Ryan and Angel's Wedding

2007-01-31T16:43:00.001-05:00

Professional Pictures

2006-11-06T22:07:00.000-05:00

The Slideshow for those of you with not a whole lot of time on your hands
http://www.regetisphotography.com/slideshowk.php?path=AngelDelarosaRyan_wed2006
E-mail Address: Any e-mail address will do
Pass Code: 0930

Make sure you are comfortable and have some coffee
http://www.regetisphotography.com/client/AngelDelarosaRyan_wed2006
Pass Code: 0930

They are absolutely amazing!

Pro Pic Teasers

2006-10-16T17:07:00.000-05:00

Contributed Non-Pro Pics

2006-10-16T16:50:00.000-05:00

Susan's Pictures (Ryan's Sister-In-Law)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=ku91tbp.5v6bwp7x&x=0&y=-6xgf1j

Hannah's Pictures
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=ao7563q9.4ob93ycd&x=0&y=-ov7m1i

Nick's Pictures
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Aas2jlk2aMWLlQ

Coworkers' Pictures
http://homepage.mac.com/aburgh/AngelAndRyan/

Debbie's Pictures
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=zghnstz.c3p7tftn&x=1&y=c7gut9

Kelvin's Pictures - NEW
http://www.kestioko.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b322e57025e8

If you have pictures from our wedding weekend that you would like to share, please let us know.

The Printouts

2006-09-11T20:53:00.000-05:00

In case you have lost your documentation:

Accomodations
Directions
Map
Board Weekend Highlights
Map of Boardwalk Weekend

The Registries

2006-05-15T21:04:00.000-05:00

Ryan and I are registered at the follwing places:

JCPenney

Crate and Barrel

Bed Bath and Beyond

Pottery Barn (Plates)

We also welcome gift cards from Best Buy.

Registries are under "Angel DelaRosa" or "Ryan Rakowski"

The Travel Details

2006-05-15T21:00:00.000-05:00

Airports:
Norfolk International Airport
Virginia Beach served by Norfolk International Airport (757) 857-3351. Major airlines offer more than 200 flights daily that connect to all hubs and most major cities in the US and overseas. Norfolk International Airport is an easy 30 minute drive to the oceanfront.

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
Another alternative is the Newport/News/ Williamsburg International Airport (757) 877-0221. It is a 45 minute drive to the oceanfront.

Ground Transportation
A number of ground transportation services serve Norfolk International Airport: Groome Trans (757) 857-1231 - offers car, van, minibus and motorcoach services at all neighboring cities. Buses leave approximately every ten minutes and are very reasonably priced.

To the Oceanfront (Va Beach):

From Norfolk International airport:

Take I-64 East towards Va Beach/Chesapeake (4.3 miles)

Take the I-264 exit 284A to Norfolk/Portsmouth/Va Beach - go 0.8 mi

Merge onto I-264 E - go 12 mi towards Va Beach

To the Turtle Cay Resorts:

From the Norfolk International airport:

Follow directions from the Norfolk International airport.

Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue

Drive south to 6th Street

. (1.0 mile)

The resort is on the right.

To the Doubletree Hotel Virginia Beach:
http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/hotels/maps_directions.jhtml?ctyhocn=ORFBNDT

From the Norfolk International airport:

Follow directions from the Norfolk International airport.

Take exit 22 - Birdneck Road.

Go straight through the light onto Pavilion Drive.

The resort is on the right.

Pictures of theTurtle Cay Resort

2006-04-05T22:55:00.000-05:00

These are some pictures Ryan and I took of a one-bedroom suite like the ones we have on hold for our guests.

The Accomodations

2006-03-05T18:37:00.000-05:00

Turtle Cay Resort

600 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(3-night minimum: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, check out Sunday, Oct. 1)
Tel: 1-888-989-7788
One block from the ocean
Parking is free and the beach trolley stops right outside.
Less than two miles from the reception site (Contemporary Art Center of VA)
DelaRosa/Rakowski Wedding
$159/night rate available through August 28, 2006
Pictures of a one-bedroom suite we took

Doubletree Hotel Virginia Beach

1900 Pavilion Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(2-night minimum: Friday, and Saturday, check out Sunday, Oct 1)
Tel: +1-757-422-8900 Fax: +1-757-422-0039
Toll-free: 1-800-222-TREE

6 blocks from the beach

Less than a mile from the reception site (Contemporary Art Center of VA)

Instructions for booking online:

Enter in desired dates under Check Availability on right-hand side, hit Go
At the new page under Special Accounts, enter in DEL

DelaRosa Wedding Group
$98/night rate available through September 15, 2006

Rental Properties

There are plenty of rental properties in Virginia Beach. The commercial strip of the beach is from 1st street to 40th street. From 40th Street to 80th Street it is mostly beachfront homes, all within 150 yards of the ocean.

