I was married almost 23 years ago. At the time I was engaged, my boyfriend of seven years was still studying at the College of Law. His parents offered to pay the wedding expenses but at a budget of 30,000 pesos. At that time, 30,000 pesos was the equivalent of $1,500. Even at today’s prices, that is like 63,000 pesos. (I heard bridal gowns of today can cost as much as 30,000 pesos) Naturally, I had to find ways to keep the cost down. I found a local seamstress who could do embroidery through the sewing machine. She showed me some designs in a US bridal magazine. I chose a Victorian look with a cathedral sweep at the back. The cost of the bridal gown was only 3,000 pesos.
wedding gown

Together with my peach-themed bridal entourage, the total cost for the gowns was only 5,000 pesos.


bridal entourage

I’ve always been a practical person. I know that I’d only wear this dress for a day. The most important element in my bridal gown’s design was the bodice and the back portion because those were the most photographed parts. As I browsed through my wedding album, I was right all along. I can barely notice the embroidery on the front gown.

I never fitted my gown. I asked my younger sister who was almost my size to fit it for me. She looked radiant in it just as I imagined myself to be.

As I walked the aisle on May 5, 2005, my husband-to-be was waiting for me by the altar. Standing by me at the altar, he uttered “I love you”. He was overwhelmed with love as he saw me walking down the aisle.

Those are my treasured memories of my wedding day, the day when we vowed to love each other for better or for worse.

Today, we continue to live in that promise “Till death do us part”. My bridal gown is a memento of that promise.

We’d love for you to share your wedding planning experiences with us. Our Wedding Day Memories category contains stories of how women made their fairy-tale weddings come true despite being on a limited budget, or what they did to find the perfect wedding gown. Even those who are single can contribute to the section by telling us all about your Dream Bridal Gown.

If you would like your story to be featured in our blog, send a digital photo of your wedding gown and story to noemidado@gmail.com