have become widows. Aside from health, are we both physically capable of fulfilling our roles as husband & wife? These include plan Bs for kids in case we can’t bear one.
Mentally – Do we agree that we both want to do this will all our heart, mind and soul?
Legally – Are we of legal age and have we fixed up everything that needed to be fixed? Hopefully not pre-marital agreements but similar to those things.
Spiritually – Did I get my parents blessing, do we share the same faith and beliefs?
Do I know my responsibilities & am do I accept them? Some people don’t know at all but some know but don’t accept thinking they’ll find a way around it or that they must be an exception but the worse part is, some people think they know but they actually don’t. These are people who think that marriage is easy because they see only the good side of it. Don’t take me wrong, marriage is good… but I believe, marriage is good only when the husband and wife loves and lives in harmony. Then marriage feels like a blessing…
So if you seriously used the questions above to figure out whether you are with the right person or this is the right time or situation, then you probably got some warning signs up. Now what are you to do about these? While I do believe that “No one is really 100% ready” as they walk down the altar. I being an entrepreneur also believe that you don’t just ignore them. Discuss them with your fiancee and come up with an attack plan. It would be suicidal to just keep them to yourself and think everything will fix itself (cause it won’t). Now I know some will do that thinking it might freak their spouse saying “You are calling off the wedding just because of an article you read?” but they won’t and they shouldn’t! and if they do — well then that’s another warning sign for you.
There’s more valid questions but I believe these are my top 5s. What are yours?
Want to know more? We’re actually organizing a one day event on Feb 21, 20171 – 6 pm at the Robinson’s Magnolia Activity Center. It’s free for soon-to-be weds but if you want us to reserve you a seat, be sure to register at www.beforeidoworkshop.com
Read more of John & Monique Ong’s Before I Do articles at www.weddingsatwork.com/category/waw-before-i-do/.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_block_grid type=”two-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 1″]About John & Monique Ong:
John is a pastor at Revelation City Church, Scuba Diving instructor and owns Imagine Nation photo + Video. He is a graduate of business management at DLSU and took up Masteral in Marketing in the same school and is currently in the Pastoral counseling course at Asian Theological Seminary. Monique is a creative wife / help mate to John, a wedding hosts and heads Post Ad ventures (an Events Management company), a youth pastor in Revelation and writes in their blog called “an ounce of faith”. She took Tourism in UP Diliman.[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 2″][/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/BeforeIDo_Questions1.jpg467700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2017-01-16 15:34:532017-01-16 15:34:53WaW Before I Do: 5 Questions Couples Must Ask Before They Tie The Knot
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]We’ve been receiving inquiries regarding the preparation of invitations; thus, we thought of writing a blog post regarding the essentials.
Top 10 things you need to remember when writing and addressing your wedding invitations:
Choose your invitation supplier based on the kind of invitation you like. Do not book anyone blindly then force them to come up with what you like — they may not have the equipment and you will end up forfeiting your down payment. Have a vision first regarding what you like, then book the supplier based on the said vision.
Start conversing with your invitation supplier regarding the design (assuming you’re not choosing from a template), 6 to 8 months before you intend to release it, i.e. 1 to 2 months prior to your big day. Some opt for the 2-month mark so they don’t need to spend too much on sending invitations abroad via courier. Why am I giving such a wide margin? Because the design process can take long. Revisions can also take time. If you will choose a template from the library of the invitation supplier, you may lessen the time frame to around 3 months prior to your preferred distribution date. This makes room for printing queues and the like.
While you are designing or even before you start conversing with your invitation supplier, especially if you’re choosing a template, get all full names and titles of your principal sponsors and your entourage. Make sure everything is correct and complete so you don’t need to ask your invitation supplier to revise because you wrote Mr. instead of Dr. or you chose to remove all titles but you eventually realized someone might get angry with the removal of the title. So much has been spent by so many couples on their invitations because of the need to reprint.
Tricky point: What if you’re inviting a mayor to be your godparent and your wedding date happens to be after elections? What if he loses? What if he wins but for a different position?
Response: Just write Hon. (short for Honorable) beside his name. That way, you won’t have to worry about whether or not he would win or change his position.