Again, Sandbridge is too far. It is also very Outer Banks-ish (not very commercialized). There isn't a whole out out there and the drive between the main strip of the beach is a very desolate drive, especially at night. If you need assistance finding accomodations, please contact us.

Virginia Beach

2005-12-18T23:24:00.000-05:00

Virginia.org - Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia

VaBeach.com - A great place to start. The Lodging section not only lists hotels but property that you can rent. If you are looking for rental property, Sandbridge is too far away. Please make sure you stay on the main drag. Check out the Maps & Tourist Info page for highway information.

SunnyDayGuide.com - Money-saving coupons and detailed descriptions of all there is to see and do in Virginia Beach - amusements, surfing, events, maps, and in-depth editorials about the Virginia Beach golf, fishing, Beach Street USA, the boardwalk arts festival, Neptune Festival, Rudee Inlet and the Virginia Marine Science Museum - are only a click away.

TripAdvisor.com - Reviews and rankings of hotels and motels in Va Beach

A map of the resort area: http://www.sunnydayguide.com/virginiabeach/pdfs/maps/ResortArea-map.pdf
The reception site (Contemporary Art Center of Virginia) is on 22nd Street about 6 blocks from the beach. You can see it on the map.

VB Wave.com
Riding the Trolley is fun...easy and practical! Find a stop - there's one about every other block and the trolley will be there any minute!

VBFun.com - the official website for the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau

The weekend of our wedding is also Boardwalk Weekend in Virginia Beach which celebrates the official closing of the annual Neptune Festival.

Among the list of festivities:

North American Sand Scultping Championship
Art & Craft Show
Fireworks
Grand Parade
Fabulous Festival Foods
Neptune 8K Run
3 stages of musical entertainment
Beer tents!

As if you needed any more reason to come to our wedding!

The Photographer

2005-09-26T22:05:00.000-05:00

We've booked our photographer, Srinu Regeti.
You can check out his blog here: Regeti's Photography Blog. More about him in The Bride's Log. We're almost at the year-mark!

Wedding Timeline & Checklist

2005-09-26T21:02:00.000-05:00

Found this online somewhere. I thought this one to be pretty thorough but is also subject to change:

Blue = Currently underway
Red = Specifics
Struck out = Done!

At Least One Year In Advance
First decide on the basics...

* ~~Choose wedding date~~
* ~~Decide type of wedding desired (traditional, big/small, etc.)~~
* ~~Determine what religion the service will be performed in, if any~~ (Catholic)
* ~~Decide time of wedding and reception~~ 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
* ~~Choose desired location for wedding ceremony~~ St. Matthew's Catholic Church
* ~~Choose desired location for reception~~ Contemporary Art Center of Virginia
* ~~Set wedding budget and decide how wedding will be financed~~

Then hire the individuals from whom you will need their services on the wedding day...

* ~~See if ceremony and reception locations are available and book them~~
* ~~Choose/hire individual who will perform your wedding ceremony if this is not included with your choice of ceremony site~~ Father Joseph Facura
* Interview/Chooose photographer and then book him/her Regeti's Photography
* Interview/Choose Florist and then book him/her
* ~~Interview/Choose Baker~~(for cake) and then book him/her - Jaime's Bakeshop
* Decide type of music desired for reception, if any
* Interview/Choose Band/DJ for reception and then book him/her/them - Seko Varner at Positive Vibes
* ~~Choose reception format: buffet or sit-down dinner etc.~~
* Interview/Choose caterer and then book him/her/them

Ten to Twelve Months in Advance

* ~~Determine a color scheme for the wedding/reception if desired~~ Hunter green, plum/eggplant, and orange
* ~~Registered for premarital classes~~
* ~~Decide if all/part/any of vows will be written by bride/groom~~
* ~~Decide how large/small wedding party will be~~
* ~~Choose/order wedding dress~~
* ~~Choose/order veil~~
* ~~Buy wedding shoes~~ - Bought two pairs!
* Buy undergarments for wedding attire (need prior to fittings)
* Begin looking at invitations
* Set honeymoon budget
* ~~Announce engagement to friends and family~~

