Cost of wedding, does this sound ok/normal/ridiculous/rip-off/stop moaning Ian etc?

[Iani]

Hi

Can I ask, my missus to be and I are sorting our wedding out for October, and as I'm in the UK, and she's still working abroad (We fly back to phils together meeting up half way, aww innit romantic, fetch a bucket), we're somewhat reliant on her family finding wedding arrangers.

Her father has offered to get in a sack of rice and a load of pork, and holding a reception at their home to do it on the cheap..........but you only get married once (ok ok, tell that my ex, but let's move extremely quickly on), and it's her first time, and I'd like it to be nice for her.

Well, we've had a few quotes from people her family seem to know - including one who is a family member - and they are all coming out with quotes of a similar starting figure. For absolutely everything - hotel location, photographer, catering for 100 (What the hell, who are her family inviting......the whole village and a goat?), dress, loads of other things - I've had quotes of between 90k pesos and 150k pesos. The latter is near enough 2k in GBP.

The latest planner, he's sent me an e-mail, saying about "ohh the 120k I quoted her sister, it isn't my own arrangement, but I can do you something really special for 150k (Well he would say that wouldn't he! Cheeky git!)

Top and bottom of it is, I'm not stupid, some locals prob think "rich westerner involved".......which is far from the truth, but we've both been saving, and we could manage this.

Can I ask - does 150k sound okish, or is this comedian frankly taking the :censored:

I'm not going to lose too much sleep over the extra amount in the grand scheme of things. We're frankly getting no-where for less than 120k, so this is the ballpark figure we don't seem to be able to get away from.

Thanks in advance

[imagine]

well i dont know :Erm:

but sounds a lot to me, for philippines anyway, but then i guess thered be a shock on what it might cost in uk,:icon_lol:

iv no doubt others here thats done it , should know :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[imagine]

maybe they will say typicle tight yorkshire man, :laugher::laugher:

[Iani]

Ahh indeedly.

Yes that was my thoughts - I thought would be somewhat cheaper over there, but this is proving very difficult to sort and actually know what to do.

Oh well

[grahamw48]

Average wedding cost in UK is supposedly about £20K :cwm24:, so maybe best be philosophical.

I won't tell what I spent...but it was probably less than a good night out in the Phils...ayup sithee. Even my wedding ring has gone blinkin rusty. :icon_lol:

[imagine]

:REGamblMoney01HL1::laugher::laugher:

[bigmarco]

It's a difficult one Ian. My initial reaction was £2k for everything including the dress for 100 guests isn't to bad, but perhaps some will disagree.

[imagine]

ouch :yikes::icon_lol:

[malditako]

sounds cheap to me to be honest...

[grahamw48]

It was a hell of a job hiding from the relations....and then getting out of the country fast. :cwm3:

[London_Manila]

I think her father had the best idea if you want my honest opinion

You are getting married and you want to do it right but that dont mean you cater for everyone who knows her

You her and her parents and some close relatives and spend the money you save on a better honeymoon

[Arthur Little]

It was a hell of a job hiding from the relations....

... I'll bet! :peepwall: All these 'nth degree cousins thrice removed!!! :yikes:


and then getting out of the country fast. :cwm3:

Too true!! :Bolt:

[Rhose]

Practically that's too expensive!! but if you want the best for your wedding because it happen once in a life time you will spend more than the amount you mentioned. I got married a month ago, I was shocked because of our expenses but my husband told me he wants to give me the best wedding. For info. not only him who paid on our wedding expenses. We have family, relatives, friends and some sponsors who helped us. Our dream garden wedding.. came true. If money matter to you, you should follow the advice of her father:)

[lastlid]

We didn't use wedding planners. We did it all ourselves. The only help we got was with the marriage (civil wedding) itself which was quite expensive. Everything else we did between us including wedding reception at Island Cove, Cavite, followed by 24 hours with the more immediate family at a spring resort in Laguna and a honeymoon for ourselves in Boracay. I never really totted it up but compared to the UK it was not expensive.

[Steve.r]

I think we spent up to 40k for everything... but maybe we are the exception. We didn't invite the local barangay waifs and strays, just immediate family. Job done. My wife looked beautiful and we both had a great day and evening.
I think 150k is EXTREME :yikes:

[Terpe]

Usually location will determine the number of people who may actually "turn-up". The number of guests plays a major part in total wedding costs.
But, cutting down on guests is a very very tricky business. Be warned! :Erm:

Weddings are such personal events that estimating costs has got to be almost impossible.
So I was thinking, maybe giving a view on what I would consider doing it on the "CHEAP" might be a good benchmark.

I've done this just for fun really, so don't take too seriously.:D

A City Hall civil wedding, with minimum of guests and minimum of neenangs and neenongs as witnesses, followed by a small party at a local restaurant. Let's say 20-25 people.


