Recently engaged? Congratulations!! Like most newly engaged couples you’re undoubtedly head over heels in love, with your face probably buried in the clouds. What’s next? As much as your first decision should be sorting out a venue for your engagement or actual wedding, our guess is that your mind will immediately float to your ‘wedding people’.
From the maid of honour down to the ring bearer, the people you choose will naturally mean a lot to you, but will also have to accept a laundry list of responsibilities. “What?” I hear you say. “My maid of honour isn’t just there to help me pick a dress?”
No one in their right mind would (or should) ever know all these duties by instinct, so we thought we’d be the been-there-done-that expert and write you a little list. Check it out below and get ready to take notes!
Maid of Honour
The maid of honour is part worker bee, part emotional lifeboat. Not only does she need to be responsible, but she must be very close to the bride as well and be able to keep her CCC (ie. cool, calm, & collected). Duties include the following:
- Assist the bride with ALL the wedding shopping (oh dang…)
- Plan and host THE perfect bridal shower and hens party
- Witness and sign the marriage certificate
- Carry an emergency kit for the bride on the day of the wedding
- Hold the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony
- Stay by the bride’s side at all times and manage the bridesmaids
- Make sure the bride always looks perfect
- Give a part-funny-part-sincere speech / toast during the wedding reception
- Be ready to accept responsibility for paying for own travel, attire, and accessories (if asked to by bride)
- Help out however and whenever possible
Best Man
Like the maid of honour, the best man should be a reliable guy who is very close to the groom. He’s been there for you through thick and thin (like that one time at uni).… He should be ready to accept the following:
- Plan an awesome bachelor party
- Help the groom however he can
- Make sure the groom and groomsmen are on time to all wedding related events
- Get the groom to the ceremony
- Give the first speech and toast during the wedding reception
- Witness and sign the marriage certificate
- Be ready to accept responsibility for paying for own travel, attire, and accessories (if asked to by groom)
- Encourage guests to get on the d-floor during the reception
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids should be a reliable group consisting of the bride’s closest friends and family. Traditionally, if the groom has any sisters, they are also included as bridesmaids.
- Assist maid of honour however they can
- Help maid of honour plan and pay for the bridal shower and hens party
- Greet guests at the reception and encourage mingling
- Be ready to accept responsibility for paying for own travel, attire, and accessories (if asked to by bride)
- Make sure the bride has a fantastic time without getting too messy
Groomsmen
Essentially like the bridesmaids – these guys are the groom’s closest friends and family. Traditionally, if the bride has any brothers, they’re included in the wedding as groomsmen. Note that there’s more to being a groomsman than just showing up in a tux!
- Assist best man however they can
- Help best man plan and pay for the awesome bachelor party
- Greet guests at the reception and encourages mingling
- Be ready to accept responsibility for paying for own travel, attire, and accessories (if asked to by groom)
- Assist the best man in helping everyone get on the d-floor during the reception
- Act like the level headed, responsible guy they are to impress those single bridesmaids
- Make sure the groom has a fantastic time without getting too messy
Flower Girl
A flower girl is always a nice touch! Usually, a flower girl is aged between the 3 and 6 years old and should be able to do the following:
- Go down the aisle before the bride, sprinkling flower petals in the bride’s path
- Her parents should be agreeable to pay for her dress and accessories (if asked to by bride)
Page Boy / Ring Bearer
The ring bearer is usually a young boy between the ages of 3 and 6 years old.
- Go down the aisle before the bride, sprinkling flower petals in the bride’s path
- His parents should be agreeable to pay for her dress and accessories (if asked to by bride)
At the end of the day you may choose to have none or all of these people for your special day. You may also choose to invent roles (ever heard of the Snackmaid?). Most importantly just remember to have an absolutely perfect day!