The moment two people become engaged is a wonderful thing – the love is strong and everyone is excited for the big day. Then comes actually planning the entire thing. From choosing the right wedding package in Manila (or another dream wedding destination altogether) to planning the guest list, the stress that comes with planning largely depends on how much time you have to plan it.

Choosing the wedding date is therefore one of the biggest decisions a couple must make for their big day. It automatically tells the couple how much time they have to prepare! On the other hand, some lovebirds want the day to come as soon as possible.

If you’re in a fix as to whether to have a short or long engagement, here are some points to consider.

Short Engagement

If you and your spouse have been together for a long time, like for 4 years or more, a short engagement might not be such a bad idea after all. It’s more likely that the two of you have already discussed some of the details at some point during your relationship, therefore some decisions will be a no-brainer.

• You Will Spend Less Time Stressing Over Wedding Details

Getting married sooner will save you the trouble of overthinking every little detail. It’s a good way to keep things simple, and you won’t have to deal with the stress for a very long time. This is a good thing for easy-going, low-maintenance couples.

• You Get to Be Married Sooner

You have always dreamed of being married to the one you love and thinking how it feels to live the married life. So why wait and prolong the engagement when you can marry sooner than later and start living your life as a married couple?

• Your Guest List Won’t Keep Changing

Stretching out your engagement for several months or even a couple of years can entail a lot of changes in your guest list. Having it now means you’ll be around the people you’re closest to at the time you decided to get hitched.

Long Engagement

A long engagement will be good if you plan to be more thorough about the wedding, so this is perfect for those with specific details in mind and want to accomplish everything on their checklist. Making reservations early means you’ll get the exact venue you want, and may even get you discounts on things like the catering, hotel reservations, and more. In addition, you get to relish the following perquisites of having a long engagement before your special day.

• It won’t be overwhelming

A long engagement provides the couple enough time to actually digest the reality of what is about to happen. It may decrease the chances of getting cold feet. When you do finally tie the knot, you can be sure you’ve already thought it through over and over again.

• You’ll have more time to prepare

You won’t run the risk of the wedding gown not being how you imagined it or someone very important not being able to come due to the last-minute invitation. Everyone, caterers, dressmakers, and guests included, will be able to make necessary plans in advance. You’ll have ample time to pore over all aspects of the wedding as much as you want, and more time to save up as well.

• You’ll get to know each other better

This is especially true for people who haven’t been dating for a very long time. Wanting to get married even after only a few months or a couple of years of being together is fantastic, but there’s no denying you could use more time to get to know each other better. For this reason, it is important that you take your time in getting to know your partner before exchanging vows.

The Final Verdict

There is no right answer to the question of how long you should be engaged before you tie the knot. It should depend entirely on the couple. If you feel that the timing is right, then go get married! Follow your hearts’ desire and don’t forget to enjoy the whole journey.

Preparing for your wedding day requires a lot of time and effort, from searching for the best wedding packages to whittling down the guest list to suit a budget. It’s also important to choose the right date and time for your ceremony and reception. This can be a bit tricky in countries where there are four seasons, but since we only have the wet and dry seasons, it’s really a no-brainer.

Still, it’s good to know the perks of saying your “I do”s during the summer. Here are some of the reasons why summer weddings are popular today.

Weather

Granted, it gets very humid during the summer. Still, the weather is more consistent during this season, which means you do not have to worry about sudden rain showers and thunderstorms. You’re bound to have a warm and breezy day!

Location

One of the best things about tying the knot during this time of the year is that it is the best time to have an outdoor wedding. Do you want to have a tranquil garden wedding? Or maybe you want to achieve that picturesque beach wedding you always dreamed of? These wedding themes are easier to plan during summer. The trick is to choose a time of day when it’s not scorching hot and you’re golden.

