25 Traditional Filipino Wedding Rituals and Customs

25 Traditional Filipino Wedding Rituals and Customs

As someone with a deep fascination for diverse cultural traditions, I have always been captivated by the vibrant customs associated with weddings around the world.

One such culture that has always piqued my interest is the Filipino culture. The Philippines, with its diverse heritage and incredible blend of indigenous, Malay, Spanish, and American influences, has a plethora of fascinating wedding rituals and customs.

In this article, I will explore 25 traditional Filipino wedding rituals and customs that highlight the deep-rooted values, beliefs, and celebrations of this remarkable culture.

Whether you’re planning your wedding or simply eager to learn about the beautiful traditions of the Philippines, join me on this captivating journey through Filipino wedding customs.

1. Pamamanhikan (Meeting of the families)

The Pamamanhikan is the first step in Filipino wedding customs, where the groom’s family visits the bride’s family to formally ask for her hand in marriage. This meeting is considered a serious occasion, as it involves the discussion of the wedding plans, including the date, budget, and other important details. It also serves as an opportunity for the families to get to know each other and establish a harmonious relationship.

2. Pang-ulong Pandanggo (The initial meeting)

In the Philippines, once the families have agreed on the marriage, the pang-ulong pandanggo, or initial meeting takes place. This is a formal gathering where the couple is officially introduced to each other’s extended families and relatives. It is an opportunity for both families to get to know each other better and establish a bond that will be carried on throughout the wedding preparations.

3. Kasunduan (Agreement to be married)

The kasunduan is a traditional agreement or understanding between the couple and their families that they are committed to getting married. It can be considered as a verbal contract that signifies that the couple is now officially engaged. This agreement is often sealed with a handshake, symbolic of the commitment and promise to marry.

4. Paninilbihan (Servitude)

In Filipino wedding customs, paninilbihan is a way for the groom to prove his love and dedication to the bride. It is a period of servitude where the groom helps with household chores and serves the bride and her family. This tradition serves as a demonstration of the groom’s ability to provide and care for his future wife. It also allows the couple to spend more time together and strengthen their bond before the wedding.

5. Gabi ng Pamamaalam (Night of Farewell)

In the Filipino culture, the Gabi ng Pamamaalam is a farewell dinner held the night before the wedding. It is an intimate gathering where close family and friends come together to say goodbye to the bride and wish her well in her new married life. This event is filled with heartfelt messages, prayers, and blessings for the couple’s future. It is a bittersweet occasion as it marks the end of the bride’s single life and the beginning of her journey into marriage.

6. Pre-Wedding Customs (Bridal shower, Groom’s bachelor party)

In Filipino weddings, pre-wedding customs include the bridal shower and the groom’s bachelor party. The bridal shower is a celebration held for the bride-to-be, usually organized by her female friends and family members. It is a fun and lively gathering where the bride receives gifts, advice, and well wishes for her upcoming marriage.

Similarly, the groom’s bachelor party is a celebration organized by the groom’s male friends. It is typically a night of revelry and camaraderie, where the groom can enjoy a night out with his closest companions before his wedding day.

These pre-wedding customs serve as a way to honor and celebrate the bride and groom individually before they come together as a married couple.

7. Kasal sa Antipolo (Wedding in Antipolo)

Antipolo, a city in the Philippines known for its scenic views and religious significance, is a popular destination for weddings. A Kasal sa Antipolo, or wedding in Antipolo, often takes place in a church or garden with a breathtaking view. The natural beauty of the surroundings adds an enchanting element to the wedding ceremony and reception, creating a memorable and picturesque experience for the couple and their guests.

8. Kasalan sa Probinsya (Wedding in the province)

A Kasalan sa Probinsya, or wedding in the province, is a traditional Filipino wedding held in the bride or groom’s hometown or ancestral province. It is a way to honor their roots and showcase their cultural heritage. These weddings often incorporate traditional customs and rituals specific to the province, such as a processional from the bride or groom’s house to the church and traditional dances and music.

9. Misa de Aguinaldo (Midnight Christmas mass)

For couples who choose to tie the knot during the Christmas season, a Misa de Aguinaldo or midnight Christmas mass is often included in their wedding festivities. This mass, held on Christmas Eve, is a time for the couple and their loved ones to come together in worship and celebration. It adds a festive and spiritual element to the wedding, symbolizing the couple’s commitment to God and their shared faith.

10. Wedding Invitations

Filipino wedding invitations play a significant role in wedding customs. They are typically personally distributed by the couple and their families to the guests. The invitations themselves often feature vibrant colors, intricate designs, and sometimes even a photo of the couple. In Filipino culture, the act of personally handing out invitations is seen as a sign of respect and importance to the guests, as it shows that their presence is valued and desired at the wedding.

11. Kasunduan-tungkulin (Responsibility agreement)

In Filipino culture, the kasunduan-tungkulin or responsibility agreement plays a significant role in traditional weddings. This ritual involves the parents and principal sponsors of the bride and groom discussing and agreeing on the roles and responsibilities of each party in the couple’s married life. The agreement covers various aspects, such as financial support, guidance, and moral support. This tradition symbolizes the commitment and support of the couple’s families throughout their journey together.

12. Wedding Gowns

The wedding gown holds immense importance in Filipino weddings. Traditional Filipino wedding gowns are often white and feature intricate designs and embellishments. These gowns represent purity, beauty, and the bride’s devotion to her role as a wife. Modern Filipino brides may choose to wear more contemporary gowns, but the traditional white wedding gown remains a popular choice, symbolizing the bride’s purity and commitment.