Six to Ten Months in Advance

* ~~Begin writing vows~~
* ~~Complete Catholic premarital classes~~
* Choose ceremony music (prelude, processional, solos, recessional, postlude, etc.)
* ~~Choose attendants and ask if they'll accept the position~~
* Begin looking for bridesmaid dresses
* Pick out tuxes for groom and groomsmen/ushers/fathers
* Choose/book desired location for rehearsal dinner
* ~~Look for and book (reserve) block of rooms at nearby hotel for out-of-town guests~~
* Choose invitations - I will probably just make them
* Decide if programs ~~and/or personalized napkins~~ will be purchased and select them - Again I'll be making them
* ~~Make first draft of invite list~~
* Get directions to church, from church to reception, and from church to rehearsal dinner
* Make list of attractions/things to do (in town where wedding is) to include with directions
* Plan honeymoon and book all lodgings/transportation/event tickets
* Check passports/visas
* ~~Discuss if a bridal registry is desired and what items would be on it~~ A registry is desired

Four to Six Months in Advance

* Make appointment for bridal portrait
* Make hair/nail appointment for bridal portrait
* ~~Find out from minister if flower girl can drop flower petals on floor in sanctuary~~
* ~~Find out from reception hall if guests can throw birdseed or rice~~
* Buy/make favors to give guests, if desired
* Order bridesmaid dresses
* Hire limo driver or arrange other transportation to/from ceremony and reception
* Buy wedding attire accessories such as gloves, earrings, necklace, purse, shoes, cufflinks, etc.
* Pick out/order wedding bands - Mom picked mine up at the store!
* Select reception decorations such as candles, flowers, balloons, arches, etc.
* Buy/make basket for flower girl
* Buy/make pillow for ringbearer - I've asked Agnes to make me one!
* Meet with baker to choose flavor(s) and style of wedding cake
* Make/print directions and map for ceremony and reception to include with all wedding invitations
* ~~Make 2nd draft of invite list~~
* Register gift preferences with one or more bridal registries at nearby and/or nationwide store
* Get measurements from groom/ushers/fathers/groomsmen for tuxedos

Three to Four Months in Advance

* Confirm bridal portrait appointment
* Confirm hair/nail appointments for bridal portrait
* ~~Decide on living arrangement once married~~

Two to Four Months in Advance

* Get bridal portrait taken
* Choose reception food
* Design program layout
* Determine reception layout
* Choose reception music (1st dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance etc.)
* Make rough draft of list of duties of all involved (Mistress of Ceremonies, etc.)
* Finalize vows and memorize (if necessary)
* Make sure flower girl dress is purchased
* Make sure the mother's dresses are purchased and are complimentary
* ~~Determine length of bridesmaid dresses~~ At least tea length
* Determine hose color and shoes for bridesmaids
* Schedule bride's hair appointment
* Schedule nail appointment
* Finalize invite list
* Get addresses of all people on invite list
* Set date with fiance to get marriage license
* Get any immunizations you will need for the honeymoon

Two Months in Advance

* Go over rough draft of duties with all involved in wedding
* Choose one person to whom the groomsmen can return their tuxes, and have that person return the tuxes to the rental place if desired
* Determine who will return the groom's tuxedo to the rental place
* Determine order/timing of events at reception
* Buy honeymoon clothes and going away outfit if necessary
* Get final order of prelude and processional music from organist
* Call for babysitter to watch children
* Call to inform all people who need to be at rehearsal
* ~~Buy guest book and pen~~
* Obtain marriage certificate
* Determine where bride and attendants will get dressed
* Determine where groom and attendants will get dressed
* Buy/make throw and keepsake garters
* Buy wrapping paper for attendant, etc. gifts
* Make schedule of wedding day for all involved
* Buy stamps for invitations, response cards, and some to get started on thank-you notes
* Ensure formal-wear shop has all tuxedo measurements

One to One-and-a-Half Months in Advance

* Address/mail wedding invitations

One Month in Advance

* Determine when items needed at reception will be taken there
* Show final program to minister and organist to check for accuracy
* Box and wrap all gifts for attendants, etc.
* Ensure band/DJ has equipment/music needed tp play your chosen reception music
* Confirm honeymoon reservations
* Check registries to make sure shower gifts and/or early wedding gifts have been marked off as purchased
* Record gifts as you receive them and send thank-you notes
* ~~Open joint checking and savings accounts~~
* Change beneficiary to fiance for will and life insurance policy
* Inform car/home/renter's insurance of marriage
* Make list of all places with whom bride needs to change name and submit changes

Two Weeks in Advance

* Final meeting with reception hall/caterer
* Final meeting with photographer
* Final conversation with band - overview of times & special songs, mail him/her/them map
* Mail directions to limo driver and confirm times
* Meet with rehearsal dinner caterers for final details
* Print programs
* Finalize and print list of duties for each person involved
* Print itinerary of wedding day
* Confirm nail/hair appointments
* Print list of reception dances for MC/band/DJ
* Confirm hotel reservations for wedding night
* Determine personal wedding morning itinerary (time to wake up, ... time to leave for church, etc.)

