Wedding Chaos Unveiled

A wedding party is a group of people chosen by the couple to support and celebrate them throughout their journey from engagement to marriage. The wedding party is there to offer love and encouragement and help with the planning process. They also traditionally help the couple get ready on the day of the wedding and participate in the ceremony.

The bride's squad: Maid/Matron of Honour, Bridesmaids, Mother of the Bride

The maid/matron of honour is the bride's right-hand person and is usually a sibling or best friend. Their duties begin long before the wedding day and include supporting the bride, attending dress fittings, and planning the bachelorette party. On the day itself, they provide emotional support, help the bride get ready, and may give a speech at the reception.

The bridesmaids are close friends or relatives of the bride and are expected to plan and attend pre-wedding parties, as well as support the bride emotionally. They also help with wedding planning tasks and buy a wedding present. On the wedding day, they get ready with the bride, assist the maid of honour, and participate in the ceremony.

The mother of the bride is a source of support and planning advice for the bride. She may help research and scout venues, act as a point of contact for vendors, and provide input on the wedding dress and registry. She also assists with the guest list, seating chart, and creating the welcome bags for out-of-town guests. On the wedding day, she joins the bride as she gets ready and may walk her down the aisle. She greets guests, participates in the receiving line, and may give a speech at the reception.

The groom's crew: Best Man, Groomsmen, Father of the Groom

The grooms crew: Best Man, Groomsmen, Father of the Groom

The best man is the head of the groomsmen and is responsible for keeping them organised and informed. They are also in charge of planning the bachelor party and are often the ones to hold the wedding rings during the ceremony. The best man is usually a close friend or relative of the groom and is there to support and assist the groom in any way possible.

The best man's duties before the wedding include:

• Helping the groom and groomsmen choose and purchase wedding attire
• Planning the bachelor party
• Attending pre-wedding events such as the engagement party and rehearsal dinner
• Buying a wedding gift, either individually or as a group gift with the groomsmen
• Organising transportation for the wedding party

On the wedding day, the best man is responsible for:

• Helping the groom get ready and ensuring he eats and drinks enough
• Holding the wedding rings and any other important items, such as the groom's phone or wallet
• Welcoming guests and acting as a point of contact for the wedding party and guests
• Ensuring the groom and groomsmen are where they need to be at the right time
• Witnessing and signing the marriage license
• Giving a speech during the reception
• Decorating the getaway car

After the wedding, the best man may be asked to help with tasks such as:

• Collecting and transporting gifts to the couple's home
• Returning rented attire
• Checking in with vendors to ensure all expenses are paid

The groomsmen are the groom's attendants and are there to support him throughout the wedding planning process and on the day itself. They are usually the groom's closest friends and relatives.

Before the wedding, the groomsmen are expected to:

• Purchase or rent their wedding attire
• Attend pre-wedding events such as the engagement party, rehearsal dinner, and bachelor party
• Plan the bachelor party, often led by the best man
• Buy a wedding gift for the couple, either individually or as a group
• Book travel and accommodation, if necessary

On the day of the wedding, the groomsmen should:

• Arrive on time and help the groom get ready
• Offer moral support to the groom
• Usher guests to their seats, if needed
• Participate in wedding photos
• Give a speech, if asked
• Dance and mingle with guests at the reception

After the wedding, the groomsmen may be asked to help with:

• Cleaning up and breaking down the venue
• Offering rides to out-of-town guests
• Returning their formalwear

The father of the groom also has an important role to play in the wedding. They are often involved in the financial aspects of the wedding and may be included in the wedding party as a best man or groomsman.

Before the wedding, the father of the groom may:

• Host an engagement party, although this is not required
• Provide financial assistance for the wedding, including contributing to specific expenses such as the wedding ring for the bride, floral arrangements, and wedding reception entertainment
• Go attire shopping with the groom and groomsmen
• Offer moral support and assistance with wedding planning tasks
• Contribute to the honeymoon
• Plan and host the rehearsal dinner, including creating a guest list, booking vendors, and handling costs
• Give a speech at the rehearsal dinner, welcoming guests and toasting the couple

On the wedding day, the father of the groom's responsibilities include:

• Getting ready with the groom and groomsmen
• Walking down the aisle with the mother of the groom, or their spouse if they are divorced
• Participating in a receiving line, if there is one, to greet guests
• Dancing with the bride and their own spouse
• Giving a speech at the reception, if they didn't speak at the rehearsal dinner

The little helpers: Ring Bearer, Flower Girl, Page Boy

The ring bearer, flower girl, and page boy are all optional additions to your wedding party but are a lovely way to include children close to you in your special day. These roles are part of a long tradition that helps to add a magical quality to your wedding ceremony. Typically, these roles are carried out by young children between the ages of 3 and 12, though they can be as old as 16. This adds an element of unpredictability to your ceremony in terms of how they react and it is important to make them comfortable with their duties.

