Entourage 101

Entourage – composed of people who will stand as principal sponsors, secondary sponsors, bridesmaids, groomsmen, best men, and maidens or matrons of honor

Principal sponsors – men and women who serve as the witnesses to the marriage contract, and who are deemed fit to guide the bride and groom in their journey as a married couple

Secondary sponsors – 3 pairs of men and women who are assigned 3 different roles:

first, to light the candles, one on each side of the couple;

second, to pin the veil over the head of the bride and on the shoulder area of the groom, and

third, to put the cord over the heads and on the shoulders of the bride and groom.

The last two pairs will be asked to remove the veil and cord within the ceremony, before the final blessing of the priest, if it’s a Catholic ceremony. There is also a removal of the veil and cord during a Christian ceremony.

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen – parties assigned to assist the bride and groom in various pre-wedding and wedding tasks

Best Man and Maid of Honor – they are deemed closest to the bride and groom; often, they are requested to handle the signing of the marriage contract (approaching each of the principal sponsors and helping them locate their names prior to signing). They are also requested to give speeches and in the case of the best man, to lead the toast during the reception program. If married, the title is “matron of honor” and not “maid of honor”.