December is the most wonderful time of the year--Christmas trees are festooned with lights and ornaments, houses look just about as bright and cheery as the people who live in them, no one counts calories, and most importantly, there's something in the air that makes everyone feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, goosebumps and all. The cause? Love, actually. And there is no better way to say "I love you" more than "I do."

Couples choose to get married in December more than any other month of the year. "It's always the heaviest month for wedding suppliers like us," says Charisse Tinio of Nice Print Photography. "We prepare for December way ahead and really brace ourselves for the busy, busy month".

Top ceremony and reception venues are also fully booked this month. The Caleruega Church in Nasugbu, Batangas, where would-be couples have to book a year ahead of their wedding date especially during peak seasons like June and December, held 74 weddings this month alone.

Because of the demands of this stressful month, preparation has always been key for wedding suppliers. "Difficulties and demands of December weddings have always been something predictable for me," says professional photographer Bryan Yap. "Keeping myself fit physically and mentally has helped me a lot with the way I handle this stressful month of almost-everyday shoots."

December is the peak month for local weddings for many reasons. First, the cool December wind is a great contrast to the otherwise warm weather for rest of the year--outdoor weddings are easier to pull off, and the long-sleeved entourage wouldn't be as uncomfortable.

Second, the chapels and the reception venues would be adorned with wreaths and lights in line with the Christmas season, making costs for your decorations cheaper. Because of the high demand for suppliers during this season, it is also a common misconception that rates are bound to increase for venues and suppliers. Most suppliers don't change their rates in December as price increases usually occur at the start of the year. Jardin de Miramar, a wedding venue in Antipolo, is more open to discounts during the rainy season.

Third, relatives or guests from out of town or abroad would be coming home for the holidays, and couples can make their wedding a part of the series of reunions. In the same vein, this also turns the wedding into a more intimate and emotional affair.

Finally, there's something about the overall feel of December. Romance is in the air and everyone is in a warm, festive mood. It's the perfect time to get married, or watch people get married!

With planners full of Christmas parties, reunions, and get-togethers, it can also get quite challenging to pull off a wedding in December. For one, suppliers will be booked and busy. "Since wedding shoots are almost an everyday occurrence in December, it could really get to be taxing to us photographers, mentally and physically," says Yap. "Our performance slightly varies from one wedding to another, depending on the complexity of the celebration program, from preps to reception." If you have your heart set on getting married in December, book your suppliers a year in advance.

Tinio shares another concern for most photographers. "Days are also shorter with the sun setting at around 5:30 PM," explains Tinio, "and most afternoon weddings wouldn't get to experience that ideal sunset wedding shot." To work around this situation, you can schedule an earlier ceremony so you still have enough time for your photo session.

Traffic also becomes unavoidable, making it harder for everyone--from the suppliers to the guests--to navigate the streets. However, as long as you remind everyone (yourself included) to leave for the church early, you can avoid the hassles of heavy traffic. Provide guests with maps to alternative routes, too.

In the end, even the most wonderful time of the year has its flaws. But with the perfect person, you can get married any time and have it seem like Christmas for the rest of your lives.