In our previous Birthday Party Celebration Tips article we ended up with number 3. For this article, we will start with that one.
3. Add unusual booths like Vendo Machines, Wheeled Candy Carts, Photo booth, etc.
Instead of providing a table for drinks, rent a vendo machine where guests can get their drinks by inserting a special coin or a peso coin for donation. All the money to be collected will not go to you, but for a special charity or to the church where you held your wedding ceremony. You can also add a Photo Booth or Instagram Booth, but in this case the photos will be printed and not uploaded. Bring back the value of developed photos with this creative booth.
Some celebrations might take long, and people just want to keep on eating. Provide snack tables for them. One creative idea is to put mini chocolates in different sizes in big jars, add sprinkles, pretzels, and gummy bears. Then provide cups where the guest can scoop up the snack of their choice. Or hire people to walk around carrying several sweets, they may look like the food vendors during a baseball or football game. Another version of this is a Wheeled Candy Cart. Or you can hire a Sorbetes cart, or Street Food cart. Guests will surely go crazy on these additions.
4. Own your menu. Instead of getting the whole family to prepare and cook the food, why not go for food catering? You can suggest your personal preferences, and even ask them to make your favorites and family recipes. Offer something new and exotic during your event, and you will feel like a guest in your own party. Try mixing different cuisines from different places, and remove the usual party foods like Spaghetti, Adobo, and Fried Chicken. Go crazy with Ramen, Baked Fries, and our own Kakanin. Lay-out your own favorite foods to amaze you instead of plating the usual foods to please your guests.
5. Discover talent from your family. Ask them to make presentations that you have in mind, like a video timeline of you and your mom. Ask relatives to sing your favorite songs instead of playing them in the speakers. Create witty games or play traditional games you love to play.
6. Honor your ancestors by making your wedding a bit like where you came from. If you’re from Ilocos then wear weaved table mats or decorations. Use bamboo tables, or make the stage look like a Bahay Kubo.
7. Ask your guests to wear something unique. This can be a personalized pin or yellow t-shirt or a bracelet. This will really stand out in photos, and will make your celebration unique.
8. Instead of asking guests to leave a message for you, try other creative methods. Like ask them to write a prayer for you, or to suggest a song for you. Instead of a piece of paper, why not ask them to write on a wood jigsaw puzzle. You can also set up a photo booth where their picture will be taken and they will write a message for you at the back so that you can remember them after 10 years.
Plated or Buffet? Whether you are planning a wedding, birthday, reunion, or any celebration, it is very important to harmonize everything. Your theme should match the venue and the food, and your food should be enough to serve all your guests. Although sometimes coordinating these three elements can be tricky because of last minute changes, like more people came than you expected or some were not able to go, you just have to be prepared. In this case, you might be asking, what is better: Buffet Style or Plated Meals?
Let’s first differentiate the two. Buffet is when meals are laid out in a long table. Condiments are one end, and the people will fall in line while serving themselves. Or in some cases, there are waiters to help you guests. While plated meals is simply handing out already filled plates to guests. No need to stand-up, the waiters will take care of this.
So, which is better than the two? None of them actually. The style of food service is dependent more on the people and the availability of resources. To elaborate this more, let’s give some situations.
When to go Buffet
It’s a birthday celebration and you have invited your friends, relatives, and the whole neighborhood. Let’s say, 50 or more people have confirmed to attend. The venue is your front yard, and after setting the tables and chairs around you found out there’s still some space. So, now the food. You prepare the usual, meals that kids and adults both like. However, you don’t know what food will first run out or what meal will most likely be untouched. So, the best option is: Buffet style.
When you are not sure of the exact number of people, choose Buffet. The same goes when you don’t know what people would most likely want to eat. It would be a waste if you serve chicken on a plated meal, but only half of your guests ate it. So lay out more choices for them in a Buffet table, like a variety of chicken, beef, and seafood. Another option to consider is the venue. Buffet style will most likely to cause long lines and heavy traffic, because people might have a long time choosing and serving themselves. Sometimes, they even chat in front of the table, oblivious to the people waiting in line. Don’t choose Buffet Style to avoid overcrowding and waiting.
