Let's just say it was such a relief to finish the wedding preparations!
In the end, we did save on some of the suppliers by doing some of the things ourselves. Anyway, this is basically a summary of our expenses.
1. Paperwork and Marriage License
We spend 920 pesos for the marriage license paperworks. Birth certificate was only 140, while the CENOMAR was only 195 if you requested this in their NSO office in Pureza. 150 pesos for the marriage license application form (you still pay it even if you printed the one from the internet), and 100 for the notarization.
For more information about the Marriage License, read my other blog here.
2. Reception
We got a deal from Deal Grocer, offering 32,000 for 30 pax catering with 1 free overnight stay in Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, plus an additional 875/pax. It already includes food and coffee (with table settings and servers), basic sound system, stage (with dance floor and podium), projector screen, and 10 parking slots. We just added additional items like the cake corkage (1500), photo booth (1500), backdrop (6000). They waived the fee for the wine and the LCD projector too. They also provide VIP service to the sponsor's table, maximum of 20 pax. We also had a civil wedding, and the hotel also offered the room 1 hour prior the start of the catering for the wedding, instead of taking place at the city hall. Yey for convenience!
We also bought TBX membership so we can maximize the discount on the their suite for one night for the wedding preps, and basically rented 5 deluxe rooms (1 complimentary because of TBX membership, 2 bought via Agoda, and 2 bought at a travel fair for 50% off).
Our contact person was with Ms. Joyce Ancuna, who was rather easy to talk to via e-mail and cellphone. They also provided us a free food tasting for our chosen menu (Ha! Food tasting is really the only time you can eat, as you cannot keep your food down on your wedding day! Haha). I remembered that the food was good during the food tasting, but we got mixed reviews during the wedding itself. We had bread and rolls, salad, soup, and 3 entrees (roast beef with chimchurri, roast chicken with creamy mushroom sauce, grilled marlin with lemon and butter), sun-dried tomato and basil penne, with 3 desserts (brazo de mercedes, coffee marble cake, and fresh fruits). Though... the food trays were empty after the wedding.
However, on the day itself, there were several problems. Like the cake not being served (more on that later). Or more importantly, the agreed-upon seat layout was not followed. So instead of my family being in front, they were at the back. And I know that a certain group will leave early who was supposed to be in the back, was put in front (so there was an empty table after they eat-and-run).
Comments on the rooms, well, deluxe rooms were a bit small, really good for 2 pax only. And the suite really was big and large (it was bigger than the suite in Sofitel)... though during the preps, there were problems with some of the sockets, which were not working! Tsk.
But the hotel staff was really accommodating and reception was nice. They tried to make everything as smooth and possible for us.
3. Civil Officer
We went several times to Manila City Hall to look for a judge to officiate our wedding, but we've been repeatedly referred to this office on the 2nd floor for a solemnizing officer. So fine, we just settled with that one. If we were wed in City Hall, it will just be 2,500, but if held in Bayleaf, it will be 5,000.
Well, the officer was late for 1 hour. Wreaking havoc on our schedule. Hate them. Don't trust them. on the day itself, I called the office, and I think that was just the day that they informed the officer that it will be held in Bayleaf Hotel. Plus, they were calling because they want to upped the fee by an additional 3,000! Well, I can't really say no, because the guests were already waiting, right? So please DON'T trust. Nora. Atienza. of Manila City Hall. My friend even told me that the officer was trying to wheedle an additional 500 pesos after the ceremony.
