Olivia Barredo
October 31, 2022

For many women, their wedding is one of the most important days of their lives. It happens once in a lifetime for many but of course, it does depend on the circumstance. Weddings are such a joy to attend but planning can get very stressful to the point that many brides opt for a simpler celebration.

 

While larger-than-life weddings were all the rage back in the day, modern brides are opting for simpler, minimalistic, and more "practical" celebrations. Hence, many prefer a civil ceremony over a grand wedding. Essentially, there should be no difference between the weddings as the goal of a wedding is to bond two people together but for some, the wedding can make or break the relationship.

 

In this article, we'll be looking at the possible reasons why modern brides prefer a civil wedding more than a church wedding.

 

 

Religious VS Spiritual VS Civil Wedding: What's the Difference?

 

 

If you have planned a wedding before, odds are, you won't be foreign to these terms. These are just a couple of different types of weddings and they can vary depending on the culture and religion of a person.

 

For this article, we'll be defining three (3) common types of weddings and they are as follows:

 

 

A spiritual wedding is one of the more uncommon types of wedding in the Philippines but it's still worth knowing. A spiritual wedding usually happens when the couple to wed doesn't attend a specific church but doesn't want to have a civil ceremony. They (the couple) can personalize their wedding as they see fit as long as it reflects their personal or spiritual values. This wedding is used for couples who have different backgrounds and religions to accommodate their traditions so both sides are represented. 

 

 

 

A religious marriage ceremony, or church wedding, as it is most commonly called - is done when a couple grew and is still practicing a specific religion. Depending on the religion, couples are usually expected to marry in their house worship. This is deeply rooted in tradition and religion which means that there are a lot of things to be prepared in a church wedding from the ceremony order down to the readings that will be shared during the ceremony itself. This is an incredibly special event, especially for couples whose faith is important to them.

 

 

 

Lastly, a civil wedding holds no religious or spiritual element. It's still a legal wedding ceremony but it doesn't have the traditions that are usually linked to secular weddings. Many couples and modern brides prefer a civil wedding because it allows them more control over what they want to happen at the wedding. This also allows the couple to customize aspects of the wedding that they might not have the luxury of customizing in a spiritual or religious ceremony. 

 

 

3 Major Factors That Differentiate A Religious and Civil Wedding

 

There are three main factors that might affect the decision of a couple on the type of wedding that they're going to have. These three factors are also usually the first things that the couple has to consider when they start planning their wedding and these are as follows:

 

Venue

 

A religious wedding ceremony will most often take place in the respective religion's place of worship. In a Catholic church wedding, the fees could cost anywhere from PHP5,000 to PHP20,000 - depending on the amenities and the expected number of guests. Some churches also charge extra for overtime and professional musicians, among others. 

 

 

Civil weddings, on the other hand, usually cost less because couples have the option to get married at City Hall Courtrooms or the Mayor's Office. Other common civil wedding venues include garden venues, beach resorts, and restaurants - among others - as these locations can also double as the reception after the ceremony.

 

Cost

 

Theoretically, a church wedding in the Philippines can cost anywhere from PHP50,000 to PHP500,000 - depending on what the couple will have on their wedding day. It's also important to consider that each venue will have its corresponding reservation fees which are also exclusive of the amenities. 

 

A civil wedding in the Philippines can cost anywhere from PHP3,000 to PHP5,000 - depending on the preferences of the couple. Anything in excess can be used for the reception. 

 

Attire 

 

You cannot hold a church wedding without the proper attire for it. Brides can spend up to PHP100,000 for their ideal wedding dresses while grooms can spend up to PHP50,000 for a tailored suit or barong. This would go the same for the entourage whose attire can range anywhere from PHP3,000 to PHP10,000 - depending on the complexity of the design. 

 

 

Civil weddings are a bit more simple and minimalistic. Most brides and grooms opt to wear a simple dress or a simple suit. Weddings of this type are also less formal so couples won't have to worry about spending too much on clothing as well. 

 

Civil Wedding vs Religious Wedding in the Philippines: Which One Is The Better Choice?

 

At the end of the day, the choice would still be up to the couple. Most couples these days don't get married until they are sure that they're ready - this would also entail years of saving up for their big day. Freedom of choice comes into play in weddings as the couple has the liberty to decide which type of wedding they'll have. While there are many factors that should be considered, it's still important that the couple is able to marry on their own terms.