How To Get Your Wedding Party To Multitask

The wedding party is a group of people selected by the couple to be part of the wedding ceremony, plan pre-wedding events, and provide support ahead of their special day. While the wedding party is typically made up of close friends and family members, there are no rules that need to be followed. The wedding party can be as big or as small as the couple chooses, and roles can be mixed and matched or omitted entirely. For example, it is common for groomsmen to do double duty as ushers, leaving their posts in time to join the rest of the bridal party.

Groomsmen as ushers

The most traditional role of the usher is to guide or escort guests to their seats at the wedding ceremony. They may also be asked to:

• Attend a suit fitting
• Go on the stag do or bachelor party
• Organise a groom's party gathering
• Make a toast to the couple
• Be available for last-minute favours, such as helping the best man or setting up the venue
• Get ready with the groom
• Welcome guests to the venue
• Address latecomers
• Show guests out of the ceremony
• Escort the bridesmaids out of the ceremony
• Round up guests for photographs
• Seat guests at the wedding breakfast
• Get the party started
• Return hired clothing and visit the dry cleaners

Ushers may also be asked to act as parking attendants, especially at bigger weddings or ceremonies with difficult parking situations.

Groomsmen doing double duty as ushers can leave their posts to join the rest of the bridal party in time for the processional down the aisle.

Maid of honour: bride's right-hand person

Maid of Honour: The Bride's Right-Hand Person

The maid of honour is the bride's closest friend or family member, often a childhood friend or sister. She is the bride's right-hand person throughout the wedding planning process, providing emotional and planning support. The role can be demanding, but it is also a privilege and an honour.

Duties Before the Wedding

The maid of honour has several duties in the lead-up to the wedding, including:

• Organising the engagement party and bridal shower
• Helping the bride choose her wedding dress and the bridesmaids' dresses
• Planning the hen party
• Providing emotional support to the bride
• Finalising details with vendors and guests
• Organising the bridesmaids and keeping them informed

Duties on the Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding, the maid of honour's duties include:

• Helping the bride get ready, including assisting with hair, makeup, and dressing
• Acting as a point of contact for vendors and guests
• Holding the bride's bouquet during the ceremony
• Signing the marriage license as a witness
• Bustling the bride's train
• Fielding questions from guests
• Ensuring the bride stays calm and has food and water
• Giving a speech
• Clearing the wedding suite

Duties After the Wedding

After the wedding, the maid of honour may be asked to:

• Return hired clothes and wedding decorations
• Help with thank-you notes

The maid of honour is an integral part of the wedding planning process and plays a key role in supporting the bride before, during, and after the wedding. She is the bride's trusted confidant and helper, ensuring that the day runs smoothly and that the bride has a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Best man: groom's personal aide

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and acts as his personal aide and advisor through all stages of wedding planning. Here are some duties and responsibilities that the best man can take on to ensure the groom's big day goes smoothly:

Before the Wedding

• Lead the Groomsmen: The best man is the leader of the groomsmen and is in charge of all communication and activities. This includes introducing the groomsmen to each other and keeping them on schedule.
• Plan the Bachelor Party: The best man is responsible for organizing the bachelor party with the help of the other groomsmen. It's important to consult with the groom to plan a celebration that aligns with his wishes.
• Coordinate the Groom's Gift: If the groomsmen decide to get a group gift for the groom, the best man often leads this effort by collecting money and choosing the gift.
• Provide Emotional Support: The best man should be a supportive friend to the groom throughout the wedding planning process, listening to any concerns and helping to keep him focused and calm.
• Attend Pre-Wedding Events: The best man should be present at pre-wedding events such as the engagement party, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner. They may also give a small toast during the rehearsal dinner.
• Shop for Formalwear: The best man assists the groom and groomsmen in choosing and ordering their formalwear, including suits or tuxedos, neckties or bow ties, and any necessary alterations.

During the Wedding

• Keep the Groom and Groomsmen on Schedule: The best man helps ensure that the groom and groomsmen arrive on time and are in the right place at the right time throughout the wedding day.
• Hold the Wedding Rings: The best man is often entrusted with safely keeping the wedding rings until the ring exchange during the ceremony.
• Stand Next to the Groom: During the ceremony, the best man traditionally stands next to the groom, showing their support and love.
• Sign the Marriage License: The best man and maid of honor usually act as witnesses and sign the marriage license after the ceremony.
• Deliver Officiant's Payment: The best man may be tasked with ensuring the wedding officiant receives their payment after the ceremony.