1. Flowers
Like the flowers haha we only spend 730 pesos because we just bought several (like 4 dozens of different flowers in Dangwa floral market plus fillers) to be used for my bouquet, and to be used for the table setting. My sister Macy was the one who arranged it. Keep in mind that I have no entourage anyway, so the flowers were just very minimalist. I don't want a very heavy bouquet, and I like the "natural" state of flowers when they are just bunched together. We just bought them the day before the wedding haha
On another note, if you're looking for flowers or a stylist, I think it's still cheaper to find one in Dangwa Market, instead of looking through the bridal fairs where the cheapest set-up is at 5,000 for a civil marriage. When I inquired at Dangwa, the person quoted me 2000! I was so tempted to buy it already but my husband stopped me from being impulsive haha And he was right, because in the end, it was only less than 1000 pesos haha
We were also thinking of getting flowers as a backdrop for our stage, and in bridal fairs, they quoted as 10000, but in Dangwa, they only quoted 5000. So... I therefore conclude, that it's cheaper to just go straight to Dangwa. They are also offering competitive prices because they have neighbors who can also offer you flowers for less the price.
2. Souvenir: Stat Photo Booth (Facebook Page)
We decided on the magnetic photo booth because aside from being a fad, it's a souvenir that we think guests will like because it's a MAGNET, not just a picture where it could get lost.
Our photobooth is StatPhotobooth, whom we searched from OLX Philippines. They quoted as 3,500 for 4 hours unlimited use of photobooth plus an additional 1,000 for the magnet upgrade, which sums to 4,500. (Well, we also paid an additional 1,000 because we exceeded the number of hours).
It was easy to communicate with them as they had FB messenger, email, and cellphone. They offered to provide us lay-outs and options, but since I'm a bit of an OC when it comes to photo editing, I just volunteered to do the lay-out, which was fine with them.
3. Cake: Chocolate Kiss
For the cake, we believe that it's absurd to pay roughly 10,000 or more for a cake where the only edible layer is the bottom! Yeah, I guess fondant is better for decors as well, but for me, I find fondant cakes rather dry on the inside... No matter what the price.
So we settled for a 3-layer edible cake instead (which was put on different cake stands) by Chocolate Kiss instead. At least, we're sure that we like its flavor especially with its best-selling Devil's Food Cake. We just opted to have it in vertical white design instead of its usual spikes. We can pay for it at least 2 weeks in advance to have the cake prepared. And how much was it? A whopping 3,320 only!
They can also deliver, but since it's in Manila, I think they quoted us 2000. But since we live near Katipunan anyway, we just opted to pick-it up in their Bahay ng Alumni branch (originally we thought our wedding will be held in Quezon City) and brought it to the hotel for storage the day before.
We got all layers to be edible, because we want to serve it to our guests during reception (which I guess was not very common in most weddings because the hotel forgot to serve our cake even though we explicitly asked them several times! Argh!). I am proud also to serve it because at least it's not the usual dry fondant cake.
4. Ring: Binondo
We got our ring from Binondo... but I found out a better alternative after buying our rings. Tsk.
I have a friend who customizes jewelry from Bulacan. We can give a design that we want (if you will notice, there are a LOT of the SAME designs out there. If you wanted a unique one, it will cost the price of 2 rings!) and a budget that we can work with. Initially, when we showed our preferred design to the different ring shops in Binondo, it costs 40-60k! But guess what, she can do it in 20! Though with some modifications. Grrr... Maybe next time, on our church wedding...
5. Decors and Stationaries
We wanted a minimalist theme, because we really don't think much of the decors as essential. For instance, I personally don't want to eat with a huge flower pot in front of me or lots of things in the center, where I cannot see or talk to the person in front of me. I don't want the clutter of too much things in the table, honestly.
So for our decors, we just need a simple flower centerpiece (provided in the first supplier), our backdrop for the stage, and a guestbook where guests can give us a message. If we wanted centerpieces, we wanted it to be useful. Like we wanted to put iSpy games and things to read or instruct the guests while waiting (which I am not sure if was put there at all during the time).
Anyway, for the backdrop for the stage, we initially had a quotation from Dangwa that was 5,000. But then, we opted for the offer from the hotel, 6000 for the curtain backdrop, which was longer and sized right for the stage from the hotel. So, problem solved.
