We recently experienced our first wedding in the Philippines. It was a sweet celebration and most definitely a lesson in this hot-culture in which we live. The wedding was set for 4pm. Us Americans and a few Filipinos from the big city arrived at 10 minutes 'til 4 to find that the bride and groom were no where to be found, the caterers were still cooking, and decorations were only being finalized. Finally about an hour later, the locals started rolling in and the bride and groom finally arrived. I thought back to our own wedding last summer and how all our guests arrived about 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and it began only a couple of minutes after the set time. We had set all the decorations in place early that morning haha.

What we learned (from this experience plus the help of the book Foreign to Familiar) was that Filipinos and people of similar cultures are event-oriented. This does not mean time is important, but rather experience and relationships. When they said the wedding started at 4, they meant the entire event started at 4. Helping the bride get dressed and decorating the site are just as important to each guest as the actual ceremony and reception. So in essence, the 'wedding' started at 4. Once things got rolling, the ceremony was very sweet and the food at the reception was so delicious. But most of all, we enjoyed the company of our warm Filipino friends.

Final decorations

Waiting for the Bride and Groom to arrive

Lovely Decorations

Happy Wedding Cake :)

The Bride's Auntee and Friends

They've arrived!

Dum dum dum dum

Cultural tradition to unite the couple

Yum Yum Yum

First wedding we've attended since our own!

The happy couple :)

Me, Lilia, and Monica

I invite you to consider our own American culture. Then seek to learn about other cultures around the world. You'll find there is much to gain from the way others view life.

Side Note: Please pray for Josh and I this weekend as we will be sharing our "love story" with a singles' group in our community. They're holding a love banquet in light of Valentine's Day and have asked us to share our testimony as a couple. Please pray the Holy Spirit will give us the words to encourage them to behold and delight in Jesus alone.