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Wedding Responsibilities

Perhaps one of the more confusing aspects of planning a wedding is knowing who is responsible for what!

There are the traditional wedding responsibilities but these roles are constantly evolving and are no longer set in stone. This section follows the traditional set of wedding responsibilities but we are intending this as a guide only, it does not have to be this way.

For example, many brides and grooms are now footing the cost of their wedding themselves rather than having the bride’s parents foot the bill.

Who pays for the wedding is probably the biggest role reversal in modern times and so we are including that here, in the beginning rather than assigning it to any one person or party.

Weddings are expensive and not every bride has a family with deep pockets. Yes, it is traditional for the bride’s parents to foot the bill but if money is an issue, then the bride and groom can take over or chip in. Sometimes the groom’s parents will help cover part of the cost.

It is not fair to expect to have a lavish wedding on a modest budget. However, if your parents wish to foot the bill and they can do so, let them. Otherwise, only allow them to help as much as they comfortably can afford.

Staying on budget can be tough with a wedding, so if there is a set limit, then you need to make sure that your planning does not go over that limit.

It might be your special occasion, but do not put anybody in financial debt over your wedding. This is why many engaged couples have longer engagements; they are giving themselves time to save up for the wedding of their dreams.

The Parents of the Bride

As we discussed, tradition dictates that they are responsible for the cost of the wedding, but this is becoming outdated as the costs are often spread around between several parties now.

The engagement party, to celebrate the engagement is usually planned by the bride’s parents.

Otherwise, the parents of the bride usually help out however, the bride needs them too, offering support, and opinions on wedding details. The father of the bride walks his daughter down the aisle and thanks guests for attending the wedding.

The Parents of the Groom

The rehearsal dinner is usually hosted by the parents of the groom and is usually planned for the night before the wedding. The rehearsal dinner is a hosted dinner for the entire wedding party, including the parents of the bride.

Maid of Honor

The maid of honor is the bride’s right hand helper and has several responsibilities with the wedding. The maid of honor helps the bride with all activities including the bridesmaids such as the bachelorette party, bridal shower, and dress fittings.

If you find that you need help with the smaller details of the wedding, delegate to you maid of honor!

The Bridal shower and bachelorette party are always handled by the maid of honor and never by the bride, so all details regarding those parties are handled by her and all the bride has to do is show up.

The maid of honor acts as the point of contact for the bridesmaids, especially when it comes to dress fittings, picking up the dresses, etc.

The maid of honor will help you prepare for the wedding by helping you get dressed, making sure that your train and veil are in place and holds your bridal bouquet for you during the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the maid of honor will sign the marriage license as the bride’s witness and will dance with the best man at the reception. The bride will often change out of her gown before leaving for the honeymoon, and the maid of honor will hold onto her dress for her.

The Best Man

The best man is responsible for the bachelor party and helps coordinate for the fittings for the groomsmen.

Much as the maid of honor is the right hand helper for the bride, the best man does the same for the groom. Because the formalwear for the groomsmen is often rented, the best man will be responsible for collecting the formal wear and returning it after the ceremony.

The Bride & Groom

Naturally, the bulk of the wedding planning falls to the bride and groom, and although decisions are usually made jointly, it is often the bride who handles the actual details. Responsibilities for the bride and groom are:

•Wedding budget

•Pick a date and a venue for the wedding and for the reception and to secure the locations

•Coordinate with the ceremony official

•Choose the wedding party

•Choose dress/tuxedo and pick out tuxedo styles for the groomsmen to rent and choose bridesmaid dresses.

•Decide on using standard vows or write your own

•Select and order invitations, flowers, a band (if there is going to be live music) and a photographer

•Select caterers and food for the reception

•The wedding cake

•Thank you gifts for the wedding party and for the guests

•Making the guest list

•Get a marriage license

•Limousines (If desired – to transport wedding party from the wedding to the reception)

It looks like a lot, and it can be, but when you begin planning long before your wedding, you can easily plan your perfect wedding with less stress.

Of course, there are other things that can come during the wedding that you might want to handle, it depends on how fancy, or how simple you want your wedding to be.