The Buffet or Meal Etiquette in gatherings

Diary 127 unfolds to public reading:

If you are decided to accept someone’s invitation to attend a special occasion because of the Love and Celebration of Union or any other type of gathering: Please bring with you a bottle of mineral water or a simple snack. 

A wedding ceremony will take up to 1:00 and a half hour long and our program formulated for 10 years will take upto 20-30mins before the meal time. Me, as the wedding planner would always hear these words that is very Unethical:

“Tara, mag MCDO nalang tayo..”

“Hindi pa ba Kayo magpapastart ng buffet..”

“Ano b yan gutom na kmi...”

Etch...

As much as you wanted to start eating,,, we, the staffs and planners would skip our breakfast or lunch to rush the wedding preparation or set up. Some couples would disagree to take their initial meals because they are pressured and tense and don’t know how to eat because of their mixed emotions before walking down the isle. The photo and videography team, captain and waiters will also sacrifice a decent meal to serve you right their priceless presentation and obras. So please be considerate. Not all of the couple are well off to afford more than the buffet: sometimes they can’t even add an appetiser on the menu because they were also spending on the transportation of some guests, clothings, souvenirs and more.

Some clients have a full course meal ordered and some would make it very hard to work for a simple budget to suffice the guests needs in food and refreshments... so pls respect their way of making their event as that’s what they can afford to serve to you. We are doing our best to handle the table presentation as presentable as possible and the food to taste good and as fresh as it can be in the best way that our team can provide. Please always bear with the couple and never leave them right after the meal time.

Now for some couple who are planning to get married:

Have an allowance of a table or two for unexpected guests. Wedding is a simple occasion that your friends might be attending with someone they wanted to be with that is really close to their hearts (they can’t really left at home or behind).

The open buffet will always ready to serve your guest until they wanted to have a second round as long as there are food left on the chafing dishes. If you ordered specific amount of food for specific count of guests, you are lucky to take home some leftovers if not all of your invited guests had come or not. And if not all of them are willing to hit up the buffet to eat all the food that is left available. 

To our respective Mothers and aunts of the couples: do not ask for leftovers until the waiters is finished serving all the guests. There are clashing of interests and confusion between wedding planners and clients if they have seen captain or waiters packing up the food since the event isn’t over yet. Please respect the agreement between the coors and clients and have some ethics to ask before giving instructions to the staffs.

We are normally gathered on these types of social events to celebrate Love and spread more Love. We hope that aside from dressing up your looks, please be prepared to attend with good social approach to everyone. It is our job to make an occasion worthy of the clients budget and make it a memorable one in all positive ways. From here, we are asking for patience and more positive vibes too!

Thank you, 

Ehlle and All From Elite Memoirs Management

My Son's First Birthday :)

My Son's First Birthday :)

Exactly one year ago you changed everything I thought I knew about life. As a matter of fact, you taught me that I knew nothing. Kaya naman pinaghandaan namen ang 1st Birthday mo, may mga nagsasabeng mas mabuting ilabas ka na lang namen ipasyal o kaya naman mag celebrate ng simple lang dahil hindi mo naman maaalala yung party na Ibibigay namen sayo BUT tinuloy prin nmen para samen deserve mo magkron ng magandang party lalo na sa unang kaarawan mo..

Habang papalapit ang birthday ng anak ko mas dumadami ang ideas na naiisip ko...
Pero sympre dpt pasok prin sa budget mga hinahanp ko nun yung mga pwedeng pagawan ng custome, bilihan ng Lootbags etc. At kumuha rin kme ng event organiser na kayang gawing maging masaya at ibigay ang gusto namen para sa birthday ng baby ko at napaka swerte nmen dahil ang ELITE MEMOIRS ang napili namen na mag organise ng party  ng baby ko, for me kase kung may budget naman mas okey na maghanap ng kaya kang tulungan gawin ung mga bagay na gsto mong mangyre kse ang hrap naman kung ikaw lang lahat ang gagawa ang advantage naman kase ng pagkuha ng mag oorganize ng party mo ay bukod sa di ka mahahassle sa mga dapat gawin sa pagluluto sa pag seserve mas mabibigyan mo rin ng atensyon ung mga bisita...
Pero kung wala naman ring budget o hndi ganon kalake ung budget pwede rin naman mag celebrate sa bahay ang pinaka importante mairaos at buo kayong magpapamilya... 

