We hope to cater to your unique needs for Philippine wedding traditions thru information using our free wedding website. To do this, we go back in history dating back probably centuries ago where wedding customs in the Philippines have dramatically changed and since then will never be the same again. It's because Pinoys have gone used to following old sayings and yes, at times, fengshui based in Chinese beliefs.
The Chinese Fengshui has recently become an important part of the traditional Filipino wedding event. An occasion that sometimes takes couples to consult with a Chinese fengshui and vibrations master. This is actually based from age old beliefs of Chinese-Pinoys before wedding bells get to ring in the church.
This includes dates and scheduling, dress, sayings, positioning of all sorts of wedding favors from flowers, gown beads, gifts, arrangements, bridal car bride loading, souvenirs and giveaways, invitation colors and wedding motif etc.
Old sayings and beliefs of our parents were passed on from generation to generation and surprisingly surviving up to this millennium. With this as a fact, wedding traditions in the Philippines are definitely here to stay.
Let's start with a chronology of when and where these beliefs and traditions were being applied in a process of the actual wedding from preparation to the moment we hear the church bells. Note that these traditions and beliefs are used not just in provinces but also here in Manila where urban life meets modern Manila.
The actual wedding plan starts with courtship and here is where it all ends up in a long list of traditions that is still practiced in many parts of the modern Philippine wedding. Like for example, serenading or singing romantic love songs (old and new) at night, reciting love expression poems, writing sexy long enchanted metaphoric love letters, gift-giving and bringing flowers to the Filipina being courted. Now lets get to the point where we are actually in the part where courtship ended and marriage is on the way.
Pamanhikan (parental marriage proposal) - A term coined by the groom-to-be visiting the bride-to-be in their house in an arranged day, date and time characterized by bringing in the parents to formally ask for the hand of the lady from her parents. Here, the terms were usually arranged and talked about. The Pinoy usually brings offer gifts to his love and her parents and family members. Different regions practice different traditions which you can read here.
Wedding date and scheduling - Consulted in the old almanac of dates, here is where the date of the actual union is formally based before announcement. Old people call it "almanake". Very few would practice this type of date setting for the actual wedding day. I asked about this from my mom who knows a lot about it.
Setting Dowry or "Dote" - Dowry is very important in the old times. It will determine the good start of trying to become one new family in the future by marriage. In the old days, without a dowry to offer or give to the family of the woman and the bride-to-be, no male can ever marry a female. In short, you have to have the capacity to live and put up with your wife to be's needs as well as your future kids.
On Bride's Gown - Sayings have it that the bride must not at all cost wear her gown prior to the church wedding day. It is believed as part of the tradition that a bride who wears her wedding gown any day during the process or before the actual wedding day will experience bad luck or any bad accident related to or involving either party, the groom or bride herself.
Using Sweets as Wedding Souvenir or Giveaway - Pure honey and chocolates are 2 of the best choices when it comes giving away as a wedding gift. The reason for which is obvious - so that the to-be-wed couple will have the sweetest life on earth upon marriage.
Pinning of Money or Paper Bills - Many provinces still practice this and even in Metro Manila as a child I have witnessed 2 Pangasinan folks getting married to have this tradition followed. Each sides of the family member (groom and bride) will pin paper peso bills to the gown and barong tagalog of the couple in a manner that extends all the way down as long as possible in different denominations. Bigger amounts mean more blessings according to my mom.
Travel Before Wedding Day - Both parties, the groom and bride are prohibited from traveling days before to avoid accident.
Typhoons on Wedding Day - It is believed that this event may bring bad fortune.
Stepping on the Groom's Foot - After the wedding ceremony, the bride should walk ahead of her husband or step on his foot to prevent being dominated by him in their married life.
Extinguished Candle - A candle fire that dies during the ceremony is an omen that the groom or bride will die ahead (depending on which candle on whose side was blown out).
Accidentally Dropped Wedding Ring / Veil / Arrhae - This will cause marital misery.
Showering the Married Couple with Uncooked Rice - A superstitious belief that leads to good fortune and wishes them a prosperous life together.
Groom's Arrival at the venue ahead of his bride - Believed to diminish dire fate. In addition, a single woman who will follow the path along the footsteps of the newly married couple may increase her chances and opportunity to become the next bride herself.
"Sukob sa Taon" - Siblings are not permitted to marry within the same calendar year or bad luck will strike. There is a believed remedy to this belief if it ever happens - the sibling who will marry later must pass through the back entrance of the church instead of its main doors.
