It could be said that a wedding is like a romantic stage production. The Bride and Groom are the stars, the Best Man and Chief Bridesmaid are the lead supporting roles and other main characters include the Bridesmaids and the Ushers.
For the production to run perfectly, everyone needs to know what their roles involve. No second takes or cuts at a wedding (apart from with the cake of course).
We take a look at who does what in their supporting roles:
The Best Man
The job of Best Man is undeniably one of responsibility. Being asked to be Best Man is flattering as it is traditionally given to the best friend or brother of the Groom, but also daunting. With great power – and flattery – comes great responsibility! So much so, that we’ve had to use bullet points:
Organize the Stag Do – and then ensure that the Groom gets through it safely!
- Support the Groom emotionally and with the planning process leading up to the wedding
- Ensure the Groom is safe and relatively sober the night before the wedding – perhaps by staying over – and then help him to get ready on the day
- Visit the venues with the Bride and Groom and help work out timings, logistics etc
- Make sure the Ushers are organized and know what to do, get a list of guests, pre-arrange any special seating requirements and parking arrangements
- Organize and collect – or ask Ushers to collect – buttonholes
- Collect and after the wedding return any hire suits
- Collect any emails or cards to be read out at the reception
- Hand out umbrellas to the Ushers to use if there’s a chance of rain
- Get the Groom to the church or registry office on time
- Walk the Chief Bridesmaid down the aisle
- Hand over the wedding rings during the ceremony and witness the signing of the wedding register
- Make sure everyone can get from the ceremony to the reception
- Act as Master of Ceremonies – if there isn’t one – and announce speeches and the cutting of the cake
- Give a funny, coherent speech at the reception (no pressure!)
The Chief Bridesmaid
This role is usually held by the sister or best friend of the Bride. If the Chief Bridesmaid is married she is known as the Matron of Honour. The Chief Bridesmaid’s job is to help the Bride – with choosing the wedding dress and bridesmaids’ dresses, with the wedding arrangements, organizing the Hen Night, and looking after the Bridesmaids and Page Boys. It is also her job to keep the Bride looking fabulous throughout the wedding day!
The Chief Bridesmaid should check with the Best Man on timings and on the day help the Bride to get ready, organize the Bridesmaids and Page Boys, arrange the Bride’s veil and dress before she walks down the aisle, and hold the bride’s bouquet during the service. Traditionally the Chief Bridesmaid walks down the aisle behind the Bride and the Bride’s father, and has the first dance with the Best Man at the reception. She also witnesses the signing of the wedding register.
Bridesmaids - A serious role (and a really funny film)
Bridesmaids and Page Boys
The Bridesmaids are usually friends of the Bride, or sisters of the Bride or Groom, and Page Boys tend to be nephews or very young siblings. Their role is to help look after the bride on the day and to walk behind the Chief Bridesmaid up the aisle, possibly holding the Bride’s train if need be. Truth be known the Bridesmaids and Page Boys are mostly there to look cute – but what’s wrong with that?
The Ushers
The Ushers are there to help – with seating arrangements at the ceremony, by handing out order of service sheets, directing parking, shielding umbrella-less guests from the rain and ensuring all guests can get from the ceremony to the reception. At the reception the Ushers should again help with parking arrangements, assist any infirm guests to their seats and generally ensure a level of ease and order! Traditionally it is the Best Man who should let the Ushers know what to do and give them buttonholes, guest lists, service sheets and timings.