Staffordshire Wedding Services

 

Roles & Responsibilities

Bride

• To oversee the organisation of the run up to the wedding and the big day itself. (You may want to check out our Checklist under the Login section to help you with planning)
• To be a Princess for the day
• Lastly, don't forget to throw he bouquet.   Tradition states that whoever catches the bouquet will be the next person to get married.

Groom

So you have done it, the Engagement ring is on the finger and this is the beginning of your journey together. If you haven't already done so, the first priority is to set the date.

There will be joint decisions to be made with your would be Bride e.g. booking venue, themes, Photographers etc however we are going to concentrate on your own responsibilities as a would be Groom.

 

Leading up to the day

• Selecting your Best Man is a very important role. To make sure you get it right check out our criterion for selecting a Best Man.  
• Choose your Usher.
• Your next decision is what to wear on your wedding day. There is no set rule but traditionally Groom, Best Man, Ushers and Fathers will wear the same. The Bride will normally want to help you with this decision as she needs to make sure you are in keeping with the colour scheme.
• The guest list; although the Bride to be and you will have some ideas around this, you should consult both sets of parents. Traditionally, the Groom should co-ordinate his parents list and hand this to the Brides mother. This will then normally lead to some discussions on both sides before a full list is finalize.
• Source and book the Honeymoon.
• Purchase Bride's wedding ring and gift if applicable.
• You will then need to think about your speech. It is a good idea to prepare this early on to give yourself plenty of practice time.
• Probably the aspect you are most looking forward to (before the day) is your Stag Do, although traditionally organized by the Best Man you will probably want some input.

The Wedding Day

• Your Best Man and you should be at the venue 20-30 minutes before the ceremony starts.
• You should both sit on the right hand side at the front.
• After the ceremony has finished, you should escort your new Bride up the aisle making sure she is on your left hand side.
• Photographs are normally next on the agenda.
• The Reception will follow. Your new Bride, yourself and other members of the wedding party will form a receiving line to welcome guests to your reception.  
• Traditionally speeches would be carried out after the Wedding Breakfast. More often nowadays people make their speeches before the meal to alleviate the nerves. You will make your speech after the Bride's father has spoken.
• Cutting the cake is your next role.
• If you have chosen to have an Evening Reception after your Wedding Breakfast your next responsibility is to welcome your evening guests together with your Bride.
• Your last formal role is to take to the dance floor with your Bride for the first dance of the evening. Traditionally, you will begin the dance with your new Bride however; the Bride's father should then interrupt and dance with his daughter leaving you to invite the Brides Mother to dance. This should only happen for a short while before the Bride's Father then interrupts you again to dance with the Bride's Mother. This then signals to all guests that the evening festivities have begun.

Best Man

So you have chosen your Best Man and what should he do?

• Organise the Stag Night and ensure that the Groom makes it home in one piece
• Ensure that the Groom has the marriage licence.
• Help the Groom to get ready for the ceremony
• Pay the Minister (only applicable if church ceremony)
• Look after the rings and take them to the ceremony
• If required, help the Bride and Groom with luggage arrangements
• Make sure that the Groom has all the necessary tickets, money etc for the Honeymoon
• Take the Groom to the Wedding
• Ensure that the Ushers are aware of their duties and that they are in place and ready for when the guests arrive
• Distribute all button holes.   They should be worn on the left lapel, stem facing downwards.
• Ensure that any ladies who will be wearing flowers are not seated before receiving them
• Be at hand to support the Bride and Grooms mother's on the day
• If required, act as a witness for the Groom and sign the register.
• Arrive at the reception venue first to receive the new Bride and Groom and to make all guests feel welcome
• If required arrange the receiving line so that the new Bride and Groom may welcome their guests to their reception
• Ensure that the Ushers are aware of the table plan and that all guests are seated promptly.
• Make announcements at the reception for cake cutting and speeches if there is no official Toastmaster
• Make a speech during the Wedding Breakfast after both the Father of the Bride and the Groom has spoken.
• If necessary, arrange transport for the Bride and Groom after the ceremony
• Return any hired outfits after the wedding

Chief Bridesmaid/Matron of Honour

Traditionally, the Bride will choose a friend or family member.   If she is married then she is called a Matron of Honour and if she is un-married then she will be a Chief Bridesmaid.   Usually there are also smaller Bridesmaids/Flower Girls.

• Assist the Bride with the organising of the whole wedding.
• Help to choose other Bridesmaids/Flower Girls and assist with the choosing of their dresses
• Organise the Hen Night and look after the Bride
• Take care of any payments to be made on the day
• Ensure that the Bride gets a good nights sleep before the wedding day
• Ensure that any appointments are met on the day of the wedding e.g. hair, nails and make-up
• Distribute bouquets, button holes and corsages to the necessary people
• Help the Bride to dress
• Look after any additional Bridesmaids during the morning and the whole day
• Ensure you have collated the all items the Bride requires in her Emergency kit
• Travel with the Bridesmaid's to the ceremony
• Arrange the Bride's veil before entering the church/civil venue
• Hold the Bride's bouquet during the service
• If required act as a witness for the Bride and sign the marriage certificate
• Assist the Bride with her veil and dress during the photograph taking

Ushers

Traditionally the Groom chooses his Ushers from his friends and family.   Normally, it's common to have two or three.

• Handing out order of service sheets to the guests and showing them to their seats
• Ensuring that the Bride's family/friends are seated on the left of the venue and the Groom's family/friends to the right
• Escort the Bride's Mother and the Groom's parents to their seats
• Helping the Best Man with transport and any other duties

Father of the bride

• Travel to the ceremony with his daughter/Bride
• Walk the Bride down the aisle in the church or takes her to the Civil Ceremony
• Hands his daughter to her new husband, and then takes a seat on the font pew/chairs on the left hand side
• Traditionally, cuts into the Bride and Groom during their first dance, the Groom will then invite the Bride's mother to dance.   The Bride's father then cuts in once again and allows the Groom to dance with his new wife.
• Traditionally, the last person to leave the reception after ensuring that all guests mingle and are constantly supplied with food and drink

Mother of the bride

• Takes an important role in the preparation of the big day assisting the Bride with all aspects of planning
• Travel to the ceremony with the Bridesmaid's
• Traditionally met by an Usher at the church/venue and will be shown to her seat
• Be the last person to take her seat before the ceremony begins
• Be the first in the receiving line (if applicable)

Grooms Parents

• The Groom's mother is responsible for letting the Bride's mother know how many guests will be attending the wedding from the Groom's side
• They tend to not have any further duties on the day other than ensure that all the guests are having fun

Flower girl

• Traditionally between the ages of 5 and 9 years of age
• Walks in front of the Bride carrying a posy of roses/or throws rose petals in front of the Bride

Pageboy

• Young boys who traditionally carry the Bride's dress train.

 

 

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