When Elder Oaks visited the Philippines last year, he reminded all single adults to make marriage a priority. Sabi niya, hindi kailangan ng magarbong celebration. The most important thing is the ordinance performed inside the Temple.
Somehow, as Filipinos, we feel na it’s our responsibility to have a big wedding. We are greatly influenced by our culture and what is socially expected sa weddings. It is hard to break the norm, but, as Latter-day Saints, aren’t we used to doing just that?
A friend recently asked me kung magkano ang kailangang budget para magpakasal. Sabi ko sa kanya, hindi magastos ang wedding ceremony. License lang ang babayaran kasi libre naman magpakasal sa temple. The financial burden of getting married comes from the “extras.” Yung gown, photography, reception, etc. Kung sa ceremony lang, you only need about PHP 1,270 to get married.
Couples need to submit 3 requirements to be sealed inside the temple: marriage license, living ordinances, and temple recommends. Out of these requirements, yung marriage license lang ang kailangan bayaran. To get the license, couples need to submit:
- Certificate of No Marriage/CENOMAR: PHP 430
If you’re going to get it sa SM Business Centers, each certificate costs PHP215. You will get it after 14 business days. Another option is getting it from the NSO. Mas mura at mabilis makuha ang certificate, pero maraming tao.
- Community Tax Certificate/Cedula: PHP 110
It’s best to get your cedula at the beginning of the year para walang late penalty. The cost of the cedula depends on your monthly income. The basic cost is PHP 55 for those who are unemployed.
- ID picture: PHP 160
If you get your picture taken at malls, it’s usually about PHP 80 per person. But I think there are cheaper ones sa mga “rush ID” stalls.
- Birth Certificate: PHP 320
Same with getting a CENOMAR, you can opt to get it at the NSO or sa SM Business Centers. Each Certificate costs PHP 160.
- Application form and processing fee: PHP 250
You’ll have to pay this at the City Hall to get your application form.
Note: You also need to attend a seminar to be issued a license and walang bayad yun.
As a Latter-day Saint, we are taught to live within our means. We are also taught that we should not postpone marriage until after we are “settled” or “stable.” There is wisdom in this counsel. While preparing for my wedding, I learned to prioritize the things that matter most. It was a great experience for my fiancé and me to talk about the things that were important to both of us. It was also a perfect opportunity to discuss our financial goals. I learned that what really mattered to my fiancé (and I think this is true to most guys out there) is that he was marrying me in the temple, and that can happen with or without the celebration. I also learned that determining the budget should not be restricted on the ceremony and the celebration alone, mas mahalaga yung mga expenses after the wedding like bahay, mga gamit, etc.
If there is anything I gained from my experience, it would be this: You do not have to postpone getting married just so you can have a big wedding celebration. That is what our leaders teach us and we will be blessed when we obey. Besides, when you finally meet the person you want to marry, there’s no reason to delay your happily ever after.
I totally agree with you 100%! But then life doesn’t end with being married in the temple, It is only the start. We also need to consider how we are going to live after getting married. We need to prepare ourselves Spiritually, Emotionally and Financially. Lets not for get the Church also taught us to be self-reliant for us to stand on our own two feet with our asking for help from our families and the Church.
Let us always remember that eternal blessings will always follow as long as we do our part and not just wait for it to come knocking at our door. Indeed we don’t need elegant weddings but we do need to be ready for our future families. We need to have jobs or other source of income to provide for our family and future children. I believe that we do not need to procrastinate the commandment to getting married in the TEMPLE.. Lets work hard to plan for it… for planning ahead will always give us a head start to reach our goals.
Very true. Preparation is definitely not limited to the financial aspect of getting married. Like what you said, we need to be prepared spiritually and emotionally as well. Thank you for your thoughts!
I like this Kar! You’re the best talaga naka itemized ang gastos.
I hope makatulong sa mga nagpre-prepare. 🙂
Absolutely nakatulong Madam Karen 🙂
I’m glad. Thanks
Wonderfully said, as a member of the church we need to do our part to obey the ordinances.in marriage there’s always trials that makes us strong.as Weng said getting married is just the beginning of your life together.a lot of things I’ve learned being married for more than 4 years is that you don’t stop loving and understanding everything.this adventure has taught me a lot of things from getting married taking care of kids,budgeting ,knowing your priorities in life buying what you need and really doing our best not to ask other people financially.coz when you enter to this there no stopping Coz our goal in life is to be married for time and eternity…
I just love what you said, “you don’t stop loving and understanding.” I believe those are very important things to keep any marriage strong. Thanks for your comment Karen. I definitely agree with you.
🙂
Nice
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