Planning a Wedding: My Journey and Tips for Future Brides

As I’ve mentioned in my previous posts, I recently got married. The journey to make the event happen took a year of planning, with many adjustments along the way. Today, I want to share my experience with you, hoping it will help if you are a future bride.

Every couple’s situation is unique. In my case, I did all the planning from the Cayman Islands while the wedding took place in the Philippines. Fortunately, I have a supportive mother who handled the groundwork and a fantastic wedding planner with all the right contacts. It was a team effort that made everything possible.

Before diving into the details, it’s important to note that having a supportive family and a reliable wedding planner plays a crucial role in your wedding. Also, having a maid of honor and a best man who has already gone through this process can be incredibly helpful, as they can provide valuable insights.

1. Determine Your Wedding Location

The first step is to decide on your wedding location because it influences your choice of planner, suppliers, and logistics. I chose our province, Nueva Ecija, so my entire family clan could attend. While some guests came from Taguig and Laguna, it was easier to transport them to the province than vice versa. After extensive oculars, we selected a venue with a garden and indoor options, perfect for unpredictable weather. Booking the entire resort also allowed the entourage and guests to stay together, making morning preparations seamless.

2. Hire a Wedding Planner

While you can opt for DIY planning, it can be overwhelming to handle everything alone. Delegating tasks to a wedding planner lets you focus on conceptualizing your dream wedding without getting bogged down by details. Our planner’s expertise and connections were invaluable; every idea was flawlessly executed. Also, my golden rule is don’t skimp on photography and videography. Once the wedding is over, all that will remain are the captured memories. Thank me later!

3. Create a Wedding Board

Use a tool like Google Slides to compile and share ideas with your planner and suppliers. This makes updating and collaborating easier so everyone understands your vision. Include images, color swatches, fabric samples, and commentary. Be as comprehensive as you can be.

4. Choose Your Color Palette

Your color scheme sets the tone for the entire event, influencing outfits, flowers, and overall decor. Initially, I chose sunset terracotta for a warm, earthy vibe. However, as the wedding date approached, I realized I preferred a clean, neutral theme and switched to sage green. This change affected everything from bridesmaids’ dresses to table centerpieces, but it ultimately created the elegant atmosphere I envisioned.

5. Decide on Your Bridal Gown, Hair, and Makeup style

Select a style that complements your preferences and features. I wanted a V-neck ball gown with lace details. Given my round face shape, I opted for a Korean-style hair and makeup look with medium-long lashes and loose, wavy curls. Consistency was key, so I maintained this style for the engagement photoshoot, bridal shoot, and wedding day.

6. Plan the Reception

Envisioning the type of reception you want is essential. As a Filipino-Caymanian marrying a Jamaican, I incorporated both cultures into our reception. We served Jamaican patties and Filipino dishes, named tables after Cayman Islands districts, and used centerpieces featuring Philippine and Jamaican flags. Our photo booth had Rasta and Pinoy sari-sari store props. Traditional elements, like the money dance, were included, and we focused on fun games rather than lengthy speeches.

7. Create a Playlist

Music sets the mood for your wedding. I created two Spotify playlists: one for a relaxed dinner ambiance with reggae, OPM, R&B, and John Legend songs, and another for lively party moments with dancehall, EDM, K-pop, pop, rap, and trap music. These playlists will help the DJ curate the right atmosphere for each part of the celebration.

8. Organize the Entourage and Seating

List your entourage and sponsors, and arrange seating to ensure everyone is comfortable. We placed introverts with those they felt most comfortable with and grouped families together. Communicate dress codes and schedules clearly to manage expectations.

9. Decide on Wedding Tokens and Invitation

We used printed invitations for some and online RSVPs for more tech-savvy guests. Our printed invitations were passport-themed to complement the multi-cultural aspect of the wedding. We created the online version via The Knot, a highly recommended, user-friendly wedding website. For tokens, we gave hand fans to guests and mini electric fans to the entourage and sponsors, which was practical for the humid weather.

10. Plan engagement Photoshoots

Choose locations and outfits that reflect your style. We wanted to highlight the natural beauty of Nueva Ecija, so we chose locations like Central Luzon State University for our engagement shoot, with outfits ranging from casual to fairytale-themed. We also wanted to ensure that our families (and dogs) are part of our union, so they are included in some of the photos.

11. Create a Calendar of Events

A detailed calendar is essential for staying organized. Schedule supplier meetings, bachelorette parties, and travel arrangements well in advance. Our calendar included everything from arrival times to the wedding day schedule, ensuring nothing was overlooked.

Final Thoughts

By sharing my journey, I hope to make your wedding planning smoother and more enjoyable. Teamwork and support are key to turning your dream wedding into reality. For reference, click here to view our wedding board. Happy Planning!