H
izon’s Catering is an
off-premise catering company that
specializes in weddings, private
parties and corporate events. It was
established in 1987 by Mrs. Baby Hizon,
a Kapampangan with a passion for good
food and gourmet cooking. What first
began as a small family business grew
into one of the best catering businesses in
the country today, boasting of a ratio of
up to 1, 588 weddings a year.
Taking care of your event down to the
tiniest details, taking the stress off of
your shoulders, and making sure that you
enjoy your wedding preparation are parts
of the mission that the company upholds.
A business established by the owner’s
love for merry occasions and sumptuous
dishes, the company has dedicated itself
in making sure that, from the planning
stage, every event will be an experience as
enjoyable as the celebration itself.
About The Company
The Team
What Makes A Perfect Wedding?
I. Once Upon A Time (The Filipino Wedding: Customs &Traditions)
II. Bridesonality Quiz
III. When Forever Starts…
A. Your Wedding Date
B. Requirements And Documents Needed Before The Wedding
C. Your Wedding Guest List
D. Your Wedding Venue
E. Your Wedding Theme And Motif
F. Your Wedding Flowers
G. Your Wedding Food
H. Your Wedding Look
H.1. Your Wedding Attire
H.2. Your Wedding Ring
H.3. Your Wedding Hair & Make-Up
I. Your Photo And Video Coverage
J. Your Invitations, And Stationeries
K. Your Wedding FaVors
L. Your Wedding Coordinator And Other Manpower
M. Your Wedding Transportation
N. Your Wedding Program
IV. And They Lived Happily Ever After…
A. Your Honeymoon
B. Updating Legal Documents After The Wedding
Acknowledgements
Insights from 1 ,588 Weddings a Year Copyright © 2011 Hizon’s Catering Services, Inc.
Russel Mae Asmolo Kerra Balabis Ma. Arabelle Saturno
WRITERS Raymond David Judith Dayrit Drew Menor Grace Cawagas Chesca Pineda EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
Karen Kate Pico
COPY EDITOR Teng Asmolo Arra Saturno LAY-OUT ARTIST Joseph Hizon Baby Hizon PROJECT HEAD
Baby Hizon
Mrs. Hizon is the owner and CEO of Hizon’s Catering. Armed with a passion for cooking, she established the company in 1987 with the goal of having a business without having to leave her maternal duties. She’s graduated at the Adamson University with a degree in Psychology. She studied culinary courses at the California Culinary Academy and goes abroad from time to time to research about new trends in the catering business.
Raymond David
Raymond is the Sales and Marketing Manager of Hizon’s Catering. A graduate of Business Administration from the University of Santo Tomas, he has been with the company for 5 years. Since then, he has played a significant part in keeping the sales and marketing department’s operation running effectively. A “techie” person, he takes interest in photography, surfing the internet for new ideas, and scouting for the latest gadgets in the market.
Joseph Hizon
Joseph is a graduate of Economics at De La Salle University Manila. He finished his Master’s Degree in Economics at the Asian Institute of Management and
has since helped her mother in managing the company. He is currently Hizon’s Catering’s General Manager
who has been the proponent of many innovative projects within the company. He enjoys cooking and
has passion for photography.
The Team
Insights
is the brainchild of an experienced and multi-faceted team from Hizon’s Catering, bound together with the same mission of helping every soon-to-wed couple go through their wedding preparation with ease and enjoyment.Teng Asmolo
Teng is a graduate of Journalism from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and has worked as a writer for a BPO company and the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. She joined the company, as a writer, in July 2009 and is also currently one of the Marketing Officers for Hizon’s Catering. She blogs, writes stories, and enjoys photography.
Kerra Balabis
A graduate of Broadcast Communication from the
Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Kerra is a jolly and fun-loving person who joined the company in August 2009 as a writer. She is a Marketing Officer for Hizon’s Catering who has passion for fashion and enjoys a good book, online shopping, and hanging out with friends during her free time.
Arra Saturno
Arra is a graduate of Communication Arts from De La Salle University- Dasmarinas (DLSUD) and has worked for GMA-7 before finally joining the company as a writer in 2009. At present, she is also a Marketing Officer for Hizon’s Catering who has a passion for music, especially song writing. She also loves reading novels, movie marathons, and good conversations.
The Writers
Drew Menor
With a dream of becoming a movie director, Drew went to Manila seeking greener pasture. He entered the company in February 2006 as a Food Quality Assurance Officer. With his knack for exquisite taste, he went on to become one of the top planners for Hizon’s Catering with Love Radio’s Nicolehyala and
‘Ja-Boom Twins’ Kristine Gonzales
among his roster of satisfied clients. During his past time, Drew loves to watch films; keeping a wide collection of movies at home.
Grace Cawagas
A graduate of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Our Lady of Fatima University, she has worked for Hizon’s Catering for five years and is currently an Events Planner for the company. Her kikay and friendly personality is what helps her establish a good relationship with her clients. She enjoys shopping, collecting Winnie the Pooh items, car shows and a night out with friends after a long day’s work.
Franchesca Pineda
Chesca is a graduate of Fine Arts, major in Interior Design, from the College of the Holy Spirit. She has joined the roster of Hizon’s Planners in February 2008. She has been recognized as best planner by her supervisors and has a roster of satisfied clients to prove it. Her sense of style is also reflected in her hobbies such as collecting and selling accessories, and decorating her own home.
The Planners
Judith Dayrit
Judith is currently the Planning Team’s supervisor at Hizon’s Catering, and has been working for
the company for four years. A graduate of Hotel and Restaurant Management at La Consolacion College, she joined the company in May 2006 as a
banquet sales executive and events planner. When not working, Judith loves to sing and play the
F
or more than twenty years of experience in helping people plan their wedding, Hizon’s
Catering has been lucky to be part of every client’s most important day. It is an opportunity
both challenging and rewarding. An average of 1,588 weddings per year gave us a play
ground for ideas and an open door for learning new things about this industry that we love.
If there’s one main thing that weddings have taught us, it’s that there is no standard formula
in wedding planning and preparation. And you can never gauge the importance of a wedding
by how small or big the guest list is, or how grand or simple the details are. Every wedding is a
unique experience, with unique needs. Every wedding is important.
