How much does a traditional Filipino wedding cost?

It's a fact of life many couples have come to accept—a traditional Filipino wedding can be expensive.

Sure, you're excited about planning for your big day. But before you get started, you have to work on the most challenging parts of wedding planning: setting a budget and saving up for it.

What is the standard wedding budget in the Philippines?

There isn’t a cookie-cutter answer for this question. But for most couples, it depends on three major factors:

Church

A couple's wedding budget in the Philippines varies according to the type of wedding they wish to have.

If you prefer a traditional church wedding, you can get married in a church with a budget of PHP 6,000 to PHP 15,000. The cost is inclusive of the officiating fee, altar, and choir.

The additional costs come in when you decide to spend on your entourage and the decorations for the aisle and altar. Air-conditioned churches also charge additional fees to cover electricity and other operational costs.

Reception

A reception typically follows a traditional Filipino wedding. The cost depends on the number of people in attendance.

On average, expect to spend anywhere between PHP 50,000 to PHP 300,000 for 150 people. The more guests you have, the pricier it becomes.

Some venues have packages that are inclusive of rent, catering, flower arrangement and styling, lights and sound, and overnight stay for a specific number of guests.

Preferred suppliers

When it comes to wedding costs in the Philippines, the suppliers you pick have a huge influence on your budget.

Suppliers include your wedding planner or coordinator, couturiers, hair and makeup artists, photographers and videographers, wedding cake baker, and souvenir makers. If you choose to have a wedding planner, prepare to shell out anywhere from PHP 10,000 to PHP 50,000.

A wedding dress ranges from PHP 5,000 to PHP 100,000, depending on your designer. For the groom, a suit will cost somewhere between PHP 3,000 to PHP 15,000. Hair and makeup services are usually priced at PHP 1,500 to PHP 3,000 per head. On average, wedding photography and videography packages range from PHP 5,000 to PHP 75,000.

Prepare to spend at least PHP 2,500 for a wedding cake. Wedding souvenirs can be priced as low as PHP 50 per person.

Based on the costs listed in the article, expect to spend PHP 122,000 to PHP 584,000 for a standard church wedding with at least 100 guests. That amount can go higher or lower depending on the venue of your wedding and the suppliers you hire.

Ways to save up for your wedding

Based on the average wedding budget in the Philippines, it's clear that the road to a happy ever after with your partner does not come cheap. For the average working Filipino, PHP 100,000 is a lot of money. If not budgeted and saved for carefully, this can turn into an expensive affair you may not be able to afford.

Here are some simple tips to help you save up for your wedding.

Set your wedding priorities

Discuss with your partner about what matters most to both of you on your big day. Determine if there are expenses or areas where you're willing to compromise.

Create a wedding budget

Build a realistic wedding budget by knowing how much you're willing to spend, and then compare vendors.

For instance, you can set a bigger portion of the budget for photography if you want high-quality photos of your big day, and then save on entertainment options for the venue.

Trim your daily expenses

Curb some of your everyday spending, like reducing the number of iced lattes or lunches you buy. You can add that money to your savings.

Short-term sacrifice builds a disciplined approach to spending and saving.

Open a wedding account

Money sitting in your bank account tends to get spent because it's just there. When you open a new account specifically for wedding expenses, you can:

• Build a savings in a one-way joint savings account. Money goes in and won't be taken out until you're ready to pay for wedding costs.
• Stay motivated as you watch your balance rise. This makes it easier to set goals and track your savings.

After opening a wedding account, set up regular deposits. Automated deposits can provide momentum for your savings and are generally easier to manage. Saving smaller amounts on a weekly basis also means you won't feel the pressure on your normal budget.

Opening a new savings account with Metrobank is quick and easy. Just visit the nearest Metrobank branch and submit one valid ID with your photo and signature.

For more tips on how to simplify your budgeting and save up for major expenses, head over to Money Basics.