Barong Tagalog

Barong Tagalog (or simply barong, from the word baro) is an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines. Made from jusi or hand woven piña. It is very lightweight and worn untucked, over an undershirt. It is a common wedding and formal attire for Filipino men as well as women. The term "barong tagalog" literally means "a dress that is Tagalog", or "a Tagalog dress" in the Filipino Language.

The Barong Tagalog gained his real national prestige after president Quezon, the first Filipino president, declared the Barong Tagalog "the National dress". So, the Barong Tagalog evolved from the pre-Hispanic became officially a symbol of the Filipinos' resistance to colonization.

A Buyer's Guide to Barong

Most women have always dreamed about getting married in a church ceremony. While very charming, the only drawback to this is that it required a male presence in the church to get the party started.

Should you be the male, approach the event like you would your crowning moment – whether your definition of a crowning moment is an inauguration or a public execution. Either way, the barong tagalog is always the best choice for occasions like this.

Given the Philippines’ tempestuous climate, the barong tagalog will always be the formal outfit of choice, whether for a typical business day or attending a formal outdoor ceremony. Try wearing a coat and tie to work every day in the summer heat and you’ll see what I mean. Likewise, try waiting for your bride outdoors decked out in a three-piece suit.

Of course, appealing to plain nationalism won’t do the trick, as this is not a matter of picking one off the rack. To get married in a barong tagalog (or to bear witness at a wedding) means that you have taken the great responsibility of looking good, Filipino-style.

A Short History
According to many historians, the design of the barong tagalog and the choice of the material were considered a means of subjugation by Spain during the colonial era. The barong tagalog was an offshoot of a Spanish mandate that Filipino businessmen wear a formal suit but of a lesser degree in quality to theirs, and that the same should be made of transparent material to ensure that the Indios wouldn’t dream of hiding some weapons underneath. In addition, Filipinos of that era were allegedly instructed to keep their formal wear untucked to denote their lower status. Historically, keeping the shirt untucked is common sense for the warm Filipino weather. The designer of the barong, God bless his/her soul, wisely chose to consider this fact when he/she came up with the original design.

Of course, there is little evidence to back this particular theory, as we have yet to unearth an archive of dress codes from the Spanish era regarding the wearing of the barong tagalog. Besides, we can see old photos of our national heroes in western clothing—impeccably tucked and trousered.

Office or Occasion
Of course, when wearing barongs, there is a world of difference between the standard office barong and the formal event barong , so one should never wear one in lieu of the other. If you think wearing an office barong to a formal event is a fashion faux pas, think about your mates’ reaction when you show up for work in a piña-jusi ensemble.

Office barongs tend to be made from polyester and other synthetic fibers and tend to be totally opaque instead of transparent. Embroidery is more or less limited to the office logo and a few token designs. Popular among executives is the wearing of barong tagalogs made from the material called "gusot-mayaman." Composed of linen, "gusot-mayaman" is the easiest way to look like you’ve had a busy day.

Grooming for the Groom

For the formal barongs, only jusi and piña cloth will do. Jusi used to be made from abaca or banana fiber, but silk organza is now the preferred material. Mechanically woven, jusi is stronger and more durable. Piña, however, is the last word for ultra-formal barongs. Woven from pineapple leaves to create superfine fibers, piña cloth is thinner, softer, and much shinier than jusi. The embroidery of a piña barong is more impressive to look at.

Type of Cloth Used

• White Jusi fabric - has been developed in response to the demand for pure white, elegant fabric for the modern groom's wedding Barong.
• Piña fabric - is hand-loomed from pineapple leaf fibers. And because Piña weavers in the Philippines are dwindling, it's scarcity makes the delicate Piña cloth expensive and is thus used for very formal events.
• Jusi fabric - is mechanically woven and was once made from abacca or banana silk.
• Banana fabric - is another sheer fabric used in formal occasions. Made and hand woven from banana fiber, it usually comes with geometric design details. This fabric hails from the Visayas island of Negros.
• Piña-Jusi fabric - is the latest barong fabric that just came out of the market and is gaining much popularity. With the sheerness of pineapple fibers and the strength of the jusi fiber, this "new" fabric blend offers the market the same formality needed on special occasions at a more reasonable price range.

