Drop the words "Filipiniana-themed wedding" and instantly, images straight from the classic Noli Me Tangere come to mind. Historic churches in Intramuros, quaint banderitas and a luscious buffet spread of lechon, pansit and a colorful assortment of kakanin capture the quintessential "Pinoy" celebration.

We Filipinos, after all, are known around the world for our unique and heartwarming brand of merrymaking… which is why couples to this day, do opt to celebrate their marriage in true Filipino fashion. Whether the theme is evident in the abaca giveaways or the bamboo centerpieces, the rondalla that serenades the guests or the traditional kundimans, couples today can have an authentically Pinoy touch to their weddings in more ways than one.

The trick is to remember that while "Filipino" does include all the superficial detailing that goes into wedding planning—the gown, the souvenirs, the food—it reaches far deeper than that. A Filipino wedding… regardless of its décor or its faithfulness to the traditions of old, becomes truly Filipino when it is planned with the same fun, fervor, passion and love for family that goes into our multi-faceted culture.



PICK A THEME:


Choosing Filipiniana as your wedding’s basic theme is only a starting point. Think of it as a basic, all-around theme that you’ve got to narrow down. Remember that the more specialized and specific your theme is, the more personal the feel of your wedding will be.


Period-centric. The Filipiniana look has evolved as a consequence of our country’s colorful history. A Turn of the Century wedding, for example, would have you drawing inspiration from icons from Rizal’s time—a Maria Clara inspired wedding gown patterned out of embroidered piña, capiz shell lamps in an outdoor garden reception, are just a few images based on that period. A Pinoy Pop wedding on the other hand could leave you with images of a sorbetero stand at the reception, a fun, acapella, Ryan Cayabyab-style arrangement for your songs or even kitschy candies such as Orange Sweets, Tarzan gum and Choc-nut scattered all over your guests’ tables.

Province-centric. You could opt to base your wedding on your province’s traditions. If you’re running out of unique menu ideas, think about the fare your region’s known for. Bicolanos, for example, can give away pili rolls, while Batangueños could wrap some barako beans as wedding souvenirs. Even hors d’oeuvres can be inspired by what province you come from—those from Laguna can serve kesong puti snacks.


Invitations Say It All: Invitations primarily supply your guests with the who’s what’s and where’s of your wedding. Apart from that, they clue those in attendance about what to expect on the day itself—a formal 300-guest sit-down dinner scenario, or an intimate no-holds-barred garden party? Your invites are a great way to seal the Filipiniana stamp on your wedding. They’re the perfect venue to tell everyone who’s invited that your theme is "going local!"



Handmade or recycled paper is usually associated with the Filipiniana theme. Mix these neutral, natural colors up with a bright graphic, or a splash of color to liven up the look.


Accessorize with textured materials such as weaves (banig), raffia or twine, shells, sand or even dried flowers.

Dig up your archives for old photographs of your church and turn your invitations, save-the-date cards or even thank you notes into vintage-looking postcards with the church as the background.

Personalize your invitations with the type of language you use. Deep, Balagtas-type Tagalog for true blue Manileños, or idiosyncratic Taglish for a quirky twist.


Dress the Part: The piece de resistance at any Filipiniana wedding is the execution of the bridal gown. Traditional brides can subscribe to the customary terno using jusi or pinya, while more contemporary brides can opt for sleeker, more modern cuts using materials such as abel iloco. Rifle through your grandparents’ old wedding photos for inspiration, or brave your mom’s baul for undiscovered finds, and keep in mind that thinking out of the box will usually reward you with the most individual, most personal looks.

Fuse Filipino flowers such as sampaguita into your bouquet or weave sinamay into your entourage’s floral arrangements for flowers that go well with the outfits.
Have your shoe take on a streamlined bakya form.


