PLANNING A WEDDING

GENERAL TIPS

3 Legal Prerequisites for Getting Married

OCTOBER 19, 2016 / POSTED BY FATIMA IN PLANNING
After all the fanfare of the wedding proposal and bookmarking pegs for your dream
wedding, one of the most crucial parts of wedding planning is, of course, complying with
the legal documents. It can be quite tricky since most of the documents are time-
sensitive, but once you are aware of what you need to accomplish, it will really save you
and your fiancé precious time and money in securing these documents!

We know the planning and preparation stage will get you excited more than anything,
but we have to reiterate that your wedding documents are essential. (Read: Your dream
wedding isn’t gonna happen if you miss even just one requirement.) Here’s a guide from
Arbee Panga and Cece Mariano of Kiss the Girl Events to make sure you are legally ready
to get married.

1. Get copies of your birth certificates. In this day and age, you can secure your NSO-
certified birth certificate online. Consider this as your golden ticket to jumpstart your
wedding planning, since this will further verify you, your fiancé, and even your parents’
correct names. You wouldn’t want your name to be misspelled on your marriage
certificate, right?
 

2. Secure a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR). For those who are not yet civilly
wed, you will also need to request for your Certificate of No Marriage or CENOMAR. As
the name implies, the certificate is issued to verify that you or your fiancé hasn’t had any
form of marriage previously. Get a hold of this not more than six months before the
wedding date. Both you and your fiancé will also need to request a copy of this via the
NSO helpline. This document is only valid for six months, so make sure you don’t apply
too early!

3. Finalize your wedding details then sign. Once everything is finalized (wedding date,
ceremony venue, etc.), it’s time to head to the local civil registry of your town or your
fiancé’s town to apply for your marriage license. It is the last and most crucial document
that you need to process in order for you to make your union state-official. You and your
fiancé will need to appear together during the application for this. It is best to inquire
with the local government you are under to ensure a stress-free application.
It is important to note that the marriage license is valid only for 120 days (four months)
including the date of your wedding, so you have to schedule it properly with you and
your fiancé. Government offices are only open during weekdays, so if you’re working,
you will need to take a day off to process your marriage license. Make sure you don’t
apply too early, but don’t apply too close to the wedding day either because it might not
be released in time.
Tip: Come in early. Most cities require Family Planning and pre-wedding seminars for all
applicants so it’s best to allot half your day at your City Hall when you apply. Fees for
the marriage license varies per city so best to bring extra cash.

You can opt to send a representative to pick up your marriage license–don’t forget to
issue an authorization letter with a copy of your valid ID. The lead time for obtaining a
marriage license is longer because the names of the couple are posted on a board in the
Barangay Hall. During this period, someone may appeal and say that the person on the
board has actually been married before.

So there you have it, darlings! As long as you get your requirements within the given
timeframe, you’re sure to have your dream wedding come true. Best wishes!

This list is only for the state or civil requirement to get married. Depending on what type of
wedding you will have (Catholic, Christian, Muslim, etc.), there are specific requirements
for  each religion. Best to talk to the person in charge of your church or congregation to ensure
you’re complying with your wedding requirements!
 Etiquette 101: Dealing With Your Wedding
Suppliers
OCTOBER 17, 2016 / POSTED BY FATIMA IN PLANNING, VIDEO
Your wedding suppliers are your fairy godmothers and godfathers helping you create
your dream wedding day! Unless you’re planning to D.I.Y. your whole wedding, you will
inevitably ask for help from them. In the interest of maintaining awesome relations with
your wedding suppliers, we whipped up five useful tips to remember when working with
them. Go ahead and click play, loves!

WATCH YOUTUBE VIDEO

https://youtu.be/odTQP_g8ViY
 5 Wedding Planning Commandments
Brides Should Live By
JUNE 2, 2016 / POSTED BY  FATIMA IN PLANNING
We hear you, loves! Wedding planning is one tough cookie. A lot of mental, physical, and
emotional preparation happens in the period leading up to your big day. To help you
ladies on your wedding planning journey, we consulted with Ycoy Sitchon of La Belle
Fete Weddings and Events to dish out wedding planning tips that brides-to-be
should definitely know by heart.

