Reception Venue (Unilab Bayanihan Center): Booked

The next that we checked is the venue. Unilab Bayanihan Center was actually recommended to me by the same friend who advised of the 3 essentials that I need to book first. I called to inform them that we wanted to have the ocular. We visited the place one November afternoon. We immediately liked the venue so we pencil-booked the place. However, it was only in January (about 3 months later) that we paid the reservation because another party was interested in the place.

The Bayanihan Center is indoor events place. Aside from wedding, this is mainly used for conferences. A famous event being held here annually is the Komikon. There are two big halls that can be rented. We decided to rent the bigger hall, which can accommodate up to 400 guests, even if ours is just 150 pax. We opted for the bigger venue because it is more spacious and has windows (more like floor to ceiling glass).

(+)
- Compared to bigger or more famous venues, this is cheaper. Rent for five hours is just P22K. Ingress/Egress hours is for P2K per hour.
- Big indoor venue to accommodate the event
- 15 minutes drive from the Church
- parking is free
- Julie Anne Vales is very much accommodating. She answers queries through phone.

(-)
- Unlike the bigger/famous venues, there are limited spaces which provide for a beautiful backdrop. That is why I am thankful that our church and hotel provide various opportunities for pictorial
- Indoor cooking is not allowed. Our caterer has an on-the-spot Mongolian station and that cannot be accommodated (we have to choose then another dish which does not require on-the-spot cooking)
- Use of lobby is free except if to be used as an area where cocktails will be served.

Church (Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish): Booked

An advice given to me by a friend who has already gotten married is to book the 3 essentials first: church, reception venue and caterer. The important is all these three area available on the bride's preferred date. Thus, even if E's family has not yet gone to my family for the traditional pamamanhikan, we already started inquiring and pencil booking these three suppliers.

I didn't have a hard time deciding on what church I wanted to get married. My mind was set all along that I wanted my wedding to be at Sta. Clara de Montefalco. This church holds a lot of memories for me. We used to live near the church. We used to attend mass here when the church was nothing but a tent beside a garbage dumpsite. I enjoyed the homilies conducted by Father Rei Llorca and I only wish that he would be our priest officiant in the ceremony.

The facade of the church is really beautiful. It seems that there are a lot of places in the parish that can serve as a background for stunning pictures.

Inquiring and pencil booking is easy. A couple just need to go to the parish's office, fill-out a form and the staff (Ms. Fanny) will give you the church wedding guidelines.

The price is only P10K and already inclusive of electricity consumption, flowers, carpet, and musicians.

However, the Church is really serious about holding the nuptial mass there. They require that aside from the couple, photographers, videographers and the wedding coordinator attend a seminar to ensure proper flow of the program and respect to the ceremony.

We are still completing all forms and have not yet gotten to the canonical interview or pre-wedding interview.

For now, here are pictures that we've taken when we inquired: