WeddingsAtWork.com Culture - Driving & Traffic Tips for Metro Manila Weddings

Traffic . . . monstrous traffic seems to be an everyday concern for urban dwellers in this country's capital. Nowadays, it's no longer a matter of getting rid of it, its a matter of surviving it! Below are useful tips for the marrying couple and their wedding guests.

For the couple: Consider the proximity of the ceremony and reception venues. Guests often skip attending the ceremony and simply go straight to the reception just to avoid those long, nerve-wracking traffic jams in between. In short, don't let hunger turn to anger *grrrr!*.

For the guests: If the church is just a walking distance to the reception site, consider parking at the latter venue and just walk to the ceremony. This way, you eliminate a great deal of trouble by parking ahead when the guests starts to troop the reception. After all, you can easily hitch a ride with somebody if you don't feel like walking to the reception site afte the ceremony.

For the couple: Sunday may seem to be a perfect choice for weddings because of the lighter traffic, but most Catholic churches doesn't allow Sunday weddings. Check first with the church of your choice.

For the couple: Before the wedding day, consider driving to the ceremony and reception venues at the same time and day of the week that your wedding will take place. This could help you approximate the travel time and traffic condition on your wedding day.

For the groom: You know that you won't be in the bridal car when you get to the church. If you bring a car going there, who's going to drive it when you get in the bridal car after the ceremony? Spare yourself the hassle and have yourbest man drive you to the church. Remember, you have to be there ahead of the bride.

For the couple: Make sure you've prepared and brought all the necessary things for the wedding. One groom made sure his formal attire was ready and wrinkle-free; he even drove his car to the church using his driving sneakers so his shiny leather shoes would be good as new at the ceremony. Halfway to the church, he checked his stuff and realized he had left his shiny shoes and all he he had was the pair of rugged sneakers. He made a quick turn around and had to go through the weekend traffic twice.

For the bride: Consider checking in at a nearby hotel the night before the wedding especially if your residence is far from the church and the reception. This way, you won't have to worry knowing you will get there on time.

For the couple: It's not a bad idea to have an insert in the invitation providing site maps. These can be very useful to guests who aren't very familiar with the location. Just make sure that these inserts are well made and must not ruin the overall look of your elegant invitations.

For the guests: Make an effort to witness the ceremony and not just show up at the reception. This is basic bridal etiquette.

For the couple: Some couples choose to print the time on the invitation 30 minutes ahead of the actual schedule to ensure everybody's presence when it's time to start. This is a common practice, but strictly, Ms. Etiquette wouldn't like this.

For the guests: Carpool.

For the couple: Make sure the bridal car is in good condition on your wedding day. Many cars have gone bonkers and overheated on the big day. A chauffeur and the bride was found unconcious (a true story mentioned in the Wedding Workbook for the Filipina) due to the leakage of the freon gas that cools the car air conditioner. Now who would ever want that?

For the bride & her dad: The father of the bride normally sits with his daughter in the bridal car to the church, but where will he ride when it's the groom's turn to sit with the bride? We have heard of fathers accidentally being left at the church because of this. The bride's family is often so busy that day that they overlook this detail.

For the couple: December is the 'wedding-est' month and it also has the worst traffic jams because of the Christmas rush. Weekend dates may have already been booked in hotels and restaurants for company Christmas parties. Most churches are also often booked a year in advanced on weekends by other marrying couples. Having these in mind, you may want to consider holding your wedding some other time.

For the members of the bridal party: Make sure you're there at the ceremony on time come hell or high water. Estimate the travel time and make the necessary allowance for possible traffic condition. You wouldn't want to bear the ire of the couple, believe me.

For the bride and her party: You may want to meet the females in the bridal party at your house/hotel room at an appointed time, this way they could all proceed to the church all at the same time.

For the designated drivers: Have fun at the reception but keep away from the booze. Don't take the risk; never be a drunk driver.

For the couple: Arrange for your transfers after the reception. Remember, a bridal car service is only good for three hours (four hours tops). This means a comfortable ride to the reception, but how about afterwards? Make sure you have a car ready (or at least someone to drive for you) to get you where you're going after the reception. Don't wait until all the guests have left before you realize this.

For the couple: Have a separate car ready to take home those wedding gifts. You'd want a breath of fresh air after the whole affair and getting stuck in a car full of boxes isn't a wonderful idea.

For the couple: If you really can't stand the traffic--elope (kidding!).

For everybody: Check out the last digit on your license plate of the car (especially the bridal car) before leaving. Sometimes the color coding (Mondays through Fridays) traffic schemes escape our minds. Make sure you're not in a car which isn't allowed on the road on the wedding day. No ticket for a wedding gift please . . . (except for plane tickets, of course).