Many people think that getting married is expensive, a church wedding or a christian wedding actually its all the same. But its your choice if you want to make your once in a lifetime marriage an extravagant or simple.
Actually this is our 2nd marriage, the first one was a civil wedding that was held in a garden rooftop of one of the Bed & Breakfast Hotel in Quezon City, we spend only Php 30,000 for all inclusive of hotel stay, food, our dress, invites and souvenir, plus the photo & video coverage, After 8 years of marriage we never planned to get married again in church, we we're thinking maybe after 10 years or 25 years.
Something happen that changed our plans.. mid of January 2016 when we realize the need to get married again in Catholic church, right after our youngest son's heart major surgery. When he was baptized in Oman, one of the requirements was a Certificate of Marriage from Church. We present only our civil marriage certificate, but since our son is a CHD patient and we cannot travel him by plane, the priest baptized him. That was the time we promise to God, that we will do it right, to be married and receive one of the 7 sacraments (marriage) in church.
The preparation is rushed, in just a short period of time from February until June 2016,. We planned to have our marriage in Philippines, so that our family and closest friend can attend. July 2, 2016 is our target date, nothing auspicious but June wedding usually is expensive. I googled and search for the right venue, as much as possible near to our Parish Church (Sacred Heart Parish Church).
If you're a parishioner of the church, the fees for wedding is very minimal. Not like if you plan to have your wedding in a commercialized church, you will pay more than 15K without the flowers, choir, and utilities. But in our case we only pay less inclusive all. (I will show the breakdown at the end of this blog).
Fortezza Party place is the reception venue we selected, it is near to our home and church. Its a house with a Mediterranean style mixed with rustic effect. I was impressed with the natural foliage in the adobe stones wall, it looks like an old Spanish house as well, by its chandeliers will tell how old the house is. I fell in love with the place, no worries if the rain comes during the event, it is very well covered.
The Menu, inclusive of venue fees, food, lights and sound system, flowers and minimal decors, uniformed waiters, plus some wedding essentials like dove, wine etc. We choose the Buffet B for 100 pax with 10 pax allowance.
The foods are very good, all our guest told that it was all delicious, they were satisfied with the taste plus good serving. We assigned 2 tables as plated and they served the food very efficiently.
Our Photographers : Mara & Mike Photography
I am a Photographer .. but i cannot cover my own wedding myself, for me the most important thing is to capture the precious moments during our wedding day. We have to invest for memories sake, so to fulfill it.. we hire them. Our Photographers Mara and Mike both in their mid 20's, fresh and bold in their ideas, they are young but they knew what they're doing, photography is also their passion. The cost of their service is Php 18,000, with 300 + digital edited photos, 100 prints, 3 photographers, onsite photo slide show and soft copy of all the photos. Some might think quite pricey but their photo speaks that it's all worth. Videos?? we didn't avail because we already had during our first wedding.
Our wedding ring is recycled, we didn't buy another gold ring because our old ring are filled with sentimental value. We just bought a dummy ring to put in wedding ring pillow that turns to be our 2nd wedding ring, A Tungsten ring from Silver works, this ring will never fade and deform because of its durability. It's cost is Php 2,900 for pair.
My wedding dress is from 168 mall in Divisoria, it's an infinity dress that you can make up to 50 styles. The original price is Php 1,800 but i haggle it down to Php 1,300, no other accessories because the veil that i used is my sisters veil when she got married 3 years ago.
My grooms suit is his uniform and my kids suits are old, we didn't buy new for them.
Entourage outfit is just simple cut , for bridesmaid we bought it only for Php 300 each as well as flower girls, mothers dress is also around Php 900, total dresses we bought in divisoria is around Php 3,500 including my shoes. The suit of groomsmen and bestman are provided by them.
Our wedding essentials for Rustic theme wedding such as invitations, souvenir, candles, cord, and veil. I did the invites in Oman and i just printed it out in bond paper, it was also a recycled because the ribbon i used are my materials for my handicraft and props.
Cord .. Php 50, i just redecorate it to have some rustic effect.
Veil Php 60 and candles Php 40
bottonaire -recycled
Wedding Ring & Array pillow - recycled from my moms pillow
Souvenir / Favor - Php 16/piece x 40 pcs - Php 640
Wedding decors are mostly handmade, i want everything with my personal touch, i didn't buy decors.. we just made crafts and Pinterest helps a lot.
Explore your creativity, anyway this will be your edge to cut cost in getting married.
Flower arrangement was made by yours truly, we went to Dangwa early morning of friday before our wedding. Baby's breath is the majority flowers we bought, it cost us a total of Php 1,000 for all.
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| my wedding bouquet |
Instead of vase or pot, i use a paper cups and designed it with craft paper and doiles, then i put green leaves and small flowers for more table accent.
The bride in action.. still decorating the events venue.
My makeup artist is no other than my kumare (God mother of Zildjian) Vhez Fresneda Tenoso. She is very good and an artist like me, she make me beautiful during our wedding hats off to her. Her talent fee is free for me, as a wedding gift and we are very happy.
Our bridal car is an old 1972 modelVolkswagen (vintage) owned by a 69 year old retired OFW, Tatay Freddie Claustro. We didn't know him actually, but my resourceful sister saw him in Shell Gasoline station 2 days before our wedding, she approached him and told him that we are looking for a vintage car that can be use as our bridal car. Searching in google renting that type of car is very expensive. And we are blessed and lucky to have it for free, tatay Freddie doesn't want to be paid, so we just invite him to our wedding.
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| Tatay Freddie Claustro with my sister Rea |
The people who entertain during our wedding, from my sister Rea Villojan - Ramos , my host wedding singer Dane Arroyo and Aldrin Leo Almazan, who performs for free. So much gratitude and blessings to us.
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| Dane my bestfriend, host and wedding singer |
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| Aldrin Almazan -Accoustic Singer |
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| My only sister, who's an Artist like me. |
To sum it all, its not expensive to get marry and achieve the wedding you dreamed. We just have to explore and find our artistic side, this will truly cut your expenses. We should know what we really like to happen. The blessings and bind that God gave to you as Husband and Wife is the most important.
here's the computation:
Church - 6,000
Venue/Reception - 65,000
Photography - 18,000
Wedding dress - 1,300
Wedding Ring (tungsten) - 2,900
bridesmaid/flower girls - 2,000
mothers dress - 1,500
flowers - 1,000
wedding essentials - 500
wedding souvenirs - 640
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total - 98,840
Wedding Tips:
- have your wedding simple and practical, make it a family affair.
- utilize your family, relatives and friends talent, let them showcase it on your wedding day.
-be creative, Pinterest will help a lot.
- photographs is an investment, memories is very important, you cannot repeat your wedding again.
- think of a theme that you really like, that you can share and make life to your ideas.
-stick with the original plans, set a budget limit, challenge yourself to achieve it.
-be resourceful, be a hands on bride or groom.
- expect that your guest will always something to say (good/bad), nothing is perfect anyway.
- when buying your wedding gown, think first on how you will store it for years, decades.
Sneak peek of set up i made in the reception.. the actual photos still i didn't get from our photographer, hope it will give a clearer picture.
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| Just Married Again!! |
