20 Couples Wed in Solemn Group Wedding

Twenty couples being ministered to by the Covenant Community Service Cooperative (CCSC) exchanged vows of lifelong love in a beautifully solemn wedding ceremony held recently in Tagaytay. 

CCSC, which serves workers of two garments factories in Cavite, organizes group weddings among its members to give them the opportunity of experiencing the blessings of a relationship recognizing and yielding to God’s authority.   

The foot washing ceremony symbolizes
humility and service.

“What made this group wedding solemn were the smaller ceremonies within the wedding rite,” said Froi Parado, CCSC general manager. “We chose not to hold the veil and cord ceremony, but we held a ring ceremony, candle ceremony, Bible ceremony, and foot-washing ceremony because of their significance. These were specially meaningful to the couple in view of the fact that they have been living together and raising families for more than a few years, and understand the meanings behind the symbols.”

All the couples underwent marriage counselling with pastoral staff of the service cooperative prior to the event.

The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Benhur Garcia, Rev. Fred Crespo, and Rev. Eloi Cabillan and was held at the CCT Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center.

This is the second group wedding organized by CCSC in as many years. The couples were required to get a marriage license after filing individual certificates of no marriage record (CENOMAR). Those who had been living together as husband and wife for more than five years were required to submit an affidavit of cohabitation. 

As in the first group wedding, CCSC staff attended to such details as hiring a videographer and photographer, choosing the wedding cake, flowers and décor, and inviting musicians. 

Froi Parado said the next group wedding will be held in 2016 and a marriage vow renewal ceremony will be held in 2015. 

CCSC is a member of the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries. 

Back row:  Officiating ministers
Rev. Fred Crespo, Rev. Eloi Cabillan
and Rev. Benhur Garcia. 

The couples and their guests were serenaded  with

 songs of love and commitment sung and played by

 Maribel Ararao and Monica Genzola, sopranos,

 John Pitas, baritone, Bernie Sioson-Tuason, pianist,

 Rainier Tolentino, violinist, Caithlene Perez, violinist,

 Martin Inanuran, violinist and guitarist,

 and Pio Genzola, cellist.