Wedding Dance : Five (5) Tips To Get the Guests Dancing

The secret to making the wedding celebration a success lies to great inspiration, good planning and right execution. To get the party started, here are five (5) simple tips so that the guests would enjoy the program and do a little dancing.

1.      Have a must-play and must-not-play list. Talk with your beloved about his/her must-have tunes. There might be modifications to the original line-up as you go along but at least, you have the control of the overall theme of the event. Make sure that the checklist has an item that jives with the entire wedding concept. If you are having a Christmas ceremony, a couple of holiday love songs would be a welcome addition.

2.      Have each attendee sign a most-requested song. As soon as they arrive at the catering venue or while they wait for the husband and wife to sit to their places, have them jot down their faves on a tiny piece of paper. Another option is have them pick one from the selection. Coordinate with the DJ which among the choices are apt for the occasion and when is the best time to have them played. The higher the number of request for a particular music is, the bigger the chance that the requesters would perform in the central stage.

3.      It’s all in the song playlist. When creating your masterlist, choose songs that are fit for all generation. Learn to balance the genre – there should be a category for teens and kids, something relatable to those who are in a relationship or married and something completely different for single males and females. Be diverse. Take note of the age, relationship status, gender, even dancing skills.

4.      Start early and be inspired. Inspire everyone by leading the way. After the couple’s first wedding dance, setup irresistible pair-ups – the ring bearer and the grandma of the bride, the flower girl and the groom. Not only would it be priceless to see but it would also encourage the people to ask somebody to dance.

5.      Consider having a unique dance craze headed by the wedded pair. Call the attention of those who attended the affair and make them stand up from their seats – from the parents, relatives, friends, to the entourage, band members, and catering services personnel. On this activity, the newlyweds can take the initiative and teach the basic steps. The rest of the crowd will be urged to follow. Once the music plays, you will then all dance based on the newly-learned moves. This is also an opportunity to infuse your culture, custom or tradition.

Wedding Dress Restrictions in Catholic Churches

Weddings are serious occasions and among the most important days of many couples. Different cultures have their different ways of having a wedding ceremony and there are many traditions and practices that are observed in each of them.

In the Philippines, the most common type of weddings are Catholic weddings since majority of its population are Catholics. For Catholics, weddings can only be performed by a Catholic priest in a church like the San Agustin Church which is why Catholics cannot have their wedding ceremony outdoors.

Among the particulars in most Catholic weddings is the wedding dress or bridal gown. The restrictions when it comes to the attire of the wedding entourage vary from one Catholic church to another. While some churches like the Santuario de San Antonio specify what can and cannot be worn, there are some churches that allow any kind of wedding dress.

For those who would like to have basic knowledge of what is usually acceptable as a wedding dress and those who want a safe choice when it comes to their wedding gown, below are some of the styles that are best avoided as much as possible.

·         Backless gowns. Even if it is a very modest gown if viewed from the front of the dress, a backless gown is often not recommended for Catholic weddings. Some degree of exposure may be acceptable to the church where you plan to get married if the dress is not too low at the back. The best remedy is to have a shawl, jacket, or bolero that you can wear to cover up your back. You can just simply remove the wrap during the wedding reception.

·         Plunging necklines. Gowns and dresses that have very low necklines are best left at the rack in the shop. Some churches only allow certain types of necklines for the wedding gown and a V-plunging neckline is definitely not included in such lists. If you happen to buy your wedding gown before knowing of this restriction, just ask a sewer to make a small covering for the chest area.

·         Strapless gowns. In some churches, strapless dresses and tops are actually discouraged even during regular masses. Again, the best solution is to have a shawl, jacket, or bolero that you can use to cover up. You may also have a sewer create some detachable sleeves so that your shoulders and arms can be covered. Just remove these materials at the wedding reception if you wish to.

Most Common Wedding Superstitions Around The World

Around the world, there are many beliefs that are attributed to supernatural causation and lack any scientific proof. These beliefs are called superstitions and despite the lack of scientific basis, a lot of people believe in many of these superstitions especially since most of these superstitions have been around for many, many years already.

There are superstitions for almost any event, occasion, and circumstance. One of those things that have many superstitions surrounding it is weddings. Since a wedding is a very important day in a person’s life, there are many superstitions on how to make it as auspicious as possible. There are superstitions when it comes to the flowers, the dresses, the wedding dates, the catering, the ceremony, and other wedding details. Some suppliers such as the wedding caterer or the coordinator may ask whether you want any of these superstitions to be observed.