Mga ideas/Tips na pwede ko i-share lalo na pag dating sa budgeting yung mga bagay na kaya naman na tayo gumawa bumili or mag DIY like invitations, souvenirs, custom, Lootbags etc.
gawin naten mas tipid kase rin yun at habang ginagawa naten un mas lumalawak pa yung imagination naten mas nagiging excited pa tayo sa nlalalpit na kaarawan ng ating mga anak...

Kaya ini-Incourage ko yung mga nagbabasa neto na mas maganda at malakeng tulong ng pgkuha ng event organiser dahil mas mapapabilis at mas mapapa ganda nila at lalong mapapagaan ang lahat ng preparation ng isang event.

I would like to give thanks to God and my family and also the Elite Memoirs for the help and good quality of services to us.We really appreciate the support and effort of everyone. God Bless more. 

A Cum Laude reminisced her debut party with Elite

 Dreaming of a debut party you’ve always wanted is different from actually planning it a few months before it come true!! 😊 I always dreamed of having a dance like a princess on my 18th birthday since it was “socially constructed” to be the sweetest of the birthdays, as the girl officially turns into a fine young lady. When I turned 17, and many of my friends started to celebrate their birthdays, both casually and princess-likes, I started to wonder how I’ll make my 18th the most memorable one. Preparing for a debut was challenging. So sharing my own experiences might help. Afterall, ladies make (future) ladies stronger. Making your dream debut depends on the BUDGET that you have. Make sure that it is WISE. You wouldn’t trade a night of glamor with a month or more, starving with your family.  Afterall, your debut will be memorable because of LOVE, not for how much you’ve spent. With the budget on your mind, time to answer the Biggest questions -  WHO, WHERE, and WHEN  - WHO - who are your guests? You should have a list of your Family Members and closest friends you want to share your special day with; WHERE - Where do you wanna spend your birthday? Is it enough for the number of guests you want to invite?; and WHEN - Are you going to hold it exactly on your birthday? Most of you are students probably, and having a birthday on school days might cause a slight problem. So considering the date where everyone’s free is also a must.

I’m celebrating my birthday every November so back then, as early as July, I already made a list of guests - I wasn’t even sure of then yet if it’s really going to happen but thank heavens   I made it because my parents confirmed it to me on August. DO NOT WASTE TIME. There are a lot of debutants or events, some might want to hold the same day as you. So finding a venue should come first. Most event places also offer catering services or recommends event planners so don’t hesitate to ask if they know event planners. They can provide accurate recommendations since they’ve seen how these event planners work. As for me, I was recommended to quite a lot. At that time, my parents doesn’t want to waste time with different coordinators. We we’re looking for a full debut package. You should look for different planning services and compare. Check out the reviews, and gut feel!! 😅 Trusting one team to coordinate your whole debut is a risk but when I looked into Elite Memoirs Event Planning Services, they certainly caught my attention - good reviews, amazing Same Day edits, wide variety of events covered from debut, weddings, formal parties and even kid’s birthday parties. Greatest risk with one event planner is they can make or break your special day so be mindful. Being professional from the first meetings to answering endless questions of what ifs up until the special day and after is what you should look for. It’s okay to ask for discounts or ask to customize the package. You might want to use the budget for souvenirs to other matters, alter your menu to make it budget-friendly. You still have to be hands on even when you have an event planner with you. They are only there TO HELP. Through this, your event planner will come up with ideas that will perfectly match your taste. Back then, I’ve sent lots of references on what I 

want - from cakes, set up, buffet table, souvenirs, etc. And Elite Memoirs didn’t disappoint!!! They even suggested more attainable ideas suited for what I want. I hope your special day will be as magical as mine.

It’s a starry night theme. I’m in love with stars!! I’m impressed with the set up, and my debut cake!!! 

My package also include everything I wore that night and my mother & sister’s gowns so we definitely felt beautiful.

