Wedding
Planning Bridal Party Checklist...
Who Does What?
What should you expect
from the wedding party? Review this clear and to the
point checklist for better communications: It’s also
helpful if you print individual sheets for each member of
the bridal party so they have their own personalized
check list…
Maid of Honor/Personal Attendant
(Usually special
friend or sister of the bride)
Helps bride with
shopping, invitations and other details as
requested.
Attends all
pre-wedding events
Pays for own wedding
attire
Takes charge of
groom's ring during ceremony
Witnesses, signs
wedding certificate
Helps bride in
arranging veil and dress at ceremony and
reception
Returns bride's gown
to designated place after wedding
Bridesmaids
Purchases and
completes fittings of gowns
Performs tasks as
assigned by bride
Attends rehearsal and
rehearsal dinner
Help with wedding
shower
Best
Man
(Assists groom with
all details of the wedding day.)
Pays for own attire
Transports groom to
the church
Supervises the
groomsmen, regarding their dress and duties at
ceremony
Takes care of bride's
ring until ceremony
Presents the clergy
person with fee
Signs and witnesses
the marriage certificate
Offers the first
toast to the bride and groom
Dances with the bride
after the groom and both fathers have danced with
her
Prepares the
honeymoon car, packs suitcases in car
Holds for
safekeeping, any tickets, keys, etc. for the
groom.
Returns groom's
tuxedo to rental shop.
Groomsmen
Pays for their own
wedding attire
Attends rehearsal and
rehearsal dinner
Attends bachelor
dinner if there is one
Escorts bridesmaids
during the ceremony
Ushers
Pay for own wedding
attire
Make sure principles
have flowers before being seated. (Unless this
task is assigned to another)
Distribute wedding
programs. (Unless this task is assigned to
another)
Seat guests on
appropriate side of church
Assist elderly guests
to seats
After all guests are
seated, unroll aisle carpet
Check church for any
items left behind.
Flower
Girls
Flower girls attend
the shower and some pre-wedding parties.
They attend the
rehearsal and may attend the rehearsal dinner
with their families.
Flower girls walk
directly in front of the bride in the
processional and in front of the maid of honor in
the recessional.
As flower girls walk
down the aisle, they may scatter flower or rose
petals. If petals are not permitted, sometimes
flower girls will hand out single flowers to
guest as they walk, or they may just carry a
bouquet, a ring of flowers or a pomander ball.
During the ceremony,
flower girls may stand near the bridesmaids or
may sit with their families. Younger ones
probably will do better sitting with their
families.
They are in the
formal photographs of the bridal parties.
Flower girls do not
usually stand in the reception line.
Flower girls usually
sit at a table of honor with their families
rather than at the head table.
Families of flower
girls are expected to pay for dresses and other
attire.
If travel expenses
are involved, the girls' family picks up these
costs.
Flower girls are not
expected to bring a gift to pre-wedding parties
they may attend. If their parents attend, gift
expectations would be the same as any other
guest. If they attend more than one shower or
party, only one shower gift is expected.
Flower girls are not
responsible for helping financially with bridal
shower.
Ring
Bearers/Train Bearers
The ring bearer(s)
carries a pillow with a ring or rings sewn to it.
(These are usually not the real wedding rings but
symbolic ones for show only.)
The ring bearer(s)
walks either directly in front of or besides the
flower girl(s) in the processional and the
recessional.
If real rings are
tied to the pillow the ring bearer takes the
pillow directly to the maid of honor and the best
man who will remove the rings.
The trainbearers
follow the bride in the processional and
recessional, and carry the bridal train.
During the ceremony,
the ring and trainbearers may stand near the
ushers or sit with their families.
They are in the
formal Photographs of the bridal party.
Ring and trainbearers
do not usually stand in the reception line.
Ring and trainbearers
usually sit at a table of honor with their
families.
Families of ring and
trainbearers are expected to pay for attire.
If travel expenses
are involved, the children's families pick up
these costs.
Ring and trainbearers
are not expected to bring gifts to any
pre-wedding parties they may attend. If their
parents attend gifts expectations would be the
same as any other guest. If they attend more than
one party, only one shower gift is expected.
They attend the
rehearsal and may attend the rehearsal dinner
with their families.