After you get your first printout/draft printout, make sure you scrutinize everything — every letter of every name.Also, show it to your parents so if they have reactions, it won’t cost much to revise. It will cost a lot if you will show them the already-printed batch of invites and they have concerns which will cause you to reprint.
Possible concerns:
a. wrong spelling/wrong title
b. they also invited other possible godparents or entourage members without telling you in advance
c. you forgot to include your parents’ names or their appropriate titles
Note: Some invite makers will ask you to sign a form that you read all the items of the invite and you agree that it should be the version that gets printed. Make sure you really read all words included in the invite. That way, no problem will arise later on when you get the whole batch of printouts.
The most common way of presenting the names would be this way:
With the blessings of
Names of Groom’s Parents (Jose and Maria Cruz)
and
Names of Bride’s Parents (Andres and Susan Santos)
You may also use the following in case one of the parents has passed on. Please do not forget to put a small cross beside the name of the deceased parent.
Juan
son of Jose (+) and Sita Cruz
and
Maria
daughter of Rene and Lilia Santos
Should the groom’s name come first? Or should the bride’s name come first?
It should be the groom’s name that should come first, as per tradition here in Asia.
To continue from the example earlier:
With the blessings of our parents
(state their names)
We
John and Mary
request the honour* of your presence
as we consecrate our union
through the Sacrament of Matrimony
on
the first of June two thousand and seventeen*
at half past three in the afternoon*
in the Church of the Child Jesus,
111 Aguirre Avenue, Paranaque City
Reception follows at (venue)
Street, City
If one parent is deceased:
Juan
son of Jose (+) and Sita Cruz
and
Maria
daughter of Rene and Lilia Santos
request the honour of your presence
as they consecrate their union
through the Sacrament of Matrimony…
Note:
a. The items with asterisk (*): spelling out dates and time slots are necessary for formal invitations. It is also necessary to use “honour” instead of the usual American spelling, “honor”.
b. It is acceptable to write a thirty-minute leeway for the time of ceremony. It gives everyone time to sit down, to line up, to get hold of the items needed (bouquets, paraphernalia). It is not very good to write a one-hour leeway, because it would mean a long wait for guests who come in punctually. We do not want to punish them for being one time.
c. You may write a reception time if you’re observing what is termed as broken time, i.e. a ceremony at 1PM then a reception at 6PM
How should we write the godparents’ names? Is it necessary to include titles?
Yes, you should include each person’s specific title. This is applicable to parents and godparents. They worked hard to have these titles; thus, we should give their hard work due recognition.
For political titles, you may use “Hon.” short for “Honorable” if you’re not sure of the title (given the period of elections during your printing of invitations). You may also use the same title for those who with long titles stating their positions in government.
Please note:
You should visit your prospective godparent before you write his/her name on the invitation. Each one should have the prerogative to say yes or no to your invitation for him or her to be godparent. Also, you must get the full name and title he/she wishes to use. Do not assume to know the full name and title. Once you make a mistake, you will risk offending someone who is supposed to be your second parent.
How about the entourage?
The entourage usually consist of people who are close to the couple. However, since the invitation is a formal document, I would still suggest having their titles there. You may have an agreement with them not to say their titles anymore during the reception introduction because you’d like it to be informal or you’d like to have a dancing type of entrance.
*Note: If there are people with no specific titles, you may write “Mr.” or “Ms.” (the latter can be used even for married individuals).
To reserve _____ seat/s, please send your name/s to our coordinator on or before (2 weeks prior to the big day). Should you wish to express your regrets, we would appreciate a message as well.
Name of Coordinator, Contact Details (number and e-mail address)
b. Attire Part
Strictly Formal
*This notation is usually enough to convey that males need to wear suits/barongs and females need to wear long gowns.
However, it’s a good idea to spell out attire options or add a card with illustrations especially if the venue calls for certain clothing or footwear.
c. Map Part
This one needs an illustration and if the venue is a bit hard to find, you may add written instructions with landmarks.
d. How about the children?
You may use this poem if you wish to ask people to leave the kids at home. I wrote this for one of my brides.
We want you to enjoy the night;
Give kids time to sleep tight.
We thought it’s but right,
To make this a “for adults” invite.
e. How about monetary gifts?
