From barongs to bridal gowns, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is helping Filipino wedding dreams come true—not just for couples, but also for the small businesses that make them happen.
Held from June 27 to 29 at SM Aura, the DTI’s first-ever wedding fair brought together 80 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from all over the country, showcasing local talent in fashion, catering, accessories, and event styling. All booths were provided free of charge—an initiative from the Trade department aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in an industry that has long been overlooked.
“This is the first time we’re doing a wedding-themed fair. We’ve supported food, furniture, and weaving industries, but never really the wedding industry. And yet, it’s a growing market that employs many Filipinos,” said DTI Secretary Cristina Roque.
Roque stressed the importance of weddings in Filipino culture, especially in a predominantly Catholic country.
“Getting married is still a big part of our lives. And when we get married, we want to wear something beautiful—whether it’s a gown, a barong, or even formal wear for other occasions. That’s where these MSMEs come in,” she continued.
The event featured 80 MSMEs from all 18 regions, offering a range of products for every budget, from mid-range bridal outfits to custom-made invitations and locally made jewelry.
“We want to highlight the middle market. Not everyone can afford designer gowns, and not everyone wants to go to Divisoria. This fair gives options to those in between,” added Roque.
Aside from supporting wedding-related businesses, the event also marked the official launch of the P1-billion Women Enterprise Fund, a loan facility for women-led or women-owned businesses. Applicants can borrow P10,000 up to P20 million, with no collateral required for loans below P1 million and a one-year grace period on payments.
“This fund is already live. Entrepreneurs can go to sbcorp.gov.ph and apply. I was a woman entrepreneur myself. I had a dream, and I worked hard for it. That’s why I want other women to know: there’s help available,” the Trade secretary shared.
The DTI is also preparing to roll out more industry-specific fairs nationwide, including in the provinces.
“This is just the beginning. We want to reach out to more sectors and bring opportunities closer to the communities,” she said.
Upcoming trade events will include beauty, wellness, crafts, and regional food sectors, along with government-backed programs to link MSMEs to retailers and wholesale buyers as part of a larger strategy to expand DTI’s trade fair offerings across more industries and regions.
“We’re not stopping here. Next month, we’ll have another fair. We’re looking at beauty, wellness, even digital services. We want people to see how much Filipino talent is out there,” Roque continued.
“There’s so much talent in the Philippines. But talent is not enough without exposure. That’s what these fairs are for—to open doors,” she stated.
