Planning and getting ready for your wedding day is a big task — you’re going to want some help! So we’ve put together a quick guide explaining the traditional responsibilities of each wedding party member.
Photography by VR Vision Photography via GetMarried.com
Maid (Matron) of Honor:
• Helps bride shop for wedding gown, attendants’ dresses and jewelry
• Assists bride in addressing wedding invitations
• Attends all pre-wedding events
• Plans and hosts a bridal shower or a bachelorette party or both
• Records gifts received at showers
• Helps bride assemble wedding favors and decorate ceremony and reception sites
• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Helps keep the bride calm
• Holds onto the groom’s ring during ceremony
• Straightens bride’s dress and veil during the ceremony
• Holds bride’s flowers when vows and rings are exchanged
• Signs wedding certificate along with Best Man
• Offers a toast to bride and groom
Bridesmaids:
• Perform any additional tasks assigned by bride
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Assist Maid (Matron) of Honor in planning bridal shower or bachelorette party
• Help bride assemble favors and decorate ceremony and reception sites
Personal Attendant:
• Distributes flower corsages and boutonnieres to honored individuals
• Orchestrates “day of” events
• Takes care of the bride’s last-minute needs
• Assists the bride in dressing
Flower Girl
• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Walks down the aisle along with the rest of the wedding party
• Carries a flower basket, small bouquet, pomander or satchel
• Sprinkles flower petals down the aisle (if a flower basket or satchel is used)
Photography by Kara Purtell Photography via GetMarried.com
Best Man:
• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Plans and hosts the bachelor party
• Transports groom to the ceremony location
• Presents ceremony officiant with payment
• Helps keep the groom calm
• Holds onto groom’s keys, wallet, and other personal belongings for safekeeping
• Holds onto the bride’s ring during ceremony
• Escorts the Maid (Matron) of Honor during the ceremony
• Signs wedding certificate along with the Maid (Matron) of Honor
• Offers the first toast to bride and groom
• Prepares honeymoon car
• Returns groom’s and groomsmen’s attire to the rental store
Groomsmen:
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Assist Best Man in planning the bachelor party
• Escort bridesmaids during the ceremony
Ushers:
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Light candles as needed
• Hand out wedding programs
• Seat guests on designated side of church
• Assist elderly guests to their seats
• Unroll aisle runner before bride makes her entrance
• Collect ceremony decorations such as pew bows, aisle runner and unity candle after the ceremony
• Make sure that no items are left behind before leaving for the reception site
Ring Bearer
• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Walks down the aisle along with the rest of the wedding party
• Carries a ring bearer pillow with symbolic rings tied to it or rings a bell
Remember that your wedding party is there to support you — don’t be afraid to let them know how they can help.
