Practical Wedding Token Ideas

Wedding tokens or wedding favors are items given away to guests as a sign of appreciation or thanks for attending the wedding. Although it isn't obligatory to give away tokens, guests often look forward for something they can take home with them to remind them of that special day. Here in the Philippines, the giving away of favors or tokens are often expected and is considered as one of the highlights of a wedding.

On our wedding, we gave away two kinds of tokens from Papemelroti. One is a paper box that contains love quotes and the other is a ceramic figure of a bride and groom in Filipiniana costume.

I absolutely love our wedding tokens and our guests were delighted as well. We ordered it about 3 weeks before our wedding day and we were thankful that they were finished on time.

What I liked about them is that they were not the usual bride and groom figures that are common to weddings. At Divisoria, wedding tokens with bride and groom figures in various designs range from P40 to P50, depending on the size and design.

If you want something nice and different, you can find wedding tokens from Papemelroti at around these prices as well. They offer 10% offer for bulk orders (50 pcs. and up).

For big weddings, purchasing wedding tokens for all your guests can be very expensive. Making your own wedding favors would save you a lot and you can even personalize it. However, it's important to make sure that you have enough time to make them. Don't forget to ask help from your family and friends if you do decide to make your own wedding favors!

Here are some wedding favor ideas and tips that won't break your budget:

Stay simple. Remember that wedding favors don't really have to be expensive and elaborate. Even the simplest things can mean a lot! A small note-card that bears your personal message with your wedding date would do. If you want to make it extra special, you just have to be a little more creative and artistic with your approach.

Bookmarks with your wedding song printed on them can serve as wedding tokens as well. Print your wedding song on a specialty board paper, print your personal message on a parchment paper, onion skin or any transparent paper, punch a hole on top of both papers and tie them together with a colored ribbon.

Your ushers and usherrettes can distribute these bookmarks to each of your guests as they arrive on your venue. That's what we did and our guests have kept those bookmarks as one of our wedding souvenirs.

You can also buy organza cloth sold by the yard, cut them into squares that are big enough to put in your wedding tokens. Stitch both sides and use a ribbon or a lace to finish the wrap. It will make anything you put in it, more adorable and extra special.

What to put in those small organza bags? Mini chocolates, cookies, mint candies, jelly-beans or any of your favorite goodiess can be wonderful edible wedding favors. You can buy a whole bag of chocolate chips or cookies in groceries or bake your own and design it just the way you want it.

Candles can also be used as wedding favors. Buy plain white or colored mini candles in bulk from supermarkets or craft stores and wrap a colored ribbon or lace around each. Next, print your "thank you" message on a scented piece of specialty paper, cut them up in small squares and insert them on each of your candles.

For your most special guests, you can give them or send them something extra special after the wedding. After your wedding photos have been printed, send them a copy of their picture taken with the married couple! Even the simplest picture frame would make any wedding picture beautiful and worth keeping.

These wedding token ideas are budget-friendly and practical. Do you have your own practical wedding token idea? Share it by posting a comment.

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On Finding the Perfect Wedding Gown

Every bride wants to be most beautiful for her wedding day. And one of the biggest decisions a bride would make is choosing her wedding gown.

If you have the time, consider ordering a customized wedding gown made just for you. Ideally, 6 months should be enough until the fitting is made perfect. Obviously, if you want to go to a designer, you'll need to be willing to splurge on your gown.

But if you're on a budget, it doesn't mean your wedding gown won't be perfect. All it takes is a little patience and creativity on your part. When we were looking for my wedding gown, most of the shops at Tutuban Mall were willing to accept orders for as little as 2-3 weeks.

Unfortunately, we didn't have that much time and it would be a hassle to travel to and from Divisoria just to take fittings. If you're in the Philippines, I think ordering from those shops at Divisoria is worth the try.

While looking for my maid of honor's gown we found a boutique somewhere in Glorietta that also accepts wedding gown orders. I forgot the name but it is a small boutique that sells gorgeous gowns.

I found my dream wedding gown displayed on one of their mannequins sold for only P8,000. The sales lady told us, they can finish the exact same style within a month but by that time, we only have 2 weeks to go and I had already bought my gown from somewhere else.

If you're on a budget, what are your other options? Here are the options I considered before buying my wedding gown.

