Tag Archives: Wedding Catering Services

How to Avoid Wedding Drama

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Some of the best days of your life also have the highest potential of stirring up some drama. On your wedding day, this could come in the form of undelivered gift packages, wedding catering miscommunications, and relatives quarrelling.

Unexpected circumstances cannot be avoided completely. The earlier you accept this, the better it would be for everybody. That doesn’t mean though that you can’t minimize the chances of drama happening.

 

Communicate

Let your fiancé know of any changes you’ve made, big or small, and ask him/her to do the same for you. This is especially useful if you don’t have a wedding planner. This would mean that the two of you need to act as a solid unit so that all the 3rd party elements (caterers, venue managers, etc.) can follow your lead. It will be confusing for them if you make contrasting decisions separately, and unfair to get them caught up in the middle. Such a confusion could lead to miscommunication between the two of you and your 3rd part elements.

As for your guests, try not to make any big changes such as location, time, gift registry, theme, etc. once you’ve sent out invitations. If there are unavoidable changes, inform them immediately so they can rearrange their plans accordingly. Nothing will cause drama more than embarrassed guests who come in the wrong attire or time. Also be upfront about your rules for plus ones and children.

Time Tables

More precise information means less drama. Plan an itinerary or time table of your program and give a copy to suppliers, bridal party members, and other involved parties to ensure a smooth flow. With all the moving parts and people of your special day, one misplaced element can ruin everything. If you can get a set of professional stage managers to make sure everyone and everything is in place at the right, then do so. This will ensure that everyone will enjoy while making sure they attend to their responsibilities.

Delegate

Be leader and delegate tasks properly. Don’t do everything yourself because it is near impossible and will stress you out on your special day. For this reason, it is important to know your limit and look for help when you’ve reached it. Trusted friends and family could be good for this, but a wedding planner along with his team would be perfect.

 

Guest List

If you and your spouse know your guests well, then you will also know which ones are prone to drama. With this information, you can intelligently plan your guest list and where these people will be placed in the reception and wedding. Anyone with bad blood must conveniently be separated at all times. However, when in doubt, leave them out. It could be a cold thing to do, but you really wouldn’t want these people making your special day about them.

One particularly good example is if one of you have separated parents who are not in good terms. The first thing you should do is talk to them about being civil, and if they have any terms that they would like you to consider such as not having them seated in the same table. If you’ve invited either of the parents’ new significant other, make sure to inform the other in advance so as they can prepare themselves or opt to back out. Should anyone start any trouble, you have every right to calmly ask them to leave.

Break Tradition

Another perfect example of wedding drama is people fighting about the coveted maid of honor or best man position. Even though tradition says that you must only have one, you don’t need to follow this. If you have two best friends, then why can’t you have two maids of honor or best men?

When walking down the aisle you can also choose to go solo to avoid any drama amongst the people who feel that they should walk with you. You can even walk down with your fiancé. Be creative and think outside of the box about which traditions you can bend or break.

 

 

Unplug

Turn off your phone. You don’t need any external factors such as a passive aggressive tweet ruining your special day. Besides, you need to focus on the present 100%. It could be tempting to do so to see the latest pictures of your wedding or to see if everyone is having fun, but this is your wedding. You’re meant to have fun at the celebration; not in cyberspace. Give social media rest for the day and live in the moment.

Avoiding drama on your wedding day is all about being prepared, smart, creative, and practical. But above all, you must be transparent with everyone and respect yourself and your fiancé. Your wedding is all about the two of you and nothing should ruin this day. Your friends and family love you dearly and making the right rearrangements and informing them of it is the key to a drama-free day. D

How to Accommodate Handicapped Guests

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How can I make sure an event is accessible to persons with disabilities?

  1. All pathways and doorways must be at least 32 inches wide and that the corners are maneuverable.
  2. The entrances and exits must have wheelchair ramps. If they don’t, then rent out portable ones.
  3. Bathrooms must have cubicles for the disabled with grab bars.
  4. There must be elevators or other alternatives for reaching higher or lower floors of the venue. It’s best if the elevator has low controls or an elevator operator.
  5. Work with the venue manager regarding the accommodations for the disabled.
  6. Allow such guests to bring a plus one that can help them throughout the event.
  7. Leave ample space for guests to sit comfortable at a table or pew.
  8. Have ushers attentively standing by in wait to address any concern a person with disabilities may have.
  9. There must be handicapped parking

Accessible Wedding JUAN CARLO

While choosing the best place to celebrate a wedding in Manila, catering to handicapped guests could easily slip out of your mind. Forgetting to make your venue accessible to disabled people could force them to go through inconveniences that could ruin their day and, subsequently, yours as well. You don’t want this type of complication at your wedding if you know you’ll be having guests that are persons with disabilities. Ensure that they will have a fun and stress-free time during your special day by going the extra mile to accommodate them.