Barong Decorative Details

• Hand embroidery
• Machine embroidery
• Computerized embroidery
• Hand painting
• Pintucks (alforza)
• Lace-inserts/appliques

Here is some advice for choosing a barong for your wedding:

• Always go for a custom-fitted barong. A ready-to-wear (RTW) version is the last resort of the hopeless. Men’s bodies are an assorted lot, and it would be an extremely long shot for you to hope that you can get a barong tagalog that fits exactly right. Always look at the fit at the shoulders and the cuffs; these should be perfectly snug. Any difference, however slight, will be obvious and ugly.

• When deciding between piña and jusi, have the male entourage (never mind the godfathers—at their age, they’re entitled to wear what they want) wear jusi, and reserve the piña version for the groom. This not only saves money, but creates a distinction for the groom. Since it’s his day, it’s only fitting - he deserves a spot above the rest. (After that, he’ll have to learn to defer to the wife the rest of his married life).

• When selecting the type of embroidery for your barong, try and restrain yourself from selecting overly intricate patterns. Apart from the conventional wisdom that anything in excess is bad, I have witnessed one too many scenes when the delicate piña barong ripped prior to the ceremony due to the undulations of the anxious wearer. Too much needlework can speed up the half-life of this delicate clothing.

• Put on the barong only at the last moment, prior to getting married. Seat belts, automatic doors, and drinks can invariably reduce the delicate barong to a mess, so covering it and placing it on a hanger in your car on the way to the church makes sense.
  

Cost Centers
Plenty of haberdasheries and tailoring shops can be found all over the country, and the tailors will be more than happy to show you their cloth selection and take your measurements on the spot. In some cases, their services may be cheaper than buying an RTW barong.

Those abroad, while limited with their choices, almost always get their clothes from the Internet. Sites like mybarong.com offer a plethora of choices and can deliver barongs for both infants and giants. Smart Pinoys can always ask their friends or relatives to ship them the cloth instead, or shop around during their next visit home. Surely a little piña or jusi hunting will be worth the trip, and any professional tailor back home can create a masterpiece custom-fitted to their liking.

Weddings come once in a lifetime (in most cases), and since everybody has to defer the title of "most handsome guy" to you for a day, get a barong and make the most out of this privilege.

***Source: Manila Bulletin Online

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Wedding Dress In Color

White has remain an all time favorites for brides since Queen Victoria of England marriage to Albert in year 1840, interesting to note too that prior to her historic wedding gown choice, there weren´t any wedding gown preferred color.

Not all brides prefer to marry in a white or pale princess ball gown, Brides from all over the world, originating each from their strong rich cultures opt to marry in vibrant, colorful dresses that also signifies well meaning, blessings and wishes on their wedding day, sort of like a silent prayer for blessed unions.

Here are the meanings behind their choice of colors to wear on their wedding day and who knows, your designer may be inspire to create something for you.

Chinese Brides
Chinese brides opt for red for good luck and joy and details of gold for fortunes and prosperities.

Malay Brides
Any vibrant colors depending on the brides taste and favorites, they may opt to wear different colors for different celebrations throughout their wedding process. White, Black and Red is generally frown upon.

Indian Brides
Bright yellow and gold is mostly preferred by young Indian brides that symbolizes wealth and blessings to herself, her husband and his families. Yellow and gold too bring out their wedding well - ¬known for their rich celebrations.

Morrocan Brides
Like Indian Brides, the Moroccan brides choose bright yellow but they mean to ward of evil and green is another of their favorites because it brings good lucks and symbolizes greens and plants.

