Example of a Wedding Ceremony with Filipino Traditions
All ceremonies can easily be changed to reflect same-sex marriages.
All wording can be tailored to your liking.
You can customize this ceremony with my special “Build Your Ceremony Menu”
The greeting:
Officiant: We gather here today, in the presence of God, family and friends to join _____ and ___ in matrimony. We celebrate the coming together in love of this woman and this man. We remember that marriage is a time when growing love is made public, when two people share mutual promises before God and before us. We join in our support of them as they offer themselves to each other. We celebrate their joy, their love, and their expectations.
(It is tradition in a Filipino wedding to acknowledge the bride and groom’s parents. This is an example of one way to thank them. We can keep it this way or change it to a general thank you)
_____ and ___ would like to begin this ceremony by thanking their parents who have taught them the true meaning of love and commitment. They thank you for your unconditional love and support that you have always provided them. The bride and groom wish to extend a sincere thank you to their family and friends as well. They are so happy to share this special day with all of you and feel truly blessed to be surrounded with so much love and support
Invocation (this is the beginning prayer to “invoke” or ask God to be present and bless this service)
Officiant: Let us pray
God, for the joy of this occasion we thank you. For the meaning of this wedding day, we thank you. For this important moment in an ever-growing relationship, we thank you. For your presence here and now and for your presence at all times, we thank you. Amen
Charge to ___ and _____ (the charge is addressed to the Bride and Groom. It is a preparation for the vows you are about to take)
Officiant: _____ and ___, the covenant which you are about to make with each other is meant to be a beautiful and sacred expression of your love for each other. As you pledge your vows to each other, and as you commit your lives to each other, we ask that you do so in all seriousness, and yet with a deep sense of joy, with deep conviction that you are committing yourselves to a dynamic growing relationship of trust, mutual support, and caring love.
Betrothal/Declaration of intent (this is when you declare your action or intent to marry is a matter of free will)
Officiant to _____: Do you _____ take ___ to be your wife, to live with her, respect her, and love her with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness, as long as you both shall live?
_____ Responds: I do
Officiant to ___: Do you ___ take _____ to be your husband, to live with him, respect him, and love him with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness as long as you both shall live?
___ Responds: I do
Veil, and Cord Ceremony:
Officiant: _____ and ___ has chosen to honor their love with traditional Filipino elements. The Cord is shaped in an infinity symbol to represent the never-ending bond of love and fidelity between the couple.
The Veil is another symbol of the couple’s unity in marriage as they face the world as one.
As is tradition, the couple has invited members of their families to participate in the ceremony. In marriage as in life, love needs the nourishment and support of loved ones to stay strong and grow.
I would like to invite (say names of family members or sponsors -can be the mothers, other family members or members of the wedding party) to join us in the laying of the veil.
This act of laying a veil over you allows you to be clothed as one.
The Veil also represent the support from friends and family, who cover you in love in your marriage and support you through the good times and the bad times. Allow their love to cloak you, giving you strength to face all that lies ahead.
I now ask (Say the names of family members or sponsors -mothers, other family members or members of the wedding party) to place the Unity cord over the couple.
Your love, like this cord, ties you together and intertwines your destinies. You are united as one, stronger together in the face of adversity. Let this cord symbolize the strength of your love, an unbreakable bond which will only grow as time passes.
_____ and ___, today you are choosing to celebrate your love, wholly and unapologetically, celebrating parts of your heritage and yourselves. Let the Veil represent the love that cloaks you and protects you both. Let the cord symbolize your infinite and unbreakable bond.
Coins:
Officiant: Another beautiful wedding tradition is the exchange of the Arras, or coins.
The thirteen coins in this bag represent all the gifts of marriage. Love, Trust, Commitment, Respect, Joy, Happiness, Harmony, Wisdom, Wholeness, Nurturing, Caring, Cooperation, and Peace.
The coins are given and received-symbolizing the harmonious balance of the give and take of a relationship. They are a reminder that _____ and ___ will mutually support each other, their children, and the world around them.
May God bless these coins that symbolize mutual support and responsibility.
(The officiant or designated person hands the coins to the groom. The groom who then then drops the coins into the bride’s hands. The bride then puts her hand above groom’s and drops the coins back into his hands. Finally, the groom gives the coins to the best man for safe keeping)
May your union be blessed with harmony, happiness, and prosperity! May you give without expectation of receiving, and may you, in turn, receive blessings beyond your wildest dreams.”
I would now like to call back the (sponsors/or say their names) to remove the cord and veil.
