Congratulations! Your friends are getting married and they have asked you be a part of their big day! It is an honor to stand among the couple when they say “I do,” and it will provide you with wonderful memories to last a lifetime. However, there are quite a few wedding party responsibilities that come along with dancing the night away beside the new Mr. and Mrs.
This post is designed to walk you through your duties from the moment the couple pops the question to you, to the end of the reception. Let’s get right to it!
WHAT ARE MY WEDDING PARTY RESPONSIBILITIES?
Bridesmaids
As a friend or relative of the bride, the next few months will be a whirlwind of dresses, invitations, places-to-be and things to do. There is also a financial responsibility. Please don’t feel obligated to say “yes.” Being a part of the bridal party can cost anywhere from $500-2,000 and up! If you cannot make that financial commitment, be honest with the bride. She and her bridesmaids will all appreciate your honesty.
The list below will help you understand the wedding party responsibilities as a bridesmaid:
- Assist the Maid of Honor where needed throughout the process.
- Attend the bridesmaids’ dress appointments to pick out your dress and have any alterations made.
- Attend the bridal gown appointment; only if invited by the bride.
- Plan and attend the Bridal Shower with Maid/Matron of Honor.
- Split the cost with Maid/Matron of Honor.
- Attend and participate in the Bachelorette Party.
- Split the costs with the Maid/Matron of Honor.
- Attend the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, traditionally the night before the ceremony.
- On the wedding day, spend the day with the bride getting ready.
- Pay for hair and make-up, if needed.
- Prepare to stay after the ceremony for pictures and to make your grand entrance into the reception.
Maid/Matron of Honor
Lucky you! This term was traditionally used to refer to the female attendant of the Queen; we’re sure that you will make your best friend feel just like a queen on her big day. In addition to the above tasks, you have some extra duties on your plate. They include:
- Assist in the planning process when bride needs help, and attend any appointments she may need you to.
- Organize and research the Bachelorette Party festivities.
- Order Bachelorette Party goodies (shirts, hangover kits, etc.)
- Organize/head up Bridal Shower
- Track money spent to split among bridesmaids after the shower.
- Attend the final dress fitting to learn how to bustle the bride’s gown.
- Gather items to create mini day-of emergency kit (lip gloss, napkins, Advil, bobbypins, etc.)
- Write the perfect Maid of Honor speech.
- Listen to and keep track of time on the wedding day.
Groomsmen
Most men make the assumption that being in the wedding of your best bro is a piece of wedding cake. It will be simple compared to the long list that the Maid/Matron of Honor and Bridesmaids have to do, but there are still things to do. Your wedding party responsibilities are as follows:
- Attend the Bachelor Party.
- Split the cost of the Bachelor Party with the Best Man.
- Order and pay for your attire in a timely fashion.
- Attend the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, traditionally the night before the wedding.
- Prepare to stay after the ceremony for pictures and to make your grand entrance into the reception.
Best Man
It’s all on you! The Groom will lean on you to help keep the men in check leading up to the ceremony. In addition to the items above, don’t forget to:
- Organize and research theBachelor Party.
- Track money spent for the Bachelor Party to split among the groomsmen.
- Help pick out the tux, if asked by the Groom.
- Keep groomsmen informed of upcoming costs and deadlines (a.k.a, when to have the tux/suit ordered by).
- Bring a flask for the wedding day filled with the groom’s spirit of choice.
- Prepare a speech for the wedding day (you don’t want to end up on YouTube as #WorstSpeechEver).
- Make sure the wedding bands (bride’s and groom’s) get to the ceremony.
- Listen to and keep track of time on the wedding day.
Ushers
The role of the ushers can be filled by the Groomsmen. However, if you’re solely an usher, here are your wedding party responsibilities:
- Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, traditionally the night before the wedding.
- Hand out programs to guests as they arrive to ceremony.
- Escort guests to their seats. Traditionally, the bride’s family and friends are seated on the left and the groom’s friends and family are seated on the right.
- Be patient and wait for photos after the ceremony to see if the bride would like any of your smiling face.
Ring Bearer and Flower Girl
To the parents of the Ring Bearer and Flower Girl, we didn’t forget about your sweet little one! Attire is crucial. Make sure the Ring Bearer and Flower Girl both have approved outfits that are paid for and ready for the ceremony. The Flower Girl additionally will need her hair done or paid for. Tasks are focused around day-of and include:
Ring Bearer:
- Walk the rings down the aisle, unless they are with the Best Man.
- Attend ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, traditionally the night before the ceremony.
- Arrive early to the wedding, and get the rings from the Best Man, if necessary.
- Be patient and wait for photos after the ceremony and to make your grand entrance into the reception.
Flower Girl:
- Attend the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, traditionally the night before the ceremony.
- Arrive early to the wedding.
- Be patient and wait for photos after the ceremony and to make your grand entrance into the reception.
Regardless of your wedding party responsibilities, being included in a wedding is an exciting experience! The Bride and Groom have hand selected you to play a role in the biggest day of their lives so far, and it should be fun for everyone. Remember to be selfless and to always approach tasks with love for the happy couple. Now you know what to do to make the wedding process seamless and fun for everyone involved.