A week after Jacklord proposed, we started deciding on the wedding date and scouted for churches. I personally didn’t want an expensive wedding so I am trying to avoid the ones that I am sure would make a huge impact on our budget. Our originally preferred location was supposedly in Ilocos, but we want our loved ones to be able to attend to our big day without the hassle from travelling. So we narrowed down our list and focused on Metro Manila.
I remember that it was Christmas Eve of 2016, but It’s almost like a day of Visita Iglesia for us as we visited churches around Manila. I’ll state here the information for the ones that we had in our top 3 considerations.
3rd Spot: National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
Address: N.S. Amoranto Sr. St, Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila
Contact Number: 731-9306 (Tues-Sundays 8:30-11:00 am & 2:30-5:00 pm)
Peso Power: PHP 11000.00 (inclusive of electricity during the wedding ceremony, soloist and organist, and the PHP 1000 priest stipend)
Why did we consider this church?
Well, this was Jack’s neighborhood parish upon growing up. He also took his elementary and half of his secondary school here and its near their family’s residence. His Catholic milestones were held in this church as well. In my opinion, the church was beautiful enough, I believe our guests can fit in the church during the ceremony comfortably.
Why didn’t it make it to the winning spot?
For some reason, Jack didn’t have the feel of getting married here. He wanted a different church for this milestone this time, and of course I understand that.
2nd Spot: Our Lady of Remedies Parish (Malate Church)
Address: 2000 M. H. Del Pilar St, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila
Contact Number: (02) 523 2593
Peso Power: PHP 12400 – PHP 18400 (Grand package, depends on the time of ceremony)
The package is inclusive of the priest stipend, Electrical consumption, Basic white flowers with tulle, candles, red carpet, organist and soloist, and usherette.
Why did we consider this church?
If NSOLL was Jack’s childhood parish, mine was Malate. Actually, this is where I imagined myself to be married, because I have rehearsed my bridal walk during my secondary level in school several times in its beautiful vintage-feel aisle. It looks simple but elegant, it has everything that we will need for the wedding ceremony, and the bonus point, the parishioner discounts possible. Think budgetarian. Hehe.
Why didn’t it make it to the winning spot?
Even how much I wanted to get married there, Jack didn’t want the noises coming from highway jeepneys, and inevitable street kids that roams around the area and asks people for coins, and the not-so-clean yard facilities of the church, which is actually on point. He wanted our wedding to be solemn, peaceful and hassle-free. So I should understand because he’s got a good point in there even though I must admit I kinda felt bad that my winning bet did not win.
The Winner: The Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (The Manila Cathedral)
Address: Sto. Tomas, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
Contact Number: (632) 527-3093
Tuesdays to Saturdays – 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Sundays – 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Peso Power: PHP 43000
Inclusive of Aircon, Electricity, Basic Flower Arrangement, Tulle, Red Carpet, Coordinator from church, Organist (using the Pipe Organ), Soloist, Priest Stipend, Candles, Host and Wine for Offertory
Why here?
I tried to veer him away from Intramuros, because I knew that the expensive churches are there. Haha! But After the hunt, I did have no other choice but to show Intramuros to him. We went to San Agustin Church also, but he didn’t feel the vibe. Finally, we went to the Cathedral and I just let him go inside alone. I had this feeling that he will choose this church. And knowing him enough, I was right. He came out giddy and enthusiastic, very far different from how he was with the former churches.
He asked me the details about the church. The rates, why I was hesitant to go for this one all this time, According to Jack, this is the only church that he felt that he’s getting married already. Also, he said that this is the only church that he was able to picture me out walking down the aisle. I mean, the long aisle. Yes, I feel very lucky that my husband’s non-negotiable is also for me. But what bothered me then is that we didn’t have to spend that much for one day. But since this is non-negotiable, I just obliged and strategized on how did we go about it.
Unleashed. 