Choosing the Church and the Reception Venue

It was an easy decision for us to get married in Tagaytay City (okay, there were some contentions at first, but I won eventually). We are both from Cavite, and there is no way we will get married outside this province. We initially wanted to try and get married in St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church in Kawit. That was where I grew up, where I was baptized, etc. while his uncle was the parish priest there for 13 years before passing away. To say that the church holds significance to both of us is an understatement. Plus, have you seen how beautiful that church is? All Spanish bricks and floor-to-ceiling altar—magnificent!!!

The problem is we cannot find a decent reception venue near Kawit. Island Cove is a no-no for me. I never liked their food, and I never liked the ambiance of the place. It was too Filipino for my taste and liking. We would have wanted to have our reception at Josephine’s Restaurant in Kawit because that’s where the fiance’s parents had their wedding reception (after getting married at St. Mary), but it was already closed.

I checked out a garden venue near LTO in Kawit, but it didn’t pass my standards. So, we went back to the original plan—to have it in Tagaytay.

Here is a list of churches in and near Tagaytay. I would have wanted to get married at The Transfiguration Chapel in Caleruega, but that’s already in Batangas and we have to get married in Cavite.

TAGAYTAY CHURCHES

CHURCHES	PRICE	ADDRESS / INCLUSIONS	REQUIREMENTS	TAAL VIEW?	CHOIR?	PRIEST?
LOURDES CHURCH	P15,000 (as of 2011)	Aguinaldo Highway, Silang Crossing West, 4120 Tagaytay City (046) 413.0758 0932- 8597993	Birth Certificate Cenomar Baptismal Certificate Confirmation Certificate 3 pcs of 1×1 1 piece of 2×2 Interview Pre-Cana Seminar Marriage Banns Permission from the Groom or Bride’s Parish Priest Marriage License List of Sponsors Review of Marriage License Confession	NO
ST. SCHOLASTICA’S CENTER OF SPIRITUALITY				NO
CHAPEL ON THE HILL		Don Bosco Batulao, Batangas (02) 743-5614 0926-6163301 0906 - 8144474 info@donboscobatulao.org		NO	NO	NO
HILLCREEK CHAPEL	P10,000	134 Tagaytay-Alfonso Road, Brgy. Sikat, Alfonso, Cavite 0917-8305413 0922-8495413 0917-3245413 0917-8375413 www.hillcreekgardenstagaytay.com		NO	NO	NO
MADRE DE DIOS CHAPEL	P27,000	Tagaytay Highlands Wedding donation for the San Guillermo Parish Documentation fees Red carpet Simple altar flower arrangements Basic sound system Air-condition		YES

I also compiled a list of reception venues in Tagaytay City (with prices and other amenities). I fell in love with Hill Creek Gardens the moment I saw it in pictures, but I still wanted something with a view of the Taal Volcano. Let’s see what comes up in the next few weeks.