The Church Ceremony: Filipinos have a marked way of celebrating weddings—from the veil, cord and candle traditions to the picture taking with both sides of the family. Hearing mass in Filipino in an old, historic church, writing your vows in your dialect and even listening to Filipino-arranged songs during the ceremony make for a very "Pinoy" ambience. Decorating the church accordingly will keep your theme cohesive as well:

1. leaving abanikos in the pews for guests to fan themselves during mass
2. covering the aisle in sinamay and scattering sampaguita and ilang-ilang
3. using a traditional banig for the bride to walk on
4. raffia twine embellished with pearls for the cord
5. using a kalesa or stylized jeepney as the couple’s transportation



Filipino Fiestas

Pinoys are famous for the parties they throw, from the annual fiestas each province celebrates to the games everyone remembers from childhood, from the impressive spread of kare-kare and pansit to everyone’s favorite halo-halo and sapin-sapin. The way you carry out your Filipiniana reception depends mainly on the type of Pinoy atmosphere you want for your wedding. Traditionalists will love a Father Blanco’s Garden-type outdoor reception, while pop culturists can go crazy with ideas such as a layered puto wedding cake or a dirty ice cream vendor positioned right by the dessert. Go Barrio Fiesta with your party with clay pots as chafing dishes, centerpieces made out of fresh, local fruits in bilaos or mini bahay kubo replicas. Have your guests serenaded with your favorite harana, or remind them of summers spent in the province with banana leaf placemats or bao used as placecard holders, capiz for napkin rings or even tuba instead of wine! Even the traditional bouquet toss and garter throw can adapt to games you used to play as children--bato-bato pick, pabitin or even pukpok palayok! Wax nostalgic by leaving your guests with gifts like framed, old Peso bills, jeepney magnets, or native delicacies wrapped in pretty abaca or sinamay packages.

***Source: Manila Bulletin Online


 
from: kasalangpinoy.com
 
The wedding day is a time of great rejoicing. Its celebration is not an individual concern but affects the whole barrio. Even before the banns are proclaimed in the parish church, the highlights of conversation are focused on it. Excitement and anticipation pervade the atmosphere.

The kinsmen of the groom pool all their resources to prepare for the momentous event - to provide the bridal gown, decorate the church and the bride’s house, attend to the many guests that come, make ready for the marriage feast, and arrange all other pertinent details.

The last days that a maiden spends with her family are trying. Her parents, clinging to the last fragile hope of keeping their girl, try to discourage her by stressing the hardships of the married state, the defects of her husband-to-be, the unavoidable in-law problems, etc. Some fathers put on an air of indifference or pretend to be sick. Mothers become too strict and fault-finding, or hysterically give away to tears. The bride shuns company and attendance at public affairs to avoid comments and staring glances.

The wedding is set on a day when the moon is waxing. Barrio elders say that marriages held when the moon is waning meet with no luck and prosperity, a belief that seems to be widespread among other Visayan peoples.

The Eve of the Wedding (likod-likod) Special festivities are held in connection with the eve of the wedding (likod-likod) with the main purpose of stimulating friendship and good will between the families of the two contracting parties. Another objective is to commemorate the last day before the couple share a wedded life together. The parents of both bride and groom address each other in the familiar terms, "Pare" (for the fathers) and "Mare" (for the mothers). Aside from bearing all expenses for the feast, the boy’s kinsmen take care of entertaining and serving the guests, especially the bride’s circle of relatives and close friends. There is a plentiful supply of food and drinks, music and merry-making. Great precaution is taken that nothing unpleasant happens, that all visitors are pleased and well fed, and that the provisions are not exhausted. An unruffled, bounteous feast presages luck and happiness for the nuptial day.

A woman expert is oftentimes asked to take charge of dishing out the rice and viands on big plates (bandejados). She utters certain invocations as she scoops out the rice with a coconut ladle (luwag), to make sure that the food will be sufficient for the feast. A shortage would put the groom’s family to shame and predict failure for the marriage celebrations.

The betrothed pair takes part in the festivities, which may last till the late hours of the night, but the parents see to it that they retire early.
 
i have been offered a pot money by my parents of which i could get the big simple wedding... & the rest is ours to keep to start our lives together.

but i won't get the money i

i am due to see my fiance early tomorrow. he'd take the first flight to davao... & yes... i'll be seeing him before sunrise.

so, we have a lot to talk about.
basially, on whether we'd take on my parent's offer or we'd go down the highway.

anyways, let me list down the things that my blog seems to be lacking:
1. our love story... (another page)
2. my dream wedding (blog entry)
3. the dreams that i have been weaving (blog entry)
4. wedding planning (another blog) - for all the tips, budget, etc.
5. wedding suppliers (another blog) - of which i'd start with davao of course
6. real weddings (another blog) - for my friend's wedding & celebrity weddings... the latter will be more or less a paraphrase of magazines since i won't be invited to their wedding...
7. honeymoon (another blog) - i'd start in our islands

