Choosing a bridal party is a very personal and perhapsdifficult process. They are the ones who will be at your side and help you with some details for the wedding. The wedding party could consist of sisters, brothers, friends and family members.
There are different roles and with each comes their own responsibilities. Beneath we will explain the roles of the bridal party.
The Parents
The Bride’s parents were in the past the ones taking care of the bill for most of the expenses. Nowadays the costs are mostly shared between the bride’s parents, groom’s parents and the couple themselves. However there are still some responsibilities for the bride’s parents.
The tradition is that the bride’s parents host the first engagement party. They help with the guest list and offer (emotional) assistance. Next to that the bride’s mother is the one who chooses her own attire and the groom’s mother can match to her choices.
The bride’s father is the one who walks the bride down the aisle at the ceremony. However this could also be done together with the bride’s mother. On occassion the bride’s father sometimes stays till the end of the wedding to say goodnight to the guests and sorts out any remaining bills with the vendors at the end.
Image courtesy of: Michael Segal Photography
Image courtesy of: Cliff Mautner Photography
Maid of honor
The maid of honor is the person the bride should be able to rely on the most. This could be the bride’s sister or her closest friend.
Coordinating the bridal shower, bachelorette party and the dress fitting are a few of the tasks of the maid of honor. She can also help with the invitations and the gifts.
During the wedding day itself the maid of honor helps the bride with getting ready.
Image courtesy of: The Great Romance
Best Man
The best man is like the maid of honor for the bride, but for the groom. He could be the groom’s brother or close friend. The best man organizes the bachelor party for the groom and helps the groom with picking the groom’s and groomsmen’s attire
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Bridesmaids
You can choose as many bridesmaids you would like to have, but usually 12 is the limit. Your bridesmaids do not have to be married and can be of any age. However bridesmaids younger than 14 years become junior bridesmaids.
The bridesmaids are there to help the maid of honor with her duties and to help the bride when needed. For example, they could help with the invitations, the wedding shower and bachelorette party.
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Groomsmen
The groomsmen do not have many responsibilities before the wedding. They mostly help the best man with the bachelor party. Groomsmen can be old friends, cousins and brothers of the groom and the bride.
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Junior Bridesmaid/Groomsmen
A bridesmaid or groomsman between the age of 9 and 13 could be the junior bridesmaid or groomsman during the wedding. The junior bridesmaid could wear a different dress than the older bridesmaids, but for example with the same color and fabric. This also applies for the junior groomsman.
Image courtesy of: Anna Delores Photography
Ring bearer
Traditionally a boy is the ring bearer at the ceremony. He walks down the aisle with the rings and the maid of honor or best man will take on the rings and give them to the bride and groom. However, make sure that the rings are safely tied or placed on the pillow.
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Flower Girl
A flower girl is generally between the ages of 4 and 8. The flower girl walks in front of the bride and spreads flower petals on the carpet. During the rehearsal the flower girl should be there as well so that she knows what to do and feels comfortable in her position.
For the flower girl you can choose an adorable toddler, such as a cousin, a niece or a godchild. Flower girls are younger than the junior bridesmaids. The flower girl can walk down together with the ring bearer.
Image courtesy of: jenjarphotography.com
As you see there are many different positions to fill during a wedding. Now comes the harder part: deciding on who you want to execute those roles. This will be discussed in next week’s blog!
