Your bridal party has to
be involved with special tasks and responsibilities. Go with your heart
to choose them, but choose them carefully.
Bride's Attendants
Maid of Honor:
The maid of honor will assists the bride with pre-wedding tasks, like
addressing invitations, recording and displaying wedding gifts,
escorting the bride in shopping etc.
If the maid of honor is not a member of the bride's family, she usually
arranges for, or gives a shower for the bride.
The maid of hour will helps in the coordination of fittings for
bridesmaids.
On the wedding day, the maid of honor will assists the bride at home,
checks that each bridesmaid is properly dressed, has her bouquet and is
settle for the transportation to the ceremony and reception.
The maid of honor takes precedence at the ceremony, holding a bouquet
provided by the bride, helping with the bride to adjust her veil,
arranges the train when she turns, and holds her bouquet as needed. She
may sign the marriage certificate as a witness if required. She stands
next to the couple in the receiving line, sits on the groom's left at
the bridal table and stays alert to the bride's needs during all the
reception period.
The maid of honor helps the bride to change into her going-away costume
if necessary.
She makes sure all the guests have signed the guest book. She takes care
of the gown after the wedding.
The maid of honor also may have to list the gifts or money received
during the reception, move the gifts to the newlywed's home, or deposit
money and checks in the bank. She brings back home wedding accessories
(guest book, cake ornament, knife, special champagne flutes, extra cake
or wine, telegrams etc.).
Bridesmaids:
If the maid of honor cannot arrange it, any bridesmaids may give
showers. They are also invited to all pre-wedding parties.
The bridesmaids may have to pick up their bouquets (provided by the
bride) or participate at a pre-wedding photograph session at the bride's
house.
The bridesmaids will have to be part of the bridal processional and
recessional. One of them may be charged to keep an eye on the flower
girl.
If the bride desires, they may stand in the receiving line or act as
hostesses, circulating among the guests.
The bridesmaids sit at the bride's table.
During the bouquet ceremony, they should encourage single women to
participate.
The bridesmaids should be the last to leave the reception site, making
sure everything is clean and tidy, and they help to transport the gifts
and accessories.
Flower Girl:
The flower girl is often a young relative of the bride, between 3 and 7
years old.
The flower girl's parents are responsible for making sure she gets a
good night's sleep before the ceremony. They should also be invited to
the ceremony.
Traditionally, the flower girl carries a basket of flowers, provided by
the bride, and walks directly before the bride in the processional. Then
she can quietly sit in the first pew or stand next to the maid of honor.
For the recessional, she walks behind the couple with the ring bearer.
The flower girl does not stand in the receiving line and sits with her
family at the reception.
Ring Bearer:
The ring bearer parents are responsible for his attire, except for the
cushion. They make sure that he gets a good night's sleep.
The ring bearer is usually a young man between 3 and 7 years old and he
carries the ring attached on a cushion. The best man takes it from the
cushion at the proper moment. He can sit if he wants after that.
He does not stand in the receiving line and sits with his family at the
reception.
Train Bearers and Pages:
They always come in pairs and are needed only if there is a cathedral
train. They carry the train during the processional and recessional.
Bride's Mother:
Traditionally she is responsible for the guest's list, with the help of
the bride, the groom and the groom's parents. She helps to plan the
details of the ceremony and reception.
The bride’s mother helps to select the wedding gown, keeps track of the
gifts, and displays them in her house (if the maid of honor can't).
She also selects her dress and informs the groom's mother of her choice.
The bride's mother is the official hostess. She is the last person to be
seated in the ceremony, and the first to be escorted after the
recessional. She greets the guests at the head of the receiving line.
The bride’s mother sits at the bride's table or at the parent's table.
Bride's Father:
He may get involved in many situations to help.
Many brides still ask their father for the traditional benediction
before their wedding.
The bride’s father rides to the ceremony with the bride in the limousine
and waits in the vestibule with her. Then he offers his left arm to his
daughter, escorts her to the altar, and sits in the first pew, next to
his wife.
