DO-IT-YOURSELF Kiddie Party Planning

I love organizing kiddie parties and adult parties with kiddie themes. There's just something in the balloons that make me giddy about creating the event. The kids energy bring out the whoas and wows of the innocent naive minds just by the mere watching of a clown twisting balloons making them to some form of interesting and funny creatures

I am writing this blog to benefit the kiddie party enthusiast moms who have unfortunately very limited budget to spend but wanting only the best kiddie party for their kid.

 Kiddie party can be detrimental to the budget because about 30% of the budget goes to decorations and entertainment. Well, as you all might consider, being a mother makes you wiser and more frugal than you were still single. 

So here's a sure way to stay on budget and still pull out the extravagant-feel kind of kiddie party!

1. DO-IT-YOURSELF. Yes, there's no cheaper way than to do it yourself. So it is just right and fitting that you prepare a vision board of how you want the party to turn. You are going to save a lot of money from doing it yourself because instead of paying others to do it for you.

2. PLAN AHEAD OF TIME. For a kiddie party, you might want to plan two months in advance the very least! But if you just realized it a week's time, then that's also fine but hurried in a way. Planning ahead of time gives you more ideas and more time to go around and find cheap suppliers of party stuff or alternatives to things that are not available for your ideal vision of the party.

3. RESEARCH. The internet is a wonderful thing! Thank heavens for brilliant minds for this invention. There's so much you can discover just by googling everything. Refer to the images. I assure you, you will drool and even get confused with the vastness of ideas presented at your fingertips.

4. THINGS-TO-BUY. Okay, in this part I might lose money for you might wanna do it yourself instead of hiring my help. But nonetheless, I would really want to help mothers who want to throw the best party for their kids.
You can find the following party supplies at any party shop within the vicinity you live in. Here are the things you will need for a successful kiddie party with their corresponding price in Philippine pesos:

- latex balloons @ P6.50 per piece (multicolored) depending on your estimate kid count you can buy as much as 3 dozens, more sophisticated balloons cost higher, such as pearl and metallic type balloons
- sticks @ P1.50 per piece  (for making the stick balloons)
- air pump @ P75.00 per piece (inflating the balloons)
- flying balloons @ P16.50 per piece (this is order by a dozen basis in the party shop)
- party hats @ P3.00 per piece
- name tags @ P 12.00 per 6 pieces
- lootbags @ P 15.00 per 12 pieces
- birthday banner @ P 30 per piece
- personalized tarpaulin @ P 350 for a size 3x5 (some party shops have different price)

- pabitin @ P 30.00 per piece
- balloon bursting @ P 350 per piece / pot @ P 65 per piece (for hitting-the-pot)
- candies (for the loot bags, hitting the pot, prizes)
- toys (for the pabitin, hitting the pot, prizes, loot bags)
- cupcakes @ P65.00 per piece
- cake @ P1000 ( fondant personalized)




You may also want to add the following for a more elaborate kiddie party:
- clowns
- magicians
- bubble show

- acrobats
- food carts
- face paintings
- photo booth
- chocolate fountain
- ice cream parlor
- cotton candy cart
- pop corn cart
- hotdog cart
- entertainers: dancers, singers, actors, actresses
- mascots
- life size standees

5. GET YOUR TEAM. Find yourself a team of volunteers. Your relatives, siblings, your best friends even your mom can help in setting up the place, the stage, inflating the balloons... etc..Assign to each one specific functions and hand out to them our vision board so they will have an idea how you would want the place to turn out.

The last part of the list is the very reason why most people hire us, event planners, for help. If you have the kind of family who are into the arts or at least have the creativity juice in them, there will be no problem in orchestrating a kiddie party. But if you have very limited time or if you are outside the country as in most cases, you would really hire someone to go around and do the leg work for you in order to pull out the event you expect to happen.

I hope this helps you plan your kiddie party or any party for that matter! If you need our professional assistance, you can always reach me at the Contact Information listed in this blog! For Events Services, visit this page for complete details.

HAVE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTEY!!!!

Roller Coaster Ride 2012

I know this post may come a bit late since the month of January is coming to an end but nonetheless, I would still want to share to world my roller coaster ride of the year that was, The 2012 Year of Events and Weddings.

So like the previous year, 2011 that ended on such a high note culminating my first year as a full-pledged event planner, 2012 started slow at first and ended as much energy as the previous year.

