The Heritage Hotel Manila (THHM) takes away one more possible headache the marrying couple might have with its complete bridal packages. With a choice of western and Chinese lauriat wedding packages, couples can choose the reception they want that will fit their budget.
THHM catering manager Ailee M. Sencio says their packages are designed to make the wedding reception as hassle-free as possible.
"We have certain people in our staff who can coordinate with the couple and their wedding planner to take care of the reception for them," says Sencio. "At least, it’s one thing they no longer have to think about."
"Working couples can hire an expert to do the nitty-gritty for them," adds THHM sales director Corinne Funk-Zablan. "We make everything easier with our wedding experts who will coordinate with their wedding planner. Now, the couple can stop worrying about preparations. They can save time and plan other things. And they have the assurance that they get the best options possible with our efficient suppliers."
The hotel is a popular venue for receptions for couples who get married at the nearby Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life at the reclaimed area along Roxas Boulevard. The church is secluded and has ample parking space, which makes it ideal for those with vehicles. Since it is just a stone’s throw away from Manila Bay, its coastal ambience and windy surroundings make it also a suitable venue for the exchange of vows.
The hotel has a number of function rooms ideal to host wedding receptions. The grand ballroom can hold up to 300 guests, while the artists’ ballroom can hold as many as 500 guests. For smaller receptions, the L’Opera is perfect for receptions for up to 100 guests.
Receptions at the Heritage range from the simple to the grand. With the economic crunch these past years, a number of couples have chosen the simplest bridal packages.
"Many couples still go for grand weddings, because a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime thing," Sencio says. "The grooms actually save up for the occasion. No matter how hard times are, they always have an allotment for a grand wedding."
Some couples on a budget avail of the basic wedding package that comes with a two-layered fondant cake, basic floral arrangements, an overnight stay in the Bridal Suite, a decorated cage with doves and use of a bridal car.
The more elaborate packages would come with more elaborate floral arrangements, live music from a string group, two nights stay in the Bridal Suite, a round of drinks and even invitations for the bridal shower.
The hotel has hosted a lot of wedding receptions. While color schemes have changed through the years – pastels are out and bright vivid colors, like orange and burgundy, are in – one thing that is a constant in wedding receptions are flowers.
"For many Filipinos, their ideal wedding is still a garden wedding," the THHM catering manager adds. "If they can’t have it, they would always want to fill the reception venue with as many flowers as they can."
The hotel also boasts of a creative team ready to make any bride’s dream come true. Ice carving centerpieces range from the traditional swan, kissing birds and wedding bells to the recent craze for angels.
Funk-Zablan remembers a special wedding reception with a butterfly motif. Each table held a little mesh cage that was filled with live butterflies.
"We’ve even had one couple bring in a bubble machine," she adds.
The hotel’s most elaborate wedding package is called the Heritage Grand Wedding Package that is priced at P180,000 for 150 persons, and P880 per person in excess.
The Heritage Grand Wedding Package includes: a three-layered fondant wedding cake with cascading flowers for the cake table; a choice of a special floral arrangement; decorated cage with doves; special floral centerpiece for each round table; greens and fountain for the sponsors’ table; ice carving centerpiece; one-hour live entertainment; leatherette guest book; bottle of sparkling wine for toasting; three-hours use of the bridal car; place cards for the presidential table; menu card for each table; and, a round of iced tea or fruit punch.
The couple has two grand buffet menus of international cuisine to choose from. It comes with a selection of cold appetizers and salads, soup, a carving station, a variety of hot entrées, a dessert table and coffee or tea.
The couple also gets a two-night stay in the Bridal Suite, with room service breakfast, fruit basket upon check-in, and free use of the swimming pool and gym facilities during their stay.
There are also Classic Wedding Packages with a choice of buffet menus.
Sencio says that in some weddings, the couple’s idea of live entertainment has changed radically. Some couples hire a show band to provide live music that includes an evening of singing in dancing.
"Where most weddings have the bride throwing the bouquet, some have added parlor games, like limbo rock and trip to Jerusalem," she says.
The Heritage now has an even grander bridal package, its Grand Lauriat Wedding Package with a special menu prepared by Hong Kong chefs at its popular Hua Ting, which is known for its Cantonese cuisine.
"In many Chinese weddings, a lauriat dinner is customary," she adds. "Since we are a Singaporean property and since Hua Ting is one of the best Cantonese restaurants in Metro Manila, we have decided to make available our Hong Kong chefs to cook Hua Ting specials in our lauriat buffet."
The Grand Lauriat Wedding Package is similar to the Heritage Grand Wedding Package, but with the addition of a reception room for the traditional tea ceremony and floral centerpieces for two VIP tables. It is available for a minimum of 25 tables.
The couple has two 10-course grand lauriat menus to choose from. Grand lauriat menu 1 is priced at P12,999++ for a table of 10 persons, while grand lauriat menu 2 is priced at P16,999++ for a table of 10 persons. The package comes with a free table for every booking of 40 tables or more.
There is also a Classic Lauriat Wedding package, available for a minimum of 20 tables. It is priced at P9,999++ for a table of 10 persons with a 10-course Chinese dinner. It comes with a number of inclusions for the wedding reception and an overnight accommodation in the Bridal Suite, inclusive of room service breakfast, fruit basket and free use of the swimming pool and gym facilities.
Sencio says many couples who book their grand wedding packages actually host the bride’s shower on the evening before the wedding. With this in mind, the hotel has a special promo where it will sponsor the shower party, for a minimum of 20 persons, inclusive of finger food and a round of drinks.
"All a couple has to do is book their wedding reception with us by September this year," she adds. "The reception need not be this year, it might be next year. All they have to do is book it with us.
No matter what time of year, wedding receptions will always be important in the lives of newlyweds, since it marks the beginning of the rest of their lives together.
This early, the hotel is already booked for receptions this December. They will be busy with up to three receptions a day until January 2003.
"Weekend receptions are quite popular, but in December, we are also busy on weekdays," Sencio says.
Busy months for weddings, as per the hotel’s experience, are December and January, with May and June following closely.
"Since December is the Christmas season, with balikbayan families flying in to celebrate the holidays here, it is the time of the year when the clan is complete, making it a perfect time for weddings," she adds.
Bookings for December receptions should be made anywhere from six months to a year in advance. For lean months, like August or anytime during the rainy season, an advance booking of three to six months is ideal.