In this book you will read random pieces of advice, bits of facts about the elements of a
wedding, and some wonderful quotes that hopefully would inspire you as much as it
had inspired us. You will also come across wedding personality guide, which we
called “bridesonality” that may help you determine your wedding persona and give
you a good grasp of how you will go about withyour preparations, and how you can
utilize your resources with the best possible options.
This book is made with the purpose of helping soon-to-wed couples gain a better
understanding of how weddings are planned and prepared here in the Philippines.
Based from actual wedding preparations witnessed by our team, we hope that you
will find every page useful to your own wedding preparation. And though this book
contains advices and suggestions, the final call is still up to you. Remember that there
is no standard formula, no “secret ingredient”. The very essence of your wedding is
in how each detail reflects who you are as a couple, and how you make every
moment count.
Every bride wants her wedding to be perfect; and though there is no such thing
as “the” perfect wedding, you have the power to create your own beautiful
memories that will last forever.
Hizon’s Catering Team
What makes a wedding perfect?
PHO
TO B
Y: TENG ASMOL
To our past clients,
who have been the very reason why we have made it this far,
This book is a sign of our gratitude for giving your invaluable trust
and support to the company.
&
To all the soon-to-wed couples,
May this book serve as your guide, as you make
the vital decisions for your most important day.
PHO
TO B
Y: TENG ASMOL
S
ome say fairytales are just for kids, but almost every-one, whether they are aware of it or not, wants their very own happily-ever-after. And when love proves its spell and makes lov-ers decide to take “the” journey, it’s when the subject of wedding begins. Many people get the wrong impres-sion that wedding and marriage are one and the same. When we talk about marriage, it is the entirety of your life together as husband and wife. It is that “forever after” that fairytales constantly speak of. And the process and specifics of marriage wouldn’t, and couldn’t be contained in any single book.Wedding on the other hand is a dif-ferent and more concrete subject. If marriage is the “forever after”, wed-ding is the grand ball at the castle. It is the celebration that sets you for that lifetime commitment of love to your partner; and planning and pre-paring your wedding is what would be discussed in the succeeding pages of this book.
The Filipino Wedding
The Philippine’s rich culture and the Filipino’s belief in the sacredness of marriage make the Filipino wedding a ceremonious and extensive
celebration. Filipino wedding traditions make the wedding much more exciting and beautiful. Although some have already faded, there are still many beliefs and customs that the modern Filipino
couples follow.
The Proposal
In an overlooking hill with stars spread all over the sky, the man of your life suddenly kneels in front of you, and from his jacket took out a small box with a ring on it. He then utters the words: “Will you marry me?”
All women have their own version of a romantic proposal. However it is done, the bottom line here is that this is the start of a lifetime commitment of two individuals who will soon embark on a journey to oneness.
The Announcement
Filipinos, being family-oriented in nature, would love to see their loved ones on their very special day. The announcement is telling the elder relatives of your intention to marry as a sign of respect especially to those whose grandparents are in the province. It is just like a courtesy call and introduction of your partner. This is also where you will get your blessings from your elders and a chance to invite your prospect god parents or principal sponsors.
Be ready to tell your love story to many people, your partner’s educational background and work information over and over.
The Pamamanhikan
The pamamanhikan is where the groom and his parents pay a visit to the bride’s house and formally ask for the hand of the bride from her parents. It is usually done over lunch or dinner. The groom is expected to speak to the parents about his intentions of marrying her bride, then his parents will also call on the bride’s parents to gain their approval and to plan the wedding.
Nowadays, the pamamanhikan is more of a discussion of the details of the wedding. It is where the first major wedding plans are made like who are going to pay what, how many guests, and the suggested venues and churches.
This tradition can be very awkward and the couple may feel uneasy especially if it’s the first time for their parents to meet. A way of breaking the ice for both parties is for the groom and his parents to bring a gift or home-cooked specialty that they can share during discussion.
This sounds so much of a hassle for any marrying couple. But at the end of the day, it is all worth the effort because Filipinos would love to have the blessings of their loved ones on the most important day of their lives.
Despedida de Soltera
It is the party organized by the bride’s family to show their approval and support of the upcoming marriage. This happens usually a day before or days before the wedding and is attended by the significant people who will be part of the wedding and also of the relatives from both sides. It is the best time to introduce the two families to each other and have a little bonding before the wedding itself.
PHOTO BY: JUN VALBUENA | LOCATION: SWEET HARMONY GARDENS
Once upon a time...
“Once in a while,
right in the middle of
an ordinary life, love
gives us a fairy tale.”
– Author Unknown
The BRIDEsonality
QUIZ
Before continuing on to the book. let us first
take a quick test to determine your
bridesonality. Each topics consists of five
(5) questions that you will have to answer.
Take note of it in a piece of paper. The letters
with the most answer determines what
kind of bride you are for each topic.
Your results may vary per
chapter, so it is best if you
take note of it. It will
be very useful as you go
through the chapters of
this book.
Good luck and have
The Wedding Guest List
You are:
1.)
An introvert. You sometimes want to be alone and are much comfortable being
a.
surrounded by your closest relatives and friends.
An ambivert. You relish having an alone time with yourself as much as you are
b.
comfortable with family and friends.
A social butterfly. You love to party and be in the company of family, friends and
c.
colleagues.
How would you like your wedding to be?
2.)
I want a small and simple wedding to share with close friends and families
a.
I want a wedding enough to share with families and friends, and a few colleagues
b.
I want to have a big and lavish wedding celebration to share with my families,
c.
friends and colleagues
Upon entering your wedding reception venue you see...
3.)
Mom and Dad happily chatting with your fiancée’s parents
a.
Your school and office friends mingle, talking to each other
b.
Everyone from your office and your neighborhood enjoying a drink and the
c.
sumptuous meal you’ve chosen for them
In dealing with the wedding guest list, you:
4.)
Are intently listing the names of close families and friends, carefully omitting those
a.
who are not familiar to both you and your fiancée
Are checking the names in the guest list and are including some of the names your
b.
parents want to invite
Are working with your wedding planner in how to organize the seating
c.
arrangements of your guests which include families, friends and colleagues
Day one in making your initial guest list. How many guests have you listed so far?
5.)
20. Your immediate family and best friends.
a.
75. Your relatives and
b.
barkada.
Everyone!
c.
The Wedding Transportation
When choosing the perfect wedding venue for my wedding I will go for:
1.)