Documentation costs:-

- CNI about £30 from your local registry office.
- Local version from British Embassy - The cost I have is £65.00 or P4,550 (at Embassy rates)
- NSO CENOMAR is around P415.00 per copy each
- NSO Birth Certificate - (fresh from NSO on latest type of security paper) around P315.00 per copy
- Marriage License typically around P100.00 with some miscellaneous charges around P50.00 and possible Family Planning Seminar around P20.00

You should reckon on allowing some cash for copying etc. Not too much say P500 max

Total = P8315


Wedding costs:-

- Wedding Rings. Plain gold bands could be had for around P6000 for two
- Wedding clothes. Why not consider ready-to-wear wedding dress for her and nice barong for you from a local market (Divisoria) or similar.
You should be able to find something nice for around P6000 for the both of you.
- Reception and wedding cake. As you know people love to eat in the Phils. and nobody will ever forget the food you served.
There's loads of options for a great reception party without overspending or sacrificing food quality. Plenty of restaurants offer special wedding party deals. I can imagine a budget of P10,000
- A nice wedding cake could cost between P2000 - P6000. Alternative but nicely done cake could be had for around P1000 - P2000. Of course eventually it's a non-essential!
- Photographer - How about P1500 - P2500. Or just DIY with the guests
- Flowers/Bouquets - around P1500
- Give-aways. Around P1500 (keep it simple and limited)
- Local transportation - Not essential, but nice if wearing a wedding gown. Air-conditioned taxi(s) or similar to serve everyone on an 'as needed' basis. Lets guess at P1500

Total = P30000

Basically the whole thing for around P38,000

Now factor in any increases in guest numbers and those associated food and drinks costs.
Add in all those non-essential but nice touches and see how the costs increase.

P100k - P150k might sound a lot, but depends what's included in the package. Find out. Do some research.

Personally I would favour engaging a specialist wedding consultant.
Whatever 'extra' costs they charge, should be more than made up by the resulting savings on what they provide.
If they're genuine wedding planners they should have professional connections resulting in discounted prices, as well as some great creative ideas for achieving your dreams on the cheap.

Attempting wedding DIY organising can take a lot of time,research and a lot of 'legwork' and hassles. Not for everyone.
Having a GOOD reliable and professional wedding planner might just be a wise move if you want to push the boat out further than a smallish but nice family wedding event.

Just my tongue in cheek 2 centavos worth on an impossible to answer question.

Important is to enjoy your special day. Good luck

[andy222]

£2000 is more than enough. I spent roughly that and my our wedding was in boracay and that was with flights.:xxgrinning--00xx3:.
That was last october.

[melovesengland]

I THINK this is about right if your planning to have a big wedding. Dont forget its not just goods in the UK whose prices are rising, plus GBP rate is going down. A very grand wedding in the PI can cost 350k pesos or more. :Wave:

[lastlid]

Can I ask - does 150k sound okish, or is this comedian frankly taking the :censored:


3 Tier Chocolate Wedding Cake : from local cake shop 3850php

http://www.redribbonbakeshop.com.ph/shop/categs.asp


Dress was very cheap. My wife bought this from a market in Manila called Baclaran.
Civil Wedding process 13000php (this was done through an agent and was the only area that we didn't organise directly)
2 vans (minbuses in our language) combined total 4620php plus approximately the same in fuel for 2 days
Large Hot Spring Resort in Laguna for family for 24 hours 5958php
Grocery food for resort outing approximately 3300php
Reception banquet at Island Cove Resort, Cavite (Dinner etc) 16500php for 30 people. We got a funny handshake discount of about 20% through connections. And for a few quid extra the kids got to go in the waterpark for a hour or two.

http://www.islandcovephil.com/meetings-and-celebrations/


Rings had already been bought at point of engagement, in the Chinese sector.

Total outlay: 51848php or thereabouts.

We did everything bar the wedding paperwork and processing. I organised and paid for the Laguna Resort, honeymoon in Boracay and Wedding reception myself from the UK, with some help from the wife. My wife took care of the cake, minibuses and wedding dress and we both liaised with the agent on the wedding itself.

Something that helped with the total outlay was that my wife did not expect a lot of money to be spent on the wedding etc. We then followed up with a great week in Boracay at a very nice hotel at what was still cheap compared to UK prices.

http://www.myboracayguide.com/resorts/boracay-hotel-Boracay-Regency-159.html

One regret was that we did our own photography. We got some good photographs from our own camera but a professional would have been better.

[grahamw48]

Not sure whether to feel guilty or smug at this stage. :Erm:

(No organisers for us...just went down to city hall and booked a wedding appointment. Cost of a couple of jeepney fares :D)

[lastlid]

Not sure whether to feel guilty or smug at this stage. :Erm:

(No organisers for us...just went down to city hall and booked a wedding appointment. Cost of a couple of jeepney fares :D)

Well, yes, it is obvious that it can be done for even less. I felt that we did things a little unconventionally with the Laguna trip, however it was what my wife wanted. But yes, we could have cut it down a lot more, price wise. But the whole thing as it stood worked well. Both of my wife's sisters had organised church wedding packages in the conventional way. Not sure how much they paid. But how we went about it was what my wife wanted.

[grahamw48]

Of course mate....not point-scoring or knocking anyone's way of going about things. ;)

Hopefully we can provide a full range of alternatives and costings...mine being called...'rock-bottom', or 'cheap charlie kuripot' . :D

[andy222]

If i was in your shoes Iani I would do it as cheap as possible and put the money towards getting her over here. Just my opinion.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[aim_angel]

Wedding prices in Phils depends on how you want it to be.
like you said it will be for 100 people, hotel reception, plus wedding entourage so on ..i think £2K is just right! but after the wedding you have to apply for the visas etc! :icon_lol:

goodluck!:)

[lastlid]

Like I said, both my wife's sisters had full conventional wedding packages in the Philippines with the use of agents. But I don't think they came to anywhere near 2000 quid each. I will ask my wife later.

Just out of interest, I am sitting about 10 feet away from a lady that used to be a wedding planner here on the IOM and she said that typically they could be anything from one thousand pounds to fifty thousand pounds (often not including catering).