Israelis or Jewish Brides
Jewish brides prefer to wear a white wedding gown to symbolise purity and clarity. Blues represents mystical and spiritual powers.

Japanese Brides
A lavish white Kimono detail or lined with red symbolises happiness and a new beginning.

Spanish Brides
To represent and display their love and devotion to their husband until death, Spanish brides wears lacy mantillas gown.

Korean Brides
Lime green wonsam is worn over the traditional wedding dress, the hanbok. Wonsam is embroided with flowers and butterflies with the colour red representing heaven, indigo for earth and yellow colour for humanity. For respect to the elders and her husband, her hands are covered in white.

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Wedding Ring

The Symbolic Meaning of Wedding Rings

The wedding rings that you and your partner choose are one of the most important purchases you'll make in your life. After all, your wedding ring is much more than a piece of jewelry

A wedding ring is a symbol of your marriage and is used as an outward sign of your love and commitment to each other.

It symbolizes eternity, endlessness, and something that can not be broken. Wedding rings are given as a token of unending love for each other. Traditionally, as a symbol of strength in the marriage.

Wearing your wedding ring shows the world that your love belongs to someone else. Wedding rings are also wrapped up with many other ancient traditions. Almost without exception, a wedding ring is worn on the finger (the fourth finger of the hand counting from the thumb). This dates back to classical times when the Egyptians believed that it contained the vena amoris or "vein of love" that traveled straight to the heart. Over time it became acceptable and then custom to wear a wedding ring on this finger in order to declare your love for your spouse. The only variation is the hand that the ring is worn on.

Some countries, cultures and religions favor the left hand while others favor the right hand, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference. Where the woman prefers to wear both her wedding and engagement rings, some traditions suggest that the woman wears her wedding ring below her engatement ring to signify that it is closer to her heart. In contrast, other customs involve wearing the wedding ring on top of the engagement ring to include the spirit of engagement into the marriage. But again, it's a case of personal preference.

As an alternative, some jewelers in the US offer theree ring sets; the his wedding ring, her engagment ring and a thin band that it added to the engagement ring at the time of the wedding, thus converting it into one combined wedding ring.

In past generations, women wore wedding bands much more frequently than men did, but that has gradually changed. Today, both men and women commonly wear their wedding rings on a day-to-day basis, except for work related or safety reasons. But the biggest change is the growth in the number of ways that people express their marital status. In many cases, people choose to wear their wedding ring on a chain around neck and this has developed the same social significance as wearing it in the traditional manner.

Alternatively, people who don't agree with declaring such a spiritual thing as their marriage to the world through a material item such as a ring have found different ways to symbolize their love.

Wedding rings have been worn in many cultures. While the traditions may be slightly different, the sentiment and meaning to love, tresure and honor one another forever, remains much the same.

Other traditions, developed more recently, have been influenced by the jewelry trade. These ideas include:

• Promise Ring: This is given when the initial relationship become deeper.
• Engagement Ring: This is given as a commitment to marriage, and in some customs is part of a series of gifts that ends with the wedding ring.
• Wedding Ring: This is the ring that symbolizes marriage and on which all the other rings are based.
• Eternity Ring: This is usually given shortly after marriage, often on the birth of a first child, and is a symbol of ongoing commitment.
• Trilogy Ring: This is a ring that normally contains three round diamonds to represent the past, present and future of their relationship.

ENGRAVING:

In some cultures, the name of your intended spouse and the planned date of the wedding are engraved inside both wedding rings. This makes the rings, and all that they represent, more personal and turns them into a piece of family history.

These customs and traditions show that wedding rings can symbolize many things to many people, but ultimately all that matters is what they mean to you and your partner. So decide what your wedding ring means to you and enjoy your wedding.

QUICK TIPS:

• During the summer months, skin often swells up, and people may have trouble with the fit of the rings, you may apply a small amount of lotion.
• To get the right fit, always try your wedding rings on when your hands are cold.

