Topics:

Planning

Wedding Suppliers/ Vendors


PLANNING

Q. What are the benefits of working with a wedding planner?

A. A wedding planner will save you stress and hassle during the planning process and especially on the actual day of your wedding. Without them, are you going to do the actual supervision of all the logistics during your event? Even if you decide to assign these tasks to a relative or friend, you are not sure that they would actually know what their doing. Besides, shouldn’t they enjoy the day as well? Don’t have time to research caterers, photographers, or florists? the wedding planner/consultant will do all the planning and legwork. That way, you just show up to appointments, approve designs, sample menus, etc. Consultants know the best vendors to hire (from experience or from reputation). Since they work with vendors all the time, they can try to get you great rates, good value for your money and negotiate watertight contracts. They’ll also serve as your creative partner. They provide a wealth of ideas, insights, opinions and not just overseeing logistical matters. It’s like having a best friend who is an expert and will see you through all the hassle and stress of planning an event.


Q. We are considering getting married in the Philippines. What would be the best way to arrange the wedding?

A. The best course of action would be to hire a wedding planner under a full management package. Your Wedding Planner/Coordinator will know reputable suppliers, and they know how much things cost and are used to budget planning. So they will be able to get your money’s worth, and do the leg work for you. Another aspect would be the application of your marriage license. You must have all your documents prepared ahead of time so that you will be able to file them. Although your coordinator can help you, the civil registrar actually requires a personal appearance from the couple. In addition, you will have to attend the family planning seminar required by law and the pre-cana seminar required by the Catholic Church. (If you are a Catholic)

Q. We both work full time and we desperately need help. But we're not sure if we can afford the services of a wedding consultant, What should we do?

A. Here’s good news: There are skilled wedding planner that can work within a variety of budgets. They also have different types of services available depending on the needs of their clients. One of the services is the “ Full Management Coordination” wherein they are at your side from the initial planning stages. They can assist you in budget planning, and acquisition of other wedding suppliers, and execution of the plans on the day itself. Another service is the “Turn over coordination” or “Partial coordination”. Your consultant can provide a "blueprint" -- usually a preparation guide and a list of trustworthy, talented vendors to check out.


Q.We live abroad. But we are planning to get married in the Philippines. Is there any chance they'll issue me a marriage license without an appearance?

A. Unfortunately, a marriage license is something you need to get in person. This is because you also have to schlep along a stack of documents, including your birth certificate, and the various seminars you have to attend personally, and the civil registrar requires a personal appearance.(For weddings in the Philippines). What you can do is ask a friend or relative to put together all the requirements and documents you will need, so that the amount of work that will left would be those that need personal appearances. Also, keep in mind that timing is crucial. Marriage licenses are valid for only a certain amount of time. In the Philippines, a marriage license is applied for 120 days prior to the wedding date. You can apply for a license anywhere in the Philippines. For weddings abroad, you'll probably have to apply for your license in the town in which you plan to get married. You need to ask about the office hours of the various offices you need to go to, and whether you need to make an appointment, as well as when you should apply based on your wedding date. What it comes down to is that you two will need to make a day of it.


Q. My fiancé and I would like to have favors at our reception. I want to make it something my guests won't forget. What's your opinion?

A. If you're planning to give your guests something unique that they'll treasure as a token then you should do it, even if it's something they can't keep forever. ( Eg. really decadent chocolates) Avoid giving knick-knacks, they just end up collecting dust. Find something that has perfect meaning for the two of you, and go for it. Another option is to donate to charity and inform your guests that in lieu of souvenirs, a charitable donation has been made in honour of the occasion.

Q. When would it be appropriate for my groom and I to have our pictures taken before the ceremony? It seems to me there is some tradition of not seeing the groom on the wedding day?

A. There is a tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other on their wedding day. It increases their excitement in seeing each other, and it comes from an ancient practice of the bride not showing her face to her intended groom until the wedding day. And a lot of our elders would demand this practice. However, there is nothing wrong if you would like to have your portraits taken before going to the ceremony since your make-up etc., will be fresher. And it might help you be calmer if you can spend some quiet time together before the ceremony. Altogether, this is really your decision. It will be a matter of your preference.

ON WEDDING VENDORS

Q. Is it smart to hire a novice or ask one of our guests/ family members to take pictures? Photography now seems so expensive, and we want to save as much as we can.

A. This depends on what your priorities are. For some couples, this is not one of their major concerns. But my advice would be, do not scrimp on photography. This is not something you should compromise. Remember that after the event is over, years later when you have kids, these are the one of the lasting souvenirs that you have to show for. A legacy.

Q. My wedding suppliers expect meals during the day of pre-event preparation and reception. I'm paying them a lot for their services. Am I supposed to pay for their meals? like the coordinator, photographers and make-up artists I hired?

A. Majority of vendors will have a clause in their contracts stating that you will need to provide meals for them during the preparations and during the event itself. You have to remember that these are professionals who work long hours. They would be working even 4 to 5 hours or more before the event, with an addition 3- 4 hours during the event itself. You cannot expect tip-top service if your suppliers/vendors are about ready to faint from hunger or thirst! It does not matter how much you are paying them. This is also a reflection of your consideration for other people and the people you work with. And rule of thumb: provide them with the kind of meal that you would not be embarrassed to serve your guests or eat yourself. Remember, that caterers will have a certain buffer for food for “just in case” . So, mention it and pre-arrange it with your caterer the number of probable wedding professionals that will need meals so they can take care of providing the food on the day itself.