Full Coordination

I'm getting married!!! After getting on the phone to share the good news with family and friends, panic starts to set in. There's so many things to do, and so little time left. Where will I begin?, you ask yourself.

You want your day to be perfect. You have been dreaming of this since you were a child.

But...

You're a bride outside the Philippines. You are the only girl among your siblings. You're parents are too old to assist, your siblings are too busy. You're a groom whose bride is outside the country.

Why not ask the help of trusted and experienced people?

We have the experience of so many successful weddings behind us. We can recommend the best suppliers for you to work with.

Avail of our Full Coordination Package!

We take care of everything for you.

3 Coordinators
1 Music Coordinator
One Reception Emcee (who can sing and do stand-up comedy!)

For only P25,000

We will even throw in:
Free Chocolate Fountain
Free Confetti Cannons

Wait, there's more?!

You get your own free wedding website.
Plus access to literally thousands of pictures for cakes, gowns, decors, invitations and more. My brides have gotten great ideas for their weddings from this treasure chest.

Save yourself the hassle of doing all 101 tasks in the Full Coordination tasklist. Turn them over to an experienced wedding planner and enjoy the day.

If you have already booked all your suppliers and want help only for the wedding day, avail of our On the Day Coordination package.

Click here to find out what our happy brides and grooms have to say.

Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.

How To Place the Rings

Do not hide the ring. Hold it firmly only with your thumb and fore or middle finger. Keep your other fingers away so they do not obstruct the camera lenses from the ring.
* All pictures from Debuts and I Do's weddings

Correct:


Wrong:
Correct:

Wrong:

Back to How to Get the Best Wedding Day Pictures

Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.

Sequencing of the Traditional Mano to Parents

Sequencing of the Traditional Mano to Parents
By January Mae Tan
Wedding Planner - Cebu, Bohol, Manila

1. Bride and Groom approach the parents. Bride makes mano to the parent in front of her. Groom makes mano or handshakes the parent in front of him.

2. Bride reaches out to the parent diagonally across her to make mano.

3. Groom reaches out to to make mano or shake the hand of the parent diagonally across from him.

Back to How to Get the Best Wedding Day Pictures

Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Begin

Step 1: Choose your package.
Step 2: Note which items you want to remove and which items you want to add from the upgrades. Please note however that the free gifts will vary, if you opt to remove some items from our package.
Step 3: Email your choices in step 1 and 2 to debuts.and.i.dos.events@gmail.com for your customized proposal.
Step 4: Wait 3-5 business days for your proposal. Check to see if you like it. If not, repeat steps 2 and 3.
Step 5: If you like the proposal, please make a downpayment.
Step 6: We will email the AR and Agreement form. Please sign, scan and email back to us within 3-5 business days.
Step 7: We will email you our Initial Consultation sheet. Please take your time and answer so we can get to know you better.

The first three sets of customized proposals are free. After the third customized proposal, it usually means you are already confident in getting us as your planner but are just negotiating the total package price. We need to maximize our time for the brides who really need our help; so we kindly request that you deposit the P10T reservation fee before we make the 4th proposal.

If you wish to avail of our special offers (such as free fireworks), just skip right to Step 5 and make a downpayment. We will reserve your wedding date and your freebie, then you can take the time to finalize your wedding package.

Q: Is there out of town charge for D&ID in Bohol?
A: No out of town charges for Cebu, Bohol and Metro Manila.

Q: We like you and want to avail of your limited time special offers. How do we begin? What are your terms of payment?

a. P10,000 - to reserve your wedding date and to reserve your freebie
b. The remaining 50% downpayment within fifteen business days
c. 50% balance one week before the wedding, if cash; two weeks, if cheque.

For example:
stress-free package that totals P100,000 for a wedding on June 1 2009
a. Pay P10,000 on January 1, 2009
b. Pay P40,000 on or before January 22, 2009
c. Pay P50,000 on or before May 25, 2009, if cash; on or before May 18, 2009, if cheque.

For yours and my safety, please deposit amounts greater than P50,000 directly to:
BPI account name: January Mae Tan
BPI account number: 0019120309
and text me at 0922.8526.826 or email me at debuts.and.i.dos.events@gmail.com to confirm. Confirmation is usually done after 24 hours of the nearest banking day.

Q: Who are your suppliers?
A: In the past, we have had some brides ask us for all our suppliers then recreate our package without us. For our protection, we dont provide the names of our suppliers until after the reservation fee or downpayment is provided. However, you may check out our Official Website for our portfolio, and sample pictures.

