Planning A Church Wedding: Philippines Edition

Planning a church wedding in the Philippines involves several important steps, from securing the necessary church documents to choosing your reception venue and suppliers. If you're planning a Catholic wedding, you and your partner must have received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and you'll need to provide the names and addresses of at least two sponsors or witnesses. You'll also need to decide on your budget, which will depend on factors such as decorations, singers, and photographers.

Securing the necessary church documents

Planning a church wedding in the Philippines involves several important steps, and one of the key areas to focus on is securing the necessary church documents.

Before getting married in a Catholic church, both you and your partner must have received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. These certificates can be obtained from the parishes where you received the sacraments. Request a copy marked “for marriage purposes only,” valid for six months. Check with your wedding church when these are required—usually around two to three months before your big day.

The church will also require the names and addresses of at least two sponsors/witnesses. You may ask them for any restrictions, requirements or fees before submitting the list. Some parishes have a maximum number of sponsors. Make sure that you provide the full names, as they will be printed in your marriage certificates.

You will also need to have an initial interview with the parish priest or their assistant. You can request to have the meeting at least one to two months before the wedding. This is required by the church for them to assess if you are both ready to take the sacrament of marriage.

If you are unable to fly to the Philippines to apply for a license, you can go to the nearest Philippine Embassy in your country and have a civil wedding there. Consuls are allowed to officiate civil weddings abroad. After the civil ceremony, you will be able to get married in a church anytime using your marriage certificate without a problem. You can also have a civil wedding at any courthouse and file a Report of Marriage at the Philippine Embassy to have your union recognized by the Philippine government. You can then use the PSA-authenticated Report of Marriage in your applications for a church wedding in the Philippines.

Booking a reception venue

When it comes to booking a reception venue for your church wedding in the Philippines, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to secure your church before booking your reception venue. This is because the availability of your chosen church will impact the date of your reception. Once you have your church secured, you can start looking for a hotel or restaurant to host your reception.

When choosing a reception venue, it's important to consider your budget and the services you require. Most weddings in the Philippines require suppliers for various services, so it's a good idea to create a list of the services you need and then research potential suppliers. You can find suppliers by checking out blogs and online forums, attending wedding fairs, and asking for recommendations from married friends.

When you have a list of potential suppliers, start contacting them to request quotations and check their availability on your wedding date. It's important to do this early, as popular suppliers may get booked up quickly. Keep in mind that your budget may impact the venue and suppliers you can afford, so it's essential to have a financial discussion with your partner and set a realistic budget before making any bookings.

Additionally, don't forget to consider any specific requirements or restrictions you may have for your reception venue. For example, if you plan to have a large number of guests, you'll need to choose a venue that can accommodate your guest list.

Setting a budget

Once you have an idea of your overall budget, you can start allocating funds to different areas of your wedding. Create a list of all the wedding services you will need, such as catering, photography, and entertainment. Research and compare rates from different suppliers to find the best value for your money. Don't be afraid to negotiate and ask for discounts, especially if you are booking multiple services with the same supplier.

There are several factors that can affect the cost of your church wedding in the Philippines. Additional costs may include decorations, singers or musicians for the ceremony, videography, and photography. If you are having a large wedding, the cost per person for catering and other services may also be higher. It is important to consider all of these factors when setting your budget and deciding on the overall size and scope of your wedding.

When creating your budget, it is helpful to prioritize the areas that are most important to you and your partner. For example, if having beautiful photos and videos of your wedding day is a priority, you may allocate a larger portion of your budget to photography and videography. On the other hand, if you prefer to focus on creating a memorable experience for your guests, you may allocate more funds to catering, entertainment, and decorations.

Finally, don't forget to leave some room in your budget for unexpected expenses or last-minute additions. It is always better to overestimate your budget rather than underestimate it. By setting a realistic and well-planned budget, you can ensure that your church wedding in the Philippines is both memorable and financially responsible.

Choosing a wedding planner

Planning a church wedding in the Philippines involves several important steps, and one of the key areas to focus on is choosing a wedding planner.

The planner or coordinator should be the first supplier you hire. You have two choices: a full-service wedding planner and an on-the-day (OTD) coordinator. A full-service wedding planner will be able to help you with all aspects of your wedding, from finding a church to organising your reception. They will also be able to help you with the necessary church documents, such as your sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation certificates. An OTD coordinator, on the other hand, will simply ensure that your wedding day runs smoothly.

When choosing a wedding planner, it is important to consider your budget. Full-service wedding planners can be expensive, so if you are planning a small and simple event, you may wish to opt for an OTD coordinator instead. You should also consider the services that you require. For example, do you need help with finding suppliers, or would you prefer to do this yourself?

It is a good idea to check out blogs and online forums to find possible wedding planners, as well as attending wedding fairs to compare rates. You could also ask for recommendations from married friends. Once you have found a few potential planners, start contacting them to ask for quotations and to check their availability on your wedding date.

Getting the right certificates

Planning a church wedding in the Philippines involves several important steps, and one of the key areas to focus on is securing the right certificates. Here's what you need to know:

Firstly, both you and your partner must have received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. These certificates can be obtained from the parishes where you received the sacraments. It's a good idea to request a copy marked "for marriage purposes only", as this type of certificate is valid for six months. Check with your wedding church when these are required—usually around two to three months before your big day.

Next, you'll need to provide the names and addresses of at least two sponsors or witnesses. Make sure you provide their full names, as they will be printed on your marriage certificates. Some parishes have a maximum number of sponsors, so be sure to check with your chosen church.

Additionally, you may need to have an initial interview with the parish priest or their assistant. This meeting is required by the church to assess if you are both ready to take the sacrament of marriage. You can request to have this meeting one to two months before the wedding.

Finally, if you are unable to have a church wedding in the Philippines, you can opt for a civil wedding at a Philippine Embassy or courthouse. After the civil ceremony, you will receive a marriage certificate that can be used for a church wedding in the Philippines at any time. Alternatively, you can file a Report of Marriage at the Philippine Embassy to have your union recognised by the Philippine government and then apply for a church wedding using the authenticated report.

Frequently asked questions