There are four different categories of the packages which all have Italian-sounding names. But I guess they only differ in prices because of the food served in the buffet:

EL OTONO @ P183,000 for the first 50 pax
EL VERANO @P210,000
LA PRIMAVERA @ P231,000
EL INVIERNO @ 242,000

Inclusions are the following: three-layered wedding cake, floral arrangement on all guest tables, sumptuous dinner buffet for 50 guests, one round of iced tea or soda, guest book with pen, one bottle of sparkling wine for the bridal toast, free corkage of 8 bottles of 750ml wine or liquor, complimentary pressing or steaming of the bridal gown, complimentary use of the golf cart for the bride & groom to & from church, drop off/pick up services for the guests to & from church, food tasting of chosen wedding menu by the couple, stage and dance floor, free use of multimedia projector, standard sound system, overnight accommodation for two in a Junior Suite with buffet breakfast for two at Sands Restaurant plus 5% discount on prevailing promo rates for additional rooms.

For wedding ceremony set-up (and this is where it gets a tad expensive), there’s an additional P45,000 charge for the gazebo, seats, decorated aisle, flower accents and candles. Additional tent is P8,500.

All buffet in the wedding packages have a selection of soups, salads, chilled seafood, the hot buffet of main courses, a carving station of US Angus ribeye roast, grilled squid, prawns, pork belly & chicken inasal, plus of course the desserts.

Visit Legend Villas’ Crystal Weddings open house from September 17 to 18, 2011 and get as much as P50,000 off your wedding package in the Crystal Dreams raffle promo. Book your special day during the open house weekend to get one raffle ticket. Winners will be announced immediately after the event.

“The overwhelming response to our Crystal Weddings open house held early this year made us decide to hold another one. This time, we wish to reward one lucky couple with as much as 25% off their dream wedding package,” said Karen Reyes, Sales and Marketing Director of Legend Villas.

Crystal Weddings presents two unique packages – Quartz and Onyx, motifs which make for truly unforgettable weddings. The Quartz theme reflects timeless elegance with its luminous décor and classic table set-up. Stylish and chic in black and white, the Onyx package is meant for couples who opt to veer from tradition. The starting package rate for 100 persons costs only P155,000.

“Our Crystal Weddings packages guarantee luxury of service, stylish set-up and sumptuous feast. Legend Villas is your perfect venue as we take care of all the fine details of your special day,” added Reyes.

Legend Villas is a 124-room sprawling hotel property in the heart of the metro. As part of Legend Hotels International Corporation, the hotel carries a tradition of innovation with first class amenities and personalized service.

The hotel is located along Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong City. For inquiries, please call Banquet Sales Office at 702-2712 to 14 or visit www.legendvillas.com.ph.

Designed by the reputable Casas + Architects, Garden Rooms is the perfect place to perk up your wedding with its enviable view of the Villamor Golf Course and its lush greenery.

To create a fresh and natural garden feel, the new function room is furnished with color-changing coffered ceilings adorned with handcrafted chandeliers. The lights are embellished with intricate clusters of leaf-shaped crystals and metal leaves and elegantly mimics the natural branches and leaves of trees.

The high-quality Axminster carpet, on the other hand, illustrates the rusty earth soil color tinted with red and serves as an accent to natural earth tones. As one walks down the hallway, beautiful anigre veneered panels match with the rich and plush carpets, smaller scaled chandeliers and oversized circular wall lights which all send a message of understated luxury.

Marriott Manila director of marketing Cristy Carreon says: ” a 30% increase in weddings is usually expected by the end of the quarter. We have prepared menu options starting at P1850 per head. Innovative and freshly prepared daily, our offering allows our clients to customize the menu from breakfast to dinner, with other specially crafted options for snacks, desserts plus wines and cocktails.”

With choices dubbed as Season, Delight, Essence, Flavor and Enjoy, each theme offers a special touch of style to banquet dining. Seamless events are also guaranteed with Marriott Manila’s cutting-edge audio-visual equipments.

For inquiries about weddings at the Marriott Hotel Manila, call (632) 988-9999.