13. Veil, Cord, and Coins

The veil, cord, and coins are significant symbols in Filipino wedding ceremonies. The veil represents the couple’s unity and their commitment to protect and support each other. The cord is usually a silk or satin rope twisted or sometimes shaped like the number eight, symbolizing infinity, long-lasting love, and bondage. It is placed over the couple’s shoulders to symbolize their connectedness and the strength of their relationship. The coins, also known as arras in Filipino culture, are thirteen coins presented by the groom to the bride. These coins represent the groom’s promise to provide for the family’s welfare and the bride’s trust in his capability to do so.

14. Pamamanhikan (Dowry negotiation)

Pamamanhikan is a pre-wedding tradition that involves the groom and his family formally asking for the bride’s hand in marriage. It is a way for the groom’s family to demonstrate respect to the bride’s family and seek their blessing. During pamamanhikan, the groom and his family present gifts and offerings to the bride’s family as a gesture of gratitude. This tradition also serves as an opportunity for both families to discuss and negotiate the dowry or the financial arrangements for the upcoming wedding.

15. Harana (Serenade)

The tradition of harana, or serenade, is a romantic gesture where the groom, accompanied by family and friends, sings and plays music outside the bride’s house to express his love and dedication. This tradition dates back to the Spanish colonial era and is still prevalent in rural areas. The groom and his group serenade the bride as a way of professing their love and admiration. The bride may then appear at the window or invite the groom and his group inside as a sign of her acceptance.

16. Sabungan (Cockfight)

In some regions of the Philippines, particularly in rural areas, a sabungan or cockfight may take place as part of the wedding festivities. Cockfighting is a popular sport in the country, and incorporating it into the wedding celebration adds excitement and entertainment. The sabungan symbolizes the groom’s bravery and ability to protect his bride and his future family.

17. Bridal Procession

The bridal procession is a grand entrance of the bride, accompanied by her parents or guardians, and sometimes the flower girls and ring bearers. The bride, often wearing a veil, walks down the aisle to meet the groom at the altar. This procession symbolizes the bride’s transition from her family’s care to her husband’s care and signifies her readiness to start a new chapter in her life as per the Philippine culture.

18. Wedding March

The traditional wedding march is typically played as the bride walks down the aisle during the bridal procession. The music adds a touch of elegance and signifies the formal beginning of the wedding ceremony. However, some Filipino weddings may incorporate traditional Filipino songs or music that hold personal significance to the couple or their families.

19. Exchange of Rings

The exchange of rings is a universal symbol of commitment and love in weddings, and it is also an essential part of Filipino wedding ceremonies. The couple exchanges their wedding rings as a sign of their promise to be faithful to each other. The rings symbolize their eternal love and unity as they embark on their journey together as husband and wife.

20. Wedding Vows

During the wedding ceremony, the couple recites their wedding vows, expressing their love, commitment, and promises to each other. These vows can be personalized or follow a traditional format. They serve as a heartfelt declaration of their intentions to love and support each other through thick and thin, for better or worse, as they begin their married life together. The exchange of wedding vows is a cherished moment in Filipino wedding ceremonies, symbolizing the couple’s deep and enduring love for each other.

21. Lighting Unity Candle

During a traditional Filipino wedding, one ritual that symbolizes the union of the bride and groom is the lighting of the unity candle. This ritual usually takes place after the exchange of vows and rings. The couple lights a single candle together, using two separate candles that represent their individual lives and families. As they light the unity candle, it symbolizes the merging of their lives into one, representing their commitment to support and love each other throughout their marriage.

22. Release of Doves

The release of doves is a beautiful and symbolic custom often observed during Filipino weddings. At the end of the ceremony, a pair of white doves is released into the sky. These doves represent peace, love, and fidelity. Releasing them symbolizes the couple’s hopes for a harmonious and blessed marriage. It is believed that as the doves fly away, they take with them any negative energies and bring forth positive vibes to the couple’s new life together.

23. Coin Dance

The Coin Dance, also known as the “Las Arras,” is a customary ritual during Filipino weddings. This ritual has Spanish origins and involves the exchange of thirteen coins between the bride and groom. These coins represent the prosperity and wealth that the couple hopes to share in their married life. The bride’s parents usually gift these coins to the couple, and they are blessed by a priest before the exchange takes place. The groom places the coins in the bride’s hands, and then she transfers them to the groom’s hands. This act signifies their mutual commitment to the financial well-being of their future family.

24. Money Dance

In Filipino culture, the Money Dance is a festive and fun tradition that takes place during the wedding reception. The newlyweds dance together while guests come up to them and pin money on their clothes or toss it into a basket. The money symbolizes well-wishes and blessings for the couple’s financial stability and future prosperity. This tradition also serves as a way for guests to contribute to the couple’s new life together and for the couple to express their gratitude.

25. Tossing the Bride’s Bouquet

Towards the end of the wedding reception, the bride participates in the tradition of tossing her bouquet. All the unmarried women gather around, hoping to catch the bouquet, as it is believed that the one who catches it will be the next to marry.

This fun and lighthearted tradition brings excitement to the celebration and adds a sense of community as everyone eagerly participates. The bride’s bouquet symbolizes happiness and a bright future for the one who catches it, encouraging hopes and aspirations for love and marriage.

Filipino weddings are rich in tradition and customs, reflecting the country’s diverse and vibrant culture. From the pre-wedding rituals to the post-wedding celebrations, each step of the journey is filled with symbolic meaning and significance. These traditions honor the past, strengthen family ties, and bless the couple’s union with good luck and happiness.

Whether it’s the pamamanhikan, the kabit, or the kasunduan, every ritual adds depth and meaning to the wedding ceremony. Despite the influence of modernity, these traditional Filipino wedding customs continue to be cherished and practiced, keeping the cultural heritage alive. As Filipinos around the world come together to celebrate love and unity, these rituals serve as a reminder of the importance of family, faith, and community in one’s journey to forever.