Bridal Series - Philippines

After all the heavy gold and Stone jewelry of India, lets move to something light, fresh and breezy today. As we continue our Bridal journey in Asia, looking out for what Brides in different cultures wear on their wedding Day, we have come to Philippines, a tropical country with fascinating landscapes, active volcanoes, splendid beaches, coral waters, tropical forests and home to one wonderful and creative blogger – Janelle.
Yup!! shes the one who gave me my very first blog award and was really sweet to feature me (and my work) in the “Creating success around the world” blog hop in her blog. She has her own little place in blog land called Of Pinks and Fairy Tales where she posts about her jewelry, sewing and other craft projects.

Welcome aboard Janelle:)

Hi all I am Janelle from Philippines and today I am here to talk about bridal jewelry worn by a Christian bride in the Philippines

As one wedding march goes…

Here comes the bride,

All dressed in white…

For most women in the Philippines, this is the dream wedding… all eyes focused on her as she
walks down the aisle on her big day, wearing a big white dress. Bridal jewelry are selected to complement the wedding dress, and never to overcome it. More focus and effort is spent on the wedding dress. The most common choices for bridal jewelry are gold (white or yellow) with pearls and/or diamonds.

( Pic : Me on my wedding day in 2006. Wearing pearl earrings and wire statement necklace with white stones. )

In affluent families, the bride might opt to wear heirloom pieces for her bridal jewelry. Something passed on from her grandmother to her mother and to her. Aside from the usual earrings, necklace, bracelet and sometimes, even a watch, a bride will also be wearing something on her hair: jewelled clips, pins, combs.

If she has one, the bride will also be wearing her engagement ring on her wedding day.

The engagement ring is presented to a woman when a man proposes marriage to her. Though a romantic notion, some couples here opt not to have one to save on cost since diamonds and gold here are very expensive. And before the wedding ceremony is over, the bride’s engagement ring will be joined by another ring. The most iconic symbol of marriage here is the wedding ring.

Traditional wedding rings are usually made of yellow or white gold. Platinum is also gaining popularity as the metal of choice for wedding rings. The rings are also likely to be engraved with the spouse’s name and wedding date inside. Wedding ring designs vary. Some couples prefer to wear the same design, where the groom’s ring is similar to the bride’s.

Photos from Suarez Wedding Rings

Some couples prefer complimenting designs, where the groom’s ring looks different from the bride’s ring.

Photos from Suarez Wedding Rings

As part of the wedding ceremony, both the bride and the groom will exchange wedding rings along with their marriage vows. The wedding ring symbolizes the couple’s promise of never ending love for each other.

A Christian wedding is only one of the many traditional wedding practices in my country.But whatever the culture or belief, I think that her wedding must be one of the most important and memorable days in a woman’s life. And the jewelry she chooses to wear for that day will always be special.

Thanks Janelle for all that wonderful Information and for being a part of this bridal series….

It sure was interesting and you look absolutely gorgeous in your Bridal attire. Isn’t that what you think too folks?

Footnote:
Indigenous Philippine jewelry is so diverse in design, hence beyond the scope of this post. The tribal and ethnic jewelry crafted by the indigenous people are often made from stones, animal bones, seeds from plants and seashells. They are colorful and exotic. The other classic jewelry is the Spanish inspired jewelry as Philippines was a Spanish colony for around 300 years.

Reliquary pendants with elaborate chains.
Filigree and repoussé work on gold
with Sulu pearl accents 19^th Century.

A contemporary interpretation of indigenous shell jewelry on a silk cord

Resource: Filipino Jewelry from the colonial period

Cheers

Bridal Series – Philippines

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