The following items are used in traditional Filipino weddings to represent the aspirations of the couple and their families on the future of the marriage:

CANDLE- is said to light the way of the couple in their married life, especially in times when they need to make a difficult decision. It is a symbol of hope in times when the couple is going through rough times.

COINS (Arrhae)- is symbolizes bounty, wealth and prosperity in the marriage. The act of transferring the coins(arrhae) from the hands of the groom to the cupped hands of the bride is a sign of commitment from the groom to look after the marriage by providing for the family in every way he can. By doing this, he makes a promise that he will make sure that his family will be secure in the future. The acceptance by the wife is a commitment that she recognizes her duty as “keeper of the purse” in the family. She makes a commitment to help her husband in providing for the family needs by budgeting the needs of the family wisely.

CORD- is a symbol of infinite love. The cord binds the couple together so they will stick together and be each other’s support through thick and thin. The figure 8 of the cord is a symbol of unending marriage as the number 8 does not have a beginning or an end. With the cord, the couple will love each other forever in their marriage.

WHITE VEIL- is a symbol of purity in the marriage. With it, the couple hopes to have a pure and unadulterated love for each other through the years. It also symbolizes the union of two families, that of the bride and the groom.

RICE- showering the newlyweds with rice after the wedding ceremony is also a sign of bounty. It’s a prayer that the couple’s family never grows hungry.

MONEY (BILLS)- Attaching bills to the couple during the wedding dance is a symbol of support of the families and friends of the couple during the lifetime of the marriage. The money collected will also help the couple in starting their married life.

SUGAR- symbolizes the lasting sweetness and love of the married couple forever. The couple is given a teaspoon of sugar usually before the wedding reception bet after the ceremony.

WINE & CAKE- drinking of wine with interlinked arms and feeding each other with a piece of the wedding cake also symbolizes a infinity in the marriage and the promise of support of both husband and wife to each other in rearing the family.