Choose an Accessible Venue

Of course, when finalizing a church and reception venue, you would want to conduct an ocular. Usually, this is done to see if it fits your preferences and, more importantly, if it can accommodate your guests. Thus, you should check it for accessibility (the term used for products, devices, services, or environments made especially for the disabled). You should do this for both the reception and wedding venue.

The first few places you should check are the entrance and exit. These should have ramps for those that find it difficult to use stairs.

Then, check the pathway going to the specific room(s) and function hall(s) that you wish to rent. Be sure that there is no obstacle that can hinder a disabled guest. The hallways must also be at least 32 inches wide to have enough room for wheelchairs to pass through comfortably. While you’re at it, measure all the doorways, elevators, bathrooms, and ramps to see if the fit this criteria.

For the bathroom, check to see if there a cubicle for the handicapped. It must have a grab bar for your handicapped guests’ convenience.

If you’re venue has more than 1 floor, then it’s an absolute must that your guests have an alternative to taking the stairs. Check to see if there is another entrance aside from the main one for the higher or lower levels. Also, check the elevators (if any). These must have either low controls or an elevator operator for those in wheelchairs. If you know that you’ll be having a blind guest without a caregiver attending, then check if the elevator has brail.

Lastly, try to avoid booking a historic church as much as possible if you know you will have many elders and/or disabled guests attending. These venues may be beautiful venues, but they were also built during a time where accessibility wasn’t a priority. However, you may still choose to book this type of wedding venue if you can make the space work.

Make the Space Work

Regardless of whether or not you made sure that your venue is accessible, you must be prepared for special cases. Some venues may have accessible facilities, but these were designed around common disabilities. Your guests may have more specific needs. The most common of these special needs come when the wheelchairs and walkers that your handicapped guests are larger than regular ones. Even if you’ve made sure that the ramp is 32 inches wide, it may still be too narrow to such a guest. Other complications include narrow hallways, cramped pews, and maneuverability issues.

But don’t fret just yet. It doesn’t hurt to ask the venue managers what can be done about these. If the venue is a common venue for any family gathering, then the managers would know exactly how to handle guests with specific needs. For sure, they’ve seen it all. Let them know of your guests’ specific needs and they in turn can let you know what they can offer you.

It will also help to warn guests in advance of these complications. Then if it is okay with you, allow them to bring along a guest or caregiver that can help them. This will make them feel more at ease with the situation.

Wheelchair Ramps

If the venue cannot offer any means to address your guests’ accessibility problems, then you can choose either a customized ramp, portable ramps, or a different venue. Customized ramps are good as a carpenter can build exactly what you need; this will depend on the measurements of your guests’ need and the steps/ledges they will need to pass through. Portable ramps, on the other hand, offers mobility and flexibility you may need in case of an emergency.

Seating

At an accessible wedding venue, there should be spaces next to some pews for those in wheelchairs. These should be spacious and easy to get to. Be sure to tell ushers to inform guests on wheelchairs or crutches of these spaces and bring them there if choose to sit there. At the same time, these guests should be given a choice to sit wherever they want.

At the reception, remove chairs at the tables where for the wheel-chaired guest will sit. With a proper seat plan, you should be able to plan ahead of time where these empty spots should be in. Also, be sure to leave ample space in between tables so that maneuvering between them is easy. This will also ensure that sitting at a table will be comfortable.

Lastly, have ushers or waiters assigned specifically to assist persons with disabilities in both venues.

Parking and Transportation

No matter what the situation is for your guests with disabilities, there are two things you must check: the parking and the driveway.

At the parking, you must make sure that there are parking made especially for the handicapped. These are usually marked by the usual handicap parking signs. If this is not available at your venue, then you can assign the parking spots nearest to the entrance for them. Make sure that these have ample space for the guests to be able to exit their car comfortably.

