Operation: Church | Our Lady of Mt Carmel Shrine, New Manila

Kudos to MOH aka Sis Jv for taking this pic

Our Lady of Mt Carmel Shrine in New Manila was one of our first choices. Most couples in Quezon City would include this church in their lists. Mt Carmel is simply one of the romantic and sought-after churches for weddings in Quezon City, probably because of its architecture, location, ornate altar and big glass windows.

Last year, Kiko, JayVee and I went to Mt Carmel right after one of Hizon's Grandfoodtasting events in Oasis Gallery, which was about two blocks away from the church. We thought of hearing mass there when we saw its facade from Oasis' Gallery. Kiko, at the time, was somehow decided to book the Oasis-Hizon's Package, more than a year early Cosa Nostra. So, our last deciding factor was Mt Carmel's availability on our date.


We walked up to Mt Carmel from Oasis, since it was still early for the next afternoon mass. Their "courtyard" aka parking lot was peaceful. It felt like the church was on top of a hill (i guess it really is, not really good in history and geography). When we got there, the parish office was still closed, but we there was a function in Fr Horan Hall, so we thought we should check out the place.

Fr. Horan Hall is a multi-purpose hall at the back of the church, just right beside the parish office and near the crypt. It has its driveway, so I guess that is a convenience. The hall is air-conditioned and may be rented in half (approximate capacity is 100-150) if you are having an intimate wedding, or the whole hall for big events (can accommodate about 300 guests).The walls and windows are already draped, so I guess, it would only a few styling if you want a chic dress up. The chandelier also looks nice and elegant. I am, personally, not into walled and closed venues and halls, so Fr Horan Hall wont be on our list.

Taken on Popsie's wedding, 8 sept 2010

Then we inquired at the parish office. It was a good thing that they are still open on our date. We asked about the rates, and they were lower than what we expected. They also have a wedding package. After our inquiry, we did an ocular, just right in time before the 4pm mass.

Since it has been more than half a year when we made that inquiry, I thought of checking their website for thir updated rates:

Image borrowed from Blissful Weddings

Church Rate: 15K Php, (that was when we inquired)
Includes:
              •  Use of Church facilities
              •  Flowers
              •  Red carpet
              •  Officiating priest
Other charges/fees:
              •  Tulle rent (I think it was 400Php)

              •  Choir (the Choir is not part of the package when you book the church alone, who will need to hire for a different rate, or penalised with a certain fee if you're bringing your own choir/music for the ceremony)

              •  Overtime

Complete Wedding Package: Starts at 170K Php*, 150pax
Includes:
              •  100 pcs invitations

              •  Catering services by ALBOES, DXC's, Lina Vita, Hizon's, Eloquente, or Tamayo's

              •  Photo/Video Coverage by Villamin Ultravision Digital Photography
              •  Flowers for the church and the bridal party
              •  Use of Church facilities 
              •  Use of Fr Horan Hall
              •  Tiffany chairs
              •  Airconditioned function hall
              •  Sound System
              •  Stage for the couple
              •  Fruit basket and wine for offertory

* Due to increased costs, Lina Vitan, Hizon's and Eloquente Catering costs an additional 15,000 for a total of 185,000, Tammayo's Catering costs an additional 25,000 for a total of 195,000.
* December Weddings will be charged an additional 10,000.

Pros: Very nice altar; long aisle; classic, romantic and elegant feel for the ceremony;  artistic stained glass windows; has complete wedding package; relatively affordable rate vs other churches of popular choice; accessibility and most guests may be familiar

Cons: lots of add-on fees, whenever you need/want to do something else (such as having your own choir or music to sing on your ceremony, tulle not yet included in the package); very strict policies (such as no party-poppers, no top view, which I'm not sure if they would just charge you another fee if you pop some poppers or use the loft for p/v)

Verdict: Well, we thought this was our "this is it" church, but after attending a friend's wedding a few weeks after we inquires (story to be posted next), and hearing some not-so-good stories from other soon-to-be's, we thought of letting this go, and go to our plan B - Makati!

Just visit their website for more information on their packages, and their gallery.

c",)