8 Wedding Planning Tips for Filipina Brides-to-be (Must read!)

If you think that you’ll get wedding planning tips about superstitious beliefs here, then you’re on the wrong page. I personally do not believe in any superstitions.

But if you are looking for practical wedding planning tips and ideas, then take a pen and paper now. From basic things like asking your entourage to shoulder their attire to skincare tips, you will get all the answers here.

Top 8 Wedding Planning Tips – Q&A

1. What are your skincare tips before the wedding?
2. What is the best and the worst thing that happened during your wedding day?
3. Should the soon to wed couple shoulder the cost of their parents’ attire?
4. Is it okay if we do not have a photo booth? Instead, we plan to have a photo area and the guests can take their own pictures using their phone.
5. How to limit your guest list if you have a big family?
6. What should be included in our wedding program?
7. How to tell our entourage that they will shoulder the dress, makeup, and transportation?
8. In a Filipino wedding setup, is it still applicable to do a seating plan?

#1 Skincare Wedding Planning Tips

“What are your skincare tips before the wedding?”

Since I am not a skincare expert, and I do not have a glass skin, I decided to ask some of the makeup artists I personally know.

And here are the things they told me:

• A day before the wedding, you can use ice on your face after washing it with water and soap. Plus, you can do it again right before applying your wedding makeup, because it helps the makeup products stick better and longer on your face.
• Sleep for 8 hours before the wedding. 3 out of 3 makeup artists I asked told me that eyebags are the hardest to conceal. Even harder than pimples.

#2 Best and Worst Thing

“What is the best and the worst thing that happened during your wedding day?”

There were 2 best things that happened during our big day.

First was when I walked down the aisle. Imagine, I’ve been dreaming about it ever since I got engaged. And it finally happened.

I just can’t explain all the emotions I felt during those moments. Everyone’s eyes on me, I had all our families and friends watching us, and there at the end of the aisle was the man whom I’ll be with for the rest of our lives.

And the second one happened during the wedding reception.

As part of the wedding program plan, the host asked us “Have you realized that after this day, you will no longer prioritize your parents, because you have to start a family of your own? Have you thanked them and have you said I love you already?”

That’s it. I cried.

And for the worst thing, I guess I had wedding regrets because I only hired 2 hair and makeup artists for my big day.

I did not expect that the bride should have her own hair makeup artist because the bridal makeup would actually take 2-3 hours. And I did not know, I did not foresee.

And as a result of this, my pictorial, together with my chosen bridesmaids, suffered. Unfortunately, we only had 3-5 photos wearing our gowns.

It was so sad because I can no longer go back to my big day. So, I hope you all learn from that. You can check my page on Facebook, The Budgetarian Bride, to learn all about my wedding experiences.

We also have a wedding planning forum made for Filipina Brides-to-be called The Budgetarian Bride Community.

#3 Who pays for the Parents’ Attire?

“Should the soon to wed couple shoulder the cost of their parents’ attire?”

It depends on who pays the majority of the wedding expenses.

If your parents will pay for everything, I think it would be nice to buy the dress for them. It can serve as your gift for them since they will pay for everything.

On the other hand, if you and your partner would pay for the wedding, you can ask your parents to shoulder the cost of their dress. It can be their wedding gift for you already.

There’s no right or wrong about this, compromise if you can.

#4 Not Having a Photobooth

“Is it okay if we do not have a photo booth? Instead, we plan to have a photo area and the guests can take their own pictures using their phone.”

This is okay. People would love to take unlimited pictures of themselves on their phones. And they just wanted to post it on social media, no need to print out copies.

Just don’t forget to display your wedding hashtag in your photo area.

#5 Guest List Wedding Planning Tips

“How to limit your guest list if you have a big family?”

When creating a guest list, it is very important that you consider your budget. As much as you want to invite everybody, your budget serves as your limitation.

That’s why you need to know how to plan a wedding on a small budget. The first step is cutting down on guest lists.

With big family members, you need to limit the attendees per family.

If you are afraid to talk to your aunts and uncles, you need to seek help from your parents. They can talk to their brothers and sisters better.

Just be upfront and tell them your budget for them to understand your decisions.

#6 Wedding Program Plan

“What should be included in our wedding program?”

The Wedding Program is provided by the host or emcee. If you will hire a professional host, they have their own programs that you can check.

Usually, you can tweak these programs according to your preferences. Just communicate properly with your host. And most importantly, you have to trust their expertise.

#7 Entourage to Shoulder their Attire’s Cost

“How to tell our entourage that they will shoulder the dress, makeup, and transportation?”

If you plan to minimize your expenses, it is okay to ask your entourage to shoulder their dress, makeup, and transportation.

But there’s a proper way to do it.

To avoid misunderstandings, you need to tell them this set up the moment you asked them to be a part of your entourage.

Here’s a sample message you can send them:

“Hi (Name)! Jeff and I were getting married in May, and I’d like you to be part of my entourage. If it’s okay with you, our entourage will also shoulder their attire worth 1,200 pesos. We will already consider this as your wedding gift for us.”

What if they decline? Then, it’s okay. The sooner they decline, the better.

It’s just fair for them that they know what they’re saying yes to. Don’t pressure them, because they are not obliged to pay for anything for your wedding. It’s you who is asking for a favor.

#8 Wedding Reception Seating Plan

“In a Filipino wedding setup, is it still applicable to do a seating plan?”

Personally, I want my wedding guests to sit where they are comfortable to sit. So, I do not recommend a strict wedding reception seating plan.

Unless the venue is strict about it, I’d rather not have a seating plan. Because if one guest did not attend, the plan would be ruined. And if there’s an unexpected plus one, it will also be ruined.

I think it would be additional and unnecessary work for your Coordinator to assign seats for your guests.

Hoping these wedding planning tips and ideas serve as a wedding planning guide. If you need a detailed guideline, go ahead and check this one: church wedding planning checklist.

Happy Preps!