Responsibilities

You said YES! … Now the exciting run-up to your wedding day starts including making sure every little detail brings your dream wedding to life. In your wedding planning, you will need to understand who will be responsible for what - who pays for the rings, the bride’s gown, bouquet among other things.

Although delegating responsibilities will relieve stress and pressure off the bride and groom’s shoulders, it is very important for all the parties involved to fully understand their responsibilities. It also means you need to understand each of their responsibilities.

Bride and Groom Responsibilities

·         In consultation with the parents (if they are paying or contributing to the wedding),

      decide on the wedding budget.

·         Choose the wedding style, theme, date, time and the place of ceremony and reception.

      Make bookings, reservations and deposits.

·         Book the marriage officer. Go for premarital counselling if required.

·         Choose and order wedding cards, wedding invitations and ‘thank you’ notes for guests.

·         Prepare a guest list (and their attire).

·         Buy wedding gifts to appreciate wedding-party i.e. Bridesmaids, Groomsmen and the

      flower girl and ring bearer. Present the gifts at the wedding rehearsal dinner or any private

      gathering before the wedding.

·        Acknowledge all bridal shower and wedding gifts (ideally with handwritten personalised

      thank-you notes from both of you).

·         Choose and purchase gifts for the parents.

·         Get a marriage license.

·         Attend the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

·         Attend the wedding ceremony and reception.

·         Dance the first dance at the wedding reception.

·         Greet everyone at the wedding reception.

Bride

Plans the budget with parents and the groom.
Chooses her wedding gown and hair-style.
Chooses her wedding day jewellery e.g. necklace, bracelet, and earrings.
Booking the wedding co-ordinator, caterer, DJ, florist, photographer, videographer, wedding cake baker and other wedding professionals.
Helps compile the guest list.
Addresses invitations.
Shops for trousseau. A traditional trousseau includes bridal accessories, jewellery, lingerie, toiletries and makeup, plus bed linens and bath towels for her new home.
Packs for the honeymoon.
Gets all necessary travel documents for the honeymoon (i.e. passport and visas).
Purchases the groom's wedding ring (and have it engraved).
Purchases a wedding gift for the groom.
Completes paperwork necessary for name change on bank accounts, credit cards, insurance, etc.
Stands to the right of the groom in the receiving line.

Groom

Assists in compiling the wedding guest-list and presents it to the bride.
Buys the bride's engagement and wedding rings (and arrange engraving).
Rents or purchases his wedding day attire.
Chooses all wedding day attire and accessories for the male wedding-party members.
Plans and pays for the honeymoon.
Gets all necessary travel documents for the honeymoon (i.e. passport and visas).
Assists in any planning of the wedding ceremony and reception.
Buys a wedding gift for the bride.
Pays for the bridal bouquet, all corsages and boutonnières for wedding-party.
Looks for accommodation for out-of-town guests.
Sends out wedding rehearsal dinner invitations.
Arrives at the wedding ceremony venue at least 1 hour early.
Brings marriage license to the wedding ceremony venue.
Pays the marriage officer and musicians.
Stands to the left of the bride in the receiving line.

Maid (Matron) of Honour

Helps the bride shop for her bridal gown, bridesmaids’ gowns and jewellery.
Buys her gown and accessories.
Assists the bride address invitations.
Plans and hosts the bridal shower and the bachelorette party as well as recording the gifts received.
Helps the bride source and decorate wedding favours.
If necessary, helps the bride and bride's family decorate the reception hall.
Attends the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
On the big day, arrives at least 2 hours early to assist the bride in dressing.
Organises bridesmaids and their gowns.
Arranges the bride's veil and train before and throughout the wedding ceremony.
Carries the groom's ring during the ceremony (if there is no ring bearer).
Signs the wedding certificate as an official witness.
Stands to the left of the groom in the receiving line.
Dances and encourages guests to dance to the wedding reception music.
She is the supporting hostess at the wedding reception.

Best Man

Organises and hosts the bachelor party.
Rents or purchases his wedding attire that matches the groom's.
Attends the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
Organises transport to the wedding ceremony for himself and the groom.
Organises transport for the new couple and himself to the wedding reception.
Arrives with the groom at least 1 hour before the wedding ceremony.
Helps keep the groom calm.
Oversees groomsmen and ushers.
Carries the bride's wedding ring (if there is no ring bearer).
Escorts the Maid (Matron) of Honour during the wedding.
Forwards payment to musicians and marriage officer from the groom.
Stands to the right of the bride in the receiving line.
Makes the first toast at the reception and reads congratulations messages.
Dances and encourages guests to dance to the wedding reception music.
Drives the newlyweds to the honeymoon suite or airport after the wedding reception.
Organises the return of any rented male wedding attire.

