Philippine Wedding Entourage

My most hated part in wedding planning is making the guest list and our entourage list. It's exactly 9 months before our big day and I keep procrastinating from doing it. It gives me a major headache considering our budget and remembering all of the people we want to invite in our special day. (Note that we have a BIG clan :P). I've started browsing ideas for the invitations, motiffs, theme song, flowers, gowns and all of the other wedding details when the first thing I should prioritize is our guest list. Being a techie and an overseas bride is slowly turning me into a bridezilla! I keep finding something new again and again and my dream wedding keeps getting more and more confusing annndd expensive by the day.

Anyhoo, lets get back to the main topic here. ^_^

As for our wedding entourage will play a very important role in our wedding , we have to choose them carefully from both sides of our family or from our closest set of friends. So now here is the list of the usual composition of the wedding entourage of the typical Filipino wedding.

Primary Sponsors

A typical Filipino Wedding has a long list of "ninongs" and "ninangs", or Godparents. Usually they are composed of 3-5 pairs of the couple's parents friends, mentors, seniors business associates, employees, and other personalities who are considerably older than the couple, and plays or have played a significant part in the couple's life, separately or together. Ninongs and Ninangs stand as principal sponsors and witnesses in the ceremony. They are expected to provide guidance and counsel to the couple during their married life.

Secondary sponsors

They are friends of the couple who would like to be part of the entourage, but don't have much time to help out with the preparations. Most of the time, the secondary sponsors are also couples themselves. They are composed of 3 pairs:

• Candle Sponsors - to light up the wedding candles during the ceremony;
• Veil Sponsors - to drape and pin the veil on the groom's shoulder and over the bride's head;
• Cord Sponsors - to tie the cord around the shoulder-area of the bride and groom.

For some additional and traditional info:

- The candle is symbolizing the presence of Jesus Christ in the couple’s lives and of the love that they must keep aflame in all the days of their lives. *Some believe that the candle that blows out first points to whoever will die first.* Yeah Riiiight! :P.

- The veil is pinned on the bride’s head and on the groom’s shoulder. This forms the silhouette of a house, symbolizing that you now have the blessing to live under one roof.

- The cord means that you will now have to walk at the same pace towards one direction. Walang iwanan.

- You can also have a unity candle in your wedding. It is not required but definitely nice to have. It’s something that you as a couple can light on your anniversary as you offer prayers of thanks, praise and for special intentions, maybe.

Best Man

The bestman is the chief male assistant to the bride and groom during the wedding. This role is generally given to someone close to a groom, such as his brother or his closest male friend. The Best Man is responsible in organizing a Bachelor or Stag Party for the groom. He assists the groom on the wedding day, ensuring that the groom gets to the wedding on time. The Best Man acts as a legal witness to the marriage. He gives a speech at the wedding reception, and offers the first toast to the Bride and Groom.

Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor

The Maid of Honor is the primary attendant with the most honors and duties of the bridal party, and is considered the equivalent of the groom's best man. She is usually the bride's sister, cousin or closest girl friend. The Maid of Honor plans and hosts the bridal shower and bachelorette party. She assists the bride with her dress and make-up, and arranges her veil and train before, during and after the ceremony. The maid of honor holds the bride's bouquet during the exchanging of wedding rings and witnesses the signing of the marriage. The Maid of Honor is called the Matron of Honor if she is already married.

Bridesmaids and Junior Bridesmaids

They are usually the sisters, female cousins, and friends of the bride and groom. It is best to keep the number to about 5 bridesmaids and 3 junior bridesmaids. The junior bridesmaids are around 13 - 15 years old whereas bridesmaids are at least 16 years old. Junior bridesmaids may or may not have partners. Bridesmaids assists the Maid of Honor in hosting the bridal shower. If the bride has any task or errand, the bridesmaid makes sure it gets done. They also assist the bride during the ceremony and the reception. During the reception, they may help or man the recieving area. They also assist in distributing giveaways.

Groomsmen

A groomsmen attends to the needs of the groom during the preparation and the wedding ceremony. Usually, they are the brothers, male cousins and friends of the bride and the groom. They are also in charge of running errands for the groom. The groomsmen helps in ushering guests to their seats before the ceremony, and escorting the bridesmaids down the aisle during the ceremony and reception. Groomsmen tasks is similar to the bridesmaids.

Flower Girl

A young girl not usually more than 8 years old. Her primary role is to carry a small basket full of flowers and drop the flower petals as she walks down the aisle during the ceremony.

Ring Bearer

A young boy not usually more than 8 years old. The ring bearer walks down the aisle carrying a satin pillow that contains a pair of wedding ring.

Coin Bearer

A young boy who usually marches next to the ring bearer. The coin bearer carries the arrhae, or 13 coins, which represents groom's pledge of his edication to the welfare of his wife and future children.

Bible Bearer

Played by a young kid, either boy or a girl. He or she walks down the aisle after the ring or a coin bearer carrying a bible.