Many issues happened in the past few weeks, I almost forgot that the month of June is also the favorite wedding month in the Philippines. Since we are also terribly affected by global recession, many pinoys are having a second thought to get married or not this year or wait until recession is over.
My only brother who lives in Bicol with my mom, works as a waiter in luxury cruise company will be getting married on June 25, a Thursday. Their love story will surely touch your heart. To make story short, they are childhood sweethearts, a relationship started as best friends. They already have a 4 year old daughter and living together when she got pregnant. They want to get married years ago, I guess it will not be postponed again because everything was prepared already. They were my house guests last week. That’s why I seldom blog.
Their entourage consists of their daughter as the flower girl, a nephew as ring bearer, a maid of honor and best man (that are also for the cord, candle and veil).
There’s no invitation because guests only godparents, immediate families and close friends. The reception is for 50 persons only, the number of estimated guests. Printing jobs mostly accept a minimum of 100 invitations and since we don’t have that 100 guests, they decided not to make one.
Souvenir is for godparents only bought at regalong pambahay, wind chime in a see through sinamay/abaka box. We bought 16 pieces only, php 120 per piece and 30% discount on the 2nd item. Wind chime is also a unique giveaway, a lucky gift to the receiver and the giver.
The wedding will be held in a small chapel baroque style. According to my brother, the ambiance is like Ilocos (php 3,000). The souvenir box is also perfect for the occasion. The reception place is also Ilocos inspired although they are in Bicol, they will serve food at php 300 per head buffet style.
They were supposed to hire a wedding gown maker (mananahi) for php 10,000. Its cheap already and I suggested to try on ready made wedding gowns for as low as 2,500. They’re beautiful naman, I know there also cheaper for as low as php 1,000 in Divisoria. We end up for custom made wedding gown, also from my suki for only php 4,000 including veil, pillow, tiara, aras etc. Its cheap and she can choose the design she want, the gown will be ready in one week. We will be picking it up within the week.
My brother tried looking for a barong tagalog in a known shop in SM MOA, he was shocked when he was told that it costs php 14,000. To my suki, he got his piña barong (combined with other thread) for only 1,200, they normally offer it for 1,500-2,000.
The supposed to be budget of php 10,000 for the wedding gown only went to a complete set of wedding gown, groom’s barong, another 2 barong tagalog, kamisa tsino (barong tagalog’s undershirt), gown for flower girl and a dress for my mom.
We canvassed for wedding ring at known shops in SM MOA, a pair of wedding ring is php 10,000-15,000. That’s okay but when I asked the carat, its only 14K so I told my brother to go to mom’s suki. They choose 18K standard and costs 4,000, I made tawad and we get it for php 2,500 only, free engraving. Its a two tone white gold with 3 small stones. They use other money for the complete set of gold and pearl jewelries for the bride 1,000 from the original price of 2,500. 2 necklaces were also bought for php 1,000 each which they offer for php 2,000 each. FYI, when buying gold jewelries ask if its standard or commercial. If its commercial, the 18k is actually 16k only.
All of these can be found in Baclaran and my suki except for bride’s wedding shoes. I recommend Landmark, they have hard to find wedding shoes for the June brides and all of the pinay brides.
Barat ba ako? I’m just being reasonable for the worth of the items we bought. You can do that also. Best wishes.
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It’s tough here in the states as well everyone is looking for the best price in order to survive. Thanks for visiting our blog I really like yours.
Dorothy Stahlnecker´s last blog ..Comming Soon……….
barat ka nga hahaha. but no, during times like this, we have to be frugal and stretch our budget. the most important thing is they get married and family and loved ones are there to witness this special day.
My congratulations!
Dorothy, I agree. I love the colors of your new site. Thanks.
Juliana, hehe… barat at reasonable po. hehe… Actually, di lang sila ang natulungan ko pagdating sa mga ganyang occasion. I took care my sister in law who went home with his husband (American) for their 2nd wedding few years back. Wala pa crisis nun ha pero natuwa sila sa natipid nila… I guess, I need to share it here soon to help other June brides.
Yeah, its tough being a bride during a recession. One way to still get a good engagement ring is to buy all the wedding rings as a set. Maybe consider “Trio Rings”.