A Filipino Wedding: Revisiting Wedding Symbols of our Catholic Faith — Jon Castillo | Sydney Heartfelt Weddings and Visual Storytelling

A FILIPINO WEDDING:
Revisiting Wedding Symbolisms of our Catholic Faith

Despite how frequently wedding trends change, Crystal and Kay (of Crystal & Kay Weddings and Events, Wedding Management and Coordination) created this project to reconnect us with our long-standing cultural customs.

The Philippines serve as home to a variety of different cultures. More than 7,000 islands make up this archipelago, and it has a very distinctive culture that is influenced by family, neighbourhood, and strong Catholic traditions.

Let's not forget that weddings involve more than just a priest officiating and a few Bible verses. It is full of time-honoured traditions and many faith-based customs.

Let us not get lost in translation and let us be reminded of these traditions.

Our lovely couple for the day Eric Gunay and Joanna Gunay

GlenCocoHair and Isla Bonita Beauty keeping our lovely bride beautiful throughout the day.

PROUDLY PINOY: Vanessa Moderno of Barong at Bestida Australia supplying us with beautifully tailored garments.

Holy Family Catholic Parish hosting beautiful wedding ceremonies.

THE UNITY CANDLE

In order to symbolise the union of two people, a unity candle is lit during a wedding ceremony. In this contemporary, agnostic tradition, the couple separately lights a candle, and then they all light one larger unity candle to symbolise the concept of "two becoming one."

“You the light of the world.

A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house.

Just so, your light must shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Matthew 5:14-16

THE HOLY BIBLE

The Bible is God’s manual for life. The groom accepts this bible and is symbolic of the husband’s acceptance of his role as a spiritual leader of the family.

THE WEDDING COINS

A tradition where the groom gives the bride 13 coins representing Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles. These coins represent the husband’s responsibility as a provider and his trust in his bride with his material possessions.

Coins or “Arras” means earnest money” in Spanish.

The coins used below are called “Endless Treasures”, which is a modern take on the Arras tradition and features a virtue on each coin.

These 13 virtues makes a fruitful marriage:
Love
Wisdom
Integrity
Discipine
Spirituality
Optimism
Forgiveness
Trust
Gratitude
Gentleness
Respect
Passion
Perseverance

THE WEDDING VEIL

It is not just a mere beauty accessory. It is a symbol of submission of the wife to the loving care of her husband. It signifies trust like our confidence in Jesus Christ’s leadership. It signifies that the wife has chosen to follow her husband as her loving companion. The veil has been consecrated to handle that sacred vessel that is both mysterious and beautiful.

“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire like a mighty flame.”
Song of Solomon 8:6-7

THE WEDDING CORD

The wedding corn symbolises a lifetime of unity or an everlasting union between the bride and groom. This cord represents “Marital Protection” and loops signify their LOVE for one another.

“Two are better than one because they have a good return on their labour.
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and no one to help them up.
Also if the two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, TWO CAN DEFEND THEMSELVES.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.“
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

THE WEDDING RINGS

These rings are not only a reminder of the consent made but a reminder of the promises of the bride and groom made to each other through their vow. It symbolises their devotion to each other.

“..and I vow to give you
the love that you deserve.
To support you.
I will never quit.
I promise not to give up.
I promise to be true to you,
in good times and in bad,
in sickness and in health.
I will love and honour you
all the days of my life.”