The average Filipino wedding costs between P300,000 to P800,000, with Manila weddings typically at the higher end. But knowing the average doesn't help you plan YOUR budget—every couple's priorities, guest list, and vision differ dramatically.
Understanding where wedding money actually goes empowers you to make informed decisions about where to splurge and where to save. This comprehensive breakdown reflects real costs from Filipino weddings across different budget levels, helping you create a realistic financial plan for your celebration.
Venue and Catering: Your Biggest Investment
Venue and catering typically consume 40-50% of most Filipino wedding budgets—and for good reason. This category covers where your guests will celebrate and what they'll eat, two elements that define the guest experience more than any other.
Understanding Venue Pricing
Venue costs vary dramatically based on location, prestige, and season. Manila hotel ballrooms command P150,000-500,000 for the space alone, while garden venues in Tagaytay or Batangas might range from P80,000-200,000. Some venues charge flat rental fees; others require minimum food and beverage spending.
Always clarify what's included in venue fees. Tables, chairs, linens, and basic sound systems are sometimes bundled; other venues charge separately for each element. Hidden costs like corkage fees, overtime charges, and mandatory service fees can add 15-25% to your initial quote.
Catering Cost Calculations
At P2,000-3,500 per head for food and beverage alone, a 150-guest wedding means P300,000-525,000 just for catering. Premium venues and hotels charge P4,000-6,000 per head for upgraded menus with imported ingredients and premium alcohol packages.
Consider the true cost per guest: multiply your per-head rate by 1.12 for VAT, then add service charges (typically 10%). A P2,500 per-head quote becomes closer to P3,000 when all fees are included. Build these additions into your calculations from the start.
Strategic Savings on Venue and Catering
Book during off-peak months (July-September) for potential 15-30% savings. Consider brunch or lunch receptions, which cost less than dinner events. Some couples save significantly by choosing venues that allow outside catering, enabling competitive bidding among caterers.
Restaurant buyouts offer an increasingly popular middle ground—you get a unique venue with built-in catering at often-competitive rates. Private rooms at upscale restaurants can accommodate intimate weddings beautifully.
Photography and Videography: Preserving Memories
Photography and videography typically run 8-12% of budget, but this category offers wide price variation based on the team's experience, reputation, and deliverables included.
Photography Pricing Tiers
Entry-level photographers (1-3 years experience) charge P30,000-60,000 for wedding day coverage. Mid-tier professionals with established portfolios range from P70,000-150,000. Top-tier photographers with national recognition or international training command P180,000-350,000 or more.
Price differences reflect not just skill but also what's included: number of shooters, hours of coverage, engagement sessions, albums, prints, and edited image counts. Compare packages carefully to understand true value.
Videography Investment
Same-day-edit (SDE) videos have become expected at Filipino weddings, adding P40,000-100,000 to your budget depending on production quality. Full cinematic wedding films with aerial drone footage and multiple cameras can exceed P150,000.
Consider what you'll actually watch. Many couples find that a well-edited highlight reel (5-10 minutes) gets more views than a full ceremony recording. Prioritize quality over quantity in your video package.
Booking and Negotiation Tips
Book photographers 12-18 months in advance for peak season dates. Many offer payment plans that make higher-tier options accessible. Ask about weekday discounts—some photographers offer 10-20% off for Monday-Thursday weddings.
Request to see full wedding galleries, not just curated portfolio images. This reveals consistency and how they handle challenging lighting or unexpected moments.
Bridal Attire and Beauty
The bride's look—gown, hair, makeup, and accessories—accounts for about 8-10% of budget. This deeply personal category often becomes emotionally significant, making it easy to overspend.
Wedding Gown Options
Off-the-rack gowns from local designers start around P30,000-50,000. Made-to-measure from emerging designers range from P60,000-120,000. Established Filipino couturiers charge P150,000-400,000 or more for custom creations with premium fabrics and intricate beading.
Consider rental options for significant savings—rental gowns from quality suppliers run P15,000-40,000. Some brides rent a designer gown they couldn't otherwise afford, allocating savings elsewhere.
Hair and Makeup Services
Bridal hair and makeup from established artists costs P15,000-35,000, usually including trials and wedding day services. Celebrity makeup artists command P50,000-100,000. Budget P8,000-15,000 additional for each bridesmaid or family member requiring professional styling.
Airbrush makeup, popular for its longevity in Philippine humidity, typically costs 20-30% more than traditional application. It's worth considering for outdoor ceremonies or summer weddings.
Groom and Entourage Attire
Groom's attire often gets overlooked in budget planning. A quality barong Tagalog runs P8,000-25,000 for ready-to-wear, P30,000-80,000 for custom pieces from known designers. Western suits range similarly depending on whether you buy or rent.
