Wedding Gowns!
When Bob and I got married over 17 years ago. We purchased my wedding gown in a small department store in General Santos City. At that time there were no malls in General Santos yet. Prior to our wedding I came home to Gen San to visit my parents from studying college in Cebu City. A few days after my visit me and my sister went to the city to shop. Inside the store we saw the gown in the mannequin that really caught our attention. My sister told me that the gown was really perfect for my size. I just gave my sister a quick smile. Bob and I already knew each other then. So then when time that we are going to get married, when we shop for my dress and we went to that store again and the wedding gown was still there. My sister then told me that the dress was really meant for me.
Anyway, right around the time that Bob and I are getting married his brother in the States and his fiance are getting married. They also went shopping for wedding gowns right around the time that we are shopping. Bob’s sister-in-law ordered the dress and they ordered like 6 months prior to the wedding. It cost them like $3000-$4000. I was shocked when Bob and his mom told me the price. Her dress we found out later was ordered and made in the Philippines. My brother-in-law was shocked when he found out the price of my gown. It was just $80. My wedding gown is not badly made. Honestly its similar to my sister-in-law’s dress. For the money, I think it was really worth it. Plus Bob and I are still together.
Nowadays the wedding gowns cost a lot more, of course. I think before you can dress up the whole entourage for less than 10 thousand pesos. Now I think it will cost almost 40 thousand. Anyway, its nothing to be scared about guys. They also offered now rental of gowns and barong for the whole entourage. There are lots of wedding shops here in the Philippines. Just have some quotes from a lot of them, and choose what really soothes you.
Have fun shopping!
Teresings really did a heck of a job on my barong and Venice’s dress, hand tailored and I think the whole thing cost 70,000 pesos for her dress, my barong and the rentals for the wedding party. I highly reccomend checking them out.
good information Feyma thank you
Hi Louis - Wow thats high already. But I guess with the high prices nowadays doesn’t surprise it then. Bob was a godfather to one of our worker and they told us that the gown and the barong, the whole entourage cost them like 39k. That was just June of last year. Prices really went up quickly.
Hi Tommy - Thank you so much!
yes it was high, but you saw the gown at our wedding, Venice was quite beautiful and it’s something we can hand down to our daughter (should we have one). My barong was the real piece of work, pure pina fabric, handstiched, etc.
I had my gown made in Renee Salud in Davao. It was really beautiful, it cost about 30K pesos. I could not find a gown like that in OZ at that price.
Hi Feyma! I had a very simple wedding gown. The designer put beads on the neckline at the last minute bec he said it was too simple. hehe. Since the designer is my friend, I got it at around P 5,000 i think. My entourage paid for their own gowns only I provided the fabric. I just think that it’s impractical to pay a lot of money for a gown you will wear for approx. 5 hours. Even though it’s your wedding.
Hi Feyma - I know what you mean. It’s the same with prom gowns. On one of my visits to the Phils I decided to have a prom gown specially made so that I could bring it back to the UK with me in time for my daughter’s senior prom. It only took 3 days to make from design to finish. Until now I still haven’t told my daughter how much it cost me (as it was embarassingly cheap! compared to UK prices). The gown is really lovely - all eyes were on my daughter that night! And 5 years on, the school staff still talks about “that gown” and admits that it’s unique and beautiful style remains unmatched so far. I did send a photograph of my daughter wearing the gown back to the “bakla” in CDO who designed and created it so that he could show it off to his clients and prove that his work is of export quality.
Hi Ringgay - Renee Salod’s gown for 30k I think thats cheap. Luckily they are not open here in Davao 17 years ago. Good thing too because they are a bit spendy for me though.I am not sure if the Renee Salod shop here in Davao still open? Anyway, good to see you again here.
Hi Cathy - Wow your gown still cheap if you compare the prices nowadays. Good thing you had a friend that can make it for you.
Now I wonder how much would be the cost of the gown by the time Jean Jean will get married and your young ones too? Wow thats going to cost a fortune.
