Each member of your bridal party plays a specific role from the day they say “yes” to standing up in your wedding to the day-of.
Below is a list of who does what. Roles can change but this is a traditional list for you to use.
Your Queen Diva (Maid or Matron of Honor)
- Helps coordinate bridesmaids’ activities before and during ceremony
- Attends all prewedding parties
- May arrange bridal shower
- May help record shower and wedding gifts
- May act as an official witness for the marriage license
- Unofficially calms the bride’s nerves
- Helps bride dress for the ceremony, reception and departure of reception
- Greets the officiant
- Arranges wedding gown train before the processional and rearranges for the recessional (if there no pages)
- Holds bride’s bouquet during the ceremony and the groom’s ring
- Bustles the bride’s train and removes headpiece before the reception
- Keeps track of bride’s personal items at ceremony and reception
- Stands next to the couple in the receiving line
- Helps with introductions of guests and with directing photographer at reception
- Sits on the bridegroom’s left at the bridal table
Your Princess Divas (Bridesmaids)
- Help with prewedding activities and errands
- Attend all prewedding parties
- May co-host bridesmaids’ lunch or bachelorette party
- May help prepare wedding favors and place cards
- Stand with the couple in the receiving line
- Circulate at the reception, acting as deputy hostesses
Little Divas (Junior Bridesmaids)
- Usually 10-14 years old
- Walk with the bridal party
- May be dressed in smaller versions of the bridesmaids’ dresses or in dresses more appropriate for their age
- May stand in receiving line
Your Man’s Main Man (Best Man)
- Attends all prewedding parties the bridegroom attends
- May act as second official witness for the marriage license
- Makes sure groom arrives on time, properly dressed and prepared
- Does not walk in the processional
- Oversees the ushers, designates those who will escort the immediate family
- Keeps rings, license, and any honeymoon tickets safely tucked away
- Holds the bride’s wedding ring during the ceremony
- Delivers the officiant’s fee
- Stands in the receiving line
- Keeps track of the bridegroom’s personal items at the reception
- Delivers the first toast at the reception
- Helps the bridegroom change for the honeymoon getaway
- Makes sure all the luggage for the bride and groom is put into the getaway car
Buffalo Soldiers (Groomsmen/Ushers)
- Assist the groom with any prewedding, wedding and post-wedding duties
- Attends all prewedding parties the bridegroom attends
- Seat guests at the ceremony
- Unroll the aisle runner after the bride’s mother is seated
- Decorate the getaway car
Pint-sized Petal Pusher (Flower Girl)
- Usually 5-7 years old
- Immediately precedes the bride in the processional, tossing petals along the runner
- May carry guestbook around at the reception to collect signatures
Rubber Band Mini Man (Ring Bearer)
- Carries clever substitutes for the wedding bands to the alter tied with ribbon to a satin pillow
- Walks right before the Flower Girl in the processional and beside her in the recessional
Pages
- Walk with the bridal party in the processional and recessional
Train Bearers
- Walk in a pair right behind the bride and carry her train up and down the aisle