Real Wedding: Neil & Yuka

It was a day for lots of laughs, tears, and rain. Lots of December rain! The following is a snippet of pictures from my dear friends', Neil and Yukari's, wedding. Congratulations you two! To see more pictures, check out the photographs by the lovely Let of letlovephotography.

Filipino Wedding Ceremony Traditions: the Rites of Marriage

Photo by Adam Sparkes Photographry via TwoFoot Creative

Filipino wedding ceremonies are characterized by a series of traditional rites that signify the basic virtues of marriage and the important role that family and friends play in their transmission.  Similar rites are found in Catholic Latin America and Europe.  

You can include the following into your wedding programs and substitute the couple's names for Bride and Groom. 

Blessing and exchange of rings

The ring, a never-ending circle, is a symbol of eternal love and represents the everlasting commitment of marriage between Bride and Groom.

 

Placing of the veil

The veil placed over the shoulder of Bride and Groom to represent the unity of their two families as one.  It also signifies Groom’s pledge of strength and protection to Bride.

Blessing and Giving of Coins

The thirteen coins, also known as arras [ah-ras] or arrhae [ar-rah-he] are presented to Bride by Groom.  This act represents the groom’s dedication to the welfare of his bride and signifies their commitment to mutually contribute to their

relationship, their children, and to their community. 

Lighting of the Unity Candle

The candles symbolize the light of Christ, the same light that Bride and Groom received at baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new lives

 as a couple.  A single candle will be lit to symbolize their new lives together, kindled as one. 

Placing of the Cord

The cord, which is draped over the shoulders of Bride and Groom in the form of a figure-eight, is a symbol of the bride and groom’s bond of marriage, a lifelong union bound by mutual love, fidelity, and friendship. 

Godparents/Sponsors

Commonly referred to as ninongs and ninangs (godfathers and godmothers), these are men and women whom the newlyweds admire. They are, as in the early days of the Church, sponsors attesting to the couple’s readiness of marriage and the freedom to marry.  After the wedding, they serve as the couple’s role models and advisors in the ways of husband and wife.