How to Choose
Your Church

After pinning down your date, the next item on your "To Do List" is finding the right church for your nuptials. Keep in mind that your choice of venue will set the tone of your wedding.

Below are some things you need to consider when narrowing down your choices:

Does this place hold a special meaning to us?

Getting married at a church where you both worship or at the church that is close to your heart makes your wedding special and adds a sentimental meaning to it.

When planning her own wedding, our founder was torn between two churches — Ellinwood Malate Church and Central United Methodist Church of Manila. Ellinwood was where she attended chapel service from elementary to high school. CUMC is where she went every Sunday with her grandparents — and where she was baptized as a child. The memories at CUMC ran deeper, and that's where she got married.

Is it in close proximity to our prep and reception sites?

Let us avoid getting penalized by the church for being late and let's shorten the travel time going to your reception. Nobody wants to be on the road with a growling tummy on the way to your reception.

For the convenience of your guests, provide a map or directions together with your invitation. We don't want your guests or entourage to get lost and miss your wedding.

Is it available on my wedding day? What time?

The answers to these questions are actually vital to your decision making. Because even if the church meets all of your requirements but is not available on your preferred date or time, you can't force them to open a time slot for you.

Weddings are normally held from Tuesday to Sunday at the following time slots:

• 8:00 am
• 10:00 am
• 2:00 pm
• 4:00 pm
• 7:00 pm

Can it hold our expected number of guests?

For intimate weddings, small chapels are your best bet to accommodate 30 to 50 guests. If you're expecting a bigger crowd, you'll need a larger church to fit everyone comfortably.

Take note of the seating capacity of the pews as well. At most a pew can sit a minimum of six and a maximum of twelve depending on the size of the church. Be mindful of how many pews are allotted for your entourage — you might be surprised on your wedding day if your guests can't find seats because the entourage occupied all the front pews.

Does it have enough parking space for our guests?

If the majority of your guests have cars and not a lot of them will carpool, they might decide to skip the ceremony and go straight to your reception if there's nowhere to park.

Go around the vicinity and look for alternative parking spaces and advise your guests ahead of time.

Does the church have facilities for PWD guests?

Every guest needs to feel at ease and comfortable, and we often forget our guests who are disabled or those who need extra care. To address their basic needs, be sure to check if the church has ramps and toilets with support handles.

Is this within our budget?

Majority of churches charge a fee for weddings. Some may ask for less than ₱10,000 and there are those that charge as much as ₱85,000. What are you paying for? Here's what is normally included in your rental fee:

• Use of the church
• Officiating Minister / Priest
• 2 Sacristan
• Commentator
• Lector
• Wedding singer or choir
• Pianist
• Pre-cana seminar
• Aisle flowers
• Use of a basic sound system
• Offerings (host and wine)
• Altar candles

Some churches do not have a fixed rate and would just ask you to donate. Always ask what is provided for the amount they're asking. Never assume.

What are the rules and regulations of the church?

Each church has its own rules and regulations. The most common policies and restrictions to be aware of:

• Choice of songs (not all churches allow contemporary music)
• No plunging necklines, no sleeveless gowns
• Indoor decorations policy
• Use of electrical outlets
• Vendor accreditations and/or fees

Always ask the wedding clerk about the dos and don'ts before you commit.