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Filipino Wedding Traditions

In the Philippines there are many unique wedding traditions, some which originate from Spanish missionaries who visited the country early in the 18th century. Many of these traditions are drawn from the dominant Christian religion of the Philippines, Catholicism.

"Kasalan" is the Filipino word for Wedding.

Unlike in the United States where the bride’s family pays for the wedding, in the Philippines, expenses are paid for by the groom’s family. The bride’s gown is custom-made rather than bought ready made off the rack. Both the bride and groom wear white, with the groom wearing a traditional transparent button-up shirt called barong tagalog.

Wedding invitations cover both the ceremony and the reception; therefore reception cards are not used. Also included in the wedding invitation is a page that gives all the names and roles of those in the bridal party. In the Philippines, the most popular month for a wedding is December to January, as opposed to June in the United States.

The bride and groom arrive separately and at different times for the ceremony. The groom arrives up to an hour before hand to receive guests. The bride however, arrives just in time for her bridal march. Both the bride and the groom march down the aisle, the groom either alone or with his parents.

The marrying couple picks a few pairs of Ninong and Ninang (godparents) to be the primary sponsors/witnesses of the ceremony. In addition to the bridesmaids and groomsmen, three pairs of wedding attendants act as secondary sponsors who manage the wedding candles, veil and cord ceremonies, which make take place during the nuptial mass. The bride holds an heirloom rosary along with the bridal bouquet during the ceremony. Generally the wedding ceremony includes a full mass, which runs about an hour.

In addition to exchanging rings, the groom gives his bride an arrhae, which is a monetary gift in the form of thirteen pieces of gold or silver coins. This is a pledge from the groom of his dedication to the welfare of his wife and children. A coin bearer who walks alongside the ring bearer for both the processional and recessional carries the arrhae.

Candles stand on each side of the couple. Candle attendants light these candles that symbolize God’s presence in the union. Some couples integrate the lighting of a Unity candle into the service. The Unity candle has its origins in the Protestant religion. After the candles are lit, veil sponsors drape a long white tulle veil on the grooms shoulder and pin it. Another veil is then draped over the bride’s head. The veils are used to symbolize two people who are ‘clothed’ as one.

The last pair of sponsors stands with a cord in the form of a figure eight and place one loop around the neck-shoulder area of the bride and the other loop around the neck-shoulder area of the groom. The cord symbolizes the infinite bond of the marriage. This cord can be a silken rope or made from a string of flowers or links of coins.

After the ceremony, during the reception, a pair of white doves is released by the newlyweds to signify peace and harmony during the marriage; whoever catches them takes them home as a pet. Instead of tossing of the bouquet, the bride instead offers the flowers to a favorite Saint or the Virgin Mary. Some opt to place the bouquet on the grave of a lost love one.

Traditional Filipino weddings are very strong in the faith, emphasizing God in every part of the ceremony and inviting Him into their lives. Also, every part of the ceremony emphasizes the joining of two people as one in a life long commitment of love and caring.

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Pre-Wedding Rituals

Pinoy Pre-Wedding Rituals in Modern Times

The good news is that the days of pikot (shotgun marriage) and kasunduan (arranged marriage) — where both the bride and groom had no choice but to comply with the parents’ wishes are long gone.

The bad news: harana (suitor’s serenade) is mostly unheard of and ligawan (courtship) is simply reduced to dating. Love letters these days are just regular emails and SMS messages that took a little longer to compose. So when do constant dates officially make a couple? Decades ago, a girl may be expected to say ‘Yes’ first just so the guy would know that she liked him too. Nowadays, well, they just know.

While Filipino courtship rituals are going the way of the dinosaurs, the rituals for engagements and pre-weddings remain pretty much the same, except for some modern tweaking in keeping with the times. Despite these, the basic essence remains: sincere intentions, respect to elders and spiritual devotion. Read on.

