Filipino (Filipina) Wedding Superstitions

Many Filipinos (like most people in the world) adhere to numerous folk beliefs and superstitions. Some are practiced primarily because of an “there's nothing to lose if we comply” attitude while others are totally ignored for they seem downright ridiculous. Here are some of the Filipino wedding superstitions:

• Brides shouldn't try on their wedding dress before the wedding day or the wedding will not push through.
• Knives and other sharp and pointed objects are said to be a bad choice for wedding gifts for this will lead to a broken marriage.
• Giving arinola (chamberpot) as wedding gift is believed to bring good luck to newlyweds.
• Altar-bound couples are accident-prone and therefore must avoid long drives or traveling before their wedding day for safety.
• The groom who sits ahead of his bride during the wedding ceremony will be a henpecked husband.
• If it rains during the wedding, it means prosperity and happiness for the newlyweds.
• A flame extinguished on one of the wedding candles means the one on which side has the unlit candle, will die ahead of the other.
• Throwing rice confetti at the newlyweds will bring them prosperity all their life.
• The groom must arrive before the bride at the church to avoid bad luck.
• Breaking something during the reception brings good luck to the newlyweds.
• The bride should step on the groom's foot while walking towards the altar if she wants him to agree to her every whim.
• A bride who wears pearls on her wedding will be an unhappy wife experiencing many heartaches and tears.
• Dropping the wedding ring, the veil or the arrhae during the ceremony spells unhappiness for the couple.

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