The Roles and Responsibilities of Each Member of Your Wedding Party
On your wedding day, there will be several people standing at the altar with you and your significant other. Your wedding party often includes bridal attendants, groomsmen, ring bearers and flower girls. These wedding party members will be there to support you and your partner while you are exchanging vows.
When you are planning your wedding, it is essential that you think carefully when choosing the members that will be asked to be members of your wedding party. The bridal party will include those who will stand by your side, help you plan the wedding and assist you in a number of other ways. The bridal party is often comprised of close friends and family members including brothers, sisters and cousins.
The following information will teach you the different roles and responsibilities of each member of your wedding party. Your wedding party will include:
- Bridesmaids (bridal attendants)
- Maid/Matron of Honor (bridal honour attendant)
- Groomsmen (groom attendants)
- Best Man/Woman (groom honour attendant)
- Ushers
- Ring Bearer
- Pages(train bearer)
- Parents of the Bride (mother of the bride, father of the bride and any stepparents)
- Parents of the Groom (mother of the groom, father of the groom and any stepparents)
- Grandparents
Wedding Party Members that are Unique to Certain Religions
In addition to the standard wedding party, a religious ceremony may include other members, such as:
- Jewish Weddings – Chuppah Carriers hold the poles of the sacred wedding canopy called a chuppah. The chuppah is symbolic of the newlywed’s new home. Chuppah carriers are traditionally men; however, four close friends or family members may be chosen as chuppah carriers.
- Muslim Weddings – In a Muslim wedding, the groom’s attendants are called his Hattabin.
- Christian Weddings – Young teenagers are often enlisted as candle lighters in some Christian wedding ceremonies. Candle lighters begin the procession and light the candles around the altar.
The Wedding Party’s Traditional Roles
The members of the wedding party are tasked with performing a variety of tasks to help plan and carry out the wedding. They may be asked to help address invitations, do craft projects, run errands and other things that the couple need. The couple may also discuss important wedding decisions with their wedding party.
The bridal party are often asked to wear semiformal to formal attire. The bridesmaids may be asked to wear dresses and the groomsmen may be asked to wear tuxedos. These outfits help to signify the important roles that these party members play at the wedding.
The wedding party often helps to ensure the couple feels comfortable on their wedding day. They may help ease the couple’s stress and help them get ready.
Before the ceremony begins as well as after the ceremony, the couple along with their entire bridal party will be formally photographed for the couple’s wedding album. At the reception, the wedding party will be seated with or nearby the married couple at special tables.
The entire bridal party is considered a support system for the couple for their big day. They will help plan and prepare the wedding as well as helping the wedding run along smoothly. After the wedding, the bridal party often remains close and helps the couple begin their new life together by offering encouraging words and helping with any difficulties or disagreements that arise once the wedding day has passed.
Oftentimes, the wedding party will plan special events leading up to the wedding, including the bachelor party, the bachelorette party and a bridal shower.
The Maid/Matron of Honour
The maid/matron of honour is tasked with planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party. Additionally, the maid/matron of honour is tasked with ensuring that all tasks are taken care of by the bridesmaids to ensure the wedding is a success.
The Best Man
The best man is responsible for stag party ideas as well as supporting the groom. In addition to this, the best man will hold on to the actual wedding rings that are exchanged at the wedding. Although you may have a ring bearer, you do not want to task a young child with keep track of the actual wedding bands.
As you can see, your bridal party plays an integral role in ensuring everything runs smoothly at your wedding. Oftentimes, your bridal party will spend a lot of time and money ensuring your wedding is the wedding of your dream. Thank your wedding party members and acknowledge your appreciation of them and the support they are giving you.
