The Department of Tourism (DoT) recently launched an array of attractive wedding packages in a bid to promote the country as a wedding destination in Asia. Altar bound couples may now opt to exchange the traditional �I dos� in the Philippines rather than in any of the Asian countries with the new wedding packages for as low as US$399++, for the Visit Philippines 2003 (VP 2003).
DoT Secretary Richard Gordon mentioned Manila, Davao, Palawan, Cebu and Boracay as the country�s potential wedding destinations. The �World of Weddings� is a component of the DoT�s �Wealth of Wonders� (WOW) which is one of the taglines in attracting tourists to the country for the VP2003.
In Manila, among the preferred venues for weddings are the Walled City of Intramuros where its historic walls, massive bastions and draw bridges will provide a romantic memory of a lifetime to the couple. On the other hand, Baluarte de San Diego, which has been recently restored with pocket gardens, and Casa Manila, for its old-world ambiance, may serve as fitting venues for a colonial theme.
For a garden wedding, couples may choose Father Blanco�s Garden with a large courtyard of palms and fountains and Puerta Real Gardens, which served as the main gate of Intramuros. Other special venues for weddings are the Paco Park and the Coconut Palace, which is a former presidential guest house, ideal for wedding receptions.
Paskuhan Village also offers wedding packages which include all services indigenous to the country of choice including native wedding gowns, choice of food, decorations, entertainment and other special rituals.
More wedding packages such as garden wedding location, catering of traditional cuisine, choice of clergy or officiating priest, on-site wedding coordinator, photography, floral arrangements, wedding cakes, and beauty services are in store for both Filipino and foreign couples.
A basic wedding for three days and two nights costs US$399++ and de luxe wedding package for seven days and six nights costs US$1,585++. Both packages are inclusive of airport transfers, daily breakfast, bottle of chilled champagne, welcome drinks, bridal bouquet, candle light dinner, cake and sampaguita cord symbolizing purity and commitment for couples.
Wedding and honeymoon packages are also available for US$825++ inclusive of wedding plus three days in Manila/two nights honeymoon or three days in Manila/three nights honeymoon for US$1,250++.
The various resorts in Boracay, Cebu and El Nido offers a wedding with honeymoon package, which provides a tropical setting to any nuptial rite and at the same time, a honeymoon paradise for the wedded couple.
The Boracay package costs US$1,145++ for five days and four nights in Boracay plus the basic wedding package while, seven days and six nights in Boracay costs US$1,435++ plus the basic wedding package.
A five-day/four-night wedding and honeymoon package in Davao costs only US$1,195++ including airport transfers, daily breakfast, bottle of champagne, welcome drinks, bridal bouquet, one candle light dinner, sampaguita cord, assistance in processing and obtaining of marriage license, basic decoration of wedding venue and 36 photos in 5R and 3R combinations. The seven days/six nights wedding and honeymoon package in Davao costs US$1,350++ including the basic package.
The Palawan package for five days/four nights costs US$1,135++ including the basic wedding package while, the seven days and six nights wedding and honeymoon package costs US$1,410++ including the basic wedding package.
A couple may have a dream wedding in Cebu for only US$410++ with three days and two nights in Cebu, including airport transfers, daily breakfast, bottle of champagne, welcome drinks, bridal bouquet, cake and sampaguita cord symbolizing the commitment for the couples. The wedding and honeymoon package for five days and four nights plus the basic wedding package is offered at US$1,135++ while, the seven days and six nights wedding and honeymoon package costs US$1,425++ including the basic wedding package, assistance in processing and obtaining a marriage license, basic decoration of wedding venue and 36 photos in 5R and 3R combinations.