Many Filipinos associate marriage with six-figure weddings. And while they’re not wrong in some cases, legally saying “I do” can cost as little as 400 pesos in Quezon City, for example. The bigger question isn’t necessarily about the cost of getting married; it’s why fewer Filipino couples are choosing to do so.
More Than Just Wedding Costs
Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that registered marriages declined by 13.5% over the past decade, from more than 429,000 in 2014 to just over 371,000 in 2024. Meanwhile, civil marriages now account for 41.8% of all registered unions, overtaking Roman Catholic Church weddings at 31.7%.
According to the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), financial realities remain a major factor here. Many couples postpone marriage because of the perceived cost of weddings, while others prioritize education, career growth, or simply choose to live together instead. In fact, around 12 million Filipinos were already in cohabitation or common-law arrangements as of 2020, reflecting how relationships and family life continue to evolve.
A Much Bigger Investment
But perhaps the real cost of marriage begins after the ceremony.
Marriage isn't just about planning the wedding. It also means sharing finances, navigating family responsibilities, and making decisions that will shape the rest of the couple’s lives. In a country where divorce remains unavailable for most Filipinos, marriage isn’t only an emotional commitment; it’s also a legal one.
It’s perhaps why Atty. Lorna Kapunan’s advice for women to “think twice before getting married” resonated with many. It’s not because people have given up on love; it’s because they understand that marriage is far easier to enter than it is to leave.
Preparing for Marriage, Not Just the Wedding
Whether couples spend 400 pesos on a simple civil wedding or hundreds of thousands on a grand celebration, the ceremony itself happens in only one day. The conversations that follow, from money to responsibilities and even career goals, will matter far more than the venue or guest list.
Perhaps that’s what we can take away from today’s marriage trends. Weddings can be planned in months, even years. A lasting marriage, however, requires thorough communication and commitment. Because in the end, the greatest investment isn’t the wedding budget; it’s the partnership built long after the vows have been exchanged.
