"With a breathtaking view of Lake Taal and a scenery as only nature can conjure, Tagaytay Highlands offers a romantic ambience like no other," says Annabelle Ong of Tagaytay Highlands.
And ambience comes at no extra cost to couples who opt to savor the highs of getting married at this mountain sanctuary tucked away in the dense forest of Tagaytay, 60 kms. south of Manila.
"In all our wedding venues, there’s always a feel of the outdoors, whether couples choose to have their wedding inside or outside," Annabelle points out. "Most of our clubhouses have folding doors made of glass so you can see the outdoors; nothing is enclosed. So when it’s raining or there’s a typhoon, couples can have their reception inside and still enjoy the scenery outside."
Couples on a budget need not hire a stylist to do the decor. Says Annabelle, "There’s really no need to dress up the place, decor is very minimal. If there’s a tree in the middle of the hall, we simple adorn it with tivoli lights, or hang paper lanterns on it if the motif is Japanese."
Indeed, for couples who have to search high and low for a romantic venue, Tagaytay Highlands is a dream place come true.
"Yes, high romance is what couples will get at Tagaytay Highlands," Annabelle declares. "They can choose from different venues, depending on the number of their guests. For more intimate weddings, we have the summer garden of the Highlands, the China Palace, or the Golfers Lounge at the Golf Clubhouse. For bigger and more elaborate settings, we have the Midlands Veranda or the multi-purpose hall, which can seat more than 400 persons."
Even guests get their fair share of the highs that Tagaytay Highlands offers. For instance, they get to try the funicular.
"It’s a combination of an LRT and a roller coaster ride," Annabelle describes. "It’s like an enclosed train that ferries a total of 45 passengers per trip, from the Highlands holding area (summit terminal) down to the Midlands (base terminal). The four-minute travel affords guests a scenic view of Taal Lake."
As guests alight from their train, they are serenaded by a string quartet. A prelude to what promises to be a wedding affair to remember. "Couples don’t have to pay extra for this," Annabelle hastens to add.
Truly, romance is in the air at Tagaytay Highlands. But of course, the Highlands also takes care of couples’ more down-to-earth concerns. Like, yes, the wedding menu. "We have 25 food and beverage outlets," says Annabelle. "Our menu choices are international in scope – Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Spanish, Italian, plus we also have a steakhouse. Our edge is that we can give you an all-Japanese or all-Spanish menu."
Wedding menus at the Highlands are priced from as low as P600 per plate (who says you can’t afford ambience?) to as high as P1,200 and up. "We have something to suit different kinds of budget," Annabelle promises.
No wedding cake? No problem! Tagaytay Highlands’ pastry chef, who’s "imported" from Mandarin Oriental, Manila, can fashion a dream wedding cake for couples.
"Of course, if they have their own wedding cake, they can bring it to the Highlands and we can help them assemble it," says Annabelle.
No wedding planner? No problemo! "We can bring in our own wedding planner/event coordinator at no extra charge," Annabelle tells us. "We have a lot of contacts outside. And we can go down to Manila to meet with the client."
The "marryest" months at Tagaytay Highlands are from December to February. Couples are advised to book a year in advance.
Of course, the beauty of it all is that couples need not go anywhere else for their honeymoon. And family members can even rent a log cabin, replete with all the amenities of urban living, and join the couple on their honeymoon.
When the wedding reception – but hopefully, not the honeymoon – is over, the newlyweds can de-stress and treat themselves to some pampering at the Highlands Spa and Lodge, which offers the ultimate in relaxation therapy and beauty treatments. Or they can enjoy a round of golf at either one of the two 18-hole championship golf courses or play badminton, tennis or bowling at the state-of-the-art sports facilities. Or simply stroll in the gardens and hold hands till the sun sets.
Now, do you agree when couples say there can’t be a more idyllic place to say "I do" than at Tagaytay Highlands?
We do!