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Everybody tells you that a destination wedding in the Philippines is like a dream come true: sand on your feet, sunset on the horizon, palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze as you say “I do.”
But there’s just one problem — no one really walks you through the process of actually planning a destination wedding.
What should you do first? Who pays for your guests’ airfare? And most importantly — how do you make sure that everything’s picture-perfect?
In this post, we’ll help you plan the perfect destination wedding in the Philippines in just 8 steps. Ready? Let’s begin:
How to plan the perfect destination wedding in the Philippines
1. Pick a location
Your first order of business is to pick a location. A lot of your next steps will depend on the destination of your choice, so choose well!
To make the process less daunting, consider the following factors:
- Safety first – Most locations in the Philippines are relatively safe, but in light of the pandemic, you may want to double-check the health protocols and travel requirements in the area.
- Easy travel – Gorgeous as they are, a lot of wedding destinations in the Philippines can be a bit remote. Consider travel times, the modes of transportation needed, and the accessibility of flights or boat trips — especially if you’ve got very old or very young guests.
- Accommodation options – Can your venue accommodate all of your guests? What are the room and board options? Are there other hotels nearby for guests who want a more budget-friendly — or more upscale — stay?
- Weather – Consider the area’s weather conditions and general climate. For example, you obviously want to avoid typhoon-prone areas during the rainy season. If you pick a high-altitude place like Baguio or Bukidnon, make sure to let your guests know that it might be a bit colder!
- No language barrier – Filipinos, in general, are great English speakers. But if you want a smoother experience, try picking a place where you can speak the local language fluently.
Pro tip: Hire a coordinator that’s familiar with the place. They’ll be able to get you the best deals and connect you with awesome suppliers!
Learn more: Planning a small Cebu wedding? Check out these dreamy venues
2. Choose a date
Now that you’ve (hopefully!) picked a location, it’s time to choose a date. Don’t forget — the Philippines is a major tourist destination. With the world opening up, you might find yourself smack dab in a sea of tourists if you don’t choose your date carefully.
When picking your date, make sure to:
- Avoid peak tourist periods like Holy Week, Chinese New Year, and the Christmas Rush
- Book your dates ahead if you’re planning to go during the dry season (November-May)
- Take note of local holidays. For example, Cebu hotels are usually packed from Christmas until the third Sunday of January due to Sinulog, so plan accordingly.
3. Know the local wedding requirements
Heads up, love birds: the Philippines has extensive wedding requirements that can take weeks to accomplish. Yes, weeks.
We know — paperwork is never sexy. But if you’re planning to make your union legal in the country, it’s important to check these requirements off your list as soon as you can. Ask your coordinator to help you navigate the ins and outs of these requirements to save time and energy.
If you’re not Filipino citizens or are permanent residents of another country, you can simply have a legal ceremony in your home country before your destination wedding. This way, you can focus on just making special memories on your big day.
4. Figure out money matters before flying out
Planning a destination wedding means putting a few backup plans in place, especially when it comes to your budget. You don’t wanna scramble for an ATM at the last minute just because you forgot to set aside money for tips and corkage!
Here’s what you can do:
- Determine the size of your wedding entourage and guests. This will help you and your coordinator estimate the size of the venue you need to book, as well as other things like food, drinks, and room arrangements.
- Some venues can actually give discounts for bulk room bookings. Use your negotiation skills or ask your coordinator to help you score good deals!
- Plan for possible miscellaneous expenses like corkage fees and tips. It’s always best to bring a bit of cash with you, especially if your destination is off the beaten path.
- If you’re flying in from another country, make sure to account for currency exchange rates and fees. Don’t forget to let your credit card company know that you’re traveling abroad so they don’t flag your transactions!
Setting the record straight: Who pays for travel to a destination wedding? Guests are expected to pay for their own travel expenses to a destination wedding. You are, however, responsible for your vendors’ travel and accommodation expenses.
5. Send out invites in advance
It’s always best to send out save-the-dates and invites months ahead of your event. Unlike local weddings, destination weddings require a bit more planning on your guests’ part. Most folks have to file times off in advance or save for airline tickets.
Sending out invites as early as you can also gives you ample time to get your own arrangements in place.
Send your save-the-dates at least six months in advance, especially if you have guests flying in from different parts of the world. Make sure you get RSVP confirmations at least two months before your big day.
Lastly, keep your guests in the loop by creating a group chat, an email list, or maybe a private Facebook group. This way you can send updated travel details and other reminders ahead of the event. This surely makes your destination wedding planning in the Philippines a breeze.
Pro tip: Take care not to over-invite! Some of your guests may not be able to travel all the way to your destination wedding, but don’t send more invites than your venue’s max capacity.
6. Go local
One of the best ways to create a truly immersive experience for your destination wedding is to go local.
Incorporate elements of the area’s culture into your ceremony. For example, you can use local flowers in your decor, ask the venue to include a specialty cocktail, or perhaps mix some local delicacies into the menu.
The Philippines is also home to a bunch of talented vendors who would gladly help turn your dream wedding into a reality. For your photography needs, our team here at Rainbowfish would be more than happy to capture the best moments on your big day.
From Cebu and Bohol to Boracay and Siargao, we know the nooks and crannies of the most beautiful wedding destinations in the Philippines. Let us know all about the story you want to tell and who knows? Maybe we can create something beautiful along the way.
7. Taking care of last-minute logistics
One of the last things you need to take care of before flying out is to make sure that everything is packed and ready.
Consider having some of your stuff shipped a few weeks ahead of the wedding instead of lugging it around as check-in baggage. You can probably save more money this way, too.
For couples with health conditions and allergies, don’t forget to have your prescriptions filled before leaving for your trip. Lastly, for international couples, make sure to secure a local sim card to communicate with your vendors easily once you land.
8. Think about activities before and after the wedding
Make the most out of your destination wedding by planning activities for your guests before and after the main event. This makes the occasion even more memorable for your family and friends.
If you’re expecting your guests to arrive a day before the wedding, for instance, you can plan a fun welcome dinner to get everybody excited for your big day. After the event, a nice and chill brunch would be a great way to bask in that just-married glow while spending time with loved ones. (It might also cure your hangover)
Wanna slip away discreetly to your honeymoon instead? Leave your guests with a list of must-do activities in the area. They’ll appreciate the gesture while giving you lots of space to enjoy your honeymoon.
That wasn’t so bad, was it?
Planning a destination wedding in the Philippines can be challenging — even stressful when you don’t know where to begin. We hope that this guide helped ease the anxiety and made you more excited about your big day.
Happy planning!
FAQs about planning a destination wedding in the Philippines
Who pays to travel to a destination wedding?
Traditionally, guests are responsible for their own travel expenses to a destination wedding. The hosts, however, can make the experience easy and memorable for their guests by providing info about the place and planning cool activities for everyone to enjoy before and after the wedding.
Where is the best place to get married in the Philippines?
It’s hard to choose but some of the best destination wedding locations in the Philippines include:
- Cebu
- Bohol
- Boracay
- Palawan —
- — and Siargao
What are the first steps to planning a destination wedding in the Philippines?
First, decide on your location. After that, you can then:
- Pick a date
- Iron out your budget
- Finalize your guest list and send invites
- Coordinate with local suppliers
- Plan activities for your guests before and after the wedding
- Take care of last-minute logistics