Organizing a Philippine wedding from abroad

Perhaps nothing is harder than planning your Philippine wedding and being away. This is a frequent problem of lovers who have partners abroad. Although this set-up may sound too difficult, resolving this issue is far from being impossible. No, it is not love that finds the way, it is the will and of course, a little bit of tricks and techniques. Five Effective Tricks of Organizing a Wedding while Abroad 1.  Plan – Put those calendar maneuvering skills into action. Plan all the dates. Estimate your timeframes. Always have some allowances or grace periods to accommodate unexpected events. From the time that you decide to get married, immediately assign a schedule for all your activities.

Never rush things. As the old adage goes, haste makes waste. However, it is also important to note that planning is not just about picking the right dates. It is also about organizing your itineraries.

2.  Prepare all your documents – As much as possible, all your travelling documents, identity proofs, licenses etc. should come in handy. Prepare it beforehand so you could use your time for more productive activities. This is especially true for interracial marriages where tons of records and certificates are required.

3.  Choose a wedding planner – In choosing wedding planners, experience should be the main criterion. Experienced wedding organizers have been exposed to different situations or scenarios that enable them to resolve problems that may crop up. They could also provide you with sound pieces of advice. Other than the experience per se, choose a planner that you are comfortable with. It would be easier for you to discuss the things that you want in your Philippine wedding if you fully trust your organizer.

4.  Communicate – Email, mobile phone, landline, messaging systems, VoIP — certainly, there is no reason for you not to communicate. Get updates on a regular basis. Do not put the whole responsibility on your wedding planner, future spouse or relatives. After all, they are not the one who will get married. Try to have some personal touch even though you are away and this can be only done if you keep your communication lines open. Moreover, communication will help you manage your time more effectively since you are aware of the development of your Philippine wedding.

5.  Settle your fees immediately – Do not wait for your suppliers to call you. Have the initiative to pay your fees on time. This is not just about being prompt. It is also a way of monitoring your expenses. The earlier you do it, the easier for you to adjust your budget for your wedding.

How to Overcome Wedding Jitters

Wedding jitters or cold feet are common among soon-to-be married couples. Marriage is a rite of passage. It is a major transition in one’s life. More often than not, future brides and grooms ask themselves if they are ready to take new responsibilities. Aside from that, hesitations also come from the struggle and challenges that marriage entails. More than that, wedding jitters are often caused by the high stress levels in planning and preparation for the Philippine wedding. Wedding Jitter Signs 1.  Lack of energy – This is a bit unusual for someone preparing for a big occasion. Instead of excitement, the future bride or groom seems disinterested. Yet, as mentioned, this could be due to the fatigue or anxiety. It should be noted that marriage is an unknown territory. A little bit of nervousness is not a reason to never walk down that aisle. 2.  Being cranky – Wedding day is coming when all of a sudden the bride or groom becomes a little bit uncomfortable and irritable. Petty mistakes are sometimes blown out of proportion. Although this behavior can be tolerated, do not overdo it. If this cannot be controlled, then maybe it is time for some soul searching.

Being cranky or moody is understandable. Everybody wants to have a perfect wedding that even the slightest errors become an issue. Yet, if this happens too often, then one should think twice before the Philippine wedding day arrives.

2.  Being cranky – Wedding day is coming when all of a sudden the bride or groom becomes a little bit uncomfortable and irritable. Petty mistakes are sometimes blown out of proportion. Although this behavior can be tolerated, do not overdo it. If this cannot be controlled, then maybe it is time for some soul searching.
Being cranky or moody is understandable. Everybody wants to have a perfect wedding that even the slightest errors become an issue. Yet, if this happens too often, then one should think twice before the Philippine wedding day arrives.

3.  Becoming socially withdrawn –At one point of their lives, those who are experiencing wedding jitters refuse to mingle with their friends and family. Amidst the crowd’s merriment, they tend to isolate themselves.

How to Overcome Wedding Jitters

1.  Take a break – Experience solitude for the last time. Break away from all the wedding stress and pressure. Use the time to think about the changes that you will be experiencing. Try to visualize the possible solutions that you could employ to overcome the challenges of your married life. Face your fears and identify why these things scare you. Taking breaks during the Philippine wedding gives you the opportunity to see things objectively.

2.  Talk, communicate and reach out - Anxieties are brought about by hidden feelings and emotions. Let it all out and talk to your friends or family. Be open and have a beautiful release of all your doubts and hesitations. Keep your communication lines open and let your loved ones sympathize with you. The more you keep your frustrations, the harder it is for you to say I DO.

3.  Consult a marriage counselor or talk to a priest – Not all appropriate pieces of advice come from your mom or best buddies. In this case, it would be best to consult a marriage counselor. These individuals are trained to handle such situations. They have a wide range of experience regarding these matters. Try to get their opinion and see where the puzzle fits. On the other hand, if you find it uncomfortable, you can always ask your priest for guidance and help. One good thing about this is that these people can see things from different angles. Also, this approach makes it easier for you to open up without the fear of being judged or scrutinized.

4.  Be optimistic – Invite positive energy. Change your focus and see the bright side of married life. Always remember that everything happens for a reason.

Brush off those wedding jitters. Prepare for the big day and cherish such a once in a lifetime moment.

How to Make your Wedding a Classic and Meaningful One

Weddings are grand celebrations. These are among those cherished occasions in life, but do weddings really have to be expensive to be memorable? The answer to this question is certainly a big NO. With the current financial meltdown, it would be too impractical for couples to hold a costly wedding. The money to be spent for all the preparations could be allotted for future savings. This does not mean though that couples with low budgets cannot pull-off a beautiful wedding. All that they need to do is some strategic financial management and a little bit of creativity.

Practical Wedding Tips

1. Choose a date that is within the off-peak season – Weddings have peak and off-peak seasons. Sure, you want to set the date on the day that you had your first kiss. Or maybe you want it on the date when you first met. Pretty romantic right? But just before you say,“I do” see to it that the date you choose does not fall during the peak season. Getting married during this time of the year is costly. Wedding venue rentals and services tend to increase due to the high demand. If you want to see your money’s worth, you should get married during the off-peak season.
2. Have a limited number of guests – Do you really need to invite the friend of your friend? Would it make your wedding more meaningful if your grade school teacher is present? Check your guest list and invite those who are really close to you. Meaningful weddings are not measured by the quantity of guests but the quality.
3. Scan wedding venues – There are two important factors that you should consider in choosing wedding venues.These are the cost and the convenience. If you choose a cheap venue, which is too far from your home, then you would spend more on the transportation. On the other hand, if you chance upon a location near your area but charges sky-rocketing costs, then that is not good either. Exert extra effort in searching for the most convenient yet notso expensive wedding venues. After all, this is your wedding.
4. Use flowers that are in season – Contrary to wedding dates, flowers that are in season are cheaper and more accessible. Here, you can use all the flowers that you want. Use it for your decorations and bouquets without worrying about your budget.
5. Ask help from your friends - The truth is you don’t need a wedding planner. If you have friends that are experienced in event planning, seek their help. Capitalize on the skills and talents of your best buddies. This will not only help you save but also will serve as a perfect bonding activity for you, your friend and your future spouse.

Memorable weddings do not have to be a visual parade of high-fashion dresses and costly venues. A wedding is all about celebrating a symbolic union that money cannot buy.