Bridesmaids

In keeping with the bride’s wedding style, purchase their gowns and accessories.
Help the Maid (Matron) of Honour in organising and hosting the bridal showers.
Assist with the wedding favours.
Run errands as needed by the bride.
If needed, help decorate the wedding reception hall.
Attend the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
Arrive early at the wedding dressing venue.
Walk down the aisle before the Maid (Matron) of Honour, flower girl and ring bearer.
May stand in the receiving line.
Dance at the wedding reception.

Groomsmen and Ushers

In keeping with the wedding style, purchase or rent their wedding attire.
Help to organise and pay for the bachelor party.
Attend the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
Arrive at the wedding ceremony at least 1 hour before the wedding.
Help fold and distribute the wedding programme.
Help ensure that all family members have corsages/boutonnières before being seated.
Escorting and seating guests in the planned order, leaving first few rows empty for family members and roll out the aisle runner.
Help light candelabras as needed.
Escort the bridesmaids during the wedding.
Collect any items left by guests at the wedding ceremony venue.
Collect the wedding ceremony decorations.
Dances and encourages guests to dance to the wedding reception music.
Decorate the newlywed's car.

Father of the Groom

Helps in compiling the groom’s guest list.
Purchase or rent his wedding attire.
Pays for and hosts the wedding rehearsal dinner.
Proposes the first toast at the rehearsal dinner.
Arrives dressed 1 hour before the wedding.
Stands to the left of the mother of the groom in the receiving line.
Pays for all the beverages at the wedding reception.

Mother of the Groom

Helps in compiling the groom’s guest list.
Shops for a dress that is complementary in colour and style to the mother of the bride's dress.
Plans the wedding rehearsal dinner.
Arrives dressed 1 hour before the wedding.
Stands to the left of the bride's parents in the receiving line.

Father of the Bride

Helps the bride in preparing her guest list.
Purchases or rents his wedding attire that matches that of the groom and other male wedding attendants.
Rides with the bride to the wedding ceremony.
Escorts the bride down the aisle on the left arm.
Stands to the left of the mother of the bride in the receiving line.
Co-hosts the wedding reception.
Dances the second dance with the bride at the wedding reception.
Helps in gathering gifts after the reception.
He is the last to leave the wedding reception.

Mother of the Bride

Assists the bride in choosing her wedding gown, accessories and the colour and style of her attendants' gowns.
Assists in preparing the bride’s guest list.
Helps in recording all the gifts received.
Chooses a dress that will complement the colour scheme of the wedding and inform the mother of the groom of the choice.
Assists the bride in details of the wedding ceremony and reception (i.e. caterer, DJ, photographer, etc.).
Arrives dressed before the bride and the bridal party.
Brings the guest-book and unity candle to the wedding ceremony and then to the reception.
Stands at the head of the receiving line.
Serves as the official hostess at the wedding and reception.
Collects the gifts after the wedding reception for the couple until after their honeymoon.

Master of Ceremonies

· As a good family member / friend who speaks well, he contributes greatly to the success of the reception especially if he knows most of the wedding guests.

· Welcomes the guests on behalf of the parents responsible for the wedding.

· Introduces the various speakers.

· Announces items on the wedding programme i.e. music, dance, meals etc.

· Makes the toast.

Flower Girl

·         Her parents pay for the dress and accessories.

·        Attends the wedding rehearsal (and may attend the rehearsal dinner with her parents).

·         Arrives dressed 1 hour before the wedding ceremony.

·         While scattering lower petals in the bride’s path.

·         Precedes the bride and her father in the wedding processional.

·         Attends the wedding reception with her parents.

Ring Bearer

·         His parents buy his attire that matches or complements the groom's attire.

·         Attends the wedding rehearsal (and may attend the rehearsal dinner with his parents).

·         Arrives dressed 1 hour before the ceremony.

·         Precedes the flower girl in the wedding processional carrying the wedding rings on a pillow.

·         Attends the wedding reception with parents.

Confetti Girls

·         Throwing confetti is an old custom (it can be omitted).

·         Confetti girls are generally of school going age - they are not part of the wedding-party itself.

      Hand out and throw the packets of confetti or rose petals as the newly-weds leave the

      wedding ceremony

Wedding & Function Cape Town

Vol. 3 No. 3 Jan / Feb Edition On shelves Now!

Wedding & Function Eastern Cape

Vol. 8 No. 3 Jan / Feb Edition On shelves Now!

Wedding & Function KwaZulu Natal

Vol. 5 No. 3 Feb / March Edition On shelves Now!

Wedding & Function Garden Route

Vol. 6 No. 1 Feb / March Edition On shelves Now!

Wedding & Function Gauteng

Vol.1 No.6 Feb / March Edition On shelves Now!

Ricochet Publishing
Tel: 0861 636 845
production@ricochetpublishing.co.za