First up, the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations of Davao City was also a wedding for my First Year Anniversary! On March 16, of 2011, I launched my first blogpost announcing to the world my intent to serve people thru my skills in events organizing and events hosting specializing in weddings. It was a surprise on the following year that fate and the universe had given me the gift of a wedding event for the exact day of my little company's first anniversary.


From the high spark of the March 2012 event followed two months  of a succession of dips and inactivity. April and May 2012 were months of research and online advertising and marketing to cover the realm of potential clients in the cyber world.

By June, two clients who had chosen us to host their wedding. From that month, I decided to expand further in offering my services to the city of General Santos City, just a few hours travel from Davao City, which I was homegrown. By the end of July, I landed three corporate product launching, two birthday bash celebration, two full wedding coordination, planning and hosting! It was a moment of extreme happiness, fulfillment and challenge. July and August brought so much surprise to my doorsteps, I was left speechless.

The months rolled, October wedding took place outside of General Santos City, a short hiatus in November and a full blast jampacked schedule in December!

The Year 2012 was a roller coaster ride for me and my partner and my team in my little events company. I felt so blessed and grateful for people who trusted their weddings, birthday, corporate events to me and my team.

Upto this day, I still don't have a clue how 2013 would turn out. I am filled with excitement and anxiety as to whether this year brings just as much events, or would the numbers plunge or would it outdo the previous years!

All I am geared up is my business plan and this flexibility to adjust to whatever comes along. Over all I am very excited to grow through the ups and downs of this year's roller coaster ride!!!

Will you ride with me?

Wedding Budget Allocation in the Philippines 2021

image from google images

 I have written in my previous posting about the wedding costs in the Philippines , however, the costing is a general average and the actual costs of a wedding largely depends on the location of the wedding. In the capital cities like Manila, Cebu and Davao, the wedding costs may be slightly higher compared to other towns and cities all over the Philippines. 


My jurisdiction of event planning business in situated in two locations. I set weddings in Davao City and General Santos City, sometimes in Mati City of Davao Oriental.

In planning the wedding, the very crucial and most important thing to consider is the wedding budget. When I realized that more and more people are searching for the budget breakdown, I thought of helping them by itemizing the wedding costs in the Davao City and the wedding costs in General Santos City. Let me begin with my hometown, Davao City:

image from google images

WEDDING BUDGET YOU SHOULD PREPARE FOR DAVAO CITY WEDDING:

(everything is in Philippine Peso Currency)

Location for Wedding Ceremony 

-Church (non-air) = 5,000 

-Church (aircon) = 20,000

-Garden = 10,000

Location for Wedding Reception

-Hotel = starts at 550 per head - 1200/head (buffet style)

-Outdoor  = starts at 550 per head catering  (buffet style)

Officiant Fee:

-Pastor 1,000-2,000(usually c/o church)

-Priest 1,000-2,000 (usually c/o church)

Wedding Cake

-3layers - starts at 5,000 depending on design & thickness per layer

-5layers - starts at 10,000 depending on design & thickness per layer with or without styro

-6-10 layers - starts at 15,000 ++

Photo and Video Coverage

-with Pre-nup photoshoot - starts at 25,000 

-with Photobooth - additional of 2,500 

-with LCD Projector rental - additional of 2,500

Wedding Invitations

-Elegant, embossed - starts at 150/pc

-Ordinary elegant - starts at 85/pc

Wedding Favors

-for VIP guests - 150/pc

-for other guests - 80-90/pc

Attire
set of 3: 1 Bridal gown, 1 Groom Barong, 1 MOH, 1 BM, 3 BrMds, 3 GrmMn, 3 FG, 3 Boys

-Used Entourage Rental - starts at 2,800 - 18,800

-First User Entourage Rental - starts at 15,000 - 22,000

-Owned Entourage - starts at 18,000 depending on dress designs

Rings

-Engagement Ring - starts at 2,000 (pure silver) - 5,000 (gold)

-Wedding Bands - starts at 10,000/pair

Florist and Decorations

-Church Only - starts at 20,000 - 30,000 depending on design

-Reception Only - starts at 20,000 - 30,000 depending on design

-Church and Reception - starts at 30,000 - 100,000 depending on design

Wedding Singer

-Band of 3 - 3,500

-Solo - 2,500

-Violinist - 2,500

Hair & Make Up

-10 persons - starts at 8500

-12-15 persons - starts at 10,000

Wedding Emcee

-1 emcee - 2,500

-2 emcees - 3500

Wedding Planners

-Full Wedding Planning Services  - starts at 22,000 (six months before date)

