Historic, picturesque, classically romantic. These are, perhaps, some of the best words to describe San Agustin Church. These are also the same reasons why this all-stone, neoclassical-baroque church is one of the most popular venues for weddings in Manila.
Situated at the heart of Intramuros, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture (or simply known as San Agustin Church) is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, having been built in 1607 using adobe and lime mortar that were quarried from local mines.
But the stones are not the only enduring factor of this church. In its crypts lie the remains of several notable historical figures, such as Spanish conquistadores Miguel López de Legazpi, Juan de Salcedo, and Guido de Lavezaris; artists Juan Luna and Francisco Alonso Liongson; public figures Benito Natividad and Teodoro Agoncillo; Blessed Pedro Zuñiga; and journalist Chit Estella.
During the Second World War, San Agustin became a concentration camp where hundreds were kept as prisoners by the occupying Japanese forces. As fate would have it, the church, although damaged, retained much of its original structure. Since then, it has undergone numerous restorations. In 1993, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, together with Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Santa Maria Church in Ilocos Sur, and Miag-ao Church in Iloilo.
San Agustin Church has since become iconic—and not just as a piece of history but also as a favorite wedding location for many. Over the years, San Agustin Church has been a famous choice for Catholic weddings. According to San Agustin’s parish office, the extant records of weddings held at the church dates back only to 1945—presumably due to the destruction of the monastery that used to be beside the church, where it was possible that the records were kept.
A quick online search will reveal, however, just how frequent weddings have been held at San Agustin. Even celebrities have been married in this church. Among the more recent of these weddings was that of Dominique Cojauangco (the daughter of Gretchen Barretto) to Michael Hearn in 2023. Celebrity make-up artist Anthea Bueno and Kenneth Tangonan also tied the knot at San Agustin Church.
Perhaps one of the reasons that make San Agustin Church such an ideal wedding venue is its aisle. Walking down the aisle inside this church can feel equally bold and romantic, at the same time imbuing that singular moment with a sense of awe owing to the very grandeur of its interior architecture.
Love is in the details, especially more so during a milestone as special as one’s wedding day. And with San Agustin Church, the beauty is indeed in the details—with a grand central nave topped by a barrel vault, one of the few buildings in the Philippines made with true barrel vaulting, according to the National Museum’s official page dedicated to San Agustin Church. The 14 chapels—seven on each side—that complete its inner structure add to its magnificence, as it is one of the church’s unique features. Lastly, its beautiful chandeliers, finely detailed trompe l'oeil ceiling paintings, and grand retablo can make a march down its aisle truly an experience to remember. It is not, therefore, surprising that San Agustin Church is on the top choices for wedding venues in the Philippines.