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Expert Tips and Opinions Hospitality Management Students Should Read Right Now

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted 2020, forcing many people to quickly postpone their weddings. In June of 2020, the Philippine government announced that it will be allowing events to push through, provided that the number of guests present be limited. As a result, many people who decided to push through with their weddings in 2020 have had to change their plans and go with an intimate wedding. With that in mind, here are a few tips, themes, and ideas wedding industry professionals have shared to help you better plan your intimate wedding:

Intimate Wedding Packages, Total Guests, Church Limitations, and More

Make sure you know what the Philippine government does or does not allow in intimate weddings across Metro Manila. Here is a list to help you stay updated.

How to Have a Small and Intimate Wedding

Not many Filipinos are used to planning small and intimate weddings. This primer from The Knot will help you get a better understanding of the differences in planning a traditional large wedding compared to the new normal of small, intimate weddings.

5 Small Wedding Ideas for Your Intimate Day

Need ideas for your intimate wedding? Consider these suggestions from Green Envelope to help make planning your intimate wedding easier.

79 Best Wedding Favors for 2020

Choosing the right wedding favor for your guests is still important. Find the one that suits your personality with 79 ideas for wedding favors.

Factors and Measures to Consider When Planning Intimate Weddings in 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted 2020, forcing many people to quickly cancel their events. There have been many stories of couples having to postpone their weddings in an effort to keep their guests safe, especially those with wedding dates in the early days of the pandemic. The Philippine government also imposed a ban on mass gatherings, which further forced soon-to-be-weds to reschedule their big day.

The Philippine government recently lifted the ban on events, but have implemented a limitation in the number of guests that are allowed to attend events like weddings. The maximum number of guests as of writing is set at 30 people. With the lifting of the ban, some couples have decided to push through with their weddings in 2020, albeit with a much shorter guest list. As a result, intimate weddings have become a trend in recent months.

If you are planning to have an intimate wedding of your own in 2020, know that you’ll need to implement a few measures to ensure your 30 guests stay safe. Make sure you keep the following in mind as you start planning your intimate wedding:

Creative Hand-Sanitizing Solutions

Sanitizing almost every item, you come across while outside is now the norm. Event planners, such as Enderun Events, or Venue Owners, will help couples think of creative hand-sanitizing solutions for their guests, including a staff outside distributing hand sanitizers, or the guests having personalized water bottles. These solutions can also mean no more buffets, meaning every meal will be plated by the caterers and ready to be served to the guests.

Wear Masks

Everywhere, masks are now required to be worn to prevent the spread. Therefore, even at weddings, the bride and groom, including its guests and staff, should also wear a mask. The masks can be taken off during pictorials or when eating; however, it is advised to wear it during the entire wedding ceremony and reception.

Choosing an Indoor Venue

Having an outdoor wedding is no longer an option during this pandemic as weddings need to be held indoors to keep safe. If you planned to hold it outdoors, it is now the time to look for another venue to keep you and your guests safe. For you and your guests to not feel confined in a closed space, you may consider incorporating open-air or outdoor elements to the venue.

Practice Social Distancing

Having a smaller guest list does not mean it is safe to not practice social distancing. The seats’ arrangement should be spaced at least 6 feet or 2 meters apart from each other. Marriage officiants should also stand a bit further away from the couple during the ceremony and that the venue, in general, has a lot of space for it not to be crowded.

Do A Live Stream

Many airports have been blocked, and some guests might not want to travel or attend the event due to feeling uncomfortable and worried about their health and safety. With the guest list now smaller, with some guests removed or some who cannot attend, couples can opt to live stream their wedding to the extended guests to watch the event. With the current advancement in technology, the guests can even feel as if they are really inside the venue themselves.

Safety Measures to Implement in Your Event Space When Live Events are Allowed

Mass gatherings have been prohibited for months now as a countermeasure against the pandemic. However, there will eventually come a time when mass gatherings and live events will be allowed once again, especially once a safe and effective vaccine has been developed.

Despite the potential use of vaccines, event organizers should not become complacent. Health and safety should still be a priority for organizers and event venues. With that in mind, here are a few safety measures that you should implement in your event hall once mass gatherings and live events are possible again:

Conduct a pre-event risk assessment

Part of safety is in knowing what are the risks involved with the situation at hand. Using a scale from 1 to 5 (with 1 being low risk and 5 being very high risk), rate how the following potential hazards can affect the outcome of your event. Consider the following potential hazards in areas such as: fire, environment, equipment, crowd management, crew, first aid, weather, child protection, and catering.