My hair and makeup artist has been working with me for over 7 years, and I have always had positive feedback from him, he does great work. My singing emcee does stand-up comedy in Makati comedy clubs and has shared the stage with Pooh and Pokwang. My florist is regularly subcontracted by Preston Bailey to assist in wedding decors in Dubai. My baker, photographers and videographers are just as talented. My dance instructor has 17 years experience in the industry.

That is a brief background of the crew that I count on to help me make your wedding unforgettable. They are exceptional people --- kind-hearted, talented and not pricey at all. Quite understandably, their calendars (and mine) get filled pretty quickly these days.

Q: Can you download music for us to play on the wedding day?
A: No, we support copyright rules. Please provide a CD with all your songs to play.

Q: Why do your packages not include gowns?
A: Because brides have very different needs and desires for the bridal and entourage gown. To simplify matters, we took it out of the package and give the option for you to avail of the gowns at the following prices:
a. Rental entourage gowns with partner barongs (1 maid of honor, 4 bridesmaids, 4 flowergirls) - P4000
b. Rental bride - P2500
c. First user entourage gowns - P10,000
d. First user bride - P8000
e. Made to Order bride - P18,000 minimum, depending on design
f. Made to Order entourage - depends on the design

Q: May I ask for the cost breakdown of your packages?
A: Our packages are very competitive. We give the best value for your money. For our protection, we dont provide the breakdown of any package, before during or after the wedding.

Q: Can we remove some items from the stress-free package?
A: Yes. There is no guarantee that it will come out cheaper or better. The package is highly dependent on "the whole being greater than its parts". For example, I can only guarantee decorated ceiling if your venue is in our garden city-lights pavilion.

Q: Are there any hidden charges in your packages?
A: Kindly remember to budget for the meals of your supplier-partners. This is not included in the package but is a necessity for the wedding day. Also, our packages do not cover costs for corkage, sounds or electricity. They do not cover any church or legal fees.

Email us at debuts.and.i.dos.events@gmail.com for other questions or concerns.

Honor Your Parents on Your Wedding Day

On your wedding day, take the time to honor your parents in front of family and friends. After all, they raised you and worked hard to provide for you. It is as much their day as it is yours.

Here are some simple but sweet ideas:

1. Give them a frame with your picture and a sincere message to hang on their wall. Better yet, try to find a copy of their old wedding picture and place it in the frame, then sometime after your wedding, find the time to switch your original picture to a picture of you both on your wedding day.

2. Laarni and Ron decided to get married on the same day that Ron's parents did many years ago. They surprised his parents with their own cake and invited them to re-enact their wedding day, including the wedding kiss. The guests were blown away by this simple yet provocatively thoughtful gesture.

Ron's mom and dad are embarassed. They warm up with a reenactment of their wedding dance Reenactment of their Slicing of the CakeReenactment of their Wine ToastingParents Kissed (Who's shy now?) The Male Ninongs Went Wild with Glee

The Lady Ninangs are secretly envious
Mom and Dad Capped it Off With One Final Kiss

O, di ba? Let's pray that all couples are still that sweet even after 30 years of marriage. =)

Special Offer Limited Time Only

Free Bohol Honeymoon for ALL weddings reserved from November 13 to 20.

Not only that! If you book your wedding at our Kasalang Pilipino booth from November 13 - 15, we will also give you a free Bohol countryside tour .

*****************************
Eleven Things to Do on Your FREE Bohol Honeymoon
1. Visit Chocolate Hills.
2. Take pictures with a tarsier.
3. Go whale & dolphin watching at Pamilacan.
4. Feed the fish while they nibble your feet at the Fish Sanctuary.
5. Swim in the underground river at Hinagdanan Falls.
6. Ziplining in Danao!
7. Take a (FREE!) countryside tour to the oldest church in the Philippines
8. See a live bee colony at the Bee Farm.
9. Eat a fresh flower salad.
10. French kiss while the sun sets on your glowing faces.
11. Collect seashells as souvenirs for your 50th wedding anniversary. **************************************************

This is a test and may never be offered again. This offer is only available from November 13 - 20 or until the alloted number of Bohol honeymoons is gone, whichever comes first. So, I urge you to act quickly and to drop by our booth at Kasalang Pilipino, beside the elevator going up at the Ayala Activity Center. Reserve your wedding date for only P10,000.

On the Day Coordination

You've booked all your suppliers. Or you have wonderful friends who have decided to shoulder your wedding expenses or wedding services.

But there's still a myriad of details that go into having the perfect wedding experience.

For example, who will call to make sure the lechon has arrived while pictorials are taking place? Who will call out the order of pictorials at the church? Who will sequence the sponsors and entourage?

