Choosing The Perfect Wedding Venue

Now that the projected budget is already thought of and the wedding list is in place, it is time to start planning and researching. The first item that come into my mind about my wedding is the venue. Since it will be a Christian Wedding, h2b and I have decided that we will hold the ceremony and reception in one place.

Our options are beach wedding or garden wedding. I want a beach wedding so much, but sadly, there is not one beach resort in Davao City area that meets my taste (all beaches in Davao City are black sand beaches). Samal Island is just a few minutes boat ride away but I cannot imagine my guests riding the ferry, dressed in gowns with all the glitz and glamour. They will be so out of place. Also, if we insist on a white sand beach wedding anywhere at Samal Island, we will then be incurring additional costs for transportation for all the guests plus RO-RO (Roll On - Roll Off) Ferry fee for the vehicle.

So we are left with no choice but to have a garden wedding. There are quite a few hotels within the city that offers affordable wedding packages that we can choose from. I gathered in a list, the hotels that meet my criteria: with garden, price range not more than PhP 60K, with acceptable inclusions, and accessible location (just within the North side of Davao and with available transportation options).

Below are the hotels that made it to my shortlist of possible venues.

- Chateau del Mar (Lanang Beach Club)

- Hotel Tropika (Lanang Rd)

- Waterfront Insular Hotel (Barangay Hizon Rd)

- Linmarr Davao Hotels and Apartelles (Lakandula St, Agdao)

- The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases (Porras St)

- North Palm Hotel and Garden (JP Laurel Ave)

All these hotels can cater to garden wedding, are very accessible and are nearby our place, and their wedding package rates are reasonable with good number of inclusions.

The prices ranged around PhP 50K - 85K. The most affordable is the Linmarr Davao Hotels and the most expensive is Waterfront Insular Hotel. Linmarr is a nice option but it is farther from our place. It's almost close to downtown city and the whole package including the garden costs PhP 51,000. I already have a feeling that Waterfront is expensive but I still inquired about their rates just so I know I wouldn't be making a mistake. Since this is the nearest in my place, it is actually the best option among all my choices. Plus, it's called Waterfront because the hotel is fronting the beach. However, their classic wedding package costs PhP 85,000, something we can't afford.

So, my top 2 choices are Hotel Tropika and North Palm Hotel and Garden. Their wedding package rate is almost the same. Hotel Tropika just costs about a thousand more. Since I like Hotel Tropika's garden more than that of North Palm and the former is nearer my house, we have decided to book Hotel Tropika for our wedding next year.

Here are the Hotel Tropika Rates and Inclusions. We choose Package C. The hotel requires a minimum non-refundable downpayment of P1,000 to reserve the date of your choice. However, in order to block your desired wedding date, they require a 50% downpayment (also non refundable). The other 50% will be paid on the day of the event. Since h2b and I are sure of our wedding date, we paid the 50% so that the specific wedding date is ours. P.S. The hotel only cater one wedding per day.

We inspect the function hall and we are amazed that it is spacious (totally the opposite of my impression looking at their FB pictures). It has an adjoining small room in each side where the buffet tables will be placed. On the left side of the room are double doors that opens up to the garden outside. I fall in love with the garden - function hall layout.

Food tasting is already included when you pay the 50% down. You just need to contact them and schedule your food tasting.

Another plus is the hotel receptionist is so accommodating and answered all my queries.