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In the summer of 2005, we brought you tips on planning a beach themed wedding with contributions from a select group people who specialize in wedding planning - the wedding suppliers! As this edition of About Weddings' is our special beach wedding issue, we decided to reprint the second installment (Soon-to-Wade) of our two-part feature on beach weddings. If you missed the first part that came out last April (White Before the 'second wave' of tips from the Manila-based wedding professionals, we deemed it appropriate to get the (beach) ball rolling with creative suggestions from somebody who specializes in destination weddings in the fine sands of Boracay! Nice touches: Sand castles, sand lanterns and tiki bags are nice touches for Boracay weddings. Some use a golf cart as the wedding car. Low, luau-type tables make the occasion less formal and relaxed. Tips: Try using tropical flowers as they go with the beach theme and is available in the island. Have the ceremony before sunset as sunset pictures are the ones you don't want to miss. Try other forms of entertainment such as the bombom boys and fire dancers, which are based in the island. Plan at least eight months ahead if you want to have your wedding on a Saturday between the months of December or May as they are out peak wedding season. - Amanda Tirol of Boracay Wedding & Events, wedding planner More Tips & Nice Touches
Tips: I suggest that everyone planning to do a beach wedding contract a photographer to do pre-nup pictorial a day before. Sunsets and romantic shots are very memorable. For the reception affair, there should definitely be a band for some dancing. This will allow guests to be in a party mood thus reinforcing the casual and cool mood of the affair. - Fol Rana, Jr., photographer
Tip: Musically, Latin songs are best for beach wedding, or even standard love songs with a touch of Latin style. - Royce Aviguetero of Da Capo, musician
Tips: make a comfortable atmosphere by making your wedding more casual than formal. Consider the distance your guests will drive to too. Create activities for your guest for pre and post wedding. - JP Montilla of Complete Works Inc., wedding planner
Tips: For daytime beach weddings, it would be nice if set-up would have some form of decorative shades for the convenience of the couples and their guests. These would shade them from the sun. The couple could give away sunblocks, flipflops and related items for guests. Suggested themes: under the sea using sea shells, Hawaiian luau or a very informal beach party. - Beth Amat of Eve & Co., event stylist
Tips: Most couples having a beach wedding prefer candles over flowers to create the mood. With gowns, beach brides prefer non-traditional designs. - Weng Mulingbayan of Events Manila, wedding planner
Tips: Give hats and shawls as souvenirs. - Jason Magbanua, videographer
Tips: Having an island wedding is irresistible because of the thousand of possible thrills that goes with the event. I personally like dawn weddings instead of the usual sunset weddings. The early morning adrenaline rush and the reversed lighting (from night to day) have magical effects not only for the couple but for the participants as well. Costumes like batik, malongs worn by the guests are cool. Colorful banners and oversized umbrellas with tables are nice. Scattered rose petals on the sand are also a nice idea. One thing I don't like is using pyrotechnics in an island especially those inhabited by bats and other wildlife creatures. - Mel Cortez of DecisiveMoments, wedding photojournalist
Nice touches: In one wedding, we put a long and winding flower trail from ceremony to reception as the walk is short and uninteresting. An upbeat music played at the background to make the newlywed dancing to the music as they led their guests. When they reach the reception area, guests formed a circle still dancing for the couple's first dance then introduced the parents and the entourage. It was an energetic way to start the reception because everyone joined the dance before falling in line for food. We also picked up flat stones from the beach, gave it to the guest and provided them pens to write their wishes on one side and their wishes for the couples on the other side, after the ceremony we asked them to close their eyes and claim two wishes coming true, then throw the rest of the stones back to the sea as far as they could. - Bangs Zaldivar of 1Zaldivar Event, wedding planner
Tips:Invite designs for outdoor weddings are generally more fun or playful. They are less formal using handmade papers or colored materials and fun designs. Colors are normally different shades of light and/or bright colors. Since the event is out-of-town, send Save-the-Date cards at least six months before the wedding date so guests may plan ahead and keep date free (considering traveling and accommodations). If possible, make arrangement with nearby hotels and resorts for guests who wish to stay overnight (ie. discounted room rates, tours, activities etc.). - Jong Mesina of The Write Impression, social printer
Nice touches: A wedding I've been to used bamboo for everything. There were bamboo poles with sinamay as tents. Bamboos were also used as platforms to level the 'floor'. Tips: Pray for a nice weather. Davao is blessed with good weather year round as there is hardly any typhoon there. Prepare for guest activities especially if they are checked in the day before or if the venue is an isolated island. Make sure you get a good coordinator. Make sure you have a good florist as beach weather don't go well with flowers because of the heat, even at five p.m., where the sun is no longer up, the sand could still be warm. Having rose petal walkways are so pretty too. Use colorful flags, banig mats, low tables and lots of lanterns, oil lamps or sulô for a wonderful addition to the atmosphere. - Penk Ching of Pastry Bin, cake confectioner
