Country Jewell has compiled a list of traditional duties that each member of your wedding party is expected to handle. As with all of our wedding planning advice, this is simply a guideline of what is often done. Feel free to adjust it to meet your particular needs and the talents and personalities of the people in your wedding party.
The Happy Couple
Technically, you are the wedding couple rather than members of the wedding party, but you should see yourselves as the captains of "Team Wedding." You will be asking people to help you with certain tasks, but all final decisions are yours. Your "job" is to convey your wedding wishes in a way so that the ones assisting you know what is expected of them. Oh, and one more "job" for the happy couple: REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN!
Maid/Matron of Honor
This lovely lady is the bride's "2nd-in-command" over team wedding. (After the groom, of course!) She will be the one that you can call with questions, ideas, frustrations, and everything else. This is probably one of the people that knows you best, so she should be able to convey your wishes to others when you can't. For that reason, the maid of honor is the head bridesmaid, keeping the rest of the ladies in your wedding party on the same page.
Before the wedding, she will make sure that plans are made for pre-wedding events, like the bridal shower and bachelorette party. On the wedding day, her job is to make sure that you have everything that you need, get you where you are going on time, hold your bouquet during the ceremony, and make sure your train is straightened and beautiful after you come down the aisle. This is also one of the people that will sign your marriage license as a witness. She may be asked to make a toast at the reception, and possibly hold on to the groom's ring until you place it on his finger.
Bridesmaids
If your maid of honor cannot get to a task, one of these women can step up and handle it. They will all assist in the planning and executing of the bridal shower and bachelorette party, usually sharing the costs of throwing them. At the reception, they can take on a hostess role and offer answers and assistance to guests. Once the party gets started, these ladies can help to keep the crowd entertained and having fun all night long.
Best Man
This fella is the groom's "go-to-guy." Just as your maid of honor is your backup, this man is the groom's. He can help your future husband with any wedding planning tasks he takes on. He is the one to make sure all of the groomsmen know what is expected of them, and he can help to make sure they are all correctly fitted for their suits or tuxedos. The best man is usually in charge of planning the bachelor party too.
On wedding day, he needs to make sure that the groom gets to the church on time, and often is asked to hold the bride's ring until the ceremony, as well as the officiant's fee if it has not been collected before the wedding. He is the other witness to sign your marriage license, and is usually asked to give a toast at the reception. If the men's clothing is rented and needs to be returned, the best man is someone that can make sure that gets taken care of.
Groomsmen
These men make up the groom's team of helpers, led by the best man. They will assist with planning and executing the bachelor party, and they usually share the costs of throwing it. At the reception, they can help the bridesmaids keep the wedding guests entertained and having a great time. They can be asked to help usher guests to their seats before the ceremony and act as greeters as people arrive.
Ushers
Depending on the size and formality of your wedding, some couples choose not to have ushers. If you do, their job is to show up before the other guests so that they are able to help everyone find their seats. They can be in charge of greeting guests and answering any questions that may arise, such as the location of restrooms or where guests should go for the reception. Once the ceremony is over, the ushers will release the guests in an orderly fashion.
Ring Bearer & Flower Girl
Children usually fill these roles, so there isn't much more expected of them than to make it down the aisle and look adorable. They should attend the wedding rehearsal so that they can get familiar with the other members of the wedding party, and also to practice and get comfortable with their walk down the aisle on wedding day.
You will want to make sure that each of the members of your wedding party know what will be expected of them before they agree to be in your wedding. Most friends are happy to do the things listed above, plus more. When you choose to get married at our rustic wedding venue near Knoxville, we're happy to help you with the venue preparations and offer advice when it is needed. We see a lot of successful weddings here at Country Jewell, and we can't wait to help you pull off the ceremony and reception of your dreams.
A delightfully quaint Knoxville wedding
& event venue.
6550 Hickory Valley Road
Heiskell, TN 37754
865-494-0552
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