5 Things You Should Never Do in a Filipino Wedding

Filipino weddings are a BIG deal in the traditional Philippine culture. 

How is it a big deal? 

Well, for starters, weddings in the Philippines are regarded as a great milestone in life, a very huge favor/blessing from God  that needs to be celebrated with the clan. Yes, Celebrated in a grand way! Some wedding celebrations last for a couple of weeks to accommodate families, friends and relatives coming from outside the country. And because of very close-knit family ties, Philippine weddings are huge with an average of 150 guests to as much as 1000 guests at the wedding reception hall. 

Since relatives, friends, families, coworkers, acquaintances come together in one event, expect a diversity full of personalities, backgrounds, and mannerisms. Whether you are invited to attend the wedding or not, you can come as long as you are closely related to the bride and groom, or parents of either wedding party for that matter.

And because guests can come from all walks of life and backgrounds, there are unwritten rules of civility that need to be followed, ESPECIALLY when you're a guest to a FILIPINO Wedding.

5 Things You Should Never Do in a Filipino Wedding

#1:  Comment on anybody's weight. 

It is natural for people to notice weight differences at first glance. Whether you're in a wedding or just bumped into an old friend, zip you mouth when it comes to commenting about their weight. No matter how noticeable the weight loss or weight gain may be, divert your thoughts into a different compliment. 

For example, instead of saying you gained a lot of weight, say "You look lovely today." or "I like your fashion sense."

Be genuinely truthful and not make something up. This means you have to look for something positive or good in that person.

Reason for this is because people may be silently carrying negative self-image or have been struggling emotionally about "what's wrong in their body" and the more you emphasize on their insecurity, the more they'll draw away from the crowd and even avoid you in the future. 

It may seem like a harmless joke, but when you're in a Filipino wedding where everyone dresses up in their best suit and attire, compliment where it is due and just keep silent when you notice unpleasant about their appearances on that day.

#2: Ask for additional menu or food other than what is served.

Filipinos are foodie people. Our tongues are native to a variety of dishes and so it is natural that in big celebrations, we tend to fill our plates with all that's offered on the buffet table. It's okay really to binge eat while in a celebration.

However, asking for something that's not in menu or not offered on the table is a no-no. That's rude and condescending attitude making you look an entitled idiot. Unless you paid for the wedding, your only right is where you should be seated accordingly.

The couple and their families prepared for this day and I'm sure they thought hard about the menu and what to serve their guests according to what they can afford. 

The key here is RESPECT the family that invited you in. Eat whatever they have prepared for the guests and swallow your stinking behavior. 

#3: Hoard Wedding Souvenirs or Welcome gifts.

I've been a wedding souvenir hoarder once and I realized it's not worth it. I know Filipinos love to accumulate trinkets, souvenirs, and memorabilia from important events. Ultimately, what you've hoard will end up on the display cabinet gathering dust in the years to come.

So, check your greed once in awhile. Sometimes, there are extra souvenirs that may be left on the table because some invited guests did not arrive. Usually, the the  Davao wedding coordinator will secure them so that couple will deliver them later on to appreciate these people's presence in their lives, not just during the wedding. 

Although there may be extra souvenirs or favors, it does not give you the right to "own" it as you already have been given your share of the souvenirs.

#4: Stand in the way of the Photographers.

There are many worst things that could happen in an event or any occasion in life. But if you caused the mishap, then you are responsible for the consequences of your actions.

The couple hired a photo and video team for a reason. These professionals have trained for many years and understand the conditions that affect a great photo. 

Now, if you're a guest in the wedding, we understand your excitement, eagerness, and eccentric feelings during the day. And perhaps you're thinking you have the latest phone with the best specs to capture a photo so why not capture unlimited photos and videos, right? You'd probably want to position on the aisle or the middle of the stage to capture special moments, but I beg you to STOP for awhile. 

Didn't you ever consider that despite your friend or family of the couple knowing that you have the latest gadget, they didn't authorize you to document their wedding?

So when you hinder the way of the professional photographers and video team, you are actually destroying the couple's wedding day. So, please let the professionals do what they're best at. 

#5: Ask to be included in the hair and makeup or entourage.

Filipinos love to look nice in the photos. We understand that if you are family or close friend, you get the priority being chosen as part of the entourage or VIP in the wedding.

But as long as you were not included in the wedding entourage or any package, don't insist. And if you do insist, please have the courtesy to pay for your own attire, hair and makeup or whatever wedding package you're trying to avail. 

