So you think you could just show up? Well not so easy buster!
Here are some of my recommendations for your wedding party and what part they can do to chip in for the big day!
The Duties of the Best Man
Before the wedding: * If he lives in the same town as the Groom
- Assist the Groom with any shopping (such as wedding ring, honeymoon, tuxes, etc.)
- Mail, or email, tux measurement cards to male attendants, and send payment instructions
- Plan the bachelor party (if scheduled)
- Assist with notifying the other male attendants of rehearsal date and time • make arrangements to collect out-of-town tuxes before groomsmen leave town
- Offer to house out-of-town groomsmen (if he lives in same town as wedding)
- Be available for groom as much as possible
- Attend the rehearsal
- Pay for his wedding attire and accessories
- Pay for his travel and lodging expenses At the wedding:
- Assist groom with taking get-away car to reception location or hotel
- Assist groom with getting ready for the wedding, and packing for honeymoon
- Escort or drive the groom to the ceremony
- Instruct the male attendants on seating duties, where to stand, when to enter for ceremony
- Hold the bride’s ring for the groom until ring exchange
- Make sure the officiate has the marriage license
- Give the officiate their fee (in an envelope)
- Escort the Maid/Matron of Honor in the ceremony and reception
- Dance with the Maid/Matron of Honor at the reception
- Stand in the receiving line (if scheduled)
- Make first toast to the bride and groom
- Hold honeymoon tickets, etc. if bride & groom are leaving from reception • transfer bride and groom luggage to car at end of reception, or to hotel room
- Assist with transporting gifts from reception to parent’s home after reception
- Sign the marriage license as witness
- Make sure car is ready for bride and groom to leave reception, or assist with “fake” exit so bride and groom can sneak up to hotel room
Duties of the Maid/Matron of Honor
Before the wedding:* If she lives in the same town as the Bride
- Assist bride with any comparison shopping, by phone or accompanying her on shopping trips
- Assist bride with addressing invitations
- Assist bride with making favors, etc.
- Host bridal shower with bridesmaids
- Notify other female attendants of gown delivery date and fitting appointments
- Follow-up to make sure everyone has had their final fitting and picked up their gowns
- Make sure all female attendants have their shoes, gloves, accessories
- Notify female attendants of rehearsal date and time
- Be available for bride as much as possible
- Attend the rehearsal
- Pay for her wedding attire and accessories
- Pay for her travel and lodging expenses
- At the wedding
- Assist the bride with getting ready
- Accompany the bride to the ceremony location
- Carry the train of the bride’s veil and gown as she walks to the ceremony room
- Straighten the bride’s veil and train before you walk the aisle
- Hold the bride’s bouquet during ceremony, and return it to her after “kiss”
- Hold the groom’s ring until the ring exchange
- Sign the marriage license as a witness -make a toast to the bride and groom
- Stand in the receiving line (if scheduled)
- Dance with the Best Man
- Assist bride with bustling her train
- Accompany bride to restroom during reception
- Help the bride change from her gown to going-away outfit (if necessary)
- Gather mementos of wedding for bride keepsakes at end of reception (program, favors, toasting glasses, cake-top, top tier of cake, guest book and pen, garter and bouquet, cake knife and server, etc.)
- Act as direct point of contact between the bride and her wedding planner.
Duties of the Bridesmaids:
- Pay for their wedding attire and accessories; hair and make-up also
- Pay for any travel and lodging expenses • assist with hosting Bridal Shower
- Attend the rehearsal
- Arrive at ceremony site at scheduled time
- Duties of the Groomsmen:
- Pay for his wedding attire and accessories
- Pay for his travel and lodging expenses
- Attend the rehearsal
- Arrive at ceremony site at scheduled time
- Assist with hosting Bachelor Party
- Duties of the Ushers:
- Pay for his wedding attire and accessories
- Pay for his travel and lodging expenses
- Attend rehearsal for escorting/seating instructions
- Arrive at ceremony site at scheduled time
- Duties of the Flower Girl:
- Pay for her wedding attire and accessories
- Pay for her travel and lodging expenses
- Attend rehearsal
- Arrive at ceremony site at scheduled time
- Duties of the Ring Bearer:
- Pay for his wedding attire and accessories
- Pay for his travel and lodging expenses
- Attend rehearsal
- Arrive at ceremony site at scheduled time
- Duties of the Guest Book Attendant:
- Wedding attire
- Arrive at ceremony site at scheduled time
- Greet guests at entrance to ceremony
- Ask guests to sign the Guest Book
- Accept and securely store any gifts brought to ceremony site
- Greet guests at reception site entrance, and ask if they have already signed the guest book
- Accept and securely store any gifts brought to the reception
- Assist guest with finding their place cards
- Make sure the parents of the Bride and Groom, and the Wedding Party sign the Guest Book
- Assist Maid/Matron of Honor with collecting mementos/keepsakes at the reception (programs, menu cards, favors, Guest Book and Pen, Cake Top Ornament, Top tier of wedding cake, toasting glasses, Garter, Bouquet, Cake Knife and Server, etc.)
Happy Beginnings,
Mike
