How Much a Civil Wedding Would Cost in the Philippines

A civil or mass wedding is one of the most inexpensive, and faster way of getting legally married in PH. It is usually conducted by a judge of the RTC court or officiated by the city Mayor for free. If you’re in tight budget for dream wedding consider this as your option.

A photo to civil wedding held in Tagum City, PH

Essential requirements for Civil Wedding:

(1) Legal capacity of the contracting parties who must be a male and a female.

(2) Consent freely given in the presence of the solemnizing officer. The authorize solemnizing officer are any of the ff:

Any incumbent member of the judiciary within the court’s jurisdiction;
Any priest, rabbi, imam, or minister of any church or religious sect duly authorized by his church or religious sect and registered with the civil registrar general, acting within the limits of the written authority granted by his church or religious sect and provided that at least one of the contracting parties belongs to the solemnizing officer’s church or religious sect;
Any ship captain or airplane chief only in the case mentioned in Article 31 of the Family Code;
Any military commander of a unit to which a chaplain is assigned, in the absence of the latter,
during a military operation, likewise only in the cases mentioned in Article 32 of the Family Code;
Any consul-general, consul or vice-consul in the case provided in Article 10 of the Family

(3) A valid marriage license except in the cases where the same is exempted.

(4) A marriage ceremony which takes place with the appearance of the contracting parties before the solemnizing officer and their personal declaration that they take each other as husband and wife in the presence of not less than two witnesses of legal age.

(5)If widowed, Certified True Copy of Death Certificate of deceased spouse.

(6) If divorced or annulled, a copy of Final Decree of Absolute Divorce or Court Decision and Absolute Decree of Finality from the court.

(7) For Foreigners: Philippine law requires a citizen or subject of a foreign country to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. It is issued by the diplomatic or consular offices of his or her country, prior to the issuance of a marriage license in the Philippines. This serves as a clearance or permit from the consul as an actual proof of the subject civil status and his/her eligibility for marriage.

Documentary Requirements and Venue Expenses:

Documents (Birth Cert./Cenomar/Marriage License) – Prepare at least P1500
Pre-Marriage Counseling Certificate - Prepare at least P50
Judge Service Fee – If you choose your own judge to solemnize your wedding prepare additional P5,000. Hiring a Church Pastor with be more better and flexible.
Reception - You can have catering service that offers affordable buffet like for as low as P140 per head. Some venue offers 10K to 25K package good for 100 pax –usually food, decors,wine are inclusive.
Gowns/Barong/Toxedo – Prepare at least P2000 for the rental fee ( you can save more if you borrow from a friend).
Wedding rings – A set without stone or just the average design cost at least P3,500
Flowers - Budget at least P1000
Wedding photos - Budget at least P500
Accommodation - Some 2 star hotel offers very affordable room price for as low as P800/day. Another way to save is to held your wedding in an area where you have close relatives or extended families so no need to pay for accommodations.

*This estimated cost is base from our personal experience and information from wedding experts.

Related post : How to take Pre-Marriage Counseling (PMC) from DSWD