True love always finds a way—for better or for worse. As we’ve seen recently, not even a global pandemic can come between rings and romance. But tying the knot with your sweetheart will never be the same again, at least in the era of social distancing, face masks and lockdowns.
June is usually a busy month for weddings. It was named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage, which has led to the belief that couples who got hitched at this time of the year would be blessed with happiness and prosperity.
Traditional Filipino nuptials are often grandiose: from the elaborate gowns, floral decors and bouquets, long line-up of ninongs and ninangs, big entourage, overflowing buffets and wines, lechon on the reception table, and fancy gifts. Families and relatives come over from overseas or home provinces to celebrate the special day with the bride and groom. The couple save up for months or even years just to stage the perfect wedding of their dreams.
But here comes Covid-19 playing the party-pooper.
The wedding industry across the world had suffered a huge blow as social gatherings were getting cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. In the Philippines, the guidelines on the number of guests allowed to attend may change over time, depending on the government’s quarantine classifications. Both couples and wedding planners are expected to be flexible with their plans to cope with this unpredictable situation.
In places where restrictions are gradually eased, some lovebirds find ways to embrace the “new normal” and push through with a smaller and more intimate celebration. This includes ensuring that health and safety protocols are being followed by everyone, including the guests and suppliers.
Weddings today will definitely look and feel different from the pre-pandemic days: guests wearing masks, tables arranged six feet apart, eating with members of the same household, Zoom attendance for out-of-town guests, and top-notch sanitation and hygiene standards. All these are aimed at minimizing the risk of spreading Covid-19; you don’t want the deadly virus gatecrashing your big day!
So where do we begin in planning a wedding in the “new normal”? If you can’t wait to marry the love of your life in these uncertain times, check out these new wedding trends that can guide you in making your pandemic nuptials memorable and special.
Your Wedding Guide This Pandemic
MICRO WEDDINGS
In grand weddings, couples and their parents traditionally invite their extended family members, friends and other acquaintances to their most awaited event. But due to the social distancing rules issued by the authorities to reduce the risk of transmission, an intimate and small-scale wedding is the way to go nowadays.This way, betrothed couples can provide a safer space for everyone attending their nuptials.
Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) recommended that wedding celebrations have to be “simpler than the usual.”
“We have to forego all of the secondary elements of the normal wedding ceremonies, e.g., the wedding entourage (abays). Only the bride and the groom, the parents of the couple, and one set of sponsors are to be present in the ceremony,” CBCP said in a set of guidelines it released for liturgical celebrations under the “new normal.”
Reports (as of June 2021) show that 30% venue capacity for religious activities and weddings in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ) is allowed, but local government units can increase it up to 50%. Different restrictions apply to places with other quarantine classifications.
Trimming down the guest list is not always easy especially for brides and grooms who have big families as well as those who love socializing with many friends. On the bright side, it can be a good reason to invite only their closest tribe and spend precious moments with them during their big day. Since only the couple’s immediate family and friends who are living in the same city will be in attendance, it will not just be more practical budget-wise but will also create a more intimate experience for the newlyweds and their loved ones. Anyway, they can choose to host a bigger party in the future when the situation gets better.
VIRTUAL CELEBRATIONS
We’ve been doing almost everything via Zoom now – from work meetings, webinars, game nights, dating, etc. Using video conferencing platforms or live streaming is also a common wedding trend in this pandemic to allow the people who cannot attend the ceremony in person to join the celebration virtually. Even bridal showers, bachelor parties and wedding gifts are going digital!
Due to border closures and travel restrictions, many of the couple’s families and friends from other countries and far-flung places cannot be present physically during the nuptials. In addition, the bride and groom don’t really have the liberty to invite as many people as they wish since they have to abide by the rules.
But thanks to modern technology, your loved ones can still witness the union from the comfort of their homes! You can either coordinate it with your professional wedding team or ask your tech-savvy family member to do it so you can still accommodate guests who are based abroad or in other cities. They can watch the whole affair and even give their wedding speeches remotely. Don’t forget to send the Zoom link in advance to your virtual guests and make sure that you have a stable internet connection in the venue.
OUTDOOR VENUES
We often picture traditional wedding receptions lavishly staged in majestic hotel ballrooms or air-conditioned function halls where everything feels like a fairytale. This may not be the case today as couples are looking for more ways to reduce the spread of Covid-19 during their wedding day.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outdoor events are less risky than banquets held indoors, especially in poorly ventilated places. It is also easier to implement physical distancing in open-air and spacious places compared to indoor wedding venues.
Take note that a socially distant seating layout should still be enforced even in an outdoor setting so that the guests can stay at least six feet apart from each other. Tables that usually accommodate 10 guests must now be limited to just five to keep a safe distance.
In addition, air circulation is also better outdoors than indoors, thus, minimizing the risk of transmission. With a limited number of guests, you can even opt to get non-traditional venues for your wedding reception like gardens, al fresco restaurants or your own backyard as a safe and chic outdoor alternative! It will also create a more relaxed environment for the couple and the guests with a good dose of fresh air and natural ventilation for everyone, so it’s a win-win situation.
