Filipinos have developed superstitions that are related to marriage and weddings.
Pre-colonial customs include the groom or bride avoiding travel beforehand to prevent accidents from happening. The bride must not wear pearls as these are similar to tears, and a procession of men holding bolos and musicians playing agongs must be done. This march was also done after the ceremony until the newly-wed couple reaches their abode. The purpose of this procession is similar to the current practice of breaking plates during the wedding reception, in order to shoo away bad luck.
During Spanish colonization, the Spaniards introduced new beliefs with particular concern over banning activities that may cause broken marriages, sadness and regret. Wedding gowns cannot be worn in advance as any black-colored clothing during the ceremony, and sharp objects cannot be given as gifts.
Other Filipino beliefs hold that typhoons on wedding days may bring bad fortune; that after the ceremony the bride should walk ahead of her husband or step on his foot to prevent being dominated by him; an extinguished candle during the ceremony is an omen that the groom or bride will die ahead (depending on which candle on whose side was blown out); and an accidentally dropped wedding ring, wedding veil, or wedding arrhae will cause marital misery. Couples must offer eggs to Sta. Clara to pray that the wedding day would be rain-free.
Superstitious beliefs on good fortune include showering the married couple with uncooked rice, as this wishes them a prosperous life together. The groom's arrival at the venue ahead of his bride also diminishes dire fate. In addition, a single woman who will follow the footsteps of a newly-married couple may enhance her opportunity to become a bride herself.
Siblings are not permitted to marry within the calendar year as this is considered bad luck. The remedy to this belief, called sukob, is to have the one marrying later pass through the back entrance of the church instead of its main doors.