For the guest book, since I am a big fan of photobooks, and Jeff and I travelled a lot. I collected enough pictures to make a wedding photobook, which is basically a collection also of our photos together. I love it. It was white leather embossed, so I think it looks classy, and we made it square. Anyway, I bought it online for 920 + 320 shipping fee.
We also just bought a lot of paper from Divisoria, which we made into invitations (there's only like 20 of them because most of our friends live in the digital world anyway). We also made name cards for the sponsors, menu items, and "Message for the Couple" that the guests can fill up while waiting for us. We did make iSpy and FAQs for the Wedding, but I'm not sure if people saw it. This costs less than 1000 pesos.
6. Videographer
We found Juni through OLX, found his FB page, browse his work, and hired him to be our wedding videographer. We only paid 5,000 for 2 videographer to cover the whole event from preps up to the end. Take note that I will be the one to edit our own video. The price is for the raw footage and the service. (On another note, apparently, he is also friends with one of my climbing friends, Shee.)
We don't want to act, feeling fake, and pretending, so we don't want an OTD video edit. But if we do, their offer was 15,000 which is not that bad for 3 videographers plus an editor.
1. HMUA
My (now) brother-in-law works as a makeup artist, who referred me to his friend, Mac Nepomuceno. Since I need a test drive, even though we (initially) don't want to do a pre-nup pictorial, we had to do one to test the make-up. So I had an airbrush kind of makeup, where my sisters complimented that it looks nice, not too thick either, and it lasted the whole day. We went to Pan de Amerikana and UP for our pre-nup.
On the day itself, since it's all airconditioned, I had the traditional make-up, with 3 different looks (for the prep, the wedding, and the reception).
Fee: less than 5000 for everything hehe
2. Photographer
Since we've been climbing and traveling for several years, I'm a big fan of my friend John Mark Esmeralda, so of course I wanted him to be my main photographer for the day. I also had other friend Clark Dycaico to help. So they were basically my main photographers.
Fee: Hug hahaha
3. Host
Originally, I wanted my sister and her fiancee to host my wedding because they know us well, and they also know most of our friends and family. But she backed out, never having to do a hosting job before. Instead, I asked Ate Mys and Kuya Pepper who has been hosting events for a long time. (As much as possible, I don't want to have outside suppliers as much as possible.)
Alternate: I could have picked on my Ateneo friend Jike, also who hosted initially because my cousins were late. He has been a public speaker since he was the president of our org group in college, and apparently, he still hosts events for their hospital.
Fee: Hug hahaha
4. Coordinators
My best friend from Med School basically saved the day, because my sisters were all busy! Or maybe too excited. Originally, I was just going to assign my sisters to different tasks like registration, games, etc.
Anyway, I should have just hired an OTD to save me from the headache. But thank you very much Julie for taking charge of pretty much everything! Thank you also to my Ateneo friends Louie and Tin, and my brother Miguel!
Fee: Hugs and kisses haha
In the end, we did save on some of the suppliers by doing some of the things ourselves. Anyway, this is basically a summary of our expenses.
The Essentials
We spend 920 pesos for the marriage license paperworks. Birth certificate was only 140, while the CENOMAR was only 195 if you requested this in their NSO office in Pureza. 150 pesos for the marriage license application form (you still pay it even if you printed the one from the internet), and 100 for the notarization.
For more information about the Marriage License, read my other blog here.
We got a deal from Deal Grocer, offering 32,000 for 30 pax catering with 1 free overnight stay in Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, plus an additional 875/pax. It already includes food and coffee (with table settings and servers), basic sound system, stage (with dance floor and podium), projector screen, and 10 parking slots. We just added additional items like the cake corkage (1500), photo booth (1500), backdrop (6000). They waived the fee for the wine and the LCD projector too. They also provide VIP service to the sponsor's table, maximum of 20 pax. We also had a civil wedding, and the hotel also offered the room 1 hour prior the start of the catering for the wedding, instead of taking place at the city hall. Yey for convenience!