NO MORE BUFFETS
A good buffet is a staple for grand wedding banquets. Couples allocate a huge amount of their total budget for their wedding catering to make sure that their guests will have a great time. But since we avoid the sharing of food and utensils as a safety precaution, we may have to say goodbye to the buffet-style service for now. This will also allow us to comply with the physical distancing protocols as we’ll be avoiding the long queues near the buffet table.
In its guidelines for organizing large events and gatherings, the CDC said that there is no evidence yet proving that handling food or eating is associated with directly spreading the virus. But it can be risky to share utensils and gather around food service areas, that’s why it recommends limiting food or beverage service wherein people are expected to assemble since “that may encourage unmasked interactions.”
“Avoid offering any self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, and drink stations. Consider having pre-packaged boxes or bags for each attendee,” the CDC said.
Instead of buffets, you can opt for a sit-down service or having plated meals served at the table of the guests. The same goes with open bars as the staff will probably just get your orders and deliver the cocktails to your table.
STRINGENT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND HYGIENE STANDARDS
Weddings are supposed to be fun and memorable. However, we are still in the middle of a pandemic so we can’t be lenient in abiding by the health and safety measures like wearing of face masks and face shields, frequent handwashing and physical distancing. Hugs, handshakes, kisses, beso and any other form of physical contact among the attendees are discouraged.
List the safety rules and reminders in the wedding invitation, and set up a temperature check station at the venue entrance. Of course, it goes without saying that those who are feeling sick must stay home. Handwashing areas and hand sanitizer dispensers should also be easily accessible all over the place. In addition to this, you can give away personalized health kits with customized face masks, disinfectant wipes and mini bottles of sanitizers in style, based on the theme and color palette of your wedding.
Most likely, you’ll see the catering or service staff wearing personal protective equipment. Those who are part of the wedding team from the photographers, videographers, make-up artists and hair stylists should also follow strict health protocols like wearing masks. Sanitizing their wedding shoot equipment and beauty products is a must. High-touch surfaces and restrooms must also be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Everyone—from the couple, suppliers and attendees—must be responsible in following health regulations to prevent infection and avoid being exposed to the virus.
GOING LOCAL
Since destination weddings overseas may not be feasible at the moment due to restrictions for non-essential travels, many soon-to-be wed couples are rediscovering the beauty of their own hometowns. Once you start exploring your own city or neighborhood, you might be surprised that there are plenty of beautiful locations nearby that you haven’t considered before.
Holding your wedding locally is also beneficial since you can celebrate your special day with your loved ones at home while your guests abroad can still attend your wedding through the online streaming. It is also easier and more convenient to plan a hometown wedding since you’re already familiar with the area, and you probably have more connections with potential suppliers here. It can even save you and your guests from huge travel costs. Not to mention, you’ll be helping a lot of local businesses, too.
Celebrating your wedding at home can also make you extra nostalgic about the good old memories, especially if you’re exchanging your “I dos” in a place that’s significant for both you and your partner.
However, if you’re really determined to have the wedding of your dreams on a tropical beach or a posh resort outside your city, you can still pull off a destination wedding in the Philippines when it’s safe to travel again. There are many breathtaking places in the country that can serve as a romantic backdrop for your nuptials. How about celebrating your dream wedding in the “King City of the South” and finding a new family home there as well?
STARTING YOUR NEW CHAPTER IN DAVAO AS NEWLYWEDS
Aside from having a charming destination wedding in the “Crown Jewel of Mindanao,” you can also explore many tourist spots in Davao together with the love of your life. This highly-urbanized city also has a wealth of investment opportunities because it is the heart of trade, commerce, tourism, education and finance in the Southern Philippines. Buying an affordable condo for sale in Davao can be a great source of passive income or it can also be your next home.
If you’re looking for properties outside Manila, check out Camella Manors Frontera, a resort-style condo located at the heart of an emerging business district in Tigatto Road, Buhangin, Davao City. Frontera is only a 4-minute drive from NCCC Mall Buhangin and Gaisano Grand Mall Buhangin and a minute walk from Davao Marine Merchant Academy.
The 1.8-hectare project boasting a unique blend of city and suburban vibe is surrounded by leisure hubs, lifestyle centers and other business establishments. Residents can also shop for their daily essentials from its soon-to-open commercial strip. Major infrastructures, churches, hospitals, schools, malls, parks and tourist destinations are also nearby.
This pre-selling condo in Davao offers an affordable start-up property ownership or investment with its 1-bedroom and studio units for families, young professionals, students, travelers and investors.
Frontera will have six 8-storey buildings with 143 units per building. The condo village is expected to be completed by 2023 and is open for official reservations.
Indulge yourself in resort-like amenities such as the meditation garden, infinity pool, picnic hubs, sandbox play pit, al fresco fitness park, clubhouse lounge, jogging trails, kiddie pool, amphitheater pews, event hall and pocket park.
This condo for sale also has 24/7 security and an electric perimeter fence to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Investing in a real estate property strategically located in a rising business hub is a wise decision. You may avail the Vista leasing services and rent out your unit to generate passive income from the condo. Ongoing infrastructure projects near the property can cause the land value in this area to appreciate. Want to make your premier frontier living possible? Invest in Camella Manors Frontera now and visit its official website for more details about the property.