[DaveUK]

Two and a half years ago, we got married in a hotel in Cebu after paying them for a wedding package. They provided the food for 75 guests, the service, wedding cake, night in a room, photographer, video footage, etc. That coupled with all the dresses and outfits for the men, I think we spent around £1000.

Admittedly, I wish we'd spent a little more looking back as the photos and video that were created were not great. The video of our wedding was provided to us split across 2 video CD's and looked liked something from an 80's video tape :NoNo: But, at the time, it was all I could afford due to everything else I had outgoing back then! Luckily though, when I look at the wife face to face, she doesn't look like something from an 80's video tape, so I'm still a very happy man! :D

[lastlid]

If i was in your shoes Iani I would do it as cheap as possible and put the money towards getting her over here. Just my opinion.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Probably a sensible move.

[Moving Forward]

I am making preparations to marry mid September in Paranaque City. It will be a civil wedding with a reception held at a restaurant afterwards. What started out as a small wedding has grown to 100 guests being invited. We bought a wedding package at the restaurant, which is about 45,000 pesos and includes all decorations, cake, souvenirs, PA system. I will be the only westerner there.

The restaurant is booked for only 2 hours at lunch time and we marry in the morning so this event will go very quickly.

The honeymoon will be for one month and I am using it as an excuse to go travelling. After staying in a nice hotel in Manila and a few nights at Boracay we will be backpacking and travelling around the Visayas. Excluding the honeymoon, the cost of the wedding, reception, rings and dress will be around 1400 -1500 pounds.

[lastlid]

I am making preparations to marry mid September in Paranaque City. It will be a civil wedding with a reception held at a restaurant afterwards. What started out as a small wedding has grown to 100 guests being invited. We bought a wedding package at the restaurant, which is about 45,000 pesos and includes all decorations, cake, souvenirs, PA system. I will be the only westerner there.

The restaurant is booked for only 2 hours at lunch time and we marry in the morning so this event will go very quickly.

The honeymoon will be for one month and I am using it as an excuse to go travelling. After staying in a nice hotel in Manila and a few nights at Boracay we will be backpacking and travelling around the Visayas. Excluding the honeymoon, the cost of the wedding, reception, rings and dress will be around 1400 -1500 pounds.

We got married in Paranaque city.....but had the reception in Cavite.

[grahamw48]

I got married at Pasay City Hall and then retreated back to our apartment in Pasay for drinks with a few friends.

I won't bother posting the pics I have of the 'reception', as a semi-conscious bloke spread-eagled on the floor is not a particularly attractive sight. :icon_lol:

[BoholoX]

We got married in Nov 2010 and that price seems about right

Wedding Package (dress & barong to keep, bridesmaids/grooms to rent plus church flowers and video/photo) was about P60k
Beach Resort buffet with lechon baboy for 100 people was about P300 a head inc cake and bottomless ice tea
We went for a co-ordinator, best P10k we spent
Plus church fees, car rental and a bus to get the extended family down from the provinces.

We actually spent alot more but that was our choice, figures are indicative of what it could have been done for.

Just enjoy the day!

[Leen]

we spend less on our civil wedding,we went to the judge and went home for a reception for my immediate family...it's my idea coz i dont want to burden my hubby with all the expenses....a wedding is a wedding no matter how much you spend.....if it's really beyond your budget you need to talk to your wife to be it's also important for her to know unless she's willing to share the cost of her dream wedding....just my opinion tho coz im kuripot also:icon_lol:

[grahamw48]

we spend less on our civil wedding,we went to the judge and went home for a reception for my immediate family...it's my idea coz i dont want to burden my hubby with all the expenses....a wedding is a wedding no matter how much you spend.....if it's really beyond your budget you need to talk to your wife to be it's also important for her to know unless she's willing to share the cost of her dream wedding....just my opinion tho coz im kuripot also:icon_lol:

You my dear are a kindred spirit. :xxgrinning--00xx3: :D

As far as I'm concerned, making sure you're marrying the right person for the right reasons is 100 times more important than blowing money on a lavish wedding (assuming you have it to blow). :)

[Leen]

As far as I'm concerned, making sure you're marrying the right person for the right reasons is 100 times more important than blowing money on a lavish wedding (assuming you have it to blow). :)[/QUOTE]


110% agree with you graham:xxgrinning--00xx3::icon_lol:

[ReemaOwens]

Hi

Can I ask, my missus to be and I are sorting our wedding out for October, and as I'm in the UK, and she's still working abroad (We fly back to phils together meeting up half way, aww innit romantic, fetch a bucket), we're somewhat reliant on her family finding wedding arrangers.

Her father has offered to get in a sack of rice and a load of pork, and holding a reception at their home to do it on the cheap..........but you only get married once (ok ok, tell that my ex, but let's move extremely quickly on), and it's her first time, and I'd like it to be nice for her.

Well, we've had a few quotes from people her family seem to know - including one who is a family member - and they are all coming out with quotes of a similar starting figure. For absolutely everything - hotel location, photographer, catering for 100 (What the hell, who are her family inviting......the whole village and a goat?), dress, loads of other things - I've had quotes of between 90k pesos and 150k pesos. The latter is near enough 2k in GBP.

The latest planner, he's sent me an e-mail, saying about "ohh the 120k I quoted her sister, it isn't my own arrangement, but I can do you something really special for 150k (Well he would say that wouldn't he! Cheeky git!)

Top and bottom of it is, I'm not stupid, some locals prob think "rich westerner involved".......which is far from the truth, but we've both been saving, and we could manage this.

