My 41 year old baby brother in Missouri (I still call him baby brother because I took care of him) wants me to be his wedding coordinator for a church wedding in the Philippines. My brother and his wife did not have a church wedding 14 years ago due to financial challenges. Now that he is a successful neurologist, he dreams of a marriage with God’s blessing. He has indeed been blessed through the years with 4 lovely children, a lucrative medical parctice and a devoted wife. I told him that weddings in the Philippines is not the same as it used to be. I started to look around for wedding fairs. The last time I attended a wedding bazaar was in 2004 for Lauren’s debut plans. Just looking at the prices for photography, venue, catering , cake and other perks for Lauren’s debut could easily cost 150,000 pesos ($2,500.00) at the least. My daughter dubbed it “A not so typical debut celebration” and happily, the total expenses were only 80,000 pesos ($1,500) for 100 guests. Divisoria is my friend. My brother was impressed that I coordinated a “sort-of-grandiose” celebration . But weddings are different! There are a 101 considerations. I told him that I would shop around for a wedding events coordinator who will coordinate with me.
Together with my sister-in-law, we attended the First Philippine Wedding Congress in Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall last friday. I know my brother will love the Fernwoood Garden in Quezon city or the The Mango Farm in Antipolo. Based on my talks with an events organizer, the budget for a simple wedding with little frills is easily 200,000 ($4,000). Yikes. I started computing the video and photography, venue, catering, flowers, gowns, video clip showing etc and the expenses reached 400,000 pesos (over $5,000). Ohmygosh! My wedding in 1985 was only 30,000 pesos (less than $1,000) . Of course that’s 21 years ago but our wedding was so elegant during those days. Anyway, I think my brother can afford it. He has to consider the airplane fare for his family of 4 kids too. Or maybe he should just get married in the states so I can have a reason to vacation in the midwest.
As I was showing my husband all the brochures of the wedding congress, we suddenly had this idea of celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary in 4 years. I don’t want to spend so much for it but of course, I want to celebrate.
The Mango Farm?
Or Fernwood Gardens?
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July 30th, 2006 at 11:01 am
Aw…weddings are just lovely occassions. I always fancied out-door weddings over inside church weddings. Though it may rain, I think it would be a romantic natural-effect just like in the movies. Hoping that the rest of your guests wouldn’t be tight up snobs.
July 30th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
@jhay: if wedding venues had gardens during the mid-eighties, I would have chosen them too. The Fernwood garden has a shelter dome for protection against the elements
July 30th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
The Mango Farm looks beautiful although Fernwood is safer. I checked out Fernwood 4 years ago and I couldn’t afford it. Also, the cost for the venue is different for the food.
July 30th, 2006 at 7:25 pm
The venue cost like 40thousand pesos if it’s held during the day and from 67 to 80 thousand if at night . They have 4 venues inside. And catering is like 500 pesos per head for a minimum of 150 guest
July 31st, 2006 at 5:10 am
if your brother wants the full extravaganza, $5,000 won’t even be enough. for photos and video alone, one can easily spend $2,000 nowadays.
if we were to get married now, secret wedding na lang siguro kami, haha!
August 3rd, 2006 at 10:40 pm
Hi!
I chanced upon your blog and I was thinking maybe we could help you with your brother’s wedding preparations.
Visit our temporary website at http://www.giordinodemanila.webhop.net, to see more of the services and the packages that we offer.
Our rates are very reasonable and we customize packages to suit our client’s budgets.
We hope to be part of your special day soon.
God bless!
April Amador
Creative Director
Giordino de Manila
giordinodemanila@gmail.com
http://www.giordinodemanila.webhop.net
0917-5580307
August 4th, 2006 at 8:34 am
April: thanks . I will tell my brother. By the way, maybe you might want to get hosted in my webhosting service, at http://pinoywebhosting.net
August 4th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Hi everyone! Im inviting you to visit our website at http://www.fernwoodgarden.com or even make an occular visit here in Quezon city,Fernwood Gardens with its 60 and 40 foot dome which covers reception venues, for a rain free, worry free garden reception. Hope to see u soon!
August 5th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
Lauren goes to Ateneo right?
I think we were in the same saturday class last semester.
I checked your webhosting site, I will contact you soon GoDaddy is taking too long.
Have a great week ahead!
God bless!
August 12th, 2006 at 10:00 pm
@April- Yes Lauren goes to Ateneo. Let me know if you have questions regarding hosting