Wedding Party Responsibilities

Wedding Party Responsibilities

By Anna Lynn Sibal

A wedding party is not necessarily always synonymous with the reception, which is the celebration that happens after the wedding ceremony. It also refers to the people who make up the close circle surrounding the bride and the groom. These people share a special bond with the couple to be married, and they also have special roles to play not just on the wedding day itself but on the days leading to that happy event.

What responsibilities do each members of the wedding party have?
Here is an overview:

Father of the bride. On the day of his daughte's wedding, the father of the bride is the one to escort her down the aisle and give her away to her groom. He is also the one who traditionally pays for the wedding. Not only that, he also handles the logistics of the affair, such as picking up out-of-town guests from the airport, coordinating directions to church and reception venue, and giving tips to the wait staff. He also gives various toasts during the reception and dances the traditional father-daughter dance.

Father of the groom. In olden days, the only responsibility of the father of the groom is to show up at his son's wedding. However, these days, he is counted upon to pay for the rehearsal dinner and other incidental expenses. He can also offer support to the father of the bride whenever needed.

Mother of the bride. The mother of the bride is the bride's chief advisor and moral support. She can also act as the wedding planner and coordinator, as well as the resource for any family traditions that the bride may want to uphold during the wedding. She is also expected to play the role of the hostess during the wedding reception.

Mother of the groom. The groom’s mother can help the bride's mother undertake any of her responsibilities. Her primary responsibility, however, is to play the diplomat between the two families so everything will run smoothly and without conflict.

Maid/matron of honor. As the bride's best friend, the maid or matron of honor serves as the bride's right-hand person in preparing for the wedding. She is the confidant who is expected to give a second opinion on various details of the wedding preparations. She is also expected to host a bridal shower.

Hours before the wedding, the maid or matron of honor is supposed to help the bride get dressed. During the wedding ceremony, she keeps the groom's ring before the bride puts it on his finger, arranges the bride's train and veil, holds the bride’s bouquet, and takes care of the signing of the marriage license. During the reception, she helps the mother of the bride with hosting duties.

Best man. The best man is the maid of honor's counterpart on the groom's side. He is the groom’s confidant and chief helper in all his duties regarding the wedding. He would also be expected to host the groom’s bachelor party.

Just like the maid of honor, the best man is supposed to help the groom get dressed on the day of the wedding. He also stands by the groom as he waits for his bride to arrive. He holds the bride's ring in his keeping until the groom puts it on her finger. He also helps the maid of honor with the signing of the marriage license. During the reception, he offers toasts.

Bridesmaids. They are not just gaily dressed ladies trooping down the aisle before the bride. They serve as the maid of honor's assistants in carrying out tasks during the wedding preparation, such as confirming RSVPs, doing shopping chores and carrying the bridal emergency kit during the day itself. They should also keep the reception lively.

Groomsmen. These dashing young men act as escorts to the bridesmaids as well as ushers during the ceremony and reception. They also take on the responsibility of decorating the bridal car, as well as dancing with the dateless ladies during the reception.

Flower girls. These little girls, with ages anywhere between three and eight, are charged with scattering flower petals before the bride’s path down the aisle. In case the church does not allow showering petals on the floor, they march down the aisle with little baskets or posies of flowers.

Ring bearer. This little boy, aged between three and eight, strolls down the aisle before the flower girls bearing a small pillow with fake rings attached to them.

Pages. If the bride is wearing a long train, these pages are to help carry the train for her. These pages are little boys or girls with ages between four and eight.