Borrow. Do you have a friend or a relative who got married? Maybe you can borrow her wedding gown.

2nd hand wedding gowns. I've also looked into eBay for possible second hand gowns from the Philippines but most that were posted were from the US. However, the shipping costs would still be expensive so it wasn't an option for me. Still, if you live in the US, why not?

Buy a bridesmaid gown. Bridesmaids gowns are cheaper than wedding gowns. Although simpler and less elaborate, consider wearing a bridesmaid gown especially if you're planning on a simple ceremony. Remember, a bridesmaid gown can be both elegant and beautiful and it can save you hundreds of dollars.

Buy a ready-to-wear wedding gown. This is the option we've chosen. Those wedding gown retail shops from Divisoria are definitely worth the visit. You'll find beautiful wedding gowns there at the most affordable and reasonable prices. You'll need to be patient enough to walk from one shop to the next and try fitting one gown to another. The sales ladies are very accommodating so that shouldn't be a problem.

Warning: Watch out for pickpockets when shopping at Divisoria and Baclaran. Don't forget to ask for discounts. If you won't ask, no seller would volunteer to give it. If you don't believe in fitting because of premonitions, go for gowns with adjustable laces. Adjustable wedding gowns are great just in case you gain or lose a few pounds before your wedding.

More Wedding Gown Tips:

Choose a wedding gown you're comfortable with. No matter how beautiful your wedding gown is, if you're not comfortable or confident in it, it won't look as good. Check the texture of the gown and make sure that it's not irritating on your skin. Choose a gown that you can wear all day (even if you plan to change). Don't choose a style if you don't feel good in it.

Choose a wedding gown that complements your body shape. Brides have different body types and shapes. Choose a style that hides your flaws and accents your best features.

Choose a wedding gown that is appropriate for your venue. If it's going to be a garden wedding or a beach wedding, avoid gowns made with heavy materials or with very long trains.

Don't buy expensive shoes. The shoes you'll wear under your wedding gown should not be expensive at all. Shoes sold at specialty wedding shops tend to be expensive. But there are so many beautifully designed shoes on the malls that don't cost a lot! Those are the shoes you should be looking for. Choose a design that you know you can still wear after the wedding so it won't have to just sit on the shelves.

Do you have your own tips to add? Please share it by leaving a comment. Thanks!

Budget Saving Wedding Reception Tips

Planning your wedding? Here are some budget-saving wedding reception tips for you:

Talk to your caterer.

Shop around for possible caterers as soon as you’ve set your wedding date. Thus. you can compare the services and rates they offer. Once you’ve narrowed down your possible choices, meet with the caterer to talk about your wedding plan. Be honest and don’t be afraid to say exactly how much your budget for the food is.

Always go through a tasting to make sure that the food would be great. You should be handed the complete list of the menu, the ingredients, and all inclusions of your catering package. For example, would the dinnerware, linens, and table napkins be included?

Be clear about the caterer’s policy and the charges. Don’t forget to ask if your caterer bakes wedding cakes as well. You may be able to save your budget if you’ll order your wedding cake from the same caterer.

Go Buffet.

Buffet-style dinners are great, especially for outdoor receptions. It allows guests to mingle with each other, choose only the food they want, and get only what they can eat. It also saves you from serving the traditional 5-course dinner.

Consider putting together a combination of one or two Food Stations such as an Appetizer Table, Beverages Table, Desserts Table along with your Main Dishes. For the main meals, it’s best to have servers for your guests. If you did not hire caterers, assign some people to do the serving.

Don’t be afraid to go casual.

A wedding reception doesn’t always have to be formal. If you’re on a budget, stay away from the traditional black-tie dinners. Instead, choose a more casual theme especially for garden or beach weddings.

Save more on your food budget by not choosing a dinner reception. Before setting the time of your wedding, consider your budget. Brunch, lunch, and a mid-afternoon reception would cost so much less than serving dinner.

Weather-friendly tents.

For an outdoor reception, never forget to set up a tent just in case it rains or the sun gets too hot. Rent a canopy that is large enough to serve as a shelter for all your guests.

Say them with flowers.

Flowers easily add warmth, elegance, beauty and brightness to any place. Whether it’s an outdoor or indoor reception, decorate them with flowers. Flowers can be very expensive during the holidays and when they’re not in season. Ask florists in advance on what possible flowers are in season for the month of your wedding.

