Ask any bride-to-be: in planning for the wedding, location is one of the top priorities. And the perfect place to hold the celebration does the job of setting an ambience of elegance, style, and romance.

The location for the wedding ceremony can border from the traditional (church), to the more sentimental (the backyard of a home). The wedding reception venue, however, calls for a bit more scrutiny and a more discerning set of criteria. Factors to consider include the number of guests, the cost, the theme, the environment (whether indoor or outdoor), and the facilities (dance floor, sound system, a bar, etc).

The best way to get an idea of the venues to consider is to get first-hand opinion: ask around. Get the opinion of friends who recently got married. Ask those who recently attended wedding receptions, and get their views. When a location is recommended more than once (preferably by the couple, and a guest), give that venue serious consideration.

Upon doing our own research, we have compiled a list of highly-recommended wedding reception venues. Note to the happy couples: it would be best to give your chosen location a visit, to get a better feel for yourself.

1. Fernbrook Gardens

Photo by Wally Gonzales

Fernbrook Gardens is pretty much a piece of backwoods grandeur. The experience of it begins even before you enter the gates, as from far off you spot the towering, almost oriental-style structure of glass domed ceilings and gold façade details standing in the middle of a field of grass.

The full-blown feel of the location comes at you as you stand before the steps and are greeted by a spacious foyer with golden embellishments. An elaborate fountain stands proud as the centerpiece. The area glowing with natural light holds vines crawling across the walls and around the pillars; indoor trees and shrubs of yellowbells are placed around the circular area, adding to the “nature’s fairy tale” theme beginning to sink in.

The happy couple has the option of holding the actual wedding ceremony in Fernbrook’s Notre Dame De Vie Chapel, located within the compound, and afterwards transported to one of the location’s several reception halls.

Adding a dash of royalty to the occasion are the options of a horse-drawn carriage, a Rolls Royce, or a vintage Bentley taking the couple to the chapel, and to the reception hall afterwards.

Another option is the gondola ride, a feature pioneered by Fernbrook and is today gaining popularity.

Photo by Wally Gonzales

Fernbrook’s four reception halls echoing Victorian and Byzantine architecture augment Fernbrook’s grandiose garden look with plants lining the inside perimeters, and hanging from the overhead skylights. White linen swags gently line the ceilings, adding to the airy, natural look of each air-conditioned, all-weather resistant hall. Each indoor venue can accommodate from 200-350 guests.

Fernbrook’s offered wedding packages come with free use of the venue for pre-nuptial pictorials, the bridal room for on-the-day preparations, at least 100 invitations, guest passes, directional maps, and availability of the Fernbrook staff on the day of the event.

The establishment’s management prides itself in the fact that Fernbrook Gardens is in continuous development, firmly promising to have a new feature every six months – a promise that has not yet been broken since the establishment began operations on December 2007.

Fernbrook Gardens is located at Portofino South, Daang Reyna, Las Pinas, Metro Manila.

For more information on Fernbrook’s available packages and catering partners, contact Ms. Cherry Cruz (0917-8605460) or Mr. Chill Festin (0917-8605460). For more information, visit www.fernbrookgardens.com

 
2. Glass Garden

Photo courtesy of The Glass Garden

Settled in the Pasig area is a discreet, almost hidden establishment that houses one of the simplest, yet quaintest wedding reception venues one could come across.

Glass Garden is a location that exudes an idea of an air-conditioned greenhouse located right smack dab in the middle of the city. Upon walking through the entrance doors, one is greeted with a majestic, 40-foot high domed mini-landscape letting in natural light through green-and-white glass. The main lobby boasts of a running stream and twelve-foot high majestically cascading waterfalls.

The lobby leads to Glass Garden’s two elegantly-designed air-conditioned English-style function halls that preserve the garden feel through towering trees, and plants surrounding the area and curtains of fernwood vines hanging from the ceiling. Each hall can accommodate as much as 700 guests, and comes with an elegant suite and spiral staircases – a perfect way to make the perfect entrance.

