Filipino Wedding Traditions

Filipinos still observe many widespread public belief that there is no scientific or logical basis but maybe backed up by some past experiences (yet can be dismissed as mere coincidence). Below are just a few that concerns weddings. Some are still practiced today primarily because of "There's nothing to lose if we comply" attitude while others are totally ignored for it seemed downright ridiculous.

Brides should not try on her wedding dress before the wedding day or wedding will not push through. Knives and other sharp and pointed objects are said to be a bad choice for wedding gifts for this will lead to a broken marriage.

Give arinola (chamberpot) as a wedding gift is believed to bring good luck to newlyweds. Altar-bound couples casualties suffered, and therefore must avoid long drives or traveling before their wedding day for safety.

The groom who sits in front of his bride during the wedding will be a henpecked husband. If it rains during the wedding, it means prosperity and happiness for the newlyweds.

- A flame extinguished on one of the wedding candles means on which side has unenlightened light will die before the other.

Throwing rice confetti at the newlyweds will bring prosperity throughout their lives.

The groom must arrive before the bride in the church to avoid accidents.

It is considered an accident for two siblings to marry the same year.

Breaking something during the day brings good luck to the newlyweds.

The bride should step on the groom's foot while walking towards the altar if she wants him to agree to her every whim.

The bride, wearing pearls on her wedding will be an unhappy wife experiencing many heartaches and tears.

An unmarried woman who follows the footsteps (literally) of the newlyweds will marry soon.

Dropping the wedding ring, blurred or arrhae during the ceremony spells unhappiness for the couple.

In early Filipino custom, threw the bridegroom-to-be his spear on the stairs of his intended home, a sign that she has been talked about. These days, a ring just as a symbol of commitment.

The Engagement

After the couple has decided to marry, the first order of business is pamanhikan where the groom and his parents visit the bride's family to ask for her hand in marriage. Wedding plans are often at this time, including a discussion of the budget and guest list. Do not be surprised if the groom-to-be expected to run some errands or help around the bride's house. This tradition is called paninilbihan which suitor is serving at his future wife's family to get their approval.

The Wedding Clothes

The white wedding dress has become popular over the last hundred years or so of U.S. influence in the Philippines. Before that, brides had their best dress in a festive color or even stylish black, to celebrate a wedding. Orange flower bouquets and jewelry was a must during the turn of the last century. For men, the Barong Tagalog traditional Filipino formal wear.

It is a cool, almost transparent, embroidered shirt, made from silky pina or jusi, two native ecru substances. It is worn untucked, over black trousers with a white t-shirt below. These days, a Filipino groom might wear the traditional black tux, but Filipino male wedding guests will usually show up in their finest Barong.

Ceremony

In pre-colonial times, lasted a wedding ceremony three days. On the first day, was the bride and groom came to the house of a priest or Babaylan who joined their hands over a plate of raw rice and blessed the couple. On the third day, stuck pastor chests of both bride and groom and drew a little blood. Joining their hands, they declared their love for each other three times. The priest then fed them cooked rice from the same plate and gave them a drink at some of their blood mixed with water. Binding their hands and neck with a cord, he declared them married. The majority of Filipino weddings are now Catholic weddings, but some native traditions remain. Most have special "sponsors" who act as witnesses to the marriage. The principal sponsors could be godparents, counselors, a favorite uncle and aunt, even a parent. Secondary sponsors handle special parts of the ceremony, such as candles, cord and veil ceremonies. Candle sponsors light two candles, which the bride and groom use to light a single light to symbolize the joining of two families, and activate light of Christ in their marriage. Veil sponsors place a white veil over the bride's head and the groom's shoulders, a symbol of two people clothed as one. Cord sponsors drape the yugal (a decorative silk cord) in a figure-eight shape - to symbolize everlasting fidelity - over the shoulders of the bride and groom. The groom gives the bride 13 coins, or arrhae, blessed by the priest as a sign of his dedication to his wife's wellbeing and welfare of their future children.

The Food

The Filipino wedding feast is extensive. A feast is celebrated at the turn of last century involved these foods: First was served cold vermicelli soup. The soup was followed by the meat of unlimited quantity - boiled goat, chicken minced with garlic, boiled ham, stuffed capon, roast pork and several kinds of fish. There were no salads, but plenty of relishes, including red peppers, olives, green mango pickles and crystallized fruits. For dessert, there were meringues, baked custard flan, coconut macaroons and sweetened seeds of Nipa plant.