On your Wedding Invites
It is always advisable to ask someone else to read your draft for you.
Names, titles, RSVP details and venues should be specially double checked. For the entourage list, make sure that all middle
initials are correct. Font type and margins are also important. Make sure that font is not only beautiful but readable too!
by Noky Dungo of Prinsonalities
Before
you decide on the number of invitations you’ll order, keep in mind that it’s a proven reality that the closer
your wedding day gets, the more people you’ll "have" to invite. I would say, order about 75% of your total number of
invited guests. You will always need extras aside from your personal souvenir copies Make a mock guest list for an estimate.
Not only is it more expensive to re-order, it also takes a while to reprint invites so think well before deciding how many
to order.
by Noky Dungo of Prinsonalities
On Choosing a Hair and Makeup
Artist
Take photos. Make sure to bring a camera with you when you get your trial makeup
session done. You can have a "before" and "after" shot to see the difference. Key points to look for are: that your foundation
matches the color of your neck. You don't want to look like an espasol wearing a tiara, do you? Also make sure that your eyes
look bright and beautiful. Eye makeup sometimes has to be slightly thicker (not darker!) for photos.
By Marie O. Calica
Request for a hair and makeup trial. You can schedule hair and makeup trials with
the artist of your choice. Be ready to try at least 3 makeup artists so you see each of their makeup styles and work ethics.
One word of advice—If your makeup artist comes late for your appointment, think twice about booking him/her. Makeup
artists must be prompt so you don’t get stressed waiting for them on your wedding day.
By Marie O. Calica
Bring a friend along. A true friend will do two things: 1) Tell you if you're fat
and 2) tell you if you're ugly. The second comes in very handy during your makeup trial. That's why when you make an appointment
with your makeup artist it's important to bring someone who knows you really well (so they see if you're comfortable with
the makeup) and who can give an honest opinion (to you AND the makeup artist). She can also double as your photographer.
By Marie O. Calica
Assert yourself. Although makeup artists have a lot of experience and know what would
look good on you, always remember that you should always have a say in the final outcome. Never say "ikaw na ang bahala" unless
you fully trust your makeup artist. On the other side of the coin, if you're gunning for a trendy look that doesn't suit you,
don't take it against your makeup artist if they say you should try a more classic look instead.
By Marie O. Calica
Know all there is to know about your face. Sure your makeup artist can tell your
skin type when she sees you for the first time, but I ask my clients other questions like "does makeup turn darker on your
skin after 20 minutes?" If they answer yes this means they are acidic. Details like this are very important to know so that
I know how much to apply. If you are not an avid makeup wearer take note of the changes that happen to your skin over the
next few hours after your trial and inform your make-up artist so she can make appropriate changes on the day itself.
By Marie O. Calica
Give a blue print of the look you want. The same way a bride has cutouts from magazines
(called tear sheets) of desired settings and ideas, you must also have a portfolio of look you want to achieve. This will
help your makeup artist know your personal style.
By Marie O. Calica
On Getting Those Memories Recorded
Remember to say and complete your vows first before putting on the rings. This gives
time for us to refocus our cameras from your face to your hands. Countless of times, couples do this simultaneously, so when
we shoot the hands, the deed has been done and the hands have been brought down already.
by Jason Magbanua
Allow us to use lights. We understand your desire to create a mood or feel at your
wedding reception. But do kindly allow us to throw illumination at centerstage at the very least. A dim atmosphere at the
venue will translate to dimmer video. We can always discuss it and strike a balance.
by Jason Magbanua
You, the bride, want to enter the church with drama - closed doors, slowly opening,
light gently streaming through, everything in slow motion, the groom squinting hard and sees the coordinator, and the church
security guard, and the designer, oh and the bride too. Get the point? Nothing ruins a shot more than elements that are not
even supposed to be there in the first place. Please ensure that by the time they open the doors, you're ready to get married,
the gown is already in place, and the other people are outta sight.
by Jason Magbanua
On Wedding Photography
Review the photo packages.
Book early. Unlike other suppliers, photographers can only make book (1) wedding
a day so the earlier you book, the more chances you will get the photographer you want.
Mel Cortez, wedding photojournalist, Decisive moments
Discuss the photographer's dress code, food arrangements for the coverage, shooting
permits or list of prescribed must-shots if there are any.
Mel Cortez, wedding photojournalist, Decisive moments
Review the contract. It should include the name of the photographer/s that will cover
your wedding, Coverage time duration, time frame of deliverables (proofs, finished album etc.) and terms of payment.
