Wedding Party Responsibilities

Each member of your wedding party has his/her own in­dividual duties and responsibilities.

The most convenient method for conveying this information to members of your wedding party is by creating a set of the Wedding Party Responsibility Cards. These cards should contain all the information your wedding party needs to know to assure a smooth wedding; (what to do, how to do it, when to do it, when to arrive). They should also include financial responsibilities as well as the processional, recessional and altar lineups.

Most important duties
for each member of your wedding party.

*** Maid Of Honor ***

• Helps bride select attire and address invitations.
  
  
• Plans bridal shower for bride.
  
  
• Arrives at dressing site 2 hours before ceremony to assist bride in dressing.
  
  
• Arrives dressed at ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for photographs.
  
  
• Arranges the bride's veil and train before the processional and recessional.
  
  
• Holds bride's bouquet and groom's ring, if no ring bearer, during the ceremony.
  
  
• Witnesses the signing of the marriage license.
  
  
• Keeps bride on schedule.
  
  
• Dances with best man during the bridal party dance.
  
  
• Helps bride change into her going away clothes.
  
  
• Mails wedding announcements after the wedding.
  
  
• Returns bridal slip, if rented.
  
  

*** Best Man ***

• Responsible for organizing ushers' activities.
  
  
• Organizes bachelor party for groom.
  
  
• Drives groom to ceremony site and sees that he is properly dressed before the wedding.
  
  
• Arrives dressed at ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for photographs.
  
  
• Brings marriage license to wedding.
  
  
• Pays the clergyman, musicians, photographer, and any other service providers the day of the wedding.
  
  
• Holds the bride's ring for the groom, if no ring bearer, until needed by officiant.
  
  
• Witnesses the signing of the marriage license.
  
  
• Drives newlyweds to reception if no hired driver.
  
  
• Offers first toast at reception, usually before dinner.
  
  
• Keeps groom on schedule.
  
  
• Dances with maid of honor during the bridal party dance.
  
  
• May drive couple to airport or honeymoon suite.
  
  
• Oversees return of tuxedo rentals for groom and ushers, on time and in good condition.
  
  

*** Bridesmaids ***

• Assist maid/matron of honor in planning bridal shower.
  
  
• Assist bride with errands and addressing invitations.
  
  
• Participate in all pre-wedding parties.
  
  
• Arrive at dressing site 2 hours before ceremony.
  
  
• Arrive dressed at ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for photographs.
  
  
• Walk behind ushers in order of height during the processional, either in pairs or in single file.
  
  
• Sit next to ushers at the head table.
  
  
• Dance with ushers and other important guests.
  
  
• Encourage single women to participate in the bouquet-tossing ceremony.
  
  

*** Ushers ***

• Help best man with bachelor party.
  
  
• Arrive dressed at ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for photographs.
  
  
• Distribute wedding programs and maps to the reception as guests arrive.
  
  
• Seat guests at the ceremony as follows:
  
  
  • If female, offer the right arm.
  • If male, walk along his left side.
  • If couple, offer right arm to female; male follows a step or two behind.
  • Seat bride's guests in left pews.
  • Seat groom's guests in right pews.
  • Maintain equal number of guests in left and right pews, if possible.
  • Should a group of guests arrive at the same time, seat the eldest woman first.
  • Just prior to the processional, escort groom's mother to her seat; then escort bride's mother to her seat
  
  
  
• Two ushers may roll carpet down the aisle after both mothers are seated.
  
  
• If pew ribbons are used, two ushers may loosen them one row at a time after the ceremony.
  
  
• Direct guests to the reception site.
  
  
• Dance with bridesmaids and other important guests.
  
  

*** Bride's Mother ***

• Helps prepare guest list for bride and her family.
  
  
• Helps plan the wedding ceremony and reception.
  
  
• Helps bride select her bridal gown.
  
  
• Helps bride keep track of gifts received.
  
  
• Selects her own attire according to the formality and color of the wedding.
  
  
• Makes accommodations for bride's out of town guests.
  
  
• Arrives dressed at ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for photographs.
  
  
• Is the last person to be seated right before the processional begins.
  
  
• Sits in the left front pew to the left of bride's father during the ceremony.
  
  
• May stand up to signal the start of the processional.
  
  
• Can witness the signing of the marriage license.
  
  
• Dances with the groom after the first dance.
  
  
• Acts as hostess at the reception.
  
  

*** Bride's Father ***

• Helps prepare guest list for bride and her family.
  
  
• Selects attire that complements groom's attire.
  
  
• Rides to the ceremony with bride in limousine.
  
  
• Arrives dressed at ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for photographs.
  
  
• After giving bride away, sits in the left front pew to the right of bride's mother. If divorced, sits in second or third row unless financing the wedding.
  
  
• When officiant asks, "Who gives this bride away?" answers, "Her mother and I do" or something similar.
  
  
• Can witness the signing of the marriage license.
  
  
• Dances with bride after first dance.
  
  
• Acts as host at the reception.
  
  

*** Groom's Mother ***

• Helps prepare guest list for groom and his family.
  
  
• Selects attire that complements mother of the bride's attire.
  
  
• Makes accommodations for groom's out-of-town guests.
  
  
• With groom's father, plans rehearsal dinner.
  
  
• Arrives dressed at ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for photographs.
  
  
• May stand up to signal the start of the processional.
  
  
• Can witness the signing of the marriage license.
  
  

*** Groom's Father ***

• Helps prepare guest list for groom and his family.
  
  
• Selects attire that complements groom's attire.
  
  
• With groom's mother, plans rehearsal dinner.
  
  
• Offers toast to bride at rehearsal dinner.
  
  
• Arrives dressed at ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for photographs.
  
  
• Can witness the signing of the marriage license.
  
  

*** Flower Girl ***

• Usually between the ages of four and eight.
  
  
• Attends rehearsal to practice her role but is not required to attend pre-wedding parties.
  
  
• Arrives dressed at ceremony site 45 minutes before the wedding for photographs.
  
  
• Carries a basket filled with loose rose petals to strew along bride's path during processional, if allowed by ceremony site.
  
  
• If very young, may sit with her parents during ceremony.
  
  

*** Ring Bearer ***

• Usually between the ages of four and eight.
  
  
• Attends rehearsal to practice his role but is not required to attend pre-wedding parties.
  
  
• Arrives at ceremony site 45 minutes before the wedding for photographs.
  
  
• Carries a white pillow with rings attached. If younger than 7 years, carries artificial rings.
  
  
• If very young, may sit with his parents during ceremony.
  
  
• After the ceremony, carries ring pillow upside down so artificial rings will not show.