Overwhelmed by the all the details that go into making your wedding day a successful night you will remember for years to come?!

Save yourself the hassle of doing all 101 tasks in the On the Day Coordination tasklist. Turn them over to an experienced wedding planner and enjoy the day with a big smile.

Avail of our On the Day Coordination Package!

We take care of everything for you.

3 Coordinators
1 Music Coordinator

For only P18,000

We will even throw in:
Free Reception Emcee (who can sing and do stand-up comedy!)
Free Bubble Machine
Free Confetti Cannons

Wait, there's more?!

You also get your own free wedding website.
Plus access to literally thousands of pictures for cakes, gowns, decors, invitations and more. My brides have gotten great ideas for their weddings from this treasure chest.

Click here to find out what our happy brides and grooms have to say.

Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.

Not a Bride? Get free movie passes!

If you wandered onto our site and like what you see, but are not yet getting married, today's your lucky day!

All you have to do is refer us to your friend, family, officemate, churchmate, neighbour, neighbourhood manicurista, masahista, friend of a friend, family of a family (err?!)... Well, you get the point.

Send an email with their email address and copy my email address, too. (debuts.and.i.dos.events@gmail.com)

If they decide to have us help them with their wedding, you get not one, not even two or three, but EIGHT Free Movie Passes at the Ayala Cinema Center (for Cebu) or at the Island City Mall (for Bohol).

Dont know what to say? You can copy this template:

Hi (name),

I found a great wedding planner at www.mycebuboholweddingplanner.com and thought you should check out their site. They provide lots of helpful advice, a free website and free chocolate fountain.

I am sure they will help you have a great and unforgettable wedding (debut, anniversary, etc.)

Sincerely,

(your name)

Dont forget to copy me in. (debuts.and.i.dos.events@gmail.com) I will follow up on your email with a formal introduction and phone call. Dont feel guilty or shy because your friend gets a free initial consultation with me where I can answer her questions and give free tips and advice.

Remember, Zig Ziglar says, "The best way to get up in this world is to help as many people as possible."

Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.

Hire an Experienced Wedding Planner

Why You Should Hire an Experienced Wedding Coordinator
(or The Best Time to Buy an Umbrella is Before the Rain Pours)

A wedding planner (in Cebu, Bohol or elsewhere) is like a fire extinguisher. You hope to heavens that everything goes as smoothly as planned. But in case of impending disaster, you thank your lucky stars that you chose the most reliable one you could find.

A wedding planner is also like an insurance policy. You may think that nothing will ever go wrong and that you don’t need it. When you have just been informed of a problem (often on the wedding day itself or the day before), it is often already too late to secure one.

Photographers and venue managers bleakly discuss their weddings without coordinators, like veteran soldiers sharing their war stories. In one wedding, the photographer was unable to capture good shots because he had to organize the church processional.

Here are several true-to-life scenarios my brides and I experienced. (Names withheld)

Scenario 1: You have a beach wedding for 100 guests at an island in Bohol. The day before the wedding, at the last possible minute, the resort people inform you that the man-made island will be submerged in water until 3pm. To make matters worse, there is only one boat to ferry the florists, cake, sound system, band’s equipment.
Now, before you frazzle out and go crazy, take a deep breath.
Remember… you hired a wedding planner. We discuss the problem and calmly take over. You dance the night away with your family and friends.
We firmly request for the resort to hire additional ferry and call all the suppliers to disseminate the final schedule. On the wedding day, we set up a chocolate fountain for the guests at the coast to buy more time to complete the set-up on the island. Disaster averted.

Scenario 2: You brought a laptop for your daughter’s debut and set it up for the AV presentation. But when we do a dry run, a system glitch mutes out the AVP.
We get to work immediately. One member of the team is dispatched to burn the AVP file onto a DVD, another member is sent to request a DVD player from the main office. However, the DVD player can’t play the AVP file because of the format.
No matter, we have a plan C. Someone else was simultaneously dispatched to look for the nearest internet café and rent a desktop computer. Problem solved just in the nick of time, as your guests start to flow in.

Scenario 3: You have a busy afternoon at work and need a break. So, you step out for a cup of coffee and call us for a quick discussion on the designs of your wedding gowns. We refer you to a website that is a treasure trove of ideas, designs and pictures. You end the call and get back to your busy office project, happily feeling that everything is under control and your wedding is going smoothly.

So, the next time you think that not hiring an event planner will help your savings, think again.

