Hidden Costs in Weddings

Weddings can be really costly so it is important to know where you are planning on putting your money. Unfortunately, there are some hidden costs in weddings that you won't know of until you are already planning and has to fork up the money for it. Here are the things that made our budget ballooned. A heads up for all the couples planning their wedding.

1. Jewelry

My gown has already been drawn for me by my designer and it was everything I have dreamed of up until I realized I have no jewelry to go with it! What's a gown with no matching jewelry? The result? We have to buy jewelry to match my gown. So that's how many thousands pesos extra that we have to fork up. Of course we can easily borrow but it is hard to find jewelry that will complete the look you are aiming for. So my advise is to consider your jewelry on hand before you have your gown designed to avoid having to buy just to fit your outfit.

2. Suppliers Food

Getting ready for the big day will require hours. If you're getting married in the afternoon expect your suppliers to be with you as early as 8-9 am. So that means you have to feed them lunch and dinner instead of just during your reception. Consider this when you are planning what time you are to get married ince this can easily amount to P3,000 or more.

3. Transportation and Communication Costs

Organizing and coordinating you big day can easily add to a big amount of pesos especially if you are not based where your wedding is going to be held. So allocate more or less 5 digits of moolah for this so you won't be surprised where your money went when you haven't even paid a major supplier yet.

Hidden Costs in Weddings

Weddings can be really costly so it is important to know where you are planning on putting your money. Unfortunately, there are some hidden costs in weddings that you won't know of until you are already planning and has to fork up the money for it. Here are the things that made our budget ballooned. A heads up for all the couples planning their wedding.

1. Jewelry

My gown has already been drawn for me by my designer and it was everything I have dreamed of up until I realized I have no jewelry to go with it! What's a gown with no matching jewelry? The result? We have to buy jewelry to match my gown. So that's how many thousands pesos extra that we have to fork up. Of course we can easily borrow but it is hard to find jewelry that will complete the look you are aiming for. So my advise is to consider your jewelry on hand before you have your gown designed to avoid having to buy just to fit your outfit.

2. Suppliers Food

Getting ready for the big day will require hours. If you're getting married in the afternoon expect your suppliers to be with you as early as 8-9 am. So that means you have to feed them lunch and dinner instead of just during your reception. Consider this when you are planning what time you are to get married ince this can easily amount to P3,000 or more.

3. Transportation and Communication Costs

Organizing and coordinating you big day can easily add to a big amount of pesos especially if you are not based where your wedding is going to be held. So allocate more or less 5 digits of moolah for this so you won't be surprised where your money went when you haven't even paid a major supplier yet.

Things You Should Never Scrimp on Your Wedding

Weddings can be very expensive so it is important for brides-to-bes and grooms-to-bes to know their priorities so they can put their moolah where it is really needed. I have learned a thing or two about this when preparing for our wedding and I will surely use this hard earned knowledge on our renewal of vows ten years from now. So what to splurge on and what to scrimp on? Here's what I have found out (but not listed in order of priority):

1. Your wedding rings

After all is said and done, your wedding rings are the only thing that will be left with you. It is the symbol of your love and devotion to each other and it is not one of the things you should cut back! In our case, we bought a really expensive set. My husband was hesitant at first since it costs so much with 9 diamonds on each ring. But after I point out that it is the only thing in the wedding for the couple, he gladly surrendered to my desire to have the most beautiful wedding rings we can afford.

2. Photos and Videos

You may have a very beautiful wedding but if it is not properly documented then all is wasted. We all need a reminder of how that special day progressed. Also, the emotions on that day are priceless. This is one of our regrets. I wish I have spent more on photos by getting a back up photographer so we'll have more photos from different perspectives. I'll expand on that on another article. Basically all I am saying is pictures are priceless! I'm sure your children would love to see how happy and inlove their mommy and daddy are on their wedding day.

3. Venue

One of the things that will set the mood of the wedding. It is also something the guests will remember. Select a good venue and it may save you a lot of money in the process.

