A wedding is a fine-oiled machine with many cogs that keep it going. Each person in the wedding party is one of those cogs that works together to create the perfect wedding. Listed below are some duties and responsibilities of each member of the wedding party to keep the wedding process moving along smoothly. This list is not exhaustive and each person can have more responsibilities as the wedding preparations progress.
Maid of Honor
- Plan the bachelorette party
- Host or co-host the bridal shower and/or couple’s shower
- If asked, attend wedding dress shopping with the bride-to-be
- Arrange bride’s train and veil when she arrives at the altar
- Hold the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony
- Sign marriage license as a witness
- Give toast after best man at the reception
- Collect any wedding gifts and create a designated space for them
- Peruse the couple’s registry and select a thoughtful gift
- Be prepared for lots of photographs with the professional photographer
Best Man
- Organize the bachelor party
- Hold the wedding rings
- Sign the marriage license as a witness
- Begin the toasts at the reception
- Coordinate and decorate the getaway car
- Collect the gifts and transport them to a designated location
- Peruse the couple’s registry and select a thoughtful gift
- Be prepared for lots of photographs with the professional photographer
Bridesmaids
- Assist the bride and maid of honor throughout the wedding process
- Secure your bridesmaid dress, shoes, and accessories so that they will be ready on time
- If asked, attend wedding dress shopping with the bride-to-be
- Assist in organizing bridal and/ or couple’s shower, bachelorette party, and rehearsal dinner
- Attend pre-wedding events
- Assist best man and groomsmen in decorating getaway car and sending off the newlyweds
- Peruse the couple’s registry and select a thoughtful gift
- Be prepared for lots of photographs with the professional photographer
Groomsmen
- Secure your own formalwear
- Attend pre-wedding events that are appropriate: engagement party, couple’s shower (if applicable), and the rehearsal dinner
- Peruse the couple’s registry and select a thoughtful gift
- Be prepared for lots of photographs with the professional photographer
- Assist the best man in decorating the getaway car and sending off the newlyweds
Parents
- Help with any pre-wedding tasks
- Father, Mother, or both (or a close family member) walk the bride down the aisle
- Share a father-daughter and mother-son dance
- If applicable, arrange payment for the ceremony and reception between the parents
Flower Girl
- The primary role of the flower girl is to walk down the aisle and scatter rose petals (traditionally)
- Smile sweetly
- Let everyone say “uhhhh” and “ahhhh”
Ring Bearer
- After the bridesmaids and groomsmen make their way down the aisle, the ring bearer (along with the flower girl) make their debut
- A ring bearer is usually a young boy between the ages of 4 and 8 who has a special connection to the bride and groom
- His role is to carry the rings down the aisle to the couple
- Usually, the rings are tied to a pillow and then the ring bearer carries this pillow down the aisle (see above)