Who will make sure that the lechon and cake arrive on time? Who will text all the principal sponsors to ensure that they arrive on time? Who will arrange the church processional? Who will check that no one gate crashes or steals the wedding presents?
Remember, some things--- like quality, peace of mind, and a night of love shared with family and friends that you will always remember with joy--- are worth spending for.

See here for our hassle-free budget packages for debuts, garden weddings or beach weddings.

See here for our on the day coordination packages with special freebies, offered for a limited time only.

Unique and Personal Giveaway Ideas

Unique and Personal Giveaway Ideas

Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.

How to Choose Entourage Gowns

How to Choose Entourage Gowns

Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.

How to Get the Best Wedding Day Pictures

How to Get the Best Wedding Day Pictures
By January Mae Tan
Wedding Planner - Cebu, Bohol, Manila

To get the best wedding day pictures, be mindful of physical blocking.

Chew and Say “Tuesday”

If your jaw aches after hours and hours of continuous smiles, then chew your cheeks to give them a silent massage.

One groom was not very comfortable smiling. So, the bride asked him to say “Tuesday” for all the pictures instead. Try it. It is almost impossible to say that word right without your mouth forming a wide grin.

Practice the Church Entrance with Both Sets of Parents

When the bride reaches the threshold of the altar, the groom takes her hand and they walk towards the parents for the traditional show of respect called “mano” or bowing to take the parents’ hand and bring it to the child’s forehead.

Practice this. Which parent will you make mano to? As the wedded couple approaches the parents, they will naturally ‘mano’ the parent in front of them. After that, they will cross to ‘mano’ the parent across them. Let the bride mano diagonally first while the groom waits. When the bride is done, then the groom takes over.

See photos of sample sequencing .

The Placing of the Rings

This is an old trick I learned from a photographer friend.

Place the rings on the first knuckle before you say your vows. Then, stare longingly into each other’s eyes without breaking eye contact to fumble and place the rings on your better half’s finger.

When you hold the ring on the first knuckle, only hold it with your thumb and middle finger, raise the other fingers up. Do not obscure the photographer’s shot of the rings. Make sure the ring is shown, do not hide the ring with your fingers.

See Right and Wrong ways to place the rings.


Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.

How to Create an Unforgettable Wedding Experience for Your Guests

How to Create an Unforgettable Wedding Experience for Your Guests
By January Mae Tan
Wedding Planner - Cebu, Bohol, Manila

The key to creating an unforgettable experience for your wedding guests is: PARTICIPATION.

Set Expectations

Always set the expectations of everyone involved. This is an old trick that most call center agents can relate to.

One great way to do this is for the host, in his welcoming remarks, to remind everyone that the greatest gift they can give the couple is the gift of their presence. Ask the guests nicely to make a commitment to stay until after the affair is completed. Hold the microphone to them and wait for them to say “Yes” loudly.

Praise

Praise your guests continuously for their enthusiastic participation.

In one sticky situation, we had more guests than tables, despite the extra tables we already setup. Fortunately, I was the host for this wedding. While waiting for the waiters to set up extra tables, I praised everyone for showing up for the wedding to show their love for the newlyweds. I pointed out that this was a great problem to have because I had been to weddings where half the tables were empty. The guests left that wedding beaming with joy for the couple and pride in themselves.

Do this subtly and with discretion, so that it doesn’t become empty flattery. Remember, any human being’s greatest need is the need to feel important. So, praise the guests and motivate them to join.

Have Them Choose Their Giveaways

If you are giving out perfume bottles, have them choose what perfume to bring. If you are giving out minicakes, have a choice of three flavours and ask them to choose. Because they have a hand in what they bring home, they will treasure it more.

Make Your Programme Fun

Even the most formal affair has room in it for a game or two.

If you know in advance that your guests are the shy, reserved type, then ask the help of your more outgoing friends. Filipino culture dictates that we usually have to wait for someone else to take the first step. Tell your more outgoing friends that you have games in mind and that they need to help you out by joining in the games.

Don’t know what games to include? Steal a page from the local lunchtime game shows. Make your own version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”, “Hep, Hep, Hooray” or even “Pera or Bayong”.

Remember to always prepare a list of names to call out, in case there are no voluntary participants.

Tempt Them

Make the prizes juicy and tempting. Free movie passes, gift certificates to the spa or massage or even a cellphone are great ideas.


Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.

How to Personalize Your Wedding

How to Personalize Your Wedding
By January Mae Tan
Wedding Planner - Cebu, Bohol, Manila

This is your wedding day, the day you have dreamed of since you were a child. Go ahead, let loose and show your guests the inner you. No more of these cookie-cutter weddings, personalize your wedding details to reflect your personality and taste.