[Photo: Toto Villaruel]
 

1. You won’t be able to control everything.

May it be the rain, a sudden power outage while you are walking down the aisle, guests
who suddenly cannot come, your bridal car breaking down, or those zits… Let go, and
don’t sweat the small stuff! What really matters is how you deal with each little
stumbling block. It’s how you react that makes a big difference. Just enjoy the day and
learn to appreciate.

2. Focus on what is crucial.

At times, brides are so busy thinking about the D.I.Y.s, calligraphed name cards, or
souvenirs that they put the necessary elements in the backseat. Prioritize what is more
important, like your church and legal requirements, and all the things you need to submit
to your planner before your wedding. The little details may be pretty and cute, but if
your wedding files are cluttered, you will end up stressed on the day itself.

3. Prepare for rejection.

About 20-30 percent of the people you invite won’t attend. This depends on the location
of your wedding (destination weddings are harder to attend), how many out-of-towners
are on your list, and the timing of the event (some guests may have annual holiday or
summer plans). On the other hand, everyone could accept! The same thing goes for
wedding vendors–it’s possible that suppliers in your wishlist are unavailable. Treat this as
a sign: If it’s not meant to be, it is not meant to be.

4. Plan to express, not to impress.

Your wedding is neither a show nor a showdown with your friends or sister-in-law. Your
wedding is yours and not theirs. It will be special because you are in love with each other,
and that’s all that matters. Try not to compete with others and don’t base your decisions
on what will impress your guests and friends.
 

5. Trust and honesty are the most potent ingredients in wedding planning.

It is highly important to be completely honest with your suppliers, especially your

planner. Your wedding vendors should be your go-to, most-trusted experts during the
planning process. May it be your budget, the need to negotiate with the suppliers, or
your frustrations and expectations. Their job will be to tell you what can and can’t work.
After hiring them, trust them!

Bonus tip from Bride and Breakfast: Enjoy planning your wedding! It’s not all stress, and we
assure you that everything will be worth it once you see it all coming together. Now
you’re all set–have fun planning, loves!
11 Tips to Help You Manage Your Guest List
AUGUST 15, 2016 / POSTED BY FATIMA IN PLANNING
Let’s face it–guest lists are pretty tricky to handle. Filipinos are generally brought up in a
very family-centric culture, which makes intimate weddings a bit hard to do. So how do
you control the numbers from going up? What if they don’t reply right away? How do
you really fix a guest list and do a headcount? Jets and Rhona from Canaan
Celebrations share with us their wisdom in managing a guest list. Bookmark this page,
loves–you know you’ll need it!

[Photo: Nicolai Melicor]1. While creating your initial guest list, bear in mind that the most fun
and heartfelt weddings are the intimate ones. Get the important names in there–this is your
wedding, and you and your husband should ultimately be surrounded by people close to you.
2. Set a conservative number for your guests based on your budget and venue size. If
your dream wedding venue can only hold a certain number of people, take it to heart.
You wouldn’t want a cramped place!
3. Divide the guest list into categories.
You can’t just keep inviting people on your side of the crowd, can you? If the family
members are pretty much balanced on each side, you can split the guest count and allot
for the guests of the family. For example, out of 200 guests, 30 pax is allotted for the
guests of the family of the groom and 30 for the guests of the family of the bride.

4. Indicate in the invitation how many seats are allotted to them. If possible, put the
names of the actual invitees. You may also indicate that it is an adult affair if you don’t
wish the guests to bring kids.
5. Inform the invitees early.

Distribute the invitations early, get their contact details, and remind them to confirm
with you the names of those who are coming. This may be tedious, but this is an
important step which you may have to repeatedly get back to in the course of the
wedding.

6. A month prior to the wedding, actively contact those who have not answered the
RSVP. Send another chaser a week after to those who have not replied.
7. Draft your seat plan early. Group guests into tens (or whatever number of seats are
arranged in a table).
8. If you really can’t fit…
If the family is big or if there are too many relatives/family friends that your parents feel
they need to invite, you can opt to have a simple dinner on another night in the comforts
of your home or province.

