Wedding Traditions
The Sponsors
The Principal Sponsors
Also known as Ninang & Ninong sa kasal, these women and men are respected and admired by the bride and groom. Their participation is symbolic of the wisdom & support they shall offer the new couple. In the Philippines, they are the official witnesses.
The Secondary Sponsors
These sponsors are often a woman and a man whom the couple chooses. Their roles are to present to the couple the veil and the cord, and also to light candles before the ceremony.
Ceremonial Traditions
The Candles and the Unity Candle
The candle symbolizes the Light of Christ, the same light the bride and groom received at Baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new life as a couple.
The Coins (Arras)
The Arras traditionally symbolized the prosperity that would be shared by the new couple and the couple’s commitment to mutually contribute to their relationship, their children and their community. There are 13 gold coins to represent Christ and His 12 disciples.
The Veil and Cord
The veil is a symbol of purity. The veil is placed over the shoulders of the couple as they kneel side-by-side to symbolize their union. The Cord is a symbol of the couple’s bond. The cord is knotted into the infinity symbol meaning everlasting love. They are no longer two but one in their new life as a couple. The knotted cord is placed over the heads of the couple and above the veil to lay on their shoulders.
The Rings
The circle has always had significance from ancient cultures to the present as a symbol of wholeness and perfection. Its endlessness is the perfect symbol of oneness and unity – no beginning, no end. It is also the symbol of the sun, earth and universe, and represents holiness, perfection and peace.
The Principal Sponsors
Also known as Ninang & Ninong sa kasal, these women and men are respected and admired by the bride and groom. Their participation is symbolic of the wisdom & support they shall offer the new couple. In the Philippines, they are the official witnesses.
The Secondary Sponsors
These sponsors are often a woman and a man whom the couple chooses. Their roles are to present to the couple the veil and the cord, and also to light candles before the ceremony.
Ceremonial Traditions
The Candles and the Unity Candle
The candle symbolizes the Light of Christ, the same light the bride and groom received at Baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new life as a couple.
The Coins (Arras)
The Arras traditionally symbolized the prosperity that would be shared by the new couple and the couple’s commitment to mutually contribute to their relationship, their children and their community. There are 13 gold coins to represent Christ and His 12 disciples.
The Veil and Cord
The veil is a symbol of purity. The veil is placed over the shoulders of the couple as they kneel side-by-side to symbolize their union. The Cord is a symbol of the couple’s bond. The cord is knotted into the infinity symbol meaning everlasting love. They are no longer two but one in their new life as a couple. The knotted cord is placed over the heads of the couple and above the veil to lay on their shoulders.
The Rings
The circle has always had significance from ancient cultures to the present as a symbol of wholeness and perfection. Its endlessness is the perfect symbol of oneness and unity – no beginning, no end. It is also the symbol of the sun, earth and universe, and represents holiness, perfection and peace.