Weddings in the Philippines

The Philippines has fabulous customs, especially when it comes to weddings, using a mix of earlier Filipino traditions and later Latin customs introduced by their colonial masters. The weddings reflect the strong traditions of family - and extended family. Therefore Filipino wedding ceremonies typically involve many people and the wedding rituals 'speak' to the couple personally.

This page built around the true story of James and Nila, who married in the Philippines and then had a Filipino wedding (Kasalan) in America.
Each part of the story links to a separate page which includes the script used by the pastor and the couple for their ceremony in America.

James is American and Nila is Filipina. They were married in a Civil Ceremony at the Pasig City Court House, Manila, Philippines, on 4th July 2007.

The participants

Guests at any wedding are often considered to be little more than spectators, but actually they are much more significant than that; they are the witnesses to a very special occasion. In James and Nila's case, because of the modest size of the venue and the distances involved, it was not possible for all their family members and friends to attend. This meant those who did attend had an even more important role to play in the ceremony.
And beyond.
Like god-parents at a baptism, the role of the attendants continues throughout the married life of the couple, helping and guiding.

The principal attendants are known as 'sponsors'; male sponsors are ninongs and female sponsors are ninangs. In the Philippines, the number of sponsors can be just a single couple or numerous sponsors, perhaps as many as two dozen. They are women and men whom the bride and groom respect and admire, perhaps aunts and uncles or close friends of the family. As in the early days of the Church, the sponsors attest to the couple's readiness for marriage and freedom to marry. In the Philippines, they are also the official State witnesses and sign the marriage licence. Worldwide, their participation is symbolic of the wisdom and support they will offer the new couple.

The Principal sponsors are part of the bridal procession. At the nuptial blessing, they may also be invited to approach the pastor and extend their right hands to join in the prayer of blessing. In doing so, they are fulfilling their roles as sponsors. The Secondary Sponsors are women and men whom the couple choose to involve in their ceremony because of their affinity or friendship. They are typically relatives or close friends.
The Principal Sponsors are the Coin Bearers, Veil Sponsors, Cord Sponsors, and Candle Lighters. For James and Nila's wedding, these tasks were undertaken by Stephen Griffith Earnhardt as Principal Sponsor & Best Man, and Karmen Slater Earnhardt as Principal Sponsor & Matron of Honour. Both Stephen and Karmen are from Jim's side of the family. The Coin Bearer and Ring Bearer was Stephen Tyler. The Candle Lighters were Ben and Shell.