Nice Touches: Long white cloth on tall bamboo stitches. Red star fishes (preferable artificial to be sea friendly) with red glass marbles and flowers scattered on the aisle of the ceremony area. Every guest would have a lei of local leaves and flowers from the island. Fruits as centerpieces rather than flowers for better anchorage from ocean breeze. Use the wind by letting the entire entourage wear light and flowing clothing materials for drama and romantic ambiance. - Joel de Leon of Bulaklak
Tip: Make-up should be subtle, fresh, clean and more importantly, it should be balanced from the gown, accessories and even with your groom to create the total look. - Madge Lejano, make-up artist
Tips:First of all they must plan the time well. Try to finish the mass or service before sunset. With the blessings of heaven they will have a beautiful sunset canvass as backdrop. So timing is key. They only have 10 to 15 minutes for the sunset, use it well. A wedding in Boracay definitely must have have a sunset portrait of the couple without it they could have just had their wedding in the city. - Patrick Uy, photographer
Nice Touches: Flower petals, shells in all sizes and hundreds of candles add dramatic touch plus folk dancing for entertainment to entertain foreign guest. Light cocktails with lots of fresh fruit drinks, dinner should include regional specialties and fresh catch of the day, lots of grills and salads. - Maryjo Reyes-Feraren of The Plaza, caterer
Nice Touches: Entourage are adorned with body flowers instead of the usual bouquets. Sand have dug up holes with candles as many as you can see. Tip: Expect wind blowing hard, so be prepared. - Joyce Aguilar of 2171 Floral Creations
Nice touches instead of souvenir trinkets, one couples prepared personalized gift items for their guests, as the guest checked in they were greeted with pouches bearing the monogram of the bride and groom, in it were hand towel, sunblock lotion and beach slippers. Tip: be prepared to shoulder cost of some of your guest's accommodation. And instead of a late night get together before the wedding, arrange for a breakfast get together to perk up everyone for the impending ceremony just before the sun sets. - Liza Lugue-Alviedo of Kasalan Coordinators
Nice Touches: Lanterns overhead to light the beach is very romantic. For photographer Toto Labrador & Meg Magazine Editor Pierra Calazan's wedding, they used Claycakes signature topper with Bride carrying the groom who wore a barong and his forever adidas, charm rings were inserted in the cake - a great way to make the single ladies flock to the front. Afterwards, everyone had their fill of the cake which was toally wiped out. - Karla Magbanua of ClayCakes
Nice touches: Saw a wedding where due to lack of manpower, the couples put a sandbox with multi-colored umbrellas by the registration table. Upon entering, guests get umbrella with their names which tell them the table assignment. - John Mateos Ong, photographer
Nice Touches: The last beach wedding I had for a couple was last month and in that wedding, aside from the two long tables that they had provided for their banquet, they created a lounging area for the guests as well wherein typical beach mats were laid on the beach with huge pillows to sit on and candle luminaries as centerpiece highlights provided more ambiance and romance to the setting. The couple also had parlor games in between so as to keep the reception proceedings in a real festive mood. Tips: It should definitely be a mindset for couples planning to hold their weddings on a beach setting. Accept the fact that beach weddings would have to cost more as you are bound have most of your suppliers working on that day for you and take charge of how to get them there and back. Hire a professional (when feasible) to assist you in styling the reception area. It pays to achieve an enhanced ambiance on a beach setting. A reputable, experienced wedding coordinator is most recommended to do it for you. Before finalizing a beach venue, have your guest list evaluated first if they are able to attend an on location wedding outside the city. Goes with that is the availability of parking for you and your guests' vehicles. Consider the time of the year as to the date of your wedding. A rainy beach wedding could be such an inconvenient experience for you as well as your guests. Its most definite, to have a food taste first especially, if it is an exclusive in-house caterer. It's such a relief to bring with you some first aid kits at least for the both of you. - Joel Bautista, designer
Nice Touch: I once made foot jewelry instead of shoes so she walked elegantly barefooted. Tip: I recommend flats or wedge heels which don't sink in the sand. - Emi Jorge of Solea Shoes = = = = = = = = = = =
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Nice touches: In one wedding, the couple decided to have Luau cocktails before dinner. There, the couples mingled with their guests feasting over oysters and wine. The set-up is by the beach with low set tables in summer colors. In another wedding, the couple contracted a beach local to do an elaborate sandcastle. I guess this should be one thing present in every beach wedding.
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