Somewhere that is easily accessible by public transport so that guests won’t be
a.
having a hard time going to my wedding
Somewhere perfectly romantic and accessible to my friends and probable guests
b.
My dream wedding venue, preferably out-of-town
c.
How can I make sure that my guest will be on my wedding venue on the scheduled date
2.)
and time and according to plan
Look for the best means of transportation for my guests
a.
Coordinate with them a month before my wedding and know their transportation
b.
plans, ask for a friend who can lend or use her car for other friends who doesn’t
have one
Rent a vehicle for them especially for out-of-town venues, have them booked as
c.
early as possible
For my wedding car I will go for:
3.)
A simple wedding car that I can decorate to become my perfect wedding car
a.
Something that suites my style and that is on the budget
b.
My dream wedding car! Something that is unique and will be the talk of the town
c.
The best way to have a wedding car is:
4.)
To borrow a car from relatives
a.
Look for a possible sponsors or wedding packages that includes the bridal car
b.
Call all possible suppliers until you find
c.
the one
My dream wedding car is:
5.)
Our 1995 Toyota Corolla that’s been the family car ever since
a.
A sleek Mercedes Benz Bug Eye that’s included in the catering package
b.
A Ferrari Enzo sports car or a vintage Rolls Royce that will surely catch the eye of
c.
Wedding Invitation and Stationeries
My wedding Invitations and Stationeries will be....
1.)
Perfectly design and created by me and my husband to be
a.
One that suites my style but still within the budget
b.
Should be my personal brand, unique and with my wedding theme
c.
How will I make my wedding stationeries?
2.)
I will spend time doing the designs and letterings of my wedding stationeries
a.
I’ll look for a friend who can help me with it. Probably ask them to sponsor the
b.
stationeries as a wedding gift
I will have an artist put my ideas on paper and make sure that it will be printed
c.
according to my preferred number of guests
I can make sure that my Wedding Stationeries will reach my probable guests through...
3.)
Attending important gatherings where my probable guests will be present and
a.
personally hand my wedding invitations
Delivering the invitation personally, going from one place to another to hand out the
b.
invitations to my guests
A private courier will do
c.
The best way to announce my forthcoming wedding...
4.)
Send an e-mail or text messages to my friends or probable guests regarding my
a.
wedding several months before the date
A personal phone call will do. Or I can make a short video presentation regarding
b.
my wedding
Make a unique Save-A-Date Card that will introduce my wedding theme
c.
Wedding stationeries are:
5.)
Invitations and Thank You cards that can be easily done with a little creativity and
a.
with the help of friends and relatives
One of the most important things that should be done by professionals but in an
b.
affordable price
Little helpers that will showcase the theme and organize my wedding from the
c.
Save-the-Date cards to the place cards and food tags
The Wedding Photo and Video Coverage
On your big day who is covering your wedding?
1.)
Creative friends and colleagues who has a knowledge in photography and has
a.
gladly volunteered to help me
A wedding photographer who offered me a good package
b.
Of course! The best wedding photographers and videographers
c.
A Pre-Nuptial Photo Shoot is:
2.)
Not really needed
a.
A good way to collate photos that will be used for the invitation and the love story
b.
video that will be presented on the reception
Something that should showcase my wedding theme and will excite my guests as
c.
they have a glimpse of it
When choosing the right team to cover my wedding I will go for:
3.)
A friend or group of friends who has knowledge in photography and videography.
a.
It’s more likely than they can take photos that I would like because they know what
I want and what will please me.
A wedding photographer who can offer a valuable package. A package with both
b.
photo and video that is right on the budget for a good photographer is more than
enough.
Separate teams who specializes on wedding photography and videography. I will be
c.
assured that this team will give me the best results.
A good wedding album is:
4.)
A scrapbook consisting of snapshots of the wedding day. Nothing beats candid
a.
pictures with a few formal ones to represent the real you.
A leather-bound album with the shots taken by your photographer.
b.
A number of leather-bound Pre-Nuptial, Wedding Day, and Trash-the-Dress photo
c.
albums custom-made by the team who covered the wedding.
What would your wedding be like?
5.)
A one-on-one interview. You want it to be as solemn and intimate with friends and
a.
family.
A press conference. You want friends and family to have a taste of the limelight, too!
b.
A premiere night. You want everyone to rave about your wedding, from the food to
c.
the smallest details. Reporters are more than welcome so that they may be awed by
the grand celebration you and your coordinating and planning team have devised.
The Wedding Venues
1.) Upon arriving at the venue, what’s the first question that would most likely come to your
mind?
How much does the venue cost?
a.
Does it have clean comfort rooms?
b.
Does it suit my wedding theme?
c.
2.) One question that you would want to ask a venue sales representative
Do you give promos or discounts?
a.
Who are your accredited caterers?
b.
Can your venue accommodate 300 guests?
c.
3) When you find a venue that you like what would your initial reaction be?
Can we afford it?
a.
I really hope it’s worth the money?
b.
I hope it’s still available on our wedding date!
c.
4) What is the most important factor that you consider in a wedding venue?
budget
a.
comfort
b.
ambience
c.
5) If you could sum up your wedding venue into one word, what would that word be?
decent
a.
convenient
b.
stylish
c.
The Wedding Flowers
1) What’s one phrase that can best describe your wedding flowers?
affordable and simple
a.
artistic and reasonable
b.
elegant and one-of-a-kind
c.
2) Where would you most likely go to look for your wedding flowers?
Dangwa or local market
a.
Local wedding florist at your town
b.
Wedding stylist
c.
3) If your church offers free floral arrangement for your wedding ceremony what would your
reaction be?
Perfect! I wouldn’t have to worry about my ceremony flowers after all.
a.
That’s great, but can I add a little extra design to it?
b.
We appreciate it, but we prefer a wedding stylist to arrange the ceremony flowers.
c.
4) How hands on can you get in selecting and preparing your wedding flowers?
I will personally go to Dangwa to scout for the best bargain and I will do my wedding
a.
flowers with the help of my relatives or friends
I will go to Dangwa to look for a good Florist that can make elegant flowers that are still
b.
easy on the pocket
I will hire a wedding florist or stylist and discuss with him/her how I want my wedding
c.
flowers done
5) What’s the most important factor that you consider in choosing your wedding flowers?
budget
a.
usefulness
b.
aesthetics
c.
