Real PH Budgets - ₱250k, ₱500k, ₱800k, ₱1.2M—What You Actually Get

Budgets behave differently at each tier. The numbers below assume grounded picks, realistic headcounts, and clean contracts. Use them as shape guides—then adjust for region, venue format, and program density.

Rule of thumb: size the guest count first. Every category follows from plates, chairs, sound coverage, and staff ratios.

For line items that tend to balloon at hotels (service charge, corkage, “basic AV”), normalize your quotes with plain numbers using this explainer on banquet math: get a handle on how the bill is actually built. If you’d rather start from a simple split, this framework helps benchmarks land quickly: apply a 70-20-10 guide before shopping.

What upgrades look like at each step

From ₱250k → ₱500k

• Add video + light SDE, increase photo hours.
• Move from candle-forward tables to modular florals you can flip after vows.
• Improve speech clarity with better mics and a small pinspot package.
• Bring in a logistics owner for shuttles and cutoffs: shortlist calm timeline captains who keep the day moving.

From ₱500k → ₱800k

• Layer band intros + DJ close; keep speeches in one block for one gain setting.
• Add meadow aisle and a modest head-table install; lean on lighting at dinner.
• Plan a photo corner guests actually use; keep SKUs to 5–7 on dessert.

From ₱800k → ₱1.2M

• Shift to premium vessels, sculptural pieces, and lighting scenes instead of just more stems.
• Upgrade screens from “one center” to twin side screens or right-sized LED based on viewing distance.
• Room key leads overnight; run a day-before power test with AV.

Deliverables you can expect (typical, not absolute)

If your look depends on visual storytelling, align early with documentary-forward shooters who deliver in mixed church/ballroom light: compare portfolios that stay crisp when schedules slip.

“Spend here first” priorities

1. Guest count fit (seating, service, sound coverage).
2. Speech clarity and flattering wash—your photos, video, and program depend on it.
3. Reusability—design ceremony pieces to lift to dinner.
4. Ops—someone owns shuttles, cutoffs, and crew meals.

Where to save without looking cheap

• Swap giant center screens for two modest side screens with elegant graphics.
• Choose seasonal flavors and kitchen sheets behind a small display cake.
• Keep two-tone palette + metallic; let texture carry interest at dinner.
• Scale back SKUs on dessert and favors; channel quality over count.

Red flags that blow budgets

• Vague “unlimited” language (prints, hours, drinks). Ask for per-hour or per-guest math.
• No overtime tiers across vendors.
• Décor drawings with no flip plan or staging access notes.
• “Basic AV” bundled but no mic list or power matrix.

When hotel packages and add-ons start getting muddy, a city-focused explainer helps you compare apples to apples: decode package inclusions versus quiet extras before you sign.

Sample shopping sequence

• Lock capacity and curfew with your space map.
• Pencil visuals and ops; set a reply-by date on the guest hub.
• Normalize AV quotes by power, crew, and screen plan.
• Only then freeze florals and rentals—design follows room physics.

As you shortlist, keep suppliers aligned with your tier. For backbone roles:

• Visuals with steady hands under church shade and ballroom light: build a calm, detail-driven roster.
• Ops leads who guard buffers and handoffs: line up schedule owners who love run-downs.
• Tech partners who keep speeches intelligible and rooms cinematic: compare audio-lighting crews that right-size rigs.

For a province-by-province lens—how splits shift with island or ridge logistics—anchor your plan to a national baseline so categories stay balanced: place your tier inside a sensible countrywide map.

Bottom line
Pick the guest count first, protect speech clarity, and design for reuse. Budgets feel generous when hours, power, and handoffs are clear—and your day reads beautifully at every tier.