Divisoria: Haven of cheap wedding gowns
Prior to her stroke, my mom had been a rabid shopper. She wasn’t a spend-thrift, mind you. She was smart. She bought our clothes and what-have-you’s in Divisoria at really low prices. I guess that’s why I always think that if you need to get something cheap, you can get it at Divisoria.
Nothing changed when I was searching for the perfect gown. Although some of my high society relatives insisted on it, I didn’t really see the need for having a designer gown. Besides, my budget couldn’t afford it.
Being the artist that I am, you really couldn’t help but want to have your entourage’s gowns be color-coordinated—and the same. My husband-to-be and I at that time didn’t have much to spend with. I was about to accept the fact that my entourage’s gowns will probably just be similarly colored (but not uniformed), until an aunt reminded me of the gowns in Divisoria.
I totally forgot about it. You see, there’s this one-floor building (the Yangco building, to be more specific) beside Ilaya Street in Divisoria that’s so saturated with wedding and debut gowns, you’d think you’ve died and gone to gown heaven. Each booth is lined with the prettiest gowns. And read this: the gowns can go as cheap as P1,000.
You can get this RTW gown from FNB Boutique (in Pasillo V-II of the Yangco Building), at around P3,000 (not sure though, but I do recall it’s not more than Php5,000). Pretty, isn’t it? How’s that for a $60 wedding gown?
The trick in getting the best deal in Divisoria is knowing how to haggle. I’ve tried to canvass for the best price, but they’re basically the same (not surprising, since these stores probably have a standard price). But if you get lucky (like we did), you’d get a dressmaker willing to lower the price for you. However, in order to do that, you have to “buy in bulk.” Meaning, the entire entourage.
Nice, don’t you think? Even the guys’ Barong Tagalog are aqua blue. It was quite a sight seeing them go marching down the aisle.
For about P35,000 (around $700), I was able to get these custom-made: blue Barongs for my hubby’s bestman and groomsmen, a child’s blue Barong for my ring and coin bearer, gowns for all three of the women secondary sponsors, gowns for my maid-of-honor, bridesmaids, junior bridesmaids and flower girls, as well as the Barong for my dad and the motif gowns for my mom and my mother-in-law. Oh, don’t forget my husband’s Barong Tagalog made of finest piña, and my elaborate cut-work wedding gown with an intricate beadwork. Hard to believe we spent less than a thousand dollars for all these? Well, believe it. That’s Divisoria fashion for you, baby.
Oddly enough, I could have gotten it cheaper. If I opted for the ready-to-wear wedding gown (I’m too scientific to take the pamahiin of getting bad luck if you try on your bridal gown before the wedding day seriously), I probably wouldn’t have spent more than $500 for the entire thing. But I wanted it prettier. And made use of my own designs.
I printed out a photo of my dream gown (which I got from the Net), and have FNB Boutique copy it. Not exactly though, I wanted it to have a Filipiniana touch. I did the same thing for the women in my entourage, but I modified the samples a bit in Photoshop so the printout will look exactly as I pictured them. They’re not designer gowns, but hey, they’re pretty and cheap anyway.
If you want to get in touch with the couturier who made my entourage’s formal wear, you can try FNB Boutique. Look for Nita Blanco (she’s the owner). You can reach her at 309-31-82. You can also talk to one of her assistants, Rona (she’s the one who took care of my account), through mobile 0921-975-42-34. Just tell her you got their info from one of their clients (Gail Dela Cruz-Villanueva), and she might actually give you a better deal.
Posted in Budget weddings, Jewelry & Apparel, Pre-wedding, Styling Guide, Wedding Essentials
27 Comments
Hi Gail,
Thanks for the tips. Php35K for the entire entourage?! Wow, that’s awesome. I just know people will say go to Divisoria for gowns but they don’t tell you where. For someone who is not from Manila, I wouldn’t be able to know exactly where.
@Tina: No problem! Yup, P35k. I think it’s kind of a usual thing to assume that when you say Divisoria, it’s already a “given” that you’ll be spending the whole day shopping everywhere there—eventually you’d end up seeing the gowns building. Hehe.
Thank u for the great article for sure it will be of help to all the women who wanted to become a bride and to all men who wished to become a groom too.
It would also be best if you prepare yourself to be relax and be more beautiful.