Conclusion

Weddings bring out the best of all emotions. And it is one day that everything seems beautiful, grand and bliss. Couple strive hard to organize their dream weddings as promoted in the movies. No one really knows the struggles, efforts, time and money put into planning and organizing a wedding, so as a guest, family, close friend, colleague or acquaintance, give them all the SUPPORT they can get from you without overstepping their boundaries.

You may suggest ideas, but never impose. You may express your opinion, but it is up to them to decide what's best for them given their time and resources on hand. 

There are more tips on what to do and not to do during weddings. These are just the tip of the iceberg!

If you are considering hiring a wedding planner in Davao City, feel free to reach out to me here. 

Happy Wedding Planning!

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How A Long Distance Love Survived the COVID Pandemic?

In all my years as a wedding planner, I have probably met all types of clients. I would say most, if not all, were amiable, easy to get along with, and fairly reasonable with their demands during the wedding. However, there were two couples that really caught my awe and admiration - Robert and Chanetel and Kent and Erna. 

These two sets of lovebirds were maintaining a long distance relationship for a couple of years, especially during the COVID Pandemic. 

Why do they stand out? 

They were FAITHFUL

Well, first among the many reasons was that these couples shared a steadfast faith for their partners. They remained faithful and hopeful amidst the uncertainties happening in the world. 

In early 2019, these two couples sought my services as a wedding planner. Both of them preferred to have their wedding on the month April of 2020. Of course we were all excited planning two weddings as the months went along. But lo and behold the Pandemic happened! It was a month before their supposed wedding events that the nationwide lockdowns were implemented. 

Well, we all knew what happened on those months. There was absolutely ZERO events allowed on that year. Everyone lived in fear, anxiety and uncertainty. 

They were HOPEFUL

Nonetheless, Robert and Chanetel remained faithful to their promise to each other and patiently waited and weathered the storms. While Kent and Erna went ahead with a simple Civil Wedding while looking forward to their Church Wedding. They both had high hopes of the day they could finally tie the knot! They always knew that their 'Big Day' would come eventually.

They truly LOVE each other

And it did! Their Big Day came with a Big Bang!

As January 2022 came, Kent and Erna braved the Level 3 Alert and finally pushed through with their Church Wedding in Panabo City.

Meanwhile, Robert and Chanetel were legally married in an Online Wedding Ceremony that was valid in the US and they had a valid marriage contract registered in the US. On May 14, 2022, their civil marriage was blessed by a Minister from Chanetel's church in Davao City.

Both weddings were beautiful, meaningful, and memorable. They braved the pandemic, they braved the challenges and nuances that came with the wedding planning process, and they emerged triumphant in all these obstacles. 

Here are some of the magnificent snapshots from Joemar Faelnar Photography of the two amazing wedding events of these two wonderful couples:

Kent and Erna | January 29, 2022 | Madonna Hotel, Panabo City

Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He makes all things beautiful in His time."

Robert and Chanetel | May 14, 2022 | RGEMS Event Place, Davao City

Isaiah 60:22
"When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen."

And so I end this post with a wish that in my future events, especially weddings, I could meet and help plan weddings that are God-ordained and made in heaven. 

True Love is rare and precious. In a world of break ups, divorces, separations, and family disintegration, may I continue to meet and work with couples whose desire is only to cherish, celebrate, and immortalize their commitment to love each in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do they part. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-13
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. "

Why I Chose to Become a Wedding and Events Planner

Life is a journey. Enjoying the journey matters more than getting to the destination. While you are journeying; learning and improving are two  crucial things you must do to achieve success in the field you have chosen.

My Back Story 

For those who don't know me so well, I studied Nursing in college and got my license a year after I graduated. I practiced the Nursing profession for a short time in 2008 and found out there is something, a "gut feel" pulling me towards a different direction.

While I was searching for my place in the world, friends and family would ask me to host their events. And I loved hosting. i really do. When my cousins were getting married, they would ask me to accompany them when they scout for dresses, invitations, souvenirs. And during the wedding reception, I was always the event host. To make ends meet, my bread and butter was writing and blogging. I worked as website content writer while hosting events on the side.

How I Realized My Real Calling as A Wedding Planner 

In the year 2010, one of my closest friends was getting married. She was working abroad and so was his fiance. She wanted me to plan her ENTIRE wedding. I hesitated at first since I have no formal training in this field. But she believed in me and so I started believing in myself too.

The Learning Process

I did the hustle. During my off time at work, I researched weddings. I saved tons and tons of articles about wedding planning and what to do during the planning. Then I walked the talk. Literally, I walked weekly and went into every wedding supplier shop I could find in the city. I went into hotels, venues, cake makers, invitation maker, souvenir maker, bridal shops, photo and video companies, etc... Essentially everything that a wedding needed, I sought for contacts, recommendations but most of all I went personally and ask for their packages and prices. Their wedding was set on December and I did all these on the months of March to May.