I was surprised to find that a wedding reception in EDSA Shang-ri La costs more than in Makati Shang-ri La. Signature weddings at EDSA Shang cost close to half a million pesos while it is only two hundred thousand or so in Makati Shang, as you can see in this earlier post. It would be worthwhile to compare the two. But it seems there are more inclusions for the Mandaluyong branch such as a wedding butler at the beck and call of the couple, four days/three nights honeymoon at Shang-ri La Boracay Resort, couple massage at CHI, and two overnight stays – one before the wedding and the second after the wedding.

As common in these packages – aside from the food selections to be had – a couple who avails of the EDSA Shang-ri La wedding package gets a bridal car for three hours, a five-layer fondant cake, floral arrangement at the presidential table, floral centerpieces for guest tables, signature guest book, among others.

Not a bad deal if you can afford the best in life

For more information, pls call the Events team at 633-8888 or email events.esl@shangri-la.com

For 2011, a classic wedding reception at Makati Shang starts at P218,500 for a sitdown menu and P231,500 for buffet setup. These are good for the first 100 persons. An Oriental themed wedding, on the other hand, starts at P422,420 for a lauriat menu for the first 15 tables. But one will actually be heartened by the number of inclusions which I will tell you later.

Here’s a look at how the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La can be set up for a wedding (photos courtesy of the hotel) -

Inclusions for the classic wedding are the following:

Use of bridal car for three hours, with floral arrangement
Specially designed wedding cake in fondant icing, only the base is edible
Choice between live string quarter or photo booth for two hours
Iced tea or soft drinks for 100 guests
bottle of sparkling wine for the couple’s toast
cascading fresh floral arrangement for the couple’s table
fresh floral centerpieces for the first 10 tables
fresh floral arrangement for the cake table
fresh floral buffet centerpiece
place cards for the presidential table
menu cards or food labels
signature guestbook
special gift for the bride and groom
one hour foot reflexology for the couple at Stresscape
Overnight room accommodation for two in an Executive Room inclusive of buffet breakfast at Circles Event Cafe
welcome fruits in the room
First anniversary overnight room accommodation for two with buffet breakfast at Circles
P3000 worth of dining credit in any of Makati Shangri-La restaurants (valid for one year)
exclusive honeymoon offers in select Shangri-La hotels and resorts worldwide

For more inquiries, contact the hotel’s Events Information Center
at (63 2 ) 813 8888 extension 74352
or email events.slm@shangri-la.com

Packages are valid till December 31, 2011

The place is divided into a fine dining restaurant boasting of international cuisine while the events venue can accommodate 350 seats. Aside from its white interiors, Oceana also has a good view of Manila Bay (hence the name) and guests can enjoy the breeze or spread out outside for some al fresco dining or smoking.

I was able to get hold of their brochure and Oceana has a wedding package price of as low as P147,000 for 150 persons for lunch and dinner. The brunch wedding package price, on the other hand, starts at P129,220 (or P784 per person). This is the 2010-2011 rate.

The Oceana wedding package is inclusive of the following:

Use of venue for four hours
One day event management service
Four-layer fondant cake
One round iced tea or softdrinks
Standard individual table centerpieces
Personalized menu card
Couple’s table arrangement
Presidential table arrangement with personalized place cards
Table set-up with overlays and East Hampton chairs
Guest book and signature frame
One bottle champagne for toasting
Basic sound system with lights
Waived corkage for five bottles
Gift for couple
Waived corkage for lechon (wow!)

Sample wedding menu @ Oceana: (P823/person)

Soup: Creamy seafood bisque

Salad: mixed greens with seasonal fruits & nuts tossed in Sweet Balsamic Vinaigrette

Hot Selections: Classic Paella Valenciana
Braised Ox Tongue with Mushrooms & Olives
Herb Roasted Chicken with Citrus Honey Sauce
Penne Pasta with Classic Pomodoro Sauce & Parmesan Cheese
Steamed Thai Rice

Dessert: Cinnamon Tiramisu
Macerated Fresh Fruit Shots

For inquiries, call 556-3195 to 96
or email marketing.oceana@gmail.com

Pergola, CCP Complex (Photo from the official website)

Opened only in May 2010, the Pergola at what used to be the Boom na Boom grounds in CCP Complex is the newest wedding venue in Manila. I pass by the area everyday on my way to the office and noticed the octagonal structure. It is in the same compound as Wensha Spa, Legend Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant, Pier One, Baga Berde and a few other bars. I think the advantage of this venue is its location. It is situated between three cities – Manila, Pasay and Makati, a plus if you have guests coming from all three areas. Parking appears to be good (the website says they can accommodate 500 vehicles), and guests who have no cars can easily commute because there are jeepneys, buses and taxis around plus an LRT station nearby.