But if these guests choose to get a drop off, then parking won’t be a problem. But you must make sure that the driveway has accessibility as well. If it doesn’t, then you must absolutely have a portable ramp.

For those coming via taxi, you must make sure that taxis or similar transportation services are available going out of your venue.

Key Takeaway

Taking the extra time (and going the extra mile) to make sure the wedding is accessible will ensure that your beloved family and friend with disabilities can celebrate your special day with it. All the trouble will be worth it when everyone enjoys the culmination of love you and your partner share.

 

 

How to Keep Kids Entertained at a Wedding

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How to Keep Kids Entertained at a Wedding JUAN CARLO

Deciding whether or not to have kids present at your wedding is up to you – on one hand, having a wedding exclusively for the adults means less chances of having a screaming child during your vows. On the other hand, some invited parents might not be able to find a sitter and bail; kids can also be wonderful to have around.

Kids can be rowdy during the wedding and the reception, after all that’s just what kids do. However when they get upset and start throwing tantrums, it usually means that they are either hungry or craving for attention. Having a kid-friendly wedding means adjusting some things like the wedding catering (there should be dishes that the kids can enjoy) and of course, something to keep them busy while the adults are busy.

 

Treats

Most kids can stay in a good mood by giving them sweets and treats. Have someone trusted such as a family member walk around to offer treats and ask the kids to promise to stay on their best behavior. Be sure to choose snacks that are white or clear (like marshmallows and gummy bears) so that it won’t stain their clothes. In addition, permission from the parent must first be granted before giving kids any treats.

Childcare

Guests want to bring their children to the wedding but often choose not to because they know they might cause a ruckus. You can designate an area just for the kids and hire a professional childcare service for your wedding to make sure all the kids are entertained. They can hold games, arts and crafts, and movie showings to make sure the kids have fun while the adults are free to mingle and enjoy the event.

Hire a Professional Kids’ Entertainer

While childcare services are trained to entertain kids, nothing beats a showman. You can hire an artist, a clown, or a storyteller. If you have the budget, then invest in a good magician or superhero impersonator. This would be epic if the entertainer plays perfectly into your theme. Kids playing with the showman could not only be fun for them, but also it could be delightful sight for your wedding so long as it doesn’t distract from the main event.

Have a Game Room

Sometimes kids don’t need adults to have fun; just each other, a lot of energy, and a few games. Assign a room in your reception venue just for them and fill it up all sorts of activities! You can have ping pong/hockey tables, board games, hula hoops, jump ropes, dolls, and even video games there to entertain them. If you’re going to hold your reception at a hotel or club, then you might find that their game room is good enough for this. For a garden reception, then outdoor games are the way to go.

Plan the Meals

Consider dividing the buffet into two sections: a big one for adults and a small one for kids. A separate table could be dedicated to kid-friendly food such as nuggets, hotdogs, and burgers. It’s like holding a mini kids’ party at your wedding. The reason why you want to do this is because kids don’t like waiting long for dinner and could end up getting rowdy or mad; they just want to eat and play. At this table, you can add cups of crayons with white butcher paper to give them something to do.

Goody Bags

Along the lines of the idea of having a kids’ party within your wedding, you can also give out goody bags. These can have snacks, little toys, bubbles, etc. that will keep the little ones entertained. The best part of this is these are really cheap to purchase and prepare, especially if there are only a handful of children at your wedding.

 

It is important that the kids are well fed, entertained, and cared for. Make them feel like it’s a celebration for them as well. You’re going to want to remember your wedding as the day that everyone was happy and celebrating for you and your future husband/wife; even the young ones.

 

 

 

How to Choose the Right Colors for Your Wedding

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How do I choose the right colors for my wedding?

  1. Prioritize either the venue or the colors. Whatever you choose, the other needs to adapt to it.
  2. Base the hues off of the season in which the wedding will be held in.
  3. Understand that colors, psychologically, place people in mental and physical states. Think of the emotions that you want to be felt on your special day. Then, research what colors you need to convey this.
  4. Look at magazine, art galleries, and other sources for inspiration. The way artists use colors can make you look at your favorite palette in a more unique way.
  5. Use a color wheel to get perfect matches of two or more colors.