An interesting additional feature of the Glass Garden can be seen at the left side of the compound, in the form of what seems to be a small dress shop. This small shop is a wedding wardrobe store, an extended service of Glass Garden. Entering the shop, one is given an array of bridal gowns, as well as dresses for bridesmaids, even mothers of the happy couple. Each outfit can be custom made based on the theme and individual preference.

Every single piece of wardrobe is designed and made by the Glass Garden’s General Manager Camille Garcia. The designer accepts personal appointments for consultation and other similar wardrobe concerns.

The Glass Garden is located at 257 Evangelista St., Barangay Santolan, Pasig City.

For more information on Glass Garden’s available packages, call (02)646-5323, (02)7481727, or (02)7032767. They are also available via mobile, at (0922)8570027 and (0927)8235762.

For more information, visit http://www.theglassgarden.com.ph

 
3. Light of Love

Photo courtesy of Light of Love

A relatively new establishment, Light of Love Events Place is an ongoing even location that can cater to wedding receptions, and any other kind of special occasion that calls for something more than a small gathering. The venue offers both indoor and outdoor settings, all inside a compound filled with a treasure of trees, lush gardens, and waterfalls that bring nature’s best into every celebration.

Light of Love offers a total of seven venues, each one strategically located to bring a unique ambience and experience. The settings vary from an indoor location with a magnificent skylight, to a covered tent with a view of the trellis and trees, to an open space directly underneath the stars.

The air-conditioned Atrium and Integrity halls brandish the Light of Love signature: a majestic, glittering chandelier hanging from the ceiling – the perfect touch of elegance for special occasions.

Loyalty and Trust carry you away from the confines of the indoors, and bring you a bit closer to nature. Each one features an expansive space under a massive high-ceiling tent surrounded by the compound’s lush greenery. The Trust hall is located right beside the trellis, while the larger Loyalty gives a full view of both the garden and trellis.

Both venues feature walls that can be rolled up or down, depending on the client’s preferences, or other factors such as the weather.

Other venues include Love, an air-conditioned space located right beside the Atrium; Cherish, an open-air space that lets the guests dine al fresco with Mother Nature; and The Garden, an area within Light of Love that can serve as a beautiful venue for the couple to exchange their vows on the plush green grass, surrounded by the trees, and under the skies.

The venue halls can accommodate anywhere from 150 to 450 guests.

Light of Love’s added accommodations include a number of fully-furnished, elegantly designed courtesy rooms, complete with baths, for the newlyweds to relax in privacy.

Light of Love is located at 1163 Santol St., Quezon City. Interested parties can schedule a private tour of the grounds, simply by calling (02)714-7989 or (02)714-3871.

For more information, visit http://www.lightoflove.com.ph

 
4. Jardin de Miramar

Photo courtesy of Jardin de Miramar

Jardin de Miramar’s three hectares house a total of nine wedding reception venue options, each one with an individual theme that can help fulfill countless dreams of the perfect celebration. Located in the breezy hills of Antipolo, approximately 30 minutes away from Ortigas, Jardin de Miramar is both reasonably accessible, and refreshingly isolated from the busy city streets.

Jardin offers a range of different motifs; its Paradiso, Pergola, and Terraza venues allow for open-air garden celebration.

The air-conditioned indoor Sevilla site is decked with murals and a stage; the Ylang-Ylang is a covered area with its bamboo-and-sawali structure exuding a feel of a rural barrio-type setting; the Plaza boasts of an elegant Grecian design of flowing white swags and simplistic yet beautiful embellishments.

The more creative settings include Intramuros, a replica of the historic Philippine landmark (for couples who are considering a more historical setting), and the Galera with its large, true-to-life sea vessel surrounded by various playground equipment catering to couples looking for a more free-spirited, unconventional theme.

Guest capacities of the different locations range from 100 to 200 guests.

