After our failed church hunting adventure more than a week ago, I finally found the time to visit our top two options last Friday to help us decide which one we would choose for our ceremony venue.
First stop was Santuario de San Jose in East Greenhills, San Juan. SSJ is becoming one of the top choices for couples because of its elegant ambiance. The interior is a mixture of red, gold and wooden accents, while stained glass windows depicting the Way of the Cross adorned the sides of the church. There are also mini chandeliers on the ceiling, which will be turned on during weddings as part of their package. Outside, the church’s pale green and cream façade serves as the perfect backdrop for photos. There is also a small garden by the entrance that can be used as a waiting area for the guests and entourage.
The church can easily fit around 100 to 150 people; it’s not too big that the pews would seem empty if you plan to have an intimate wedding, but it’s not too small that it would feel cramped. The aisle is also the perfect length for brides who wish to enjoy their bridal march but are too daunted to walk down a long, long aisle (like me. Hehe.)
The church is located inside an exclusive subdivision in Greenhills, so the solemnity of the ceremony will not be disrupted by the traffic outside and other city noises. There are also marked parking spaces near the vicinity of the church for the convenience of guests with cars.
The wedding package for 2012 is P25,000, which is inclusive of the priest’s stipend, flowers, red carpet, use of the air-conditioners for 1 ½ hours, electricity for videos, lighted chandeliers, and a soloist and organist. To block off the date, you have to deposit P5,000. Each year though, the rates increase as well as the required downpayments. The wedding rate for 2013 is P28,000 with a reservation fee of P6,000, while the wedding rate for 2014 is P30,000 with a reservation fee of P7,000.
VERDICT: I always liked to be married in a chapel, or at least a small church, because I felt it would make my wedding more solemn and personal, and SSJ has the perfect size to hold the small and intimate wedding that I dreamed about. And best of all, it’s air-conditioned! This was the deciding factor for us because our wedding will be held in April, which is one of the HOTTEST months. We wanted our guests to be cool and comfortable during the ceremony despite the stifling heat so an air-conditioned church is definitely a must.
However, I was dismayed over their wedding rates. Their current rate of P25,000 is already over our budget, so what more if it's P30,000? Their rates are only applicable for the year the wedding will be held so even though I'd pay the reservation fee this year, I wouldn't be able to lock the price. Right now, I'm still thinking whether it's worth paying more than half of our alloted budget for the church, but the lure of using air-conditioners on a hot summer day is sorely tempting.
SANTUARIO DE SAN JOSE
Buffalo cor. Duke Streets, East Greenhills, San Juan
725-2044 / 721-3842
First stop was Santuario de San Jose in East Greenhills, San Juan. SSJ is becoming one of the top choices for couples because of its elegant ambiance. The interior is a mixture of red, gold and wooden accents, while stained glass windows depicting the Way of the Cross adorned the sides of the church. There are also mini chandeliers on the ceiling, which will be turned on during weddings as part of their package. Outside, the church’s pale green and cream façade serves as the perfect backdrop for photos. There is also a small garden by the entrance that can be used as a waiting area for the guests and entourage.
The church can easily fit around 100 to 150 people; it’s not too big that the pews would seem empty if you plan to have an intimate wedding, but it’s not too small that it would feel cramped. The aisle is also the perfect length for brides who wish to enjoy their bridal march but are too daunted to walk down a long, long aisle (like me. Hehe.)
The church is located inside an exclusive subdivision in Greenhills, so the solemnity of the ceremony will not be disrupted by the traffic outside and other city noises. There are also marked parking spaces near the vicinity of the church for the convenience of guests with cars.
The wedding package for 2012 is P25,000, which is inclusive of the priest’s stipend, flowers, red carpet, use of the air-conditioners for 1 ½ hours, electricity for videos, lighted chandeliers, and a soloist and organist. To block off the date, you have to deposit P5,000. Each year though, the rates increase as well as the required downpayments. The wedding rate for 2013 is P28,000 with a reservation fee of P6,000, while the wedding rate for 2014 is P30,000 with a reservation fee of P7,000.
VERDICT: I always liked to be married in a chapel, or at least a small church, because I felt it would make my wedding more solemn and personal, and SSJ has the perfect size to hold the small and intimate wedding that I dreamed about. And best of all, it’s air-conditioned! This was the deciding factor for us because our wedding will be held in April, which is one of the HOTTEST months. We wanted our guests to be cool and comfortable during the ceremony despite the stifling heat so an air-conditioned church is definitely a must.
However, I was dismayed over their wedding rates. Their current rate of P25,000 is already over our budget, so what more if it's P30,000? Their rates are only applicable for the year the wedding will be held so even though I'd pay the reservation fee this year, I wouldn't be able to lock the price. Right now, I'm still thinking whether it's worth paying more than half of our alloted budget for the church, but the lure of using air-conditioners on a hot summer day is sorely tempting.
SANTUARIO DE SAN JOSE
Buffalo cor. Duke Streets, East Greenhills, San Juan
725-2044 / 721-3842
yeah, a very steep price for an hour ceremony that's why h2b opted for mt. carmel. sabi ko mainit kaya pag summer which he replied "is it warmer than bangladesh? and besides it's only for an hour, and the fee of mt. carmel is half of SSJ"
ReplyDeleteoo nga, sabi ni h2b rin okay lang sa kanya ang walang aircon but mas pawisin pa kasi siya kesa sa akin. plus, madali rin mahilo mom ko pag mainit so better kung may aircon talaga. But, sobrang namamahalan talaga ako sa 30K. Wala man lang price lock. Huhu. :(
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