The Bride
- Chooses the type of wedding ceremony and decides the date that the wedding should take place
- Chooses her dress and the theme of the wedding which all should follow
- Chooses her bridesmaids, their outfits and buy silver accessories
- Receives guests at the wedding reception
- Wedding Planning Checklist
- Bride and Groom start the dancing
- Throws the bouquet among unmarried female guests after the wedding
- Writes thank you letters to all those who sent gifts
The Groom
- Chooses the best man, ushers and the outfits that the men in the bridal party should wear
- Takes care of the legal aspects of the ceremony
- Organises the honeymoon and if staying with tradition, keeps it secret from the bride
- Pays for the flowers and bridesmaids gifts
- Always arrives at the wedding ceremony venue before the bride
- Receives guests and delivers a speech thanking all involved, especially the bridesmaids
Best Man
- Confirms arrangements concerning the duties of the ushers
- Arranges transport for himself, bridegroom, and guests that need it
- Organises the stag evening
- Collects buttonholes and ensures that Order of Service sheets are distributed
- Pays fees on behalf of the groom
- Responsible for rings before the ceremony and passes them to the groom before the ceremony
- Escorts the chief bridesmaid to the signing of the register
- Directs ushers, photographer, videographer and guests
- Replies to the bridegroom’s speech, makes a speech and reads telemessages and cards from absent friends
- Announces the cutting of the cake
- Checks that all the honeymoon arrangements are in place
- Supervises the decoration of the car for the bride and groom on leaving for their honeymoon
- Returns all hire outfits
Plan Your Wedding
See what is traditionally expected from the bridal party as they play their parts before, during and after the big day.