Popularized by Chinese traditions, feng shui is commonly used and consulted even by Filipinos who are marrying although Chinese communities in the Philippines were the ones practicing it until today, 2014 and the years forward in 2015. To-be-wed couples have been consulting and using these feng shui beliefs. I have listed some popular traditions by ancient Chinese. |
Included in the list below are wedding date choosing, placements through feng shui elements, zodiac signs, 4 pillars of destiny, Chinese horoscope, choosing time or hour of wedding and more. (full photo credits to Laura Lau for the book image above)
Use Tong Shu Almanac - The tool in choosing the lucky dates for a wedding day in 2014. This is an ancient Chinese formulato determining many important dates in doing tasks, events and any occasion.
Bringing in Sheng Chi to Your Home - This can be done by hanging in specific destined locations and places in the house, some of the best photos in your wedding framed.
8 Major Food Course Meal for Reception - In your wedding reception, plan for an 8-meal course. You can have the 9th as your dessert.
Use Astrology for Couple Birth Dates - Hiring an astrologer or feng shui master can help you couples out there with the use of both your birth dates to jive and come up with a single date for the wedding day. Also your corresponding zodiac signs. You can find a complete best lucky wedding day list here.
Displaying Auspicious Love and Devotion Symbols - For one you can start off with Mandarin ducks crystal or love birds, vase, plaque or peonnies, double Chinese carp, dragon phoenix and more . Or you can use any of the above as wedding souvenir / giveaway or centerpiece in the reception table.
Hiring the cheapest yet perfect wedding planner or coordinator will always rely on your decision. Either the bride or the groom has to take care of communication with these key people helping to make your dream wedding a blast and smooth celebration. |
In the case of my sister who just got wed last May 17, 2014, I asked her how she arrived at a cheap service and she gladly revealed a few interesting factors that helped me realize how to go over with hiring an event coordinator for the occasion. Below are some guides for start up Philippine wedding planners and coordinators as well as soon to wed couples and DIY brides and groom. The Knot had a customizable checklist but you'd have to register for free to become a member first and also get to share your own.
Things To Remember:
Cold places like Baguio, Tagaytay, some parts of Laguna and hotel centers are usually the most perfect for any Philippine wedding venue. This is so because many couples prefer to have a reception in a nearby hotel, resort or events place where the honeymoon and wedding will take place.
So what better option for most soon-to-wed bride and groom for a reception venue than places located or anywhere near what I have mentioned above. Like in my sister's case, their hotel (The Cocoon Boutique Hotel) was just about 5-10 minute drive away from Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City while the wedding reception venue, Light of Love Events Place Garden is just another 5-10 minute drive away from the church.
For cold places ideal for honeymoon, a wedding and reception venue in the following awesome cold Tagaytay and Baguio will be dedicated below.
There are so many breath taking and unique venues for a Philippine wedding or any occasion in Manila. Some of them are even hidden paradise places from the eyes and only the curious few feast. There were even somewhat nostalgic places to celebrate in to like what my sister was able to come up with choosing Light of Love events places for her wedding reception. But apart from this, I would like to open you up if you are soon to wed couple or event coordinators or simply just curious and looking to find the perfect place to hold your event.
Going for a honeymoon in cold places in the Philippines? After a wedding, couples do get on a one on one romantic moment and what great way to celebrate honeymoon than Tagaytay. |
If you can find a wedding church there or for garden wedding option, then great. But what if you can find all in one events place where you can also have your wedding reception?
Wouldn't that be just perfect? So here's a list of the different Tagaytay wedding event and reception venues in the cold highlands in the far South where pines are abundant.
Baguio is definitely the most popular destination for a wedding and if you are looking for venues to hold your special tie-the-knot church wedding, the City of Pines is absolutely a breath-taking perfect paradise for romance. The same reason why we have devoted so much time searching and researching for the different romantic and breath-taking wedding reception venues in Baguio City. See our list below.
Wedding souvenirs are really easy to come up with when we talk of ideas and concepts but the real deal is that if you want a perfect gift to your guests and visitors, this is your chance to show that creativity. We are giving you our own large list of the top 50 Philippine wedding souvenirs and crafts to use as a giveaway. Hope you enjoy and do suggest more using our comments section below.
Philippine wedding sayings, quotes or wordings are cute and romantic to use in any tie the knot event. Even the ceremony itself is highlighted with such beautiful heart-felt words. The sample to the left just says it all. |
But apart from that, many other wedding matters involve use of words. That includes every Philippine wedding invitation. See nice and cute wedding invitations drizzled with romantic wordings on the call.
You can hire many services for your limo or bridal car from some local providers in Manila. Below is a shortlist of where to get them and call their hotline telephone numbers.
