Wedding superstitions are one of the most interesting things about the wedding, don’t you think? Today, we offer you a list of Filipino wedding superstitions and traditions. By the way, in the Philippines, the list of wedding superstitions is much longer than the dating superstitions. So, let’s divide them into the superstitions before the wedding, at the wedding, and after the wedding ceremony. If you’re about to attend a Filipino wedding, be sure to remember these superstitions so you don’t bring bad luck to the couple.
Before the wedding
This one is very well-known and popular. And it is that brothers and sisters or any siblings cannot get married in the same year as their sibling because if they do get married in the same year, it means bad luck for both couples.
Also, if you get married before your older siblings, you have to pay them. Our guess is, this tradition has something to do with the fear of becoming a spinster. In many countries, parents try to arrange marriage for their elder children first.
Grooms should pay for the wedding to prove their love and devotion. This one might be because historically, people did actually pay a dowry to marry off someone’s daughter. It seems like culturally historic for one person or one side of the family to pay for a wedding. Though today, most people share the load or parents offer their financial help. And this one is more of a tradition rather than a superstition.
This superstition is for anyone who is attending a Filipino wedding. No pearls and sharp things at the wedding or as a wedding gift. And bride should not wear pearls. If you are buying a gift for the bride and groom, we highly recommend that you avoid pearls or sharp objects. Pearls signify heartache and tears, and, of course, we don't want that for the newly married couple. And a sharp thing itself shows that, like, it would cut ties between the bride and groom, which is something else you don’t want to do.
It is recommended that you should never take long travels before a wedding. We believe this used to be just a practical reason, so that you don't miss the wedding or don’t get into an accident. No one wants to be widowed before even married.
A wedding lasts for 3 days in the Philippines. It is a Filipino tradition to have a three-day long wedding. Technically, your wedding lasts multiple days because you have such a big family that all comes in town and everyone's at your house and that in itself feels like the wedding.
And last but not least. The bride should never ever try on her dress the night before the wedding. Because trying it on is bad luck.
The wedding ceremony
Don’t drop anything, especially the ring. During the wedding, when everyone is crying because of the amazing vows, do not drop the ring. And if you're having a Catholic ceremony, don't drop the veil. Don't drop the cord. Don't drop anything! Because dropping anything during the ceremony would mean bad luck.
And while we're on the topic of veils and cords, in the Philippines’ history – because it is heavily influenced by Spanish culture and Catholicism – the veil with the cord on top of it is supposed to represent the fidelity and the tie that binds the couple.
Another one superstition for the wedding ceremony. This also applies to before-the-wedding superstitions. You're supposed to pray for rain on the wedding day because rain is a sign of good luck for the marriage. Which is weird because in the Western culture, people actually pray for sun to make sure that it's sunny and you don't get wet.
Reception time
Throw rice at the bride and groom to bring them good luck and prosperity. Depending on the Filipino family, very specific traditions are pulled and used and done, but the most common ones are throwing rice and breaking something. You have to break something at the reception for good luck.
In the Philippines, the bride and groom throw the bouquet and the garter, as well as at European and American weddings.
Another common tradition for the Filipino and Western culture is to get for the bride something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.
Also, there is a so-called “Money Dance” at Filipino weddings. The bride and groom dance to slow music, while guests pin paper money to their clothing. This is a way to help the new couple get started with their married life.
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