Bridesmaids and groomsmen (or in some cases bridesmen and groomsmaids) serve an important function at your wedding. But what exactly do they do? Prior to the day of the wedding, bridesmaids and groomsmen are generally the people you count on to help plan and carry out the details of the wedding and events that precede it. This might include wardrobe advice, wedding theme selection and other planning details. The events typically include a shower, bachelor or bachelorette party.
On the wedding day, traditionally, the bridesmaids and groomsmen serve as hostesses and hosts to your guests. They greet people, make introductions and help the bride and groom in whatever way they can. The maid or matron of honor is, more or less, assigned to the bride much along the lines of a personal assistant. During the ceremony she may adjust the bride's train (hopefully this will only happen once and just as the bride takes position), hold the groom's ring or the bride's bouquet. The best man is a kind of valet for the groom. He also typically holds the bride's ring (or maybe both rings), and may have the fee and tip envelopes for the officiant and other vendors. Some couples choose to have the maid of honor and best man sign the license as witnesses. Groomsmen make very useful ushers, helping guests to their seats. Other than that, the attendant’s job is to stand handsomely with bride and groom as they marry.
In less traditional weddings, anything can happen. On one end of the spectrum, you can choose to have no attendants at all. I've done weddings where the bride and groom had only one attendant each, and in a few cases that was the bride's mother and the groom's father. Some couples choose attendants that will be active participants in the ceremony. They may do readings, participate in blessings, hold Chuppah poles, do hand washings, smudging (incense burning), and pass items to be shared to the guests, or read parts of the ceremony. There are no rules stating the bride must be attended by women or the groom by men, nor must there be an equal number.
Attendants can enter in pairs or follow the tradition of the men accompanying the groom and the women preceding the bride. Generally the attendants do recess in pairs and allow the newly married couple to make a grand exit.
I Do adapts traditions and creates new options to help couples personalize their wedding ceremonies. by Sydney Barbara Metrick Buy The Book www.ChickenSoupCounseling.com
Leave a comment