One Week in Advance

* Make bride's emergency kit
* Pack for honeymoon
* Get traveler's checks for honeymoon; exchange money to foreign currency now if desired
* Fill out first page of guest book
* Buy spare hose
* Remind attendants about rehearsal time
* Take marriage certificate to minister/officiant
* Give final guest count to reception facility and/or caterer
* Remind groom/fathers/ushers/groomsmen to pick up tuxedos on day before wedding
* Pick up gifts for attendants.
* Discuss seating with ushers.
* Confirm final guest numbers and seating arrangements with caterer.
* Practice toasts and speeches.
* Break in wedding shoes.
* Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
* Place fees in envelopes for services.
* Get manicure/pedicure.
* Confirm final details with vendors.
* Arrange for attendants to take care of wedding attire after reception.

Day Before Wedding

* Pick up wedding gown and veil
* Pick up tux
* Take favors, disposable cameras, centerpieces, cake knife and server, toasting glasses, CD's, and birdseed roses to reception hall
* Nail appointment
* Give mom lipstick to keep in purse on wedding day for bride (or prepare bride's purse)
* Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

Morning of Wedding

* Bride's hair appointment
* Give groom's wedding band to Maid of Honor and bride's wedding band to Best Man prior to ceremony
* Relax and let it all sink in!!
* Leave yourself off the things to do list today if there are any remaining items. You need to relax and enjoy the whole day, and in the long run, you won't remember the little things.

Wedding day order of events:

* Hair is styled.
* Bride, groom and attendants get dressed.
* Transportation for bride and bridesmaids arrives.
* Transportation for groom arrives.
* Groom leaves for ceremony.
* Groomsmen leave for ceremony.
* Bridesmaids leave for ceremony.
* Bride and her father (or escort) leave for ceremony.
* Guests arrive for ceremony.
* Ceremony begins.
* Ceremony ends.
* Wedding party arrives at reception.
* Photographs are taken.
* Guests arrive at reception; receiving line begins.
* Music begins.
* Food is served.
* Speeches and toasts.
* Cake is cut and served.
* Bride and groom depart.

Centerpieces

2005-08-14T20:07:00.000-05:00

Ryan and I want an Autumn Evening feel for our reception. This is what we came up with. Took no time at all to make either! We think they'll look great on the tables.

Scrapbook Posted

2005-08-10T21:04:00.000-05:00

I FINALLY got around to making the scrapbook of ideas and pictures for our wedding. Ryan and I took pictures of the reception site last time we were home so you can get a better idea. It was also setup for a reception at the time. We're really excited about booking it! In the scrapbook you can also see pictures of some ideas we're considering for the wedding and reception as well as dresses I've tried on or are interested in. Hope you enjoy and please leave us some comments!

Our Wedding Scrapbook

The pages may load a little slowly so fair warning.

CACV Booked!

2005-07-26T22:10:00.000-05:00

The contract for the CACV is sent and the deposit is on the way to the bank! Bring on the caterers!

Site Picked!

2005-07-06T20:45:00.000-05:00

Ryan and I have finally settled on the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia as our reception site. We sent out the rental application and are now waiting for the contract to get to us. Next is caterers I think!

Possible Reception Sites

2005-07-06T13:47:00.000-05:00

We are trying to decide between the two venues listed below. The Chrysler Museum is in downtown Norfolk while the Contemporary Art Center of VA (CACV) is closer to the Oceanfront. Right now we are leaning towards the CACV and will let you know when we have booked a site.

Contemporary Art Center of VA
Chrysler Museum

CACV

2005-07-05T22:49:00.000-05:00

Contemporary Art Center of Virginia

The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia is a nonprofit, noncollecting institution founded in 1952 to foster awareness, exploration and understanding of the significant art of our time. Regularly changing exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, photography, glass, video and other visual media from internationally acclaimed artists as well as artists of national and regional renown. By balancing its four primary activities--gallery exhibitions, studio art classes, educational outreach programs and outdoor art shows--the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia seeks to involve a diverse regional public in the rich and active language of contemporary visual art.