Various cultures around the world have their own superstitions and it is up to you whether you want to observe or follow any of them. Below are some of the most common wedding superstitions.

·         It is bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding ceremony. This superstition originated from the time when arranged marriages are the norm and fathers of the bride fear that the groom might change his mind if he sees the bride before the ceremony. Letting the groom see the bride only during the ceremony ensures that the wedding takes place. Although there are still couples nowadays who like to observe this superstition, it is mainly to make the moment more exciting and memorable.

·         Rain on your wedding day is good luck. There are many variations on superstitions regarding rain on the wedding day. While some people believe that rain on the wedding day is bad luck, prosperity and blessings are often associated with rain which is why it is also often thought to be good luck for weddings.

·         It is bad luck for the bride to try on her wedding dress before the wedding day. Brides are often advised to wear or try on their wedding dress only on the wedding day itself because it is said to be bad luck to do so beforehand. Nowadays, more brides choose not to follow this superstition simply because they want their wedding dress to fit perfectly which can only happen if they try on the dress.

·         It is good luck for the groom to carry the bride over the threshold of their new home. In ancient times, the practice of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold is to prevent any misstep or mishap because thresholds of homes are said to be a common place where spirits lurk. Nowadays, newlywed couples do this practice simply as a romantic way to enter their home for the first time as husband and wife.

Weddings Under A Budget: Five (5) Popular Cheap Wedding Favor Ideas

As you leave the blessed singleness and enter the new, blissful chapter of life called marriage, share this unforgettable milestone with your friends and loved ones. Give them mementos to remember you and your special day. Here are five (5) of the most popular and significant wedding favors best suited for weddings under a budget.

1.      Message in a Bottle. With the idea taken from Nicholas Sparks’ romantic bestselling book, Message in a Bottle, renew everyone’s faith in destiny and that timeless and everlasting thing called love. Order a bulk of empty favor bottles. Slip in a personalized wedding message. Have a ribbon wrapped around the handle for a more customized look.

2.      Candle in a transparent gift box. The lighting of the candle signifies the blessing of marriage by Jesus Christ. Pass on that significance to those who witnessed your union.  It can be flower-themed patterned after the wedding bouquet or sea-inspired if you have a beach wedding.

3.      Home-baked cookies. Cookies, especially home-baked ones, are a great reminder of what is in store for you and your significant other as you take the journey together along the road known as family life. You can do the baking yourself. You can opt to go local and ask your catering services in Makati to include it in their package. Or perhaps, your catering Makati guy can recommend a good baker where you can acquire great discounts if you order in batch.

4.      Scented soaps. A practical way to “shower thanks” to the people who attended the wedding is by sending out scented soaps in various designs and shapes. It can be home-made (soap makers sometimes offer them at a tremendously discounted price) or it can be bought in boxes of 4, 6, or 8.

5.      Cupid-inspired or heart-shaped favors. Spread the magic of love by giving away cupid-inspired favors or keepsakes containing heart in different shape. It can be a pen with a heart-stand set, key chain, bottle stopper, bookmark or a place card holder.

Edible Wedding Favors: How to design a luscious wedding cupcake favor

Choosinga cupcake as a wedding favor is something that every one of your guests can take pleasure on – it’s a sweet treat, it’s trendy and it’s fun to look at! Whether you’d hire your catering guys to bake these edible favors for you or opt to create custom ones yourself, here are seven (7) quick tips on how to design a luscious and memorable wedding cupcake favor.

1.       Consult your wedding caterer for the type of cupcake that’s a best fit for your wedding. Would vanilla-flavored favor go well with the rest of the menu or a chocolate one?

2.       Put in a tasty filling on it. Have fun with the flavor and fill it with whipped toppings, chocolate mousse or strawberry jam. Make sure that the overall taste matches the wedding cake.

3.       Cover it with delicious coatings. Decorate with icing or candy melts. Bring out your creativity – shower sprinkles atop, cream it with cheese frosting or crown with fondant hearts that bear your first initials.

4.       Get design ideas from the web. Check out Martha Stewart’s website or head over to Pinterest and start the search galore for wedding cupcake favor ideas. Google it!

5.       Inject your personalities when you customize. Add a personal touch by telling something a lil about you and your significant other – e.g. cupcake colors based on the wedding theme or shapes on the coating based on what both of you loved. If you met at a romantic coffee shop, insert a coffee flavor on the cupcake to remind that special day.

6.       Include a little twist. Make yours stand out by turning it into a Fortune Cupcake! Insert a fortune saying on the wrapper. This can signify the mysteries and adventures marriage has in store for you. Share this significance with your friends and loved ones who attended the occasion.

