Tagalog For Every Season: Tell a Wedding Story or Express Your Plan Before Attending a Wedding

In my previous journal, I mentioned that my family and I are attending the wedding of a close family friend. We went. It was a peaceful drive — about four hours northeast from where we live.

Also, I mentioned that my newly prescribed eyeglasses don't serve me right but until now it's nothing but the same. It's difficult and frustrating. I stopped wearing it while still looking for another optometrist or an eye specialist for my apparent rare eyesight condition. As I write this journal and its accompanying worksheets, I'm wearing a pair of reading glasses that I bought from the department store.

A Filipina in America Attended a Spring Wedding 💍 and Brought Her Special Dish

The ceremony was held in the groom’s parents' backyard, right at 4:00 PM on a perfect not too cold and not too warm spring day.

I wore my green hand-embroidered blazer, Bruce wore his baróng Tagalog — the same one he wore at our own wedding eight years ago — and Ryan dressed in a smart suit. The ceremony was short and sweet, officiated by a Christian pastor. Only a few guests were invited; not more than thirty, which made it feel truly intimate and meaningful.

The reception was potluck style, and I brought tofu adobo in one pot and steamed rice in another one. Bruce and Ryan were confident it would be a hit, although we guessed that some might pass on it (vegetarian adobo isn’t exactly an Ohio staple!). To our surprise, the pots were emptied quickly — and I even received compliments! The groom’s grandmother asked for my recipe, and I gladly shared it.

Would you like the recipe too? Let me know so I can include it in a future email.

The night ended with a beautiful fireworks show at around 9:30 PM — a simple but unforgettable celebration of love.

Tagalog Wedding Words, Phrases or Sentences to Remember

Read, read aloud, and understand the following:

1. kasál (wedding)
2. kasalan (wedding event)
3. asawa (spouse)
4. banál na pangakò (vow, sacred promise)
5. taimtím na pangakò (solemn vow)
6. bagong kasál (newly married)
7. pakasalán (verb, infinitive: pertaining to someone to marry with)
8. Pinakasalán ni Noah si Lindsay. (Noah married Lindsay)
9. ikinakasál (verb, future tense: pertaining to a person or a couple to be married)
10. Ikinasál siná Noah at Lindsay noóng Sabado. (Noah and Lindsay were married last Saturday.)
11. magpakasál (to get married)
12. Buwán ng Abríl nang nagpakasál sina Noah at Lindsay. ([It was] month of April when Noah and Lindsay got married.)
13. babaeng ikakasál (bride)
14. lalaking ikakasál (groom)
15. mga magulang (parents)
16. biyenán (father/mother-in-law)
17. mag-asawa (noun: married couple)
18. mag-asawa (verb, infinitive: to get married)
19. Nag-asawa na si Noah. (Noah has got married.)
20. handaan (reception or feast)

Practice using them in your own sentences, or include them in your journaling!

Practice Your Tagalog

Here are two reflection questions for you to answer in Tagalog, if possible. This is a great way to personalize your learning.

1. Nakapuntá ka rin ba sa isáng kasalan sa taóng itó? Kung oo, saán at sino ang mga ikinasál? (Did you also attend a wedding this year? If yes, who were the ones that got married?)
2. May pupuntahán ka bang kasalan sa mga susunod na araw? Saán, at anó ang plano mo? (Is there a wedding you’ll attend in the coming days? Where, and what are your plans?)

👉 Download your free Tagalog worksheet for this lesson and start journaling today!

Use it to record vocabulary, write your reflections, and answer the practice questions above.

Filipino Wedding Trivia

Did you know? Filipino weddings are a blend of indigenous customs, Spanish influence, and American traditions. Here are some fun trivia items you might enjoy:

1. The Cord, Veil, and Coins Ceremony – Filipino Christian (Catholic or otherwise) weddings often include symbolic rituals: a cord (for unity), a veil (for blessings), and 13 coins (aras) that the groom gives to the bride to signify trust and commitment.
2. Ninongs and Ninangs (Sponsors) – A Filipino wedding has principal sponsors who are respected figures in the couple’s lives. They serve as godparents of the marriage.
3. Extended Guest Lists – Traditional weddings in the Philippines often include entire barangays (neighborhoods), making it common to have over 100+ guests. But modern weddings, like the one we attended, are becoming more intimate.
4. Feasting is a Must – Whether in a ballroom or backyard, handaan (the feast) is the heart of the event. Lechon, pansit, buko salad, and rice are almost always present.
5. Ambág or Gift? – At a typical wedding in my hometown Marinduque, there is a jar next to the guest book. The guests can chip in, especially when they come with no gift to the newlywed couple. However, most Filipino gatherings, especially weddings, follow the tradition of the host or family covering the cost — part of the culture of hospitality and generosity.

Conclusion: Express Love in Tagalog Language

Whether you’ve just attended a wedding or are simply curious about Filipino traditions, now you have the Tagalog words and cultural context to talk about it! Language is more than words — it’s tied to family, food, memory, and moments like these.

I’d love to hear from you. Reply to this email or leave a comment in my website: What topics would you like me to cover next in our Tagalog journey?

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If now isn’t the right time, I understand. But please tell your friends about Aralin World. Let’s keep learning and connecting through language!

Hanggáng sa mulî,
Albine
Your Tagalog Language Tutor | Aralin World LLC 💙💛