Filipino Wedding Traditions and Customs: Guide for Couples in 2024

Are you planning a wedding? If so, you’re likely looking for ways to make your special day both unique and meaningful. One way to achieve this is by incorporating Filipino wedding traditions and customs. Filipino weddings are rich in culture and symbolism, and each aspect has deep meaning and significance. By understanding the significance of each tradition, you can create a wedding that reflects your cultural heritage and values.

Filipino Pre-Wedding Traditions

In Filipino culture, weddings are not just a celebration of love between two individuals- they also represent the unification of two families. To honor this tradition, it is important to understand and incorporate pre-wedding rituals into the celebration. These rituals often hold deep cultural and symbolic meaning and serve as a way for the groom and his family to formally ask for the bride’s hand in marriage, as well as for the bride to transition from her old life to her new life as a wife.

• Pamamanhikan – a tradition where the groom and his family formally ask the bride’s family for her hand in marriage
• Paninilbihan – a tradition where the groom serves the bride’s family to show his commitment and willingness to be part of the family
• Paalam – a tradition where the groom says goodbye to his bride-to-be before the wedding day
• Tsinelas and Veil Ceremony – a tradition where the groom puts the veil on the bride’s head and replaces her shoes with a pair of his own to symbolize his acceptance of his responsibilities as a husband and his willingness to take care of his wife

These traditions symbolize the groom’s commitment to his future bride, the groom’s family’s willingness to be part of the bride’s family, and the bride’s transition from her old life to her new life as a wife.

Filipino Wedding Day Traditions

Filipino wedding day traditions are full of deeply rooted culture and symbolism. Here are some details and significance of these traditions:

Traditional Outfits

• Barong Tagalog – the traditional formal attire for Filipino men, usually made of lightweight fabric like piña or jusi, and embroidered with intricate designs
• Filipiniana Attire – the traditional formal attire for Filipino women, usually made of delicate fabrics like piña or jusi, and adorned with intricate embroidery and beadwork

Wedding Day Traditions

• Wedding March – a tradition where the bride walks down the aisle to meet her groom, accompanied by music played by a live band or a DJ. This is usually the moment when guests stand up and turn to face the bride.
• Coins, Cord, and Veil Ceremony – a tradition where the bride and groom are bound together with a cord to symbolize their unity, the veil represents their oneness, and the coins represent their shared responsibilities. This ceremony serves as a reminder of the couple’s commitment to each other and their roles as partners in life.
• Candle Ceremony – a tradition where the couple lights a unity candle to symbolize their unity and commitment to each other. This ceremony signifies the couple’s intention to share their lives together as one.
• Release of Doves or Butterflies – a tradition where the couple releases doves or butterflies to symbolize their new journey together. The release of these birds or insects signifies a new beginning and a fresh start for the newlyweds.
• Money Dance – a tradition where guests pin money to the bride and groom’s clothes as a way of wishing them good fortune. This tradition is a way for guests to show their love and support for the newlyweds as they start their new life together.

Filipino wedding traditions are a beautiful way to celebrate love and the unification of two families. By incorporating these traditions into modern weddings, couples can honor their cultural heritage and create a wedding that truly reflects their values and beliefs.

Understanding the significance of wedding traditions such as the coins, cord, and veil ceremony can provide opportunities for personalization, such as using a family heirloom as the cord or incorporating a traditional Filipino song during the candle ceremony.

Overall, incorporating traditional Filipino wedding practices into your own wedding is a beautiful way to honor your heritage, connect with your family and community, and create a unique and memorable wedding experience while showcasing the beauty of wedding traditions.

Filipino Post-Wedding Traditions

After the wedding ceremony, it’s time to celebrate! Understanding post-wedding traditions is essential to creating a memorable reception program. Here are some details and significance of these traditions:

Reception Program

A reception program is usually an event where guests can relax, enjoy good food and drinks, and celebrate the newlyweds. The following are the essential features of a Filipino reception program:

• Food – A feast of Filipino dishes is a must-have at any Filipino wedding reception. Some of the most popular dishes include adobo, lechon, pancit, and lumpia. Filipino desserts can also be served.
• Drinks – An open bar with Filipino and Western drinks is also a common feature of Filipino wedding receptions. Guests can choose from a selection of beers, wines, and cocktails, as well as Filipino favorites like San Miguel beer and Tanduay rum.
• Entertainment – A live band or DJ playing Filipino and Western music is a great way to keep guests entertained throughout the reception. Guests can dance to traditional Filipino music like the tinikling, or groove to modern pop hits.

Gift-Giving

Gift-giving is a significant wedding tradition in Filipino weddings. It provides an opportunity for guests to congratulate the newlyweds and present them with items they will need as they start their new life together. Cash, household items, or other practical gifts that the couple can use in their new home are some of the popular gift options for this wedding tradition.

Sending off the Couple

The tradition of sending off the couple is a meaningful way for guests to bid farewell to the newlyweds as they leave the reception. Guests can form a line and shower the couple with rice, confetti, or flower petals as they make their way to their getaway car.

Filipino wedding receptions are a wonderful way to celebrate the union of two people, and incorporating these wedding traditions into modern celebrations can create a unique and unforgettable experience. By understanding the significance of these traditions and including them in contemporary weddings, couples can pay homage to their cultural heritage and create a wedding that truly embodies their values and beliefs.

Conclusion

Filipino wedding traditions and customs play an important role in bringing people together. They emphasize family, community, and love in each tradition. Incorporating these traditions into modern weddings preserves cultural heritage and passes it on to future generations. By understanding the significance of tradition, we can connect to our roots, our ancestors, and each other.

Whether you decide to include pre-wedding, wedding day, or post-wedding traditions in your celebration, you can use these traditions as a guide to creating a wedding that truly reflects your cultural heritage and values. Remember, incorporating traditional Filipino wedding practices into your own wedding is a beautiful way to honor your heritage, connect with your family and community, and create a unique and memorable wedding experience.