7.       Package your cupcake. Use a personalized gift box with varying designs of the top and bottom parts of the box. Top it off with a ribbon and tag.

Five (5) Tips On How To Choose The Perfect Wine For Your Wedding

A wine is a symbol of celebration. In a wedding context, sharing cups of wine means the bride and groom are ready to share everything that the future will bring. The sweetness of the wines represents the joy and culmination of the marriage.

Put everyone in a celebratory mood. Help your in-laws relax and enjoy the festivities. Personalize the experience and make it memorable to all attendees. Here are five (5) things to keep in mind when selecting wines for your wedding day.

1. Consult your wedding caterer. First up, are you allowed to bring your own? Some catering services include wines as part of the package. Double-check with your catering person first to avoid unnecessary expenses.

2. Base it on significance, preference, season, food complementary, guests, and budget. Which type to serve may depend on the following factors:

·         Significance. What label is significant to both of you? Perhaps a drink you shared together when you had your first holiday or a special reminder during your first date.

·         Preference. Does your partner have a special preference? What are your faves?

·         Season. If the event is during breakfast, choose light so that guests won’t end up drunk by the time afternoon comes in. If it’s lunch or dinner, red and white will do.

·         Food complementary. Does it complement the buffet? Ask someone who’s expert in wine taste – your favorite wedding catering guy perhaps who’ve had a lot of experience in the field. Match them wisely to appreciate the flavor in the food.

·         Guests. You can go for something that will appeal to a large number of people for all gender and age -- not too acidic nor too heavy. Generally, men prefer red, women like white and rose. View your guest list. If there’s equal number of men and women, try 40% red, 40% white, 20% rose.

·         Budget. How much is needed for the occasion? Assume that each will consume half a bottle. Every bottle corresponds to five-six (6) glasses. You basically serve the drink two to three times during the whole duration of the event: one during meal, another during toast and the last is after the ceremony. How much is allotted for drinks and beverages?

3. Buy by case. If you have tight finances, visit discount stores for possible sales and limited offers. Head over to local wine shops and supermarkets to compare prices. From there, come up with a list of choices that fits your budget and taste. Then, consider buying in bulk. Maybe, their service will include free delivery as well.

4. Customize the bottles. Choose something that will allow you to leave an impression to everyone who attended your special day. Aside from the usual engravement of your names on classy flutes, put a personal touch on the bottles and let out the creative side in you.

5. Opt for recommended brands.

·         On A Budget. From $9, $20 up to $45, you can have Grand Reserve California Champagne to Veuve Clicquot.

·         White. Sauvignon Blanc ($12), Pinot Grigio ($7-$13), Chardonnay ($8-$11)  

·         Red. Cabernet Sauvignon ($13-$26) and Pinot Noir ($16-$18)

Tips When Throwing An Office Party

If you have been working in an office for quite some time, you have probably experienced at least one office party. With the amount of time that office employees spend at their workplaces, it is not surprising that many birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions will be celebrated in various offices everywhere.

However, throwing an office party is not the same as throwing a party at your house. There are some things you need to think of to ensure that your party goes smoothly and is a success. Below are some tips that could help you when you are planning to throw an office party.

·         Ask permission. First of all, you have to make sure that you are allowed to throw a party at all. Make sure you inform your superiors and that you ask permission from whoever is in charge of such things. Do not even think about throwing a party without explicitly asking for permission because you might lose your job because of it.

·         Serve good food. Having good food at a party is always very much welcome and it is the same even if you are having the party at the office. Consider getting catering services in Pasig for your party if your workplace is in this area but make sure that you have tasted the food already instead of just relying on what they say or your friends’ feedback on a particular company. If you choose not to get catering in Pasig, consider asking someone you know who can cook well or ask everyone to bring their best dish.

·         Seek help. No matter what the party is for, everything will be easier if you have someone to help you. Ask other officemates for their in decorations, entertainment, food, and other things you might need for your party. If there is enough of you, you might even want to consider forming committees to provide more focus to your party planning mode.

·         Chip in. Unless you are generous enough to shoulder all the expenses for the party, make sure to finalize who will be chipping in to pay for these expenses. If no one will offer to be the sponsor or host, you can simply inform those who will come that the total expenses will be divided among the partygoers. This way, the expenses are divided equally among all of you.

·         Paper cups and plates. If you choose to have potluck or to prepare the food yourself, it will be easier if you use disposable paper cups and plates. Using these will eliminate the problem of doing the dishes.