There are a lot of things to plan in a wedding; catering, seat plans, transportation, etc. Choosing the main colors for the event might seem like a small task compared to the rest, but you shouldn’t underestimate its importance. Just like the theme and venue, the colors will greatly affect the overall aesthetic and environment of the wedding! Particular things like the décor, dress code, and even the food garnish are greatly influence by the colors! Thus, choosing the right hues is absolutely important. Choose the wrong palette (or rather, no particular palette) and you may end up with an eyesore of a wedding! Here are a few tips so you don’t make that mistake:

 

Venue Hues and Other Outside Factors

You will find that you will be adjusting the style and design of your wedding and reception to your chosen venue; including the colors. But since you are trying to get both the perfect location and the perfect color scheme, it is very possible that these two will clash if you don’t think of them as one aesthetic unit. Thus, you should learn to prioritize. Think which of the two is more important to you. Whatever you choose, the other factor should adapt.

So, for example, you’ve already set your eyes on a specific venue. Your colors should then complement the over design of the said location. This works vice versa as well. Venues such as warehouses, lofts, or tents are good choices as they are far more easily styled than places like gardens and beaches. Then again, that’s your call.

Aside from the location, there are other details that you need to think of as well when picking your colors. For example, the flower arrangements will definitely have a dominant color to them and you don’t want them to clash with your hues. Other factors such as the family’s preferences or heritage could also influence your choice.

Go with the Seasons

Just like how people change what they wear to the changing seasons, your wedding theme can also depend on the time of the year. In fact, it can be pretty specific with how it influences your hues. For example, coral pink is better for the summer while a blush pink is more fitting for the rainy season. While they’re both pink, they are still very different from one another in terms of emotion. Psychologically, colors and the season will heavily influence the overall mood and vibe of your wedding (we will discuss this psychological effect of colors shortly). Thus, you want these two factors working together.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t choose your favorite colors. It only means that you have to be on the lookout for different hues and textures of that same color.

Mood

Colors convey emotions; at least psychologically. This is why certain places irritate a person or calm him down. The colors they see in this place set them in a certain physical or mental state depending on the dominant colors they see. While the topic is very broad and detailed, the general effects of colors are the following:

  1. Warm colors, such as red, yellow, and orange, can make a person feel comfortable or hostile.
  2. Cool colors, such as green, blue, and purple, can make a person feel calm or sad.

With such psychological effects of colors, these can set the right or wrong mood for your wedding; especially when in combination. Black, gold, red, or emerald can add a dramatic flair to the celebration, while light colors can bring out more joy. Think about the emotions you want you and your guests to feel and remember when you think back to your wedding day. Once you know, study what colors you need to add to your color scheme to convey this feeling.

Get Inspired

While it’s good to be original and avoid trendy themes, sometimes your mind can be limited creatively. To help you with this, you need to get inspired.  You can get this from many sources. Magazines, art galleries, and museums are all good places to look at to give you some ideas. The way artists use hues can help you see your favorite colors in a different way. Who knows? Maybe the perfect color scheme is in a photograph someone on the internet and you just haven’t seen it yet. Just be sure to add your own flair to these inspirations if you really want to be original.

Looking around your home can draw inspiration as well. Of course, you choose the designs and colors of your home décor based on your preferences. Thus, the colors in your home are something that you know you can live with seeing those every day. Why not use the same palette for the wedding? Doing this will give the celebration a personal touch that will be familiar – maybe too familiar for some – yet surely pleasing to your eyes. Plus, you can take home those expensive pieces of décor that you will buy just for wedding and these will fit right in.

Look at the Color Wheel

You don’t need to be an art major to be able to use a color wheel. The basics are pretty easy to understand and you can use these as a starting point to choosing your personalized choice of matching colors: These basics say that these combinations on the color wheel go well with each other:

  1. Opposites: This pairing gives the perfect contrast of warm and cool.
  2. Neighbors: The colors are similar and share the same primary color.
  3. Neutral & Bright: The neutral colors will accent the bright colors.

Key Takeaway

Most importantly: don’t stress out. Hiring a wedding planner is a good option for when you’re unsure about what you’re doing (or if there’s simply too much to do.) Better yet, as long as you promise not to turn into bridezilla you can ask for help from family and friends!

 

Wonderful Ideas for Summer Weddings

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When preparing and arranging a wedding, there’s a lot to make decisions on: venue, decorations, catering arrangements, music, and the date and time of the ceremony and the reception. All of these need to be coordinated with one another (can you imagine having an outdoor winter-themed wedding during the summer? Horrible idea!), which is why there are already available wedding packages for you to choose from and customize.

