Filipino Ceremony
A Traditional Ceremony that includes
the Cord, Veil and arras Coins
pictured here
the Cord, Veil and arras Coins
pictured here
1. Prelude
2. Processional
3. Opening
Officiant: We are gathered here today in the sight of God to celebrate one of life's greatest moments - The Joining of Two Hearts.
In this ceremony today we will witness the joining of BRIDE and GROOM in marriage.
If there is anyone present who has just ‘cause why this couple should not be united let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
Who gives this woman to this man?
Father of the BRIDE : I do.
Officiant: Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other, fell in love and are finalizing it with their wedding today. Romance is fun, but true love is something far more and it is their desire to love each other for life and that is what we are celebrating here today.
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the "little" things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner.
4. Rose Ceremony
Officiant: The love that GROOM and BRIDE feel for one another is a seed that their parents planted in their hearts years ago - and today it has blossomed. Today, as they embrace each other in their love, they also embrace the families, which have come together on this happy occasion. As a sign of their love for their families, BRIDE and GROOM would like to offer these roses, to their mothers as symbols of their eternal love.These Roses are a promise that no matter how far away you are - that you are not forgotten and that you are always in their hearts.
(Instruction: GROOM and BRIDE present a flower to BRIDES mother first, and then to GROOMS mother.)
5. Lighting of the Unity Candle
Officiant: Today you have decided to share the rest of your lives with each other. This beautiful union is now symbolized by the lighting of the Unity Candle. The candle you are about to light is a candle of Marriage.
The individual candles represent all that you are and all that you have been until this moment.
It is a candle of Unity because both candles must come together to create the new light. Its fire is miraculous because it represents the light of two people in love.
This candle is also a candle of Commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it ablaze. Love is like a flame; it has the heat of passion, it is constantly changing, its radiance is there for all to see and together you must protect it from being extinguished.
BRIDE and GROOM please light the center candle to symbolize the union of your lives.
Officiant: Today, as you have lit this candle, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives together. May the twinkle of this one light be a testimony of your union. May this candle burn brightly as a symbol of your love and commitment to each other.
The life that each of you experienced now, individually, will hereafter be united, for the two shall become one.
6. Readings
Officiant: I Corinthians 13:1-8
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
7. Veil Ceremony
Officiant: BRIDE and GROOM, I ask SPONSOR and SPONSOR to join us and to lay a veil over you to clothe you together. Let this be a symbol of the faithful love you have for each other. Through the passing of the years, let the veil remind you that you belong to each other and to no one else.
(Instruction: SPONSOR will pin the veil on GROOM’s right shoulder, while SPONSOR will drape the veil over BRIDES head and pin it on the left side of her veil.)
8. Cord Ceremony
Officiant: BRIDE and GROOM, I invite SPONSOR and SPONSOR to place a cord over you. This cord symbolizes an infinite bond of love you share that keeps your relationship strong in the face of adversity, as well as that you both are no longer two, but one in marriage. May this cord remind you to face your life together courageously and to be mutual in support of each other in carrying out your duties and responsibilities as a couple. And, may your love grow stronger and bind you closer together through the years.
(Instruction: SPONSOR will place the cord over BRIDE head and rest it on her shoulders, while SPONSOR will place the cord over GROOM’s head and rest it on his shoulders.)
9. Coin Ceremony
Officiant: Now let us do an exchange of the Arras, or coins.
Instruction: SPONSOR will present the pillow with the coins to the Officiant.
Originally, there was an understanding of husband as "bread winner" and wife as "home maker" so the coins were given and received not in a spirit of reciprocity but in a give/take relationship. Nowadays the coins are a reminder of good stewardship for all couples; that they will mutually support each other, their children and the world around them. May God bless these coins that symbolize mutual support and responsibility.
Officiant/GROOM: Instruction: The officiant drops the coins into GROOM’s waiting hands. GROOM then drops the coins into BRIDE hands. BRIDE then puts her hand above GROOM’s then drops the coins back into his hands. Finally, GROOM gives the coins to Tuan (Best Man) for safe-keeping.
Officiant leads and GROOM repeats after him.
“BRIDE, I give you this arrhae as a pledge of my dedication to your welfare.”
BRIDE: I accept them and in the same way pledge my dedication to you, the care of our home, and the welfare of our children.
10. Removal of Veil and Cord
Officiant: I would like to call on the secondary sponsors to remove the cord and veil.