The Wedding Food
1) What kind of food experience do you intend to give your guests?
a simple meal of familiar dishes which are easy on the budget
a.
a feast of food with variety and choices
b.
a unique gastronomic experience!
c.
2) Aside from the taste, which factor is more important for you when it comes to your wedding
feast?
affordability
a.
variety
b.
distinctiveness
c.
3) How would you describe your wedding banquet set-up?
simple and traditional
a.
artistic and durable
b.
exceptional and memorable
c.
4) What type of service do you plan to have for your wedding banquet?
do-it-yourself buffet that offers self-service
a.
catered buffet complete with waiters and food attendants
b.
a service-style banquet that serves plated food
c.
5) Which of these food selections would you most likely serve at your reception?
steamed rice, chicken barbeque, beef caldereta, buttered vegatables, juice
a.
seafood fried rice, lengua, chicken pastel, fish fillet in lemon butter sauce, lumpia bar, iced
b.
tea, softdrinks
paella, angus beef fillet mignon, grilled lemon halibut, chicken cordon bleu, sweet tea, red
c.
wine
The Honeymoon
1) What type of accommodation would you prefer for your honeymoon?
a simple transient house or Inn
a.
a classy hotel
b.
a lavish private villa
c.
2) What is the most important factor that you would consider when it comes to your honeymoon?
budget
a.
comfort
b.
luxury
c.
3) Which would you prefer?
An adventure trip in Baguio or Tagaytay
a.
An island getaway in Boracay or Palawan
b.
A shopping spree in Paris and Italy
c.
4) On your way to your honeymoon destination, which mode of transportation do you picture
yourself using?
bus
a.
private van
b.
plane
c.
5) How much are you willing to spend for your honeymoon?
not too much, we prefer to spend the money for other future needs
a.
fairly enough, we would like to have a memorable vacation within our means
b.
all the way, beautiful memories are worth every centavo
c.
The Wedding Dress
Take a closer look at how you walk.
1.
Careless; walking is walking.
a.
I am kinda nervous and I can’t confirm how do I walk.
b.
I walk with elegance. My head is held up high, my back straight. I take firm,
c.
confident strides.
How do you describe yourself?
2.
Carefree and laid back, that’s me!
a.
I am gorgeous and pretty.
b.
I am beautiful and extraordinary.
c.
Which celebrity wedding dress inspires you the most?
3.
Rica Peralejo’s wedding dress
a.
Judy Ann Santos’ wedding dress
b.
Ruffa Guttierez’s wedding dress
c.
What does your engagement ring look like?
4.
A simple yet classy silver ring.
a.
A two-toned ring with our names engraved on it.
b.
It is a beautiful ring with a huge piece of sparkling diamond.
c.
What accessories would you like to wear on your wedding day?
5.
A beautiful clip would be nice! The simpler, the better.
a.
A necklace and earrings that will accentuate my dress.
b.
A tiara and anything diamond.
c.
The Wedding Ring & Accessories
1. Which describes your personality the most?
Carefree and spontaneous.
a.
Proper and preppy.
b.
Sleek and sophisticated.
c.
2. How will you spend the weekend with your partner?
Stay at home, watch movies in DVD and order pizza.
a.
Watch a movie in 3d and eat after.
b.
Dine at a fine restaurant.
c.
3. How much budget will you allot for your wedding rings?
We don’t think that an expensive ring is necessary.
a.
A reasonable amount that any couple will spend for a wedding ring.
b.
Any amount! As long as we are both happy.
c.
4. What gem will you place in your wedding rings?
I don’t really want a stone in my ring.
a.
My birthstone.
b.
A sparkling diamond.
c.
5. Who among these movie characters reflects your personality the most?
Drew Barrymore in “The Wedding singer”
a.
Jennifer Lopez in “The Wedding Planner”
b.
Sarah Jessica Parker of Sex and the City
c.
The Wedding Coordination & Manpower
1. When it comes to planning things, you are:
a. I love planning things especially and I am the organizer of our reunions.
b. Average. I like to plan things but sometimes it stresses me out.
c. An epic fail. I am not good in organizing things.
2. How good are you in communicating with others?
a. I am not good at it. I am kind of shy.
b. I am comfortable expressing myself with my family and friends only.
c. I am a social butterfly. I love other people’s company.
3. What would you like your friends to do at your wedding?
a. I want them to be a part of the little details of my wedding, after all, they are
volunteering!
b. I can ask for some assistance from them, but I prefer to trust the important aspects to the
professional s (wedding coordinators)
c. Sit back, relax and enjoy every moment of the most important day of our lives.
4. In planning your wedding, what is the role of your family?
a. To be a part of every detail up to our wedding day.
b. To help us all throughout the planning and preparation.
c. To show support and to check every now and then if the planning is doing well.
5. What do you think about having a wedding coordinator in your wedding?
a. It is unnecessary. I have lots of friends and family who can do the tasks for free.
b. It is helpful because coordinators will guide me during the preparation.
c. It will lessen my worries and will make me enjoy my day more.
The Wedding Hair & Make - Up
1. What’s inside your kikay kit?
a. Loose powder, a blush on and a lipstick.
b. Lipstick, eye shadow, concealer,
c. Foundation, moisturizer, make up base, concealer.. Basically everything!
2. Is an everyday make up important to you?
a. No, I don’t think it is “that” necessary.
b. Sometimes, when the occasion calls it.
c. Of course! It is a part of my daily routine.
3. How much would you like to spend in your hair and make up?
a. As much as possible I don’t want to spend any money in my make up
b. A reasonable enough amount that can make me blooming on my wedding.
c.. Whatever amount is needed to make me the most beautiful person on my special day!
4. Do you know the latest trends in make ups?
a. I have no idea.
b. I just hear it mentioning by my friends.
c. Of course! I am updated always.
5. What do you like to be in your wedding day?
a. A carefree and spontaneous one.
b. A blooming and pretty bride.
BRIDESONALITIES TEST ANSWER KEY:
If your answers to a particular Chapter’s Bridesonality test are:
Mostly As
Then you are most
likely a “Penny-Wise
Bride”
Mostly Bs
Then you are most
likely a
“Value-for-Money Bride”
Mostly Cs
Then you are most
like-ly a
P
erhaps Harry was right; you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible once the subject of wedding is placed on your doorstep. You start to take out wedding magazines and talk wedding re-ceptions and all the wedding stuff, but before the preparation is directed elsewhere, you must first remember to set your wedding date.When we talk of weddings the first month that comes to mind is the marrying month of June. Well, that is true for some people, especially those who lived in North America and Europe, because June is the time between Spring and Summer and the start of summer vacation, and since we are greatly influenced by the western culture we have come to accept this as a fact.