He usually stands in the receiving line beside his wife. Some prefer to
circulate between the guests. He could make a toast to the newlyweds or
a welcoming speech. He keeps an eye on the bar and champagne supply and
makes sure that everything is well managed.
The bride’s father joins the wedding couple during the first dance and
he leaves the reception last, after bidding all guests good-bye.
Groom's Attendants
Best Man:
The best man relieves the groom of as many details and of as much
responsibilities as possible in the wedding planning process.
He makes a presentation to the groom at the rehearsal dinner. He is the
chief of staff at the wedding.
The best man may sign the marriage license as a witness.
He is responsible for the wedding rings at the ceremony.
The best man has the envelopes to pay the clergy person's fees and
various services throughout the day, so the groom does not have to think
about that. He makes sure that the ushers are there on time, have their
boutonnières and gloves.
At the ceremony, the best man enters the chapel from the vestry,
(another procedure may be suggested by the Officiant), immediately after
the groom and stand behind him, slightly to his right, a convenient
position to give the wedding ring.
For the recessional, he walks with the maid of honor.
The best man helps the couple to get into the car.
Still being attentive on the needs of the couple while he is in the
receiving line, the best man mingles with the guests until the bridal
party sits down at the bridal table.
The best man sits on the bride's right and he is responsible to make the
first toast to the bride and groom, when everybody has been served with
champagne or wine.
The best man can assume the role of master of ceremony if there is none.
He reads telegrams and letters that come in.
After the groom, the father and the father-in-law, he is the next one to
dance with the bride. He may also ask for the maid of honor, during the
traditional first dance.
The best man ensures that the reception goes as planned unless there is
another wedding coordinator.
He helps the groom change into his going-away clothes and escorts the
couple after the reception. He may arrange the transportation, or drive
the couple himself to where they have planned to go. (Their luggage
should have been placed in the car before the wedding.) If he doesn't
drive the couple, he stays until the end of the reception to help the
maid of honour in her task.
The first business day after the wedding, he should return the groom's
rental clothes to the formalwear store.
Ushers:
They attend the bachelor dinner or arrange it themselves. They help to
prepare last minute decorations for the ceremony. They are responsible
of the assignment of the guests at the church. They should arrive at the
place of ceremony at least 45 minutes before, to plan duties. They also
have to escort the immediate family members to their places. They wear
gloves.
Seating Guests:
The bride's family and friends are seated on the left side of the aisle
(facing the altar). The right side is reserved for the groom's family
and friends.
Eldest women should be escorted first. If one family has many more
guests than the other, everyone may sit together to fill up the empty
seats on one side.
Reserved Pews:
Certain rows of pews will be reserved for family members or special
guests. Parents sit in the first pews on their respective side.
Grandparents sit in the second pews. You may reserve more pew is parents
are divorced and do not sit together or if you have special guests.
These pews are marked with flowers or ribbons. Seat all other guests
from front to back as they enter the church.
The mother of the groom is seated about five minutes before the mother
of the bride. She is escorted by the usher and her husband follows. When
the mother of the bride is seated, it is a signal that the processional
is about to begin. No guests are seated after the bride's mother is in
place.
After those duties are completed, the ushers go to the back of the
church to lead the processional. After the recessional, two ushers will
loosen the pew ribbons (if used) then pause at the side of each,
signaling guests to file out row by row, from front to back.
All the ushers should be prepared to direct guests to parking, restrooms
or the reception site. They will also help elderly or disabled guests.
They get any wedding party belongings left before leaving the site of
the ceremony. The ushers do not stand in the receiving line, but they
are seated at the bridal table. They help seating the members of the two
families at the reception.
The photographer may need one of them to join the people he wants in a
picture. The ushers are alert to potential problems and are there to
help in any case.
They can also propose toasts for the bride and groom, and dance with the
bridesmaids during the first dance. At the end of the reception, they
help the bridesmaids transporting the gifts and making sure the site is
clean.
Groom's Parents:
The groom’s parents are considered co-hosts of the wedding. They have to
contact the bride's parents and arrange a meeting with them. It could be
a pleasant meal together at home or in a restaurant.
They may host an engagement party (after the bride's family first hosts
one) to introduce the bride to their family and friends.