11. Exchange of Vows
Officiant/GROOM: Instruction: GROOM and BRIDE face each other and hold hands. Alan leads and GROOM follows:
I, GROOM take you BRIDE to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
Officiant/BRIDE Instruction: Alan leads and BRIDE follows:
I, BRIDE take you GROOM to be my Husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
Officiant: GROOM, do you take BRIDE to be your Wife?
GROOM: I do.
Officiant: Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore?
GROOM: I do.
Officiant: BRIDE do you take GROOM to be your Husband?
BRIDE: I do.
Officiant: Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore?
BRIDE:I do.
12. Exchange of Rings
Officiant: Instruction: (Best Man) will hand the rings to the Officiant.
Lord, bless and consecrate this groom and BRIDE in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of their true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love.
Officiant/GROOM: Instruction: Alan leads and GROOM follows:
I GROOM, take you, BRIDE to be my Wife - To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Wife, for as long as we both shall live.
Officiant/BRIDE Instruction: Alan leads and BRIDE follows:
I BRIDE, take thee GROOM, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live.”.
13. Blessing of the Hand
Officiant: BRIDE, please face GROOM, and hold his hands palms up.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that is holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.
These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
God bless these hands you see before you today. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May GROOM and BRIDE see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide.
14. Pronouncement
Officiant: Bless their marriage, O God, as they begin their journey down the road of life together.
We don't know what lies ahead for the road turns and bends. But help them to make the best of whatever comes their way.
Help them to continue to enjoy each other as they did when they first met. Help them to realize that nothing nor no one is perfect and to look for the good in all things and all people including themselves.
Help them to respect each other's likes and dislikes, opinions and beliefs, hopes and dreams and fears even though they may not always understand them.
Help them to learn from each other and to help each other to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Help them to realize that no matter what happens to them they will hold on to each other and know that things have a way of working out for the good.
Help them to create for their children a peaceful, stable home of love as a foundation on which they can build their lives.
But most of all, dear God, help them to keep lit the torch of love' that they now share so that by their loving example they may pass on the light of love to their children and to their children's children forever.
To make your relationship work it will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.
It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.
It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together.
It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.
And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both have pledged to today.
I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss your BRIDE .
I would Like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. BRIDE AND GROOM.
15. Recessional
2. Processional
3. Opening
Officiant: We are gathered here today in the sight of God to celebrate one of life's greatest moments - The Joining of Two Hearts.
In this ceremony today we will witness the joining of BRIDE and GROOM in marriage.
If there is anyone present who has just ‘cause why this couple should not be united let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
Who gives this woman to this man?
Father of the BRIDE : I do.
Officiant: Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other, fell in love and are finalizing it with their wedding today. Romance is fun, but true love is something far more and it is their desire to love each other for life and that is what we are celebrating here today.
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the "little" things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner.
4. Rose Ceremony
Officiant: The love that GROOM and BRIDE feel for one another is a seed that their parents planted in their hearts years ago - and today it has blossomed. Today, as they embrace each other in their love, they also embrace the families, which have come together on this happy occasion. As a sign of their love for their families, BRIDE and GROOM would like to offer these roses, to their mothers as symbols of their eternal love.These Roses are a promise that no matter how far away you are - that you are not forgotten and that you are always in their hearts.
(Instruction: GROOM and BRIDE present a flower to BRIDES mother first, and then to GROOMS mother.)
5. Lighting of the Unity Candle
Officiant: Today you have decided to share the rest of your lives with each other. This beautiful union is now symbolized by the lighting of the Unity Candle. The candle you are about to light is a candle of Marriage.
The individual candles represent all that you are and all that you have been until this moment.
It is a candle of Unity because both candles must come together to create the new light. Its fire is miraculous because it represents the light of two people in love.
This candle is also a candle of Commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it ablaze. Love is like a flame; it has the heat of passion, it is constantly changing, its radiance is there for all to see and together you must protect it from being extinguished.
BRIDE and GROOM please light the center candle to symbolize the union of your lives.
Officiant: Today, as you have lit this candle, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives together. May the twinkle of this one light be a testimony of your union. May this candle burn brightly as a symbol of your love and commitment to each other.
The life that each of you experienced now, individually, will hereafter be united, for the two shall become one.
