We hear from couples, wedding party and even family asking, what are we supposed to do? So, here are some traditional roles/duties for some key players in the wedding to help out the couple in preparation for their big day:
Maid/Matron of Honor
- helps the bride select the bridesmaid’s attire and the bride’s dress
- helps communicate details to the bridesmaids and works with them to coordinate any bridal showers or bachelorette party, as well as coordinate bridesmaids’ gift to the bride (if given)
- helps address save the dates, invitations and write escort or place cards as needed
- keeps record of gifts given at showers and parties
Best Man
- organizes the bachelor party
- helps communicate details to the groomsmen, including helping them with their attire, and coordinates groommens’ gift to the groom (if given)
Bridesmaids
- offer to help with pre-wedding tasks as needed
- help scout out bridesmaid attire and pay for entire ensemble (unless bride’s family offers)
- help plan and pay for bridal shower and bachelorette party
Groomsmen
- attend all pre-wedding festivities
- pay for wedding day attire (making sure to order in a timely fashion)
- help the Best Man plan the bachelor party
Mother of the Bride
- be a sounding board
- help the bride select ceremony and reception sites
- help the bride choose her wedding dress
- be a pre-wedding ambassador sharing information on showers and where the couple is registered
- share local knowledge and be welcoming to the groom’s parents
- compile names and addresses of your family and friends to be included in the master guest list
- talk to the grooms family about who they want to add to the guest list
- help research family or ethnic traditions to incorporate into the ceremony
- determine what the bride wants you to wear on the big day, and coordinate with the mother of the groom
- attend the bridal shower
Mother of the Groom
- when the engagement is announced, call the bride’s parents as soon as possible and express your excitement
- host a dinner to introduce the bride to the groom’s family if necessary
- be aware of expenses typically covered by the groom’s side and offer financial assistance to the groom if appropriate
- choose your dress, try to coordinate with the brides mother
- get to know your son’s fiancée
- prepare your guest list
- offer to help scout out ceremony and reception locations, or offer recommendations for florist, caterers, and other vendors
- attend bridal shower and buy a gift
- spread the word to your side of the family on where the couple is registered
- keep track of your lists RSVP’s and offer to make last minute calls for responses on your side of the family
- plan and host the rehearsal dinner
We hope this helps clarify some of the roles! Next up, we’ll review duties for the wedding day.
photo provided by Autumn Light Photography