But here in the Philippines, December is considered more by many couples for their wedding date. It is a perfect time to celebrate a wedding because of the right weather (not to hot, just enough coolness to make your guests comfortable even on a garden wedding at noon) and the right atmosphere (December is the Christmas season and most people would be enveloped by the Christmas spirit, thus they become more generous in giving gifts and sincere in promising to attend your wedding). These reasons are practical and convenient.
The country’s summer season (March to May) is also one of the best times to tie the knot. This is perfect for beach and garden weddings where you will get plenty of sun and good weather. Be sure though, to bring your sun block or have a venue with a good ventilation. Another solution to the heat problem is to set your wedding early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
The rainy season (from June to October) is the off-peak season for weddings, especially on the months of June to August which are the rainiest days in our country. This season is the best time to get discounts from suppliers, though. To solve the rain problem you would have to opt for a covered venue with ample parking space so that guests wouldn’t have to walk far under the rain to get to your reception.
From years of experience, the best recommended time to get married would be after the busy month of December. January and February is a good time because the weather isn’t too hot, much like December is, and it isn’t as busy as December. It is perfect for any type of wedding, be it on the beach, in a romantic garden or in a covered venue.
Why It Matters
Choosing a wedding date matters because it is the day you decide to say “I do” to the person you want to be with for the rest of your life. It has to be just right and perfect, customary to traditions, and favorable to everyone involved.
The right date will also determine how many people can attend and which suppliers are available.
Although most suppliers are available in any date you choose, suppliers like your wedding photographer and videographer, wedding singer or band, and wedding reception venue may already be fully booked. You will learn later on, as you go through your planning, that your wedding date will be affected by a lot of different factors, and you will have to decide which of these factors are on top of your list.
“When you realize you want to spend the rest of
your life with somebody, you want the rest of your
life to start as soon as possible.”
(From the Movie: ‘When Harry Met Sally’)
The Wedding Budget
In choosing your wedding date you might want to consider this factor since it will determine how much the entire thing will cost.
Most wedding suppliers have special rates for different seasons; that perfect wedding package advertised on the website of one caterer last year might have a different price this year, and that special discount rate offered for the wedding ring of your choice last June might not be available this December.
If you are on a tight budget you might want to consider the off-peak months of June to August for great discounts offered by most suppliers
The Season
We all know that June is the start of the school year and the rainy season as well, so that definitely ruled out the June Bride belief.
The four-season-a-year does not apply in a tropical country such as the Philippines. We only have two seasons: rainy and summer. Most wedding suppliers do offer special discounted rates on the rainy months of June to August, and most couples would avoid this month because of typhoons and unexpected rains.
Of course, if you want a garden or a beach wedding you would most certainly avoid the rainy season and will most likely choose the months of January to May (less rain, more sun). But if August 2 is your anniversary and you’ve decided to get married in that date, despite the coming storm, a good solution is to find an indoor venue to incorporate the wedding ceremony venue to the reception venue so your guests wouldn’t have to inconveniently travel from one place to another amidst the heavy rains.
Your Traditions
The Philippines is a diverse country, not just in the flora and fauna but also in the people living in it. Our country is composed of various races and enveloped by different cultures which made us unique.
Traditions and cultures are big factors in determining your wedding date. Since most Filipinos are traditional by nature, we tend to base most of our decisions with them.
Filipino Customs and Traditions that may affect you in choosing your wedding date:
Since we are a country bounded by Customs, Beliefs and Traditions, we are going to tackle on how these can greatly affect in choosing your preferred Wedding Date.
Sukob
No, I will not be talking about the blockbuster horror flick rather the inspiration behind it.
We all know that in the movie the two lead stars were estranged sisters who were married on the same day of the same year. After their weddings, things got a little freaky until most of the characters died of freak accidents because of the so-called
sukob.
If you and your sister decided to get married on the same day of the same year, things aren’t really going to be that morbid. No one will die, I assure you. This superstition is one of the many others that our elders have lived by.
It is believed that if you and one of your immediate relatives (especially sisters, or cousins perhaps) are married on the same year, better known as sukob sa kasal, one will be lucky but one will have a bad luck. Another version of this is that a soon-to-wed person whose immediate relative had just died cannot be married within the same year
of the dead relative’s death. It is called sukob
sa patay. This one can be explained logically.
Of course, we have to be respectful of the death of a family member and should wait until the babang luksa (a year after the death date), because a happy celebration such as a marriage would be too merry for the mourners.
Like any other superstitions, the origins of sukob is clearly unknown, but is strictly followed by some families anyway. You may, or may not follow this superstition; it’s your choice because you are the one to decide for your wedding, but if a relative or one of your immediate families strongly believes in these superstitions it wouldn’t hurt to follow them. Or, well… everything can be dealt with a good explanation.
Feng Shui
It is evident that Chinese culture plays a major part in our countries’ way of life; since there is a large population of Chinese-Filipino community here in the Philippines. One Chinese tradition that has become influential for us Filipinos is the belief in Feng Shui. Literally meaning wind-water, feng shui is believed to use the laws of astronomy and geography to help one improve their life by receiving positive qi. Generally, an auspicious wedding date would be one that has the number 8 or 9, or that adds up to one of these numbers because according to ancient Chinese traditions 8 means infinity or is a lucky number for love, while 9 represents
fulfillment and eternity. These dates would include the 8th, 9th, 17th, 26th, and 27th are
among the lucky dates to tie the knot. The date 18th is considered most ideal because it
has the number 8 and it adds up to 9. But the ultimate date to get married is on the 8th of August (8/8), that’s why a lot of
Chinese people, or otherwise, got married
last August 8, 2008 because of the triple 8 found in the date.
There is also another way to find an auspicious and personalized date for your wedding with the help of feng shui. Most soon-to-wed couples of Chinese blood or Chinese descent consult a feng shui expert to help them decide which date is favorable for them to get married.
