Church Hunting in Manila

A week after the pamanhikan we had to rush our church hunting. The wedding date was so near imagine we had 3 months left. I was fretting because I knew there would be limited slots due to the fact that most couples book their churches way, way in advance -- as in 6 months to 1 year in advance.

Ok, so first stop: Sto. Domingo Church along Espana. It wasn't actually a first stop because our car only passed by the church so we could look at the facade. CM was shaking his head in the back seat. Sto. Domingo was too far from our booked reception venue (Intramuros).

Next stop, Ermita Catholic Church, otherwise known as the Nuestra Senora de Guia Parish. It is along M.H. del Pilar street in Ermita, a fair enough distance from Intramuros. There was an available slot for 2 pm but we didn't really feel like being wed in that Church. The surrounding areas of the church was a bit seedy and a little smelly, the parking was very cramped, the traffic outside is busy. It's not a very nice feeling to hear jeeps and cars honking during the wedding ceremony. The church itself was a bit narrow but as a bonus it had a long aisle.

(we liked the airy interiors but it wasn't really "wedding-y")

The package as I remember it was at P8,000 and it includes the physical arrangement, flowers, officiating priest, church organist and wedding singer. Not bad but we're not so crazy about it.

Next stop, Malate Catholic Church otherwise known as the Our Lady of Remedies. A bit farther than Ermita Church, we immediately liked the exterior of the church. This one had an old world feel to it thanks to the big stones that made up the church walls. Almost perfect for our theme (Filipiniana/ Spanish). The bad news is, August 28 was already fully booked since a year ago! Anyway, we fully expected that since the Malate Church is very popular.

(we were wowed by the facade)

(the interior was too dark and gloomy)

The package was P15,000... a bit over our budget but a steal for a popular, historical and beautiful church (compared to San Agustin's P22,000 or Manila Cathedral's P26,000).

A minus factor I noticed though was the main door of the church opened and closed just outside the busy street so I was wondering where all the entourage would come from. A few days later we witnessed an actual wedding and to our dismay saw the entourage start marching from the closed door and the bride waited just outside the door -- on the sidewalk while jeeps and cars passed her by subjecting her to the sun, pollution and dust. Not so good. Plus you could hear the traffic outside while the ceremony was ongoing. Also, the church felt gloomy and rather heavy I guess because of the dark interior.

Anyway, off to our next church. We went to the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center more commonly known as the Maria Goretti Parish. This one is located along UN Avenue and was probably just 10 to 15 minutes away from Intramuros (that includes the traffic). Of all the churches on my list this was my top bet (I guess because it was airconditioned hehe..)

(my original bet but I was kinda disappointed by what we saw)

We didn't really like the exterior of the church since it was under conctruction at the time of our visit. Also, it's so small you would think it's just a chapel when in fact it's a parish church. One positive point we saw was the huge parking space. The inside was a bit dark and dusty (also owing to the fact that it was under construction). The Aisle was too short.. it would probably take you just 10 steps before you reached the altar.

They offered a good package for P15,000 complete with flowers, physical arrangement, priest and air conditioning -- only the air con was not very cool. Anyway we still inquired and they had available slots for 2 pm and 4 pm. We pencil booked it for 4 pm just in case.

Off to our next church then, we went to Saint Peter the Apostle in Paco Manila. We liked it at first glance--the exterior was modern Gothic. Funny thing out front were the 2 gargoyles flanking each side of the church door, standing sentinel. It had no parking since the church opened right outside the steet.

We inquired and to our dismay discovered they offered a package of P20,000 which includes flowers, physical arrangements, air conditioning, officiating priest, and a choir. They have a lot of extra charges like for your photovideographer's lights, advance turning on of aircon, choosing your bet from their 3 choirs, etc.

(nice sana kaya lang super pricey and a bit small)

The inside was wide and spacious but the aisle was short. It was modern with huge stained glass windows at the side but in spite of these windows, the interior was still dark. The airconditioning temperature is really cool BUT it's not a very economical choice (and we weren't too crazy about choosing from their choirs because our choir would be the Madrigal Singers). Anyway, we still pencil booked for 2:30 pm.

So now we were off to our last church and least choice on our list. We weren't too keen to look at it since we were not familiar with it, never been there and it was inside Adamson University so we were thinking it might just be a small chapel. After some disappointments with the previous churches we visited, St. Vincent de Paul was different.

A first look at the exterior of the church gave us positive points: First--they had a big parking space and the parking was walled and had a gate. Second positive point, the church seemed to soar.. it was tall and if you were cruising down UN Avenue and looked to your left you could see the towering dome at the back of the church (it is an arresting site amidst all those roofs).

(we love those colored windows plus the interior feels cheerful)

We inquired first at the office before looking at the inside of the church. They had an open slot for early afternoon and early evening. Hmm.. well the time slot was definitely a bit of an inconvenience but the package price was just right for our budget. Only P10,000 including flowers, carpet, officiating priest, candles and electricity (no additional costs for photo video or guest choir).. Hmm we liked it immediately so we pencil booked the early afternoon slot.

(amazing!)

When we did an ocular of the inside we were astounded by the lovely colored windows and the domed ceiling right at the center of the church. The choir loft was spectacular and the aisle was long and wide. The church was obviously well maintained because the ceiling didn't have water spots and the walls didn't have molds or moss. Despite not being air conditioned, the church was cool and felt light, airy and bright (unlike all churches we went to who all felt gloomy because of the dark interiors) Perfect! We wanted to book it right away but wasn't able to because when we came back the office was now closed (it was a Saturday and we arrived 10:55 at their office. They close 11am hehe..). We went back on Tuesday and booked it and the rest is history. Happy with our choice.

You might noticed that I put a lot of emphasis on the interior of the church. We didn't want a dark church because CM and I are both naturally carefree and happy so I guess it follows that we want our ceremony to be held in a place exuding of positive vibes. As for the parking space, of course the security of our guests property/ vehicles are of utmost priority therefore parking space is indeed a priority.