It’s better to avoid asking for an enveloped gift directly, i.e. you may just state “The couple will reside abroad.” or “The couple will continue to reside abroad.” to give the hint that you would find it difficult to carry boxes of gifts.
10) How does one address invites?
You may follow this format: Mr. and Mrs. Jose and Maria Cruz
Their titles should be used in case they have those.
Examples:
Mayor and Mrs. Albert and Julia Cruz
Attorneys John and Micaela dela Cruz
Doctors Bryan and Bianca Santos
Mr. and Engr. Leo and Tess Vargas**
Mr. and Dr. Rene and Lilia Santos**
Even if the main invitee is the godmother, you will still need to use the format earlier, i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Marco and Lea Atanacio.
Note: In the part with two asterisks (**), the wives have specific titles.
Read more of Darlene Tan – Salazar’s WaW Wedding Tip Sheet articles at www.weddingsatwork.com/category/wawparazzi/.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_block_grid type=”two-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 1″]About Darlene Tan-Salazar, W@W Supplier of Year (2015):
Darlene started out as a Planner/Coordinator of Perfect 10 Weddings. Since she needed more time for family matters, she opted to focus on emceeing, and has since started “The Wedding Tip Sheet“, a Facebook page that tackles the practical points in planning a wedding.[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 2″][/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Invitations1.jpg660900W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2016-12-06 09:36:092016-12-06 09:36:09WaW Wedding Tip Sheet: Invitations
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]This is just a thinking out loud article so please pardon me. What if you got John Mateos Ong to be your best man and do a 10 minute speech during the reception about making your marriage work what would he say? Here are the top 5 things on my mind…
Invite Jesus in – This is the most important thing you can do so don’t take it for granted. You can go to church, you can pray (or at least murmur a bunch of words) and even read the bible but if you have not surrendered yourself then it’s all useless. When I say Surrender it means the same as how a soldier would surrender himself to the enemy. It means stopping the the fight, giving up and allowing him. It means submitting yourself to God’s will, His rules and dominion over you realizing and believing what he wants is the best for you. You may not agree with it 100% but you know in case you don’t see eye to eye — He’s probably right and you’re probably wrong.
It’s a process – Marriage is not the end, its the start of a new journey and from here I wanna ask you where you want to go. Do you want to make it heavenly or hell like? What must you do? Here are some suggestions:
Dating never stops after marriage.
Be in a group that regularly asks – How is marriage? How can it improve?
Get into annual marriage retreats where you can enjoy each other and know more about each other.
Leave your baggage – Since today is the starting point, I think this is a must. Your problems and issues must be left in the past life. Accept each other as a whole, flaws and all. Unfortunately, you can’t be selective in what you want to accept in your spouse like “I love your sweetness but I hate your snoring so lets separate rooms at night”. No! it’s all part of the package…
Remember you are a team – You don’t lose your individual identities. I am still John and Monique is still Monique but you have to learn to start thinking about the “US”. Purchases, trips or decisions that affect the family. You two are on the same team and never against each other. Problems start when you start thinking she’s my enemy.
Do things together and be together – I wrote an article a few months back about doing things together and these things best done when you are together physically. I am sad when one person needs to be away for several months for work. I get homesick and miss my family the minute I get on the plane. It is not how God designed it.
As I end this article, my encouragement for all husbands & wives is to be passionate about your role as husband and wife. When I discovered photography, I didn’t just buy a camera. I researched on it’s history, I bought books, watched videos, attended seminars and workshops… I cleaned my camera day and night and took it wherever I went. I would talk about it with friends sharing new discoveries that I learned. When I’m not doing anything, I would open my laptop and look at my pictures to see how I can improve. That’s passion! And if we can be like this with something as simple as photography why can we not do the same for marriage? Wives should hunger to become the best wife she can be and how they can serve their husbands best… and husbands should be on-fire at becoming the best husband and loving their wives like no one can (except for God).
Read more of John and Monique Ong’s WaW Before I Do articles at www.weddingsatwork.com/category/waw-before-i-do/.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_block_grid type=”two-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 1″]About John & Monique Ong:
Husband and Wife John and Monique Ong are partners in every sense – from homeschooling their children, running their business Imagine Nation Photography Inc, blogging, and in helping equip soon-to-wed couples and newlyweds for their lives together.[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 2″][/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/BeforeIDo_Bestman1.jpg502900W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2016-11-04 17:48:442016-11-04 17:48:44WaW Before I Do: What Would I Say If I Were Your Best Man or Maybe Even The Father of The Bride?