There are at least 12 churches from the three cities I earlier mentioned that is near this venue. Holding your wedding reception at the Pergola also means that you enlist only their accredited caterers. No worries since the caterers are topnotch, if you consider Cafe Ysabel, Ilustrado, Josiah’s Catering, Tamayos, Via Mare, La Mer of LJC Group of Restaurants, to name just a few.

Here’s a short rundown on Pergola’s facilities:

- The Octagon Hall which is 320 square meters in floor area, fully asirconditioned and can accommodate 150-220 guests for dinner, 350 for cocktails

- The Octagon Terrace which has a 150 square meter space plus a 50 square meter garden & Garden for outdoor settings, good for 50 – 100 guests for dinner, 150 for cocktails

- Pocket garden ( about 30 square meters) on the left side for Octagon Hall clients not using the Octagon Tent & Garden.

For inquiries on rates and venue availability:

Call tel. no.: (632) 577-0680 / 974-2555
Mobile No: (63) 917-598-1088
Email: info@thepergola.net
Visit their website

Address:
Restaurant Row, BOOM Grounds, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd. corner Gil J. Puyat Ave., Pasay City
Metro Manila 1300 Philippines

NEWS UPDATE: The Pergola will have an Open House and Grand Food Tasting on Sunday, September 26, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in coordination with Center Table Catering. This special event will be held simulatenously with the venue’s participation in the 17th Wedding Expo Philippines, to be held at the SMX Convention Center on Saturday-Sunday, September 25-26.

Special treats awaiting guests during this weekend include a 5% discount for on-the-spot confirmations on venue rental only and for confirmations on all-inclusive debut and wedding packages, a choice of an overnight stay with breakfast for two at The Manila Hotel or complimentary Glitz & Glamour Photo Booth during the function itself. Center Table Catering will also be giving away lots of freebies.

To register for the event, send an email to info@thepergola.net.

Summit Ridge hotel, Tagaytay

Our family went up to Tagaytay this weekend to savor the cool breeze and stayed at Summit Ridge hotel.We enjoyed our stay here because of its modern amenities (free wifi!) and the scenic view of Taal volcano from our fourth floor balcony. Summit Ridge is the newest hotel building to rise in Tagaytay and its advantage from competitors like Taal Vista is the mall-promenade beside it. No need to go far because everything is beside your hotel – restaurants, coffeeshops, boutiques, even a hardware store and supermarket. Parking is also very convenient.

Because of its big space, the ten-storey Summit Ridge makes for an ideal wedding venue. In fact, it has three ballrooms and three function rooms for special celebrations like anniversaries, birthdays and weddings. The biggest ballroom, Raintree A, can accommodate 240 persons while Raintree B & C, can seat up to 150 people each. All three ballrooms combined has space for 400 to 500 people.

On the other hand, the three function rooms Hazelnut, Walnut and Chestnut, can accommodate 100 people when combined.

I think the advantage of Summit Ridge as a venue for your dream Tagaytay wedding is the expertise of its caterer which is the Cravings Group – the same people behind the Center for Culinary Arts, The Coffee Beanery and C2 Classic Cuisine. I say advantage because nothing is more important for your special day than the quality of the food served during the reception which your guests will savor and remember long after the ceremony has passed.

Then, there’s the whole romantic idea of getting wed in Tagaytay which is a famed honeymoon destination. Holding your reception in a venue like Summit Ridge takes away the hassle of planning for your hotel room and breakfast in bed the morning after since this is included in the wedding package itself.