Atrium:
The expansive 4,800 square-foot atrium features a vaulted ceiling, skylight, mahogany trim and live trees. A flexible floor plan can accommodate an intimate event for 35 or an extravagant gala for 350 guests. For larger events, tents can be added on the adjoining patio or grounds.

More pictures I took: http://angeld.myphotos.cc/albums/CACV/index.html

Chrysler Museum

2005-07-05T21:15:00.000-05:00

Located near downtown Norfolk and overlooking the Hague Inlet of the Elizabeth River, the Chrysler Museum of Art has been called "one of the pleasantest places in the United States to while the day away" --The New York Times.

The Museum's enclosed central courtyard is a grand and appealing space. Inspired by 15th-century Florentine design, the two-story white stucco walls set off a patterned slate and marble floor and a vaulted glass ceiling supported by great wooden trusses. The double staircase provides an impressive focal point while the glass ceiling floods the space with sunlight or moonlight, creating a truly breathtaking setting for your event

Renaissance arcades along the courtyard's perimeter offer entry into the Museum's galleries, specifically those containing the highly regarded glass collection and the Changing Exhibitions Gallery.

Ceremony

2005-06-28T22:05:00.000-05:00

We will be having a traditional Catholic mass complete with communion at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Virginia Beach. This is the church I was baptized in and grew up at. The new church was built in 1991. Links about and to the church are below. Directions will follow closer to the date.

St. Matthew's Catholic Church Images
St. Matthew's Catholic Church Website

Wedding Ceremony Traditions - UPDATED!

Wedding Traditions Moved

2005-06-26T22:02:00.000-05:00

The wedding traditions are now listed under the The Ceremony link. Enjoy!

Traditions

2005-06-23T22:16:00.000-05:00

Filipino Wedding Traditions - Updated
Polish Wedding Traditions
Catholic Wedding Traditions
(outside link)

Engagement Presents!

2005-06-12T21:54:00.000-05:00

We got our first engagement presents this weekend! Ryan's parents gave us this beautiful ivory guest book for our wedding reception. His sister gave us a mother-of-pearl, 5 by 5 picture frame. Apparently, most photography proofs come in a 5 x 5 size and it's a very difficult size to find a frame. I'm so glad that there are people who have done this before me. I don't even know what I don't know! My mom got me a big three-ring binder wedding planner from TJ Maxx. It has pockets for EVERYTHING, even business cards! And of course she got a great deal on it! I'm definitely going to put it to good use.

Polish Wedding Traditions

2005-06-05T11:12:00.000-05:00

Most Poles are Roman Catholic. Once a woman marries, her mother and female relatives hold a special ceremony to unbraid her hair and cover it with a czepiec, or white bonnet. (Unmarried women wear a single braid, uncovered.) Reception feasts may include roast pork, borscht, sausage and poppy seed cakes. The couple eats bread, wine and salt so that they might always have food, enjoy sweetness and overcome bitterness. The bread represents the hope that the bride and groom will never go hungry. The salt is a reminder that life may be difficult at times, but that they will learn to cope. The wine symbolizes the desire that the couple will never go thirsty, and that their lives will be filled with health and happiness. They then hold silver coins to enjoy financial security.

During the "Sto Lat" Toast (Polish for "100 years"), guests wish the couple a century of happiness. An elder male blesses the couple at the Zerkowiny, or handbinding ceremony, in which he joins their hands with an embroidered cloth (which becomes a wedding memento) over a loaf of bread.

The festivities feature a "money dance" in which guests pin money to the bride's veil. Alternately, guests may form a circle around her and toss money into her veil, or the maid of honor collects money in her apron. The removal of the bridal veil, known as the oczepiny ceremony, is another traditional element of a Polish wedding day. The bride's veil will be removed as she enters the reception hall, signifying the end of her maidenhood and her transition to a married woman. Later, the bride may transfer her veil to the bridal party, who take turns wearing it in hopes of being the next to marry.

Filipino Wedding Traditions

2005-06-05T10:48:00.000-05:00

I found a much more thorough webpage and just copy and pasted it into here. I'm going to make Ryan study this page. ;)

Philippine Traditional Weddings

Kasal .... meaning "wedding". Ikasal.... to wed or to marry. Kasalan.... the wedding ceremony. The traditional Filipino kasalan in the Christian community is unique in that it adds three more ceremonies into the basic wedding rites. These additional ceremonies are: the veil, the cord and the arrhae or coin ceremonies. The whole wedding thus takes just a little bit longer, and a few more participants are required, but it certainly makes for a more memorable wedding day!

