Christmas wedding theme is common as many couples find Holiday season the perfect time to tie the knot. Getting married during this season is also fun and economical since churches and reception areas are already decorated with traditional decor that goes well with the Christmas theme wedding.

Here are some tips and ideas for a Christmas Theme Wedding

1. Check with your church beforehand because they may already have decorated for christmas. If not, try christmas lights wrapped in tulle or white ribbon. This will give a snowy, romantic effect. Other option is luminaries lining the church driveway are a really neat decoration and cheap too.



2. At the reception, you may want to have strands of Christmas lights at your reception. Drape them over doorways, staircases, food service tables, the wedding cake table, and just about any place that needs a little mood light. You may also consider to put a Christmas tree and hang Christmas ornaments that can also serve as your wedding favors for the guests.
   
   Garden venues like the Father Blanco’s Garden, Patio Victoria and Fernwoods Garden are perfect for this type of theme. The trees inside the area are even decorated with strands of lights that adds elegance to the ambiance.



3. Choose wedding attire for the bridesmaids and groomsmen that match the colors and fabrics of the season. Shades of green and red are very popular.
4. The bride and groom may choose to arrive at the reception by horse-drawn carriage or sleigh if it would be possible for you to do so. One of your Christmas wedding ideas might include having your sleigh driver dressed as Santa.
5. For music, mix Christmas carols (classic and contemporary) with other favorites. You also could arrange a Christmas music sing-a-long, or have carolers stop by at each table. This would be a great activity to get the children involved in the wedding.
6. You can send invite fashioned like a Christmas card. As Christmas cards become less and less popular, an invite with that theme is a novelty.

Statistically in the Philippines, December is the month with the most number of weddings. That means you have to book your church and reception well ahead of time. If you can, try to avoid the most sought after churches like the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church. There are churches that are equally beautiful like the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Guadalupe Church.

Finding a reception is also difficult for this season so just like the church, it must be booked at least a year. You’ll find that there are dates(especially weekends), that are booked two years in advance. The tip here is to choose any day other than Saturday so Sunday is your next choice.

But at any rate, Christmas season is still one of the best time for your wedding. The mood is festive, it is a time for giving and definitely, it is a time for love. And as we have said, the lights and decorations may help you cut cost.

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Malou Castillejos is one of Philippine’s premier fashion designers. Her creations exude elegance and grace with very feminine details perfect for any bride. She specializes in fine embroidery and very delicate hand bead work.

Her presence in the bridal industry started in 1999 when she first showcased her talent for designing wedding gowns at the Rituals Bridal Show at Dusit Hotel in Makati in March of that year. Since then, brides from all over the country would come to see her at her atelier in Quezon City. Words came around about this young and talented designer and soon enough, international magazines featured her as one of the most promising designers of the Philippines. Her name gained recognition internationally when she got invited to showcase her gowns in many international bridal shops which opened great opportunities for her to serve brides all around the globe.

In the recent Kasalan 2008 Bridal Fair last October in SM MegaMall’s Megatrade Hall, Malou Castillejos was chosen as the recipient of the “PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD“. The award is yet another testament to her professionalism and excellent craftsmanship. With her passion to design gowns and her wealth of practical knowledge behind her, she can be any bride’s Dream Designer.

Featured Gowns

Sketches by Malou Castillejos

Contact Information - The Perfect Gown

Address : 10 Cecilleville St., White Plains, Quezon City, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (+632) 9138993 or (+632) 9138936
Mobile Nos : +639178943859 (Nona)
+639178325885 (Malou)
+639178950003 (Ada)
Email : info@perfectgowndepot.com
Websites : http://www.perfectgowndepot.com/

Additional Pictures after the jump

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Getting engaged and planning a wedding brings with it an attack of etiquette questions. Steer through the confusion with some wedding etiquette guide.

Bridal Shower Etiquette

Let your sister or a bridesmaid host your bridal shower. It is appropriate if you give her a list of female friends. Don’t invite everyone you know just because you want to receive more gifts.

Wedding Announcement

Announce your upcoming wedding in the local newspaper and supply a casual photo of the two of you. Keep the announcement of your engagement short.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Send wedding invitations at least 3 weeks before the ceremony date. With today’s desktop publishing software, you can make your own or have them professionally printed. Include the place, time, date and a small romantic verse with your invitation.

Guests Invitation Etiquette

Invite all wedding attendees to the reception. While some brides and grooms feel it is too expensive to host a full reception for all attendees, it is rude to pick and choose who may attend the reception. Serve less expensive dishes instead of cutting down the guest list.

If you are thinking about the option of an Adults Only wedding reception, indicate that the reception is to be adults only by having the words “Adults Only Reception” or “Adult Reception” printed along with the reception location and time on the invitation.

Wedding Budget Etiquette

Share wedding expenses. Traditionally, the bride’s parents are responsible for fronting the bill for the wedding reception; these days, the bride’s parents, groom’s parents, and the couple themselves all contribute to the wedding pool. That said, it helps to come to the budgeting table prepped with the traditional list of which side pays for what.

Reception Etiquette

Everyone should feel comfortable at the reception. Use place cards at the tables so people will be with others that they are compatible with. Have a seating chart where they enter so that they don’t have to search for their table.

Asking for Monetary Gifts

Avoid drawing attention to the cash with a “money tree,” or other cash-displaying gimmick, so guests bringing tangible gifts don’t feel awkward. Simply display all cards and gifts together for the bride to open and acknowledge.

Thank You Notes

Bestow a small present upon all attendants to show your appreciation for their participation in your special day. In addition, the thank you note for the bridal shower gift should be sent shortly after the shower and the thank you note for the wedding should be mailed out shortly after the wedding ceremony.

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