I have a wedding this week and although I always give a detailed timeline, it can be difficult to go through with everyone exactly what their rolls are within the Bridal party.
They do have traditional roles and responsibilities from the start though, that you should force them into expect of them. You have chosen your bridal party wisely after reading my previous post so know they are a responsible lot and enthusiastic about your wedding. As with all traditions {in my opinion}, it is totally up to you to choose which ones suit you and which do not {some are a bit antiquated} but unless you have a wedding planner to assist you, take all of the help from them that you can get.
Photo from Erin Hearts Court Blog
Here is a general outline of each person’s duties:
Maid or matron of honor- Probably the most demanding of roles within the bridal party, she should be supportive and active in your wedding planning, be available and willing to
- Help you choose your wedding dress
- Host the hen’s night and/or bridal shower
- Sign the Marriage Certificate
-Carry the groom’s ring
- Help with errands, messages and DIY items
- Help your dress and assist with the train and veil at all times
- Attend ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
- Stands by the bride at the altar and holds the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony and keep an eye on the dress, train and veil
- Be prepared to cover any wedding emergencies
- Holds a copy of any special prayers or readings for the ceremony
- Supervises the bridesmaids
- Mingle with guests at the reception
Bridesmaids – They can very easily be kept busy and this is who you delegate to. They should
- Help the brides with the planning of the wedding
- The help the bride with errands of the wedding day.
- Helps decorate ceremony and reception if necessary.
- Helps with or the making of table decorations and or diy wedding crafts.
- Helps maid or matron of honor with Hens night and bridal shower.
- They attend pre-wedding parties.
- Attend ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
- Share the cost of the bridal shower with the maid or matron of honor.
- Help with with any clean-up at the end of the night
On the Boys Side
Photo by Alison Conklin
Best man- He should be a responsible person to look after the groom, calm nerves and is the go to man for
-Planning and paying for bachelor party with groomsmen
- Attend ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Helps the groom dress and gets him to the church on time
- Paying the clergyman and other vendor payments and tips on behalf of the groom and bride.
- Signs and witnesses the Marriage Certificate
- He holds the Bride’s ring until the ceremony
- Supervises the groomsmen
- Acting as the host, welcoming the guests at the reception
- Assist in helping seat guests is needed
- He offers the first toast to the bride and groom
- He dances with the Bride and bridesmaids
- He is responsible keeping track of gifts and gift cards and seeing that they are safe
- Any tickets, keys etc are in his safekeeping
- Collects and returns all formal wear rentals on time
- Arranges transportation and drives the couple to the hotel or the airport
Your Grooms responsible Groomsmen will
- Help pick out their tuxes and show up for fittings
- Help plan and share the cost of the bachelor party with the best man
- Attend ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Helps with loading and unloading cars of decorations, liquor etc.
- Responsible for returning of any formal wear or tux
- Greet and seat guests at the ceremony and assist in seating with dinner
- Escort the bridesmaids from the ceremony
- During the reception, they mingle with the guests
- Have a dance with the bridesmaids
- Help load the wedding gift in the car
I suggest you give your bridal party an outline {or use the above} of what is expected of them right away and let them know that their assistance genuinely means a lot to you so that there are no surprises to anyone. Good luck with them!
Annie
Live, Love, Laugh and Dream!
Related posts:
- Just Engaged! Photo by Sharon Bushman With Christmas and New Year’s just...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Tags: WEdding advice, wedding planning, Your wedding timeline
