Seasonal Weddings: Four (4) Tips To Help You Decide Which Season Is Apt For You

The you one of the brides who cannot make up their minds in choosing the best time to get married? Here are four (4) tips to help you decide which season is apt for you.
 

1.       The Big Date. Setting the date is no easy task. It basically depends on your preferences. Here in the Philippines, the preferred months are June and December. Some may favor being a June bride wedded in a baroque church such as Santuario de San Antonio while others may prefer it done on a breezy December in The Glass Garden. Which month brings more significance to both of you? Select one that is hard to forget – when your paths initially crossed, when you first uttered “I love you”, when he popped up the question and offered the ring. Whichever it may be, bear in mind that this is your moment so the ultimate goal is to make it memorable and meaningful. Remember that you’ll also spend anniversaries on this very day all throughout your lives.

2.       Venue. Should it be an indoor or an outdoor event? It is advised to stay indoors during rainy days. This includes churches where the reception will be held in a hotel or indoor gardens for nature lovers out there. For dry seasons, the choices vary widely. You can have it by the beach if you love the waters, or perform it at your backyard for a more intimate gathering. You can book for a destination wedding too if you’re the adventurous type. Pick a place that fits your budget. While this is one of the most momentous moments in your life, do not forget that this is just the beginning of your journey to having your own family. Thus, do not put all your money to the celebration alone. Save something for the future.

3.       Color motif. Another consideration is the theme of your wedding. The colors may depend on which time of the year would you choose. For June to November, it’s recommended to lean over the shades of blue, blue-green, aqua, gray, pink, lavender and anything pastel. These are cool to the eyes and great reminders to enjoy the rain and cool breeze. For December to May, you can go white, yellow, orange, brown, tan and anything bright. These complement the sunny surroundings and the tones bring out a relaxing effect.

4.       Menu. The set of food you’ll serve is something you ought to consider as well. You can opt for a casual buffet on a dry month and provide light meals and refreshing drinks on a sunrise affair. Something grilled and barbequed are good options to keep the summer impression. On the contrary, hot comfort food is excellent for a wet month – soup, stew and perhaps hot chocolate with mallows to maintain a warm and cozy ambience. 

Wedding Reception Timeline: Cheat Sheet To A Traditional Reception Schedule

A carefully planned reception timeline is necessary to maintain a smooth wedding affair. After all, this is when the celebration really starts. Below is a quick cheat sheet to a traditional schedule followed by millions of couples all over the world. It may be customized based on the bride or groom’s preferences. It may also differ depending on the customs and traditions of a specific country. However, the basic order of events is itemized here. Let this be a guide to those who are tasked to organize the party and have the huge responsibility to make this occasion extra-memorable.

Part 1. Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres.

As soon as the ceremony ends, the new husband and wife often head off some place for picture-taking. Meanwhile, the guests are asked to proceed to the reception venue. While waiting, appetizers and wines are presented to them.

The term “hors d’oeuvres” refers to food items served before the main course. The variety of choices is determined by the formality of the theme and the culture of the attendees. Popular picks comprise of vegetable salad, bread rolls, taquitos and imported or domestic cheese with crackers. On a cultural perspective, if you’re having a catering event in a Philippine setting, some exotic recipes include kebab frog or frog barbeque in Filipino and kuhol or expensive snail/slug.

Part 2. The Grand Entrance, Introduction and Dinner.

The arrival. The parents (bride first, groom after), the entourage (bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honour, best man, flower girl and ring bearer) and then the newlyweds enters the hall.

The first dance. This is like announcing publicly that “two becomes one”. So they dance – him and her. Then, her with her father, him with his mother.

The toast. Usually headed by the best man, he speaks his best wishes. The maid of honor, and the parents make their speeches as well. This segment officially marks the end of the cocktail hour.

Dinnertime. Everyone takes turn to go to the buffet area. Otherwise, the catering guys hand out their shares.

Part 3. The Party.

The Dancing. After dinner, the sweethearts take the center stage to take the lead. This formally announces that it’s grooving time.

The Cake Cutting. As they cut it together, the action signifies that they would be there for each other no matter what. Afterwards, the cake serves as a dessert for all.

Special Program. Majority considers a special program to follow. This includes the tossing of the bouquet and garter.