The Wedding Participants

Wedding participants are the Priest/Minister, the Bride, the Groom, Maid of Honor, Best Man, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower Girl/s, Ring and Coin Bearer, Bible Bearer, Parents of the Bride, Parents of the Groom, Primary Sponsors, Secondary Sponsors.

Historical Background

Traditionally, the coin, veil and cord ceremonies were performed only in the wedding rites of the Roman Catholic church in the Philippines. Today, other Christian churches have adopted it as well, and it is up to the bride and groom to request its inclusion from the officiating Priest/Minister.

The Spanish colonization period in the Philippines (1521-1898) brought the Roman Catholic religion to the islands. These special wedding rites were part of those which were brought by the Spanish friars to the Philippines, and similar wedding rites are found in Mexico today. Spain ruled the Philippines through Mexico, and a regular schedule of merchant galleon trade ships plying the Manila-Acapulco route joined the three countries' cultures in more ways than one.

Songs for the Wedding Ceremony

What else could give more essence to the ceremony than music, especially a voice, or voices to send those "chill bumps up one's spine", and start the tears flowing from everyone?

Serenade to the Bride: The groom and his best man has marched in and standing in wait at the altar. The parents and sponsors have been seated. While the groom is awaiting thus, a song is offered as a "serenade to the bride".

Ring Ceremony: A song is usually sung just after the exchange of rings.

Offertory or Communion Song: Another song is sung during this time. Usually, the Ave Maria and the Panis Angelicus.

The Lord's Prayer: May be sung instead of recited at the appropriate place in the ceremony.

Songs after the ritual mass/service: Sometimes more songs are offered after the wedding ceremony, to serenade the wedding party during the long photo sessions which follow inside the church.

The Wedding March
Order of Entry

The Priest/Minister stands at the altar and the march begins. The best man leads the way, followed by the groomsmen. Then the groom follows. Marching with him, to his left side is his mother. Behind him on his same side is his father, and to his father's left, is the mother of the bride.

Behind the families are the primary sponsors, with the female sponsors marching to the left side of the male sponsors. Respectfully called Ninong (male sponsor) and Ninang (female sponsor), this is a position of honor. One cannot choose his parents, but they could choose their godparents. They are like second parents to whom the couple could depend upon encouragement and counsel in their married years to come.

Behind the primary sponsors, march the secondary sponsors, again with the female sponsors positioned to the left of the male. These secondary sponsors play a part in the wedding ceremony, and each couple has specific functions: lighting of the unity candle, putting on the veil and the cord for their respective ceremonies. They are usually chosen from friends of the bride and groom.

The bridal party then follows in the following order: ring bearer/coin bearer, bible bearer*, flower girl, bridesmaids, maid of honor, then the bride with her father. She stands to the left side of her father. All guests stand as the bride marches in.

Note that all the female members of the bridal party (with the exception of the bride), stand or walk to the left of the male members. This is in keeping with the oriental yin and yang principle. Female energy is yin, and therefore should be to the left of the male yang energy.

Order of Entry

(Standing at the altar)
Officiating Priest/Minister

Best Man
Groomsman
Groomsman

Mother of Groom - Groom
Mother of Bride - Father of Groom

Primary Sponsors
Ninang 1 - Ninong 1
Ninang 2 - Ninong 2
Ninang 3 - Ninong 3

Secondary Sponsors
Candle: Female - Male
Veil: Female - Male
Cord: Female - Male

Usually, the Parents, Primary and Secondary Sponsors would have taken their seats in the first
one or two designated front pews
before the rest of the party marches in, as follows:

Main Bridal Party
Ring/Coin Bearer (male child)
Bible Bearer* (male or female child)
Flower Girl
Bridesmaid 1
Bridesmaid 2
Bridesmaid 3
Maid of Honor

Father of the Bride - Bride

The Bride is on the right side of her Father (or whoever gives her away), so that when they get to the altar, he will not be in the way of the Groom who will be on her right side throughout the ceremony.
_________________________

Not traditional, but a common alternative nowadays, is that the Groom marches with both his parents, and the Bride with both her parents, hence:

Order of Entry

(Standing at the altar)
Officiating Priest/Minister

Best Man
Groomsman
Groomsman

Mother of Groom - Groom - Father of Groom

Primary Sponsors
Ninang 1 - Ninong 1
Ninang 2 - Ninong 2
Ninang 3 - Ninong 3

Secondary Sponsors
Candle: Female - Male
Veil: Female - Male
Cord: Female - Male

Main Bridal Party
Ring/Coin (Boy) Bearer
Bible (Boy or Girl) Bearer*
Flower Girl
Bridesmaid 1
Bridesmaid 2
Bridesmaid 3
Maid of Honor

Mother of Bride - Bride - Father of Bride

The advantage of this latter arrangement is that both parents participate equally in the wedding rites. The disadvantage is that because there are three people marching together at one time, it is crowded and there may not be enough room in the aisle.

