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Things to Consider in Choosing the Perfect Venue for Your Wedding

One of the most crucial decisions you’ll ever make before your wedding is finding just the right venue. So grab your notepad and pen and write down these important factors that you need to consider. It will help you avoid a lot of hassles and sudden mishaps on your special day.

AVAILABILITY – It is best to begin the venue search at least six months to one year prior to your wedding. This will allow you plenty of time to deal with possible conflicts. Also, bear in mind that there are thousands of couples getting married every day, so it’s best to start early if you want to book the best venue that fits your criteria.

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BUDGET – How much am I willing to spend on the venue? You need to ask yourself and your partner this question before making any ocular visits. You should have at least an estimated amount in mind, if not specific. Also, be realistic on setting your wedding budget. Don’t make a budget that is too low from the actual venue fees or you’ll go home frustrated and empty-handed. It is best to do some research first on different price ranges for wedding venues.

YOUR GUEST LIST – Before making a list of your prospective venues, you first need to make a list of all your wedding guests. This need not be a detailed and final list yet. It can be a rough estimate of how many guests you expect to arrive at your wedding day. Aside from the aesthetics, you would want to make sure that your venue has enough space to accommodate your guests comfortably.

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THEME OR MOOD OF YOUR WEDDING – Do you want a formal or informal gathering? Do you have a specific theme in mind? Would your venue compliment the mood of your celebration? If you have a specific theme in mind, you may opt for a venue that has the same look and feel. For those on a tight budget it would also save you a lot of money because you don’t need to put too much decoration just to achieve the look you want.

RULES AND REGULATIONS – How long can you book the venue for your wedding? Is there a corkage fee or catering charge? Is alcohol or loud music allowed? Different venues have different rules and regulations to follow. For instance some churches have strict rules when it comes to attire or wedding song choices. Before you sign any contract, read it carefully. It’s okay to ask as much questions regarding the policies in order to avoid any problems during the actual wedding day.

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ACCESSIBILITY – In finding a venue, consider the proximity of the place from where your guests will be coming from. You need to make sure that your guests have enough means to go there in order to avoid delays or any inconvenience both for you and your guests. If your reception venue is different from your ceremony venue, it is advisable to have the two in close distance from each other.

FACILITIES – Do they have adequate rest rooms? Is there enough space for a band or for dancing? Is there a room for the bride and groom to change and relax? Are there plenty of parking spaces for your guests’ vehicles? If it’s an outdoor event, do they have any backup plans for rainy days? You need to know if the venue has the appropriate facilities and services that you need for your event.

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WEDDING PICTURES – Venues with good lighting will surely bring more life and beauty to your wedding photographs. You may also want to check if a venue has other spots that are great for wedding pictorials such as a lush garden, or a great seaside view.

When doing an ocular, bring a handy camera with you. It would help you determine if the place is picturesque. Also, you could use the pictures as reference for your venue design planning, or you can give it to your wedding stylist if you have one.

Familiarizing yourself with the important factors is one of the best tools that you can use in order to get the best venue for your wedding.

Don’t hesitate to shop around. Take time to look for venues on the internet. Try our ceremony and reception venue lists.

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Mhel and Merc, Winners of Win-A-Wedding (6th ed.)

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“As we grow older together, as we continue to change with age, there is one thing that will never change  … I will always keep falling in love with you…” – Anonymous

Mhel and Merc’s first steps toward the path of love wasn’t that “magical as other stories out there”, according to Mercrischel or simply Merc. “We grew up in the same street. Have the same circle of friends. More likely pwede kaming mag-fall sa category na nodding acquaintances or what the teenagers call nowadays, “the sometimes friends.”

It was when Merc turned 18 that she felt that so-called magic, in the arms of the “snobbish and quiet” Mhel, who turned her night—her last dance into an unforgettable magical moment.

It was December of 2002 when Mhel started courting Merc and after three months, they became a couple.

As a couple, the two encountered struggles in 2006 as what Merc called a ‘dreaded long distance relationship.’ “Sabi nila mahirap daw, I swear mahirap nga…But I have a strong faith in him, na makakaya namin ito. I believe that missing someone is part of loving them. If you’re never apart, you’ll never know how strong your love is.”

The long wait soon paid off because after a year of constant texts and calls, unyielding “I love you’s” and “I miss you’s”, Mhel followed Merc in Dubai, and in that reunion, she admitted it was like falling in love with the same person again.

“I am really thankful kasi hindi niya ako sinukuan, I know that it’s hard for him as well pero nagtiis din siya. He knows my responsibility with my family and for that I fell for him again…”

“…And now that we are going to face our new beginning as ‘one’ I would never ever trade him for somebody else. And if God would ask me, if given a chance would I ever rewrite my so-called love story, I’d  proudly say NO. Because Mhel is the only one who I want to spend my forever falling in love with.”