Roses may be the most in demand flowers for a wedding but don’t forget to use other varieties as well. For example, Gerbera, Chrysanthemums and Daisies are wonderful for floral arrangements.

My favorites are Malaysian Mums – these adorable, vibrant blooms come in white, different shades of pink, red, orange, yellow and Lime Green. Statis is also an ideal variety that can fill up those vases without breaking your budget. If you live in Manila, Dangwa is a market haven for affordable fresh flowers.

You may also talk to flower shop owners or flower vendors to buy lose rose petals at a cheap price. If you tell them that you’re in a budget, you may even get those lovely petals for free. Fresh rose petals can be scattered in the center of your table or on the aisle of your reception venue for that elegant, romantic effect.

Candles of love.

Scented and decorated candles can be unnecessarily expensive. Buy plain white or colored over-sized candles, tie a dainty lace or ribbon around them and place them beside your centerpieces. For the sweet-smelling scent, scatter a bunch of fresh rose petals around it and you’re all set.

Balloons are also an inexpensive way to add drama to your reception venue. Order a bunch of plain white balloons or balloons in the motif of your wedding, group them together, and leave them floating on the floor, by the lawn or by the pool.

Budget-saving centerpieces.

Centerpieces should be high enough or low enough so your guests can conveniently see each other from across the table.

Plain, clear glasses or bowls are great wedding centerpieces. You can simply fill them with stems of flowers or fill a bowl with water and let flowers or candles float.

You can buy these from Walmart, Target or K-mart or supermarkets at a cheap price. Look for low-cost yet pretty centerpiece ideas online that you can try.

Beauty, Hope, Patience and Love.

To assign tables, why not use words that are related to the occasion instead of the old numbering style? Print these words in white cards and you can stick them on the wine bottles served to each table.

Do you have your own budget-saving wedding reception tips? Feel free to share it by leaving a comment.

All About Your Wedding Invitation

Here are important points to think about when planning and preparing your wedding invitations:

How Much?

Set a reasonable budget for your wedding invitations. Depending on your budget, you can either scrimp or splurge.

If you have the money to spend, you can choose a more luxurious wedding invitation. But remember, even if you want to spend, be sure to compare prices first before placing your order.

On the other hand, it's okay if you decide to be thrifty. That doesn't mean you should settle for poorly-designed wedding invitations. You can still find printers that offer a variety of styles in prices that fit your budget. Also, If you're ordering your invitations, make sure that they are delivered at least 4 to 8 weeks ahead of your wedding day.

Should I Make My Own Wedding Invitations?

Do-It-Yourself wedding invitations can be a big budget-saver. But before you decide to make your own, carefully consider three things.

• Do you really know how to make them?
• Do you have the time to make them? (especially if you're planning a large wedding and you have a long guest list)
• Can you finish them on time?

If someone volunteers to help in making your invitations, that's great! But "Can they guarantee that they can help you with this task until it's completed?" Their intentions may be good, but sometimes, work or unexpected things get in the way and disappointments can happen. If you don't have that much time, it may be best to just order customized wedding invitations from a reliable printer.

From experience, I wish I had more time to come up with a more beautiful design. I thought it was going to be very easy, but when we start with the designing and printing, it took us many hours and weeks before we finished. Because we were in a rush, we did not have time to buy the materials we need in bulk so we actually spent more than we should have.

At that time, I was worried, irritated, and anxious about the whole thing. There was too much going on that making invitations ourselves seemed so out-of-hand. At that moment, I was wishing that we'd just ordered our invitations so there would be less hassle. But we're through with it and it turned out fine, thankfully.

How many?

Whether you choose to order or print your own invitations, create a list of people that you want to invite. It's best to order/print at least 10-15 extra pieces just in case you forgot someone. Don't forget to reserve your own personal copy as well as souvenir copies for yours and your fiance's family.

What about the style?

Formal wedding invitations are traditionally placed inside 2 envelopes (one mailing envelop and a special envelope for the actual wedding invitation). Today, you can find modern or contemporary styles that do not use envelopes at all.

