This week’s Tip Tuesday is Dedicated to Filipino Women Wedding Attire!
Have you ever been invited to a Filipino wedding? Here in Manila, weddings are a million-peso (even billion-peso) industry, and couples go through great lengths to make their wedding special.
It is only but right that as guests, we do our part in making their momentous event very special. So here are a few tips that I’d like to dish out when choosing your attire for Filipino Weddings.
Dresses
Couples nowadays inform their guests ahead of time if their celebration has a certain theme, in some cases, they also include the details in their wedding invitation. I personally only have one rule about dressing up when attending weddings — and that is to never ever wear WHITE, OFF WHITE or BEIGE. Wearing such takes away the “limelight” from the bride. It is but respectful to wear another shade that is far from the color of the bride’s wedding gown.
Generally, I’d wear knee length cocktail dresses for lunchtime or afternoon weddings, while long dresses or gowns for evening weddings. As for colors, I’d like to use fresh pastel colors for lunchtime or afternoon weddings, and darker colors for evening weddings. A bit of caution in using black or dark navy blue, as some people (generally the grandparents and parents) are very superstitious about it, so better ask the couple if you can get away with wearing these colors. I have plenty of dark color dresses as these are the easiest to mix and match, with jewelry, bags and shoes, as well as re-usable to other occasions like parties. And yes, I am plus size. You can buy plus size clothing off the rack or online that can be used for weddings too, all at a wallet-friendly price.
Pants (not jeans) and skirts of appropriate lengths are also acceptable. Just pair it with a nice dressy or girly blouse and you’re good to go.
Shoes
Two choices in height – flats and heels. Filipino weddings take a long time, after the church ceremony, there is normally free time of about 1 to 2 hours to make time for post ceremony pictorials and touch ups for the bride and groom. This lull is also considered the time for the guests to mingle and get to know the rest of the family and friends of the couple. Personally, I’d advise to use flats just because of the duration of Filipino weddings. But if you plan to look good in photos, and get photographed for full body photos, then go for heels. For beach or garden weddings and receptions, I strongly advise to use flats, you don’t want your heels to get trapped in the sand or grass, right? If you can’t veer away from heels, make sure to bring flats or slippers so you can change into them if you get tired.
For me, the colors of your shoes should play around silvers, champagne, nudes and blacks, which are also the safest to mix and match. Opt for classic or strappy designs, this can be your fashion statement.
Bags
Another fashion statement accessory are bags. For me, I like using clutches because they can be easily matched with any dress that I have in my closet. It should be large enough to carry my necessities but small of enough to not “over power” my dress. The colors I use are pretty much like my shoe choices, in fact, I only have 3 clutches – silver, champagne and black.
My bag content necessities are lipstick – to touch up after eating; powder or oil blotting films – to remove the shine; fan – as it is almost always hot in the Philippines and air-conditioning is not always available in churches and reception venues; mints and crackers – to save me from hunger while waiting for the reception after the church ceremony.
bag necessities – powder, lippie, mints and fan
Weddings are generally formal events, unless otherwise specified on the invitation, we should steer clear of the following:
- Rubber shoes and sneakers
- Short shorts and micro mini skirts
- Jeans (Maong)
- Backpacks and knapsacks
I am sure that the tips I gave above pretty much covered the bases. I do hope you enjoy guesting in a Filipino Wedding because they are one of the best!
Shameless plug:
I made a video about this, if you’re Filipino, then this video is for you!
Til next time Loveys!
Maruth
A Student of Life 