Your Parents
Given that most of us have great respect for our parents, we tend to consider them when we make big decisions. We seek our parents’ permission and guidance in most endeavors we encounter in life, and that includes our wedding planning.
Parents may want to get involved in deciding when you’ll get married, especially when you belong to the traditional clans, or if they are the ones paying for the entire celebration.
You don’t have to get on a fight with them if you cannot agree on a specific date. The best thing to do is to hear out what they have to say and calmly explain to them your side. Compromise is the key and you’ll learn a lot of it as you go through with your planning.
Suppliers’ Availability
If you want the best suppliers for your wedding, chances are they are already booked in your preferred date, especially if you’re planning just a few months before the big day. So plan ahead and do your research to avoid disappointments.
Availability of your Guests
Of course, in choosing your wedding date you’ll also have to consider the availability of your guests. After all, who would want a lavish wedding set in a 500-capacity venue with only a hundred or less number of guests?
Look at the majority of guests you wanted to invite. If most of your guests are working, then you would most likely think about a weekend wedding. If you wanted to invite your nephews who are all still
studying, then summer might be a good day to celebrate with them. If you wanted to invite most of your families who are US-based, then July-September would be the best months to do your wedding because it is summer for them and they can easily take a vacation from work and school.
Tips in Choosing Your Wedding Date
Here are some helpful tips based from more than a thousand wedding experiences:Getting a weekday wedding will trim your
wedding expenses because most suppliers have few weekday bookings in any time of
the year, except December, because most couples will opt for a weekend celebration so that everyone will be available. Just be sure that most of your guests will be available to make adjustments if you decide to make it a weekday affair.
Getting a supplier as early as possible or
booking them for more than a year ahead gives you better deals than booking them in less than a year, and doing so may exempt
you from any price increase that they may implement. Of course one year before the wedding date is the ideal time for booking them; any more than that would seem silly and impractical because of the various factors that may affect your wedding planning, especially in the changes of dates.
Avoid rainy months if you want a garden
reception. You wouldn’t want to risk your
once in a lifetime event with mud on your shoes and rain on your face.
Choose a wedding reception that best fits the
season of your wedding date. Garden and
beach receptions are best for summer because of the good weather, while covered venues might be good for any other season, it is best for rainy seasons because it can protect your guests from getting soaked.
Avoid special holidays as much as possible.
If you think that it is convenient to set your wedding on a holiday so that you wouldn’t have to worry about your guests’ attendance, think again. Special holidays often cause unfavorable scenarios for your event like traffic, increase in the price of commodities like flowers for that matter. It is also very much applicable for church occasions like feasts of saints wherein your church of choice may be busy preparing for other things aside from your wedding.
When to Start Planning
Your Wedding?
Most people would say that the best and less stressful time span in planning your wedding would be a year or more ahead, while some would say that it is possible even with just four months of planning and preparation.
Nine Months to One Year: The Less Stressful Way
While planning a wedding can be possible with even just a month of preparation, the best and less stressful timeline to plan your big day would be nine (9) months to a year because:
Most suppliers will be available if you book
a year ahead;
You will get discounts for “early bird”
bookings;
This is practical and beneficial to those who
are working and aren’t planning to hire a wedding coordinator;
You’ll have plenty of time for your DIYs (like
invitations, table numbers, misalettes, etc.);
Most popular churches and grand venues
requires booking at least a year earlier; You will be exempted from price increases.
With this time span you’ll have to:
Research on the first two months.
Use this
time to talk with your partner regarding your preferences on how the wedding should look. Decide on your wedding date, color motif and the theme of your wedding and start planning from there.
Start planning your wedding DIYs.
You’ve
already decided on the color motif and your wedding theme, start doing the little things such as table numbers and misalettes (ask a copy from your parish) and design them according to your wedding theme. Make a template of the design so that you’ll just have to insert the menu (for the menu card) and names of the invites (for the invitation)
later.
Pencil-book your chosen
church and venues. This way
you have reserved them without paying the exact amount for the down payment. Be sure to come back and pay the full down payment
on the given deadline.
Attend Wedding Fairs and
Exhibits. This is the best way to
get discounts so make it a point to attend at least an exhibit or two.
Five to Eight Months: Possible with a Little Help
Planning a wedding in this time span can be a
little stressful but still possible because: You still have time to book most of your
wedding suppliers without as much problem with their availability;
You’ll have time for your wedding DIYs, just
organize your time well;
Your preferred church and venue will still
most likely be available but you have to decide fast.
In the five to eight months time span for planning your wedding, you’ll have to need help by this time, but it still is possible to be less stressful you’ll just have to:
Research on the first month.
Scout all possible suppliers, venues and churches to see if they are still available;
Organize your schedule
, especially for those who are working;
Hire a coordinator.
Maybe not the best and highest paid in town, but the one that understands what you want;
Ask for help.
Assign your closest relative or your best friend to answer queries related to the wedding when you’re not available, let them work closely with your wedding planner. Make sure that they are willing to help, too
Four Months and Below: Leave it to the Wedding Planner
This is the most stressful time span you can have in planning your wedding that even the best wedding
planner you’ll hire would be stressed out:
You’ll have little time to get a lot of things done on your own;
Your wedding DIY ideas will have to be shelved unless you’ll hire an army to get them done;
Your preferred church and venue will most likely be unavailable so don’t keep your hopes up and
always have more than one backup plan;
You’ll have to dedicate most of your time not just in the planning of your wedding but also in the
processing of the required documents;
You’ll have a hard time looking for suppliers especially if your wedding will be on peak seasons.
With this time span, you’ll have to:
Hire a wedding planner.
This is very important, especially for the working couples. Four months or less will be an impossible timeline if you don’t.
Tap all your connections.
If you know a lot of people in the wedding industry then you’ll have to personally talk with them. It’s time to use a little charm to get the best workforce for your wedding.
Dedicate most of your time in planning.
If you are working, ask for a leave or use your charm to ask your boss to give you more time for the planning of your wedding. If you want to be as hands-on in the wedding planning as possible then another option is for you to leave work—that is if you are confident enough that you’ll find another one soon after the wedding.
Advance notice.
Inform most of the people you want to invite through text, email, or tag them on Facebook, this way you’ll have a general idea of how many of your preferred guests can make it to the wedding. Do inform your chosen principal sponsors in advance, too. Do not wait for the invitation to come because it might be too late.
