From the moment you were engaged, you were probably told that you need a number of items on your wedding day, including a veil, a cord, a few vintage coins, and some other things old folks refer from a certain verse you didn’t quite catch. Ever wondered what these are for, or what they represent? Read on to find out.

If you do some background reading, you’ll find out that only the rings are traditionally used in the wedding ceremony. Because the circle represents infinity or eternity in many cultures, the ring is one of the most used objects in the history of weddings. The exchange (or giving) of wedding bands is a ritual that transcends culture. In most ceremonies, the couple exchanges vows (whether said to each other or facilitated by a minister) before they exchange rings, since these function as the couple’s seal of finality.

Traditional Filipino weddings involve more paraphernalia, though. Among these are the items used by secondary sponsors (the nuptial candles, the cord, and the veil), as well as the wedding arrhae.

Candles. During marriage rites, the candle sponsors proceed to light the nuptial candles. Placed on either side of the couple, they are lighted on the Paschal Candle, which, in the Catholic tradition, stands for Christ’s centrality in the couple’s married life. The nuptial candles stand for the couple’s reliance on their faith, though other families believe that these stand for the couples’ lives.

Veil. After, the veil sponsors are called to lay a veil (of sheer material) on the couple. The veil is pinned on the bride’s head and on the groom’s shoulder. This doesn’t merely symbolize the couple being ‘clothed as one,’ as is more popularly known. Forming the silhouette of a house, the veil also symbolizes the roof under which they will live together—their source of refuge not only the home they will build, but more importantly, each other.

Cord. The cord (also called the “yugal”), tied in the middle, is carried by the cord sponsors. They place each loop on the bride and the groom, with the knot resting comfortably in between them. Not only does this stand for their being bound to each other from that moment on, but also their moving together toward a certain direction. Joined at the middle, the cord represents the couple’s vow to stay together in all the actions and decisions they will be making in the future.

Arrhae. Reminiscent of the brideprice paid by the groom to the family of the bride, the wedding arrhae is placed in a container encased in a pillow, carried by the coin bearer during the wedding procession. They’re brought out after the exchange of rings. The minister takes the coins and transfers them to the groom’s cupped hands. He, in turn, transfers them to the bride’s hands as a symbolic gesture of his vow to provide for her and the family they will be having.

When you get caught up in the seeming endlessness of wedding preparations, it pays to know the significance behind these minute details. Aside from gaining a few handy pieces of trivia, you get to realize just how much more meaningful your wedding becomes because of these.