After you have rated the aforementioned areas of possible hazard, identify who are at risk (crew, attendees, children, etc.) and how you will eliminate or reduce the risks to the persons involved. In this regard, you may choose to work with your outsourced event suppliers, local authority, and emergency units so that your risk assessment is as accurate as possible.

Provide adequate training for staff

Staff that are trained before an event can react better and are more equipped to provide services in an emergency situation. For example, if your event is expected to have a high number of attendees, consider mitigating the spread of contagious viruses. An event hall in Taguig such as the one located in Enderun Colleges provides sanitizing stations to clients who book the venue. Healthy and safety are of utmost importance to event organizers when it comes to managing high traffic areas. Things to consider include: parking sites, first aid stations, toilets, and emergency provisions. Consider placing healthy and safety information around the event venue and do a pre-event announcement to all attendees.

Having trained staff can also be a measure of ground-level surveillance since your crew interacts directly with the event attendees.

Choose the right venue for your event

Depending on what kind of event you’ll be having, the right venue can spell the difference between overcrowding and the most effective use of space. There are many event spaces in Manila, such as the venues offered by Enderun Events, that have venues with varying sizes. Having a profile of your event, the expected demographics of the attendees, and estimated number of attendees would help you choose the right venue.

Of course, safety features should also be a consideration. Ask your event venue about how frequently they can sanitize areas like bathrooms and lounges. Your event venue should also be more than happy to set up disinfecting foot baths at all entrances and contactless hand sanitizers in key areas.

Have a back-up plan for emergencies

Create a plan for emergency situations and discuss this with the venue organizer and staff. Things to consider include: the method in informing the attendees, how and when to raise the alarm, how to evacuate the attendees, how to access the onsite emergency facilities, how to handle casualties, how to manage traffic, and how to provide first aid when necessary.

Like with anything, prevention is better than the cure. It is wise to be mindful of potential hazards before any big event so that you can prepare accordingly.

GCQ Weddings: Intimate Wedding Packages, Total Guests, and More

With Metro Manila transitioning to General Community Quarantine, many restrictions have been lifted, but there are still certain limitations set in place to keep the general population safe. These changes have left many people wondering what they can and cannot do under GCQ. One of the more prominent questions being asked right now is if couples who had plans to get married in 2020 can push through with their weddings. The quick answer? Yes. Couples may choose to still get married under GCQ. However, there are a few restrictions you’ll need to keep in mind. Traditional large-scale weddings and receptions most of us are used to are strictly prohibited under safety and social distancing guidelines from the government. As such, intimate weddings will be the main option for couples looking to get married during GCQ. Here are a few things you need to know:

Wedding Proper

Churches will allow couples to get married in their chosen church. What has changed is the number of people allowed during the wedding. Church officials have said that only immediate family members of the bride and groom, as well as one pair of sponsors, are allowed to be present. Alternatively, couples may opt to go with a civil wedding for now, just to make things official. However, the number of attendees is limited to immediate family members for the sake of having witnesses to the civil wedding.

Guest Lists

The government has allowed intimate weddings to push through since the move to GCQ last June 1, 2020. Government guidelines, for now, are only allowing gatherings of up to (10) people. This is for strict compliance and many wedding suppliers are restructuring their services to ensure this 10-person limit is followed.

Event Spaces

The government has allowed event spaces to resume operations, provided that all events will follow the 10-person limit. Given this, couples who plan to push through with their weddings during GCQ should try to look for more intimate GCQ wedding venues, such as Restaurant 101 or The Atrium. Similarly, it’s a good idea to look for event spaces that offer in-house catering options to help limit the number of wedding suppliers present. On the other hand, couples may choose slightly more unconventional venues, like village clubhouses or their own homes, and opt to hire a catering service, like Enderun Events. Fortunately, many event spaces and catering services are offering Intimate Wedding Packages to help make planning intimate weddings easier for couples. These packages often come complete with venue, catering, and styling, easing the stress of having to plan a wedding and “reception” from scratch. You may view Enderun Events’ Intimate Wedding packages here.

