Quick Answer: Every Wedding Entourage Role at a Glance
A Filipino wedding entourage has four groups: the principal sponsors (ninong and ninang), the secondary sponsors (candle, veil and cord), the wedding party (best man, maid or matron of honor, groomsmen and bridesmaids), and the little ones (bearers and flower girls). Here is the full wedding entourage list and roles in one table.
| Role | Who usually fills it | Main job at the ceremony |
|---|---|---|
| Principal sponsors (ninong/ninang) | Respected married couples, godparents, mentors | Witness the marriage and sign the marriage certificate |
| Best man | Groom's brother or closest friend | Stands beside the groom, keeps the rings safe |
| Maid of honor / matron of honor | Bride's sister or best friend (matron if married) | Stands beside the bride, fixes the gown and veil |
| Candle sponsors | A pair from the secondary sponsors | Light the unity candles at the start of the rite |
| Veil sponsors | A pair from the secondary sponsors | Pin the veil over the groom's shoulder and the bride's head |
| Cord sponsors | A pair from the secondary sponsors | Drape the cord (yugal) over the couple in a figure eight |
| Groomsmen | Groom's friends, brothers, cousins | Walk in the order of march, usher, escort bridesmaids |
| Bridesmaids | Bride's friends, sisters, cousins | Walk in the order of march, support the bride all day |
| Ring bearer | Young boy relative, about 4 to 8 years old | Carries the ring pillow down the aisle |
| Coin (arrhae) bearer | Young boy relative | Carries the arrhae, the 13 coins |
| Bible bearer | Young boy relative | Carries the Bible used in the rite |
| Flower girls | Young girl relatives | Walk ahead of the bride, scatter petals |
| Little bride / little groom (optional) | Child relatives | Walk in miniature wedding attire |
Want the cultural background, how big an entourage should be, and how to decide who to ask? Read our companion guide, Wedding Entourage List Philippines: Roles, Duties and Sample. This page is the role-by-role reference: who, what, and when.
1. Principal Sponsors (Ninong and Ninang)
Who: Married couples the two of you look up to, often godparents, titos and titas, bosses or mentors. Most couples choose between 2 and 12 pairs.
Before the wedding:
- Accept the invitation (many couples ask in person, with a small gift).
- Attend a pre-wedding dinner or the pamamanhikan if invited.
- Many give a monetary or practical gift and some offer marriage advice to the couple.
During the ceremony:
- Walk in the order of march right after the parents.
- Sit in the front pews and serve as the official witnesses.
- Sign the marriage certificate after the rite. Under Article 3 of the Family Code, a valid marriage needs at least two witnesses of legal age, and the principal sponsors usually fill this role.
After the ceremony:
- Join the family photos.
- Stay on as mentors in the marriage. For many couples this is the real point of the role.
Need to track who said yes? See the ninong and ninang list template.
2. Secondary Sponsors (Candle, Veil, Cord)
Secondary sponsors are three pairs, usually siblings, cousins or close friends. Each pair has one ceremonial job during a Catholic Mass. Some couples pair a groomsman with a bridesmaid for each.
Candle sponsors
- Before: Check with the church or the OTD coordinator where the candles are placed.
- During: Light the two candles on each side of the couple at the start of the rite. The flames stand for God's presence in the marriage.
- After: Put out the candles safely when the coordinator signals.
Veil sponsors
- Before: Practice pinning the veil so it does not slip.
- During: After the exchange of vows, pin the veil over the groom's shoulder and over the bride's head. The veil stands for two people clothed as one.
- After: Remove the veil at the right cue.
Cord sponsors
- Before: Hold the cord (yugal) and learn the figure-eight shape.
- During: Place the cord over the couple's shoulders in a figure eight, the symbol of an everlasting bond.
- After: Remove the cord before the final blessing.
3. Best Man
Who: The groom's closest brother, cousin or friend.
- Before: Helps the groom get ready, checks the barong or suit, and often keeps the rings until the bearer takes them.
- During: Walks in the order of march with the maid of honor and stands next to the groom at the altar.
- After: Usually gives a short toast at the reception and helps the groom with guests.
4. Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor
Who: The bride's closest sister or friend. Use matron of honor if she is married.
- Before: Helps the bride through fittings, the prenup shoot and the getting-ready session.
- During: Walks just before the flower girls, holds the bride's bouquet during the vows, and fixes the train and veil.
- After: Gives a toast and keeps the bride's retouch kit, phone and fan on hand.
5. Groomsmen and Bridesmaids
Who: Friends and relatives of the same age group as the couple. Many couples choose 3 to 6 pairs.
- Before: Attend fittings, the rehearsal, and in many cases the prenup or pre-ceremony shoot.