After the Wedding/During the Reception

• Give the Best Man Speech: One of the most important responsibilities of the best man is delivering a well-crafted speech during the reception, focusing on the newlyweds and their love story.
• Decorate the Getaway Car: The best man and groomsmen traditionally have fun decorating the couple's getaway car with cans, streamers, etc.
• Organize and Safekeep Gifts: The best man helps collect and organize the wedding gifts, ensuring they are kept in a safe location until the couple returns from their honeymoon.
• Hand Out Vendor Tips: The best man may be asked to distribute tips to vendors after the reception, ensuring that the correct amounts are given to the right people.
• Ensure Groomsmen Return Rented Attire: If the groomsmen rented their attire, the best man should make sure that all rentals are returned on time to avoid late fees.

The best man has a crucial role in supporting the groom and ensuring that the wedding runs smoothly. By taking on these duties, the best man can make a significant contribution to the success of the wedding day.

Bridesmaids: support team for the maid of honour

Bridesmaids are the bride's support team and the right-hand crew of the maid of honour. They are usually the bride's trustworthy pals and family members.

Bridesmaids are expected to help the maid of honour with pre-wedding tasks such as addressing invites, making bridal shower favours, and planning the bachelorette party. They are also expected to keep the dance floor running and play co-hostesses to guests.

• Help the maid of honour with her duties, such as planning bridal showers, engagement parties, and rehearsal dinners.
• Assist the bride in getting ready on the wedding day, including helping her with her dress and making sure she eats and drinks.
• Hold the bride's bouquet during the ceremony.
• Keep the bridal suite clean.
• Assist the mother of the bride with her hair and makeup, and provide her with water, snacks, and sips of champagne.
• Lend a hand with DIY projects, such as addressing wedding invitations or making centrepieces or favours.
• Prepare a speech for the reception.
• Offer to pack for the honeymoon.

Groomsmen: support team for the groom

Groomsmen are the groom's support team and are usually his closest friends and family members. They are responsible for a variety of tasks before, during, and after the wedding. Here is a detailed breakdown of their duties:

Pre-Wedding Duties:

• Groomsmen should help the groom pick out the perfect engagement ring.
• They are in charge of purchasing or renting their wedding attire and are expected to do so in a timely manner to avoid last-minute stress.
• Groomsmen play a crucial role in planning the bachelor party, often led by the best man. They may be responsible for booking accommodations, creating an itinerary, and chipping in for the groom's expenses.
• Attending pre-wedding events such as the engagement party, rehearsal dinner, and bachelor party is essential for groomsmen to show their support for the couple.
• Groomsmen are expected to bring a thoughtful wedding gift for the couple, preferably something from their registry.
• They should also book their travel and hotel accommodations early, especially for destination weddings, and preferably within the reserved hotel blocks.
• Groomsmen may be tasked with decorating the getaway car for the couple's departure.

Wedding Day Duties:

• One of the main duties of groomsmen is to keep the groom calm and relaxed before the wedding.
• They get ready with the groom, sharing a toast and capturing memorable photos.
• Groomsmen should be prepared to help guests find their seats, especially if there are no designated ushers.
• They know the venue well, including important locations like bathrooms, coat check, and where to place cards and gifts.
• Groomsmen stand by the groom during the ceremony, providing emotional support and cheering him on.
• They participate in group photos and are expected to be good sports, even with cheesy poses.
• Groomsmen may be introduced with the bridesmaids at the reception and are usually the first to dance after the newlyweds and their parents.
• They ensure the couple is properly sent off to their hotel or honeymoon and may stick around to ensure vendors are paid and important items are collected.

Post-Wedding Duties:

• Groomsmen may be asked to give a speech at the rehearsal dinner or reception, although this is typically reserved for the best man.
• They can offer transportation to the airport for out-of-town guests.
• Returning rented formalwear promptly is essential, as some companies have strict next-day return policies.
• Groomsmen can also help with cleaning up and breaking down the venue and offering to take gifts or other items back to the couple's home.

In summary, groomsmen play a vital role in supporting the groom and ensuring the wedding runs smoothly. They are expected to be reliable, positive, and proactive in fulfilling their duties before, during, and after the big day.

Frequently asked questions