Marriage is the beginning of the family and long-life commitment. And even though the world is going through a pandemic, a lot of couple planned their wedding especially practical couple since they can save more due to big events restriction. But before the special day, couples will go through stress because of granular restrictions. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, wedding events are very limited and couple are lucky enough if their wedding date falls in GCQ (General Community Quarantine) classification.

My husband and I got engage last September 24, 2020, our fourth anniversary, and planned our wedding to happen on September 24, 2021, our fifth anniversary. We had 1 year for the preparation for our church wedding which is plenty of time, but 3 weeks before our wedding, there’s a lot of active cases of Covid-19 and still at MECQ (Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine. So on September 5, 2021 we decided to have a civil wedding instead of a church wedding, fortunately on the next day September 6, 2021, the government announce that Metro Manila will be under GCQ (General Community Quarantine) – this is the classification that we are waiting for since our bookings was really meant for GCQ, but we stick to our plan that we will push through with civil wedding since we prioritise the safety of everyone.

CEREMONY

We have 3 weeks to prepare and the first thing we do is look for a Marriage Officiant, I search via facebook and found Heart Focus Event Mngt, they offer Civil Wedding and Church Wedding Packages. Here’s what we avail:

CIVIL WEDDING CEREMONY
Inclusions:
– Ceremony
– Officiant
– Marriage License
– Filing of Document Releasing
– Certificate of Marriage
– CTC
– Transmittal/Endorsement for PSA
– Transportation

Requirements Needed:
– Photocopy of Birth Certificate
– Original CENOMAR (We request a new one via PSA Online)
– 1×1 picture
– Photocopy of valid ID
– Marriage License Application (sent via messenger: PDF file)
– Parent’s consent for 24 years old and below

Rates:
Civil Wedding in their office
*Php 4,000 (regular filing)
*Php 5,500 (rush filling)

Outside office but within QC area
*Php 4,500 for regular filing
*Php 6,000 for rush filing

Note: Transportation excluded if outside Quezon City

Upon submission of requirements, a 50% downpayment is needed and full payment will be settled on your event. They also offer wedding packages but we only avail their civil wedding ceremony package. On our wedding date, the Marriage Officiant was on time and I can say that we have a smooth transaction with Heart Focus Event Mngt and I really recommend their service.

If you wish to book for their services, click this —> Heart Focus Event Mngt

To Ms. Irynne Tubar, if you’re reading my blog, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! 🙂

VENUE AND CATERING

We set aside our venue and catering for our church wedding and look for a new supplier for our civil wedding. At first we plan to use our house as a venue since guest are limited and we can save money. On the other hand, we should prioritise our safety since we have senior citizens at home and we can’t say that every guest is healthy (no offense!).

Then we found Meyers Place & Catering Services who offers promo. Here’s the package inclusions:

• Venue – 3 hours is not bad since we don’t feel like in a rush. They have 2 available venue (not sure if there’s more though) 1st floor and second floor; we booked the second floor since the first floor is already booked. Second floor is more like a rustic theme and first floor is way better for our Pastel Theme hehe. Few days before our civil wedding, organiser told us that first floor is available since the event is rescheduled. Yay!! How lucky!!

• Styling & Backdrop – includes stage backdrop, elegant centerpiece and clothed tables according to motif. There’s a lighted buffet table, ghost chair, complete set of dinnerware, flatware & glassware. Food attendants and waiters are in trained uniformed. Gift, cake and souvenir table are also provided. Set-up is beyond my expectations and I like the same set-up for our church wedding venue.

• Catering – its a buffet style setup and I can say food is good and guests enjoyed their late lunch. Buffet includes steamed rice, choice of 1 pork or beef, choice of 1 chicken, choice of 1 fish, choice of 1 vegetables, choice of soup and dessert and iced tea for the drinks. (Note: we didn’t have food tasting)
• Freebies – 1 layered cake and 1 hour photobooth; not bad right? Basic sound system, LCD projector with white screen and red carpet is also free to use.

The package cost Php41,999 (USD839.98) good for 40 people. Not sure if this is still applicable since we avail their BER months promo. You may check their official page at Meyers Place and Catering Services Inc. located at 99 Dapitan corner Biak na Bato Brgy Sto. Domingo Quezon City.

INVITATION

Made a DIY invitation via Canva. Be sure to avail canva pro.

HAIR & MAKE-UP ARTIST

Be #JANified. Book Jan Efraim, he is a freelance hair & make-up artist. See for yourself, it’s all worth it and highly recommended.

WEDDING DRESS

My simple white dress from Shein cost Php406.00 (USD8.12) after discount and sandals form Hue Hue Manila cost Php1,390.00 (USD27.80 at B1T1 promo) and I am using it once in a while.

WEDDING RING

Cartier inspired wedding ring from 13tine’s Handcrafted Jewelries by Trecetine. Jewelries made from Philippine Gold.

PHOTOGRAPHER AND HOST

We want to be practical and decide not to hire a professional photographer for our civil wedding. A close friend of ours, Carlo Belaro took beautiful photo of us and our whole civil wedding. Thanks to him for those photos of memories.

My sister, Celine Reyes and my cousin, Gem Reyes host our civil wedding program. Not their profession or forte but did it for us. I love you both!

WEDDING BOUQUET

Last minute cramming will complete the preparation, night before the wedding my sister and cousin bought my wedding bouquet at Dangwa. I chose dried flowers because it will last longer and great value for money. The bouquet cost Php1,200-Php1,500 (USD24-30, forgot the exact cost, hehe peace).

GAMES & GIVEAWAYS

Celebration is much fun with games like Bring Me (Prize: Chips or Chocolates), Rock Paper Scissors (Winner takes all Php20 (USD.40) each guest) and BINGO Php500 or USD10 cash – 2 rounds blackout) and I prepare my own pastel loot bag packaging with pastel mask from Culture Supply and Co, hand sanitizer from Loved by Iammarhiz and chocolates inside for all the guest plus wine and body wash for our Principal Sponsors.

Wedding preparations should not supposed to be stressful and pricey. You just have to look for the right supplier who will make your dream civil wedding possible. And being with our family and friends on our special day makes our wedding perfect. Plus, keeping us safe because we all know that Covid-19 is still around.

All thanks to God for being with us all throughout and blessing to become one, of all the billion people in the world we found each other. To all our guest who find time to witness our wedding, thank you so much. Our heart is happy and beyond grateful!