Can I ask - does 150k sound okish, or is this comedian frankly taking the :censored:

I'm not going to lose too much sleep over the extra amount in the grand scheme of things. We're frankly getting no-where for less than 120k, so this is the ballpark figure we don't seem to be able to get away from.

Thanks in advance

This is the same as mine :) and i can say that everything is worth it in the end :xxgrinning--00xx3::xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Michael Parnham]

My wife and I had a civil wedding, we only invited wifes 5 sisters & Mum & Dad, had a little reception in our apartment at Dumaguete and the lot only cost £60 and that included transport, Cake & registrars fee. Now thats what you call cheap!

[grahamw48]

My wife and I had a civil wedding, we only invited wifes 5 sisters & Mum & Dad, had a little reception in our apartment at Dumaguete and the lot only cost £60 and that included transport, Cake & registrars fee. Now thats what you call cheap!

Blimey..nearly as cheap as mine that, Michael. :xxgrinning--00xx3: :D

[stevewool]

as long as you are both happy with what is being planned, thats the most important, its only money they say, but try keeping it i say

[Steve.r]

I think the biggest expectation in a wedding in the Philippines comes from the extended family and friends. They think that now a westerner is marrying into the family that the ceremony has to be a lavish and exuberant affair.
Little do they know that it takes a long time to save not only to go to the Philippines but for all the expenses once there. I think that our respective wives/fiancees and girlfriends know the score and understand 'our' situations as far as money is concerned.

My wife and I had a small ceremony, married by the Mayor of our town in the municiple building. But what counted for me was that my wife looked absolutely stunning in her dress and we both had a great day and we are so happy to be together forever.

I guess what I am saying is that you do not need to spend a lot to be happy, don't be fooled into thinking that you need to feed the five thousand just because you are a westerner.


Our wedding day:
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/Discusboy123/Wedding%2025th%20April%202011/DSC04194.jpg

[Angel1403]

Hmmmm.....easy for those that never contribute and expect "gifts" to call someone else "kuripot" :rolleyes:


'cheap charlie kuripot' . :D

[Angel1403]

So true what you say.....The important thing about getting married is being together and becoming man & wife.....its not about how lavish it is.......Its just the greedy people that will want a big budget wedding........Its about two people in love.....two hearts becoming one :D


I think the biggest expectation in a wedding in the Philippines comes from the extended family and friends. They think that now a westerner is marrying into the family that the ceremony has to be a lavish and exuberant affair.
Little do they know that it takes a long time to save not only to go to the Philippines but for all the expenses once there. I think that our respective wives/fiancees and girlfriends know the score and understand 'our' situations as far as money is concerned.

My wife and I had a small ceremony, married by the Mayor of our town in the municiple building. But what counted for me was that my wife looked absolutely stunning in her dress and we both had a great day and we are so happy to be together forever.

I guess what I am saying is that you do not need to spend a lot to be happy, don't be fooled into thinking that you need to feed the five thousand just because you are a westerner.


Our wedding day:
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/Discusboy123/Wedding%2025th%20April%202011/DSC04194.jpg

[Steve.r]

So true what you say.....The important thing about getting married is being together and becoming man & wife.....its not about how lavish it is.......Its just the greedy people that will want a big budget wedding........Its about two people in love.....two hearts becoming one :D

Correct. No need to show one's wealth or lack of, just for others to take advantage.

[sheriel]

Our wedding in 2008,with abeautifull reception for 50 guests,evening Disco,mobile caters providing,seating,5 tier cake,flowers,transport to Court building for 10,we hired wedding dress for a week for 160 pesos from Ormoc wedding shop,hotel for 4 days after wedding,proffesional photographers,who made 2DVDS,about 65000 pesos,January 2008.

[grahamw48]

Correct. No need to show one's wealth or lack of, just for others to take advantage.

Lovely picture Steve.

I can see the Miss Philippines candidate, but where's the wife ? :Erm:

[Steve.r]

Lovely picture Steve.

I can see the Miss Philippines candidate, but where's the wife ? :Erm:
you know flattery will get you everywhere :icon_lol:

[grahamw48]

.
Looks like a child bride....but was actually 23 and already had 2 kids. :icon_lol:


.
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5313/negs009.jpg

[Dedworth]

If i was in your shoes Iani I would do it as cheap as possible and put the money towards getting her over here. Just my opinion.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Sound judgement :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Iani]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Have only just been able to reply as I've been working days AND nights.......yes I have a second job. You can guess why I am sure :icon_lol:

I'd agree with Andy, it is going to be better to save as much as poss and use the rest to get her over, but on the other hand we can prob manage either option.

It's not exactly something I will broach, but as the family is doing a lot of the arranging, I wouldn't be surprised if they are taking the opportunity to use the event to build a bit of "face" :icon_lol::icon_lol: To be honest, I don't mind that as much as many would. I'll call it a wedding present to them.

There is also some "history" which I can't go into on here, which if we make it as nice as we can, will go a long way to righting some things. Doesn't mean it has to be extravagant though obviously.

I'm speaking with the "caterer" as he calls himself and seeing what sort of deal we can cut. He's added me to his facebook, so maybe if he messes me, I can out him in front of his friends as something or other.

Oh fun times!

[WhiteBloodAda]

Initially our budget was £4k. That's how much I initially sent over anyway as that should have covered what we initially decided. Since then we have both had more ideas, so if we keep it below £5k I'll be happy. The venue itself is around £3k, but this includes the wedding, reception, photographer, flowers, and a hell of alot more other stuff too, so it's just the small things we have to worry about.