-On-the-Day Wedding Coordination - starts at 12,500 (one month before date)

Other Add-ons:

-Lights & Sounds - starts at 10,000

-Chocolate Fountain - 2,500

-Bubble Machine - 2,500

-Ice Carving - 2,500

-Fog Machine - 2,500

-Bridal Car - 2,500

-Van Rental - 2,500

-Hotel for guests - 1,800

TOTAL ESTIMATED AVERAGE WEDDING COST IN DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES: 250,000 - 550,000

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image from google images

WEDDING BUDGET YOU SHOULD PREPARE FOR GENERAL SANTOS CITY WEDDING:

(everything is in Philippine Peso Currency)

Location for Wedding Ceremony 

-Church (non-air) = 5,000 

-Garden = 10,000

Location for Wedding Reception

-Hotel = starts at 350 per head - 850/head (buffet style)

-Outdoor  = starts at 250 per head catering  (buffet style)

Officiant Fee:

-Pastor 1,000-2,000(usually c/o church)

-Priest 1,000-2,000 (usually c/o church)

Cake

-3layers - starts at 5,000 depending on design & thickness per layer

-5layers - starts at 10,000 depending on design & thickness per layer with or without styro

-6-10 layers - starts at 15,000 ++

Photo & Video Coverage

-with Pre-nup photoshoot - starts at 15,000 

-with Photobooth - additional of 2,500 

-with LCD Projector rental - additional of 2,500

Wedding Invitations

-Elegant, embossed - starts at 95/pc

-Ordinary elegant - starts at 65/pc

Wedding Favors

-for VIP guests - 150/pc

-for other guests - 80-90/pc

Attire

set of 3: 1 Bridal gown, 1 Groom Barong, 1 MOH, 1 BM, 3 BrMds, 3 GrmMn, 3 FG, 3 Boys

-Used Entourage Rental - starts at 2,800 - 10,800

-First User Entourage Rental - starts at 7,800 - 12,800

-Owned Entourage - starts at 15,000 depending on dress designs

Rings

-Engagement Ring - starts at 2,000 (pure silver) - 5,000 (gold)

-Wedding Bands - starts at 10,000/pair

Florist and Decorations

-Church Only - starts at 20,000 - 30,000 depending on design

-Reception Only - starts at 20,000 - 30,000 depending on design

-Church & Reception - starts at 30,000 - 100,000 depending on design

Wedding Singer

-Band of 3 - 3,500

-Solo - 2,500

-Violinist - 2,500

Hair & Make Up

-10 persons - starts at 3500

-excess persons - 350-500/head

Wedding Emcee

-1 emcee - 2,500

Wedding Planners

-Full Wedding Planning Services  - starts at 22,000 (six months before date)

-On-the-Day Wedding Coordination - starts at 12,500 (one month before date)

Other Add-ons:

-Lights & Sounds - starts at 6,000 - 10,000

-Chocolate Fountain - 2,500

-Bubble Machine - 2,500

-Ice Carving - 2,500

-Fog Machine - 2,500

-Bridal Car - 2,500

-Van Rental - 2,500

-Hotel for guests - 1,800

TOTAL ESTIMATED AVERAGE WEDDING COST IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY, PHILIPPINES: 250,000 - 350,000

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Looking at it, there's not much of difference when it comes to wedding costs in Davao and Gensan since it all boils down to the discretion of the couple's decisions. Although in Gensan, there may be more cheaper vendors but in Davao, there are many choices for the couple to decide on.

As a wedding planner, it all depends on the choices and ideals that the couple wants. My job is only to present them with the best options and variety of vendors to choose from. 

I have observed that the year 2013 will be more on elegance and style as more and more Filipinos have better choices in event options and have greater spending capacity as the economy is improving. So wedding planners are becoming a hot item. This may also be helpful to those who are tying the knot this year since they are bombarded with so many options, they may as well want the expertise and consult of the wedding planners.

For your questions about getting married in the Philippines, do not hesitate to email me at leahjacobe@gmail.com or call and text my suncellular mobile phone numbers at 0923-943-11-99.

I hope this has enlightened most of you as you begin your life in the year of the water snake 2013!!!!

Happy Wedding!!!

To Hire or not to Hire a Wedding Planner?