Vows: (Couple may write their own vows, if so, they may choose to include both these vows or just the ones they write)
Officiant: _____ and ___ please face each other and hold hands
_____, as you hold ___’s hands repeat to her after me, these words:
___, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded wife,
(_____ says) ___, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded wife,
To have and to hold from this day forward,
(_____ says) to have and to hold from this day forward,
For better, for worse,
(_____ says) for better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
(_____ says) for richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
(_____ says) in sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
(_____ says) to love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
___, as you hold _____’s hands repeat to him after me, these words:
_____, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded Husband,
(___ says) _____, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded husband,
To have and to hold from this day forward,
(___ says) to have and to hold from this day forward,
For better, for worse,
(___ says) for better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
(___ says) for richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
(___ says) in sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
(___ says) to love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
I would like to invite you to share your own heart felt personal vows that you have written to each other
Exchange of rings:
Officiant: As a symbol of your love and commitment you will exchange rings
Officiant to best man or designated person: Please hand the bride and groom each other’s rings
At this point the best man/ designated person will give the rings to the couple and then go back to their place
As the couple holds the rings the Officiant will say:
As you hold each other’s rings let us say a prayer of blessing upon them:
Bless these rings. Grant that _____ and ___ may wear them with deep faith in each other. May they always live together in peace, love, and abiding joy. Amen
These rings have no beginning and no end. They set forth the eternal nature of real love. They will represent the love and trust that _____ and ___ promise to each other this day.
To _____: _____ will you take this ring and place it upon ___’s finger, and as you do, repeat to her, after me, these words:
I give you this ring,
(_____ says) I give you this ring,
As I give you myself,
(_____ says) as I give you myself,
With love and affection.
(_____ says) with love and affection.
Wear it in peace always
(_____ says) Wear it in peace always.
To ___: ___ will you take this ring and place it upon _____’s finger, and as you do, repeat to him, after me, these words:
I give you this ring,
(___ says) I give you this ring,
As I give you myself,
(___ says) as I give you myself,
With love and affection.
(___ says) with love and affection.
Wear it in peace always.
(___ says) Wear it in peace always.
Prayer (A prayer of blessing upon your new marriage):
Officiant: Let us say a prayer of blessing upon this marriage.
Most gracious God, you have kindled in these hearts the fire of a divine love. Will you keep it aflame upon the alter of their souls. Will you make the inward aspirations of their hearts the outward reality of their home. Will you make that home a place of light and truth, a place of beauty, a place of joy and happiness all the days of their lives. Amen.
Pronouncement:
Officiant: Inasmuch as you, _____, and you ___, have thus consented in holy matrimony and have witnessed the same before God and these friends, by virtue of the authority vested in me as an Officiant and the laws of this state, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate.
You may kiss your bride!
The Officiant will prompt the maid of honor or designated person to hand the bride her bouquet. The couple will face their guests:
It is with great honor I present to you for the first time _________
Officiant: We gather here today, in the presence of God, family and friends to join _____ and ___ in matrimony. We celebrate the coming together in love of this woman and this man. We remember that marriage is a time when growing love is made public, when two people share mutual promises before God and before us. We join in our support of them as they offer themselves to each other. We celebrate their joy, their love, and their expectations.
(It is tradition in a Filipino wedding to acknowledge the bride and groom’s parents. This is an example of one way to thank them. We can keep it this way or change it to a general thank you)
_____ and ___ would like to begin this ceremony by thanking their parents who have taught them the true meaning of love and commitment. They thank you for your unconditional love and support that you have always provided them. The bride and groom wish to extend a sincere thank you to their family and friends as well. They are so happy to share this special day with all of you and feel truly blessed to be surrounded with so much love and support
Invocation (this is the beginning prayer to “invoke” or ask God to be present and bless this service)
Officiant: Let us pray
God, for the joy of this occasion we thank you. For the meaning of this wedding day, we thank you. For this important moment in an ever-growing relationship, we thank you. For your presence here and now and for your presence at all times, we thank you. Amen
Charge to ___ and _____ (the charge is addressed to the Bride and Groom. It is a preparation for the vows you are about to take)
Officiant: _____ and ___, the covenant which you are about to make with each other is meant to be a beautiful and sacred expression of your love for each other. As you pledge your vows to each other, and as you commit your lives to each other, we ask that you do so in all seriousness, and yet with a deep sense of joy, with deep conviction that you are committing yourselves to a dynamic growing relationship of trust, mutual support, and caring love.
Betrothal/Declaration of intent (this is when you declare your action or intent to marry is a matter of free will)
Officiant to _____: Do you _____ take ___ to be your wife, to live with her, respect her, and love her with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness, as long as you both shall live?
_____ Responds: I do
Officiant to ___: Do you ___ take _____ to be your husband, to live with him, respect him, and love him with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness as long as you both shall live?
___ Responds: I do
Veil, and Cord Ceremony:
Officiant: _____ and ___ has chosen to honor their love with traditional Filipino elements. The Cord is shaped in an infinity symbol to represent the never-ending bond of love and fidelity between the couple.
The Veil is another symbol of the couple’s unity in marriage as they face the world as one.