Pagtatapat

Marriage Proposal without popping the actual question

They say that no woman wants to be married without first being asked. But do Filipino men really know how to propose? If so, why does the phrase “Pakakasalan mo ba ako?” (Will you marry me?) sounds more like a threat than a proposal? Popping the question is a totally Western concept that seems out of place within serious Filipino relationships where marriage is often a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’. For Pinoys, “Pakasal na tayo!” (Let’s get married!) seem to be the more likely proposition. Quite rightly, as proposal literally means a presentation of some plan; so asking should be out of the question. Looks like we got it right.

Singsing / Paghingi ng Kamay
The Engagement Ring as dowry

A ring symbolizes such a deeper commitment that your average Pinoy will avoid this as a gift to a girlfriend early in the relationship to avoid sending the wrong signal. The engagement ring concept is likewise a Western influence, but its local adaptation is a consequence of practicality rather than colonial mentality. The giving of the ring is actually a scaled-down version of our forefather’s offering of dote/bigay-kaya (dowry) to his future wife (and her family) to signify his intentions. It is a symbolic gift for her acceptance to the asking of her hand in marriage (paghingi ng kamay).

The most popular choice for a ‘rock’ is the diamond. But some traditional and sentimental Filipino families may insist on having their son offer a treasured family heirloom as an engagement ring to symbolize his family’s approval and her acceptance into their family. In such case, it would be best to present the ring as a highlight of the pamanhikan.

Pamanhikan
The (often awkward) meeting of two families

The blueprints of wedding plans are drawn or made known during this occasion. The pamanhikan is often hosted by the bride’s family as the groom and his folks visit them to formally ask their daughter’s hand in marriage and discuss plans for the upcoming wedding over lunch or dinner. This can be an uneasy situation if it’s the first time for both parties to meet. The soon-to-weds may feel a little awkward (nervous even) seeing and listening to their parents consult each other on matters like their wedding budget, guest list and the like.

It is customary that the visiting family bring a gift (often, the best home-cooked specialty of the groom’s mom) for the hosts. Others may opt to hold the meeting on neutral grounds (a restaurant is a likely choice) or invite a mutual acquaintance to the gathering and help ease the awkwarness of the first meeting. Why do Pinoys bother with all the trouble? We all seek our parents’ blessings for a happy and trouble-free marriage. Afterall, pamanhikan is a treasured Filipino heritage which, first and foremost, avoids the embarrassing situation of having the parents see each other as strangers come wedding day.

Paninilbihan
Laboring for a family’s approval

Paninilbihan is said to be a long-forgotten tradition where the suitor performs some daunting chores for the bride’s family to show his worth, fortitude and responsibility. Tasks like pagsibak ng kahoy (firewood chopping) or pag-igib ng tubig (water fetching) come to mind. But this ritual is still sub-consciously practiced in these modern times, only on a much simpler scale (thank goodness!).

As Filipinos parents prefer the boyfriend to pay a visit to their daugther in their house rather than date elsewhere, he is considered as an unofficial part of the household rather than a mere guest. Thus, it comes as no surprise when family members ask simple favors from him such as driving the girlfriend’s mother to the supermarket or replacing a busted light in the kitchen. Come to think of it, future sons- or daughters-in-law are expected to run some simple errands for their would-be-in-laws if he/she seeks their approval. These little favors form part of the paninilbihan process still deeply imbibed in the Filipino psyche.

Pa-alam
Wedding announcements, Filipino style

The practice of pa-alam (to inform) should not be confused with the Pilipino term "paalam” (goodbye). Though less formal than the pamanhikan, pa-alam is another gesture appreciated by Filipino elders as a sign of respect. Basically, the practice is just a round of casual diplomatic visits and ‘courtesy calls’ to people who matter most to the couple (usually elder relatives in the province). The spouse-to-be is introduced to the people visited and informed of the impending wedding to secure their blessings. Couples may choose to do this at a family reunion while handing over the wedding invitations to save on trips. This is also the period when soon-to-weds visit their prospective ninongs or ninangs (godparents/principal sponsors) for the wedding and it is customary to bring a little something for the person visited (a basket of fruits is a popular choice).

