Leaving very soon

[Rory]

So i have to barter for a good price and they might start at 20,000 + but i should get them down to 15,000
In a way it is quite funny and in another is it not!!!!!

[Terpe]

So i have to barter for a good price and they might start at 20,000 + but i should get them down to 15,000
In a way it is quite funny and in another is it not!!!!!

No!

Whichever way you look at it you need a person who is authorized to solemnize a marriage.
This can be a registered solemnising officer, a Judge, Justice of the Peace, Priest, Minister of religion or even the local City Mayor.

The costs that are being bandied about here (P15,000 - P20,000) seem to me to be way way too high.

If that was a 'true cost' then no-one in the Philippines would ever get married.

I may be out of date, but I don't think a Judge can actually charge anything, but they are allowed to receive forms of ex gratia payment /gift payments.
Traditionally the money is placed inside an envelope and handed over.

You certainly don't have to accept exorbitant silly costs just because you are a rich foreigner. Especially when you are not expecting any special service such as expediting or weekend weddings.
My advice is to have your fiancee find a lower cost judge or other authorised official.

Costs are not fixed but you can expect to pay something between P1000 - P3000

Eventually the choice is yours. After all you WILL need someone.

Normally you can extend your visa at the airport upon arrival to 59 days.
Otherwise you need to go to an immigration office. I strongly suggest you extend your visa. If the planning for the wedding has all been done and all your ducks are well lined up then 21 day visa is possible. But in your case it seems a number of things still need to be firmed up so a little 'wriggle room' may be needed.

[lastlid]

The costs that are being bandied about here (P15,000 - P20,000) seem to me to be way way too high.

Ours included taking any messing about out of our hands. It was quick and easy and we were waived on the seminar which was key to getting everything done in the alloted timeframe. We were going to get it done through an alternative route which was peanuts in comparison but the seminar was a bit of a stumbling block so we had to go for Plan B.

I was quite thankful at the time as I was absolutely clueless on the process, short on preparation time and over here in the UK.

[Rory]

If the planning for the wedding has all been done and all your ducks are well lined up then 21 day visa is possible. But in your case it seems a number of things still need to be firmed up so a little 'wriggle room' may be needed.

We have all our ducks lined up with a day or so in between each duck incase there is a slight hitch. The actual wedding is all booked for the 7th May here http://chateaudebusay.com/index.php?...lery&Itemid=60
the minimum number they will cater for is 100 and we only have about 65 so if there is any one from here in Cebu on the 7th you are very welcome to come, just let me know beforehand.
I have also gone over the 21 day stay so we can have a decent honeymoon in Palawan and not be rushing around every day.