In the Philippines, summer weddings are quite popular. The sun is shining bright with little to no danger of rain, most people are free or would love to take some time off from work (good for out-of-town weddings) and beach wedding destinations are always an option. Here are some summer wedding ideas that can make your wedding extra special.

 

Destination Wedding

Picking the right venue for your summer wedding is essential, as it would give your preparation some direction when it comes to your decoration and arrangements. Would you want to have your wedding at a beach? Or would you rather have a garden wedding? There are many choices to choose from, and picking the right one would make your wedding experience unique and memorable.

Decorations and Souvenirs

Preparing for a summer wedding gives you a multitude of options to choose from when it comes to decorations and accessories. You can give guests keepsake items like postcards, or have a photo booth set up so that guests would have an instant souvenir. You can go for a more natural and rustic feel, and have more wooden seats and tables, mason jars, and a selection of vases to put the flowers in.

Summer Flowers

A full-blown wedding would not be complete without having a beautiful bouquet for the bride, and decorating the venue with beautiful flower arrangements. There is a good variety of summer flowers to choose from in our country. Popular choices include sunflowers, orchids, roses, chrysanthemums, and more.

Summer Cuisine

A summer wedding reception would not be complete without some of the finest cuisine best enjoyed during the summer. Favourites include grilled meats, freshly-cooked seafood, or even some healthy salads. You can also serve some cold desserts like ice cream to keep the guests cool on a warm summer day.

Plenty of Ice Cold Refreshments

In a summer wedding ceremony, expect the temperatures to be a bit higher than compared to your average day. It is important to keep your guests refreshed and cool. Offering guests unlimited cold drinks will do the trick. You can never wrong with serving ice-cold juices on a warm summer day.

Summer Colors or Sundresses

For bridesmaids and female guests, wearing pastel-colored dresses fits in the summer theme perfectly. For male guests, linen and wool shirts and coats would be an ideal match. Or you can have the guests ditch the formal attire and wear something a little more casual yet elegant such as sundresses and cotton suits.

 

Arranging the perfect summer wedding takes a lot of time and effort, but it gives the guests and the couple experiences and memories that would last for a long time.

 

Awesome Bachelor Party Ideas

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What are awesome bachelor party ideas?

  1. Video game night
  2. Sports tournament
  3. Barbecue and Ribs
  4. Road trip
  5. Skydiving
  6. Visiting the firing range
  7. Gambling at the casino

Strip clubs for bachelor parties are so old school. Unless that’s actually what you and your groomsmen want and your wife-to-be is comfortable with it – in that case, it’s your choice. Much like wedding catering packages and reception venues, you have plenty of other options for your bachelor party other than the traditional. Here are a few suggestions that are bound to be just as fun, if not more:

Video Game Night

Most men love video games. If this is true for you and your best friends, then this could be the perfect sendoff from singlehood to marriage. Gather your buddies and just play the night away. Play games that force you to either team up or go against each other. Adding beer to the mix will bring extra fun – and maybe the angry neighbor but who cares? Eventually you’ll play and drink until you’re all passed out. It’s the perfect way to feel like a kid again before going off into a life full of adult responsibilities. Just be sure to bring a large number of snacks to munch on and some extra drinks in case you run out.

Sports Night

Another thing men love is sports. While watching sports on TV can get the blood pumping already, there’s nothing like the rush of adrenaline from actually playing your favorite sports

Pick one sport that you and your friends would love. Then, organize an entire tournament; complete with jerseys. It doesn’t need to feel super legit but it just has to get your friends motivated to get competitive. After all, a little bit of friendly competition brings out the best and wildest sides of everyone. When a champion is crowned, have a boys’ night afterwards complete with food and drink. You can simply have this at home. That will be perfect to make this party idea the best bonding experience ever.

But if you and your buds aren’t exactly athletic, then you should at least get out of the front of a TV screen. Get tickets to a local thrilling sports event. Do a pre-game so you can enjoy the game(s) without inhibition. You can also still have the boys’ night after!

Barbeque and Ribs

They say that when you’re able to grill a mean piece of meat, you’re a real man. If you believe this, then put it to the test. Get your friends and gather around the grill to cook the best barbecue of your lives. In fact, to make it more interesting, go against your best man in a cook-off and see who makes the best barbecue and ribs. It’s another competitive part idea that is not just manly, but delicious as well.

