| When the time comes to choose
your attendants, you two alone, should make the decision.
Consider the responsibilities of each role and ensure
that the person you choose can handle it. Let each attendant
know the roles and duties you would like them to undertake
and any expenses they are expected to share.
Bride
- Groom - Bride
& Groom - Matron
Of Honour - Best Man - Bridesmaids
- Groomsmen - Flowergirls
- Pageboys - Brides
Mother - Brides Father
- Grooms Parents - Ushers
- MC
BRIDE
Choose matron-of-honour, bridesmaids and flower girls.
Organise the decorations for the church/ceremony and
reception.
Appoint a florist.
Choose wedding gown, accessories and going away outfit.
Buy gift for groom.
Buy gifts for matron-of-honour and bridesmaids.
Organise hairdresser, beautician and make-up artist.
Organise change of name documentation, passport, driver’s
license etc.
GROOM
Choose best man, groomsmen and ushers.
Buy engagement and wedding rings.
May pay fees and expenses at the church/ceremony or
best man can do this.
Make out wedding list with parents and give it to the
bride’s mother.
Choose suit, accessories and going away outfit.
Buy gifts for best man and groomsmen.
Buy gift for bride.
Organises transport for himself, best man and groomsmen
to church/ceremony.
Arrange and pay for honeymoon.
If leaving the country for honeymoon, check passports,
visas, traveller's cheques etc.
BRIDE and GROOM
Announce engagement.
Introduce both families.
Select date of wedding, type of church/ceremony and
vows.
Book venue and hire a caterer.
Organise seating arrangements at reception.
Engage photographer and videographer.
Select and order wedding stationery.
Organise music and entertainment.
Select and order cake.
Select and book type of transport.
Organise hotel for night of wedding.
Begin to search for rental home or house to live in
after honeymoon.
MATRON-OF-HONOUR
Usually the bride’s best friend, sister or close
female relative.
Help the bride throughout the wedding day.
Assist bride and her mother with wedding preparations.
Help the bride organise fittings and rehearsals.
Organise hens night and kitchen tea party.
Help the bride dress.
Hold the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony.
Ensure bride’s hair, make-up, veil and accessories
are in place throughout the day.
May take a make-up bag, spare stockings and sewing kit
for the bride.
Witness and sign the marriage certificate.
Sit at the bridal table next to the bride.
Help the bride dress after the wedding.
Organise the return of the hired dress and any accessories.
Help take any wedding gifts back to the bride’s
home.
Organise wedding cake to be sent to family and friends
who were unable to attend the wedding.
BEST MAN
Usually the groom’s best friend, brother or close
male relative.
In charge of the groomsmen and ushers.
Organise bucks party.
Pay the church/ceremony fees on the groom’s behalf.
Check that buttonholes have been ordered.
Ensure groomsmen collect and return hired suits.
Ensure groom’s going away clothes are taken to
the reception.
Arrange delivery of the bride’s and groom’s
luggage to the reception or hotel.
Make sure the groom’s clothes are ready for the
day.
Help the groom get dressed.
Ensure groom gets to the church/ceremony on time.
Stand next to the groom.
Take charge of wedding rings.
Witness and sign the marriage certificate.
Escort the chief bridesmaid or matron-of-honour.
Sit at the bridal table next to the groom.
May act as a Master of Ceremonies.
Read any telegrams or faxes.
Toast the bridesmaids.
May organise speeches and cutting of the cake.
See the couple to their car for their departure.
Help to collect and transport the wedding presents to
the home of the bride’s parents.
Return groom’s suit and accessories.
Ensure all is going to plan at all times.
BRIDESMAIDS
Pay for their own wedding clothes.
Arrange own transport to bride’s house.
Check the bride’s gown and veil before she enters
the church/ceremony.
May walk up ahead of the bride.
Help bride with train.
Assist the junior attendants.
Stand at the bride’s side during the ceremony and
are usually seated at the bridal table.
When the wedding cake is cut serve it to the guests.
GROOMSMEN
Attend and help organise the bucks night.
Dress and help the groom get ready.
Arrive with the groom at the church/ceremony.
Stand next to the best man during the ceremony.
Help stage the photographs.
Escort bridesmaids partner at the ceremony and reception.
Take part in catching the garter.
FLOWER GIRLS
Precede the bride walking up the aisle.
May throw flower petals in front of bride (ensure the
bride doesn’t slip).
Please note, best choice of age between 4 and 8 years.
PAGE BOYS
Page boy may follow the bride and help with the train.
May be the ring bearer and carry a cushion with wedding
rings sewn onto it or the actual wedding rings tied
to it.
BRIDE’S MOTHER
Key person in all wedding arrangements.
Keep record of replies and refusals to the wedding.
Advise groom’s mother of length and colour scheme
of their outfits.
Should be the last person seated before the ceremony
starts.
Sit in front pew.
After service walk out of the church/ceremony on the
arm of the groom’s father.
May organise a dinner with groom’s parents to discuss
wedding.
BRIDE’S FATHER
Escort the bride to church/ceremony.
Walk up the aisle with the bride on his right arm.
At the chancel steps he stands at her left.
Give the bride away.
After the vows he takes a seat in the front pew next
to bride’s mother.
Make a speech at the reception to welcome the new son
into the family and toast the future happiness of the
bride and groom.
GROOMS' PARENTS
They are honoured guests and sit in the front pew.
May like to help in some of the arrangements.
USHERS
Usually relations or close friends.
Welcome guests to the wedding ceremony and show them
to their seats.
Hand out Order of Service at church/ceremony.
Ensure all guests have transport from the church/ceremony
to the reception.
Show guests to their seats at reception.
Announce guests if there is a receiving line.
Please allow one usher per 40-50 guests.
THE MC
May announce bride, groom and wedding party on arrival
to reception.
Organise all speeches at the reception.
Organise cutting of the cake.
Announce throwing of bridal bouquet and garter.
Announce departure of bride and groom.
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