| Filipinos still adhere to numerous widely-held folk | | | | the budget and guest list. Don't be surprised if the |
| beliefs that have no scientific or logical basis but | | | | groom-to-be is expected to run some errands or |
| maybe backed-up by some past experiences (yet | | | | help out around the bride's house. This tradition is |
| can be dismissed as mere coincidence). Below are | | | | called paninilbihan, where the suitor renders service |
| just a few that concerns weddings. Some are still | | | | to his future wife's family to gain their approval. |
| practiced to this day primarily because of 'there's | | | | The Wedding Outfits |
| nothing to lose if we comply' attitude while the | | | | The white wedding dress has become popular in |
| others are totally ignored for it seemed downright | | | | the last hundred years or so with America's |
| ridiculous. | | | | influence in the Philippines. Before that, brides wore |
| Brides shouldn't try on her wedding dress before | | | | their best dress, in a festive color or even stylish |
| the wedding day or the wedding will not push | | | | black, to celebrate a wedding. Orange blossom |
| through. Knives and other sharp and pointed | | | | bouquets and adornments were a must during |
| objects are said to be a bad choice for wedding | | | | the turn of the last century. For men, the barong |
| gifts for this will lead to a broken marriage. | | | | tagalog is the traditional Filipino formal wear. |
| Giving arinola (chamberpot) as wedding gift is | | | | It is a cool, almost transparent, embroidered shirt, |
| believed to bring good luck to newlyweds. | | | | made from silky pina or jusi, two native ecru |
| Altar-bound couples are accident-prone and | | | | fabrics. It is worn untucked, over black pants, |
| therefore must avoid long drives or traveling | | | | with a white t-shirt underneath. These days, a |
| before their wedding day for safety. | | | | Filipino groom might wear the conventional black |
| The groom who sits ahead of his bride during the | | | | tux, but Filipino male wedding guests will usually |
| wedding ceremony will be a henpecked husband. | | | | show up in their finest barongs. |
| If it rains during the wedding, it means prosperity | | | | The Ceremony |
| and happiness for the newlyweds. | | | | In pre-colonial days, a wedding ceremony lasted |
| - A flame extinguished on one of the wedding | | | | three days. On the first day, the bride and groom |
| candles means the one on which side has the unlit | | | | were brought to the house of a priest or |
| candle, will die ahead of the other. | | | | babaylan, who joined their hands over a plate of |
| Throwing rice confetti at the newlyweds will bring | | | | raw rice and blessed the couple. On the third day, |
| them prosperity all their life. | | | | the priest pricked the chests of both bride and |
| The groom must arrive before the bride at the | | | | groom and drew a little blood. Joining their hands, |
| church to avoid bad luck. | | | | they declared their love for each other three |
| It is considered bad luck for two siblings to marry | | | | times. The priest then fed them cooked rice from |
| on the same year. | | | | the same plate and gave them a drink of some |
| Breaking something during the reception brings | | | | of their blood mixed with water. Binding their |
| good luck to the newlyweds. | | | | hands and necks with a cord, he declared them |
| The bride should step on the groom's foot while | | | | married. The majority of Filipino weddings are now |
| walking towards the altar if she wants him to | | | | Catholic weddings, but some native traditions |
| agree to her every whim. | | | | remain. Most have special "sponsors" who act as |
| A bride who wears pearls on her wedding will be | | | | witnesses to the marriage. The principal sponsors |
| an unhappy wife experiencing many heartaches | | | | could be godparents, counselors, a favorite uncle |
| and tears. | | | | and aunt, even a parent. Secondary sponsors |
| An unmarried woman who follows the footsteps | | | | handle special parts of the ceremony, such as the |
| (literally) of the newlyweds will marry soon. | | | | candle, cord and veil ceremonies. Candle sponsors |
| Dropping the wedding ring, the veil or the arrhae | | | | light two candles, which the bride and groom use |
| during the ceremony spells unhappiness for the | | | | to light a single candle to symbolize the joining of |
| couple. | | | | the two families and to invoke the light of Christ |
| In early Filipino custom, the groom-to-be threw his | | | | in their married life. Veil sponsors place a white veil |
| spear at the front steps of his intended's home, a | | | | over the bride's head and the groom's shoulders, |
| sign that she has been spoken for. These days, a | | | | a symbol of two people clothed as one. Cord |
| ring suffices as the symbol of engagement. | | | | sponsors drape the yugal (a decorative silk cord) |
| The Engagement | | | | in a figure-eight shape--to symbolize everlasting |
| After the couple has decided to marry, the first | | | | fidelity--over the shoulders of the bride and |
| order of business is the pamanhikan, where the | | | | groom. The groom gives the bride 13 coins, or |
| groom and his parents visit the bride's family to | | | | arrhae, blessed by the priest, as a sign of his |
| ask for her hand in marriage. Wedding plans are | | | | dedication to his wife's well-being and the welfare |
| often made at this time, including a discussion of | | | | of their future children. |