Banishing Bridezilla

Venue Prospect: The Tents at Alphaland Southgate

2011-12-12T23:14:00.000-08:00

This was a good contender for our reception venue.

The Tents at Alphaland Southgate is located at the 6th floor of the Southgate Mall. It's connected to the Magallanes MRT station and it's on the corner of EDSA and Pasong Tamo Extension.

We initially wanted a brunch reception so we could enjoy cheaper venue fees and catering menu packages. But when we walked into The Tents, we were convinced that it would look better at night. When you walk out into the balcony, you'll get a New York, urban, rooftop party vibe. We agreed that at night, the map posts on the street and the light from the cars and the traffic would look even prettier. It looks over Magallanes, Edsa and Pasong Tamo, but it doesn't look stressful even with the traffic.

Since the venue is located at the Alphaland Southgate Mall, there's plenty of parking space and clean toilets. You have the option to have guests use the scenic elevator or use the elevators on the office side of the building. There are attendants who are well-dresses and well-trained to usher guests to the elevator.

The don't have accredited caterers/suppliers as of now, so you can bring in whoever you want. If you avail of packages from the in-house restaurants The Alpha and Ukiyo, you get 20%off the venue rental fee.

The walls, however, had red design elements that don't really complement the vibe of a wedding reception. (The photo below doesn't show the red wall, they might have painted it after this photo was taken.) The best choice would be to hire a stylist to put drapes on the walls and other hanging decorations to give the place a softer feel.

Info:
Can accomodate 300-350pax (sitdown)
Hall area measure 575 sqm with ceiling measuring 4.6 meters in height
170 sqm al fresco area
Plenty of room for suppliers to move about and even has its own kitchen area
3 hours ingress, 2 hours egress

Rates:
Day: P70,000 for 5 hours
Evening: P90,000 for 5 hours
Special rate: P120,000 for 10 hours

Terms:
- 50% down payment (VAT exclusive) is required to confirm reservations

- Security deposit of P20,000 will be collected before the event date and will be refundable after fifteen (15) business days

- Full payment should be paid at least seven (7) business days before the event date

Discount:

20%off venue rental is you choose The Alpha and Ukiyo to cater your event

The Alpha Tel. No. 310-5210

Ukiyo Tel No. 310-5253

IDEAL BREAKDOWN

For evening event:

P100,800 (venue rental plus VAT)

P20,000 (security deposit)

= P120,800

Pros:
- no additional supplier's fees
- all in rate
- large space
- New York vibe balcony area

Cons:
You'll need a really good stylist to spruce up the place and make it more appropriate for the wedding theme you have in mind.

You'll get your security deposit back if there are no damages to the property, but this is the base amount you'll need to shell out.

The great thing about The Tents at Alphaland is that (as of Sept 2011) they don't charge you extra fees for suppliers, electricity and what not. Other venues have extra fees that come up to as much as 50% of their base rates. The total amount at The Tents is ALL IN. Not bad, huh?

The Tents at Alphaland
6th Floor, Southgate Mall, EDSA corner Chino Roces (Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati
Contact person: Ruby Santos, Sales & Marketing Officer

Tel. No. 337-2031 local 137
E-mail: rdsantos@alphaland.com.ph
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alphalandtents

Photos care of The Tents Alphaland

Letting go of dream venue: Filipinas Heritage Library

2011-12-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

For years, I've been dreaming of having a simple, outdoor reception at the Courtyard of the Filipinas Heritage

Library. Formerly the Neilson Tower, it is probably the most vivid reminder that Makati was once an airport.

I've never been inside, but I knew in my heart that this was the perfect venue for us! I had everything planned out. We were going to have the preps at the Manila Peninsula, and walk across the street to the wedding venue. A photo studio would be set up in one of the rooms inside. Then I wanted to have cocktails catered by K By Cunanan in the Courtyard and be surrounded by trees and tall lit-up buildings at the same time.

But, alas, the Ayala Triangle came into being. Gone was the green background and in came the crowd!

And even if we put up pretty white tents in the Courtyard, we'd still be crazy to risk an outdoor wedding during rainy season. So goodbye, Filipinas Heritage Library!

The Courtyard- Filipinas Heritage Library Info:

Can acommodate up to 150 guests (sit down)

P14,000 for first 4 hours + P2,000 every succeeding hour

3 hours set up time free

+ 12% VAT

Electrical charges:

P1,000- Sound System Facilities

P1,000- Video Coverage Facilities

P1,500- Mobile Disco Facilities

P2,000- Band Facilities

P1,000- Photo Booth

Equipment:

P2,000- LCD projector with screen

P3,000- Sound system unit (with 2 units of 12” speakers, and 4-channel mixer)

Non-credited caterer fee: P5,000

Acredited Caterers:

Alba Restaurante & Catering, Albergus Catering, Auffrance Catering, Avengoza Catering, Center Table Catering, Cravings Catering, Delicioso Catering, Dulcinea Catering, Goblet Catering, Hizon’s Catering, Josiah’s Catering, Juan Carlos Catering, K by Cunanan Catering, Kusina ni Maria Catering, La Tasca Restaurant, Old Swiss Inn, Simply Delicious Catering, Swan Catering, Tamayo’s Catering, Via Mare Catering

Terms:

P5,000- reservation fee (non-refundable but deductible from the total charges)

50% down payment required at least three (3) months before the wedding

50% balance payment is expected at least one (1) month before the wedding

IDEAL BREAKDOWN

P16,000 (5 hour venue rental)

+ P4,000 (Electrical Fees)

+ P5,000 (Equipment)

= P28,000 with VAT

Not bad for a nice, outdoor wedding venue in the heart of Makati! It's still way cheaper than other venues in Metro Manila

We may not be having out wedding reception at the Filipinas Heritage Library, but I'm still hoping to throw a lovely cocktail party there in the future!

Filipinas Heritage Library
Ayala Triangle, Makati Avenue, Makati (across Manila Peninsula)
Tel. No. 892-1801 loc. 20/26
Email: venues@filipinaslibrary.org.ph
http://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/

Photos from: http://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/

Everything will fall into place

2011-09-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

I scoured the interwebz for the perfect venue for us in Manila.

We've always dreamed of having a Tagaytay wedding. Or a beach wedding. The same beach where he proposed to me.

But out-of-town charges and the high probability of rain fall made us think otherwise.

So Manila it is.

And what great Manila wedding it will be!

So it begins

2011-09-13T05:59:00.001-07:00

Ask any bride-to-be and for sure they'll say that planning a wedding can seriously be such a nightmare!

2 weeks in and 10 months to go but I feel like I'm about to lose my mind. The devil is in the details, yeah right. I just want to get everything done and over with.

So many options! So much to think about!
- Does it really cost that much?
- Seriously, for 4 hours?!
- Why am I supposed to pay him that much when I can do it myself?!
- Why don't we just use the money and take a trip somewhere?!

But, we're the first children in our respective families to get married. And the first grandchildren to get married, too.

I know there's no need to worry. Just a hug from the hubby-to-be and a quick glimpse at my bling and the sparkle takes all my stress away. Just gotta get out of this rut and get down to business.