Members and Duties of the Wedding Party - Part 1 of 6

A wedding can be as glamorous as the dream of the bride, without overstepping the bounds of good taste. There will be mountains of obligations pressing the bride and groom, but take a deep breath and relax because there are others waiting to help. Each member of the wedding party has a particular role in helping achieve “Your Unique Wedding.” You, and the Wedding Planner, will be there to put it all together for the big event.

BRIDE AND GROOM
 Decide budget and wedding plans and hire planner.
 Choose wedding party attendants. The bride helps her attendants in dress selection and the groom discusses appropriate attire with his best man and groomsmen.
 Purchase small gifts for their attendants. Acknowledge receipt of wedding gifts with a personal note of appreciation.

BRIDE
 Discusses budget with fiancé and parents. Sets date, time and place of wedding and reception.
 Selects wedding dress and accessories, allowing a minimum of 4 months for delivery.
 Books caterer, wedding and reception entertainment, florist and photographers, videographer and bakery.
 Helps compile the guest list; chooses her attendants.
 Orders invitations, thank-you notes and personal stationery.
 Shops for trousseau.
 Buys groom’s wedding band and arranges for engraving.

GROOM
 Helps compile the guest list.
 Buys the wedding ring and arranges for engraving.
 Gets the marriage license and obtains any other necessary legal documents.
 Pays for and arranges honeymoon. Checks on available hotels for out-of-town guests.
 Pays for bride’s bouquet, going-away corsage, corsages for both mothers and close female relatives on either side.
 Supplies boutonnieres for himself and male attendants.

Part 2 - Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man