Since the ‘major hurdle’ is over and done with after the pamanhikan, pa-alam should be a breeze. Couples should remain patient though as some elders may ask them to recount their love story, give a litany about married life, or ask the groom-to-be about his line of work and family background.

Dulog

Meeting a ‘father’ other than the future spouse’s

The term “dulog” literally means “approach.” This is the time were soon-to-weds approach their parish priest for a meeting. In the past, this was done in reverence to the priest who served as a “father” to either the bride- or groom-to-be. It was once considered a necessary visit especially when the future spouse is somebody unfamiliar or from outside the parish.

Presently, dulog (Canonical/pre-nuptial interview) is a church requirement where the parish priest discusses with the couple their duties and responsibilities as husband and wife. The interview also serves the purpose of finding any possible impediments to the impending union and determining the couple’s readiness to wed and knowledge about the doctrines of a Catholic marriage. This visit will be a good time to ask the priest whatever questions they may have related to the upcoming church wedding.

Despedida de Soltera
A wholesome bachelorette party

The despedida de soltera (literally, goodbye to spinsterhood) is a send-off party held close to the wedding date in honor of the bride-to-be and hosted by her family. This celebrates her family’s consent and blessings for the upcoming union. The groom and his family, the wedding entourage, close friends & relatives from both sides are all invited to meet and get to know one another before the big day. The occasion may serve as the formal introduction of the two families/clans to each other. This affair can be anything from a formal sit-down dinner to a casual get-together party.

Alay-Itlog kay Sta. Clara
Rain, rain go away!

Although rain showers on the wedding day itself are believed to bring bountiful blessings to a newly married couple, many still prefer a bright and sunny wedding day. But rain is something mere mortals can’t control, so what do Pinoys do? Seek God’s help through the intercession of a Saint by offering eggs. Despite its pagan origins, marrying Catholic Pinoys still troop to the monastery of Sta. Clara in Katipunan Ave. to offer eggs to the patron saint and request the cloistered nuns to pray that their wedding day be rain-free.

Sta. Clara, eggs, rain - what’s the connection? St.Claire has long been considered a patron saint of good weather because her name in Spanish (clara) means clear, like the brightening of sky after a storm. The patroness’ link with eggs came about as her name (clara [de huevo]) is the Spanish for ‘egg white’. That became the basis why the residents of Obando, Bulacan believed in offering eggs at the base of the altar of Sta. Clara to pray for good weather. But we suggest that soon-to-weds consider other offerings (food, fruits or monetary) for even our beloved nuns know too well that an egg too many means cholesterol overload!

Kasal Kumpisal
Coming ‘clean’ before the ceremony

This is more of a moral obligation than a tradition required by the Church of every marrying Catholic couple. A few days prior the wedding, soon-to-weds are asked to have their final confessions with a priest as single individuals since they will partake in the bread and share the wine (symbolic of the Body and Blood of Christ) during the Nuptial Mass. The confessions serve as a spiritual cleansing for the sins committed prior to the Sacrament of Marriage and a commitment & devotion to one’s lifetime partner.

***Source: WeddingsAtWork {w@w}

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Wedding Culture

The Engagement

After the couple has decided to marry, the first order of business is the pamanhikan, where the groom and his parents visit the bride’s family to ask for her hand in marriage. Wedding plans are often made at this time, including a discussion of the budget and guest list. Don't be surprised if the groom-to-be is expected to run some errands or help out around the bride's house. This tradition is called paninilbihan, where the suitor renders service to his future wife's family to gain their approval.

