Choosing the perfect venue for your wedding wouldn't be as easy as it may seem. There are a lot of things to consider such as the location, accessibility (transportation wise), wedding deal packages, price rates, services that they offer, food (which is very important), and etc. This is something that should be discuss between you and your partner. You need to talk about certain things especially if what kind of wedding you'll be having, if you want an outdoor or an indoor wedding, if you want to have a beach wedding, and if you're both Catholic - for sure your family would like to see you getting married at the church or should I say have a "traditional church wedding".
As for Marc and I, we really put our time to discuss this very important matter - if we are having a church or garden wedding. Both of us wanted to get married in the church, so we made our final decision to have a church wedding. Of course, our parents, friends, and relatives would love to see us exchanging our vows with the sanctity of the church. What comes after we finally choose our ceremony venue is to choose for the reception venue. This is very important because the proper wedding program takes places at the reception venue. If took us sometime to decide which hotel should we go or if we will just have to rent a clubhouse. We tried to consider the circumstance and the number of people who be attending our wedding, and how much is the cost for the reception - if its within our budget range. It took me months to shop around every hotel and inquire for the price rates of their wedding package since most of the packages has different kinds of inclusions. It was really a tough choice as you need to choose if which is the best and has a lot to offer. Finally, we were able to find a perfect reception for our wedding. One thing we both consider was the distance - if how far is the hotel from the church venue. Of course, we also need to consider its accessibility for transportation - since, not all of our guests has their own car and there's a need for them to take public transportation. The most important thing that we take into consideration is the FOOD that they will be serving our guests. My mom and I have tried the food they served at the hotel and I would say it was really good. Plus, the hotel staffs are very friendly and accommodating.
It was so overwhelming for both of us that we finally did the first step of our wedding preparation. We decided to book the church and hotel right away, so that we will be all set with our chosen date. Here are some photos and a short description of our wedding venues.
CHURCH VENUE
STA. ANA SHRINE PARISH
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| Located at Sta. Ana Avenue Corner Lapu-Lapu Street, Davao City |
This is the church where Marc and I will be solemnize. It is one of the oldest Catholic churches here in the city and was founded in 1949. I remember they renovated the church in 2011. This is the only church in the city that has the longest aisle and one of the main reasons why most brides wanted to get married in this church. It's a fully air-conditioned church too.
As a bride-to-be, I really wanted to get married in this church, not because of the long aisle, but I just see myself getting married in here. Even when I was younger, we always go to this church every Sunday to hear the mass. I also had a weird experience with this church when I visited it to pray and to take some photos, so that I can show them to Marc. When I took the first photo, all the lights were closed. I decided to take another picture because it was a bit blurry. To my surprise, all the lights on the sides of the aisle suddenly turned on as I took the second photo. It was really strange and I had goosebumps on my arms and at the back of my neck. I just told myself that this definitely a sign that I am getting married in this church. I told Marc about the strange thing happened to me that day and he was so surprised.
RECEPTION VENUE
GRAND REGAL HOTEL DAVAO
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| Located at Km. 7 J.P. Laurel Avenue, Lanang, Davao City |
Marc and I decided to have a hotel reception, as most hotels here in Davao offers wedding packages with inclusions which we both find it very convenient on our part and for the guests as well. We will be having our wedding program proper here and it was our first choice for a hotel reception venue. Here is a short description about the hotel.
GRAND REGAL HOTEL DAVAO is ideally located on the booming northern part of the city. It is a 5-minute drive from Davao International Airport by hotel shuttle bus (which is free hotel service). Davao City with its new brand "LIFE IS HERE" offers a friendly charm like no other city would surely become the Philippines best destination.
It offers luxurious 217 guestrooms and suites that promise comfort and serenity for unforgettable luxury stay. Have the best dining and drinking experience at the hotel's Brasserie Restaurant, Champagne Bar, and the Montmartre Cafe which serves breakfast buffet and international ala carte menus that would surely satisfy your gastronomic appetite.
Unwind and enjoy while keeping in shape in our Fitness gym and Sauna, or soak in our outdoor swimming pool located on the 5th level of the hotel. Better yet, enjoy yourself by playing baccarat, poker, or slot machine at the Casino Filipino right within the hotel. In addition, a spa and jewelry store can be found right inside the hotel lobby to complete your comfort and convenience.
Grand Regal Hotel Davao is also tailored for the traveling executives who need an office away from their office. With the hotel's Business Centre, it is equipped with all the secretarial needs of the business travelers. The hotel also has function rooms that can accommodate to small corporate meeting to 6 to the grandest event of 1,700 persons. There is no better way to enjoy the captivating Davao City than staying at Grand Regal Hotel Davao.
Marc and I were so happy with the venues we choose for our wedding. We both can't wait for our BIG DAY when we finally celebrate the special day of our lives as husband and wife. Three (3) more months to go before we finally say, "I DO". I'll be the most happiest and luckiest girl in the world to be Marc's wife. I am so proud to steal his lastname (haha!) and be MRS. LEMMETTI.