Ring Bearer

The ring bearer is responsible for bringing the wedding rings down the aisle for the ceremony. They usually come down the aisle before the flower girl or can escort the flower girl. The rings are often carried on a ring pillow or in a box. If your ring bearer is young, you may choose to use fake wedding rings and have the best man hold the real rings for safekeeping. The ring bearer is usually a boy, but girls can also take on this role.

Flower Girl

The flower girl usually comes down the aisle after the ring bearer and, in the past, would scatter rose petals on the aisle for the bride to walk on. However, with many venues expressing concern over the mess, modern alternatives include blowing bubbles, handing out lollies, or just walking down the aisle before the bride. The flower girl is traditionally dressed in a mini version of the bride's gown, but she can also wear a dress that matches the bridesmaids' attire.

Page Boy

Page boys traditionally help carry the bride's train to make sure nothing is tangled or stepped on. For this reason, page boys are generally older than ring bearers as some skill is needed to control the bride's train correctly. Alternatively, they can escort the flower girls, and the bride can have her bridesmaids help with her train. They are usually dressed in mini versions of whatever formal wear the groomsmen are wearing.

The hosts: Mother and Father of the Bride, Groom's Parents

The mother and father of the bride are traditionally the hosts of the wedding, and the wedding weekend. This means they are responsible for welcoming guests when they arrive and hosting events over the weekend, such as a welcome dinner, a round of golf, a spa day, and the post-wedding farewell brunch. They are also expected to make a speech at the reception, welcoming the groom and his family.

The mother of the bride has a long list of duties, including but not limited to:

• Helping to plan the wedding, especially if it is in the bride's hometown and she no longer lives there.
• Scouting wedding venues and researching vendors.
• Accompanying her daughter wedding dress shopping.
• Helping the bride get ready on the day and travelling with her to the ceremony.
• Walking the bride down the aisle, if the father is unable to.
• Sitting in the first pew at a Christian wedding and being the first to leave after the bridal party exits.
• Standing in the receiving line at the reception.
• Participating in the first dance sequence with the father of the bride.

The father of the bride also has a number of responsibilities, including:

• Paying for most of the wedding, though this tradition is becoming less common.
• Giving a speech at the reception.
• Wearing a suit or tux that complements the groom and groomsmen.
• Driving with the bride to the ceremony and offering words of support.
• Walking the bride down the aisle.

The groom's parents also have a role to play, though they are often less involved in the planning process. They are expected to host the rehearsal dinner and, in some cases, the engagement party. They also have financial responsibilities, including paying for the wedding rings, the officiant's fee, the marriage license, the groom's attire, and the honeymoon. The groom's mother may also host a bridal shower if the bride's family lives far away.

On the wedding day, the groom's parents walk down the aisle together and are seated in the front pew on the right side at a Christian wedding. They also stand in the receiving line with the newlyweds and the bride's parents. The groom's mother will share a dance with her son, and the groom's father may ask the bride for a dance.

The extras: Ushers, Officiant, Master of Ceremonies

Ushers

Ushers are a great addition to a wedding party, especially if you're looking to involve more family or friends on your big day. They are the first point of contact for guests, welcoming them to the wedding and helping to seat them before the ceremony.

Ushers are responsible for greeting guests, answering their questions, and ensuring a smooth flow of guests into the ceremony. They should be well-mannered, cheerful, and hospitable. They may also be tasked with handing out wedding programs and escorting guests to their seats, especially the elderly or those with disabilities.

The number of ushers can vary depending on the size of the wedding, with a common rule of thumb being one usher per 50 guests. Ushers should dress according to the formality of the wedding, typically wearing something similar to the groomsmen or a matching suit/dress.

Officiant

The wedding officiant plays a vital role in the ceremony by leading the proceedings and helping the couple craft meaningful vows. They are responsible for ensuring the wedding is legally recognised, including signing the marriage licence and witnessing the couple's consent.

Officiants work with the couple to personalise the ceremony, including selecting readings, music, and rituals. They may also provide premarital counselling and support. The officiant can be a religious leader, a civil officiant such as a judge or justice of the peace, or a professional officiant who is comfortable with religious and non-religious ceremonies.

Master of Ceremonies (MC)

The MC's role is to ensure the wedding reception runs smoothly and on time. They are the host and communicator, making announcements, introducing speakers, and keeping guests informed about the schedule of events. The MC also coordinates with event staff and handles any unexpected issues that may arise.

It is important for the MC to be organised, familiar with the schedule, and prepared with announcements. They should aim to create a positive and relaxed atmosphere, allowing the couple to enjoy their special day without worrying about practical concerns. The MC may also be involved in setting up before the reception and staying late to assist with any post-reception tasks.

Frequently asked questions