3 Activities That Will Bring More Excitement to Your Next Corporate Event

Choosing a date and booking a corporate event space are two important steps when planning your company’s next event. However, those two details are not the only things that you organize a successful corporate event. Making sure you fill out your corporate event with the right kind of activities also plays a large role in an event’s success. Whether you are throwing a year-end party, planning a product launch, or preparing for a corporate training seminar, there’s no denying that having a fun and interesting line-up of activities helps make your event more memorable. Of course, coming up with these activities from scratch can be a little difficult. This is why we’ve compiled a shortlist of activities you can try including in your next corporate event:

Organize an internal TEDx event

Need an unconventional way to get your message across? Holding a TEDx talk in your company’s next event is a popular way to gather a crowd. TEDx brings a lot of value to an event that promotes learning and discussion. Try inviting an industry thought-leader to be your speaker to help generate more interest in your event. Just remember to register your event at TED.com if you plan to use the TEDx logo on your event’s marketing materials.

Have an immersive photo booth experience

One of the first things guests do when they enter a corporate event space is to take photos. This is why photobooths are a common inclusion in any corporate event. To take it up a notch, create an immersive 3D photo booth experience that will allow your guests to explore different landmarks around the world or delve deeper into the product that you are showcasing. By doing this, you give your guests a memorable souvenir of the event that keeps your brand in your guests’ top of mind.

Host a Guided Wine-Tasting Session

Food and drinks tend to be the highlight of most corporate events. However, there are a few ways you can turn dinner into an interactive activity for your guests. Try inviting an experienced wine expert to host a guided wine-tasting session. Have the expert help you with pairing different wines with the menu you’ve prepared. An event space with in-house catering, such as the Enderun Tent, can refer you to a wine expert who is familiar with the menus they offer. Whether your event is catered towards internal employees, external stakeholders, or both, it is important to create a memorable experience. Hopefully, these ideas have helped inspire you!

Caterers Share Tips for Building a Custom Menu for Your Next Event

There is no denying that having a great selection of food is vital to making any event a smashing success. After all, we Filipinos have a true passion for food. This is why choosing a trusted catering service, like Enderun Events, should be a priority when planning your next event. Most catering services in Taguig and the rest of Metro Manila will allow their clients to build their own menus. This is a fantastic service since you are free to choose all the items that you love. However, this doesn’t mean that you should simply pick everything that you enjoyed. Any foodie will tell you that the best menus are the ones that have diverse options that complement the other available choice well. Building a cohesive menu isn’t as difficult as it sounds, but it does require you to plan things in advance. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you build a menu that’ll have your guests talking about your event for years to come.

Match the Menu with Your Event’s Theme

Consider matching your menu with the theme you’ve chosen for your event. For example, a Great Gatsby-themed birthday party would benefit from a menu that offered a foie gras appetizer, beef medallion entree, and French macaroons for dessert. On the other hand, an outdoor event would probably call for more casual fare like potato salad bites, braised beef rib fingers, and milk chocolate pudding.

Don’t Load Up on Too Many of the Same Proteins

Another thing to consider is how much of a particular protein you have on the menu. If you aren’t careful, you may end up with eight different pork dishes and only one of each other kind of protein available. Apart from flavor fatigue, some guests may have dietary restrictions that might not be compatible with a pork-heavy menu. As a rule of thumb, you’ll want at least one dish that features seafood, chicken, pork, and beef.

Diversify the Flavor Profile of Each Course

Try to make sure that the flavor profile of each course is diverse. If you’ve already chosen two spicy food items as hors d’oeuvres, it might be a good idea to skip adding even more spicy options for mains. If you’ve chosen some relatively salty appetizers, on the other hand, you probably want to choose mains that offer a bit of sweetness or creaminess to balance out your menu.

Simple Tips to Help Your Booth Stand Out at Your Next Bridal Fair

Bridal fairs and expos are a cost-effective way for wedding suppliers to reach their target customer base. Brides are usually together with their family and friends. Mostly, these brides have already started planning their weddings, which means they are ready to avail your services. Hence, it is necessary to make the most of the bridal fair experience.

Since wedding expos are usually held in large trade show venues, like the Tent at Enderun Colleges, you usually have to compete with a lot of other suppliers to gain attention. One of the best ways to attract interest from potential clients is to have an eye-catching booth. Here are a few ideas that will help your booth standout:

Use visual presentations

Familiarize the attendees with your previous works and projects by showcasing these through audio video presentations or slide shows. Doing this will make it easier for them to encapsulate the quality of your services and give them an idea of the roster of clients you have worked with.

