The Filipino wedding checklist: 12 months to the big day

12 to 10 months before

Popular dates go first, especially December and the summer months, so start with the decisions everything else depends on.

• Agree on a budget and a rough guest count
• Choose church or civil wedding, and your ideal months
• Book the church or ceremony venue (popular parishes fill up a year ahead)
• Book the reception venue and caterer
• Hire a wedding coordinator, if you want one
• Book your photographer and videographer (ask about the prenup shoot)
• Start your guest list: family, sponsors, friends, work

9 to 7 months before

Now the people and the look of the day.

• Ask your principal sponsors (ninong and ninang) personally
• Choose your secondary sponsors: candle, veil and cord
• Choose the bridal party, bearers and flower girls
• Book the gown, suit or barong, and the entourage's attire
• Book hair and makeup, flowers and styling, cake, host, and the band or DJ
• Do your prenup shoot
• Send a save-the-date to guests from out of town or abroad

6 to 4 months before

Paperwork season. Church documents usually have to be recent: baptismal and confirmation certificates marked "for marriage purposes" are commonly valid for six months, so don't request them too early. Each parish has its own list, so ask yours first.

• Ask your parish for its full list of requirements and fees
• Request PSA birth certificates for both of you
• Request a PSA CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage)
• Request baptismal and confirmation certificates "for marriage purposes"
• Book your canonical interview and Pre-Cana seminar
• Order your wedding rings
• Finalise the entourage list (names spelled right, for the invitation)
• Choose your invitation design and start your RSVP list

4 to 3 months before

The marriage license comes from the civil registrar of the city or town where either of you lives. You usually need a pre-marriage counselling certificate first, and the application is posted for 10 days before the license is released. The license is then valid for 120 days anywhere in the Philippines, so apply within about four months of the wedding, not earlier.

• Attend the pre-marriage counselling seminar at your city or municipal hall
• Apply for the marriage license (then wait for the 10-day posting)
• Have your banns posted at your parishes (three Sundays)
• Send your invitations, with an RSVP date about a month before the wedding
• Food tasting with your caterer
• Plan the programme: entrance, rites, first dance, speeches, games

2 months to 1 month before

Replies come in slowly. A gentle reminder helps more than you think.

• Follow up guests who haven't replied (a friendly message on Messenger works)
• Final dress fittings
• Write your vows, and the host's script
• Prepare the souvenirs and the sponsors' tokens
• Start the seating plan once most replies are in
• Collect the marriage license and give it to the church or officiant

The last two weeks

Lock the numbers and hand the details to the people running the day.

• Give the caterer and venue your final headcount
• Finish the seating plan and the table numbers
• Confirm every supplier's call time and the address
• Give your coordinator the supplier list, the programme and the seating plan
• Prepare the final payments and tips in labelled envelopes
• Rehearse the ceremony with the entourage
• Download your guest list, so it's on your phone and printed

After the wedding

The officiant files your marriage certificate with the civil registrar. The PSA copy is usually available a few months later, and you'll need it for name changes and IDs.

• Thank your sponsors and guests (a personal message goes a long way)
• Share your photos and same-day edit with guests
• Settle the last supplier balances
• Request your PSA marriage certificate when it's available
• Update your name on IDs and accounts, if you're changing it

Requirements change: check with your parish and civil registrar

Every parish and city or municipal hall has its own list, fees and schedule, and some ask for more (for example parental consent or advice for younger couples, or extra papers if one of you was married before or isn't Filipino). Treat this checklist as a guide to the order of things, and confirm each requirement with them.

Where The Invitation helps

Your invitation, RSVPs and guest list live in one place: guests reply from Messenger, you see who's coming, send ready-made reminders to people who haven't replied, and download the list for your caterer and coordinator. Your dashboard has its own checklist for these steps, timed to your wedding date.

Updated 28 October 2026