9. If you have many friends that you find hard to fit in your set budget, you can invite
them to an afterparty instead.
10. Usually, there is a greater chance to have a fallout than to overflow. So book a
conservative but realistic guaranteed number of guests with your caterer.
11. You might get faster responses online.

Creating a Facebook event helps. It allows you to inform them about many things:
directions, accommodations, dress code, reminders on the RSVP, etc. Especially if certain
groups of guests are responsive, the others tend to be compelled to respond similarly.

As a couple, it helps to be firm with your decisions when making your guest list, so that
at the end of the day the people you love will be present and celebrating with you!
Those closest to you will also make time to be present in your wedding as well, so don’t
stress too much. Go on and finalize that guest list!
 How to Set Up a Wedding Budget
FEBRUARY 19, 2017 / POSTED BY  FATIMA IN PLANNING
Budgeting is really crucial when you’re planning your wedding, especially if you want to
achieve a certain look. Whether you’re going for an intimate or grand celebration, there’s
no doubt that you still have to save up and determine which aspects of your wedding
you want to splurge or save on. While there’s no hard and fast rule regarding the
breakdown of your finances, we do have some tips to help you decide on it!

While this might be a touchy subject for some, knowing who pays will definitely help out
in terms of splitting the cost and setting your expectations. You may opt to include both
sets of parents in this conversation because in some weddings, they can either pay for
everything or split the cost with the couple. If it’s just you and your partner, try your best
to set a limit so you can cap off your expenses. Don’t forget to keep your limit in mind–
this is important as it’s easy to get carried away!
Having priorities can also help. While visualizing your wedding, it’s good to settle which
areas you deem important. It may be the food, the styling, or your gown–but no matter
what it is, you have to be firm that you’ll splurge for that only. That way, you can easily
spin your budget for the more negotiable parts of your wedding. Rule of thumb: manage
your expectations because you might not be able to have it all! Bonus Tip: Ask your
fiancé what he wants–he’s getting married too, after all!

It’s a really good idea to prepare a chart containing your ideal budget breakdown. You
can input the actual amount you spent for the wedding beside it, so you can always
anticipate the total of your expenses. You’ll also be happy to see the areas where you
can afford to spend more or cut back. It takes a great deal of awareness, folks!

Having hidden costs in your wedding is quite common, and it’s something not a lot know
about, hence the term hidden. While discussing with your suppliers, know what you’re
getting yourself into at all times. May it be for your venue, hair and make-up, gowns,
decor, etc., don’t be afraid to be direct and ask if something is included in the fee you
have discussed.
It’s necessary to have a back-up fund where you can pull money from, just in case there
are any surprises or uncontrollable factors you couldn’t have thought of. This is unique
to every couple planning their wedding, and the goal is to not touch the fund unless
absolutely necessary. Remember: this is not part of your budget! Don’t be confident that
this fund can cover for a really lavish part of your wedding that was previously
undiscussed.

So, that’s it guys–our tips for setting up your wedding budget. And this is just the
beginning, the road to your wedding has only just begun. But don’t worry, we’re here for
you and cheering you on! Good luck!
10 Hidden Costs You Didn’t Know You Have
to Pay For in Your Wedding
MARCH 28, 2017 / POSTED BY FATIMA IN PLANNING
Budgeting for your wedding is one tricky ordeal, and even if you plan it very, very
carefully, sometimes, you’ll still find that your estimated amount will differ greatly from
your actual amount. So, what happened? Well, ladies, there are actually a few hidden
costs you didn’t factor in that actually gets filed under your wedding budget, or there
might have been a detail you weren’t able to prepare cash for. What are these, you ask?
We sought help from wedding coordinators Canaan Celebrations by Jets &
Rhona and Joed  See Events to give you some intel!
 