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]SM Group and Wedding Essentials Magazine present DREAM THEMES, a roadshow featuring Wedding Essentials’ most coveted section in collaboration with some of the most sought-after event stylists, wedding suppliers and SM brand affiliates.
Be inspired, as the premiere wedding magazine in the Philippines joins SM to give you a variety of tablescapes that will surely capture every bride’s persona. Choose from several of our themed set ups which will run in SM’s top city malls.
FIRST LEG: SEPTEMBER 28 to OCTOBER 4, 2016 II SM MALL OF ASIA MAIN ATRIUM (across French Baker)
Featuring tablescapes by Gideon Hermosa, Teddy Manuel, Joyce Aguilar and Michael Ruiz.
For more information, visit Wedding Essentials Magazine on Facebook.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/DreamThemes-e1475155493644.jpg500500W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2016-09-29 21:26:042016-09-29 21:26:04Dream Themes by the SM Group and Wedding Essentials Magazine
[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]A few weeks back, I received a request from one of my readers to write something about plus-sized women and bridal fashion. A friend commented that this is a unique request but I actually think the opposite: being “plus-sized” is more common than we think. Sure, I have a lot of brides who vow to lose 10-15 lbs before their big day and mind you, they stay true to their word. But there are also those who prefer to be the same girl that their fiance proposed to, curves and all and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, it is a fine way to celebrate one’s natural shape. I do, however, believe that curvy women can look more fabulous if they just keep in mind the following:
Mind the cut
I have said this over and over again, it is more important to find a silhouette that suits you than to keep up with the trends. Whether you’re stick-thin or on the healthier side, you will always benefit from wearing a gown with a flattering cut. Have an enviable hour-glass figure? Make sure the gown is cinched at the waist. Short-waisted? Try an empire cut. Pear-shaped? Go for a structured skirt. No matter what your size OR shape is, you can always find a cut that will serve you.
Highlight your assets
“Tito Boy, please hide (insert body part here), ang taba ko kasi,” is a request I oftentimes hear from my clients. There is nothing wrong with knowing your flaws so you may hide them but don’t be so hard on yourself. Make sure you also know your assets so your coutourier may highlight them. No bride should ever have to walk down the aisle wearing something that resembles a burlap sack. As a wedding gown designer, I may point out positive areas which your gown may accentuate but unless you know these yourself, you will never be comfortable highlighting them. See the beauty in you and others will see it too.
Be honest
Treat your couturier as your best friend. Do not trim numbers off your measurements as we will find out sooner or later. I think I speak for everyone in the wedding industry when I say that suppliers are in this business for the look of joy that is evident in their client’s face on their wedding day. Let us help you celebrate your big day and let’s start off on an honest footing. In the same token, be authentic enough to tell your couturier if you are not comfortable with the ideas he has for your dress or if you are no longer seeing eye to eye.
Prepare yourself for lots and lots of fittings
As the wedding day approaches, some of my brides drop weight in alarming rates and they are not even consciously on a diet. Please do not think your designer is being a pain in the neck if he insists on having you do many fittings. This is the only way to ensure that your gown will fit you perfectly.
….And the most important tip of them all:
Have fun! It is YOUR day, and just like all other brides, you will look radiant. Let your happiness shine through.
Read more of Boy Kastner-Santos’ Bridal Fashion articles at www.weddingsatwork.com/category/waw-bridal-fashion/.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_block_grid type=”two-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 1″]About Boy Kastner Santos, (WaW Supplier of the Year 2011):
More known as “Tito Boy” in the industry, Boy Kastner Santos started designing in 1986 and quickly became in-demand for his personalized ways and designs, and meticulous eye for detail.[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 2″][/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
https://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/MoreToLove1-e1472637425390.jpg700700W@W Editorhttps://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WAWLOGO.pngW@W Editor2016-09-09 09:00:362016-08-31 18:32:36WaW Bridal Fashion: More To Love
