Weddings in Philippines

This section is one of several pages showing the text used for Jim and Nila's Filipino wedding and features the Wedding Vows and Wedding Ring Ceremony.

Wedding Vows and Wedding Ring Ceremony

In the pre-colonial Philippines, a male suitor would make his intentions known by thrusting his spear into the ground at the entrance of his intended wife's house. This tells everybody (including the occupant) that she is spoken for. Not many men throw spears around in Philippines these days, preferring instead to present a diamond engagement ring.

Nila's gorgeous engagement ring

Like most cultures, during the Filipino wedding ceremony the couple exchange wedding rings with their vows.

Traditionally, Filipinos wear their wedding rings on their right hands, but there is no hard and fast rule about this. When they live in the West, they might opt to wear their rings on the left hand to avoid confusion. James and Nila will both wear their matching rings on the third finger of their left hands. (See wedding rings for the reasons for using the third finger.)

The vows may seem rather long, but this is by far the most significant part of the ceremony. It is a declaration of the person's intention to love the other person for ever. And this is affirmed before all the witnesses, including the main family members and closest friends. The vows are also spoken before God.

It is difficult to imagine a more important part of the wedding than this.

Music is played as the Ring Bearer comes forward with the rings

Pastor:

(groom's name), do you choose (bride's name) to be your lawfully wedded wife?

Groom:

I do.

Pastor reads the vows, groom repeats:

Pastor / Groom:

From this day forward, I, (groom's name), choose thee, my beloved (bride's name), to be my wife, before God who brought us together; to love and cherish you even as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it, to lead you and share all of life's experiences with you by following God through them. That through His grace, (bride's name), we might grow together into the likeness of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.

I give you this ring; wear it with love and joy.

Groom places engagement and wedding band on the third finger of bride's left hand

I pledge to live with you and laugh with you; to stand by your side, and sleep in your arms; to be a joy to your heart, and food for your soul; to bring out the best in you always, and, for you, to be the most that I can. I promise to laugh with you in good times, to struggle with you in bad; to solace you when you are downhearted; to wipe your tears with my hands; to comfort you with my body; to mirror you with my soul; to share with you all my riches and honours; to play with you as much as I can until we grow old; and, still loving each other sweetly and gladly, our lives shall come to an end.

Pastor:

(bride's name), do you choose (groom's name) to be your lawfully wedded husband?

Bride:

I do.

Pastor reads the vows, bride repeats:

Pastor / Bride:

From this day forward, and with this ring, I, (bride's name), choose thee, my beloved (groom's name), to be my husband, before God who brought us together, to love you, cherish you, to submit to you myself unto you in all things, and to follow you through all of life's experiences as you follow God. That through His grace we might grow together into the likeness of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.

I give you this ring; wear it with love and joy.

Bride places wedding band on the third finger of groom's left hand

Entire script in pdf format.

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