When to choose Plated Meals
Plated meals are a more appropriate option during formal events or those with a time limit. Imagine a seminar or business meeting, every minute is precious so as to make the most out of the event. Lunch is nearing, and surely it will only be for an hour. Instead of asking your participants to stand up and serve themselves, let the food come to them while they are sitting and going around with what they are doing. In some cases, you can even continue with the program while they are eating. It’s hitting two birds with one stone. This is also an option if you have limited resources, you don’t want to waste food by serving so many entrees or you don’t have space for a buffet table.
A wedding ceremony is one of the most important event in a person’s life, especially here in the Philippines, where these occasions are sacred to our culture. So to couples that are planning to spend the rest of their lives in each other’s arms, it is important to know the importance of weddings in our culture.
Various cultures and religions in the Philippines also reflect many betrothal rites. However, in our modern generation, knowing the major types of wedding ceremonies is an essential knowledge for couples-to-be. So here are the three types of wedding marriage types that are mainly held and accepted here in the Philippines:
- Religious Wedding. This type of weddings is mainly associated with religious beliefs and is the most commonly held weddings in the country. The ceremony is convened in the church where the bride, usually in long white wedding gown walks down the aisle while the groom waits at the altar. Principal sponsors and other roles in the event such as bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, and ring bearers. It is lead by a priest or pastor. Sometimes, difficulties arise when the couple has different beliefs, but there are many ways for two different religions to join together in this sacred moment.
- Civil Wedding. This wedding is presided by public officials such as the judge, the mayor, or the governor, and is held usually in the courtroom. Unlike church weddings, civil weddings can be attended by only a few people, thus suggested for those that are on a low budget, but are ready to pursue a lifelong commitment to each other. After the ceremony, the marriage certificate will be enough legal proof that the marriage has been recognized by the law.
- Military Wedding. As its name suggests, a military wedding is held possible if one is or both are members of the military forces, although the couple still has the option of doing either a church or civil wedding. What’s unique about it is that other military members raise their swords and form arcs as the couple exits the aisle.
These weddings can be done not only by couples who are both Filipinos, but also to those couples where one of them is of foreign origin. There are just only a few documents to process such as the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage and can be obtained at embassies of their respective countries here in the Philippines. Other documents, such as passport, divorce decree (if the foreigner is previously married), and death certificate (if the foreigner is a widow or widower) can also be needed.
Planning the wedding ceremony is the next step. Go online and look for suppliers and book a year or a couple of months before your big event to prevent any setbacks for example your favorite caterer is already fully booked on the date of your wedding so you have to look for another catering services provider. Flower shop, wedding organizer, wedding singers, photographers, videographers, and of course the venue are just some of the suppliers that you have to consider booking early for.
Love is indeed something to be thankful for. And if a happy couple wishes to have their dream wedding, it must be done wholeheartedly and truthfully, whatever process their vows to each other will be said.
We Pinoys have this tradition of hospitality and sharing, even during tough times we still remember to share and give what we have to the people around us. This tradition has lived for many years, like during Fiestas, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Despedidas and Weddings. In a way It somehow revives the bayanihan spirit which is something unique to us Filipinos. For us, every occasion is special, which also calls for exceptional services. Should you hire a caterer?
Preparing for a celebration isn’t done in a rush, it takes time, money, resources, a lot of panning, and talking to a lot people. For some, this might be burdensome especially if they have very little time juggling family, work, and personal needs. But you needn’t worry, because there is always an alternative. The solution to this is to go for a reputable and established Catering Services. Should you hire a caterer? Organizing a party will be easier if you hire a caterer.
In every occasion, whether big or small, formal or informal, we all want to look our best. We don’t want to flaunt under eye circles or doze off in the middle of the event because we are extremely tired preparing and cooking food for our special event. Aside from that, it is also a must that we entertain our guests and make sure that everyone is alright. But, can we really do all those after doing all the preparations yourself?
