A recent visit to the sea town of Mactan, Cebu made me fall in love with the idea of a beach wedding again. More so because we were billetted at the elegant Crimson Beach Resort & Spa, the newest resort in Mactan at the moment. Experiencing Crimson and its topnotch garden view villa certainly made hubby and I feel like we were on a honeymoon again.

What I like about Crimson is that it’s not as big as the other five-star resorts in Cebu so the feeling of privacy and intimacy is there. If you’re planning a small wedding with 100 guests or less or even 200, the resort has three venues to choose from.

Whether at dawn or at dusk, the small garden by the beachside Azure Bar of Crimson provides the perfect backdrop for the beach wedding of your dreams. Romance surely pervades the air with the view of the ocean and swaying coconut trees. All you’d need is a chair, a wide-brimmed hat and a sunny attitude about how beautiful the milestone moment is.

For an indoor ceremony or reception, Crimson has three function rooms that can be joined together to make a grand ballroom to accommodate as many as 200 guests in a banquet or cocktail style. The resort has prepared wedding packages for a minimum of 100 persons and this already takes the hassle out of preparing for the reception. The basic wedding package at the resort already includes the buffet, sound system, flower arrangements, two-layered fondant cake, overnight room accommodation with welcome basket, complimentary lechon, free use of the venue for four hours and other additions.

For an added amount, they would also include your wedding giveaways, photo and video coverage, bridal car… even a trio of violinist, flutist and guitarist. Click here for more details.

I also checked out their Tempo Bar and found it an ideal setting for a very intimate wedding reception of as little as 50 guests. I absolutely loved the different kinds of lamps that adorned the ceiling and the combined modern Filipiniana and Balinese motifs that shine through the rest of the resort relax the soul and make one relish life in the tropics.

More pictures of Crimson Beach Resort & Spa:

We were billeted in a deluxe garden view room which had a tub and modern amenities like a huge 42-inch LCD TV and an outside balcony. But of course, for a little more luxury on your honeymoon, opt for their private pools and casitas which have their own plunge pools and a four-poster bed to boot.

Cap your visit with signature massage and treatments at the in-house Aum Spa. No other place can be perfect for relaxing and soothing tired nerves in the run-up to your wedding. Ask for the spa’s special packages just for couples. Take a foot bath or body scrub together or just lie in bed for a massage that will make you forget about the busy world outside for a bit.

And of course, since you’re in Mactan, Cebu, don’t forget the sea! At Crimson, you have a choice between the infinity pool or the beach. I’d say, try both and engage in the water activities on offer as well.

Crimson Beach Resort & Spa
Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City
Cebu, Philippines
Tel. No: 63-32 401.9999
Fax No: 63-32 401.9998

Email: info.mactan@crimsonhotel.com

Manila Sales Office:
Unit 2202
22F PBCom Tower
6795 Ayala Avenue corner
V. A. Rufino Street, Makati City 1226
Tel. No: 02 728.0005
Fax No: 02 729.0077

Also check out the official Crimson website
or their Facebook page

Pearl Farm Beach Resort in scenic Samal Island in Davao is one of the best beach resorts in the Philippines. My friends and I spent time here last July, and I couldn’t help but think of it as a good honeymoon place as well. Think of it: a suite on an island for the two of you, away from the hustle and bustle of the big crowds, a good time to establish your enduring bond after the wedding.

I liked best our view here of the sea. For accommodations, one can have a choice of hilltop rooms (garden view), those houses on stilts or any of the seven exclusive villas. Room rates can be gleaned from their website. We stayed in the Samal Suite, a two-storey suite which had a queen size (matrimonial bed) on the second floor, flatscreen TVs and an iPod dock. Modern contemporary meets Muslim traditional design

Too bad I wasn’t able to ask if they’re available as a wedding ceremony venue as well. Looks like it’s possible, as the resort has a number of facilities for it like the main restaurant and the Malipano Pavilion. Pearl Farm should be perfect if you’re planning to have a small beach wedding. In the meantime, here’s their Dream Honeymoon Package for 2009:

Dream Honeymoon Package 2009
Php 24,000.00 per Couple
Inclusive of :
Three days / Two nights room accommodation at the SAMAL HOUSE
welcome drinks upon arrival
welcome fruit basket
two(2) days breakfast
two days lunch for the couple plus one regular dinner
one session of Body Massage for 2
roundtrip boat transfer
complimentary use of swimming pool,tennis court and other resort selected recreational facilities.
PLUS! Exclusive Romantic Dinner with Bottle of Wine.

Schedule of boat departure from Davao Marina to Resort:
8 am / 1:30pm / 4:00pm / 6:00pm

Resort to Davao Marina:
0645am/ 10:00am / 1:00pm / 4:00pm

For bookings and reservations:

You may contact Pearl Farm Beach Resort with address at
Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines
Tel. No: (6382) 221-9970
Fax No: (6382) 221-9979

or the Pearl Farm Manila Sales Offic :

15th Floor, 139 Corporate Center
Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City

Tel. No.: (632) 750-1896 / 750-1898 / 893-2093
Fax No.: (632) 750-1894