Choosing wedding cakes are one of the most neglected part of the event. Recently, I have observed from the many occasions I attended that just to go on with the celebration, couples choose to get the least standard cake to use. It's the highlight of a wedding so come on, don't get a cake that has no life in the design. There are cheaper designs from not so popular sources out there depending on your budget so take time to find one. We have listed below the wedding cake providers for your choices below including their contact numbers.
Promos and cheaper options come only to those who are persistent in finding them. Hiring services related to your Philippine wedding is no different so be sure to keep on searching. Otherwise, a yearly event is the best place you can find them all in one venue. This usually happens at the SMX of SM Mall of Asia (MOA) and World Trade Center. Plan ahead of your event by attending these yearly wedding expos which were being announced in tarpaulins and ads on tv and online websites like www.themesnmotifs.com, www.bridalbook.ph and kasal.com
Your wedding food will definitely help guests and visitors decide and wow your kasal. It will be the soul of your special church wedding when reception time comes. Hiring the perfect events place with the right combination of food and menu that's carefully chosen from the numerous food tasting events you couples will do is absolutely a good way to provide good comfort food in the center table. Here is a list of different caterers from Manila.
Flowers always make up a great wedding. Add up a nice and enticing arrangement and all will be well in the photos and video coverage of your Philippine wedding. See our suggestions and ideas for wedding bouquet and flower arrangement below. In the meantime, you might want to go straight where Baguio flowers come in fresh daily in Dangwa market along Dimasalang and Laon Laan St. in Manila.
Romantic, straight-from-the-heart wedding vows and love quote messages always light up the day's wedding. If you are looking on where to find words that will perfectly fit in your exchange of vows, here are samples.
What consists of an exciting bridal shower? Awesome ideas of course what best to celebrate pre-nuptial events than having them well planned. Here are a few ideas to look forward to your special occasion as well as gifts to enlighten the celebrant.
Philippine wedding songs may differ depending on the age and taste of the to-wed couple. Young generations tend to prefer new and latest songs to use for the church ceremony while the more mature ones prefer oldies but goodies. There are also evergreen songs that you can use but below are some ideas for both worlds.
In a tropical country like ours, a slightly different gift could trigger many potential ideas to use in buying your Philippine wedding gratitude gift. Whether you are a guest, a sponsor or a relative who wants to show appreciation and love, giving something can be a nice way to show that. Below are some ideas you won't surely let pass for the best ever occasion for a special person.
What best to reminisce and go back to those happy times that to have a wedding presentation in a video. Hire a videographer in that case. Get the best professionals in the field so you can come up with the best there is. See sample wedding videos below taken from FIlipino celebrities, actors and actress wedding vows.
Couples sometimes tend to imitate or to the least take ideas and influence from foreign celebrity weddings. Pinoys love the imported thought to make the event sosy sort of. Below are some of the videos you can watch to put some spice and influence into your Philippine wedding.
Awesome in black and white, it's always a good simple idea to have a black and white wedding motif. To try one, here are ideas that could help you come up with a good start for your Philippine wedding in black and white influence.
Seen Oyo Boy Sotto and Kristine Hermosa celebrity wedding video lately? This might just change your idea of what shoe to use for your Philippine wedding. See the video above but as a clue, imagine yourself in Chuck Taylor shoe while wearing that tuxedo and white bride's dress?
Jewelries always help lighten up the special occasion for Philippine weddings. Arrhae and rings to use for one may and may not be of authentic gold or jewelry but whichever you prefer, there are providers and makers of custom wedding rings and arrhae for the bride and groom.
My sister just went through with this one and I am about to share here what she and her husband were able to save and spend for a standard not so special church Philippine wedding below in breakdown per service provider.
Did you know that you can actually get to buy ready-to-wear (RTW) wedding dress in Quiapo and Divisoria? Yes! these two major places in Manila is where you can search for some of the best providers for both RTW and couture custom dress. Otherwise, if you have the budget, you can always go for the known coutures like Monique Lhuilier gowns, Randy Ortiz and the like.
I just signed up today, June 15, 2014 for the latest upcoming biggest Philippine wedding expo this year. It is sponsored by www.themesnmotifs.com.
For providers and enthusiasts, please sign up for an account to access and print a free pass / ticket to the event which will be held at the SMX Convention Center in June 28 and 29, 2014. I'll be there with my wife and sister who is on her way to put up a business in providing custom arrhae to couples.
To come up with the cheapest service of them all from different Philippine wedding related services and providers, we are listing the geographical locations, contact numbers and details of all possible providers from all over the Philippines and Manila on this page. We will update this as soon as we attend the Philippine Wedding Expo 2014 in SM Mall of Asia this June 28 and 29, 2014.