This is where hiring a catering service comes in. Should you hire a caterer for your party? Setting aside the notions of sentiment, money, and inadequacies, availing a catering service will do a lot more for you and your guests.
You might think that the celebration won’t be that special since you yourself did not cook the food, arrange the venue, etc. But hey, won’t that actually save you time and effort? Not only that, but it also gives you an advantage with the resources. Catering services offers a package of chairs, tables, seat covers, table clothes, and other stuff to decorate the venue. This will help you save a lot rather than individually renting these items. And actually, you decide and choose everything that will be included for the catering service, so the event is still you.
Second, money. A lot of people think that catering services are expensive. But the truth is, it depends. If you’re hosting a small group of people and you have a lot of time, then go and do everything on your own. But if the occasion calls for the whole community or your whole clan, then you might reconsider doing everything on your own. Besides, it’s not wrong to seek help.
Lastly, some people think that catering services are inadequate. They feel that the food prepared is “tinipid.” True or not, the thing here is to find a reliable and quality catering service where you will get the most out of your money. Plus, catering services offer a variety of food menus, some of which may be exotic and a good option if you want to impress other people. You can also suggest your fancies to the catering service provider, that way you will get satisfied with the outcome.
Catering services offer a variety of packages and themes, all these are full of different choices you can select on. Whether Baptism, Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, Debut, Party, Seminar, Lunch/Dinner, or any occasion, catering services can be arranged to fit any event.
Are you ready to set that big party blowout? Or do you still have doubts and questions?
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Time for a celebration! Just because it’s another usual birthday party doesn’t mean you have to celebrate it like everyone else does. Step up, be creative, and own your celebration with a bang! If you want to be unique and impress other people, as well as create history and trend in social media sites, then go ahead and personalize your own party. Right now, you might be confused or afraid because you don’t know how to do it or how people will see your personalized party. But hey, hundreds of people around the world have taken the step to party evolution. Now it’s your time to shine, and we are definitely here to guide you.
- Theme. If you want your party to be you, then choose a theme that would best represent you or what you love. Most events are commonly held at home, public parks, hotels, dining halls, etc. If you are a fan of games, fun rides, adrenaline rides, etc; why don’t you spend your birthday in a carnival or themed park? Maybe you can even afford Enchanted Kingdom or Star City?
If you and your loved one shared your first kiss in the beach, then why not hold your wedding there? You can even add a twist by hiring a ferry and celebrate in the middle of the sea. A lot of couples have personalized their wedding by marrying at the lake where they love to go fishing, or in the bar they first met. Even a wedding in a hospital is possible.
- Personalize everything. From the colors to the utensils, you can set all of these to be awesome and unique. What are the things in your party that you can personalize?
Party Blowers. Instead of the usual spray of confetti and ribbons, you can change it to feathers, candies, paper mache snowflakes or other shapes, and even stuff toys! Or, if you don’t want party blowers, then switch to sparklers. They are called “lusis” in Tagalog. Just be extra careful with this one though.
Ribbons and Sash. Ribbons can have your name inscribed on it, or create your own ribbon design by looking for tutorials in the internet. Aside from the usual sash, why not change it with your photos lined on a string. Your guests will be busy pouring over those pictures. If it’s your 20th birthday, then line up photos from your birthday and one each year older.
Balloons. Instead of those individual balloons on a sticky, why not go for three small balloons in a string? Or instead of balloons, replace it with flowers or colorful flags?
Invitations. There are a lot of cute and amazing invitation ideas online. If you both work in a school, then make your wedding invitations look like a blackboard or a notebook or record book. You can play from business cards, newspaper clipping, post card, wanted sign, or etched in wood.
Dinner wares. Place names on mugs, this can also serve as your guest’s tokens. If you have money, then place your name on the handles of the spoons and forks.
Tables and chairs. Find a company that offers tables and chairs rental near you so you can easily customize the motif for your party. Most companies offer a selection of colors and themes that you can match to what you like.
- Add unusual booths like Vendo Machines, Wheeled Candy Carts, Photo booth, etc. If it is a kiddie party getting a candy buffet would definitely be a great addition.