Entourage Roles
Parents of the Groom
The role of the groom's parents has remained traditional and customary. They usually host the rehearsal dinner, they generally stand in the receiving line, and they should be prepared and willing to assist the bride and groom in preparations if called upon. Often nowadays, the bride and groom, bride's parents and groom's parents act together as "one big, happy family" and the parents of the groom are as involved in all aspects of the planning and execution of the wedding as anyone else. This, of course, would be determined in the very early stages of the planning and would depend how you'd like things handled.
Parents of the Bride
The Mother of the Bride is usually called on to help with the selection of the bridal gown, the particulars for the ceremony, and the menu and events at the reception. She is also generally the coordinator of the guest list and invitations. She serves as the hostess at the reception, standing first in line to greet guests.
.In general, the mother of the bride may be called upon to help out in any area of the wedding plans and may often act as the principle coordinator as the day approaches. But there are great rewards in knowing that you've helped to make your daughter's wedding a perfect one. The traditional "movie" role of the father of the bride is no longer with us. It is not an automatic assumption that he will be footing the bill. But his other duties are pretty much the same. He will escort the bride down the aisle, and escort the mother bride in the receiving line. He can also be depended on to take care of the final bills at the reception (caterer, entertainment, etc.). By this we mean, he will be in charge of writing the checks or distributing the cash no matter who actually paid for the reception. And remember, no matter what year this is, he wants a special dance with his daughter!
Principal Sponsors
A typical Filipino Wedding has a long list of "ninongs" and "ninangs", or Godparents. 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.
Matron/Maid 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 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 bride's veil and train during the processional, ceremony and recessional. The maid of honor holds the bride's bouquet during the exchanging of wedding rings and witnesses the signing of the marriage certificate. Holds the wedding ring. Makes sure the bride looks perfect for all the pictures. Provides the measurements of the bride for her dress. Helps address and stuff the wedding invitations. Helps the bride get dressed and ready on the wedding day. Attends pre-wedding parties, if feasible. Pays for her dress, shoes, and accessories. Pays for transportation and/or lodging to and from the wedding city. Helps the bride in any tasks or errands. Participates in the bouquet toss, if single
Best Man
The bestman is the chief male assistant to the bridegroom during the wedding. Like the Maid of Honor, 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. Make sure vendors receive their payments. Make sure the groom is dressed and on time. Welcomes guests as they arrive at the ceremony location. Witness the signing of the marriage certificate. Attend pre-wedding parties, if feasible. Pay for your tuxedo and shoe rental. Pay for transportation and/or lodging to and from the wedding city. Participate in the garter toss, if single.
Secondary Sponsors(Veil,Cord,Candle)
Composed of 3 pairs:
The Candle Sponsor- to light up the wedding candles during the ceremony;
The Veil Sponsor - to drape and pin the veil on the groom's shoulder and over the bride's head and;
The Cord Sponsors - to tie the cord around the shoulder-area of the bride and the groom.
Groom’s Man
Groomsman attends to the needs of the groom during the preparation and the wedding ceremony. He is also in charge of running errands for the groom. Usher guests to their seats by: First asking if they are guests of the bride or groom. If they are with the bride, they should be seated at the left side of the church (facing the altar). If with the groom, then they should be seated to the right. Escorting female guests with his right arm with her escort walking behind, or leading a couple to their seat. Distributing programs to guests after they have been seated. Balancing out the guests by asking arriving guests if they wouldn't mind sit on the other (less filled) side. After the guests have been seated, escort special guests to their seats in this order (unless otherwise directed by the bridal couple): general special guests, grandmothers of the bride and groom, and groom's mother, bride's mother. Assist in gathering the wedding party for photographs .Pay for your transportation and/or lodging to and from the wedding city. Pay for your barong/tuxedo and/or shoe rental. Attend pre-wedding parties, if feasible.Participate in the garter toss, if single.
Bride’s Maid
The bridesmaid attends to the bride during the preparation and the wedding itself. If the bride has any task or errand, the bridesmaid makes sure it gets done. A bridesmaid is often a close friend or sister, and often there is more than one bridesmaid. Assist in the selection of the bridesmaid dress. Provide your measurements to the bride for the bridesmaid dress. Co-host the bridal shower. Help address and stuff the wedding invitations. Help the bride get dressed and ready on the wedding day. Attend pre-wedding parties, if feasible. Pay for her dress, shoes, and accessories. Pay for transportation and/or lodging to and from the wedding city.Participate in the bouquet toss, if single
Flower Girls
A young girl usually more than 5 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.
Ring, Coin, Bible, Cross & Rosary Bearers
The ring bearer walks down the aisle carrying a satin pillow that contains a pair of wedding rings and the coin bearer carries the arrhae, or 13 coins, which represents groom's pledge of his dedication to the welfare of his wife and future children
The Bible,Cross & Rosary bearer carries the Bible, cross and the Rosary, these are all symbols of Faith.