Anyway, here’s the Summit Ridge wedding package rates for 2010:

International menu, unless otherwise stated
Package Set A – P123,000 (minimum of 100 pax)
Package Set B – P144,000
Package Set C – P172,000
Package Set D – P180,000
Package (Local Flair, using local dishes) – P158,000

inclusive of the following:

Overnight stay for two in a Standard King room
Breakfast in bed for two
Use of function room for five hours
Complimentary food tasting for 4 persons
one day event management services
three-layered fondant cake
doves in a decorate cage
complimentary one round of iced tea or softdrinks
standard individual table centerpieces
personalized menu card
elegant floral arrangement for couple’s table
presidential table arrangement with personalized place cards
elegant floral arrangement for buffet table
complete PSA and sound system
guest book and signature frame
one bottle champagne for toasting
waived corkage for two wine bottles (750 ml)
gift for couple
10% discount for published hotel rates for friends and relatives attending the wedding, plus 30% discount for published room rates during the couple’s first wedding anniversary

For inquiries, call the Sales Office or the Events Team
Tel. No. (632) 240-6888 or 0922-8526800
or email reservations@summitridgehotel.com

Pan Pacific Manila is also an ideal venue for weddings, anniversaries and other celebrations. Their Pacific Grand Ballroom can accommodate as many as 450 guests cocktail style and 330 persons for banquet seating. Their four other ballrooms can accommodate 50-60 guests.

Pan Pacific Manila’s Celebrations Package for 50-100 persons is inclusive of the following amenities:

Custom-designed two-layered fondant cake
pearlized baloon pillars
personalized tarpaulin banner
flower centerpieces on all tables
complimentary use of sound system with microphones
specially-tailored buffet menu selections
one round of non-alcoholic beverage for all guests
2 bottles of Asti Spumante or 1 bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label
free corkage for the first four bottles of liquor
guest book with pen

overnight accommodation for two in a deluxe room with full buffet breakfast at the Pacific Lounge
Complimentary newspaper and bottled mineral water
use of the gym, outdoor jacuzzi and swimming pool
butler service

Buffet menu prices (2009):

First 50 persons

international buffet I Php 85,000.00 net
international buffet II 90,000.00 net
international buffet III 95,000.00 net

First 100 persons

international buffet I 142,000.00 net
international buffet II 147,000.00 net
international buffet III 152,000.00 net

The Pan Pacific Manila
Address: M. Adriatico corner Gen. Malvar Sts.,
Malate, Manila 1004

Tel. No. 536-0788
Fax 5366220
email: reserve.mnl@panpacific.com

Because I work in Ermita, the tourist district of Manila, I often pass by Ibarra’s Garden – a popular venue for weddings, birthdays and special celebrations. I haven’t really attended an event here but it does look cozy and welcoming from the outside. If you like structures from another era, this is it. Ibarra’s Garden is an old house that dates back to the 1920s and is American art deco-inspired. It reflects the grandeur of a time gone when people partied in their ball gowns and arrived in horse-drawn carriages. If you know what I mean

The only problem I see with this venue is the parking, a common concern in Manila where land is getting constricted by the day. It would be good news if they have valet parking, but I wasn’t able to ask.

Fo couples preparing for their Big Day, the venue has the Superior Wedding Package for a minimum of 100 persons and the Standard Wedding Package for 150 persons and up.

All their packages are already inclusive of the table setting and floral arrangement, pair of doves in a decorative cage, wedding guest book, wedding program, photographic tarpaulin, use of the red carpet, a gazebo for Christian and Civil weddings, bottle of sparkling wine for ceremonial toast, and other freebies. Just be prepared to haggle with their account executives I guess

If you don’t want to be bothered with other details like the souvenirs, the bridal car and the emcee, you can also talk to them and they will arrange it for you at an extra cost. This is what I did with our wedding at the Manila Ocean Park. I just let the in-house restaurant, Tamayo Catering’s Ozeano Fusion, to take care of some things for us, like the bubble machine, since they have accredited suppliers in the house. Less headaches for me

The menu for Ibarra’s Garden Standard Wedding Package ranges from P490 to P980, depending on your food choices. For the Superior Wedding Package, menu prices are at P595 ++. If you have less than 100 persons on your guest list, we were happy to learn that you can avail of their All-Occasion Menu which starts at P590++ per person. The good thing about this place is that you only pay for the food consumed, and not the venue rental. Venue is free!

Ibarra’s Garden
525 Padre Faura St.
Ermita, Manila Philippines
Tel. No. 522-9999, 523-3788