Convenience for Guests

One good thing about summer weddings is that those still studying are on a long break. Parents and their kids are more likely to be able to attend the ceremony, even if it’s going to be held somewhere far away from Metro Manila. In fact, it gives everyone an excuse to have a long weekend without worrying about kids having to attend classes the next day. A summer wedding tends to be far more convenient for guests in terms of schedule.                                                      

Attire

You’ll get a wider range of dress options – from elegant suits and gowns, to summer dresses and khaki pants. It really depends on the theme you are going for. You can allow guests to wear something super comfortable or super creative! It will surely make your wedding a unique and memorable one.

Trends

There are a lot of great trends you can choose from for a summer wedding. Bright hues and pastel colors are the popular shades for ceremonies this time of year, so you can try combining just two hues plus an accent color. This will make your wedding space look more unified and sophisticated. Or you can go with one pastel shade plus an accent color. Research color schemes that you want to use for your wedding theme to see which suits you best. For the music, sounds with a laid-back vibe will be suitable even for such a traditionally elegant celebration.

Overall, summer weddings are popular today since it is effortlessly beautiful in all aspects. In addition, this is the perfect chance to mix celebration and vacation with your friends and family members that have supported you and your betrothed all throughout your journey.

What are the best beach wedding destinations in the Philippines?

1. Vivere Azure
2. Bellarocca Island and Resort Spa
3. Club Balai Isabel
4. Club Punta Fuego
5. Balesin Island Club
6. El Nido Resorts
7. Stilts Catalagan Beach Resort
8. Shangri-La Resort and Spa
9. Subic Grand Seas Resort

Your special day is fast approaching and, with that in mind, the perfect venue should be in order. With that said, a laid-back ambiance, the ocean breeze, fine white sand, and captivating seascape are few of the many reasons why couples choose the beach as their wedding destination. Nowadays, wedding packages in Manila offer a wide variety of options, including catering in resorts for the ultimate beach wedding.

Choosing the best beach wedding destination can be quite overwhelming as the Philippines is blessed with numerous beautiful beaches situated in every part of the archipelago. With every beach, comes a spectacular venue for your special day. To help you out, here are some of the most popular wedding destinations:

Vivere Azure (Batangas)

If you are looking to celebrate your wedding at a place that feels like home, Vivere Azure presents the best setting. This beach resort near Manila is situated on the mountainside of Anilao, Batangas. It was created to complement the nature that surrounds it.

Value the intimacy of toasting to honor the joining of your hearts as a couple at a location that exudes a sense of openness. Set up your dream wedding reception in front of the picturesque views of the sunset as well as an infinity pool that overlooks the horizon where the sea meets the sky. After the celebration, retire at the beach resort’s deluxe and presidential suites with an astonishing vista of the ocean. With the sunset in the background, your wedding celebration will surely be romantic!

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa (Marinduque)

Are you dreaming of a Grecian-inspired wedding? If so, there will be no need for you to fly to Santorini, Greece to achieve such kind of wedding. Couples need to look no further other than the province of Marinduque.

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa is a luxury resort situated on the south-west coast of Marinduque. The Santorini-inspired architecture, crystal clear water, seaside cliffs, and romantic ambiance of the island resort make it one of the best beaches wedding destinations not only in the Philippines but in the whole of Southeast Asia. The island resort has premium array of accommodations, activities, and recreation attractions, offering you and your guests an exquisite experience.

Club Balai Isabel (Tagaytay)

Despite being situated near the world’s smallest active volcano (and one of the coldest places of the Philippines), it is no wonder that Club Balai Isabel is one of the sought-after beach wedding destinations in the country.

Club Balai Isabel has various facilities, such as dining, health and wellness, and recreation, making it a perfect choice for corporate events, holidays, and weddings. The picturesque setting and relax ambiance of the place makes it a popular location not only for a pre-nuptial photo shoot but for the actual wedding ceremony and reception as well. The resort will provide you the magnificent view of the world-famous Taal Lake as your beautiful backdrop, as well as all the fresh air for you to breathe in and relish.

Club Punta Fuego (Nasugbu, Batangas)

Batangas is known to be a home to the top beaches in the country. One of the province’s pride is the Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu.

Club Punta Fuego, a premier membership resort, is an ideal location for any type of beach wedding. The resort can accommodate up to 100 guests with its spacious area, yet still provides a solemn vibe. Club Punta Fuego’s scenic landscape, first-class facilities, and calm environment will surely create a memorable wedding experience.

