Modern Filipino Wedding Ceremony Script with Unity Veil, Cord, & Coins

Procession

• Ceremony begins. 

 Invocation

Officiant to guests

We are gathered here today to celebrate the wedding union of (Partner A) and (Partner B) in a ceremony that brings together two people, two families and two traditions. Today we celebrate this unity, built on and energized by the love between this couple and the love that has always been so precious to all in their families.

May we join in support of (Partner A) and (Partner B)’s commitment to each other to build a marriage, a home and a family that is characterized by love and respect.

Parental Blessing

• At this time, the parents, guardians, or mentors of each partner will give their blessings. They should be standing near the wedding altar for this part of the ceremony.

Officiant to guests

Weddings are a celebration of love and commitment. Weddings are also a recognition of the importance of family. Today, we will witness the coming together of not only the bride and groom, but also their families. To honor the impact their families have had on their lives and to offer their gratitude, the couple-to-be would like to begin by asking for their parents’ blessing and vow to support them as they enter marriage.

Officiant to Partner A's Parents

(Names of Partner A's Parents), do you take (Partner B) into your family and into your hearts?

•  Partner A's Parents respond: "Yes!" or "We do"
• AFTER PARENTS SAY YES, PARTNER B KISSES THEIR HANDS OR TOUCHES THE BACK OF THEIR HANDS TO THE FOREHEADS

Officiant to Partner B's parents

(Names of Partner B's Parents), do you take (Partner A) into your family and into your hearts?

•  Partner B's Parents respond: "Yes!" or "We do"
•  AFTER PARENTS SAY YES, PARTNER A KISSES THEIR HANDS OR TOUCHES THE BACK OF THEIR HANDS TO THE FOREHEADS

Veil and Cord Ritual

• THE VEIL SPONSORS DRAPE A CEREMONIAL LACE VEIL OVER THE BRIDE’S HEAD AND THE GROOM’S SHOULDER TO SYMBOLIZE BEING CLOTHED AS ONE. A CEREMONIAL CORD CALLED A YUGAL IS WRAPPED AROUND THE COUPLE IN A FIGURE EIGHT, WHICH SYMBOLIZES THE ETERNAL BOND OF FIDELITY, BY THE CORD SPONSORS.

Officiant to the Veil Sponsors

I ask (Veil Sponsor A) and (Veil Sponsor B) to join us and to lay a veil over this couple to signify their union and oneness. The Veil covers this couple to remind them of the love that covers the both of them. Let this be a symbol of the faithful love you have for each other. Let no distance or barrier separate your hearts and minds. 
 

• VEIL SPONSOR A WILL PIN THE VEIL ON PARTNER A’s RIGHT SHOULDER, WHILE VEIL SPONSOR B WILL DRAPE THE VEIL OVER PARTNER B’s HEAD AND PIN IT ON THE LEFT SIDE.

Officiant to the cord sponsors

I now invite (Cord Sponsor A) and (Cord Sponsor B) to place a cord over you. 
 

• CORD SPONSOR A WILL PLACE THE CORD OVER PARTNER A’s HEAD AND REST IT ON PARTNER A’s SHOULDERS, WHILE CORD SPONSOR B WILL PLACE THE CORD OVER PARTNER B’S HEAD AND REST IT ON PARTNER B’S SHOULDERS.

Officiant to the couple

This cord, looped and crossed in the middle,symbolizes the infinite bond of love which brings your hearts and souls together. This bond will keep you strong in the face of adversity. You are no longer two, but one in marriage. May this cord remind you to face your life together courageously and support each other in carrying out your duties and responsibilities as a couple. And, may your love grow stronger and bind you closer together through the years. 
 
I would like to now call on the Sponsors to remove the cord and veil.

 

For more inspiration: 
+ How to Include the Wedding Lasso Tradition in Your Ceremony

Coin Ritual

• 13 COINS CALLED THE ARRHAE ARE PRESENTED TO THE COUPLE AS A PROMISE OF PROSPERITY. an honored guest will serve as coin bearer during this portion of the ceremony.

Officiant

Now let us do an exchange of the coins. 

• COIN BEARER PRESENTS THE COINS (USUALLY ON A PILLOW) TO THE OFFICIANT. 

Officint

These coins represent not only material possessions but abundant spiritual strength so that they may bless others. They are a reminder that they will mutually support each other, their community, and the world around them. As you hold the coins in your hands, remember that your blessings will no longer be separate but together.  

