Stacey & Bernard
Filipino Custom
The Philippines is a country rich in traditions that were originally introduced by Spanish missionaries. A few of these Spanish-influenced customs are present in a typical Filipino wedding.
We feel that it is important to still keep some of the traditions that form part of our culture & heritage. To those not familiar with these traditions.
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The Coins
The Priest drops 13 coins called arras into the Groom's waiting hands, who in turn drops it into the Bride's hands. The Bride then puts her hand above the Groom's then drops the arras into his hands again. The Groom allows the coins to then be dropped into a plate held by an acolyte.
The Wedding Coins (also known as: Arras [ah-rahs] or Arrhae [ar-rah-heh]) brought to the altar by the coin bearer, 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.
However, today's couples embrace life and 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. The trickling sound of the coins dropping also signifies abundance and success in the couple's joint efforts.
The Veil
Sponsors pin a white veil on the groom's shoulders, extending it to cover the bride's head and shoulders
The Couple's Veil has come to be a symbol of purity. Its original meaning was the symbol of the presence of the Lord, as the cloud was a symbol of His presence. It is placed over the shoulders of the couple to symbolize their union and being 'clothed as one' in unity. It is also symbolic of the groom pledging his strength and protection to his bride - the wife who he promises to take care of, from this day forward.
The Cord
Sponsors come up to where the Bride and Groom are kneeling, and put a figure of eight cord over the veils that are on the heads and shoulders of the Bride and Groom
The Cord is a symbol of unity and infinity - the couple's lifelong bond; that indeed they are no longer two but one in their new life as a couple.
The Candle
Both sets of parents proceed to the altar where they light the two long stemmed candles beside the middle and larger (Unity) candle. These represent the two lives and two spirits who will be joined together. Towards the end of the ceremony, at a signal from the Priest/Minister, the Bride and Groom come up and approach the candles. They each take the smaller candles, and use it to light the middle unity candle.
The candles symbolize the Light of Christ, the same light they received at Baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new life as a married couple. From then on, their lives go together, kindled as one.
The Unity Candle is saved and kept by the couple, to be lighted on each wedding anniversary, as a reminder of this first day when they gave their promise to each other.
We feel that it is important to still keep some of the traditions that form part of our culture & heritage. To those not familiar with these traditions.
________________________________________
The Coins
The Priest drops 13 coins called arras into the Groom's waiting hands, who in turn drops it into the Bride's hands. The Bride then puts her hand above the Groom's then drops the arras into his hands again. The Groom allows the coins to then be dropped into a plate held by an acolyte.
The Wedding Coins (also known as: Arras [ah-rahs] or Arrhae [ar-rah-heh]) brought to the altar by the coin bearer, 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.
However, today's couples embrace life and 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. The trickling sound of the coins dropping also signifies abundance and success in the couple's joint efforts.
The Veil
Sponsors pin a white veil on the groom's shoulders, extending it to cover the bride's head and shoulders
The Couple's Veil has come to be a symbol of purity. Its original meaning was the symbol of the presence of the Lord, as the cloud was a symbol of His presence. It is placed over the shoulders of the couple to symbolize their union and being 'clothed as one' in unity. It is also symbolic of the groom pledging his strength and protection to his bride - the wife who he promises to take care of, from this day forward.
The Cord
Sponsors come up to where the Bride and Groom are kneeling, and put a figure of eight cord over the veils that are on the heads and shoulders of the Bride and Groom
The Cord is a symbol of unity and infinity - the couple's lifelong bond; that indeed they are no longer two but one in their new life as a couple.
The Candle
Both sets of parents proceed to the altar where they light the two long stemmed candles beside the middle and larger (Unity) candle. These represent the two lives and two spirits who will be joined together. Towards the end of the ceremony, at a signal from the Priest/Minister, the Bride and Groom come up and approach the candles. They each take the smaller candles, and use it to light the middle unity candle.
The candles symbolize the Light of Christ, the same light they received at Baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new life as a married couple. From then on, their lives go together, kindled as one.
The Unity Candle is saved and kept by the couple, to be lighted on each wedding anniversary, as a reminder of this first day when they gave their promise to each other.
