How to Plan a Simple Budget-wise Wedding?
When you find the right person at the right time and place, there will be no reason for you not to say "YES". (Of course with the blessing of your parents)
After that, wiiiieeeee wedding planning starts...
Planning the Big day is so exciting yet nerve-racking and stressful. There are lots of things to consider.
1. The DATE – During Pamamanhikan, you are to tell your parents when you will get married. This decision must be coming from YOU. But, consider the availability of your loved-ones. You wouldn’t want to get married without the VIP’s of your life during your most memorable day.
2. Number of Guests - Typical Filipino parents want a big & elaborated wedding for their daughters and/or sons. They want to invite everyone they knew in the whole wide family and whole wide friends (including friends of friends).
Tip: Couples, you are the ones in-charge here. You must have the final say. Why? Because that is YOUR wedding and YOU are the payers (You should be). This is still up to you. But please know that it’s during the wedding planning you practice decision-making skills. You will be married with all the responsibilities. You should exercise it before the married-life itself begins.
So, who to invite? I suggest you only invite those people who you love and love you and are close to the both of you. At the end of the day, you just need them there to become witnesses in your union.
3. The BUDGET – Since you now have the number of guests, you can already estimate for the budget. This is very important. Why? If you don’t set a budget, you will be carried away during the planning. There are many wedding suppliers out there which seem to be cheap but, in the end, are not.
Tip: Before making any decision, please ask yourselves first if you really need that during the wedding. NEEDS are much more important than WANTS. You should set your minimum and maximum limits. BUDGET WISELY AND REALISTICALLY.
Alta Guia Events Place
The Chandelier4. The VENUE –When you have the final or even just the estimated number of guests and the budget, you may find now the venue. It’s up to you, if you will have separate venues for the wedding rites and the reception, or you prefer only 1 venue for both (Just like what we did on our wedding).Tip: Choose a place where you are both comfortable to be married. If you chose separate venues for wedding rites & reception, consider the distance from each other. It should not be too far away to avoid any hassle and time extensions on the next venue. Consider also the weather of your preferred date. Garden & Beach weddings are good during summer. During rainy season, you might want to choose closed events spaces to be safe. Having a big backyard can also be an advantage.
Book the venue 1 year before the wedding date.
Patio Orieta5. The CATERER – Believe me or not, food is LIFE. Yes, weddings are for you guys but PLEASE consider the quality of FOOD. You invite people because you love them so I think they deserve good food just as much as you deserve it. You wouldn’t want your guests to be sad during your big day just because of the food. Tip: You don’t need 10 viands for your event. Even 2 or 3 viands will do as long as they are of good quality and just right for the number of guests. You don’t need iced tea or any juice. Water is much healthier and CHEAPER.
Book the caterer at least 6 months before the wedding date.
PhotoVid Team (Mark Aiven's Photography) 6. PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY – This is one of the most important things in a wedding. MEMORIES--We can only capture them through pictures & videos. When you are old or even during wedding anniversaries, you can always look back on your wedding pictures and/or videos as a way of memory refreshing. You can also tell your future grandchildren about your wedding while looking at the pictures. It will always be a good thought.
So, get a good Photographer and/or Videographer. If you are really lacking the budget, photos will do. Tip: When hiring a photographer/videographer, find a starting one to cut the cost. They are always much cheaper than the professional ones. But if you have the budget, GO for the professional ones. You can also cut the cost if you have a friend who’s so inclined to photography. Just don’t forget to appreciate their effort by giving him/her tokens or some money that you can give (still on a budget).
7. The Officiating Minister – In our case, there are pastors in my husband’s family. So we choose one to officiate our wedding. Guess what? He didn’t ask for any amount but we gave him offerings like basket of fruits, bread, and red wine during the ceremony. Tip: The offerings were from our chosen friends who participated in the ceremony. We’re so thankful for that.
8. The PAPERS— These are very legally important because, without these, your marriage will be void. So, while planning for the celebration, don’t forget to request your CENOMAR & Birth Certificate from the PSA and attend the needed seminars in your town (the venue where you will be married). Visit the City hall near you for the requirements.
9. The Principal & Secondary Sponsors – You shouldn’t pick principal sponsors because they could give you money. Choose people or older couples who you really respect. Why? Because there will be times in your marriage where disagreement and chaos happen. And you will need them there to be your guide as your mentors.