 
Honestly speaking... i think I am loosing the battle for my intimate wedding if i were to have good relations with some of my family.

i really hope that when i come to have a child's wedding in the future... that i wouldn't impress what i want over my child's dream.

disclaimer: my Papa had been so gracious about letting me know that i could have it as we planned it.
the problem is ith Mama's family.
I really don't belong in their big family, they have lots of superstitious beliefs and a weird sense of being a family.
I wish they were to watch Lilo & Stitch so they'd have an idea of what real family is like... that it's more than the blood-link but actually a bond that is more stronger than just shared lineage.

My mother, on her talk with one of my "ate" friends, told her that she can't seem to place where i got my idea or notion of hating the whole big wedding scheme...
well, i know the chances of her running into my blog is like down to 0%... but let me share my point of view anyways...
1. i want as little stress as possible.
yeah, right. The more the merrier. but to me... it means the more the CHAOS... not to mention the gastos.
Let's face it... in these tough times, a few thousand save from a wedding could amount to a start of a small business or a living room showcase or a fully furnished bedroom.
2. yes... the budget
while my parents had alreasy said that they would provide for the extra...
but wouldn't it be more meaningful to have us spend for our wedding? & don't they have another place/thing to spend their money for? (we are not rich)
3. the intimacy
being with only a few people would make everyone enjoy the wedding better. I'd be surrounded with people i love & around those who love me.
so, it's like an intimate reunion and celebration where the family could relax... and yes... just like drinking coffee.

i could go on & on about why i'd prefer a smaller bunch.
pre-wedding, it's more on the lesser expenses & lesser stress... in the wedding, it's more on the intimacy & a controlled chaos... post-wedding, it's more of the lesser talks & complaints on the negative aspect of your whole wedding.
i mean, i'd rather have them complain about why they weren't invited than have them at my wedding, paying for their meals, and them, rewarding me with complaints & criticisms... call me paranoid... but i really wouldn't want that.

NOW... looking at the brighter side...
if i were to go into all the hastles and bustles of a big wedding...
who says i couldn't have my own little wedding?
that intimate wedding of 20-30 that i've dreamt of?
*wink*

i actually have a plan in mind... 
 
Picture
source:www.weddingsatwork.com
photo: http://mryanortega.com

Filipinos still adhere to numerous widely-held folk beliefs that have no scientific or logical basis but maybe backed-up by some past experiences (yet can be dismissed as mere coincidence). Below are just a few that concerns weddings. Some are still practiced to this day primarily because of 'there's nothing to lose if we comply' attitude while the others are totally ignored for it seemed downright ridiculous. Read on...

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

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. 

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

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

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

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

- 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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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.
 
This entries shouldb placed in a table where you may place your ESTIMATED BUDGET and then the ACTUAL BUDGET after the contract wit the wedding suppler has been signed.

This is my current wedding budget list... of which i am going to edit until it's completed to my satisfaction.

CEREMONY & RECEPTION
* ceremony location fee
*officiant's fee
*marriage license
*reception's site fee
* food
*cake
* bar/drinks
* rentals
* couple's transportation
* guest's transportation & parking

MUSIC
* ceremony music
* cocktail hour music
* reception music
FLOWERS
* ceremony decorations
* Bride's bouquet
* bouquets (maid of honor, bridesmaids)
* corsages
* reception centerpieces
* decorations
* other
PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOGRAPHY RINGS BRIDE's ATTIRE
* wedding dress
* headpiece & viel
* shoes
* jewelry & accessories
* hair & make-up
GROOM's ATTIRE
* barong
* pants
* shoes
* accessories
ENTOURAGE
* gowns
* hair & make-up
INVITATIONS
GIFTS
* Bride's Parents' Gift
* Groom's Parents' Gift
* Souvernirs
* Guest Book
EXTRAS
* pillows (ring,Bible, arrhae)
* arrhae
* cord
* veil
* candles
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION
 
being in the tropics makes it easier fo us Filipino brides to have a beach wedding theme. we have a lot of coaslines that offers the great view of the sea.

what's great about beach themed weddings, as in outdoor weddings, is the great amount of money that you can save off your decor.

indeed said, not even Solomon in his splendor is dressed like the lilies...
so are the temples/churches... never good enough to mimic God's magnificence in nature like the beach.
in my search for an outdoor wedding set-up...
Picture
Thinking on planning a seaside celebration?  Here’s what you need to know first…

1. Scout Out Locations
Choose a location based on your wedding style and nonnegotiable guest list (if any). Unlike a hometown affair, you can't assume everyone will be able to attend, especially if you've chosen a beach that requires a journey for most people. You'll want to compare facilities and, if you're marrying on a private beach, look into any permit fees.

