WHO’S WHO AND WHO DOES WHAT Here’s A Few Reasons Why You Should Stand On Ceremony
Weddings are surrounded by traditions and protocol, but while many
of these have been discarded, they still play a large part in the ceremony.
Even if you decide to break with tradition, it’s still a good idea to know
what’s expected. This is a quick guide to who does what and who ends up paying.
ROLES:
• Bridegroom – He makes a speech in reply to
the bride’s father, in which he thanks the bride’s parents and guests and
toasts the bridesmaids.
• Bride – She has the final say on the date
of the wedding and the type of ceremony. Both she and the groom are expect-
ed to greet guests at the reception.
• Best Man – He is one of the busiest of all
and should play a large part in helping to ensure all arrangements have been
made. This includes the stag night, supervising the ushers, driving the
bridegroom to the wedding, and paying all necessary fees on the groom’s behalf.
His most important (and best-known) function is to stand by the groom during the
ceremony and pass the ring to the clergyman when asked. He should look after
transport to the reception and makes sure everyone has a lift.
At the reception, it is the best man who makes a speech replying to the groom,
reading cards and arranging the cutting
of the cake.
• Chief Bridesmaid – She should help dress
the bride, organize the other bridesmaids, hold the bride’s bouquet during the
service and help the bride to change after the ceremony.
• Ushers – They hand out service sheets and
show guests to their seats.
• Bride’s Father – He accompanies the bride
to the ceremony, gives the bride away and makes the first speech after the
wedding breakfast.
WHO PAYS FOR WHAT
There are no hard and fast rules about this, but it is as well to decide in
advance who is paying for what, just to avoid any confusion or embarrassment on
the day.
• Bride’s Parents – Engagement and wedding
announcements, bride’s dress, sometimes bridesmaids’ dresses
(although most now buy their own), wedding stationery, flowers, photography,
transport (but not the groom’s), reception,
and wedding cake.
• Groom – Engagement and wedding rings, all church
and license fees, bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets, flowers for
both mothers, buttonholes for himself and the best man and ushers, transport for
himself and the best man, gifts for bridesmaids and best man, the honeymoon.
ORDER OF SERVICE
The minister will give plenty of advice on hymns to choose, but order of
service is basically broken into six parts:
1. Introductory Medley
2. Entrance of the bride, referred to as the processional
3. Hymns, marriage vows and prayers
4. Hymn or psalm blessing
5. Signing the register
6. Recessional
As the party leaves the house of worship, the order should be bride and groom,
chief bridesmaid and best man, bride’s
mother and bridegroom’s father, bridegroom’s mother and bride’s father,
bridesmaids and other attendants.
SEATING AT THE RECEPTION
The bride and groom sit together in the centre. To the bride’s left is her
father, the groom’s mother and the best man.
To the bridegroom’s right is the bride’s mother, bridegroom’s father and chief
bridesmaid.
But basically, the main thing to remember is that not all weddings days go
according to every last detail of your plan, so
make sure you enjoy yourself and don’t let petty squabbles over who does what
get in the way of your big day.