Mel Cortez, wedding photojournalist, Decisive moments
Decide if you want digital coverage, film coverage or a combination of both. Advantages
and disadvantages of digital and film; Digital: unlimited shots, magazine-like lay-out, computer-ready pictures; Film: limited
shots, good for big blow-ups, traditional album lay-out
Mel Cortez, wedding photojournalist, Decisive moments
Things to Ask a Wedding Coordinator
Thinking
of hiring a wedding consultant or coordinator? Whether you’re hiring her to plan the whole event or just for the wedding
day itself, here is a question you may want to ask: How long have you been a wedding coordinator? How many weddings do you
do every year? Do you have formal training? Do you have others who work for you? How many? Would it come out cheaper if I
book a supplier thru you or would you rather that we book them directly? Do you charge a flat rate or depending on the number
of my guests? Could you give me a detailed scope of your work in a wedding?
by Rita Neri
On Music & Entertainment
for your Wedding Reception
You may also opt to get a Ballroom Band. It would be a good idea
to also hire a few DI’s (dance instructors) to start the ball (room) rolling. Dancing may even begin during pre-program
and/or pre-dinner time.
By Paulo Clemente
Get a Wedding Singer - A good wedding singer (male or female) or a singing group/choir
for that matter, is one who can render “classical” songs in church then shifts to a softer voice placement for
some pop, standard and broadway music during the reception. If you want to get a celebrity, it is best to let him/her perform
just when guests are almost done eating. Further, don’t make a “concert” out of your wedding reception by
saying yes to all your relatives and friends who want to sing. It is time consuming to accommodate all of them and can get
downright tacky especially if some of them turn out to be non-singers at all.
By Paulo Clemente
You could use a choice CD background for the best man’s toast, cake cutting
etc. During the bouquet and garter toss, select a more upbeat music.
By Paulo Clemente
Want to be different? Get a harpist or a bagpiper. You can even sing or let your
groom. Dance a choreographed tango number or even waltz with your parents. If you have the talent, by all means go ahead.
By Paulo Clemente
You can hire a String Ensemble (normally a quartet). Let them play your entrance
music if you want but their bulk of performance is best during dinner time. Let them rest and take their dinner if possible
when speeches of well-wishers begin.
By Paulo Clemente
If you have an Audio-Visual Presentation (AVP) make sure it does not exceed 7 minutes
at best and 10 minutes tops. If you’ve prepared your own AVP, tell your friends and relatives not to surprise you with
another one.
By Paulo Clemente
Prepare a tight reception program and stick to it. It is ideal not to exceed two hours. A maximum 2.5
hours all in (from grand entrance to final message) is acceptable. Also, make sure there are no lulls between church and reception
venue if possible.
By Paulo Clemente
Helpful Tips from the Couples
Select your suppliers based on your intelligent judgment and evaluation. Feedbacks
are helpful but they should not be the sole basis of getting a supplier. A client-supplier relationship depends on how the
two of you will hit it off through the course of your interaction.
Milett and Jojo
Follow up your guts with regards to suppliers. I was too afraid to make drastic changes
that I eventually wished I did.
Eiselle and Lloyd
Treat your suppliers as you would your friends.
Raquel and Carlo
Always smile. Whatever else is going around you, maintain your sense of humor. No
matter how bad things might get, you should never let anything ruin your one special day.
Joyce and T.A.
Weddings are really about two families coming together so tap each family member’s
talents to have a really unique wedding that no other wedding supplier can offer. Planning turns into great bonding sessions,
nobody will believe how much you’re able to save because of it.
Mia and Raymond
Cooking for Newlyweds
Befriend your mother-in-law and/or the family cook. They're your
number one allies; after all he grew up on their cooking and probably thinks it's the best in the world. Ask them what his
favorites are, how they cook them, and pretty please, could they give you the recipes?
By Cherie Mijares
Learn to make new dishes out of leftovers. For example, if you cook chicken tinola,
you can flake the leftover chicken and add mayonnaise and pickles to it for a tasty chicken sandwich for your husband’s
baon. Or if you have some pork barbecue left, dice this and serve wrapped in a tortilla with shredded lettuce, sour cream
and salsa.
By Cherie Mijares
Make a list of the dishes you're comfortable doing, which he thinks are great. This will be your 'bag
of tricks,' the recipes you resort to when all else fails.
By Cherie Mijares
When you buy a whole kilo of meat or chicken, have the vendor cut them into two or
three portions. You can pack each portion in individual plastic food bags so when it's time to cook it, you just take out
and thaw what you need to cook for the day and keep the rest in the freezer.
By Cherie Mijar
Make a weekly menu plan with a list of ingredients you need from the market or grocery.
Calculate how much this will cost so you get an idea of what your average weekly budget is.
By Cherie Mijares
Always have in your pantry and refrigerator food staples that will enable you to
whip up a meal in an emergency. Examples are rice, flour, different kinds of pasta, milk, cream, sugar, canned tomatoes and
tomato sauce, canned tuna, cheese, bread, butter, eggs and canned fruits and vegetables such as mushroom and sweet corn. With
these ingredients you can easily prepare a quick pasta or meal.
By Cherie Mijares
In your freezer you can keep in stock small packages of tapa, tocino, longganisa,
and other ready-to-cook meats (better with no preservatives) and frozen vegetables.
By Cherie Mijares
