Filipino Wedding Glossary › Sampaguita
Sampaguita
Pronunciation: sahm-pah-GEE-tah
Origin: The national flower of the Philippines (Jasminum sambac), strung into garlands for ceremonies
The Philippine national flower, used in fragrant garlands at weddings and other ceremonies.
Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac) is the Philippine national flower. Small, white, and intensely fragrant, it is strung into garlands (lei or kuwintas) for weddings, religious processions, and welcome ceremonies.
In weddings, sampaguita garlands often appear as bridal bouquet accents, gift adornments for ninangs and ninongs, or the bride's hairpiece. Fresh sampaguita has a very short shelf life; suppliers usually deliver same-day.
In Filipino-Muslim weddings, the flower may appear with different cultural framing or be replaced with regionally significant blooms; the Maranao tradition, for example, may use other florals.