Monday, July 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
100K
Inaki and I have challenged ourselves to pull off this wedding with 120 guests on a budget of 100k. That's it. (We refuse to spend more, because we both agree that we'd rather buy a lens. Ahehe.)
Seriously though, I find most of the costs of wedding vendors too steep. So we discussed what is important to us, and how we can get away with getting what we want at the price we want to pay. Here's a rough list of our expenses so far:
Seriously though, I find most of the costs of wedding vendors too steep. So we discussed what is important to us, and how we can get away with getting what we want at the price we want to pay. Here's a rough list of our expenses so far:
- Wedding gown (my splurge) – 17k (lace and moderate beading), I was shocked to find out that gowns nowadays range from 35-120k
- Bride’s H&MU – 1k (total of 3k including my Mom and sister) D recommended a make up artist from Body Shop. I almost passed out when I discovered that the current rates for hair and make up is between 5-10k
- Rings – 12k (M is currently canvassing rings at Binondo and Sta. Cruz)
- Groom’s Attire – 2k (pina jusi plus pants)
- Entourage outfits (including H&MU) – to be shouldered by members of the entourage (sourcing from divi for 650/gown)
- Church – 13k (Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, includes flowers and soloist, although we’re bringing in Bukas Palad (gift from J) to sing)
- Venue – 5.5k (UP Balay Kalinaw), discounted rate for alumna
- Catering – 30k (cocktail reception--currently choosing from Henry's, Chateau Verde and Chocolate Kiss)
- Wedding cake – gift from a cousin; ordering it from Estrel's
- Flowers – 3k (from dimasalang)
- Photographer – 20k (our friend M is charging us for service only; Nards and I want to create our own albums. We're also going to ask J to take candids during the wedding and reception. Also we've opted for no video because we don’t like the lights, although we're hoping Kidlat wouldn't mind bringing his video camera with him :P)
- Invitations – 1k (DIY, we had an assemble-the-invitation-party at my place)
- Favors – eco bags, will be sewn by a friend who makes bags for Nothing But Water and Sari Sari.
- Documents - 2.5k (CENOMAR, Baptismal Certs etc)
- Car – will use my Dad’s new car (ha! buti na lang! :P)
- Coordinators – we did not find this necessary because our close friends are going to help us with all the details during the wedding
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
DIY Invite
Another trip to Divisoria with Inaki and my sister. We went to buy school supplies for our invites. We parked at Tutuban Center, and walked a few blocks to Yangco market.
Inaki was hopping from stall to stall along Ylaya St. In one of the stalls, we bought a roll of gold chiffon ribbon, a sheet of dark red sinimay paper (think the size of 2.5 cartolinas), and a pack of red fans (Php50/six pieces). Total cost for this: Php210.00.
After asking around, we found ourselves in George's School Supplies, where we bought ten sheets of thin (somewhat) corrugated board paper (again, the size of a cartolina), and six packs of parchment paper. Total cost: Php230. (Inaki also bought two large rolls of duct tape.)
Basically, our idea is to come up with invites similar to this:
I like this: it's offbeat, unique, and best of all, very cheap! :D
Inaki was hopping from stall to stall along Ylaya St. In one of the stalls, we bought a roll of gold chiffon ribbon, a sheet of dark red sinimay paper (think the size of 2.5 cartolinas), and a pack of red fans (Php50/six pieces). Total cost for this: Php210.00.
After asking around, we found ourselves in George's School Supplies, where we bought ten sheets of thin (somewhat) corrugated board paper (again, the size of a cartolina), and six packs of parchment paper. Total cost: Php230. (Inaki also bought two large rolls of duct tape.)
Basically, our idea is to come up with invites similar to this:
I like this: it's offbeat, unique, and best of all, very cheap! :D
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Reception Venue: Balay Kalinaw
I couldn't believe how extravagantly expensive wedding reception venues are! Imagine Php50k for three to four hours? That's a frigging laptop!
We finally decided on Balay Kalinaw. I was giddy to find out that it only costs Php6k to rent the entire second floor. (Plus we get a discount because we're alumna.)
That really saves us a bundle!
I like the feel and decor of the place: very casa manila, very old castillan.
We finally decided on Balay Kalinaw. I was giddy to find out that it only costs Php6k to rent the entire second floor. (Plus we get a discount because we're alumna.)
That really saves us a bundle!
I like the feel and decor of the place: very casa manila, very old castillan.
Monday, June 16, 2008
First Booking
Today, Inaki and I put in a reservation fee for Sta. Rita De Cascia.
It was exciting for both of us as we discussed arrangements with Cathy (who is in charge of weddings at the parish office).
We're so excited!!
The slot we reserved is at 2PM. Because of this, we've decided to do a cocktail reception instead.
It was exciting for both of us as we discussed arrangements with Cathy (who is in charge of weddings at the parish office).
We're so excited!!
The slot we reserved is at 2PM. Because of this, we've decided to do a cocktail reception instead.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Churches
Yesterday, we checked out the churches we were considering for the wedding. Fortunately for us, yesterday being a Saturday, there were weddings at the church we visited, giving us an idea of how it would look like on The Day.
My Dad suggested Sta. Rita De Cascia over at Philam Homes. We temporarily booked the date. (If we decide to push through, we need to give a deposit of Php1k by Tuesday, 17 June.)
Inaki liked it a lot. It was cozy and intimate, simple and classy.