Yes, the cake, invitations and gowns are personalized to the couple’s theme, but here are some other overlooked details that can be used to personalize your wedding even further.

Serve a Family Recipe

Are your family gatherings from Christmas to Thanksgiving incomplete without your mother’s cocido or lola’s paella? Honor them and serve it up for dinner or cocktails, if the reception venue will allow it.

For a groom getting married in his family-owned resort, I was asked to research on cocktail finger foods. I arrived for a meeting with the groom’s mother and aunt with a list of possible options. While waiting for the meeting to start, they served me their version of “clubhouse sandwich”.

I almost declined thinking it was the usual sandwich fare. But when the waiter set it down in front of us and I had a bite, I went crazy! After a few careful questions, I discovered it was the mother’s very own recipe. I told them to throw out the list and serve this instead. The mother preened with obvious delight.

Favourite Drinks for Your Toast

After the cake slicing comes the wine toasting, but who says it has to be only wine or champagne?

Toast to your future with your favorite Starbucks drinks. You like apple fruit tea and he likes Four Seasons, don’t forget the pink (or whatever your motif is) umbrellas.

Have the host point it out to your guests and let them enjoy the little secret as well. They will be tickled pink and will secretly wish they had thought to do the same thing for their wedding.

Your Own Song List

The church ceremony is solemn and must be done according to strict guidelines. However, the couple is free to let loose during the reception.

A great way to show your personality is to choose the music that will be played as your entourage and you enter the Reception.

One groom insisted the groomsmen enter to the naughty tune of “Jumbo Hotdog”. A couple enter to techno sounds of Usher. For our Twilight-inspired debut, we began by playing the famous baseball scene and pausing it immediately after a main character said, “It’s time”. The doors then opened to reveal the debutante who entered to the song of “Super Massive Black Hole”. Her young guests brought the house down with their hoots and whistles.

Prizes for Games

Choose prizes that reflect your personality and tastes.

Are you and your hubby movie buffs? Give out movie passes to cinemas in the mall. Do you have a favourite CD? Wrap it with a ribbon and gift it as a prize. A fan of inspirational books or Japanese manga, give your guests the chance to get to know you better by allowing them to share in your interests.

Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.

How to Create Your Own Dream Wedding

How to Create Your Own Dream Wedding
By January Mae Tan
Wedding Planner - Cebu, Bohol, Manila

Create a Dream Journal

Capture your dreams for your wedding via a dream journal or a mood board. This could be a corkboard on your room that you tack up pictures to, a clearbook file of pictures that appeal to you, a private photo album in Multiply, or even a blog that you share with your friends.

Add in photos, textiles, samples of anything that appeal to you, like feathers, old lace, sinamay, colored sand or coconut bark. Also add in old invitations that you like, pictures of cakes, bouquets and centerpieces.

Your guiding principle is to: collect, then select. Capture anything that appeals to you. Don’t edit yourself, don’t limit yourself to your budget.

This is a dream journal, not a planner. Allow your creativity, imagination and impulses to have free rein.

Choose a Theme

Now that you have a wide range of pictures and materials to work with, find a running thread to all the items that you have picked out. Your theme is something that you can use to guide you in designing your cake, invitations, decors, giveaways, makeup, and gown designs among others.

Remember to choose a theme that reflects your personalities.

One of my couples met and fell in love in a Japanese company and decided to have a Japanese-inspired wedding. Sakura blossoms graced the front of their invitations and the sides of their cake. The entourage wore gowns with obi-sashes. The bridal cake was topped by a Japanese couple in bridal ensemble. Authentic chopsticks and tea sets were gifted to the guests.

If you are a fun-loving couple who like to think outside the box, you can choose a whimsical theme and have a pop-up invitation, personalized bubbleheads for your giveaways, miniature caricature dolls for your cake topper and bridal car decors.

Brainstorm

Now, that you have a chosen your theme, bring your working dream journal or mood board with you and show it to your fiancé, parents, wedding planner and friends who are recent brides.

Also show this to your preferred partners such as your florist, baker, invitation maker. Listen closely to their advise. Ask questions to determine which of your ideas is feasible on your budget and applicable to your venue. A beach-themed cake design may not be appropriate for a garden reception.

Throw the Rulebook Out

After brainstorming with family and friends, it is important to remember that this is still your wedding day and not theirs. If you want to have that beach-themed cake at a garden reception, go ahead. If you want to wear sneakers with your bridal gown, go ahead. It is your wedding day, go ahead live it up!


Check out our Official Website for our portfolio, special offers and freebies.