My Dream Wedding: A Budget Friendly One

I have a confession to make just like other women out there, I wanted a fairytale/dreamlike wedding. I never knew weddings can cost so much these days. From photographer to wedding gowns, everything seems to have a hefty price tag. I initially wanted a huge/engrande wedding. At the back of my head, Bakit ba? I am a lawyer eh. I deserve a bonggang wedding. (Imagine me saying this with a bloated head)  I want a wedding, one that is worthy for a magazine feature, one that must be included in Bride and Breakfast's blog roll, and one that is at par with showbiz couples. Oh yes. That was my dream until I realized that what I was dreaming about is in reality -- a nightmare. A nightmare for an average income earner like me.  Spending 800 thousand (our initial budget) for a wedding gives me goosebumps err more of a heart attack! For a while, I was dead sure I want need that engrande wedding. I even told BF that I cannot settle for anything lower than 85 thousand for a wedding gown. Oh,, Seriously? Am I really that rich to be spending such huge amount for a wedding? Truth be told, I am not. Yes, I am a lawyer but guess what? I live on a blue collar's budget (ok that sounds exaggerated,, just a wee bit higher than a regular worker). After undergoing pre-marital counselling, I had a change of heart. I realized I will not  can not spend my hard earned money for a one day event that will last only for 5-8 hours. I can not spend it on a wedding gown that will get rotten and eaten by worms and other insects after a few years time.  At the end of the day, people will say something about the wedding, good or bad. I do not care about what they will say. What truly matters is that, we will marry each other for the sole purpose of pleasing GOD. We will not marry  to please other people.

My beloved Tita Nitz gave me this perfect advice
"Do not keep up with the Joneses!"  [underscoring supplied]
Thanks tita! We truly won't.

Now, the question is -- what wedding do I really want?
After pondering this question for quite some time, I want my wedding to be attended by the most important people in our lives. People who loved us all these years like my family, close relatives, and closest friends. I also want our wedding celebration to be a testimony of  God's faithfulness  in our relationship. Lastly, I want a budget friendly one! Haha From 800 thousand, we are down to 350 thousand. I am still not satisfied with such amount (I want it lower like 300 or even 250 thousand), hence, the meticulous planning and the search for the best supplier begins. A secondary reason why I will never spend too much in my wedding? Simple --- practicality. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that. After the wedding, the more important things await --- house/rent, bills, bills, bills, uhmm did I already mention bills? ,pregnancy, baby's needs, etc. etc. Wheew!! Also, we made a commitment that we will never touch our personal savings for the sake of the wedding. Those savings were from our blood, sweat and tears noh! I cannot  imagine the hours I have spent reading files and files of cases just to earn money, then, the amount I earned will be merely spent at a fancy restaurant or venue to show other people our so called economic stature. No way Jose!! Our savings is primarily for emergency purposes, for my family and our initial budget to start our own family. We also plan to buy a condo unit or rent or buy a house (whatever God wills), thus, the hundred plus thousand we will save on the wedding will be spent on a lifetime need. :)

We have made tons of mistakes last year.We booked suppliers pegged at our initial budget and we are letting go of our down payments with a heavy heart. We just kept our photographer and videographer in our list because they are really good.  Despite this, we are willing to let go of a few thousands (ay naku hindi lang siya few ahh) just to have our dream budget wedding.

There are just two things that we will be splurging at -- our honeymoon for memories and our wedding rings.

Sponsors? anyone? haha

Follow this blog series as I try to come up with my dream wedding!

***P.S. This post is merely my opinion. To those who spent gazillion of bucks for their wedding, I am truly happy for you. :) I love weddings and I have nothing against anyone spending much on theirs, it is just that I am not willing to spend much on mine for the reasons above stated. :) ***

Godbless


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A blog of young Filipina lawyer and Professional Makeup Artist who found interest in makeup and blogging during her law school life. Peek into her blog to get a dose of ramblings about life, beauty and everything in between.

9 comments

  1. I agree...if I won 300 million pesos in the lottery, I *might* spend freely on my wedding, particularly on food, but we must be realistic and practical :)

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  2. So proud that you have the confidence to downsize! It's so hard to just do what you want these days, because the least important people (distant relatives and kung sinu-sino friends) have way too many side comments about weddings. It's not about putting up a show nor pleasing other people. I completely agree with your sentiment that it is between the couple and God. The visitors should be there to support, not demand royal treatment.

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  3. Hubby and I only spent around Php 180K on our wedding. But that was last 2007. It was very simple church wedding and we only invited close friends and family. I didn't hire a wedding coordinator, I planned everything and searched for suppliers with the help of my mom and bff. ^_^

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  4. I am so excited for this attorney! I hope I can be part of it. :) [kumikitang kabuhayan hahaha] Best Wishes!!!

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  5. we got married under 150k last 2012... :D and that's including our Suarez wedding rings... it's never really about pleasing other people.. it's about the covenant you two are entering into with God... :D

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  6. Well said and well done! The truth will set you free:)

    Love,
    Tita Nitz

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  7. Amazing! Kudos to you for choosing to be practical rather than thinking about what others might say. :)

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  8. I really love your attitude, Donna. We live to please God and not for other people nga naman. As long as we are right with God, everything will be alright. :D I'm excited for your wedding!!! Ikaw yung ala Kate Middleton, DIY makeup dapat! :D

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  9. Hey, wedding rings don't have to be expensive din! We're getting ours from Suarez, and my alahera friend says it was a good deal. They're just plain bands though, so if you want them set with stones, best to go daw to the Ocampos (I think? basta, they're a family of jewelers) because they're the only ones with US-certified diamonds. Stay away from explicitly wedding stores like My Diamond because the markup is much higher.

    Hehe, I can't stomach spending 80k for my wedding dress! Was initially eyeing Cary Santiago (infernez, I'm sure it'd be worth it!) but I found a relatively new designer who's doing my dream dress for 40k. I would have liked for it to be cheaper pa, but they've been really wonderful. Sila pa lang yung designer na alam kong may mockup dress! I feel like I'm at their atelier fitting every weekend but I don't mind because I'm very OC myself and they're within my area.

    I would have preferred a very low-key wedding but because we're the first to marry in our families, it's a somewhat grand celebration in a private beach resort. In a way, I guess it's like a gift to our families na rin, but I maintain that I can get married in jeans at a civil court within a moment's notice. :)

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