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A lot goes into planning and hosting a wedding. So, it’s important to keep the right people around you to help you deal with the many ups and downs along the way. Choosing the members of your wedding party is an easy way to do just that.
No two wedding parties look alike—they can be made up of friends, family, or a mix of both. No matter what your party should include people who keep you positive, help with guidance and most importantly add no extra drama. We are doing a TWO series blog post breaking down the building a wedding party. Part ONE in today’s post will cover - “What is a wedding party”? and “What are the duties of the wedding party”?
Then come back next Wednesday to read the SECOND part of the blog covering - “Things to consider when building your Wedding Party” and “Common Questions to ask yourself when choosing your Wedding Party”.
Let’s Dive in:
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What Is A Wedding Party?
At its simplest, a wedding party is a group of people chosen by an engaged couple to support and celebrate them from engagement to the big day. Typically a wedding party is made up of friends and family and is responsible for certain wedding planning duties along the way. Think of the pre-wedding showers and parties, participating in the actual ceremony, and even acting as witnesses to the marriage.
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Members of the Wedding Party:
A wedding party can be large or small—it’s entirely up to the couple. Traditionally, the wedding party includes bridesmaids and groomsmen, but technically it also includes other members, as well so we are breaking it down below:
(Keep in mind this is standard list of the “traditional” however, members should be based on your relationship and personal preferences).
Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor or Bride's Honor Attendant: This person is responsible for overseeing the bridesmaid’s responsibilities and helping the bride with planning. During the reception, the maid of honor typically reads a speech speaking to the couple—particularly focusing on the bride.
Bridesmaids or Bride's Attendants: A group that consists of the closest friends and family members to the bride. Bridesmaids assist with wedding planning and stand by the bride during the ceremony. More recently, brides are opening their wedding parties to include men, as well: bridesmen.
Best Man / Best Woman / Groom's Honor Attendant: Equivalent to the maid of honor, this person is the closest friend or family member to the groom. The best man (or woman) stands by the groom on the day of the wedding, makes a speech to the couple during the reception (speaking primarily about the groom), and is responsible for holding onto the wedding rings during the ceremony.
Groomsmen: A group of the groom’s best friends or closest family members. Groomsmen stand next to the groom during the wedding ceremony and offer moral support during the planning process.
Ushers: These people literally usher wedding guests to their seats. Also, ushers are used during the processional entrance to escort grandmas or parents to their seats. These are usually other close friends or family assigned by the couple. In some cases, the groomsmen will act as the ushers ahead of the ceremony.
Bride's Parents: Traditionally, the bride’s parents or parent hosts the wedding ceremony and reception. Other responsibilities may include walking down the aisle with the bride, making a speech at the wedding reception, and participating in a memorable dance. We are seeing more and more of these roles switched when it comes to “hosting” .
Groom's Parents: Traditionally, the groom’s parents or parent host the rehearsal dinner ahead of the wedding ceremony. During the wedding reception, the mother of the groom may be asked to participate in a mother-son dance. We are seeing more and more of these roles switched when it comes to “hosting” .
Grandparents: Both partner’s grandparents. While they don’t traditionally play a role in the wedding (they could be asked to do a reading), grandparents are typically escorted down the aisle before the ceremony and seated in the first few rows.
Officiant: An individual who officiates the wedding ceremony. For religious weddings, this may be a priest, minister, pastor, or rabbi. For non-denominational ceremonies, an officiant may be a government official or a friend/family member who has registered with the county’s clerk office.
Flower Girl: During a wedding procession, the flower girl scatters rose petals (or flower petals of choice) down the aisle before the bride walks down. Typically, a flower girl is younger than the age of seven. She is usually the daughter of a family member or a member of the wedding party.
Ring Bearer: This person is responsible for carrying the couple’s rings to the best man/best woman. Typically, the ring bearer is under the age of seven and the son of a family member or a member of the wedding party.
Readers: Two to three readers are chosen to read aloud select texts during the ceremony. Usually, couples will choose guests beyond their wedding party to include more loved ones in the ceremony.
Additional Roles
Along with the traditional roles of a wedding party, we’ve included some roles a religious wedding may include in the ceremony processions.
Pages: Otherwise known as train bearers, these are young boys or girls who assist the bride with the train of her dress as she walks down the aisle.
Candlelighters: Prevalent in Christian weddings, taper candles are lined up at the altar as a symbol and are incorporated into the wedding ceremony. Candlelighters are guests (around the ages of ten or twelve) chosen to light the taper candles before the wedding ceremony begins.
Shusha Vim: Traditionally, Jewish weddings don’t have a designated bridal or groom’s party. The Shusha Vim is chosen to help assist the couple on their special day (this can be anyone from a sibling, parent, or close friend).
Chuppah Carriers: During a Jewish Wedding, Chuppah Poles are raised during the ceremony with the help of chosen family members or close friends.
Koumbaro/Koumbara: Popular in the Eastern Orthodox religion, the Koumbaro/a (Koumbaro for male and Koumbara for female) is a close friend or family member of the groom. The Koumbaro/a assists in both the ceremony and reception traditions.
Hattabin: In Muslim culture, Hattabins are primarily male friends or family members close to the groom. Acting as a groom’s wedding party, they assist in preparing the groom for the wedding and help with wedding planning. In some cases, the Hattabin is even responsible for seeking out the proposal from the bride.
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Ashtyn Nicole Photography
Where to start?
Make a list of the actually positions you need to fill.
Then make a draft of who could fit into those positions.
From there, chat with your partner and together decide who fits best
Lastly, split the list with your partner and begin to ask
Come back next week to check out PART TWO: “Common Questions to ask yourself when choosing your Wedding Party”.
Happy Planning
XOXO
Ashtyn Nicole Photography
Photography: Ashtyn Nicole Photography
Content: https://www.zola.com/