Latest idea is hiring a swimming pool/resort for the evening as we get married early in the day and have the whole afternoon/evening to waste. And with 150 guests to worry about, things could get a little stressful and boring pretty quick. Plus I got to give my family some rest and relaxation as they are only there for 5 nights, and the Sunday and Monday I want to bore them silly with the Philippines (well, mainly Manila) :P

[Steve.r]

Thats just crazy money... someone is milking you!! ... Its just my honest opinion.:NoNo:

[Lhailhani]

true the cost is depend on how u want your wedding goes..or how u want it look like and how many guest you will have and how expensive you want for your event.... :) just be wiser and do some research before buying... and yes gowns? u can have them cheap like in Divisoria but sometimes u can get them cheaper if u know someone who is dressmaker that can make great wedding gowns! :) if u need that service don't hesitate to message me :D can help with wedding dresses and can refer photographers and other services :) that's my part time job :D as i do participate to some of their menus :) and some dessert ...

[Rhose]

i think £2K is just right! but after the wedding you have to apply for the visas etc! :icon_lol:
that's the things I forgot about, visa application fee and some expenses after the wedding :bigcry:

[WhiteBloodAda]

http://gardenrates.blogspot.co.uk/

The lady has expensive taste ;)

We started discussing it while she was living here, before we actually got engaged. But miss understood eachothers concept of simple but nice :P

150 guest to me isn't simple......but to her it was the hardest thing narrowing it down!!!

[Lhailhani]

saw the blog site.. why don't you try inquiries in OASIS somewhere in QC too.. just make sure your wedding coordinator is good at what they are doing... and agree too 150 guest is not simple :) try to discuss it with her again :) practically is better... well she will get married once so maybe she want her dream wedding ;) I can refer some photographers maybe they can give cheaper price... i know one of photographer so i can say they are good.. u can also see some of their events... just trying to help if can ;)

[Lhailhani]

***practicality...or being practical now a days :)

[lastlid]

One of my current work colleagues was a wedding planner. She said that the more people paid for their wedding the more they worried. People she dealt with were paying up to 50 "firs n pines" for their wedding, not including food.

[Lhailhani]

wheeewww..wedding wedding wedding :)

[WhiteBloodAda]

saw the blog site.. why don't you try inquiries in OASIS somewhere in QC too.. just make sure your wedding coordinator is good at what they are doing... and agree too 150 guest is not simple :) try to discuss it with her again :) practically is better... well she will get married once so maybe she want her dream wedding ;) I can refer some photographers maybe they can give cheaper price... i know one of photographer so i can say they are good.. u can also see some of their events... just trying to help if can ;)


It's all sorted now. Like I said, just the small things to sort out now. We looked through many venues (well, photos for me!) and this one instantly caught both of our attention. I ain't ever getting married again anyway, and neither is she ;) so we want to go out with a bang! We can afford it (despite this government thinking I can't even afford bread and water) so why not do it. I got all my immediate family coming too, so we've saved budgeted money that we had planned for a blessing here. No need for that now as my parents get to see the real thing :D

[Lhailhani]

well! ENJOY your stay in PHILS! COngratzzz in advance :) :xxgrinning--00xx3::xxgrinning--00xx3:

[WhiteBloodAda]

Ta muchly.

I hope it's a bit cooler this time though. April was blooming hot! Even Ruby struggled to readjust to it at first :icon_lol:

[Lhailhani]

haha i bet .. Sept is cooler than April... :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[WhiteBloodAda]

That's nice.... But it's November I need to worry about ;)

[Lhailhani]

not that hot no worries :) wheewww morning now and im still awake :D

[WhiteBloodAda]

no point going to bed now haha

[Lhailhani]

Mornight!:Wave:

[WhiteBloodAda]

Nighning! :Wave:

[Rhose]

saw the blog site.. why don't you try inquiries in OASIS somewhere in QC too..
OASIS is a bit of expensive when it comes to wedding venue..try to watch my video sis,
http://youtu.be/8h4hqBHJnyE
taken from Blue Gardens

[Lhailhani]

yup watched lil part of it.. as weddings is my frustration hahs...cant stand with the song too :) nice place too!

[Rory]

I only got married in May this year and i made it the best day of my wife's life, so far. I will not go in to detail of the cost of it all but it was big. We set a budget for the wedding and i think it was doubled in the end.
As what has been said before, everyone is different and has different budgets. A lot of the advice on here is meaningless as you know what you can afford or what you are willing to pay. As long as you are married and start the visa process rolling, is that not what really counts.
As Lastlid's wife says 1k - 50k, there is no set price as we are all different.

[Rhose]

yup watched lil part of it.. as weddings is my frustration hahs...cant stand with the song too :) nice place too!
soon we will hear from you about your wedding.. :)

[Lhailhani]

hahahaha Rhose..... u just made me laugh really... :)

[grahame]

Interesting reading all this!

My wife and I married over 6 years ago in Leyte and arranged everything ourselves and with family. We catered for 150 but fed more like 200 - it isn't the food that will cost you, it is the San Miguel. Even so, a huge party, a lot of fun, plenty of Lechon (we slaughtered two pigs at around 5000 each), too much beer - a day to remember all round. Total cost was WAY under 50,000.

Sounds like your suspicions are correct.

Good luck with it all.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Grahame.

[lastlid]

I only got married in May this year and i made it the best day of my wife's life, so far. I will not go in to detail of the cost of it all but it was big. We set a budget for the wedding and i think it was doubled in the end.
As what has been said before, everyone is different and has different budgets. A lot of the advice on here is meaningless as you know what you can afford or what you are willing to pay. As long as you are married and start the visa process rolling, is that not what really counts.
As Lastlid's wife says 1k - 50k, there is no set price as we are all different.