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Mhel and Merc are to exchange their vows in May 2014 courtesy of Hizon’s Catering’s Win-A-Wedding Promo. They are the 6th Edition Winner of the worry-free wedding offered by the contest to soon-to-wed couples in Metro Manila.

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Hizon’s Made Damas Kids Smile

70 beaming kids of Associacion de Damas de Filipinas, Inc. (Damas) greeted over 100 volunteers and employees of the Hizon’s Catering’s Make Children Smile Campaign at The Pergola events place last August 30, 2011…

The program was graced by Hizon’s Catering’s CEO, Mrs. Baby Hizon, the General Manager, Joseph Hizon, Hizon’s Pattisierre, Chef Abby Hizon, The Pergola’s head, Ms. Lynne Romero, and the children of the CEO Andrea and Peter Hizon who merrily took care of a child assigned to them at the party.

The Campaign was launched last summer (May 2011) asking Facebook users to help the company reach 10, 000 likes on their Facebook Fan Page in the course of three months. Over 5, 000 people responded to the call which made Hizon’s Facebook Fans jump from 1, 500 to 6, 000 by  August. It was nearing the deadline and the campaign is still half-way through when the management decided to push through with the project so as not to disappoint the orphaned children of Damas.

Thus, the company launched another ad, calling on the fans to register as volunteer and be a parent for a day to the kids. 70 volunteers were chosen among the hundreds who’ve registered and the date and place was set.

 

 

 

 

 

Hizon’s Catering would like to thank the following people who’ve supported us and brought this campaign to light:

  • Ms. Lynne Romero of The Pergola
  • Jun Valbuena of Glitz and Glamour  Photo Booth
  • Ms. Heart of Cotton Candy Carnival
  • Merced Bakeshop for the cupcakes
  • Mr. Alex for Lights and Sounds
  • Pascual Liner for taking the kids to and from the venue
  • Groove Paint Party Needs for the Face Painting and the program
  • All Hizon’s Catering Employees who’ve attended the program; and
  • All volunteers who’ve helped us on the campaign

See you next time!

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FLORAL BUDGET: Exploring Your Options for A Perfect Wedding (1/3)

BUDGET is one very important aspect that is always considered when it comes to choosing the flowers for your wedding. A large chunk of the wedding budget will most likely be allotted for the ceremony & venue rental, or for the food expense.

Often, the budget for wedding flowers is compromised and couples resort to do-it-yourself floral arrangements.

It may work out to your advantage if you have the skills or if you have relatives or friends who are capable of making beautiful arrangements for you. But if you are new at this field it would be best to know your options before making hasty decisions.

A trip to Dangwa may just be the solution you need. Or maybe hiring a professional wedding florist may work out well to your advantage.

Flowers may not be the most essential part of your big day, but it is still important. After all, it would show up in almost all of your wedding pictures.

To continue reading this article please click here:

>> Hiring a Wedding Florist (2/3)

>> Trip To Dangwa (3/3)

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FLORAL BUDGET: Hiring a Wedding Florist (2/3)

To hire or not to hire ?

This is the usual dilemma of most couples when it comes to the topic of hiring a professional wedding florist. Some still have that notion that hiring one is impractical and a waste of money. If you are on a tight budget, do-it-yourself arrangements may be your best bet. But if you’re still not sure about it, you may want to know why a florist may just be the “fairy-god mother” you’ve been waiting for.

Why do I need a wedding florist?

It may seem easy to arrange flowers. All you need to do is buy your supplies in Dangwa or at your preferred flower shop or market and get your relatives or friends to help you make the arrangements. But there are lots of factors that need to be considered that you are unaware of.

Proper care of flowers. Flowers in general are delicate and require proper handling. And though you are making all the necessary measures to ensure that your flowers will be at its best form during the wedding, there may still be a big possibility that you will end up with unattractive flowers on your celebration. It’s because different flowers require different ways of handling. There are those that need to be put in water, other flowers should not be exposed in too much light; tulips in particular should be kept in a cool place. Florists are well-informed about this field. You can be assured that your flowers will be at its best shape for your most special day.

The right flowers for your wedding. You may already have your favorite flowers in mind to use for your wedding but sometimes they may not work well with one another. There are flowers that would make a great bouquet but may not be the perfect centerpiece for your banquet table. It is best to have someone who knows the what and what-nots of floral arrangement. You can even have a big chance of saving a lot of money just by hiring the right person to do the job.