Roger’s Photography Notes

Nag umpisa ako sa pagiging photog. nung nag ojt ako sa isang company, ito yung Elite Memoirs Royal Planning tapos sa diko inaasahan na nag tuloy tuloy pala yung pagiging photog. ko after ng ojt nayun sa kanila, kaya dun ko na nahanap yung gusto ko maging at magiging trabaho ko in a life time. Para sa mga gusto ring maging photog. tulad ko may mga iilang tips akong ibabahagi sa inyo. First kailangan mong maging masipag sa pag hanap ng magandang anggolo ng pictures at kailangan mong palawakin yung imagenation mo sa pag iisip ng ibat ibang anggolo ng pag kuha mo ng pictures. Second kailangan mo ring makinig sa mga mas nakakataas sayo or mas may alam sa pagiging photog. para hindi lang sarili mo yung puro nag iisip kailangan mo rin ng advice ng iba para mas makapag isip kapa ng mas maganda about sa advice na sinabi nila. Thrid wag kang matakot o malungkot kung merong tao na nag mamali ng kuha mo kasi sa bawat pag mali nila sayo merong kang maiisip na panibago mas papagandahin mo pa yung kuha ko kaisa sa dati, dahil hindi lahat ng pag kakamali ay negatibo na yung kalalabasan meron din namang positibo sa bawat pag kakamali natin. Pang-apat naman kailan na kailan yung pagiging masiyahin at palakaibigan sa client para di sila mahiya o mailang sa pag kuha nyo ng pictures sa kanila at para narin ma enjoy nyo lang yung pag tatrabaho sa kanila, kasi sa mundo ng photog. madami kang magiging kaibigan na ibat ibang uri ng tao mabait man ito oh masungit kailangan mo silang respetuhin hindi lang bilanf client kundi narin bilang isang tao. At pang lima, siguraduhin mong alam mo kung saang side ng mukha ng subject mo yung anggle nila para hindi sila mapangitan sa kuha mo dahil merong client na nag rereklamo na panget sila sa picture dahil hindi nila anggolo yun, at kailangan mo ring alamin kung komportable ba sila sa pwesto nila o sa posesyon na pinapagawa mo para naman hindi labad sa loob nila yung bawat pag kuha mo ng pictures. Kahit itong lima lang yung matandaan nyo sa isip nyo sa tuwing nag pipicture kayo para kahit papano meron kayong tips na maaalala sa tuwing nag iisip kayo. At yung hindi ko lang makakalimutan na narinig kong aral mula sa mga boss ko ay "Pwede mong iangat yung sarili mo pero wag mong mamaliitin yung ibang tao".

______________________________________________-Roger Marduquio

Photobooth Tips!

Introducing Rangel and Randell that can cater you a unique entertainment, social and branding experience for fun birthday parties, corporate events and wedding events. Using our own unique technology that can meet your budget with satisfaction. 

Our package includes unlimited shots for 2 hours without reprint with the background of your own choice and we can also upload it through social media.. A photogenic Experience is about contagious laughter,dazzling entertainment,innovative brand engaging technology and social media marketing wrapped around creating and capturing magical moments.

TIPS: Practice your pose make yourself ready to capture the most beautiful you! dont forget to make your hair and ur make up done for picture perfect look.

TIPS:
We have made all the props ready to grab for more dazzling and fun groupie or selfie focus on the camera with a smile to make the picture instagramable....ENJOY

Someone hired our team and did not say the truth of her item orders!

TRAGEDY of Coordinator Vs Suppliers Vs Client confused contract which costs severe budget cut

There are freelance coordinator purchasing Elite Packages and use their own name and contracts. Some is so smooth and just one event left us tounge tied.

The bond of these three works as a family. One has to bring up when the other is falling. We are not a perfect supplier. Everybody has imperfections. But nothing goes more awful than being dishonest in their contract. Late events of Dec 2018, I was assigned and always monitoring the buffet for all Elite Memoirs Events. Here’s Mr Morales on the floor speaking for justice. One of the most fabulous and grandest venue in QC was catered by us for a reception first time. We did our best for a set up of 170 guests in Tiffany chairs. 3 main courses with pasta and vegetable. Adding appetiser in a separate long buffet consisting of coffee corner, soup, fresh garden salad and sweets with chocolate fountain. I’d say it’s one of the good reception we’ve made to look at. 

When the guests arrived. There is one man stood up in the middle of the guests taking their meal who is bashing and calling our manager to speak very bad mouths to her. We all freeze to hear the most bad words ever. Our manager walked out with disgust, lowered her head and initially wanted to speak back but controlled her temper too. I was left hearing more of his sentiments. Later I’ve learned that it was the father of the groom who is totally out of his wit about our set up. After the dinner most of us went at the pantry to have a meeting. Even our marketing doesn’t know the root of the issue. We have questions and lots and lots of whys. I’ve heard more, some say it wasn’t the expected menu, kind of flower centrepieces, stage backdrop so on and so on, blah blah blah. 

