Wedding Vows: To Write Or Not To Write Your Own Vow

The exchange of vows is a huge part of a wedding ceremony. Regardless if you’ll pick a religious service, civil, military or opt for non-traditional, this element will always be there as this is the most treasured moment of the entire event. During this time, couples face each other, take a stand and utter solemn words to prove their lifetime commitment.

As a bride or groom, you can either decide to follow tradition or do away with the norm by personalizing your vow. Here are four (4) tips to help you make up your mind.

1. Challenge. Are you up to it? It could be a very challenging task for anyone. Since you get married only once, the ultimate goal would be to make it as heartfelt as possible. Are you confident with how you write? Putting too much drama into it may give soap opera programs a run for their money. On the other hand, keeping a light tone may turn it into something forgettable. Could you balance them equally?
2. Time and Resources. It could take hours to pour your heart out and make it perfect. With a lot of things on your plate – from the entourage to the reception details, could you afford it? Do you have a list of inspiration to guide you through the process of writing it? The whole experience of customizing your promises should be fun and meaningful in itself. The point of doing it would be useless if you would rush towards finishing it just for the sake of getting over and done with it. Could you manage them all simultaneously?
3. Significance. There are several reasons why you should stick to custom-made vows. However, how vital is this aspect to you? Would it make a big difference? There are others who focus more on the legality of it, meaning it’s practically the same for them if you tie the knot in a barn and backyard or in grand locations like The Oasis and The Glass Garden. For them, simple or grand, it does not really count. The important thing is what it represents. Are you one of these people?
4. Mutual decision. How does your partner feel about saying his/her intentions in front of everyone? If you see no problem with it, proceed. However, if one is indecisive, do not make hasty decisions. You wouldn’t want to be the object of embarrassment in case something goes wrong just because one of you did it half-heartedly, would you?

Destination Weddings: Eight (8) Tips To Make It A Success

Nowadays, more and more couples are deviating from the traditional way of getting married. While there are still many who wish to perform the matrimonial rites in a religious church, there are others who opt to do it either in tropical beach miles away from home or in an exotic resort island perfect for partners in love. If you’re one of those who want to do away with the usual, destination weddings might just be an attractive choice. It’s cheaper, private and stress-free too! Here are eight (8) basic tips to make it a success.

1.       Make a prior ocular visit to learn its pros and cons. Before you make the final decision, stay there for a couple of days to get the feel and ambience of the place. Can you envision how it would look like on the day of your wedding? Weigh in all its positives and negatives. Check all the activities that it can offer to make the trip enjoyable to your guests. Do they have the facilities for visitors who love diving or water-skiing? If you have a limited budget, you can have both the ceremony and honeymoon on the same location. Just make a separate reservation in a different hotel so you can have your own privacy.

2.       Take note of the language or dialect used in the area. Will you be able to communicate with the natives in terms of arrangements needed for the affair? Make sure that you have a common language and can understand each other.

3.       Be sensitive to the needs and convenience of your family and friends. It has been a common practice that the people who will witness your union will pay for their own travel and accommodation expenses. On this note, how convenient will it be for them to attend your event? Is the venue one ride away or do they need to make multiple rides? Is the ticket price affordable for an average employee?

4.       Time it wisely. Do not schedule it during the hurricane season. If possible, plan it during summertime or semestral break so that your attendees can fully enjoy the experience. For those who have work, inform them six months in advance so they can fix their calendars. If your catering consultant will tag along as well, let him know ahead of time so he can arrange his sched. Always book early so you can get the best of what is intended for honeymooners.

5.       Be creative with your theme. Remember that you have the freedom to do what you like so be as imaginative as you can. Think about how you can incorporate the cultures of the region with your own personal touch – your bridal dress, the entourage outfits, the motif, food, invites and favors. Consider shipping the wedding items as necessary.

6.       Find the experts. Be familiar with the local vendors – the photographer, DJ, musicians and catering crew. This will help you decide if it would wise to hire them or go with the guys you already trust. Perhaps you should stick with your QC catering services to serve the menu or pick your favorite florists to make the flower decorations. It may be more expensive but you’ll be guaranteed with top quality service. Consult a friend who loves to travel to setup the traveling procedures. You can employ the help of a sister or cousin to overlook all aspects of the occasion. Keep your goal in mind: to make this as memorable and significant as possible.

7.       Pay attention to the paperworks. Gather all the requirements such as marriage license. They may vary depending on the region so do a thorough research. Bring the necessary documentation to avoid any mishaps.

8.       Expect the unexpected. Things may not always go according to your plans. Have a back-up checklist in hand. For instance, some items like the cake may not be delivered on time so ensure that you triple-check everything.

Seasonal Weddings: Five (5) Tips for A Rainy Wedding

Planning for your big day takes a huge amount of preparation. One of the first items you need to consider is the month when you’ll tie the knot. Will you be a June or December bride? Will it be an indoor or outdoor event? How do you know which season is the most apt for you?

If you’re one of the brides who love to listen to the rain as it softly hits the roof or likes the feel of the cool air as it creates comfort and calming effect, holding the celebration during the rainy parts of the year, i.e. June to November, might be the perfect time for you. Here are five (5) tips to a successful wedding during the wet seasons.

1.       Venue. Where will it be? It would be wise to keep it indoors as you need not worry about the possible changes in the forecast nor making huge effort to prepare for contingency plans. For instance, if you live in Manila, you can have the ceremony in a historic cathedral like Our Lady of Remedies or San Agustin Church. Afterwards, your guests can proceed to Palacio de Maynila for the reception. Whichever you decide, should it be in a chapel, mansion or even lighthouse, select a place that would highlight the occasion. Just imagine this, how can the weather add to the romantic ambience?

2.       Date. When in June do you want to get married? First week, second, third or fourth? With the Philippines receiving an average of twenty (20) to twenty-five (25) typhoons per year, ensure that you do a thorough research about the past storms. Does it have a trend somehow? Compare and contrast. If possible, visit your desired site exactly a year before your wedding. When it comes to timing, should it be done during the morning, afternoon or evening? Keep in mind that afternoons tend to bring more rainshowers.

3.       Motif. What color combos would be nice to the eyes? Some popular options include the shades of blue, aqua and anything pastel. They are great reminders of the breezy atmosphere. Be creative in incorporating items that you can associate with the drizzles such as colorful umbrellas and stylish boots for the bridesmaids and trendy raincoats for the groomsmen.

4.       Theme. What’s your overall concept? Rains symbolize blessings, unity and a new day. They signify good fortune too. How do you set the mood so the people who’ll witness the exchange of your vows would remember this moment forever? Consult your photographer for suggestions. Perhaps you would need to add toy boats in the favor and invite designs or water accents as backdrops.

5.       Special Items. What are the things you need to take care of to provide the best comfort to your attendees? Distribute rain cards that instruct everyone on alternate picture-taking location or travel arrangements. Stock up a bunch of umbrella for individuals or use a bigger one fit for groups as they walk from their cars to the nuptial area. Have some hand towels readily available as well.