Filipino Customs

Wedding Cord. Photo credit: Kate McElwee Photography
Wedding Cord. Photo credit: Kate McElwee
Photography

The Chord Sponsors will place a knotted cord over the heads of the couple, to lay on their shoulders.
The Cord is a symbol of the couple’s bond; that indeed they are no longer two but one in their new life as a couple.

“This cord symbolizes the love of God which brings your hearts and souls together. May your love grow stronger and bind you closer together through years, from here to eternity.  May this cord remind you to face your life together courageously and to be mutual in support of each other in carrying out your duties and responsibilities as a couple.”

Unity Coins
Unity Coins

The Wedding Coins (also known as: Arras [ah-rahs] or Arrhae [ar-rah-heh]) have traditionally symbolized the prosperity that would be shared by the new couple, and the groom’s promise to provide for the welfare of the new family. Many of today’s couples mbrace life & face the world together in a more mutually supportive way than ever before. So, the wedding coins have come to symbolize the couple’s commitment to mutually contributing to their relationship, their children, and their community.

“God, Bless these coins. Grant _____ & _____ not only material possessions, but abundant spiritual strength, which these coins symbolize, so that they use them to bless others and to attain eternal life. Hold the coins in your hands as a sign that your blessings will no longer be held separately, but together.

(One of the couple): I give you these coins as a pledge of my dedication to you, the care of our home, and the welfare of our children.

(The other): I accept them and in the same way pledge my dedication to you, the care of our home, and the welfare of our children.”

*The couple may repeat the exhange so that both get a chance to give and receive.

Filipino Wedding Veil. Photo by Jennifer Sosa Photography
Filipino Wedding Veil. Photo by Jennifer Sosa Photography

The veil sponsors (friends or relatives of the couple)  will place a white veil over the shoulders of the couple.
The Couple’s Veil has come to be a symbol of purity. Its original meaning was the symbol of the presence of God, as the cloud was a symbol of God’s presence. It is placed over the shoulders of the couple to symbolize their union and being “clothed as one” in unity.

“Let this veil be a symbol of the faithful love you have for each other. With this veil, which represents this couple’s union and mutual surrender to each other, may _______ & ______ always be protected from any harm and strengthen them to provide continuous moral and spiritual support to each other and their children. May they remain loyal helpmates to each other as they carry life’s burden with joy.”

Filipino Unity Candle. Photo credit: Pearl Tamayo Photography
Filipino Unity Candle. Photo credit: Pearl Tamayo Photography

Similar to the American unity candle, there are two taper candles which have been previously lit by a sponsor (friend or relative) of the couple. The center candle will be lit together by the couple, and the light will lead them in their new life as a couple.

“_______ & ______, will now light center Unity Candle. You will take the flame from the candles which your (names of candle lighters) have lighted. You will see that this center candle is larger than the other two because it is the new family that has been formed today as you repeated your vows and will be a blending of all the love, traditions and experiences you have both shared with your individual families. This light is the representation of God, who has brought you both together for this moment and to remind you that Universal Love  is with you always as a partner in your marriage, to guard and to guide you in all that you do.”

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