There are four sets of Secondary Sponsors:
The Coin Sponsors - those who will present the Unity Coins / Arras. Often, they will also provide the Unity Coins.
Alternately, the coins may be brought to the altar by a coin bearer who is a child (relative or friend).
The Wedding Coins (also known as: Arras [ah-rahs] or Arrhae [ar-rah-heh]) have traditionally symbolized the prosperity that would be shared by the new couple, and the groom's promise to provide for the welfare of the new family.
*However, today's couples embrace life & face the world together in a more mutually supportive way than ever before. So, the Wedding Coins have come to symbolize the couple's commitment to mutually contributing to their relationship, their children, and their community.
Prayers for: Wedding Coins
The Veil Sponsors - those who will place a white veil over the shoulders of the couple.
The Couple's Veil (white) has come to be a symbol of purity. Its original meaning was the symbol of the presence of the Lord, as the cloud was a symbol of His presence. It is placed over the shoulders of the couple to symbolize their union and being "clothed as one" in unity.
Prayers for: Couple's Veil & Cord
The Cord Sponsors - those who will place a knotted cord over the heads of the couple, to lay on their shoulders.
The Cord is a symbol of the couple's bond; that indeed they are no longer two but one in their new life as a couple.
Prayers for: Couple's Veil & Cord
The Candle Sponsors - those who will light the candles on the altar.
The candles symbolize the Light of Christ, the same light they received at Baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new life as a couple. Some couples choose to have their mothers or fathers light the candles in this ritual.
Prayers for: Candles
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In order for the congregation to understand the meaning of the actions and the various symbols:
a. the celebrant may preface the action before calling on the secondary sponsors.
b. have another person read a commentary explaining the actions
c. the couple may print a short explanation in their program.
Sequence of symbols in the Wedding Ceremony
Lighting of the candles usually takes place before the readings. The candles may also be lit at the beginning of the ceremony.
Prayers for: Candles
The sharing/exchange of the Wedding Coins / Arrhae takes place immediately after the exchange of rings. The Wedding Coins are blessed, and then the celebrant gives it to the couple to share or pass from one to the other.
Prayers for: Wedding Coins
The Couple's Veil is placed over the shoulders of the couple as they kneel side-by-side. This is usually done immediately after the exchange of arrhae and before the General Intercession.
Prayers for: Couple's Veil & Cord
The placing of the Cord follows after the veil is in place.
Prayers for: Couple's Veil & Cord
*If the bride and groom want to be part of the Offertory, either as gift bearers or as those receiving the gifts from the bearers and handing them to the celebrant, then the veil and cord are placed after that. Once the veil and cord are in place, they are to remain kneeling until after Communion. IF the bride and groom would like to participate in the Sign of Peace the veil and cord can be removed after the nuptial bles