Live Life Team
Filipino men and women usually pick their own spouses. Once this is done, it is customary for the groom’s parents to visit the family of the bride. The groom’s parents then ask the family for the woman’s hand in marriage. The groom must prove himself by helping with chores at the future bride’s home. If both families are in agreement, then both sides help prepare for the event. Both families take responsibility for everything from preparing the budget to making the guest list and distributing the invitations.
In the past marriage ceremonies lasted three days. On the first day, the couple would be blessed by a priest after they dipped their hands in a bowl full of rice. At the conclusion of the ceremony, on the third day, the priest would prick each of their chests with a small knife to draw blood. Once a few drops appeared the couple would repeat their vows three times before the priest. The priest would give them rice that he had prepared to eat, and he would then give them a drink of water mixed with their own blood.
Traditional weddings also had the bride wearing a black wedding gown. These traditions may or may not be followed today. The groom would traditionally wear a special wedding shirt, called a Barong Tagalog. This is similar to a modern shirt but it is usually made of a light, airy material and covered with intricate embroidery. The shirt is considered the man’s formal clothing for the event.