Hi Marilou - Talking about prom gowns. My friend from the States did they same thing like you did. Have the gown made here. She e-mailed me the designed that they saw in the store in the States and have me go to the dress shop and have them see how much the cost to have it made here in the Philippines. If they order it in the States it cost them a lot of money. When I told her how much the cost here she had it made here then. It was just half the price here of what she should have paid in the States. You are right the gown was the talk of the school because its unique and made it nicely too.
the lady at Coffee Dream in Damosa Gateway told me that Bob & Feyma were going to partake of the Filipino custom of repeating their wedding vows…. but this time it will be a skydiving wedding. Any guest who wants to eat must bring their own parachute….
Alan Mark - this is nonsense. I don’t know where you got such information.
Feyma - I am surprised you didn’t publish a photo of you and Bob on your wedding day. Such a happy day. Would like to have seen the gown of course. Hope to see it published soon
Alan Mark - If you could tell me who she is or you could bring her to me then I believe you. I think your just talking here. I don’t like people talking at my back. Its like TSISMIS if you know what I mean.
hello Feyma! long time — hehhe i know…..been busy - work/school/home…..
nice article here…its good that Rent a gown is available nowadays - para dili pud luoy ang uban - because wedding gowns are really expensive !
Hi Feyma,
First time post for me to your blog, although I have written comments on the other writers blogs. My asawa-to-be has just purchased a white full length wedding dress for 6,350 pesos. Also for our coming wedding we are outfitting 8 bridesmaids for 4,000 pesos (rented dresses) and will feed up to 300 guests for 35,000 pesos. Add to that the cost of the wedding cake, decorations and giveaways at a further 10,000 pesos and I think we have done well for such a big event.
Hi Marygrace - Hey don’t work too much. You should relax sometimes.
Yeah they do have some rental gowns and barongs too. As we all know lots of people here can’t afford to be buying the name brand one.
Good to see you again here!
Hi Richard - Thank you for reading our columns.
Wow, that’s cheap price nowadays. Good for you guys to find good deals. Good luck to you and your bride to be.
Thank you for dropping by!
Hi Feyma
Mgf rita has asked me to ask you ,where do you reccomend we get married while in the philippines,we have no friends as yet or family in the country so we will do a fast and cheapish wedding,
how do we do this,?? in the uk where i come from we have what is called a (REGISTRY OFFICE)you walk in and do a semi religous service then you sign a register and your married,do you have (and where )this type of service in the philippines, i know this may sound like a easy and cheap way to marry,but with no family or friends,what other way is there,we are also in contact with bob about moving to Davao,so maybe this can be done when we arrive and settle in the Davao area,
thankyou and keep up the good work,
Hi Steve - I think to be married quickly here you have to be married with the judge or in the city hall. On that you don’t need to buy fancy wedding dress for your girlfriend and the entourage.
Since your wife have no family, after you get married, maybe for the reception just bring your guest to a simple restaurant here.
If you have more questions don’t hesitate to ask me. If you want you can email me privately too. Good luck to you!
hi feyma
thanks for the fast reply, you guys are the greatest,
i do have 1 more ?
how much do you think getting married this way would cost,as far as the paperwork,city fees,judge or city fees,,any info would be great,
we live in bangkok at the moment and after going to the philippine embassy they said we should be looking at about 8 to 10.000 pesos,for all the fees, does that sound right,??also, what paper work does my gf need to have with her when we start the prosess,she is single and never been married,
thanks again
Hi Steve - I think they are right about the amount. The thing is if you know some people it might be a little less. I will ask somebody about it.
For papers that your gf needs for one would be authenticated birth certificate from the NSO, I think like NBI clearance, if shes under 21 I think some consent from the parents. Honestly I am just guessing here. I will ask somebody again on this. I will let you know like tomorrow or the next day of what I find out.
Good luck to you!
hi feyma
I’m getting married this feb,me & my hubby would like to ask you if you could recommend a shop where we can rent a gown for our entourage in davao, that is within our reach for our budget.thnx in advance.God bless.
Hi louielah - I will ask around. But how much is with in the budget you are talking about? You can email me privately on this matter. Go to the contact us on this site and just select my name. Don’t worry I don’t get a cut, I just want to help you out.
Take care!