The Wedding Outfits

The white wedding dress has become popular in the last hundred years or so with America's influence in the Philippines. Before that, brides wore their best dress, in a festive color or even stylish black, to celebrate a wedding. Orange blossom bouquets and adornments were a must during the turn of the last century. For men, the barong tagalog is the traditional Filipino formal wear. It is a cool, almost transparent, embroidered shirt, made from silky pina or jusi, two native ecru fabrics. It is worn untucked, over black pants, with a white t-shirt underneath. These days, a Filipino American groom might wear the conventional black tux, but Filipino male wedding guests will usually show up in their finest barongs.

The Ceremony

In pre-colonial days, a wedding ceremony lasted three days. On the first day, the bride and groom were brought to the house of a priest or babaylan, who joined their hands over a plate of raw rice and blessed the couple. On the third day, the priest pricked the chests of both bride and groom and drew a little blood. Joining their hands, they declared their love for each other three times. The priest then fed them cooked rice from the same plate and gave them a drink of some of their blood mixed with water. Binding their hands and necks with a cord, he declared them married. The majority of Filipino weddings are now Catholic weddings, but some native traditions remain. Most have special "sponsors" who act as witnesses to the marriage. The principal sponsors could be godparents, counselors, a favorite uncle and aunt, even a parent. Secondary sponsors handle special parts of the ceremony, such as the candle, cord and veil ceremonies. Candle sponsors light two candles, which the bride and groom use to light a single candle to symbolize the joining of the two families and to invoke the light of Christ in their married life. Veil sponsors place a white veil over the bride's head and the groom's shoulders, a symbol of two people clothed as one. Cord sponsors drape the yugal (a decorative silk cord) in a figure-eight shape--to symbolize everlasting fidelity--over the shoulders of the bride and groom. The groom gives the bride 13 coins, or arrhae, blessed by the priest, as a sign of his dedication to his wife's well-being and the welfare of their future children.

The Food

The Filipino wedding feast is elaborate. One feast celebrated at the turn of the last century involved these foods: First was served cold vermicelli soup. The soup was followed by meats of unlimited quantity--stewed goat, chicken minced with garlic, boiled ham, stuffed capon, roast pork and several kinds of fish. There were no salads, but plenty of relishes, including red peppers, olives, green mango pickles and crystallized fruits. For dessert, there were meringues, baked custard flan, coconut macaroons and sweetened seeds of the nipa plant.

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Filipino Wedding Superstitions

Many Filipinos (like most people in the world) adhere to numerous folk beliefs and superstitions. Some are practiced primarily because of an “there's nothing to lose if we comply” attitude while others are totally ignored for they seem downright ridiculous. Here are some of the Filipino wedding superstitions:

1. Brides shouldn't try on their wedding dress before the wedding day or the wedding will not push through.

2. Knives and other sharp and pointed objects are said to be a bad choice for wedding gifts for this will lead to a broken marriage.

3. Giving arinola (chamberpot) as wedding gift is believed to bring good luck to newlyweds.

4. Altar-bound couples are accident-prone and therefore must avoid long drives or traveling before their wedding day for safety.

5. The groom who sits ahead of his bride during the wedding ceremony will be a henpecked husband.

6. If it rains during the wedding, it means prosperity and happiness for the newlyweds.

7. A flame extinguished on one of the wedding candles means the one on which side has the unlit candle, will die ahead of the other.

8. Throwing rice confetti at the newlyweds will bring them prosperity all their life.

9. The groom must arrive before the bride at the church to avoid bad luck.

10. Breaking something during the reception brings good luck to the newlyweds.

11. The bride should step on the groom's foot while walking towards the altar if she wants him to agree to her every whim.

12. A bride who wears pearls on her wedding will be an unhappy wife experiencing many heartaches and tears.

13. Dropping the wedding ring, the veil or the arrhae during the ceremony spells unhappiness for the couple.

14. In early Filipino custom, the groom-to-be threw his spear at the front steps of his intended's home, a sign that she has been spoken for. These days, a ring suffices as the symbol of engagement.

15. It is considered bad luck for two siblings to marry on the same year.

16. An unmarried woman who follows the footsteps (literally) of the newlyweds will marry soon.

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