There are several resorts in Davao that offers to host a beach wedding… scout in at any of the IGACOS beach resorts.

They’ll provide you with the info at a phonecall. Of course, you need to have your budget straight before calling up every single one of them.

The most popular ones are that at
Pearl Farm Beach Resort. But they are certainly not budget friendly to regular brides like me. Another choice is Chema’s by the Sea. The latter would offer the whole resort at around P1650/pax for a minimum of 100 guests. They’d quote on fewer guests too but the prices would go up as well.

2. Start Early
Start researching and planning your beach wedding as soon as possible. Not only do you have to reserve your venue, but fulfilling the marriage and potential permit requirements of the state in which you are to be wed may take a few months.

If you are to hold it at a public beach park, then, there’s the cleaning up after. Kaputian, IGACOS is a nice spot for this.

3. Ask the Right Questions
Achieving your dream wedding means having all the information you need to make the perfect choices. 

4. Be Flexible
Mother Nature works in mysterious ways. We can't stress this enough: Always have a back-up plan in place for whatever she throws your way. Don't feel compelled to organize the day on a drill sergeant's time schedule; if you need to be on a rain delay for a couple of hours, the rest of the day can still proceed as planned.

5. Work With Those in the Know
I’ve read it several times in bride magazines that a way to save is to hire an expert. Sounds ironic, right? But anyway, looking at the promos & discount prices that the wedding planner could get you could account to a lot of bucks saved.
Work with a bridal consultant who specializes in beach weddings and/or a wedding planner based in the area where you'll be married to help you navigate a particular beach's requirements (these can vary by county and within towns). Planners also serve as expert eyes for finding -- and overseeing -- local vendors.

6. Guide Your Guests
BE KIND to your guests. Hand them a map on your invitation & make them aware of what to expect.
If you've chosen a relatively unknown section of beach, make sure guests know how to find it and can traverse any boardwalks, rocky areas, or grassy dunes. Be sure to place a welcome basket at the front of your ceremony site (suntan lotion, bug spray, etc.) and goodies that will remind them of the setting -- parasols, refreshing glasses of lemonade, or cozy beach blankets, for example. If your budget couldn’t provide this, then be sure to inform your guests on what to bring.
This would certainly make your beach wedding a welcome to those who’d attend.

7. Arrive Early
Plan to arrive to your site a few hours early to be sure the set-up goes off without a hitch. Try to relax, and stay hydrated -- you don't want to start wilting during the ceremony!
Arriving late would be another stress… & you wouldn’t want that.

8. Get It in Writing
Make sure you confirm all agreements in writing before you let a single peso leave your wallet!
Always ask for a contract and make sure that specific details are not left open, like specific inclusions that the suppliers had promised.
Without the paper, we can never run after the service that they’ve promised.

This is it indeed!
If you're looking for a small, simple, and beautifully natural wedding, a beach wedding is the perfect solution. And if you want to invite the whole gang, think about a fun-filled wedding weekend and reunion at an activity-rich resort, beach, or lakeside town. Whatever you decide, beach weddings are often memorable, unique, and offer a lot of options.

Hope this article helped…
 
 this has been my friend's dilemna since she wants a beach-themed wedding but they can't have it in the beach...

but they did stick to it.
Picture
their cake had that beach appeal. from the shell shaped white chocolate to the sand where the cake sits. It had brought the sand in indeed!

What's more is that she got this at a bargain. more than half the price of the regular wedding cakes of its kind. Her secret... she got a new pastry chef on the block.

She told me that it was the first thing that she checked in her reception venue right after church. being the OC bride that she is... she was indeed satisfied with every centavo spent on her wedding cake.

I will b posting other budget ideas from her...
for starters - she got her flowers at under 3 thousand, her invites & souvenirs were DIY which made her save a lot.
 
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Underneath a libel washes the motorway.