Down Under Visa Logo

 

I have clients who ask me all the time whether they should marry in Australia or marry in the Philippines. Usually in there is the question “Which is better?”, and sometimes “Which way does the Department or Embassy prefer?” for an Australian Partner Visa application from the Philippines.

I’ll tell you right now there is no “better way”, and the Department and the Embassy don’t care where you marry as long as it’s legal. They recognize Filipino marriages, and they recognize Australian marriages as proof of being spouses for Partner Visa applications. There is no “better” place to marry, nor is there a lesser or inferior way or place to marry. Both are legal. They don’t mind. WE don’t mind.

 

A philippines wedding for an Australian Filipina couple who want an Australian partner visa

 

What matters to Down Under Visa?

You and your Filipina fiancée being happy and having the wedding of your dreams! It’s our wish that this be a wonderful day, and that it be your very last wedding of your life!

 

An Australian man marrying in the Philippines

What does it actually mean to marry in the Philippines? And will you be happy with this decision?

This is the only real point, I can assure you. Philippines weddings can make you or break you. It can be a magic day that you will remember the rest of your lives, or it can be a source of great stress and frustration and can lead to fights….which you really don’t need.

 

How long do you need to be in the Philippines for a wedding?

I’ve always said three to four weeks, and if you can’t spare this time you shouldn’t even try! There is a lot to do. We observed Jeremy’s wedding preparation in December 2017 (Jeremy is my son and Down Under Visa’s office manager). It was a busy time! I won’t attempt to cover everything in detail here, but you need:

 

  • Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (NOIM) from the Embassy in Manila
  • Birth certificates
  • CENOMAR’s (Certificates of No Marriage)
  • Marriage License from City Hall
  • Seminar (contraception, avoiding domestic violence, etc) via City Hall
  • Church, priest, pastor, celebrant (whatever your choice is)
  • Venue
  • Often a wedding planner and/or MC at the reception
  • Catering
  • Wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses, clothes for the groom, groomsmen and umpteen other people – rented or made new
  • Makeup people (usually bakla, ie gay men)
  • The opinions and/or input from umpteen relatives and very little input from you

 

Philippines Wedding or not?

  • If you have a sense of humour, a generally laid-back and relaxed approach to most things, and you are happy to go with the spirit of it all?
  • If you don’t mind if the organization is/seems chaotic and illogical?
  • If you are OK with crowds (especially lots of children) and noise?
  • If you’re OK that the preferences of others often overtake what would have been your preferences?

You will probably have a wonderful wedding that you will enjoy almost as much as your wife will.

  • If you are a diligent planner, and insist on plans being rigidly adhered to?
  • If you have firm ideas which you’ve put your foot down about?
  • If you insist on being consulted and informed at every step?
  • If you have been referred to sometimes as a control-freak?

You may have made the wrong choice, and maybe Australia is the right place for your wedding!

I’m really not trying to say one type of person is good or bad. Truth is, I’m probably more of the second type. Ask anyone who works for me! I’m more flexible and more reflective now after eight years living in the Philippines, and I know when to simply back off and say “Tell me when it’s ready!”

And yes, we married in Australia. I definitely would have exploded a few times if we had tried to marry in the Philippines back then. Would have been a few frayed nerves and a few frayed relationships, I’m sure. When it came to Jeremy’s wedding I pretty much stayed in the background, and yes it was a beautiful occasion. Traditional Nuptial Mass at Taal Vista with the Taal Lake and volcano in the background. Beautiful and moving.

So, no right way and no wrong way. Make your choice and do what makes you happy. And remember there are two of you, and one of you is going to be from the Philippines. Different culture and different expectations. Make it memorable, and tell us what you want. We can’t and won’t advise you on your wedding planning, but we WILL manage a really excellent Partner Visa application that will see you both together in Australia as soon as possible. Spend five minutes doing our free online visa assessment form!

 

 

 

 

 

The Australian tourist visa refusal notice
Australian Visas - Down Under Visa Client Reviews 1

5 Comments

  1. Michael Trotter

    Didn’t know Jeremy got married! Congratulations Jeremy and may your married life be most fulfilling and happy. The Taal Lake setting is fantastic. Been there a few times. Great venue and backdrop for a wedding

    Reply
    • Jeff Harvie

      Yes and now the real work of a marriage begins, right Mike? 🙂 Learning to live for each other and to think and act as one. And yes, a beautiful spot.

      Reply
      • Mike Trotter

        Spot on Jeff. Totally agree. That is what we are doing and although therr were a few bumps along the way, the road is much smoother now…

        Reply
  2. Jocelyn

    well,me its ok whatever. the decesion of both party.

    Reply
  3. Jocelyn

    i agree if the decision is here or in australia

    Reply

Questions: Please search our BLOG menu or Visa Knowledge Base

Submit a Comment

NOTE: Please restrict your comments to what's written on this page.

PLEASE NOTE: You may comment on posts, and you may ask general questions about the visa topic. However requests for “how-to?” information on how to lodge visas or how to deal with specific problems will not be answered. Please engage the services of a professional Registered Migration Agent for actual assistance or advice. Thank you.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Questions about visa types we don’t handle, or about countries we don’t apply for visas from, will not be answered, Philippines to Australia visas for couples and families only.

Do you have suggestions for topics you would like to read an article about? Click HERE and we will see what we can do!

 

Navigation

How does it work?

How It Works Image

Search Our Site

Happy Couples

Happy Couples Image

SUCCESS STORIES!

Google Reviews

See All Reviews

Facebook Reviews

Subscribe to our BLOG

philippines-to-australia-ebook-free

Want the latest in Australian Visa information?

SUBSCRIBE to the Down Under Visa BLOG Page

Never miss a single important update!

BONUS EBOOK! “Philippines to Australia – Australian Visas, Frayed Emotions and a Journey You Will Never Forget” by Jeff Harvie RMA

Just want to buy the book? Purchase directly from Amazon by clicking HERE

We never share or sell your data

Migration Law

Registered Migration Agent Details Image

Should you use a Registered Migration Agent or not?

CLICK HERE

MARA CODE OF CONDUCT

Migration Alliance Image

Latest Posts

Useful Links

Overseas Visitor Health Cover?

BUPA overseas visitor health insurance OVHC

Great Relationship Advice

Filipina Wives Image

Australian Visa Q & A

Down Under Visa - Visa Q & A Image