Creative/artistic touch. If you have a specific theme in mind, you should really book a florist. If you can turn your own concepts into reality or you have a relative or friend who can do that then you can go about with your do-it-yourself plans. But florists are florists because they have the expertise and the capability to put magic in your wedding flowers.

Stress. The most important purpose of having a florist is to take away the burden off of your shoulders. It is your big day and the idea of standing in front of a huge crowd is already nerve wracking. If you want a worry-free day for you and your soon-to-be partner, you need people who know their job and would help you achieve the memorable event you wish to have.

How much would it cost to book a florist?

Most florists have ready packages that you can choose from, but these packages are often flexible and would depend on what the couples want for their wedding. Don’t hesitate to talk to as many florists so that you would know who has the best packages that can fit your budget.

Ms. April Yu of April and Karen Yu Flowers said that the prices for every floral arrangement vary, depending on some factors like: guest size, season (Christmas, Valentines Day, and All Saint’s Day), type of flowers used, and other materials and extra details that needs to be incorporated on the design.

Couples these days already have the chance to customize their own floral packages to suit both their taste and their budget.

At present, the price of flower arrangements done by professional florists range from Php30, 000 – Php100, 000 depending on the factors mentioned above.

How early should I book a florist?

After booking your ceremony and reception venues, you can already start planning your wedding theme and booking a florist. As early as 6 months to 1 year in advance is the ideal time to look for a florist. This would ensure that you’d get all the flower supplies you need and you may even get discounts and other freebies. Wedding fairs often showcase different florists and you may want to try attending one to get a good start.

 Keeping yourself open-minded with every option for your wedding flowers will help you achieve the perfect floral arrangements without compromising your budget. What you need to do is prepare ahead of time and find the right people that you would be most comfortable working with.

>> Exploring Your Options for A Perfect Wedding (1/3)

>> Trip to Dangwa (3/3)

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FLORAL BUDGET: Trip to Dangwa to Find the Cheapest Dangwa Flowers (3/3)

Here in the Philippines, there are a lot of options when it comes to wedding flowers. The most popular ones are roses, tulips, chrysanthemums, gerberas, and carnations.

Majority of these flowers are available locally, except for a few like tulips and Ecuador roses. Most of the flower supply here in the Philippines comes from Baguio, which is considered the country’s flower capital. But the most popular destination for buying flowers is Dangwa, in Manila.

 

 

 

The flowers there are sold at relatively lower prices compared to other markets because their supply comes directly from Baguio. With the wide array of choices displayed before your eyes, you will know firsthand how the flowers look like and what would suit your taste and your budget.

You can choose to buy the flowers and the accessories and arrange them yourself, but if you don’t have the extra hand or time to do so, there are a lot of available local florists in Dangwa to help you with your arrangements. Just ask the sellers, most of them are equipped with the basics of wedding floral arrangement.

 

 

Price Range (Wedding Flowers in Dangwa)

Entourage Flowers – (consisting of bride’s bouquet, principal and secondary sponsor’s flowers, flower girl’s baskets and headdress) *Prices range from Php5,000 – Php10,000 depending on the flowers used.

Church Flowers – (consisting of pedestal aisle arrangement, spray arrangement for altar, candle holder arrangements, and topiaries) *Prices range from Php7, 000 – Php15,000 depending on the flowers used.

Reception Flowers – (consisting of table centerpieces, pillars for backdrop and entrance, and dove cage arrangement) *Prices range from Php10,000 – Php20,000 depending on the flowers used.

Exploring the many possibilities when it comes to your wedding flowers will help you come up with perfect floral arrangements without exhausting your wedding budget.  All you need is determination and lots of creativity.

>> Exploring Your Options for A Perfect Wedding (1/3)

>> Hiring a Wedding Florist (2/3)

 

Photo credits to Wikimedia Commons

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Mikes and Lovely, Winners of Win-A-Wedding (7th ed.)

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Mikes and Lovely owe a social media site and a friend for weaving the strings that drew them together.

Seeing a picture of Lovely by their common friend’s account, Mikes’ heart was immediately captivated. “It took me a whole week to muster up the courage to say hi. Eventually I did and when she replied I felt like I was in cloud nine,” according to Mikes.

Lovely was in Japan then, and that was the start of an inter-country chatting injected with a daily dose of getting-to-know.

“Weeks turned into months and our mutual understanding for each other grew into something magical.”

Mikes was reviewing for board exams then but couldn’t focus because of his growing affection for Lovely.

At that year, Lovely announced her coming home on December 19 which was the day before Mikes’ board exam.

“They say that when you’re in love you are willing to sacrifice one thing for another, and I chose her. Up until now never have I regretted on that decision of choosing her. We had our very first date on December 22nd. The very same night we officially became a couple.”

