Once you've determined the style of your wedding and your budget, you'll need to select attendants to share in the festivities. See our wedding party list to learn about attendants and their responsibilities to you and the groom.

When selecting members of the wedding party, consider your dearest friends and family members. You'll want to be surrounded by those who mean the most to you on this very special day.

If this is the second marriage for you or the groom, you may need to consider the involvement of children from previous marriages. You know your family members better than anyone, so consider their feelings when selecting people or determining their level of involvement.

Talk things over with your groom and select friends or family members who can handle the duties. See below for detailed information about the responsibilities of each member the wedding party.

Bride's Attendants...

Maid/Matron of Honor

Usually a sister or best friend; someone with whom the bride has a very special relationship. The term matron describes a married attendant, while maid describes an unmarried attendant.

Responsibilities

• Assist the bride with shopping, errands or invitations
  
• Organize bridesmaids for fittings and on the wedding day
  
• Plan shower for the bride (with or without the help of other bridesmaids)
  
• Assist with planning for the bachelorette party
  
• Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
  
• On the wedding day she keeps the groom's ring until It is needed for the ceremony
  
• Help the bride with dress, train, hair and makeup at the wedding and reception.
  
• Pay for her wedding attire.

  

Bridesmaids

Normally, the more informal the wedding, the few the number of bridesmaids. You may have an even or uneven number of bridesmaids and you do not need to have an equal number of attendants for the bride and groom, but that will provide balance at the altar, and in your wedding pictures.

Responsibilities

• Help with shopping, errands and other tasks
  
• Assist with planning for the bachelorette party
  
• Assist maid of honor in planning a shower for the bride
  
• Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

  

Flower Girls

Normally brides choose one or two family members for this duty. They usually range in age from about four to eight years old. The flower girls may drop rose petals as they go down the aisle, carry a single bouquet or hand out flowers to guests.

Ring Bearers

Can be either little boys or little girls.

Responsibilities

• Carry the wedding rings tied to a small satin or lace pillow (this can be for ceremonial purposes only, if you prefer to have the best man and maid of honor hold the real rings).

  

Mistress of Ceremonies

Select your most responsible, most organized friend or relative for this duty. Your mistress of ceremonies will coordinate everything from flower deliveries to lining up and coordinating the entry for attendants during the processional. She will make sure that all the bases are covered on your wedding day and will handle emergencies that may come up. This is a great deal of responsibility and your selection could mean the difference between disaster and perfection.

Mother of the Bride

Her level of involvement may depend on her geographic location to you during the planning phase. The further away your mother lives, the more difficult it may be to involve her in certain aspects of the planning. Talk to your mother and see what types of things she would most like to be involved in.

Responsibilities

• Greet and welcome all guests at the reception (either in the receiving line or individually)
  
• Assist with ceremony and reception planning
  
• Assist bride with gown selection or any other wedding planning, as needed
  
• Select her gown for the wedding

  

Father of the Bride

This is a big day for Dad, so make sure to keep him in the loop regarding important aspects of wedding planning.

Responsibilities

• Escort bride down the aisle
  
• Greet and welcome guests at the reception (either in the receiving line or individually)
  
• Finalize payments to caterers, musicians, etc.
  
• Pack up wedding gifts, green plants or any other items to be kept from the wedding or reception

  

Groom's Attendants...

Best Man

Usually a family member or very close friend. This can be a father, son, brother or other relative, or simply a great friend. The best man will assist the groom with planning other aspects of the wedding.

Responsibilities

• Pays for his wedding attire
  
• Bring groom to the wedding site and helps him dress
  
• Organize ushers' fittings and on the wedding day
  
• Carry the bride's wedding ring for the groom until needed in the ceremony
  
• Delivers officiant's fee before or after the ceremony
  
• Gives first toast to bride and groom at the reception
  
• Dances with the bride
  
• Reads any congratulatory telegrams at the reception
  
• Returns grooms' attire to rental shop

  

Ushers/Groomsmen

Determined by the size and formality of the wedding. Normally there is one usher per 50 guests. These attendants are normally family members or close friends of the groom

Responsibilities

• Pay for their wedding attire
  
• Arrive at wedding site one hour prior to wedding to seat guests as they arrive
  
• Seat special guests in designated areas
  
• Seat bride's guests on the left and groom's guests on the right (check with your officiant)
  
• Seat parents of the bride and groom
  
• Distribute wedding programs
  
• Unroll the aisle carpet
  
• Escort bridesmaids

  

Groom's Parent

Their level of involvement may depend on their geographic location or financial support. You and the groom should discuss their level of involvement and then get their input.

Responsibilities

• Host the rehearsal dinner
  
• Greet guests at the reception