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

[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

[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

You my dear are a kindred spirit.

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

[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

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

[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.

[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:

[Angel1403]

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

'cheap charlie kuripot' .

[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

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:

[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

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 ?

[Steve.r]

Lovely picture Steve.

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

you know flattery will get you everywhere

[grahamw48]

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


.

[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.

Sound judgement

[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

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" 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.

[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 can help with wedding dresses and can refer photographers and other services that's my part time job 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!

that's the things I forgot about, visa application fee and some expenses after the wedding

[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

[Lhailhani]

well! ENJOY your stay in PHILS! COngratzzz in advance

[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