The roles of attendants still hold their special place
in the planning and execution of a wedding!
I have always preferred the title “honor attendant,” because it should, indeed, be an honor to participate in the special event of loving friends or family. I also prefer the word responsibilities to the word “Duties,” because it too evokes a special commitment to fulfill a special role. To be an attendant means to attend to the bride. Every bride should choose her attendants with extreme care!
Delegate responsibilities carefully to those you trust, otherwise, you will miss your own wedding.
The Maid or Matron of Honor – Will tend to as many needs of the bride as possible. Her help and emotional support can make the day more stress-free for the prospective bride. It would be a good idea to let her know what your expectations are so that she can decide if her time is available to be there for you. If not delegate responsibilities to others you can depend on.
She may help the bride with details ranging from addressing envelopes to decorating, shopping, and making favors.
She often plans and throws a shower for the bride, alone or in conjunction with the bridesmaids.
She always has tissues at the bride’s disposal.
She is ready for a Touch-up for wedding photography C
She provides emotional support during all of the wedding-related events.
Attends the rehearsal and the accompanying rehearsal dinner
She holds the bridal bouquet during the ceremony.
She helps the bride get ready before and after the ceremony. She bustles up the train of the Bridal Gown and helps the bride get out of her dress before leaving for the Honeymoon.
Always watchful, she straightens the bride’s veil and trains at various times . . . including during the ceremony, as needed.
Goes down the aisle after the bridesmaids and before the Flower Girl.
Carries the rings the groom’s ring with her to the ceremony.
Acts as a legal witness to the signing of the marriage certificate
Takes a place in the receiving line at the reception
He contacts the concierge of the hotel & provides rose petals on the bed, scented candles & a bottle of iced Champaign with stem glasses.
He can carry cash for tips, etc.
The Brides Maids – Provide backup assistance to the matron or maid of honor and a support system for the bride before, during, and after the wedding. They help the maid or matron of honor in performing their responsibilities.
Assists in making the preparations for and shares the cost and responsibilities for a bridal shower.
They function as mini hostesses, mingling with and assisting the guests, at the reception. They can distribute bubbles or birdseed for greeting the couple as they are leaving the church.
Attends the rehearsal and accompanying dinner
Junior Bridesmaids – Ages 8-14 It allows an opportunity to include younger female relatives or daughters of special friends. They simply walk down the aisle and look fresh and young.
The Flower Girl – Ages 2 ½ -7 provides a natural tension breaker and “Announces” the bride. She and the Ring Bearer go down the aisle hand & hand just before the bride. It is important that the flower girl and ring bearer have practice on where to stand during the ceremony. You don’t want to have them unprepared.
She may carry a basket of flower petals down the aisle and scatter them as she walks.
She may hand individual flowers to guests with aisle seats.
The Ring Bearer– Ages 4-7 years provides a “foil” for the flower girl. He may walk down the aisle alone, carrying phony wedding rings on a satin pillow, or he may hold hands with the flower girl.
The Best Man – Tends to as many needs of the groom as possible. This list suggests just some of the responsibilities the best man can provide to make the day more stress-free for the prospective groom.
Provides emotional support and a presence during all the wedding events and assists the groom with all preparations. Assists with the arrangement of and shares the expenses of the Bachelor Party.
Attends the rehearsal and accompanying dinner
Helps the groom get ready and dress for the wedding.
Acts as timekeeper to make certain The Groomsmen –Ushers and the Groom arrive at the ceremony location at least one hour early. Takes charge of the ushers by briefing them on special seating arrangements and all their other duties.
Handles payment of the fee to the Wedding Officiant. ($100 or more cash in an envelope)
Acts as a witness for the Marriage License and holds it and the bride’s ring for safekeeping.
Prepares and proposes a toast in honor of the Bride and Groom.
Takes care of the couple’s luggage (brings it to the checkroom at the hotel or to the car or Limo, the couple will use for their Getaway. This is, of course, because the usually very prepared Groom is not himself.
The Groomsmen or Ushers– Provide backup assistance to the Best Man and a support system for the groom before, during, and after the wedding. Groomsmen and junior groomsmen may wait at the head of the aisle, with the best man, while the bridesmaids enter single file. Or, if you prefer for the Processional, the Groomsmen may walk down the aisle in pairs followed by the Bridesmaids coming down the aisle one at a time.
Assists with the arrangement of and shares the expenses of the Bachelor Party.
Attends the rehearsal and accompanying dinner
Arrives at the ceremony at least an hour in advance of the wedding.
Ushers’ family members and guests to their seats.
The Head Usher escorts the mothers of the bride and groom to their reserved seats. If you desire, Grandmothers can also be escorted to seats of honor with their grandfathers following behind them.
Hangs aisle ribbons or cording for reserved seating and rolls out the white bridal carpet. After the wedding ceremony, Ushers individually escort the bridesmaids down the aisle.
Makes and assists with travel and transportation arrangements to the reception for the bridal party and guests who haven’t their own transportation.
Helps the bride and groom make their “getaway” after the wedding and usually decorates the car. Flowers on the car are a nice touch. You can buy garlands to drape. Consider a stick-on sign. Be careful of permanent damage to the paint.
Junior Groomsmen – Ages 8-13 provide an opportunity to include younger male relatives and sons of close friends. Their responsibilities are simply to walk down the aisle looking handsome.
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