So…you’ve been asked by your friends to be in the wedding party. You might feel honored, surprised or joyful at first. Then the panic sets in. “What do I do?” you wonder. “What sort of responsibilities will I need to take on?” “What about my attire?” If this sounds like you, take heart. While your role as an attendant is a bit more than just looking fabulous and not tripping as you walk down the aisle, it’s not as complicated as you might think. This fast guide to what wedding attendants do should help you prepare for your role in your friends’ special day.
Honor Attendants: Crucial Supporting Roles
Traditionally known as the maid of honor and the best man, honor attendants play important parts in helping the future newlyweds with both planning and emotional support. Their duties usually include arranging showers and parties, scheduling the wedding party’s attire fittings and organizing the other attendants for pictures. Additionally, honor attendants may be charged with picking up and bringing the future spouses’ attire to the venue, along with assisting them in getting dressed before the ceremony.
Traditionally, the best man and maid of honor had specific duties assigned to them prior to the wedding. Bridal Guide reveals that the best man would customarily handle the rehearsal party and reception toasts, taking custody of the wedding rings, paying the officiant and confirming honeymoon travel arrangements. On the other hand, maids of honor would usually keep track of gifts received by the couple, address invitations and hold the bride’s bouquet at the altar. However, your friends may opt to depart from these customs, so it’s best to confer with them and verify how they’d like you to help.
Other Party Members Are Also Vital
Even if you’re not an honor attendant, you can still support your marrying friends in important ways. The terms “bridesmaids” and “groomsmen” are still commonly used, and the roles you’ll play depend on how much the happy couple engages in traditional practices. You might assist the honor attendants with planning tasks, such as ushering at the ceremony, addressing invitations or planning a bachelor or bachelorette bash. According to popular wedding guide TheKnot, you may also aid in keeping the dance floor active or decorating the couple’s getaway vehicle. Again, how you’ll assist depends on what the newlyweds-to-be have in mind, so it’s best to ask them to avoid making assumptions.
Junior Attendants, Ring Bearers and Flower Carriers
Younger members of the wedding party also play a vital part in making the couple’s special day joyful and celebratory. Junior attendants can fulfill most of the same responsibilities as adult attendants, and generally attend all the events leading up to the wedding except for the bachelor or bachelorette parties. Ring bearers and flower carriers are only on deck the day of the nuptials to carry a small pillow holding both the wedding rings or scatter flower petals as they process into the ceremony space. If you’re the parent of a junior attendant, ring bearer or flower carrier, it’s a good idea to clarify details with the couple in terms of attire and what events your child will need to attend.
A Wonderful Honor and Opportunity to Celebrate
Whether you’re excited or anxious about your upcoming participation in your friends’ wedding, you’re about to play an important part in their celebration of love. If you keep a few important things in mind, there won’t be any need to worry about your performance. Stay in frequent contact with the happy couple, and make sure you understand the tasks you’ll need to help with as they plan their big day. Follow those suggestions, and you’ll aid in making their nuptials as wonderful as they envision.
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