Planning a wedding can be a pretty big deal, but thanks to the perfect support system – aka your wedding party – help is at hand. Here, we take a look at the common roles assigned to members of the wedding party.
The wedding party is usually made up of the following:
Bride & groom / bride & bride / groom & groom
Maid/Matron of Honour / Chief Bridesmaid
Best Man
Ushers / Groomsmen
Bridesmaids
Pageboy
Flower Girl
Mother & father of the bride
Mother & father of the groom
THE HAPPY COUPLE
As the couple getting married, your duties are (unsurprisingly) to plan the wedding. Although members of the wedding party will be assigned roles to help you, you are mainly responsible for all aspects of planning your wedding such as setting the budget, booking the venue, deciding on numbers, choosing your wedding party, booking your wedding vendors and organising your honeymoon.
THE BRIDE
On her own, the bride will undertake a few tasks, namely the following:
Finding the dress
Your bridesmaids, mum (and whoever you choose) will assist with this process, but ultimately it’s your day and the final decision is down to you. Most brides love this part of wedding planning, especially as they can make a girlie day of it. You’ll also need to find accessories including veil, shoes and jewellery.
Choosing the bridesmaid dresses
Often a little more tricky than choosing your own dress, especially if you have a few bridesmaids, the bride should take on the duty of deciding on what her leading ladies will wear. The key is to find something which all your bridesmaids look and feel comfortable wearing.
Gifts for your girls
As a token of thanks, the majority of brides give their bridesmaids a gift on the day of the wedding. Jewellery is popular, and works particularly well if it matches their dresses.
THE GROOM
Suit up
As well as your own suit, you’ll need to choose ones for the rest of the grooms party. This includes ties and shoes too.
Speech
For many, the most dreaded part of wedding planning is writing the speech. The key is to write it early and practice, practice, practice. Don’t forget to thank everyone, and compliment your bride, of course.
Gifts for your guys
Just like the bride, you’ll need to say thanks. Gifts for the groomsmen range from personalised hip flasks to cufflinks.
CHIEF BRIDESMAID
Wedding party roles-Cheif Bridesmaid
Help with organising
The key role of the chief bridesmaid is to help as much as possible without being intrusive. Duties usually include helping choose the dress, ensuring the day runs to the planned schedule, holding the bouquet, making sure the other bridesmaids know where they are supposed to be and planning the hen do.
Moral support
Whether the bride wants to let off some steam, needs help with decisions or is feeling overwhelmed, the chief bridesmaid should offer support where possible.
THE BEST MAN
Help with organising
Just like the chief bridesmaid, the best man often plays a little role in helping organise the day. His main duties usually include assisting with choosing suits, picking them up and bringing them back, helping set up the reception room, paying vendors on the day, keeping the rings safe and organising the stag do.
Speech, speech!
And of course, there’s that all important speech. The onus is on the best man to deliver a speech which is memorable, entertaining and a tribute to the groom. Don’t forget to compliment the bride and bridesmaids too.
BRIDESMAIDS
Dresses
The bridesmaids will often help the bride choose her dress, as well as attending fittings. They’ll also need to be available for appointments for their own dresses.
Hen do
Often the chief bridesmaid will take most of the burden but the bridesmaids should be involved as much as possible. Choose an event which the bride will love.
Offer help
Whether it’s helping with the table plan, place names or making up favours, offer help in anyway you can.
GROOMSMEN / USHERS
Lend a helping hand
The chief role of the groomsmen is to ensure a smooth running day. Simple tasks such as handing out and collecting the Order of Service and showing guests to their seats are key. Like the best man, you may be involved in helping plan the stag.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
Enjoy it
Be involved as much as the bride wants. Attend dress appointments and fittings and have fun choosing your own outfit. On the day, speak to guests, thank them for coming and be ready for lots of photos.
FATHER OF THE BRIDE
Walk the bride down the aisle
On the morning of the wedding, you’ll escort your daughter to the ceremony and walk her down the aisle, before handing her over to her groom.
Father-daughter dance
The bride and her father will usually participate in a dance together so brush up on your dancing skills and have those tissues at the ready.
FLOWER GIRLS AND PAGE BOYS
Look cute!
It’s a simple as that
Wedding planning is a wonderful experience, made even more so by having the best people around you. Make sure you choose to have your favourite people by your side and ensure everyone knows their roles.