Sta. Rita De Cascia
Wedding Fee: Php13,000, reservation Php1,000
Included: clerical jobs (pre and post wedding); stipend for the priest solemnizing minister; fresh flowers decoration; carpet use; soloist; electricity consumption video coverage; and marriage registration fee at the local civil registrar.
pros: small church makes it an intimate affair, very private-no stragglers because it's in a private subdivision, quiet, ample parking space
cons: because of the relatively low ceiling (in contrast to large churches) it's not very airy and ay be very warm even with the fans; and the nearest (as in walking distance) venue for the reception is the Philam clubhouse (Php12k, 4 hours) which cannot accommodate 120 guests - it looks and smells old.
Next, we went to Immaculate Conception Cathedral at Lantana St. I also like this church, but the size is a bit overwhelming.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish
Wedding Fee: Php9,000 - includes mass, organist, soloist, flowers and carpet
Php6,000 - includes mass, organist adn flowers
Php4,000 - includes mass and organist
Php1,500 - no mass, no flowers, ceremony only
Php2,000 reservation fee (non-refundable), Php1,000 upon interview,
Php500 additional for electricity of video.
pros: nice altar, well-lighted, high vaulted ceiling makes it well-ventilated and cool, affordable and walking distance (across the street) reception venue good for 120 pax at the 10th floor of their diocese building, relatively cheaper than Sta. Rita.
cons: church too big for 120 guests, open to the public, making it accessible to stragglers, noise from jeepneys plying the street in front of the church, not so sure about parking
Our last stop was at Christ The King Church on Greenmeadows Avenue.
We weren't able to take a photo because there was an ongoing wedding and I felt inordinately shy going in and disturbing their private affair. We went to the parish office, but I got turned off by the lady because she first served a couple who were behind us in the line. I'll call them tomorrow, to ask about the dates of availability.
Christ The King Parish
Wedding Fee: Php25,000
Includes: fee for aircon, decoration and choir
pros: the church has AC, the altar is beautiful but a bit overwhelming, ample parking space, well lighted, church has a social hall with AC that can fit 300 pax and costs only Php15k
cons: it's pricey, the size is not as intimate as Sta. Rita's
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The requirements for the church are as follows:
I really want to get married by October 8th.
Counting the weeks: we have exactly 16 weeks before the wedding. Minus 3 weeks for the document deadlines in church, plus 4 weeks for the bureaucratic wheels to process our requests, this gives 9 weeks for the NSO to finalize Inaki's status.
I sincerely hope it all works out.
My Dad suggested Sta. Rita De Cascia over at Philam Homes. We temporarily booked the date. (If we decide to push through, we need to give a deposit of Php1k by Tuesday, 17 June.)
Inaki liked it a lot. It was cozy and intimate, simple and classy.
Sta. Rita De Cascia
Wedding Fee: Php13,000, reservation Php1,000
Included: clerical jobs (pre and post wedding); stipend for the priest solemnizing minister; fresh flowers decoration; carpet use; soloist; electricity consumption video coverage; and marriage registration fee at the local civil registrar.
pros: small church makes it an intimate affair, very private-no stragglers because it's in a private subdivision, quiet, ample parking space
cons: because of the relatively low ceiling (in contrast to large churches) it's not very airy and ay be very warm even with the fans; and the nearest (as in walking distance) venue for the reception is the Philam clubhouse (Php12k, 4 hours) which cannot accommodate 120 guests - it looks and smells old.
Next, we went to Immaculate Conception Cathedral at Lantana St. I also like this church, but the size is a bit overwhelming.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish
Wedding Fee: Php9,000 - includes mass, organist, soloist, flowers and carpet
Php6,000 - includes mass, organist adn flowers
Php4,000 - includes mass and organist
Php1,500 - no mass, no flowers, ceremony only
Php2,000 reservation fee (non-refundable), Php1,000 upon interview,
Php500 additional for electricity of video.
pros: nice altar, well-lighted, high vaulted ceiling makes it well-ventilated and cool, affordable and walking distance (across the street) reception venue good for 120 pax at the 10th floor of their diocese building, relatively cheaper than Sta. Rita.
cons: church too big for 120 guests, open to the public, making it accessible to stragglers, noise from jeepneys plying the street in front of the church, not so sure about parking
Our last stop was at Christ The King Church on Greenmeadows Avenue.
We weren't able to take a photo because there was an ongoing wedding and I felt inordinately shy going in and disturbing their private affair. We went to the parish office, but I got turned off by the lady because she first served a couple who were behind us in the line. I'll call them tomorrow, to ask about the dates of availability.
Christ The King Parish
Wedding Fee: Php25,000
Includes: fee for aircon, decoration and choir
pros: the church has AC, the altar is beautiful but a bit overwhelming, ample parking space, well lighted, church has a social hall with AC that can fit 300 pax and costs only Php15k
cons: it's pricey, the size is not as intimate as Sta. Rita's
-----------
The requirements for the church are as follows:
- baptismal and confirmation certificates (both original copies, with "for marriage purpose" notation);
- authenticated birth certificate from NSO
- certificate of no marriage/singleness from NSO (CENOMAR) (in Inaki's case, we also need to bring the court ruling and his previous marriage contract stating that it was a protestant wedding officiated by a protestant priest);
- 2x2 ID picture (groom and bride);
- Banns - reply from duly accomplished and signed by the Pastors of respective parties;
- permission of proper pastor - the bride's pastor shall issue a permission allowing marriage to be solemnized outside the bride's parish
- marriage license (from the local civil registrar)
I really want to get married by October 8th.
Counting the weeks: we have exactly 16 weeks before the wedding. Minus 3 weeks for the document deadlines in church, plus 4 weeks for the bureaucratic wheels to process our requests, this gives 9 weeks for the NSO to finalize Inaki's status.
I sincerely hope it all works out.