Up your freebie takeaway game

To gain further attention from prospect clients, take your booth activity into a whole new level. Create a roulette game and let the attendees spin their luck for a freebie takeaway. You can prepare eco-bags, shirts, calendars or pens. Make sure these items have your logo imprints for further brand recognition.

Choose corner booths

Always opt for corner spaces when deciding your booth area. Placing your booth on corners makes it easier for brides to see you because they are able to view you from two directions. It also helps you to utilize your space since it is not as stuffy and enclosed as those vendors situated in between.

Display one focal item

If you are a gown designer, you can ideally put about three of your creations and position them in the center of the booth. By displaying a focal item, attendees can conveniently grasp the idea of your services. Also, they can easily decide to book you if they are able to spot and touch your works and pieces. It even gives you a leverage because showcasing your works means you are confident in giving quality outputs to your prospect clients.

Do not clutter the booth

Avoid bringing in unnecessary materials that can only take up space in your booth. Take note that people tend to roam around inside it. Make sure there’s enough space for inquiries and sit-down bookings. Give them the comfort they need to freely move around.

Utilize your logo and logo colors as possible

As much as possible, make your booth thematic in the sense that its design aligns with the colors of your brand. Since it’s a wedding expo, you can try to incorporate whites and creams, even silvers, in your booth colors. Do not overdo it, though. Try to mix and match and see if it blends well. Utilizing your colors increases your chance for a higher brand recall.

Optimize your booth for social media

Once everything is set up accordingly, determine whether your booth is social media ready. With today’s digital technology, it is guaranteed that brides would love to take pictures of all things they have seen during the fair. Take this advantage by putting together the most Instagram-worthy elements and pieces in your booth design. You can also create an event hashtag so brides have a more personal feel toward your services.

If you are in search of an event space in Manila for your next social gathering, Enderun Events offers exceptional facilities that guarantee an unforgettable and memorable experience. Not only will you have the best time of your life, your guests will surely have to.

Supplier Spotlight: Gary Dacanay Weddings and Events

One of the reasons why Enderun Events has been so successful over the years is because we are able to work with some of the most creative and talented partner suppliers in Metro Manila. Today, we’ll be featuring Gary Dacanay Weddings and Events, one of the top event stylists in Manila.

About Gary Dacanay Weddings and Events

Gary Dacanay Weddings and Events was established in 2014, fulfilling a childhood dream for Mr. Gary Dacanay. “From a young age, I’ve always had a big interest in flowers and stage design. It was all about that love and passion for the arts, which is why the interest developed into a full scale event styling company.” he says–and he hasn’t looked back since.>

Over the course of the last five years, Gary Dacanay has worked on the styling for numerous events in and around Metro Manila, including festivals, beauty pageants, concerts, weddings, and more. His stunning designs are truly a sight to see. In fact, his unique designs has helped him build an impressive list of celebrity clients like:

Sitti Navarro
Richard Gutierez and Sarah Labhati
Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez
Vic Sotto and Pauline Luna
Gladys Reyes
Senator Koko Pimentel
President Rodrigo Duterte

On Working with Enderun Events

Enderun Events and Gary Dacanay Weddings and Events have built an amazing partnership over the years. Many of Gary’s clients have chosen The Atrium or The Enderun Tent for their events, ranging from weddings to debuts and everything in between, thanks to the near limitless possibilities the event venues offer.

“I love working with Enderun Events. They are easy to work with since they are so organized and supplier-friendly with their policies. Their two main venues, The Atrium and The Enderun Tent, are blank canvases and a dream for any full-scale event styling company.” Gary says.

“Every event in Enderun, big or small, is a ‘positive challenge’. Their event venues are beautiful, inspiring me and my team to be as creative as possible when coming up with designs for our clients.”

Gary’s creativity definitely shines bright every time he and his team handles an event at Enderun Colleges. Eye-catching flower arrangements, elegant ceiling treatments, and other thoughtful personalized touches are the hallmarks of his designs. Every design is bursting with color and life, yet completely tailored to the personalities and preferences of his clients. The result is a truly customized events that his clients and their guests will never forget.

