Shiela and I were married on February 16th... which seems ages ago now! Sorry it's taken so long to put up some photos but life's been a bit hectic finishing our home as well as working full time.
Anyway; it was a beautiful ceremony, a mix of two cultures and two languages. The service included lots of symbolic items and acts not normally in a British wedding. There was of course exchanging of wedding rings and vows, but there were also many others. At the start of the ceremony the two mothers lit two candles, to signify two lives. Then at the end Shiela and I used these two candles to light a third signifying two becoming one.
After exchanging vows and rings a large veil (extra to the bride's veil) was placed on the two of us on my shoulders and Shiela’s head. This symbolized us becoming one in the presents of God.
Then a cord was placed over us in a figure of eight (representing infinity). This showed the unbreakable bond between us. There was also a role for some coins (as prosperity) and of course a Bible as our guide. My Dad was my best man; he had lots to do as Dad and best man and had a position at the very front of the church close to me and Shiela.
The reception was much more like a British reception. Including the ‘top table’ which is not normal in a Filipino wedding. It was special and gives the parents a more important position than they normally have in Filipino tradition. During our first dance in Filipino tradition – called the ‘prosperity dance’ – the guests pinned money to our clothes while we danced (pic below).
Ninong’s and Ninang’s are important in a Filipino wedding; they are like wedding god-parents. Normally there are about 10 to 20 of them! They are important to the couple; people that can advise and guide the couple though married life. They are also the official witnesses. All in all, it was a very special and memorable day.
To see some more pictures from the wedding, see this Google Photo album: https://goo.gl/photos/7SbzBCtaQJLUcxfz6
