Filipino weddings are rich in time-honored traditions that many modern brides and grooms still observe until now. Being predominantly Catholic, Filipinos still stay true to their roots although times may have changed. They practice wedding customs before, during, and after the wedding. These include family involvement in the preparations and conscious adherence to wedding programs.
Couples almost always include Filipino traditions in their wedding which make it more special and memorable. So if you are currently planning for your big altar date, here are some of the well-known wedding traditions in the Philippines that you can incorporate into your special day.
8 Famous Filipino Wedding Traditions
1. Pamamanhikan
This is considered the first official step among the wedding traditions in the Philippines. This is the engaged couple’s way of honoring and asking for their parents’ blessings on their upcoming marriage. It happens months or weeks before the wedding. The family of the groom visits the house of the bride although in recent years the pamamanhikan is sometimes done in restaurants or other public venues. The couple’s families meet each other to discuss wedding plans.
2. Despedida De Soltera
Despedida de Soltera means ‘farewell to singlehood’ in Spanish. This is also called a bridal shower for the bride or a bachelor/stag party for the groom. It is one of the wedding traditions in the Philippines that are usually prepared by the friends of the couple before the wedding. The bridal shower is exclusive to the ladies. Guests enjoy eating delicious food and playing fun adult games during a bridal shower.
The stag/bachelor party is an all-male party that is organized by the best man. The groom’s friends celebrate his ‘last day of freedom’ or ‘last day of being single’ during the party.
3. Draping of Veil and Cord
Secondary sponsors drape a white lace veil over the bride’s head and the groom’s shoulder in Filipino wedding traditions. This symbolizes being clothed as one. A ceremonial cord called a yugal, is later wrapped around the couple in the shape of the number 8 which represents an eternal bond of fidelity. It is also an infinity sign which symbolizes everlasting love. The yugal is usually a silken cord that is woven by the mother of the bride or an enormous rosary. The veil and cord are among the symbols included in wedding traditions in the Philippines. They are placed on the couple during the solemn ceremony.
4. Use of Aras
Aras is also called arrhae. It is a wedding ornament that contains 13 coins inside. This is one of the wedding traditions in the Philippines practiced in the ceremony. The coin bearer holds the aras while marching towards the altar. The priest or officiating minister asks the groom to put the aras on the hands of the bride during the wedding ceremony. This act represents the prosperity of the couple as they become husband and wife. The 13 coins symbolize wealth in their lives for every month of the year and the extra coin is for added blessings for the rest of their lives.
5. The Lighting of the Unity Candle
Two wedding sponsors light a pair of candles on each side of the couple. The bride and groom take each candle and light a unity candle together. This symbolizes their union and their families.
6. Throwing Of Rice Grains
This is among the highly anticipated wedding traditions in the Philippines after the newlyweds’ exit from the church. The guests gather at the exit while holding rice grains which they would throw over the newlyweds as a way of wishing them luck and fortune as husband and wife. Others, like the elders, say that throwing rice grains to the newlyweds would make both fertile so they could have children.
7. Money Dance
If you are thinking about wedding traditions in the Philippines that combine ‘sabitan’ and ‘sayawan’ during the wedding reception, then this is what you refer to as the money dance. The newlyweds perform their first dance as husband and wife. The guests attach paper bills to their clothes while they are dancing. This is a way of giving financial help to the newlyweds to get them started as they build their households.
8. Bouquet Toss
The bouquet toss is one of the much-awaited wedding traditions in the Philippines which happens towards the end of the reception. The bride tosses the bouquet over her shoulders into a group of single women gathered behind her. Whoever catches the bouquet is supposedly the “next” one to walk down the aisle. Although some ladies get competitive in trying to catch the coveted bouquet, some female guests suddenly disappear when it is time for the bouquet toss.
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Wedding traditions in the Philippines are still being practiced by many modern brides and grooms. Getting married in the country is filled with rituals starting from the preparation for the wedding until the reception. Although times may have changed and some couples prefer outdoor venues instead of having a church ceremony, they still ensure to incorporate Filipino wedding traditions to make their union as husband and wife more meaningful. If you are planning to get married, you can follow these famous wedding traditions in the Philippines that can add beauty to your special day.
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