How We Pulled Off Our DIY Intimate Civil Wedding
This is the much-awaited post I’ve been excited to write. I wanted to take this chance to give thanks and recommend the businesses and people who helped make our intimate wedding a reality. THANK YOU ALL!
Backstory
AJ asked me what kind of wedding I wanted — a grand one or a simple one. He said he’d give me either, as long as it’s what I truly wanted. Lucky me, right? I told him, “A small and simple wedding is more than enough, as long as you’re there.” 😂
Our original plan was simple — just a family dinner at a restaurant with 25 guests. We were even aiming for a ₱20K budget (yes, we really thought that was possible!). But we also wanted to honor our parents’ wishes and invite a few close friends. So, we compromised and booked a hall at Antonia’s Restaurant for 50 pax (40 guests + suppliers like our photographers, host, coordinators, and makeup artists).
We skipped the traditional church wedding since we knew it would be much more expensive. But we still wanted a blessing, so we invited a Christian officiating minister to wed us. (FYI, Catholic priests can’t officiate outside the church.) This turned out to be one of our best decisions — the ceremony was so intimate, solemn, and romantic. We’re truly grateful to our officiant for making it memorable.
Wedding Planning Tips
The most important thing when planning a wedding is knowing what you really want. We wanted a small gathering where the people we love could witness our union, so we chose a venue where we could hold both the ceremony and reception in one place.
Budget-wise, we had a maximum cap and promised not to go over it. Every expense was listed in our trusty Excel file (yes, every single item!). We agreed to keep it simple so we could save more for investments and our future home. Of course, this had to be explained to our parents, but thankfully, they understood and supported us.
That said, if you have the budget and you want a grand wedding — go for it! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Whether it’s a civil wedding at City Hall, or eloping in Las Vegas — do what feels right for you as a couple!
Guest List
Your wedding should be celebrated with people who truly matter. AJ and I always talked about how relaxed we felt knowing that everyone who attended was family or a close friend. We didn’t have to impress anyone. These are people who love and accept us, imperfections and all. That’s the beauty of an intimate wedding — no pressure, no social obligations. We don't have to worry about putting on a show!
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