Pinoy Wedding Folklore & Superstitions

In this day and age, still many Filipinos cling to several Wedding Folklores and Superstitions. We adhere to those beliefs because of our “there’s-nothing-to lose-if-we-comply” attitude. Some chose to ignore because those beliefs sound ridiculous and have no scientific or logical basis. Some of those are mere excuse for the mishaps during the big day. Let me share with you some of those superstitions.

Before the Wedding

• Never clean the table while someone is still eating because that person will never be able to get married.
• Soon to weds are prone to accidents as their wedding day approaches. They must avoid travelling long distance before the wedding day.
• A bride should not try on her wedding dress before the big day or it will not push through.
• It is considered bad luck if siblings got married on the same year. It is locally known as “sukob” or sharing of luck.

During Wedding Ceremony

• The groom who sit down before the bride does will become “under –de-saya”(henpecked husband).
• If a brides monthly period falls on the wedding day, they will be blessed with many children.
• A spouse will be submissive to his or her partner if the wedding candle on his/her side is lit last.
• Throw rice confetti on the newlyweds o that they will prosper in all their lives.
• The more the food at the reception, the more bountiful blessings the marriage will receive.
• Dropping the wedding ring, veil or cord will cause unhappiness to the couple.
• The groom must arrive at the church before the bride to avoid bad luck.

Here are some contradictory beliefs and superstition.

• Couples must offer eggs to Sta. Clara in order to have a good weather during wedding day.
• A downpour during the wedding will bring prosperity and marital bliss. (So why offer eggs to Sta. Clara)
• A bride who wears pearl during their wedding day will be miserable since those gems are considered “tears” of the oyster.
• A bride who wears pearl on their wedding day will never become a miserable wife as the pearl s represent the tears she could potentially shed during the marriage. (Whew! I’m confused now on what to believe.

Till next time. Hope you learn something here. Its up to you guys if you'll follow it.

Live and let live….enjoy life to the fullest.

Pinoy Wedding Facts & Trivia

Two months had passed after my fiancé propose, we haven’t prepared anything yet for our wedding next year. We’ve attended a wedding congress last July 26, but after that, due to our busy work schedules, the preparation was put on hold. As I was browsing the handouts given, I came across with Pinoy Wedding Facts and Trivias. So for you guys who are planning to get married, try considering these.

• Wedding expenses are traditionally paid for by the groom’s family, unlike in some western cultures. It normally follows that who ever foots the bill higher will have the say on the size of the wedding. This day, more couples give their share of hard earned savings.
• It was a tradition that the bride to hold the heirloom rosary with the bridal bouquet during the nuptial mass. Some modern brides still do inorder to honor their Catholic Heritage and respect to solemn occasion.
• A Catholic wedding ceremony is held with a full mass that runs for about an hour.
• Aside from giving of rings, the giving of arrhae/arras (earnest money symbolized by 13 pieces of silver & gold coins) as part of Filipino wedding.
• Most Filipina brides prefer a custom made wedding gown than buying them ready-made or off-the-rack.
• The most popular month for church wedding in the Philippines is December and spills over the month of January.
• Traditionally, wedding invitations have an insert page that bears all the names and roles of the bridal party. Reception cards are not popular in the Philippines as wedding invites connotes an invitation to the banquet as well.
• Aside from bridesmaid and groomsmen, there are also three wedding attendant who assist in the wedding candle, veil and cord rituals held during the Nuptial Mass. The Candle Sponsors light the wedding candles placed on both sides of the altar. The flame of the candle symbolized God’s presence in the union. The Veil Sponsors drape and pin the veil (a long white tulle) on the groom’s shoulder and the brides head. This symbolizes the union of two people ‘clothe as one’. Lastly, the Cord Sponsor stand up with the cord (a silken rope, a string of flowers, or links of coins) in form of figure eight, placing each loop loosely around the neck/shoulder are of the couple symbolizing infinite bond of marriage.
• Soon to wed do not arrive at the ceremony venue at the same time. The groom is expected to arrive earlier the set time of wedding to receive guest. The bride on the other hand, usually stay in the bridal car and alights only the vehicle just in time for her biridal march.
• Newlyweds release a pair of white doves to signify peaceful and harmonious marital relationship.
  (credits: Weddings@Works)

So long. Next time I’ll be sharing Philippine Wedding Folklore and Superstition.

Live and let live...enjoy life to the fulest.