Filipino Wedding Tradition

These are some of the Philippines wedding traditions and fact that we practice and follow.

• In the Philippines, the groom/groom's family usually shoulder most of the wedding expenses, but these days most of the couples share expenses instead specially now that we're in great recession. I think more and more couples are being practical.

• Rice grains is used as confetti after the church ceremony. But it's now being discourage and replaced with flower petals instead.

• The month of June is known as the wedding month but according to research the month of December until early January is the most popular months for weddings.

• The couple don't arrive in church at the same time. The groom should always be the first one to be in church and the bride will follow after several minutes. The bride will just stay in the bridal car until it's time for her bridal march.

• Unlike in other countries, brides in the Philippines prefer to have their wedding gowns custom made than buying 2nd hand or also known as off-the rack gowns.

• Marrying couples have a few pairs of ninongs & ninangs (godparents) to stand as principal sponsors/witnesses in the ceremony.

• The couples release a pair of doves as a sign of peaceful and harmonious married life
  

Dove, Butterfly or Sky Lantern?!?!?

Doves are often used in the Philippines as part of the wedding tradition. Since I was young I've been seeing doves in weddings and most often being chase by someone a to bring home hehehehe.... But a lot of changes happened in the past and there are more alternatives that we can choose from for this particular wedding tradition.

But what does this Dove thing really mean in a weddings?!?!?

White paired doves symbolizes the bride and groom as couples. It is believed that dove choose their life partner and make a commitment forever. White doves are also the symbol of Love, Purity ,Faithfulness, Prosperity and Peace that's why it should always be part of a wedding. When the doves are release, it said that they are starting a whole new life and journey together but not as individual but as a couple instead. But there's also a downside, sometimes doves can be messy... They tend to poop around the place ....

How about Butterfly release?!?!?!?

Butterfly release is getting popular these days in weddings, since doves can be messy I think it's a good alternative. Butterflies are known to elders as "wish keepers" according to American Indian Legend. For your wish to come true, you should catch a butterfly and whisper your wishes to it. As we know butterflies can make no sound so your wishes will be safe with them, it is believe that they can only share your wishes to this great spirit that can make all your wishes come true, like fairy god mother in a fairy tale... It the Philippines it's not very common but getting popular nowadays. But it's a little bit pricey compare to doves.

What about Sky Lantern ?!?!?!

Unique, Luxurious, Beautiful especially when release at night.... I first saw these Sky Lantern release in one of the most awaited secret wedding of Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo last April of this year. Since their wedding was held in a beach this is a good idea and the lantern design followed their wedding theme. The guest can also take part in the sky lantern release by lighting the lanterns. These sky lanterns are the original UK-patented quality. More and more fireworks outlets in the Philippines offer the sky lantern release services.