As is tradition, the couple has invited members of their families to participate in the ceremony. In marriage as in life, love needs the nourishment and support of loved ones to stay strong and grow.
I would like to invite (say names of family members or sponsors -can be the mothers, other family members or members of the wedding party) to join us in the laying of the veil.
This act of laying a veil over you allows you to be clothed as one.
The Veil also represent the support from friends and family, who cover you in love in your marriage and support you through the good times and the bad times. Allow their love to cloak you, giving you strength to face all that lies ahead.
I now ask (Say the names of family members or sponsors -mothers, other family members or members of the wedding party) to place the Unity cord over the couple.
Your love, like this cord, ties you together and intertwines your destinies. You are united as one, stronger together in the face of adversity. Let this cord symbolize the strength of your love, an unbreakable bond which will only grow as time passes.
_____ and ___, today you are choosing to celebrate your love, wholly and unapologetically, celebrating parts of your heritage and yourselves. Let the Veil represent the love that cloaks you and protects you both. Let the cord symbolize your infinite and unbreakable bond.
Coins:
Officiant: Another beautiful wedding tradition is the exchange of the Arras, or coins.
The thirteen coins in this bag represent all the gifts of marriage. Love, Trust, Commitment, Respect, Joy, Happiness, Harmony, Wisdom, Wholeness, Nurturing, Caring, Cooperation, and Peace.
The coins are given and received-symbolizing the harmonious balance of the give and take of a relationship. They are a reminder that _____ and ___ will mutually support each other, their children, and the world around them.
May God bless these coins that symbolize mutual support and responsibility.
(The officiant or designated person hands the coins to the groom. The groom who then then drops the coins into the bride’s hands. The bride then puts her hand above groom’s and drops the coins back into his hands. Finally, the groom gives the coins to the best man for safe keeping)
May your union be blessed with harmony, happiness, and prosperity! May you give without expectation of receiving, and may you, in turn, receive blessings beyond your wildest dreams.”
I would now like to call back the (sponsors/or say their names) to remove the cord and veil.
Vows: (Couple may write their own vows, if so, they may choose to include both these vows or just the ones they write)
Officiant: _____ and ___ please face each other and hold hands
_____, as you hold ___’s hands repeat to her after me, these words:
___, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded wife,
(_____ says) ___, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded wife,
To have and to hold from this day forward,
(_____ says) to have and to hold from this day forward,
For better, for worse,
(_____ says) for better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
(_____ says) for richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
(_____ says) in sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
(_____ says) to love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
___, as you hold _____’s hands repeat to him after me, these words:
_____, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded Husband,
(___ says) _____, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded husband,
To have and to hold from this day forward,
(___ says) to have and to hold from this day forward,
For better, for worse,
(___ says) for better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
(___ says) for richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
(___ says) in sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
(___ says) to love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
I would like to invite you to share your own heart felt personal vows that you have written to each other
Exchange of rings:
Officiant: As a symbol of your love and commitment you will exchange rings
Officiant to best man or designated person: Please hand the bride and groom each other’s rings
At this point the best man/ designated person will give the rings to the couple and then go back to their place
As the couple holds the rings the Officiant will say:
As you hold each other’s rings let us say a prayer of blessing upon them:
Bless these rings. Grant that _____ and ___ may wear them with deep faith in each other. May they always live together in peace, love, and abiding joy. Amen
These rings have no beginning and no end. They set forth the eternal nature of real love. They will represent the love and trust that _____ and ___ promise to each other this day.
To _____: _____ will you take this ring and place it upon ___’s finger, and as you do, repeat to her, after me, these words:
I give you this ring,
(_____ says) I give you this ring,
As I give you myself,
(_____ says) as I give you myself,
With love and affection.
(_____ says) with love and affection.
Wear it in peace always
(_____ says) Wear it in peace always.
To ___: ___ will you take this ring and place it upon _____’s finger, and as you do, repeat to him, after me, these words:
I give you this ring,
(___ says) I give you this ring,
As I give you myself,
(___ says) as I give you myself,
With love and affection.
(___ says) with love and affection.
Wear it in peace always.
(___ says) Wear it in peace always.
Prayer (A prayer of blessing upon your new marriage):
Officiant: Let us say a prayer of blessing upon this marriage.
Most gracious God, you have kindled in these hearts the fire of a divine love. Will you keep it aflame upon the alter of their souls. Will you make the inward aspirations of their hearts the outward reality of their home. Will you make that home a place of light and truth, a place of beauty, a place of joy and happiness all the days of their lives. Amen.
Pronouncement:
Officiant: Inasmuch as you, _____, and you ___, have thus consented in holy matrimony and have witnessed the same before God and these friends, by virtue of the authority vested in me as an Officiant and the laws of this state, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate.
You may kiss your bride!
The Officiant will prompt the maid of honor or designated person to hand the bride her bouquet. The couple will face their guests:
It is with great honor I present to you for the first time _________
