Wedding Etiquette Tip #3 - Bridal Party Roles and Responsibilities

First and foremost, it is an honor to be chosen as part of the bridal party in a wedding. As the bride/groom's supporting cast, each member is carefully chosen to help create a perfect wedding day. Each member of the bridal party has their own responsibilities and duties that go along with being involved with the wedding.

Maid of Honor Duties:

The maid of honor is by far the most demanding role to play in the wedding, besides the bride herself. She is the bride's go to for all her wedding needs. The best friend or closest relative to the bride is normally the one chosen as the maid of honor.

QUICK NOTE: She is named matron of honor only if she is already married. Otherwise, she is the maid of honor.

• Pays for her own wedding attire
• Carries the groom's ring
• Hosts the bridal shower and bachelorette party
• Signs the marriage certificate as a witness
• Helps dress the bride
• Holds the bridal bouquet during the ceremony
• Supervises the bridesmaids
• Gathers the single women for the bouquet toss
• Returns the bride's clothes home after the reception
• Toasts the bride & groom at the reception
• Dances with the best man at the reception

Bridesmaids Duties:

The bridesmaids duties are delegated to them by the maid of honor and consist of the following:

• Pay for their own wedding attire
• Attend all pre-wedding parties
• Share the cost of the bridal shower with the maid of honor
• Help assemble favors
• Assist the maid of honor when needed
• Dance with the groomsmen at the reception

Best Man Duties:

The best man is in charge of looking after the needs of the groom. He is the groom's right hand man, and also serves as the responsible party for any important documents and other items.

• Pays for his own wedding attire
• Plans and hosts the bachelor party
• Attends all appropriate pre-wedding parties
• Helps the groom dress and arrive to the ceremony on time
• Holds the bride's ring at the ceremony
• Signs the marriage license as a witness
• Helps host the reception
• Dances with the bridesmaids at the reception
• All honeymoon tickets, documents, and other important items are kept in his safekeeping

Groomsmen Duties:

The groomsmen help the best man organize the parties and ensure the wedding runs smoothly. They serve as the groom's bodyguards.

• Pay for their own wedding attire
• Help plan and share the cost of the bachelor party with the best man
• Responsible for returning any rented attire
• Dance with the bridesmaids at the reception