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 by Josiah’s
2F Clubsixfifty
150 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave, Libis, QC
631.4145 | 631.6398 (telefax)

Blissful Occasion Events Organizer
Unit LG-27 Cityland Pasong Tamo, Estacion St., Pio del Pilar
(behind Waltermart Pasong Tamo)
986.4546 | 750.0343

Matus Jewellery
5th level of SM Megamall Atrium
740.3004 | 0917.826.2887

Meicel Jewelry
34-J Wilson St., West Greenhills, San Juan City
725.8311 | 0920.9216837 | 0922.9952926

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

NX Manila Weddings
2F Theater Mall Greenhills Shopping Center
383.3034
0917.8519041; 0922.8124508

Paperworks
SM MEGAMALL - 3rd Level Bldg. B
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
914.2950 | 0922.242.5042

The Wedding Library
SM Megamall – 5L Bldg B
638.5791
SM City – 2L Main Bldg
926.6993

Themes and Motifs
The Special Events Resource Center
Makati Shangri-la Lifestyle Shopping Arcade
Ayala Ave, Makati City
818.9794

PROVINCIAL

~QUEZON PROVINCE~
Wave Events Services
Hermana Fausta Iyam
Lucena City, Quezon
0919.606.9225

~NUEVA ECIJA~
One Fine Day
MJD Calderon Bldg. Burgos Ave
Cabanatuan City Nueva Ecija
(044) 463.8575 | 0917.5660596

~LA UNION~
Weddings & Beyond
Magnolia Kiosk, P. Gomez St.
San Fernando, La Union
(072) 888.4997 | 0906.441.0107

~BICOL~
Bei Eventi
Rizal St. Sagpon
Daraga, Albay
0927.917.0687

~CEBU~
Ralyn’s Design | Cebu Events Depot
101 Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City
(032) 416.1519
38 Figueroa St., Cebu City
(032) 264.8272 | 261.5875 | 0915.2728445

~BOHOL~
Supreme Weddings
Gallares St., Tagbilaran City
(038) 415.3231 | 0917.304.3917

~ILOILO~
Iloilo Midtown Hotel
888 Yulo Street, Iloilo City
(033) 336.6888; (033) 509.6888; 0928.9850999

~DAVAO~
Infinity Still and Motion Studio
Lapu Lapu cor Porras Sts. Davao City
(082) 226.2847 | 0921.6914268

~ZAMBOANGA~
Josh Trobanos
189 Poblacion, Ramon Magsaysay
Zamboanga Del Sur
0919.800.5243 | 0918.857.08535