Lastlid's work colleague.

Yes, I suppose its like buying a car. On the one hand a Smart car might be enough or on the other a Ferrari. Depends on your taste and budget and priorities.

[Steve.r]

Depends on our taste and budget and priorities.
and some people like to squeeze every last penny out of you .... if you let them:REGamblMoney01HL1::REDancedancer08:

[freyter]

150k Pesos is not expensive for what it sounds like you're getting. I got married in the Philippines in April and I would say that that was what about what I ended up paying. I know I was getting a fair price as my wife arranged most of it, dealing with family and local providers.

One cow = about 18000 pesos
One pig = about 4000 pesos.

...to give you an idea of what you should be paying for the meat. If it's in Manila though, probably add 1000-2000 pesos to those prices.

There were lots of guests at my wedding who I didn't know...But the thinking is that not only you invite people who are well known to you or your wife - family or friends - but those who are important to the family and village/community as a whole. A wedding is a really important community event, especially if it's a special one that would be way beyond the budget of most Filipinos. If one family member knows about a wedding, they'll also bring their relatives. It's normal.

So I'd say let your wife shine on her special day and go with the expense. The people who attend the wedding will have the chance to share a special experience they may not ever have again.

[Steve.r]

I have been a guest at several weddings in Phils, and the bride can 'shine' even on a small budget, not everyone can afford to feed the extended family and hangers on. Why, just because you are a westerner do they/you expect an expensive wedding that they would normally only dream of.
If your wedding is on a smaller more modest budget, everyone helps and it makes the celebrations far more intimate and memorable. Of course, pay your way to happiness, but I fear you will be making a rod for your own back.

[grahamw48]

I'm loving reading about all the money I saved. :icon_lol:

[Steve.r]

I'm loving reading about all the money I saved. :icon_lol:
Me too... it's just crazy

[lastlid]

I have been a guest at several weddings in Phils, and the bride can 'shine' even on a small budget, not everyone can afford to feed the extended family and hangers on. Why, just because you are a westerner do they/you expect an expensive wedding that they would normally only dream of.
If your wedding is on a smaller more modest budget, everyone helps and it makes the celebrations far more intimate and memorable. Of course, pay your way to happiness, but I fear you will be making a rod for your own back.

I think I posted earlier that both my wife's sisters had nice church wedding packages and the weddings/receptions themselves were more lavish compared to ours. Both married Filipinos (one of which is a Filipino OFW). But we had the more lavish honeymoon. It was my wife that wanted it that way. I just went with what she wanted.

[RickyR]

Without a doubt, for just catering that sounds very expensive. I'd recommend planning exactly what you need and getting things separately from different suppliers.

When we had our wedding last year I was living in Cebu and we didn't use friends or family for anything. We directly approached suppliers and venues, and negotiated/played them off against each other. We had an amazing wedding, for a lot less then we expected.

Determine why you want, buy the cake, rings, photographer, venue, lechon baboy, drinks, transport all separately.

Its not about the cost, it's about getting what you deserve. For 150,000 you could expect n awful lot more.

[lastlid]

Without a doubt, for just catering that sounds very expensive. I'd recommend planning exactly what you need and getting things separately from different suppliers.

When we had our wedding last year I was living in Cebu and we didn't use friends or family for anything. We directly approached suppliers and venues, and negotiated/played them off against each other. We had an amazing wedding, for a lot less then we expected.

Determine why you want, buy the cake, rings, photographer, venue, lechon baboy, drinks, transport all separately.

Its not about the cost, it's about getting what you deserve. For 150,000 you could expect n awful lot more.

AKA. Value for money.

[freyter]

I did mean to add that in the £2k I spent there would have been my flight there and back too....Sorry if I made it sound far more expensive than it was...

[lastlid]

I did mean to add that in the £2k I spent there would have been my flight there and back too....Sorry if I made it sound far more expensive than it was...

I never considered my flight to the Philippines to be part of the cost of the wedding. But I can see how you might think of it in that way.

[MissAna]

:omg: i did not know getting married in the philippines is sooooooooooooo expensive!!! i'm having doubts now for another wedding there :NoNo: :doh

[Lhailhani]

No wedding anymore for me :D hahaha...way too expensive :D :Jump::Jump:

[Steve.r]

:omg: i did not know getting married in the philippines is sooooooooooooo expensive!!! i'm having doubts now for another wedding there :NoNo: :doh


No wedding anymore for me :D hahaha...way too expensive :D :Jump::Jump:

Exactly my point, there is no need.

I think some people get sucked into the whole over the top idea of what the media thinks makes a good wedding. The thing that gets lost is the fact that the day is all about 2 people making life long committment because they love eachother ... nothing else.

[Lhailhani]

I AGREE Steve!! thats the point :D :Hellooo::Hellooo:

[RickyR]

Whilst I partly agree, for most women they dream about their wedding from childhood. It means a lot to celebrate in front of family, and be proud.
In almost every culture and religion weddings are momentous occasions.
For some members here the wedding will be their second or third, yet it will probably be the first for their future wife.
You don't need to spend tens of thousands, but if you really love the person you should at least make the most effort for it to be special.

My wedding wasn't particularly expensive <£2000 . But involved us getting married in a church, booking out an entire beach resort, having amazing caterers, unlimited bar, lechon baboy, special favours etc my parents and a friend came from the UK to make it extra special.
We couldn't have dreamt of a wedding like that in the UK.

