“We fell deeply in love the Philippines. The tropical islands, warm hospitality and outdoor adventures – it makes a perfect paradise for those seeking tranquility and respite from the city life. The iconic warm hospitality that Filipinos are so well known for will have you feeling pampered and well taken care of. Since 2014, we have visited the Philippines without fail each year. We even took our wedding photo and videoshoots in Cebu. It holds a very special place in our hearts.”

– Jocelyn Chua, Chief Editor

1. The Filipino hospitality is incomparable to the rest of the world

2. It houses 7,107 islands and is one of the largest island groups in the world

3. The Philippines has one of the most diversified wildlife in the world

4. This paradise has great tropical weather – its average yearly temperature is around 26.6°C. 

5. Find the cheapest beer in the world, about 50 pesos will get you a bottle of local San Miguel

6. Pamper yourself endlessly with good massages & spas

7. No language barriers – over 90% of the population speaks English 

8. Swim with whale sharks, whales, turtles, and fishes – it is one of the best countries in the world for underwater diving and snorkeling 

9. Immerse yourself in surreal landscapes of hills, limestone caves, underground rivers & more…

10. Enjoy exclusiveness and serenity on postcard beaches and private islands

Venues – The Philippines has a wide variety of wedding venues for your celebration. Whether you prefer a church wedding, a grand hotel ballroom, a romantic beach wedding on a private island, a beautiful outdoor wedding or an intimate setting in a restaurant, the Philippines can cater to your preference. 

Average costs – Costs vary depending on the region, venue, and the number of guests, the Philippines is considerably much cheaper than other Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. The exchange rate is USD1 = 51 pesos. For a simple affair with 150 guests, the average cost is about ₱300,000. It can range from ₱192,000-600,000 (source). 

Vendors – The wedding industry in the Philippines is booming, particularly videographers, photographers, and stylists. You can find some really great cinematography being done in the Philippines. We loved their works so much we had 3 photo shoots and 2 video shoots done in the Philippines. Read our reviews below sharing the experience! 

Payment – Visa, MasterCard and to a lesser extent, American Express are widely accepted throughout Manila and other major cities. Speak to your venue to ask if they accept cards prior to making your booking. 

Language – Filipinos are very friendly and hospitable. Most speak English, and so there will be no trouble communicating, whether via email or in person. Most resorts that we spoke with liaise with couples online via Skype for their bookings before coming down for a site visit. 

Getting married in the Philippines – On marriage steps and requirements, refer to this useful guide here.

When – The Philippines has four distinct climate zones so be sure to research on your specific region. Visit during the dry season (November to April) – the shoulder months of November and May can you offer good value. Temperatures are higher during March and April, so it’s best to host your event during the cooler months of December to February. The wet season falls between May and October, but the rain isn’t constant and you will still enjoy hot, sunny days. Typhoons are a wild card in the Philippines, the season is roughly June to December. You can check for storms here. 

Flight times – The flight from Singapore to Manila is about 3 hours and 40 minutes. You can get tickets pretty cheaply via budget airlines like Scoot for about $200 or less per pax. 

Accommodations –