Coordinate with groomsmen early about attire expectations and costs. Clarify what they're expected to provide themselves versus what you'll cover. This prevents awkward financial conversations later.
Florals and Decor
Florals and decor vary wildly based on vision: 5-15% of budget. This category is where couples often experience the biggest gap between Pinterest dreams and realistic pricing.
Understanding Floral Pricing
A simple garden wedding might need P50,000-80,000 in arrangements covering bridal bouquet, ceremony pieces, and basic table flowers. An elaborate ballroom transformation with cascading centerpieces, hanging installations, and flower walls easily exceeds P200,000-400,000.
Imported flowers like peonies, ranunculus, and garden roses cost 3-5 times more than local alternatives. Discuss seasonal availability and local substitutes with your florist to maximize your floral budget.
Decor Beyond Flowers
Rentals for chairs, specialty linens, charger plates, and tableware add P30,000-100,000 depending on guest count and selections. Lighting design—often underestimated—runs P20,000-80,000 for professional uplighting, string lights, or chandeliers.
Signage, welcome boards, table numbers, and paper goods contribute another P10,000-30,000. These details photograph beautifully and add personality, but can be DIY projects for budget-conscious couples.
Maximizing Decor Impact
Focus spending on high-visibility areas: the ceremony backdrop, head table, and entrance. Guest tables need less elaborate treatments—guests spend more time eating than admiring centerpieces.
Consider non-floral alternatives like candles, lanterns, or greenery-focused designs. These often cost less while creating equally dramatic atmospheres. Rental companies offer reusable decor elements at fraction of purchase prices.
Entertainment and Additional Services
Entertainment, invitations, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses fill the remaining 15-20% of budget. These categories contain many easy-to-overlook costs that add up quickly.
Music and Entertainment
Wedding DJs range from P25,000-60,000 for reception coverage. Live bands command P50,000-150,000 depending on size and reputation. Some couples hire both: a DJ for dancing and a smaller acoustic act for ceremony and cocktails.
Entertainment add-ons like photo booths (P15,000-35,000), live painters (P30,000-60,000), or specialty performers increase engagement but require budget allocation.
Invitations and Stationery
Traditional printed invitations cost P150-500 per set depending on paper quality and printing techniques. For 150 guests, budget P25,000-75,000 for complete suites including RSVPs and envelope calligraphy.
Digital invitations offer significant savings—professional e-invite designs cost P5,000-15,000 total regardless of guest count. Many Filipino couples now use hybrid approaches: printed for older relatives, digital for friends.
Often-Overlooked Costs
Marriage license and legal fees run P500-2,000. Church donations typically requested at P5,000-20,000. Officiant fees for civil ceremonies range P10,000-30,000. These non-negotiable costs must be budgeted.
Tips for vendors are customary in the Philippines—budget 5-10% of major vendor costs for day-of gratuities. Transportation for the wedding party, family shuttles, and your own getaway car adds P15,000-40,000.
Managing Your Wedding Budget
Creating a budget is only the first step—managing it throughout months of planning determines whether you'll stay on track. Successful budget management requires systems, communication, and realistic contingency planning.
Tracking Every Peso
Create a shared spreadsheet or use wedding budget apps that both partners can access. Record every expense immediately—small purchases forgotten add up to significant overruns. Review spending together monthly to catch problems early.
Track not just amounts paid but also remaining balances and payment due dates. Many vendors require final payments 30-60 days before the wedding, creating cash flow challenges if not planned for.
Building Contingency Buffers
Build in a 10-15% contingency buffer from the start. Last-minute additions, unexpected vendor fees, and those small decisions that add up ('let's just add the champagne tower') happen to every couple. Planning for them prevents stress.
Keep contingency funds in a separate account to avoid accidentally spending them. This psychological separation makes it easier to preserve the buffer for genuine emergencies.
Making Priority Decisions
Early in planning, discuss with your partner what matters most. If photography is your top priority, allocate more there and less to decor. If feeding guests well is paramount, invest in catering and simplify entertainment.
When facing budget pressure, return to these priorities. Cutting from less-important categories preserves what matters most. The couples with least regret are those who spent intentionally rather than evenly across all categories.
Wedding budgeting in the Philippines requires balancing dreams with financial reality—a challenge every couple faces regardless of budget size. Understanding where money actually goes empowers you to make choices aligned with your values and priorities.
Remember that the most memorable weddings aren't always the most expensive. Thoughtful allocation of whatever budget you have, combined with diligent tracking and contingency planning, creates celebrations that feel abundant without creating financial stress.
Start early, communicate openly with your partner about money, and stay flexible as planning unfolds. The couples who enjoy their weddings most are often those who planned wisely and spent intentionally.