When planning a wedding, one of the most important, and sometimes often difficult decisions to make, is selecting the members of your wedding party.

It’s your wedding, so remember that the number of attendants you choose is entirely up to you! Despite what you may have thought, it isn’t necessary to have an equal number of bridesmaids and ushers. Although, it might be wise to have one usher per 50 guests. Remember, an usher can be female, just as the Best Man can be a woman.

Honour Attendants’ Duties
The traditional duties of the wedding party are no longer rigidly followed. It’s your job to ask for the help you need leading up to and on your big day. However, here are some tips on the type of support that is traditionally provided by the wedding party:

Responsibilities of the Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids
• Help the bride select the wedding party attire
• Organize the bachelorette party
• Help address invitations and place cards
• Attend pre-wedding events
• Organize the gift to the bride
• Attend and ensure other members of the wedding party attend fittings, rehearsals and the ceremony
• Keep the bride on schedule on the day of the wedding
• Walk in professional and recessional
• Hold the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony
• Witness the signing of the marriage certificate

Responsibilities of the Best Man and Groomsmen
• Organize the bachelor party
• Organize the usher’s gift to the groom
• Attend the pre-wedding events
• Keep the groom on schedule on the day of the wedding
• Ensure the groom’s wedding-related bills are paid (clergy fee, etc.) and that the groom has a Marriage License
• Assume responsibility of the bride’s ring
• Welcome guests at the service and reception
• Walk in recessional
• Witness signing of marriage certificate
• Organize transportation for the bride and groom after the reception
• Greet and seat guests. Note: Seating should be balanced; the bride’s friends and family on the left, the grooms on the right. If there are more guests on one side than the other, ask arriving guests if they would mind sitting on the other side. Ensure that elderly guests are seated first.
• Distribute the wedding program to arriving guests and set out the aisle runner after the bride and groom’s mothers have both taken their seats
• Help gather the wedding party for photographs

The best rule of thumb is to be as appreciative as possible and to always remember to thank all of those in your wedding party for their support.

Louise Fox, the Etiquette Lady