Balesin Island Club (Eastern Coast of Luzon)

One of the most extravagant island resorts in the Philippines, Balesin Island Club provides luxurious villas and amenities to its guests. The luxurious island club also has seven theme villages with several villas and suites. You can be sure of an intimate wedding ceremony when you choose Balesin since it is exclusive to its members or those who are endorsed by a member. Plus, with the ambiance this venue exudes, you are sure to enjoy your special day even more when the entire wedding is done with all the beach you can go around in.

El Nido Resorts (Palawan)

Palawan is one of the hottest destinations for any occasion in mind, most especially for a wedding. If you’re looking for a nice wedding destination that’s sure to bring in the heat, then this hotspot is definitely for you.

Also, since this resort is situated in Palawan, you’ll also be able to give your guests (and yourselves) enough landscape to frolic and swim around to your heart’s content. Truly, this venue can do you wonders.

Stilts Catalagan Beach Resort (Catalagan, Batangas)

If you’re looking for the perfect beach venue for your dream wedding, then this destination is definitely for you. Only a 2 to 3-hour drive from Metro Manila to Batangas, this won’t take much effort for you to reach; and once you reach it, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view to behold for years to come.

Inside the resort, you’ll be greeted with a lot of nature in every corner, especially its many beaches for you to frolic around under the sun. Either section of the resort you choose for your ceremony and/or reception, the memories you make here will be all the more worth it.

Shangri-La Resort and Spa (Cebu)

Cebuanos love their fun, especially on the beach with any occasion they have in mind. For those looking for a paradise of white sands to match with the bride’s wedding dress, this venue is for you. With luxury and serenity all around, every stroll around this place can make you feel like the woman/man of the hour.

Subic Grand Seas Resort (Olongapo)

Subic is one of those places that everyone is willing to go far for pleasure, especially for the abundance of marine life available for you to marvel at. In this particular venue, not only will you be able to join your spouse-to-be in love and holy matrimony in the nearby Immaculate Conception Church, but you’ll also be able to enjoy some physical activity with the numerous water sports available. Either way, you’ll surely get your heart pumping with the endless amounts of happiness and excitement around you.

Key Takeaway

The country has one of the longest coastlines in the world, making it a home to many pristine and white beaches; and with 7,107 islands in the country, there will be no shortage of tropical-themed wedding ideas. It would be definitely hard not to find the perfect beach wedding venue you wouldn’t fall in love with. A beach wedding is absolutely a sensible choice to couples who enjoy the beauty of nature. The relaxed vibe and picturesque backdrop will surely be achieved when you choose beach as your wedding destination.

What are common wedding problems?

1. Going over budget.
2. Last minute need of a new venue.
3. Having a guest lists that’s too big.
4. Clashing or having issues with the entourage members.
5. Having a wardrobe malfunction.
6. Looking tired on the day itself.
7. Power outage.

Everyone expects their wedding day to be magical and why shouldn’t it be? It’s when you commit your life to the one person you love the most in this world! However, that love is not going to magically make dream wedding become a reality. You, your fiancé, and your family and friends are the ones that will make sure that happens. The responsibilities that all need to take care of include choosing the right wedding packages, coming up with the final guest list, and making sure you don’t go over budget, among many other things.

You should also account for possible unavoidable problems that may come along the way. Instead of simply hoping nothing bad happens and then panicking when it does, it’s better to be prepared.

The Budget

Determining your budget is the first step in wedding preparations. Majority of the decisions you need to make will be determined by this. It’s a horrible idea to start planning a wedding without a budget because you’re bound to recklessly spend a ton of money without realizing it.

The budget will influence a lot of decisions like who you really want to invite, whether it’s better to DIY some aspects like the invitations, and whether you’re willing to spend extra for a more extravagant dress. In short, a well thought of budget will save you from throwing all your savings away.