[Lhailhani]

:) :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[monkey]

Hi, from my own experience having got married 2 years ago in Philippines. Is that you can do a lot with that amount of money for a wedding. for me this is including all the paper work needed 60,000 pesos. so lets say £1000 that was for the wedding , priest, rented a bar for 3 hrs had family friends good parent/witness,etc. some 50 people all together. food for all. had drinks back at our own place which is where we safed our money. 500 pesos for kareoke job done .

[keithAngel]

I dont know where your marrying but look here and if you search my threads you can see what my arrangrements where :xxgrinning--00xx3:

http://www.cebuexpatservices.com/

[Steve.r]

Hi, from my own experience having got married 2 years ago in Philippines. Is that you can do a lot with that amount of money for a wedding. for me this is including all the paper work needed 60,000 pesos. so lets say £1000 that was for the wedding , priest, rented a bar for 3 hrs had family friends good parent/witness,etc. some 50 people all together. food for all. had drinks back at our own place which is where we safed our money. 500 pesos for kareoke job done .

:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Steve.r]

I dont know where your marrying but look here and if you search my threads you can see what my arrangrements where :xxgrinning--00xx3:

http://www.cebuexpatservices.com/

Hey Keith long time no see, how are you buddy? :)

[Moy]

Hi

Can I ask, my missus to be and I are sorting our wedding out for October, and as I'm in the UK, and she's still working abroad (We fly back to phils together meeting up half way, aww innit romantic, fetch a bucket), we're somewhat reliant on her family finding wedding arrangers.

Her father has offered to get in a sack of rice and a load of pork, and holding a reception at their home to do it on the cheap..........but you only get married once (ok ok, tell that my ex, but let's move extremely quickly on), and it's her first time, and I'd like it to be nice for her.

Well, we've had a few quotes from people her family seem to know - including one who is a family member - and they are all coming out with quotes of a similar starting figure. For absolutely everything - hotel location, photographer, catering for 100 (What the hell, who are her family inviting......the whole village and a goat?), dress, loads of other things - I've had quotes of between 90k pesos and 150k pesos. The latter is near enough 2k in GBP.

The latest planner, he's sent me an e-mail, saying about "ohh the 120k I quoted her sister, it isn't my own arrangement, but I can do you something really special for 150k (Well he would say that wouldn't he! Cheeky git!)

Top and bottom of it is, I'm not stupid, some locals prob think "rich westerner involved".......which is far from the truth, but we've both been saving, and we could manage this.

Can I ask - does 150k sound okish, or is this comedian frankly taking the :censored:

I'm not going to lose too much sleep over the extra amount in the grand scheme of things. We're frankly getting no-where for less than 120k, so this is the ballpark figure we don't seem to be able to get away from.

Thanks in advance

7 years ago me and the husband in civil wed:D:rolleyes: with only close friends and some family members and relative a total of 25 people cost us 3,000 pesos :D only plus the hotel afterwards for 2,500 for 3 days:Rasp: and the extra 1,500 for some expenses a total of 7 thousand :) what else i could ask..:D :Jump:
but 150K pesos:cwm24::yikes: that will pay our mortgage for our home right now in PH:D maybe you could lend me some Iani:D
but goodluck and think twice before making any decision with money..your future wife should know the cost :D i supposed:rolleyes:;)

[grahamw48]

Moy, by my standards that was positively extravagant....but good effort ! :xxgrinning--00xx3: :D

[eliza]

Hi

Can I ask, my missus to be and I are sorting our wedding out for October, and as I'm in the UK, and she's still working abroad (We fly back to phils together meeting up half way, aww innit romantic, fetch a bucket), we're somewhat reliant on her family finding wedding arrangers.

Her father has offered to get in a sack of rice and a load of pork, and holding a reception at their home to do it on the cheap..........but you only get married once (ok ok, tell that my ex, but let's move extremely quickly on), and it's her first time, and I'd like it to be nice for her.

Well, we've had a few quotes from people her family seem to know - including one who is a family member - and they are all coming out with quotes of a similar starting figure. For absolutely everything - hotel location, photographer, catering for 100 (What the hell, who are her family inviting......the whole village and a goat?), dress, loads of other things - I've had quotes of between 90k pesos and 150k pesos. The latter is near enough 2k in GBP.

The latest planner, he's sent me an e-mail, saying about "ohh the 120k I quoted her sister, it isn't my own arrangement, but I can do you something really special for 150k (Well he would say that wouldn't he! Cheeky git!)

Top and bottom of it is, I'm not stupid, some locals prob think "rich westerner involved".......which is far from the truth, but we've both been saving, and we could manage this.

Can I ask - does 150k sound okish, or is this comedian frankly taking the :censored:

I'm not going to lose too much sleep over the extra amount in the grand scheme of things. We're frankly getting no-where for less than 120k, so this is the ballpark figure we don't seem to be able to get away from.

Thanks in advance



IAN...


