Usually, the bride wears the traditional all-white wedding gown and the groom wears the barong (transparent button-up shirt). At a traditional Filipino wedding, many sponsors are present to witness the union of the couple. The sponsors are a group of individuals that the couple can refer to in time of need (symbolizing guidance and support).

While some of the sponsors have a silent participation during the wedding ceremony, two sets of sponsors play active roles. The first set of sponsors play the role of veil sponsors (one man and one woman). During a specific point in the ceremony, the veil sponsors will pin a large veil (symbolizes unity and that the couple shall be "clothed as one)" on top of the bride's head and onto the shoulder of the groom. After the veil is placed on both the bride and groom, the cord sponsors place a white cord (symbolizes the lifelong bond or tie between the bride and groom) loosely around the necks of the couple in the shape of a figure eight.

On either side of the unity candle is a long stemmed candle. Both sets of parents light their respective candle. When it comes time for the wedding couple to light the unity candle, the couple will light it with the candles (symbolizing the union of these two families through the love and lifelong bond of their children), which were lit by both sets of parents. Another strongly-held tradition is the arras which translated into Spanish means "earnest money." The priest drops coins (symbolizing a life of fidelity and wealth) onto the hands of both the bride and groom.

Although the Pandango (money dance) was brought to the islands as a custom from the Philippines it has become as island wedding tradition practiced by many ethnicities.