Filipino weddings have an entourage much like any other wedding in the world. However, apart from the bridesmaid and groomsmen, Filipino weddings include wedding sponsors. These individuals are carefully selected by the couple to bear witness to their wedding ceremony. In the same way, these are the individuals who the couples look up to and may seek guidance and marriage advice from. The Principal Sponsors (aka Ninang and Ninong) are those who the bride and groom respect & admire. They are sponsors of the couple attesting to their readiness for marriage and freedom to marry, and their participation is symbolic of the wisdom & support they shall offer the new couple. Aside from Principal Wedding Sponsors, Filipino Weddings also include four Secondary Sponsors (coin, candle, cord, veil) –all of which have a significant meaning. 13 Arras, or coins, are carried in a pouch and brought to the altar by the coin sponsors. the Wedding Coins symbolize the couple's commitment to mutually contributing to their relationship and their community. Veil sponsors are tasked with draping the veil over one side of the bride’s head and the other side just over the groom’s shoulder. This represents the couple’s unity as well as a wish for their protection and good health in their life as a wedded couple. Similar to the veil ceremony, the cord ceremony involves the infinity shaped cord placed on top of the couple by the cord sponsors as the couple receives their blessing. This symbolizes the couple’s bond and union. The lighting of the unity candle symbolizes the bonding of two individuals and the union of two families. The two outer candles that are to be lit symbolizes their individual lives before their wedding day. It exemplifies the past experiences of the bride and groom and represents each individual family. Together, the candle sponsors will light the unity candle and then blow them out to demonstrate a figurative end of their past and the start of new beginnings.