Focusing on the most important aspects of your wedding can be incredibly helpful for staying within your budget. By prioritizing what truly matters to you—whether it’s the venue, the food, or the guest experience—you can allocate your resources more effectively and ensure a meaningful, memorable celebration without overspending.
 |
| At our wedding reception at Casino Español de Cebu |
In our case, we prioritized making sure our chosen guests felt comfortable, that the event was fun and memorable, that the solemnity of the ceremony was maintained, and that everything aligned with our personalities as a couple.
1. Church: The Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
We went the extra mile to ensure the church was air-conditioned. For us as a couple, this was the most important part of the wedding since it’s where the ceremony took place.
 |
| Wedding essentials and some of the bride’s personal items |
2. Shuttle Service
Even though our reception was nearby, we provided shuttles to make transportation easier and more convenient for our guests.
3. Reception: Casino Español de Cebu
We chose an excellent reception venue that wasn’t just close to the church but also had top-notch food. As a bonus, it provided an amazing holding area for our wedding team.
 |
| The groom’s curated collection |
4. Hotel: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino
We stayed in a wonderful hotel, booking a bridal suite for me and an additional space for dressing up.
5. Coffee Booth: Happy Barista by Kidz Joyce Darza
We hired our favorite coffee shop to bring in a coffee booth, so our guests could experience our favorite coffee.
6. Band: Momentum Cebu (full band)
Good entertainment was a priority, so we hired the best band in Cebu, and I highly recommend a full band setup.
 |
| Custom-designed table settings |
7. Photography & Videography: (Video) Sir Mark of Cinematix Stills & Motion, (Photography) Sir Jim Ubalde
We were fortunate to have a veteran photographer and videographer on our team, thanks to our amazing coordinator (Wedding Prelude Event Planning & Coordination). With so many photographers and videographers available, it’s important to choose those who can deliver a story, capturing not only images and footage but also the moments from a “director’s point of view.”
8. Cake
We chose a cake that reflected our personalities as avid travelers, since our love for exploring the world is such a big part of who we are.
9. Host: Sir Jingle Saynes
There are many hosts in town. However, finding one who can deliver exceptionally well is different. Selecting a host who reflects your personality as a couple can also create an unforgettable wedding program.
10. Decorations
Decoration was lower on our list of priorities. While I love flowers, we decided it was more practical to focus on things our guests would truly enjoy, like food, a comfortable venue, and reliable transportation. Instead of spending a lot on decorations, we opted to provide treats like Johnnie Walker drinks, Starbucks gift cards for games, and more. Do we regret it? Not at all!
On a side note, I’d like to commend our decor supplier for doing an exceptional job—he (sir Lorr Aljas) truly worked magic on our venue.
 |
| Bride and Groom’s Table | We intentionally requested a travel-themed touch, since our love for adventure and discovering new places defines us as a couple. |
At the end of the day, it’s all about priorities. To future brides and grooms: don’t pressure yourselves to follow trends or meet everyone else’s expectations. Focus on what truly matters to you as a couple—whether that’s the atmosphere, the people, or the details that reflect your personalities. By making choices that align with your budget and values, you’ll create a day that feels authentic and memorable, and you won’t miss a single meaningful moment.
Note: Our guest list is only about a hundred, including children.
The Proposal Video: Click Here
Our Wedding Video: Click Here
No comments:
Post a Comment