Gary and his team also never back down from a challenge. “In the world of event styling, there is no such thing as an ‘obstacle you need to overcome’. Every aspect of styling is a new opportunity to let your creativity shine. No matter how big or grandiose a client’s vision is, Gary and his team find ways to bring that dream to life.

“In event styling, the manta Hakuna Matata really applies. There’s no point in worrying. It’s all about ‘No worries. We’ll get the job done and do our best to match or even exceed your expectations’. This mindset helps us come up with designs that are pretty and create positive vibes all around.”

Add Gary Dacanay’s Unique Vision and Designs to Your Event!

Still looking for a stylist for your upcoming event at The Atrium or The Enderun Tent? We’d be more than happy to recommend you to Gary Dacanay Weddings and Events! Simply give us a call at (632) 856 5000 local 534 or 560. Together, we can make your event unforgettable.

5 Corporate Giveaways to Hand Out During Your Next Public Event

Company events can be intimidating endeavours. Often, these are the stages on which companies are judged for their capability, reliability, and success. Whether an event hosted solely by your company, or an expo that your company has joined, It is important to make a good impression.

One way to do so is to have giveaways! Though it may seem old-fashioned, giveaways are still one of the best ways to be remembered by those who visit your event or booth. Here are some ideas for your next event.

A really good ballpen

It seems trite, but the truth is that a really good ballpen is still valued! If you can give out good ballpens, people are sure to keep them and use them regularly. With that comes their keeping your company in mind. Be sure the pen is branded, looks good, and writes excellently!
USB sticks

A useful item still, and one that you can utilize in two ways! The first is by branding the device with your company logo, and the second is to have a folder with your company profile and other information in it! Just be sure that there is enough space for people to still use it for themselves. This will not only be appreciated, but it will also encourage them to keep the USB stick!
Instagram food lights

These days, it’s all about the ‘gram. One well-appreciated present is an Instagram light. These pen-like devices have LED lights that let people light up their photo subject, whether it be food, products (for flatlay), or themselves!
Discounts

Nothing beats a really good discount coupon, especially if you have a sought-after product or service. It also encourages event visitors to become customers. Make sure the discount is enticing enough for potential customers to become real customers, and count the discount given as a marketing expense!
Metal drink containers and umbrellas

Metal drink containers and umbrellas are two items that people always need and always appreciate receiving for free! Just make sure that you will be able to bring in the latter. Some corporate event venues are strict about what you can and cannot bring in to the event space, and the last thing you want is to be told you can’t bring in your giveaways!

Just as important as the items you give away are the corporate event venues you choose for your company events! There are many event spaces in Manila, but not all of them have what is necessary to make your company look capable, serious, and a brand that customers and/or suppliers can trust. Apart from ambience and what it can convey, do not forget to consider location. The location of corporate event venues can determine the success of the event. Accessibility is ideal, but so is parking–something many event spaces in Manila do not have, but guests appreciate. Do your research on different event spaces in Manila and do not forget to consider these options before your next company event!

Corporate Catering Tips: Selecting the Right Menu for Your Business Lunch

Depending on how many attendees there are, selecting the right menu can be either a simple or complex task. It all starts with choosing the right venue and catering company. Once those two decisions have been made, here’s how you can make it easier on yourself when planning your next business lunch.

1. Get to Know Your Guests in Advance

Even before the lunch, try to get information on any dietary restrictions that your guests might have. It also helps to know their food preferences. If you are unsure of this information, speak to the restaurant or your catering service beforehand to provide options for your guests and to avoid any cases of embarrassment or humiliation.

2. Showcase Your Culture

If you are dealing with foreign guests or overseas partners, it might be a good idea to allow them to experience the local cuisine. Not only will it be a new experience for them, but talking about the food is also a good conversation topic to break any ice or tension, while showcasing your culture and what your country has to offer.

3. Avoid Causes for Embarrassment

When designing the menu with your chosen catering company, it is best to choose dishes that are clean, fresh and easy to eat. Avoid food that is difficult to eat, such as whole meats and unpeeled and unopened shellfish as well as dishes that have the potential to cause stains or may leave unpleasant tastes and odours in the mouth such as food with strong flavours of garlic and onion.

Selecting the right menu for your business lunch is more important than most people think, as this is the impression-making stage. Be sure to select the appropriate catering services to fit your occasion and guest profile to ensure the smoothest business transaction possible.