Who does what at your wedding?

Sometimes the chain of command and what everyone is supposed to do can get mixed up. Here is what each member of the bridal party should do to ensure that your day is special.

Maid of Honour

• Helps the bride select attire and address invitations
• Plans bridal shower for the bride (bride usually wants to add her own ideas too!)
• Should arrive at the dressing site roughly two hours before the ceremony to assist the bride in dressing.
• Arranges the bride’s veil before and after she walks down the aisle
• Holds the bridal bouquet and the groom’s ring if no ring bearer, during the ceremony.
• Witnesses the signing of the marriage license.
• Dances with the best man during the reception.
• Helps bride into her going away clothes (if she gets changes as it’s not so common now, why pay a lot of money for a dress then change it right?)
• Mails wedding announcements after the wedding

Bridesmaids

• Assist the maid of honour in planning the bridal shower.
• Assist the bride with errands and addressing invitations.
• Take part in all pre-wedding parties.
• Arrive at dressing site two hours before the wedding.
• Arrive and should be dressed at the ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for the photographs.
• Walk behind ushers in order of height during the processional, either in pairs or in single file (unless bride decides otherwise)
• Sit next to usher in the head table
• Dance with the usher and other important guests.
• Encourage single women to participate in bouquet-tossing ceremony.

Flower Girl

• Usually between the ages of four and eight.
• Attends rehearsal to practice her role.
• Arrives dressed at the ceremony site an hour before the wedding for photographs.
• Carries basket filled with loose rose petals to strew along bride’s path during processional (unless the bride decides not to do this or the venue doesn’t allow it)

Best Man

• Responsible for organizing the usher’s activities.
• Organizes the bachelor party for the groom with the help of other groomsmen
• Makes sure the groom gets to the wedding site and makes sure he is properly dressed before the wedding.
• Brings marriage license to wedding if required
• Pays the clergyman, musicians, photographer, and other service providers the day of the wedding (unless prior arrangements have been made)
• Holds the bride’s ring for the groom, if there is no ring bearer.
• Witnesses the signing of the marriage license.
• Drives the newlyweds to reception if no driver hired.
• Offers first toast at the reception, usually before dinner.
• Dances with the maid of honour during the bridal party.
• Oversees return of tuxedo/outfit rentals for groom and ushers, on time and in good condition

Ushers

• Assist best man with the bachelor’s party.
• Arrive dressed in the wedding site 1 hour for photographs.
• Distribute wedding programs and maps to the reception as guest arrives.
• Seat guest at the ceremony.

If it’s a female, offer the right arm and if it’s a male walk along his left side. If it’s a couple, offer right arm to the female; male follows a step or two behind. Seat the bride’s guest in the left pew and the groom’s guest in the right pew.

• Two ushers may roll the carpet down the aisle if required.
• If pew ribbons are used, two ushers may loosen them one row at a time after the ceremony.
• Direct guest to the reception site.
• Dance with the bridesmaid and other important guests.

Ring Bearer

• Normally aged four - eight.
• Attends rehearsal to practice his role.
• Arrives dressed an hour before the ceremony for photographs.
• Carries a white pillow with rings attached unless the bride decides otherwise

Wedding questions of the week

I want really elaborate centrepieces for the tables at my wedding; is there anything I can do to liven up the bouquets we have on order?

There are so many things you can add to flowers to spruce up what you have ordered! Try adding Mini fruits, nuts, crystals or my personal favourite – Feathers to match your colour scheme!! Any Florist will be able to help you on this.

We are having a garden party theme for our reception; can you tell me how to liven up our garden and have it looking romantic but not at too much expense?

The most cost effective way to liven up a garden for early afternoon through to the evening is by using lighting. Lots of fairy lights hanging from trees, candles in different coloured vases hanging from the trees and on every surface will liven up your event. If you don’t have enough plants or small trees then hire some; plants fill the space really well and you can add lights to them too!

Can you tell me why I need to ‘cut the cake’ at my wedding?

Symbolically, cutting the cake is the first task that the bride and groom perform jointly as husband and wife. Sharing the first bite with each other signifies that the newlywed couple promises to share a whole new life together. The bridesmaids keep their slices and place them under their pillows that night in the belief that they will dream of their future husbands.

The top tier of the wedding cake was traditionally kept and used at the christening of the couple’s first child. It was assumed that the christening would occur soon after the wedding. Today however, the top tier is often saved to be used at the couple’s first anniversary.

If you have any questions or queries then email Sherril at weddinghelp@rocketmail.com