Choosing The Bridal Party

Choosing the wedding party can be stressful for many brides and grooms.  The bridal party should be made up of those people who are closest to the bride or groom, are truly happy for you, and whom you forsee being a support to your marriage.  Normally, this includes siblings, best friends, or close family members that you have a special relationship with.  The style and vision for your wedding will help to dictate the size of the bridal party; small and intimate, traditional church wedding, or a grand affair.  Keep in mind that members of the bridal party will have to make a financial commitment in order to participate. Costs include attire, accessories, possible travel, parties or showers.  Also consider that larger wedding parties equals a larger expense, i.e. bouquets, limo transportation, attendant gifts, and rehearsal dinner costs. The following people are considered members of the bridal party.

• Bridesmaids
• Maid/Matron of Honor
• Groomsmen
• Best Man
• Flower Girls
• Ring Bearers
• Hostesses
• Ushers

Maid or Matron of Honor

A maid or matron of honor plays a vital role in your wedding.  The difference between a maid and matron of honor is that a maid is unmarried and a matron is married. She stands next to the bride on her big day and helps to make sure the wedding day runs smoothly for the bride. She has more responsibilities than the rest of your bridesmaids including hosting a bridal shower, helping the bride get dressed, and giving a toast at the reception. Click here for a full list of duties for the maid or matron of honor.  She is a trusted friend or family member that you can depend on.  Many brides find it difficult to choose who will serve as their maid or matron of honor. Click here for tips on how to choose your bridesmaids.  For distinction, the maid of honor may wear a slightly different dress than the other bridesmaids or carry a variation of the bouquet of the other bridesmaids.   A special token of appreciation or gift is usually given to the maid or matron of honor and other bridesmaids, as a thank you.

Groomsmen Gifts

Show the groomsmen in your wedding how much you appreciate their participation and support. A small gift is a nice way to say thank you to the groomsmen, considering they've spend money on a tuexedo or suit, shown the groom a good time for his bachelor party, and maybe even traveled to attend your wedding.  The groom typically pays for the cost of his groomsmen gifts.  They can be distributed at the rehearsal dinner or on the wedding day.  Gifts can be chosen for each individual groomsmen or personalized with their initials or name.  You don't have to break the bank when buying groomsmen gifts, especially if you have a large wedding party.  Shop around and be creative.  Some great gift ideas include:

• Personalized shaving kit
• Cuff links
• Initialed handkerchief
• Cigar box or cigars
• Engraved pocket watch
• Leather portfolio
• Charging station for electronics
• Flask or bar accessories
• Cooler filled with goodies

Bridesmaid's Gifts

A nice gesture to show your bridesmaids how much you appreciate them is to give them a small gift. Between hosting your bridal shower, bachelorette party, purchasing a bridesmaid dress, and maybe even traveling to your wedding, they've invested a lot of time and money into your wedding.  This small token of your appreciate can be distributed at the rehearsal dinner or on the wedding day.  Gifts can be chosen for each individual bridesmaids or personalized with their initials or name.  You don't have to break the bank when giving gifts, especially if you have a large wedding party.  Shop around and be creative.  Some great gift ideas include:

• Monogrammed towels
• Spa gift certificate
• Costume jewelry
• Cosmetic bags
• Picture frames (with your engagement picture inside)
• Personalized tote bags
• Monogrammed compact mirrors
• Gift basket of goodies

Ring Bearers

A ring bearer is usually a male child between three and eight years old. He usually has a special connection to the bride or groom. This adorable little guy can be a son, nephew, cousin or family friend.  In the past, he would carry the actual wedding rings tied to a satin pillow, but that has proven to be hazardous.  Nowadays, the ring bearers carries fake rings instead of the actual wedding rings.  Since the ring bearers aren't carrying the real rings, it's acceptable to have two ring bearers depending on your family structure.  For safe keeping, the best man holds the brides ring in his pocket, and maid or matron of honor is responsible for the groom's ring. Children often become nervous, so making sure they practice is vital to avoid a case of stage fright.  It's also a good idea to have his parent(s) sit on the front row so he has the option to sit with them, if needed.  Another option is to assign him to a specific groomsman to stand next to during the ceremony, preferably someone he knows. As far as attire, the ring bearer can wear a rented little tuxedo. To save money, shop online or purchase a black suit from a department store.  A suit may be more practical since he can where it again.

