Bridal Party Checklist...Who Does What?

What should you expect from the wedding party? Review this clear and to the point checklist for better communications:

Maid of Honor/Personal Attendant
(Usually special friend or sister of the bride)

Helps bride with shopping, invitations and other details as requested.
Attends all pre-wedding events
Pays for own wedding attire
Takes charge of groom's ring during ceremony
Witnesses, signs wedding certificate
Helps bride in arranging veil and dress at ceremony and reception
Returns bride's gown to designated place after wedding
Bridesmaids

Purchases and completes fittings of gowns
Performs tasks as assigned by bride
Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Help with wedding shower
Best Man
(Assists groom with all details of the wedding day.)

Pays for own attire
Transports groom to the church
Supervises the groomsmen, regarding their dress and duties at ceremony
Takes care of bride's ring until ceremony
Presents the clergyperson with fee
Signs and witnesses the marriage certificate
Offers the first toast to the bride and groom
Dances with the bride after the groom and both fathers have danced with her
Prepares the honeymoon car, packssuitcases in car
Holds for safekeeping, any tickets, keys, etc. for the groom.
Returns groom's tuxedo to rental shop.
Groomsmen

Pays for their own wedding attire
Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Attends bachelor dinner if there is one
Escorts bridesmaids during the ceremony
Ushers

Pay for own wedding attire
Make sure principles have flowers before being seated. (Unless this task is assigned to another)
Distribute wedding programs. (Unless this task is assigned to another)
Seat guests on appropriate side of church
Assist elderly guests to seats
After all guests are seated, unroll aisle carpet
Check church for any items left behind.
Flower Girls

Flower girls attend the shower and some pre-wedding parties.
They attend the rehearsal and may attend the rehearsal dinner with their families.
Flower girls walk directly in front of the bride in the processional and in front of the maid of honor in the recessional.
As flower girls walk down the aisle, they may scatter flower or rose petals. If petals are not permitted, sometimes flower girls will hand out single flowers to guest as they walk, or they may just carry a bouquet, a ring of flowers or a pomander ball.
During the ceremony, flower girls may stand near the bridesmaids or may sit with their families. Younger ones probably will do better sitting with their families.
They are in the formal photographs of the bridal parties.
Flower girls do not usually stand in the reception line.
Flower girls usually sit at a table of honor with their families rather than at the head table.
Families of flower girls are expected to pay for dresses and other attire.
If travel expenses are involved, the girls' family picks up these costs.
Flower girls are not expected to bring a gift to pre-wedding parties they may attend. If their parents attend, gift expectations would be the same as any other guest. If they attend more than one shower or party, only one shower gift is expected.
Flower girls are not responsible for helping financially with bridal shower.
Ring Bearers/Train Bearers

The ring bearer(s) carries a pillow with a ring or rings sewn to it. (These are usually not the real wedding rings but symbolic ones for show only.)
The ring bearer(s) walks either directly in front of or besides the flower girl(s) in the processional and the recessional.
If real rings are tied to the pillow the ring bearer takes the pillow directly to the maid of honor and the best man who will remove the rings.
The trainbearers follow the bride in the processional and recessional, and carry the bridal train.
During the ceremony, the ring and trainbearers may stand near the ushers or sit with their families.
They are in the formal Photographs of the bridal party.
Ring and trainbearers do not usually stand in the reception line.
Ring and trainbearers usually sit at a table of honor with their families.
Families of ring and trainbearers are expected to pay for attire.
If travel expenses are involved, the children's families pick up these costs.
Ring and trainbearers are not expected to bring gifts to any pre-wedding parties they may attend. If their parents attend gifts expectations would be the same as any other guest. If they attend more than one party, only one shower gift is expected.
They attend the rehearsal and may attend the rehearsal dinner with their families.

Kathy Reid/www.bridalwhimsy.com
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