Wedding Party
WEDDING PARTY RESPONSIBILITIES
Each member of your wedding party has his/her own individual duties and responsibilities. The following is a list of the most important duties for each member of your wedding party.
MAID OF HONOR
The maid (unmarried) or matron (married) of honor is usually a sister, best friend or roommate whom the bride considers her closest and dearest companion.
• The best maid attends to the details of the bride. A bride may draw up 2 lists of things to be done before, during and after the wedding, one of which she hands to the maid whilst she keeps the other. Anything she forgets, the maid takes care of. She also helps the bride decide on a number of things like the dress, invites and theme color among other things.
• Helps coordinate bridal shower before the wedding. She may also assist on visits to the suppliers.
• Keeps the bride on schedule.
• At the ceremony, she proceeds before the father and the bride down the aisle. She also holds the ring,
the bouquet, folds back the bride’s veil and holds the train in place.
• She acts as a witness to the wedding, too, by signing the wedding certificate. During the reception, she
attends to the details of the bride especially when it comes to the train of her dress.
BRIDESMAIDS
BRIDESMAIDS
• Assist maid/matron of honor in planning bridal shower.
• Buy their own clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.
• Assist the best maid and the bride.
• Stand by the bride’s choices. Even when you don’t agree, keep it to yourself. Should she ask for your opinion be tactful and kind for the sake of the bride.
• Assist bride with errands and addressing invitations.
• Participate in all pre-wedding parties.
• Keep time at all times.
• Encourage single women to participate in the bouquet-tossing ceremony
USHERS
USHERS
• They are required to be at the rehearsal, to familiarize themselves with entrance, exit and bathroom
locations for the guests’ comfort and neat seating arrangements.
• Assist with any final details and hand out the programme to arriving guests.
• Escort guest to their seats. If female, offer the right arm and if male, walk along his left side. If a couple, offer right arm to female as the male follows a step or two behind
• Manage seating arrangements per the guest’s relationship to the couple. The most forward pews are reserved for immediate family members. Seat bride's guests in left pews. Seat groom's guests in right pews. Maintain equal number of guests in left and right pews, if possible. If a group of guests arrive at
the same time, seat the eldest woman first.
• Just prior to the processional, escort groom's mother to her seat: then escort bride's mother to her seat.
• Two ushers may roll carpet down the aisle after both mothers arc seated.
• Ensure that everyone departs from the church in an orderly manner
• Direct guests to the reception site.
• The groomsmen and ushers mingle with the guests at the reception, give any needed assistance and
perhaps propose a few toasts.
BRIDE’S MOTHER
BRIDE’S MOTHER
The woman who endured nine months and hours of labor to give you life. She is actually considered part of the bridal party. She is the last person to be seated before the procession begins. Some brides choose to be walked down the aisle by both parents so she gets her time in the sun. Just like the attendants, she has lots to do before the wedding day both officially and unofficially
• Helps prepare guest list for bride and her family.
• Helps plan the wedding ceremony and reception.
• Helps bride select her bridal gown.
• Helps bride keep track of gifts received.
• Selects her own attire according to the formality and color of the wedding.
• Makes accommodations for bride’s out of town guests.
• Is the last person to be seated right before the processional begins.
• Sits in the left front pew to the left of bride’s father during the ceremony.
• May stand up to signal the start of the processional.
• Can witness the signing of the marriage license.
BRIDE’S FATHER
BRIDE’S FATHER
• On the wedding day, other than walking the bride down the aisle and “giving her away” his most important and unspoken responsibility is getting depressed that his little girl has grown up and she no longer considers him the most important man in her life.
• Helps prepare guest list for bride and her family.
• Selects attire that complements groom’s attire.
• Rides to the ceremony with bride in limousine.
• After giving bride away, sits in the left front pew to the right of bride’s mother.
• When officiant asks, “Who gives this bride away?” answers, “Her mother and 1 do” or something similar.
• Can witness the signing of the marriage license.
GROOM’S MOTHER
GROOM’S MOTHER
• Helps prepare guest list for groom and his family.
• Selects attire that complements mother of the bride’s attire.
• Makes accommodations for groom’s out-of-town guests.
• Pay for reception. Ensure a good collection of women accompany your son as he goes to pick his bride from her home.
• May stand up to signal the start of the processional.
• Can witness the signing of the marriage license.
GROOM’S FATHER
GROOM’S FATHER
• Helps prepare guest list for groom and his family.
• In some cultures Pays dowry for his son; pay for the wedding also makes a speech at the wedding
• Selects attire that complements groom’s attire.
• Can witness the signing of the marriage license.
Others
RING BEARER,FLOWER GIRLS,PAGEBOYS,JUNIORMBRIDESMAIDS,MINIATURE BRIDES
Small children usually between four and eight often assume these roles when they are included in the wedding. Their duties differ from ceremony to ceremony depending on the bride and groom’s wishes, the age and capability of each child.• Flower girl- carries a basket filled with loose rose petals to strew along bride’s path during processional, if allowed by ceremony site. If very young, may sit with her parents during ceremony.
• The ring bearer- carries a white pillow with rings attached. If very young, carries artificial rings. Just remember after ceremony, he should carry ring pillow upside down so artificial rings do not show, If he is very young, he may sit with his parents during ceremony.