The groom’s parents helps to fill the guests list.
They are invited to all pre-wedding parties and hosts the rehearsal
dinner.
They arrive to the ceremony site fifteen minutes before the scheduled
starting time. The groom's mother stands third in the receiving line,
after the bride's father, if he takes part of the line; the father may
stand on her side or mingle with guests.
The groom's parents sit at the bridal table or at the parents' table.
During the first dance, they might be invited to dance with the
newlyweds.
Both parents stand near the door for good-byes.
The procession:
After all guests have
been seated, the Groom’s Mother is escorted to the front row on the
right side of the church or area set-up for the ceremony. This is
ordinarily done by an usher, but can also be done by the groom’s father.
The Bride’s Mother then follows, escorted by an usher, who delivers her
to her place in the front row on the left side of the church or area
set-up for the ceremony.
Next, the Groom followed immediately by his Best Man, takes his place at
the front of the church or focal point on the right. The groom and best
man turn and face the door or place from which the bride will enter.
The parents of the futures spouses may choose to enter the room (or the
church) with the entire guest. The groom and his best man may also
choose to stand in the front of the room a few minutes before the
ceremony along with the Officiant. In these cases, neither the parents,
the groom nor the best man will walk down the aisle.
Now the music selected for the processional is started.
The Bride’s Maids begin their procession, and take their place on the
left at the front, leaving room for the maid of honor and the bride
herself. The Groom’s Maids begin their procession at the same time.
Bride’s Maids and Groom’s Maid enter two by two as a couple.
Following the bride’s maids, the Maid of Honor will enter, taking her
place to the right of the bride’s maids and leaving room for the bride
at the center of the aisle.
The maid of honor is followed by the Ring-Bearer, who has the actual
rings for the ceremony, normally carried on a pillow.
Next, the Flower Girl or girls enter, who scatter the aisle with flowers
for the bride to walk on enter. They proceed down the aisle and take
their place on the left side of the bride’s maids.
Now everyone is prepared for the Bride’s entrance. She is escorted down
the aisle on her father’s left arm (if your catholic) or on her
father’s right arm (if your protestant or Jewish) who then,
traditionally kisses her farewell once in the front. Her father then
takes his place beside the bride’s mother and the ceremony begins!
The recession:
After the minister has pronounced the couple husband and wife then the
Bride and Groom will sign the register and will walk down the aisle
first.
Next the Flower Girl and Ring Bearer will depart and proceed down the
aisle. If the Flower Gils and the Ring Bearer are young children they
might instead sit with their parents after the processional and leave
only with them.
The Maid of Honor and the Best Man will follow next.
Followed by the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen who will walk down the aisle
in pairs.
The Mother of the Bride then follows, escorted by the Bride’s Father.
The Mother of the Groom follows, escorted by the Groom’s Father.
Last, the remaining Family Members will depart and other guests. The
Bride, Groom, Attendants and Family will normally form a Receiving Line,
either outside the church or at another location of choice.
Resume
Protestant and Jewish Procession:
May be use in very traditional wedding:
The Officiant
The groom mother with an usher or with the groom’s father
The bride’s mother with an usher
The Groom
The Best man
The bride’s maids and the Groom’s men as a couple
The Maid of honor
The ring bearer
The flowers girls
The Bride on her father’s left arm (catholic) or right arm (protestant
and Jewish)
Recession
The bride and groom
The flowers girls
The ring bearer
The maid of honour and the best man as a couple
The bride’s maids and de groom men as a couple
The mother and father of the bride
The mother and father of the groom
The rest of the family and friends
Resume
Informal wedding:
The Officiant, the groom and the best man take place at the front of the
church or focal point on the right
The bride’s maids and the Groom’s men as a couple
The Maid of honor
The ring bearer
The flowers girls
The Bride on her father’s left arm (catholic) or right arm (protestant
and Jewish)
Recession:
The bride and groom
The flowers girls
The ring bearer
The maid of honor and the best man as a couple
The bride’s maids and de groom men as a couple
The mother and father of the bride
The mother and father of the groom
The rest of the family and
friends
 
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