Filipino weddings are always an extravaganza.  Very big.  I mean BIG.  Long ceremonies, big wedding party, long processional because there’s a big wedding party.  But they are fun and I love them.  Love being in them and being in mine and going to them.  My father requested San Miguel beer at my wedding, which was at an Italian hall in Jersey.  It was awesome and they did it for us.  Made for quite the Filipino touch.

There are a few myths and wedding rituals for filipinos, of course.  For those of you who have read a lot of my posts you’ll notice a common theme of weird rituals, superstitions and such.  But alas, that is what it means to be Filipino!

OK.  Where to begin.

Rumor has it that Filipino siblings should not plan to get married in the same year.  It’s bad luck.  Essentially, all the good luck will only go to one member of the family for weddings and so one of the siblings will get screwed with bad luck.  Hmmm.  Not sure if its true or not.  I got married the same year as my husband’s brother.  But I don’t think it counts only because he’s a step brother and not blood.

What else?

Rain on wedding days are good luck.  Not sure if this is only Filipino superstition or just general myth.  I believe it was something someone made up to calm a bridezilla on her rainy wedding day (visualize me, who had a rainy, but amazing wedding day).

Filipino weddings always include godparents.  Similar to when a child is baptized, Filipinos have couples who serve as Godparents or Sponsors for the wedding.  Usually these are couples who the bride and groom admire, adore and look up to.  Its an honor to be considered.  Not sure if any responsibilities are included, except maybe giving one kick ass wedding gift.  But the notion is that your godparents will look over you through your long, happy marriage.

There are also a few traditions within the mass.  The coin, veil and cord ceremony – there are fancy Flip names for this too but I forget them.  I love this and while it adds some time to the wedding (i.e. you must wait longer for the free San Miguel Beer) its really touching.  The coin ceremony signifies wealth and that you will support each other and provide for each other.  During the ceremony, you exchange filipino coins in each others hands.

The Veil is a sign of protection.  Usually, a set of your sponsors or godparents come to the alter and pin this lovely veil over the bride’s head and the groom’s shoulders.  This is a very important job.  IF the veil falls or comes off, it is eternal bad luck.  So choose someone who will do this right!

The cord then goes over the bride and groom and their veil and is tied in an infinity type shape.  This is to bind the two for life.

Guys have a Filipino version of a tuxedo called a Barong.  Given how hot it is in the Philippines a traditional suit is clearly out of the question.  So the groom and his groomsmen usually wear a beautiful embroidered Barong.  My husband loves them now and wears them to weddings, even non-Filipino ones.  He wouldn’t wear the ones pictured here, but thought I would show some variety.

funky barongs, not the traditional ones