We also bought TBX membership so we can maximize the discount on the their suite for one night for the wedding preps, and basically rented 5 deluxe rooms (1 complimentary because of TBX membership, 2 bought via Agoda, and 2 bought at a travel fair for 50% off).
Our contact person was with Ms. Joyce Ancuna, who was rather easy to talk to via e-mail and cellphone. They also provided us a free food tasting for our chosen menu (Ha! Food tasting is really the only time you can eat, as you cannot keep your food down on your wedding day! Haha). I remembered that the food was good during the food tasting, but we got mixed reviews during the wedding itself. We had bread and rolls, salad, soup, and 3 entrees (roast beef with chimchurri, roast chicken with creamy mushroom sauce, grilled marlin with lemon and butter), sun-dried tomato and basil penne, with 3 desserts (brazo de mercedes, coffee marble cake, and fresh fruits). Though... the food trays were empty after the wedding.
However, on the day itself, there were several problems. Like the cake not being served (more on that later). Or more importantly, the agreed-upon seat layout was not followed. So instead of my family being in front, they were at the back. And I know that a certain group will leave early who was supposed to be in the back, was put in front (so there was an empty table after they eat-and-run).
Comments on the rooms, well, deluxe rooms were a bit small, really good for 2 pax only. And the suite really was big and large (it was bigger than the suite in Sofitel)... though during the preps, there were problems with some of the sockets, which were not working! Tsk.
But the hotel staff was really accommodating and reception was nice. They tried to make everything as smooth and possible for us.
3. Civil Officer
We went several times to Manila City Hall to look for a judge to officiate our wedding, but we've been repeatedly referred to this office on the 2nd floor for a solemnizing officer. So fine, we just settled with that one. If we were wed in City Hall, it will just be 2,500, but if held in Bayleaf, it will be 5,000.
Well, the officer was late for 1 hour. Wreaking havoc on our schedule. Hate them. Don't trust them. on the day itself, I called the office, and I think that was just the day that they informed the officer that it will be held in Bayleaf Hotel. Plus, they were calling because they want to upped the fee by an additional 3,000! Well, I can't really say no, because the guests were already waiting, right? So please DON'T trust. Nora. Atienza. of Manila City Hall. My friend even told me that the officer was trying to wheedle an additional 500 pesos after the ceremony.
Minorities
Like the flowers haha we only spend 730 pesos because we just bought several (like 4 dozens of different flowers in Dangwa floral market plus fillers) to be used for my bouquet, and to be used for the table setting. My sister Macy was the one who arranged it. Keep in mind that I have no entourage anyway, so the flowers were just very minimalist. I don't want a very heavy bouquet, and I like the "natural" state of flowers when they are just bunched together. We just bought them the day before the wedding haha
On another note, if you're looking for flowers or a stylist, I think it's still cheaper to find one in Dangwa Market, instead of looking through the bridal fairs where the cheapest set-up is at 5,000 for a civil marriage. When I inquired at Dangwa, the person quoted me 2000! I was so tempted to buy it already but my husband stopped me from being impulsive haha And he was right, because in the end, it was only less than 1000 pesos haha
We were also thinking of getting flowers as a backdrop for our stage, and in bridal fairs, they quoted as 10000, but in Dangwa, they only quoted 5000. So... I therefore conclude, that it's cheaper to just go straight to Dangwa. They are also offering competitive prices because they have neighbors who can also offer you flowers for less the price.
2. Souvenir: Stat Photo Booth (Facebook Page)
We decided on the magnetic photo booth because aside from being a fad, it's a souvenir that we think guests will like because it's a MAGNET, not just a picture where it could get lost.
Our photobooth is StatPhotobooth, whom we searched from OLX Philippines. They quoted as 3,500 for 4 hours unlimited use of photobooth plus an additional 1,000 for the magnet upgrade, which sums to 4,500. (Well, we also paid an additional 1,000 because we exceeded the number of hours).