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“In our relationship I had the realization that I wanted to be the man who could support her so I went out and found myself a job and I did. I wanted to show her that she makes me want to be a better man, a man whom she could lean on and feel safe.”

“On our second year and fifth month, I decided that I wanted her hand in marriage. I imagined her to be the mother of my children. It never came to mind that I was rushing things for I felt it in my heart that she is the one, the girl of my dreams.”

A mountain climbing enthusiast, Mikes made a plan to propose to Lovely at the top of a mountain. With the help from their mountain climbing group, they kept the plan a secret until they reached the top.

“It was perfect. She wiped away her tears then the one special word I was waiting for was said. I got up gave her the best kiss I could offer and place the ring on her finger.”

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But Mikes and Lovely’s “love story adventure” doesn’t stop here. Rather, it is just “the beginning of something beautiful.”

Mikes and Lovely are the 7th Edition Winner of Win-A-Wedding, a worry-free wedding promo offered by Hizon’s Catering to soon-to-wed couples in Metro Manila.

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Our Lady of Remedies Parish (Malate Church)

Originally built in the 16th century by the Augustinian friars, the Malate Church–also known as the Our Lady of Remedies Parish–is one of the oldest churches in Manila.

With the view of the Rajah Sulayman Park and the Manila Bay, the church is perfect for an afternoon or night wedding as guests and couples could get a glimpse of the world-famous sunset and the illuminated fountain at the park.

Our Lady of Remedies Parish
2000 MH del Pilar St., Malate, Manila
Telephone: (02) 523-2593 | (02) 400-5876 to 77
Fax: (02) 524-6866
E-mail: remedios@skyinet.net; ourladyofremedios@yahoo.com.ph
Website: www.malatecatholicchurch.org

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Jardin de Miramar in Antipolo City

A paradise near the Metro is Jardin de Miramar. A less than an hour drive from Ortigas is all it takes to reach this green haven in Antipolo. Jardin de Miramar boasts a garden-like scene that has luscious greenery and waterfalls making it a perfect getaway for that nature-inspired garden wedding venue. It is divided into several different themed areas to accommodate parties, receptions and other functions.

The Paradiso boasts of royal palms and serenity waterfalls surrounding its vicinity, creating a new ambiance of a tropical paradise; it can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Adjacent to Paradiso is a carefully manicured garden called Pergola which can accommodate 70 guests, perfect for that dream garden wedding ceremony.

A three-tiered terrace aptly named Terraza can accommodate 100 guests, perfect for a private family get-together or an intimate wedding party for a sentimental bride.

For the traditional Filipina bride who want to have a feel of the Hispanic-Filipino wedding, the Intramuros venue in Jardin de Miramar is a perfect place for you. This is a mini version of Manila’s famed Walled City surrounded with thick adobe walls which reminisces the turn-of-the-century Spanish architecture and can accommodate up to 100 guests.

Another well-known feature of Jardin de Miramar is the Galera where “Noah’s Ark” is located. Noah’s Ark is a unique 30-foot boat, restructured from an actual 50-year old fishing boat of the owners. It features a dramatic lighting that shows the lighthouse, totem poles and a marine-themed metal sculpture. Kids will enjoy the seesaws, swings, and a pyramid tree that can actually be climbed on.

Jardin de Miramar also offers a fully air-conditioned venue that can accommodate up to 200 people called the Sevilla. The Sevilla elegantly boasts of a theatrical set-up complete with a stage, a bridal suite and a pantry perfect for any of your events.

The Plaza is an al fresco, white veranda that lets you experience a fresh garden ambiance under protective covered halls.

Next to the palm forest and right outside the Plaza is an open-spaced grassy area called Estacion–perfect for an al fresco garden wedding ceremony set-up.

Ylang-Ylang is a venue a midst a mini forest. This venue exudes a Filipiniana theme clad in bamboo poles and sawali–a nod to the Filipino countryside’s simple living and joys. This rustic local little venue can accommodate up to 150 people.

The grassy open area beside Ylang-Ylang in the backdrop of old mango trees is the Prado. With a 150-people capacity this meadow is perfect for a garden wedding set-up.

With its beautiful garden ambiance perfect for an elegant wedding celebration, Jardin de Miramar is truly “your private garden in the sky”.

Jardin de Miramar
276 San Jose Ext., Brgy. San Isidro, Antipolo City
Head Office: 112 V. A. Rufino St., Legaspi Village, Makati City
Telephone: (02) 584-3199 | Fax: (02) 697-4077
Mobile: 0917-8912208
Email: info@jardindemiramar.com
Website: jardindemiramar.com
Facebook: facebook.com/jardindemiramar
Twitter: @jardindemiramar