4. Food

Ah, the guests will really remember this one. Under feed your guests and your wedding will be something your guests will regret going to after. Food quality is important too so be sure to choose your caterer wisely. Also, be sure to have a taste test too before having that dish on your menu. You don't want to be surprised on your wedding day do you?

5. Emcee

I once attended a wedding where the host really stinks! The wedding was really beautiful but come reception time we can't help but cringe everyt ime the host would say something. We ended up correcting her (among ourselves of course) everytime she delivers her script. So never ever scrimp on this one by getting someone who is not that experienced or worse getting a relative or friend do it for you unless they are adept in hosting. Hosting is different from conversing. Never mistake the two to be one and the same.

Things You Should Never Scrimp on Your Wedding

Weddings can be very expensive so it is important for brides-to-bes and grooms-to-bes to know their priorities so they can put their moolah where it is really needed. I have learned a thing or two about this when preparing for our wedding and I will surely use this hard earned knowledge on our renewal of vows ten years from now. So what to splurge on and what to scrimp on? Here's what I have found out (but not listed in order of priority):

1. Your wedding rings

After all is said and done, your wedding rings are the only thing that will be left with you. It is the symbol of your love and devotion to each other and it is not one of the things you should cut back! In our case, we bought a really expensive set. My husband was hesitant at first since it costs so much with 9 diamonds on each ring. But after I point out that it is the only thing in the wedding for the couple, he gladly surrendered to my desire to have the most beautiful wedding rings we can afford.

2. Photos and Videos

You may have a very beautiful wedding but if it is not properly documented then all is wasted. We all need a reminder of how that special day progressed. Also, the emotions on that day are priceless. This is one of our regrets. I wish I have spent more on photos by getting a back up photographer so we'll have more photos from different perspectives. I'll expand on that on another article. Basically all I am saying is pictures are priceless! I'm sure your children would love to see how happy and inlove their mommy and daddy are on their wedding day.

3. Venue

One of the things that will set the mood of the wedding. It is also something the guests will remember. Select a good venue and it may save you a lot of money in the process.

4. Food

Ah, the guests will really remember this one. Under feed your guests and your wedding will be something your guests will regret going to after. Food quality is important too so be sure to choose your caterer wisely. Also, be sure to have a taste test too before having that dish on your menu. You don't want to be surprised on your wedding day do you?

5. Emcee

I once attended a wedding where the host really stinks! The wedding was really beautiful but come reception time we can't help but cringe everyt ime the host would say something. We ended up correcting her (among ourselves of course) everytime she delivers her script. So never ever scrimp on this one by getting someone who is not that experienced or worse getting a relative or friend do it for you unless they are adept in hosting. Hosting is different from conversing. Never mistake the two to be one and the same.

Wedding Tip for the Week

It is getting to be a trend these days to have the entourage gowns and suits/barongs tailored or bought by the couple. This could easily dent your budget a hefty P10,000-20,000. Those are not small figures, my friends. But why spend that much for dresses that your entourage will not wear ever again if you can just rent and spend just a little? Contrary to popular belief, gown renting will not make your entourage look cheap on your big day. There are a lot of bridal shops who allow their clients to dictate the design of the gowns they are to rent. Clients just have to submit a picture of the designs they want and the bridal shop will have their seamstress copy the gowns. The clients will then have the privelage of having their entourage wear their gowns of choice for the first time. In my case, I rented my entourage gowns for a measly P300/gown (P250 only if they turn out to be short gowns) and P150/barong which leaves us only with P3,000 to spare for the entourage gowns and suits. But if you really are adamant in having your entourage's attire designed especially for your guys and girls then you can just ask them to pay for theirs as their wedding gift for you.

Beautiful Entourage Gowns and Barongs that were Just Rented

Hope this helps!