VENUE RECEPTION AND CATERERS

TAGAYTAY

VENUE + CATERER PACKAGE

VENUES	PRICE	IN EXCESS	INCLUSIONS	STYLING?	TAAL VIEW?	MENU LIST
HILLCREEK GARDENS (THREE BRIDGES)	P316,850		Free use of courtyard for Christian/civil ceremony or cocktail reception Use of electrical consumption up to 100 amps (3,000 watts). Load usage beyong 150 amps will be charged P5,000. Free 5 hours use of venue for prenup pictorial (by reservation and subject to availability) Free use of parking for all guests 1 complimentary stay with breakfast for two Free use of standby generator No corkage for any wines, spirits, and liquors on the reception proper Full setup for church or garden ceremony Basic bridal and entourage bouquets Lights and sound system for the reception Whole body massage and use of Jacuzzi and sauna for the bride and groom Use of bridal car for 3 hours Caterer amenities: Tiffany chairs for all Complete table settings with linen, table centerpiece with fresh flowers and table numbers 3 round satellite cake (all edible) in a decorated cake table A bottle of sparkling wine for bridal toast Platform for bride and groom with backdrop and aisle carpet Decorated gift and registration table Wedding guest book Complimentary food tasting for two	MINIMAL	NO	1 appetizer 1 salad 1 soup 1 pasta 6 main dishes + 1 rice 3 desserts 1 beverage
TAAL VISTA HOTEL	P478,888	P2,500/pax	Fresh flower centerpiece for the couple’s table, presidential table, guests’ table, buffet table, Fresh flower arrangement for the backdrop and cake table Food tasting for 4 persons Elegant seat covers Place cards (for principal sponsors and parents) Menu cards Bottle of sparkling wine for the toast Tiffany chairs Full set-up of sound system Four-layered fondant cake (only the base is edible) Ice carving Waiters’ parade Special room rates for relatives and friends attending the wedding Bottomless iced tea or lemonade Bridal car (use for 4 hours) Photobooth for 3 hours Free-flowing coffee and tea Complimentary amenities: Overnight stay in a 2-bedroom suite Overnight stay in a premiere room Flowers and fruit basket with 1 bottle of wine in the room Spa massage for two Choice gifts for the couple Waive corkage fee for 5 bottles of wine (750 ml) 30 complimentary parking slots Complimentary use of ballroom for 5 hours Complimentary use of LCD projector Prenuptial photo shoot in the hotel		YES	2 appetizers 3 salads 1 soup 7 main course (6 main dishes + 1 rice) 4 desserts Bread and butter
VILLA IBARRA (046) 483-0759 (046) 483-0770 0915-9607481 0929-2056511	P232,680 (VERDEA ALL-IN WEDDING PACKAGE)	P1176/pax	Overnight room accommodation with breakfast for two (2) persons Three-layered fondant wedding cake Well-designed floral centerpieces for presidential, buffet and guest tables Table setting and physical arrangement of the area Pair of doves Bridal car with bouquet (3 hours use) 75 pieces souvenirs or 2 hours photobooth Guest book & pen Full bottle of sparkling wine for ceremonial toast Use of tiffany chairs Complimentary food tasting for 2 persons Basic sound system for public address & background music Use of red carpet Cake table, gift and registration tables Use of venue for 4 hours Use of courtesy room (event proper only) Generator backup Complimentary pre-event Cocktail and welcome drinks (will be served upon arrival of guests)	MINIMAL	YES	2 appetizers 2 soups 1 salad with 2 dressings Grill station Tempura station Carvery 3 main dishes 1 rice 3 sauces for pasta 3 desserts Bottomless drinks Coffee or tea
TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS (046) 483-0848 local 3009 0917-8826885 0917-8009647 Cjfidelino.thigci@gmail.com www.tagaytayhighlands.com	P120,000 (ENCHANTING MEMORIES) P202,500 + 10% SC = P342, 750 P220,000 (PRECIOUS MOMENTS) + P202,500 + 10% SC = P442, 750	P1,350/pax P1,350/pax	2 pieces of floral décor for the buffet Special floral arrangement for the couple’s table and couple’s trellis backdrop Floral set-up for 2 presidential tables and first 8 guest tables 3-layered fondant wedding cake (only third layer is edible) Decorated wedding cage & doves Ice carving Set-up of semi-carousel swags and draping Lights and sound system set-up Place cards for the presidential table Menu cards for the guest tables Elegant skirting set-up for the presidential table Cream-colored cloth for the tables (brocade top on white tablecloth) Tiffany chairs 1 bottle of sparkling wine for couple’s toasting Iced tea for the first 100 guests Waived corkage fee for 5 bottles of wine (750 ml) Use of air-conditioned reception venue for 4 hours (Country Club Veranda or Midland Veranda) Complimentary 2-night stay in a 1-bedroom suite with breakfast for 2 pax Chocolates from Villa del Conte and 1 bottle of wine Massage for 2 at The Highlands Spa Themed floral arrangement for the couple’s table, backdrop, 2 presidential tables, first 10 guest tables and buffet table Event styling by RCJC (Cora Perey) Set-up of full swags and drapings Full lights and sound system set-up and smoke machine Place cards for the presidential table Menu cards for the guest tables Elegant skirting set-up for the presidential table Cream-colored cloth for the tables (brocade top on white tablecloth) Tiffany chairs 1 bottle of sparkling wine for couple’s toasting Iced tea for the first 100 guests Waived corkage fee for 10 bottles of wine (750 ml) Use of air-conditioned reception venue for 4 hours (Country Club Veranda or Midland Veranda) Complimentary 2-night stay in a 1-bedroom suite for the bride Complimentary 1-night stay in a one-bedroom suite for the groom with breakfast for two persons Chocolates from Villa del Conte and 1 bottle of wine Massage for 2 at The Highlands Spa			4 appetizers & salads 3 soups 6 entrees + 1 rice 3 desserts Coffee or tea