Professional wedding planners may not have quite the same recognition as professional athletes and entertainers, but to many harried brides, they are truly superstars. Otherwise know as wedding consultants, these walking wedding encyclopedias will have answers to all your questions, or will at least know where to find answers. You will pay for the expertise, of course - but if your schedule is a hectic one or if you are working outside the country, you may come to the conclusion that it's worth it.

That's me - the wedding planner - beside the bride with my team of wedding  coordinators.

Since weddings are their business, consultants are experienced in just about all areas of wedding planning. They may have knowledge, ideas and contacts you might not otherwise be able to take advantage of. Not everyone needs or wants a consultant, however, and you shouldn't feel you have to hire one just because someone else does. Some brides enjoy planning their own wedding and have plenty of time to do so; for them the process is as important and exciting as the result. Others, who have at their disposal the past experience of their mother, aunts, sisters, friends, cousins and so on, ask why they should pay for the advice when they can get it for free.

But there are brides out there who don't have anyone to help them, or don't have the time or energy required to plan the wedding they want. It can be especially hard for women with fast-paced careers to balance the demands of their job and their wedding. If you fall into this category, you may find that a consultant can relieve a great deal of the pressure you face.

[excerpts taken from the book "The Everything Wedding Book" by Anastasio, Bevilacqua and Peters]

The major upside of having a wedding planner is that during your wedding day, you won't have to think about the arrival and set up time of the wedding suppliers and you won't have to think of the timeline of the day. The materials needed for the ceremony will be taken cared of before, during and after the wedding.

Truly, wedding planners and coordinators will be your wedding fairies for your once-in-a-lifetime moment on the aisle.

The Most Comprehensive Filipino Wedding Checklist

Philippines is a culturally rich country. There are many beliefs and rituals taking place especially during a Filipino wedding. Aside from the wedding cost, if you are planning to tie the knot with your Filipino spouse in one of the churches or places in the Philippines, you might need many things to prepare because a traditional Filipino wedding is not your ordinary westernized wedding. Here's a complete checklist of things you must prepare for your grandest event in your life, your dream Wedding Filipino Style!

The Most Comprehensive Filipino Wedding Checklist Pre-Wedding Checklist:

During Wedding Planning, decide on the following: Attire   [] Color Motif Attire for Female Entourage  [] long gown  [] cocktail dress  [] knee-length  [] below the knee length Attire for Male Entourage  [] Barong  [] Suit  [] Tuxedo  [] Others Venues    [] Church (strict for Catholic Weddings)    [] Outdoor (Christian Weddings)    [] Reception         [] Outdoor         [] Indoor    [] Caterer           [] c/o Hotel or Venue          [] Independent Photographer    [] with pre-nup   [] without pre-nup   [] other add-ons Videographer   [] with pre-nup   [] without pre-nup   [] other add-ons Florist   [] Church & Reception Venue   [] Church Only   [] Reception Venue Only Make-up Artist   [] Bride & Groom only   [] Bride, Groom and parents only   [] Bride, Groom, Parents and Female entourage only   [] Bride, Groom, Parents and whole entourage   [] Bride, Groom, Parents, whole entourage, & others Wedding Invitations   [] for VIPs   [] for Guests Wedding Souvenirs   [] for VIPs   [] for Guests   [] for Groom's Men   [] for Bride's Maids Cake Designer   [] 3 layered cake   [] 4 layered cake   [] 5 layered cake   [] satellite cakes   [] cascading cake   [] cupcakes with mother cake   [] cake tower   [] others Add-ons: [] Photobooth []  During- Wedding Day Checklist:

Church Checklist

Mass Participants (Catholic Weddings)

[] Priest

[] Commentator

[] Readers

[] Reading 1st

[] Responsorial Psalm

[] Reading 2nd

[] Prayers of the Faithful

[] Offertory and Offerors Things to prepare:

o   Candles on stand   (2) o   Unity Candle (unique to Christian Weddings) o   Candles for lighting the Unity Candle (2)  (unique to Christian Weddings)

o   Fruits

o   Flowers

o   Unblessed Host

o   Wine

o   Cruets (wine and water)

o   Ciborium (host)

Ceremony Materials

[] Secondary sponsors

[] Candles

[] Matches or lighters

[] Cord

[] Veil

[] Arrhae (13 pieces of coins)

[] Bride's Bible

[] Rings (with fakes if necessary)

