Who would have imagined that a pre-school teacher would trade in books for bouquets or lesson plans for seating plans? This is exactly what happened to Amanda Tirol, Boracay's wedding coordinator extraordinaire. "It all started when I had a cousin whose friend wanted to get married in Boracay after my wedding," shares Amanda. Fresh from her own nuptials on the island, Amanda dove right in and was barely finished with that first wedding when she found herself being asked to plan another one. She found herself moving to the island permanently and it's been one "happily ever after" after another since then. From a team of 2, Amanda set up Boracay Weddings, now a very successful ten year old wedding coordinating service with a bustling team of 12.
Home to the best white beaches in the Philippines, Boracay has always been a top choice for destination weddings. And while most would view coordinating a destination wedding a challenge, Amanda shakes this off and fondly calls the beach her "turf." Couples know that if they want to get married in Boracay, there is only one name to call. Who else but Amanda and her team is familiar with the ins and outs of the intimate island? It is, in fact, the island's size that is both a boon and a bane to wedding planning. "In Manila, there are so many suppliers [and] you can get everything from there," explains Amanda. But a small locale naturally yields a small pool of suppliers and when faced with limited resources, Amanda and her team takes the opportunity to harness their resourcefulness and creativity. While that doesn't stop couples from flying in their suppliers from all over the country, Amanda relies on her knowledge of the island to be able to make recommendations and give advice to her clients. "In Boracay we are used to doing everything for the client," she shares proudly.
True enough, she is very hands-on during weddings. She goes through the checklists herself and is usually the first one to check in on the day of the wedding to make sure that everyone-and everything-is ready. Her whole team is also involved, with a dedicated team to ensure the ceremony goes on without a hitch and another team that makes sure the wedding reception is in full swing. "I go around checking on everyone," she reiterates but is proud to note that her team is also her best asset. "I am very blessed with a great team. They have been with me for years now." Proof that this seasoned team always delivers.
Just how busy can Amanda and her team get? "We have at least 10 [weddings] a month during peak months which is between October and May and a maximum of 16 a month." Obviously, things can get very hectic for this in-demand wedding coordinator but this doesn't stop the team from working on several weddings. "I can't see myself doing anything else," she confesses. "I love what I do, and even if it sometimes does get stressful, in the end, as long as my clients are happy, then everything pays off."
To tie the knot or celebrate a wedding on the pristine shores of Boracay is but a dream to most couples. But for Amanda Tirol, she has not only made this dream wedding of hers come true, she now also does the same for many other couples as well. This pretty much sums up what Amanda likes most about her job. "It's being part of an unforgettable beginning in the lives of the couple that I am a part of. It's making their dream wedding come to life, and being the person that helped them make that into a reality."
Getting married in Boracay? Get in touch with Amanda Tirol and find out how she can help you pull off the destination wedding of your dreams.
