Roles & Responsibilities for the Bride & Groom and the Wedding Party
(Modern Tradition)
THE BRIDE
THE GROOM
THE BEST MAN
THE MAID OF HONOUR (THE CHIEF BRIDESMAID)
THE BRIDESMAIDS
THE FLOWER GIRL
THE PAGE BOY
THE RING BEARER
USHERS
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
FATHER OF THE BRIDE
THE GROOM’S PARENTS
- Decide on the wedding date, type of ceremony and theme with the Groom
- Choose the Bridesmaids and their outfits
- Find the perfect wedding dress
- Decide on wedding suppliers with the Groom or Mother of the Bride
- Buy gifts for her attendants
- Buy gift for the groom
- Throw the bouquet to unmarried guests
- Write thank you cards to key helpers and guests for their wedding gifts
THE GROOM
- Decide on wedding date, type of ceremony and theme with the Bride
- Work out the wedding budget with the help from the Bride and keep track of it
- Decide on wedding suppliers with the Bride
- Organize the legal aspect of getting married
- Buy wedding rings
- Buy gifts for Best Man, Ushers, Flower Girl, Ring Bearer and Page Boy
- Buy gift for the Bride
- Arrange honeymoon and wedding night accommodation
- Make a speech
THE BEST MAN
- Provide the Groom with all the support he needs before the wedding day and on the wedding day itself
- Organize the Bachelor Party
- Help the Groom choose outfits for the male attendants
- Pick up and return hired suits on behalf of himself and the Groom
- Supervise ushers and ensure they are aware of their duties – check they have order of service and song sheets (if any) to distribute
- Help the Groom to get ready and get him to the church on time
- Take care of the rings and give them to the Groom when prompted during the ceremony
- Pay church fees (if church wedding) or any other suppliers on behalf of the Groom
- Act as witness during the signing of the register (if church wedding) – escorting the Maid of Honour or Chief Bridesmaid to the vestry on your left arm
- Escort the Maid of Honour or Chief Bridesmaid down the aisle on your left following the parents of the Bride & Groom
- Announce of events throughout the day in the absence of a toastmaster
- Collect and read out any cards & messages from those not attending the wedding
- The Best Man’s speech
- Ensure the Bride & Groom make a smooth exit
- Ensure wedding gifts / monies are transported from the reception to a safe place with help from the Maid of Honour (The Chief Bridesmaid)
THE MAID OF HONOUR (THE CHIEF BRIDESMAID)
- Support the Bride before and during the wedding day
- Organize Bridal Shower party
- Help the Bride choose the bridesmaid dresses
- Help the Bride get ready on her wedding day
- Keep track of time and ensure that the Bride, Bridesmaids and Mother of the Bride keep to the scheduled timings
- Ensure bridesmaids are lined up and provide final check of wedding dress and veil before the Bride walks down the aisle
- Hold the Bride’s bouquet during the ceremony
- Act as witness during the signing of the register (if church wedding) – escorted to the vestry by the Best Man on your right
- Escorted down the aisle by the Best Man on your right behind the parents of the Bride & Groom
- Provide assistance to the Bride if she needs to go to the bathroom
- Help the Bride to get changed into ‘going away’ outfit (if applicable).
- Take responsibility for the bridal outfit
- Help the Best Man to ensure that wedding gifts / monies are transported from the reception to a safe place
THE BRIDESMAIDS
- Help organize Bridal Shower (organized by The Maid of Honour)
- Help The Maid of Honour and Bride with any pre-wedding arrangements
- Attend rehearsal (if church wedding)
- Help Flower Girl to get ready
- Travels to ceremony with Mother of the Bride
- Follows the Bride down the aisle
- Assist Bride on day – ensure bride’s dress, veil etc are perfectly arranged throughout the day
THE FLOWER GIRL
- Walk ahead of the Bride carrying a basket and scatter petals along the aisle (if venue allows)
THE PAGE BOY
- Hold the Brides’ train as she walks down the aisle
THE RING BEARER
- Carry the wedding rings on a pillow to give to the Best Man
USHERS
- Help with parking and provide umbrellas to escort guests in the event of rain
- Hand out the orders of service & song sheets (if applicable)
- Greet guests and direct them to their seats – Bride’s family to the left of the aisle, Groom’s family to the right (as you walk into the venue)
- Escort elderly or disabled guests to their seat
- Escort the Mother of the Bride to her seat when the other guests are seated
- Ensure the route is clear for the arrival of the bride
- Ensure all guests have transport to the wedding reception and provide directions/maps where necessary
- Help round up guests for the official photos
- Manage the number of guests at the receiving line to prevent a queue but maintaining a constant flow
- Encourage guests onto the dance floor
- Line up guests to say goodbye to the bride & groom when they leave
- Help ensure that everyone has transport home at the end of the night
- Provide support to the Best Man throughout the day
- Other duties that may come up that day
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
- Help the Bride & Groom with wedding planning & arrangements where required
- Help the Bride choose the perfect wedding dress
- Assist Bride & Groom in preparing the guest list with the help from the Groom’s parents
- Send out invites and keep track of replies
- Provide ushers with list of guests and any special seating requirements
- Help the Bride to prepare a schedule of timings for the day and ensure key attendants have a copy
- Help the Bride and Bridesmaids to get ready
- Travel to the ceremony with the Bridesmaids
- Escorted down the aisle by the ushers before the ceremony
- Attend the signing of the register (if church ceremony)
- Escorted down the aisle by the Father of the groom behind the Bride & Groom
- Assume the role of hostess regardless of who pays for the wedding
- Send wedding cake to any guests unable to attend the wedding
FATHER OF THE BRIDE
- Support the Bride before and during the day
- Contribute towards or pay for the wedding
- Travel with the Bride to the ceremony and escort her down the aisle
- Give her away
- Attend the signing of the register (if church ceremony)
- Escort the Mother of the Groom down the aisle behind the bride & groom
- First speech of the day!
- Assume the role of host regardless of who pays for the wedding
THE GROOM’S PARENTS
- May make a contribution towards to the wedding
- The Father of the Groom should escort the mother of the bride down the aisle behind the bride & groom after the ceremony
- The Mother of the Groom will be escorted down the aisle by the father of the bride