The Wedding Party 

and their Duties

The Bride's Attendants

Being an attendant in a wedding is one of the most special things that may happen in your life. You are not only going to wear a formal gown and attend a party, you are an intricate piece in the new life the bride is beginning. You are the past which is linking to her future. In most cases, the bridesmaids have known the bride much longer than the groom has. You have shared special moments from slumber parties and hour plus phone conversations to proms and leaving home for the first time. You may have also been the cupid in the relationship of the bride and groom. After doing all this, how could you not continue to be the pillar of support on her most special day?. The bride is not leaving you for a husband, she is taking you and all the memories with her into her marriage. You are part of who she is and your presence is a valuable part of her happiness. Be the most helpful you can be and this is the time in her life when she will need you most. Weddings can usually stress a friendship ,due to all the emotions ,and friends tend to feel that they are losing a friend to the husband. Men cannot take the place of girlfriends! By being helpful and supportive of the wedding, you will be creating future memories with your friend. An attendant position is an honor and a privilege. The bride could have asked anyone, but she choose you!! Take advantage of this honor and make this time a pleasurable time for both of you.

The Maid/Matron of Honor

The following is a list of duties for the honor attendant to help with.

Pre-Wedding Duties

Picking out bridesmaid dresses

Address wedding invitations

Plan the bachelorette party, bridal showers, bridal luncheon and bridal breakfast

Record wedding gifts at showers and pre-wedding parties

Keep the bride sane and happy through this time

Run errands the bride needs to have done

Coordinate appointments for bridesmaids dress fittings

Keep in contact with all the bridesmaids concerning schedules and activities

Attend all pre-wedding activities with the bride

Help introduce and mingle with guests at all functions

Attend brides fitting appointments and learn how to perfectly bustle her train

Wedding Day Duties

Check all bridesmaids to ensure they all look uniform and are on schedule

Delegate someone to move all bridesmaids things from church to

reception (usually personal attendant or special assistant to the bride)

Give a speech to the bride and groom at the reception

Help with any last minute problems that may occur on the wedding day to spare the bride

Arrange bride's veil and train at the wedding ceremony and reception

Responsible for the grooms ring and brides bouquet during the ceremony

Sign the marriage certificate with the best man (must be at least 18 years of age)

Accompany the best man in the bridal dance, photographs etc.

Pack the bride's gown, veil and accessories and take to the cleaners or the bride's mother

Help clean up the reception hall (if needed)

Help transport gifts after reception

Post-Wedding Day Duties

Help return any items (rental pieces, tuxedos etc.)

Attend gift opening or post-wedding brunch

Offer transportation to out of town guests to the airport.

Deliver any thankyou notes or gifts the bride and groom request you to deliver

The Bridesmaids

than a co-worker will be. Think long term instead of short term!.

Pre-Wedding Day

Offer to run errands for the bride

Assist in picking out dresses (remember it is the brides choice for what you are to wear)

Pay for your wedding attire (if money is a problem, tell the bride immediately. She will understand it and try to help you, but only if she has time to do so. If you are not able to afford to be in the wedding regretfully decline and offer to do something else. It is not fair to you or the bride to bring up financial problems or anger about paying for things at any function or the week of the wedding. It is your choice to be in a wedding and it is an honor not a chore!!)

Help plan bridal shower, bachelorette party, bride's luncheon and breakfast

Attend all your fitting appointments

Encourage guests to participate in shower activities

Wedding Day

Attend all photo sessions

Be on time for everything

Greet guests in receiving line and mingle with them at the reception

Offer a toast to the bride and groom

Help direct guests or answer questions (if needed)

Dance with your groomsman at the bridal party dance

Encourage guests to participate in wedding activities

Help with any changes that may happen at the reception

Help transport gifts

Help clean the reception hall

Post-Wedding Day

Attend gift opening and/or post-wedding brunch

Offer to transport guests to the airport Personal Attendants

This special position is somewhat of a mystery. Many people use this position as an honorary title, but it also has many duties. The personal attendant should be a person with wonderful organizational abilities, as well as, the ability to keep to a specific schedule.

They will also be in charge of ensuring the activities run smoothly the morning of the wedding.

The Groom's Attendants

Your friend, brother, or male relative has decided to take the plunge, carry the ball and chain and yes, Get Married. How could he leave the male bonding that took years to create and perfect through Monday Night Football, parties, poker, cigars, road trips and conversations at the

bachelor pad. It is very important for you to not think this way. The groom has chosen to get married and he needs to have the strong support of the men who helped him evolve into the person his fiancée wants to spend the rest of her life with. Instead of offering him a plane ticket to Guam for his wedding gift (only to depart on the day before the wedding), give him your support. His future wife is not the enemy, she is actually an asset to you. Think of it this way: she will be able to help you decorate your apartment, help you go shopping and spend your money and may even let her husband out for a boy's day out. Seriously, she will be able to contribute to the growth of your

relationship. She will not always want to hang around with her husband and you, after, she has her own friends. If you enjoy the grooms wife, it will not only strengthen your relationship, but you will find a new friend. This is a special time for the bridal couple and they are asking you to share in this time. It is an honor to be in the wedding and remember, they chose you to partake in this adventure they are embarking upon.

The Best Man

Pre-Wedding Day

Help the groom with anything he needs

Oversees and organizes the groomsman and ushers

Help address the invitations

Attend pre-wedding parties

Plan the bachelor party

Helps prepare the groom's plans for the honeymoon

Organize the sizes and ordering of the tuxedos

Go with the groomsman and ushers to pick up their tuxedos

Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

Offer to pick up guests at the airport

Run last minute errands for the couple

Wedding Day

Keep the groom on schedule for pictures

Hold the bride's wedding ring

Mingle with the guests before wedding and during the reception

Help with any last minute problems that may happen

Give a toast and speech at the reception

Dance with the maid of honor

Deliver checks to officiant and any last minute payments to vendors

Make sure the get away car is ready

See that travel documents are in order

Help clean up the reception hall

Take care of the wedding gifts

Post Wedding

Attend post wedding brunch and gift opening

Gather all the tuxedos and accessories and return them to the rental shop

Offer to take people to the airport

The Groomsmen and Ushers

Pre-Wedding Day

Attend pre wedding parties

Help plan the bachelor party ( if asked to)

Help address invitations

Run errands for the groom

Get measured for your tuxedo

Pick up and pay for your tuxedo before the wedding

Offer to pick up guests at the airport

Wedding Day

Be on time for pictures

Help transport anything from the church to the reception

Seat people at the church

Answer questions for guests and give directions to the reception

Give a toast at the reception

Great the guests in the receiving line and mingle with guests at the reception

Dance with bridesmaids at the dance

Help transport the wedding gifts

Help clean up the reception hall

Decorate the honeymoon car

Post Wedding

Attend post wedding brunch and gift opening

Offer to transport people to the airport

Offer to return any rental items