I'm having my wedding in the Philippines...there's over a 1000 people invited...I'm way in over my head. Help!

Whoa... That is a LOT of people!

The venue is GORGEOUS though!!

The way we're eliminating "picture time" between ceremony & reception, is doing most of our pictures beforehand. With or without FH (Future Husband)

We may or may not do a "first look" but we're going to take all the pics w/ family and BP before the ceremony, then only a few of just us while the reception is starting!

For 2. Favors aren't mandatory. If there's nothing that immediately springs to mind and you're feeling the pressure already, don't worry about them.

One way to get photos without making your guests wait would be to take photos before the ceremony. That way everything is done with, you can grab a few more shots before you head off to the reception and your guests don't have to wait for you.

The resort looks lovely, btw! Very picturesque!

Here's my advice:

1) have one of his relatives who lives in that area help you 2 out by hiring a wedding planner; that's the best way to ease your stress esp for a destination wedding because you can have them email you the details.

2) have you thought of Sea shells as your theme? or capiz shells vases with candles inside (ask your fiance about this)

maybe some edible? like a filipino dessert for your favors?

3) I remember when I went to a filipino wedding in the Philippines (desitination wedding as well) the couple & families went and did their in between photos as soon as the ceremony was over

and we were told in the programs & by the wedding coordinator to go to the reception site and enjoy drinks (mango/ coconut juice etc) and the entertainment (traditional filipino dancers) and there were traditional suits/dresses the men & women who werent from the philippines to try on and take photos as souvenirs=)

4) and enjoy your 1000 guest =) holy moly! hehe

You need Analy!! I am pretty sure that is where she planned her 1 year vow renewal.

1000 people? Holy crap. I hope you're not maying for every single one!

I was gonna say.. You need Analy. She planned her vow renewal from the states. She'd be a big help.

PAGING ANALY

Holy smokes! 1000 people?! The venue looks dreamy

Congrats, good luck and please keep us posted along the way

Page recieved! Yea, we just got back about a month ago from our vow renewal in PI. What island/ provence is this? It doesn't ring a bell with me. 1000 people, girl you are so crazy! LOL I totally get that though, family is huge for them. As far as momentos, anything with photos on it are great! They love that.

You will need to use local everything, from flowers to food, everything. Anything imported is insanely expensive. Do you have a planner over there? You need one...

Holy crap 1000 people?! Lord. That's a LOT of people. Good luck! :-) I'm of no help since Analy's here :-)

With 1000 people, I would def skip the favors. Good luck!

I'm having my wedding in the Philippines as well (12/2011) but I'm not having that many people. From the sounds of it though, you invited family, friends, neighbors, and their mothers. Typical Flip wedding so it's understandable but man, Ilocos Norte. That's FAR! Are you flying into Manila?

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If you can see my inspiration board, I found something semi-related to a Filipino theme reception. The table is set with beautiful green shades and abaca fans (which you can get for cheap in Divisoria [sp?] in bulk)...

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Don't feel too overwhelmed by the number of guests btw. PI is not expensive if you know what you want and if you have people available (FH's family?) to help you find great deals/haggle and do negotiations for you.

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Check out kasal.ph and see if there are vendors that you can search online and then have FH's family )or wedding planner if you're hiring one, can check out.

Btw, feel free to PM me if you want... I might have some info I can share and crap. I've been travelling to the Philippines since the age of 2 and I lived there for 8 years.

I have actually been there! AND IT IS GORGEOUS! The area for the ceremony and reception is right next to the pool overlooking the ocean. LOVE IT! it's actually my goal to go there a few years after my wedding to have a reception there with our families who can't attend here in the states. And it's the philippines...1000 ppl is a lot, but the food is cheaper so money wise, it won't be soo bad (i think we spent $100 to feed 30 ppl at the resort). y not add bamboo to the tropical flowers? photography is cheap there...y not do a "photobooth" type thing for favors. the gazebo when decorated would be a nice backdrop...you can have them printed and send em out with your thank you cards? i'm guessing you can just have his family in the philippines hand em out instead of mailing each individual. that's how i would do it. or if you want to give something right then and there, ask him to ask his family out there for favor ideas. they can do almost anything.

Wow that is crazyness! In a good way though. My only advice is to get a planner there and chuck the favor idea because most are ignored and if you spend $3 a person that is still $3,000!!! The money (imho) could go to much more memorable parts to the wedding or even a honeymoon.

You may want to skip the favors since your having so many people!

For shaving time off of the pictures:

1. Take family pictures (with or without your future husband) before the ceremony at the tail end of the getting ready shots.

2. The pictures for you and your husband directly after the ceremony need to be in a close location (preferably less than 5 or 10 minutes)

3. Instead of a receiving line, pictures at the tables, or any other form of trying to take pictures with small groups of guests, take one large picture. It would take about 15 minutes to set up (will need a ladder, a fisheye lens, and some decent lighting) and you would have a picture with all of the guests.

Best of luck!

Everyone. Thank you so much for all of your advice! Great tips, a few things I didn't really even think about and yet sooo simple. Thank you thank you!! I'll keep everyone posted with upcoming choices with the wedding. Wasn't sure how I'd like using a website tool like weddingwire for my wedding.BUT,Thank you all for making this a pleasent experience for a shy kinda girl.

*ANALY* It's about 30 mins south of Laoag.Your right were trying to keep it as local as possible when it comes to the vendors. We're having all our flowers planted now at the family house so when we get married next we'll have fresh picked local flowers!

Here's what I have so far:

Our wedding cake will be made by a local baker DEXTER'S BAKERY, love love love. He hand drew it right there. He's incorporating my dress detail, our wedding colors from the invitation, and it taste so divine. Yum yum.

We're having a local photographer DAVID FABROS take photos and he's been a pleasure to work with so far.

**Miya** We'll be flying into Manila then a lil plane to Laoag. Your right it's everyone and there mother...lol. However, so it's not a crazy bash, we're going to have a formal ceremony and formal reception 11-11-11 which will be about 250-300. The next day will if the informal day where 1000 people will come. So were trying to keep it balanced for family and close personal friends and then have a "Open" day where everyone may enjoy in the local festivities...FIREDANCERS! Thanks for the tips!

So it's NOT a crazy bash @ 250 people?!?!

Wow, my hat is off to you, your wedding will be a feat!

Yeah, that's typical. My wedding is going to be in that same style/tradition. Formal ceremony and reception one day and the next day is the informal one where you invite "everyone else" for food and drinks and entertainment. I thought your 1k guests was specifically for your formal ceremony/reception portion.

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Since you only have around 250-300 invited guests, you might as well do the favors. Maybe get them in Manila before you guys head to Laoag.

Get a local restaurant to cater ginataang halo-halo to serve with the cake. THAT can be your "favor" to everyone. Its super good.