6. Readings
Officiant: I Corinthians 13:1-8
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
7. Veil Ceremony
Officiant: BRIDE and GROOM, I ask SPONSOR and SPONSOR to join us and to lay a veil over you to clothe you together. Let this be a symbol of the faithful love you have for each other. Through the passing of the years, let the veil remind you that you belong to each other and to no one else.
(Instruction: SPONSOR will pin the veil on GROOM’s right shoulder, while SPONSOR will drape the veil over BRIDES head and pin it on the left side of her veil.)
8. Cord Ceremony
Officiant: BRIDE and GROOM, I invite SPONSOR and SPONSOR to place a cord over you. This cord symbolizes an infinite bond of love you share that keeps your relationship strong in the face of adversity, as well as that you both are no longer two, but one in marriage. May this cord remind you to face your life together courageously and to be mutual in support of each other in carrying out your duties and responsibilities as a couple. And, may your love grow stronger and bind you closer together through the years.
(Instruction: SPONSOR will place the cord over BRIDE head and rest it on her shoulders, while SPONSOR will place the cord over GROOM’s head and rest it on his shoulders.)
9. Coin Ceremony
Officiant: Now let us do an exchange of the Arras, or coins.
Instruction: SPONSOR will present the pillow with the coins to the Officiant.
Originally, there was an understanding of husband as "bread winner" and wife as "home maker" so the coins were given and received not in a spirit of reciprocity but in a give/take relationship. Nowadays the coins are a reminder of good stewardship for all couples; that they will mutually support each other, their children and the world around them. May God bless these coins that symbolize mutual support and responsibility.
Officiant/GROOM: Instruction: The officiant drops the coins into GROOM’s waiting hands. GROOM then drops the coins into BRIDE hands. BRIDE then puts her hand above GROOM’s then drops the coins back into his hands. Finally, GROOM gives the coins to Tuan (Best Man) for safe-keeping.
Officiant leads and GROOM repeats after him.
“BRIDE, I give you this arrhae as a pledge of my dedication to your welfare.”
BRIDE: I accept them and in the same way pledge my dedication to you, the care of our home, and the welfare of our children.
10. Removal of Veil and Cord
Officiant: I would like to call on the secondary sponsors to remove the cord and veil.
11. Exchange of Vows
Officiant/GROOM: Instruction: GROOM and BRIDE face each other and hold hands. Alan leads and GROOM follows:
I, GROOM take you BRIDE to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
Officiant/BRIDE Instruction: Alan leads and BRIDE follows:
I, BRIDE take you GROOM to be my Husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
Officiant: GROOM, do you take BRIDE to be your Wife?
GROOM: I do.
Officiant: Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore?
GROOM: I do.
Officiant: BRIDE do you take GROOM to be your Husband?
BRIDE: I do.
Officiant: Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore?
BRIDE:I do.
12. Exchange of Rings
Officiant: Instruction: (Best Man) will hand the rings to the Officiant.
Lord, bless and consecrate this groom and BRIDE in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of their true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love.
Officiant/GROOM: Instruction: Alan leads and GROOM follows:
I GROOM, take you, BRIDE to be my Wife - To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Wife, for as long as we both shall live.
Officiant/BRIDE Instruction: Alan leads and BRIDE follows:
I BRIDE, take thee GROOM, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live.”.
13. Blessing of the Hand
Officiant: BRIDE, please face GROOM, and hold his hands palms up.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that is holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.
These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
God bless these hands you see before you today. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May GROOM and BRIDE see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide.
14. Pronouncement
Officiant: Bless their marriage, O God, as they begin their journey down the road of life together.
We don't know what lies ahead for the road turns and bends. But help them to make the best of whatever comes their way.
Help them to continue to enjoy each other as they did when they first met. Help them to realize that nothing nor no one is perfect and to look for the good in all things and all people including themselves.
Help them to respect each other's likes and dislikes, opinions and beliefs, hopes and dreams and fears even though they may not always understand them.
Help them to learn from each other and to help each other to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Help them to realize that no matter what happens to them they will hold on to each other and know that things have a way of working out for the good.
Help them to create for their children a peaceful, stable home of love as a foundation on which they can build their lives.
But most of all, dear God, help them to keep lit the torch of love' that they now share so that by their loving example they may pass on the light of love to their children and to their children's children forever.
To make your relationship work it will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.
It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.
It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together.
It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.
And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both have pledged to today.
I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss your BRIDE .
I would Like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. BRIDE AND GROOM.
15. Recessional
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