Down the year, some of my friends referred me to their circle of friends for wedding coordination services. We gained first hand experience on how to assist the couple during their wedding day. I always suggested that I host their wedding too and I always got the job when I package coordination and hosting. At one time, I enrolled in a crash course on wedding planning and coordination. That was how I learned what wedding planners and coordinators really do.

2011 was the year when I successfully planned and hosted my very first wedding event. The wedding of my closest friend who was working in Dubai. They had chosen a beach theme wedding.

With this very first wedding planning experience in 2011, I had a lot more to learn and gain. And I continued my passion for weddings. The following year, I was able to help six more couples to plan their wedding. The numbers kept growing as I improved along. My team grew in experience and in numbers.

Out of Town Weddings

I was also able to plan weddings in Gensan, Koronadal (Marbel), Polomolok, and Surallah, South Cotabato. Me and my team were blessed with opportunities to reach out to different people outside of Davao City.


Marbel Wedding 

Lake Sebu Wedding

My Light Bulb Moment

The time I realized that this is my calling in life came just recently when my former colleague told her colleague that I had to leave the company because this is my calling. And I was like I never really given it deep thought. In the past events, I just felt happy and fulfilled in every event that becomes successful.  I did not mind the low budget, the sleepless nights, the cracking pressure, the exhaustion. I basically enjoyed what I was doing. And that kept on year in and year out.


The Present

Today, 8 years later, I think I have come a long way and have learned a lot. I've helped a lot of people in organizing their weddings and events. I also organize 18th, 35th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th birthday celebrations. The very reason why I chose to become a wedding and events planner is because this is where I am at my best and happiest truest self. 

Yet there is still so much to learn about this industry. We had our fair share of failures and disappointments as well as successes and praise-worthy weddings and events. I think, generally, in whatever field you choose to practice and excel, there will always be a learning curve. Some learning curves can be painful and some can even be life-changing. But I think these experiences are all part and necessary in the process of excellence. 

I will continue my vision and goal to create wonderful weddings and event. I will not stop improving, growing and progressing even at one hundred failures ( i hope it wont be that much mistakes though!). Each couple I am going to meet will be an opportunity to serve as well as to learn.

My mantra from now on is: NEVER STOP LEARNING, NEVER STOP IMPROVING, NEVER GIVE UP. As another year unfolds, I am excited and anxious about the crucial life lessons and business lessons that I am going to experience in the following months. There will be trials and triumphs for sure. There is so much to learn in the wedding and events industry. It is ever changing in trends. It is very dynamic. And I am ready to take on 2019!

Let's do this! So help me Lord God, my business partner!

Pre-Nuptial Photoshoot Checklist

In these modern days, weddings have become more creative and artistic. Prenup Shoot has gained a lot of attention including setting up and styling a prenup pictorial session.

More and more couples take this chance to become their own celebrities and models in their engagement pictorial session. Sadly, most couples do not consider prenup stylists to assist them in their engagement photoshoot.

A prenup stylist is someone who is very creative in providing prenup props and ideas for pictorial shoot. He/she provides the couple with the props they want to incorporate in their photoshoot. Sometimes, photographers and videographers provide the props but wedding planners/coordinators are now becoming pre nup stylist themselves as their experience in weddings are great advantage in designing and styling prenup also. Wedding set up decorators are also experts in setting up a photoshoot concept.

When seeking the assistance of prenup/engagement stylists, you must bear to mind to have everything included in their package to cut the hassles of contacting too many suppliers.


PRENUP STYLING PACKAGE and SERVICES usually includes one or more of the following:

• - provide prenup concepts, ideas and location suggestions
• - provide prenup props and set arrangements according to agreed concepts
• - provide make-up artist during the day
• - provide prenup attires and apparel fitting suitable for the prenup theme
• - provide meals for the couple and crew
• - contact the transportation to be used 

When I was planning the wedding of Brett and Daisy, both are living in Australia, so I had to get creative on how they want their engagement photoshoot will look like. I produced everything you can see in the picture below including their attire.

During my sister's engagement shoot, she wanted to have an indoor set up with lots of balloons and so this was what we did with the photoshoot set up and the suspended balloons were a timing shoot while we, the coordinators, threw the balloons on the air and exited sideways to prevent ourselves from being captured on camera:

By hiring prenup stylists, you can free yourself from the stress of having to bring the props all by yourself and contacting the transpo and the photographers and providing meals for the team. You will only focus on your poses and your smiles during the entire photoshoot while the coordinators will take care of everything else.

Need more ideas for your prenup shoot? Contact me anytime at 0949 770 28 29