Wedding Entourage

For the typical Filipino wedding, here's the usual composition of the wedding entourage:

• Principal Sponsors / Ninongs and Ninangs
• Secondary Sponsors: Candle Sponsors, Veil Sponsors, Cord Sponsors
• Best Man and Maid or Matron of Honor
• Bridesmaids
• Groomsmen / Ushers
• Flower Girls
• Ring Bearer, Coin Bearer, and Bible Bearer

The Principal Sponsors are usually composed of 3 - 5 pairs of the couple's parents friends, mentors, senior 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. I think it is best to keep the number of the principal sponsors to 1 - 5% of the entire guest list. So unless you have 1,000 guests, please don't have 25 pairs of principal sponsors.

The Secondary Sponsors 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.

The Best Man is handpicked by the groom from among his brothers or closest friends. He is primarily tasked to organize the bachelor party, assist the groom on the wedding day, and holds the bride's ring during the ceremony. During the reception, the best man usually gives a toast. He also makes sure that the Groomsmen/Ushers have their attire ready, and know their tasks.

Similarly, the bride handpicks her Maid of Honor from among her sisters or closest friends. The Maid of Honor is called the Matron of Honor is she is already married. She has to organize the bridal shower, help the bride in choosing her bridal gown, and those of the maid of honor, and the bridesmaids. She also helps the bride prepare on the wedding day, and hold the groom's ring. The maid of honor is sometimes asked to give a toast during the reception. She also makes sure that the bridesmaids are all prepared and ready. It is usually the bride who pays for her maid of honor's dress.



Groomsmen are usually brothers, female cousins, and friends of the bride and groom. There should be about 5 groomsmen or ushers. They are usually 16 years old or older. They help the best man co-host the bachelor party, and help the groom prepare during the day. They also help out in ushering the guests during both the ceremony and the reception.

The Bridesmaids and Junior Bridesmaids 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, while bridesmaids are at least 16 years old. Junior bridesmaids may or may not have partners. Bridesmaids assist the maid of honor in hosting the bridal shower. They also assist the bride during the ceremony and the reception. During the reception, they may man the receiving area. They also assist in distributing giveaways. The bride may or may not pay for the dresses of the bridesmaids and junior bridesmaids.

The Ring, Coin, and Bible Bearers are usually eight years old or younger. They each carry a pillow while walking down the aisle during the ceremony.

The Flower Girls drop flower petals down the aisle during the ceremony.

Photos by Kuya Andrew.

Disclaimer: The weddings during which the photos above were taken were not planned and coordinated by Ria.