Planning a destination wedding? You've got your wedding details down pat. Your guests have blocked off their schedules and will spend time with you and your affianced partner in paradise. Wondering what your guests can do in-between your wedding celebration?
In these favorite destination-wedding locations, here are some suggestions:
Spending a Weekend in Tagaytay (Cavite) and Batangas
While in Tagaytay, you may invite guests to take a day trip to the crater lake of Taal. While at the crater, guests can go ziplining or go on hiking trails. If the weather's favorable, guests can take sailing lessons and sail around the lake aboard a hobie cat. For those who aren't as adventurous, you can take your guests to see the Basilica of Martin de Tours (Taal Basilica), the largest in Southeast Asia, and check out the heritage houses along Taal. Else, you can take your guests on a guided tour around The Flower Farm in Tagaytay, bring home local delicacies such as buco tarts and tawilis, or simply enjoy the cool breeze of Tagaytay from your guests' selected abode.
While in Batangas, there are many historical sites for your guests to see. Since navigating the traffic in Batangas can sometimes be a challenge, make sure you choose places that are fairly near where you're staying. If in Calatagan for example, you may go up the Punta de Santiago lighthouse, or arrange for kayaking and surfing activities at the Playa Beach. Diving and snorkeling activities can also be arranged if you're in Nasugbu or Lobo. If you're getting married in Lipa, you can have your guests check out the Lipa Cathedral and other historical sites in the area. You may also visit the roasting facilities of the Malarayat Coffee Farmers and Consumer Cooperative in Brgy. Sto. Nino, Lipa and bring home alamid coffee from Mt. Malarayat.
More than the beaches of Boracay
If you want to offer your guests more activities in Boracay other than lazing under the sun, then you can arrange for island hopping tours (Crocodile Island, Crystal Cave and Puka Beach). You can also arrange for guests to go mountain biking around the island, go rolling down a gentle slope inside a ball at the Zorb Park, or drop by Kingfisher's Farm to check out the day's catch and dinner.
For early morning risers, you can request your resort manager to hold a yoga or taichi class along the beach, or join your guests for a morning stroll around the market stalls of D'Mall and D' Talipapa in search of good bargains. If you'd like your guests to sleep in late, prepare afternoon activities along the beach such as Frisbee, beach volleyball or skimboarding, and make sure there's enough fruit shakes and cocktails to go around when the sun comes down.
Road trip in Ilocos Norte
Tying the knot up north? Whether you are getting married in the historical churches in Laoag or Sarrat, or by the beautiful beaches in Currimao, Ilocos offers a host of activities for you and your guests. Continue the wedding revelry by taking your guests along the stretches of the beautiful beaches of Pagudpud. On your way to Pagudpud, visit the St. Augustine Church in Paoay, and marvel at its structure and the materials that make this 300-year-old church so unique. After which you may also see the sand dunes of La Paz, drop by and see the majestic and modern Bangui Windmills, and be inspired by the awesome views from the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse at Burgos.
If your guests would rather take a quick trip to Ilocos Sur, make sure to arrange a tour around Vigan. Apart from having them tour the cobbled streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site, treat your guests to local treats such as Vigan longganisa and Royal Bibingka.
Basking under the sun in rustic Bohol
As one of the first provinces to be evangelized by the Spanish missionaries, many churches built in Bohol since then still remain preserved to this day. However, these aren't the only gems of this province. While in Bohol, you may arrange for your guests short excursions around the mainland and see the elusive tarsiers, take the Loboc River Cruise, or see the famed Chocolate Hills. For those interested to go snorkeling, diving, dolphin watching or comb the beaches of Bohol, you may also arrange for a quick trip around the island by chartering a boat. For your more adventurous guests, they may go ziplining at the Danao Adventure Park or spelunking in places such as the Francisco Dagohoy or Hinagdanan caves.
After enjoying your wedding festivities, why don't you surprise your guests and pamper them with traditional massages or treatments at your resort? Apart from welcoming your guests with care kits, thank your guests too with packed goodies local to the island (peanut kisses, honey from Bohol Bee Farm and the like).
Remember that your guests have gone out of their way to witness your marital union so make sure they're entertained well, but try not to over-stuff your guests' itinerary with tours and activities, as they may have other plans in mind (and they may be too tired to enjoy your wedding!). Your guests would also appreciate you keeping them informed of available tours and travel arrangements (if any) beforehand, as well as being upfront with them when it comes to shouldering costs.
Moreover, you don't have to be so lavish in trying to be a gracious host. Do find creative ways to make your destination wedding memorable, by planning unique activities--your creativity and thoughtfulness will surely go a long way.
For more ideas, sample itineraries and more information about these places, check out TravelBook.ph.
To see the list of popular spots--and its nearby churches and reception venues--for destination weddings, click here.