XoXo,

Wedding Tip for the Week

It is getting to be a trend these days to have the entourage gowns and suits/barongs tailored or bought by the couple. This could easily dent your budget a hefty P10,000-20,000. Those are not small figures, my friends. But why spend that much for dresses that your entourage will not wear ever again if you can just rent and spend just a little? Contrary to popular belief, gown renting will not make your entourage look cheap on your big day. There are a lot of bridal shops who allow their clients to dictate the design of the gowns they are to rent. Clients just have to submit a picture of the designs they want and the bridal shop will have their seamstress copy the gowns. The clients will then have the privelage of having their entourage wear their gowns of choice for the first time. In my case, I rented my entourage gowns for a measly P300/gown (P250 only if they turn out to be short gowns) and P150/barong which leaves us only with P3,000 to spare for the entourage gowns and suits. But if you really are adamant in having your entourage's attire designed especially for your guys and girls then you can just ask them to pay for theirs as their wedding gift for you.

Beautiful Entourage Gowns and Barongs that were Just Rented

Hope this helps!

XoXo,

Wedding Tip for the Week

It may not be known to many, like me for example when I started preparing for my wedding, that suppliers prices can be haggled. Yes, those prices are not fixed contrary to popular belief. Not only that but you can get tons of freebies and add ons from your suppliers depending only on how you can charm and convince them in giving you one. Here are some of the most common discounts, freebies and add ons suppliers give to brides and grooms:

Caterers

- VAT charge (some caterers only)
- suppliers food (either decrease in price or you can get for free)
- upgrade of food and desserts
- upgrade of setting
- upgrade to tiffany chairs
- additional station
- additional food
- additional drinks

Photos and Videos

- additional services like onsite video or onsite photo slide show
- additional photographer and/or videographer
- free prenup
- upgrade of services for minimal price or for free
- lesser charge on out of town services

Wedding Rings

- additional embedded diamond
- free aras
- free silver mock up rings

Make-Up

- free additional head
- lesser charge for out of town rates

Wedding Gown

- free accessories

Happy haggling!

XoXo,

Wedding Tip for the Week

It may not be known to many, like me for example when I started preparing for my wedding, that suppliers prices can be haggled. Yes, those prices are not fixed contrary to popular belief. Not only that but you can get tons of freebies and add ons from your suppliers depending only on how you can charm and convince them in giving you one. Here are some of the most common discounts, freebies and add ons suppliers give to brides and grooms:

Caterers

- VAT charge (some caterers only)
- suppliers food (either decrease in price or you can get for free)
- upgrade of food and desserts
- upgrade of setting
- upgrade to tiffany chairs
- additional station
- additional food
- additional drinks

Photos and Videos

- additional services like onsite video or onsite photo slide show
- additional photographer and/or videographer
- free prenup
- upgrade of services for minimal price or for free
- lesser charge on out of town services

Wedding Rings

- additional embedded diamond
- free aras
- free silver mock up rings

Make-Up

- free additional head
- lesser charge for out of town rates

Wedding Gown

- free accessories

Happy haggling!

XoXo,

Wedding Tip for the Week

It's Tuesday girls and boys and this day has been alloted for tips that can help make your wedding day as successful and organized as it can ever be.

For the first tip from this wedding blogsite, I suggest to you that you make a checklist of all the places you want your picture taken on your wedding day. You can also jot down poses you want you do or even better, gather sample photos you want to imitate for easier execution. This checklist will help you not forget anything. It will also help your photographer/s meet your expectations. They may be professionals and some may even be experienced but they are not mind readers. Plus, their taste does not specifically translate to your taste. Your photographer/s will appreciate your checklist since this will make their jobs easier.

Now I wish I have done this on our wedding. This is one important lesson I learned the hard way. Hope no reader will make it again. :)

Happy preparations!

XoXo,

Wedding Tip for the Week

It's Tuesday girls and boys and this day has been alloted for tips that can help make your wedding day as successful and organized as it can ever be.

For the first tip from this wedding blogsite, I suggest to you that you make a checklist of all the places you want your picture taken on your wedding day. You can also jot down poses you want you do or even better, gather sample photos you want to imitate for easier execution. This checklist will help you not forget anything. It will also help your photographer/s meet your expectations. They may be professionals and some may even be experienced but they are not mind readers. Plus, their taste does not specifically translate to your taste. Your photographer/s will appreciate your checklist since this will make their jobs easier.

Now I wish I have done this on our wedding. This is one important lesson I learned the hard way. Hope no reader will make it again. :)

Happy preparations!

XoXo,