Changing of the Venue

Reality is the venue may be perfect but the circumstances may be not. For whatever reason – such as double booking, venue bankruptcy, accidents, etc. – you may need to book a new venue at the last minute. While this isn’t in your control, the contract is. Before signing anything when booking a venue, make sure there are reasonable refund clauses and, if it’s possible, relocation reimbursement clauses as well.

As for finding the new venue, if the original venue owner/manager has a good heart, then he can suggest to you many alternative places. Also, your caterers and other vendors have most likely worked in other venues that are suitable to your needs. Simply asking them can help you a lot. When those don’t work, resorting to recommendations from friends – both online and offline – is a good option. Who knows? You might end up with something even better than your original location.

Guest List Being Too Big

It is pretty common to have an inflation in the guest list. People may ask if they can bring a plus one or their kids along with them to the celebration. While it may be tempting to allow this to make sure that everyone has a good time, this could lead to more guests than you and/or the venue can handle.

You can avoid this by creating a set guest list that cannot be touched. From there it’s all about being polite but firm. Use the facts to your advantage. If people call to ask why they aren’t invited or allowed to bring a plus one that’s not on the list, then simply state that the venue cannot fit any more people or you can’t afford to accommodate any more. Also, doing this makes sure that only the people closest to you take part in your celebration.

However, if you decide that you want to accommodate everyone, then prepare to spend more on catering, rentals, and a bigger venue.

Clashing with the Entourage

With all the stress of the wedding planning, there could be times where you could clash with one more members of the entourage.

When this happens, take a step back and see if the stresses of the wedding is getting to you. Maybe you’re getting too demanding and forcing big choices on to your close friends and family. If you see yourself doing this, then take a breath and calm down. You don’t want to remember your wedding as the event that ruined your relationship with your loved ones. Make sure you apologize well – probably over food where you can mend the ties over a delicious meal.

However, if you see that you’re not the problem, then the key is to take a soft approach to dealing with the issue. First, let the perpetrator know how much your friendship means to you and why you chose him/her to be part of the entourage. Then, gently let him/her know how their behavior is affecting the way the wedding/wedding planning is turning out. Be sure that you don’t say this unless you have ways for him/her to improve; at least for the wedding. If he/she is truly a close friend, then he/she will make the necessary sacrifice for you. Lastly, end positively by telling him/her that you need him there by your side to make the wedding absolutely perfect – which should be true if you picked your entourage well.

Wardrobe Malfunction

A wardrobe malfunction does not only happen to celebrities on a red carpet, it can also happen to brides and grooms at their own weddings. Always have an emergency kit that includes safety pins, button pins, garment tape, and a mini sewing kit ready.

Beauty Disaster before the Big Day

It’s easy to forget yourself when you prioritize all the preparations. Make sure you always get enough sleep and drink a lot of water while planning the wedding to keep you hydrated and your skin moisturized. Then, a week before your wedding, plan a pampering day for facials, scrubs, or massages.

If there won’t be any makeup artists for the whole length of the celebration, then assign one of your bridesmaids/groomsmen to be mindful of how you look throughout the event. For the ladies, have you trusted bridesmaid carry a small pouch that includes an eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, translucent powder, and wet wipes in case of emergencies.

Failure of Electricity in the Venue

Wouldn’t it be horrible if you’re in the middle of the dance floor and all of a sudden, the electricity goes out? Make sure to choose a venue with a backup electricity plan.

Key Takeaway

Mistakes and problems are inevitable. But with ample preparation time, having back up plans and keeping a cool head, your wedding day will more likely be a successful one.

What are the best ideas for a healthy wedding reception?

1. Healthy Finger Foods
2. Start with Leafy Greens
3. You Don’t Need Beef
4. Desserts Don’t Need to be Unhealthy
5. Healthy Drinks
6. Healthy Wedding Cake

People from all over the world are becoming more and more conscious about their health, whether it be residents of California, Tokyo, London, or even here in Manila. Wedding packages now feature more diverse offerings as a result, since providers are riding the health wave to keep up with the demand. In today’s generation, more and more people are looking to be healthy; therefore, healthy habits like proper diet and daily exercise routines are now becoming normal activities, most especially on the former.

