Unlike the most common weddings, our wedding reception was mainly aiming for two things: To glorify God and have fellowship with our family.
No late night dancing
No dove release
No money dance
No man-made traditions
So many might say, how on earth will you celebrate after the ceremony? How will you entertain your guests? It will be too boring... You should do it like every other couple who did their wedding. It was a lot of fun! But unfortunately we were not aiming to please any single person who attended the wedding. We did the reception to Thank God for blessing our union and at the same time to introduce each other to both our big families.
We wanted a pure fellowship with all the guests. Simple as that. So the best way to please our guests is through: FOOD. There is a quote that says, "Food is the ingredient that binds us together".
Guests being pinned down in the reception table during the whole reception is what we want to change from all the past weddings that we went to. We want our families to enjoy the outdoor environment, roam around the yard, enjoy some good food and catch up with family members who came from faraway places.
I was totally inspired by PINTEREST posts about food bars/stations located in scattered areas in the reception.
If I could redo our reception and have an unlimited amount of cash in our pocket, I would put up a:
Sushi Station
Sushi Bar!!!! I can hear my inner self screaming with joy. I love sushi and for sure my cousins would love it!
Waffle Station
The kids would love this! I was about to purchase a waffle maker online. But on second thought, its not worth the money. I can use the same amount in a more worthy item/food.
French Fry Station
My husband couldn't agree more that I love french fries so much. It is not a healthy option but who doesn't want to eat this comfort food?
Pasta Station
Filipinos love spaghetti or any kind of pasta. The guests can choose their own sauce to suit their taste.
Drink Station
I was really hoping from day 1 that we could put up something like this. But unfortunately, we don't have these glass jars at home so purchasing these items would add up to the wedding bill.
Burger Station
Everybody loves burger. Especially if you're sitting in the gazebo or fireplace and having some good fellowship with the other guests.
Chocolate Fountain
Expect for a big crowd of kids and kids at heart in this area all throughout the reception.
Taco Bar
This is also one of my favorites. This would have been a big hit to the guests.
Fruit Station
For the health conscious people out there. This is one great food to eat to avoid gaining weight after the wedding.
Trail Mix Station
Ranging from your favorite cereals to peanuts to mallows, guests can pick whichever their heart desire in any amount.
Nacho Station
A Nacho bar is one best option for an appetizer while guests are waiting for everybody to come to the reception.
Now for our very own reception, we put up a few of the food stations that our guests had fully enjoyed.
Coffee Station
We brought some jars of coffee and packs of tea from Dubai. A water dispenser is placed near the coffee table and guests can make their own coffee or tea. Sugar and milk were located near the coffee and they can also top it with mini mallows if they prefer. Disposable coffee cups were also brought from Dubai. (Sponsored by: Nang Mairo & Tin2x - my husband's elder sisters).
Cookie/Biscuit Station
Biscuits were placed in big bowls for guests to accompany their hot coffee.
Candy Station
I bought around 200-300 mini candies for only 10aed.
My brother (Rock) organized the Dates from Dubai. He put them in toothpicks and assembled in a serving bowl.
Ice Cream Station
We ordered two tubes of ice cream from a local ice cream maker. One is in cookies and cream flavor and I think the other one is mango-cheese flavor (I was upset for a short while when I realized that I haven't tried the ice cream.) Ice cream cones and cups were bought from a local market in the Philippines. My mom bought some chocolate sprinkles, Hersheys chocolate syrup and chocolate wafers (Choyo-choyo) as toppings, they can use the minimallows also.
My ever supportive mom a day before the Big Day.
Hotdog & Popcorn Station
We were blessed to have kind people in the church who let us borrow their hotdog and popcorn stand for FREE. Thank you so much to the Dumagpi Family of Maayon, Capiz. We bought the popcorn, hotdogs, hotdog sticks and popcorn bags at the same local market in our area.
My parents were busy facilitating the day before the wedding. It was a VERY VERY TIRING day for all of us especially my dad who had several trips to get all things in place.
According to some of the guests, this was the most crowded station.
Dessert Station
It was nice of my mom to buy some sweets from Panulce (Cake shop) for desserts.
Nang Mairo even made mini yema cakes and cupcakes from home.
A big thanks to my mom, dad, Dumagpi family and Nang Mairo for helping us make our DIY food stations. I'm very satisfied when I heared some positive feedbacks days after the wedding. How kids keep on coming back to the hotdog and popcorn station. I saw my cousins bringing a container of Choyo-choyo (choco wafer) after the reception to eat in my grandmother's house. I'm happy when the reception just started and I see guests holding coffee cups already. All these simple things were enough to make a memorable event that we will only have once in our life. Once where all of our loved ones came all together for both of us.
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