For example, postcard style or greeting card style wedding invitations are becoming more in demand these days. They also come in a variety of sizes so you're not just limited to the standard 5"x7" size. On a limited budget? These options are definitely worth considering. You can save a lot with contemporary style wedding invitations.

Addressed to who?

If you want the whole family to attend your wedding, you can address the envelope as _____ (surname) Family. However, if you want to limit your guests, you can simply address it to Mr. and Mrs. _______, and include an RSVP note that specifies the number of seats you've reserved for them.

For example,

"We have reserved 2 seats for you."
RSVP: (you and your fiance's contact numbers)

Addressing the envelopes with your own handwriting is the traditional and preferred way because it adds a more personal touch. It's also a good way to make sure that no one is missed or forgotten. Don't forget to check the correct spellings of the names of the guests that you're inviting. Imagine how you'd feel if your name was misspelled.

What should they wear?

Don't forget to note the ATTIRE in your wedding invitation's RSVP card. This way, your guests would have the right idea of what to wear to your wedding. You don't want your guest to feel embarassed if he/she shows up in a casual wear when everyone else is in their suits, gowns and formal attire.

Knowing what the theme is (ex. ballroom wedding, beach wedding or garden wedding) gives your guests the freedom to dress in their own styles yet still appropriate for the occasion.

Typos anyone?


Again whether you're ordering or making your own wedding invitations, make sure that it has the proper wordings and that there is not a single typo in it. Remember, it will be preserved for a lifetime so you want to make everything right.

When to send?

Ideally, you should have already sent out your invitations about 6 weeks before your wedding day. This will give your invited guests enough time to make plans, prepare, arrange their schedules and confirm their attendance.

What is the meaning of RSVP?

Invitations, particulary wedding invitations often include RSVP cards with them. In our own wedding invitations, we also included RSVP cards with both our contact numbers listed on them.

But what do the letters RSVP really mean? What should you do if you received an invitation with an RSVP on it?

RSVP stands for the French phrase "respondez s'il vous plait". In English, these four words simply mean "respond if you please" or "please respond".

Why are these letters often used in invitations? Some people think it means that the recipient should respond if he would be able to attend, while others think that the recipient should only respond if he WILL NOT be able to make it. Both notions are wrong.

RSVP means, the recipient should contact the host of the event and confirm whether he or she will be able to attend the said occasion. Therefore, the next time you received an invitation to a gala or a party or a wedding with RSVP on it, you should always respond properly at least a few weeks or days before the event takes place.

Why is this very important? Formal events like weddings can be a large gathering or small. In any case, the host needs to know the exact headcount or the exact number of guests to expect on that day so that he/she can make the appropriate preparations (for ex. for the tables & chairs, dinnerware, the food, the tokens to be given away, etc).

With this in mind, it is but proper for a guest to RSVP or "respond" to the invitation sent as soon as possible.

Choosing the Right People for Your Wedding Entourage

Aside from planning your wedding date and venue, choosing the people who will be part of your wedding entourage is also one of the firsts and most important steps in your planning and preparing.

Who should you choose to be part of your wedding entourage?

Anyone from the bride and groom's family, relatives and close friends can play a role in the entourage. Remember that members of the entourage are not merely VIPs or wallflowers.

They are chosen to do specific tasks or perform duties for the success of the wedding. Make sure that the people you choose are capable and most-willing to do their share to make your wedding day as best as can be.

Here are the basic line-up of a traditional wedding entourage:

Wedding Officiator. The person who will officiate your marriage. He must be licensed and legally ordained by the law to officiate weddings.

Parents of the Bride/Groom. A wedding is happiest with the blessing of both the bride's and the groom's parents. Next to the bride and groom, they lead the line-up of the whole entourage. Obviously, they are not chosen! =)

Principal Sponsors. The marriage license needs to be signed by two official witnesses. This is the role of the principal sponsors. But more than this, the principal sponsors must also be ready to provide support to the newlyweds not only on the day of their wedding but beyond as well.

Secondary Sponsors. Some couples choose to add Secondary Sponsors to their wedding entourage. They may perform traditional rites such as lighting candles, binding the ropes, clothing the veils, etc.

Best Man. Also called the Man of Honor, he is the groom's personal assistant. The groom's brother or best friend is often chosen to be the Best Man. He should help the groom carry out errands before the wedding, on the wedding day, and sometimes even after the wedding.