“Whether it is based on customs and traditions, your instinct,
whims or personal preference, choosing a wedding date is entirely
up to you and your partner. Don’t let others force you into getting
a date that you don’t like and has no significance to the two of you.
It’s your big day! Just take it easy, and let
your heart guide you.”
A. Legal Requirements Before the
Wedding
Marriage License - For a marriage to be
considered valid, regardless of your religion, you must obtain a marriage license. It is a certification from the groom or bride’s local Civil Registrar’s office giving you the permission to get married. Marriage license expires after 4 months or 120 days, so you must secure marriage before the paper is terminated.
Obtaining a Marriage License
To be able to obtain your Marriage License, you have to get hold of the following requirements:
Birth Certificate –
1. To be sure, get an NSO copy of your Birth Certificate (some government agencies don’t acknowledge the old birth certificate). Fortunately, you can apply for a copy of your NSO Authenticated Birth Certificates online and have it delivered at your door step in just a few days.
Log on to: NSO BIRTH a.
CERTIFICATES DELIVERY http:// www.citizenservices.com.ph/nso/ Or call their office at (02) 737-1111 b.
Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) 2.
– It is a certificate issued by National
The Requirements Needed
Before the Wedding
K
nowing where to start and what to do first are the keys in having a smooth-sailing wedding preparation. It is advisable to arrange the necessary papers first, so you will have enough time to fix it if anything goes wrong.“Do what thou wilt shall be the
whole of the Law.
candidates for marriage are taken for the publication of Ecclesiastical Banns. Canonical Interview – It is an interview
with the parish priest where you chose to get married. This interview is to be conducted one month before the wedding.
Pre-Cana and Pre-Sacrament Seminar-
Derived from Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana, this is a seminar on the Christian and religious aspect of the sacrament of marriage that you must embark on.
Faith Catechesis – A faith-enriching
instruction required to all candidates for marriage that serves as their spiritual guide to family hood.
Christian Pre-wedding requirements
Christian weddings can be done in the church, garden or in the venue itself. It is much simpler than the Catholic wedding since it doesn’t have any church requirements.
Most Christian couples get their trusted Pastor to officiate their wedding ceremony. Meaning the Pastor already know the couple way back and vice versa so they won’t be needing any initial interview or the “getting-to-know each other” stage.
The only requirement for a Christian wedding is the Marriage Counseling of the officiating Pastor to the soon-to-wed couple. Here, the Pastor will brief them about the married life. What to expect during the first years of their married life, what are the problems most newly weds encounter and what to do during those situations.
Iglesia ni Cristo Pre-wedding requirements
1. Pansariling Tala – Or simply the
Baptismal Certificate of both the groom and bride.
2. Pahintulot Mula Sa Magulang –
Marrying couple under 23 years old are obliged to present the permit to wed in the church.
3. Seminar – It is a pre-wedding seminar
conducted by the Minister of the Local. The
duration of the seminar may vary depending on the time of availability of the couple, but usually it lasts for 10 days.
4. Marriage License – It is one of the most
important documents required by the church so be sure to secure your marriage license first before applying for a wedding permit in your Local.
5. Pagpapatotoo ng Pangulong Kalihim, Kadiwa ng Ministro – It is a document given
by your local that you have completed all the requirements and seminars for marriage. Basically, it is your go signal that you have already arranged all the legal and church requirements and you are good to plan all the details of your wedding.
Islamic Pre-wedding requirements
The sole requirement in a Muslim wedding is to secure a marriage contract. The marriage contract contains all the information about monetary matters like the amount that the groom’s family is bound to give to the bride. In this process, the groom and bride are typically placed in separate rooms. The officiating officer will visit them individually to ask for the consent and then sign the contract. It is important that there are witnesses present during this process.
Statistics Office that states the singleness of a person who wishes to get married.
Parents’ Consent or Parental Advice –
3. It is a
form from your Local Civil Registry for your parents to fill-out and sign. Parent’s Consent is for soon-to-wed couples that are 18-21 years old and Parental Advice is for those who are 22-25 years old.
When these documents are ready, go to the City Hall. If you are from different cities, you will just have to choose one. Go to the Civil Registry and ask where to file the Marriage Certificate. You will be asked to fill-out the application form and be given a list of requirements to be photocopied. Ensure extra copies of all the documents.
Submit the documents in the same window. You will be most likely asked by the municipal representative to attend the Family Planning seminar at the City Hall. You may choose your preferred time to take the seminar depending on your schedule. Usually, the duration of the seminar is 4-5 hours.
After the seminar, you will be given a certificate as proof that you finished the seminar. You will be needing the certificate later when you pick up your marriage license.
Now, all you have to do is wait for 10-11 working days for the processing of your marriage license. Eleven days is such a long time for soon-to-wed couples like you, so make sure that you spend it productively like preparing for your church requirements.
B. Religious Requirements Before the
Wedding
Catholic Pre-wedding requirements
It is best to complete the following documents
before making the reservations for the church.
1. Baptismal and Confirmation Certificates –
These papers indicate that you are fittingly baptized and confirmed Catholics. You can secure copies from your respective parishes where you were baptized and confirmed. The papers must have a notation that says “for marriage purposes only” and must have been secured 3-6 months before the wedding depending on your parishes.
Permission to Marry Outside The Parish
2. –
This is a permit allowing the bride to be to get married outside of the parish. You must secure and present this to the parish where you wish to get married.
Ecclesiastical Banns
3. – These are
announcements that are being read and posted on a particular parish signifying your intent to get married. These are to be announced and posted for three consecutive weeks. Forms for these banns can be
obtained from the parish where you wish to get married. You also have to prepare 2x2 or 1x1 pictures (depends on your parish). There is also a fee ranging from 300 pesos and up.
List of Names and Addresses of Principal 4.
Sponsors: At least two principal sponsors
are required by the law and also by the church. They will serve as witnesses on the ceremony and as well as the signing of the marriage contract. The couple must submit the list during their final interview.
Certificate of Attendance –
5. From the Family
Planning seminar at the City Hall.
If the required documents are already
presented, there will be a series of interviews and formation seminars required to discern the couple’s capacity in getting married and having a family.
Initial Interview - Is done upon
registration in the Parish Office. This is where the personal data of the
O
ne very important wedding question that you will have to find answer to: Who to invite on yourwedding day?