- During: Walk in pairs in the order of march. Groomsmen often help usher guests to their seats.
- After: Help keep the program moving: join the entrance, lead games, and help guests find their tables. Our wedding seating planner guide helps here.
6. Bearers: Ring, Coin (Arrhae) and Bible
Who: Young boys, usually nephews or younger cousins, about 4 to 8 years old.
| Bearer | Carries | What it stands for |
|---|---|---|
| Ring bearer | The ring pillow | The couple's promise |
| Coin bearer | The arrhae, 13 coins | Shared resources and provision for the family |
| Bible bearer | The Bible | God at the center of the marriage |
- Before: Practice the walk at the rehearsal. Tie real rings to the pillow or use replicas and let the best man keep the real ones.
- During: Walk down the aisle before the flower girls, hand items to the coordinator, then sit with a parent.
- After: Join the entourage photos.
7. Flower Girls
Who: Young girl relatives, usually 3 to 8 years old. Many couples have 2 to 4.
- During: Walk just before the bride and scatter petals. Some hold a sign such as "Here comes the bride".
- Tip: Assign one adult to wait at the end of the aisle for them.
8. Parents and the OTD Coordinator
These are not part of the entourage, but the order of march depends on them.
- Parents of the groom and bride walk before the principal sponsors. In a traditional march the bride's parents walk with her at the end.
- The OTD coordinator (on-the-day coordinator) lines everyone up, gives cues and makes sure each item reaches the altar. See wedding coordinator cost in the Philippines.
Sample Wedding Entourage List (In Order of March)
This is a filled-in sample for a Catholic church wedding. Replace the names with your own. The order of march can change by parish, so check with your church and coordinator.
- Officiating priest (Rev. Fr. Jose Santos)
- Groom with his parents (Carlo Reyes, with Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Reyes)
- Principal sponsors in pairs
- Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Cruz
- Mr. and Mrs. Eduardo Villanueva
- Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Garcia
- Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Mendoza
- Best man (Paolo Reyes)
- Groomsmen and bridesmaids in pairs
- Miguel Tan and Andrea Lim
- Joshua Bautista and Bea Santos
- Enzo Castillo and Kim Navarro
- Candle sponsors (Mark Dizon and Trisha Dizon)
- Veil sponsors (Ryan Ocampo and Carla Ocampo)
- Cord sponsors (Gabriel Ramos and Joy Ramos)
- Maid of honor (Sofia dela Cruz)
- Ring bearer (Lucas Reyes)
- Coin (arrhae) bearer (Nathan Cruz)
- Bible bearer (Ethan Villanueva)
- Flower girls (Mia Reyes and Ella Cruz)
- Bride with her parents (Angela dela Cruz, with Mr. and Mrs. Luis dela Cruz)
Print the list on the back of your program or add it to your digital wedding invitation so guests know who is who.
How to Keep Your Entourage List Organized
A full entourage can have more than 30 people once you count all the sponsor pairs. Keep it in one place:
- One list with role, pair and contact number for every person.
- A yes/no column for each invitation you send.
- An outfit column to track fittings and color motif.
- A march order column so the coordinator can print it.
Nuptl lets you keep the entourage, guest list and RSVPs together, free, so you are not copying names between spreadsheets.
Frequently asked questions
What are the roles in a wedding entourage in the Philippines?
A Filipino wedding entourage has principal sponsors (ninong and ninang) who witness the marriage, secondary sponsors for the candle, veil and cord, the best man and maid or matron of honor, groomsmen and bridesmaids, the ring, coin (arrhae) and Bible bearers, and the flower girls.
What is the order of march in a Filipino church wedding?
A common order of march is: officiating priest, groom with his parents, principal sponsors, best man, groomsmen and bridesmaids in pairs, candle, veil and cord sponsors, maid of honor, ring bearer, coin bearer, Bible bearer, flower girls, and finally the bride with her parents. Parishes can differ, so confirm with your church.
What is the difference between principal and secondary sponsors?
Principal sponsors (ninong and ninang) are the official witnesses who sign the marriage certificate and act as mentors to the couple. Secondary sponsors are three pairs who perform the candle, veil and cord rites during the ceremony.
How many principal sponsors should we have?
There is no fixed number. The Family Code requires at least two witnesses of legal age, and many couples choose between 2 and 12 pairs of principal sponsors. Some parishes set their own limit, so ask your church.
What does the coin bearer carry?
The coin bearer carries the arrhae, 13 coins that the groom gives to the bride during the ceremony. The coins stand for shared resources and the groom's promise to provide for the family.
What is the difference between a maid of honor and a matron of honor?
They have the same role. A maid of honor is unmarried, while a matron of honor is married.