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Hi there. I was just curious if they have a website. I am in the US and my wedding is planned for next year with limited budget. I think it’s a good idea to order from Divi but then it will be really hard for me to coordinate this. Unless, they have a website where I can browse their gowns and barongs.
Wow, I too wish a cheap dress, I need to dress 35 people in Barongs and Gowns, this is the best place! Thank you for this tip!
@Baloy: I asked, but unfortunately, they don’t have websites
@vanessa: You’re welcome. I’m sure you can find great gowns at low prices in Divi. Goodluck!
Hi thanks for the info regarding the gown, church and wedding ring. Can i ask something else…? I intend to get married at St. Ignatius too, where is the most ideal and economical site where I can have my wedding reception? I already inquired at the aguinaldo country club but they dont accomodate outside caterers..hope you can help me with this..thanks!
@janet: you can try Acropolis Greens clubhouse. They have a gate right infront of Eastwood City. That’s where we had ours.
Wow. Thanks for the tips. This is realy helpful while I am searching and canvassing for our budget.
@jem: you’re welcome
hi gail! thanks for the tip. it’s such indeed a big help for us - brides to be. hehe.. m planning to get married next year. i had my groom to be for 11years now. m really looking for a low budgeted weddings like this.
hi! this is really helpful for people who wants to get married that has a tight budget.how much was your whole expenses for the wedding?just to give us some idea on what budget to set.
want to know where ur shop is and how much do wedding dress start from thx
mga gaga pang debut wala!
Hi Gail! Thanks for the tip. We went to Divisoria today to canvass th cost of gowns for the whole entourage. We got quotations ranging from 18K to 30K for 30 pax. 4 grooms men, 1 maid of honor, 3 secondary sponsor, 2 gowns for moms, 2 set of pants and barong for dads, 3 dress for flower girls, 3 set ofbarong and pants for the ring, coin and bible bearer, pina jusi barong for the groom, duchess ssatin. bridal satin and organza for me.We havent decided yet which one are we going to avail..but for sure we need to decide before October 28. I’ll check the venue you suggested. Thanks a lot!
@Janet: no problem!
Hi Gail! tnx for the VERY helpful tips here. really?! even barongs could follow the motif color?! wow.. BUT the prob is… how can they (people in entourage) be measured accdg to their sizes? especially women & children? is it a personal visit of couturier ??? thanks
@alex: Yup. What we did was hold a “fitting” session in our home with our entourage. Those who couldn’t make it would just have to go to the Divisoria stall themselves. Everyone was able to make it anyway
But there’s a fee I think (I think it was around P300, depending on how far your house is from their shop).
Hello Gail! You’re an angel!! My husband and I are planning to have a church wedding (since we only got married in a local court here in Alaska). And we are actually planning to do it on April of next year since we are going on vacation in our hometown. We honestly dont want to spend too much, that’s why I was really glad when I found your site. Anyway, we are actually living in US and our hometown is in Olongapo city. Do you think I can give Nita or Rona a call to work something out while we are here or we need to be there to start? And also since we’re from Olongapo, do we need to bring our whole entourage in there boutique for the fitting? And how long will it take for them to finish all the gowns and barongs? And lastly =) , that 35k is that for rental or you keep the gown???? Maraming Salamat…
hi gail, thanks for the tip! i was just planning on buying my gown and not the whole entourage because of limited budget. Thanks!
Hi, I was just searching on the web for barongs for my wedding and came across yours. The wedding party look great and the price was great to. Now, I’m from california, how can I can get a hold of them, are the numbers you left complete to call from the US? If I call, would they be able to speak English? Please let me know. Thanks!
YUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!
Im sorry i cant help myself, but Divi gowns are so… ehew. Its not pretty at all, & it all looked cheap!!!! Oh yeah, i forgot. It is cheap. I wont let any of my entourage wear such dresses! YUCK!!!
[...] plastic bunch of these bands. I think these hair rubber bands will cost even cheaper if bought at Divisoria, but I didn’t really have time to go there anymore. A little bunch of rubber bands just [...]
[...] plastic bunch of these bands. I think these hair rubber bands will cost even cheaper if bought at Divisoria, but I didn’t really have time to go there anymore. A little bunch of rubber bands just [...]
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i love the colors u choose for the wedding & your wedding dress is so cutie i luv it
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