A lot of soon-to-wed couples, especially those who are in a tight budget, encounter problems in making their guest list. Many of our former clients experienced difficulty in deciding whether to stick with their original digits. They would often call weeks before their wedding to add a few more extra to their number of guests. Even so, there are couples who still experience food shortage or insufficient tables and chairs during their wedding reception because of unexpected guests.
Determining the number of guests is helpful in finding out how much you’ll be spending for the wedding itself. It will determine the cost of the food and the beverages, the number of souvenirs and invitations, and even the transportation. All these can play a big factor in planning your budget as well.
Initially, a wedding guest list is simply a list of people which you plan to invite to your big day. This is the list of the people you will provide an invitation, food, and souvenirs for, and the people that you will arrange in the venue layout. It would be composed of all the people who you want to be witnesses of your most special day, so basically this would be the most important people in your life.
Your Wedding Guest List
“Such a beautiful place
to be with friends.”
-Dobby the house elf
Why It Matters
Not having a guest list would mean chaos! Just
imagine, like in the province or in the time of our grandparents where wedding is a feast and everyone can join your wedding celebration. Gate-crashing is a common thing in the rural areas where even people from the next baranggay or the relatives of your baranggay captain come to eat at your wedding. Well, that would be okay in the province because expenses aren’t that pricey and your 50K could run a long way. But you are in the city, and letting these uninvited guests come into your wedding can spell disaster, not just in your budget but particularly in the serenity of your wedding, and that is a big no-no!
Having a wedding guest list will also give you an idea of how many you have invited and who these people are, to avoid being surprised that your ex
came, or worst, your partner’s ex attended without your knowledge.
How to Determine Your Guest List
When making an initial guest list, sit down with
your partner and (in separate papers) list all the names of the people you know and whom you would like to be in your wedding. You’ll have to
include everyone in this list, and I mean everyone.
(Yes! That will include your best friend, her escort, your cute niece’s yaya and your principal sponsor’s driver.)
Start by listing the names of relatives you want to invite in your wedding, close and extended families, childhood friends, college friends, work friends, colleagues and friends that you’ve made along the way who didn’t fit in any of the mentioned category. Include in this list the names of their families, the children, and the drivers and yayas if there are any.
But don’t fret, though! This is just an initial guest list and this will be trimmed down with factors that will affect and lead you to decide on the Final Guest List.
Factors that Affect Your Guest List
After making the initial guest list where you, your partner and both side’s parents have listed the people that you want to see in your wedding it’s now time to trim down this list based on the following factors:
Budget
Perhaps the biggest factor that can determine your guest list is how much you are willing to spend for the entire thing. Budget is a big factor in making
and trimming your guest list because this will determine most of the details in your wedding, the venue and its capacity, the food, the invitations, etc. After all, you don’t want to cut back on your budget and exchange that dream designer wedding dress you’ve saved up since high school for a less expensive ready-made gown just because you have committed a mistake of overextending your guest list. The bottom line is: you can only invite as many guests as you can afford to accommodate so think twice and be vigilant if you have to.
Wedding Venue
Imagine yourself entering your wedding’s venue all excited to see the happy faces of your family and friends who are equally eager to greet you. You heard the emcee announce your name, the door finally opened and you walk hand-in-hand with the person you have promised to spend the rest of your life with, you look up and BAM! Everyone is closely seated together; other guests are standing because the venue couldn’t accommodate the additional tables you’ve asked for; one waiter just spilled a tray-full of iced tea to one of your VIPs because he can’t easily walk through the narrow spaces of each table, you turned to your coordinator and she looked apologetic but you were too angry and you rant out everything to her. After you’ve calmed down you realized that you were the one who insisted on fitting in 300 people in a venue that can only accommodate a hundred.
Choosing a venue can be a big factor in deciding how many to invite on your wedding. You neither
want a venue that looks too crowded, nor a wedding reception that looks too big and empty you can include 10 elephants and still have room for your guests.
You don’t have to book at the NBC Tent if you only have 100 guests; and think twice before getting your village clubhouse as a reception venue if you have 500 guests.
The location and accessibility of your wedding venue is another factor that will affect your guest list. If a guest is coming from abroad, you would
have to make sure that she knows where exactly the place is or arrange transportation for them to avoid getting lost.
As with destination weddings, a guest list is easier to handle because you’re sure enough that you don’t have to invite those that aren’t needed to come, like your nosy neighbor who has been asking all questions regarding the details since day one. Make sure though that this venue is easily located and perhaps you may arrange for your guests’ transportation and lodging to make them comfortable.
Wedding Date
Another factor that will affect your guest list is their availability on your chosen day to get married. Most people opt for a weekend wedding
because most friends and families will be available during those times. You don’t have to beg your best friend to skip that important Monday meeting so she can be your Maid of Honor; and you don’t have to make your seven-year-old cousin miss his school fieldtrip so he could be your bible bearer.
If most people in your guest list are working then chances are they are most likely to be available on the weekends without missing any other important things regarding work and school activities.
Parents
You and your partner have already finalized the guest list and you’ve started to write their names
on the invitations, then your future mother-in-law comes and hands you a list of her own invitees for your wedding.
You might want to consider your parents and your partner’s parents in making the guest list and ask them who they want to invite especially if they are the ones paying for the wedding. Or you may have
to negotiate with your mom if she insists that your neighbor and childhood friend, who also happens to be your ex-boyfriend, should be invited to the big day.
The best thing to do is to sit with them as you make your initial list and politely discuss and defend why and how you came up with the final guest list.
Who to Invite at your Wedding
After making the initial guest list and after
considering all the factors, especially the capacity of your budget and the venue, you will now have an actual number of how many guests you’re going to invite. Then, it’s time to trim down that initial list and decide who to send that invitation to.
When deciding how many to invite, you, your groom, and both your parents should have your definite shares, unless both your parents decided not to muddle with the decision making. The division can either be one of the following:
The couple chooses half and each set of
parents chooses a quarter. So if you decided
to invite 200 people in your wedding, you and your partner will have the freedom to choose 100 people to invite, your parents will get 50 people to invite and your partner’s parents will get to decide on the other 50.
The couple and the parents each get one
third of the invitees. If you’re going to have
a wedding of 300 guests, you can invite 100, your partner can invite another 100, your parents and your partner’s parents can the other 100 slots.
The bride’s family chooses half and the
