Yes it is normal
The trips and all
But you both could have save a lot of trips and time if you just ordered your NSO Online
And marriage certificate Online took me two weeks only.
As for marriage license, ten days is normal process. All our papers were complete before he arrived for our wedding, the only thing that was lacking was the Capacity to Marry but right after he arrived
Met my husband three years ago, and then with that period, he made a couple of trips, nothing is inexpensive in long distance relationship
Finally after two years of knowing each other, we got married and then he petitioned me. I applied last May 18 and after 3 months, got DM and now my visa is on hand
Our case is pretty straightforward. The only thing I was worried when we passed our application is that we cannot show them chat logs between 2008-2010. And we do not have phone bills as proof, we never used postpaid plan to call each other
Good luck on your application and cheers
Manila is fast with their response. The only thing is that for Sponsor approval, it already takes 60 days, unlike in our time, it was only 30 days.
Again, good luck and congratulations on your new marriage
Cheers!!!!