Jardin also offers location rentals for pre-nuptial photo shoots. Furthermore, clients choosing to reserve an open-air location are provided a back-up covered venue, free of charge, in the event of weather complications, especially during the rainy seasons.

Another sight to see at Jardin de Miramar is the Casa Santa, a medium-sized house-type structure fully laden with Christmas decorations and statues, giving the location a joyous, Yuletide feel all year round.

Photo courtesy of Jardin de Miramar

Jardin de Miramar is located at #276-279 San Jose Extension, Antipolo City. For those interested in booking for reservations, or getting more information send an email to info@miramar.com.ph, or call 817-1589/91/94, or 0917-7923915.

You may also inquire via fax (817-1591) or visit their website, www.miramar.com.ph

 
5. Isabelo Garden Restaurant

A literally hidden slice of rustic-style paradise in the middle of Marikina, Isabelo Restaurant with its limited tables and relatively small dining area is a place for small get-togethers to celebrate big events – a perfect setting for, say, a couple holding a small reception after a simple, quiet civil marriage ceremony. The place, like the event itself, is anything but loud and flamboyant; it is instead stripped of the pomp and circumstance that could get in the way of sitting down, sitting back, and cherishing the feeling and the moment with the ones you love the most.

This extraordinary sense of comfort is complemented by the excellent service: almost all menu items are completely customizable to suit different tastes and requirements, from vegetarian-style to diabetic-friendly. Unlike some (if not most) catering services whose number of available options only equals the number of items on the menu, Isabelo’s reputation also stems from the kind of service that puts the customer at the top of the priority list.

Clients arriving at Isabelo are seated by a waiter, and then personally greeted and warmly welcomed by owner advertiser-turned-chef Ms. Portia Baluyot, who afterwards goes back to the kitchen, as she does the cooking herself.

A small, intimate setting of lush greenery and artistic décor, service that is as personal(ized) as it can get, relaxing and romantic mood music, and a variety of food choices to fit each and every taste – perhaps the perfect wedding reception venue for newlyweds looking not for the screams of hundreds of well-wishers, but the relaxed, familiar company of those closest to their hearts.

For inquiries and reservations, call Ms. Portia Baluyot at 510-6914, or 0908-7401645. You may also inquire via email at isabelogardenrestaurant@gmail.com, or visit www.isabelogarden.com

NOTE: Isabelo follows a strict reservation-only policy, and will only disclose the restaurant’s exact location after a reservation has been confirmed.

 
6. Filipinas Heritage Library

For newlyweds who share an intense passion for arts, history and culture, the Filipinas Heritage Library is a pleasantly fitting location to celebrate the beginning of their lifelong union.

While this center is mostly known as a hub for thousands of records of Philippine culture in all its forms (again, the reason why it’s the perfect venue for newlywed artists and historians), it also houses several areas that may be rented and used for a number of different events and celebrations – including wedding receptions.

One area to consider is the Courtyard, an outdoor area that gives a great view of the Makati skyline. Guests will be treated to a cool, breezy al fresco gathering under the stars. With a capacity of up to 150 guests, the Courtyard offers an all-out celebration surrounded by glittering lights, towering buildings, and other remnants that exude urban style.

FHL allows the client to decorate the Courtyard in any way they choose (allowing for greater freedom to customize and add a personal touch), under the conditions that no permanent fixtures will be installed within the area.

The Courtyard also allows for ample space for a buffet and gift table, as well as for hired individuals like musicians, technicians, and photographers. They also offer a number of rentable electronic equipment (LCD projector, sound system, projection screen, platform, and a television, among others) that may be used for multimedia purposes.

A wedding reception venue option other than the Courtyard is the Reading Room – an indoor location within the library that can hold enough guests to gather a more intimate celebration. With an 80-100 guest capacity, this air conditioned area provides indoor coziness with just enough room to move around and be comfortable.