[] Pillows (2)

[] Misalettes and/or ceremony program

[] Garter (worn on the right leg of bride)

[] Flowers for:

>Bride

>Maid of Honor

>Bridesmaids

>Junior Bridesmaids

>Flower girls

>Secondary sponsors

>Principal sponsors

>Mother of the bride

>Mother of the groom

>Bride's throw away

>Boutonnieres for suits

[] Recessional Effects

>Bubbles

>Confetti

>Party Poppers

>Petals

>Rice grains

>Doves

>Others: balloons

[] Songs for:

> Wedding Processional march

> Entourage

> Bride

>Vows

>Offertory

>Lord's Prayer

>Communion

>Picture taking

>Recessional

>Others

> Wedding Recessional March

[] Food tidbits for travel to reception

[] Priest's stipend (optional) Others    [] Jewelry and accessories

Reception Checklist

[] Invitation    [] RSVPs

[] Flat shoes

[] Souvenirs

[] Gifts

>Principal sponsors

>Entourage

[]  Seating arrangement (unique to high-end, Westernized Weddings)

[]  Reception lay-out

[]  Place cards (unique to high-end, Westernized Weddings)

[]  Menu cards (unique to high-end, Westernized Weddings)

[]  Drinks

>Wines

>Champagne

>Liquor

[]  Reception Songs

>Cocktails

>Entrance of newlyweds

>Dinner

>Bouquet activity

>Garter activity

>Married couples activity

>Cutting of cake

>First toast

>First dance

[]   Entrance for the reception

[]   Procedure for pictures with guests

[]   Reception programme

>Emcees

>Opening prayer and blessing of the food

>Acknowledgment of principal sponsors    > First Dance (Prosperity Dance)

>Table hopping

>AVP if any

>Bouquet toss or other activity

>Garter toss or other activity

>Married couples activity

>Wedding Bell Pull (Balloon Bursting)    >Releasing of Doves

>Speeches           >Bestman's toast (prepare copy)

>Wishes from the Maid of Honor (prepare copy)

>Parents of the newlyweds

>Couple (thank you, honoring, etc.)

>Others

[]  Cutting of cake

o   Serve Cake

o   Favors

[]   First toast (unique to Westernized Weddings)

[]  First dance

[]   Presentation

o   Song

o   Dance

o   Friends

[]   Programme card

[]   Materials for bouquet toss and garter game

[]   Registration table specially for arranged seating (unique to high-end, Westernized Weddings)

[]   Guest book or cards

[]   Crew meals

Persons in charge:

[] Registration table:

[] Gift registration:

[] Distribution of gifts:

[] Payment to suppliers:

[] Make-up Artist:

[] Dress Designer:

[] Photographer

[] Videographer

[] Transportation

[] Hotel or caterer

[] Musicians

o   Church:

o   Reception:

Sound equipment

[]  Cake maker

[] Florist

o   Entourage

o   Church

o   Reception

[] Reception venue

[] Wedding Planners

[] Others

Post- Wedding Checklist

[] Make-up remover

[] Endorsements of the ff:

[] Ceremony materials

[] Reception materials

[] Food for the bride's family

[] Food for the groom's family

[] Gifts

[] Transportation

[] For bride

[] For newlyweds

[] For family

[] For gifts

Contact Numbers of Suppliers

Make-up artist:

Designer:

Photographer:

Videographer:

Transportation:

Hotel or Caterer:

Musicians:

Church:

Reception:

Sound Equipment:

Cake Maker:

Florist:

Church:

Entourage:

Reception:

Church:

Reception venue:

Printer:

Others: --------------------------- If you find it overwhelming to take note each one of the wedding checklist,  you can request your maid-of-honor and bride's maids and even the groom's men to assist you in preparing the materials.  Sometimes, the couple want their friends and family to just enjoy and relax during the entirety of the wedding event.  For a hassle-free, worry-free wedding planning, it is best to hire a wedding coordinator on the day of your wedding or better yet,  hire a wedding planner six months before the wedding event to ensure smooth flow of the event  and stress-free transition from single-hood to married life. Good luck with your wedding planning!  I hope this article helps you in reducing stress in your wedding planning process!  For your On-the-day wedding coordination needs, you can always count on us for assistance!  For questions and inquiries, do not hesitate to email me at leahjacobeweddings@gmail.com. All the best in you transition to married life! Tete-a-tete!!!