With this in mind, people are now looking to apply their healthy lifestyle in any event and special occasion, which includes weddings. Healthy food choices are now becoming more abundant and more accessible, especially with the wide array of selections anyone can choose from. With the rise of these ingredient substitutes and more innovative and healthy recipes, there is more than a wide selection of food ideas for you to choose from and try.

Not sure how to insert healthy dishes in your menu? Here are a few ideas:

Healthy Finger Foods

Hors D’oeuvres are a staple in any wedding reception, or any meal for that matter, those fancy finger foods that you just love to chow down on before the actual program starts is a definite diet killer. Instead of sticking to the traditional menu of appetizers you can look to some alternatives. Look to have seasoned grilled vegetable skewers or small bites of grilled seafood as your starters. These can be very tasty, and even if you eat more than one it’s unlikely you will feel any bit of guilt afterwards. Other choices include vegetable quiche, steamed dumplings, bean salsa, and stuffed onions.

Start with Leafy Greens

Get a salad station! You can have a varied selection of greens and let your guests help themselves to it. Don’t forget to request for a variety of dressings as well! If it’s a sit-down style of reception, choose a tasty seafood salad or a simple Tuscan salad. Vegetables like lettuces, tomatoes, cabbages, and kale would be nice leafy vegetables that would make your salad selection a solid one. You can also offer a variety of salad dressings to enhance the flavor. Dressings like Thousand Island, Ranch, Herb, and Chile are great selections that would satisfy a lot of tastes.

You Don’t Need Beef at a Wedding

The main course is usually either a selection of beef, pork, or chicken. But there are other, healthier sources of protein such as salmon, lamb, or chicken.

Imagine a main course of boiled salmon with herb and butter seasoning, and grilled vegetables on the side, or a rack lamb grilled to perfection perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices. There are other variations of seafood you can serve in your reception such as squid or other forms of clams, even a perfectly cooked chicken breast can beat pork if done right.

Having these wonderful main courses on your menu would ensure that you have some hefty, yet nutritious meat to enjoy. For sides, sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and brown rice would complete the healthy package.

Desserts Don’t Need to Be Unhealthy

Desserts are the best way to end the meal with a bang, and having a healthy selection, which is why it’s not impossible to have a good dessert station with healthy options. You can start off with fresh fruits and some yogurt!

There are also other variations such as fruit tarts or fruit-based cakes, which are healthier alternatives to chocolate covered desserts. If all else fails a good fruit sorbet is the perfect back up. It’s full of flavor and is absolutely refreshing! Mixing up these healthy foods would give some nice diversity that would satisfy all of your guests.

Healthy Drinks

Most weddings serve a selection of sweet juices, which may not be healthy after a good number of glasses. The best alternatives to sweetened juices are fresh ones. You can choose from fruits like oranges, lemons, pineapple, pomegranate, and coconut for your healthy drink choices. These are great alternatives to sodas and alcohic drinks like wine, whisky, and champagne.

If you want to be a bit more creative, you can mix and match these fruits to create some wonderful flavors that go along well with your main course. Another option besides juices are smoothies. Simply get some ice and fruits, and put them into a blender. Smoothies are a tasty and chill choice that your guests would surely enjoy.

Healthy Wedding Cakes

The most important part of your wedding reception dinner is the wedding cake, which tends to be the centerpiece of your meal selection. One of the issues that these cakes have is that they are heavy and unhealthy. This is attributed to the high amount of dairy products and sweets present in most cakes.

One of the best ways to make sure your cake is healthy, yet still delicious at the same time, is to use substitute ingredients. These ingredients would be able to substitute your regular sugar, honey, milk, butter, and eggs which make sure that it will still be as good. You can also incorporate fruits into your cake to give it some fresh flavors that the couple and the guests are bound to enjoy.

Key Takeaway

With these alternative ideas in mind, it’s time to step away from the stereotypical wedding reception. You can do your guests a favor and feed them what they need more than what they want. They might even thank you for introducing them to other alternative types of cuisine! They might get blown away with these wonderful food ideas that they may not have seen before, and look for more of them in your next parties and events in the near future.