It really pays to study those contracts from start to finish! Some suppliers stipulate
additional charges like out-of-town fees, parking, early entry or late exit, transportation
allowance, toll reimbursements, and morning weddings, among others. You’ll avoid these
“surprises” if you read before you sign!

 
Some venues and/or caterers may require a corkage fee for bringing in alcoholic drinks,
non-in-house suppliers, food from outside vendors, and food or non-food booths. It’s
better to ask about this in the beginning so you can allot a budget for it, or simply decide
if you should stick with your venue or caterer’s menu instead.

 
Extra services from some caterers may come with a price tag. Some examples of these
are buffer tables and set-up, additional ice and glasses for the bar service, additional VIP
seats, carvers, extra decor on the tablescapes, additional waiters, and extra platforms
and backdrops.

 
Depending on what time they start working on the day of your wedding, you may need
to provide them breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. Some accept allowances instead of
meals–it’s never a bad idea to discuss this so you can agree. Yup, this is part of the
budget!

 
Either you prepare for the overtime charges (venue, caterers, photobooths, lights and
sounds, food carts, photographers, videographers, etc.), or be mindful of the time… but
we know it can be difficult to stop the party when everyone is having a great time! These
fees can also include your bridal car, and the costs of extensions it might incur.

 
Securing copies of government and church documents have corresponding prices. You
also need to pay for the seminars and wedding banns as well! It may not seem like much,
but these should still be filed in your budget.

 
Any bride and groom would want to look and feel their best on their big day! Pampering
yourselves is totally part of the preps. Some examples are hair coloring, facial treatments,
teeth cleaning and/or whitening, even that gym membership (if you weren’t going so
regularly)!

 
While most couturiers already include the cord, coins, and bible in their contract, others
don’t. Best to double check! You may also need to provide the matches/lighters and
candles, as some churches don’t provide them. For Catholic ceremonies, if you opt to
have an offertory, items are also care of the bride and groom. For Christian rites, please
check with your pastor if you are doing the unity candles, unity sand, etc.

 
This is subjective to the bride and groom, but some couples would love to buy new
shoes, belts, earrings, watches, cufflinks, etc. And that’s totally fine! Just know that this
also adds to your budget.

 
During your wedding preparations, expect that you will be on the road so much more
than usual. Allot allowance in your budget for your gas, tolls, parking, meals, etc.

So there you have it, ladies! Rule of thumb: Every upgrade means an additional cost, and
it’s always a good idea to check the inclusions of the packages you availed of. It will help
to also note all your expenses so you can check against your record and better keep
track of what you spend. Budget wisely!

 
 Entourage 101: What Does a Maid of
Honor Do?
SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 / POSTED BY  FATIMA IN TRIVIA AND QUIZZES
Your sister/cousin/BFF bride-to-be just chose you to be her Maid of Honor! Hooray!
More than being a very touching gesture, it also undeniably sounds a bit pressuring.
What exactly will you contribute to the wedding? Honestly, it can be a bit tricky, since
not all brides will expect the same thing out of their MOH. The best thing you can do is
ask, but it’s also nice to know some of the traditional roles that you might do prior and
during the big day. Take some notes, darlings!
Photo: Paopao Sanchez | Post: http://brideandbreakfast.ph/2016/06/30/picturesque-in-
panglao/
1. Planning the bridal shower. How exciting! There are so many fun things you’ll think of
doing to celebrate and honor your best friend, but the best way to go is to consider what
the bride will like the most. Talk to the rest of the bridesmaids and brainstorm the best
way to make this one of the best days ever!
 

2. Choosing the Dress. Bridal gown fittings can be confusing, especially when your friend
is going for RTW or when she doesn’t know what style looks good on her yet. Expect
some fun times and unleash your inner fashionista!
 

3. Assistance in the details. Your bestie may or may not have hired a wedding planner, but
there will be times that when her decision is needed, she won’t be able to choose. You
can be there to help her with that! “Will this décor look good here?” “Is this cake design
too over the top?” If she’s starting to second guess most things, help clear her mind!
 