If your fiance she want that way wedding ask her to share for the expenses Let say 50/50

If you cannot afford the payment. ....Till to her straight to the point coz too expensive :cwm3:and don't say yes if you don't like their idea

[CAT]

Very Interesting thread:ReadIt:

Me and My husband had a Civil Wedding in our Municipal and a Reception in Restaurant for close friends and Family..We bought our Wedding ring in ONGPIN cheaper to buy gold...and since its Civil wedding we only bought RTW in mall...Even if my very Old Father in law (he is 82 that time ) Fly all the way from Scotland Just to meet her sons wife to be, He's giving us money to do BIG wedding, i told my husband not to ask help, ( he said when he do say..I impressed his dad that i dnt want only MONEY but i do love his son and thats Very TRUE) His dad presence is more important than anything...i was touch:bigcry: that he is there to see his SONs happiest Day:D:Jump:
What im trying to say is Its still up to you Ian and wife to be:xxgrinning--00xx3: Cheaper or expensive Wedding, That will be one of the happiest day of your LIFE :D as long as u are so much inlove with each other ( I said one of happiest, coz when we had our BABY :hubbahubba: were very happy too ) ohhh im sorry if out of topic:NoNo: but I LOVE YOU very much my Husband ALLAN :Rasp:

[Lhailhani]

HAPPY FOR YOU CAT! mhheeowww haha just kidding.. but yes that's true.. what you wrote... :Jump::Jump: and Cgratzzz with the baby :)

[CAT]

Yes meowww :D Thanks Lhailhani :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Rhose]

It's all sorted now. Like I said, just the small things to sort out now. We looked through many venues (well, photos for me!) and this one instantly caught both of our attention. I ain't ever getting married again anyway, and neither is she ;) so we want to go out with a bang! We can afford it (despite this government thinking I can't even afford bread and water) so why not do it. I got all my immediate family coming too, so we've saved budgeted money that we had planned for a blessing here. No need for that now as my parents get to see the real thing :D
:):):) enjoy your vacation here!! have fun!! lots of places to visit... good luck!!! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Moy]

Moy, by my standards that was positively extravagant....but good effort ! :xxgrinning--00xx3: :D

:rolleyes: I THINK SO..if i assist it but we never have wedding ring :bigcry: the husband offer me before the wedding but i refused:bigcry::action-smiley-081: and now we cant afford yet..that time it was cost for 40 thousand pesos..one of the reason i refuse but i was blinded that time i thought he dont have that money to buy..just now that he told me its unfairrrrrrrrrrrr:xxaction-smiley-047:cwm24: :D

[raynaputi]

When my best friend got married last 2009, their overall expense reached Php700,000! :omg: Both Filipinos btw..extravagant! :D although they got half of it back from families and relatives, GIFTS! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Terpe]

I can buy house and car for that in my wife's village :D
Truly!

[Moy]

I can buy house and car for that in my wife's village :D
Truly!
:D:xxgrinning--00xx3: very true
i send pm to you last night and now i hope u got it:D

[raynaputi]

I can buy house and car for that in my wife's village :D
Truly!

I know! :D good thing her hubby have 6 digits salary! hahaha :xxgrinning--00xx3: well they both decided it to be that grand..:Rasp:

[gWaPito]

IAN...


If your fiance she want that way wedding ask her to share for the expenses Let say 50/50

If you cannot afford the payment. ....Till to her straight to the point coz too expensive :cwm3:and don't say yes if you don't like their idea

Exactly!....you gotta start as you mean to carry on Ian or you'll be making a rod for your own back.

Good to see Keefy again...welcome back..missing Apo too.

My first wedding in 81 cost £20...double wedding ...marriage lasted 25 years.

[grahamw48]

I was supposed to be getting married in 82...double-wedding also (identical twins...I was only marrying one though :D).

Got cold feet and backed out of it. :rolleyes:

[gWaPito]

Wise man Graham :xxgrinning--00xx3:

We got married with a sister of mine....that £ 20 included marriage licence...registry office and half reception costs...never had honeymoon, dad and i was shipping 2 days later for a 3 month run to the middle east..:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[grahamw48]

Actually, probably the biggest mistake of my life (top of a long list :rolleyes:).

She was 'the one'....looking back. We'd already been going out 3 years and I had a nice house etc.

Killed in a road accident a few years later, when we were still seeing each other. :bigcry:

[gWaPito]

Oh! Sorry Graham...I remember you mentioning it now be it a long while ago.

Sorry mate! Xxxx

[songz777]

It's a difficult one Ian. My initial reaction was £2k for everything including the dress for 100 guests isn't to bad, but perhaps some will disagree.

Yes thats what my fiancee and I have agreed on with perhaps some change, but thats not icluding the hotel for our honeymoon etc:)

[Rhose]

When my best friend got married last 2009, their overall expense reached Php700,000! :omg: Both Filipinos btw..extravagant! :D although they got half of it back from families and relatives, GIFTS! :xxgrinning--00xx3:
Expensive and extravagant!! as well as we did :bigcry: but it happened we're both happy we received more than what we expected from our guestss :Jump:

[Rhose]

Actually, probably the biggest mistake of my life (top of a long list :rolleyes:).

She was 'the one'....looking back. We'd already been going out 3 years and I had a nice house etc.

Killed in a road accident a few years later, when we were still seeing each other. :bigcry:

Sorry to hear that!! knowing you as a funny man I didn't know that you are hiding some sadness :bigcry: :bigcry:

[gWaPito]

7 years ago me and the husband in civil wed:D:rolleyes: with only close friends and some family members and relative a total of 25 people cost us 3,000 pesos :D only plus the hotel afterwards for 2,500 for 3 days:Rasp: and the extra 1,500 for some expenses a total of 7 thousand :) what else i could ask..:D :Jump:
but 150K pesos:cwm24::yikes: that will pay our mortgage for our home right now in PH:D maybe you could lend me some Iani:D
but goodluck and think twice before making any decision with money..your future wife should know the cost :D i supposed:rolleyes:;)

:) I thought filipina like your goodself were a myth (compliment) and it appears a wonderful cook...I hope your husband appreciates you :)