Not sure who should be doing what? Even if you are not going to follow tradition, it sometimes helps to know what is expected. Maybe one of your attendants feels a bit nervous about their role and would prefer to at least know what tradition dictates. It's then up to the couple to decide if things are to be done differently.
Bride
With the groom, chooses the wedding date and venue and picks a wedding theme
With the groom, chooses wedding suppliers/services
Chooses her attendants, their attire (with their input) and her own attire
Chooses gifts for her attendants
Throws the bouquet to unmarried female guests
Buys the groom a wedding present
Groom
With the bride, works out a wedding budget
Organises legal paperwork
Pays for the wedding rings
Chooses gifts for the best man, ushers, page boys
Buys the bride a wedding present
Makes a reception speech
Chief Bridesmaids
Offers all-round support to the bride
Helps the bride in choosing the bridal and attendants attire
Organises hen party
Helps the bride to dress on the day
Hold the bridal bouquet during the ceremony
Acts as witness at the signing of the register
At the end of the ceremony she exits with the best man (on his left)
Stands in receiving line to greet reception guests
Bridesmaids
Helps the chief bridesmaid and bride with any pre-wedding arrangements
Help any flower girl's with preparations and anything on the day
Travels to ceremony with the mother-of-the-bride
Follows the bride down the aisle
Makes sure nothing is out of place on the bride's dress, train and veil during the day
Flower Girls
Proceeds the bride down the aisle, scattering petals from basket, if venue allows
Holds the bridesmaids bouquet when bridesmaid is holding the bridal bouquet, during ceremony
Follows the bridesmaids back up the aisle after ceremony
Throws confetti/petals when the bride and groom exit the ceremony (if venue allows)
Page Boys
Holds the bride's train going down the aisle
May carry the wedding rings (on ring pillow?) down the aisle and pass to the best man or groom
Best Man
Helps the groom to choose the men's attire
Organises the stag party
Generally looks after the groom
Prepares a speech for the reception
Knows the itinerary for the day so that he can inform others
Arranges transport for the groom and himself
Helps the ushers
Safeguards the rings
Gives the buttonholes to the ushers to hand out
Holds money to pay any fees on the day (musicians, tips, etc)
Acts as witness for the signing of the register
Walks back down aisle with chief bridesmaid
Reads out any messages before his speech at reception
Dances with chief bridesmaid after the bride & groom's first dance
Ushers
Consults with best man regarding all the days details/timings and passes any required information onto guests
Arrives at ceremony well before any guests
Helps with parking arrangements and directing guests to ceremony location
Hands out Order of Service/Order of the Day cards
Directs guests to correct seating area, bride's family to the left (as you go in) groom's to the right
Helps elderly/disabled to their seat
Assists best man with any organising throughout the day
Keep the flow of guests going for receiving line for wedding breakfast
Stands in receiving line to greet evening guests
Tries to encourage plenty of dancers throughout the evening
Helps with any transport arrangements at the end of the evening
Father of the Bride
Traditionally pays for the wedding, but nowadays may make a contribution if able to
Consults with bride/groom on his attire
Has speech prepared for reception
Travels with bride to ceremony, walks down the aisle with bride
Stands next to bride during the vows (celebrant will be able to advise when he should be seated)
After ceremony, escorts the mother-of-the-groom from the ceremony room/church
Takes part in receiving line
Toasts the bride and groom before making speech
Introduces guests to each other (with someone's help if unfamiliar with any of the guests)
Mother of the Bride
Helps the bride with any planning/arrangements
Along with the groom's family and the couple helps compile the guest list
Sends out invites and takes note of replies
Chooses own outfit, should probably consult with the bride to avoid colour clashes, etc
Helps the bride & maids to get ready on the day
Travels to the ceremony with the bridesmaids
Takes seat at front (on left)
After ceremony leaves with the groom's father
Stands in receiving line, (first to receive guests)
Sends wedding cake to unattending guests
May help with sending out thank you cards
© 2007 Eco-FriendlyWeddings. All rights Reserved.
|
