Love, Laughter, and Lumpia | FilAmS’ favorite Ways To Include their Filipino Heritage in Weddings

When it comes to weddings, couples often seek to infuse their special day with elements that reflect their unique love story and cultural heritage. For Filipino Americans, incorporating Filipino traditions into the wedding ceremony and reception can be a beautiful way to honor their roots and share their heritage with loved ones, especially if their significant other happens to be of another culture.

From traditional attire to ceremonial customs and flavorful cuisine, Filipino culture offers a wealth of meaningful traditions that can add depth and significance to a wedding celebration. In this blog post, we'll explore some creative ways to incorporate Filipino heritage into your wedding, creating a memorable and culturally rich experience for you and your guests.

Join us as we delve into the vibrant tapestry of Filipino customs and traditions, and discover how you can weave these into your own wedding celebration to create a day that is uniquely yours.

1. The Veil, Cord, and Coins Ceremony

One of the most beloved Filipino wedding traditions is the "Veil, Cord, and Coins" ceremony, symbolizing unity, bond, and prosperity in marriage. During this ritual, sponsors or family members place a veil over the shoulders of the couple, symbolizing their unity and the covering of God's protection over their relationship. Next, a cord is draped in a figure-eight shape around the couple's shoulders, signifying their eternal bond. Finally, the coins. The magic number is usually thirteen coins, known as arras, and are presented by the groom to the bride as a symbol of his commitment to provide for her and their future family. The coins are then passed from hand to hand to signify the couple's mutual support. The coins are blessed by the priest and are often kept as a family heirloom.

2. The Unity Candle and/or The Dove Release

While the Unity Candle ceremony isn't a traditional Filipino practice, many Filipino-American couples are making it their own. This ceremony can be tailored to fit the couple's style, adding a meaningful touch to their wedding, no matter their cultural background.

In a typical Unity Candle setup, there are three candles: two smaller ones, representing the individual lives of the bride and groom, and a larger one symbolizing their new life together. The mothers of the couple might kick things off by lighting the smaller candles, symbolizing the light their kids bring into the world. Later, the couple joins the flames from the smaller candles to light the larger one, showing their unity. It's a beautiful way for couples to add a personal and symbolic moment to their wedding day, creating a memory that will last a lifetime.

Another beautiful tradition that we’ve seen at Filipino weddings, though not exclusively a Filipino custom is the release of doves. The release of doves is often done after the couple exchanges vows or during a specific moment in the ceremony that represents the beginning of their new life together, towards the end of the ceremony. The doves, which trained to return home after being released, symbolize the couple's commitment to each other and their hope for a peaceful and harmonious marriage. The number of doves released can vary, with some couples choosing to release a single pair of doves to represent the bride and groom, while others release multiple pairs to symbolize their families and friends coming together in support of their union.

If this is something that’s down your alley, always remember to hire a company that does this respectfully. While the dove release tradition can add a beautiful and symbolic touch to a wedding ceremony, it's important to note that it should be done responsibly and in accordance with local laws and regulations regarding the release of animals.

3. Traditional Filipino Games and Dances

No Filipino wedding is complete without traditional games and dances that add a touch of nostalgia and joy to the celebration. From the lively "Tinikling" dance, where dancers skillfully move between bamboo poles, to playful games like "Pabitin," where guests try to grab goodies suspended from a tree, these activities bring people together in laughter and camaraderie, creating cherished memories that last a lifetime. And of course, we can’t forget the famed Filipino money dance (our favorite), also known as the prosperity dance or also called the sabitan/sayawan, is like a shower of good vibes and cash at a wedding, and who doesn’t like that? During the reception, guests get to be part of the fun by pinning money onto the couple's clothes. Guys pin onto the bride's dress, and ladies pin onto the groom's outfit before dancing with them. It's not just about the money—it's a symbol of wishing the couple financial abundance and a strong future together. Plus, guests can get creative with how they pin the bills, making garlands, crowns, or even streamers of cash down the couple's clothes. It's a fun tradition that adds a playful and supportive touch to the celebration.

4. Parlor Games Extravaganza

Turn your reception into a carnival of fun with classic Filipino parlor games that will entertain guests of all ages. From "Pabitin," where goodies are suspended from a wooden frame and guests try to grab them, to "Palosebo," where participants race up a greased bamboo pole to claim prizes at the top, these games add a playful and nostalgic element to your wedding festivities. Get ready for some friendly competition and lots of laughter as guests join in on the fun!

5. Karaoke Sing-Off

No Filipino celebration is complete without a round of karaoke! Set up a karaoke machine and let your guests showcase their singing talents as they belt out their favorite tunes. From classic love ballads to upbeat dance hits, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Encourage friendly competitions or duets between guests for added entertainment, and don't forget to capture the memorable performances on video to cherish for years to come.

6. The Filipino Line Dance: Cha-Cha Your Way to Happiness

Get the party started with a lively Filipino line dance that will have everyone on their feet! Whether it's the upbeat "Cha-Cha Slide" or the infectious "Macarena," these dance routines are easy to follow and guaranteed to get guests of all ages grooving to the music. Plus, it's a fantastic way to break the ice and get everyone involved in the celebration. So, cue up the music and let the dance floor come alive with energy and excitement! Ocho, Ocho, anyone? (Don’t forget the D.I.!)

7. Programs and Favors

One of our most favorite ways to pay homage to our culture are wedding programs or favors. For your wedding programs, consider including phrases or words in your native language/dialect, along with explanations of any customs or traditions that will be part of your ceremony (most non-Filipinos would love to learn about the origins of our customs, and even Filipinos may not know either). You could also incorporate traditional symbols or motifs that hold significance in your region or family, adding a personal touch to the design. A timeline of your relationship, highlighting important milestones, can also be a meaningful addition to your program. We love this “pamaypay” program trend too:

Photo Credit: Etsy, Infinity Paper

8. A Culturally Curated Menu

Photo Credit: @sanandwolvesbakeshop on Instagram

Food brings us all together, right? Whether it's your shared love for silog or debating the best toppings for halo-halo, food is a universal language that you can share with your guests. So, why not infuse your cultural background into your entire wedding or dessert menu? You don't have to serve up traditional dishes like adobo or lumpia (unless you want to, of course!), but consider talking to your chef or caterers about ways to incorporate flavors and ingredients that nod to your heritage. How about a menu featuring ingredients from your region? Or putting a modern twist on a classic dish that reminds you of your childhood, (a lumpia making station or ube pop tarts, anyone?). You could even serve up canapés that pay homage to your hometown or convince Lola to share her famous family recipe to give your guests a taste of nostalgia.

Incorporating your cultural heritage into your wedding adds a touch that makes your celebration truly unforgettable. Whether it's through language, symbols, or traditional treats, these elements connect your guests to your heritage and create a unique experience for everyone. By sharing these meaningful details with your loved ones, you're not only honoring your background but also creating lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. Happy wedding planning!

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