“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” – Luke 14:28

I wrote here the top 10 questions frequently asked by brides-to-be in the Philippines, along with helpful answers from my experience.

1. How much does a typical wedding cost in the Philippines?

A wedding in the Philippines can cost anywhere from ₱100,000 to over ₱1,000,000, depending on your preferences. A mid-range wedding (100 guests) averages ₱300,000–₱500,000. Costs include venue, catering, attire, photo/video, coordination, and décor. The list is not that simple but I posted at the bottom of the page how much we exactly spent from the preparation to the after wedding expense to help brides-to-be in Manila.

2. When is the best time to get married in the Philippines?

The dry season (December to May) is ideal, especially January to April when it’s cooler and less rainy. However, December weddings are in high demand due to the festive season, so plan early.

Ours was November so we had a little rain before the end of the celebration. This was something we anticipated but since the weather was fine during the day, we opted to celebrate outside the restaurant. Later that night, the clouds could not hold the rain anymore and showered us a little. Many thanks to the staff for moving the tables and chairs. The celebration ended well but getting our guests wet is not on our list.

3. How early should I start planning my wedding?

Ideally, start 12 to 18 months before your desired wedding date. Key suppliers like venues, photographers, and coordinators get booked quickly, especially for peak months (December–May). Now that my husband is in the entertainment industry as an event singer – AG, I now know how helpful it is for them to get booked early. This way he has ample time to practice new songs requested by celebrants or couples.

It would also be nice to include “pamamanhikan” in the timeline. This is a special part of the union because the couples are not the only one joined, but the families, too. I have a big and heartfelt story about this. I can never forget the love showed to me by Papa Roel, Tita Anne and Tito Oyad. It is nice to have adults around who are mature emotionally. They can talk about difficult situations, and confront repressed emotions.

4. What are the legal requirements for getting married in the Philippines?

We got married in Makati City Municipal Court and we prepared the following:

1. At least two valid IDs of the couple during personal appearance
2. Certificate of Attendance in Pre-Marriage Counseling (We attended online but we (my groom-to-be that time and I have to be in one video frame.)
3. PSA Birth Certificate (you can request online but it is cheaper to get one from the municipality.)
4. Certificate of No Marriage (A CENOMAR is valid for only six (6) months from the date of issue by PSA)
5. Marriage License Application Form (3 months validity) see this from Makati portal.
6. Barangay Certificate (Estimate: Php 50)
7. Community Tax Certificate (This can range from Php 20 to Php 250 pesos)
8. 1×1 picture (Php 35 – 150)

I will discuss more details about this in my next b/vlog so check back later. I would love to help you on your preparation.

Catholic weddings may also require baptismal and confirmation certificates, pre-cana seminars, and canonical interviews.

5. Is it necessary to hire a wedding coordinator?

Not mandatory, but highly recommended, especially for medium to large weddings. A wedding coordinator ensures everything runs smoothly and takes stress off the couple. You can choose on-the-day, partial, or full coordination services depending on your needs.

We chose 60 very important people on our wedding day. It was a tough job. Ang dami day ng gusto namin i-invite. I also asked many of my friends about this and it is not easy to choose people you want to celebrate your special day with. Still, at the end of the day, we use our head and not just our heart. We don’t want to break the bank because of our day-1.Alam mo na ha!

6. What are popular wedding venues in the Philippines?

Metro Manila: Glass Garden, The Blue Leaf, La Castellana
Tagaytay: Antonio’s, Sonya’s Garden, Fernwood Gardens
Beach weddings: Boracay, Palawan, Batangas, Cebu
Garden/outdoor: Pinto Art Museum, The Mango Farm, Balai Taal

I have attended several big wedding in Manila and nearby provinces and talaga naman na isang malaking bagay ang venue.

We held our celebration at XO46 Restaurant at S’ Maison, in Conrad Manila.

7. What is a typical Filipino wedding reception program?

It usually includes the grand entrance, first dance, dinner, speeches (parents, entourage), games or performances, cake cutting, garter and bouquet toss, and the send-off.

Modern programs may skip some traditions in favor of a more intimate, personalized experience. We did skip many of the traditions because we had a civil wedding. The most important thing here is what matters and feels meaningful to the couple and the families.

I remember my nanay’s speech. Nakakaiyak.

8. Should we follow Filipino wedding traditions?

It’s up to you! Many couples keep traditions like the arras (coins), veil and cord, and money dance. Others opt for more minimalist, Western-style ceremonies. Choose what feels meaningful to you and your families.

We kept our wedding simple. We got married in front of the judge with 2 married couples as our witnesses, our parents and the creative teams (photo, videographers). We didn’t have any of the traditions I mentioned above but I used my mothers treasured purse that day.

9. How do we create a wedding budget that works?

Decide your total budget. Initially, we thought 150,000 would be enough. We prepared our wedding within 5 months after pamamanhikan and I wasn’t really paying so much attention to it. Later, we spent 320,000.

Better allocate by priority: venue & food (~50%), attire (~10-15%), photo/video (~10%), coordinator (~5-10%), décor (~10%), others. Always include a 10–15% contingency fund. Track expenses using spreadsheets or budgeting apps.

10. What are the latest wedding trends in the Philippines?

Intimate/micro weddings (30–50 guests)
Rustic, boho, minimalist themes
Outdoor/garden venues
Live streams for guests abroad
Custom vows over traditional ones
DIY and sustainable weddings

Sample Budget Template (PHP)

This is the actual cost of our wedding. I am very happy to say that we spent our hard-earned money well and spent only what we have at the moment. I remember an old book saying, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?.”(Luke 14:28) I am glad we did.

Would you like this as a downloadable PDF or Excel sheet? Comment on this post or on my Facebook page so I can send it to you right away.

I have so much love for telling stories that I know many can relate from. Writing my experience for others to read is like going back in the memory lane and I really hope that this article and many other stories from my experience can help many Bicolano living in the city. It is not easy to build a life where everyone is busy and building their life too. I know. Hang in there. Let’s find our people. I created a private group in Facebook called The Village. You are welcome to ask questions. Any questions about starting a life in the city and other things that can help you. See you!

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