Philippines
“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
THE MAP OF THE PHILIPPINES
10 REASONS TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES
The Filipino hospitality is incomparable to the rest of the world
It houses 7,107 islands and is one of the largest island groups in the world
The Philippines has one of the most diversified wildlife in the world
This paradise has great tropical weather – its average yearly temperature is around 26.6°C.
Find the cheapest beer in the world, about 50 pesos will get you a bottle of local San Miguel
Pamper yourself endlessly with good massages & spas
No language barriers – over 90% of the population speaks English
Swim with whale sharks, whales, turtles, and fishes – it is one of the best countries in the world for underwater diving and snorkeling
Immerse yourself in surreal landscapes of hills, limestone caves, underground rivers & more…
Enjoy exclusiveness and serenity on postcard beaches and private islands
Most Popular Destinations in the Philippines
Manila
Boracay
Cebu
El Nido, Palawan
Coron, Palawan
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
WEDDING INFORMATION
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.
HONEYMOON TRAVEL INFORMATION
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 –
Wedding Venues in the Philippines
Wedding Vendors in the Philippines
Top 10 Wedding Hair and Makeup Stylists in the Philippines
Top 10 Most Popular Honeymoon Destinations in the Philippines
Top 10 Nail Salons for your Wedding in the Philippines
Top 10 Music Bands for your wedding reception in the Philippines
Top 10 Popular Staycation Venues in the Philippines
Top 10 Designers to get Evening Gowns for Wedding in the Philippines
Top 10 Live Music for your Wedding Ceremony in the Philippines
Top 10 Places to find Wedding Decorations and Props in the Philippines
Top 10 Bridesmaids Dress Shops and Designers in the Philippines
Top 10 Places to Rent Your Wedding Chairs in the Philippines
Top 10 Wedding Dessert Tables in the Philippines
Top 10 Wedding Favour Shops in the Philippines
Top 10 Wedding Florists in the Philippines for your Wedding Bouquets
Top 10 Spas for your Wedding Day in the Philippines
Top 10 Places to Rent Wedding Cars in the Philippines
Top 10 Wedding Emcees & Hosts in the Philippines
Our Reviews of Popular Wedding Venues & Vendors
AVERAGE COSTS OF A WEDDING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Wedding ceremony | Most churches charge a fee from about ₱5,000 – ₱20,000 for weddings. Special discounts are provided if you are a parishioner, or if you have it on a weekday. Air-conditioned churches may also charge more than nonair-conditioned venues. |
Wedding reception | Hold your ceremony and reception at the same venue to save booking costs. It |
Catering | Hotels have all in packages that will include the food. Check out Conrad Manila for a beautiful bayfront venue for your wedding, or The Bellevue Manila for a more suburban experience. If your venue does not provide food, get in touch with an external caterer. Catering packages start from ₱50,000 to 150,000 for 150 guests, depending on which caterer you choose. Check out the Top wedding caterers in the Philippines here. |
Photography and videography | There are many talented photographers and videographers in the Philippines to choose from, with complete packages at ₱150,000 that include same day edits and more. Check out the Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the Philippines and Top 10 Wedding Videographers in the Philippines For photography, we recommend you reach out to Shutterfairy. For videography reach out to Digital Eye Films. For more cinematic imagery or films, reach out to Enrico Nepomuceno. Read our reviews below. |
Wedding Rings | Depending on your taste and budget, you can buy a simple pair of rings for as low as ₱15,000. Diamond encrusted ones can cost up to ₱20,000 each. |
Wedding Attire | This includes your gown and suit, including what the entourage will wear. |
Hair & Makeup | |
Miscellaneous Expenses | Wedding invites, wedding favors, flowers, music, planners, host and emcees, transportation and accommodation for your immediate family and wedding party all can add up. You may also want to throw a bridal shower or a bachelor’s party before your wedding day. Be sure to also add your honeymoon costs into your budget. Use this wedding budget and expenses tracker to ensure that you keep a close eye on your expenses. If you need to take a loan, make sure to apply for one with either no interest or low interest, though I would advise strictly spending only within your means. |
Marriage Registration | Your marriage license and registration fee vary depending on the city, for example, the total fee for Quezon City is P320, while in Cebu it’s P250. If one of you is not a Filipino national, there will be additional fees around ₱1,000 depending on the municipality. More forms may be required. |
Honeymoons in the Philippines
Discover things to do and hotels to stay at for your once in a lifetime vacation