It was easy to communicate with them as they had FB messenger, email, and cellphone. They offered to provide us lay-outs and options, but since I'm a bit of an OC when it comes to photo editing, I just volunteered to do the lay-out, which was fine with them.
3. Cake: Chocolate Kiss
For the cake, we believe that it's absurd to pay roughly 10,000 or more for a cake where the only edible layer is the bottom! Yeah, I guess fondant is better for decors as well, but for me, I find fondant cakes rather dry on the inside... No matter what the price.
So we settled for a 3-layer edible cake instead (which was put on different cake stands) by Chocolate Kiss instead. At least, we're sure that we like its flavor especially with its best-selling Devil's Food Cake. We just opted to have it in vertical white design instead of its usual spikes. We can pay for it at least 2 weeks in advance to have the cake prepared. And how much was it? A whopping 3,320 only!
They can also deliver, but since it's in Manila, I think they quoted us 2000. But since we live near Katipunan anyway, we just opted to pick-it up in their Bahay ng Alumni branch (originally we thought our wedding will be held in Quezon City) and brought it to the hotel for storage the day before.
We got all layers to be edible, because we want to serve it to our guests during reception (which I guess was not very common in most weddings because the hotel forgot to serve our cake even though we explicitly asked them several times! Argh!). I am proud also to serve it because at least it's not the usual dry fondant cake.
4. Ring: Binondo
We got our ring from Binondo... but I found out a better alternative after buying our rings. Tsk.
I have a friend who customizes jewelry from Bulacan. We can give a design that we want (if you will notice, there are a LOT of the SAME designs out there. If you wanted a unique one, it will cost the price of 2 rings!) and a budget that we can work with. Initially, when we showed our preferred design to the different ring shops in Binondo, it costs 40-60k! But guess what, she can do it in 20! Though with some modifications. Grrr... Maybe next time, on our church wedding...
5. Decors and Stationaries
We wanted a minimalist theme, because we really don't think much of the decors as essential. For instance, I personally don't want to eat with a huge flower pot in front of me or lots of things in the center, where I cannot see or talk to the person in front of me. I don't want the clutter of too much things in the table, honestly.
So for our decors, we just need a simple flower centerpiece (provided in the first supplier), our backdrop for the stage, and a guestbook where guests can give us a message. If we wanted centerpieces, we wanted it to be useful. Like we wanted to put iSpy games and things to read or instruct the guests while waiting (which I am not sure if was put there at all during the time).
Anyway, for the backdrop for the stage, we initially had a quotation from Dangwa that was 5,000. But then, we opted for the offer from the hotel, 6000 for the curtain backdrop, which was longer and sized right for the stage from the hotel. So, problem solved.
For the guest book, since I am a big fan of photobooks, and Jeff and I travelled a lot. I collected enough pictures to make a wedding photobook, which is basically a collection also of our photos together. I love it. It was white leather embossed, so I think it looks classy, and we made it square. Anyway, I bought it online for 920 + 320 shipping fee.
We also just bought a lot of paper from Divisoria, which we made into invitations (there's only like 20 of them because most of our friends live in the digital world anyway). We also made name cards for the sponsors, menu items, and "Message for the Couple" that the guests can fill up while waiting for us. We did make iSpy and FAQs for the Wedding, but I'm not sure if people saw it. This costs less than 1000 pesos.
6. Videographer
We found Juni through OLX, found his FB page, browse his work, and hired him to be our wedding videographer. We only paid 5,000 for 2 videographer to cover the whole event from preps up to the end. Take note that I will be the one to edit our own video. The price is for the raw footage and the service. (On another note, apparently, he is also friends with one of my climbing friends, Shee.)
We don't want to act, feeling fake, and pretending, so we don't want an OTD video edit. But if we do, their offer was 15,000 which is not that bad for 3 videographers plus an editor.