After the event, our hosts confessed that she was even condemned by the said guest while announcing. She doesn’t even understand why too. And so when all the guests had gone, we talked to the coordinator of the event who ordered us the set up and hired us for reception. Yes She said that she ran out of budget that’s why the menu was adjusted and the set up was shortly ordered. And asking for more time to collect us the full payment because she can’t event pay the studio and our team on more than 70,000 balance. That sounds injustice right? And I can’t let be silent about this. Our manager is furious and can’t take it but to talk to the newlywed couple. hearing complaints from the newly wed that they have paid in full. Explaining their terms and all... But why there is a sudden shortage of budget? There’s one question that they can’t enlighten our manager. “Did you paid the venue separate on the your wedding package availed?” That’s when we understand why the coordinator had a budget-cut. They anticipated that the venue was included in the package which cost 180k. The venue cost is 125k. So, maybe you’ll be able to say that it was really a big fuss for the coordinator herself to stretch the remaining budget. 

We ran On the police station, as our manager wanted to locked up the coordinator in cell who is so incapable to pay us the said amount. She explained that there is only 10k of budget for the venue stated in the contract and the couple made her pay for 125k and left only 55k for everything. Confused of how they went with their contract but I feel so much unhappy that night. I knew that it wasn’t my business after all. But to experience the wrath of the guest and I was affected, went home without a single peso, I knew I had to write this down and speak for myself. I’m asking for justice and awareness to all claiming organiser and coordinators to clear up your contract and never let this kind of mistake happen. It affects many people working hard and expecting a small income for their families. To all who are purchasing a wedding package. Don’t ask for the venue rate for free because it should be separated from the budget of food, studio of film and photo, other miscellaneous. I hope it will give great thoughts to our readers and those who were planning an event.

Overcrowding guests: Why & What to do?

Overcrowding guests: Why & What to do? 

This is resolved only by luck. Who knows? Before I state my story let me remind you three basic things on how to avoid this case. Especially for a wedding event. It should be very much prepared because the guests were expecting great presentation of meals knowing others would traveled miles away to attend the special event:

 1. Limit the invitations. Invitations can produced one family or 5 or more guests if you don’t declare how many seats are reserve for your guests. This is the primary source of attendees in your social event. The more the invitations: the more the guests will come. 

2. Have a draft of your guests attending. Grab a pen and paper and take time to sit down and notes all the possible names attending your event. All the guest whom you have given your invitations and all to whom you have sent your online save the date invitation 

3. Make time to print their names and attached in the invites and make it an exclusive occasion that has limited seating arrangement. Ex.g. “We have reserve Strictly 3 or 4 seats for you” 

One of the most memorable wedding reception wherein I was really shocked is a wedding reserved to our head marketing for 100pax. But as the coordinator in church called, she said that the headcount is 130++ so, as a food handler setting up in the venue, we have to make extra effort and adjustment to resolve and add supplies. I said on the introduction that this is solved by luck. Because luckily, our host / event specialist have a friend to contact party needs supplies near on the venue to deliver more table and chairs for extra 40guests in just 10-15minutes. And we, the food handlers rush up to buy our recipes and condiments on the market 300 meters away to cook more food for the guests that is not covered on the package. I even bought cooked grilled chicken to lessen our rush cooking time. 

Fortunately, the venue staff understands our situation and let our chef to set up our cooking equipment which we had on the truck as emergency tools on their pantry. When the guests arrived. We are wondering why there are more than a dozen of people who are still standing. We realised then that the 40 chairs is not enough! So we ordered again 20 more chairs to accommodate everyone. That’s a big UH-OH to me. And so even the staff or crew meal was serve and stretched out until the line in the buffet finished. All the staffs was left starving and we just bought our food in the nearest 7-11 store which left us all disappointed. 

I was a graduate of HRM and this is the most unforgettable experience in working as a food handler of Elite Memoirs. I hope this help a lot of people organising their occasion. Better read this journal and keep in mind all the time.

_______________EDWARD JANNO