Keeping it simple your wedding party can be The Bride the Groom and two witnesses

Then it can get complicated but usually it will include both sets of parents, a best man, chief bridesmaid/maid of honour, and any number of bridesmaids, flower girls, page boys, and ushers.

Choose the right person for the job. For the bride her supporters on the day will help give her confidence and ensure her appearance is all she would want it to be. The grooms supporters are there to see he gets to the wedding venue on time properly dressed and to keep the rings safe until the moment they are needed.

Who gives the bride away ?

• This is usually the bride’s father but as it is her choice she can substitute a relative or a very special friend. This is a very important duty and is central to the smooth running of the wedding.

• He accompanies the bride to the ceremony

• At a church wedding he walks the bride down the aisle on his left arm and ‘ gives her away’. At a civil ceremony he escorts the bride to the front of the room to join the waiting groom.

• He will act as an official witness

• He will make the first speech at the reception and propose the first toast to the bride and groom.

The best man

The grooms choice, best friend brother or close relative - choose with care as this choice is crucial to the success of the reception.

The best man:

• Looks after the groom before the wedding
• He is the ‘ keeper of the rings’
• He is responsible to ensure the minister is paid
• He can be an official witness
• He should supervise the transport from the wedding to the reception
• He controls the proceedings at the reception in place of a toastmaster
• He makes a speech and the toast to the bridesmaids
• He reads out messages and cards from well-wishers.

The chief Bridesmaid

Usually a best friend or sister of the bride.

The chief bridesmaids duties are:

• To help the bride get ready before the ceremony
• She looks after any younger attendants with the assistance of the brides mother
• She holds the brides bouquet during the ceremony
• She can be an official witness

Remember you can have as many or as few bridesmaids, flower girls and pageboys as you wish. Page boys walk directly behind the bride and hold the train of her dress if there is one Flower girls walk in front and if allowed may scatter flower petals in her path. The bridesmaids take up the rear. One important point young children can make your day very special but ensure that their parents are close by to catch them when they run about or lie down because they are bored………… or need the bathroom………………………

Ushers

• It depends on the size of the wedding but usually you need at least two ushers one for each of the two families involved. The ushers will know the names of the guests and make them welcome.

• Ushers should arrive at the church or wedding venue early and stand near the door to give out order of service sheets.

• They show guests to their seats before the wedding starts - the Brides guests and family are seated on the left the Grooms’ on the right.

• The Ushers help the best man to ensure all guests know how to get to the reception.

• They make sure all guests are looked after at the reception.