*Bible bearer - in Protestant ceremonies, a child (either male or female, usually male) brings a bible to the altar on top of a cushion, and there is a place where the officiating Minister, blesses this bible telling everyone of the couple's wish for their home to be ruled by God's word. This bible then becomes the couple's home bible and will be used in all religious ceremonies and devotions in their household.

How they stand at the altar

Priest/Minister

Bridesmaids-Maid of Honor-Bride-Groom-Best Man-Groomsmen
Flower Girls Ring/Coin/Bible Bearer

Seated in First and Second Rows
Parents of the Bride Parents of the Groom
Primary Sponsors** Secondary Sponsors**

(**This could be evenly matched on either sides. Some put the Secondary Sponsor pairs together, as they have to go to the altar at the same time for the veil, cord and candle ceremonies.)

The Wedding Rites

The Bride and her Father marches to the altar. The Groom meets them, and all three will face the Priest/Minister. The question of who gives the bride away is asked, to which the bride's Father answers, "I do" . He then gives her daughter's hand to the groom, after which he takes his designated seat in the front row with his wife.

The Exchange of Vows follow.

Ring Ceremony: The Priest/Minister may, at this point bless the Bride, Groom and rings with holy water. He holds their hands together in unity, then they exchange rings.

Arrhae or Coin Ceremony: The Priest/Minister then drops 13 pieces of coins (silver or gold) called arras into the Groom's waiting hands, who in turn drops it into the Bride's hands. The Bride then puts her hand above the Groom's then drops the arras into his hands again. The Groom allows the coins to then be dropped into a plate held by an acolyte.

The metal tinkling of the coins being passed from one pair of hands to the other, is a distinctive reminder of the groom's promise to take care of his wife materially. The bride in return, by giving back the coins to his hands, convey that what they both earn become part of each other's. The trickling sound also signifies abundance and success in the couple's joint efforts. The husband gives his material earnings to his wife who manages, saves and invests the money wisely, as basic Filipino tradition dictates.

Veil Ceremony: In the Catholic ceremony, the Priest continues with the nuptial mass until the "Sanctus". When the bell for the Sanctus rings, it is also a signal for the veil sponsors to come up to the altar. In Protestant ceremonies, the Minister explains the veil ceremony to the congregation and this constitutes as the cue for the veil sponsors.

Together, they pin a veil from the groom's shoulders, extending it to cover the bride's head and shoulders. This is symbolic of the groom pledging his strength and protection to his bride - the wife who he promises to take care of, from this day forward.

Cord Ceremony: The Cord Ceremony follows immediately after. The Cord Sponsors come up to where the Bride and Groom are kneeling, and put a figure of eight cord over the veils that are on the heads and shoulders of the Bride and Groom. This cord symbolizes unity and infinity - a love together, forever!

Candle Ceremony: The Candle Ceremony is first and last. As soon as all the primary and secondary sponsors have been seated, the Candle Sponsors proceed to the altar where they light the two side candles beside the middle and larger (unity) candle. This represents the two lives and two spirits who will be joined together.

Towards the end of the ceremony, at a signal from the Priest/Minister, the Bride and Groom come up and approach the candles. They each take the smaller candles, and use it to light the middle unity candle. This means that from then on, their lives go together, kindled as one.

The Unity Candle is saved and kept by the couple, to be lighted on each wedding anniversary, as a reminder of this first day when they gave their promise to each other.

The rest of the wedding ceremony is the same as that in the west... the kiss after the priest or pastor introduces the couple for the first time as "Mr. and Mrs.", and the guests applauding them. The march out of the church is definitely faster and more spirited than the wedding march to the altar. Rice and flower petals are thrown gently to the couple outside the church door for luck, prosperity and marital bliss. In America, bubbles are blown.

The Wedding Reception

At the reception, everything follows the usual similar western practice - thr throwing of the bridal bouguet, the garter, the cake and champagne. One thing that is different however, is that during the reception, there is a bell shaped basket that hangs in the middle of the room. After the toast, the bride and the groom approached this bell-shaped basket, and pull on its ribbons to open a trapdoon, from which would fly two love birds - usually two white doves which are set free afterwards. For the birds to fly up towards the heavens when they are set free, is an omen of good luck, predicting a successful life together.