Wedding Photos: Must-Take Shot List After The Wedding Ceremony

Whether you’re hiring a professional or a newbie to handle your photos, it’s always advisable to have your own ready-made checklist of the important times you wouldn’t wanna miss looking at later on while you’re currently busy tying the knot with your partner. Significant frame-worthy moments such as the dressing up for the affair, the limo’s arrival to the nuptial location, your groom’s expression while waiting at the end of the altar, the momentous exchange of vows, the first kiss, and afterwards, all the activities and happenings in the reception like the cake cutting, the dance and everything in between – capturing them all on cam is what defines a successful wedding from an unsuccessful one.

Start the ball rolling by getting your photographer’s ammo ready with a “must-take” shot list. Here is a quick guideline.

The Venue and Details.

• The banquet hall from afar and up close, outside and inside.
• The wedding caterer menu, the centerpieces, name cards, place settings and flower decors.
• The food, the signature or specialty drinks, the buffet.
• The cake.
• The favors and guestbook signatures.

Group and People Shots. This may be done right after the ceremony, during the cocktail hour or during the party itself.

• Portraits of the man and woman of the hour. Smiling, hugging, kissing.
• Her with parents, him with his and vice versa.
• Her with bridesmaid, him with groomsmen and vice versa.
• Them with the whole entourage, family, colleagues.
• The musicians and the band prepping and playing. DJs in the background if there are any.
• The wedding catering staff at the food center and while at work.
• Attendees partying.
• Children having fun and laughing.

 The Reception.

• The pool of guests coming in.
• The new husband and wife arriving.
• The dance. Them together. Her with dad, him with mom.
• Tossing of bouquet and garter or guarder belt.
• The cutting of the cake. Them feeding each other.
• Them eating. Or whispering and having their own little world.
• The toast. The person making it while the pair is listening.
• Per table. Guests per table with the couple.
• The party and the people. All the dancing and the performing.
• Them distributing souvenirs.
• Them leaving on their way to the honeymoon. Husband holding wife’s hand and assisting her in riding the limo.
• Them inside the vehicle – holding hands, or looking into each other’s eyes, all smiles and dreamy looks.
• The back of the car with a banner saying “Just Married”. 

Wedding Photography: Must-Take Shot List Before The Wedding Ceremony

A “shot list” is a collection of the most important parts of the wedding affair captured on cam or video. This aims to document the whole occasion – from the small elements to the significant points in the best and unforgettable, yet artistic way possible. Here is a guide for new and professional photographers of the must-take moments before the wedding ceremony.

Preparation Time. Officially, the entire event begins with the very first glimpse of the bride where the wedding will take place, the entourage trailing ahead of her on the way to the altar, and then, her making that historic walk down the aisle while the man of the hour is waiting at the end of the line. However, it has been customary to take shots of the preparation time as well to build the suspense and thrill of this special day.

·        The bridal gown. Shoot it while in a hanger or draped across the bed. Have her look at the attire and catch that admiring stare.

·        The shoes and the bouquet.

·        Her in curlers and makeup being applied.

·        Her mom helping her dress up and working on the zip of her back. Her maid of honor adding veil.

·        The bride in her moment alone. Her gazing at the mirror, or facing out the window.

·        Her hugging her mom.

·        Her fully dressed up and ready to go. Her walking down the stairs or standing by the door.

·        The wedding rings. Be creative in making this photo memorable. Put it in unexpected places – on top of strawberries, with flowers or on the bride’s shoes.

·        The groom fixing his hair.

·        Him putting on a tie.

·        His moment alone. Him in prayer or checking the time.

·        His father or best man attaching boutonnière to his lapel.

·        Him hugging his dad. Them talking to each other as if the wiser is giving advice.

·        In groups. Take a group picture of the bride with her bridesmaids and the groom with his groomsmen. Be creative – make it wacky, make it serious, do it dramatic or sentimental.

·        The couple getting into their car on the way to the nuptials. Be sure to do this separately and distinctly.

Before the Ceremony. As soon as you arrive at the location, observe everything and everybody so you won’t miss a thing.

·         The venue. If it’s being held in a baroque church such as Our Lady of Remedies or Santuario de San Antonio, choose spots and angles that would aptly narrate its magnificent history. If it’s in a garden, select areas that would make any viewer appreciate the richness of nature and “scent of roses”. If it’s on a beach, remember to get that unique paradise ambience. Take photos from afar and up close. Note the details: the guest book, the pew or the guest chairs and all the decors on it.

·         The people. Take random shots of the people around. The more candid they are the better. Go for raw emotions.

·         The limo and its arrival.