Wedding customs
Traditional wedding roles for the Bride’s Father
Attends the wedding rehearsal
Travels with his daughter to the ceremony
Escorts the bride down the aisle
Gives the bride away
Attends the signing of the register
Escorts the groom’s mother from the church
Stands alongside his wife in the receiving line
But remember: these are only the traditional wedding roles! If you want to change them, go ahead!
Traditional wedding roles for the Bride’s Mother
Arranges press announcements
Compiles the guest list in consultation with the groom’s family
Sends out invitations and keeps a note of replies
Looks after gift list and makes arrangements to display the presents
Makes a list of the guests for the ushers
In the absence of the bride’s father she may give the bride away
Attends the signing of the register
Unless [...]
Traditional wedding roles for the Ushers
Before the wedding day meets with the best man to work out duties. Plan parking arrangements and get to know where the nearest toilets are
Collect order of service sheets from the bride or best man
Provide umbrellas in case of rain
Arrive first at the ceremony venue
Organise parking
Ensure that the approach is clear for the Bride’s arrival
Greet [...]
Traditional wedding roles for the Flower Girl
Carries a basket of flowers or flower petals
Joins in the procession with the other attendants
Walks back down the aisle in front of the bride and groom strewing flowers in their path (Of course, you need to check with the venue beforehand that this is acceptable)
But remember: these are only the traditional wedding roles! If you [...]
Traditional wedding roles for the Chief Bridesmaid
Helps the bride choose her outfit and her attendants’ outfits
Helps the bride keep her wedding lists up-to-date
Organises the “hen do”
Attends the rehearsal
Helps arrange and supervise a timetable for the bride on the day so she’s not always watching the clock
Helps the bride and her attendants get ready on the day
At the ceremony venue, before the [...]
Traditional wedding roles for the Best Man
Helps groom choose his outfits and those of the male attendants
Arranges the "stag do"
Meets at the ceremony venue, along with the ushers, to discuss seating and parking arrangements.
Attends the wedding rehearsal
Collects hire wear for himself and the groom
Collects cards or messages from those who cannot attend wedding
Makes sure that ushers have order of service sheets [...]
Traditional wedding roles for the Groom
Works out the wedding budget
Buys the wedding rings
Arranges the outfits of the male members of the bridal party
Arranges the honeymoon and the wedding night accommodation
Buys gifts for the best man, bridesmaids and ushers
Makes a speech at the reception, on behalf of himself and his new wife
But remember: these are only the traditional wedding roles! If [...]
Traditional wedding roles for the bride
Chooses wedding date, type of ceremony, the theme of the wedding and her outfit
Chooses her attendants and their outfits
Co-ordinates and advises other members of the bridal party on dress codes, colours, etc
Throws her bouquet amongst the unmarried female guests
Writes thank you notes to helpers and for wedding gifts
Buys a wedding present for the groom
But remember: [...]
Traditional wedding budgets
Traditionally, it was the bride's family that paid for the majority of the wedding. Nowadays many people pay for their own weddings, or divide the wedding costs between all the parties involved. In case you are curious, here is the traditional breakdown of who pays for what.
Traditionally, the bride’s parents pay for:
Press announcements
Wedding clothes for the [...]
Traditional wedding invitation wording
Wedding invitations are traditionally sent out by the parents of the bride, though these days it's becoming more popular for the couple getting married to send out the wedding invitations and keep track of the responses.
Either way, if you want to use the traditional wedding invitation wording, here is a selection of the words used [...]
