The Manila Cathedral

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pencil reservation?

Please contact Ms. Donna Santos at 5273093 for more information.

Effective December 2016 all reservations will be done online. No pencil reservation will be entertained at the Manila Cathedral office.

When do we need to pay the reservation fee and the full payment?

The reservation fee should be given within two weeks after attending the wedding orientation. This serves as confirmation of your wedding date. The full payment should be paid at least two months before the wedding.

Why do we need to attend the wedding orientation?

This is very important and helpful for the couple preparing for their wedding. During the wedding orientation, our staff will not only explain to you the rules and policies of the Manila Cathedral, but also, they will give you a checklist of the requirements that you need to gather and the time frame of their submission.

Can we pay the reservation fee even before we attend the wedding orientation?

Our office will only accept the reservation fee after the couple has attended the orientation, and has personally signed the conforme stating that they agree with the rules and policies of the Manila Cathedral.

How can we pay the reservation fee and other fees needed?

Payments can be made in our office, Online Banking or Over-the-counter Bills Payment transactions.
For Payment Assistance please refer to this page. How To Pay

What if one party is a foreigner or holds a foreign citizenship? What requirements do we need to prepare?

If one party is a foreign citizen, the couple will be asked to proceed to the Archdiocese of Manila Chancery Office, located just right across the Manila Cathedral. The Chancery Office is the department responsible for official documents within the Archdiocese. They will help you facilitate important requirements for this particular case.

What if one party holds a dual citizenship?

Persons who have dual citizenship will also be asked to proceed to the Chancery Office for proper assistance with regard required documents.

What if one party is not Catholic? Can we still celebrate our wedding at the Manila Cathedral?

Yes, as long as one party is Catholic. The marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian (e.g. Baptist, Methodist, Seventh - day Adventist, etc.) is called mixed marriage. The marriage between a Catholic and a non-Christian (e.g. Buddhist, Hindu, etc.) is called disparity of cult. There are specific rules and guidelines governing these types of marriage.

How about Filipinos who are working abroad, or are now living abroad, who have very limited time to come home and prepare for their wedding?

We understand the situation of those who are working or living abroad. However, they need to have their wedding interview here at the Manila Cathedral at least ONE MONTH before their wedding day.

Why do we still need to submit a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) even if we are already civilly married with a legal civil marriage certificate?

The CENOMAR validates for us if the details entered in the civil marriage certificate are accurate. This protective measure aims to correct any discrepancies in the document if there are any.

Why do we need to report our marriage which happened abroad?

Marriages of Filipino citizens which happened abroad should be reported to ensure that the embassy/consulate where the wedding happened is properly registered to the NSO.

Is it better to have civil wedding first before church wedding?

In our Catholic faith, marriage is a Sacrament from God. Therefore, the Sacrament of Matrimony should be celebrated according to the teachings of the Church. There are also no convincing reasons why having a civil marriage first is “practical,” since you will also prepare the same requirements.

Why can’t we hire our own florist to arrange flowers for our wedding?

The Manila Cathedral only allows its in-house florist to do floral arrangements for weddings. This is to make sure that you will have a proper and decent flower arrangement. This is also a practical measure to ensure a smooth flow of wedding ceremonies, especially when there are consecutive schedules of weddings.

If we are civilly married, do we then consider our church wedding as renewal of vows only?

No. In our Catholic faith, the only valid marriage is marriage done in the church, that is, the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

What is the maximum number of Sponsors (Godparents or Witnesses) in our wedding?

You may have a maximum number of eight pairs of Sponsors for your wedding. This practical measure is to ensure that you will not exceed the allotted time for the wedding ceremonies and picture taking.

Do you allow cross-dressing during the wedding ceremonies?

You are entering a church wedding, and basic courtesy tells us to respect proper decorum in church. The Manila Cathedral, as a Catholic church, adheres to the teachings of the Catholic faith regarding the difference and complementarity of man and woman, and the proper attire for a man and a woman reflects this. Therefore, the members of the wedding entourage are to be dressed appropriately.

Are there any dress codes for the members of the wedding entourage?

A church wedding is a holy and a solemn event. Everyone should remember that the celebration is done in the presence of Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, everyone should observe appropriate and decent attire. It is also important to remind your visitors and guests to observe proper conduct inside the church. Chatting, eating, and rowdy behavior are strictly discouraged.

Can we recite personal vows during the wedding ceremonies?

In the Wedding Rite, the couple will be answering questions that would declare to everyone their consent and promise of love and faithfulness. This is the official wedding vow that is made in front of God and the Church. Other personally made and crafted vows can be made during the reception.

Why is the Manila Cathedral still open to the public even during wedding ceremonies?

The Manila Cathedral is a historical and important church in the country, which makes devotees as well as tourists flock to the cathedral everyday. Therefore we cannot close it to visitors during wedding ceremonies. Rest assured though that our security and staffs are there to control the crowd and make sure that they would not disrupt the celebration.

Can we bring our own priest to officiate the wedding for us? Is there an additional payment for this?

You can bring a priest to officiate your wedding. Just make sure to inform our office in advance to facilitate the requirements needed. There is no additional payment for this.

Why does a wedding in the Manila Cathedral cost more compared to other churches?

The Manila Cathedral is a huge church. During a wedding ceremony, the new and big air-conditioning system needs to run full blast in order to cool the whole church. All the LED lighting system is also turned on to fill the whole church. This amount of electricity consumption would cost a lot. Plus the package offered by the Cathedral is inclusive of the laying of red carpet, the pipe organist and a soloist, a simple flower arrangement, the lector and commentator, the altar servers, the stipend for the priest, plus the staffs that make sure you will have a solemn and beautiful wedding celebration at the Mother Church of the whole Philippines.