My Friends/Suppliers
My (now) brother-in-law works as a makeup artist, who referred me to his friend, Mac Nepomuceno. Since I need a test drive, even though we (initially) don't want to do a pre-nup pictorial, we had to do one to test the make-up. So I had an airbrush kind of makeup, where my sisters complimented that it looks nice, not too thick either, and it lasted the whole day. We went to Pan de Amerikana and UP for our pre-nup.
On the day itself, since it's all airconditioned, I had the traditional make-up, with 3 different looks (for the prep, the wedding, and the reception).
Fee: less than 5000 for everything hehe
2. Photographer
Since we've been climbing and traveling for several years, I'm a big fan of my friend John Mark Esmeralda, so of course I wanted him to be my main photographer for the day. I also had other friend Clark Dycaico to help. So they were basically my main photographers.
Fee: Hug hahaha
3. Host
Originally, I wanted my sister and her fiancee to host my wedding because they know us well, and they also know most of our friends and family. But she backed out, never having to do a hosting job before. Instead, I asked Ate Mys and Kuya Pepper who has been hosting events for a long time. (As much as possible, I don't want to have outside suppliers as much as possible.)
Alternate: I could have picked on my Ateneo friend Jike, also who hosted initially because my cousins were late. He has been a public speaker since he was the president of our org group in college, and apparently, he still hosts events for their hospital.
Fee: Hug hahaha
4. Coordinators
My best friend from Med School basically saved the day, because my sisters were all busy! Or maybe too excited. Originally, I was just going to assign my sisters to different tasks like registration, games, etc.
Anyway, I should have just hired an OTD to save me from the headache. But thank you very much Julie for taking charge of pretty much everything! Thank you also to my Ateneo friends Louie and Tin, and my brother Miguel!
Fee: Hugs and kisses haha
Attire
1. Bridal Attire
On my other post, I said that I had mine made in Divisoria.
Well, actually, it was pretty cheap, but there were some modifications that I wanted, and it was hard to go back, so I just had them modified in Kamuning Market.
The cloth for the bolero was of nice quality. I really liked it. But it was a bit big (lace has to fit the skin like a glove, correct?) with a wide-flaring style at the hand, which I didn't like. So I just had it altered to fit my arms like a glove.
For the long skirt, it was also very nice with a seemingly cathedral train (almost 2 meters in length). Unfortunately, it was also very heavy to walk. So I also had a problem with finding a seamstress or couture to make a bustle for it. In the end, I went to YouTube and made my own bustle. The train would look really nice in the pictures by the stairs or a long winding road or something. Sayang nawalan kami ng time for that!
The cocktail dress that they made was a bit to fit for me, especially when I sit. Then my sister noticed something with how the dress was made like it was not straight or something. In the end, I just made a new cocktail dress with a new style for 2500 with my usual halter style in Kamuning Market, which they finished in 2 weeks.
If I had time, my other options at the time were Tamara Tan in Esteban Abada (but they were fully booked), or Rollie Graza in Anonas (I returned when I already decided, but they were closed. Since it was 3 weeks before my wedding, I just went to Kamuning Market).
2. Groom's Attire
See my other post.
3. Bridesmaid Dresses (Love Humbly)
As already mentioned in my other post, I got my sisters (and stepdaughter) matching infinity dresses.
They only cost 850/dress, which was good enough to thank (supposedly) my sisters for helping out during the big day haha
4. Groomsmen Clothes
We had a hard time, because not everyone has suits. So basically, we just bought red polo shirts for them with matching neck ties in Divisoria (490/pax) haha
In conclusion, my lessons for the big day was:
1. Allot 2 hours between the ceremony and the reception, especially if it's a civil wedding and the officiating officer is late.
2. Save yourself the headache, and get an on the day coordinator.
3. Whatever happens with time... this is the only day you get married. Take pictures, take your time, because it's hard to re-schedule a post-nuptial pictorial.
4. No matter how hard you plan the whole day, there will be discrepancies. Just try to ENJOY the day.