Flower Girl Dresses

The attire for flower girls is really dependent upon the preference of the bride. Popular flower girl dresses traditionally include a white dress in a Cinderella style, sometimes with a sash to match to bridesmaids, a dress in a color matching the bridesmaids, or a mini-version of the bridesmaids dresses.  If you choose to wear off white the flower girl's dress can also be off white.  Most bridal shops offer a selection of flower girls dresses, however, flower girl dresses from a bridal shop are usually rather expensive. To save money, shop online or at a department store.  If you're wedding is not for several months, consider a larger size to account for growth spurts.

Flower Girls

A sweet addition to any wedding is a flower girl. Flower girls are usually a young girl under the age of 10.  It's customary to select a family member, such as a sister, niece, or cousin of either the bride, groom, or both. You can also choose the daughter of a friend. Flower girls add a cute and often funny element to your sentimental occasion.  The number of flower girls usually ranges from one to three depending on your family structure.  For girls over the age of 10, other options for participating in the wedding include junior bridesmaids or bell ringers.  The role of the flower girl(s) is to walk down the aisle after the bridesmaids and before the bride while dropping flower petals (real or fake) along the way.  Children often become nervous, so making sure they practice is vital to avoid a case of stage fright.  It's also a good idea to have her parent(s) sit on the front row so she has the option to sit with them, if needed.  Another option is to assign a specific bridesmaid for her to stand next to during the ceremony, preferably someone she knows.  A popular trend for smaller flower girls is to be pulled in a decorated wagon by an older flower girl. Flower girl dresses.

Duties of Maid or Matron of Honor

The maid or matron of honor plays a very special role in assisting the bride before, during, and after her wedding. No bride can do it all, the maid or matron of honor can assist in doing whatever she can to help make the bride's wedding day go smoothly. This special person should be responsible and trustworthy. Listed below are the normal duties of the maid or matron of honor.  Download the list.

• Be supportive of the newly engaged couple
• Assist the bride in any pre-wedding tasks (shopping, addressing invitations)
• Provide a listening ear when the bride becomes stressed
• Organize a bridal shower with the other bridesmaids and plan a bachelorette party
• Record gifts received at the bridal shower
• Pay for her own wedding attire and accessories
• Attend the wedding rehearsal and dinner
• Assist in helping the bride get dressed for the wedding
• Attend to the needs of the bride on the wedding day
• Hold on to the groom's ring for the ceremony
• Walk down the aisle and stand with the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony
• Make sure the bride's train is properly arranged at the altar
• Hold the bride's bouquet as she exchanges rings with the groom
• May sign the marriage certificate as a witness
• Offers a toast to the bride and groom at the wedding reception
• May assist in transporting wedding gifts to the newlyweds home

Bridesmaid's Responsiblities

Bridesmaids are generally a collection of the bride's closest friends and family. They assist the bride in what ever way she needs and participate in wedding day activities. Choosing bridesmaids can be a difficult decision for many brides. When making your selection, keep in mind the traditional duties of a bridesmaid. Download the list.

• Be supportive of the newly engaged couple
• Assist the bride in any pre-wedding tasks
• Provide a listening ear when the bride becomes stressed
• Attend and help to plan a bridal shower and bachelorette party
• Pay for her own wedding attire and accessories
• Attend the wedding rehearsal and dinner
• Assist in helping the bride to get dressed for the wedding
• Walk down the aisle and stand with the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony
• May assist in transporting wedding gifts to the newlyweds home