Filipino Wedding Glossary › Capiz
Capiz
Pronunciation: KAH-piz
Origin: Windowpane oyster (Placuna placenta) shell, polished into translucent panels for windows, lamps, and decor
Translucent shell panels from the windowpane oyster, used in Filipino wedding decor and lighting.
Capiz is the polished shell of the Placuna placenta (windowpane oyster), traditionally cut into squares or cones and assembled into panels, lamps, and ornaments.
For weddings, capiz appears in chandeliers, table runners, place card holders, and ceremonial lanterns. The translucent quality casts soft, warm light especially with candle or LED backlighting.
The capiz industry is rooted in Capiz province (after which the material is named), with Aklan, Antique, and other Western Visayas areas also producing. Sustainable sourcing matters; some suppliers are more careful than others about shell harvesting practices.