The Bridal Party

The bridal party is the group of people chosen to be part of the wedding. Each person has certain responsibilities. Before choosing people to be part of your wedding give consideration to their concerns. The role of the maid of honor and best man entail much responsibility including financial as well as time. Explain these to your friends before asking them to be part of your wedding.

The bridal party attends certain pre-wedding functions including the bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette parties and rehearsal dinner. They sit at the bridal table during the reception dinner, stand in the receiving line, dance the first dance with the couple and need to be available for photos throughout the day.

Maid of Honor

This is the most important of the bridesmaids. She is the assistant to the bride before and during the wedding.

Provides emotional support to the bride
Helps plan the bridal shower
Usually in charge of informing the other bridesmaids of activities such as dress fittings.
Keeps a record of the gifts received at the shower
Assists the bride in getting dressed
Makes sure the train and veil are arranged properly throughout the wedding
Signs the marriage license as a witness
Toasts the bride and groom (optional)
Dances the first dance with the best man
Pays for her dress, shoes and accessories and part of the expenses of the bridal shower and bachelorette party.

Bridesmaids

These are women friends or relatives of the bride chosen because they are close to the bride.

Helps the maid of honor plan the bridal shower
Assists the bride and bridesmaid when asked
Attends dress fittings
Attends and helps pay for the brachelorette party
Attends the wedding rehearsal and dinner
Walks down the aisle with a groomsman
Pays for her dress, shoes and accessories and may help with expenses of the bridal shower and bachelorette party.

Best Man

The best friend or brother of the groom, the best man is the assistant to the groom.

Helps coordinate the groomsmen for tuxedo fittings and assists the groom in returning his tuxedo after the wedding.
Plans the bachelor party
Assists the groom with anything necessary
Makes sure the groom is on time
Ensures that all the groomsmen are properly dressed and on time for the ceremony
Holds the wedding ring until asked during the ceremony
Signs the marriage license as a witness
Gives the officiant the envelope with their fees
Emcees the reception line and toasts the couple
Makes sure the car is ready when the bride and groom leave the reception
Pays for rental of his tuxedo and helps pay for the bachelor party

Ushers

Also known as groomsmen, these are friends or relatives of the groom. They help to seat guests at the church. A rule of thumb is to have at least one usher for every fifty guests. There should be a bridesmaid for each groomsman.

Attends fittings and picks up his attire as well as returns it after the wedding
Helps plan the bachelor party and may help to pay for it
Attends the wedding rehearsal and dinner
Arrives early to the church to seat guests
Is available throughout the day for photos
Is seated at the bridal table for dinner and dances with the bridesmaid during the first dance