• OFFICIANT GIVES PARTNER A THE COINS. PARTNER A THEN GIVES THE COINS TO PARTNER B.

PARTNER A to partner B

(Partner B), I give you these coins as a pledge of our commitment to share our blessings with each other and to our community.

PARTNER B to partner A

I accept them and in the same way pledge my dedication to you, the care of our home, and the welfare of our community.

• PARTNER B THEN GIVES THE COINS TO PARTNER A.

PARTNER B to partner A

(Partner A), I give you these coins as a pledge of our commitment to share our blessings with each other and to our community

PARTNER A to partner B

I accept them and in the same way pledge my dedication to you, the care of our home, and the welfare of our community. 
 

• PARTNER A GIVES THE COINS TO COIN BEARER FOR SAFE-KEEPING.

Declaration of Intent 

Officiant to guests and the couple

Now that we have signified the unity of this marriage with the veil, cord and coin rituals, (Partner A and Partner B) will now declare their intent to enter this union of their own free will. 
 
Officiant to Partner A

Do you (Partner A) take (Partner B) to be your lawful wedded spouse? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as you shall live?

• Partner A responds: "Yes!" or "I do," or "I will"

Officiant to Partner B

Do you (Partner B) take (Partner A) to be your lawful wedded spouse? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as you shall live?

• Partner b responds: "Yes!" or "I do," or "I will"

Vow Exchange

Officiant to the couple

When you wear these rings, it tells the world you are united with each other in marriage. Since your rings have no beginning and no end, may they show that your love for each other also has no end.

As you place the ring on each other's hands, please repeat this vow of love and devotion. 

Officiant to Partner A / partner A to Partner B

• Partner A repeats each line to Partner B, as it's spoken by the officiant.

I give you this ring,
as a symbol of my eternal love,
as a reminder of my vows to you,
as a blessing for our future,
and as a support for when your faith may be low.
 

Officiant to Partner A / partner A to partner b

• Partner A repeats each line to partner A, as it's spoken by the officiant.

I give you this ring,
as a symbol of my eternal love,
as a reminder of my vows to you,
as a blessing for our future,
and as a support for when your faith may be low.

Unity Candle Ritual

• TWO CANDLE SPONSORS EACH LIGHT A PAIR OF CANDLES LOCATED NEAR THE COUPLE. THE COUPLE WILL THEN TAKE A CANDLE EACH AND LIGHT THE UNITY CANDLE TOGETHER, WHICH SIGNIFIES THEIR UNION AND THE UNION OF THEIR FAMILIES.]

 
Officiant to the couple

Today you have decided to share the rest of your lives with each other. This beautiful union is now symbolized by the lighting of the Unity Candle. The individual candles represent all that you are and all that you have been until this moment. Now the candles must come together to create a new light, a light of two people in love.

This candle is also a candle of Commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it ablaze. Love is like a flame; it has the heat of passion, it is constantly changing, its radiance is there for all to see, and it provides light and warmth to each of you.  Together you must protect it from being extinguished. 
 
(Partner A) and (Partner B), please light the center candle. As you can see, the center candle is larger because it is a blend of the love, traditions, and experiences you bring. 

• The partners light the candle as the officiant continues.

 Today, as you have lit this candle, may the brightness of the flame shine and guide you throughout your lives together. May this candle burn brightly as a symbol of the strength of your love and commitment to each other. The life that each of you experienced now, individually, will hereafter be united, for the two have become one.

For more inspiration: 
+ How to Perform a Unity Candle Ceremony (for Wedding Officiants)

Pronouncement

Officiant to the couple

May you enjoy a measure of faith that will enable your relationship to grow as you share in the joys, the successes, and the failures of your marriage.

May you establish a happy home that will allow you to see the humorous side of life, yet find contentment and peace in its serious realities.

As you walk down life’s path together, may your union bind you together in a love that is true and a faithfulness that is lasting.

Having promised your faith in and love to each other, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of (Name of Wedding State) and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife (or "spouses for life," or whatever descriptors the couple prefers).

Recession

• GRAINS OF RICE ARE TRADITIONALLY THROWN OVER THE COUPLE AS THEY EXIT TO SYMBOLIZE THE BLESSINGS OF BOUNTY AND RAIN.
• Ceremony ends.