In a wedding, an arrhae (wedding coins or arras as it’s known here in the Philippines) traditionally symbolizes the groom’s ability of to support his bride and confirms his position as the breadwinner of their future family. The thirteen (13) arras coins represents wealth and prosperity for each month of the year with an extra to spare assuring luck for the newlyweds and their future family the whole year through and beyond.

The ritual of the arras, where the groom would pass the coins to his bride, has always been an integral part of every Catholic Filipino wedding. This symbolic rite was influenced by the Spaniards centuries ago as they brought Christianity here in the Philippines. Similar arras rituals are still practiced today in Spain and Mexico. For us Filipinos, the arrhae gave way to the addition of another little boy in the wedding party — the Coin Bearer! Just like the Ring Bearer, this role is usually reserved for a favorite nephew or a good friend’s son.

But while the traditional arrhae have come to only symbolize material wealth with the man pledging support for his wife, today’s couples face married life together in a more mutually-supportive way than ever before. This has been the guiding inspiration for the Unity Coins — the 21st century update of the traditional wedding arrhae. The coins bear symbolisms that affirms the wedding vows as each coin represents one of the thirteen universal tenets of an enduring marriage.

~:~ Love ~:~ Harmony ~:~ Cooperation ~:~ Commitment ~:~
~:~ Peace ~:~ Happiness ~:~ Trust ~:~ Respect ~:~ Caring ~:~
~:~ Wisdom ~:~ Joy ~:~ Wholeness ~:~ Nurturing ~:~

The symbolic use of coins in a wedding ceremony is a tradition in many different religions, cultures & countries. The unique designs of the Unity Coins have influences from all over the world, including the Celtic Marriage Knot (the design on the backside of each coin), the Adinkra (Asante people of Ghana and Ivory Coast) symbol for Wisdom, and the Chinese Yin & Yang (symbolizing unity of opposites) to name a few. The designs are non-denominational & celebrate the universal qualities of an lasting marriage.

Specifications

• Coin size: 30mm diameter (old 1 peso coin size - Bagong Lipunan/Flora & Fauna series )
• Available in Gold or Silver finish, solid color or two-tone
• comes with a white leatherette keepsake box with coin slots for display and safekeeping

Price per Set (effective June 23, 2005)

• solid color (gold or silver finish) - PHP1,800/set
• two-tone (see samples above) - PHP2,300/set

for out-of-town orders, please add PHP200 for courier service

For single or volume orders (interested provincial retailers are welcome!),
call 725.4827 (telefax) or 0917.811.1026 or email: mail@weddingsatwork.com.

Retail Outlets:

METRO MANILA

Blissful Occasions
2F Clubsixfifty
150 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave, Libis, QC
631.4145 | 631.6398 (telefax)

C&C Creative Concepts
Unit 10 Cecilleville St.
White Plains,, QC
913.8993 | 913.8936

Matus Jewellery
Upper Level, Goldcrest, Glorietta 2
Ayala Center, Makati
785.7519

The Meeting Place (Lily’s Flower Boutique)
G/F EDSA Shangri-La Hotel
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
634.5563-65

New Victory Trading
754 Ongpin St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
244.0357 | 0917.791.1097

NX Manila Weddings
2F Theater Mall Greenhills Shopping Center
744.3040; 371.8503; 636.0446
0917.8519041; 0922.8124508

SOLEA
Level 2 Independent Lifestyle
Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati
896.1691

The Wedding Library
» SM MEGAMALL - 5th Level Bldg. B
638.5791
» SM NORTH EDSA - 2nd Level Main Bldg.
926.6993
» SM MALL OF ASIA- 2nd Level, Entertainment Mall
926.6993

Themes & Motifs - The Special Events Resource Center
Makati Shangri-La
Lifestyle Shopping Arcade
Ayala Ave., Makati City
818.9794

PROVINCIAL

Nueva Ecija

One Fine Day
MJD Calderon Bldg. Burgos Ave.
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
(044) 463.8575 | 0917.566.0596

La Union

Weddings & Beyond
Magnolia Kiosk, P. Gomez St.
San Fernando, La Union
0906.441.0107 | 0915.455.1368

Quezon Province

Wave Events Services
Hermana Fausta Iyam
Lucena City, Quezon
0919.606.9225

Cebu

PaperWorks
Don Sergio Osmeña Ave.
Reclamation, Cebu City
(032) 231.2116 | 0917.324.4038

Ralyn’s Design | Cebu Events Depot
Gorordo Ave. (fronting Family Choice)
Cebu City
0906.322.2838

The Unity Coins are exclusively distributed in the Philippines by WeddingsAtWork.com.