How to acknowledge principal sponsors with class

Principal sponsors or ninong and ninang are more than distinguished guests in a Filipino wedding. They serve as witnesses to the marriage, lend guidance to the couple, and embody the families’ trust. Acknowledging them with intention turns protocol into something warm and memorable.

Choosing the right moments to honor them

Thoughtful recognition works best in short but meaningful increments. Begin with a personal invitation and a few lines in the program that highlight their role. During the reception, prompt your host to introduce them with a brief story or virtue you admire, then seat them where they can see and be seen without straining to hear. If your timeline follows a reception order suited to Pinoy crowds, acknowledgments naturally sit well after the welcome and again before dessert. For pacing that feels effortless, align the cues with your reception flow for Filipino celebrations.

Seating and comforts that feel like respect

Give sponsors a clear path to their VIP tables, place name cards with legible fonts, and offer water or tea service the moment they sit. When the guest list includes big extended families, use a diagram that prioritizes elders and godparents near the stage while keeping speakers at a comfortable distance from their ears. If you are mapping a complex layout, borrow tactics from seating strategies for large clans and review them with your coordinator a week out.

Program cues that land with grace

Short introductions beat long biographies. Ask your emcee to deliver one or two lines that capture each sponsor’s connection to you. Plan a toast segment that thanks them collectively and invite one representative to share a blessing. Rehearse mic handoffs and walking paths so no one is left wandering. If you want expert delivery and timekeeping, book seasoned emcees who handle VIP segments with tact and sync their scripts with your band or DJ.

Tokens that feel thoughtful not transactional

Choose small, meaningful presents that travel well and reflect your story. Options include locally crafted textiles, a favorite roast or cacao set, or framed photos from your prenup session. Attach a handwritten message from both of you and deliver the gifts privately before the program or after cake to avoid turning the moment into a spectacle. If you need help sourcing pieces that feel elevated, explore souvenir makers for ninong and ninang gifts and coordinate delivery through your reception team.

Photography and timing

Add their names to the shot list and specify combinations such as sponsors with couple, sponsors with parents, and individual portraits. Schedule these right after the grand entrance or during a natural pause so no one waits too long. Share pronunciation notes with your host and photographer in advance to prevent awkward misreadings.

Scripts and wording ideas

• Invitation line to a sponsor
  We are honored to ask you to stand as a guiding presence as we begin married life. Your example has shaped our values and we would be grateful for your counsel.

• Reception thank you
  To our godparents who witnessed our vows and cheered us on from day one, your support means the world. Maraming salamat for the wisdom you share and the kindness you show our families.

Work with your vendor team

Ask your coordinator to assign a point person who welcomes sponsors on arrival, guides them to seats, and handles corsages or boutonnieres. Keep a spare umbrella and shawl at the registration table for weather surprises, and confirm a reserved parking slot when possible. A detail oriented team keeps these courtesies invisible and smooth, so shortlist wedding coordinators who specialize in Filipino protocols and share your run sheet early.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Long speeches that delay dinner
• Gifts that are bulky or difficult to carry home
• Overcrowding the VIP table with extended relatives
• Missing names on the cue cards or mispronounced introductions
• Forgetting to include sponsors in group photos

A final word

Honor feels effortless when it is planned in layers. Invite with intention, seat with care, and spotlight with brevity. Keep gifts personal and lightweight, and close the loop with photos and heartfelt thanks after the wedding day. For bigger picture inspiration that blends tradition with fresh ideas, round out your planning with wedding reception ideas that honor tradition and wow guests.