How Much Is a Civil Wedding in the Philippines? Cost Breakdown & Real Budgets

Young Filipino couple calculating a civil wedding budget with receipts and laptop

Guide
5 mins read

How much does a civil wedding really cost in the Philippines It depends on your city, venue choice, and how simple or styled you want the day to feel. Start by locking availability with a reliable officiant so your date and jurisdiction are clear before you budget the rest.

Core costs you can expect

Item	Typical range	Notes
Marriage License fee	₱200 to ₱1,000	Paid at LCR
Premarriage seminar if any	₱0 to ₱500	Depends on LCR
PSA Birth Certificate per copy	₱155 to ₱365	Usually 1 to 2 copies each
PSA CENOMAR per person	₱210 to ₱430	Singles; Advisory on Marriages if previously married
Certified local copies from LCR	₱100 to ₱300	Per copy
Officiant honorarium	₱2,000 to ₱8,000	Often lower at City Hall
City Hall use admin fee	₱0 to ₱2,000	Not always charged
Private venue permit if any	₱2,000 to ₱6,000	If not at City Hall

Optional but common

Item	Typical range	Notes
Photographer 1 to 2 hours	₱5,000 to ₱12,000	City Hall coverage packages
Hair and makeup bride	₱3,500 to ₱8,000	Trial separate
Bouquet and boutonniere	₱1,500 to ₱3,500	Fresh florals
Simple meal for 10	₱5,000 to ₱12,000	Restaurant set menu
Legal document courier	₱200 to ₱800	If needed

Couple comparing minimalist intimate and private venue wedding budgets with cash envelopes

Real world budget snapshots

1) City Hall minimalist

Government fees license, PSA, copies
Officiant at City Hall
No venue styling
Estimated total ₱3,500 to ₱6,000 before optional add ons

2) Intimate micro wedding for 15 to 20 guests

Government fees plus officiant honorarium
Small restaurant celebration set menu
2 hour photo coverage, simple bouquet, bride HMUA
Estimated total ₱20,000 to ₱45,000

3) Private venue civil style for ~50 guests

Government fees plus permits
Venue or restaurant function room
Catering per head 600 to 1,200
Photo and HMUA, minimal styling
Estimated total ₱60,000 to ₱120,000

When comparing spaces and what they include, this guide helps you weigh policies and fees in City Hall vs Private Venue Civil Wedding. For a broader view of ceremony types, see Civil vs Church Wedding Costs to understand where budgets diverge.

Couple adjusting spending on guests photos glam and venue on a printed budget sheet

Where costs flex

Location large cities can have higher admin or venue fees
Scheduling off hours or weekend weddings may raise honorariums
Guest count the biggest driver if you add a meal
Photo and glam choose coverage time and HMUA scope to fit the plan
Paperwork extras extra certified copies or rush requests add up

If you expect a toast after the ceremony, shortlist a cozy reception venue within a short drive of City Hall to cut transport costs.

Sample line items you can trim or upgrade

Trim without losing quality

Choose weekday office hours for the ceremony
One bouquet plus boutonniere only
Two hour photo coverage focused on key moments

Upgrade if budget allows

Add a short highlight clip from a videographer
Small floral arch at a private space
Extra PSA copies for faster post wedding updates

Hidden fees to watch

Photocopies and ID photos right before filing
Parking and entrance fees at some government or venue locations
Delivery or convenience fees for online PSA orders
Corkage or service charge at restaurants if you bring cake

Overhead view of a civil wedding budgeting checklist with boxes being ticked

Simple budgeting workflow

List non negotiables government fees and officiant
Add venue or meal choice and guest headcount
Allocate for photo and glam
Reserve 10 percent buffer for incidentals
Track in a one page sheet and update after every payment

Quick FAQs

How much should we set aside for government fees only
About ₱1,000 to ₱2,500 depending on your LCR and how many certified copies you order.

Is a private space always more expensive
Not always. Off peak weekday lunch in a small function room can rival a large restaurant bill.

Do we need to prepay the officiant
Many accept payment on the day, but confirm terms during booking.

Final notes and next steps

Keep logistics lean and stress light by confirming documents early, choosing a nearby meal spot, and focusing spend where it shows in photos. For day of polish without going overboard, book trusted hair and makeup close to your location, and consider a short package from dependable photographers to capture essentials. For the complete workflow from requirements to registration, wrap your plan with the pillar overview in the Civil Weddings in the Philippines Requirements Costs and Step by Step Process.