A Catholic/Filipino Wedding
Gary and I are having a very traditional Catholic/Filipino wedding. What does that mean exactly? It means we're having a HUGE set of sponsors. Some of the most traditional being the cord, veil, candle, coin, and holy items sponsors. These traditions were inherited from the Spaniards (when they conquered the Philippines and shared their customs). Those of you who are familiar with Spanish weddings will recognize these elements as cord = lasso, coin = arrhas, etc.
The pillows!
The one to the left holds the coins (or "arrhas"). These signify the money that will be shared between husband and wife. There are thirteen coins, each symbolizing different important qualities to a marriage (Love, Harmony, Cooperation, Commitment, Peace, Happiness, Trust, Respect, Caring, Wisdom, Joy, Wholeness, and Nurturing). They will be placed in the little pouch in the middle of the pillow and will be carried down the aisle by our coin bearer. The pillow on the right is a work in progress. I will be sewing some teal ribbons to it (to fit into our theme) and we will tie our wedding bands to it.
Cord
Our cord is designed as a rosary. It is in a figure eight shape, with the crucifix draping between us. During the wedding, our cord sponsors will place it over our shoulders, "uniting" us.
Coins
There are 13 coins or "arrhas" that symbolize two things: 1) the wealth/prosperity that the husband is sharing with his wife and 2) the 13 tenets of marriage. They are: 1) Love 2) Trust 3) Commitment 4) Respect 5) Joy 6) Happiness 7) Harmony 8) Wisdom 9) Wholeness 10) Nurturing 11) Caring 12) Cooperative 13) Peace.
The coins are typically placed into a tulle/organza bag and placed on the coin bearers pillow. During the wedding ceremony, the husband will take the coins off of the pillow and hand them to his wife.
The coins are typically placed into a tulle/organza bag and placed on the coin bearers pillow. During the wedding ceremony, the husband will take the coins off of the pillow and hand them to his wife.
