| For almost all women, walking down the aisle in a | | | | hordes of relatives and neighbors to be there for |
| long flowing, white gown is a childhood dream, and | | | | your wedding. It does not matter whether you |
| you are about to make her dream come true. | | | | send them invitations or not, because for them |
| Before you can exchange vows with a Filipina | | | | they are automatically invited to the festivities. A |
| lady, you have to observe some traditional | | | | lechon baboy (roasted pig) is ever-present in |
| practices like taking your parents with you and | | | | weddings and you must be prepared to buy more |
| meeting the girl's parents to formally ask for her | | | | than one. |
| hand. Once both parties reach an agreement, this | | | | Filipinos love to party and celebrate, and a |
| is the time when wedding plans and details will be | | | | wedding is one grand occasion. You will be |
| discussed. | | | | expected to participate in all the colorful wedding |
| In the Philippines, the male usually foots the bill for | | | | rituals. Expect also for the party to last even until |
| the wedding. Sometimes, the bride's family will | | | | the following day. |
| offer to pay for other incidental expenses but this | | | | If you both prefer a civil ceremony, you will be |
| is possible if she is marrying a Filipino. As a | | | | spared the lavish preparations and expenses of a |
| foreigner, expect that all expenses will be | | | | grand wedding. Two sponsors for each of you is |
| shouldered by you. | | | | enough to act as witness. |
| Weddings with reception in the Philippines can run | | | | The Filipinos, especially the women are very |
| anywhere from P50,000 - 250,000 pesos, that is | | | | superstitious. Expect them to practice wedding |
| about US$1,000 to $5,000. This includes the fees | | | | superstitions that even seem ridiculous. Among |
| for the use of the church, facilities and food for | | | | these are beliefs that the bride should not try on |
| the reception, transportation to and from the | | | | her wedding gown before the wedding day or it |
| church and reception venue, gifts, singers and | | | | will not push through, altar-bound couples are |
| entertainers for the wedding ceremony and | | | | accident-prone so expect yourself to be barred |
| reception, flowers and decorations, invitations, | | | | from long drives or traveling before the wedding. |
| photographer or videographer, dresses for the | | | | If you allow your bride to sit ahead of you during |
| bridesmaids and bride's parents, wedding cake, | | | | the wedding ceremony you will be a henpecked |
| wedding gown, wedding rings, accommodation | | | | husband, and to avoid bad luck, you must arrive |
| expenses for yourself, the bride's family, relatives | | | | ahead of your bride at the church. And whether |
| and guests. | | | | you believe it or not, take note of this: Do not |
| It is also a practice to get as many sponsors as | | | | allow your Filipina bride to step on your foot while |
| you possibly can to witness your wedding. Some | | | | walking towards the altar because doing so will |
| couples even have 50 pairs of male (ninong) and | | | | make you agree to her every whim. |
| female (ninang) sponsors. You can also expect | | | | |