When there’s a wedding happening, there are a lot of duties as well as prior events that go into the preparation of the big day, but the bride and groom can’t handle that all on their own. Don’t know who is supposed to do what for a wedding? Here’s a list of bridal party positions and their duties (and who traditionally pays for what).
Bride and Groom (together):
- Create a budget
- Choose a date and venue
- Meet with a planner
- Meet with an officiant
- Complete a guest list
- Coordinate details (flowers, photographer, catering, ect.)
- Shop for wedding bands (pay for each other’s)
- Write wedding vows, if doing vows
- Send thank you notes to everyone for gifts
Bride:
- Choose and asks bridesmaids
- Choose bridesmaids dresses
- Pick out wedding dress
- Hosts a bridesmaids luncheon to thank bridesmaids and give a gift
Groom:
- Chooses and asks groomsmen
- Chooses formal wear
- Buys gifts for each of the groomsmen
- Pays officiant fees
- Arranges travel accommodations for out of town guests
Maid of Honor:
- Coordinating whenever bridesmaids need to get together such as dress fittings
- Plan bridal shower
- Plan bachelorette party
- Notes gifts for thank you cards
- Assist the bride with errands and wedding planning tasks (i.e. invitations)
- Help the Bride get ready for the wedding
- Fixes the Bride’s train and holds her bouquet during the ceremony
- Holds onto the Groom’s ring until the Bride is ready to put it on the groom
- Sign the marriage license as Bride’s witness
(Traditionally pays for her own dress and contributes to the cost of the bridal shower and bachelorette party)
Bridesmaids:
- Get fitted for a dress
- Assist Maid of Honor with planning bridal shower and bachelorette party
- Assist Maid of Honor with other wedding planning duties that have been passed on to her
(Traditionally pay for their own dresses and contributes to the cost of bridal shower and bachelorette party)
Best Man:
- Coordinate when the groomsmen will go for their formalwear fitting
- Pick up the Grooms formalwear before the wedding
- Plan the bachelor party
- Help confirm the reservations for the honeymoon the night before
- Compose the toasts for the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception
- Get the Groom to the ceremony site
- Hold onto the Bride’s ring until the Groom is ready to put it on the Bride.
- Sign the marriage license as the Groom’s witness
- Make arrangements for getaway car and make sure it is ready with the couple’s luggage
- Return men’s formalwear after the wedding
(Traditionally pays for his own formalwear and contributes to the cost of the bachelor party)
Groomsmen:
- Get fitted for formalwear
- Help Best Man plan the bachelor party
- Greet wedding guests and seat those who need assistance
(Traditionally pay for their own formalwear and contribute to the cost of the bachelor party)
Flower Girl:
- Cover the aisle with flowers just before the bride comes down
(Traditionally the flower girl’s parents pay for her attire)
Ring Bearer:
- Brings the rings (or symbolic rings) on a pillow to give to Maid of Honor and Best Man
(Traditionally the ring bearer’s parents pay for his attire)
Bride’s Parents:
- Host 1st engagement party
- Mother chooses dress for the wedding then calls Groom’s mother so they can complement each other
- Assist with guest list
- Moral Support and assist with planning
- Father walks the Bride down the aisle and gives her away
- Host wedding reception
Groom’s Parents:
- May host a 2nd engagement party
- Mother coordinates dress for wedding with Bride’s mother
- Assist with guest list
- Host Rehearsal dinner
(Old tradition states that the bride’s family foots the bill for the wedding. Today, that usually isn’t the case. The cost of things are usually divided between the two families and up to the discretion of the Bride, Groom, and their families.)
This list is just for suggestion as it goes by tradition. However, the Bride or Groom may want to take on more of these duties or give them to someone else. Communication is the key to a successful wedding, make sure everyone is aware of who is responsible for what.
