Although Filipinos infuse a touch o

Although Filipinos infuse a touch of modernity in their wedding rites, as a predominantly Catholic country, they still generally stick to traditional Catholic wedding rites, with a few rites from the Spanish and Americans thrown in. One thing is for sure, though: whether done in church or elsewhere, Filipinos are big on weddings and all its traditional trappings. Prior to the wedding, there is usually the traditional period of courtship (panliligaw), followed by the engagement (kasunduan), and then the pamamanhikan. The last is when the would-be groom, together with members of his family, meets with his fiancée and her family, usually at the latter’s home, to formalize the marriage proposal. After accepting the proposal, both parties discuss the wedding arrangements and other details. It is usual for the groom’s family to shoulder the expenses, but in these modern times, the bride often agrees to pay for part of the cost. Afterwards, the bride’s family holds a despedida de soltera as she bids goodbye to singlehood, while the groom may hold a bachelor’s or stag party.