Although FHL highly recommends the Courtyard to those seeking to hold their wedding receptions in the area, the Reading Room is another great alternative, especially for receptions that involve a smaller number of guests, and a formal celebratory dinner.

The Filipinas Heritage Library is located along Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle, Makati City.

For inquiries and reservations, contact Jane Salvador at 892-1801 loc. 20/26, or send an email at venues@filipinaslibrary.org.ph

*Photos courtesy of Filipinas Heritage Library

 
7. 1Esplanade

With an almost unparalleled urban cosmo-chic ambience at one of the most notable locations in the metro, 1Esplanade is built to be the setting for almost every kind of event imaginable.

Located in an area with a grand view of the Manila Bay, 1Esplanade has been the venue for various types of social and corporate gatherings, from upscale swanky black-tie galas, to fashion shows, to loud-and-proud product launch parties, even presentations and other affairs by the country’s intellectual and political magnates.

And with its up to 1000 guest capacity, 1Esplanade has also become a favored upscale venue for wedding receptions.

1Esplanade offers two 550-sqm air conditioned function halls – Coral Halls A and B – each one equipped with a mood lighting system that can be set to perfectly fit with any chosen motif. Each hall also boasts of a high ceiling, a huge pantry, a courtesy room, and a basic sound system.

For newlyweds looking to hold their celebrations without the confines of walls and with the breathtaking view of the ocean, 1Esplanade also features its Pearl Hall, also with a maximum capacity of about 350 guests. Bridal rooms are also available for the happy couple to lounge in luxurious privacy and unwind after all the stress of planning and arranging their momentous event.

Although, the hectic task of planning the event is also something that 1Esplanade is willing to take off the couple’s hands: their complete, comprehensive event planning package takes the stress off the couple, as the organizers focus only on delivery what the clients want, and making their dream celebration come true.

Miscellaneous arrangements such as catering, photography services, and the audio and lighting systems are also made easier with 1Esplanade’s extensive list of accredited third-party services, each one guaranteed to help make the event as memorable as it could possibly be.

1Esplanade is located at the SM Central Business Park, Seaside cor. Bay Boulevard, Pasay City.

For inquiries and reservations, call 832-5746, 408-9351-52 or 409-7910. You may also send an online inquiry through their website, www.1esplanade.com

*Photos courtesy of 1Esplanade

 
8. Patio Victoria

The last on the list is Patio Victoria, which offers couples a chance to hold their wedding reception venue inside the Walled City of Intramuros – a historic cobblestoned landmark of Philippine history, with an air of Old World romance.

Upon going through the antique gates, one is immediately greeted by a setting of trees, flowers, and an old-fashioned fountain that echoes the old yet lingering glory of Intramuros. Patio Victoria offers two garden venues, Sofia and Diana, each one an open-aired space of greenery, and a tinge of old-style décor.

A wedding reception held in either one promises designs that exude romance whether with the cool blowing afternoon breeze, or under the glittering velvety blanket of the evening sky. The gardens come with their own gazebo decked with flowers, swags, lights, and a chandelier – a beautiful setup of romance and intimacy.

Clients concerned about unpredictable weather need to worry, as both gardens come with tented areas, and additional covering may be provided upon request.

Patio Victoria’s third area is the Sofia Banquet Hall, a covered air-conditioned ballroom with ample space to accommodate up to 200 guests for an experience of fine dining and classic elegance.

The establishment also offers professional assistance in crucial arrangements, with its team of wedding planners dedicated towards relieving the couple of the tension and stress of coordinating everything to the tiniest detail.

Lastly, Patio Victoria offers a catering service that assures nothing short of professional expertise and ultimate satisfaction.

Patio Victoria is located at 5453 General Luna cor Victoria Streets, Intramuros.

For inquiries and reservations, you may contact them via 523-6940. You may also visit their website, www.patiovictoria.com, to send an online inquiry or to get more information about the venue and its services.

*Photos courtesy of Patio Victoria

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