Bridal Party Roles

From LoveToKnow Weddings

Do you know the different bridal party roles? If you’ve ever been to a wedding, you’re sure to have noticed the bride isn’t the only one to walk down the aisle. Her entrance is usually preceded by the wedding party. Who are all of these people and what are they doing there? Read on for a description of wedding party roles.

The bridal party has many practical functions.

Bridal Party Roles

Maid of Honor

The Maid of Honor is someone very special to the bride. The person entrusted with this most important title is generally a sister or very close friend. In other words, someone who the bride knows is equal to the task. Duties of the Maid of Honor include

Accompanying the bride on shopping trips, especially when choosing a dress or veil
Throwing the bridal shower if a family member is not already doing so
Helping the bride to write out and address invitations, place cards, and other handwritten correspondence
Coordinating the bridal gift given by the bridal party
Accompanying the bride to the hairdresser or manicurist before the wedding
Helping the bride to dress before the wedding
Participating in the wedding processional
Holding the groom’s wedding ring
Helping to make sure the bride’s dress is positioned correctly throughout the ceremony
Holding the bride’s flowers
Participating in the receiving line
Helping with the bustle
Witnessing the marriage by signing the wedding certificate
Dances with the best man at the wedding reception

Best Man

The Best Man is also someone special. He’s close to the groom, perhaps a trusted brother or best friend. His tasks include:

Organizing the bachelor party
Coordinating the couple’s gift from the groomsmen
Assisting the groom in choosing his tuxedo
Helping the groom to dress before the wedding
Holding the bride’s wedding ring
Witnessing the marriage by signing the wedding certificate
Participating in the receiving line
Toasting the happy couple at the wedding reception
Dancing with the Maid of Honor at the wedding reception
Returning the grooms tuxedo to the rental location
Making sure the Happy Couple has transportation to the airport, hotel or honeymoon destination

The bridesmaids have many roles.

Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids are also entrusted with important tasks. Their roles include:

Attending the shower
Contributing to bridal gifts
Walking in the wedding processional
Participating in the receiving line
Dancing with groomsmen
Mingling with the wedding guests

Groomsmen

Groomsmen, or ushers, have tasks similar to that of the bridesmaids. They include:

Attending the bachelor party
Contributing to gifts for the groom
Seating wedding guests
Unrolling the wedding runner, if one is used
Walking in the wedding processional
Participating in the receiving line
Dancing with bridesmaids
Mingling with the wedding guests

Flower Girl

Because the flower girl is usually a very young child, not much is expected. The flower girl will usually carry a basket of flowers during the wedding processional and may even toss wedding petals on the ground to mark the bride’s entrance.

Ring Bearer

Like the flower girl, the ring bearer is generally a young child and isn’t entrusted with too much responsibility. In most cases he’ll walk next to the Flower Girl during the wedding processional while holding a pillow on which the wedding rings are sewn.

Bachelor Party Alternatives

Best Man Duty

Maid of Honor Duties

Throwing a Wedding Shower

Bridal Party Dresses

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