4. Lead the bride tribe. You’ll mostly be in charge of the bridesmaids and relaying
important info to them. Make sure you coordinate with them about the day’s activities
and help them out with stuff like hair and makeup ideas and dresses if needed!
 

5. Hold the bridal bouquet and the groom’s wedding band during the pre-vows. Gotta be
careful with this one! No need to worry so much, though–just be mindful and things will
go a-okay.
 

6. Prepare a speech. It’s always nice to prepare your talking points beforehand! If you’re
not especially comfortable in speaking in front of a crowd, rehearsing might be a good
idea too. But at the end of the day, your message should come from the heart. Just be
you!
 

7. Be her confidant. Wedding planning and the day of the wedding can get a bit tough on
the bride, especially if there are unexpected problems that arise. Like the good friend
you are, this will come naturally to you–just be there for your friend and help her get
through the stress!
 

And there you have it! This is by no means a rulebook that you should follow to a T, but
it helps that you’re aware of the things MOHs are usually involved in. The bottom line is
don’t forget to consult with the bride, always be there for her, and have tons of fun!
Enjoy!
 Etiquette 101: How to Be a Good Wedding
Guest
NOVEMBER 16, 2016 / POSTED BY FATIMA IN PLANNING
You have to admit: Weddings are beautiful celebrations full of fun, merriment, smiles,
and laughter; but they’re not just about partying and celebrating the night away. When
someone invites you to a wedding, you don’t really think about what you have to do and
the expectations attached to your presence. You’re going because you were invited,
that’s all. But there are a few reminders to take note of, and this simple checklist is here
to help break them down for you!

Attendance
One of the hardest things to do when planning a wedding is manage a guest list. It’s
critical for the couple to know if you’re coming or not because it also means covering the
cost of your presence at the wedding.
 

Attire
Be mindful of this because it depends per wedding. Showing up looking drastically
different from the rest of the guests is awkward enough–you don’t want to steal the
bride’s thunder as well!

Gifts
Much like getting invited to a birthday party, weddings also have gift-giving involved.
Though it might get a bit confusing, this should help you sort out what or what not to
get.
 

Behavior
Okay, so you’ve got your preps covered. But how should you actually act on the big day?
As normal and natural as you can possibly be! Just don’t forget these last few reminders.
 

Still unsure about something? Sometimes, it won’t hurt to ask around. The bottom line is
for everyone to have fun at the wedding, and these guidelines can definitely help
you and the soon-to-weds achieve that. Enjoy the wedding season, darlings!
 3 Must-Have Bridal Emergency Kits
FEBRUARY 23, 2016 / POSTED BY MARIAN IN PLANNING, VIDEO
As much as we want our wedding day to go as smoothly as possible, there’s still the
slight possibility of hitting bumps along the way. We’re talking about wardrobe
malfunctions, oily T-zones (we do not want that!), or God forbid, an asthma or allergy
attack! But don’t worry gals! Because here at Bride and Breakfast, we like to be
prepared. And what better way to showcase our girl scout skills than to make a little
video showing all the emergency items you might need for the big day! Make sure your
maid of honor is in charge of this one! <3

https://youtu.be/V4sAOhH5I_0

Here’s to wishing you’ll never have to use these emergency items! But in case you need
to, don’t say we didn’t warn you! Hope you enjoy your day, loves!

For more wedding tips and anything in between, don’t forget to subscribe to
our YouTube channel!
 You’ll Want To Hear These Tips for Having
Amazing Wedding Photos
JULY 5, 2016 / POSTED BY  FATIMA IN PLANNING, VIDEO
Your wedding photos will be one of the most treasured memories you’ll have of your
wedding, no doubt about it! Looking back at them will make you smile, laugh, cry, and
everything in between. This is why good wedding photography is important–you don’t
wanna take those snaps for granted! Today on the blog, we invited Oly Ruiz
of Metrophoto to talk about some tips for ensuring one gets to have amazing photos of
that special day. So listen in, take down some notes, and enjoy!
For more wedding tips, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel. We have more
in store for you, so stay tuned!
https://youtu.be/pFMm320-jWg