Who's Who in the Wedding Party and What Are They Responsible For?

One of the first things people do after they get engaged is pick their wedding party. So, who’s who and what does each role entail? While there are traditional wedding party roles that you can choose to include, it's ultimately up to you and your partner to decide who you want to participate in on your special day. You might want to have a mixed wedding party, have no bridesmaids at all, or even swap a human for a pup (I know my dog will definitely be a part of my day). Your wedding, your rules!

Here’s a quick and easy guide to who's who in the wedding party to help get you started!

Who to Include in the Wedding Party

Let’s face it, choosing your wedding party can be difficult. The last thing you want is to offend anyone by leaving them out. However, who you want to include in your special day is a personal decision. To keep things simple, those in your wedding party should be your best friends, siblings, and perhaps a close family member or two.

Maid/Matron or Man of Honor

The maid or matron of honour is the bride's, right-hand woman. Also known as chief bridesmaid, this role is usually taken by the bride’s best friend or sister. If the bride's best bud and confidante is male, whether a friend or a sibling, she may choose to have a man of honour. It’s the highest honour in the wedding party and comes with a fair share of responsibilities. The maid/matron or man of honour helps the bride with all aspects of the wedding from planning to selecting the bridesmaids’ dresses.

In the lead-up to the special event, they are responsible for things like attending dress fittings and planning the hen party. During the day itself, they are there to offer emotional support to the bride as well as provide hands-on help with things like bustling the gown or fixing the veil.

Best Man

The best man serves many of the same duties as the maid of honour. For that reason, the groom will usually choose his best friend or brother to fulfil this role. This person will stand by the groom’s side during the wedding and will also offer any support that’s needed throughout the day. The best man has a couple of core duties: plan the Stag party, write a speech for the reception, help make wedding arrangements and, in some cases, hold onto the rings until the wedding ceremony.

Groomsmen

The groomsmen are the male counterparts to the bridesmaids and, as such, they take on many of the same duties. They are usually close friends or relatives of the groom and will be involved in many of the events in the lead-up to the wedding, such as the bachelor party. The groomsmen are there to support the groom in any way he may need. If there are no ushers, this group may welcome guests upon arrival and show them to their seats. Traditionally, groomsmen stand next to the groom during the wedding ceremony. They may also take on fun tasks such as decorating the getaway car.

Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids are close friends or relatives of the bride. While bridesmaids are traditionally women, in recent years mixed-gender bridal parties have grown increasingly common. This group takes an active role in the planning of the wedding. They are also expected to help the maid of honour plan the bridal shower and, in some circumstances, split the cost of this event. On the wedding day, the bridesmaids walk down the aisle ahead of the bride. Bridesmaids often take on other responsibilities during the wedding as well. For instance, they may show guests to their seats or hand out favours

Flower Girl

While not all brides and grooms choose to have a flower girl, this role is a charming addition to any wedding party. Often a niece, younger sibling, or family friend, the flower girl walks down the aisle with the bridesmaids, dropping petals as she goes. She may also wear a bohemian flower headdress to mark her role in the occasion.

The male counterpart to the flower girl is the page boy. He may walk alongside the flower girl when the wedding party heads down the aisle. Most of the time, this role is taken by a young boy who is part of the family or a close family friend.

Ring Bearer

As the name suggests, the ring bearer is the one who carries the rings down the aisle. This person could be another member of the wedding party—the best man, the page boy, or the flower girl, for instance. However, you may want to appoint another member of the family to take on the role or, if you’re feeling whimsical, the family pet could take the role.

Mother of the Groom

The mother of the bride often takes centre stage, but the mother of the groom has an equally important role. She is there to lend support to her son, should he need it, and be a host at the event. In some cases, she may also take part in planning the wedding and can give a speech as part of the wedding reception as well.

Father of the Groom

The father of the groom does not have many formal responsibilities, but that’s not to say he can’t play an active role in the special event. Depending on your wishes, he may help organise aspects of the wedding, give a reading, and welcome guests to the event.

Officiant

Whether you’re having a religious or non-denominational wedding, you will need to choose an officiant for the big day. This person may be a religious cleric or a celebrant. The role can greatly impact the wedding as the officiant performs the ceremony and is mainly responsible for taking care of the paperwork, including the marriage license.

Ushers

Often confused with the groomsmen, this group has fewer duties in both the lead-up and during the wedding. Ushers wear matching suits that can be different from the groomsmen’s attire. Their duty is to greet guests and show them to their seats. Friends of the bride and groom may take on this esteemed role.