Wedding Party Etiquette

This is one question that we often get asked as wedding planners...What does the wedding party actually do? Let us shed some light on that question. The maid of honor is usually a close friend or family member who not only organizes and hosts a shower for the bride, but also helps her get ready on the wedding day. She is there to help and support her through out the planning process and will also help keep the bridesmaids organized. She usually wears a dress that coordinates with the bridesmaids, and she sometimes carries a slightly more elaborate bouquet than the other attendants. It is customary that she pays for her own dress. The bridesmaids are also a close friends or family, they are usually about the same age of the bride. They attend pre-wedding parties and also help out in anyway the bride requests. There dresses are coordinating dresses (usually paid for themselves) to the ceremony. Although mixing up the dresses with style and color is a nice way to have your wedding be more uniquely you. Again tradition is that the bridesmaids will pay for there own dress. The best man is often the groom's best friend or a close family member. His formal wear matches the ushers', although there may be something slightly different with his attire. Something as subtle as a different boutonnieres or his vest may be a shade different. He pays the rental fees himself. He hosts the bachelor party, holds the ring during the ceremony and leads the other men in helping out the groom. Ushers are also close in age to the groom. They too are usually friends or family and their primary function is seating guests at the wedding. They each wear and pay for matching formal wear. These guys should also be on hand to help the groom with any errands he needs throughout the day. Children between the ages of 9 and 14 are best suited junior bridesmaids or junior ushers. These attendants wear coordinating dresses or formal wear. Flower girls are usually family members, or a friend's child between the ages of three and nine, and they carry a small bouquet or basket down the aisle in the ceremony. The ring bearer is often a boy under age four. Parents pay for their children's attire when asked to be in a wedding, unless otherwise notified by the bride or groom. Keep in mind as the Bride and Groom it is customary to purchase you attendants a "Thank You" gift of appreciation for participating in your wedding. There is no monetary amount that you should spend. Just make the gift personal and something that your giving from your heart!