Why Our Lady of Abandoned Church?

Why did we finally book Our Lady of Abandoned Church? I have told in my previous post Exploring for the Perfect Wedding Church that I have reservations on booking OLA even if it passes our criteria for a perfect wedding church. I still wanted to convince myself that OLA is really the church for us.  So what have convinced me to finally choose OLA?

Last February 2, my younger brother and I had an ocular visits on possible church and reception venue around Pasig. The soon to be ex-boyfriend have a company outing plus we are not in good terms so he will not be able to join me. Even if we are already 85% decided that we will be booking Our Lady of Abandoned church and Kapitan Moy, I wanted to convince myself that we are making the right decision. If a company needs three or more bidders before they get a supplier then ideally for our wedding we have to compare three possible ceremony venue.


First stop - Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish at C. Raymundo Ave. corner Mercedes Ave., Caniogan, Pasig City which is considered the tallest church in the Philippines.

The 57-meter high church in Caniogan, Pasig City

The soon to be bride in Sta. Clara stairwell

My supportive younger brother during the ocular visits

Sta.Clara de Montefalco's long aisle

Criteria 1: Within our hometown - Checked! 

Criteria 2: Near the reception venue  - The Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish Function Hall is currently not open for holding events. 

Criteria 3: Ample parking space - Checked!

The Parish have two packages rates: Package A Php10,000 includes Wedding Rites with the Holy Mass, Red Carpet, Electrical Consumption, Choir/Soloist and Instrumentalists, Ushers/Usherettes/Lectors, and Car Park; Package B Php3,500 only includes Wedding Rites with the Holy Mass and Car Park. The rates were less expensive than what I have thought but OLA still stands to be more affordable.

The church boast to be the tallest edifice in the Philippines, it is a sought-after wedding venue in Pasig, and have a very beautiful interior but there's just no "This is it" feeling. I have also read from their Wedding Guidelines that the Parish Office will not accept the applicants' reservation fee if the required documents are yet to be completed. Aside from this you have to pass the canonical interview before you can reserve a date. This will cause a lot of stress and hassle on our part because we will not be able to finalize other wedding lists as well. 

Second stop - Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Plaza Rizal, Brgy. Malinao, Pasig City which had a electronic chromatically-tuned carillon bell and a very long aisle which can make the bridal march more dramatic.

Pasig Cathedral is comparable to beautiful cathedrals in Manila

Outside the Pasig Cathedral

Vendors just in front of the church' door

Criteria 1: Within our hometown - Checked! 

Criteria 2: Near the reception venue  - There is a reception hall inside the vicinity but according to my cousin it can hold only 150 guests 

Criteria 3: Ample parking space - The church have a provision for parking space but there might be a problem on its availability because there were many establishments near the church vicinity.

We were not able to inquire the rates and wedding guidelines of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral because it was already closed when we got in the place. But when I again saw the number of vendors outside the church, I have already decided not to pursue the inquiry with regards to rates and guidelines the following day. I love our Cathedral but since it is in the middle of a busy area and there are a handful establishments near the church vicinity, it can be too crowded during the ceremony.

I am hundred percent convinced, we will get married at Our Lady of Abandoned Church, Marikina City.