Side Note: If you can’t cook to save your life, then don’t worry. Instead, this opportunity to learn from your best friends.

Travel/Road Trips

There’s nothing like hitting road with your best bros. It may be a simple bachelor party idea, but just being with your brothers on a long road trip is enough to make your last day as a lawfully single man epic. Just be sure to have awesome sounds, a full tank of gas, and an adventurous destination. It will be even more memorable if you go to a place special to you and your best buddies. Having a lot of beer here is sure to bring out the best memories of your younger years and the most laughable stories of the past. If you plan to get wasted, then make sure there’s a designated driver that will get all of you home safe. Also, never ever – at any costs or form of intoxication – pick up a hitchhiker because stranger danger is real.

Taking it to the Extreme

What better way to symbolize the plunge going into married life by taking an actual plunge? A long, hair-raising, spirit-shaking plunge to be exact by jumping out of a plane. Skydiving is an experience that you should save for the best of occasions and there is no better time to do than at your bachelor party. It’s a fitting last thrill ride for you and your buddies.

But if this is not to your taste, then you can try many other extreme adventures. Some examples are bungee jumping, hang gliding, scuba diving, surfing, rock climbing, mountain climbing, or even shark diving. Anything that “defies” death can be on the list of things you can do. It will bring you and your brothers closer together and it’s a great story to tell your future wife and kids.

For something less risky, just go go-carting with the boys or take the old bikes and skateboards out for a spin.

Fire Some Shots

If watching sports isn’t your thing, then actions movies is sure to be! The feeling of watching a good action-packed flick is sure to fire you up. Some of the best movies of this kind have men wanting to drive faster, hit the boxing gym, and even playing pretend at home. Though, who says that you will always have to pretend? A trip to the best firing range in the country could be just what you need to feel like an action star. Here, you’ll be able to try an assortment of guns and – if the range accommodates it – grenades. It will be an exhilarating experience for anyone that loves guns and explosions.

Winning it Big in a Casino

If you have the means to go to Vegas, then go for it! In a city where all adventures (and misadventures) stay inside of it, it’s the perfect place for a wild night that only you and your bros could have and know about.

But if not, then any casino would do! Complete the experience by dressing up in a full suit with your friends to feel like high rollers. It will definitely put you in the mood to stare down a dealer while trying to get the best hand. Wouldn’t it be great to win big just before the wedding? It will certainly make your finances happy! Just be sure to know when to quit and you’ll be fine. However, be wary of when servers are trying to get you too drunk and make you feel too daring than your bank account would allow.

Key Takeaway

These ideas will keep your last moments of engaged life memorable. No matter how you choose to celebrate, always remember to keep the brotherhood you share with your friends in the years to come.

 

Tips for Writing Your Wedding Vows

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Wedding Vows Juan Carlo

Food is serious business, especially when it comes to deciding on food catering for your wedding. But what’s even more important are the wedding vows you make to your betrothed. This is what encapsulates years of love in the past and promises years more of that love in the future.

Unsurprisingly, many people find it difficult to put these vows into words. After all, most people simply feel the love and act upon it naturally. Hardly anyone puts each of these countless moments and feelings into words every single day. There’s no shame in blanking out each time you attempt to start writing your vows. However, it’s time to get serious and actually do it. Here’s a quick guide to give you the nudge you need.

 

Create a Vow Plan

What’s bound to happen when one person is used to discussing what they feel and what’s on their mind, while the other is more reserved? Uneven vows. Even if your differences aren’t this severe, a couple might not have the same expectations when it comes to the vows.

As such, it’s good to discuss beforehand certain aspects of the vows. Set an approximate minimum and maximum word count. Put on the table things that are off-limits such as particular stories or jokes. Agree on a tone (one might write a serious vow while the other makes a comedy out of the whole thing.) Set a due date – better yet, schedule when the two of you will write the vows. Maybe right after cake-testing, when you’re both feeling incredibly blissful?

Reflect on Your Love

Sometimes you’re just too close to the picture. Take some time apart from your future spouse to reflect on your relationship. Think of what makes the relationship special to you and what makes this person special to you. Write down the ones that stand out. Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be your vows yet, just a guideline.

Afterwards, spend time with your fiancée and take a trip down memory lane together. Think of the best and worst days you’ve had as a couple, the moment you got engaged, and the moment you knew that you really wanted to get married. This will help solidify what you actually want to put into words.