The bestman may be asked to keep and safeguard the wedding ring until the big day. He is also in charge of setting up the stag party or bachelor party for the groom and his buddies.

Maid of Honor. Like the bestman, the maid of honor is the bride's personal assistant. If she's already married, she is called the Matron of honor. She's expected to help the bride with all her planning and preparation.

She must accompany the bride to her errands like shopping for her wedding dress, do trial make-ups, send out wedding invitations, contact guests or other members of the entourage, organize schedules, etc.

The maid of honor or matron of honor is also in charge of planning and preparing the bridal shower or the bachellorette party which is supposed to be a surprise for the bride.

On the wedding day, the maid of honor should be ready to assist the bride at all times. She must help the bride with her gown- to make sure that her train and veil are well-arranged as she walks, to hold the wedding bouquet when needed, be the bride's personal messenger, and be the bride's shoulder when needed.

Groomsmen and bridesmaids. They are pairs of bachelors and bachellorettes who will not only march down the aisle, but also help out with the wedding preparations.

Flower Girls. Young girls that are old enough to walk on their own can be chosen as flower girls. They often carry baskets of flowers that are scattered down the aisle as they make their entrance.

Bible Bearer and Ring Bearer. Young boys are often chosen to carry the bible and the wedding ring for the bride and groom.

Ushers and usherrettes. They are men and women who are chosen to greet guests as they arrive on the venue, lead them to their respective seats, ask guests to sign up their guestbook, carry wedding gifts to the table, distribute wedding tokens, and give assistance whenever necessary. The couple can also assign specific tasks to their ushers and
usherrettes before and after the wedding.

Director of the feast. The director of the feast is chosen to oversee this very important occassion. His duty is to make sure that everything is organized and well-taken care of on the day of the wedding. He organizes the rehearsals to make sure that everyone in the entourage is prepared to do their march.

The parents of the bride and groom, as well as the best man and the maid of honor, are often asked to give a wedding speech during the reception. Thus, after completing your list, notify them immediately about their privilege of becoming part of your wedding entourage. This way, each of them can better prepare and take on their duties happily and responsibly.

On Choosing Your Wedding Venue

When to make reservations?

You should make reservations as soon as you've made the final decision about the date and the venue for your wedding. Popular wedding venues such as hotels or clubhouses may be the hardest to confirm.

You may need to make reservations a few months in advance in order to hire the place. Sometimes you may find that your preferred venue is already booked for the whole year.

Nevertheless, it's important not to rush with your decisions. Making reservations usually involves a non-refundable fee so you want to be sure that you've made the right choice. Research all your possible options, explore your choices, and weigh each factor carefully.  Continue reading.

Read more tips on choosing your wedding venue.  

Choosing the Right Day for Your Wedding

Setting the right wedding date can never be overlooked. In our case, I was hoping to get married on the month of February but we ended up getting married on March. If I could go back, we would have planned our wedding much sooner than we did. Well, we had a happy wedding so it was great.

Still, for couples who are planning for their BIG day, there are four things that you'll want to consider before choosing your wedding date. Here are some tips that you may find handy:

Make sure that the people you love would make it. My brother wasn't able to attend our wedding because he was on board their ship at that time. So was my best friend who was in Canada. My cousin missed it because the 30th was her flight to Dubai.

Some of the people closest to me missed our wedding because we hadn't planned it sooner. This is especially true if some of your relatives and friends live out-of-the-country or out-of-state. If you're going to set your wedding date, will everyone who you want to be there be able to make it?

Make sure that your venue is available. Whether you want a hotel wedding or a garden wedding, make sure that the place you'll hire would be available. If you've made the final decision, make reservations as early as you can.

Consider the weather. Is it going to be a rainy season? If you want an outdoor or a garden wedding, the weather can be a big problem. But if you're okay with an indoor setting, a little rain shouldn't be a problem. Winter seasons can make the occassion more inconvenient than it's supposed to be. I guess, this is why June weddings and summer weddings are so popular.

Consider your budget. Getting married on holiday seasons can threaten a limited budget. For example, we got married on a March, which was a graduation month here in the Philippines so the flowers we needed were more expensive than usual. Even if we're in Baguio, we had to cut back on the flowers because prices were actually doubled compared to off-peak months.