Secondary Sponsors— these people should be your closest friends and/or families. You wouldn’t want to pick someone you didn’t know to help you in your wedding. Yes, you read it right, Secondary Sponsors are your aides in the planning and implementations. That’s why they are called your bridesmaids & groomsmen.
Tip: Get them from your guests list.
10. The wedding coordinator—this one is not compulsory but if you want convenience, you better hire one. On our case, we have a friend who offered his skills to coordinate. Gratefully, he had so many connections to different suppliers so it lessened the hassle knowing our wedding was in good hands.
11. DIY Lists – The best way to cut the costs is to do it yourself! Or Do it with friends!
The following list would just contain some examples from our wedding on how we cut the costs (just to give you some ideas).
The bridal gowna. Bridal Gown & shoes – We have a “Ninang” who’s good in doing bridal gowns. So, we got the bridal and MOB’s gown on a cheaper price. She said, it’s her gift to us. We’re so blessed to have her. The gowns are pe
"I do"rfect and really made with love. The bridal gown came with complete accessories including the veil, cord, ring pillow, pouch, etc. For the shoes, I just bought plain white shoes with 2 inches heels from the Mall. Designed it with laces and beads with the words “I do” at the back. My mother & I made it.
b. Groom’s attire – The Mall was on sale for their tuxedos that time. So, we grabbed the opportunity to buy one.
c. Parents’ attire -- They made their own ways to find their suits.
d. Secondary Sponsors Attire – We just give them the color shade of the motif. Thankfully, they were willing to provide for their own gowns and suits as their gifts to us. Now, this is the perks of having true friends!
The bannere. Decorations – On our wedding, some are DIY and some are from professionals. For the stage design, we opted to hire professionals because we have no time for that and we wanted it to be simple and beautiful. So, we entrusted it to them. The table decorations were included already with the catering’s 
The importance of Sashpackage. The DIYs were the BANNER “Here comes your bride” which was made by my talented friends (Again, the PERKS!) and the SASH for the “Pasabit” during the money dance. Somebody suggested it to us to avoid damages to our attires. And she’s correct.
f. Cake -- One of the important pieces on a wedding.
Cake This was sponsored by one of our principal sponsors.
g. Rings— Also, very important. Sponsored as well by one of our Ninongs & Ninangs.
h. Bridal Car (optional) – We didn’t need one for my wedding as my preparation and grand entrance was from upstairs of the venue.
The Bridal Bouqueti. Flowers – It was included on the stage design package. We opted to have fresh flowers for the whole entourage.
The invitation cardsj. Invitations – One friend offered his talent in designing the invitation card. Then we had it printed from a friend of friend in a cheaper value. The DIY here is the envelope which we bought from the National Bookstore.
k. Host/ MC -- This was our wedding coordinator friend. He offered it for free.
l. Music – A friend also suggested his partial sponsorship for the live band (Cielo, Violin & Piano). And the singers? We chose some close singers friends from the church. We just gave them tokens as appreciation for their efforts.
m. Wedding Favors -- One Aunt offered her help through this. She bought red wines for the principal sponsors. For the guests, we invited them to have pictures from the photobooth included in the wedding coordinator’s package for their souvenirs.
n. Doves - It was included in the coordinator's package.
12. Honeymoon – You may choose to have an extravagant honeymoon, spend all or most of your savings for just a week or 2 of travelling together. There’s nothing wrong with that. BUT, think about this. When you are married, YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT IN YOUR LIFETIME TOGETHER. It’s like every day is honeymoon (until death do you part). So, why are you compressing it in just 2 weeks? You can travel together all your life! So, what’s my point? The better way to spend your first money or savings as a married couple is to INVEST them while you are young. That way, your money will work for you. And, you can enjoy travelling without worrying that when you’re done wandering around, your jaw will not drop because you are broke.
Remember, honeymoon is a celebration of your marriage. You can celebrate it without splurging most of your savings.
So, there you have it! But let me give you the most important TIP.
ALWAYS DO IT WITH PRAYERS. When God is in it, it will be perfect no matter what.
*Have a time-frame of everything for you not to miss something. Be kind to yourselves. Enjoy the wedding planning.
PS: I have no profit here. I am not linked to any wedding supplier. These are just my thoughts. Your tips are also welcome to help our friends here. Feel free to comment those below.