Describe Your Love

Easier said than done, obviously. But if you’ve managed to successfully jot down snippets of your feelings, then all you need to do is follow a few tips:

  • Choose the best adjectives that describe him/her. From here you can say why you used these adjectives. One best ways to do this it to…
  • Use examples. Like if your future spouse is very spontaneous, you might talk about the time he/she surprised you and how it made you feel.
  • Think of the rough times. Everyone enjoys love when they go through good times, but going through and conquering bad times is where true love shines. Talk about these moments and how you both became better because of each other.

Be Yourself

Rule number one is to make sure that everything you say is accurate and true. Rule number two is to make sure that your true self is still reflected in your vows. It might not be so believable otherwise!

Avoid Clichés

These can make your vows seem impersonal and like you just got ideas from a movie. Be original – however, don’t bend over backwards just to avoid clichés. If you really feel that your partner is your “best friend” and that is something you’d like to mention, then go ahead and say so. It may be cliché but you can find your own spin at the delivery. Make it a rule of thumb to make your vow written in a way that only you could have.

Get Feedback

Feedback is good for improving anything, including your vows. When you finish your first draft, you can go to your best friend, parents, or anyone you trust and practice saying it in front of them. If that’s too difficult, you can at least just let them read it. Ask them which parts they like and which parts can still be improved. Revise your vows only if you feel there is a need. Getting some feedback is good but in the end, it’s what you and your spouse thinks that matter most.

 

Remember that these are guidelines and not rules to writing a wedding vow! Bend and break them as you wish if that’s what works best for you and your partner. Here’s an extra tip though: find time to rehearse your vows to avoid stammering on the big day. Good luck and congratulations!

How Long Should You Be Engaged Before Getting Married?

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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.

 

 

Effective Ways to Make Your Wedding Reception Entertaining for Everyone

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Perhaps the most difficult part of a wedding to plan is the reception – primarily due to the guest list. First there’s the struggle of balancing the number of people you actually want (or need) to invite and the budget. Then there’s the pressure of choosing the right venue and how

But it’s not just a matter of having a great venue and food. Catering to wedding guests’ social preferences is the key to a great reception. This may be the first time that everyone on your side of the family and close friends who have never met will be in one room, and the same on your partner’s side. You could spend a lot on fancy entertainment, but wouldn’t it be much better if the guests get comfortable despite being surrounded by strangers? Here are a few things you can do to make sure your guests let go and enjoy at your wedding reception.

 

Long table setup with backless benches

This will work best in a garden venue to better suit the theme. Imagine multiple long tables with backless benches that are set up so that guests on one table will be back to back with the guests of the other table. Since guests will be seated next to people they know and won’t have to awkwardly sit face to face with a stranger (as could be the case with traditional round tables), your guests could become more comfortable. With the right placement, people who belong in small cliques can be put together so they don’t get shocked with meeting a lot of new people right away.

Ice breakers

Now, if you have to go with the traditional multiple-table setup, pairs or smaller groups are bound to share a table with people they aren’t close to. So why not make a game out of it? Place icebreaker questions or fun facts about your guests on their tables so that they’ll have something to talk about! Not only is it simple and inexpensive but, if you do it correctly, people will make new friends and your reception will start off on the right foot!

Kid’s area/table

Kids are wonderful but sometimes they can end up getting in the way of some much needed catch up between adults. Having a kids’ area or table will solve this. The kids can have their own special set of food and party items like colouring books at their table.

Install an intimate bar and lounge

Back to adults – most adults love bars and lounges. It’s the perfect place to get comfortable and have a nice chat with people. Make both places comfortable so people will be urged to interact but not only with the people who already know each other. Comfortable guests equal a night full of stories and laughter.

Prescription box

Think of it as a suggestion box but with a twist. Have someone give out pieces of stylized prescription papers, asking guests to write down what they think about what “medicine” the bride and groom need in order to maintain a healthy marriage! You’re bound to get a mix of answers that are completely comedic and those that offer wise advice. It will get your guests talking and you instantly collect marriage advice from the people you are closest to!

Line dance

This is an oldie but goodie. It may be the most basic from everything here on the list but no one can deny a good line dance especially if people had a good start to the evening! Play your cards right and you can get all of the attendees doing one big line dance. Fun for all ages!

 

If you have other suggestions with regards to activities for the reception, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments section below!