15 Smart Tips for a Memorable Budget Wedding in Tagaytay

How much are you willing to spend on your biggest day as a couple? In the Philippines, a traditional church wedding can cost anywhere between Php 122,000 and 584,000 for 100 guests. Expenses can definitely go higher or lower, depending on how a wedding is planned out. Not everybody is prepared to spend a large amount. Budget weddings have become popular options for couples who would rather make low-cost choices.

If you are planning a budget wedding in Tagaytay, there are many ways to reduce costs without sacrificing your dream ceremony. Here are tips for stress-free wedding planning on a budget.

15 Brilliant Ways to Plan a Budget Wedding in Tagaytay

Set a reasonable budget

Designate specific amounts that can be spent for each aspect of the wedding. Make a list or spreadsheet that helps you visualize where you can save on expenses. Consider the costs of the following:

Venue
Food
Transportation
Accommodation
Wedding rings
Photography / video coverage
Music (Live music or music player)
Flowers
Hair and makeup
Wedding dress / attire
Wedding cake
Decor and lights
Souvenirs

Once you identify which areas you can save on, consider alternatives such as DIY hair and makeup, renting a wedding dress, or using simpler decorations for smaller, intimate venues.

Schedule your wedding during off-peak season

Popular wedding dates in the Philippines are around December, January, February, and June. The most cost-effective time to schedule your wedding is during the summer, when unpredictable weather cannot dampen the festivities and incur additional expenses.

You can also schedule budget weddings on weekdays. Expect wedding packages, catering, and suppliers to be offered at a discounted rate compared to weekends. More venue choices are also available during off-peak.

Choose an accessible venue

Consider a venue that can easily be reached by your guests, caterers, and suppliers, whether through commute or private vehicle. Asking your guests to shoulder their own transportation costs can save you money. Tagaytay is a popular choice for couples coming in from Metro Manila and South Luzon. Its natural landscape can be enjoyed through a short journey from the city, and is ideal for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

There are several popular venues for a budget wedding in Tagaytay, such as Nurture Wellness Village. It offers affordable wedding packages, inclusive of accommodation, a garden venue, catering, spa experience, and more.

Look for an all-in-one wedding venue in Tagaytay

Many affordable wedding packages in Tagaytay already provide basic inclusions on top of extras. Go for an all-inclusive venue to save on expenses. Nurture Wellness Village’s wedding package already includes three to four hours use of the main garden for the ceremony, buffet meal, and table, banquet tables, chairs, and even professional waiters and servers.

Send out virtual invitations

Utilize free resources such as Canva to DIY your own wedding invites. Choose digital invitations as an eco-friendly and free way to announce your special day. It is also one way to showcase the couple’s personalities through the design. There are stunning, ready-made templates online that you can edit for free.

Trim down your guest list

Fewer guests mean less expenses. Choose only your immediate family and closest friends to invite to your budget wedding. It can be difficult to pick and choose, but reducing the number of guests is one of the best budget wedding tips for couples. Intimate weddings range anywhere from 50 to 100 guests, allowing you to choose venues that don’t break the bank.

Stick to the essentials

Weddings can be exciting even without extravagant displays and features. Opt for renting a speaker system and plug a laptop for music in place of a live band. Instead of fireworks, entertain guests through short, simple games with small but fun prizes. After all, budget weddings let you direct your energy towards what matters more – the presence of your loved ones on your special day.

Canvas budget-friendly wedding suppliers

If you are holding a budget wedding in Tagaytay, consider looking for local suppliers in the area. Not only do they offer cheaper options compared to Metro Manila counterparts, but they also give good value for their location, meaning reduced transportation costs. This is also a chance to support local businesses with reasonable pricing, such as Tagaytay wedding suppliers, souvenir makers, dress rentals, and materials.

Hire up-and-coming talent

Weddings are a memorable milestone in a couple’s life. Documenting the event doesn’t have to be costly. Work around this by hiring one or two promising young professionals to cover the photography. Compared to established media services, new professionals often provide more cost-effective and flexible rates for budget weddings. You can achieve beautiful and unique results from independent talent.

Recruit your friends

No one knows you better than your closest friends. Make your wedding extra memorable by having them take part in your special day. Hiring them as emcees can cut back expenses for professional wedding hosts and entertainment. Your beauty guru friend can take care of the hair and makeup, while the talented fashionista can help you find the perfect wedding attire. Beyond budgeting on professional services, contributions from the people who know the couple best can make your wedding more special.

Track your expenses

The budget list or spreadsheet you created is meant to be updated and reviewed regularly. Tracking your expenses is one way to stay in control and avoid overspending on your wedding. You can make smarter choices, such as adjusting and allocating resources for the event preparation.

Personalize your wedding vows

Make your wedding ceremony more exciting by writing your own wedding vows. Add a personal touch by telling a short anecdote of a memory you share as a couple, make heartfelt and realistic promises, say it through a poem, or crack some gentle jokes. The most sincere vows are made to showcase your affection and love for each other, which makes for a memorable wedding experience.

Spend quality time with your guests

Budget weddings, especially intimate ones, let you focus on making memories with your guests rather than extravagant displays. Set aside time before the ceremony for a first look with friends and family. This allows you to chat and take photographs together before the whole event. This gives the bride and groom a huge advantage as well because they get to show off freshly dressed and made-up looks.

Mingle with your guests after the ceremony as well. The reception or wedding dinner is a great time to visit tables, take photographs, talk with friends, and catch up with guests you haven’t seen in a long time.

Set up a fun and interactive guest area

Let your guests create awesome memories for you by setting up a photobooth or lounge area with simple activities for them to engage in between programs. A message board or wall allows them to write down well wishes, draw cherished memories with the couple, or leave some photographs to look back on after the celebration.

Plan a memorable couple’s and family activity

Affordable wedding packages in Tagaytay typically include complimentary amenities to create lasting memories in the picturesque landscape. For example, Nurture Wellness Village’s wedding package offers an hour’s worth of full-body couple’s massage, venue for prenuptial shoot, free room for the bride and groom before the wedding, and an overnight stay at the honeymoon suite.

Along with that, your family members can also spend the day trying Nurture Wellness Village’s numerous activities, ending the day in a free overnight stay in two family rooms. This mini-vacation-like vibe is one of the advantages of budget weddings in Tagaytay.

By following these budget wedding tips, you can spend more on things that truly matter, such as meaningful time spent as a couple, or the loving presence of your family and friends on your wedding day.

ALSO READ: Grand or Intimate Wedding Venues: The Ultimate Comparison You Need to Know

Are you dreaming of a scenic garden wedding? Nurture Wellness Village offers the most affordable wedding packages in Tagaytay. Enjoy three to four hours’ use of the main garden and a reception buffet for up to 100 guests. Additional amenities include a couple’s massage session, food tasting, prenup shoot in Nurture’s wonderful gardens, and even overnight accommodation.

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