How to save money on your Wedding (Philippines)

We got engaged! My husband proposed to me on a New Year's Eve of 2017. I love the ring he bought because he thought of it very well. 

We decided to have our wedding in the Philippines so we can celebrate with our family. I initially wanted to be married in Dubai's Philippine Consulate however I thought about it long and hard. This is a once in a lifetime event which will be one of our treasured memories. So I sat down with Cholo (my husband) and told him that I wanted to have a garden wedding in the Philippines. I want to wear a pretty white dress, walk down the aisle and do our vows.  Plus my Aunt Luisa (now in heaven) asked me to get married in the Philippines which was our last conversation before she passed away. So we saved our money and decided to the wedding in the Philippines.

Here are my tips to those who are planning their wedding in the Philippines:

1. SET YOUR BUDGET

First things first! Set your target budget! Check how much money you plan to spend and how much money you have saved before your wedding. Do not be a fool and spend money you don't have for the sake of pleasing your guests. Spend wisely!

2. BE REALISTIC

Our target budget was initially PHP100K. But after searching how much the venue, catering etc will all cost, this soon became PHP200K. Not because we are abroad, it does not mean we have lots of money to spend.

Do not spend too much money on a wedding dress. You will only wear it once! Go to Divisoria to buy ready made wedding dress. You will be surprised by the quality and choices in store for you. would you believe I got my wedding dress for PHP 7,500. This includes the wedding accessories. 

(Photo taken by Shade121 Photography)

3. USE YOUR CONNECTIONS

Friends and family will be your saving grace to make everything easier. Ask someone you know who recently got married. Ask them how much they were charged for this and that. Ask them their experience. This will save you sometime looking for suppliers  and venues.

Most people are now engaged in social media. Use this platform to send your wedding invitations and connect with people back home. You are saving on paper by doing so.

My cousin's husband did our pre-nup photos in Dubai and my brother did our pre-nup photos in the Philippines. He's got his own small business called "rebornphotosessions". Here's one of my favorite photo he took. (Free plug) He takes really good photos so try him!

 We just have to treat them with food and that's it. A few thousand pesos saved.

4. SET YOUR PRIORITIES

Ladies, this is not just your wedding. It is also your man's wedding. So do not make decisions on your own. Sit down with your partner and discuss what you both want. Remember, you will have a vow that you must submit yourselves to your husband. This will be the start. Ask him if he is okay with your vision to the wedding.

Grooms, remember that you proposed to her so help out with the planning! Make you own research and do not just tell her I don't like this and that without knowing how much effort is put into those suggestions. Make solutions and suggestions!

5. CHECKLIST

This is probably part of setting your priorities. You can now download tons of wedding checklist templates online. This will help you keep track of the things you need to do.

6. THE WEDDING COORDINATOR

Oh boy did I not expect wedding planners are expensive hence I planned everything from start to finish. But ladies! You need a wedding coordinator on your wedding day. Believe me! It would have been a disaster if not have been for our wedding coordinator. You have to be chill on your wedding day in order for you to enjoy every moment. Save some money for a wedding coordinator even just on the day of the event.

(with my wedding coordinator)

7. TOO MANY RELATIVES AND FRIENDS

To be honest, most relatives are the first ones to leave  after eating. Good friends who have been with you since you started dating are the ones who often stay no matter how far they live. If you are in a tight budget, invite your immediate family. To avoid "tampo" (sulking) from your relatives, throw a boodle fight or cook at home for them or hire a catering service or have your relatives prepare a small celebration at home. Nothing too fancy but a simple celebration. My father organized a small lunch gathering in Mang Inasal as a treat to our church-mates whom we won't be able to invite in the wedding.

8. BE CREATIVE

I saved PHP15K by making my own bouquet of flowers. Look for DIYs you can make ahead of time. Pinterest can teach you a lot of DIYs.

I made brooches, flower basket and bouquets for the entourage.

(Photo taken by Shade121 Photography)

My brother made the invitations, paper fans for the guests and thank you card for the souvenirs. Thank God for my talented brother Elijah.

Invitation

(Photo taken by Shade121 Photography)

Paper fans

(Photo taken by Rebornphotosession)

Souvenir for principal sponsors

 (Photo taken by Rebornphotosession)

9. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK

Ask you relatives and friends to respond to RSVPs. Ask them to leave their kids at home. As much as we adore kids, we like our wedding to be solemn and worry free. We also requested that they gift us with money since we are flying back to Dubai after the wedding. We are unable to bring anything with us and we don't have our own house to save any material gifts.

Those are my tips for those of you are planning to have your wedding in the Philippines. I hope that was helpful.

Watch our Same day edit video by Shade121 Photography to get a glimpse of our wedding.