Two Filipino Traditional Reception Practices

Sayaw sa Batya - dancing inside a batya. A batya is a huge flat metal container about one meter in diameter and about 6 inches in height. It is used for handwashing clothes. In some localities in the Philippines, the couple dance inside the batya, while the guests throw money to them inside the batya. This money is the seed money which the couple will use to start their life together.

Sayaw ng Pera - the money dance. The couple dances a slow waltz and relatives of the groom pin money on his clothes, while relatives of the bride pin money on her clothes. The couple, of course, gets to keep all the money.

Filipino Wedding Dress

The Bride typically wears white, off-white or ecru, especially if she is wearing a dress made from the expensive jusi or pina cloth, which natural color is ecru. The groom wears a barong tagalog, a traditional hand embroidered formal shirt made from specially hand-loomed jusi or pina (pineapple fiber) cloth.

The Bride chooses a color scheme for her bridesmaids, flower girl and maid of honor. Typically, the female sponsors follow this color scheme.

Wedding Expenses

In the Philippines, the Groom's family spends for everything except the bridal dress and female entourage dresses. He pays for the church, flowers, limousine, invitations, reception, etc.. The Bride only pays for her dress, and the dresses of her bridesmaids, flower girls and ring bearer.

***Wedding Superstition Trivia***

It is bad luck for the bride to be seen by the groom trying on her wedding dress at any time before the wedding.
It is bad luck for the groom to see the bride the night before the wedding ceremony.
On the wedding day, light showers are considered lucky as they will bring material blessings to the union.
Typhoons bring bad luck should it come on the wedding day. A sunny day means a life full of married bliss.

The End

Photos courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Andy and Pet Van Hausen who were married on June 14, 1997 at Lover's Lane Methodist Church at 2pm. Their wedding ceremony was repeated at 8:30pm that night at the concert entitled "Music and Dance from Seven Thousand Islands" presented by the Filipino Folk Arts Theatre, Inc. at the Dallas Museum of Art. Costumes are from the Basilisa Elvas Filipiniana Collection.

The Ring

2005-05-09T21:18:00.000-05:00

The Proposal

2005-05-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

Her Side
Back Story - My parents had leaked to me long ago in January at my brother's wedding that he had asked them for their blessings in marrying me. This was not something that we had discussed so I was fairly certain that I wasn't suppose to know. I ended up having to hold my breath for 5 months . . .

05.05.05
I had just gotten home from work and we were getting ready to go out. I grabbed a poncho from the bedroom to wear because I felt like the shirt I was wearing wasn't very flattering. Ryan comes into the room and stops me. He puts his arms around my stomach and my waist and starts his speech. I interrupted him because I thought he was trying to tell me in a nice way that I needed to lose weight, something he has never done before. He keeps on talking and then it slowly dawns on me that he is proposing to me. I was floored! It was completely unexpected. I didn't know what to think. He reached into his backpack on the floor and pulled out a tiny, beautiful package from Diamond.com. Inside was my beautiful ring. He asked me to be his wife and I can think of nothing else I would rather be.

His Side (as told to her)
He knew that my brother's wedding was probably the only chance he was going to have to ask for my parents' blessings if he was to propose to me in February or March. He nervously approached my father and my dad's reaction made him think that he had done something wrong. My dad immediately asked him how much this was going to cost him. (Thanks, dad). Luckily, he called my mother over who excitedly assuaged his fears and could think of nothing better for the two of us. Of course, she was the first to blab to me that night.

When Ryan started looking seriously at rings he quickly learned that there was a lot to take into account. He said that he kept waiting for the perfect stone. My only stipulations were that it be a solitaire with either white gold or platinum and nothing too ornate. I like classic and elegant. Finally, in May, he was ready to make his purchase. The ring was guaranteed to be shipped by Mother's Day...

05.05.05
He ordered the ring on Monday, the 2nd. That following Thursday I had a hard time getting out of bed and decided to go into work late. Not 30 minutes after I left did the UPS man show up with three different forms for Ryan to sign. All day he thought I knew something was up when I had literally no idea. He thought I had seen his internet history that listed Diamond.com on it and that I knew a ring was on its way. He was nervous and antsy all day. I came home and he began his speech that he said he's been thinking of since February. Of course, when the time came he forgot it all. To me he said, everything that needed to be said.