10 Memorable Wedding Destinations in the Philippines

CHURCH WEDDING

Manila

For a traditional church wedding, Manila has a number of religious landmarks that hold a remarkable history tied to impeccable age-old walls and stained-glass windows. In Quiapo, the Basilica Menor de San Sebastian makes a great choice for its ancient architecture and otherworldly grandeur. This national landmark is adorned with a number of chandeliers and a long aisle for the bride to glide down.

IMAGE REDSHEEP PHOTO + CINEMA

Maria Katrina Urrutia Suarez weds Miguel Luis Gopengco Rodriguez. The couple held their reception at Manila Polo Club.

 

Another great option is the Paco Park Chapel. The cylindrical structure is nestled away in a quaint and picturesque park surrounded by fountains and balconies.

IMAGE PAT DY

DESTINATION WEDDING

Cebu

Cebu is the perfect destination for a town-meets-country type of wedding. It was the choice of fashion director of Preview, Daryl Chang. She wed Manuel Lotho at the IEC Pavilion, which had space enough for 7,000 people. Chang told T&C in an earlier article that she wanted the wedding to look “industrial, raw, rustic” and transformed the bare space into just that.

IMAGE PAT DY

Daryl Chang weds Manuel Lotho in Cebu.

Balesin Island

For a special ceremony that doesn’t leave the Philippines but still conveys the same sentiment of a destination wedding, then Balesin Island is an easy pick. A short plane ride away, the island lets you choose from the seven unique villages and the Balesin Royal Villa. It offers a different landscape from outdoor to indoor and you’re never short of options.

IMAGE IAN SANTILLAN

More than a decade after they first met, Carmela Marie Tapia Cambaliza and Enzo Steven Montinola Virata tied the knot on Balesin Island.

CITY WEDDING

The Peninsula Manila

For a wedding in the heart of the city, The Peninsula Manila’s timeless interiors contribute to a stylish, elegant affair. Holding the event at a hotel makes it easier for everyone during the preparations and the reception. It is also convenient for hosting out-of-town guests.

IMAGE J. LUCAS REYES

Monthida Laowanapibal and Jonathan Derek Ang Te held their Manila wedding in the Peninsula Manila.

BEACH WEDDING

Boracay

Look to the serene parts of the island to tie the knot on its famed white sand beaches. Trusted resorts offer exclusive beaches and not-too-shabby accommodations. Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa is among the list of coveted wedding destinations on the island but decide quickly as booking the prime beach spot as a venue is not an easy task.

IMAGE ENRICO NEPOMUCENO

Shangri-La's Boracay Resort and Spa

Palawan

Constantly topping the lists of the world’s best beaches, Palawan serves as a perfect location for an enviable beach wedding. Last year, Jessica Kienle and Jesse Maxwell held their wedding on the beach of Pangulasian in Palawan and said their vows just in time for the sunset. The moment provided a perfect photo backdrop for the couple.

IMAGE PAT DY

Beautiful Scenes from Jessica Kienle and Jesse Maxwell's Wedding

COUNTRYSIDE WEDDING

Nuvali

Whimsical greens and lush backdrops make this destination ideal for a wedding that escapes the bustles of the city but remains accessible to the metro-dwellers. Fresh air, gorgeous greens, and convenient location? Nuvali has it all covered.

IMAGE JAJA SAMANIEGO AND JC INOCIAN

 Dina and Paolo Tantoco tied the knot a second time at the Montecito Chapel in Nuvali.

Tagaytay

Just a little ways past Nuvali is Tagaytay, another popular wedding destination that is home to sought-after events venue, Antonio's. The elegant garden setting is paired with exceptional cuisine. If you choose the garden as a wedding location, then make sure to secure a booking quickly since it's only open during months with agreeable weather.

A post shared by Antonio's Tagaytay (@antoniostagaytay) on Nov 16, 2016 at 9:11pm PST

A post shared by Antonio's Tagaytay (@antoniostagaytay) on Mar 24, 2017 at 10:57pm PDT

GARDEN WEDDING

Laguna

For a clean, green, and crisp reception venue, the Lotus Pod Farm in Bay, Laguna is a no-fuss bed and breakfast that can accommodate a good number of guests in its gardens. Couples get to say ‘I do,’ with the majestic Banahaw mountain range as a backdrop.

IMAGE NYAPS

Lotus Pod Farm

Another charming Laguna location is Puypuy Bay. When Liana Lim and Angelo Cruz wed there, they made use of the open space and had maid of honor Lilianna Manahan design a gorgeous leafy arch to house the altar for the ceremony. The reception area showcased rows of white tables and foldable chair underneath strings of romantic yellow lights.

IMAGE NICOLAI MELICOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The aisle for Liana Lim and Angelo Cruz's wedding

Batangas

With the goal of holding a relaxed wedding, Thea Jacinto and Andy Ugarte ended up tying the knot in Batangas. It was the groom's wish for a backyard-type of wedding reception that the couple threw in the Tali beach house he grew up in. The laid-back setting made the affair all the more intimate.

IMAGE MANGO RED

Thea Jacinto and Andy Ugarte's wedding in Batangas