<P> Generally, the wedding ceremony proper includes the celebration of an hour - long Mass or religious service . The groom arrives an hour earlier than the bride for the purpose of receiving guests at the church or venue . The groom could be waiting with his parents; the bride will arrive later with her father and mother on board a wedding car . Afterwards, the wedding party assembles to enter the church for the processional . During the nuptials, Catholic and Aglipayan brides customarily bear an ornate, heirloom rosary along with their bridal bouquet . </P> <P> The principal wedding sponsors (also termed "godparents," "special sponsors," "primary sponsors," "counselors," or "witnesses"), are often chosen by the betrothed, sometimes on advice of their families . Multiple pairs of godparents are customary, with six godmothers (ninang) and six godfathers (ninong) </P> <P> Ceremonial paraphernalia in Filipino weddings include the arrhae, the candles, the veils, the cord, and wedding rings . The ring bearer acts as the holder and keeper of the rings until the exchanging of rings is performed, while the coin bearer acts as the holder and keeper of the arrhae until it is offered and given by the groom to his bride . Among the secondary sponsors or wedding attendants, three pairs--each pair consists of a male and a female secondary sponsor--are chosen to light the wedding candles, handle the veils, and place the cord . </P> <P> After the exchange of wedding rings by the couple, the groom gives the wedding arrhae to his bride . The arrhae is a symbol of his "monetary gift" to the bride because it is composed of 13 pieces of gold, or silver coins, a "pledge" that the groom is devoted to the welfare and well - being of his wife and future offspring . Both rings and arrhae are blessed first by the priest during the wedding . </P>

What is a secondary sponsor in filipino wedding