DTI Wedding Fair generates PHP141 million in sales

The Department of Trade and Industry generated PHP141 million in combined cash, booked, and under-negotiation sales during the second DTI-Bagong Pilipinas Wedding Fair at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premier.

The three-day event, organized by the Competitiveness and Innovation Group, brought together 107 local micro, small, and medium enterprises, highlighting the growing economic impact of local vendors in the bridal and events industry.

Born from the shared vision of Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista to help small businesses scale into larger markets, this year’s fair welcomed 27 first-time vendors.

The expansion builds on the success of the inaugural fair, which featured 80 MSMEs and generated PHP113 million in sales.

The fair provided engaged couples and visitors with a comprehensive one-stop shop for unique and sustainable wedding needs, combining traditional offerings such as wedding gowns, jewelry, catering, and photography with modern trends, including interactive “glambot” video booths.

Roque said the fair serves as a launchpad for small businesses to expand their reach and connect with major corporate buyers, noting that the initiative aims to elevate local businesses and celebrate the Filipino craftsmanship driving the wedding sector.

For Maw Maridul, founder of the home decor and fashion brand Malingkat Weaves, the fair offered invaluable exposure.

Maridul, whose brand uses handwoven Mindanao fabrics and has benefited from DTI business mentorship programs, said trade fairs provide access to retail customers, as well as corporate and institutional clients.

The event also drew high-profile visitors, including actress Thea Tolentino, who is planning her own wedding.

Tolentino praised the event’s emphasis on Filipino-made products, saying she discovered several unique local suppliers for bridal party gifts that she had not known before.

For everyday wedding shoppers, the fair offered a personalized approach to event planning.

Attendees Marvein Manucum and Blanca Duadua browsed the floor for custom, meaningful details, saying they were specifically looking for a traditional Filipiniana wedding gown and personalized wooden souvenirs.

To boost the digital presence of local vendors, the fair featured dedicated e-commerce pavilions.

Visitors and suppliers explored the DTI One Services Booth, which featured the B2B Marketplace, Tatak Pinoy Council Secretariat, Malikhaing Pinoy, E-Commerce Bureau, Supply Chain and Logistics Group, and Bureau of Import Services.

Through the booth, small businesses could register for free online platforms to connect with wholesale buyers and learn more about other DTI programs and services tailored to MSMEs.

These digital initiatives and the overall execution of the event were made possible through the coordinated efforts of the Bureau of Market Development, Promotions and OTOP, in collaboration with the Export Marketing Bureau and the DTI regional and provincial offices.